Chapter 47 - Making Up for Past Mistakes


A/N: I do not own the Naruto Franchise!

I do however own Mari Kaede and any other OCs mentioned.

Warnings: Contains dark themes, such as depression, murder, experimentation, emotional, mental and physical torture, possible attempted suicide and mentions of sexual activities!

At this point, I also want to point out that the relationship between these two characters is actually toxic if you are in a similar situation please seek help, it is not healthy and it won't end the same way this story will end.

I do not condone these kinds of relationships, despite writing this story.


All was quiet in the living quarters of the Otogakure hideout, as Kaede lay asleep in the darkness of her room, sprawled out on her back with both hands on her stomach as she snored ever so slightly from her partially open mouth. This was a normal occurence for her, as her body had learned the difference between when she was napping and when she was sleeping through the night.

If she was napping, her arm would be over her eyes, or her book would be covering her face, the lack of weight against her skull is all her body needed to know to drift into a deeper, longer sleep worthy of fairy tale princess. Unlike a fairy tale princess though, she was easily disturbed as a loud knock echoed against her bedroom door, jolting her from her slumber with a snort.

Kaede lifted her head and looked at the door with half-open eyes, before she groaned and dropped her head back onto the pillow. "Can't y'tell I'm trying t'sleep by the lack of light in the room?!" She yelled out, her voice thick with sleep as she sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. "Gimme a sec, I've got t'make myself decent first." The usually energetic redhead stood up just as a muffled chuckle could be heard and the door opened, revealing her naked body to the Sannin on the other side, leaning against the door frame as he eyed her like she was a meal worth devouring.

Of course, Kaede was prepared to kick the crap out of whoever burst into her room, but upon seeing Orochimaru's irritating smirk, she huffed as her own lip twitched upwards to mimic his expression. "When have you ever attempted to be decent, Kaede-chan?" The evil snake asked deviously, as he stepped into the room and closed the door, not wanting to share this view with anyone else that may pass.

"I'll have y'know that I'm a pretty private person, Orochimaru-sama~!" She told him, grinning as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, knowing he was not after anything sexual, as he just leaned against the back of the door and watched as she rummaged through her dresser for a clean bodysuit. "So, what're y'after? Y'don't usually wake me up unless y'need something."

This question soured the older shinobi's mood, and the amused smirk fell off his features, replaced with a sharp frown, upon seeing this, her own expression turned in the same direction. "Oh God, what's happened now?"

~BHBL~

Orochimaru's office was only a small space, ready to fit around ten people, maximum and at that moment in time, it seemed the limit was being tested. Inside the dark, cramped area that held his Kinjutsu research, a group of eight individuals stood, staring at the throne where the villainous Sannin was situated. Kaede, Kabuto and Sasuke stood at the front, while five of Orochimaru's most powerful Jounin leaders stood behind them, all waiting for their leader to speak.

"What are we even doing here?" Sasuke snapped, his tone rude, as he had been in the middle of his own personal training when he was summoned. "If this is just some dumb meeting, I'm going back to my training."

Kabuto shot the young boy a sharp glare. "Sasuke-kun, if I were in your shoes, I would watch what you say...Orochimaru-sama has summoned not only you or I, but six others as well, obviously it's important."

"Kabuto is right..." Orochimaru started, the dim light of the candle doing nothing to allieviate his sinister aura as he sat up straight with his hands planted firmly on his arm rests. He was not playing games. "Kaede recently caught wind of our 'allies' in Tenkachi City setting up an ambush with Ishigakure to dispose of us..." Small gasps and murmurs were heard, but soon died down, knowing what would happen if they interrupted the Otokage's explanation. "I will not be taken lightly by anyone, and their foolish actions will have dire consequences..."

The sinister snake's lips pulled back into a malicious grin as his sharp fangs glinted in the flickering flames illuminating the room, this pulled out some laughs and grins from the more sadistic members of their group, including Kaede, who had hated that city since she first visited it so long ago. She cracked her knuckles together, rolling her shoulders as she prepared herself for a good fight, it had been a while since her last serious mission, and she was eager to redeem herself.

"We will kill all who stand in our way...You have an hour to prepare yourselves for the battle, then we'll begin the journey. Let's show them what happens when they underestimate my power~!"

