Title: The Epidemic
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Two: Watch out for snakes
The remainder of the week flew by without incident. Sasuke followed his regular schedule and in his spare time went over the applications in the vanilla file.
When Friday night came, he found himself being escorted to a private table with its own room in the back of Madame Shirley's, a popular high class restaurant. The short hostess followed in behind him and closed the two doors, immediately snuffing out the sound of the hustle and bustle of the busy dining room.
The young woman walked away from the closed wooden doors and over to the polished table. Pulling out a red parson dinning chair, she gestured for Sasuke to sit down. Doing so, he felt himself get pushed back toward the table. The brunette had started to unfold the napkin when Sasuke interrupted her.
"I can do it myself" he grumbled, and took the white cloth to drape in on his lap. He never liked them on his collar, not only did he think it looked ridiculous, but it was also uncomfortable. Besides, Sasuke was neat enough that aside from the polite gestures, it wasn't needed.
'Ayame' according to her name tag, excused herself after placing the two menus on the table and Sasuke sat waiting for his guest. Fugaku had arranged for him to become acquainted with the first of his candidates. The female's name was Tsuchi Kin and he was to meet her at 8:00 P.M. for dinner. It was now 7:43, like usual, the Uchiha had arrived early.
It would be nice if he could slouch a little, rest his chin in his hand and use the other one to drum his fingers on the table. No one would be there to see him if he did, however not only was he in an expensive restaurant, but he was also an Uchiha and that was something they just didn't do. So Sasuke examined his surroundings, trying to distract his mind.
The room had been set to look like a posh dining room. Four expensive chairs surrounded the equally expensive table. A glass chandelier hung over head. The wall right of the double door entrance had a white fireplace built in to it, the wall across had a huge opened curtained window. Looking out at the presented view, Sasuke saw an exotic garden, its plants reflecting the orange and red shades of the setting sun.
Finally hearing the sound of doors opening, Sasuke directed his eyes toward the noise. A young lady walked in followed by their hostess.
Tsuchi looked a bit different in real life than in the picture he had of her. Wearing the formal clothes that fit with the restaurant's dress code made her look a little older. Her long black hair was done in a style that made Sasuke think 'Hyuuga' but her opposite dark eyes told otherwise. In fact, Sasuke could say that she almost looked like a younger version of Mikoto, with the exception of his mother being much prettier.
Setting the napkin onto the table, Sasuke stood up and bowed before making introductions.
"Good evening, you are Tsuchi Kin I presume?"
"Yes, and you must be Uchiha Sasuke?" she flashed him a small smile.
"That is correct" he said walking over and un-tucking the chair for her to sit down. "Shall we get started?"
"Of course" she responded, taking her glazed over eyes off Sasuke for the first time since she arrived and gracefully took her seat.
Allowing Ayame to push her back in, Sasuke went around to his side of the table and picked up his French menu.
"So, may I get you anything to drink?" the hostess asked looking directly at him, her hands clasped in front of her stomach.
"I'll have a glass of water if it isn't too much trouble" Tsuchi's high pitched voice interrupted before Sasuke even opened his mouth.
The brunet turned and blinked at the female candidate. "…Okay" looking back at The Uchiha she continued. "And for you Sir?"
"I'll have water as well."
"Alright then, I'll just be right back." Ayame stated as she turned and went out the door.
"I'm surprised at the horrible service of this place; it's nothing like I've heard. Why, that woman was staring at you like a piece of meat. I can't believe she ignored me like that. Hasn't she ever heard the phrase 'ladies first'?"
Sasuke didn't reply but briefly took his eyes off the object in front of him to glance at the pouting girl. She hadn't even picked up her own menu yet.
"So Sasuke, I can call you that right? Do you play any instruments? I do, just recently had a concert with my cluster bells. They make the most beautiful noise. Then again how can they not with me as the one guiding them." She let out a shrill laugh.
The raven started to correct her, suggesting that they not move to first name basis yet when the door opened once again. Ayame placed their drinks in front of them and said: "Here are your beverages. Your server should be here momentarily."
And then she marched out of the lavish dining room, almost as if she had heard earlier Tsuchi's complaint….
Sasuke could help but be irritated, this girl was loud.
