Butterflies
"Me? I'm nobody. I'm not skilled like Uchiha-san. I am not passionate like Haruno-san. I am not smart like Nara-san. I'm not as strong as Chouji-san. I'm not as collected as Aburame-san. Or as pretty as Yamanaka-san. I'm not as confident as Inuzuka-san. If anything, I'm like Hyuuga-san, socially awkward. Oh wait, no, she's just shy. The socially awkward one is me." OC! Team 7 remix!
Interlude 8 – Plotting
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Deep in the Land of Sound, in an underground base. There are no natural light sources, only the harsh florescent tubes casting an eerie, doom-like glow on all the wrong things. Uchiha Sasuke looks at the experiments with no emotion whatsoever. The Third had been graphic in detailing what he might encounter, so he knows not to expect rose petals and pixie dust. The pained and frightened screaming constantly coming from deeper in the base is somewhat harder to stomach, though.
Still, Sasuke looks on as stoic as he'd ever been.
Orochimaru studies the him, dissects his every move, trying to piece together why this boy is so different from what the reports showed. After Itachi's massacre, Sasuke was withdrawn, sullen, a loner. So why did he threaten to kill himself on the spot if Orochimaru tried to engage a downed, and likely dying, Hatake Kakashi? It didn't make sense. Loners don't care if comrades die, not to the point of suicidal thoughts or intentions. The only thing that makes sense is that Sasuke found so much more in his team than merely people that push him to become stronger. What was even more intriguing, was that Sasuke didn't immediately give into Orochimaru's offer of unfathomable power. More than enough to rival Itachi.
Not only did Sasuke not react to hearing that name, which was a surprise in and of itself, but he scoffed at the offer. Orochimaru had to resort to threatening everything Sasuke holds dear if the boy tried to run away. Then, and only then, did Orochimaru see the hatred in the boy's eyes. The hatred he'd expected would be reserved for Itachi.
At any rate, so long as Sasuke plays nice, Orochimaru did promise not to go out of his way to kill any of Sasuke's precious people. If they got killed during the invasion though; well, Orochimaru wasn't going to lose any sleep over it.
Deeper and deeper into the underground lair they walk, until they reach a series of doors in a dimly lit hallway. "These will be your quarters for now." Kabuto explains, his tone light, almost friendly. "I'm sure we don't have to explain what would happen if you turn up missing?"
"What I tolerate from Orochimaru, isn't something I would tolerate from his lackeys." Sasuke warns, his tone dark. "I've heard his warning. I will abide by his rules."
"Now, now, Sasuke-kun. Kabuto is my right hand man. Surely you can see that his words are, in fact, coming from me?" Orochimaru says, amused with his newest pet.
"Hnn." Both Sound shinobi got the distinct impression that if anyone threatened Sasuke's precious people again, they'd wind up dead. Most would be worried about such a thing, but Orochimaru is mostly intrigued, thinking how entertaining Sasuke might be until he's needed.
8-8
Once in his office, Orochimaru goes over the plan in his head once again. It isn't foolproof, or even a very good plan, really. Lots of people will die on both sides of the invasion. But, the only goal he really cares for is killing Sarutobi Hiruzen, crippling Konoha, and getting either Naruto, Gaara, or both killed to mess with the Akatsuki's plans. Oh how Orochimaru enjoys toying with other people's plans. Not directly, most of the time. No, that's so crass and pointless. No, Orochimaru enjoys ruining plans at a distance. Frustrating his enemies, making them careless; these are things he enjoys. Like that Sasori of the Red Sand. Sending a spy to infiltrate Orochimaru's organization? Still, he's most grateful for the gift; Kabuto has been nothing short of useful ever since he acquired him.
"So, to recap." Orochimaru says, an amused smile on his lips but not reaching his eyes.
"Team A will summon three of the larger snakes to break through the outer wall, allowing for both our people and Sand's to enter Konoha without being bottlenecked. Their orders will be to slaughter everyone they encounter, taking no prisoners." Kabuta recites almost mechanically. "Sand's jinchuuriki has been ordered to unleash the One-tail as soon as the invasion begins, drawing all attention to him. And you will have the Third Hokage all to yourself. Are you certain you do not need a fourth person for the barrier?"
"Sakon and Ukon can handle it." Orochimaru waves off the concerns. "Not my best plan, but it is good enough."
Kabuto's face twitches almost microscopically, showing that a thought just went through his head. He doesn't voice it though, and Orochimaru either doesn't notice, or doesn't care.
"Kabuto, send a runner to meet with our Kazekage. Inform him that there's been no changes."
"At once, Orochimaru-sama."
"And I'll be expecting an update on my little project. I do oh so wonder what Sasuke will think of it."
8-8
Deeper in that same base, a pair of cold Sharingan eyes stares at the ceiling. The room is dim, but she finds this to her liking. Low lighting usually means he doesn't want anything with her. She oh so hates it whenever he shows interest in her.
She didn't have a name, not one she remembered at least. In fact, the only memory she had at all that wasn't directly or indirectly related to this base, was of a smiling woman she'd long since decided was her mother. He called her Uchiha, but even that name had no value.
Seven years old, not that it mattered. She understands enough of the world around her to know that she is a slave, a tool her cruel master will use as he sees fit. A tool that, if broken, will be tossed aside. How strange that she looks forward to that day. That's why she doesn't fight back, hoping to prove useless. Hoping to have it end. It's only when the darkness claims her that she ever feels at peace, after all. Death should be something like that, right? Darkness?
She certainly hopes so.
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End Interlude 8
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A/N: I wonder what this will mean? We'll just have to wait and see.