*Author's Note: Hello, as you all can see this is part one of chapter 15. Part two may come some time later this week, I still have to finish it-mentally I know what's going to happen just gotta type it out and its not much O3O or is it?- and I have to edit it. Oh my gosh I'm freaking out its getting close to the end! Both excited and afraid .! Please enjoy and review!*
*On Orochimaru's ship*
Sasuke jolted from his deathly slumber finding his wrists are bound tightly to shackles. He looked around the room, with only darkness greeting his eyes.
Where the fuck am I? He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his chest caused him to cease his actions. He opened his eyes trying to see his chest, but the utter darkness prevented his eyes to focus on anything.
"Having vision problems?" He heard Orochimaru ask. He lifted his head, his eyes wide in fear. Not because he is afraid of him, but the darkness gave him an alarmed state.
Suddenly a purple flame lit the room. The purple light revealed Orochimaru standing a few feet from Sasuke. His face ingrained with anger.
"Sasuke it seems that I can't be fucking rid of you. You still draw fucking breath, despite me piercing your heart." He said and knelt down in front of me.
Sasuke tried to kick him, but found his legs were bound to the ground, like his hands were bound to the wall behind him.
Orochimaru grinned maniacally and grabbed Sasuke's chin. "I watched the life drain from your fucking treacherous whore body." He shouted and struck Sasuke's face. Damn it.
Orochimaru stood up letting go of Sasuke's chin. Sasuke watch him walk away and turn back around. A grimace formed on his face. "You have no idea how much I want to be rid of you, but to your misfortune Manda has convinced me to let you live."
Suddenly Manda came from the shadows and stepped forward beside Orochimaru. A snide smile forming on his lips and he stepped closer to Sasuke. Orochimaru opened a door and slammed it shut.
Immediately Manda dropped to the floor in front of Sasuke and scrapped his fangs across Sasuke's bare chest. Sasuke winced and tried to move, but the shackled constricted his hand ceasing his movements more.
Manda chuckled sinisterly and licked the small droplets of blood that formed along the cuts. "Will you fucking stop?" Sasuke shouted gritting his teeth. It disgusted him to have someone else do such an intimate gesture as licking him.
"Do you know why I groveled at Orochimaru's feet to spare your life?" He asked and moved away so that Sasuke could see his face. Sasuke met his eyes with a glare as if to say he didn't care. Manda grinned. He leaned forwards and rubbed his head against Sasuke's neck.
"Gaara will come to save you," He started and leaned away staring into Sasuke's surprised eyes at the mention of Gaara's name. "Yes, I am sure of this and at the prospect I would like for him to take your place, no more than that." He spoke in a low whisper his eyes reflecting a sinister desire.
"I know the blood that flows through his body, I was able to taste it when I bit him in Iwaga. Such a familiar sweet taste is not easily removed from memory." He spoke and touched Sasuke's cheek gently. "Blood rich with eternal life is quite sweet is it not? You must admit it." He whispered.
"I'm not some fucking monster that desires such a fucking thing." Sasuke hissed his anger at Manda's words. Manda chuckled, "You are close, thanks to Orochimaru's constant experiments to your body." He spoke and lowered his gaze to Sasuke's chest.
"I want you to be a good boy when he comes for you Sasuke, then I'll consider not draining him of his life all at once, like I did his mother."
Gaara's POV*
We stood inside of Naruto's quarters. To say we were out of place among all of the ornately dressed sailors would be an understatement. I watched Naruto going through his paperwork and writing several things down. It had been so long since I had been on one of Naruto's ships.
Naruto was less than pleased to hear about Sasuke's death. His tan face nearly went white when I told him about it. This to me seemed a bit odd, considering they were rivals. Of course I could expect some remorse…. I pushed such thoughts from mind as they would give rise to the jealousy I had held knowing Naruto shared more encounters with Sasuke than I.
I lied when asked about my reason to believe Sasuke is alive; telling them that the mermaids stated it had been an illusion. I did not wish to misplace my trust again by telling them about my mother. I could tell Sasuke; however, to tell another person or for more to know such a thing would place a target on my back.
Naruto stopped writing and looked up at us, "Send this to Jiriaya." He spoke and handed a scroll to a crew member standing next to him. Naruto stood up and crossed his arms, "Now then, tell me your plan, your majesty." He ordered. I nodded and walked up to his desk where he had a large old map of our world.
"I have given a seal to Shukaku. Along with a mermaid to aid him in transportation, they will first go to Iwaga. Then I have instructed them to go to Konoha." I explained and showed him their path on the map. Naruto's eyebrows rose curiously, "And what will they be doing?" He asked.
