The Link
Chapter VI: Findings and Surprises
November dawned cold and snowy all over Konoha, and one of the most hard-hit places was the little hamlet of Kikuyu, where our housemates were currently hibernating. The flakes came huge and thick, raining relentlessly from the steely gray sky for days on end. In the worst of days, the snow could reach one's knees, and walking through them was tough business because of the biting cold.
To fend off boredom, Neji, thinking of using his Byakugan, saw the link. Naruto became excited, also Orochimaru, no matter how he clamped his mouth shut.
"It's really very simple!" said Neji. "The link between you two is quite thin; I expect it won't even take us five minutes to break it. See, I'm going to use a basic principle here – anything made of Chakra can be broken if -!"
"Yes, yes, if you push a foreign Chakra through it." Orochimaru snapped. "Do I look like a first grader in the Ninja Academy, boy? Get on with it!"
Neji's cheeks colored. Jiraiya laughed; always the impatient one, Orochimaru. Even when they had been Genins, the Serpent did not like being told of concepts he obviously knew already. Kneeling between Naruto and Orochimaru, the Hyuuga felt his way across the link. Focusing his Chakra to his index and middle fingers, he prepared to brought it down, until –
"AHH! No, wait! Wait!" Naruto yelled, clutching his chest. Neji looked up, confused. Orochimaru was clutching his neck, his eyes very wide. Jiraiya straightened up from where he had been lounging around on the floor.
"What happened?" the frog hermit demanded.
"Stop it!" Orochimaru gasped. "It hurts! We can't break the link!"
Neji frowned. "Come on, can't you stand a little bit of pain for your freedom?"
He raised his right hand and tried to sever the link, and Naruto and Orochimaru tried to endure it as long as they could. The link, however, turned out to be resilient. Neji started to lose his patience and got 'violent', until Orochimaru couldn't take it anymore and knocked him unconscious with Jiraiya's ashtray.
Food had become scarce, and eventually, it vanished altogether. Naruto had been close to panic, trying to figure out what they could eat next, when Jiraiya jokingly suggested they could always try living off rats. He got a punch in the face for that comment, courtesy of course, of Orochimaru.
Neji was the only one in his right mind who suggested they write to Tsunade and 'coerce' her into sending them supplies. The Hyuuga had barely lasted two days before the lack of television cracked his nerves. That said, Neji was the one agreed to send the letter and come back with supplies. Jiraiya piped up the issue about Sasuke and Shikamaru, but Neji waved it away, saying he could lie if he needed to, and he was damn good at it too. Naruto gave him a cheesy grin behind his head for that. Jiraiya decided he'd come along as well, in case Neji needed help fending off the enthusiastic search party.
So there came the day when Orochimaru and Naruto were alone in the house. Too much alone.
"I'm bored." Naruto commented as he lay on his belly on the tatami floor.
"Like I'm not bored." Orochimaru replied testily. She was sitting a few inches from Naruto, leaning on the open window and looking listlessly outside at the white and seemingly barren landscape.
"You know we could do something interesting." Naruto said, perking up to do push-ups. "You could...umm...teach me some techniques. I'd always been fascinated with your Senei Gyashu, did you know? I first saw Anko use it..."
"Dream on, asshole." Orochimaru replied coldly. "You made me go through lots of shit and you think I'll teach you something? Hah!" He shot Naruto an arrogant stare. "Besides...I won't go tire myself teaching a Shinobi whom I know has not an ounce of talent with him."
Naruto stopped in the middle of his push-ups and glared at Orochimaru. "No talent? Did you know that I mastered the Rasengan in a week? Not even your...Sasuke-kun...can do that, I bet!"
"The Rasengan...is a piece of shit." Orochimaru retorted loftily. "There are other techniques far more worthy..."
Naruto sat up, his temper starting to boil. "It is NOT a piece of shit! Why don't you go teach me something and see how fast I learn it! Just because I don't have any bloodline limits like Sharingan and Byakugan, doesn't mean I'm not special!"
Orochimaru laughed harshly and turned to Naruto. His golden eyes were blazing. "Oh, what are you talking about, that furry little fox in your belly?" so saying he gave Naruto a hard poke in the abdomen. "That thing is as useless as you!"
"IT IS NOT!" Naruto shouted, now standing up. "I'm not like you, I'm not afraid of rats!"
Orochimaru's jaw dropped open. And then his pretty face contorted into an ugly frown. "What does my fear of rats have to do with this! You shut your potty little mouth, you insolent brat!"
"No, you shut up, you pitiful wretch for a man who's lost everything he can't get it back, no matter how hard he wants to!" Naruto yelled. "You think I don't know it? I saw it in your eyes when you fought Tsunade and Jiraiya years ago! You would've thrown yourself at their feet and begged them to take you back because you miss them and you miss Konoha terribly – but you're a coward and can't even do it yourself! You have to do all those grand plans of yours and everything – which, if you ask me, are pieces of shit!"
That obviously hit the mark. Orochimaru shut his mouth and averted his gaze back to the boring landscape outside. His bandaged hands were shaking. "You know nothing. You don't know how I suffered!"
