Orochimaru could feel Itachi's hot, sweet, overpowering presence leaving him. Leaving him? Wait, what?! Wasn't Itachi supposed to want nothing more than to take him, and simply have his way with him? Why was he leaving? Had Orochimaru actually gotten through to him? It made no sense! But still, even after Itachi's chakra vanished from perception, Orochimaru stood stock still, as if caught in some twisted time-warp. Slowly, though, Orochimaru could feel shock creeping through his system, spreading like a deadly-neurotoxin and taking over his entire system.

Orochimaru's body swayed dangerously before pitching backwards and completely collapsing in a heap.

Kabuto leapt forward, catching Orochimaru in his arms and easing the man to the floor, laying Orochimaru out across his lap and quickly checking over his vital signs. A quick sigh of relief; his fears were eased. Kabuto could see that Orochimaru had simply passed out from the shock of the encounter, and he would recover shortly. The rest of the ninja in the room, previously in a shock-induced stupor, suddenly roused themselves at the shock of seeing Orochimaru faint and rushed over to Kabuto, crowding around him to make sure their lord was alright. "He's fine!" Kabuto grouched, motioning them away. "Back off, let him breathe!"

Orochimaru came to seconds later, blinking several times and trying to figure out what had happened. Kabuto helped him sit up, kneeling on the floor next to Orochimaru and bracing the sannin upright with a hand on his shoulder, and one hand of Orochimaru's in his own. "I know I sound totally clueless," Orochimaru started, sounding almost breathless, "But…what the hell happened?!"

"Um…" Kabuto glanced around the circle of ninja, searching for some way to tell Orochimaru this gently. Finding no help, he sighed and decided to just be straight with Orochimaru. "Well, once Itachi left, you just blacked out. But don't worry, it was purely from shock," Kabuto added quickly, seeing Orochimaru's stricken face. "Your memory should return shortly."

Orochimaru nodded. "I think I remember now…"

"Good," Kabuto said. "But, just in case, watch it for the next couple of days, just to make sure that it's not a brain problem with this body."

"Yeah, yeah," Orochimaru muttered. "While you're at the brain scan, can you check for STDs?"

"I'll knock you out first. The trauma might be a bit much for me to-"

"Alright, thank you!!"

Kabuto offered a wry smile, noticing the looks of jealousy on several of the females' faces-and some of the males'. They would probably kill to be the nurse in that room when Kabuto checked Orochimaru over…

Kabuto slowly stood up, offering Orochimaru a hand. Orochimaru took it gladly, pulling himself to his feet and regaining his balance. Kabuto stayed him with a gentle hand on his shoulder; Orochimaru brushed him off after a moment, having found his center of balance again. Kabuto suggested that Orochimaru sleep somewhere else, just for tonight, to make sure Itachi wasn't pulling anything dirty. Orochimaru agreed, and Kabuto offered up his own room. Orochimaru agreed in a heartbeat, and the two started off for Kabuto's room.

Kenshin stopped them in the doorway.

"What?" Kabuto grouched. "I know you saw everything, what could you possibly have as an objection?"

Kenshin shrugged. "Just wanted to ask what you're gonna do about Itachi's remaining residue," the old man commented lightly. Kabuto glared.

"If you're referring to the trauma, I plan to just work through it slowly and carefully," Kabuto answered evenly, and then pushed past Kenshin, taking Orochimaru's hand and pulling him past Kenshin. Orochimaru followed Kabuto quietly, too tired and frazzled to even think about protesting at this point. Orochimaru walked the short walk to Kabuto's room in a fog, allowing Kabuto to lead him by the hand. The second Kabuto opened the door, he pulled Orochimaru through, kicked the door shut, and took Orochimaru into the bedroom. Orochimaru collapsed in Kabuto's bed, too tired to even walk in a straight line right now. Kabuto offered him a small smile, and sat down next to him on the bed.

"Just quiet down and sleep," Kabuto advised, slowly raising a hand and letting it fall to Orochimaru's hair. The genin's hand began to move in a gentle, stroking motion, and Kabuto took up the soft caresses almost without thinking. Orochimaru subconsciously moved into Kabuto's hand, shifting closer to his loyal servant.

