Sasuke began to regain consciousness, slowly remembering his encounter with the Snake God Orochimaru. He tried to move his body and get up off the hard surface he was on, but his body was so heavy and all his energy was non existent now.
"K-Kakashi?" He called out, his vision blurred and slowly returning. He knew that he was near him, his demon aura strong. He looked upon a figure in the same room he was in. It began to focus and become recognizable. "Kakashi!" He gasped, trying to crawl his way over. He heard the demon moan as he heard his name being called out.
"Sasuke?" Kakashi called back, groaning as he sat up and searched for the Tengu. The room that he was in was dimly lit, making it hard for his eyes to suddenly adjust to his surroundings. Sasuke reached him, grabbing him tightly, relief washing over him instantly. His eyes widened when he saw blood trickling down Kakashi's face. At some point the Inugami was stricken on the head or he sustained the wound when he fell. "Shh...You're bleeding." Sasuke tried to wipe the blood off Kakashi, but the Wolf demon squirmed away from his hand, unsure what was going on.
He stilled, letting Sasuke take care of him. He watched his outline, his face becoming more and more clear as he regained his composure. Sasuke's eyebrows were furrowed with worry as he cleaned up the wounds with his own clothing. "W-Where is Naruto?!" Kakashi realized that he couldn't quite sense the fox. His instincts took over, making him alert and protective.
"He's with his father..." Sasuke said pointing to the far wall. There up against it was Minato, holding a very unconscious Naruto. Minato started to stir, his God Demon blood clearing out the sleep poison faster than normal, which was surprising since he and Naruto had the most poison absorbed. He twitched and held Naruto closer to him. He knew that his son was there and he was going to make sure that nothing harmed him. Kakashi smiled. It was nice to see Naruto with his father...Even if the blond wasn't technically awake to be with him.
"Has anything happened since we were put in here?" Kakashi asked, sitting up from Sasuke's lap.
Sasuke let him move, watching slowly sit up on his own. "There hasn't been anything that I have noticed. But I did just wake up not too long before you did." Sasuke said looking around once again. Now that he could see a little more clearly, they were clearly locked in some sort of storage room. There were crates of some sort lined up neatly against one wall with tapestries and expensive paintings rolled up not to far from them. It would have been a very pleasant place to visit if they weren't there by force.
"W-We need to get out of here..." Kakashi tried to get up, stumbling slightly. Sasuke didn't move, knowing that if he tried to do anything to support Kakashi it would hurt his pride. He stood silently when he could, making sure that he wouldn't topple over when he walked. He walked to the giant wood doors to the room,running his fingers over the thick wood. He was trying to sense if there was a barrier on the door, which thankfully there wasn't, but it was locked. He looked back over to Minato and Naruto once again, slowly walking over to the two.
Minato looked up immediately, sensing someone, but not sure who. When he saw that it was the familiar Inugami he relaxed slightly, allowing him to approach even though he was in his weakened state. "Orochimaru will want his answers..." He got out, watching Kakashi's face. "He's looking for Suigetsu, the demoted Water dragon God that had lived here in these swamps." He stated, knowing that the snake god had been looking for him ever since he had run away from the swamps.
"He will never find him." Sasuke spoke up, the anger clear in his voice. "And if he does I will not let him be with that monster for long, He's a dear friend of mine and is the reason we were able to find you." He started, walking up to Minato as well. He took a moment before he bent over and examined Naruto in Minato's arms. His eyes had darkening circles under his eyes and his face looked pale and sickly. Whatever had happened to him while he was in the mist was a great deal. He looked nothing like the Naruto he had always known. "Will he be alright?" He asked standing straight.
"He will be once we get him back to the Tengue estate...as I spoke of before." Minato started to sit up more, shifting Naruto in his arms. He effortlessly stood, cradling him in his arms. Suddenly in the dimly lit room was a loud noise, the big wooden doors to the room began to open inward, multiple people walked in while keeping an eye on everyone standing near the wall. The air was heavy and tense as the Snake God from earlier appeared, glaring at Minato.
