Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
A.N: It's been a long time in coming but after being nagged to death my muse was resurrected. Expect a lot of flashbacks and more Orochimaru than you thought possible. But damn fanfiction messed my page breaks D:
XxX Chapter 15 XxX
'Naruto' a voice gently whispered.
Not again.
The persistence of this dream….this memory didn't seem to flicker out of existence but instead clung to him. Latched into his very core until it was all he could hear and contemplate. But, he refused to believe this dream, keeping his eyes firmly shut wondering if Sasuke, who laid across the room, heard anything.
'Naruto' the voice was hazy.
"Shut up, you're not real" he murmured.
'Naruto' it almost pleaded.
"Shut up"
'Naruto' it all but begged.
He snapped his eyes opened in shock as he felt a hand brush across his face.
'Naruto, look at me'
He couldn't help it, his eyes were already opened. He stared transfixed on silver eyes, silver hair and a warm smile.
"Kakashi" the name a mere whisper.
'Naruto, I've found you' Kakashi hummed the words out as he softly ruffled golden tresses and lay an oddly comforting hand on Naruto's face.
He didn't know why he let his eyes slid shut and couldn't believe how he could still feel like such a child as he let himself bask in this feeling. It had been such a long time since he let himself feel, to let his guard down….to trust in another. And even though he didn't deserve to, he let himself believe that for a moment it was okay. This was okay.
The lull of Kakashi's humming let him drift, his shoulders relaxed, anger melted away, betrayal all but a distant memory. Everything he was, thrown aside, everything he used to be was draped all around him.
Naruto blindly reached for the warmth that his master…no, his teacher provided. Head laying on his lap, a loose embrace and eyes at half mast. Everything cast aside Naruto looked like a child, a very lonely one at that. It was his eyes that really gave away his age. Kakashi looked on with warm affection, funny how the last time they had seen each other Naruto had in fact been the size of a child- a seven year old child to be precise.
Weak hearted, trusting, loving, forgiving and a hopeless idealist so enamored by human emotions. That was what he used to be, something he could never hope to ever become once more. Anger, distrust, revenge, self-loathing and guilt are what define him now. The things that drive him, that give meaning to his wretched life.
Such a life, where even though he had been used and destroyed time and time again he could still cling to that thread that bound him…that tied him down.
Betrayed…
The word burns his throat, like a hot coal. Penetrates and drowns his mind completely, tearing at the warm feelings and makes him shed the second pair of clothes leaving him without the innocence of childhood but only the bitter cold of adulthood.
"Kakashi" he all but whispers, hands sliding around his neck.
"Naruto?"
"Why?" anger bubbles over and his hands tighten around Kakashi's throat.
He pushes him to the floor and continues adding pressure to his clenched fingers. Keeping his hold tight, but refusing his urge to see blood.
Barely breathing, still conscious, Kakashi sputters as dignified as one can when they can hardly breathe and the pressure mounts every time he tries to.
"Naruto.. I'm-"
"You were like a father-You were like a father to me!"
"-I'm s-sorry"
"You have no right. You left me alone, in a world where I knew nothing!" his nails dug into the tender flesh of the neck, ready to pierce.
"It was a…"
"You kept me hidden all my life, making me believe that I didn't need anybody but you"
"-mistake"
"I trusted you " slowly his fingers unclenched but still stayed in position
"Naruto"
"I sacrificed myself to save you"
"I didn't ask you to"
"You didn't need to, by then I had the notion that I couldn't live without you. And I was childish enough to believe that you felt the same"
"I had to leave, it was for the best"
"Best for who? You?"
"…" a silence that stretched on, a pained look reflected upon Naruto's electric blue eyes.
"Two thousand years…" the words a painful whisper.
"I.."
"I thought you were dead"
"Forgive me" Kakashi pleaded, wanting nothing more than forgiveness.
"I hoped you were, better to think you dead than to know that you wanted nothing to do with me" his tone gave away nothing, his eyes however could not lie.
"I'm here"
"It's too late"
"Give me a chance"
"You had plenty of chances" Naruto snarled the words with anger.
"There were circumstances" Kakashi tried to reason.
"Don't lie to me"
"Naruto…would I ever lie to you?"
"Yes, if you thought that I couldn't handle the truth" Naruto spat out with bitterness.
"Naruto, please"
"No, how can you possibly expect me to let bygones be bygones when you left me in a pool of my own blood. Left me for dead"
"I wanted to protect you from myself"
"What?" Naruto asked more out of anger than anything else.
