Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Authors Note: An update for you guys. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed up till now. I hope this appeases you Sasuke x Emiko lovers.
Chapter 11
Emiko and Sasuke set out when the moon was luminous. Night or day, it mattered not to Team Hebi as long as they achieved their goal. Sasuke seemed to have gathered less items to take than Emiko had, yet it was still compact. They leaped through trees in silence for a good while. Only when they exited out of the hideout's territory, did Sasuke even glance at Emiko.
"What's the matter?" Emiko asked, assuming something was up due to his sudden attentiveness.
"Nothing, I just figured you would be more talkative. Especially since you finally got the freedom you were waiting for." He responded.
"Hm? Did you want me to break the silence?" Emiko asked curiously, not expecting the Uchiha to want her to invade his silence. "Not really, but I just found it strange." Sasuke replied.
"I am happy that Orochimaru willingly sent me on a mission that's going to keep me away. It was worth dealing with those awkward examinations today." Emiko revealed, shivering a bit at the thought. "Obviously it was more for his benefit than yours, so don't get the wrong idea." Sasuke warned. Emiko nodded, the details of her exam replaying in her mind. She felt that she should keep the events to herself. It made her uncomfortable to think about them, let alone speak of them.
A few drops of wetness appeared out of nowhere followed by a mild trickle of rain out of the sky. "Have you been to the Land of Water before?" Sasuke questioned, the rain muffling his voice slightly. Emiko shook her head 'no' hesitantly. "Never, I've heard the rumors though. Especially of the Seven Swordsmen."
"I see. Well, we can keep on track like this and we can reach there probably by late tomorrow night with minimal interruptions." He announced.
"Tomorrow? That seems a bit too over achieving. I'm not in any particular rush so I don't mind going at a casual pace." Emiko spoke. "Is that because you enjoy being away?" Sasuke questioned causing Emiko to gasp from surprise.
"Actually, a bit yes." Emiko stated truthfully. "But if it bothers you, then we can do it at your pace. I'm sure Orochimaru may want us to work quickly."
"It doesn't matter. I doubt he'll comment bad on you taking too long when you're with me." Sasuke said. "So if you want, take your situation to your advantage."
Emiko gazed at Sasuke considering this before nodding in agreement. "If that's the case I think we should protect ourselves from this weather. It's freezing, and not very beneficial to be outside." She said. Sasuke nodded, jumping further ahead, which caused Emiko to follow. He took the lead for a few minutes until they were upon a rest area with a small cabin.
Emiko was the first one to reach ground, before Sasuke even said anything. She trotted inside the shelter away from the frigid raindrops, searching around to make sure everything was safe inside the cabin. Sasuke did the same, quickly scanning the area around the shelter and the inside with his Sharingan. Despite resting, they could never be truly at rest, and must always be prepared to react even in their sleep.
Sasuke sat against the wall, and Emiko wrung the outer layers of her clothing out. "This feels very unique." She commented, glancing over at Sasuke. The Uchiha raised his eyebrow in response. "This mission is the first solo mission we've had. I wonder if I should feel honored." Emiko said.
Sasuke smirked at this. "Consider yourself lucky." Emiko took off her short yukata, leaving her in a shirt and pair of shorts. She sat down in front of Sasuke. "I almost wish we could have stayed outside, if only we could have build a fire that would survive." Emiko said.
The serpentine girl was still chilled. She pulled her legs up to herself and hugged her chest. Emiko found herself drifting in and out of sleepiness. The extreme weather had made her sleepy.
"Sasuke, how is it to work with me? You haven't done it often. Is it a pain?" Emiko asked drowsily. "You haven't done much yet to be considered a pain. But I assume it will go well. I prefer you over the others." He said.
Emiko pulled out a blanket and lay on top of it, her body a few feet away from the Uchiha's. "Why is that? You're not experienced with me yet." Emiko explained. "I know that baka. But out of every one else I can actually respect your effort. I don't consider you a hindrance, but an aid." Sasuke stated.
"So you're saying no one else helps you much when you're on missions?" Emiko questioned curiously. "There's an attempt, but sometimes it's just pitiful. I don't like having to always worry about the others in my team." He said.
