Here's Part 2 that you're dreading. Sorry if this is sort of like a filler, I tried my best with little time I had. Nonetheless, Chapter 17!

Chapter 17: An Unexpected Update (Part 2)

Kabuto's POV:

What was going on with Katsumi? When I walked in to check up on Sai, there she stood frozen and distant as she avoided eye contact from anyone. I immediately thought that our new ally said something to provoke her, and I was ready to punish the man. I didn't trust nor liked the fact that Lord Orochimaru let him in so easily to begin with. But Katsumi assured that Sai did nothing and that she was just battling with herself in her head. I felt anxious when the ravenette was like that because it was only hurting herself and she doesn't deserve it.

There were times where I worried for the girl.

I instantly went ahead and opened the door that led to her bedroom. The first thing that caught my eye was her flawless figure laying on her bed, facing the wall as her back faced me. Seeing her like this made my heart slightly ache for her. I knew that she knew that I was present in her room because her Uchiha senses were very strong in my experience. She would normally get annoyed at me for entering without knocking because "every girl needed her privacy". But this time, she didn't bat an eye nor even looked at me for entering without permission which made me even more worried and now curious about her issue.

I slowly moved myself towards her bed and gently sat on the edge, beside her. If she wasn't in a depressed state, I would've just sat here and gaze at her beautiful form all day without saying a single word. But my partner was in distress, and I couldn't enjoy the view until whatever was the matter was settled.

"Clearly something was said when I was absent." I stated simply, placing my hand on her thigh to grab her attention.

Katsumi remained quiet as she continued to stare daggers at the wall, however she was listening to me so I dismissed her trying to look away.

"You know I won't leave until you tell me what your problem is. So being silent isn't going to cut it." I remarked firmly.

"What if the problem is me, Kabuto?" She suddenly purposed quietly, her face still glued to the wall.

"What?" I gaped at her unanticipated answer, blinking my eyes as I processed her words.

"It's like every decision I make, something unfortunate happens and I can't help but feel so guilty about it." She briefed weakly; her voice sounded as if she were dead.

"Everything happens for a reason." I told her gently, petting her upper leg. "The reason isn't always you…"

"Are you stupid or are you stupid?" She scoffed daringly, adjusting her position on the bed. "I'm the idiot who allowed Sasuke to force me out of the village, I'm the idiot who pushed my friends away, I'm the idiot who selfishly influenced people for my own benefit, I'm the fool who works for the likes of Orochimaru, I'm the fool who chose the dark side and because of all this… things are spiralling out of control and I'm feeling the backlash of all of it."

My face fell when I heard her explanation. The one thing that was beautiful but unfortunate about the Uchiha female was that she had so much love for others and despised hurting those loved ones because she would carry so much guilt and pressure on her shoulders, it wasn't healthy for her mental and emotional stability. What I also noticed was that she strongly regretted the decisions she made and the fact that she was pressured to make those decisions made her feel even worse about herself. And I thought I was a sad case.

"There's no point in taking in all the guilt, Katsumi…" I told her straight-forwardly in a gentle tone. "There are things we can control, then there are the things we can't control… that doesn't mean you should be held responsible…"

"You think I don't know that, Kabuto?" She dared incredulously, finally turning her head to look at me. "I know I can't control everything, but that doesn't change the way how I feel… the guilt I have is so much, it hurts and I just want it to stop…"

"But why make yourself feel this way?" I questioned hardly, demanding an answer.

Katsumi shifted her position and rotated her body until she was flat laying on her back, gazing up at me sadly. My grip on her thigh tightened as I waited for her to say something that I probably wouldn't expect.

"Sai told me what Sakura told him about me earlier when you were gone, looking for me." She explained softly as her eyes became glossy. "She still considers me as a sister, after everything I've put that poor girl through. Me being a medic ninja motivated her to become one herself. Despite backstabbing her and throwing our sisterhood away, she never doubted or judged me as a person."

I remained silent as she paused in the middle of her explanation. She rested her arm across her face, covering her eyes from seeing anything in front of them.

