Kabuto remained in his lab after the heated altercation between himself and a certain pink-haired medic. His thoughts swam in circles like a dangerous ring of sharks, processing the unexpected swell of emotions she had roused from within him. Why her? He couldn't help but think, what was it about this girl that brought on these annoying feelings? And what even were the feelings?
It was so unfamiliar to him but it began to dawn on his mind that he was attracted to Sakura. Pondering back on the way he had felt while looking at her the day she had worn the short robe in the operating room, and then the vulnerability he had shown just the night before this. He did find her to be quite amusing in a few ways, and interesting as well. She was pleasant to be around most of the time, although she knew just how to annoy him to no end. Was it the relief she brought him by simply being someone other than Orochimaru? Someone who didn't beat him like a dog? As screwed up as the whole train of thought was becoming, Kabuto was glad it was coming to the surface. It was best to figure it out before it became more of an issue, which it surely would eventually, despite his efforts to suppress it all. Maybe if he were to disguise this new weakness as a strength in such a way that would benefit his goals, it would work out somehow. It frustrated him to think about it at all.
Deciding to call it a day, he sighed, slapping the notebook in front of him shut and making to stand. He headed in the direction of his room, locking himself inside for the rest of the evening. It was weird how fast the days were passing, but that was one of the things that came along with living underground.
Sakura sat on her bed, staring up at one of the fluorescent lights hanging from above. She couldn't shake the image of Kabuto's face with that fiery emotion flashing about in his eyes.
It had almost been like he'd enjoyed something about that whole experience.
Things were beginning to change in a way she couldn't pinpoint, so there was only one way to find out the truth — to wait and let things unfold naturally.
She remembered how he said he wanted her help with what sounded like weaponizing the toxin once they found a cure, but he hadn't brought that up again for days. She had her suspicions that he had another reason for bringing her here that he wasn't going to talk about any time soon. Her plans had gone to hell as far as what she'd told her mentor back at home, unless they had already planned to send a team for her rescue. And now she felt she was being dragged into whatever Kabuto was secretly planning. What part could he possibly want her to play? Everything was too confusing.
She had become drowsy and decided to lie down and let sleep take her away.
It was very early in the morning when Sakura jolted awake in a cold sweat, her heart pounding against her rib cage as she brought a hand up to feel it. She had seen something in her dreams again, she saw Kabuto as a child, lost and wandering through the fire and wreckage of what must have been his home at one time. She saw a very large snake slithering towards him from behind, and he didn't seem to realize it was there until it was too late. Sakura felt the spattering of blood hit her face as she screamed soundlessly to try and warn him, it felt all too real. The first thought that entered her conscious mind was that she needed to save this man somehow. Whether it be from Orochimaru, himself, or both. She knew she had to find a way. And then, as if on cue, she heard the same sickening thudding as before. This time she bolted up and ran to the door, opening it and quietly creeping out into the corridor, inching along the wall until she could clearly hear what was being said.
"You've had long enough to figure this out, and still nothing! If I'd known how useless you would become I'd never have chosen you for this role!" Orochimaru snarled, and for the first time in many years, Sakura laid eyes on the snake himself. He was in terrible condition with the effects of the poison ravaging his body, doughy mounds of flesh protruded from his abdomen and his right leg, clearly indicating the closeness of its final stage.
She noticed Kabuto in a crumpled position against the far wall of the lab, his fingers brushing over a fresh bruise on his cheek.
She was instantly filled with fury at the sight of his injured form.
"Ah, I've been wondering when I would be meeting you again after all this time, Sakura," The serpentine man spoke darkly, his sideways stare cast upon her from over his shoulder.
"I was wondering the same thing about you," She replied, attempting to hide the nervousness in her voice.
"Come closer, girl,"
She obeyed with some hesitation, slowly stepping out into the large room to face him.
"Sakura, you should never have come out here," Kabuto hissed, his eyes wide with fear… Fear for what his master may decide to do with her.
"Shut your mouth," Orochimaru spat at him, his reptilian eyes unmoving from Sakura's face.
"What do you want with me?" She swallowed hard, steeling herself.
"You see, I'm in need of a new scientist to help me with the development of certain… Experiments. If I cannot be cured of this infliction, I will need someone to assist me in transferring my consciousness to a new body. Fortunately, I've already acquired the body," He said venomously, and Sakura knew exactly what he meant by that when she dared to steal a glance at Kabuto. He was as still as stone, but he gave a slight nod that signified for her to agree to his proposal.
Right, just play along, She thought as her gaze locked with Orochimaru's.
"If you allow Kabuto to continue the research on the antidote for the time being, I will agree. If we fail, I will help you with the transfer,"
The sannin let out an amused cackle before taking a ragged breath, a sick smile on his lips.
"How adorable. Very well, but remember, your time is extremely limited," He reminded her as he turned and began limping towards a stone stairway in the corner of the lab, ascending it and making his exit with a slam of the heavy metallic door.
Sakura's attention turned to Kabuto, rushing over to him in an instant.
"Are you alright?" She asked shakily, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in. She held out her hand to help him to his feet, which he took.
"I'm still alive, aren't I?" He said it as if he were upset about it.
"I'm going to help you. We are going to get out of here whether he is dead or alive," She said with a confidence about her, still grasping his hand in her own.
"Why does it matter so much to you all of a sudden? Don't you realize how idiotic that sounds? Even both of our strengths combined couldn't come close to the power he possesses," Kabuto nearly growled, becoming irate.
He didn't enjoy feeling so helpless and distressed in what was meant to be his own territory. Things were becoming more and more blurred. He was prepared to argue once more until Sakura shot him a look of mild irritation, yanking on his hand and causing him to stumble towards her. She swiftly closed the remaining space between them, pressing her lips against his. Kabuto went rigid for a moment before he relaxed, resting his free hand on her shoulder. When Sakura drew back, he was already looking at her, surprised.
He swallowed visibly.
"What was that for?"
"I had to shut you up somehow, and that worked, didn't it?"
He was speechless as he watched the rosette turn away and move toward the table covered in their assorted notes, as if nothing had happened. She was right, after all.
"We need to get back to work,"
