Hey!!! Aquarius Princess!!! I know this is on your alert, so review please!!! Otherwise I won't update it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kabuto's hand flashed out, catching Kusanji by the hilt and throwing up the blade. Sasuke looked stunned by the action, jumping back and forcing the blade aside by the flat. Kabuto twisted it, using the chakra-infused sword to cast a jutsu.

Orochimaru watched in astonishment as a barrier sprang up between Kabuto and Sasuke, shielding both him and Kabuto from Sasuke. Kabuto dropped the sword and fell to his knees, and only then did Orochimaru realize that the silver-haired ninja was bleeding.

"K-Kabuto…?"

"I'm regenerating," Kabuto panted, sitting down. "It's just taking a while…I'm using chakra to keep this barrier up, too, so…it takes longer for me to regenerate…"

Orochimaru put his arms around Kabuto and began forcing chakra into the other's body. Kabuto gently pulled it from Orochimaru, trying not to hurt him further. Sasuke sighed and turned around, walking away from the two.

"I expect him in an hour."

Kabuto sighed and released the barrier, cutting off the chakra Orochimaru was giving him. "Okay, it's official," he snapped, standing up. "We're getting out of here."

Orochimaru stood up as well, shaking his hair out of his face. "But Kabuto, where? Where would we go? If you think about it, there's really no other place…I'm just going to have to accept this until we can kill Sasuke. Until then, I'm garbage. Face it."

Kabuto hated how bitter Orochimaru's voice sounded; like there was nothing left in the world for him. Kabuto shook his head.

"I can't accept that; I really can't. We're going to have to move for Sasuke in an hour; just when he expects you."

Orochimaru exhaled and fell to Kabuto's bed, looking utterly defeated. "Kabuto, you and I both know that's not possible, at least, not with me in the state I'm in. I just can't fight!"

"Oh, yes you can," Kabuto hissed. "You did earlier, and you probably were about to pass out doing it, but you did. And I'll be there, too-you just won't see me for a while. Here-take this, and make sure this is with you at all times."

Orochimaru felt Kabuto placing a small pill in his hand, and he glanced down at it. Kabuto shook his head.

"You know chakra scalpel, right?"

Orochimaru nodded.

"Then you'll need that."

"But I can't do this nearly as well as you can! I'll probably end up cutting myself!"

"If that happens, I'll heal you," Kabuto said. "Take it when you first go in. Swallow it, open the door, go in, and wait a few minutes. Wait for close contact, focus chakra to your hands, and aim for the space between the ribs. Try to get a lung, since they're close to the surface. Or aim for his arms-whichever you can get easiest. Try not to get your back to his front-that would not be good at all. I'll cast a genjutsu early on that should slow him down a bit and help you figure out where to hit. And the drug I fed him earlier will definitely help. So after you cut his muscles a bit, I'll slash him up a little more and you take his body. I should be able to neutralize the Mangekyou for a time, but not the Sharingan itself, so move quickly."

Orochimaru nodded and took Kusanji back from Kabuto, swallowing it back into his chest. "Well…what now…?"

"We wait. Or we have sex."

Orochimaru groaned. "I still can't feel my ass from Sasuke."

"Okay, I can heal you."

"No!"

Kabuto could see the green flecks in Orochimaru's eyes growing larger, speaking of panic and fear. Kabuto reached out and pulled Orochimaru into his arms, placing a soft kiss on the sannin's tender lips.

"Relax, I would never do anything like that, especially to you."

Orochimaru's muscles relaxed considerably, and Kabuto smiled. "Okay, forty-six minutes. What to do in that time?"

Orochimaru shrugged. "I wanted to find something to do, but right now I feel like I'm going to pass out."

"You can sleep if you want," Kabuto said. "It might take some stress off, getting a bit of rest…come on, I'll lay down with you."

Orochimaru was too tired to object, so when Kabuto sat down on the edge of his bed and pulled him down next to him, he didn't move. Kabuto settled against the headboard of the bed, pulled Orochimaru into his lap, and held the sannin to his chest. Orochimaru almost looked innocent, lying in the curve of Kabuto's embrace, golden eyes closed and ebony hair falling into his face. Kabuto brushed it out of the way and placed a soft kiss on Orochimaru's bruised lips, sending healing chakra into the bruises and healing them instantly. Orochimaru lay his head against Kabuto's shoulder, and Kabuto felt his breathing even after a few minutes. A small smile came to his lips; Orochimaru was finally asleep. Kabuto fought down a yawn. He probably shouldn't fall asleep…not while Sasuke was around…but still…he was so tired from that barrier jutsu…

Kabuto couldn't help it. He sighed and allowed himself to doze off, keeping Orochimaru firmly in the circle of his arms.

OOOOOOOOO

"Kabuto!!!!!!"


Kabuto jolted awake at Sasuke's shout, and his arms immediately tightened around Orochimaru. He could feel the sannin shivering as he did so, and hushed him quietly, listening for Sasuke's next scream.

