Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in it.

XXIV.

- Mind Control -

Many voices buzzed inside and outside his head, his focus was blurred. The colors he first saw were sharp and unpleasant. White and black reiterated with a blinding light that irritated him. Forms were moving around him, circling and whispering for what seemed like hours. He desperately wanted to emerge on top of that nauseating state and made an attempt to pull himself out, succeeding after a couple of tiring attempts.

The smell of disinfectants was now mingled with something else, something heavy that he couldn't distinguish. It was painful to his senses. The focus of his eyes cleared up a tad and his attention was drawn by the place he was currently in — a cabinet that fairly resembled a dentist's room, but this one was heavily equipped and it wasn't as neat or clean. It had grey walls and white cupboards filled with vials, syringes, and devices he had never seen before.

"I have a question for you," Orochimaru spoke out and nailed his attention. "How do you feel?"

How did he feel? Weird. He couldn't quite move, although nothing kept him from doing so. And there was this thick haze that embraced his mind, creating the feeling of lightness and ease; as if he was afloat. It felt surprisingly nice.

"Sasuke. How do you feel?"

"I am alright," he heard himself form the words, eyes stilled on the man in front of him.

"Do you want to leave?"

Leave? If he left, he was going to lose that nice feeling.

"I wouldn't… I wouldn't."

What?

What was that?

"That's right. Perfect," Orochimaru clapped hands. "Will you obey me, Sasuke?"

"Yes."

Orochimaru looked at his side for a moment and Sasuke followed his gaze, noticing the presence of the other people in the room. He couldn't quite tell how many because the door was somewhere behind him and he heard more voices coming from another room. There was a man in big round glasses next to them, he held a notebook and observed silently.

"Everything I want?"

"Everything you want."

An excited murmur surrounded him, but he felt something like panic rising inside of him. Something wasn't quite right. He couldn't reach the problem. Was there even a problem?

"Good work, doctor," the man with the glasses spoke excitedly. "We finally made it."

"There's only the final trial."

"It's always the final trial that everything fails," another voice intervened. Sasuke couldn't see. His periphery was somewhat blackened.

"Quiet, please. Now. The turning point," Orochimaru squinted. "Sasuke, what's your weakness?"

"I don't have a weakness."

"Everyone has a weakness. If they didn't, this project would've been a success long ago. What is your weakness?"

"I don't—" his voice was cut off by Orochimaru's snap of fingers.

"Search your mind and find me your weakness. What do you love the most?"

Love? He had to call upon his mind images and scenes that he had tried to bury for so many years. And the pain that they carried was what rent the fog of his sanity. Flashes of laughter and… warmth. It's spring and they are all there. Who were these people?

"Love… the most…" Sasuke repeated slowly. "It… achi?"

A brief silence fell in the room after his answer. Then slowly the floating feeling started to leave him, leaving a gaping soreness. The change scared him and he stirred, his fists clenched with the struggle to return back to the pleasant sensation.

"Strap him," Orochimaru ordered. "Quickly."

Itachi? Who was Itachi?

"No good, the drug's wearing off. Give him more. There was a muscle convulsion. Write it down, Kabuto," Orochimaru took a breath. "Itachi Uchiha. I knew you looked familiar."

Uchiha? I am…

"Now, Sasuke, remember my words very carefully. Everyone you love is gone. You don't need to worry about those people anymore. I can grant you a new life. Life through my prism. I'll have your body under my command and you won't feel any of that pain or regret or doubt anymore."

"Alright."

Orochimaru suddenly smiled with sincere joy. "You agree?"

"Yes."

The pause extended as both of them looked at each other. "That young… a brother, isn't it? As if those vermin weren't enough and now there's another one. But that's not necessarily a bad thing," Orochimaru retreated to the next room and joined his assistants.

Sasuke could only hear different words from their following conversation, but they didn't sound particularly appealing. In fact, the whole setting suddenly appeared disgusting and he couldn't believe he hadn't noticed that before.

" …same genes… could… perfect..."

"weapon… minds… spectacular…"

A brother. Yes... How could he forget? Not just a brother… his brother. What was he still even doing here? He was wasting time. Those belts were pretty uncomfortable and tight. Mind control, huh? Nice try.

"Hmm…" Orochimaru neared him again, wearing a thoughtful expression. "Did it work? I am not sure."

