Naruto Fan Fiction!

Adventure! SI-OC!

(Title)

"A Song for Them"

DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'Naruto' or any of the canon characters! They are better off without me. Probably. Maybe... Naaaaah.

WARNING! RATED M! Because the above is true and my methods are unscrupulous! Plus, the name of this chapter was too good to pass up.

Montage Arc,

Chapter Fifty: "What is Love? Baby, Don't Hurt Me"

"Love knows no right or wrong. Love is. Only is." -Anon E. Muss

Perspective:

空 (Sky)

Sora, June 16th—(3:43 AM)—Home

I lurched out of the bed, gasping for breath as I found myself back in my room. I grasped my arms and forced my hands to stop trembling as I took deep breaths to calm myself. I was dreaming—no, not dreaming. I was remembering my time in the Foundation this time, of those days when there was no light beside the dim fluorescent overhead lights of the training room. I remembered the false kindness on Kabuto's face as he cut me to bits before repairing it like it didn't happen.

It had felt so real.

I kept my eyes open as repeated my mantra in my mind, pushing away the memories of falling to the concrete floor with every hit. My bones ached with ghost pains of the breaks. I pulled my knees to my chest and stared at the wall in front of me, at the pages of old Fuinjutsu designs, tracing their lines with my eyes.

If felt so real that I... I could've sworn that I could feel his chakra against mine. Raw and invasive—slipping under my skin like he was really here!

The warm summer wind swept into the room, causing the curtain to shudder and ripple in the dim light of the moon. I turned my head towards it and saw shadows within shadows, my eyes playing tricks on me in the dark. Without thinking, I crawled out of bed and walked to the window, locking it before activating the security seal on the pane.

Shadows are just shadows.

Nothing more than that.

Sora, June 16th—(7:02 AM)—Training Grounds Thirty-One

(Days Until Invasion: 16)

I let out a jaw-cracking yawn, fluttering my eyes back open after they grew a bit too heavy. It was too early and I didn't get any sleep after that nightmare. Oh well. Got some more progress done on the Chakra Absorption Seal while I was awake. Every little bit counts. I continued to head to my usual training spot and stopped when I noticed, a bit too slowly, that there was something different about the area.

The trees surrounding the sparsely grass-covered field were the same, the fence with obligatory warning signs was identical and untouched yet there was something that did not belong here. I stared at it, in my sleep-deprived state and wondered if I really had fallen asleep at some point.

I blinked slowly at the picturesque pond sitting in the middle of the field. A very large and impressively-sized Sycamore tree towered over the perfectly symmetrical little pond, shading it's crystal clear waters from the hot sun. There was even a cute little wooden bench by the water. That... wasn't there yesterday. I was sure. Kinda. Well... Mostly sure. I was mostly sure this wasn't here yesterday.

Oh, there was also an ANBU dressed as a normal person sitting on the bench.

I hesitated half a second, toeing my boot into the dirt. I was weighing the chances on if he might still have unresolved feelings about our last conversation. I know I certainly did and I wanted to avoid any chance of him trying to get me to use a Genjutsu on him again. I've missed him terribly and I felt like crap with how I left things but if this was going to be a repeat of the other day, then I might as well start running now.

Before I could decide anything, he turned and waved at me.

Okay then.

I took a seat beside him on the bench, folding my hands on my lap. He also had his hands clasped together on his lap and was looking at the pond now. The silence between use stretched on until I broke it to itty bits because I can't take not throwing myself at Neko after the few days of Hell Training I've spent with the Snake Lady.

'This is new.'

"Yes, it is."

'I like the tree.'

"Thank you. I... made it myself."

Okay. Was there a specific reason for that though? I mean, it is rather nice sitting here out of the sun but I doubt that was the reason why he Ninja magicked this tree here. Was he gonna have me try to wet it's bark or something using my willpower? Cause I think that would really suck and Neko was looking at me with an oddly expectant expression now. What? I quickly checked the corners of my mouth for leftover breakfast but my hand came away clean. So there wasn't anything on my face, then what—Oh, shoot... was I supposed to be surprised by the fact I know he has Wood Release?