The rest of the meal followed in a similar manner and Sasuke would have liked nothing better than to get up and leave. Unfortunately he had to wait for his company to finish, so he stayed there pretending to pay attention and wishing that he'd never have to see her again.
After shaking hands and saying their farewells, he all but sprinted out of the restaurant. Okay, so maybe it was a controlled pace, but it was slightly faster than usual.
Closing the restaurant doors of Madame Shirley'sbehind him (he had opened them before the waiter got a chance to do it for him), he walked out and down the steps looking for the limo that would drive him home. Spotting the black vehicle waiting behind a 2011 Koenigsegg Agera R, he quickly made his way over.
"Hey!" Sasuke heard a loud voice shout which wasn't usual in the city. The usual part was that this was the entrance to a high class establishment and it was hard to believe that someone would be so rude. He didn't bother to turn around and see who was shouting. The Uchiha kept walking to the limo because he really just wanted to go to the house, get some rest, and mark off Tsuchi Kin from the list of candidates.
"Hey!" The second time he heard this, he picked up his pace. Maybe it was that girl from earlier and she had discarded her manners in attempt to ask for another date. He swore his ears would bleed if he ever had to hear her talk at him (because he could never get a word in) again.
"HEEEY! Wait up!" The voice called again. This time, Sasuke could tell it was somewhat masculine. Maybe it was someone from the restaurant? He had paid the correct amount for the bill and got his card back so they wouldn't be shouting. Not thinking, he stopped and checked his pockets…no he didn't forget anything.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shoulder and twisted him around.
Sasuke's body tensed, his mind immediately going over all the years of experience drilled into his body in martial arts. But before he could strike out, his brain finally registered the person's face and he stopped himself.
"Didn't you hear me calling you?" the zombie blond from last week spoke. Sasuke watched Naruto take a hand off his shoulder, use it to grab his own orange (again) clad stomach and rested the other hand on his knee in an attempt to catch his breath.
"Hay is for Horses." Once again, it happened. Sasuke felt his mouth move before he could control it. He really needed to stop doing that.
"…" Naruto blinked up at him for a second before straightening up. His face started to turn red as he gritted his teeth, seemly struggling not to say anything offensive.
Sasuke, weary of more American phrases spewing from his mouth, remained silent. It was the blond's fault for having such bright hair and making him think such things.
The other teen seemed to get over what he wanted to say and replied with an "Anyway, I was trying to get your attention because I've actually been looking for you. I told you we'd see each other again."
Sasuke felt it safe for him to raise an eyebrow and did so in question.
Naruto huffed "Don't think I didn't see what you did that day. I've been thinking about it," In a whispered voice he continued, "and no one can naturally move that fast. You're-"
"Don't say it!" Sasuke hissed. Alarms were going off in his head; this was not the proper place to have this conversation. Although no one was in hearing range, the limo driver was no doubt keeping a careful eye on them and people who were bound to exit the restaurant to go home would see and possibly overhear them. This included the Tsuchi girl.
"I have to leave. Don't look for me and never speak of this again." Sasuke turned away and briefly wondered how the blond had found him in the first place. The other teen wasn't stalking him was he?
"Aw come on, don't be like that. I just wanted to tell you about something that can help people like us." Naruto insisted, chasing after the Uchiha.
"I'm not interested."
"There's no way you actually like being ordered around like some animal is there?" The raven spun around.
"So you are stalking me." He glared.
"What, stalking? No!" Naruto sputtered. "I've just been following you around, looking for a chance to talk to you. I couldn't this morning because you were cooped up inside till lunch. Then I couldn't because you spent the rest of the day running around like a headless chicken-"
"A what?" the raven interrupted but was ignored.
"-This is the first time I've been able to approach you. You're so busy doing what other people tell you to, that you don't have any time for yourself. The reason I've been trying to talk to you is because I just wanted to ask if you'd come with me to my school for people like us. Where you can actually make your own choices and-"
"Look," Sasuke sighed and this time the blue-eyed teen stopped talking to listen. "First, following and stalking are the same thing. I don't know how you found out where I live or why you keep following me but quit it. Second, I really don't have the desire to go anywhere with you or attend that stupid school. My life is fine how it is. Lastly," the Uchiha began moving closer to the teen "If you don't stop following me or if you ever tell anyone about what you saw that day…" he was now close enough to the feel the heat of the blond's breath "I'm seriously going to make you regret it." Locking eyes with the other's ocean blue, he allowed his own flash red for a second, making sure the message was clear.