"I had thought that I had grown accustomed to your scent, the smell of your blood but on that day…"
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"Kakashi! Look what I found" a young Naruto shouted with glee, jumping up and down with excitement paying no mind to the water that splashed all around him.
Kakashi who had been watching with an affectionate gaze walked towards Naruto "What is it?"
A baby bird was cupped between his small hands.
"Naruto, you shouldn't have taken it out of its nest, its mother will be worried"
"Mother?" Naruto asked perplexed.
Kakashi gave a sad sigh and realized his mistake. He never had told him anything about his mother or what the title entailed. He'd tell him later….maybe.
Thinking that Kakashi was disappointed in him Naruto went to correct the mistake he had made.
"I'll put it back" Naruto yelled back as he sped off into the direction that would surely take him to the nest.
"Be careful" Kakashi warned before a fit of coughs overtook him. That left him shaking and clutching his chest.
"I put it back!"Naruto said with childish glee, hanging precariously from a branch and very well gave Kakashi a heart attack.
A loud snap was the only warning either got before Naruto found himself falling from a particularly tall tree. The only thing that registered to him after the initial shock was pain.
Never before had he felt anything so excruciating. There had always been dozens of arms that would reach out to catch him if he ever fell, slipped or stumbled. There was always a body willing to throw itself and catch him. There were was always someone and every time he had avoided contact with the ground much less gotten a scrape or scratch.
It was unfortunate that there had been several jagged rocks below.
Kakashi had not been quick enough to catch him and stopped short when he saw the countless cuts, bleeding wounds that marred Naruto's flawless skin.
Large round blue eyes that had always been shining with hidden mirth and childish innocence were replaced with pain stricken ones and it broke Kakashi's heart to see them in anything that was close to misery.
"K-Kakashi" Naruto whispered, lips quivering.
Frozen in place Kakashi could only stare transfixed, at Naruto's helpless form…his dripping blood.
Naruto took in a labored breath "Wha-what is this?" Naruto asked astounded as he brought his bloodied fingers into view.
Kakashi, with his head cast down remained eerily quiet.
"Blood…" Kakashi answered "…your blood"
Naruto never got a chance to react as Kakashi quickly and quite roughly took hold of him. Lifting him from the jagged rocks that hadn't allowed him to heal. The sting of it was no where near as painful as the pain that bloomed from his neck.
All he could do was gasp as he felt his strength leave him and groan as the pain increased.
"K-Ka…ka-shi…"
His vision was blurry, his heartbeat slowed, his chest ached and he saw someone calling out to him.
And finally he stopped.
He looked up and saw a distorted version of Kakashi, not unlike something he had ever seen before.
"W-why?" Naruto whispered as he grew weaker and weaker, hand reaching out to his only friend.
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"Never before had I ever been so overwhelmed by it. I couldn't stop myself from doing what I did, my senses were on overdrive" Kakashi said somberly.
"If you cared about me for even half of what I cared about you, you wouldn't have abandoned me"
"Naruto you must understand, on that day I realized that everyone could hurt you…that everyone would hurt you. You were so trusting it was painful to think that you would one day be betrayed. And when even I…..", a pause, "…I knew what I had to do and decided to leave you and take all the other caretakers as well to ensure that it would never be repeated."
"I was all alone and you never told me that we were different from them….you could have done something else, instead of throwing me out with the humans. I would have forgiven you"
"But I was no good for you, I was too weak to protect you from myself. You would be safer with humans"
"I'll decide what is best for me"
" No. I was horrified and disgusted with myself. I had promised myself that I would keep you away from the evils of the world, that I would protect you from anything that could harm you….I never realized that I would be in that category"
" I never asked to be protected"
Kakashi smiled "You never had to, and even if you told me not to that would have be the order that even I would disobey"
Naruto let his gaze linger into those familiar grey eyes that he wanted to believe. Those same eyes that had almost been the last thing he would have ever see. His friend, his mentor, his ally and the betrayer. Could he really afford to take such a risk because he couldn't afford to be betrayed…not again.
He cleared his throat letting the words slip out without thinking "Leave"
It didn't come as a surprise when Kakashi listened, but it still left him feeling dissatisfied. He wished things could go back to the way they were but Kakashi had made his choice….they both had. That day that defined the first major turning point in his life, the day he felt the true sting of betrayal and he'd been only just a child….a pathetic sheltered little prince. He had been thrust into a world that did not wait for him, but pushed him to learn from his mistakes.