After that, they were dismissed, and left the room, most were silent, but others did mutter among themselves about their itching desire to fight, maim or kill for the first time in a while. Kaede herself did not really say anything as she started back to her room, however just as she passed the threshold to leave Orochimaru's office, she felt an icy cold hand grasp her wrist.

Without giving her a chance to turn around, she was dragged back into his office and the door clicked shut as she was pressed against the surface, Orochimaru's hand against the wooden barrier beside her head. It took the redhead a moment to recollect herself from her surprise, but she soon huffed out a laugh and grinned up at the intense eyes of her leader. "Did the thought of murder really set y'off that much?" She asked, arching a brow. "Damn, I ain't an expert, but doesn't that make you a bit of a sadist, Snake-Eyes?"

The Sannin chuckled, his shoulders shaking from the motion and he looked her over with his usual arrogant smile. "During the battle, you are to remain by my side." He stated out of the blue, throwing her off guard as her grin dropped. "Your jutsu will be a valuable asset..." His eyes sharpened venomously as he thought about how he could not use his own jutsu, which, to this day, still made his blood boil. "Your Ninjutsu and my Taijutsu will put the battle in our favor, and I will not accept failure, do I make myself clear?"

Of course, Kaede knew better than to assume that Orochimaru actually needed her help. His Taijutsu prowess was still far greater than the average shinobi of his height and build. It was likely that she was merely a scapegoat used to protect himself from long-distance attacks. The snake-eyed bastard was ever the cautious psychopath.

"Heh, why'd y'want me when y'can have Kabuto protecting your ass?" She asked playfully, tilting her head to the side as he laughed. "Oh wait, no, you don't need protecting, d'you?"

"Hm, hm, you're learning, Firecracker." His own lips spread into a wide, malicious grin. "I am immortal, those who fight me will die by my hand while I stand on their corpses!" He pushed away from the wall and stepped back, giving her the space to straighten up, he shrugged his arm out to the side, extended with his palm pointing up, a flippant gesture at the best of times. "Kabuto will be stationed with Sasuke-kun. This will be the boy's first major battle, and I am not about to let my vessel go into the fray unprotected."

He dropped his arm and suddenly, his eyes sharpened. A shiver passed down her spine and she fought not to swallow hard. It was not fear that rushed through her, but a sense of adrenaline, as if she was on the receiving end of a kunai blade. "However..." He started, his tone lowering an octave as a hiss resounded in his throat. "Though you have given me valuable information regarding Ishigakure's ambush, you are still under scrutiny from your recent failure..."

Immediately he fought a smirk as Kaede's expression soured, as it had the day prior when they had discussed it briefly. "Therefore..." He continued. "You will also remain by my side to ensure that you don't let your futile emotions affect the success of this mission or your chances of survival. Your unpredictable, but powerful Ninjutsu are of use to me, I will not allow you to foolishly get yourself killed and risk my ambitions, in the process."

Though Kaede was pleased to know she would be of use to him, even after the struggles she had faced recently, it still made her scoff when she heard his suspicions. She had given up everything, even her loyalty, to this man, yet he still could not bring himself to trust her completely. However, she knew if she did well in this fight, she would at least step in the right direction without going backwards.

Without taking her eyes off him, she smirked. "Just tell me where t'go and who t'kill!"

A blazing heat filled Orochimaru's entire body as he let a dark chuckle rumble through his chest. That was all he needed to hear to know he could count on her to fulfill her duties. "Now, don't you have to prepare?" He taunted, watching as she snickered and turned to open the door. "I will not be pleased if we reach the hour and you're not waiting at the top of those steps." He gestured in the direction of the entrance to the hideout.

"Aww, you've got t'wait for me~!" She whined playfully, stepping out of the doorway as she held the door handle with that usual teasing grin splayed across her features. "I ain't as young as I used t'be!" With that, she held up her hand as a goodbye, letting go of the door in the process, which then closed over, blocking her from view as she started walking back to her room.

He found her comfortable demeanor around him rather intriguing as of late, he was not blind to her changes since their deal had been certified, and he looked forward to seeing how her actions would further change the longer she spends in this strange limbo they created. However, he swept that gleeful thought aside as he sat down at his desk, reading through his plan of attack one last time before they left.

By the time they were through, there would be no one left to defy him.

