Kabuto awoke at exactly seven in the morning.
He had no idea how he did it; but if he told himself to wake up at even a.m., he was always up at exactly seven a.m. This had baffled even Orochimaru, and Kabuto had never figured it was worth looking into.
Now, he pushed this to the back of his mind and turned onto his side, admiring his lover while he slept. Orochimaru's hair was splayed out around his face in an inky cloud of perfection, and it sharply contrasted to his marble-white skin. His eyes were closed, showing Kabuto exactly how far the purple shading ran across his eyes. Now, Kabuto ran a single finger over those markings, using chakra to sense what lay underneath.
Strange blood.
Kabuto knew it was Orochimaru's bloodline, but still, it was…weird, was really the best way to put it. Orochimaru's blood boiled purple, and it seemed to carry something further in its dark recesses-
A hand flashed up and slapped him away.
Kabuto grinned and straddled Orochimaru's hips, reaching again for his hands. "Come on, is that any way to treat your lover after the night you had?"
Orochimaru went to slap Kabuto again, but the genin simply caught Orochimaru's hand and eased it down to rest over his head. "Come on, be quiet now, and stop complaining."
Kabuto found Orochimaru's other wrist and moved it up to match the other. Orochimaru, although seeming none to pleased, allowed Kabuto to lean forward and kiss him; soft and chaste, but it still sent shivers down Orochimaru's spine. Kabuto smirked at the reaction; he was satisfied that Orochimaru was completely his now.
"Kabuto…it's getting late…"
Kabuto eased off Orochimaru without another word, never lifting his hands from Orochimaru's wrists. He found his feet, then gently pulled Orochimaru up and dragged him from the bed.
"Come on…move…"
"I don't want to," Orochimaru said, and set his weight against Kabuto.
"Come on…" Kabuto reached forward and reached around Orochimaru's neck, searching for pressure points. A surprised and somewhat pained yelp confirmed that he had found them quickly, and Orochimaru jumped forward.
"Go," Kabuto said, and pressed harder on the back of Orochimaru's neck. The sannin jumped forward again, hitching his shoulders in discomfort.
"Kabutoooooooo!"
"Don't whiiiiiiiiiiiiine!"
Orochimaru made a face and began walking forward. Kabuto removed his hand from Orochimaru's neck, but still stayed close behind him.
"What do I have to do today?" Orochimaru asked, picking up his pants from the chair where they had fallen. "Please tell me I don't have much…"
"Ooooo, sad story," Kabuto said. "You have a full schedule, including-"
"Tell me later-oooow!!"
Kabuto laughed as Orochimaru bent down to pick up his shirt, only to feel a horrible pain in his rump. "Haha, Orochimaru-sama. You'll be feeling that for about a week, since I was gentle this time. When I do it rough it gets nastier. Two weeks, maybe."
Orochimaru moaned, then straightened again, shirt in hand. "You had to dump these on the floor."
Kabuto smiled and began looking for his own clothes. "Get used to it," he said. "Because if you ever want to get through a rough night with me, you're going to want me to shower with you and heal that…otherwise you might not be able to train."
Orochimaru gave him a death glare, but said nothing. He knew it was true…even if he didn't like it.
"Kabuto, would you please heal me? You said I have a lot to do today…"
Kabuto's grin widened. "Of course. Come on."
He went into the bathroom, motioning for Orochimaru to follow. Confused, Orochimaru did so, closing the door behind him. The water was already running, and Kabuto was just stepping into the stream when Orochimaru came in. He reached over, took Orochimaru's hand, and gently tugged him under the water.
The water itself was pleasant, and just how Orochimaru liked it. Kabuto pulled Orochimaru into his arms, green healing chakra glowing around his hands. Orochimaru pressed his face to Kabuto's shoulder, waiting for the soothing touches that meant Kabuto was healing him. They came soon enough; a gentle hand on his rear. Kabuto moved slowly and carefully, as if in apology for causing this pain in the first place. Orochimaru reached up and grasped Kabuto's shoulders, accepting the apology. Orochimaru felt a finger trail between his thighs, then back between his hips and up through his passage. Another digit was slowly inserted, and Orochimaru moaned with pleasure. Kabuto gently moved his finger in and out, cleaning Orochimaru's passage and healing the pain.