He leaned in, taking a close look at Sasuke's eyes for a moment. Sasuke was fully aware he had to act as if nothing changed. It was getting harder and harder, with Orochimaru staring at his eyes from so close.

"I'm not sure…" Orochimaru repeated. "This is the point where they usually start stirring, screaming, and trying to break out, but our soldier here is still and quiet. Perhaps we broke him." He reached for something out of his peripheral sight, positively a syringe.

"A success?" Kabuto marveled.

"Possibly. However, I am not taking the risk."

Sasuke forced himself to remain intact while Orochimaru infused his blood with something that didn't feel nice at all. Drowsiness spread through his veins and poisoned him. No… he had to hold onto his common sense and dominate. If he missed his chance everything would be forever lost.

"Will you obey my orders strictly, Sasuke Uchiha?"

Sasuke nearly forgot he had to put an act and his reply was slowed down with a second.

"I will."

"Let's make a small experiment," Orochimaru smirked, reaching for the scalpel laying on the operating table. He then slowly unstrapped the belt that held his left hand to the chair. "Test your obedience."

"Doctor?" Kabuto asked, with concern.

Orochimaru placed the scalpel in his palm and closed it, stepping back.

"I want you to cut through the skin of your right hand," he ordered.

What a sick mind. But it couldn't be helped, he needed more time. Even if he used the scalpel to cut through the belts of his other limbs, he needed more time than he'd have if Orochimaru and the others were so close. They had access to various ways to stop him and outnumbered him. Three? Or four? His vision was way out of focus. That damned drug was messing with his mind, but he had gripped the thought of Itachi being his brother and refused to let it get lost in the sea of this awful serenity he had sunk in before. It was like a strong sleeping pill and it dragged him down like an anchor.

Only if he had a little more distance. Three yards was all he wished for. Orochimaru was the only one close and he couldn't afford to blow his cover now. Dammit. He needed to get out of this place and find his weapons as fast as he could.

The stinging pain cleared his mind a tad. It wasn't that bad to have a constant source of pain like that, but he feared it'll slow him down or worsen his fighting. Warmth slid down his skin as he cut through it and made his best to not give out the rising discomfort that caused him. What kind of a soldier would not endure such an insignificant difficulty? The surprising element was that he's never had the chance to hurt himself before like that. It was a little harder than he imagined. Every cell within screamed at him to stop, but he didn't. He was already shaking as he reached the upper part of his arm when Orochimaru laughed.

"That's enough," he said, stepping to take the scalpel from his left hand. "Do you see, ladies and gentlemen? Our first human weapon is ready."

"We still have some major problems," the one in the front spoke. "How long will that serum last?"

He turned to his assistants, completely ignoring Sasuke's presence and that's when he knew he had to move.

Unstrapping himself took him around five seconds and that was all he needed. Orochimaru was taken down easily since he was with his back to him, but he had to put more effort into fighting off the others. They seemed unexpectedly skilled in fighting, endured a minute or two… more than he expected. They were four, with Orochimaru, but he easily brought them down, leaving the man with the glasses last.

He grabbed the scalpel and bent just in time to dodge a fist intended for him, plunging the instrument in his attacker's foot. Kabuto groaned in pain as he pressed his body against the wall.

"Make a single move and I'll step on that scalpel's handle."

"What do you want?" Kabuto breathed out heavily.

"Where are my weapons?"

"The second door to the right, once you reach the corridor," Kabuto tensed when Sasuke searched through his pockets and grabbed his phone.

"I'll take that."

Sasuke released him and dashed into the next room, searching for the door that will lead him out. He quickly found it and was met by pairs of curious eyes. Two nurses were just passing through but did nothing to stop him, moving aside. A wise choice, he thought, as he made his way into the room in particular.

He wasn't prepared for the view when he entered. The room was something like storage and contained various objects, including his weapons and cloak. What dragged his attention was the large cage that was taking the central place of the room. A girl and a boy were locked inside and jumped when he entered the room. He was suddenly so disgusted with Orochimaru that he was struck by the urge to go back and kill the bastard. Kidnapping children? Those two looked completely fine for now, but judging from their clothes he knew right away they were homeless.

They looked at him in silence as he quickly thought whether it was a good idea to take them with him. That was absurd, he couldn't free them now, not with all those people chasing after him… He reached for his cloak and quickly equipped his weapons.

