Well, as promised, here's another update. This is a special update as well. Today is my girlfriend's birthday! Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy! (leave me a good review or no more birthday updates for you :p)

I just want to thank everyone who has reviewed, favourited, and followed, and just read the story in general. This is definitely different than what I usually do, but I'm having a blast with it. :). I have up to chappie sixteen written out! I'm hoping to write more today, but we shall see :).

My drawing has picked up! I drew a picture for this story. It's on my DeviantArt page (which goes by the same name I do on here). So if y'all wanna check it out, y'all can. It's not the best thing in the world, but eh I like it :). (which is hard to do since I criticize myself like crazy).

Alrighty then, I hope y'all enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden. This is just for fun, no profit will be made from this (and I don't want to either). This is purely for my and the entertainment of Naruto fans.

Dedication: To my beautiful, amazing, intelligent, girlfriend Phillipa (Shadow Spirit Dragon-wolf) for being there for me through not only my writing (both fanfiction and my original story) but real life in general. You have been my inspiration and my support through everything.

Warnings: Violence, explicit sexual conduct (no rape!) homosexual relationship, relationship with a large age gap, struggles with belonging, self-hatred, obsession, self-harm, self-experimentation, human experimentation, mental disorders, a dark view of the "afterlife", (bonding of) pain and isolation, self-worthlessness, and male pregnancy.

Pairings: OroNaru, cannon pairings (except, obviously, NaruHina).

Summary: Sometimes, the deepest scars are the ones no one can see, but in a world moving into the light even the oldest inner wounds can be seen

Enjoy! :)

Chapter Two: Quake

Naruto

It's been about three weeks or so, and Orochimaru still hasn't moved! I know for a fact it isn't just him coming out here to visit Jiraiya at the same time everyday. What is he even doing? He has to realize he can come back any time he wants. No one has the right to stop him from visiting Jiraiya. If anything, he has more right than any of us.

Even without Sage Mode, I can feel the weakness of his body. Immortality isn't so perfect, is it, Orochimaru? I watch him from my hiding spot. It's nearly every day occurrence I'm out here. I could easily kill him. After all, he's no match for me. And even if he was stronger than I, he wouldn't be able to do much not in his condition.

I watch as his pale hand runs across the stone then to the book, gripping it tightly. It's a weak grip though. Could he even defend himself if his enemies found him out here like this? I doubt it. Though, his instincts are sharp, but…

I stand up, jumping down from my hiding spot. If he's noticed me he doesn't react. I slowly approach him. I don't know what I'll do or say if he does respond to me, but I have to do something. I can't just leave him out here like that.

A few feet away from him and his summons strike at me. I easily dodge them, cutting the ones that get too close with my kunai.

"I'm not here to hurt you," I tell him.

"Well, they seem to think you are," he rasps weakly, coughing a bit.

"Only because you trained them so well."

"Go ahead."

I arch a brow even if he can't see me. "And do what?"

"Visit Jiraiya. It's why you're here, no?"

"Well… that was my original intention, yes."

"Well, go ahead."

"You know; most people like to be alone when they're visiting someone they care about."

I mean he doesn't seem to know these things. I don't really understand why, but maybe someone should teach him? I guess it'll have to be me. No one else seems to care enough. Not that I care about him. But, I do care about my master and my master cared for this man, so…

"I'm not moving."

"Why not? You do realize you can visit him at any time, right? Don't you have those… experiments…" I say, shivering slightly because I absolutely hate that he does them, "to do?"

"They can wait. I am not here for a mere visit, child."

"Huh?"

"I'm supporting Jiraiya."

"With?"

"Dealing with his suffering."

"Umm… Jiraiya is dead."

"Your perception is very keen. I'm glad I have you to point such observation to me."

I frown. "No need to get sarcastic."

"Then don't point out things I already know. Now then, if you're going to visit your master, please do so quietly and quickly."

"You said you're supporting him…"

"Yes, what of it?"

"Well, if he's dead then…"

"That's exactly why I'm supporting him."

"I don't get it."

He sighs, turning and sitting up. His body shakes slightly from the small effort he had to use.

"You know; you don't look so good…"

"I'm not of your concern. Now then, do you want to know or not?"

I cross my arms. "Yes, I'd like to know why you're starving yourself over someone who's dead."

He studies me a bit. "Death is suffering."

I frown. "Huh?"

"You heard me. Now, hurry up and visit him so I can get back to supporting him."

"Wait; hold on! You just said that death is suffering."

"It is."

"That doesn't make any sense!"

A storm clouds his eyes. Not of fury, but something more. Only a spark. A moment, and he's back to the Orochimaru I've known.

Or at least he's back to some degree.

"I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"Orochimaru, I don't think anyone would understand. Do you honestly believe that Jiraiya is suffering right now?"

He looks up at me, into my eyes. Anger, frustration, and aggravation are at the surface, but staring deeper I see so much more: pain. Loneliness, humiliation, a sense of worthlessness. Suffering. So much suffering. All of this hidden so deep behind those seemingly cruel eyes and wicked words, and yet…

So palpable to me.

Because I've had those eyes. I've seen it in the mirror a thousand times. Even to this day, I can see them from time to time.