"Thank you," Orochimaru murmured, muffled by Kabuto's neck. Kabuto smiled and gently pushed him back.
"Clean yourself up," he said, handing him a bottle of soap. Orochimaru nodded and began washing himself. Kabuto did the same, but he finished much more quickly. He stepped out of the shower, picked up a towel and wrapped it around his waist.
"Finish up in there," he said, "and come out when you're done. Wash your hair-"
"Yeah, yeah," Orochimaru grunted. "And Kabuto…"
Kabuto stopped at the door and turned around. "What?"
"…Thank you…"
OOOOOOOOO
Kabuto pulled on his boxers, then his pants, and toweled off his hair. He found his shirt and put it on quickly, wanting to get something to eat. He dried his hair one last time, brushed it out, and tied it back. He looked around for his glasses…where did he-? Oh, there they were-on top of the dresser. He slid them onto his face, glanced at himself in one of the mirrors in the room, and went to the kitchen to look for breakfast.
OOOOOOOOO
Orochimaru turned off the water and began groping for the towel Kabuto had left for him on the counter. Finding it, he dried off his legs enough to keep them from dripping on the carpet and tied it around his waist. He really did have a lot to do…
He dried off his hair and brushed it out. Kabuto had told him it looked good when he pulled it back…
Orochimaru quickly put his clothes on and looked around for one of Kabuto's hair ties. Sure enough, there was one lying innocently on the counter, next to where his towel had formerly been lying. He brushed out his hair, clamped the rubber band between his teeth, and used both hands to pull his hair back into a low ponytail. A few shorter strands fell forward, and Orochimaru let them. Kabuto might like it…
He walked out of the bathroom, heading for the kitchen. He needed to eat, and then he needed to get going with the day's work.
Kabuto handed him a plate the second he walked into the kitchen.
Orochimaru smiled and accepted it, sitting down at the table. "Thank you," he said, and started to eat immediately. Kabuto sat down across from him and began to eat as well.
"I am going to start trying to track the Akatsuki today," Kabuto said between bites. "I think they're after you and/or that ring."
Orochimaru nodded. "Yes, they are. While Itachi was…around me, I picked up on a few things. And didn't he tell us face-to-face?"
Kabuto nodded. "I wasn't sure if you remembered…"
Orochimaru nodded again and took another bite of food. "Whatever."
Kabuto glanced up at the clock. "Crap…" He drained his glass of water and grabbed his empty plate. "I have to go. Thank you so much for…"
Orochimaru waved him off and took his own plate to the sink. "My pleasure. Literally…"
Kabuto grinned. "Thank you anyway. Now get going, I know you have stuff to do."
Orochimaru nodded and left, thanking Kabuto one last time.
OOOOOOOOO
Itachi slunk through Orochimaru's headquarters in silence, heading for a back room. He had figured out where Orochimaru kept his ring by using his own; and Orochimaru himself had basically supplied him with a LoJack with his original hand…
Itachi crept through the stone halls, listening for any sign of life. So far, so good. Coming early was a good idea…but just in case, he was disguised as an Otonin. Better safe than sorry, no matter how good a ninja he was. It never hurt to avoid attention.
Itachi knew Kakuza was leading the others to Orochimaru as he walked, and that he had to get the ring quickly and meet up with them in the forest. He had five minutes that they would wait, and if pressed they would simply leave. Itachi was supposed to get there early so they could all leave at the same time when Kakuza and the others brought Orochimaru back…
Itachi found the doors to the room where the ring was kept and carefully pushed them open.
OOOOOOOOO
Hidan kicked down the door to announce his prescence.
