Chapter 56: Basking in Birthday Bliss
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.
Right, since these chapters are taking far longer than I'd like them to, I've decided to write a chapter of BHBL after working on a chapter of one of my other stories. So for example, I'd write BHBL then FbnL, then BHBL again, and so on. I know this isn't ideal for my other stories, but since this one had the biggest following, and I really want to finish this story before I reach Kaede's age, it feels like the best choice.
I hope you enjoy my new chapter!
No matter how old Kaede got, she would never get used to the amazing beauty of the outside world. After being confined for so long, the glow of the moon as it shone overhead; overlooking her as she sat at the edge of the large lake hidden deep within the woods around Kusagakure, always brought her comfort, no matter what state she found herself in. With a gentle sigh, the older woman leaned back on her elbows and gazed up as the large celestial body neared the center of the black, inky sky above.
"Heh." She huffed out as her lip twisted upwards on one side. In a fashion similar to the hand of a clock, the moon shifted until it finally reached the apex of the stars; and she closed her eyes. "Happy fiftieth birthday, y'stubborn old fool."
Another year had passed since she had started a new life, and now she had finally reached her fifth decade. While she felt older, more due to her experiences, she had no intentions of slowing down. In fact, in the past year, she had come to several revelations a younger person would struggle to cope with, and to some, it would seem near impossible to understand how she could continue to look forward.
Not only had she changed her attitude towards Orochimaru, opting not to burden herself with hatred any longer, but she had grown to form a sexual and even civil 'relationship' with him. Honestly, having finally shrugged off those negative emotions, she felt freer than she did when she broke out of her Ninjutsu-proof cell. It was a calming, enjoyable feeling for sure.
Without the weight of her vengeance clouding her mind, she had time to recount her past and find her own way forward on the long, brambled path her life had led her down. She had not only escaped the experimentation that still haunted her nightmares, but had built a new home for herself in Otogakure when her own family and friends had abandoned her for crimes she hadn't committed.
Hell, she was even training the newest recruit in their ranks, Henrei, a boy she had saved from certain death by her own hands. It had been two months since she was tasked with training him, and while she wanted to get to the nitty gritty sparring sessions, she had yet to step foot towards a more practical approach.
He was young, too young to really understand the inner workings of the shinobi, so first, she had to teach him the importance of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu and Genjutsu, and that wasn't easy when the boy refused to even acknowledge her existence, let alone listen to a word she said. It was a long and grueling road, and she had to grit her teeth and bear it until the trees cleared and a way forward could be found.
He was aggravating, stubborn, aggressive, determined, and defiant, all the things she had been when she first started working for Orochimaru. However, despite wondering aloud many times if saving the boy was the right thing to do, she knew deep down that it was. Saving Henrei had not only allowed her to repent, even a little, for all her terrible deeds, but allowed her to see that she didn't have to give up everything she once was just to survive.
Instead, she could find a way to incorporate her ambitions and goals into her new life and actually live instead of just coasting through in hopes of seeing the next sunrise.
Of course, the real question now, was how to live that life. What did she want to strive for, to work towards with her whole heart? Naruto had his dream to be Hokage, Sasuke had his desire to avenge his clan, and Orochimaru had his ambition to learn all known jutsu.
What was her motivator? To better herself? To make up for past mistakes? The thoughts plaguing her mind were many, and they jumbled together so frequently that she knew the answer wouldn't be a simple one. She just had to trust that with time, the realization would come to her, much like her attraction to Orochimaru.
However, she didn't get to continue her musings any longer, as she heard the sound of soft footsteps behind her, and with the reflexes of a seasoned kunoichi, she quickly spun around and swept her foot out to knock whoever stood behind her down so she could end their miserable existence. That didn't happen though, as the person behind her quickly grabbed her leg and yanked it up, forcing her to fall onto her back as they dove atop her and pinned her hands above her head, leaving her defenseless.
