With bags under eyes and bruises all around, Tsunade slinked into the house exhausted. She and Orochimaru had been unsuccessful with their first lesson. It was well into morning when Tsunade closed her heavy eyes and collapsed into a deep hypnotic sleep. She was in such a state of distress that her aunt and younger brother chuckled to themselves.

However, somewhere in a dark cave outside the village, a pair of snake like eyes stood attentive and reproachful. Orochimaru was drained of his chakra and had even tapped into his the first chakra gate a little to stay awake. To be truthful, his physical stamina was poor and always had been. As a very small child he had caught a deadly virus which weakened his heart and ultimately weakened his physical ability. But…what people didn't know was that Orochimaru was 'different' child; A child from a different world.

5 YEARS AGO

In the outskirts of konoha village lay a dank house that looked like it was falling apart from wrought. On the inside the house looked neglected. The sliding paper doors were tinged green and filled with mildew. The tatami mats were matted and felt almost like algae. The place looked ideal for zombies, but remarkably enough, humans lived their just the same. In one room stood a bed and two people; Orochimaru's parents. There was a small boy in the bed looking sickly, piqued, and the life slowly leaving his eyes. He had pale skin, almost white. His hair was long and if not for looking so piqued, he would've looked normal. Orochimaru's father sat glaring as if this child was defective, a waste of time.

The mother however, was in one of the few times of her life showing vulnerability. She was weary and tears were starting to line her eyes. Her child would not make it. It was painfully apparent. And even though she was as cold and smooth as a piece of ice, she could not help but feel something precious of hers being taken from her. The room was silent except for the boy's rasping breathing.

The door slid open, and in walked Sarotobi and a medical physician. Orochimaru's father stood up proudly and announced, almost ordered, "Sarotobi, heal my child. You must heal him. He is the last reigning heir of our clan."

I understand that Sazuro, but I'm afraid there is nothing I can do." With that Sarotobi nodded towards the physician and who got up from checking Orochimaru's condition.

"His pulse is dangerously low, as is his temperature, and his nerve impulse time. I'm afraid that even with medical help; he only has a few hours left."

"NOOOOOO!" Orochimaru's mother wailed. "Please! You must find a way to cure him. This is my only natural born child! There must be a way for him to get better!"

Sarotobi couldn't stand the despair that this woman was in. It was here that Sarotobi decided to do something very foolish. "I'm sorry, Chi-en," here Sarotobi winked at her, "but there is nothing we can do. Meet me in my office tomorrow to…discuss the funeral." With that, Sarotobi and the medical ninja left leaving a tear filled and confused Chi-en.

A couple hours later as predicted, Orochimaru went cold and his body had turned grey. A deadly silence took over the house. Sazuro and chi-en did not bother to cover up the small, lifeless body but went away into the night hoping for a new possibility. Sarotobi sat at his desk alone pinching his sinus in disbelief on what he was about to do. He was attempting to perform undead jutsu, a jutsu forbidden on all principles on all laws, religions, and cultures. If anyone found out that this stunt was pulled, Sarotobi would be condemned for life. Sarotobi, slowly drifting into a subconscious state was rudely awakened by a shallow knock at the door.

With that, Sarotobi picked up a tool kit and went out the door. He was met by a pair of glowing eyes, those similar to snakes. The bodies were nothing but dark silhouettes and made the eyes all the more striking. "Come with me," Sarotobi said quietly, "we will need to do this in private, in a cave will be best." A pair of the eyes nodded and brought something close to its face, a small bundle. And, with out another word, the group disappeared into the night and through the thick konoha forests.

strike a sullen cave wall was quickly lit up by a small match which then lighted a lantern. After walking deep into the cave, Sarotobi stopped Sazuro and Chi-en. "Set him down here," he said as he laid down his kit. Chi-en unwrapped the cloth to reveal a horrific sight. Orochimaru's body and especially his face and been lacerated and marked all over with strange seals, dark ones. Sarotobi picked up an animal bone from his kit. It looked like it belonged to a leg of a cow. He held the bone of Orochimaru's face. Then, he took a small pot of blood and put dots of it in specific places for the seals. Finally, Sarotobi set a pot of burning herbs and started chanting. It was not of any recent tongue and sounded much like a snake.

Sazuro and Chi-en started making rapid hands signs and chanted the same language that Sarotobi spoke. Orochimaru's body illuminated when a mist-like substance rapidly floated into the cave. It dove into Orochimaru's body and…slowly, the boy's eyes opened. The lacerations and cuts illuminated and faded away into this body. Orochimaru stood up, more lifeless looking than his parents. His eyes were the only signs of life, powerful, evasive. His skin did not retain is former color and remained gray. Orochimaru looked around bemused and asked, "Mother, Father, where am I?"

Sarotobi smiled in relief and nearly collapsed from exhaustion. "What's done is done. And now, there's no turning back. I pray to the gods that there are no ill-happenings to this revival…."

……

In the midst of day, dark eyes protruded out of a dark cave. They had shown brightly with an intense sign of life. Orochimaru stayed huddled in the cave, planning. All of a sudden, a voice sleeked into Orochimaru's head. "Now, is not the time. We have years before we reach that point. For now train. Train like you've never worked before."

"Yes, sir. "

"Good. Now rest."

TO BE CONTINUED…..