Not everything that came out of that was bad, because if he hadn't been abandoned he never would have known of the outside world much less encountered any of his fledglings or people like Sai.
He leaned against the wall and wondered if maybe what Kakashi had done was justifiable. And then he wondered about his own fledglings, specifically Kyuubi. Would there come a day where he would be faced with the hard choice of leaving him just as Kakashi had left him. If it was for his own good, no matter how much the other protested, could he abandon Kyuubi? Could he make the ultimate sacrifice and release Kyuubi much less anybody whose life was threatened by his mere presence and ultimately be alone?
He was in a daze of conflicting emotions and didn't realize the dampness of his face, but Sasuke who had been awake for quite some time noticed.
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There was something that didn't sit well with him as he left Naruto and Sasuke that night. There was this gut instinct that told him to stay and he wanted to, he would have too if Naruto hadn't given him a steady gaze and spoken to him in such a way that he couldn't refuse his command…his orders.
It was his turn to patrol, in fact he was the one who was on constant patrol. Naruto was in no condition to be out in the open so carelessly and susceptible to attacks. It wouldn't bode well if Naruto was captured, it set him on edge with the thought of letting that happen….it had been centuries since anyone had attempted anything of the sort. He had disposed of the vampire, one of the senate's lap dogs with ease, and Naruto had even offhandedly thrown in a compliment on how thorough he had disposed of him. Sasuke couldn't patrol either, he too wasn't at full capacity and there was no way he would trust that they were out of harms way unless he was certain.
It took him several hours before he was able to return to their temporary safe house. He felt a distinct chill as he stepped in and felt his muscles lock, he was trapped. He tensed and looked around. He couldn't hear what was being said, the voices muffled and undecipherable but he could distinctly hear Naruto's own mixed in.
Naruto was angry, he could feel a hidden rage overwhelm him and then it was gone. Who the hell was this person? He tugged forward, but still his limbs would not budge, he needed to get in there. Naruto could very well be in danger. And this person, no…this vampire was able to slip past his defenses. Had gotten so close to Naruto without his knowledge. Was he not competent, not strong enough to protect Naruto?
And suddenly he could move again. The hold the other had on him all but vanished. He wasted little time, he barged in the room and saw Naruto there sitting on the floor, head cast down completely unharmed. The intruder nowhere in sight.
He left, running as quickly as he could in pursuit of this irritating intruder that set him on edge.
'I will find you, and when I do I'll kill you.' Kyuubi viciously thought.
"You'll regret coming here"
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Silence.
He didn't move, he didn't breath all he did was cry. Red smears marring his composed face. He wanted to look away but any movement would alert Naruto that he was awake.
It was surreal to see Naruto crying, he didn't look like somebody who shed tears, he looked more like the person who elicited them from everyone else.
"Sasuke, you can stop pretending" Naruto all but whispered.
It sent a jolt of shock and he completely froze, frozen like a deer caught in headlights.
He got up, cautiously, feeling like he was about to get scolded- which was ridiculous because what right did Naruto have to do such a thing in the first place.
"Come here"
He gave him a queer look, but having a feeling that right now he shouldn't be difficult, obeyed. He could still see the fresh smears of blood on Naruto's face.
He sat in front of Naruto, and he was hypnotized by glowing blue eyes. He looked like he still wanted to cry and it tugged at something inside of him to see him in such a state.
'What happened to you?'
He gave an undignified grunt as Naruto pulled him close and embraced him.
"Wha-?"
"Shh…just let me have this"
It was a request that he couldn't deny. Never before had he felt such a connection to anyone, it was strange that it should happen during these dangerous times.
"Naruto?"
"Hm.."
"Who made you like this?"
Frozen it took a while for a reply "Humans"
And never before had he been so aware of the other side of him, the human side. Those words, while not directed at him burned….scorched his very being.
He never got a chance to ask for a clarification as fragments of memories were sent to him. Naruto's past. There were people, there was death, there was love, there was heartache and so much blood. Blood….everywhere.
He was floored and taken aback by such acute feelings and couldn't help but to give into the hug, his only way of consolation, his only way to atone for being part human. Not that a hug could be enough to rid Naruto of the horrors he had faced.
"Was it worth it, were they worth it" he whispered to himself, but Naruto heard…he always did.