~BHBL~

The trip to Tenkachi City had been quick and silent as the five squads, all commanded by a Jounin leader and three Chuunin level members, rushed through the trees with Orochimaru, Kabuto, Sasuke and Kaede at the front, making them the sixth cell in the attacking party. The group landed on several different tree branches, circling the city for the moment they would pounce into action. Inside the walls of the small settlement, were a fair few more Ishigakure Shinobi, speaking among themselves, discussing their plans and how to move towards Otogakure's base of operations without being spotted.

Little did they know, they were already surrounded, and Orochimaru was ready for them. The Sannin looked at his teammates, Kaede, Kabuto and Sasuke, two of which were plastering a serious expression across their faces, while his former experiment was sporting a huge grin, ready for some action. Seeing this, he chuckled and looked back at the city, licking his lips in antiscipation.

Without making a sound, the snake shinobi stood up and raised his hand, giving them the signal they needed to leap into the city. His hair fluttered forward with the rush of wind that came with their movements, as they silently hopped from tree to tree until they jumped from their hiding places along the border and around edges of the town.

Of course, the civilians soon panicked and rushed into their houses, while Ishigakure's forces spun to face the enemies holding blades while sporting startled expressions. Orochimaru's laugh echoed through the area as he hopped down and landed in front of Kaede and Kabuto, who were stood with those same daggers held out as a warning. "I heard you were looking for me..." The snake-eyed man sneered with a disturbed grin stretching from ear to ear.

"O-Orochimaru...!" One of the men said, the one who had discussed the ambush with the mayor the previous day.

"Hm, hm, it seems we have the upper hand." He shrugged his shoulders, arrogant to a fault, but even Kaede was snickering at how stupid they had been for expecting them not to notice. "Whether you're few or far in numbers, we will come out the victors."

"You're outnumbered!" Another enemy Jounin spat. "Only a mad man would expect to win with these odds!"

"Then y'ain't as smart as I thought you'd be." Kaede cut in, unhooking her robe. "Got t'say, I'm a bit let down, I was hoping for a good fight!"

"Hm, hm, So was I..." Orochimaru chimed in.

Silence passed between the two groups for a moment, before Kaede tossed her sandals and robe to the side. At this time the Sannin shifted and rushed into the center as the Jounin in charge on the other side did the same. This caused all hell to break loose as both armies, one small, one large, rushed together and clashed in the way of the warrior. Blood was spilled as blades were swung and thrown between them, some abandoning the weapon to bring forth massive storms and spires of Earth in an attempt to gain the upper hand.

However, despite the sheer difference in numbers, Orochimaru's group gained the advantage as the Jounin leader of each cell summoned massive snakes to support their side, while the opposing side had not prepared their own to rival them. Screams and cries were heard as the serpents wrecked the larger buildings, crushing some of the enemy shinobi with the debris they spread throughout their rampage, while others just outright ate whoever attempted to take them on.

Orochimaru was in the centre of the frey, taking on both the main Jounin in charge of the assault, and some of his Chuunin subordinates, alone. Though he was just one man, he was able to parry their skills and even back them up against the wall metaphorically with his strength. He clashed blades with the leader of the opposing village, his fanged grin meeting that of a harsh snarl as they got closer with the force against their weapons.

Kaede was not close to Orochimaru at this point, having been forced to separate from him due to a persistent Taijutsu fighter getting in her face and her being constantly on the move to avoid not having the space to perform any of her jutsu. 'Dammit, this guy's better than Rock Lee!' She thought to herself as she blocked his blow by crossing her arms. However the shinobi was not perturbed, instead he kicked the undersides of her arms hard enough to break her defense, and while she staggered back, he leapt into the air and swung a kick at her cheek, sending her flying off to the side, before bouncing several times on the hard pavement in the center of the city.

Once she came to a halt, she hissed and used her throbbing arms to lift her torso from the ground, wiping her lip with the back of her hand as she glared at her opponent, who was now rushing towards her. Before she could even consider her next tactic, her eyes locked onto the scene behind the oncoming enemy, where Orochimaru was still taking on the Jounin. Behind him, another ninja, probably a Chuunin, was sneaking up on him with a brandished sword.

"Shit!" She snarled, kicking herself off the ground and grabbing the kunai that had fallen out of her dead comrade's hand as he hit the floor. She ran at the enemy she was taking in, surprising him enough for him to let down his guard, where she dodged his oncoming attack by ducking beneath his arm, grabbing it and twisting it behind his back. With that, he spun around and she slit his throat open the moment his back was pressed to her chest. Without giving him time to even choke on his own blood, she dropped his dying body and launched herself forward into a roll, throwing the weapon as soon as she planted herself into a kneel within range of the enemy rearing back to take Orochimaru out.

