Sasuke's eyes widened at the sight of Kabuto's. He knew about Kabuto's fearsome bloodline. Not much, but he still knew enough to stop whenever Kabuto got as far as to invoke his red eyes. Sasuke was pissed now; he was planning raping Orochimaru…and from what he heard, the sannin tasted so good-

"Let him go!!"

Kabuto's two top canine teeth were growing longer, and now dropped from the corners of his lips, which were lifted in a feral snarl. Kabuto's expression was no longer human, and Sasuke was actually feeling a bit nervous. He sighed with annoyance and pulled the leash off Orochimaru's collar.

"Fine; take him. He's scared senseless of you now, anyway."

The second Sasuke had stepped away from Orochimaru, Kabuto released his bloodline and bolted for Orochimaru. Not much to his surprise, Orochimaru shrank back in fear, and Kabuto could tell that he was shaking badly.

"It's okay…Orochimaru-sama, come here. Come on, it's okay, it's me…come on, I know you're afraid, but you have to trust me-"

Kabuto was cut off when Orochimaru suddenly threw himself at Kabuto, crowding into the medic's chest and burying his face in Kabuto's shoulder. Kabuto wrapped his arms around Orochimaru, feeling the sticky wetness of blood soaking into his gloves and shirt as he held Orochimaru securely within his embrace. One hand immediately came up to push a kunai into the tight leather of the collar, severing the bondage and throwing it aside. Kabuto's fingertips grazed the surface of the wounds in Orochimaru's neck, closing them over and wiping away a bit of the blood. Sasuke walked out, making sure Orochimaru received a swift kick in the ribs. Kabuto swiped at the brat's ankle, missed, and returned his attention to Orochimaru. Orochimaru curled up in Kabuto's lap, still clinging to the silver-haired ninja's shoulders. Kabuto continued to comfort him, stroking his hair and gently kissing over the bruises and cuts, healing them with the soft touch of a healer. Orochimaru leaned into Kabuto's touch, finding comfort in his lover's arms.

"Come here, it's okay," Kabuto murmured, kissing down on a dark bruise high on Orochimaru's cheek. He knew how much pain Orochimaru was in, and he had failed again to take it from him. He was on the verge of tears himself, but he withheld them; for Orochimaru's sake. Orochimaru really needed to be strong, and to do that, he needed someone else who was strong by his side, helping him to his feet. Now, Kabuto pulled him into his arms, supporting his shoulders and legs as he carried him from Sasuke's room. Orochimaru whimpered as he was lifted from the ground, and again as Kabuto accidentally touched a bruise. Kabuto immediately healed it, and then continued carrying Orochimaru back to his room.

Kimimaro was still there, but he was lying against the wall, seemingly unconscious. Kabuto gasped when he saw him, quickly put Orochimaru down on the bed, and pulled Kimimaro into his arms.

"Kimi…you still there…? Kimimaro!!"

Kabuto desperately searched for a pulse in Kimimaro's neck; please let him still be alive, please let him be alive-

Kimimaro's pulse flowed smoothly and regularly under Kabuto's fingers, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he felt this. He quickly healed what he could; broken bones, torn muscles, and bruises and bad cuts. Kimimaro woke up shortly after he had finished and thrown his arms around Kabuto.

"Thank you," he murmured, then released Kabuto and stood up. "Come on; Orochimaru-sama's probably freaking out."

Kabuto nodded and pushed himself to his feet, then went over to his bed and sat down next to Orochimaru. The snake sannin fell into Kabuto's chest and slowly put his arms around Kabuto's neck. Kabuto leaned over and gently kissed his forehead, feeling tears once again sting at his eyes as he gazed at Orochimaru's pale face.

Once so proud…

Once so beautiful…

Once so vibrant…

Here I am, once again!
I'm torn into pieces.
Can't deny it, can't pretend-
Just thought you were the one.
Broken up, deep inside;
But you won't get to see the tears I cry…
Behind these hazel eyes!!

Orochimaru was shivering again. Kabuto yanked the blanket off his bed and wrapped it around Orochimaru's body, trying to keep him warm. He handed Orochimaru another plasma pill and waited while the sannin swallowed it. Orochimaru then returned to Kabuto's embrace, and the medic quieted him with gentle touches and soothing words. Orochimaru's golden eyes were closed, and the purple shading over them was fully exposed now. Kabuto traced that shading now, watching Orochimaru's facial muscles twitch in response to the touch. Kabuto smiled and continued caressing the sides of Orochimaru's face, occasionally placing kisses on his pale skin and healing a mark. Orochimaru was finally starting to calm down, and Kabuto was glad. He was getting tired, and when Orochimaru fell asleep he was heading straight for Sasuke, and Kimimaro was staying here with Orochimaru so nothing would happen. But think what happened last time, an inner voice whispered to Kabuto. Kimimaro was overpowered, and it looked fairly easy for Sasuke to do so, as he had no marks when you first saw him. Kabuto shook his head. Sasuke won't be using a Henge or something this time, because he doesn't expect me to challenge him so soon. But then again, he never was the sharpest tool in the shed…

"Kabuto…"

Kabuto glanced up at Kimimaro, gazing into the teen's sea-green eyes. "What, Kimi?"