"I don't know" if anything ever was, the words were heavily breathed out, a perplexity overtaking Naruto's words.
"Would you change anything"
"Yes." all of it
He could practically hear all the unspoken words that Naruto had left out, he didn't know why but it was as if someone was whispering to him the truths that Naruto seemed so desperate to hide. It wasn't 'til long before he realized just how intimate this whole situation was, that he wondered just how many Naruto had allowed to let get this close, to feel his warm breath on their neck, to smell the intoxicating scent that could only belong to him, to never want to let go. He wondered when he had started to feel like this…
"Hey…Sasuke, do you think I deserve to live for the monster that I am?"
"Naruto you're not a-"
"But you know, you've seen it" Naruto said loosening his embrace.
"Your power should not be sullied. Everyone's born for a reason…everyone has the right to live" he felt angry that Naruto would belittle himself like this.
Why was he being so defensive, when had he let Naruto matter to him, he had to stop this, whatever this was.
"Then is it not also our right to take away the rights of those who are undeserving of such a precious thing as life" Naruto countered with equal fire.
"I-"
"Did you know that I once tried to-"
"Naruto, shut up!" he didn't need to hear it, didn't want to hear that taboo come from Naruto's mouth.
Never in his life had he ever thought he'd be contemplating how Naruto's lips would feel.
….they were soft.
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He was angry, filled with rage at his inability to catch this slippery intruder. How dare this insolent vampire break down his security, get within an inch of Naruto and have the gall to be this elusive. He fought down the urge to growl and instead ripped out a nearby branch, hurling it at the cloaked figure.
With a swift turn it avoided speeding branch with ease, something that alit his anger all the more so. He did catch a glimpse of a few silver wisps.
His anger fueled him to push harder, speed quickening. If there was anything that Naruto gave him, it was speed. Jiraiya had gotten strength, Tsunade had the blood to heal all wounds and Orochimaru had the most cunning of them all. He had never bothered to ask Madara or Arashi what great ability Naruto had bestowed upon them, he had been too angry at the time to put his petty jealousy aside.
Never in a million years would he believe it possible for a vampire in pursuit to allow himself to be captured and this cloaked figure proved him wrong. He just stopped running and waited for him to catch up, better yet to be captured.
He came to a halt, leaving a few feet in between them, something wasn't right…and he'd be damned if he let this vampire have one up on him.
"Tell me, how is he"
He didn't need to be told who he was talking about, he already knew. "That isn't something that you need to know"
"I was with him long before you even came to existence, I have a right to know"
Something burned within him. "I'm the one who's with him now, not you….not anymore"
It was low, and at first he didn't catch it, but it was a laugh alright and suddenly his limbs locked and he couldn't move.
"I'm glad that someone as possessive as you is by his side, but I wonder how much you really know about him after all he didn't even tell you about me"
He wanted to rip his throat out, wanted to rip out those smiling silver eyes that taunted him. A face that he would burn into his memory, he would pay him back for this humiliation.
"You should really ask Naruto who he was searching for in Europe all those years ago" he said this with a smile.
He was ready to strangle him and claw his face beyond recognition, but damn his immovable limbs. How could this vampire do this to him.
Seeming to have read his mind he supplied an answer "This power is something he gave me"
He seethed, a spark of jealousy ignited his very being, and for a second he unclenched his jaw. This couldn't be Naruto's fledgling, no he had been the first….then that meant that this vampire had drunken Naruto's blood. His resentment grew, and he vaguely remembered about Sasuke little fiasco when he had bitten Naruto, because even he wasn't allowed to do such a thing. What right did they have to do such a thing, privilege.
"Your full of life…and anger" he commented with a chuckle, "don't let your emotions rule you" he warned
"Protect him, there are many vampires looking for him….and not all with as good intentions as mine"
He didn't need to be told, ordered, by this guy. He only took orders from one person and one person only. He knew what he had to do and what he had to sacrifice to do it.
"My name's Kakashi, I hope you won't be too angry with me the next time we meet"
'Kakashi..'
And then he was gone, like a bat out of hell. It wasn't until he couldn't see him that he was finally released from his hold.
'Protect him' the words were whispered through the night as he made his way back.
He scoffed, of course he would, he couldn't trust anyone else to do the job he was born to do. A duty that was more important than even his own life…..
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He looked at the run down house, licking his lips and suppressing a shiver. He could still feel the lingering presence that Naruto had left and he felt oddly nostalgic.
