Darlwings13: I misspelled Kakuzu into Kakazu omggggg. Thanks to xxhebi-himexx I'm fixing it XD

Without looking, Orochimaru threw his shurikens and lodged them all in the critical points on a wooden puppet that was hanging at their old training ground. The day was gorgeous, the rushing of the river loud and clear like bells and the wind was refreshing. All in all, he felt like he was on top of the world. With a graceful back flip, he stood on one of the post and slowly sat down when he saw the familiar head of spiky white hair heading his way. Wearing a thin smile, he said, "Jiraiya... it's been awhile. You're a week early."

Jiraiya crossed his arms and looked up at his friend. "How did you know about my return, Oro?"

"I have my ways."

Jiraiya tensed up, half wondering if Tsunade had told Orochimaru what he was planning to do. But to his surprise, Orochimaru asked, "Do you want to celebrate our joint birthday at the Chubby Chicken again this year? It's tomorrow after all."

"That's... all you called me out for?"

"What else did you think it was for?"

Jiraiya gestured to the empty training ground. "I thought it'd be something serious since this is kinda a private spot."

With a chuckle, Orochimaru leaped down to stand beside his friend. "It's my day off so I wanted to come and stretch my limbs. A frail body does nothing to help a brilliant mind, that's what Sarutobi-sensei says." He clasped his hands together behind his back and gazed out at the cerulean blue waters. "Remember the bell test? And the day you and I both met?"

A small smile crossed his lips as he looked in the same direction. "How could I forget?"

Six-year-old Jiraiya walked with a bounce to his feet, heading towards the training ground where he was expected to meet his new teammates and teacher. According to the letter the Academy sent him, he should be right on time. He was rather proud of this since he was usually not the most punctual kid around. Secretly, he was just eager to see who the female on his team was supposed to be. He hoped she was a cutie. After all, they were going to be together for like a decade. If she was ugly, his future love life would be a tad more difficult.

"Woah..." Jiraiya's eyes popped when he saw a young girl standing at the training ground, looking in the direction of the Hokage's monument. Her long midnight black hair was slowly dancing in the warm wind, which also rustled her white and purple outfit. Just from the backside, she was the prettiest girl he's ever seen. Serenely standing there, looking like some sweet damsel, he felt his heart give a loud thud.

He deftly licked his hand and began trying to smooth down his spiky white hair before running over to her. "Hello! My name is Jiraiya. If you're here, you must be on Team Hiruzen too!" Jiraiya grinned. "I have to say, I think you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen! Do you wanna go out for lunch after the introduction and stuff?"

Orochimaru turned around and blinked his large golden eyes at the loud boy who had interrupted his thoughts. Briefly, he thought about Tsunade's insistence in 'love at first sight' whenever she would read her romance fairytale during break time at the Academy. He wondered if should ask her about the validity of 'annoyed at first sight'. Because this was exactly how he was feeling at the moment.

"Oh!" Hiruzen Sarutobi leaped down and smiled kindly at the two. "Already bonding?" Jiraiya nodded rapidly while Orochimaru just dully blinked at their newly arrived teacher. Sarutobi said, "Nice to meet you both. I am Hiruzen Sarutobi, as you probably already know from your letters. While we're waiting for the female of our team to arrive, let's get some sparring done to stretch the limbs." But when he noticed Jiraiya's confused look, he asked what was wrong.

Jiraiya pointed to Orochimaru. "But the girl of the team is already here."

Sarutobi laughed in good humor. He could understand why the white hair boy had mistaken the other for a female. The pale six-year-old was indeed very pretty and had rather effeminate features. "Jiraiya, this is Orochimaru. He's a boy, not a girl," Sarutobi explained, still smiling.

Jiraiya's jaws dropped. "Maru..." That was a common suffix in male names. Who he thought was the prettiest girl he's ever seen... was a boy?!

Sarutobi and Orochimaru watched as Jiraiya fainted from shock. "Well..." Sarutobi said slowly, grimacing at the unfortunate situation.

"Hmph." Orochimaru turned around to continue gazing off into the distant.

At the memory, Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh. "I thought you were the prettiest girl I've ever seen. To be completely honest, even though I've peeked on alot of women, I still think you're weirdly pretty." He eyed him and then formed a square with his fingers, mimicking a photographer. "Seriously, if you put on some make-up, wore a fancy kimono and geta shoes, raise your voice by a few pitch, I'd think you have a twin sister."

Orochimaru rolled his eyes before he turned to face him. "This place brings back alot of memories. I still remembered how you helped me and Tsunade get the bells."

At that, Jiraiya sheepishly ran his hand through his hair. "The giant fireball was kind of an accident. But at least I got to see that you were a softie on the inside. You got me food when I was tied to the post."

"I merely did not want to be in your debt."

With a shrug, Jiraiya replied, "You're still a softie."