A cry of agony was heard behind the Sannin, who spun around to see the Chuunin fall to the ground, the dagger poking out of the back of his skull, much like the time he reanimated the former First and Second Hokage. Upon seeing Kaede in that knelt position, hand outstretched with a big, breathless grin on her face, he too mirrored her expression and ducked just as the Jounin he had been fighting went to slit his own throat.

Orochimaru swept his foot out and knocked the Jounin off his feet, lurching forward as the Kusanagi Blade came out of his mouth and he stabbed the man through the chest the moment he hit the ground, impaling the stone beneath his body as his blood stained the cobblestone floor. He let the sword detach from his mouth, his tongue uncoiling from around the hilt as he took it in his hand and tore it from the man's chest, rushing towards Kaede until the two stood, back to back, ready for anyone who got in their way.

They glanced at one another and shared a knowing smirk as a group of enemies surrounded them.

This was going to be fun.

~BHBL~

Flames flickered and crackled as the sky filled with a black smog that covered the sun's warmth, letting the only heat come from the embers licking at the ground and corpses that were left after such an intense battle. Orochimaru's side had suffered a significant loss of men, only two squads remained from the original five, while Orochimaru, Kaede, Kabuto and Sasuke only sustained minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises.

However the real victims were the Ishigakure shinobi that had been sent to fight them. Not one of their forces remained, all their blood, bodies and bravery burning to a crisp under the flames the Oto ninja had spread to take the lead in their battle. Now, the remaining comrades, who could still move without fatal injury, were dragging the women and children from their hiding places in the destroyed houses, gathering them in the centre of town, among the bodies.

Kaede walked up to Orochimaru as she shoved the kid who had once thrown a stone at her, forward, watching as he stumbled and landed in his mother's arms, both sobbing and shaking with fear. "What now?" She asked, looking over at their malicious leader, examining the people before him, helpless if he chose to end their miserable little lives.

After a moment, the man's blank expression warped into a dark, sadistic grin. "Kill the women." He stated, hearing them sob as the shinobi stepped closer. "But leave the children alive...They'll make excellent lab rats in my future experiments."

"Y-you can't do that!" One of the women screamed, only to freeze in fear as Kaede stepped closer and crouched down, grabbing her hair tightly in one hand.

"Listen here..." Kaede hissed out, glancing back at Orochimaru as her stomach sank. She really did not want to put these kids through the hell she had to suffer...But she knew she had no choice, and swallowed whatever guilt she felt as she snarled at the woman. "Y'ain't doing yourself any favors by pleading with him." She let go of the woman's hair and pointed a kunai at her throat, watching as the tears shed dripped off the mother's chin and onto the metal surface of her weapon. "Orochimaru-sama's given us an order..."

Suddenly cries and screams were heard as the remaining Otogakure fighters started killing off the women of the group, shoving the kids away if they so much as tried to help save their remaining parent. Kaede's eyes burned with a secret apology as she forced a smirk on her lips. "And I ain't some suicidal fool who'd piss him off."

With that, she drove the blade into the mother's chest, listening as her son screamed in horror, rushing over to her and hugging her body as she collapsed to the ground. Orochimaru chuckled in the background as Kaede stared down at the scene before her, and he walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Well done, Kaede..." He said, pleased with her work. "Your information made this mission a success...You will be rewarded later."

Kaede almost jolted when the kid looked up at her with tear-filled eyes burning with hatred and anger. "I-I'll kill you!" He snarled, standing and running towards the much older woman, only for her to kick him back in response.

"Don't kid yourself..."

The boy froze as he tried to get up.

"Don't y'get it?" Kaede crouched down in front of him, eyes empty and cold once again, she was not numb to his pain, but she knew better than to let it fester inside of her, especially now. "Only the strong can survive in this world, kid...Y'ain't strong, so y'ain't surviving."

She stood up as another Jounin tied the kids arms together behind his back, shoving him along with the other children as they started making their way out of the city and towards the hideout once again. They did not bother to blindfold or knock out any of them to avoid them seeing the location of the hideout. After all, Orochimaru did not plan to keep any of them alive in the long run, they were nothing but lab rats for his research.

