Well, here we are with another update. My y key is acting like a bitch right now. I have to stab it in order for it to work. *sigh*. And I"m still job hunting. "We want 45 years of experience and you have to be 2" Yeah okay (and I know it's not 2 it's just this me thing. I'm weird, okay?)

So for this story, I have up to chapter eighteen written out. I didn't write at all this past week; otherwise, I'd be even further ahead.

I finished my first ever project in Minecraft! It's so epic and amazing! :D

On a real life note, my stupid insurance won't pay for my insulin. "It cost $500" Umm no. I hate US healthcare. My ass is moving to Canada asap. Gotta worry about dying because some fuckhead can't get this shit straightened out. Whatever. (sorry for the rant)

On a lighter note, Orochi has been a very affectionate slither noodle lately. Last night, I tried to feed him (his day to eat). He got the mouse then when I looked over at his terrarium, the mouse was still in his cage and he was just slithering around. So after tapping him with the hook (and that is the first time I've ever had to use that thing lol) and got all settled down he gave me kisses and coiled up beside of me in his favourite spot. He's a very interesting noodle. I spoil him so much lol.

Oh, think y'all can handle extra updates in July than normal? Orochi's hatch day, my birthday and the day we met (the day I got him) are all in July :D Yay for July!

Shut up you roasted bug vulture! We're trying to read.

:(.

Enjoy haha :D

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 Three: Corrosion

Orochimaru

Naruto stares at me, waiting for an answer. Does he really think he's going to get one? Why should I tell him anything? So he can run back to his little friends and tell them my weakness? Never! There have only been a few people who slipped through the cracks, and only one person who saw me with my defenses down completely.

And he will remain the only one.

Not this child. Especially not this child.

Why is he even talking to me? I thought he wanted to visit Jiraiya? Visiting is pathetic! It doesn't do anything for them. The only thing it does is make them want to be alive even more.

Don't worry, Jiraiya, everyone. Soon… just hang in there.

"Are you going to answer, or are you just going to stare off into space all night?"

I level him a glare, releasing my suppressed chakra. It flows in waves, twisting the world into a sinister vortex. Blood drips like melting icicles. I shiver, licking my lips. Waiting. Waiting for this child to become suffocated with my chakra, and drown in terror in my eyes, and yet…

All he does is stare at me. No fear. No hatred.

Nothing!

I knew this child was dense and didn't fully pay attention when we first met in the Forest of Death, but… I thought, this time…

Then again, he may just think that I'm some weakling now. That must be it. He thinks this is a joke!

I increase the flow of my chakra, intensifying my killing intent. The trees sway violent thunderstorm and the birds fly around in a hurry to get away from the danger. They know when to run, but this child…

"You know; I don't think it's such a good idea to use so much chakra in your state," he says.

I cough up some blood. That must be it. My body is weak. I haven't been eating as I should, but even so… it hasn't been that long. And I am a snake, so I would think I'd be able to handle myself without food.

I cough again, shaking.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"I'm fine!" I hiss, letting my chakra flow within my body. I shed, letting my 'new body heal itself. Unfortunately, it only helps slightly.

"Well, you don't seem alright. What's gotten you so worked up? Why the sudden use of so much chakra? You're already low as it is."

"And that concerns you because…?"

He shrugs. "Hell if I know. Guess it's because I don't like people to suffer. It's not right."

I half cough, half laugh. "You should have been running away, and yet, you're here asking me if I'm alright? What a strange child."

"Hey, that's just who I am. And why would I run away? No offense, but you're not much of a threat to me."

"So that's it," I spit. "You think I'm weak."

"No, actually, you're very powerful."

"But not as powerful as you, right?" I spit.

"I don't know. I mean, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, right?"

"Only fools have weaknesses!"

"Geniuses do too. Sasuke certainly does."

"Sasuke is perfect."

He laughs.

"What's so funny?" I hiss.

"Your obsession with Sasuke is ridiculous. Do you still want his body?"

"Does it matter?"

Naruto shrugs, moving to sit next to me against a tree that's a few feet away. "Nah, not really. Just curious. Now then, why do you think I was supposed to run away from you? You're not really in any condition to do much."

"I wasn't suppressing my chakra."

"Well, I gathered. I felt it."

"Then why were you staring at me like a fool?"

"I was trying to see if you were okay. Is that alright?"

"Absolutely not!"

"You're weird. Listen; I don't know what you were trying to do, but I think what you need to do is relax. You need to get home, get some food, and some rest. You've been out here for three weeks, and you're skinny as hell. You look like you're on death's door. So, in your weakened state, you wouldn't have-

"I've been far worse condition than this, and have been able to cause my enemies to run with my killing intent, so don't give me that!" I hiss.

