Disclaimers: Naruto is someone else's, this is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.
Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, angst, hopefully some decent jokes, and (of course) beautiful SasuNaru love.
Chapter 30: 大蛇丸
"Ignorance is not bliss. It is the kiss of death."
-Suzy Kassem
--
Three Years Earlier
"Your cunning continues to inspire, Lord Orochimaru."
The Sannin slid his cold reptilian eyes over to his faithful young servant, regarding him momentarily, before returning his focus to the scroll before him.
"Sasuke has proven himself to be a strong and worthy vessel", he purred, his long tongue darting out to lick his lips as his eyes flashed with excitement, "but we must continue to keep a close eye on him. I do not believe that he is as detached from his past life as he claims to be."
Kabuto pushed up his glasses and nodded in agreement. "Especially when it comes to the nine-tails jinchuriki. Wasn't it originally his intention to kill the boy to activate the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Orochimaru regarded the silver-haired medic, then dropped his golden gaze down to the scroll in front of him. He ran his fingers across three words scrawled across the top of the parchment- The Hourglass Curse.
A devilish grin suddenly appeared, stretching taut across his face. "Oh, he will still have a chance to do so."
He rolled up the parchment and passed it over to the silver-haired medic. "Bring this back when you have completed the final steps."
Kabuto bowed his head as he collected the scroll. "I will work on this right away."
"See to it that you do. I want to start trial runs as soon as possible."
Orochimaru dropped down in a chair and lazily ran his fingers along the wooden arm. "Kabuto- send Sasuke to me as well. I have some things to discuss with him."
"Lord Orochimaru.." Kabuto paused, and nervously pushed up his glasses. It was never wise to question the Sannin, but he felt that he needed to say something. He felt that Orochimaru had a habit of being too.. honest with the Uchiha. He didn't want to see his master's plan fall apart before it even started.
"Don't you think Sasuke will suspect something if you start questioning him about the nine tails host?"
Orochimaru's caress along the chair stopped, and Kabuto felt a small shiver of fear run down his back. He watched his master raise an eyebrow, his smile curdling into a tight sneer.
"You question my judgment, Kabuto?"
"No, my lord", he said quickly. "I simply wish to assist you in any way that I can."
The snake studied him for a moment but must have seen something in his dark eyes akin to obedience or fear that reassured him, because his anger dissipated almost as quickly as it appeared.
"I have no intention of sharing our plans with the boy", Orochimaru finally responded. "I will continue to train him and test his loyalty in other ways."
"Of course. I will retrieve him for you now, my lord." Kabuto bowed once more, and left to find the vessel, hoping that he could do so quickly. He was anxious to return to his work, to gain the praise and favoritism of his master again.
Then I will finally be rid of Uchiha, he thought to himself.
He smiled. He couldn't wait to watch the arrogant bastard destroy the person he cared for most, and break under the weight of it. He would revel in his suffering, then sit back and watch as Orochimaru made use of what was left.
Soon, Sasuke.. he thought, a cruel smile twisting his features as he walked briskly down the dimly lit hallway.
Soon.
"You called for me, Orochimaru?" Sasuke asked, his irritation transparent.
"I see your mood has yet to improve."
The raven clenched his jaw, sharingan spinning. "I assumed you would rather have me train than sit around. Is there something you needed?"
The Sannin grinned, completely unaffected by the Uchiha's outbursts. "Have a seat, Sasuke."
His expression darkened, but he moved to a chair in the corner of the room and did as he was told. He tapped his fingers impatiently, but otherwise remained silent.
"Let's talk about the nine tails host."
Orochimaru saw the Uchiha noticeably stiffen, and his grin widened. "I see that is still a touchy topic for you."
"Don't presume that you know how I feel."
"Then, do you care to explain why you have not killed Naruto yet?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the "yet", but refused to play into the snake's hands. "I have severed ties with him. It does not matter to me if he lives or dies."
"Is that so.." Orochimaru tilted his head, watching his soon-to-be vessel closely. "And if I ordered you to kill him?"