Kaede only managed to let out a shocked gasp before a familiar chuckle echoed in her ears, causing her buzzing adrenaline to curb a little as she relaxed and glared up at the snake-like Sannin she was just thinking about. "Tch, warn me next time y'walk up behind me!" She spat, ignoring the dusty pink her cheeks turned as she realized the compromising position they were in. "I could've killed you!"
"Hm, hm, I think you're getting ahead of yourself, Firecracker." He teased, arching a brow as he looked down at her, curtained by his thick black locks that framed his face nicely. He was wearing a yukata, similar to the one he wore when he sought out Tsunade. Perhaps he was turning in for the night, if so, why was he outside, pestering her? "In the five decades you've been alive, you have yet to best me in combat. I doubt that's changed with the position of the moon~." He moved her wrists into one of his large hands, while the other held her thigh that was pressed to his hip.
This made the redhead snort out a laugh as she grinned up at him, the moonlight giving her usually bronze skin an ethereal tint of blue. Despite hating when he snuck up on her, she couldn't deny the rush of desire that surged through her when his hand grasped her thigh so tightly. The thrill he gave her was one of the reasons she had grown accustomed to his presence in the first place. "I should've known..." She started, squirming a little in his grasp. "That a creepy bastard like you would try t'sneak up on me t'get on my nerves!"
"Is that really how you speak to someone who merely came to wish you a pleasant birthday?" He asked, eyes aglow in the night's ambient light.
"Y'even have my birthday memorized! I don't know whether t'be flattered or terrified~!"
This pulled another chuckle from the smirking Sannin as he let go of her and got to his feet, watching as she sat up then stood up alongside him. The two stood in front of one another, blanketed by the glow of the moon and the shimmering reflection it cast over the water. Kaede immediately settled into her usual position, her hand resting against her hip. "So what d'you want?" She asked, arching a brow when he shrugged.
"Must I repeat myself a second time?" He asked, his hand outstretched in his usual exaggerated manner.
"Heh, you're too cold t'wish anyone a happy birthday, Snake-Eyes!" She retorted, shrugging her own shoulders in a less extravagant display. "But if y'don't want to tell me the real reason for your visit, then I don't give a damn, it's no skin off my nose!"
Orochimaru hummed curiously as Kaede dropped her hand to her side and turned her whole body, looking up at the moon that was now over the central point in the starry skies above. Though nothing was said, her actions surprised the Sannin a little as he watched her usually fiery red hair glitter, now cool in color due to the darkness blanketing them. She seemed so calm, so peaceful, it was a strange sight indeed.
And one that made the older, apathetic man feel a spark of something... warm, in his usually empty chest. However, he didn't get a chance to acknowledge his uncomfortable feelings as Kaede turned back to face him, grinning from ear to ear with her fang poking out, only highlighted by the atmosphere. "But I got t'warn you, Orochi-sama!" She started, using that accursed nickname on him, one that he was begrudgingly growing accustomed to, as of late. "Whatever you've got planned t'spoil my day, I ain't going t'let y'do it! If y'have a mission for me, it can wait 'til tomorrow."
She didn't let him speak before she turned back to him with that beaming smile stretched across her face, her eyes creasing at the corners. "I ain't going t'let anything ruin my birthday. I don't get many chances t'celebrate special occasions, so I want t'make sure I get t'enjoy at least one positive event in my lifetime!"
"Oh?" He placed his elbow in his hand and stroked his chin for a moment before he dropped it to rest atop the other arm. "Do you really consider a birthday a positive event? In my experience birthdays only serve as a reminder that our days are numbered, and that we're one day closer to our inevitable deaths." He loathed the thought alone, which is why he vowed to perfect his immortality jutsu so that he would continue toward life eternal.