"Not only that, Naruto was very protective of me when Sai mentioned my name in a negative way, thinking that I wasn't worth the effort." She continued, feeling ashamed of herself. "Naruto—to this day—considers me as his friend and he still holds me close to his heart even after I betrayed him. He knew all along what was happening to my brother and he knew it would end up like this, and he tried his damn hardest to stop me from making one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Of course, I didn't listen to him and I'm paying the price…"

As Katsumi spoke, I could hear her voice getting weaker and shakier after each word. It almost sounded like she was about to cry but was using her willpower to hold back her tears. I knew seeing her weep would be hard on me, but I rather had her cry in front of me than watch her struggling to prevent herself from crying because seeing her struggling right now pained me in the inside.

"I don't deserve this, Kabuto…" I heard her breathe lightly as her voice staggered.

I blinked in shock and confusion at her comment. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I don't deserve these amazing people I have by my side unconditionally. Even my other friends back at my village; they don't deserve someone like me. I don't deserve their love and support, their friendship, anything they gave me I deserve nothing… not when I'm hurting them and making them go through this. They don't deserve the pain and suffering just as much as I don't deserve them as my friends…" She clarified disappointedly, on the verge of tearing up.

"You said they're by your side and love you unconditionally; what you told me just now is a part of that unconditional love, so whatever you've done they'll still consider you a friend even if you think they shouldn't." I mentioned matter-of-factly as my hand reached over to gently hold hers.

"Yeah but…"

"That has nothing to do with you because it was their choice in pursuing you and Sasuke; you didn't make them. Even if that were the case, feeling super guilty about it doesn't help anything but cause depression." I interjected bluntly. "Just accept the mistakes you did and move on… because those mistakes help you evolve as a human being…"

Once I closed my mouth, I was baffled to hear giggles from my depressed partner. I studied her form and the only difference I saw was her lips curving into a smile while her arm still covered her eyes.

"To think… that I actually thought that throwing everything away for Sasuke was the right thing… and look what happened to us now…" She sighed disappointedly to herself aloud.

Her mentioning about her brother all of a sudden instantly made me thought about the tension I saw between the two earlier. It looked as though they weren't as… compatible, but I couldn't be sure since they barely spoke to each other in the first place. But I could tell that something was off between the two and I was curious to find out.

"What's going on with you two, anyway?" I asked her in curiosity.

Katsumi heavily sighed. "Remember when you told me that I have to stop letting my brother influence me?"

I nodded at her, inching closer until I was sitting right next to her waist.

"Well, Sasuke thought it was smart to say that I was 'desperate' when I was cooking for everyone in the whole lair." She briefed, sounding fed up with the situation. "He also got defensive when I mentioned that he forced me out of the Leaf, saying that the option was only up to me…"

One of the things that really bugged me about Sasuke was the fact he couldn't take responsibility for his mistakes. I don't know if it was his Uchiha façade or he was simply being a stubborn brat, but he doesn't know how to listen to reason when it hit him in the head. It made sense now that Katsumi always placed the blame on herself; her brother doesn't take responsibility like the man he 'claimed' he was. It stung for me to think this, but I honestly felt that the poor girl wouldn't have this stress if it weren't for him; Sasuke wasn't protecting her at all. What was also saddening was the fact that she had to mature much quicker in order to protect and look after herself with Itachi roaming around somewhere and Sasuke being a deadbeat big brother.

"Wait, did you just say that you cooked for everyone in the lair?" I repeated that specific detail, almost forgetting this fact.

"Yes…" She confirmed, nodding with her arm draped over her face.

"Every single person, you mean?" I prompted suspiciously, raising an eyebrow. "Including the prisoners…?"

Katsumi stayed silent when I mentioned Orochimaru's prisoners, instantly knowing that it was a yes from the girl. This, in which, I sighed heavily then I frowned upon it.

"Katsumi, I don't have to tell you that you're not supposed to do that." I scolded in slight irritation.