Neko frowned, a conflicted look flittering across his face. Mostly made up of denial and befuddlement. Always funny to see.

Whoopsie.

"You don't—It's not possible for you to have—" he stopped short and he scrutinized me harder. His dark brown eyes widened and then narrowed to suspicious slits. "No. You could not have—"

'Everything feels like you,' I confessed a tad guiltily for spoiling his big reveal. I think he was looking for a better reaction. 'Your chakra signature is written all over it. It's also in the stuff you made me at home.'

His shoulders sagged and he placed his head in his hands.

I pat his knee.

"So," he barely lifted his head to look at me, a tired voice coming through his fingers. "You've known that I have the First Hokage's bloodline limit, a classified secret save for a select handful of people, for years now?"

I nodded. The ANBU Captain sighed heavily. Then, just because I've always wanted to ask and didn't want to come off as weird for not being explicitly told this information: 'Can you make flowers with it?'

I swear, Neko deadpanned.

Still, my eyes became glued to his hand as he lifted it up and his chakra reacted. I watched as something small and green pricked out the top of his index finger, growing and twisting upwards towards the sky. Buds appeared at the end and the world seemed to slow as white petal's stained with pink and reds burst out of each of them to become full fledged flowers. My heart did a little sigh as I recognized the flowers as Amaryllis, the same flower that this mysterious ANBU had placed back by my hospital bedside all those years ago. He's so sentimental. Or, he just knows I am and he's playing me like a fiddle. Whatever, it's working.

I was sure my eyes were sparkling by the way Neko let out an amused huff.

"To answer your question;" he plucked the flower off and presented it to me. I took it like a little kid getting candy. "Yes, I can also create various species of vegetation along with a varied category of trees."

'Can you grow food?' I asked after pinning the pretty, pretty flower up in my hair. Haah, Neko knows my weaknesses.

He made a face. "Well, technically: Yes—but they never taste any good. I don't know why."

I snickered a bit, signing. 'Noted.'

Neko smiled a little himself, then he held a hand out towards the pond.

"Well, shall we get started on training?"

The cool water rippled out under my bare toes. Not being able to help myself, I did a little flourished spin on the surface of the pond. Neko looked on indulgently from the side next to my boots and socks, arms crossed over his chest as he stood.

"Normally when a person encounters difficulty with infusing their chakra with elemental properties it is usually because they do not have enough focus." he said, then he frowned a bit. "But, after a... conversation with Mitarashi-san, it's become clear to me that your problem might be that you are overthinking things, Sora."

I frowned too, both at the fact he's insinuating that the amount of thinking I put into glaring at a paper is excessive and the fact that he's having conversations with Anko on his own time? What the hell is that Snake Lady doing with my Neko? He continued, either not noticing my look or just not addressing it. Probably the later.

"You've always been fairly adept at multitasking, so I thought that we would try a different method to achieve your Nature Transformation. That's why I asked you to stand on the water. I want you to keep your balance on the surface of the pond while also attempting to convert your chakra to the paper. As you are doing that, I was thinking that we review your strategy for the upcoming fights as well."

I stuck the paper to my forehead and did the tree yoga pose. Just cause I could and it is poetically correct. Alas, it was one of those jokes only I would ever get by the non-response Neko gave me. Shame. Such a missed chance to get another deadpan. I wonder if I should try to explain my brilliance to him?

"Your first opponent will be a young kunoichi by the name Ten Ten. How much do you know about her combat specialty and fighting style?"

'Long-range weapons specialist.' I signed, balancing on one leg like a professional.

My brow furrowed as I tried to think back to her battle, which I admittedly didn't see much of. I was too busy deflecting Shikamaru's ever-intuitive questions to see how she beat Kankurō, but I had heard the sounds of wood being smashed to splinters along with Cat-ears choice curses. I think I heard something from Chōji about her aggressive Taijutsu style after rejoining, so I guess she has decent skill in Tai as well. Makes sense, what with her teacher and both teammates specializing in that particular combat specialty.