Backing off, he started to leave once more but froze he heard the blond whisper.
"I sniffed you out. That's how I knew where you were."
Before he could reply, not even sure of what he going to say, one of the front doors to the limo finally opened.
"Master Sasuke, is this person bothering you?" The driver asked.
"No" he answered and turned away for the last time. He walked the over to the black vehicle and stepped inside; refusing to take a look at the blond he was leaving behind him.
When Sasuke arrived home, his mother was waiting by the door this time.
"So, how did your date go?" She practically cooed.
"It was informative…I won't be seeing Tsuchi again." He said as he walked quickly up the stairs, not wanting to hear his mother's reply. It was a bit impolite but he was tired and at this point, didn't really care.
Taking a right after the stairs, he made his way down the luxurious hall and approached his bedroom door. He pulled the gold door handle and pushed the door open, noting how plain his room seemed with only the basic furniture of a bed, bookshelf, workstation, and large closet compared to the overly decorated rest of the house.
He advanced across the room and over to his neatly organized desk and then picked up the vanilla folder. Withdrawing Tsuchi's, he took the paper and ran it through the shredder on the left.
Sasuke couldn't even imagine being married to that girl. During the dinner, he had gotten the impression that she was a boy-crazy, self-centered snob who bragged far too much for his tolerance. The only good thing he could see if they did get married was that she wasn't too bad looking and the merging of their parent's companies would increase profit by at least thirty percent if not greater.
In the end, the disadvantages far outweighed the benefits to him.
He grabbed the knot of his tie to loosen it up while he flipped through the other candidates in his other hand. Now, he had to pick someone for date number two. Hopefully the next girl would be more bearable.
Pulling the black tie up and over his head and closing the file, he accidentally let his mind wander. Personally, he didn't really like the idea of marrying any of these girls. Why couldn't he pick a person whom he actually liked without worrying how much the profit of his family's business would increase? Not that he had anyone in particular in mind, but surely he would find someone some day.
Then again, why was he allowing himself to sound like a sentimental little girl? He needed to get over it already and find someone he could tolerate. It was still too early to get discouraged. He didn't really know all the candidates yet but surely he could find one of them he could reasonably stand.
Sasuke hung his tie on the closet door and stripped down to his boxers, getting ready for bed.
Maybe he should have taken the blond's offer after all.
The words the other had threw at him when they last spoke continued to ring in his head. It would be nice to pull an Itachi, escape and get away all these restrictions…but thoughts of his parents looking at him with shame and disgust helped him make up his mind every time. His place was here, trapped in the house and his secret would just be buried with his emotions.
Besides, the way that blond acted the day of the accident, Sasuke could have sworn Naruto was an unregistered like himself but after their conversation today and hearing that Naruto went to a 'school', contradicted itself. People weren't permitted to enter the facility unless they were registered. Sasuke wasn't sure about this 'Naruto's' character and it was dangerous tampering with the unknown.
Sasuke shook his head, mentally scolding himself for letting his thoughts wander off to such a track, he turned the lights off and padded over to the bed. Slipping in between the sheets, he decided just to see how things played out.
He woke up the next day, bathed, had breakfast, and did his morning studies. Since it was Saturday he was allowed to do what he wished for the remainder of the evening.
As per usual, he examined his black bookshelf a bit left to his king sized bed determining which book he had wanted to start on, since he'd finished One Hundred Years of Solitude last week. He'd pretty much already read everything on his shelf at least twice already so maybe he would find something that he overlooked. Scanning the titles, he didn't see anything that caught his eye and turned away.
Guess it couldn't hurt to get out of the house for a while, he thought. A picture of the library surfacing in his mind made him go over to his closet and put on some nice shoes. Heaven forbid if his father caught youngest son wearing flip-flops with his khakis. Actually, Sasuke wasn't even sure if he owned any flip-flops. Maybe one day when he had time to sort through his mountain pile of shoes the maids would buy for him, he'd look.