"Just because there are rules doesn't mean I'm going to follow them." She defended nonchalantly, not fazed about the seriousness behind her act. "Plus, what that snake is doing is messed up and inhumane so it's the least I could do for them. They felt so blessed for the kind gesture…"

I remained silent at her explanation, still not entirely convinced of her argument. I understood at some degree because she made the point that those people prayed every minute that Lord Orochimaru wouldn't touch them. On the other hand, Katsumi had access to the cells in the first place because I was the one who gave her the keys so she could assist me on examination. Not even Lord Orochimaru knew of this act of rebellion I did behind his back which put my life on risk as well for that. The Uchiha girl was very smart and talented in hiding her tracks however she got sloppy when it involved around the Sanin because she simply didn't care what he would do to her; she was convinced that she couldn't and wouldn't be touched, not when Sasuke was a part of the equation. The fact of the matter was that she was abusing her luck to the point it could get the both of us killed; the least she could do was be more sensitive about my wellbeing.

"I mean, since when did I gave a damn about 'breaking' the snake's rules, right?"

"Still, you have to realize that your actions could someday affect me in a negative way…" I pointed out bluntly. "My safety is important too; unlike you, I don't have anyone to back me up…"

"Ouch, four eyes… very ouch…" She exclaimed sarcastically.

"What is it?" I asked her irritably, not liking the fact that I couldn't understand the girl as much as I hoped. She was just so broad with her comments that I always had to ask the question. That made me look like an oblivious idiot.

"You being a jerk and an idiot like always…" She sighed in bore. "You're completely forgetting that your partner has your back…"

I stared down at her incredulously. I was in disbelief that she came out and admitted that she was by my side. I knew that she physically was, but Katsumi wasn't good nor she liked expressing her feelings for a particular person to them to begin with. She felt as though it made her seemed vulnerable and weak when she confessed and simply resorted in being herself. Though the quality of her was one of the things that made me fall for her, it was comforting and satisfying to hear her said that out loud. Drawn to this, I leaned over until my forehead was resting on her forearm what was still covering her eyes. My nose brushed against hers every time one of us moved as my chest laid lightly against the girl's chest, feeling her perfectly round breasts. The feeling of being on top of my beautiful partner made me aroused and comforting simultaneously; I wanted to strip her clothes of and kiss every part of her but at the same time, I wanted to lay next to her in bed with her in my arms.

"I'm surprised you admitted that, to be honest…" I stated frankly, slightly nudging my forehead on her arm to remove it from her face.

Fortunately, Katsumi accepted to do so and pushed her forearm upward to reveal her beautiful, dark eyes to me. Her arm still laid on her upper forehead—which my forehead was still resting on—as we gazed into each other's dark pools, getting lost into its glimpse.

"I don't blame you, really." She breathed weakly, sounding a bit sad. "I mean, I know I can be difficult at times and it's hard to be around me so it's hard to know what I'm feeling in the inside because I'm not used to telling people… which is why I probably push them away without giving them the chance to understand…"

Hearing this pushed me to kiss the girl's nose to make a bit better than a second ago.

"Sometimes I feel that I'm giving you a hard time when I somewhat block you from my thoughts and feelings, making you feel like you did something wrong. I do feel bad but I just don't know how to express that in a way that isn't cold…" She added disappointedly as she gazed brokenly into my eyes.

I lifted my left hand and let it entwined its fingers with hers strongly as I looked firmly down at her.

"I don't see it like that, you know…" I told her gently, adjusting then tightening my grip on her hand. "I see you as a strong woman who can fight for herself and doesn't need a stereotypical man protecting her when she's just as strong."

"Kabuto…" She whispered weakly as her eyes made a glossy coat.

I then leaned in with my lips locked firmly against hers, kissing her affectionately as she instantly responded to the kiss. I pulled back for a brief second only to see her face a bit brighter than a moment ago, but it was still dull.

"Don't feel as though you have to change no matter what… Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, I and everyone else love you for who you are despite your flaws. You being 'difficult', 'distant' and 'hard-headed' are just a few of the qualities that makes us all love you…" I told her sweetly, meaning every word from the bottom of my heart.

"Are you for real, four eyes?" She questioned me meekly, feeling touched by my sentimentality.

"I swear on my life, Katsumi." I promised solidly.