"Where are you, you little rat?!!"

Kabuto sighed and stood up. "So pleasant to wake up to," he muttered, pulling Orochimaru back up with him. He glanced at the clock and suddenly felt the need to panic. Over an hour had passed since he fell asleep!

"Where are you??!!!"


Kabuto groaned and set his hands firmly, but gently, over Orochimaru's ears. "You don't need to hear what happens next," he said dryly, and kissed him. "Stay here."

Kabuto slipped out of the room, gently shutting the door behind him. "Sasuke, shut your mouth and you might get better results!"

Orochimaru curled up on the bed where Kabuto had left him, suddenly feeling very alone.

OOOOOOOOO

Kabuto slammed open Sasuke's door, looking as pissed off as Sasuke himself. "Do you want something, or are you just trying to be annoying?"

"You were supposed to bring me Orochimaru a half an hour ago!" Sasuke bellowed, and Kabuto could have sword his hair blew back. "And he isn't here!! Got an idea what's wrong? Stupid little bitch." He raised a hand to smack Kabuto, but the genin ducked away, caught Sasuke's wrist, and twisted.

The resounding snap was music to his ears.

At first, Sasuke only looked stunned. Then he drew his sword and began twirling it in his hand, trying to figure out the most painful way to kill Kabuto.

Kabuto shoved a small pill down his throat and began forming hand signs. Sasuke groaned when he realized what Kabuto had done: he had purposely broken only one wrist so Sasuke would only be able to get into close range if he wanted to fight, and then he had brought up his chakra scalpel so he could cut Sasuke's muscles to ribbons while they were fighting. But Sasuke had to be within arm's reach for that. Well, his sword was about three and a half, four feet long…and Kabuto's arms were…probably not that long. Basic thinking said that he might be able to maim Kabuto and then move for the deathblow…if he moved quickly. Which might be difficult with his broken wrist…but then again, it fuelled rage.

"How does it feel?"

Sasuke glared at Kabuto. "What?"

"How does it feel, to have your wrists broken for no reason? I didn't have to break it; I didn't even have to touch you. I had no reason for that-but I did it anyway. And my excuse is it was for Orochimaru-sama."

"I notice you used the plural form," Sasuke said dryly. "My other hand is perfectly fine."

"Not for long."

Kabuto jumped at Sasuke like a cat with its claws outstretched. Sasuke dodged the first blow easily, but as Kabuto spun around, slashing at Sasuke's ankles as he went, Sasuke found he was being pressed further and further back by Kabuto's chakra scalpel. He recognized from the strong glow of chakra that Kabuto was building up his knife-longer and designed to cut deeper than ever before. Sasuke grunted in pain as he landed on his ankle weirdly-Kabuto's hands were suddenly aiming for his rib cage, and Sasuke vaguely registered several snaps and the sound of muscles tearing. He lay on the stone floor, struggling to breath, realizing Kabuto had cut his inner costal muscles.

"You suck, bitch," he panted, trying to breath. Kabuto grinned and leaned forward, expertly slashing Sasuke's legs and arms.

"That was too easy," Kabuto said slowly. "The real Sasuke can put up a fight against even Orochimaru-sama. You're like Tsunade was with me-fairly easy to defeat. So who are you?"

The Sasuke on the ground grinned and stared up at him. "You may never know."

Kabuto released his chakra scalpel and dispelled the genjutsu.

"Kai!"

The genjutsu melted away, revealing-

"Ryuu!" Kabuto cried. "What do you have against Orochimaru-sama?!"

The dark-haired man gave Kabuto a smug grin. "Sasuke just offered more for my loyalty. Orochimaru never paid much attention to me, the wretch-he's just getting karma now."

Kabuto shook his head. "Why must everyone turn on him now that someone even worse has taken power?"

He kicked out, using his knowledge of the human body to effortlessly snap the vertebrae in Ryuu's neck. "Rest in peace, traitor."

Footsteps sounded.

Kabuto turned around slowly, dreading what he might see there.

Sasuke stood in the doorway, Orochimaru kneeling at his feet, looking terrified.

Kabuto gasped, suddenly seeing what Sasuke had done. And he had fallen for it…totally and completely. It was what had saved him that came back around and bit him in the ass.

Blue chakra flared up defiantly around his hands, and Kabuto felt waves of rage wash over him. "Sasuke…you are one motherfucking asshole."

Sasuke grinned and ran one hand through Orochimaru's black hair. "But he's so sweet…once you break him, that is. He knows who his master is; who he answers to. And he also knows what happens when he disobeys his master." He gave the leash around Orochimaru's neck a firm yank, and Kabuto could see Orochimaru's face twist in pain. That collar was simply too tight, and several abrasions and lacerations had been made by it. Blood dripped down Orochimaru's neck and over his bare chest, showing up boldly as bloody hell against Orochimaru's pure white skin.