A slow smile worked its way across Kimimaro's lips. "I think he's asleep. Look at him-he's almost cute."

Kabuto checked Orochimaru's pulse. He wouldn't have put it past the sannin to fall asleep on him. He smiled as well and laid Orochimaru back in the bed, spreading the sheets and blanket over him. "Kimi, stay with him, please? If he wakes up, just tell him I went out for a second and I'll be right back. Make sure he doesn't know about Sasuke-"

Kimimaro nodded. "Sure. How long will you be gone?"

Kabuto sighed and ran a hand through his silver ponytail. "I don't even know. If I don't come back in…let's say twenty five to thirty minutes, come after me or send someone. Keep in mind that you can't leave Orochimaru-sama alone, even for a minute, because Sasuke might have done something…pulled some strings, probably."

Kimimaro nodded. "I won't. Oh, and before you go, can I run to the bathroom real quick?"

Kabuto sighed. "Fine, fine, just hurry up!"

Kimimaro nodded and darted into the bathroom. Kabuto exhaled and sat down next to Orochimaru, wondering how he was going to defeat Sasuke. He had the element of surprise on his side, so he could plan something out and then put it into action…or he could just run in, stab Sasuke and run out.

Or he could sit here and heal Orochimaru-like his original plan.

Kabuto sighed and stood up as Kimimaro came back in. "Okay, take care of him. I'll be back."

"Kabuto-sensei?"

Kabuto turned back to Kimimaro. "What?"

"Please…watch your back."

Kabuto smiled. "I will. Thank you, Kimi." He turned and slipped out, quiet as a whisper, leaving Orochimaru with Kimimaro.

OOOOOOOOO

Kabuto tugged the vent cover off the vent and jumped up, pulling the cover back on. Kidomaru watched, amused, as Kabuto did so and helped him seal the vent.

"Ya know where you're going?"

"Sort of," Kabuto said. "It doesn't matter. I'll get there. And make Tayuya and Sakon help, too."

"What about Jiroubou?"

"Show him a cookie."

Kidomaru sighed. "Fine, fine. But that web enhancer had better be good!"

"You won't be under Sasuke's thumb anymore," Kabuto said dryly. "That should be incentive enough. Kimi is with Orochimaru-sama, so he should be okay. But we have to get this done quickly, so Sasuke doesn't go for Orochimaru-sama again."

Kidomaru nodded. "But isn't that why I'm here?"

"I meant get there quickly to seal it all off!"

Kidomaru nodded. "Okay, see you in a couple minutes."

Kabuto nodded and slipped away. He didn't quite trust Kidomaru and the Sounds to stand by him, but he had no other choice. And if they turned on him…he was screwed. But it would be better than seeing Orochimaru constantly abused, and Kabuto was greatly looking forward to that.

Kabuto recognized Sasuke's room immediately; but it may have helped to hear him screaming at Sakon. Kabuto smiled. Well, the double-headed male was very good at stalling…

"So…you want me…to split up with Ukon…and find out what Kusaga is planning…now that Orochimaru is gone…? Dude, that's crazy! Ukon can't survive without me, there's just no way!"

"Do it anyway!" Sasuke hollered. "I don't care if you both end up down the toilet, I just want that information in the drop point by tomorrow!"

Sakon sighed. He knew Kabuto was there, and now he rolled his eyes. Just a little longer…

"Come on, we all know Ukon can't even control the body right, and you expect us to go level two for three days total, separated, possibly fighting off enemies at the same time?! Dude, hello!!!"

Sasuke growled. "Don't make me come over there!!"

Sakon rolled his eyes again. Kabuto knew Kidomaru would be there any second, and he was waiting for one word.

"Bastard."

Kidomaru walked in, carrying a web and looking pissed. Spiders were climbing all over it, and Sasuke shuddered at the sight. "What…is that…?"

"Hopefully, your doom," Kidomaru snapped. "I have officially wasted enough web on you. So, what I'm going to do now is-"

"Kidomaru, where's my flute?"

Tayuya swept in, hair dripping wet and looking like a drowned rat. Kabuto smiled when he saw her running makeup-she was a fantastic actress, he would give her that.

"I had to chase Jiroubou all over creation, and then he cannonballed into the lake and drenched me!! He claims he doesn't have it, so I bashed him over the head and dunked him for getting me wet, and then I came over here. So-where's my flute?!!"