"Thank you…" She exhaled calmly as she gave me a small but beautiful smile. "I really needed that…"

"And thank you for assuring me that you're beside me when no one else is." I returned a thanks to her, feeling more secure than I had ever been. "I can always rely on you to make my day brighter, right?"

Katsumi then suddenly furrowed her eyebrows. "Just step outside if you want your day to be bright; it's the sun's job, not mine." She witted bluntly.

I chuckled at her sarcastic joke; the girl's spunk was so attractive and cute at the same time. I then placed my lips on hers; I already missed the taste of her lips and kisses. She responded to the kiss once again and before I knew it, our lips were moving alluringly. I used my grip on her hand to bind it from moving by nailing it above her head. I hesitantly pulled back from her lips and went back being dazed by her beautiful eyes.

"As much as I want this to last longer, this unfortunately stops here…" I murmured seductively to her then I kissed her lips briefly. "To be continued…"

"Just go already. Stop acting all hot…" She huffed impatiently, sounding a bit unimpressed.

After I gave her one, final kiss, I begrudgingly picked myself up from Katsumi and walked over to the door without turning back. If I did, the feeling of not feeling her would spike intensely. Luckily, said female understood this and kept quiet as I opened the door and exited out of the room. As I walked across the lair, I couldn't stop thinking about my decision of giving the cell keys to the ravenette. It was the first time I had done behind Lord Orochimaru's back besides dating her. Disobeying my lord had never crossed my mind nor did I entertain that option because he was the only person that meant something to me. Lord Orochimaru took me in and took care of me when no one else could lift a finger, despite me following all of this commands and doing sinful things by his word.

Then I fell for Katsumi and everything changed. Unlike Lord Orochimaru, she gave me real sympathy, empathy, compassion and there were time where she could be protective of me in a way that looked like she was being stubborn. Not only that, she wanted to help me find myself and who I was; she wanted to help find my identity and with the exception of her not really caring, she would try her best to help in any way. She might not think it, but both her and her personality was beautiful and he had a huge heart of gold. There was no way in thanking her in giving me the feeling of being cared about and loved.

However, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something risky about feeling this way. Now that I had Katsumi, I was worried that she could mess up my priorities. There was no doubt that my feelings for her was stronger and honestly meaningful than my feelings for Lord Orochimaru as a subordinate; I wasn't devoted to him than I was before. That could be dangerous for me because the more I fell for her, the less focused I was for my lord. Plus, I would end up doing prohibited things behind his back for my partner and that would eventually end up me disobeying him all together. I couldn't just push myself away from the girl because I was so attached to her, but I also couldn't avoid Lord Orochimaru either; I just had to be careful and think more logically when both people were factored in the same situation.

What was unbelievable was that I was considering my oath to Lord Orochimaru for Katsumi. Before the Sanin was literally my whole life and the only person that meant something to me, but now all I wanted was to be with the beautiful, headstrong ravenette and have a life with her. But how could I when that decision could possibly be my last decision?

I couldn't believe I was admitting this, but Kabuto actually made me feel a bit lighter and better. How genuine and sensitive he was about my issues, plus cheering me up without being cheesy was crazy. I seemed to forget that four eyes really cared for me and he would out of his way to merely comfort me. It showed how much he loved me and I couldn't be more flattered. However it sometimes upset me because he showed how much I meant a lot to me yet I hadn't done anything to show how much he meant to me. To be blunt, I wasn't sure how I felt about him nor if I loved him or eventually feel that way for me. He had assured me before that I could take as much time I needed to figure out my feelings for him and he would be there waiting for me no matter how long it tool. Regardless, it didn't change how bad I felt for not feeling the same way; in my head I wanted to go ahead and love the male to death, but in my heart I was hesitant and worried that I would get hurt.

After being abandoned and had my trust being broken by others, I felt as though I could never live a normal life because of my fears.

Overall, there was no doubt that I truthfully appreciated, respected, and even admired Kabuto Yakushi.