"My Lord?"
He ignored his subordinate for a lengthy while, tasting the air around him "Tell the others to search everything, leave no stone unturned" he ordered
"As you wish, my lord"
He waved the others off not intent on being surrounded at the moment, he could taste it. Could feel Naruto, the closest he'd felt him in a really long time and he'd be damned if anyone ruined this.
Naruto….
This felt like the first time they had met all those blurring years ago, on that fateful day….
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He was by the river, intent on finding that bloody rat that had escaped. It couldn't swim and he had already closed off any means of escape, so it couldn't get far…much less hide for long.
There was a rustle and his eyes sharpen, it was hiding behind the shrubs. He crouched as quietly as he could and as he drew nearer he caught sight of his prey. His fingers twitched in anticipation and he bit his lip. He was so close, just a little-
"Orochiiiiiii!" was yelled at him from afar and much to his irritation the rat got away, slinking past his poised grasp.
Only one person would have the gall, the foolish audacity, to say such a thing to him and he didn't bother to hide his distaste as he turned to the sound of that atrocious yell.
"Jiraiya" he all but hissed
"Orochimaru what are you doing?" Jiraiya asked with a toothy grin that made his jaw clench in irritation.
"Is that all? I lost my rodent for such a frivolous question" he ground out
Jiraiya not one to be put of by Orochimaru's demeanor or snide remarks, after all these years he had gotten used to such behavior, merely shrugged it off as his way of saying hello.
"Tsunade was wondering if you were still coming over, she seemed excited, said she had to show you something"
He rubbed his temples in irritation, trying not to lash out at this imbecile, it took too much out of him…he didn't have the same energy he had as a teenager, being in his early twenties showed him that from their last brawl. Where he had barely managed to win.
"Tell her, I better be amazed or I'll leave immediately"
"Hey, I know your just being you, but couldn't you be a little nicer to her…..I mean she likes you" he mumbled the last part begrudgingly.
He caught the tone easily but didn't point it out, after all their last brawl had been caused from his complete disregard of those feelings.
"I'll be nicer when you use your brain more than your brawn" he walked away quickly not keen on wanting his ear chatted off, because unlike Jiraiya he had more important things to do then dilly-dallying or playing messenger to a girl who would never take his feelings seriously.
Really, what a waste, all in the name of love. It repulsed him, how much another could have such control over someone, the thought sickened him. But then again being the one in control didn't seem like such a bad thing…..
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It was midday when he finally reached Tsunade's house, and even though he had been well prepared to be ambushed as soon as he got inside, he was still surprised as he got a handful of Tsunade thrown at him, as she launched a rather awkward hug from Tsunade, he didn't miss the way Jiraiya regarded or the resignation in the eyes that bore holes into him.
"I can't believe you showed up, not to say that I doubted you…but seeing as its been a while I thought you wouldn't want to" she trailed off, her hand fidgeting, before she finally let go.
"So what did you want to show me" he asked quick and to the point, he needed to get back soon, he still needed to feed his snake.
As if burned Tsunade jumped up and took his hand "Come, come I know your going to love it… I found it this morning" she continued to ramble with
He never got a chance to ask what exactly it was as he found it almost impossible to talk over her especially considering that he was trying not to trip on his own feet as he was dragged downstairs with a somber Jiraiya at his heels.
He was all but ready to turn tail and leave, he doubted his arm could last any longer under such strain until she finally let go.
He followed her to wooden table where a sheet covered something rather small.
"I found it this morning, while Jiraiya helped gather a few plants. I took it back and cut it open and guess what I found…"
She had a rather knowing grin and even Jiraiya gave him a smirk, daring him to guess. Like he would ever make a fool out of himself, no instead he waited.
"No blood"
That couldn't be, unless it bled out, but even then there had to have been some blood left. It was preposterous.
"I know, I was a little shocked myself, until I found these marks" she motioned for him to take a closer look.
And there he found them two puncture wounds just like a….
"And then it hit me, it must have been a snake, but I have never heard of one that lives off blood. This could be a whole new species" the enthusiasm never left Tsunade as she all but shouted the possibility at him.
He was intrigued, he couldn't deny that but he couldn't seem too eager either.
"What do you propose we do about this" he inquired
"We're going hunting" Jiraiya said with a wide grin, his energy finally returning.