"Hmph." Orochimaru paused before saying, "We've been together for many years now. Sarutobi-sensei said that for our birthday tomorrow, he will be announcing the disbandment of our team." His voice held a tinge of sorrow as he said, "From tomorrow onward, we won't be together as much anymore."

Jiraiya lightly punched him on the shoulder. "Don't be silly. We're the best team in the village. Even if we're disbanded, I'm sure sensei will put us together on missions still. Maybe not as much, but still alot."

"Will we always be together?" Orochimaru tilted his head at him. "We've always looked out for each other. That won't change, will it?"

Jiraiya stayed silent, thinking about what he was going to do after their birthday. The moment he tells their teacher what Orochimaru had done in Uzushiogakure... he feared that he might never forgive him. But at the same time, he would rather Orochimaru hate him and become a better person than let it slide and watch his friend continue his selfishness. Nonetheless, for someone who was so pessimistic and initially believed that every bond would one day end, Orochimaru had just literally asked if they could be together forever. He seemed so vulnerable at the moment as he stood there, that ridiculously beautiful long hair swaying in the wind and a hint of anxiousness on his pale sculpted face. Grasping his shoulder, Jiraiya said, "One thing that won't change, is that no matter what happens, I'll stick with you and endure everything with you."

Orochimaru blinked. "I'm not marrying you."

Jiraiya gagged and backed away from him. "Eww! Why would I marry a stick in the mud like you?!" But then he paused and blurted out, "Wait did you just make a joke?!"

"Hmph. Haven't I proven years ago that I wasn't boring?"

At the memory of the day he earned himself the title of The Village's Madness, Jiraiya scowled before returning to their earlier discussion. "Anyways, I think it'd be nice to celebrate again at the Chubby Chickens. I mean, we always have a good time and I came back alittle last minute anyways. Not much time to plan for something different."

"True," Orochimaru admitted. He crossed his arms and gazed at Jiraiya carefully before saying, "You're awfully pale. You were supposed to be back next week. Did you push yourself to return so that our joint birthday can be on time?"

"Yea," Jiraiya replied uneasily, hiding the fact that he only rushed home this fast to jail his best friend. "Hey stop looking at me like a worried momma bird. It's weird."

"It's not every day I see you come so close to death's door. I hope you'll learn from this. Testing Tsunade-hime is like baiting a lioness." He sighed. "I will be cooking lunch. Tsunade will be visiting during her lunch break so come on over and apologize to her, idiot."

Jiraiya laughed along nervously as he ran a hand through his spiky white hair, hoping he wouldn't let anything slip. After all, he wouldn't want Orochimaru to know that he had already ran into Tsunade earlier. The only way the situation could get worse is if Orochimaru not only hated him, but also Tsunade for not warning him when he gets arrested. If that happened, Orochimaru might just come to hate him, her, their teacher, and be alone all over again. "I... actually, I'll pass. I'm still alittle traumatized." He put his hands together in a praying fashion and said, "Can you ensure that she won't kill me as soon as she sees me? When you think it's safe, then tell me."

"Since I left you and rejoined her, I've told her to forgive you. After all, even though you started the fiasco, she went too far in maiming you. She's paid for half of the damage at the hot spring resort, instead of letting you pay it all. I think you should be safe enough." When Jiraiya just rapidly shook his head, looking frightened, he sighed. "Very well. I'll tell her that you've returned and make sure you won't die the instant she sees you."

"Thanks Oro. If I didn't know that you're a guy, I'd kiss you."

Orochimaru scowled. "I'll bite you."

"It was a joke you boring snake. And for god sake, the first time was an accident!"

Back home, Orochimaru sat in front of his fireplace, listening to the wind howling outside. November... such a dreary month in his opinion. The trees were in the process of being completely robbed of their beautiful orange, yellow and red leaves. Everything was dying and waiting for winter to come and settle over the land in an icy blanket of snow. In his warm and ambiently lit house, he leaned back in his rich earth brown colored sofa, looking down at his team photo.

His finger brushed against the faded photo, a small smile gracing his lips. How quickly time passes. It's been eleven years since they were put on the same team. They've braved missions, bad weather, Tsunade's terrible luck, Jiraiya's idiotic decisions and his own horrible personality did not help at times. He didn't believe in coddling, but sometimes, he had to admit that he did not make it easy for people to get to know him. Why exactly... did Jiraiya, his exact polar opposite, kept trying to be friends with him? He wanted an answer to that question before he makes his next move. On the inside, he didn't want to believe in the possibility that Jiraiya would rat him out. But if he did, then he was prepared for it. Nothing was going to get in the way of his dreams... not even that golden-hearted fool.

Knocking at the door jerked him away from his aimless thoughts and he got up to walk past his dining room and kitchen to open it.

"Hey Orochi!" Tsunade greeted him with a wide smile and she came in quickly.

