And The devil Marches On

chapter 18

Last time on ATdMO

"Now, I'll be right back, and I don't want you going anywhere near the pool until I get back. If I see even a splash of water on anyone then they will be expelled!" Anko said

Once Sasuke's head broke the surface he gasped for breath and kicked his legs strongly in the direction of the side of the pool, w hile taking care to keep Naruto's head above the water. Once he reached his destination, Lee and Kiba both took one of Naruto's arms and helped Sasuke lift the blond out of the water and laid him on the side.

"You look funny when your hair isn't shaped like a duck's ass." Naruto said, his smile broadening.

"What the fucking hell is going on here?!"

Sasuke's POV

As Naruto and I stood in front of Anko-sensei, who was screaming her head off at us and giving us lectures, I looked around at everyone else as they came closer to the commotion. If Anko would just shut the hell up, then we could explain to her what really happened!!

Oh, great, she spotted the two bloodied up guys on the floor, who just so happen to be the cause of this whole fucking mess!! I don't know why those guys threw Naruto into the water, but if I see them near Naruto again, then I'll do worse things then Gaara and Neji did to them.

"Okay…" Anko sensei said, finally calming down. She took in a deep, relaxing breath before continuing. "After I bring those two to the nurse's office to get fixed up. You two are going to come with me to the principles office and explain to her what happened ." Anko said, her voice bittersweet. I glared at the two limp figures and then I glared at her for even thinking that they deserved to be taken care of by the nurse, but I didn't say anything. I didn't want to give her anymore of a reason to expel us.

Anko-sensei walked over to the bodies, picked them both up by wrapping one arm around each of their waists, with surprising strength may I add, and began walking towards the school.

"You two better be here when I get back!!" Anko threw over her shoulder as she kept walking.

Once she was out of eyesight I looked over to Naruto who was staring at me again, but once he noticed that I was looking at him he turned his head away with a blush staining his cheeks. I chuckled at him and ruffled his hair.

"You alright, dobe?" I asked and he nodded, but he didn't say anything.

I sighed and turned around to see that everyone had started talking to each other, even Kiba and the others were talking amongst themselves, probably wanting Naruto and I to get some time to talk alone. Though as I looked around at everyone else , I could overhear a couple of kids talking about whether Naruto and I will be expelled or not.

Apparently Naruto heard them, too, because his shoulders sagged and he looked down at the ground. His blond bangs, which were still dripping wet, were covering his face, making it hard to see his expression.

"Naruto?" I called softly, poking his shoulder, but he just sat down on the ground and stayed quiet. I sighed in irritation and sat down next to him, making sure to be close enough for comfort but not close enough to make it uncomfortable.

I looked over at Naruto's sad form and I was about to reach out and touch him, help cheer him up a little, to tell him that everything will be okay, but my whole body went rigid when I felt a painstakingly familiar presence behind me.

"Ssssaassssukeeee-kuunnn."

I cringed as the voice hissed behind me, getting closer by the second. I felt Naruto tense also and he snapped his head up, blue eyes wide. I desperately wanted to run away from the person who I knew was getting very, very close, but I didn't want Naruto to be alone either, so I sat completely still, praying that the person behind me would just shoot up in flames and die.

I cringed outwardly as I saw and felt large, sickly pale arms wrap around my shoulders and long legs rest on either side of me. A body pressed against my back, making it impossible to escape.

"What do you want Orochimaru?" I growled.

Naruto POV

I looked over at Sasuke sympathetically as Orochimaru sat behind him, pressing his body against the Uchiha's. Sasuke looked like he wanted to puke again.

"Mmm Sasuke, you look positively delicious in just your swimming trunks." Orochimaru whispered, licking his lips all the while.

I narrowed my eyes at the creepy teacher. I wanted to go over and slap him, but I wanted to see what Sasuke would do, so I just sat and watched the show. I kinda wish I had some popcorn right about now…

"You know, Orochimaru, if you keep touching me like this for another thirty seconds, then I could have you arrested for Pedophilia." Sasuke said calmly, his expression unreadable.

"Ah, yes. I understand that. But you do realize that I'm a good friend of Madara's and if you send me to prison, what will he do to you? Hmmm?" Orochimaru whispered low ly into Sasuke's ear, but I could still hear it, and it confused me as Sasuke's expression went into slight fear (An expression I didn't even know he could make).