Quickly checking in the mirror to see if he was presentable, he nodded and pulled up the collar higher of his dark blue polo shirt.
On the way out the front door, he grabbed his wallet and made a stop by Fugaku's office downstairs. He quietly knocked on the cherry wood door, checking to see if the man was in.
An "Enter" assured the teen he was.
Sasuke twisted the golden knob and let himself in. As always the older Uchiha was seated as his expensive desk, going over some papers.
"Was is it?" Fugaku snapped, not taking his eyes off the documents before him.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Father, but may I have your permission to go to the library?"
There was a small pause before the older man gave his answer. "…I suppose that would be alright. Make sure to be back before dinner."
"Yes Sir" Sasuke replied and left the suffocating room before Fugaku could change his mind.
Finally exiting the house, Sasuke noticed what nice day it was. The sun was only thing in the sky and the temperature was perfect with the light breeze. Since the teen hadn't exercised today, it would be really nice if he could go on a run to his destination. But their house was in a larger neighborhood outside the city (each home with a huge amount of land) and it was at least 30 miles to the library from here. Even though Sasuke was in shape, he didn't think he wanted to try that out.
So reaching into his pocket, he withdrew his phone and dialed the chauffer.
Before long he was getting out of the black car with an "I'll call you to come pick me up when I'm finished" and stepped up to the large building.
Making his way up the steps and opening the door, Sasuke instantly felt the cool air brush against his skin. The clear door close behind him, sealing off the outside air, and his sense of smell registered the scent of old books, something he was quite fond of.
Sasuke decided to look through some of the book stacks to see if something grabbed his attention before going to the young adult section (a guilty pleasure of his). Walking past the front desk, he made his way over to the closest shelves and began to browse through the huge books.
Oh, this was the reference section, that's why most of these texts were so thick. He couldn't check any of these out anyway, so Sasuke went to try his luck upstairs.
After advancing to the top level, he chose to examine the books on the display shelf as he ambled past before going on to inspect the stacks.
He was on the 5th floor deep in the 900's section and didn't really expect to find anything interesting because Sasuke found history to be pretty boring, when a 904 book caught his attention. It was titled 'In the Beginning of the Most Recent Epidemic' by Elizabeth Hawkeye.
Normally he'd stay away from books like these, for he didn't want to be seen associating with anything even remotely close to the topic but curiosity got the best of him. Glancing at the nearby aisles without trying to look too suspicious, he checked to see if anyone was around. The library usually got busy on Saturday's but most of the Patrons seemed to be in the downstairs computer lab today.
Deeming it safe, he cautiously extracted the silver book from the shelf. Cracking it open, he flipped through the first couple of pages. Mostly they were snippets of news articles that had been published before the public became aware of the epidemic. Sasuke paused at one of the smaller ones dated nearly twenty years ago and read it:
'At least 30 people are reported to have been killed after a freight train went off track, sliding down a nearby hill until it collided into a small American town. Many more were injured, including a few state police officers and rail workers that were trying to prevent the accident and evacuate the area in time.
What caused the sudden crash early on Wednesday is still unknown.
"Suddenly the train became derailed. It was almost like it lifted itself off the tracks and tumbled toward the town." Blaze Mustang, a nearby rail worker who witnessed the accident, told the Wyoming news agency.
"Thirty died. The majority are still undocumented and the train operators are hurt. There are fourteen more people injured," said Mustang.
The train was carrying a cargo of coal, which was scattered across the accident scene.
There are fears that the death toll could rise. "They are still searching to see if there are bodies buried under the rubble," added another rail worker.
Several citizens are now staying at the local hotel until the north area is repaired and new houses can be built.'
Supposing it was unimportant, he turned over to the longer articles in the back. He skimmed through reading about a desert town that disappeared one night along with its people without any warning. It was suspected that it was buried deep underneath layers of sand, but even the machines that have developed over the years were having trouble locating it.
It really was strange what some people could do. Of course Sasuke was one to talk. At least he wasn't an elemental and could control when his eyes would switch over. He hadn't really experimented with them much, in an attempt to keep hidden but he knew that when activated things moved in slow motion and he could see other's skeletal outline, the color of emotions flowing through their bodies in addition to his new speed.