Kidomaru shrugged. Kabuto recognized his cue and jumped down behind Sasuke. The Uchiha caught him in his Sharingan almost at once, and Kabuto gave him a smirk.

"Well, well, well, someone having a bit of trouble handling life in the Oto? Orochimaru-sama never had this problem. Too bad he can't deal with it. But I can."

"But I wanna get my flute back!"

"He's trying to kill me and Ukon!"

"The web traps have caught nothing but the spiders that made them."

Sasuke sighed. "Oh, life sucks for you three. Speaking of which, where's Jiroubou?"

"At the bottom of the lake, hopefully," Tayuya sneered. Kabuto grinned.

"Come on, Tayuya, you really didn't kill him. So what did you do with him?"

Tayuya shrugged. "I told you, all I ever did was dunk him."

Sasuke sighed. He had never liked the teens to begin with…and then there was Kabuto. "Whatever. Anyway, what are you trying to do, attack me or something? Give me a break."

Kabuto exhaled and focused his chakra. His regenerative abilities were at full power, his chakra scalpel should come up long and deep, and the Sound Four were here to help him. Except for Jiroubou, and he was supposed to have been here a while ago.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," Jiroubou grunted. As he shoved open the door, Kabuto couldn't help but snort. Jiroubou looked worse than Tayuya: he was also drenched, but there were several steaming handprints on his face.

"Turd," he muttered, giving Tayuya the middle finger. "I swear I was dead for a second!"

"Because you can't float," Tayuya snapped. "Anyway, we've got issues to settle."

"I know," Sasuke hissed. "So why don't we resolve them some other time, because I have things to do!"

"Ya know," Jiroubou mumbled through a very soggy candy bar, "There was somebody in the hall when I came in. He looked scared to death, but he said that you needed to see something goin' on at the front gates…"

Sasuke seemed to be getting more and more pissed off every second. "I couldn't care less if Hatake Kakashi showed up right now! All of you find a way to work out your issues-!!"

"Start caring," someone called from the back of the room. "Because he's here."

Sasuke snorted. "Yeah, right. You expect me to believe that?"

"No, seriously," the ninja said. "He kind of…well, our scouts found him on the border, so we pulled him back. He's not happy about it, though, so the six of us are gonna need some help…"

"Six?" Sasuke repeated. "And he's still out of control."

"…pretty much, yeah."

"Six ninja…and he's still conscious…all right, I'm coming."

Sasuke pushed aside the doors and stepped into the hallway-

Right into a pool of blood.

He sighed and looked up at the source. "Kakashi, you're a pain in the ass, you know that?"

"Yes, I know that," Kakashi muttered. "But I'm not quite sure why. So, why don't you tell me why I'm here?"

"Will you quiet down?"

"If I like the reason."

The resounding slap could be heard several hallways away, and Kakashi fell to the ground, followed by three swift kicks to the ribs. Kakashi took the blows without a sound, glaring up at Sasuke the whole time. When Sasuke finished, he couldn't stop himself from asking,

"Well, what was that for?"

Sasuke grinned. "And you're still as flippant and disrespectful as ever. I can't believe you survived Tsunade this long."

"I did. Now let me go; I haven't done anything."

Sasuke kicked him again, this time producing a surprised and pained yelp. "I hear differently," he said coldly, and pulled Kakashi up by his silver hair. "Play nice, Kakashi," he spat, "And you'll live a little longer."

Kakashi didn't seem satisfied with the answer and lashed out, fingernails slicing four scratches across Sasuke's pale face. Sasuke didn't even recognize the blow at first; when the shock-and the wound-sank in, he sent Kakashi flying with a hard punch to the gut. Kakashi had to smile. "Sasuke…you're as stubborn and unwilling to listen as ever."

"Touché."

Sasuke kicked him again, slamming him into the wall. "Sasuke…don't be an ass…"

"Too late."

With the next strike, Kakashi felt his world fading away, and a veil of red descended over his vision. His previous wounds, in addition to the ones Sasuke had given him, were beginning to take over him, but still he fought. Sasuke must have realized he was still fighting, because the next blow was stunning. Kakashi's red world darkened to black, and he knew it was all over.

A/N: Special disclaimer for the song: Behind These Hazel Eyes, by Kelly Clarkson. Don't own it. Oh, and the song in chapter 2 was Angel, by Within Temptation. Don't own that either.

Okay, now that that's out of the way, review or no next chapter!!! And I chose Behind These Hazel Eyes because the song just seemed to fit, and Orochimaru's eyes are golden, which is kind of like hazel…I have hazel eyes, and this song is, like, my life story, so it's kinda cool… Meh, you probably don't care. Cookies and cake to whoever read this all the way through!!