Kaede followed in the back, eyes hard and heavy as she let the weight of what happened settle in her chest. For the first time, she was the reason his experiments took place, and the mere thought made her sick.

~BHBL~

The two hours turned to three as the children struggled to make the trip back to the hideout. The silent corridors of Otogakure were now booming with echoed footsteps and the sobs and hiccups of orphans. Orochimaru watched as they were lead to a large cell and shoved inside, locking the iron door behind them as the metal bars stood, reminding them that they were nothing more than caged birds who would never be free to fly again.

Once the kids were dealt with, he turned to his remaining forces, some having died on the way back from their severe injuries. "Those who did not survive were weak and useless..." Orochimaru started, looking at them. "You've proven to me that you're not...Now go, and bring them something to eat." He looked over at the cell as some of the children shot him dirty looks, hating his very presence. "They're of no use to me if they cannot survive my experiments."

One of the Jounin bowed and made his way to the kitchen to prepare the food, while the others hobbled back to their rooms to rest. Kaede stared at Orochimaru for a moment and he met her gaze, curious at first, until he saw the dull emptiness in her eyes. He watched as she let out a breath and turned, walking away without saying a word.

He was no fool. He knew what was bothering her, however he also knew that discussing such a topic with her would be a fruitless endeavor, nor did he desire to invest any time into her emotions, as per their agreement. However, he was bemused as he felt a small pang in his chest when she gave him such a blank look and he could not help but wonder if there was indeed an emotional connection growing between them.

The cold-hearted Sannin shrugged off that idea, almost entertained by the foolishness of the thought. He would not allow himself to invest anything into another, he had lived long enough to understand that caring for others brought nothing but pain and loneliness. He would not allow himself to suffer at the hand of such feelings ever again.

No, the pang he felt was merely annoyance at her inability to let the past go and look forward towards the future.

Meanwhile, Kaede walked into her bedroom and tossed her robe onto the bed, kicking off her sandals haphazardly as she closed the door behind her. Giving herself a moment, she leaned against the door and closed her eyes, feeling every single sting from the cuts on her marred skin. After a second, she let out a sigh and walked into the bathroom, combing her fingers through her hair to make sure there was no blood in her coppery locks.

The tired kunoichi shrugged off her bodysuit as she turned the dial for the shower, watching the water trickle from the nozzle into the bathtub beneath it for a second before she climbed inside and closed the curtain over, giving herself the privacy she needed to relax and let herself unwind. With yet another soft breath, she dropped her head back and relaxed her shoulders, letting the water run through her hair as she closed her eyes and her mind wandered.

She understood why she had been so eager for a battle in the first place. Since working for Orochimaru, her thirst for blood went from it being just part of the job to a part she actually enjoyed. The fights she would partake in would fill her with a sweet adrenaline that made her want to keep fighting so she could experience that thrill of knowing she was alive at the end of it all.

However what she did not understand is why all that changed the moment Orochimaru mentioned his experiments. She knew she did not care whether he did them or not, but knowing she had a part to play in their fates, that she was the reason all those children would die horrible, painful deaths? It was enough to make her stomach sink and bile rise in her throat.

"Dammit..." She forced out, running her fingers through her hair, slicking it back against her scalp as she rinsed out the dirt and blood that accumulated from the fray. She did not even understand why she was worrying about it at all, it was not like she could do anything against it. If she tried to convince him to let them go, she would be disposed of in their place.

The only way she would be free from her burdened past, was to let go of whatever fragments of morality she had left. She had to cut her ties with anyone or anything that reminded her of her past demons, and just live in the moment once and for all. Like she had vowed to do, so long ago, after her battle with the Third Hokage. With that, she continued her shower as the guilt of the situation washed away with the grime, unaware of the effect she and Orochimaru were having on one another.

Whether that effect was good or bad was another question altogether.


A/N: Thank you for reading guys! I hope you liked the chapter, and I can't wait to hear what you think if you review my work! All comments help me improve and even if they aren't criticism, your words motivate me to write more and more each day! I appreciate you all so much.

Japanese = English

Otokage = Sound Shadow

Otogakure = Hidden Sound Village

Ishigakure = Hidden Rock Village (I think.)

-Sama = Lord

Shinobi = Ninja (male)

Kunoichi = Ninja (female)

Hokage = Fire Shadow

Kinjutsu = Forbidden Techniques