"Killing intent? Is that what you were doing? Huh. Interesting. I've only seen that one other time with Zabuza. That was scary, but I realized there was nothing to be afraid of, so…"

"So is that why you aren't running?"

"I guess. I mean there's really nothing to fear. Killing intent is sort of like an illusion, right? If you know that then you can get past it. Not many things scare me. My death certainly doesn't. We'll all die one day and-"

"Not me. I will never die!" I hiss.

He looks at me. "Well, you're going to die if you don't get something to eat. I mean, when was the last time you even had some food?"

"I don't keep up with that."

"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. "You're… you're the Snake Lady Grass Ninja from the Forest of Death!" he exclaims.

"…what?"

"Yeah! I can't believe I didn't realize it before! I mean I knew I felt that chakra from somewhere, but I wasn't sure. Now I finally remember!"

"You should have been able to piece that together because I was the last thing you saw around Sasuke."

"Well, yes, but- Hey! Did you just call yourself a "thing"?!"

"Yes, I suppose someone else could have been there, but that wasn't the case."

"Why did you want to be that weird snake lady?"

"She didn't summon snakes, so why are you calling her that?"

"Well, she was slithering around like a snake and was being all weird!"

"So let me get this straight: you're weirded out by the fact that I disguised myself as a female Grass Ninja to sneak into the Chunin exams, and turned her body to fit my snake ways, but have no issue with my killing intent when I'm using an even stronger version of it than I did with Sasuke?"

"Hey, snakes don't really bother me, honestly. I don't really care for them, but I don't hate them either. It was just that woman you were pretending to be that was really freaky," Naruto says, shrugging. "Well, from the way Sasuke was shivering, I thought that it was supposed to be pretty bad. So there's a stronger version?"

"I wasn't using my eyes at the time."

"Your eyes? Your eyes make your killing intent stronger."

"Yes. It's-"

"That is so cool! I wish my eyes could do that!"

"…what?"

"I mean, I thought only the Uchiha and Hyuuga had visual jutsu, but-"

"I don't have any visual prowess."

"But you just said…"

"My eyes enhance my killing intent. It's my chakra that does the work. My eyes just make it more intimidating."

He frowns. "I don't see how."

"Most people don't like my eyes. They see them as something to fear."

"Why? They're just eyes."

"They're reminded of venomous snakes or demons."

"Is that why you think you're inhuman?"

"No."

He looks at me for a while. "I don't mind your eyes. I see nothing wrong with you. I mean, as far as appearance goes. Now…."

"Don't even start. I've heard it a thousand times."

"But it's wrong! How can you do that to people?!"

"They were going to die anyway. What difference does it make? Some survive, and that only serves to further my goals."

Naruto clenches his fists, body shaking. "I thought you weren't after Sasuke anymore."

"I'm not."

"Then…?"

I lean my head back against the stone. "I want to understand this world."

"And to do that you have to destroy people's lives?!"

"It's not my fault they're weak."

I hear him stand up. "You're disgusting! I worked so hard to make peace, but all you're doing is causing more hatred!"

"You act as though I have thousands of people I capture and kill every day for no reason at all."

"I don't care if you have a thousand people or one person! I want you to stop!"

"Why?"

"Why? Why?! Did you seriously just ask me that?! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"There's something wrong with that Orochimaru kid."

"Yeah, but isn't he so cute?!"

"Super smart too!"

"Yeah, but he can't be trusted. My parents say he's dangerous."

"It's only wrong to you because you don't understand."

"Then why don't you explain it to me?"

"Why should I explain it to someone who will never understand?"

"Listen, we all can't be geniuses like you, but I do understand a lot of things. You could at least give me a chance."

"Your level of intelligence has nothing to do with why I won't tell you."

"Then what is it?"

"You should know."

"Do you care about anyone but yourself?"

"The people I care about are dead."

"Okay, so that means you have to destroy lives?"

"What I do is none of your concern. I'm not going to stop my experiments because you get upset by them. Sasuke has already relayed his disgust in them, so go ahead and get it out of your system along with the other built up hatred you have towards me. Then, when you are done, please leave. I have to get back to work."

"I don't hate you," Naruto says after a while. "I want to understand you."

XXXX

Naruto

I stare at the man beside of me. He tried to intimidate me with his killing intent. I don't see what's so scary about him, honestly. There's nothing wrong with his physical appearance. No, those eyes. That chakra, I have no issue with those. It's his stupid experiments that get me worked up. And I'm never one to hesitate to speak my mind.

