Chapter 3: Sudden signs

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters.

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The next morning all Sasuke wanted to do was remain in bed and hide. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be a wish that could be granted to him. Itachi would be leaving today, and it was required that his mother and he saw him off to battle. Reluctantly, Sasuke rose from his warm bed. He dressed as his maids prepared his water basin and shined his shoes. Sasuke didn't let the women touch him even in order to straighten his collar or do up his laces on the back of his vest. He dressed in his cream-colored vest with matching long pants, lined in golden trim. His collar came up high but folded neatly near his collarbone. He did up his buttons and smoothed down his vest as he went to retrieve his gloves. He slipped them on and brushed aside his bangs, letting them fall gracefully into his eyes. He looked up at the maids but ignored them as they bowed and opened the door for him.

He walked down the hallway almost like a ghost. He was quiet, deep in his thoughts as he made his way across the courtyard. It was early, probably somewhere around five in the morning. His stomach growled but he ignored it, there were more pressing matters to be had. As he walked down the hallway, the early morning sun shone through the windows. He approached the main door when a large shadow appeared on the floor in front of him. Sasuke had been staring at the floor as he walked, not paying attention to anything around him. He stopped and looked up, suddenly frowning at the one standing before him.

Itachi Uchiha stood tall and powerful once again in his black amour. His eyes regarded Sasuke in what the boy assumed to be quiet contemplation. The younger raven showed no emotion, and very much still had the same feelings he did last night when he had asked Itachi to leave.

"What do you want now?" Sasuke said, a slight tint of tiredness hitting his voice. Itachi said nothing and his face never changed. He walked up to Sasuke and for all the worlds, the boy highly suspected in some strange way that the older would get angry and hit him. Itachi didn't though as he only came close enough to raise a gauntlet-covered hand. The fingers of the metal glove looked menacing as they opened before Sasuke like a flower. His brother, minding the sharp nails, cupped his cheek and let the thumb rest on his bottom lip. A look of surprise coated Sasuke's face as Itachi observed his own actions with calm eyes. The metal was cold against the boy's face as fingers caressed and ran through the hair on the side of his head. Itachi's thumb ran across his bottom lip, and suddenly he pulled it away. Sasuke was left confused as his older brother stepped back and set his helmet on his head. Turning and walking away, Sasuke didn't realize how suddenly shallow his breathing had become. He swallowed deep in his throat as a blush threatened to burst on his face. He watched Itachi go through the main doors and out of sight.

Itachi. . . What are you trying to do to me?

Sasuke swallowed and shook it off, running his fingers over his burning cheeks.

Sasuke stood silently next to his mother who was wearing her own armor, gleaming gold against the soft light of the sky. Her helmet was on, shielding her eyes from the morning sunrise. Sasuke watched as men mounted their horses and gave last minute orders to one another. Soldiers lined up and marched out first, going to say good-bye to their families. Sasuke flinched backward into consciousness when a hand on his lower back caused him to look up at his mother. She smiled at him from under her helmet and lifted something up to him. Sasuke regarded the long sword in her hand and suddenly recognized it as Itachi's favorite blade.

"Sasuke darling, why don't you go hand your brother his sword?" She asked of him. Sasuke scowled and looked to his brother across the way. The man was adjusting his gear as his stable boy Deidara saddled the horse and tied it.

"Give it to Deidara," Sasuke said, not wanting to be anywhere near his brother. His mother's smile dropped a bit, and Sasuke was surprised as she almost roughly shoved the sword into his chest. He looked up at her in shock for the treatment.

"Do this much Sasuke. Who knows the next time you'll see your brother," She said in a low voice. Sasuke felt a twinge of guilt but quickly pushed it down. He glared at his mother openly and sighed as he marched across the courtyard, his mother following behind him. Itachi mounted his horse as the large animal made a sound of impatience. The war horse was large; the biggest animal ever bred of his stock. The skin on the animal's neck twitched at all the weight but more so at the itch to finally be out of the stables. Itachi had his helmet on so Sasuke couldn't see his face as he walked closer. His mother smiled as Itachi tilted his head down at them.

"Itachi, my nightingale, do be careful, and I will see you in three days," She said, lifting her hand toward him. Itachi nodded silently and touched her hand, obviously displeased with her, for some reason. His head turned to Sasuke then, and the boy could only see hints of his brother's red eyes. Sasuke was careful not to change his facial features as he held the sword by the hilt and presented it to Itachi. His brother for a moment didn't take it and only stared at him. Sasuke himself was growing unnerved by the staring.

"Here!" Sasuke finally said, an edge to his voice. Slowly, Itachi raised his hand and grasped the sheath of the sword. Sasuke didn't so much as flinch as their fingers brushed and Itachi latched the weapon to his side. Pulling back, Sasuke suddenly found the ground greatly more interesting.

"Take care Sasuke," He suddenly said. The raven looked up finally as the crowds of men behind Itachi started to leave. His older brother said no more as he tugged at his reins to get the large animal moving. Sasuke watched him go with a strange mixed feeling as his mother set her hand on his shoulder.