He closed the door, shutting off the bright sunlight and said, "You're early."

"Yea, I-" She paused and sniffed the air. "Is something burning?"

His eyes widened and he ran for his kitchen. Pulling on some kitchen gloves, he pulled off the lid of the bubbling pot and coughed as steam and smoked escaped in great quantities. "Damn." He tossed the lid into the sink and huffed, staring at the brown lumpy mess of his sauce.

Peeking over his shoulder, Tsunade asked, "What's that?"

"Something that would probably give us cancer," he sighed, grabbing the heavy pot and putting it into the sink to soak. "My apologies hime, lunch is ruined."

"Orochi." She turned him around and cupped his face. "Everything alright?" She couldn't remember a single time when he'd mess up his cooking. He compared cooking to chemistry. If one didn't pay attention, hours of hard work could disappear in an instant. It was when she touched his skin that she noticed that he was cold. Rubbing his arms, she asked worriedly, "Are you sick?"

"Tsunade, Jiraiya is back." He lied, "I was just wondering how we should break the news of being together... to him. After all, he likes you."

"That's... it?"

"What else is there?"

She had to control herself from exhaling in relief. To her, though it was a worrying matter, it was much less serious than the case where Jiraiya would tell their teacher about what Orochimaru had done. Her stomach curled in on itself, remembering that he'd soon be taken from her. Holding his hands, she said, "I love you. That is the truth and I will not hide that from a member of our team, and our dearest friend. There is nothing to fear, I know he'll understand." When he stayed silent, she leaned up and kissed him deeply, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body close to warm him up. He responded well and kissed her back, his long silky hair brushing her face and enveloping her in his scent of tea and lavender.

When they broke apart, he looked up at his clock and said, "We should eat soon. Your break isn't going to last forever."

"Actually, good news." She grinned up at him. "I got so fed up with my horrible scheduling at the hospital, I've just taken off the rest of the day by claiming that I was sick. Biwaka was so mad."

Orochimaru chuckled, thinking about Sarutobi-sensei's strict wife. "Let me guess, she sees you in perfect health and is flabbergasted that you just asked her for a sick day straight to her face."

"Hehe. She asked sick of what? I replied I was sick of work HA! She reprimanded me, called me irresponsible, said she was gonna tell my grandmother, blah blah," Tsunade said, still leaning against him. "But that will teach her to keep giving me 6am shifts. I'm not a morning person and I'll never be." In truth, she wanted to spend more time with him before he was gone. An angry middle-aged woman was not going to stand in her way.

Tweaking her nose, he replied, "Well then, I suppose you can be patient while I start over on our lunch."

"Pfft." Tsunade strolled over to his fridge and began digging through it. Finally, she stood up with a bottle of ketchup. "Boil some water and squirt this in. We can have tomato soup in seconds."

He stared at her for a whole ten seconds before he burst out laughing. "For someone who is trying to look for a way to extend his life, I can't believe I fell for someone whose cooking might just one day kill me."

She bonked him on the head with the ketchup bottle. "And the only one who knows 150 ways to bring a man back from the brink of death." She squealed when he picked her up in his arms and proceeded to strode to the living room, where the fireplace was cheerfully crackling away.

"I'm not in the mood to undergo 150 ways of being brought back to life because of a ketchup bottle today hime," he said with a smirk. "So sit still and look pretty in the background while I cook."

A few hours later... sunset.

After a tasty lunch of Tonjiru soup (rich miso soup with fried pork cutlets) and steaming white rice with grilled sweet eel on top, they had taken to studying in his living room. On his chocolate sofa, she yawned as she sat between Orochimaru's legs and rested her back against his solid chest, reading a book on antidotes to cure nerve paralysis. Orochimaru idly played with a lock of her hair as he read a book of his own, occasionally sipping his tea to keep himself alert. His back rested on the arm rest and he only occasionally shifted when he began to feel stiff as the time passed.

She enjoyed these simple and quiet afternoons like this, delighting in the fact that she could feel happy when they traded witty banters, and also when they were quiet and just close to each other. Even when she was young and they studied together for their tests at the Academy, he exuded a strange sort of calm over her. Others found his stillness and silence strange, but she found it fascinating. The way his molten gold eyes would drink in the knowledge and how he looked like a beautiful marble statue as he just sat there, taking in the life and world around him, trying to understand it. She was an energetic child, but she found beauty in the calm quiet approach he had to things around him. He studied the way the clouds moved, and she found herself marveling at the different shapes they could make. He studied the way the wind rustled the grasses, and she suddenly saw an ocean dyed in green. He studied the dripping of rain, and she could now hear the music of the skies.

Tsunade stretched and languidly looked up at him. "Orochimaru, I have a question."

"Something a Senju heiress cannot understand? Must be difficult," he replied, slowly moving his eyes away from his book.