Orochimaru looked up in surprise from his project: a scroll with hand signs scribbled down in order. Kisame jumped forward, Samehada unwrapped and flying, heading for Orochimaru. The massive sword swished through the air, and Orochimaru pulled out a kunai to block its progress towards his body. Kisame's brute strength was incredible he knew; in a battle of strictly strength, like the current one, he would certainly lose. And furthermore, he needed more room to move. This was too close-quarters for his liking.
"Start worrying about staying alive enough for your liking," Kisame chuckled, "Than how much room you have to move. Because soon you won't be able to!"
He slowly dragged the sword across Orochimaru's arm, relishing the sannin's cry of pain. Orochimaru looked down at the damage Samehada had done to him: his entire arm was soaked with blood.
Kisame laughed again and pulled his sword back. "Oh, you're so beautiful in pain…yes, we're going to have fun with you. And don't worry; that's boy's already taken care of."
"Kabuto-agh!"
Orochimaru fell to the ground from the blow Hidan had dealt him across the face.
"Shut up. Cooperate and this might be less painful."
"What have you done with Kabuto?"
"Since when do you care?"
Orochimaru fell silent. He wasn't sure…Kabuto had just sort of grown on him. And then…last night…his lover…
"Isn't he cute?" Sasori taunted. "Yes, I knew you would enjoy him. Now I'm going to enjoy you."
Orochimaru sat up, heeding the warning gestures from each member of the Akatsuki. "In what way? Pain? Pleasure? Or maybe both?"
Sasori smiled. "Even worse."
"Oh? A new kind of pain, just for me?" Orochimaru snorted. "I'm flattered."
"Remember that jutsu you took off Kabuto?" Sasori purred. "Yes, I think that's what I'll use. Or maybe I could just break your spirit…that would be even more fun."
Orochimaru glanced to his left. He had spotted someone missing earlier-Itachi. Where was the Uchiha…?
"Going after the ring," Deidara said. Twin clay birds blossomed from his hands, and they rested placidly in his palms-at least, they would until Deidara told them otherwise. "You won't see him for a while, nor will you see Kabuto."
"Don you dare!"
Orochimaru regretted it the second it came out of his mouth-he had just revealed his weak spot. And the scenario he and Kabuto had neglected to clean up wasn't exactly contrary…
"Search the room!"
Zetsu and Hidan both walked off, sifting through everything in the room and tossing things aside. Orochimaru waited; he needed to get an action in order to give a reaction.
"Tie him down."
Orochimaru kicked out from his knees against the three people advancing on him. Kisame easily avoided the said kick, and Orochimaru knew there was nothing else he could do. Samehada had sucked up most of his chakra, and he wanted to save it for an escape jutsu…
"No escape jutsus, if you please," Sasori continued. "Hang him from the ceiling if you have to, but I don't need him interfering." He leaned over Orochimaru, forcing him back into Deidara's legs. "And keep in mind that stupid little boy before you do anything stupid."
Orochimaru lowered his head. He was really in a sticky situation here. He had no idea where Kabuto was, if he was okay, what they had done to him, if he was even still alive-
"Oh he's alive," Kakuza purred. "But he won't be if you start acting up."
"What do you want?" Orochimaru asked. He had a hunch that the answer was something he knew, and he knew Deidara was behind him-
Two hands captured his own and moved them back very painfully. Orochimaru felt the former Iwa-nin wind a hard cord over his wrists and yank it tight, drawing a bit of blood.
"Yeah, find something and tie his hands to it," Kakuza said. "I've seen him before, and he's not exactly willing to lay quietly. His escape jutsus are scary good."
Orochimaru knew that there was no way he could escape now; his wrists were pulled up behind him in a very awkward position, and if he tried an escape jutsu he might tear his own arms off. If things continued like this, it might get bad.
"Hey boss! Come and look at this!"
"Hold him," Kakuza said in response to the shout from the other room. "If he even twitches, hold him above the ground by the rope. It should break the bones."
Orochimaru made an effort not to twitch.
