The Link

Chapter XII: Sasuke and Kabuto

The bedroom was happily cramped, now that Gai and Kakashi decided to stay with the housemates for an indefinite period of time. Neji and Naruto were squashed near the door while Kakashi, Jiraiya and Gai lay as an indefinite heap of arms and legs in the middle of the room. Orochimaru was content where he was (his place was to be smooshed near the window). It was 12:15, and it was dark and cool, but the Serpent was still awake. He tried to go to sleep early that night – he was already under his blankets by eight in the evening, but by eleven his arms woke him with intense pain that he'd never experienced before.

So he was looking out of a small crack by the window, sitting amidst his pile of sheets and blankets. It was quiet except when Jiraiya, Kakashi and Naruto broke the calm with their sudden snorts and mumblings. Orochimaru sat still as a stone statue, bandaged hands folded calmly on his sky blue yukata. However, his right hand was bleeding profusely, now staining not only his yukata but also his blanket and pillow, but he did not give a damn. He could lose his arm now for all he cared. He deserved it anyway.

Turning his head, Orochimaru fixed his golden gaze upon Naruto's sleeping form near the sliding doors. The fox-boy was lying there, arms thrown up above his head as if he were surrendering to some unknown enemy that seemed to exist only in his dreams. His blue shirt was pulled up some few inches, so his abdomen was fully exposed. Orochimaru eyed the seal on Naruto's tummy with genuine interest. Funny that he ruptured that seal once, to prevent the Kyuubi's Chakra from aiding Naruto in combat. Jiraiya had fixed it, and the boy's progress had been spectacular since. Hyuuga Neji, on the other hand, was hugging Naruto from the right side, his silky hair spread about him in a mess as he drooled onto Naruto's pillow. Somehow the sight made Orochimaru smile. There was a very similar scene in his life once upon a time. Only, the positions were reversed. He was the one lying with his arms thrown up and yukata open, and Jiraiya was the one hugging him from the right, busy drooling onto his chest as they lay on the grass, asleep. They'd been Chuunin then; just after a mission...they were too tired to make it back to the main city of Konoha so they fell asleep where their feet took them before they gave up entirely...

Uzumaki Naruto...

Orochimaru hung his head, his black hair curtaining his face. The boy was the whirlwind who changed his life forever. The boy...the boy was the greatest person Orochimaru had ever met. The Serpent had always prided himself in his iron-clad will and determination of exacting revenge on the Leaf; he thought nobody could take that from him – but here was a clumsy loudmouthed blonde who came and crashed through his plans. Strange...but Orochimaru sort of welcomed that crash and could no longer be bothered to pick up the pieces. Naruto had changed him entirely, of that he was sure now. He wished he knew what it was of Naruto that changed him so. Maybe it was because...Naruto reminded him of what he'd lost. Naruto reminded him how life could be so simple and enjoyable, what without worrying of being a missing nin or looking for your next body...

Neji mumbled in his sleep and turned around to face Kakashi's back. Naruto did not move. Orochimaru rose, carefully stepping over the chaotic heaps that were Jiraiya, Kakashi and Gai to bend over his precious new student. He carefully pulled down Naruto's shirt and covered the young Jounin with his discarded blanket. That was all and Orochimaru tiptoed his way out of the house, carefully testing the limit of their link. He wouldn't want to jerk Naruto out of his sleep tonight. The boy had been tired with the mountainous laundry. If only his arms weren't like this he'd have helped...even though he was the Otokage he preferred doing his own laundry because Kabuto had a bad tendency of ripping his clothing to shreds, the annoying fool.

Orochimaru went outside to the porch, allowing the cool night breeze to scatter his hair around his face. The moon was giving wan light from behind a screen of steely gray clouds. Orochimaru clutched the crystal pendant that Naruto gave him as best he could.

Sarutobi-sensei...you taught us that a ninja's greatest strength comes when he has something precious to protect...I did not understand you then. The lesson took a VERY long time to sink into my head...but I understand it now, sensei. I understand it now...I've lost precious things once...but now I have one again, and sensei, I have no intention of losing him. I will safeguard him as best I could...the boy who showed me sense...

He closed his eyes and smiled. He felt the peace he thought he would never know...

The snow was beginning to thaw all around Konoha. Sasuke got up early, as what he always did, and walked around the city with his hands shoved in his pockets, red Sharingan eyes cast downward onto the street. He passed by Ichiraku ramen and went inside to get some breakfast; he felt too lazy to cook his own that morning. There were very few people yet, and Sasuke would have gone straight to his favorite spot if it wasn't for his students spotting him.

"Sasuke-sensei! Sasuke-sensei, why don't you join us?" Konohamaru called, waving his right hand.

Sasuke looked up, blinking his Sharingan eyes. A slow, resigned smile made itself known onto his lips as he made his way toward Team 1. Moegi immediately moved to pull up a chair for him. The Uchiha sat down and steepled his fingers together.