"I will not ask again...Where is Suigetsu?..." He asked. He watched everyone's faces as they all glared back at him, looking for any kind of giveaway to weakness...He truly was a snake in every way. Praying on the weak and using any method to get what he wanted no matter the cost. His eyes then fell on Sasuke, knowing that he and Suigetsu held some kind of connection. With blinding speed he clutched the front of sasuke's robes, yanking the weakened Tengue forward. Sasuke winced his eyesight fuzzy for a moment before he stared into cold golden orbs.
"Suigetsu belongs to me...it's in a binding contract set up by the Dragon clan." He stated, knowing that what he was saying left no room for argument. "If you do not tell me where he is you and your friends here will be put to death for hiding a fugitive." he smirked then, letting go.
"I will never tell you where he is..." Sasuke seethed out, rubbing the area around his neck. The fabric there had lightly pinched him when it was grabbed suddenly. "You will never have him." Orochimaru slapped him suddenly, the sound echoing through the room. "You will die first...Take them." He ordered his servants, leaving first after giving the order.
Sasuke and Kakashi tried to struggle, but it was in vain for their bodies haven't regained their strength yet. They were grabbed roughly and shoved forward when they entered a huge area. The stone walls reached high, towering over the group. Kakashi instantly knew they were in some kind of arena, for he had been in many before. Everyone's eyes went to the center area of the top platform as Orochimaru appeared there. He sat, looking down at them all. The room was dark and had a very heavy presence to it. All they could do was wait to see what was about to happen.
"The Tengue and the Inugami shall fight in a duel to the death..." Orochimaru proclaimed, all the demons in the area uptop cheering with excitement. It must have been a while since this arena was put to use.
"What makes you believe we will do what you say, let alone fight?!" Sasuke yelled up at him. He was growing more and more tired being at this snakes mercy.
"I my dear Tengu-kun have the only known cure for your Kitsune friend there...He has passed through my poison mist barrier and as a result his soul can not return to his body...He will surely perish in less than a day now." he added, watching as Sasuke's face fell with the new news of his beloved friend. "I will save your friend if you two duel to the death." He waited a moment for their response.
"Sasuke...we have no choice." Kakashi stated, heading to the middle of the arena. "We must fight for Naruto's sake." he added looking at Naruto and then to Sasuke. Sasuke took a moment before he nodded, walking to the middle as well. Minato took Naruto to the side corner of the arena, making sure to protect him if anything were to go wrong.
"Then we are in agreement...Kakashi and I will fight and when one of us falls you will restore Naruto...And you will not hinder our journey any further." Sasuke added in, knowing that he would want even more from the group.
"Agreed..." Orochimaru seethed slightly. He didn't like the fact that Sasuke wasn't afraid of him. But at least one of them was going to die, so he would have to be satisfied with this. "Let the battle commence!"
Kakashi and Sasuke turned to face each other, reading their claws and watching eachothers movements. Sasuke charged first, putting everything he had into his attacking. He wasn't going to let Kakashi get away without getting the crap beat out of him. He was going to make sure that he felt physical pain and mental when he decided he was going to take one of kakashi's blows without defence. He was going to be the one to go down in this fight not Kakashi...Because no matter the circumstances he was never going to be able to end Kakashi's l.
Kakashi noticed that Sasuke wasn't going to be playing around and made sure to counter with equal strength. Sasuke was very easy to read and he instantly knew what Sasuke was planning. "Sasuke you better not die in this fight!" Kakashi countered a spiritual attack from Sasuke, coming out of his crouched state to fight the Tengue claw to claws. "You will not die today or any other day...My heart could bear it." He said as he was close enough to Sasuke to talk to him without the others hearing. "We are all going to go home...Everyone." he watched Sasuke's eyes for a moment, pleading silently for sasuke to just fight.