Sasuke looked away. "Is that what you're doing?"
"Not yet."
That word again.
Sasuke forced his voice to stay steady, his expression blank. "You truly have no use for him? The Akatsuki seem to have an interest in his abilities.."
"What better reason to destroy him? The Akatsuki's plans fail and you activate the Mangekyo Sharingan." Orochimaru leaned forward in his chair. "Is that not what you want, Sasuke?"
The raven chose not to respond.
"Your feelings for him are clear. Perhaps it would be better if I took care of him myself.."
Sasuke clenched his hands into tight fists. "I will take care of it," he snapped. "When I deem it necessary, I will be the one to.. destroy him."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered with amusement.
"I look forward to it."
Two Months Before Present Day
"So, you chose to resurrect me." Orochimaru looked down at his body, running his hands down his frame as he examined what he had to work with.
"Two years is a long time, Kabuto."
The silver-haired medic bowed his head. Despite the years, he was still just as submissive to his master. It was how he won his favor long ago, and how he hoped to regain his favor now.
"I apologize, my lord." His now golden eyes flashed, but he kept his excitement hidden behind gleaming glasses and long silver bangs.
"I was forced into hiding to avoid Sasuke Uchiha's wrath and found it necessary to train and improve my skills before exacting my own revenge. I assume that is something you would also like to be a part of."
"Hmmm.." Orochimaru considered him, scanning his new and improved subordinate. "What did you have in mind?"
"Do you remember when we first worked on creating the Hourglass Curse?"
Orochimaru's deathly pale face stretched with a wide predatory grin. "I'm listening."
Present Day
"Sasuke..?" Naruto looked up at the irate raven, guilt and unease still rushing through him, making him feel jittery and restless. "What do we do now?"
The two were still standing in the large dusty room where they had found the large Hourglass Curse symbol carved into the wall. The symbol that Naruto had impulsively touched, reactivating the original curse.
Inky black pools locked onto concerned cerulean ones and his expression softened. "We should check to see if there's anything around here that can help us deal with the curse. Then we should find a way out of here. Regroup."
Naruto nodded, and started to move over to the opposite side of the room, when a pale hand suddenly reached out and stopped him. Naruto looked down at the hand grasping his arm then up at the dark eyes staring down at him. "Sasuke..?"
The Uchiha dipped his head down and gently captured Naruto's lips with his own, pressing firmly against him. Naruto leaned into the kiss, then slowly pulled back. "Wha-?" he mumbled.
"Just in case" Sasuke said simply. Then he released his arm and moved to the other side of the room to search for more clues. After a few seconds Naruto collected himself and turned to do the same.
After a few minutes of searching Naruto paused. "Hey, Sasuke?" he called over his shoulder.
"What dobe?"
"Do you think it's weird that no one has come looking for us?"
Sasuke froze, then quickly turned around to stare at the blonde.
The shadow clones busting us out of the cell..
The time it took to search the halls..
The curse activating..
The amount of time we've been in this room..
"Yes.." he thought aloud. "They should have found us by now."
"Think we're still in the middle of a trap?" Naruto asked, turning around to meet his gaze.
Sasuke took a step towards him, dread filling his senses and sending his pulse racing. His chest tightened, and his fight or flight was suddenly working in full force. Something was definitely not right here.
We should have left sooner.
"We should leave, Naruto."
"Oh, it's far too late for that."
Sasuke's blood ran cold. He watched Naruto jerk his head to the side, wide blue eyes filling with confusion and horror.
How is this even possible..?
Sasuke turned to face the snake in the doorway, barring their only means of escape. He could feel his own eyes widening, his mind going into hyper-drive as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
Trying to believe what he was seeing.
Who he was seeing.
"Orochimaru.."
Author Note:
In case you were wondering, 大蛇丸 is Orochimaru in Japanese. I was being creative with the title. :)
I hope my twists continue to surprise you Bearlikespie, along with the rest of you amazing fanfic readers out there. Because I love and appreciate the hell out of you, and want to treat you to something fun.
Alright~ let's keep it going!