"So now you're lowering yourself to blackmail. You're such a cowardly bastard!" I heard Sasuke growl once he shook off his fear, and pried away from Orochimaru. "Don't you have a class to teach, or an unsuspecting animal to kill, skin, and mount on your walls of shame?" Sasuke snapped while standing up and walking to the other side of me, causing Orochimaru to finally notice that I was actually still sitting here.

Orochimaru stared at me with his snake-like eyes for a few moments, and it almost seemed as if he was trying to suck out my soul! I was practically suffocating under his intense gaze!

"Why yes… I do happen to have an unsuspecting animal to… 'Kill'…" Orochimaru said calmly, but his eyes narrowed and he looked me up and down slowly, making me fidget uncomfortably.

I sighed in relief though when he finally got up, brushed his pants off and began walking away without saying anything more.

"I can't wait until it's time to actually go to Orochimaru's class…" I spat sarcastically. "if we're still going to be attending this school, that is."

I looked down at my hands, which were resting on my crossed lap and sighed. I felt Sasuke scoot closer to me and rested his shoulder lightly against mine, it made my whole body less tense.

I'm worried about being expelled, and I know that Iruka is going to hear about this… but… nothing mattered at the moment. Just sitting here next to Sasuke was enough for me, even if only for a second.

I let a smile dance across my lips and I looked up at Sasuke, who was looking at me from the corner of his eye. He didn't smile back but I saw his cheeks turn a slight red, which made my smile go even wider.

"You ready maggots!?"

I jumped up onto my feet suddenly, my heart racing erratically from the sudden voice of Anko-sensei. Sasuke rolled his eyes then slowly got up onto his feet as well.

Anko-sensei was standing in front of us with her fists on her hips and that intimidating scowl on her face. She gestured with her hands for us to follow as she turned and began walking away. Sasuke and I looked at each other and shrugged before following.

Everyone watched us go with that look that said 'You're So Screwed…'

AT THE PRINCIPLE'S OFFICE

I looked around the huge office curiously as Anko-sensei herded me and Sasu-teme towards the chairs that sat in front of the large desk. On top of the desk were a bunch of papers and folders, a name tag that said 'Tsunade', and a large bottle of Sake… Should a principle really be drinking on the job?? Well last time I was here the old hag was chugging down a whole bottle of BudLight… maybe it was her normal behavior.

I was brought out of my musings as the door opened and a few people walked in. The first person to come in was Tsunade, followed by vice principle Pein, and (to my utter shock and fear) Iruka! They must've already told him what happened and I'm expelled and they brought him here to bring me home and never come back!! Oh woe is me!

But… when we locked eyes, his expression formed into curiosity, which told me that he didn't know…. Yet….

"What happened this time, Anko-san?" Tsunade said as she sat down in her large chair at the front of her desk and looked between Sasuke and me. Sasuke's face was still expressionless and he looked as if he didn't really care whether he'll be expelled or not!

All of a sudden I could feel something burning at the back of my skull and I turned to see that Mr. Pein was glaring at me with those murderous eyes, filled with hate and nothing else. I whimpered and burrowed myself further into the chair, hoping to just disappear, or to melt right into the chair so he couldn't glare at me anymore! But if I actually melted into the chair then it would be really awkward if someone sat on me…

Oh wait, Anko-sensei is about to talk, I should probably pay attention now.

"Well, Tsunade, I took the class to the pool, but then I had to come here, so I told everyone not to go into the pool or to rough house while I was gone, because I wouldn't be there if something happened, and these two hooligans thought it would be a good to beat up two of my other students and to go for a swim while I was gone!! They should be expelled for such insolence!!" Anko-sensei yelled and pointed to both of us 'hooligans'.

I looked warily over to Iruka-sensei, who had a look of disbelief, disapproval, and disappointment (ouch). The triple D's… that can't be good… But wait… What did she say!!

"We didn't beat up those guys!" I shouted, unable to hold back. Sasuke had also stood up when Anko-sensei said that and he looked like he was about to say the same thing, but I beat him to it. Tsunade looked over at me calmly and gestured lazily for me to continue.

I gulped nervously and looked over to where Mr. Pein was, but he was no longer here anymore, which helped me relax a bit. I looked over at Tsunade and began again.