"How can you ask that?!" he asked as he lunged forward, his face full of fury and pain. Kakashi quickly got ahold of one of the decorative weapons that were hanging around just in time to block Sasuke's blow and hold his ground. They stared at each other while pushing on their weapon, trying to get the upper hand. "How can you ask this of me..." Sasuke sobbed slightly, his face falling into sorrow and tears pooled at the corners of his eyes. It was a surprise to see such raw emotion from the Tengu, but given the circumstances and the fact that their lives had been threatened a lot recently, it was quite understandable that he would be coming apart.
Kakashi's heart couldn't bear seeing Sasuke ready to give up already, he had so much that he needed to tell him. He wanted to tell how much he meant to him and how he was going to ask him to be his mate...He was going to wait to ask him in some corny and stupid way when they got back home and where out of danger...But now that was dream that was going to end for them in this very room.
"I LOVE YOU DAMMIT!" Kakashi finally yelled, shoving forward with all his strength. He threw Sasuke off balance making him drop his sword in an attempt to steady himself. The young Tengue's eyes widened, searching for any falseness in Kakashi's face. "W-What?" He asked, wanting to make sure he heard him right.
"I love you Sasuke Uchiha...And I will not have you die here. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I'm sorry that it has taken me this long to realize that I can be happy again..and love you." He said, walking slowly towards Sasuke, not sure if it was still safe. He stopped though when he heard the Snake God above him laugh.
"Oh my isn't this intriguing..." He hissed out, getting up out of his seat. "Two lovers at last able to convey their feelings." He smiled only to have it fade. His face showed no emotion but his eyes shone bright with hate and envy. "To bad though...That one of you must die!" He yelled. He lifted his pale arm, using his telekinetic powers to send one of the decorative swords right at Sasuke.
"NO!" Kakashi yelled, running towards Sasuke, but everything was so chaotic and in slow motion. Sasuke tried to move but his body wasn't responding. He looked to Kakashi one last time, closing his eyes with a smile and tears. If he was going to die he was going to die happy with the knowledge that Kakashi loved him. His eyes flew open at the sound of the sword piercing flesh. He stumbled back, his eyes met with onyx ones. The air was still around him, the noise and sound gone from the room.
"K-Kakashi?" Sasuke sobbed out. Kakashi had put himself in the line of fire and took the sword for Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw blood pool out of the corner of Kakashi's mouth, leaving a red trickling line behind it. Kakashi stumbled forward, his vision becoming slightly blurry. "Sasuke?"
"KAKASHI!" He screamed, holding on to Kakashi as he slumped in his arms. "W-why?" He choked out with his sobs. He wanted to scream so much more at the Inugami, but unable to get the words out. He looked to see the sword sticking out of his back, it hadn't gone through the other side. Sasuke, carefully as he could, broke the sword in two, leaving a piece inside of Kakashi. He knew that since it wasn't all the way through that what was left was keeping the blood at bae. If he removed the sword fully he risked Kakashi bleeding out. "You idiot..." He sobbed, moving hair out of Kakashi's eyes. He smiled down at him thought when he saw the goofy grin and raised eyebrows. Even when he was in so much pain and on the brink of death Kakashi would always find a way to make him smile.
"I...I love you." He choked, more blood seemed to seep out of him with every cough. His eyes grew heavy, and his breath more labored...It was so much work to breath...
"No..." Sasuke moved his hand to Kakashi's cheek, tears streaming down his face. He felt Kakashi's energy grow weaker and weaker with each breath...He wasn't going to make it. "NO!" He screamed out.
(In Suigetsu's estate)
Suigetsu paced back and forth, his thoughts full of Sasuke and his friend. He knew that going into the swap was a bad Idea...especially if him and his friend had his Dragon orb...But Sasuke was determined to go on his mission. His friend must really be important to him...He stopped pacing for a moment and looked to the middle of his mon pool. There was a way for him to check up on Sasuke...But if they were in no danger and on their way home, checking on them would put them in immediate danger...He began to pace back and forth once more, the decision eating him inside.