'Taijutsu too.' I added after noticing Neko's expectant look, pulling up my leg and trying to put my ankle behind my neck. It wasn't going so well, but it was distracting me. Tenten's particular skillset was unfortunate, but not entirely disruptive to my plans. I mean, I was intending to give the exams a half-decent try but I had little confidence in getting an upper hand against Tenten if she made it a battle of physical prowess. And it's not like I could waste my energy fighting an ultimately pointless battle with everything else that's going to be happening. I just didn't see the logic there. I had higher priorities than fighting a teenaged girl for the amusement of others.

But, I'll still play Neko's information game. It's whatever. Going through the information was somewhat soothing. Let's see... what else about Tenten is there? Long-Mid and Close range fighter. Just-about-every-kind-of-weapons expert. Oh! And I guess that she doesn't have a very high tolerance to poisons, which—Oh my god.

I froze in place.

The last time I was Tenten was when she fell down from being poisoned by Kankurō and then was rushed off to the hospital. I forgot. I forgot that she was poisoned and could've very likely died and I didn't even bother to ask anyone if she was okay. Instead I went and had dinner with the guy that did the poisoning. Oh my god.

I am a horrible human being.

"I know Gai-san." Neko continued, oblivious to my internal reflections. "He is a formidable shinobi and I have no doubts that his students are excellent as well. You will have to remain cautious throughout the fight, especially considering that she has a full years experience over you. Do you have a plan yet?"

I wiggled my hand in a sort of motion. I had more or less of a plan for fighting Tenten but my priorities were really somewhere else for now.

"Well, that's... uncharacteristically easy-going of you." he observed quietly.

I felt my lips turn down, nearly frowning. What did that mean? I arched my brow at him in question and he thought it over for a minute before explaining better.

"It's just that you are that type who likes to plan for most outcomes. Whatever they may be. I remember how you used to help Naruto-kun and the others come up with those complicated pranks when you were all still attending the Academy—Though I never did approve of your questionable extracurricular activities, I was always impressed with how you took the time to go over every detail you could to make sure that you and your accomplices would get away with it."

I felt my cheeks warming. I was both pleased by his praise and a wee bit embarrassed by the fact he knew what we used to get up to during class. Ah, such is the life of a miscreant. He let the matter pass for a good twenty minutes of watching me balance myself out on the water, occasionally instructing me to change my form into a more complicated one that had me becoming a pretzel. But, his quiet observing didn't end at inquiring me about Tenten.

"You know," he started cautiously, watching me with that odd consideration that was honestly beginning to bug me. "There is a possibility that you'll be facing either Naruto-kun or Uchiha-san in battle as well..."

Hah. Yeah, that wasn't happening. The odds of any of us fighting after Sasuke's battle versus Gaara is a highly unlikely event, and on the off-chance it wasn't—it was a horrifying possibility that I would want to use many, many explosives to remedy. I can't remember exactly what Gaara's trigger was originally supposed to be to signal the Invasion, only that Sasuke's Chidori had jump-started the whole thing. The Invasion was inevitable at this point, all there was to do is prepare for unforeseen variables in-between the whole 'Gaara rampaging in one-tailed form' thing that I was really hoping to stop before it got too far.

"...or," Neko cut in again, drawing my attention back to the present. "Is it that you do not intend on making it past the first round at all?"

How did he—I broke my concentration for only a second, but a second was all that was needed for me to plunge into the cool water with an embarrassing and very telling splash!

By the way his chakra reacted with a burst of frustration and aggravation, I had seriously contemplated not resurfacing for a long moment. A long, semi-serious moment of contemplation. My toes were dug into the muddy floor of the pond and I felt delightfully weightless, I could've just not went up. Maybe practice that underwater breathing technique I never asked Kakashi about.

Oh, right.