"Coming!" Kakuza yelled. He walked up to the door to the next room and stuck his head in. "Bring it out here, I don't want to leave him with less than four people for long! He kicks like a horse!"
Orochimaru decided it was best to ignore that. Oh God, and what have they found…?
Hidan came back out, carrying a bed sheet. "Somebody had a nice night."
I want to die.
Zetsu held out the sides of the sheet, exposing the damp areas. "Well? What poor sucker had you in bed? Or rather, what brave kid roped you, threw you down and fucked you but you decided you had gone too long so you let them?"
Orochimaru felt a deep blush rise to his cheeks. "A combination of the two."
A wicked grin split Hidan's face. "Oh, I get it-Kabuto wanted to be your lover, so you let him but just this once."
"Strangely close," Orochimaru muttered. "It just kind of happened-oh, God, why am I even telling you this?!"
Zetsu snorted. "'Cuz we asked!"
"Can life get any worse?"
"We can make it worse."
"I don't want you to."
"Then keep talking about your night in hell."
"What else do you want to know?!"
"Whose this is!"
"…Oh, God, what is that?"
Zetsu was holding the tiniest pair of underwear Orochimaru had ever seen. Some woman's thong, probably…wait a second, that meant-!
"Were drunk last night?"
"No."
Hidan shrugged. "There were a couple other pairs I saw under the mattress, but these were in the middle of the room…."
"What?!!"
Zetsu grinned and tossed the sheet at him. "And whose little puddle is that?"
"Probably mine."
Sasori recognized that voice immediately.
"Kabuto," he said smoothly. "So glad you're back. Come over here and take him for me, will you?"
Orochimaru remembered them that Sasori still didn't know he had removed Sasori's jutsu from Kabuto's mind. There were two options Kabuto had, both very risky: pretend to still be under Sasori's jutsu and try to rescue Orochimaru that way, or flat out charge and hope they were surprised enough to let Kabuto get in a few good shots.
Kabuto took option one.
"Hai, Sasori-sama."
Orochimaru sighed. He knew Kabuto was a good actor, but what I Sasori could sense the absence of the jutsu-
"I think Orochimaru has something to say," Sasori said smoothly, stepping forward. "Go on, Kabuto, take him into hand. He could use a bit of discipline…"
Kabuto nodded, and Orochimaru felt him take hold of his upper arms and drag him to his feet. He winced at the pain in his arms, but he knew Kabuto was trying to be gentle and look rough. Apparently it was working, because Sasori's eyes lit up.
"Ooooo, perfect. Which one of you wants to go first?"
"I'll go," Kisame said. "I'll save Samehada for later, when it'll really hurt!"
Orochimaru began to tremble from exhaustion; he was also trying to, to make him seem afraid. But at this rate he may not have to-
Wait…the window was behind him…and he was at the perfect angle…if Kisame hit him the right way and he went flying, he would end up by the window! Kabuto must have known this-he was positioned perfectly for it, and it could hardly be coincidence.
Kisame' fist struck him so hard, he actually thought he passed out for a second before he hit the wall-hard. Hard enough for him to cough up blood as he struggled to his knees.
"Bring him back to me, Kabuto."
Orochimaru knew this was the moment of truth. Kabuto's footsteps echoed over and over again in his mind as the genin paced towards him painfully slowly, teasing him, taunting him. Orochimaru's breathing shook, and he appeared to tremble greatly before Kabuto. His bound arms were beginning to pain him, and his heart was pounding.
Kabuto pulled him up by the arms.
"Come on, boy bring him to me!"
Kabuto froze, and his grip on Orochimaru slackened, letting Orochimaru fall into his chest-into a tender embrace.
"No."
The last thing Orochimaru truly registered was Kabuto pulling him after him as he jumped out the window, shattering the glass and leaving the Akatsuki staring in shock. Then Kabuto landed on his feet and picked up Orochimaru's legs and shoulders, holding him above the ground and carrying him away through an increasingly blackening world.
A/N: Wow, that was long! Anyway, hope you liked it, please review, no flaming. Thanks everyone!