But Sasuke was his good friend, even though they hadn't been friends for a long time, they still shared the same pain. He looked to the Moon Pool. "Sasuke I hope you're okay." He said as he bent down, his fingers lightly scraping across the water. Immediately there was a bright light, images flew across the water, some familiar and some completely new. The water began to still and the images began to pull together to reveal a sobbing Sasuke. He was in a dimly lit area...some kind of arena looking place.
"Sasuke?!" Suigetsu bent closer to the water, his eyes widening when he saw what was going on. Sasuke was holding a demon in his arms. The said demon was wounded by a sword wound...that looked quite fatal. He was crying over the demon, trying to keep him awake. The image in the water moved to show a figure above his friend, looking down at him. Suigetsu's blood chilled at the sight of the demon. "Orochimaru." He said the demons name. He shied away from the water, unable to look at the Snake God. "Oh Sasuke.." He sighed out the demons name in sorrow. He had so hopped that his Dragon orb would have spared him from meeting Orochimaru. But now he was there with the Snake God and someone was going to die from it.
"Kakashi!" Sasuke screamed out the demons name. Suigetsu looked to the water again, it had changed to show Sasuke and Kakashi once again. Kakashi had lost consciousness and was slipping away quickly. Kakashi...Kakashi...Why was that name so familiar to him. Suigetsu rolled the Demon's name over in his mind, trying to find some kind of reason he would know him. His eyes widened with fear and Sorrow when he realised that he was Sasuke's most important person. Tears began to fill the corners of his eyes and he watched Sasuke desperately try to wake his loved one, tears streamed down his face. The image began to return to Orochimaru, he was commanding his guards to take Sasuke's group away, probably to kill off the rest of them. If he had promised to let them all go if one died the he was lying...Suigetsu knew all too well that since Sasuke had his orb, that everyone there would die.
He watched as the guards advanced on Sasuke. "No...NO NO NO!" Suigetsu screamed, his power rising with each scream. He was no going to just leave Sasuke to die. He wasn't going to abandon him in time of need like his family and friends did to him. He couldn't watch it happen all again, The guilt alone would kill him. "STOP!" He yelled, his power engulfing him in white.
(Orochimaru's arena)
"Take them away." Orochimaru ordered his guards, getting tired of hearing the young Tengue sob over the dieing Inugami. "I've heard enough of this." He got out as they started to march down the steps into the arena. He turned and started to leave.
"STOP!" A voice screamed into the arena, followed by a blinding light. Orochimaru turned, knowing who's power this belonged to. His eyes widened in anticipation and in joy. At long last, his Suigetsu was here!
Suigetsu appeared right next to Sasuke, making all the guards halt when he appeared. It took him a moment to get his courage together. He looked up into piercing golden eyes. "Orochimaru." He greeted standing stiffly.
"Suigetsu...You finally show yourself to me after all these years." He said, coming to the railing, looking down at his pray.
"I don't know what was going on here but I can not let you do anymore harm...I have come here to ask that you let them leave." He said motioning to Sasuke and his friends.
"Su-Suigetsu no!" Sasuke sobbed next to him, shocked in seeing him standing there, especially since he knew that Suigetsu was terrified of Orochimaru and hated him greatly.
"You're making demands now?" Orochimaru's face grew cold, anger festering there. "You do recall that you were promised to me...and you have denied me what is mine all these years." His voice grew colder every second. "I should kill every last one of your little friends for what you have done." He said lifting his hand. Every guard that was remaining lifted their bows, ready to shoot their arrows at his friends. Normal arrows wouldn't do too much harm, but they were soaked in Orochimaru's poison which was very fatal to any demon.
"Wait!...Please." Suigetsu pleaded, stepping forward. He paused before bending down to kneel on the floor.
"Suigetsu NO!" Sasuke grew angry, seeing what he was stooping to.