"Why do you try so hard to understand the world?"

The question made his lips curled. "Tell me, hime. Why do we live with a huge wall around the village?"

"For protection." When he laughed at her, she fumed. "What? That's the point of a wall, isn't it?"

"It's built because we fear the world." He snapped his book shut and placed it aside. "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. We do not understand the world and so, we build a wall to protect ourselves. But all walls will eventually fall. To me, a more obvious solution is to learn everything there is about the world and be free instead." Orochimaru gave her a slightly sad smile."Alas, as the years pass, there is just loss and more loss. Mankind has done so much harm to everything out of fear. So many clans have gone extinct, so many powerful techniques lost. How can we ever be free and evolve if we lose our history and learnings? Now if someone gained knowledge of everything in the world... if they can obtain the truth of the world, would that not make them fit to lead? They would restore greatness, rule and put an end to all this misery."

"With knowledge only?" She didn't quite believe in that mindset. What about the heart? What about empathy and compassion? A ruler without those traits would only be a tyrant, no matter how powerful they may be.

Orochimaru scoffed. "What else is there? Knowledge is power, and power is salvation." Turning his golden eyes on her, he said, "Do you remember that man who was sent to assassinate your grandfather? Kakuzu from Takigakure?"

Tsunade said icily, "How could I not? My grandpa nearly died!"

Orochimaru slowly nodded. "Takigakure was a powerful village. Not as big as the other five main villages, but they've never been successfully invaded. As Konohagakure grew, they became frightened. No matter how kind and peaceful your grandfather was, they feared his wood release and their fear grew until they became paranoid. They sent Kakuzu out to assassinate your grandfather, hoping to then eliminate us with him gone. But Kakuzu failed and when he returned home, he was ridiculed, spat at, and looked down for his failure. They ignored the danger he put himself through for his village. In the end, despite the fact that they've fortified their defenses well from outsiders, the entire village burnt to the ground when Kakuzu rebelled." He snickered. "A tragic tale with a very simple lesson. Ignorance is the root of all evil. Their fear led to a very stupid decision and no one came to their aid during Kakazu's rampage, because that would mean making an enemy of Konoha."

"I can't believe it... but I actually feel alittle sorry for Kakuzu."

"Don't feel too sorry. I've heard he's become quite a rich bounty hunter. Our heads might be on his future hit list." He took another sip of tea before he flicked at her book cover. "Remember something, hime. You cannot make knowledge safe but fear is more dangerous than knowledge can ever be."

She turned over and laid her chest on top of his, blinking her large amber eyes at him, understanding more on why he had betrayed the mission to obtain that kinjutsu. Yes, it was wrong of him to betray the mission but if that kinjutsu could help protect their village or win a war, wouldn't the saving of hundreds of lives matter more than just that one person named Goro, who they don't even have any recollection of? Her grandfather's Edo Tensei, after all, used a countless number of living sacrifices to help them in the war.

"You look serious. What is it?" he asked as he twirled a silky lock of her hair between his slender fingers.

"I..."

All of a sudden, someone knocked loudly on his door and he blinked in puzzlement. Nudging Tsunade off him, he went over to answer it and he stiffened at the sight of two Anbu with fox masks standing before him. "Orochimaru, you're to come with us to see Lord Third immediately."

He narrowed his eyes while Tsunade gasped behind him. "For what?"

"We are under no obligations to discuss this with you. Now, let's go. Lord Hokage is waiting."

Tsunade put herself in front of him protectively. "Don't touch him!"

"Tsunade." He grabbed her hand. "I'll be fine. Perhaps it's just a misunderstanding of some sort."

She shook her head and hugged him tightly, not willing to let him go. Did Jiraiya lied to her and went ahead to tell their teacher?

"I have to go. I'll send you a message when I get back," he said as he discreetly kissed the side of her head.

She openly whimpered as he was pulled away from her, and forced to leave. Her hand snatched at thin air and she felt the windmill stop spinning as the wind left.

Jiraiya wondered why he returned back to their old training ground. The conversation with Orochimaru remained stuck in his head, and he found himself feeling more tortured as time dragged on. He has repeated to himself nearly a dozen times that what he was doing was right in an attempt to not let his heart be swayed. But he found himself considering more and more, a different path. To forcibly punished Orochimaru... would that actually make him regret what he had done? Would it not be better, if he could teach Orochimaru that what he had done was wrong, and let the man feel remorse and choose to atone for what he had done. After all, no one in this world was perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. All that matters is when you know you're wrong and want to change. He was still going to tell but maybe he could ask his teacher to have Orochimaru atone by working for free for the village or something. Maybe go to the temple for some deep meditation and reflection too?

"JIRAIYA!"