Tsunade hummed in agreement "I want to catch it and study it, and I was hoping you would help me, seeing as you've been studying snakes for years"
"Okay, when do we start?"
"Tonight" Jiraiya cheered, the thrill of the hunt getting the best of him.
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It was getting dark and they hadn't found anything, no trail much less life in the dreary woods.
"Are you sure it was around here" he asked skeptical.
They were all tired and frustrated at the fact that they hadn't gotten anywhere. They were right back where they started, two hours ago.
"The sun's already going down, we're not going to get anywhere if we can't see what we're looking for, we should start again tomorrow" he suggested
Jiraiya seemed put off at giving up the hunt and Tsunade looked thoughtful but as they all started heading back there was a rustle and they all froze.
It took only a second until their world faded to black and he couldn't exactly see who it was, no more like who.
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He woke to the sound of humming, pushing past his grogginess he stood up….well tried to anyways. He was loosely bounded to a rather small pole that was stuck to the floor.
"Hello there, I was wondering if you would ever wake"
His eyes widened, his mouth went uncharacteristically slack and he swore his mind shut off because he couldn't move, couldn't speak much less blink away the sight that wouldn't let go of him.
"My names Naruto and yours?"
"Beautiful.." he couldn't help but utter in shock, he had never seen someone to possess such beauty that demanded his undivided attention.
"I wouldn't have pegged you for someone vain" there was a chuckle that snapped him out of his daze.
"Orochimaru, my name is Orochimaru"
"Well, I do hope you don't bore me because we'll be spending quite some time together, you and your little friends"
And then it hit him, where were the others. From the sound of it they were alive, not that he cared much but still.
"I thought you might be hungry, eat…while you can" Naruto commanded, not having caught the threat woven into the words that sounded like music to his ears, he obeyed.
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Months had passed and he hadn't been allowed to leave his room, yes his room because only he had a room. Last he heard Naruto had told him that Jiraiya had been defiant and had been thrown into a cell. Something about protecting the girl, which he could only assume to be Tsunade who joined him shortly.
He looked forward to their meetings, their little talks. He was enthralled with the being called Naruto and he was glad that he was the favorite out of the three. Still knowing this didn't make him happy. While he hung on every word Naruto spoke, it felt like he was distracted when he talked. There was someone else, he could feel it. Someone who was more important than him.
Surely there were others that Naruto kept, not just them and he wanted to find out, so when Naruto came at last he asked.
"Are there others that you keep?"
Naruto looked him, really looked at him and smiled "No, just you three"
Something within him burned and he couldn't believe him, and for some reason Naruto knew that as well.
"Come on, I think its about time that you know more of this place than just your room"
He was taken aback, he had never imagined that he would ever leave this room. Not that he'd given up hope but more the fact that he had forgotten what it felt like to be in the outside world. He had been content to be in his room with Naruto and he believed Naruto made it so.
He didn't know what to expect but long hallways and tall windows just weren't part of it. This huge mansion never crossed his mind.
"This is my home and you are my guest feel free to explore but be mindful of the West wing"
He looked at Naruto, disbelieving. Didn't he know that he could escape unsupervised or was it that he didn't believe it was possible.
"What's in the west wing?"
"Nothing but trouble for you"
And just like that Naruto was gone and the warning was clear. Don't go to the west wing, but he had never been one to ignore his curiosity. And that was the day that he met Kyuubi…
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There was something foreboding in the air as he walked in the darken hall of the west wing. It set him on edge and he was quick to stop and look when he swore he saw something out of the corner of his eye.
"Well what do we have here, a pitiful excuse for a human"
The voice sent chills down his neck, and not the ones that Naruto sent. These were unpleasant, malicious and they promised pain.
He turned and saw piercing gold irises alit with anger.
"You aren't worth his time" there was an edge to his voice and he was surprised at how calm he felt.
"And neither are you, he hasn't even mentioned you" he replied with equal venom, not one to take his worth lightly.
And quite suddenly he pounced at a speed that his eyes could not keep up with. He couldn't breath, and he was slammed down against the floor with a bone crunching force.
"How dare you speak to me that way, know your place" these words were muddled to him and he was surprised that the weight left him and air came to him.
"Kyuubi, what did I tell you"
Massaging his neck he looked up to see Naruto and Kyuubi, as he his attacker's name, was kneeling in submission.
"I apologize, my anger got the best of me as well as my hunger" Kyuubi mumbled.