Eventually, the need for air and breathing won out and I climbed back onto dry land and pushed away my sopping wet bangs to meet the gaze of a very disapproving ANBU. His expression was hard and he was scolding me with his eyes and totally I shrunk under his gaze, shoulders rising up in defense. I sat with my legs folded neatly under me at his feet while I air dried.

"Sora, these exams are not—" he stopped, jaw clenching. I could see him rethinking his words, taking a different tactic. "In these exams, if you do not preform in a manner befitting a kunoichi of Konoha when facing your opponent in a battle where not only your honor and pride as a ninja, but the pride of the Village is on the line, then I see no reason for you to participate in the Chuunin Qualification exams at all."

It felt like rock dropped in my stomach.

"My time and Mitarashi-san's time would be better spent elsewhere if you do not fully intend on taking this seriously." he finished with grave finality.

His eyes searched my face as my mind spun in circles around... nothing. I couldn't actually focus on any one thing long enough for it to register. It kept bouncing around his words and my mind was just wouldn't—

...is that how he really felt?

Tenzō exhaled, looking tired.

A breeze swept by and I shivered, suddenly feeling very cold at that moment.

"You should do you're ten kilometer run and dry off," he said using a tone without giving room to argue. I didn't look up at him as he spoke or when he walked towards the bench and sat back down. "We can discuss this further when you get back."

My legs felt stiff and awkward as I stood up, turning around and mentally measuring the longest distance around the Village, I kicked off into a run without another glance towards him. Soon the wind was streaking my cheeks and my body weightless as I soared through the tree tops. It did nothing to distract my from the thoughts in my head.

Maybe it was better when Tenzō wasn't involved in my every day life?

I mean, there was a reason why I never really hung around overly observant people all the time. Sasuke, Kakashi and Shikamaru being the exceptions to a certain degree and I still don't spend all my time with them. Sasuke just ignores my eccentricities along with everything not related to his goal, making him safe. Shikamaru knows what I'm like but he's never been more concerned about my habits because I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm harmless and I only have the best intentions, but I still watch myself around him whenever he gets his interest piqued by something I did and can't easily explain away, and Kakashi...

I watch myself around Kakashi constantly. I'm always anxious about the thought that he might suspect I know things I ought not to, but... I'm not... worried about it that much. I think I'm more worried about how he'd see me if he knew. Would he still look at me with exasperation when I did something ridiculous or pat my head when I was feeling down—Would he even be able to look at me?

Thinking about the answers to those questions scare me more than him finding out anything.

And now with... with Neko, I... I just never thought that I would have to guard myself around him too. He's always been someone that I didn't have to keep at a length because he saw me at my lowest and still chose to keep me company in that dark place. He was supposed to be safe. I've never had to pretend to be any stronger than I was with him. And now...

What am I supposed to do now?

Perspective:

保護者 (Guardian)

From my place beside the water, I watched Sora turn and leave the training grounds without acknowledging me again, her face void of emotion and completely closed-off from me. I closed my eyes, massaging my temple as I allowed myself a moment of self-reflection.

How stupid could I possibly be?

How could I have thought that was the approach that I needed to get Sora to take this more seriously? Yes, the fact that she had been treating the subject of the exams—where several shinobi have already lost their lives—with a level of indifference that rivaled Kakashi-senpai's - I swear, the next time I see him I will be giving him an earful about his training methods for the children - had both irritated and worried me to high degree, but that did not excuse how I handled the situation. I'd seen it the moment after I said it, the way everything had just... shut down behind her eyes and the walls went up.

For a moment, I'd forgotten that Sora did not have the same discipline and training my squad had received and I treated her as I would've a rookie in the BlackOps force. I'd forgotten how uniquely vulnerable she was and how she has always resorted to putting up walls to protect herself when faced with confrontations she wanted no part of. Like the confrontation I just made by telling her to back out of the Exams. Because I am secretly an idiot with zero tact when it comes to interacting with her, or anyone outside of the ANBU division.

I groaned, letting my head fall into my hand.