Kaede shrugged, her smile dropping a little as she placed her hand back on her hip. "Yeah, you're right, it does remind me that I'm getting older, but..." Orochimaru's head tilted to the side as Kaede turned her torso, now staring off at the shimmering lake behind her, a soothing sight to those who enjoyed the small things life had to offer. "It's also a reminder that I've spent another year living my life, making memories, and surviving against all the odds!" She clenched her free hand into a fist, staring down at it with a fire in her eyes many hadn't seen since she was but a young woman. In a split second, she relaxed out of that posture and closed her eyes, dropping her hand to her side as she took a deep breath, reveling in the small breeze that brushed her scarred cheeks. "I ain't the type t'dwell on these things, but now that I'm getting older, I'm starting to appreciate all the things I took for granted growing up."
She let out a laugh and dropped her head forward, opening her eyes to look down at her bare feet, tickled by the grass below. The silent Sannin watched as the redhead plopped herself down in front of the lake once again, one leg bent while the other rested outstretched before her. One of her arms used her bent knee as purchase as she grasped the grass behind her with the other hand, ensuring her balance remained steady. "'Cause of that, I choose not t'look at my birthday as 'another year closer to death,' but as another memory to add to my growing collection." Her smirk turned into a softer, calmer smile. "Something t'look back at fondly when I finally pass on to the other side..."
Orochimaru remained silent as he stood behind her, looming over her form as she let her head fall back and closed her eyes comfortably. The thought of her death looming in the distant future was one he didn't enjoy. She was a vital pawn in his plans, and he detested the idea that his ambitions would suffer should her existence be cut short due to age, illness, or a mission that went wrong.
However, he also knew she was a tool, and nothing more. Just like those who came before her, he would milk her of her usefulness and toss her aside to make room for the next useful sacrificial piece he could find.
He felt anger in his begin to rise as the thought made his stomach twist. However, when Kaede opened her eyes again and shot him her usual grin, he opted to brush aside his mental discomfort and pay attention as she snickered. "Are y'just going t'stand there, staring at me, or are y'going t'join me?" She asked, patting the space at her side, an invitation.
Amused by her uncharacteristically kind offer, he gracefully slipped down to sit beside her, mirroring her position almost perfectly, though he gripped his knee, rather than let his arm hang over the inside of his thigh. The peace that settled between them was something he never truly sought to analyze, however, at that moment, he had to appreciate the way the shimmering waters illuminated her rough features, igniting her coppery locks, despite the cooler tone they took on in the darkness.
The redhead let her lead lol to the side so she was looking at him. "Hey, Orochi-sama?" She started. "When's your birthday?"
This made the Sannin's amusement rise further. "Why would you ask such a thing, when you already know the answer from reading my journals?" He countered, he was certain that in at least one entry, he had mentioned his birthday. In fact, he knew exactly which entry he was thinking about.
It was the one where he stopped celebrating his birthday after his parent's death and opted to focus all his time and energy on his academic training as a means to distract himself from the loneliness. It was what allowed him to harness his genius and become a first-rate shinobi at such a young age.
Kaede shrugged and laid back, resting her hands behind her head as she looked up at the twinkling lights in the black sky. "I don't remember that one." She admitted, only to blush when this notion only made him laugh more. "What? I'm serious! I was too preoccupied with the idea that you'd find me reading them and rip my head off my shoulders t'really pay attention t'all of your entries!" She then scowled and shot him a glare. "Not that I'd want t'read them anyway! Why would I want t'read about your past when you're already a pain in the ass in real life?" Her smirk twitched at her lips as she closed her eyes. "The last thing I'd want is t'get sucked into a book all about you~!"
But he knew she was lying. After all, she had asked him once about an event from his past, the time he learned to summon snakes from his father. And while he detested the idea of sharing his personal memories with anyone, he had seen the gratitude in her eyes when she had listened to his tale.
It was actually rather interesting to him. Since her hatred had faded, he'd noticed another emotion blossoming under her hot-headed surface. At first, he assumed it was just a tolerance for his presence, but looking at her now, comfortable and content, he wondered...
Perhaps she was beginning to view him as a... friend?