"We didn't do that. Okay… this is what really happened. Those two that Anko-sensei took to the Nurse's office, were the ones who took me and threw me into the water. And…" Okay here comes the embarrassing part…, "I don't know how to swim… sooo… Sasuke jumped in and saved me, and that's why we were in the pool." I finished and looked over at Sasuke as he settled back down into his chair, a satisfied look on his face.

Tsunade looked over at Sasuke.

"Is that really what happened?" She asked, and the Uchiha nodded once.

Iruka looked relieved and he let out a sigh.

"Well that settles it. I don't really think they should be expelled for something that others have done." Tsunade said. It seemed to me as if she just wanted everyone out of her office so she could be left alone (probably so she can drink), but Anko-sensei wasn't going to give up.

"B-but, how do you explain how the other two got bloodied up!?" Anko-sensei shouted and glared at both of us.

Sasuke stood up this time; I wanted to stop him though. I didn't want him to actually tattle tale on Gaara and Neji just because they beat up the two people who almost made me drown! But I stopped when he started speaking, my eyes wide.

"That would be my fault Tsunade. I saw them drag Naruto into the pool, when he clearly didn't want to go in, almost making him drown, so I thought I should teach them a lesson." Sasuke said, and my eyes widened even more.

He was actually sticking up for Gaara and Neji!? Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all… well I never really thought he was a bad guy… his attitude is just a little unnerving sometimes…

"Hmmm… well I can't really blame you, I would've done the same thing if I saw my best friend getting bullied. Y'know, teachers are always telling you that if something like that happens then go find a teacher or another adult… screw that… I'd beat those guys until they beg for mercy!!" Tsunade shouted, a weird gleam in her eyes. Anko-sensei looked crestfallen at the fact that she couldn't punish her students.

"I say that the Uchiha should at least get detention then. An act like that shouldn't go unpunished."

I jumped when Mr. Pein's dark voice sounded from behind me. Dammit! Didn't he leave??

Sasuke looked annoyed for a second but then his face went blank again. damn… he's gotta teach me how to do that!

"Whatever. Sasuke gets two weeks of detention after the field trip to the onsen… speaking of which!" Tsunade said then she turned her attention to Iruka. I looked over at him as well, curious as to why he was here.

"Iruka-san, has volunteered to help chaperon the Onsen field trip!" Tsunade said lazily.

Iruka nodded and smiled, but then he frowned when he looked upon my shaken expression.

"Okay now that everything is settled then, get out!!" Tsunade yelled. Everyone looked reluctant to move but after a second they all started making their way out the door.

Just as I was about to exit the room Tsunade called my name, making me freeze and turn towards her. I was surprised to see that half her bottle of Sake was already gone.

"Y'know…" She said, "You look so much like your father…." She mumbled just loud enough for me to hear. That made me let go of the door knob and make my way to her desk.

"My father?? You knew my father?" I asked, eager to learn more about my birth father.

"Yes… He was such a good man… he was always saying that once he had a child… he would spoil that child and protect it with all his might… You have no idea how much your father loved you…" Tsunade said, swirling her Sake in the bottle absentmindedly, as her eyes started to water and swirl with all the memories going through her right now. I had to look away from her, because I was afraid that my own feelings would get the best of me.

"Who was he? What… what was he like??... why did he leave me?" I asked, my voice cracking. Tsunade snapped out of her daze to look at me. She seemed to be debating whether or not she should tell me.

"Please tell me…" I begged lightly. I truly wanted to learn about my father's past. I wanted to know if he was still alive! I wanted to know who my mother was as well!

"That… isn't my place to tell you…" Tsunade whispered, looking down at her table sadly.

"Then who should I ask?!" I yelled in frustration.

She was silent for a while… then she looked up at me slowly, with her light brown eyes back to their normal hardness.

"Ask Kyuubi. It's about time he told you the truth about everything…" Tsunade said and then she spun her chair away from me, while sipping at her Sake.

With those final words floating around I turned and exited the office, determined to find Kyuubi and make him tell me everything that I've been wanting to know since I was a kid.

'Did my father and mother really just abandon me?

Did they die?

If they did then how did they die?

What was my father like?

Do I look mor e like my mother or my father?

Do I have my mother's eyes and my father's charm?

Would my life have been different if they never left me??

Did they really love me?'