"Help us, mister," the tiny voice of the girl made him face her.

"I can't…" he didn't finish but instead went to them and kneeled next to her. He was about to speak out the words in his head but they stuck there for one fazed moment. Her eyes were alight moss green. Big, round green. The moment passed and he came back to his senses. "I'll help you. I promise. But you have to wait here for a while."

"Don't leave us."

"I have to. I give you my word, you'll be out of here very soon," Sasuke stood up.

"Are you lying? Grown-ups always lie."

"No," he furrowed, slightly offended. "I have to go. The police will come soon."

"The police? Did you call the police?" The boy asked, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

"Not yet. On my way," Sasuke stepped away from them.

"We believe you, mister," the girl smiled at him and he held his eyes on her before leaving at a fast pace.

Men in white overalls were headed his way in the second he found himself in the vast corridor. He pulled out his gun and fired at the nearby fire-extinguisher, using its thick fog to disappear unnoticed. The corridors were countless… perhaps he was on another level. Fortunately, there were signs here and there. Sasuke stopped at one of the corners and pulled out Kabuto's phone, calling the police. He used his shoulder to hold the phone close to his ear while reloading his gun.

"Amegakure Emergency line, what's the problem?"

"Human experiments and kidnapped children. It's a private clinic," Sasuke thought for a way to describe his position, palm pressing the magazine into the gun. "Does the name Orochimaru speak anything to you?"

"Yes." There was a brief pause. Sasuke assumed they didn't expect that name to be connected with such crimes. "Which unit? The southern or the eastern?"

"Southern."

"We're sending teams right away. Can I have a name, sir?"

Sasuke peeked over his shoulder, but regretted it immediately, an unpleasant sensation hitting him at waves.

"There you are," Orochimaru announced, walking his way. "You left so abruptly. My head still hurts."

"Sir?" the man in the speaker still waited.

"Uchiha," Sasuke snapped. "Better hurry."

He hung up, retreating, but the sensations didn't stop. It wasn't the gash on his hand. Wasn't the drug in his veins, either. That was somewhat subtle and sour and it made him want to tear at his skin. Spasms surged through him and he almost lost his balance, trying to back away. What was that?

"Do you think you can escape this place so easily? Wounded and infused with my serum. You'll suffer the symptoms of it for years to come, for a start. How do you plan to oppose that now?"

He couldn't understand where those shivers came from. It was either high frequencies or… low ones. Low frequencies that were low enough to damage, dazzle, or even paralyze him. Low enough to pass through walls. It was infrasound, then. The throbbing in his head carved out a groan from him. That many attacks at once he wasn't used to receiving. He ignored the physical pain a long time ago, trained to do so, but that drug messed him up big time. And fighting a sonic weapon was like fighting wind... you just don't.

It was torture in a pure form and resembled a two-sided vice that clamped him mercilessly, with its strength only enlarging minutely. He was on all fours soon, hearing the fuss behind him, and the approaching of Orochimaru. Those obnoxious, heeled brogues he wore just added up more to his disgust with that sound they gave out when he walked.

"Give in, boy, and I'll ease your suffering. You're not supposed to fight those chemicals, you're supposed to embrace them. Don't make me end you, not when I was so close to success."

"Stay away from me, freak," Sasuke spat, aware that his powers were leaving him with every movement he made. The corridors all looked the same, the room too. What was the way out of this maze? Would he be able to see an exit in this state? His vision was badly blurred.

"At least you're a man of your word. Did your part of our deal, I give you that," Orochimaru sighed, "but you can't fight this."

"Like I'll lose to the likes of you," Sasuke murmured to himself, crawling his way to the nearest wall, to try and get on his feet. He needed to get on his feet for that.

"What are you doing?" Orochimaru neared him and twisted his wounded hand, wresting another groan from him. "Stay on the ground."

Sasuke cursed him and used his remaining energy to hook his feet and bring him down to his level. Ok, that was gonna be hard… he admitted it to himself. His idea was more insane than usual. He pulled out his gun and used the hard handle to crush the sonic device in Orochimaru's hand. At last, the dreadful nausea and disorientation ceased. He could breathe freely now.