Seeing Tsunade charging at him from out of nowhere brought back his traumatized memories and he deftly turn to run for it. But he had forgotten that he was standing right in front of the posts and he smacked right into it. Before he could recover, Tsunade grabbed the collar of his shirt and cried, "YOU PROMISED ME YOU WOULDN'T TELL SENSEI BEFORE OUR JOINT BIRTHDAY! HOW COULD YOU BREAK YOUR PROMISE!"

"Wha?" He shook his head rapidly. "I-I didn't. I didn't tell sensei."

"THEN WHY THE HELL WAS OROCHIMARU DRAGGED OFF TO SEE OUR TEACHER?!" Tsunade cried, fearful for what was happening to him.

"Look!" Jiraiya insisted. "I promised that I wouldn't say anything yet and I didn't! I swear it on my life."

"Then who did?!" She snapped tearfully, "Only the two of us knows!"

"I don't know. But what I do know is that we should be with Orochimaru right now." He pulled her up and said, "The three of us are one. We need to be there with him."

She still didn't quite trust that he was telling the truth, but there was a genuinety in his words and face that she could not deny. That, and she wasn't going to stand by and let Orochimaru get punished alone anyways. She was also at fault, and she'd gladly accept her own punishment if it meant she could be there to support him. Wiping her eyes, she hiccoughed and nodded. "Let's go."

Hokage's office...

Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, utterly relaxed and composed, despite the circumstances that he was in. He barely looked over when the door opened and his teacher walked past him to sit down at his desk with the crystal ball. "Good evenings, sensei," he said silkily.

"Orochimaru," Sarutobi said, feeling utterly confused and torn. "Tell me the truth. Did you really steal a kinjutsu from Uzushiogakure that you were supposed to destroy?"

"If I said no, would you believe me?" Orochimaru lifted his golden eyes up in a questioning manner.

Sarutobi replied, "I would. What parent... would not believe their child in such a situation?" He saw real sincere emotions flickered across his student's face, breaking his emotionless mask.

Bringing one leg up to rest upon the other, Orochimaru said, "I have one question first. Sensei... you who have learned and mastered every single technique in the village. Why have you never attempted to learn new techniques from other villages? You encourage research and learning, yet you've completely stopped yourself once you've mastered everything that Konoha has to offer."

Sarutobi folded his hands together, staring down at his crystal ball. "Knowledge can empower us but it can also destroy us. Fear it, or it will consume you."

He scoffed. "And it's this fear that stagnated you, sensei. You can be so much more powerful."

Shaking his head, the God of Shinobi replied, "I do not understand the land and the people that invented those techniques. Progress without caution will be the ruin of us all, Orochimaru."

"Ssssarutob-sensei, the Uchihas would take great offense at those words. After all, they take top spots for being copycats with their Sharingan. It's renowned throughout the world."

"They copy, they do not learn." Sarutobi made a vague gesture. "And that is what I'm talking about. If you copied someone's papers, you may pass, but you don't share their beliefs or actually understand anything. One day, you may even pay the price for it. The Uchihas... the stronger they grow, the worst their sight becomes. Some become blind. You, on the other hand, take the time to learn new techniques the right way. As you learn, your eyes are opened. As they copy, their eyes close shut.."

Orochimaru replied listlessly, "It still doesn't explain why you don't try to learn new techniques from other villages."

"Some techniques can cause your very heart to fail in a few years. Others can even make you go insane. You cannot steal and obtain what doesn't belong to you, and hope to escape unscathed. I am not willing to pay that price while I have a village to care for."

Darkened gold eyes flashed. "Well... it seems you have just judged me to be guilty then."

He looked at his student sorrowfully. "Orochi-"

"Orochimaru!"

Both him and Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to see Jiraiya and Tsunade bursting through the doors. "Tsunade?"

The blonde kunoichi ran straight into his arms as he stood up in surprise. "Orochi," she said, pressing her face into the crook of his neck.

"My lord! They-"

Sarutobi waved off his guards and watched as Jiraiya moved over to the two. With the three of standing there like that, he suddenly felt incredibly old. They had grown up so fast and so close to each other. They were his greatest pride and yet here they were, with his own star pupil... possibly facing jail time. He said softly, "Jiraiya, Tsunade, why are you two here?"

"We both know that Orochimaru has done something wrong. We also knew what he did. Punish us together, sensei," said Jiraiya.

Orochimaru watched as both of his friends dropped to their knees before their teacher and he was stunned silent. He was never mad at Tsunade, even though he suspected that she already knew that Jiraiya was going to tell on him. She had little to no options about the matter. Other than killing Jiraiya, she was stuck and he wouldn't brand her a traitor if he himself couldn't suggest another way. He already suspected that she had stalled Jiraiya somehow and had wanted to give him some memorable memories before he was arrested. But he was immensely touched that she was willing to take punishment alongside him. Still, what surprised him the most was Jiraiya. He was utterly confused and annoyed at his unpredictability.