Kabuto's breathing picked up, hatred surging through every cell in his body. "Let him go and I'll let you live," Kabuto snarled, blue chakra burning even more intensely. "He has nothing to do with this anymore. This is between you and me; and I fully intend to stop you, whatever you plan to do to him."

Sasuke laughed, and Kabuto felt his anger burning even higher, if that was even possible. "You? Pathetic little nerd. Go stick your nose in a book; it's all you'll ever be useful for."

Kabuto bristled furiously and decided he had taken enough.

He whipped around, charged Sasuke recklessly, and went straight for the neck.

"Shut your mouth, fag!"


Sasuke shook his head, easily sidestepped the blow, and pulled Orochimaru to his feet. He shoved the sannin in front of him as Kabuto went in again, forcing Kabuto to halt his attack to avoid hitting Orochimaru. Kabuto wasted no time, dropping down into the floor and coming up again, slashing at Sasuke's ankles. Sasuke jumped back, kicking Orochimaru over as he went. The sannin crashed to the floor, a startled yelp emitting from his throat. Sasuke forced Orochimaru down next to him, waiting for Kabuto's next move. It came at an alarming pace-Kabuto re-appeared behind him, aiming for Sasuke's spine. Sasuke rolled over, kicking out at Kabuto's chest and drawing his sword at the same time. Kabuto felt the breath forced out of him and suddenly panicked. Sasuke's sword was out, and for the moment he could do nothing more than fly back from where Sasuke had kicked him. Kabuto flinched in pain as his body hit the floor with enough force to break it, and suddenly he was able to draw breath again. He inhaled quickly, and then spat poisoned needles at Sasuke. Sasuke easily dodged them, ducking and running for Orochimaru at the same time. Kabuto exhaled and brought up his chakra scalpel at the same time. This was going to be tricky, but if his aim was true-

Sasuke darted back and shoved Orochimaru in front of him again, making sure Kabuto saw what he was doing. Kabuto halted and let the chakra hiss away from his hands. This clearly wasn't going to work…Sasuke would just keep using Orochimaru as a human shield, and Kabuto would tire eventually. As it was, Kabuto was beginning to pant and sweat, and Sasuke was hardly looking interested.

"Come on, Kabuto, Orochimaru loves you so much-why, I can hardly fathom, if this is the best you can do."

A slow smile crossed Kabuto's face. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Sasuke," he said softly. "You're blind. Possibly deaf, as I've told you already. I love him-and he returns that. Not for my fighting skills, not for my eyes-no, he loves me because he knows I am loyal to him. I would defend him with my life, and I would betray his orders if only it meant saving his life. It's because I put Orochimaru-sama ahead of myself that he treasures me so much, and also why we have become so close. Because I am the only one loyal enough to stay by his side despite death threats and the overall strain and stress of being close to him. I wanted to please him-that was why I stayed. Sasuke, you have no emotional attachment at all…and I pity you for that-" Kabuto's voice broke, and he brushed tears from his eyes. "Not that I can blame you, though," he whispered, then continued. "It's only meant pain to you to be attached to anyone; anything really. But I have experienced that to the first degree…and yet, I can still love. Not much, but I still can. And that, Sasuke, is where we are most different. We are so alike…and yet we are not, because, despite my emotionless appearance, I actually can care when I want to. I feel sorry for you because you can't…it was always about your brother, and then there was no one else even to talk to you…I feel so sorry for you-"

"Shut up!" Sasuke shouted. "Do you want him to die?!"

"Please, Sasuke, don't take it out on Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto sobbed. "He hasn't done anything, yet you treat him like he has done what your brother has. I understand your pain, Sasuke-but I cannot put you out of it. Only you can do that now-I can't help you."

Sasuke's hand clenched in Orochimaru's hair, causing the sannin to draw away in fear. "Knock it off," Sasuke snapped, and pulled Orochimaru up to his feet with the leash. The snake ninja had fallen when Sasuke shoved past him to evade Kabuto, and now Sasuke yanked him back up. Kabuto felt more tears well up in his eyes as he watched Orochimaru whimper in pain and cower in fear.

"Please, Sasuke," he said quietly. "Don't hurt him any more. He hasn't done anything except give to you-and now you take from him? What has he done to deserve this? I know you have hardly deserved anything that has been done to you-but please, Sasuke, didn't you learn anything from your brother's mistakes? Why take from someone who has only ever done you good-?"

"I thought I told you to shut up!!"

Sasuke's voice shook with rage and…something else…Kabuto shook his head and covered his eyes with one hand.

"Sasuke…I'm so sorry…"

When Kabuto looked up again, his eyes were red.

A/N: I had to stop there, otherwise it would have been too long. I updated because I didn't want this to rot here and get old so no one would read it…if I don't get a review after two weeks or so, I'll post the next chapter, just to see if anyone else will read it and review for it. I don't want it to get dusty, and I really love this fic. Don't make me stop working on it!!