Note from the Author: So this is dedicated to my sister, Furuido, because it's all her fault. Well, maybe not. I'm just going to blame her because when I watched the episode I got this idea from – I was sitting with her.
Enjoy.
Porny: It was a storm panic attack. I can't drive during rain at all. It scares the shit out of me. So I had to pull over and call my mom and I was fretting. Anyway, thank you.
Your Pearls To Swine
"It's not a fruitful thing, you know,
To let your life decline;
It's not a fruitful thing, I know,
To lose your pearls to swine."
"To your feet, Sasuke-kun." Kabuto had never used the suffix respectfully. Sasuke knew it too. It was just another way to drive the insolent kid up the wall.
But the younger boy did as he was told and began his struggle upward.
"Orochimaru-same is quite fond of you." Kabuto commented casually as he looked to the sky, heaving a sigh, as if this was really much more of a bother than it was worth. "Though you really aren't very strong."
Pale hands clenched the grass, but Sasuke didn't speak.
Kabuto's eyes hardened behind his glasses. "Up."
The Uchiha finally reached his feet. "I'll get stronger." His teeth clenched as he ran at his trainer.
He was on the ground again before he knew it.
"You're really nothing more than a helpless little piglet, aren't you?" Kabuto crouched beside him, lifting his head by the hair. "On your feet – we will do it again.
"That's enough, Kabuto" came the gravelly voice of his master.
He stood and bowed his head toward him. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Sasuke climbed to his feet much more quickly this time, a dark look on his face - a gesture that said, "I'm not going to let him see me weak."
Kabuto had the urge to backhand him for his impertinence, but Orochimaru just smiled. "You're improving, Sasuke-kun."
The silver-haired man beside him had trouble hiding his shock at the praise – probably because he had never been praised. He's afraid he'll lose Sasuke, he thought bitterly, eyes averted, and he always knew I'd be at his side through everything.
It was true. Kabuto loved Orochimaru – and would follow him into any danger, would protect him always. He was like a pearl – a true, real pearl – unusual and rare – fascinating.
"Kabuto." The voice was commanding, and forced the person it was directed at to answer.
"Yes?" He hated himself for the hope that echoed through his tone.
"Escort Sasuke-kun to his quarters."
"Yes." He hated himself more for the sheer disappointment.
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"Kabuto."
He turned away from the sunset – from the horizon he had been watching for signs of ninja returning from missions – and bowed respectfully. "What can I do for you, Orochimaru-sama?"
He grinned in that sick way that Kabuto somehow admired and stepped up beside him, studying the sun – as if trying to realize how to capture its power. "Tell me – why do you envy Sasuke-kun?" he asked, almost mocking him.
Orochimaru was insightful. Kabuto should have known he wouldn't go unnoticed. "I envy your affection for him." He answered honestly, turning his eyes away.
They were silent a long time. It was unusual, because Orochimaru said anything that ever came to his mind. "Affection is such a strange word." He finally murmured, tone serious. "It's a double-crossing word." An almost gentle smile came across his face.
He was beautiful, standing with his pallid face aglow in the dusk. "Double-crossing, Orochimaru-sama?"
"Yes." Black hair fell before his face as his head tilted toward the ground. "Affection is bittersweet."
Kabuto wanted to ask further of his meaning, but knew better than to push it, and decided to be grateful for what he had offered.
In a moment he didn't really remember, Orochimaru had pulled him into his arms and had kept him there. He stared up at him, shock scrawled clearly across his face. "Orochimaru-sama?"
"Kabuto."
His mouth closed at the silent command to do so.
"Kabuto, I don't really understand love." He tilted the silver head up, brought their lips together. "But I suppose I feel affection for you."
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Additional A/N: o.O Orochimaru is hardcore OOC. I'm sorry, Carianne!