Naruto lay back down onto his belly, eyes narrowed and jaw jutting out. "Join the club!"
A tense silence enveloped them both, and Naruto was the one who broke it first.
"You know what I think?" he said. "You're just like Sasuke. If only Sandaime, perverted hermit and old crone put more effort to you, you wouldn't have turned out that way."
Orochimaru's head swiveled around toward Naruto. What is this brat saying now? "Oh? Are you, by any chance, just like them? You can't change me, Naruto. I'll destroy Konoha and that will be the end, nobody can take that goal from me."
Naruto met his gaze and gave him a determined smile. "Watch me."
Jiraiya and Neji successfully returned to the capital city of Konoha after three days' plowing through snow and blizzard. They parted ways at the city gates, Jiraiya agreeing to go see Tsunade while Neji proposed he show himself first to his clan and then to Sasuke and the others. They agreed to meet after two days in the Godaime's study.
Kabuto, who had been staying in Konoha then, saw the two and opted the harder task of trying to follow Jiraiya undetected and then hopefully listen to his conversation with the Fifth. Following the Sannin alone required all of his abilities on concealment and discreetness. Orochimaru had told him enough of the two other Sannin's abilities, and though Jiraiya behaved stupidly most of the time, he could easily break Kabuto's neck if he wanted to.
Sakura seemed surprised to see Jiraiya, but then Shizune took over the welcoming and quickly ushered the hermit into the study, and proceeded to take Sakura somewhere else. The pink-haired Chuunin obviously wanted to eavesdrop (possibly on Sasuke's orders), but Shizune wasn't going to be fooled. Kabuto cursed – he couldn't possibly follow inside, but then he decided to see if he could eavesdrop by the cracks along the windows.
Meanwhile inside, Tsunade was eager to vent out her spleen on someone. Jiraiya barely sat down when she began to rant about her frustrations.
"This whole thing seems impossible, Jiraiya!" the Godaime declared, gesturing grandly. "I've checked every single other notebook or journal from the Yondaime that I could lay my hands on, but there is just nothing to be found! I have come to the knowledge that the Fourth had linked with someone before, but the big problem is, we can't seem to know who this person is! And if he is still alive, for that matter!"
"The Fourth linked with someone before?" Jiraiya repeated.
Tsunade nodded. "Yes, he did mention it in his notes. This link is far more dangerous and wondrous than what I could have possibly imagined." She leaned forward eagerly from her desk, staring hard at her former teammate. "As time goes by, the doer of the link can gain insights into the thoughts of the person he is linked with." Jiraiya's eyes widened, and Tsunade's eyes got brighter. "However, Yondaime also mentioned that the link causes possible psychosis. Now we can't have that. A mad Naruto and a mad Orochimaru will be a problem to the ninja nations!"
Jiraiya wanted to point out that there was a very small possibility of acquiring psychosis from the link, because Naruto and Orochimaru were already heavily afflicted with the illness, but the hermit wisely kept his mouth shut and instead took a sip of his scalding tea. Tsunade looked very frustrated because she kept biting her nails.
"Oh, and I can't concentrate properly on the research because of politics, Gaara, you know, the Kazekage of the Sand – he's coming here to discuss some trade options." Tsunade continued. "But I really don't think he'd come here for politics – he doesn't give a damn about it like a dirty piece of laundry, really – you know how close he is to Naruto. I am willing to bet all my money that Sasuke (darn that brat!) asked for some help. The problem is I cannot be rude to Gaara now! Ugh, for the first time I hate being the Hokage!"
Jiraiya lowered his teacup thoughtfully. "Neji has been with us, Tsunade. And he knows everything."
"WHAT!" Tsunade exploded. Jiraiya calmly raised his right hand.
"But he has solemnly agreed that he is with us. He will not breathe a word to Shikamaru and Sasuke." Jiraiya explained. "He used his Byakugan; do you know that the link can only be seen by this?" Tsunade nodded hurriedly. "And he tried to sever the link using the basic principle, but..." Jiraiya shrugged and Tsunade frowned.
"Why? What happened? Tell me everything!" the Godaime said in a rush as she left her desk and came to stand before Jiraiya, hands on her hips.
Jiraiya scratched his chin. "Well, thing is, whenever Neji makes an attempt to sever the link, Orochimaru and Naruto both suffer from sudden acute respiratory pain. The more tension put in the link increases the pain, Tsunade. The basic concept doesn't work for some reason we have yet to fathom. Neji got...erm, shirty with the link, and Orochimaru couldn't stand the pain any longer. The boy got a serious lump on the head that was swollen for five whole days."
Tsunade looked like she had been hit on the head with a frying pan. Her knees gave way and she sat on the tea table facing Jiraiya. Eventually she buried her face in her hands.
"And...before we forget..." Jiraiya fished out Naruto's list from his pocket and handed it to Tsunade.
"What is this?" Tsunade demanded as she unrolled the scroll.
The hermit rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you let us live in a house that has nothing, Tsunade!"