He jerked Tsunade back to her feet and hissed at the toad summoner. "Don't act all noble. Weren't you going to tell on me in the first place?" He knew what Jiraiya was going to ask and he replied, "We grew up together, idiot. You just have to sneeze and I'd know what you're up to."

"I only want what's best for you!" Jiraiya said angrily, also standing up. "You will never become a good person if you're allowed to get away with things. But I was going to stick to your stupid ass when you're jailed, visit you every day and quit being a Shinobi until you're released!"

"You're such an idiot! Stop doing unnecessary things to make my life and your life more difficult!" Orochimaru said in frustration. "How could you quit being a Shinobi? You're finally getting promoted to Jonin."

"Quit whining Oro! I'm giving up peeking to come visit your ass!"

"I don't need you to visit my ass!" He and Jiraiya both quieted down when the door opened to reveal Danzo Shimura.

"Oh how touching. But honestly, it's alittle sickening." Danzo walked in rudely and shot the two guards a withering look, making them visibly flinced. Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and waved them away a second time before the door closed shut. Coming closer, Danzo said, "Hiruzen, there is no need to punish any of them, most of all, Orochimaru. He was only following my orders."

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade gaped while Orochimaru kept his face neutral. "Explain yourself," Sarutobi said lowly.

"Uzushiogakure has been completely useless to us for years. During the first war, they twiddled their fingers and did nothing. We've suffered great casualty and lost both Lord First and our own teacher, Lord Second. I had a feeling that they wouldn't have agreed to help us in a potential upcoming second one when you sent your team to their lands. Therefore, I told Orochimaru to bring back something that would equal their might..."

Sarutobi stood up, rigid with anger. "You had absolutely no right. Especially when he is MY student."

Danzo shrugged off Sarutobi's protectiveness of his favorite. "He is still a ninja of the village and I also paid well for his service." He tapped on the ground and looked over at the pale one. "I offered to eliminate all of his debt to the village if he succeeded. He would be free to start saving money for his own future." Danzo added snidely, "For someone who claims to care so much for him, I obviously offered him more than you ever had, Hiruzen. It still surprised me that you never adopted him. If you had... perhaps he wouldn't have to struggle so much."

Sarutobi said in a deathly low voice, "You also threatened him, didn't you?"

"I broke no law. I just happen to know exactly which clans his parents came from. A clan that befriends demons, studies curses, masquerading their darkness with illusionary songs. Another that hides their serpentine nature with human skin. What will the village say once they know his heritage? Your favorite and rumored to be the future Hokage... a monster." Danzo strode over to the pale one but was instantly blocked by Jiraiya and Tsunade, the latter looking particularly like a ferocious lioness.

Sarutobi glared over at his old friend. "You do not have the right to broadcast my student's heritage."

"Oh but I do. I know why those two clans were wiped out. They were dangerous." Danzo glanced over at Orochimaru. "He could be a threat and the people deserve the truth."

"Right here and right now, I decree that you may not tell anyone of it. That is a direct order of the Hokage, understood?" Sarutobi asked as his chakra level rose up, cracking the ground, desk, and crystal ball.

Danzo shrugged. "As you wish, Hiruzen. But he failed the mission. He didn't bring back the kinjutsu. Therefore, he now owes me five years of service in Root, as per agreement."

Sarutobi felt his blood run cold. In the end, Danzo had won. He had gotten Orochimaru into Root, just like he had wanted years ago during his kid's Chunin exam.

"He still needs to grow up some more before I ask for my due. So rest easy for awhile." Danzo tapped on the ground again with his cane. "Have a good night, Hiruzen."

When the man left and the door closed shut, Jiraiya turned on his teacher. "Aren't you going to do anything? He threatened Orochimaru! And what the hell is Root?"

Sarutobi let out a long breath. "It is an organization led by Danzo. They are independent of my jurisdiction and allowed to use whatever method they deem necessary to protect Konoha. Some questionable, some outright illegal."

Jiraiya yelled. "You can't be serious in allowing something like that! That's so wrong!"

Orochimaru stepped forward and crossed his arms, casting Jiraiya a withering glance. "Not all battles can be won through diplomacy. Blood, lies and death are sometimes necessary."

"How can you defend that man and Root?! They threatened you," cried Jiraiya.

"I understand where they were coming from," Orochimaru answered simply. "It's true that Uzushiogakure has been completely useless to us. Other than Lady Mito, do you see any Uzumaki here? Have you ever heard of them helping us? We called for their aid in the first war and was declined. When we went there to ask for help, you saw their reluctance. It makes perfect sense to steal a powerful technique from them to help our people. Many of our shinobi go out to steal lost weapons and techniques all the time. Uzushiogakure just happens to give us hesitation, because they're 'allies'." Jiraiya fumed and just threw his hands up in exasperation, which made Orochimaru add, "The world is flawed. The imperfections and chaos are what creates the situations we're in. If the world was pure, Root would be unnecessary."