Part of him wanted to laugh at the notion itself, considering their less-than-ideal first impressions over a decade prior. Another part of him wanted to let rage consume him and refuse to accept the mere thought. However, there was a third, smaller, yet notably louder part that made him think that such a thing would actually be quite favourable in some way. While he still refused to allow any foolish notions, feelings, or fancies to taint their deal, an amicable 'relationship' of sorts wouldn't count towards soiling that arrangement. In fact, it would probably make their lives easier, since it meant he wouldn't have to concern himself over her potentially revolting against him once again in the future.
With that thought in mind, he decided he would allow her to trust him more openly, assured in the knowledge that his missions would become easier in the long run, thanks to her attitude shift.
At least, that's what he wanted to believe.
In actual fact, he was having the exact same reaction to her as she was to him. He was beginning to trust her, despite her recent act of rebellion against his orders, despite all the odds.
She had wormed her way under his cold skin and even he couldn't deny that fact any longer. But he would still continue to push those thoughts away. As he said, she was nothing but a pawn in his plans, a tool he required to act out his wants.
"You're pretty quiet over there." Kaede piped up, ripping him from his thoughts before he could feel his rage return. He detested how easily she could alter his train of thought with just her presence. "What're y'thinking about?"
Deciding that such a tedious topic was not worth thinking about further, the Sannin smirked as he moved the subject back to her birthday. "I was entertaining myself with the knowledge that you hadn't fulfilled your vow to defeat me before you reached fifty, my dear Firecracker~!"
This pulled a laugh from the kunoichi, as she sat back up and placed her elbows on her knees, letting both her hands fall limp within the space between her thighs. "Y'really trying t'challenge me right now?"
Orochimaru arched a brow as his smirk widened. "Why not? Have you finally reached an age where you're too tired to show me what you're capable of?"
Kaede hummed. "Under any other circumstance, Snake-Eyes, I'd play your game!" She flashed him a toothy grin. "But not tonight! I just want t'bask in the knowledge that I'd survived another year and enjoy some peace."
The Snake Shinobi stared at her for a moment, before he looked down at his hand as he slipped it inside the outer layer of his yukata. "Then it's a good thing I came prepared." He said, causing her to hum and look at him just as he pulled out a bottle of Sake, then two small saucers to drink from.
This made her beam with excitement as she straightened out her legs and leaned back on one of her hands. "Now we're talking!" She watched as he smirked and popped the top off the bottle before he poured them both a generous amount. "It ain't a good birthday 'til I get hammered!"
He chuckled as he handed Kaede her dish and picked up his own, holding it out as a silent request for a toast. When she caught on, she thought for a moment, before she laughed and held up her drink. "To another year filled with peaceful moments among the crap that's going t'go down once Sasuke gets his revenge!"
Amused by this, he clinked their glasses together and pulled it to his lips. "Yes, and I am able to finally take the Sharingan for myself~!"
After that, the two drained their saucers in one fell swoop, and while Orochimaru refilled them, she picked up a nearby flat stone and tested its weight, before she tossed it over the water's surface. It skipped over the rippling lake once, twice, three times before it finally sank into the depths below, vanishing into the darkness.
"Hm, if it had been a thinner stone, maybe it would have made it across." The Sannin said, handing her back her refilled drink.
"Heh, not going t'lie. I ain't good at skipping stones." She took a sip of the liquid, not downing it this time. "There weren't many lakes t'practice on in Suna!"
The older man chuckled, also taking a sip. "Yes, last time I checked, Suna wasn't known for its large bodies of water. Perhaps the occasional oasis, but that's it, according to my knowledge of the general landscape."
An agreeing hum was her only response before the two settled into a comfortable silence, enjoying the drinks and the aforementioned peace of the midnight atmosphere. However, Kaede wasn't known to bask in silence like he was and blurted out a sentence amidst the tranquility. "So, did y'just come out here t'get me hammered and insult my fighting skills, or did y'want something else?"
This made his shoulders shake with a silent bout of laughter, and he closed his eyes as he took another sip of his drink. "While my initial intention was to do so, it wasn't my only reason for meeting you out here." Without giving her a chance to question him, he slithered a hand around her waist and yanked her towards him, hips pressed together as he leaned in close with a devious smirk. "I happen to have a special birthday treat to give you, Firecracker, one that's sure to leave you wanting more~."