"Shukaku will leave my seal in Iwaga, for me to go there. In Konoha, Shukaku will go to a room that holds the item that the mermaids request. There he will mask Orochimaru's seals temporarily." I explained.
"After that, Neji, Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Kiba will retrieve the item. Neji believes he knows where it is located in the room." I told him. His eyes narrowed and he slowly nodded his head.
"When they go, I'm sure Orochimaru will notice this and he will leave his ship to see what is happening. I have another mermaid placing my seal onto his ship. There I will get Sasuke." I finished, feeling a bit light headed at rushing to explain my plan.
He nodded, "Why do you need you need to go Iwaga?" He asked. I frowned, "I have to rectify the contract between them and Suna. You will need to be with me."
Naruto grinned, "Well it has been a long time since I've seen this side of you Gaara. Such vigor has been sorely missed during times of peace." He commented and reached his hand out. I took it, "Continue watching and you will pray that you never see it again." I replied shaking his hand sternly.
I fixed my old formal outfit Naruto had said I left on his ship. It felt surprisingly loose, but I suppose I have not been eating as much as I did before this journey. I stared into the mirror and sighed.
I had my hair braided in some parts and some strands pulled back and tied to resemble a slight crown. Naruto gave me several gold pieces that he found with my garments. He found a gold chain choker, one earring, and a gold ribbon. I remembered I had worn them for Naruto's coronation. After the event, we snuck away and 'celebrated' on this ship given to him as a gift from Tsunade.
I fastened the choker around my neck and put the earring in my left ear. I braided the ribbon into some of my hair. I stared at the mirror. I had become different from when I wore these first. My pale skin is a light tan shade. My body looked more masculine than that time. I looked to be no longer the boy who stayed inside his castle, being address as 'his majesty,' and chained to upholding the image his father left behind.
The next few hours would be draining, to both my body and mind, but I didn't leave Suna to only have just a moment's grasp at what I desired. I made the mistake of leaving Sasuke before and now that there is even a morsel of a chance that Sasuke still draws breath and exists in this world. I would not stop or falter to have Sasuke beside me again.
If there were even a small chance that Sasuke is still alive, then he would risk all to be reunited with him. After all, it is his fault that he is in such a situation. Gaara did not deserve to see Sasuke again, but let one or all the gods attempt to stop him.
Several knocks sounded, "Come in." I spoke pushing my thoughts away. Neji stepped up behind me. I looked back at him, "Are you ready?" I asked. He nodded and put his hands behind his back straightening his stature, "Gaara…gratitude for sparing my life and allowing me to correct my harsh error…it should be me going to get Sasuke-" I held my hand up to him.
"You are mistaken to be thanking me, your life may still be left to chance." I replied and turned to him. He lowered his head. "You need to ensure that they get the item, if you succeed then you have been redeemed; however if you fail then your life as well the others will be lost." I told him.
I put my hand on his shoulder and looked up to him. "Neji, do not fail me in this." I ordered. He met my hard stare and nodded.
I walked out from the room and he followed behind me. We came to the deck and Naruto was ready. I stepped up to him and over the seal I had made. I could sense that the seal was ready for use. I took Naruto's hand and muttered the incantation. I closed my eyes and felt my body tense.
I opened my eyes to see that we were in the port of the city. Naruto looked around dumbfounded. "It worked." He muttered. I nodded and started running through the fairly open streets, Naruto followed behind me. We came to the edge of the town and saw a man selling horses.
I approached him and paid him. He pointed to a white and brown spotted horse. We got it and I got on it first. Naruto got on behind me and we raced to Iwaga's capital. Time is our enemy in this pursuit to gain an upper hand against Orochimaru. It probably had taken him months to gain favor in the eyes of the Iwaga council and the mermaid's father, and now I have to destroy both in less than a day.
When entered the council building Naruto withdrew his sword, but I motioned for him to put it away. "There will be no need for such things." I told him. He didn't seem to believe me as he kept it withdrawn. As we walked through the halls, I could see the bodies of the guards on the ground.
I did not have to restrain my incantation of controlling sand. On the floor under the heads of the guards, there were piles of sand. They were only passed out from the sand keeping them from breathing the air.
We came to the council room and the doors were closed. Naruto looked down at me and I looked at him, "Do not speak while we are in there." I ordered. He nodded in response and sheathed his sword.
I kicked the door in and stepped into the council room. The guards ran towards me, but I captured them with sand I had been gathering in the room. I motioned for the sand to capture them on the floor.
I looked at the council members, some were surprised, but others seemed to be unaffected. Pein stood from his seat, "Gaara, what is the meaning of this?" He shouted. I smirked, "Sit Pein, I am here for an official matter." I spoke.