I should kill him. It would be so simple. We both know he's no match for me. Of course, I know it won't be an easy fight, and yet, I can't seem to make myself. It must be Jiraiya stopping me, but…

"I don't hate you. I want to understand you," I say before I can stop myself.

Why? What is there to understand? He doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself. Hell, I don't even think he gives a damn about himself! He's not living at all! He's just… existing!

"That's nice," he says, lying down again, curling up near the stone.

I watch him. Watch him touch the stone and run a hand across it. Watch as he coughs and shakes. It's sad to watch. So easy. It would be so easy to take him down, but… I just can't. So many lives would be saved if he were gone.

Is Jiraiya's influence on me that strong? He must realize that Orochimaru has to be dealt with. He even tried to take care of him, or… was there more to that? That fight is hard to remember, honestly.

'You're thinking too much that's not good for you.'

'Oh shut up! This is serious.'

'He doesn't seem to be bothering anyone right now. Wouldn't it be best to just leave him? He doesn't seem to want to move.'

'I can't just leave him out here. He'll die.'

'You care if he dies?'

'I… I don't like to see people suffer.'

'Yes, but if we get rid of him then there will be much less suffering in the world.'

'That's unfair. He shouldn't have to die just to prevent suffering. Maybe if we show him…'

'Do you honestly think that's going to work, Naruto? He doesn't seem to want to change. He's convinced that he must learn everything and experiment on humans to do that.'

'Well, there has to be a reason. I mean, did you see his eyes?'

'Yes. I was looking at his face while you were. Of course, I did.'

'No,' I say, shaking my head, 'there's more… it's…'

'Ah. The pain. Is that why you can't kill him?'

'No! It's because Jiraiya-'

'A small portion. You want to help, Orochimaru, don't you?'

'I…'

Do I? Why should I want to? It doesn't make any sense! Like Kurama said, so many people will be saved if I just kill this man. I stand up, grabbing a kunai. I walk over to him, kneeling down.

'He's completely out of it. He hasn't even sensed you yet.'

'Probably exhausted himself.'

Kurama makes a noise in acknowledgment.

I watch the man before me. His breathing is shallow and his heart rate is irregular. In his sleep, I watch as he moves even closer to the stone, practically wrapping his body around it.

'Are you going to kill him or not?'

"I…"

"This is Lord Orochimaru's next vessel."

"I'm leaving to gain power."

"I wonder who is stronger: you, or my Sasuke?"

"We escaped Orochimaru!"

I lift my hand high, gripping the kunai tightly. I glare at him. It's time to end his pathetic existence! I'm not sure how fast he'll be able to shed, but I won't let that happen! He will die!

"Why do you care about Orochimaru, Pervy Sage?"

"The same reason you care about Sasuke."

"Yeah but Sasuke is-"

"Orochimaru isn't as bad as you believe he is."

"He's not?"

"No. He's just… lost."

"Lost?"

Lost…

"Jiraiya…"

His voice is so broken, helpless, hopeless…

"I don't hate you. I want to understand."

Understand…

"Enough is enough," I say aloud, putting my kunai away. I scoop the older man in my arms. Damn, he's so light! 'Do you think you can help me heal him?'

'I don't' see why not.'

'Alright, thanks. Let's get going.'

'To where?'

'One of Orochimaru's hideouts.'

I take off, heading to the closest hideout. They'll be easy to detect for me. I just hope I won't have to contend with any of Orochimaru's followers. Luckily, Kabuto works at the orphanage. I really hate him.

I'm glad no one is around right now. I'd have to do a lot of explaining for why I'm carrying Orochimaru in my arms. I look down at him, keeping up my speed in the trees. He whimpers, clinging to me.

"Jiraiya…"

Jiraiya, I don't know how; I don't know why, but someway, somehow, I'll find out what you meant.

Preview for next chapter:

Orochimaru

"For the most part, I did."

"Then what were you born with that's snake-like?"

"My eyes."

"Your eyes are interesting. I really like the colour, and those markings really bring them out," he says, reaching out and stroking them.

I tense.

"Hey, I'm not going to hurt ya. I mean c'mon now! I wouldn't attack someone who can barely sit up. And 'sides, it'd be very counterproductive as I saved your ass."

"That was the last thing on my mind."

"Well, why'd ya tense up for?"

"Why did you touch me?"

"I have no idea. Something told me to, so I listened to it. It's always right."

Next update date: April 8th

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