"You three are up early today. You are aware of the one-week break, right?" he asked mildly.

Konohamaru shrugged. "Well, we agreed that we've nothing better to do in our houses anyway, so why waste our time lounging around?" Moegi and Raito nodded. "Besides, most of the other teams are going on training anyway; we wouldn't want to be left behind."

Raito took off his glasses and wiped them on his sleeve. "Sasuke-sensei...we were thinking of asking you to train us...we know we aren't that good enough in concealment and substitution yet...but if you have something else to do..."

Sasuke straightened up in his seat and let his gaze take in the eager faces of his students. His lower lip twitched. It was true that his team did not have potential to reckon with, but Rock Lee said that they could learn. That would make all the difference, he said. Sasuke sighed. Maybe he should just stop being so disappointed and lower his standards a bit. It would take a long while before anybody could rival their batch.

"I won't be doing anything else, so why not train you?" he smiled. The three Genins looked at each other in surprise. "I expect we could reinforce a bit on your weaknesses before going on to some techniques such as Chidori..."

"All right!" Moegi declared happily, clapping her hands.

Sasuke was just about to ask his students where they'd like to train when a third customer entered Ichiraku. It was an Anbu with a purple overcoat, hood pulled up. Sasuke looked up and followed the loner with his Sharingan eyes as the man ordered some soup and tea, and proceeded to sit down in a far corner of the restaurant. Sasuke did not let his gaze wander away from the supposed Anbu. He knew that kitty mask. He would not forget it until he died.

"Stay here, don't follow me." Sasuke instructed as he rose.

"Where are you going, sensei?" Konohamaru inquired. "We just ordered some octopus balls for you..."

"I'll be back soon. Stay there." Sasuke said firmly.

The Uchiha made his way across tables and chairs until he finally came to the Anbu's corner. The masked ninja looked up at him but did not speak. Sasuke's hands clenched into a fist briefly, and when he opened it again, three shuriken were sitting between his fingers.

"What are you doing here, Kabuto?" he asked quietly.

The notorious medic gave a dry laugh. "I should stop using this mask, no?"

"Don't change the topic, why are you here?" Sasuke demanded, Sharingan flashing.

Kabuto did not respond for a while, but when he did, his voice was dripping with sarcasm. "You think you're so smug, Sasuke. Happy that your friends took you back after you betrayed them? It must have made you feel bad when Orochimaru-sama thought better than train you. You were nothing except a windbag."

In one swift movement Sasuke had Kabuto by the collar. "I said what were you doing here, scum."

"Do you know where Naruto is, Sasuke?" Kabuto sneered from behind his mask.

Sasuke felt like he'd been suddenly doused with ice-cold water. He let go of Kabuto and shot a furtive look around the restaurant. The cook was busy in his kitchen, while his own students were poring over a study scroll while arguing lively between bites of octopus balls. Sasuke returned his gaze to Kabuto, who was still sitting calmly before him. What does he know?

Kabuto chuckled. "Tut, it seems I was right. You don't know anything about the mission Naruto had been sent to."

Sasuke's heart started beating very fast. "What...what are you talking about?"

There was another chuckle. Sasuke grabbed Kabuto and dangled him a few inches from the floor. The Uchiha's Sharingan eyes flashed, ready to be used. The laughter from Sasuke's students suddenly ceased.

"Sensei...?" came Moegi's voice.

"What are you talking about? Where is Naruto? What did you do to my friend!" Sasuke had a hard time controlling his voice. "If you harmed him – I swear I will kill you -!"

"You don't know that your...friend...was sent into an A-class mission all by himself?" Kabuto whispered. Sasuke paled, and Kabuto gave a quiet laugh. "Yes...he had been sent by your Hokage into a confidential mission to our country. He had been sent to capture Orochimaru-sama."

There was a thud when Sasuke released Kabuto. The latter patted down his hood. Sasuke was eyeing him with combined shock, disbelief and...fear. "Haven't you even wondered why Naruto just vanished? Why he didn't even write letters to you? Why the Hokage and practically every other high ranking Jounin like Hatake Kakashi is distracting you with ridiculous tasks?"

No! Naruto! Is he alive! Sasuke swallowed hard. His throat suddenly felt very dry. "What...what do you know! Tell me everything!" his voice rang in the restaurant.

"Sensei, are you all right?" said Konohamaru, rising, kunai in hand.

"Stay where you are, Konohamaru!" Sasuke shouted. His eyes never left Kabuto's mask. "Tell me everything, or I will kill you."

"Excuse me..."

Sasuke spun around, ready to shoot off a trail of curses to whoever interrupted him. It was Ayame, with Kabuto's order. She set the tray down on his table and hurried off, looking nervous. Sasuke sat down.

"Talk!" he spat.