"It can't be helped, it was I who forbade you from hunting" and even though Naruto sounded apologetic he didn't look like he felt guilty.
At the time he hadn't know what they were talking about, it had seemed to him that a he was missing out on this little joke that only they knew. He considered himself to be a person who wasn't easily surprised but when it came to Naruto, nothing was predictable. So when he saw Naruto cut his wrist, with a flick of his fingers, and offer his blood he never imagined that Kyuubi would take.
He stood there in a daze taking in the scene for what it was and what it could mean. Another part of his mind connected Kyuubi as this so called new species that drained their prey of blood. Every thought was pushed aside and he couldn't bear to look at this…this.
Was Kyuubi the reason that Naruto seemed distracted, was he the real favorite….
He wasn't thinking, and that was the problem. He dashed forward, heart racing and adrenaline pumping.
"Let him go!" he screamed, all he think was that he had to get that thing away from Naruto before it drained him.
He blamed it on his fascination with Naruto that clouded his mind from even factoring in the possibility that Naruto was just like Kyuubi. It wasn't until he saw Naruto smiled…with his fangs.
He didn't stop, more like couldn't, but Naruto did with the tip of his finger. He was still, and he vaguely noticed that Kyuubi had stopped as well.
And in an almost, he says almost because with Naruto you couldn't be certain with an air that screams ambiguity, kind gesture ruffles his hair and asks if he's alright.
"Are you frightened?" there's this calmness about him that sets him on edge, which is preposterous because this is Naruto…it's the fangs.
He shakes his head, but it must have been his shaking that gave him away as he sees Naruto silently commands Kyuubi away and takes him by the hand, not being forceful even as he hardly moves. All he can do is stare at Naruto, at his back to be precise. 'Who are you?'
"I'm Naruto, you know this Orochimaru"
It takes a while for it to dawn on him, the pure realization that he hadn't asked aloud. Could Naruto possibly be able to read-
"Yes, I can" the answer is short and to the point and they're facing each other.
"I think its time that you all go back"
And like a ding Kyuubi appears with Jiraiya and Tsunade in tow, both looking out of place in the elegance that is Naruto's home. Naruto looked at them with interest then gave a severe stare at Kyuubi who was looking at anything but Naruto.
He walked past all of them and opened the door. "I didn't find what I was looking for, you may leave"
Jiraiya looked uncertain but was quick to grab hold of Tsunade and run as quickly as his tired limbs could take him, sparing him a quick glance. He just stood there not knowing what to do. His body was rooted in place, he didn't want to go.
"Orochimaru, you must" Naruto ordered and gently pushed him forwards.
He resisted, how could he ever go back. He couldn't leave this place, didn't want to and it was all Naruto's fault.
And then Naruto grabbed both sides of his face and forced him to stare back into the bluest eyes he had ever seen. "Listen to me, you have to run far away from this place and never look back" there was something about the way he said it that made him obey.
And he ran with his traitorous legs, and he looked back and was greeted with a knowing smile.
breakbreakbreak
They were lost, that was certain and all they could hope to do is hide until morning came. He gazed at the pathetic sight that was Jiraiya and Tsunade, huddling for warmth. They had all agreed on not making a fire just in case Naruto changed his mind on letting them go. This false sense of security was just that, wishful thinking. From what he had seen the two were capable of , then finding them wasn't a matter of how but when.
"Why weren't you in the cells?" Jiraiya whispered, not wanting to disturb the now sleeping Tsunade.
He weighed on what was the appropriate thing to say whether he should tell the truth that he had enjoyed his stay there, which would surely leave his sanity to come into question or lie. He did have a thing for lying.
"All he wanted was someone to talk to and I acted accordingly"
Jiraiya's expression was unreadable and he grew tired of the morbid atmosphere Jiraiya had created and went in search for wood.
"Hey-" Jiraiya yelled in panic, forgetting that he had to whisper.
"We need to stay warm, what's the point of escaping if we freeze to death and she" here he motioned towards Tsunade's shaking form, "won't last long"
Tsunade woke up and helped make the fire, relief flooding her as the first embers danced to life.
"We need a plan, just in case they really do come back for us" Jiraiya said with fingers interlaced and voice grim.
He gave a sigh, not up to such a daunting task. Jiraiya gave him a queer look and Tsunade looked worried and he really didn't care to continue with this talk. All he wanted to do was to go to his room and wait for Naruto to come. He wanted to believe that this wasn't it, that Naruto would come back for them, for him.
