CHAPTER TWO: SUNSET SWORD

Finally, by sunset, Sasuke and Naruto made it to the neighboring village where they stopped for some food.

"Naruto-San, what is it you wish to eat?"

"I like Ramen." Sasuke scrunched up his nose in disgust.

"You really ought to eat better, you're just a kid you know."

"Well you should really stop being a…." Naruto thought hard for a moment.

"You should really stop being a butt-head." Sasuke tried to stifle the urge to smack him.

"What are you 5, Dobe?" Anger rose quickly in Naruto.

"I'm 8 thank you very much!" Sasuke got in his face.

"Then act it….Dobe."

"You think you can get away with calling me that?" He yelled. Sasuke smirked.

"I know I can. In fact, from now on that's your new nickname." Naruto sneered at Sasuke.

"Well then I'm going to call you Teme!" Sasuke could have backhanded the insubordinate kid tagging along with him, but instead he simply laughed.

"Call me what you will but I'm hungry so we'll get some Chinese food."

"Annnd theeen?" Sasuke's facial expression grew dark and he stared intently at the annoying little boy.

"Don't even start with that." Naruto lips curled up into a wry smile.

"Annnnd theeeen?" Sasuke simply turned his back and walked away toward the restaurant. Realizing that Sasuke had every intension of leaving him, Naruto tailed after.

"Hey, wait!" Sasuke swiftly turned to face him. An in a very creepy tone of voice said "Annnnnnnnndddd Thheeeeeeeeen?" Naruto stared blankly at the samurai.

"Huh?" He replied dumbly.

"Isn't very funny when it's done to you, huh Dobe?" With that he smacked Naruto on the back of the head and procreeded with him toward the restaurant. As soon as they walked into the eatery, Naruto sensed that something was off with the couple sitting at the bar. The woman was of incredible beauty. She had long, silky pink hair and dazzling green eyes. Her dark pink Kimono was made from very expensive silk, indicating that she was incredibly wealthy. However, the man sitting beside her was unworthy of her grace. His face was grungy and filthy and he wore no shoes. He had a very sinister look in his eyes that told Naruto that the woman with him was not their on her own free will. The woman's face was painted white and her lips painted bright red, another indication that she was a Geisha. She sat tall, respectfully, but her face was distraught with worry.

"Sasuke-Sama, that woman is in trouble." Naruto said tugging on Sasuke's robes to get his attention and the pointing in her direction. Sasuke thumped Naruto on the head.

"That is not our business." He stated flatly, sitting down and ordering some Onigiri. Naruto couldn't shake that uneasy feeling, so he silently watched them as he and Sasuke ate. Sasuke looked up from his food after a while and cleared his throat.

"It's impolite to stare, dobe."

"Look." Naruto whispered. Sasuke turned his head to see the filthy drunken man slap the Geisha.

"Hmph, she should learn not to anger her husband."

"Senpai, that is not her husband. I can tell."

"What did I tell you about minding your own business?" As those words escaped Sasuke lips, the man stabbed the Geisha right in her side. She screamed. Sasuke quickly stood up a drew his sword.

"Yeah now you act concerned." Naruto murmured. Sasuke acted as if he hadn't heard Naruto. He looked at the pain-stricken face of the Geisha and wondered how any man could stab a woman that stunning. The man looked at Sasuke.

"And who are you?" Sasuke sneered.

"When facing an opponent you should always address yourself first." The man grimaced.

"I am Orochimaru. Now I expect your name in return."

"Uchiha, Sasuke." Orochimaru snorted.

"And what is an Uchiha doing here? Your Clan is famous for being samurai and protectors of the Emperor, why would you waste your time in this pathetic village?"

"That is not of your concern. Is the woman you stabbed your wife or is she simply a mistress?"

"Neither, this lowly woman is my slave. I freshly captured the wench this morning. She's to be subject to my experiments."

"You stabbed her in a place that is nearly untreatable. I can fix it, but first I'm afraid I'll have to rearrange that nasty face of yours." He said as a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I warn you, I wield the powers of the Shadow Realm…you will not win." Sasuke laughed confidently. His chakra flowed into his sword and it glowed with the colors of a setting sun. Orochimaru stood very still, reaching for nothing. Sasuke thrust his sword at him and he vanished, reappearing outside the restaurant. He sealed the door with a five-seal burrier and smiled.

"I'll be back for her at noon…trust me, you'll still be here." And just like that he was gone.

"Like hell I'll still be here. Naruto, hold my hand." Naruto gripped Sasuke's hand tightly as he slung the geisha over his shoulder and teleported to the next town.

"Jeez, I can't even eat without complications!" He growled, looking at the dying woman. He healed her quickly and sat her up against a tree.

"C'mon Naru-San. We need to get going."

"Wait! Sasuke-San, look! Your name is tattooed on her arm!" Sasuke's eyes widened as he bent down and inspected her arm. It said "Sasuke".