Suigetsu smiled to Sasuke before laying his hands down on the floor and pressing his forehead to them. "I Hozuki Suigetsu apologize for my actions against you Orochimaru. I implore you to spare these demons...and in doing so I will remain here willingly and do what you wish." He said, his head still bowed. Every word was clear so there was no mistaking what he had said.
"NO!" Sasuke yelled, he went to move, but Suigetsu moved his hand to stop him and pointed to Kakashi. Sasuke's eyes filled even more with tears. There was nothing he could do. His beloved was dieing and his good friend was becoming a slave to a monster.
Orochimaru watched Suigetsu closely. The sight of him on the ground bowing for forgiveness was quite the sight to see. He smirked then, showing his visible pleasure. "I will forgive you...Your little friends are free to go." He said dismissing them.
"What about Naruto?!" Sasuke yelled, his eyes furious and full of pain. He wouldn't let the snake forget about his promise to save Naruto from his sleep.
"Ah yes...The young fox." Orochimaru looked over to said demon. "Here." He threw over a vile of some unknown substance to Minato, who caught it and glared at Orochimaru. "You have made many enemies here today Orochimaru.." He seethed out. Orochimaru waved an uncaring hand. This was something that he had heard many a time before.
"Leave know, for my patience grows thin."
Suigetsu arose from his knelt state, his eyes were empty and hollow. His life would never be the same after tonight...But that was okay. Sasuke was now going to live and had a chance at happiness with his beloved. He would live a happy life with his family...and that was enough for him to stay and not run again. 'I'm tired of running and people getting hurt for it.' He thought to himself. He turned to Sasuke, smiling sadly as he saw new fresh tears on his face.
"I will be alright Sasuke..." he said as he rose his hand up. His power surged through the room, engulfing Sasuke and his friends.
"No! Sui-" Sasuke screamed again, reaching his hand out. But it was too late. Suigetsu had used his power to send Sasuke home, with what little strength he had.
(Fugaku's Estate)
Fugaku paced back and forth in his main meeting room. His brow was furrowed with worry and everyone was ordered out of the room besides his brother Madara.
"Calm down brother...I'm sure that Sasuke and his Inugami friend are on their way home as we speak." Madara tried to sooth his brother. It wasn't like Fugaku to worry too much about his son's, let alone pace. He decided not to say anything more though when his brother glared at him. He put his hands up in a sorry gesture and decided to sit down.
"Sasuke..." He said aloud, thinking of his youngest. He knew that the mission he sent him on was something he could handle...it was just that he didn't trust the people that he would probably meet along the way. He paced back and forth again, thinking of all the possible things that could have gone wrong. He knew that since Itachi was ill and not responding to any of the healing procedures that were done to him, that something had or was happening to Naruto. 'Please be okay.' He thought stopping once again.
Suddenly there was a huge flash and the sound of bodies hitting wood. Madara and Fugaku turned around to see Minato, and Naruto unconscious on the floor. But what really caught their attention was the screaming Sasuke, holding a very bloody Kakashi.
"Sasuke!" both male Tengu yelled, rushing to his side. Sasuke thrashed slightly, his eyes closed tightly as he held onto Kakashi, sobbing uncontrollably. Fugaku eventually had to slap Sasuke to get him to focus. The blow was quick but it was enough of a shock to get Sasuke to snap out of his hysterics.
"D-Dad?" He looked to his father, realizing that he had made it back home. "KAKASHI!" he yelled, looking down at him. There was no sign of breathing...no energy running through him. "Dad! P-Please help him!" he said. His hands shook as he tried to touch him. But the fact that he could already be dead kept his hands away.
"Madara." He called for his brother. He didn't need further instructions. He gently picked the Inugami up and rushed to the medical wing of the estate.
"Sasuke...You need to tell me what happened." Fugaku smoothed his hand through his sons hair. He needed to get the what Sasuke knew from him, but he was also terrified for his son. Sasuke shook before he looked up at his dad.
"Orochimaru happened."