"I'm a bit surprised I'm an exception to that as well." Emiko spoke. "Mm." Sasuke grunted in response. "I guess you're nice when you want to be." Emiko teased. Sasuke didn't respond, and Emiko cast a weary gaze across the room. It was a dull cabin, only a single room aside from the washroom, however it was pretty spacious. The washroom however, wasn't exactly Emiko's ideal washroom as it contained a stall and a sink, as well as a makeshift shower that looked more like a bathroom stall with a shower faucet attached.
"Sasuke in all honesty how long do you think Orochimaru-sama will be finding me useful? Do you think he will outgrow his want of me anytime soon?" Emiko quizzed, gazing at the ceiling. "I couldn't give you a definite answer, but at the moment you're a good battle asset, as well as personal asset, so I believe it just depends." Sasuke spoke, providing no relief to the serpentine woman.
"Were your physicals to par today?" Sasuke asked, continuing the subject. "They were...all except my body was exhibiting signs of stress that Orochimaru-sama didn't like." Emiko responded. "Well forget if Orochimaru liked it or not. Remember, you're supposed to be doing what you want for once, not what he wants. Although, for yourself it's not a good thing. Relax, try not to be so negative." Sasuke advised.
Emiko couldn't believe she was receiving such advice from Sasuke. She chuckled at the irony of it. "Emiko, sometimes I wonder why you're even tolerant to this. Physically, you're one to be reckoned with even in my opinion, but mentally when it comes to Orochimaru, you're weak." The Uchiha spoke. Emiko felt her heart pang at the harsh truth. "I'm aware of that..."
"Does Orochimaru give you a false sense of being wanted? Or having someone by your side?" He questioned. Emiko gasped, not expecting such a question. She began to stutter, not knowing how to respond.
"I assumed that was the case." Sasuke sighed. Emiko sat up, nearly glaring at him. "Sasuke, you have all of these cruel words, and deductions, and I admit I can't deny any of what you've said since you've started beating me with these realizations! But what do you expect me to do? To truly go against Orochimaru and do whatever?" Emiko snapped.
"If that is what makes you relaxed and not worry about this ridiculous matter." Sasuke spoke calmly. "I'm...I'm not sure if I can be bold enough..." Emiko admitted. "I really want to be independent and do what I want, but I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of?" Sasuke asked. "Afraid of Orochimaru-sama torturing me, then me feeling more alone and empty than I do now." Emiko closed her eyes and gripped her head in frustration.
Emiko was surprised when she felt a pair of hands grab her own and remove them from herself. "Are you really an idiot? Or are you seriously stressing over this too much? Don't you remember what I told you before this mission?" Sasuke questioned, his gaze hard. "You said...do what I want." Emiko spoke, sounding exhausted. "Yeah, and I also said don't worry about the consequences because I will take care of it." He added.
"How can I be so sure about that?" Emiko asked. "Do you not believe me?" The Uchiha questioned. Emiko was silent for a moment. "I...I trust you." Emiko admitted, thinking of everything Sasuke has done in her benefit up until now. "It's just I can't help to be afraid." Emiko went on.
"Look, you're going to have to get over it." Sasuke spoke bluntly. Emiko's mouth fell open in shock. "I see it's hurting you, but you're going to have to put a stop to it. Stop letting it affect you so much. Do you want to see your life ruined because of that maniacal shinobi?" Sasuke prodded, gripping her wrists tightly. Emiko shook her head 'no'.
"You should already know this but I actually like you Emiko. When I look at you I see a strong kunoichi, but now you're acting as if you're weak." Sasuke scolded.
Emiko avoided Sasuke's gaze. "The things that make you strong outweigh the one thing that is making you weak. Take my advice and take all of your hurt and betrayal and turn it into strength. You've been betrayed before by your own parents...no one can bestow more sadness on you than your own clansmen." Sasuke stated.
Emiko let out a melancholy laugh. "I must look like a big cry baby huh? Shinobi surely aren't supposed to be this way." She said.
"Don't deal with such frustration anymore. It's eating away at you, and quite honestly it's making me sick." The male shinobi admitted.
Emiko gave a small smile. "I appreciate the concern." "You need to mentally sever your ties as soon as possible." Sasuke spoke. "I don't like you being this way." He said, causing Emiko's head to snap upwards.