Kabuto swallowed. Hard. His heart was beating so hard in his chest it was a wonder his ribs hadn't cracked yet. A drop of cold sweat actually flowed down his temples and dripped to the snowy ground. Now he knew why Tsunade kept everything quiet. They were all in a serious shit! Slowly, he left the window by which he had been eavesdropping in, and quickly fled to the streets of Konoha.
Orochimaru-sama linked with...that brat...I don't believe it.
By what he'd heard of the link, it was made of Chakra...but even then, seemingly nothing could cut it! And if trying to cut the link might risk Orochimaru's life...Kabuto broke into a dash.
I will do my own research and sever the link, Orochimaru-sama! I swear it!
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!" Hinata shouted.
Neji looked around the house nervously and raised a finger to his lips, but Hinata was not going to stand for it. The Chuunin had her feet planted firmly onto the floor, her hands on her hips. There never was something good to come if Hinata stood in your way like that. Neji was getting agitated; he ran a hand through his silky hair.
"Get out of my way and pipe it down, will you!" he hissed.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH I'D LIED TO EVERYONE JUST TO SAVE YOUR SORRY ASS!" Hinata yelled. "I WILL NOT GET OUT OF YOUR WAY AND PIPE IT DOWN UNLESS YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU'VE BEEN!"
Neji winced. Talking would get him nowhere here. Hinata would only beg to be allowed in on the secret once she finds out it involved saving Naruto. Smiling apologetically at his cousin, Neji gave her a quick punch in the gut that rendered her unconscious, and he proceeded to hide her in the nearby broom cupboard before he dashed upstairs to his bedroom.
Opening his closet and taking out the biggest mountain pack he could find, Neji swept his portable stereo and PlayStation into it, along with hundreds of game CDs. He also grabbed more spare clothing and ninja gear, along with his own towel, shampoo and toothbrush. He dropped by the kitchen and also stole whatever food he could find.
He was just about to leave finally when he remembered about the bars of chocolate in the refrigerator, and he took those too.
Maito Gai was not one to ask questions, but the amount of food (and a television, even) was bound to spark his curiosity. He looked at the boxes he, Kakashi and Jiraiya were supposed to take 'somewhere'. Jiraiya was still not around and Kakashi decided to spend his time waiting while reading his favorite book. Konoha's Green Beast folded his arms across his chest and cleared his throat surreptitiously.
"Hm?" Kakashi murmured.
"Where are supposed to take these things again?" Gai asked.
Kakashi tore his gaze from his page and fixed a calculating stare toward Gai. The thick-eyebrowed Jounin tried to keep his face as straight as possible. Kakashi finally averted his gaze. "To Naruto."
"Oh? I thought he was missing?" Gai said. "Lee is part of some search party for him, organized by Uchiha Sasuke and Nara Shikamaru..."
"Of course he's not missing." Kakashi replied dismissively. "Why would we be taking these things to him, then? Sasuke and the others are just overreacting because Naruto forgot to write to them."
"My, my, all of this?"
Gai and Kakashi turned to see Jiraiya approaching with Neji, who had a bulging pack on his back. Gai furrowed his brows together while Kakashi stood up, pocketing his book.
"One box for each of us. I get to bring the TV." Kakashi announced.
Jiraiya and Gai proceeded to take their own loads while Neji waited. And then they left. Behind his impressive hiding place, Sasuke frowned deeply.
Naruto lay on the tatami floor, seemingly dead. His eyes had rolled up into his head, and a thin stream of drool flowed down his left cheek. Orochimaru sighed impatiently and poked the blonde again on the belly.
"Wake up, you fool! Wake up, I said!"
But Naruto did not want to move. It had been a week since they'd been left alone in the house, a full week of nonsense, shouting and ultimate boredom. Orochimaru thought he'd rather die rather than endure another week like that. The days seemed longer, and they had nothing to eat except mushrooms, which, after the second day, began to taste foul. They tried amusing themselves by going down the hamlet once in a while, but then the men started their advances, and Naruto had been hard put to stop Orochimaru from slaughtering the whole populace. It involved a very brave teenage boy who so dared touch Orochimaru's behind.
Orochimaru poked Naruto again, and this time, the blonde jerked out of his trance and sat up.
"Are they here yet?" he demanded.
"No." Orochimaru replied. Naruto moaned and lay back down on the floor and started bumping his head to it. Pain erupted from Orochimaru's head, and he pulled Naruto up. "Stop that, it hurts! Look, why don't you just remove this...this Sexy no Jutsu from me? Come on, remove it!"
Naruto gave him a withering look before helping him with the seals, and there was a puff of smoke. Orochimaru was grinning broadly as he touched his face.
"Ahh! Finally!"
Naruto lay back down on the tatami floor to wallow in his boredom when Orochimaru sensed some people come up their door. Leaping nimbly to his feet, the Serpent proceeded to answer the call. He slid the door open and stuck out his head.
"What?"
What greeted him was a flash of blinding green and an even more blinding flash of teeth, and a thumbs-up.
"Naruto! We come with your life and salvation!" Gai greeted.
"AAAAAAAAAAGHHH!" Orochimaru shouted before banging the door shut in Gai's face.