But then again, was Kabuto even a servant anymore? He couldn't be just a servant, just another lackey to boss around…he had pulled Orochimaru through much, on such a personal level…couldn't there be more to…well, them? Orochimaru sighed, allowing his golden, honey-colored eyes to slowly close. Kabuto recognized the gesture as Orochimaru asking him to be left alone, and withdrew his hand from the sannin's dark, silky hair. He stood up, placing a soft good-night kiss on Orochimaru's lips before leaving his bedside.

Orochimaru could feel the shiver that went down his spine like he had just been kissed by a bolt of lightning.

OOOOOOOOOOO

The next morning, Orochimaru awoke on his own terms.

It was quiet; sunlight streamed in through the window, the curtains drawn halfway, allowing light to flood the room. Orochimaru found it pleasant, having woken up enshrouded in darkness for the past few…um, years…? Orochimaru turned over, facing away from the window, and slowly opened his eyes, trying to gradually get them used to the light. As he got his eyes adjusted, Orochimaru noticed a figure at the other end of the room, bent over a desk, hurriedly scribbling something a notebook. Purple clothes, a long, silver ponytail, a white sash-it was Kabuto. What was he doing? Orochimaru hesitantly sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. At the sound of the sheets rustling, Kabuto took a quick glance over his shoulder, straightened a bit to do so. A smile slowly worked its way over his face at the sight of Orochimaru sitting up, and he abandoned his notebook and pen to walk over to Orochimaru and sit down next to him.

"Good morning," Kabuto greeted softly, leaning over to place a gentle kiss on Orochimaru's lips. Orochimaru accepted the kiss gladly, leaning over to accept it readily. Kabuto quickly withdrew, though, and so Orochimaru backed off as well. Kabuto shifted over a bit, so he was a bit farther away from Orochimaru's body, but Orochimaru didn't seem to mind the close contact. Still, he didn't move closer, either, so Kabuto allowed the matter to drop.

"Sleep well?"

Orochimaru nodded. "I did," he answered, shifting into a cross-legged position under the covers. The sheets slipped down off his shoulders, chest, and stomach, pooling around slender hips, just barely covered by his boxers. So, Kabuto had taken off his kimono, and then pulled the covers over him? How sweet…

"I should think so," Kabuto replied conversationally. "You slept for fourteen hours!"

Orochimaru's eyes widened, and he hurriedly looked around Kabuto's room for a clock. "What time is it?" he asked not finding one.

"Like, two in the afternoon."

Orochimaru sighed, rubbing his sinuses. "Jeez…it felt so good, but I'm so behind!" he groaned. Then another thought struck: "Hey, where did you sleep last night?"

"On the couch," Kabuto answered, rather off-handedly, at that. "I got to sleep at about one in the morning, after taking care of you, and then I woke myself up at about eight to start the day. I normally would have woken at five, but I knew my body couldn't do that, especially with all the stress. Besides, I wanted to be here until the sun rose. I just came back to check on you a few minutes ago, and then you woke up."

Orochimaru gave a small hum of recognition to Kabuto's statement, but otherwise remained quiet. His mind began to stray-towards the night just past. What was that all about, with Itachi finally coming to his senses? Actually bothered to take his medication tonight? Whatever it was, it was strange.

"Orochimaru-sama?"

Orochimaru snapped out of his reverie, glancing over at Kabuto. The genin had a concerned look on his face, and he seemed to be wondering if Orochimaru was alright or not.

"I'm fine," Orochimaru murmured. "Just…just thinking hard, I guess."

Kabuto gave a sympathetic nod. "Of course," he said. "But, we can figure that out later. I expect you want something to eat?"

Orochimaru nodded in return, swinging his feet over and off the side of the bed. Kabuto stood up, offering Orochimaru a hand. Orochimaru took it, although he didn't need it in the least. He pulled himself up and off the bed, grabbing the kimono from the previous night and draping it over his slender shoulders. Orochimaru hastily tied it closed with the sash that had been previously wrapped around it, and then waited for Kabuto to walk out into the main area of the genin's quarters. Kabuto led the way, stepping smoothly into the gap Orochimaru had opened. Orochimaru followed him as they walked into the kitchen, following Kabuto's instructions to just sit down at the table and wake himself up. Kabuto set down a glass of orange juice for him, which Orochimaru gulped down eagerly. Kabuto made them both breakfast, and they ate in silence. Kabuto, because he was eating: Orochimaru, because he had nothing to say.