"He'll be back," She said gently. Sasuke nodded as he watched Itachi spin the great animal around and head for the gate. Within moments, the large beast happily started trotting out into the street and eventually out of the capital. Itachi was long gone, cape flowing behind him but Sasuke still didn't move. His mother had excused herself, but Sasuke was now the only one left in the courtyard long after it became quiet. The essence of his brother's touch was still on his face as he carefully reached up and thumbed his bottom lip. Feeling foolish standing there, Sasuke dropped his hand and headed toward his room.

Itachi's friend and guard captain Pain, rode silently beside him. The prince had yet to say anything, and they were almost half a day's journey to their destination. The orange haired man looked to his friend in unease. To anyone looking in, they would see a nearly silent man, but to Pain. . . He saw the truth, under that helmet, under all that armor was a roaring beast about to let out. Ain could see rage boiling behind Itachi's blood-red eyes. His frame may have seemed relaxed but it was stiff and angry. All in all, Prince Itachi Uchiha was not someone to disturb at all at the moment. Pain remained silent through the journey and severely hoped that whatever was bothering the prince wouldn't come back to bite them.

As per his mother's request, Sasuke was to show Lord Orochimaru around the estate. Sasuke as also required to sit with the man for tea and eventually dinner that night. The same feelings he had when he met the man threatened to surface once more. Itachi's signals as he departed on top of those feelings left Sasuke nothing but a confused mess. He attempted though as he stood and waited for Orochimaru in the gardens. It was a wide and spacious area looking over the city. The bench he sat on was hand-carved as the prince stared off into space, lost in thought. He briefly wondered why again, his mother was so keen on him getting to know this man. Maybe she wanted to be nice, or perhaps she had some hidden alternative motive. Whatever she wanted; it would not be clear unless Sasuke himself literally was to ask her of her intentions.

He awoke from his day dream as Orochimaru stepped through the back gate from the main hallway. Sasuke controlled his breathing as the man practically sauntered over to him. He was alone, which was surprising, but Sasuke had no doubt that either Kakashi or another guard watched protectively from afar. Orochimaru wasn't wearing his armor. He wore simple robes, the length of the sleeves going down past his hands. They were a deep blood purple that heavily brought out the color of his eyes. Those golden orbs became sharper as they landed on Sasuke. Orochimaru's hair was loose, flowing in rivets around him as the wind took it just right. Sasuke swallowed discreetly and prayed that he would last even half the day with this mysterious yet scary man.

Unknown to Sasuke or Orochimaru, a blond haired stable boy watched from around the corner.

Pain watched in amazement and fear as Itachi kicked off on his horse and headed right for the enemy. They had been riding the entire day, night swiftly falling upon them. It seemed the enemy had planned ahead, and the unit had been caught in an ambush. Arrows rained from the sky as men and soldiers sought for cover. The sun had gone down but there was just enough light left to see. Pain swiftly followed the prince as Itachi drew his sword and headed for a horde of armored soldiers. The orange haired man was forced to stop as another enemy horseman came from nowhere and aimed his blade for his steed. Pain avoided the blade by inches as he backed the animal up. The horse in fear reared up on his haunches, front legs kicking. The man was knocked off, and Pain launched his horse forward. He could see Itachi now up ahead. . . And the amount of bodies behind the man. Pain gaped as both soldiers and the militia of the other army coated the ground. Their own men fought on both sides of him, each side taking hits. He heard Itachi growl loudly as he swung his blade, sending another man to his death. In the middle of the blows Itachi's helmet came loose and fell to the ground. His large war horse almost snarled as it crushed a man who stood under him, attempting a swing.

Pain watched in fascination at this machine of a man. Prince Itachi was a force that could not be described. His anger from earlier seemed to be the fuel he needed. He killed anything that came his way, be it man or horse.

Hours later as men groaned on the ground or lay in pools of blood, Pain cautiously approached his prince. Joining in the battle, Pain had layers of blood coating his arms from his kill. His poor horse had taken a small scratch on his neck as it attempted to reach around and lick at the wound. Pain soothed the frightened animal with soft sounds as he trotted forward. Itachi remained unmoving on his steed as he observed the damaged. Most of his men if not all had survived, Itachi leading them. Specks of blood coated the prince's pale face as Pain reached into his chest plate for a handkerchief. He settled his horse next to his prince and carefully offered the cloth.

"It seems that we have killed them all, no doubt this was a larger portion of their unit," He said. Itachi nodded silently as he took the offered cloth.

"The more I take out now, the faster I can get back home," Itachi said resolutely. He threw the cloth onto the ground and ushered his horse forward. Pain watched him go, his strides confident. He himself was eager to get home, to returnto the one waiting for him, but even he knew the difference between needing to fight and needing to perform a duty. He shook his head and ushered his horse after his prince.