Suddenly, my room started shaking as if an earthquake hit the lair. Luckily it wasn't so strong so everything in my room was still intact when my room shook. Right off the bat, I knew that this wasn't a minor natural disaster that took place; something was going on. There was a possibility that this was an ambush or an attack directed at Orochimaru. But the timing with Kabuto's mission, recruiting Sai, and hearing that Squad 7 was involved was all too suspicious. Then it hit me when I placed the pieces together: Squad 7 broke into the lair and was hunting down Sasuke and I. The thought of the likelihood of actually going home made me have mixed feelings; I missed my old friends back at the Leaf, but it would never be the same once I faced my punishment and I don't want to leave Kabuto.

But the chance in seeing Squad 7 all grown up was too tempted to pass up, so I caved in and speed-walked out of my bedroom door.

I activated my Sharingan to pinpoint a familiar chakra network somewhere in the lair, then I sensed a very familiar source of chakra north from where I was. I could sense the mixture of that person's chakra and the Tailed-Beast's chakra flaring up; this was Naruto Uzumaki no doubt. This solidified that Squad 7 was here now and they were looking for us, meaning I had to get to them before they caught me. With that thought, I raced towards the charka source until I came in contact with a huge hole that leaded outside; a hole that seemed to be destroyed not too long ago.

With my Sharingan I could sense five chakra sources behind the big hole on the wall. I could instantly recognized Sasuke, Naruto, and eventually Sakura but there were two chakra sources that I sensed to familiarity to them. I couldn't see the group of ninja physically because there was a bright light that blinded me as I stood in front of the big hole on the wall from the sun's rays. According to their chakra waves, the Leaf ninja didn't notice me just beside their view of vision so lucky for me. I could tell—because Sasuke was always being Sasuke—that he was staring down at all of our former comrades because he simply cared for no one now. But I couldn't just side with the Leaf, betraying Kabuto and my brother. Plus, even if I had my allegiance with by birth village once again, they wouldn't let me down easy for my betrayal and siding with the most ruthless, wanted rogue ninja that ever lived.

Besides, there was a sibling code that everyone must follow, including Sasuke and I. So I had no choice but to side with my brother and back him up if he needed it, however I wouldn't listen to him if he wanted me to attack or kill them willingly because I still cared for them.

Gathering up all my courage and putting on my stoic mask, I vanished from my initial location and reappeared in a flash next to my brother. I was in a crouching position when I noticed that we were standing near the border of a crater, giving us a good view of the once lair hallway with the sunlight from above. I examined the crater and my eyes caught on a group of familiar faces that I dreaded to see yet avoid. I knew instantly that among the group in the hole was Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sai, and an unidentified ninja who was likely a jonin; I vaguely remembered Kabuto mentioning that there was a jonin who was taking Kakashi's place in the mission they were on.

The looks on their faces when I magically appeared showed awe and shock to which I couldn't blame them because it had been a while. Just seeing them once again made my heart clench a bit because of how much I missed them. Then I felt the immense guilt I carried how what I had done to them that brought us all to this situation, despite Sasuke being the one to force me. I wasn't certain if they were stunned that I was willingly working for the snake or that they hadn't seen me for a long time to begin with. The looks they were giving me made me uncomfortable, overwhelmed and for some reason, refreshed. Oddly, it was refreshing to see their faces at all and seeing the two looking like they saw a ghost brought back good memories.

"It's…" I heard Sakura shakenly breathing in awe.

"It's HITOMI!" Naruto interjected in surprise, his blue eyes widened by the sight of me.

Hearing them say the name that solely my closest friends call me felt like a kunai knife stabbed my heart. Their voices hadn't changed since the last time I saw them, however I did hear the maturity behind it which begged the question if not only their voices and appearance matured. I completely ignored Sai and the unknown jonin as I examined the circumstances we were all in; former comrades and teammate were facing off possibly to the death. It was bad enough that I had to see them in these terms, but the urge to see their bright, courageous faces took me over and I had to face them, even if we were currently enemies. I could tell by looking at their faces and the way they reacted when I exposed myself that they held nothing against me for what I had done in my part nor they were angered; they sounded as though they were happy to see my face just as much as I was.

"It's been a while… Sakura… Naruto…" I commented blankly, gazing down at my once and only family.

Ooh, cliff-hanger! That's right, you wanna know what happens next? Then you'll have to wait for the next chapter! See you then!