While Kaede's grin gave away her dirty thoughts, she arched a brow as she leaned in herself, their breaths mingling together, spiced by the scent of alcohol. "Oh yeah, and what's that?" She asked oh-so-innocently.
"Hm, hm, hm, acting innocent isn't your strong suit, Kaede-chan." He growled, wrapping his arm around her lower waist completely, their chests now touching.
"I don't know what y'mean, Snake-Eyes." She purred, her eyes dropping to his pale lips, completely contradicting her innocent facade. They were so close, their lips brushed with every word, and Orochimaru felt a tingling along his spine each time they touched.
"Even after all this time, you still need a reminder?" His tone turned to a pleasant hiss as he grasped the back of her neck, tangling his fingers into her short hair as he pulled her into a possessive lip lock, one which she wholeheartedly participated in, even going so far as to let out a giddy hum in response to the hard kiss.
While she basked in her birthday bliss, Orochimaru noticed something.
The kiss felt... different, the tingling each brush of her lips gave him seemed to shock his entire body time and time again. This knowledge caused a surge of primal desire, and his hiss turned aggressive as he deepened the kiss, nipping at her lips with his pointed canines. His desires proved to be an effective distraction to stop himself from analyzing every reaction and to stop him from overthinking every sensation her wandering hands and teasing tongue caused.
Fueled by a mixture of irritation and arousal, the Sannin quickly flipped them so that Kaede was lying on the ground with Orochimaru straddling her waist, her hands pinned over her head, wrists trapped in the man's cold hands. However, despite the compromising position, Kaede only gasped as her grin widened and she looked up at his darkened expression, chest heaving as her own desires became noticeable.
"Heh," she laughed, licking her dry lips as he leaned over her, his hair falling forward and acting as a curtain to keep the rest of the world out of their affairs. "If I'd known this was your plan all along, I wouldn't have told y'to keep it t'yourself~!"
"Be quiet!" He hissed, his eyes almost glowing a mixture of yellow and green, despite the shadow cast across his face. "Unless you want me to retract my gift and leave you here to suffer in silence, you'll do as I say!"
The way he spoke, the sharp bite to his words, and the burning lust brimming in his eyes as a blue moonlight tint shrouded the pair of them... It was a surreal sight indeed. One that Kaede would happily etch into her memory as she allowed another milestone to pass her by.
Her smile only widened as she took fistfuls of his yukata and yanked him down until his hair was all she could see of the outside world and his nose brushed against her own. "If y'want me t'stop, get on with it and stop teasing me!"
Those words almost made him snap in a primal fit to claim what was his. "I believe that's my line." He retorted before he pressed their lips together once again in another possessive and passionate display. Their hands roamed across one another's bodies as they relished in their drinks and 'desert' by the sparkling lake only further enhanced by the moon's ethereal light.
Little did they know, their act, in such an intimate and private setting, would tip the scales of their amicable 'relationship' and send them both hurtling into uncharted waters neither had dared to explore before. Only time would tell if they would realize what kind of slippery slope they were on, or if they would crash into the answer before then.
But at that moment, the only thing on Kaede's mind was Orochimaru's fangs nipping aggressively at her neck, and how the small sprinkle of pain and pleasure she felt was a good way to start her birthday off right.
A/N: Thank you for reading, please leave a review if you liked my work and have some tips to help me improve!
Japanese = English
Hokage = Fire Shadow
Otogakure = Hidden Sound Village
Sunagakure = Hidden Sand Village
Kusagakure = Hidden Grass Village
-chan = Usually used at the end of a woman's name, can be a way to show endearment.
-sama = Usually used after an important person's name, mostly translates to 'lord.'
Genjutsu = Illusion Techniques
Taijutsu = Hand-to-Hand Combat
Ninjutsu = Ninja Techniques