"Your friend...managed to capture Orochimaru-sama."

Sasuke's jaw dropped open. Naruto...managed that...all ALONE?

"But your friend has proved to be a lunatic," Kabuto went on. "He used a technique involving little amount of Chakra. He linked with Orochimaru-sama."

"Link! What do you mean Naruto linked with that bastard? He will never do that!" Sasuke burst out, standing up and slamming his hands onto the table.

Kabuto spread his hands. "Oh, but he did...didn't you ever wonder why he did not come back after such a victory for Konoha? He's with Orochimaru-sama now."

Naruto, you big idiot! What have you done? Why are you with that monster! Why, Naruto! Why? Sasuke's right fist slammed into Kabuto's face, and the latter fell backward, unconscious.

"Sensei!" Konohamaru jumped to his side, ready for anything. "Sensei, what..."

Sasuke shut his eyes. He was trembling. "Konohamaru, I am sorry, but your training will be postponed. I promise I will make up for this."

"That's okay, Sasuke-sensei, but..."

But Sasuke was already gone.

Naruto, why? Why this! Haven't you learned from my mistake? Why...?

Kakashi set down his emptied mug and looked at Jiraiya. "He's...Orochimaru's...student?"

Jiraiya nodded. "As you saw, Naruto has already mastered the Senei Gyashu. Orochimaru plans to teach him Katon Karyuu Endan next, and maybe even Chidori." Kakashi's nose twitched at that.

Kakashi ran a finger on his mug's rim. "Does this...come...with no strings attached?"

"What do you think?" Jiraiya asked with a smile as he finally finished his tea.

Kakashi paused and turned around to watch Orochimaru and Naruto talking outside. Naruto was on his feet, gesturing grandly as he blabbered about this and that, while Orochimaru was sitting down on a stool and smiling up at him. Every now and then the Serpent would throw back his head in a hearty guffaw.

"Are you sure he's changed?" Kakashi asked after a moment.

Jiraiya harrumphed. "If there is anyone here who knows Orochimaru through and through, that would be me, Kakashi." He looked out of the open window as well. "Orochimaru never used to laugh in public, Kakashi. He had always been selfish with his jutsus. He teaches only the best – students he'd handpicked himself like Mitarashi Anko. Orochimaru never used to admit how he felt. All that he showed to the world was a cold, unemotional shell. You know as well as I that Naruto has such an astounding gift of changing people. A few examples of those people he'd changed in amazing ways are Gaara...Neji...and Sasuke. Sasuke returned to Konoha out of his own volition. He wouldn't have if not for Naruto influencing him in such a way."

"Does the Fifth know of this?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "That's become something of a problem, you see. I don't know how to tell everything to Tsunade. We all believed that Orochimaru was beyond anything...he killed our sensei and hundreds more in the process, but..." he sighed. "I know a murderous ninja when I see him, Kakashi. I've been watching Orochimaru closely ever since we were sent here to hide. He doesn't have the will to kill anymore."

"What if this is just an act?"

"Kakashi, use your head. Orochimaru could have killed us all when we were asleep, but he didn't. You should take a chance to look into his eyes and see for yourself." Jiraiya said dismissively.

Kakashi rose and went outside. Naruto looked up at him curiously, and so did Orochimaru.

"Kakashi-sensei, did you invent Sennen Goroshi?" Naruto asked.

Kakashi blinked at such a question. "Well...no...come to think of it... Arashi-sensei only passed it on to me."

"And I taught him that!" came Jiraiya's voice from the house.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "I knew it was perverted hermit who invented it..."

"No, it wasn't Jiraiya." Orochimaru said.

Naruto turned to him. "Who? Sandaime Hokage?" he said in horror.

Orochimaru shook his head. "No. I invented Sennen Goroshi."

"WHAT!" Kakashi and Naruto gasped. "You didn't!"

Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Yes, I did. I was eight, I think, when I invented it. I was inspired by Jiraiya and his...adventures." The Serpent waved a bandaged hand. "But you people are doing it wrong nowadays. The original style I used had Chakra. You focus your Chakra down your fingers and deliver the blow into your target's ass...makes him soar a whopping three hundred feet in midair...and he won't be able to sit down for an entire week..."

"Ouch!" Naruto winced. "Who did you use it on first, then?"

Jiraiya joined Kakashi by the window. "He used on Sarutobi-sensei. What he got in turn was a large lump on his head that took three months to shrink. During that time he was known was Orochimaru Lumphead."

Orochimaru touched his own head. "I think it was Enma transformed into Nyoibo that gave me that."

"No, it was Sarutobi-sensei's own fist. I saw it, remember?"

"Was it, really?"

"Yeah it was. And Tsunade was so scared because you were unconscious for a week..."

"Was I?"

"Orochimaru, my goodness, you're growing old!"

"Am not!"

Naruto and Kakashi looked at each other and laughed.