"I don't like solving problems using fists," Orochimaru bashed him so hard that Sasuke found himself laying on the ground in a moment of a strong daze. He recognized the taste of blood in his mouth. He couldn't afford to back down now. "But if you prefer them…"

Sasuke heaved up and struck him as a reply, in a hurry to clinch his hands while he still could and lower the hammer of the gun, putting the barrel on his forehead.

"Don't move," his voice came out wheezy as he took heavy sips of air.

Orochimaru had frozen every nerve in his body and stared up at him without blinking.

"What do you know about my brother?"

Orochimaru squinted, feeling Sasuke's hold quickly weakening, hands shaking uncontrollably. Sasuke knew his state wasn't first-rate and that complicated things a lot. Aim. Accuracy. An arc minute more and he could miss. It was a shot for a sober day and he knew the odds weren't in his favor. His body betrayed him in every possible way, his vision was still out of focus.

"Nothing good. He tried to ruin my business, like you," Orochimaru slowly licked the blood on his lip. "I only met him once and he didn't hesitate to kill some of my men… unlike you," he smirked again. "Which is why I doubt you're going to shoot me."

Sasuke cursed himself mentally for not being able to steady his gun enough to be certain… A group of men and women, apparently working in the clinic, have gathered and watched the scene with horror. There was fear in their eyes, but he wasn't sure whether it came out of the fact that their boss was laying on the ground with a gun upon his head or because he, himself, looked dangerous enough for them to stay away and fear what it is to come concerning their own lives.

"You don't have it in you. That innate bloodthirst," Orochimaru's voice became tired. "You can muster up a good imitation of it, though."

Sasuke's heart was racing and he blinked, trying to see better. Perhaps holding his breath could help with the precision.

"What's wrong, aren't you going to say something?" Orochimaru was surprised by his lack of response.

Alright, he had to give it a try, no matter the consequences. "You're not paying attention, doctor," Sasuke sighed, already feeling drained. "I don't like talking much." He squeezed the gun and shot, the echo ringing loudly in the corridor. There was a flash of thick silence afterward, everyone stared at Orochimaru in disbelief as he lay motionless and the vital fluid slowly pooled around his head.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment before leaning to check… still breathing. With a slow movement, he tucked away his gun and used the wall to get up on his feet under everyone's gazes.

"How could he…" A woman gasped, followed by the murmuring voices of the others, as shocked as her.

"He's not dead," Sasuke groaned in exasperation. Like he'd let that guy get away with death before paying for all his crimes. "The bullet went between the two hemispheres. He's in a coma." He turned around and limped to the end of the corridor. There was something green on that sign, but he couldn't discern the lines of his own palm, what was left of signs.

The astonishment from his reply spread across the corridor, silence replacing the noise of shock and disapproval once again. Sasuke didn't look back, too busy furrowing at the sudden thought that appeared in his head. The Police were coming this way… going out through any front or back door was going to get him caught. He wasn't up for interrogation. In the way the situation looked from aside, they could send him straight behind bars and he couldn't afford that either. Not before he knew the truth of his brother's identity. He had no luck so far.

Where could he go?

Front and back were a bad idea, up was impossible. Then, the only option was... down. Every new building had access to the sewers. A distant memory emerged in his dizzy mind. Itachi had mentioned some things about this city. Brief remarks while their father wasn't around to forbid spreading information of the Police's missions. Sasuke remembered being curious about them and for the first time didn't regret it.

Itachi told him Amegakure had an underground labyrinth of pathways. Almost an entire second city under the surface. It sounded too surreal to him then because Konoha didn't have anything like it and he couldn't quite picture it but now… it sounded very possible. He had to find a way to get there. An elevator? Perhaps stairs.

Police alarms rang out in the distance and he hurried through his indefinite search, ignoring the panic his presence created wherever he went. Surely, he wasn't a pretty sight with all that blood on him. He had no time to treat those wounds now and breathing became harder with every step he took.

There wasn't anyone in this world who would feel relieved to see a door with warnings for radiation and Entrance Forbidden signs because beyond it he found exactly what he needed. Descending stairs and darkness. It didn't bother him that it was dark as much as the notion that there could be radiation in this place. Who knew what waste products have been thrown out? With that level of experimental medicine, everything. Usually, those radiation signs were fake and only placed for edification.