He really should have considered Kyuubi's anger and resentment but it truly was a gift in disguise…well only in this occasion.
breakbreakbreak
He was running, heart thumping and blood racing. He heard a scream; Tsunade and then silence.
He knew he shouldn't run if he wished to be reunited with Naruto but his instincts, his survival instincts, were screaming at him to run. To run for his life. And even if it seemed pointless to do it, he reached for a rock and waited because he could never hope to outrun them.
His whole body froze when he felt a hand clasp his throat and hot breath on his ear.
"Did you really think that you could get away" hatred oozed from his very being and he knew it was Kyuubi.
He would blame it on adrenaline for what he did and a complete disregard for his life as he rammed his elbow into Kyuubi and the rock into his face. The growl that soon followed sent him running, it was the fastest he had ran in his entire life.
And even though he was running for his life and had zero chance of winning he felt oddly calm. Maybe it was the childish thought that Naruto would come and stop Kyuubi, like his very own knight and shining armor, it was all wishful thinking not that he'd ever believe such things would ever happen.
And then that got his thoughts racing. What if Naruto had sent Kyuubi to kill them all, could Naruto really be the wolf in sheep's clothing?
He never got a chance to question why Kyuubi hadn't got him yet or the fact that everything had gone eerily quiet as his eyes saw black and a hand muffled his screams. He really should have been looking at where he was going instead of behind him.
breakbreakbreak
It was cold and he could hear whimpering. He was in a daze as he regained consciousness and he couldn't make out what was in front of him. It was dim, more like absolute darkness. He couldn't move and the heaviness of his limbs weren't from fatigue but from chains, he was bound. There was a flicker and then his eyes burned from the intensity of such a bright flame as the room….the cell was lit. He looked around and found Tsunade and Jiraiya a couple of feet away.
"Orochimaru" was whispered gently and he looked to find him, to find the perfection that was Naruto.
Jiraiya looked nervous and Tsunade cowered away from the growl that erupted from Kyuubi. All he saw were Naruto's gleaming eyes and gentle smile.
"Do you want to stay with me?" Naruto asked and he ignored the glare that Kyuubi sent him.
He didn't answer immediately, which surprised him, but there was more that Naruto was asking than just staying there. What it was, he didn't know but looking at Kyuubi, it didn't look too bad. Kyuubi had power, Naruto had power…he wanted power. To never feel as helpless as he did in that forest.
"Do it" and with just those two words Naruto's smile, no smirk, grew and Kyuubi stiffened.
The last thing he saw were gleaming eyes and sharp fangs…pain. Such delirious pain that fogged his mind, threw self preservation out the window and left him craving for more. So much more…."
breakbreakbreak
And everything else was history, he really was glad he had gone into that forest all those years ago. Up until now he had no regrets, of the things he'd done or the people he'd killed and nothing would keep him from his goals. No one.
"Orochimaru!" one of his subordinates called out.
He looked up for the first time in what felt like days.
"This better be good news" he hissed lowly, results had been lacking as of late, blunders wouldn't be taken lightly anymore.
"We found it, we found a box!" the enthusiasm was unsightly and he scoffed at such boldness.
"It better not be empty, or I'm holding you accountable" he threatened, and it was then that his subordinate realized who exactly it was that he was talking to and he couldn't help but smirk.
breakbreakbreak
"Gaara!"
He turned around annoyed. These idiots, he swore under his breath, he just couldn't believe they were competent enough to be allowed in the Senate, much less be part of his team. He scoffed at that, what team.
He looked at the target, more like place. He didn't understand why this mansion, with its tall windows and its overgrowth, was suppose to be guarded. It had been abandoned for over a century and they didn't even know who it belonged to, that hadn't been part of the report.
Whatever the reason, he was stuck here on patrol and he cursed at his predicament.
Either the senate was losing its touch or whoever lived here was at the top of their wanted list, he clutched as the vial, filled with dirt and blood, subconsciously.
Maybe this wouldn't be as boring as he thought and he felt the corners of his lips tug up into smirk.
The night was still young, anything could happen.
Tbc…
A.N: So yeah, there you have it :D Love it, hate it, tell me about it. And OMG they finally kissed. Huzzah!
On a side note I am working on MHL and have 17 pages done but its nowhere near done yet, I can't guarantee some sasunaru loving but know that Sasuke will make an appearance.