It was... easier to deal with Sora when it was only once in a great while. For brief check-up's to make sure she was alright. Well, as alright as she possibly could be. I hate myself for even just thinking it, but I couldn't deny that it held some truth to it. I'm still too far out of my depth when it comes to dealing with people in a day to day environment, even after going out of my way to make an effort to socialize with my comrades. It's become obvious that my inexperience is only harming Sora in the short term.

How does Kakashi-senpai do it? He's even more socially inept than I am!

I hand my hand through my hair, eyes falling on something red floating on the surface of the pond. It was the flowers I gave Sora. I stared at it a moment, realizing that it must've fallen out of her hair after her plunge. She must not have noticed it was gone. It was the type of thing she would fuss over if she wasn't distracted.

I looked off in the direction she ran, feeling a heavy weight on my chest.

"I should go find her, shouldn't I?" I asked aloud.

I didn't even get to take a step before a uniformed ANBU member shunshin'd beside the tree, - The most-recent Hawk. Doesn't learn formations right away, but a diligent sword-specialist. A part of Yūgao's squad - kneeling at it's base. I straightened up immediately and cleared my expression, falling back into my role as an uneasy feeling stirred up in my gut. I already knew what he was going to report before the words left his tongue.

There was something wrong.

"Captain Tiger. There's been an incident in the holding cells."

Perspective:

碇 (Anchor)

Ikari, Age 14—Outside the Entrance to the (soon-to-be) Land of Grass Base

The ink flowed from my brush as naturally as breathing, arcing and falling on the paper like a song. More intricate and alive than any painting could ever wish to be. I encircled the character strings and interlocked the barrier's parameters, creating the core of the Seal's strength.

That Man's golden eyes watched me carefully from the side, taking in my every movement as he no doubt committed it to his memory. Just as he had everyday for the last year since he found me.

The perimeter sensor was soon raised, encasing the laboratory completely. It was a rudimental array in terms of technique, only set to alarm anyone inside of potential intruders. Father would've made something far more intricate and diverse, with the ability to even distinguish the chakra signature of every body that passed through it. Even Tōdai, for all his troubles with the Major Schools had a better affinity for the Barrier School than I did.

"It is done," I say simply, placing my ink and brushes away as I stood form the earthy ground. The Man smiled, pleased as he looked over the Fuinjustu array once more. He walked closer to where I stood and his long shadow fell over me. I stared up at the man and wondered like so many times before if this was the day he was tired of me, and would finally discard me.

My eyes widened as his hand gently pet my hair.

"Ikari, you are such a clever girl," he praised softly, kindly. "I am fortunate to have found you."

Something in my chest stirred at his words. Something old and near-forgotten, the name of it on the tip of my tongue... The feeling and it's name was lost as he ushered me into the base to see where I'd be living while he returned to the Leaf.

—Entry 91

January 3nd, Friday
Sunny,
(526 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

I am very busy these days, very much unlike when I first came to Orochimaru-sama. My days are often filled with studying the subjects Orochimaru-sama has given me since I've shown an interest in learning everything about around me.

I had first explained it to him that as a practitioner of Fuinjutsu, one's understanding of the world has a direct link to their Art. So the more one understands, the more they can use the Schools of Sealing to their fullest potential.

Afterwards, he had shown me my first autopsy of an adult human male and praised me when I did not react emotionally, as he feared I would. In truth, I had not really been affected by the sight of the innards.

I had seen worse during the Fall.

Reflecting on the memory, I now wonder what Father would've said to me if he'd witnessed how avidly I took note of the human body's respiration and cardiovascular systems from such an intimate inspection. How I had not even given the matter a second thought when Orochimaru-sama offered me the scalpel to try for myself.

—(There was a notation added at the bottom of the page, written as almost an afterthought)—

—Father would've been eager to learn about biology as well.
I was sure of it.

—Entry 94

January 8th, Wednesday
Partly cloudy,
(531 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

My days are the same. Spent learning and practicing my Fuinjutsu. Most recently, Orochimaru-sama has been teaching me about genetics. The very index of a human body, to put it in terms that are more familiar to me.