"Sorry...but you seem so irritated by it. Does my demeanor annoy you to no end?" Emiko questioned. "I do dislike seeing you look as if you're weak, but I'm not able to stand it anymore. Orochimaru should have no right with you." Sasuke spoke with a serious expression.
"W-what do you mean by that?" Emiko blushed, giving him a curious gaze. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not considering myself a gentleman by any means, but I do have much more decency and respect than he does." Sasuke commented. Emiko smiled and blushed even more. "Perhaps you are. Is this the urge of someone who is concerned about a friend?" She asked.
"Actually, it's more the wish of someone who wants to be more than a friend." The Uchiha smirked. Emiko studied him, his expression was as serious as ever. Before Emiko could even speak, Sasuke explained himself more. "I don't intend to make you feel like Orochimaru has done. I don't take pleasure in torturing others in such a manner."
"But, we couldn't...Orochimaru-sama would kill us both." Emiko disagreed. "He would probably blow a fuse, but who cares. From the moment I agreed to handle the consequences of you doing as you wish I decided to keep you out of any trouble that may come due to it." Sasuke revealed.
"I wonder why you would do such a thing for me. I'm a toy...the only reason I was even brought in was to be experimented on, and Orochimaru-sama has used me until I'm almost at my limit." Emiko sighed.
Sasuke sighed. "Just because you find yourself disgusting doesn't mean others will."
Emiko bit her lip. "I don't know what to say to this! Just out of curiosity have you ever even had a girlfriend?"
"Not a true one. Anything else of that nature was just a temporary fix." Sasuke spoke causing Emiko to raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean? That sounds so perverted!" Emiko exclaimed.
"Not exactly as it sounds. It's not as random or frequent as it might sound. Because one realizes that if you choose the wrong one then you're in for a bunch of obsession and attachment afterward. Even if that wasn't the expectation or conditions." Sasuke commented.
"But even if I were to say yes, wouldn't it be bad for Orochimaru-sama? How would you know I wouldn't find someone else?" Emiko questioned her own possible actions for a moment. "Well, I wouldn't consider anything you have with him a relationship. It's much too screwed and distorted. It's pretty sick to consider that a relationship. So as far as I'm concerned there's nothing romantic being torn there. As for you, well I'm not, nor will I ever be Orochimaru so you would have no reason to look for someone else."
Sasuke seemed pretty confident about everything he was saying. Although Sasuke had adverted his gaze as a blush creeped over his face. His last words had came out more intimate than he meant them to, although he was just expressing the profound difference between him and the sannin. Emiko was very intrigued now, but things were rushing through her mind so fast she couldn't grab onto them.
She lay back down on the floor, turning her back towards Sasuke. It burned her that Sasuke knew more about and predicted Orochimaru's actions better than she did. All this time she was disillusioned by the sannin and figured she knew him more than anyone, with the exception of maybe his annoying lackey did, including the sadisticness of his nature. This mission was the key stress reliever from being so bound by Orochimaru lately. It was much easier to think and sort out her feelings without being in the same room as him. It was much more comfortable too because she could verbally express herself.
"Your words sound so promising. The biggest difference I see between Orochimaru-sama's empty words and your promises is that you actually seem to offer them for my benefit. To Orochimaru-sama it was all about flattering me into being unwaveringly loyal, never was it in consideration of me." Emiko muttered, staring at the wooden floor.
"I'm sure he never had any intention of giving you that consideration, does it surprise you?" Sasuke quizzed from behind her. "Not really...I'm starting to see the pattern of events the more I look at things. I'm nothing to Orochimaru, but to you I'm...someone to care about..." Emiko mused.
"Were you ever the type to fantasize about having a boyfriend when you were younger?" Sasuke questioned. Emiko wondered what Sasuke's intent with that particular question was. "Of course, although I don't act like most girls do around you, nevertheless I'm still a girl." She responded.
"When you did that did you ever fantasize about being with someone like Orochimaru?" Sasuke shot another question.
"I...never had such a thought." Emiko said and tried to hold in a laugh as she mentally ridiculed herself.
Emiko let herself succumb to sleep, falling into slumber with the aid of the rhythm of the rain.
A/N: Please leave reviews and comments!