Hi there, sorry for the time it took. Two jobs, two kids, and some fighting for climate delayed this. As indicated in the summary, there's not much plot in it, mostly just scenes that pops in my mind which I wanted to write 'cause that's what I do. I'm almost done. You may have noticed also that English is not my native language, sorry about that too. Hope you enjoy the ride anyway, have fun.
Konohamaru barely managed to catch himself before they stumbled on the ground. He'd just discovered dimensional traveling wasn't very funny, though it was convenient. Figuring out where they had landed was not his immediate priority as Mitsuki caught Boruto before he would crash on the floor, blood pooling around him, white as death already. What tremendous strength it must have taken to magick them out of the battlefield after such a chaotic clash ! Konohamaru still shivered with the aftermath of the fight : surely their enemy was nothing more than ashes by now. He was not sure he'd ever want to see Boruto go all out ever again. Mitsuki mercilessly slapped the young man's face, anguish painted on his face, oblivious to what was going on around them. Blinking, Konohamaru finally noticed they were in a dark room which smelled of damp hearth and medicine, something that triggered a memory he couldn't quite put his finger on. A lone artificial light cast shadows on the walls, and someone was seated there, typing. As if called to them by his attention, the figure stopped what it was doing and the chair slowly turned.
- I told you I don't like it when you barge in like this. the cold voice whispered mockingly.
- It was an emergency. Mitsuki objected.
- Still. Take him to my laboratory. And try not to put too much blood everywhere.
Now accustomed to the dim light, Konohamaru met their host's gaze and shivered. Orochimaru seemed younger than ever, but his eyes held an ageless cruelty that promised death and sorrow as sure as the sun would set. Instinctively, Konohamaru tensed before his grandfather's murdered. Until now he had avoided meeting the famed Sannin, and wished it could have remained so. But Boruto's condition was too serious, and they needed medical help.
- How come we ended up here ? he grumbled while helping Mitsuki lift the unconscious young man.
- Boruto uses his traveling much like the Yondaime used the flying raijin : he can mark places or people and travel there.
Of course having an emergency medical option on quick dial was invaluable, but following Orochimaru along the dark corridors of his den, Konohamaru wondered what price they had to pay for that help. Carefully placing their injured friend on a table that looked more suited to dissection than healing, they waited anxiously. Orochimaru didn't seem in a hurry.
- What did he do this time ?
- Some sealing jutsu I never heard of. Mitsuki answered.
A light frown was the only answer, and Orochimaru grabbed a pair of gloves before glaring at the two men in his way.
- You can go now. I'll call you when I'm done.
Konohamaru wanted to protest, but Mitsuki nodded and departed after a last, concerned look at Boruto. Once back in the corridor, the jonin grabbed the younger man's arm.
- You really trust him ?
- It's not a matter of trust, but common interest. It's not the first time we call my parent for help.
- You can bet he's doing more than healing. Konohamaru was fuming. He's famed for those weird sick experiments.
- Yeah, I would know. Mitsuki smiled.
Konohamaru's heart missed a beat and he instantly calmed down, nervously raking his hand in his overgrown hair.
- I'm sorry, Mitsuki, that's not what I meant. he sighed. You may be the only good thing that came out of Orochimaru's work.
Konohamaru could never divine if he'd hurt the young man's feelings or not, ever since he was a child. Mitsuki didn't work like the others, and would rarely be angry about anything, not while being with Boruto that is.
- Don't worry about it, taicho. Let's rest, I'm sure Boruto will be alright.
But behind that calm facade, Konohamaru knew the young shinobi was worried sick.
Hours later, when Boruto finally came to, he just watched the ceiling for a while, trying to recall everything that happened and fix the experience in his mind. All things considered, he wasn't sure he wanted to use that technique ever again. Hell, he wasn't even sure he could.
- Karin will scold you. Orochimaru's teasing voice came from the dark.
- What good is her teachings if it can't be used ? he grumbled weakly.
- Don't be obtuse. She wanted you to understand the spirit of it, not risk your life for such a pointless reason.
- Seemed like a good idea then.
- I'm going to explain this in terms you can understand. Orochimaru said with a harsh voice, coming closer. Anyone else would have died. The fact that you're more resistant doesn't mean you are unaffected. Stop being so childish.
- Is that concern I hear ? Boruto smiled.
- Do as you please. But you wouldn't want to break Mitsuki's heart, now ?
- I'll behave. Boruto promised, amused. But you know that at some point I won't have the luxury to hold back ?
- I'm sure you'll figure something out. Orochimaru mocked him.
- You could be a little more supportive.
- You have a mother home, Boruto-kun. Go hide in her skirts.
Unbelievably, the young man managed to get up, stretching his arms, testing his strength.
- Feels better than last time. What did you do ?
- I'm not sure you'll understand even if I explained it to you. I've been studying you for a while now, and there were some things I wanted to try out.
- I'm not a fucking lab rat.
- You're welcome. If you can move around it means my work is done. You know the way out.
Gathering his bloodsoaked gear with a disgusted frown, Boruto went for the door, dead set on finding both Mitsuki and a shower. Near death experience was becoming way too customary for his liking.
- Always a pleasure, old man.
As the door closed on him, Orochimaru smiled fondly. Those children were so very interesting, he couldn't wait to see the next ones.