It is... interesting. More-so than the histories of the Elemental nations at any rate. It is quite unlike any science that they taught in Uzushio.

He has referenced on occasion an experiment he is overseeing in the Leaf about the DNA of Senju Hashirama. His attempts to recreate the mutation in his genetic sequence to access the Bloodline ability, something I did not think was possible. An experiment as he tells me, many before him have failed to achieve.

I do not fully understand the intricacies of it all, but Orochimaru-sama is always patient when speaking to me. He often asks very specific questions about how Fuinjutsu could help to influence the success of this experiment, to which I answer as best I can. He is learning from me as I am from him, I've realized.

We often discuss the topic further together when we have dinner.

Ikari, Age 15—Land of Earth Base (The Morgue)

I reached into the open cavity of the cadaver and pulled out the liver, carefully setting it on the scale to weigh it—3.2 pounds—I made a noise of interest before removing it and placing it in the tray. It was lighter than the last one was. Curious.

"Kurage."

I stilled unwillingly, grasping the scalpel as a scene replayed in my mind—

—Grandpa cheered and clapped as I stopped playing the Ocarina he'd given me, a wide and proud grin on his weathered face as he looked at me adoringly. "That's right, my Little Jellyfish!" he shouted, pulling me into his arms for an embrace. "Hahaha! We'll turn you into proper musician in no time!"—

There was a hollow ache in my chest as I pushed the vivid memory from my vision, locking it back away. It was unfortunate when that happened, but Orochimaru-san says that flashbacks are typical for someone with my mental condition and experiences.

Speaking of...

I looked back up at Orochimaru-san in question. He was staring through me with his golden eyes, a slight curve to his mouth. I can never tell if he smiles because he is pleased with something or that is merely the natural position of his face. It should be more disconcerting.

"That is the name the others have taken to calling you." he said, taking the scalpel from my hand and replacing it with a cloth that stained a bright red. He took my place and resumed the autopsy.

Oh.

I was bleeding.

The 'others' he is referring to must be those he has enlisted to take care of the laboratories in his absence. Some of them he merely found through coincidence or some he sought out personally, defectors from the War spanning each of the Villages. He says they each hold potential, and that he was going to help them to achieve it through means they would not be able to find anywhere else in the nations. Like the 'potential' he had seen in me.

"Yes, I have heard them say it before, though I assume they do so out of ignorance." I answered belatedly, removing my gloves to tend to my cut better. Orochimaru-san says that Septic Shock was a rather unpleasant experience/potential death and that I should avoid it if possible. "...I look nothing like a jellyfish."

He chuckled, finding amusement in something I said. "I believe that it holds more of a poetic justice to it, rather than a literal one. You are a lovely girl, Ikari. The Uzumaki were always quite reclusive even before the Fall, so it is rare to see a shade of red hair such as yours. Similar to the sea creature, you are alien and alluring to look upon," he looked down at me then, that same curve to his mouth. "And like the creature, you possess a toxin that can strike down largest of men. Regardless of their inherent strengths."

He was referring to what happened before he found me, I mused. I applied the hydrogen peroxide, sanitizing the wound. I made a noncommittal hum at his observation, not really having an opinion of the name.

"Just remember, Ikari, if anyone were to say something that would make you feel uncomfortable," he murmured, lifting the heart out of the cadaver. "Then kill them, if you wish."

Kill them?

I looked up at his pale face, trying to tell if he was being serious. There was still that curve to his lips, but his eyes were calm and dead-serious. I turned away and retrieved the gauze from the cabinet, bandaging my palm.

He really had no objections to me killing his other subordinates over something like that? Over something so inconsequential as my feelings? Does that mean he values my potential over theirs?

That thought caused me to smile.

Ah.

On my way back to my room after the autopsy was finished, I stopped before the door as I remembered the word that had slipped my mind before.

Affection.

That is what it was called.

—Entry 104

March 19th, Thursday
Overcast,
(597 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

Orochimaru-sama and I have departed Uzushio today, taking with us what archives were left behind from the Fall. I did not speak to him the entire time we lingered there, and he did not press me to.