Sasuke wasn't sure how much more he could take. Orochimaru to him was both a suave and extremely irritable pursuer. He could feel those golden orbs tracing his body, but he wasn't sure if he liked the feeling or not. He felt dirty notwithstanding in his own skin, and he had even touched the other man yet. Orochimaru followed on his heels, giving the irregular compliment of either the scenery or Sasuke himself. The region didn't fail to notice the slight touches, the brushing of hands or the occasional brush of the shoulder. Their walk had finally ended, and now Sasuke managed to reclaim some of himself as he sat down for tea. His mother should hopefully be joining them shortly in order for Sasuke to alleviate some of the awkwardness he felt. Maybe it was because this man was a stranger, his first mystifying appearance had done something to Sasuke. Now it just felt awkward couldn't figure out why. His thoughts kept going back to Itachi every time the man gave him a smirk that resembled his older brother. Often Sasuke would have to shake his head in order to alleviate such thoughts. He did though find the man interesting, he knew a lot about the country and the history. Orochimaru told of his tribe, people who held magic and skills that the finest blacksmith would need to attain through years of training.

It was a small prosperous country not far away. It was very rich in culture and art, and those are the things that fascinated Sasuke. Orochimaru showed this alone in the jewelry he wore. His earrings were fine curved metal said to have been made in his homeland. Everything about this man spewed culture and integrity, but Sasuke couldn't look around the creepy stare. Even the occasional thing the older raven said made lights go off in his brain. They were subtle, but they were there.

The tea room was reserved for royalty only. Two large couches were situated on either side of the tall tea table. An elaborate and beautifully designed tea pot stood in the middle surrounded by several miniature copies used as the tea cups. The walls were draped in heavy mantels of art work and tapestry. It was a room situated on the side of the palace, overlooking the ocean. Orochimaru had decided to sit directly next to Sasuke, a place the raven himself wouldn't have chosen. Sasuke managed to put up with it as he steered the conversation more political.

"Do you have a monarchy in your country?" Sasuke asked him. Orochimaru smiled as he brought his cup to his lips.

"In a way we do; it is much similar to yours. There is a leader, but all of his decisions are backed up by counsel. If the consul feels his decisions aren't just, they have the ability to overrule him but in the end must serve the people and not him," He said. Sasuke it was a bit taken aback by this, for all the time his mother had ruled nobody had dared question her, there was no consul to go against her.

"Was it always that way?" Sasuke asked intrigued. Orochimaru gave a small smile behind his cup, and Sasuke couldn't help but blush at the intensity of it. He prayed he didn't show against his pale clothing.

"Oh yes, we believe in ruling by the people. Not to say your mother hasn't been a superior monarch, her decisions have heavily reflected those around her in a more positive light compared to what I've seen in the past. You are very lucky to have such an esteemed ruler. Where I come from if one man is corrupt, all of them are," He said. Sasuke gave a slow nod.

"Mother has always been very fair; I can't think of the time I've ever seen the people revolt. However, then again, I don't leave the palace very much," Sasuke said.

"You've never fought in a battle?" Orochimaru asked him slightly curious. Sasuke and shook his head and set his tea cup on his lap.

"I am trained in self-defense, but as for battle, the mother has never let me. Itachi the eldest, he has that right; the firstborn son always has the army. Mother feels that my place belongs in the library or studying. I know how to handle a sword, but no; I have never taken a life. I am unsure whether that is a good or bad thing," He admitted. Orochimaru tilted his head and Sasuke felt like he was being watched again.

"Do you want to fight in the army?" He asked. Sasuke swallowed and briefly thought that over. Would he truly be able to have the bloodlust expected of him like the firstborn? Did Itachi ever have a choice when he was trained?

"I'm. . . I don't. . . Know," He admitted in clipped words.

"So your hands are free of human blood?" Orochimaru asked him, sounding strange. Sasuke he looked up at him to see the man's eyes narrowed. The Raven didn't like it.

"As many free reigns I'm sure your country has, where little stricter here. As royalty I'm given a choice and is not very big in category. Everybody has a place depending on their birth. Itachi's is at the top because he's the head son, mine is at the bottom because I am the second child. Itachi is the head of the Army while I am kept indoors and shielded from violence in the world. I wasn't given the choice, but if I did I would join the Army as expected of me anyway. Do I clear it up for you Orochimaru?" He rang out harshly.

The pale skinned man regarded the prince almost thoughtfully. After a moment, he chuckled and sat down his tea cup.

"I believe you are much smarter than you leave anybody to believe," He suddenly said. Sasuke was taken back by the words.

"Excuse me?" He asked. Orochimaru stood up and suddenly Sasuke was on alert. The pale man leaned over and grasped his chin with long nails. They didn't bite into the flesh but simply held him in place. Sasuke was captured by that yellow gaze. Orochimaru leaned closely to him until a cool breath coated his lips.

"You can't pretend around me; I see all young Prince," The snake man whispered. His smirk was turning dangerous, but Sasuke couldn't pull away. He held completely still as Orochimaru leaned down and captured his lips. He was swept away in an ocean of confusion.

TBC

R&R