Turning on his pale friend, Jiraiya said angrily, "Why did you never tell me and Tsunade! We could have-"

"No." He looked at the woman he had fallen for, and the man he wanted to both hug and punch. "If I told you, I'd only worry the both of you. Danzo holds much power, and I had been cornered. I need the money and I needed to keep my heritage secret. There was no other option.."

Tsunade clutched at her necklace. "Orochimaru... what are we going to do? Must you really work under that man for five years?"

"I signed a contract," he said quietly. Not wanting to see her so upset, he added, "It's not like there aren't positives to the deal. I need the money. I can't even buy a laboratory of my own. How can I possibly afford to take care of a wife and child in the future?"

She knew he was referring to her and she wished she could tell him that she'd give up her spoiled princess lifestyle in an instant just to be with him. She didn't care at all that he had so little. The fact that he was already planning into the future touched her tremendously. The lifespan of a Shinobi wasn't long. Most died young. But she was still surprised that Orochimaru had given such thoughts about the matter at seventeen. His maturity never ceased to astonish her.

"Orochimaru." Sarutobi looked at his student sorrowfully. "When you're in Root, always know that I'll still look out for you. I will let Danzo know that if anything happens to you, I'd disband the organization immediately."

"Sensei..."

Jiraiya added jovially, "I'll check up on you every week. I won't let that man ruin all my years of hard work of molding you into someone great like me."

Orochimaru said dryly, "Thanks..." But then he said, "Do you really mean that though, especially since you were going to tell on me?"

"To be honest," Jiraiya said, "I've always believed that love is what encourages people to walk on the right path. If you wanted to do something wrong, I'd stop you but I'd always care about you. If you did do something wrong, I'd forgive you immediately if you were remorseful about it."

"And if I don't think that what I've done was wrong?" Orochimaru asked, quirking a slender eyebrow.

Jiraiya said simply, "I'd stick to your ass until it gets through to you."

"Would you not punish me?"

Jiraiya paused for a moment before saying, "I think the worst punishment is to be looked at with disappointment and anger by those you love. Don't you agree that being all alone is painful?"

Orochimaru crossed his arms and looked down at the floor, his curtain of hair hiding his expression. "You've always been such a simple man with simple truths... Don't change that, Jiraiya."

Later that night...

Orochimaru knew there had to be a price to pay for what he had done but this was nothing compared to the powerful scroll he had obtained, and Danzo did not lie about the fact that all of his debts would be erased. This was his trump card that he had been saving. He had gone to the man right after Tsunade left for her early morning shift, and told him of his predicament, hiding only the fact that he had succeeded in obtaining the kinjutsu. Of all the people in Konoha who would accept what he had done and had the power to help, it would be Danzo. He was indeed right, especially since the man had wanted him for his organization during the Chunin exams. He had grown so strong and was continually growing stronger, Danzo would not pass up the opportunity to have him work for him, even if it was only five years. To him, five years would have meant alot but now that he's gotten his hands on a hint to eternal youth and immortality, five years was nothing.

"So... who told my teacher?" Orochimaru asked, leaning against a tree in Konoha's forest.

Danzo replied, "My agents told me it was Akano Uchiha. He thought your two friends seemed suspicious and he used a mirror and his Sharingan to figure out what they were saying from a distance."

"He lip read them." Orochimaru smirked as he caught a passing blown leaf between the tips of his fingers. "You said you were interested in the Sharingan, correct?"

"And?"

Orochimaru crushed the leaf to dust, his eyes glowing with a sinister intent. "Although I've broken his arm and leg, his eyes are rumored to be quite good. I'm certain he'll prove to be a very successful specimen for experimentation in the future."

Danzo eyed the dark hearted Shinobi and said, "Why not now?"

"It just past midnight. Spilling blood on a birthday is a terribly unlucky thing to do." Straightening up, Orochimaru gracefully began to head back home. "I will get started when my five years of service begins. I believe you wanted to prepare yourself with having a serpent by your side anyways, sir. After all, being close to snakes puts you at risk of their poison." Orochimaru laughed darkly before he leaped into the shadows, his dreams and ambition safe once again.

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.

-H.P Lovecraft

Darkwings13:

-This chapters is the start to Orochimaru's future in working under Danzo, and reference back to when Danzo wanted him in Root during the Chunin exam. Also, a nod to Danzo's sharingan arm.

-Kakuzu really did turn all bad when his village, Takigakure spat on his efforts to assassinate Hashirama. The mission was exceedlinglyyyyyyyyy hard and dangerous. It's no wonder the dude believes now that only money is dependable.