I am thankful for this.

Ever since the day Orochimaru-sama had found me, he has never inquired about what happened the night of the Fall even once even though I know that he must be curious about what I witnessed. Just as he didn't ask why I had strayed from his side to dig through the remains of my family home for a cracked ceramic Ocarina I'd left behind.

I am thankful to him for so very much.

—Entry 108

April 10th, Friday
It started raining at dawn,
(619 Days since meeting Orochimaru-sama)

I have been searching through the material we retrieved from the Archives in Uzushio these last few weeks, setting aside any studies that Orochimaru-sama might find of particular interest for when he returns from preforming his duties for the Leaf. After categorizing a hefty sum of it, I think I have finally found something uniquely fascinating.

It is a Fuinjutsu subject that had been forbidden from research by the entire Clan, which I have found to be intriguing because I did not know that the Clan had forbidden subjects before this. What I have found so far has been very enlightening—(The diary entry is littered with half-written thoughts at this point, mostly with little-to-no context as she referenced several keywords that require further investigation)—It seems I have gotten distracted. My original intention was to chronicle about the discovery I made.

It is a study written by an unnamed Uzumaki called: 'The Conveyance and Exchange of the Human Anima'.

Or—And I believe this name was later rejected by the original committee, but they couldn't remove the ink without damaging the rest of the work—originally titled by the Author: 'My Absolutely Valid Theory that a Plane of Existential Reality Exists where Human of Souls Gather after Death and Potentially Intersects with Other Realities Beyond our Current Understanding, Giving Possibility to my Other Theory of Soul Transference and shit, this name is already too long and I am sure that it will never get printed so I will just call it something very cool and vague, like; The Bridge to the Other Land Theory—'

There was more they wanted to add, I feel, but the Author had run out of room on the front page. In any case I am sure than Orochimaru-sama will doubtlessly find this to be an intriguing subject.

Perspective:

匿名 (Anonymous)

June 16th—(Sometime before 2AM)—A Classified Location Under the Village

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

The water seeping through the roof was steady and unrelenting. A constant aggravating sound in the otherwise silent cell to which I was somewhat grateful for. Complete silence, in addition to the black canvas over my head, would've hastened my sensory deprivation, I think. Still though, it has been only two weeks since my incarceration.

Drip.

My muscles were aching from holding this kneeled position for so long, wrists were chafed and sore from the tight restraints. My bound position in the center of the cell was mildly uncomfortable and it's been a while since I've had anything to drink but, as it was, this was fairly tame as far as interrogations usually go.

Drip.

Obviously, the Leaf shinobi were not yet aware of my connection to Orochimaru-sama. Otherwise they would not be treating me with this much hospitality and I imagine I would've been sent directly to the Torture and Interrogation Division to have my mind flayed open. I supposed I must be rather low on their priority list as they've only seen fit to try and uncover my motives and allegiances a handful of times - I wonder if they assume that I am still loyal to Danzō? If all they have is Sora-kun's testimony to go on with no evidence to the contrary- but it seemed they were wholly content to allow me to remain in solitary until they've found a more opportune moment for me.

Drip.

I figure that most the military has been too busy preparing themselves in anticipation for Orochimaru-sama's next move, rather than pay much attention to little old me. It might be more accurate to say that only Sora-kun's friends were interested in my detainment, so that I might stop bothering her. It's more than likely they are still entirely in the dark about my association to Sound and Orochimaru-sama. The fact I'd went to Sora-kun's apartment that night to take Sasuke-kun went completely over their heads.

It's a rather funny accident, when I think of it like that.

Drip.

I wonder how Sora-kun reacted when she found out that I was captured by her guardians? Was she surprised? Relieved. Maybe she felt a pang of regret for not acting back in the Training Grounds Fifty-Five? Following whatever instinctive impulse that drove her to slaughter poor Masato and Saburo to attack me as well? It was a somewhat interesting turn to learn of what she did from Dosu, how she had so carefully stuck Saburo repeatedly with his own sword without killing him...