Sasuke stopped on one of the mid-platforms, deciding he's low enough for a brief stop. With shaking hands, he put off his sniper rifle and detached the sling from it, using the convenient loop to have a grip on his wounded hand before he tightened enough to decrease the bleeding. With that much blurry vision and half-consciousness, surely he didn't have much blood left. It wasn't the best way to deal with the wound, but it was the only one. Damn, he could use Sakura now.

A scoff came out of him as he continued his way down, leaning on the metal and trying his best not to give in to the drowsiness of that drug. Pathetic. Sakura was history. He swore to never bring her up again.

A flickering light caught his attention. It was attached to a wall, apparently, but was still somewhere far below. Perhaps that was the lower level. Gradually he saw many other lights making a pathway and lightening up a crossroad. A distant ripple of flowing water reached his ears along with an unusual shuffling. There was something down there and he slowed down when he heard it.

That state of his body wouldn't allow him to fight, which meant he was at a serious disadvantage, whatever that was. He assumed the creak of the metal door has echoed far into the dungeon-like space. Step by step, he reached the bottom and looked around. Clearly, that was a three-way crossroad but the bulb that was supposed to light the place was almost dead.

Sasuke made his way down the left corridor, hearing the noise again. There was another light bulb in the distance… and a dark silhouette that was focused on scraping the stone on the ground. The lowering of the hammer of his gun was loud enough in the corridor and the figure rose up, silencing.

"I don't know what you are but you better be edible," the silhouette finally acquired a voice, a male voice.

Sasuke was taken aback by the words but stood still and didn't let his guard down. "You wouldn't want to eat me, my blood is… infected."

"Shame. Nevermind, I have plenty of rats here anyway."

Sasuke slowly took a breath. "My name is Sasuke."

"Suigetsu. An ex-periment," the man paused, then he let out a high-pitched giggle. "Ex-periment, get it?"

Sasuke was certain that if it wasn't for his curiosity, he would've pulled a trigger by now. Especially after he heard him laugh at his own joke in that repulsive way. If that could even be called a joke.

"You've escaped from Orochimaru?"

"I did, my brother didn't. Eh, that was years ago," Suigetsu stepped closer, his form finally revealed into the faint light. His pale eyes and skin were the first thing that Sasuke noticed in him. They looked like they haven't seen sunlight in years. Nevertheless, he didn't seem completely harmless. His worn-out clothes outlined a lean but not weak body.

Years ago? "What are you still doing here?"

"What's up with the questions, Sonic?" Suigetsu spouted.

"It's Sasuke. Answer me."

"I live here."

"In the sewers?"

"Yeah," Suigetsu rubbed his hands together. "It's kinda cold and dark but… better than up there. I only go out if I have to."

Sasuke remained silent for a while. Was he insane too or that was an act? Maybe it was a combination of both. "So you know this place."

"I do. Doesn't mean you're welcome, though," Suigetsu slightly bent, squeezing… Sasuke noticed just now it was a knife that he had in his hand. "I was close when I heard you coming from that door and I happen to know nothing good comes from it."

"I only need a quick passage," Sasuke lowered his gun, deciding it's better if he didn't discuss the subject as he pointed a loaded weapon.

Suigetsu hummed, thinking over his words. Then his eyes scanned Sasuke's wretched appearance and stilled on the hand he had deliberately covered under his cloak, following down in a line until he noticed the dark blood drops pooling on the concrete floor.

"Is he dead?"

"Comatosed. I firmly believe he'll do more good to this world while unconscious."

"Hope he won't wake up soon then," Suigetsu scoffed and made a pause while Sasuke felt his own weight almost bring him down with the exhaustion. Fortunately, the pause wasn't long, and Suigetsu made up his mind soon enough. "Well… " he sighed. "You can make yourself at home, Stacy."

A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm not dead either, nor is this fic. I kinda think it turned out pretty dark (mine always seem to do so) I tried writing a normal romance once, it didn't work. But all in all, I read about a case about a woman trying to kill herself with a gun and ending up alright after only 3 days of coma because the bullet went between her two hemispheres. So it is scientifically possible for that to happen. You have to be a damn good shooter to make this happen on purpose, though. Anyway, sorry for not answering anything in this chapter, I will say everything about Itachi in the next one!

P.S. I always find these hilarious mistakes I've made in my previous chapters, sorry for them. I try to fix as much as I can. Also, I decided it'd be cool to include Orochimaru's real and previous name as his surname here.