He glared at me as he reluctantly sat. I stepped to the table and pulled out a small satchel. I held it over the table. I turned it over and sand poured from its contents. I stepped back and motioned the sand to the middle of their large oblong table. They watched me with curious stares.
"Gaara, what is it that you want?" Pein asked sternly. I met his eyes and smiled, "I am so glad you ask." I spoke. I walked back to Naruto and turned to face them.
"You see through unfortunate circumstances I have found out that you have betrayed your alliance to Suna in favor of one with Orochimaru." I spoke. They exchanged glances amongst each other.
"Now, I am sure that you had good reason to do so." I spoke. "He threatened us." Itachi spoke. I looked at him. He stared at me and I noticed his head shake as if to tell me not to proceed. Or perhaps that he was lying. The reason is insignificant.
I motioned for the sand to spread into separate piles in front of each of them. "Your reasons are insignificant. In truth, Suna has no need for a traitorous alliance, with a shady government." I spoke and motioned the sand to begin rising in front of them.
They began shifting their bodies, but they could not move as freely as they thought. They began turning their head and their bodies made small movements; however, the sand kept them seated. I smirked, "Oh do not fight it, you see since I arrived in the port I have been working to gather the sand in the room that you were all in. I know that you conduct your council meeting at such an early hour, so you have made it quite easy for me to do such a task." I spoke.
"Gaara, what are you doing?" Pein shouted angrily violent trying to move. I tilted my head and frowned, "You don't know?" I asked. I stepped closer to them, "Well let me inform you." I stated and put the tips of my fingers together.
"Your forefathers signed a blood contract, one that you also renewed when you came to rule Iwaga, I do not think you read the print. Or at least you had not anticipated that you would be on the receiving end of one of Suna's darker means of a death sentence." I explained.
"What?" Itachi asked. I looked at him and smiled, "You see in the olden days Suna was a bit more violent and heinous in their treatment towards traitors of an alliance." I explained. "You have all betrayed your alliance with Suna and you are now to receive your punishment," They looked at me with confusion and surprise.
"Sand consumption…as a part of this punishment, let me inform you what will happen. The sand will enter your body through your mouth, nose, and eyes. Immediately the sand will begin reproducing and replicating every fiber of your body, consuming the fibers as it does this, saving your heart and brain for last, so that you will suffer the fullest extent of pain." I explained.
I raised my left fist with the back of my hand facing the ceiling, "By the power that is in my name as the representative prince of Suna," "Gaara don't fucking do this!" I heard Itachi shout. I closed my eyes and opened them glaring at them. "I rectify your betrayal." I ordered and opened my hand.
Suddenly the sand that had been gathering in front of them rushed to their faces and went into their bodies. I watch as they began screaming in pain and shaking as the sand entered their blood stream.
I turned my back to them. Naruto's eyes were wide in horror. He opened his mouth to speak, but I held my hand up. I walked to the door and he hesitantly followed behind me. I opened the door and felt his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him and he mouthed 'Why did you do that?'
I looked back in the room and saw most of them had become sand bodies. Their faces mirroring death. I held my hand up and snapped my fingers. Slowly the sand dissipated and their bodies were returned to normal. They began grabbing at their body desperately as the sand illusion released their minds and the sand fell to the ground around them. Pein looked at me both horrified and livid.
I smirked, "It is a true pity that you are no longer allies to Suna." I spoke and walked into the hallway. Naruto followed behind me. "Gaara…what was that?" He asked. I stopped and quickly drew a seal in the wall.
"That was an illusion." I replied and looked at him. He stared at me fearfully, "You did not kill them…" He whispered. I chuckled, "No, if they were threatened by Orochimaru, I wanted to show them, that he is not the only one to use dark magic. And actually, if I had let it continue, their hearts would have stopped, because of the tension the sand held on their bodies." I explained and grabbed his hand. I held my other hand to the seal.
"Why would you do this?" He asked. I looked at him and moved my hand from the seal. "Because, I am showing Orochimaru that he does not cross me. If I must break all those who follow him, then so be it. The line has been crossed and now if they want to side with him, then I shall show them just how much they are mistaken to take Suna so lightly." I told him and looked back at the seal.
It is more than just Suna. Truthfully, it felt invigorating to see Itachi suffer, something I had been wanting to see for a long time. I did not want to dwell on the past; however, he took more from me than I would be willing to admit. Now, that the alliance has been put to an end, I no longer wish to uphold the courteous behavior as I did in the past.
If they decide to side back with Suna they will have a strict rigorous test to endure. We do not need their alliance as much as they need ours.