Orochimaru finished first, and cleared the table when Kabuto was finished as well. "Thank you," he said quietly, sitting down again with Kabuto. "And not just for today, but…for every single day you sat by, and watched me suffer, and then did something about it. Just being there has made all the difference."

Kabuto glanced over at Orochimaru, seemingly shocked he would even say something. "Sure," he said slowly, "I guess…I mean, I wasn't just going to sit by and have all this happen…not to you."

Orochimaru nodded, and his hands fell to the table. His golden eyes rested on his hands themselves, seemingly as if trying to detract from the awkwardness of the situation. Still, Kabuto insisted on breaking the ice. He reached over, gently picking up one of Orochimaru's and holding it in his own. "Orochimaru-sama…don't blame yourself for what happened."

Orochimaru's eyes suddenly widened. What was Kabuto talking about?! Then, Orochimaru's expression softened slightly. Kabuto knew exactly what he was thinking. He was kind of blaming himself for parts of the abuse…he was telling himself things like, you should have been stronger, or, you shouldn't have let it get that far. While, deep down, Orochimaru knew that this was just part of human physiology, he couldn't help it: he couldn't allow himself to accept that what had been done to him was not his fault in some way.

"Itachi said it himself: he got carried away in wanting you. When you said no, he couldn't stand the thought of not having you. It's not your fault in any way that he's a selfish bastard, okay? Work with me, here. Don't beat yourself up for this: it's not your fault."

"I know that," Orochimaru said softly, turning his head to make eye contact with Kabuto. "But I just can't shake the feeling that, in some way, I brought this upon myself…"

Kabuto shook his head. "Not in any way, shape, or form," he said vehemently, taking Orochimaru's other hand. Orochimaru now turned to face Kabuto, sitting sideways in his chair. "Orochimaru-sama, just promise me that you won't dwell on this too much, at least?" Kabuto murmured, slowly standing up. He gently tugged his lover to his feet, and Orochimaru complied. The sannin gave him a small nod, and Kabuto was satisfied. "Thank you," he whispered, leaning in and stealing a swift, chaste from Orochimaru. Orochimaru flushed a dark peach color, and Kabuto couldn't help himself: he smiled, and kissed Orochimaru again.

"The only thing sweeter than your blush is your kiss," Kabuto promised, stepping back a small bit to see Orochimaru's reaction. As he thought: an even deeper flush, so much that it was beginning to spread from Orochimaru's cheeks down and along his face. Kabuto suddenly turned, releasing one of Orochimaru's hands and pulling him towards the window at the far end of the room. "Come on," he said, opening the window and letting go of Orochimaru's other hand. "I've got a great place where we can go." Kabuto climbed right out the window, leaving Orochimaru to wonder exactly how far it was to the ground. Too far, he decided, and pulled up his chakra, focusing it to his hands and feet and then climbing out the window. Kabuto was up on the roof, which was only about five feet from where the window was. Kabuto helped Orochimaru up and onto the roof, and then took off, heading east. Orochimaru followed closely behind, wondering all the while where they were heading. He had never gone this way before: it was all forest land, and Orochimaru figured that if one went far enough, they would hit a river. There was one out this far, but it was fairly not worth the effort to get to it, from what Orochimaru heard.

Sure enough, Kabuto pulled up at a river-but not the same river Orochimaru had heard about.

This river has a small strip of sand for a shore, and beyond that, grassy meadows. There were thickly-wooded forests behind them, and the sun filtered through sweet-scented pine trees, bringing the air alive with their soft scent. Orochimaru had to admit, it was beautiful: such a gentle scent, so light in the air…almost better than the incense he burned. He had to consider getting his hands on some pine scented incense. The river itself was beautiful, as well: the water was crystal-clear, and studded with rocks and boulders. There was a jetty a hundred yards away or so, which consisted of rolling black rocks that protruded out into the water like an overgrown weed. Still, it was beautiful, in its own right. Orochimaru couldn't help but stop and simply stare, taking in the sights around him. The entire thing...it was gorgeous. Kabuto stepped back, smirking.