Maybe we're not so different, after all.

"If you believe he's suffering, why are you out here? I thought you were the type to do something about something."

"I have been. He called out to me, and-"

"He called out to you?"

"You know; it's rude to interrupt people."

"And it's rude to make someone be a part of a stupid experiment, so let's not even go there."

"That's your opinion."

"No, it's simple fact."

"You're annoying. Go bother someone else."

"Bother? Listen; I don't like you. I never will-"

He laughs humourlessly. "Get in line; most people hate me so your feelings for me don't affect me at all."

I glare at him. "-but, you're my master's friend, and I don't like to see people suffering."

"Well, there are plenty of people who need your support. Go take care of them, and leave me alone."

"Well, I do check on others from time to time when I can…"

"Good for you. Go away."

"Weren't you going to tell me what you meant by Jiraiya calling out to you?"

"When did you start calling him by his name?"

I shrug. "I call him Pervy Sage from time to time, but given the situation, I figured his name was more appropriate. Now, are you or not?"

"No."

I stare at him for a while. "What happened to you?"

Why does he suffer so much? Why does he think that death means suffering? Where did that assumption even come from? He said Jiraiya called out to him. What does that mean exactly? He had a nightmare and he believed Jiraiya needed help? How is him being here starving himself really helping Jiraiya-if he is suffering? I must find out!

XXXX

Orochimaru

Naruto stares at me for what seems like forever. He doesn't stare at me like most people do with hatred and fear. When he asked me why I was out here, he didn't laugh at me and call me crazy when I gave him my answer. No, he was genuinely curious. But, he's always been a curious child.

Just like me…

I laugh inwardly. Am I really comparing myself to this child? We're nothing alike. He hates me, and I'm not too fond of him either. I wish he'd just get on with his visit. There is much I need to focus on after all.

"What happened to you?" Naruto asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

"That's none of your concern, child."

"You know; it's not a good idea to bottle everything up…"

"I have my ways."

"Like trying to destroy Konoha?"

"…maybe."

"So it was more than just a whim."

"And if it was?"

"What happened to you?" he repeats.

"It's none of your concern."

"The hell it isn't! I'm the Child of Prophecy! I'm supposed to make peace in this world!"

"I thought you already did that."

"Well, yes, but… there's still so much suffering, and…"

"Well, go out and take care of it if it eases your mind, and stop bothering me."

"I'm trying to."

"You're sure are doing a horrible job."

"I can't exactly help you if you won't open up."

"Me? Whoever said anything about helping me?"

He groans. "I did! I said I wanted to stop everyone's suffering."

"Yes, what does that have to do with me?"

"What the hell? What do you think it means?! Damn, I thought you were supposed to be a genius!"

"Was."

"Was? You can't just stop being a genius! What makes you think you're not?!"

"Must you be so loud?"

"Sorry," he says. The look of shock on his face tells me I'm not the only one surprised by his apology. "I just… I don't understand. You're not making any sense. I mean, you never made much sense to begin with, but… you just had a lot more confidence. Did something happen after the war, or…?"

"Sasuke opened my eyes. I decided to travel down a different path, and go back to what I sought after before."

"Which is?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."

After all, I have already spoken with Kakashi. No one is after me. I'm still a rogue ninja, but as long as I leave the citizens of the villages alone-namely Konoha-then I won't be targeted. Wandering strays, other rogues, criminals, they're up for grabs. And with Kabuto's medical ninjutsu, I can use those subjects again and again.

"You know; we're not getting anywhere like this."

"What are you trying to achieve here exactly?"

"Well, I'm sure it'd feel nice to stop your suffering…"

"Again, I am no concern to you. There are people who need you, and-"

"You're not one of them? Listen; we have fought in the past. We have a lot of differences, and we don't agree, but I would never want you to suffer. Especially how you are. I mean, just look at you! You're at a memorial site believing that Jiraiya is suffering!"

"Because he is!" I hiss, body trembling.

"If he is suffering it's only because he sees that you are!"

"And you care because…?"

"I don't know! Maybe because I care about people?"

"Then go help them."

"You really don't get it, do you?"

"No, I don't understand why you're bothering me when you keep mentioning you want to help people."

"Yes. I want to stop all this needless suffering! I know I've made peace, but there is so much I need to do and-"

"Then go do it!" I hiss, coughing a bit.

He studies me. "You're included in that as well."

"I thought you were concerned with humans."

"You are-" he stops mid-sentence, eyes focused on mine. "Orochimaru," he whispers, "what happened to you?"

Preview for next chapter:

Orochimaru

"Well you should. It's not good for you," he says, turning to face me. He stares at me for a while.

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure. You just seem really familiar."

"Well, I'd hope I was familiar to you. We have been enemies for years."

He shakes his head. "No, I don't mean like that. I mean I feel like I know you from somewhere else, and didn't realize…." He trails off. His eyes widen, he jumps up, pointing to me with a shaking finger. "You're… you're the Snake Lady Grass Ninja from the Forest of Death!" he exclaims.

Next update date: March 25th

I hope y'all enjoyed! Until next time :).