The Uchiha could remember the exact day when he'd pretty much knew he was an infected. He had recently turned twelve and had the biggest headache known-
The auto timed lights turned off and threw Sasuke out of his reminiscing. The main hall way was lit up but the stack sections that branched off of it, had timed lights to save on electricity.
It was then when he realized someone was breathing down his neck. Literally.
Sasuke froze. He didn't even sense anyone approach! Even though he wasn't paying as much of attention as he should have, usually he could still tell if someone was moving near him. Particularly if they were that close.
Not bothering to turn around or let his surprise show any more than he'd already let it, he inquired to the figure behind him. "Do you need something?"
"Why yes actually. I was wondering if you could help me find something." A smooth voice hissed.
Forcing the other to back away as he turned around and closed the book he was looking at, he eyed the stranger in the now dark and narrow walkway. The man was at least a head taller than Sasuke with long dark hair and yellow eyes. Maybe he was wearing contacts?
"You couldn't have asked a librarian or someone who isn't busy?" Sasuke growled out, not caring about being rude.
"No, they don't have what I need. Besides, it strains your eyes if you read in the dark I've heard. It's a good thing you were just staring off into space and not paying much attention, it must not be very interesting. What is it?"
The Uchiha didn't really feel like chit-chatting with this man who screamed creepy and tried to cut the conversation short with his next answer. "A book. I need to go now, if you need help go ask someone who works here."
"You're the boy from the construction accident the other day." The snake continued and seemed to unconsciously block Sasuke's way from leaving the aisle.
Boy? Sasuke felt his eyebrow twitch. "I wasn't the only one there."
"Indeed you weren't. Here, I don't think I've introduced myself. My name is Orochimaru and I have to say I've taken a particular interest in you after witnessing something…very curious."
The Uchiha hoped his pale face wouldn't give away the spike of fear he felt. What exactly did this freak think he knew? Maybe Sasuke could find a way to convince the man to keep his mouth shut. He did not need a press leak.
"I even went so far as to pay your 'date' last night to get some information on you. Too bad she wasn't successful as I would have liked. Ah, well I guess what they say is true: if you want something done, you have to do it yourself."
"What do you want?" Sasuke quickly demanded, hands tightening around the book.
"Tsk so impatient. I'm actually I scientist who has been spending a lot of time researching the newest epidemic. I find it very fascinating, you see. There are many factors that don't add up in the equation and I've been determined to explore each one. This includes the book you are currently holding onto."
Sasuke practically shoved the text in the man's face. It would be nice if handing over a book that wasn't even his was all it took to get this creep off his back but he doubted it would be that simple, and he was right.
Orochimaru paused and took the thick book. "It also includes experimentation."
Sasuke's eyes clashed with yellow. He needed to get out of here. Now.
"I told my father I'd be home for dinner, I'm leaving." The Uchiha said as he turned to exit from the other end of the aisle.
"You won't be going back home."
Sasuke stilled and reluctantly twisted around.
"Now now, let's not make this difficult. Everything would be much easier if you just stayed close to the lab."
"For you maybe, I'm not going to just abandon my life, I'm staying here."
"This supposed 'life' of yours won't even exist if I let if leak to the press what I saw a week ago. As far as the world knows, the oldest son ran away, what do you think will happen if they found out what you have? Surely the two will be connected."
Itachi…did his brother want to be labeled as an infected? Sasuke would say he owed enough to the elder for being there when his elusive parents weren't; for taking care of all of his bumps and bruises; for attending his games even though the elder could be studying; for comforting the young Uchiha after each nightmare…
No, he'd do whatever it takes to no let this leak, if not for his own sake, then for his brother's. Even if it meant following a psychopath back to his lab.
A/N:
No, I may be giving out a spoiler here, but Orochimaru is not going to be raping anyone. And for those of you who didn't know, in the Dewey decimal system, 904 books (as far as I'm aware) are about collected accounts of events.
Let me know what you think with a review/pm, or if you have questions, suggestions, ratings, corrections or just plain complaints.
Thanks goes to froffify and SinsofYouth, who beta'd this :)