"Well?" he asked, turning around to face Orochimaru and spreading his arms open in a gesture of questioning. "What do you think?"

"I love it," Orochimaru murmured, as if in a trance. He walked the few steps down to the water, leaving his shoes by the edge of the sand. "How did you come upon this?"

Kabuto shrugged, kicking off his own shoes and coming to stand next to Orochimaru in the water. "You know…chasing off idiots who feel the need to encroach on our borders."

Orochimaru smiled, and stepped a bit farther into the water. The warm water lapped at his feet, softly rushing over the skin and then pulling back, only to lurch forward again as the waves came and went, and the river continued to flow. Orochimaru suddenly loved it beyond all of his wildest dreams. The soft caress of the breeze..the cool waters over his feet…the grainy sand beneath his feet…it was all so calming, and it just took his mind completely off a certain Uchiha…

"Well?" Kabuto repeated.

Orochimaru turned to him, smiling widely. "It's perfect."

OOOOOOOOOOO

"Itachi, was your mission successful?"

"Yes." A lie.

"And? What happened to him?"

"The same thing that always happens." Another lie.

"So, how soon do you think you can break him?"

"Soon." A third lie.

"How soon is soon? Give me a real answer, you child!"

"Three more visits." The fourth lie. Why didn't he see through it? Was he blind?

"You think I'm blind?!"

Pein viciously lashed out at Itachi, a brutal backhand swinging down from over his left shoulder, down and across Itachi's cheek. The Uchiha's head snapped back with the pressure, but he didn't even move from his position in front of Pein. Not a hair's breadth taken in either direction. Itachi slowly returned his gaze forward, calmly meeting Pein's enraged eyes.

"Tell me the truth, you insolent child!" Pein hissed, "Otherwise, I will inflict upon you the very pain that you inflict upon him!"

"I couldn't do it."

Pein froze for a moment, all emotion and color draining from his face. "You…what…?" he whispered, shock the only thing in his eyes now.

"I couldn't do it," Itachi repeated, just as coldly and emotionlessly as always. "He looked in my eyes, Pein, and told me exactly how he felt. And I couldn't do it anymore. You want him back…prey on someone else's past desires. But I am through harming one who only seeks to love me."

"So, he still has some attachment to you?" Pein pressed, hoping to salvage the mission.

Itachi shrugged. "Last words he spoke to me, he only wanted me away. Pein, it was rape. He looked me in the eye, and begged me not to touch him. What kind of lover would I be if I didn't listen to that pleading?"

"You didn't listen before," Pein hissed.

Itachi shrugged. "Something changed."

Pein let out a growl of warning. "Uchiha, you will get him back," he snarled, glaring at Itachi as if trying to punch his very soul out. "Or so help me Kami-sama, I will not be held responsible for my actions!"

Itachi shrugged again, impassive as always. "Very well," he said monotonously. "But, you had him before, and surrendered him to me. I doubt your intentions if you did nothing then."

"I did not have time to implicate my plans," Pein hissed, through gritted teeth. "Now, if you value your life, you will get the hell out of my sight, and you may only re-enter it once you have his ring or him in your hand!"

"Understood."

"Now get out!"

Pein couldn't stand to have Itachi's emotionless face in front of him anymore, and commanded him away. Itachi left swiftly, seeming to recognize Pein's anger, and the Rinnegan master quickly collapsed in his chair, behind his red cherry oak desk. His head fell to his hands in frustration; such a simple plan, gone so wrong. The only thing he wanted was Orochimaru's membership back. The damn snake needed to know who his master was, and that Pein had ways of making him obey. And since Itachi was lusting after Orochimaru anyway, why should Pein hold the Uchiha's leash any longer? He set him loose with orders to draw Orochimaru back by any means necessary. Still, the snake had remained stubborn and willful, and Pein had also tightened his grip. And then, he had him-! Only to have him slip through his fingers again. Curse the snake! Pein would even settle for the ring at this point…

Yes, the ring would do.

A/N: Whoopee. Only one more chapter. Actually, boo-hoo. But I will be releasing another OroKabu/KabuOro story, so keep an eye out for that one after this one finishes up…I dunno, I might extend this one if you guys really want me to. I've fallen in love with this story. : ) Please review!!