The very same girl I had thought would be killed by the Foundation because of her misguided compassion and excess of empathy.

Drip.

I hadn't known she had it in her, and now I was curious to know what else she was capable of...?

Drip.

The unmistakable sound of a body hitting the floor nearby took my attention away from my reflections. From what little I could sense, there was previously two guards overseeing me and now there was only one now. One that was alive, at least.

Drip.

Soft footsteps approached and I tensed my body as someone lifted the shroud off my head. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the lone light of the cell's lantern but I recognized quite quickly that a boy of fifteen-years-old or so stood in front of me. Copper hair tied at the back of his head, light brown eyes and an empty look on his face that was rather familiar.

Drip.

I smiled calmly, recognizing this particular tool.

"Fū-kun," I greeted. "Has Danzō sent you to silence me?"

He did not say anything as he looked over my features. No doubt to confirm my identity. I watched his hand move without breaking eye-contact as he reached behind him and produce a rather crudely-made straw puppet.

Drip.

Ah. If what was written in his ANBU file was to be believed, Fū-kun had a unique way of utilizing his Clan's Mind Body Switch technique that involved curses. A practice that relied heavily on a sort of bastardised Fuinjutsu. It was mostly shunned in the Yamanaka Clan, as Orochimaru-sama had commented when I reported back, something about a decades-old belief that the souls placed in inanimate objects came back wrong and the stigma has survived even to today. It was somewhat ridiculous to me that people believe such things.

Fū-kun wrote on a small piece of paper attached to the puppet and returned his empty stare to me.

Drip.

So this was not an execution after all, but an interrogation. He plans on taking over my mind and body while placing my consciousness into that ugly little doll. Interesting twist. Danzō most likely sent him here after seeing an opportunity to learn if Orochimaru-sama had any intentions to betray him or deviate at all from the plan.

Drip.

A shame I have no intention of seeing the effectiveness of this jutsu in action. Not after Danzō has so helpfully provided me a scapegoat to use without drawing unnecessary attention to Orochimaru-sama. Really, I think two weeks has been quite a sufficient amount of time.

Drip.

Fū-kun didn't get to so much as react before I broke my restraints.

Montage Arc,

Chapter Fifty: "What is Love? Baby, Don't Hurt Me"

END

A/N: Ahahaha! Yessss! I'm already going for that resolution by updating again! YES! Just so you all know, I feel absurdly proud of myself for getting this done. And I, yanno, might've been really inspired by all your guys' amazing support and might've teared up a couple time when reading your reviews. Gosh! It always gets me how much you guys are invested in Sora's well-being! Well-being... that I'm... putting in jeopardy, yet again... aren't I?

Yeesh. Well, yah. Kabuto, hi. So there you are again, you bespectacled bastard. What's that? You got tired of being ignored so you broke out? Yeaaah... well, on a completely unrelated and not at all subject-changing note: I find it kinda (really, really) funny that no one has asked about whether or not Tenten was okay yet. She was poisoned, you guys! I could've blinded her for all you know! Which is totally a possibility with me now! I mean, Fū here wasn't even in the original draft of the chapter (Or even yesterday as of this ranting. He's a brand new idea baby in this world, treat him kindly) and then there he was.

Fū, a minor character in canon that I'm sure 93% of you just had to google to remember existed. Yup. Alright then, I'm tired and posting this right before I go to bed so forgive me for sounding like a lunatic, it happens sometimes, but I finally feel like I'm getting back into the groove of writing again and I'm so very happy for it. Not just ASfT either, there is so much I can't wait to share with you guys and I'm so happy to do it. Thank you for suffering me and my antics, I will never say it enough.

Author Question! Because I want irreverence!

"What is the color you'd paint the sky, if it was up to you?"

I think that I'd color it a nice mauve pinkish-purplish color instead of blue, with a even darker shade at night. And then I'd keep orange sunsets, because I'm such a sucker for the classics sometimes.

That's all folks! I LOVE you, so don't you forget it!

-Nanami