-If it was Jiraiya who told, I would actually have Orochimaru laugh his victory in his face in a very cruel manner, while adding in that he was now with Tsunade (also in a douche/asshole way). But since it was Akano, and he was there to hear that Jiraiya would have quit being a Shinobi to look after him while he's jailed, Orochimaru isn't too mad of him. Inwardly, he thinks there was still a chance Jiraiya might have relented, which was why he arranged to meet at the training ground earlier, to nudge him.

ღවꇳවღ Teehee, I agree, I feel like people always underestimate Oro and then he comes back like a phoenix, xxhebi-himexx. Orochimaru is definitely, the smartest person in the Naruto universe in my opinion. No one holds as much knowledge as he does, and he always has plans for absolutely everything. Thanks for your kind compliment on the Orotsu romance my friend! Haha, I think their personality complement each other magnificently and I strive to portray it in character as possible. Writing witty banter gives me life especially.

(^◇^；) Pretty right about that, JigokuShoujosRevenge. Oro is probably going to get alot worse when he's in Root.

{*≧∀≦} Bwahahhaha, Oro thought the same thing, lumichan. At this rate, he's going to have permanent high blood pressure when he's around Tsu. But yea! With Oro being kinda new with this whole relationship, he wants to take it slow. Hehe, eventually, she's just going to have to just shove him again like when she declared her feelings to him. And I hope this ace of Oro was a good one, my friend. Let me know if you were surprised!

(=^_^=) Thank you hxshigaki76! I've actually started on their date picture now haha. And more Orotsu moments awaits. It's gonna be hilarious. And the song would be 'I'm Not Calling You a Liar' by Florence and the Machine. It talks about a painful/almost dysfunctional kind of love. But despite it all, there is real love in there that haunts her. The part 'Wraps itself around my tongue, as it softly speaks. Then it walks, then it walks with my legs' brings back that flashback where Tsu's words mirrored Oro exactly, word for word on her opinion of being Hokage. They have a ton of influence on each other and Tsunade knows this. Her youth technique, her regeneration technique, her ability to cure all poisons can all trace back to Oro. And despite knowing that he's 'a liar and a thief' in the song, she still holds him dear to her heart. Dan, Nawaki, Jiraiya are faultless and good while Oro has his hands drenched in blood, and killed their own teacher. For her to put him in the same circle as the other three in her infinite tsukiyomi, requires sooooooooo much more love. I think she really does love him deeply, and he holds similar affections for her. He actually dressed up when he went to look for her xD

o(^▽^)o If you can admire and reproach him at the same time for getting away with it, then I've succeeded, ileangie23. That's sort of the mindset I have when a villain is introduced. The ones who are all blatant about what they're doing bores me. A good villain should wear a mask and fake their intentions, just like how a good lioness hunts by sneaking close. It gives me pleasure to write Oro smirking in the shadows, like he's enjoying some kind of inside joke. And yea Jiraiya is the youngest! With Tsu being the oldest, followed by Oro haha. And writing flustered Oro gives me life, but hey, at least he's witty with playful banter lol. I like that while Oro is stoic, Tsunade is incredibly bold. She really takes life by the horns and just charges forward while Oro takes more time to consider things. Haahahhaha, for sex machine, I really feel that should be pointed at Jiraiya. He'll hit on anything remotely pretty. Which still makes me laugh as to how he can still fall for Naruto's sexy jutsu lol. The erotic literature oh my god hahaha! It'll come back again to haunt Orochi. And yep, I read every feedback/review and greatly appreciate it all, because it really gives me good ideas for future chapters or even a conversation piece, like the red light district thing.

V(^ ▽^ ) I love the idea of self-sacrifice in relationships, BlackLady777, and I really try to emphasize the affections Tsu has for those she loves. The funny thing with this relationship though, is that Oro would actually be mad if she sacrificed herself. He was hurt deeply when his parents died, and he believes that the pain of loss is the worst thing in the world. So he really means it when he says he'd never die for her, he'd rather they live or die together. It's actually a different but still romantic perspective to me. And thank you! I like the idea of Orochi trying to looking after her and her needs. It's abit of a reference to when he has kids. I've always believed that Oro is a very family oriented guy. And with how he's good at herbalism, I added in vanilla and lavendar for the scented pillows. For the fireplace, I made a reference to how snakes don't like the cold. With the dinner, a reference to him having to take care of himself since he's an orphan, and he's good at chemistry. That's probably why it seems natural. Oh yea, Oro definitely needs abit more of a push to lean in the direction of sex. I laugh out loud that he's probably never even picked up a bikini magazine. And you're absolutely right! Tsunade holds the title of being the 'most beautiful kunoichi in the five nations'. But because her fiery temper and blunt mannerism, alot of guys are intimidated by her. Sort of like how Kabuto commented 'She's scary... and probably single'. Bwahhahahaha! And I'm happy you like the picture my friend!

(⌒∇⌒) Oh hellow new reader Mangamolly1991. I don't know if you'll see this, but I am grateful for your kind words.