So I have to update this today because Jess and I are going to be very busy tomorrow. I'm going to be flying home, and Jess will be going to her family so it's going to be a busy day. So yeah, hope you guys like the new. Also next update I'll be down at Jess' house. Unless you guys really want us to do a Christmas chapter, but either way I hope you enjoy the chapter anyway. I was going to update earlier, but kind of forgot I was doing this today, and has a late exam (though my last exam for the semester) so either way it's here now.

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, canon 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 Twenty-five: Searched

Sasuke

A few days of traveling, and I decide we need to take more than a five-minute break.

"How's the snake, Jugo?"

He peers in his cloak at the little snake snoozing away.

"Orochimaru must be asleep. If he is sick it'll be good for him to get a lot of rest," Karin says, taking a bite of her rice ball. "You guys want one?"

"Sure," I shrug, taking the offering. Jugo doing the same.

"It's strange Lord Orochimaru's soul snakes would be around at this time," Jugo says, popping the riceball in his mouth.

"It's just me," the snake says, slithering out of Jugo's cloak pocket halfway.

"But why? He doesn't need to do the transference ritual anymore," Karin frowns.

"He was-"

"Well, well, this sure is a lovely congregation."

We look over to see Suigetsu heading towards us with Executioner's Blade strapped to his back.

"Suigetsu!" Karin exclaims, jumping up, half-eaten rice ball falling in the dirt. "What the hell do you want?"

"Aw. I didn't know I was interrupting such a lovely occasion. Is this supposed to be a romantic occasion? Rice balls under a large tree on such a lovely day? Talking about wedding plans and how many brats you'll make?"

"There are three of us here, Suigetsu. And you should know that Lord Sasuke is married to Lady Sakura and has a child with her."

"Still doesn't change the fact that Karin wants to get in his pants."

"No, I don't!"

"Uh huh," Suigetsu grins, sharp teeth grazing his lips. "What's with the flushed face?"

"It's because you're an idiot! I'm over Sasuke!"

"Uh huh. I hear you, Karin."

"Ugh!" she exclaims, punching his head. Water sprays for a bit then he slowly regains his head.

"You're uptight today."

"If you don't-"

"Suigetsu, Karin, settle down," I say.

Both of them sit down.

"So… what's going on?"

"First, I want to know why you didn't answer my message. We could have used the help rebuilding the bridge."

"I was training the new Swordsmen of Kiri. I think that's more important than rebuilding some old bridge."

"This world has been torn apart by that war. We need all the help we can get. If each of us do our part, we can get done a lot quicker."

"And don't you think rebuilding the Swordsmen is a must? I mean c'mon now, guys. It's crucial to have more than just two strong ninja in this world."

"There are more than just two. Have you forgotten my wife, and let's not forget the Kage the retired and new, and the Sannin?"

Suigetsu waves one hand, taking a large gulp of water with the other. "Well, no, but they're pathetic compared to you and Naruto."

"Lord Naruto wouldn't appreciate you talking about people like that," Jugo says.

"Since when have you started calling him "Lord"?" Suigetsu scoffs.

"Well, he deserves respect, Suigetsu. After all, if it weren't for Naruto, we wouldn't be able to live the way that we do," Karin points out.

"Yeah, yeah. So what are you guys doing out here?"

"We're going to see Lord Orochimaru," Jugo replies. "And what about you, Suigetsu? I thought you said you were training the new Swordsmen of Kiri."

"Probably already gave up on them," Karin scoffs.

"No, I'm just giving myself a break. We've had some intense training. I thought I might want to see the bridge."

"I think you might want to help with it as well," Karin says.

"Nah. I'd rather not. I have my own agenda."

"Selfish as always."

"So why the sudden visit to Orochimaru? You already know what he's doing: experimenting, wishing he had Sasuke's young body, being weird with the snakes…"

"He is not weird!" the snake hisses.

"Hey, aren't you one of Orochimaru's soul snake things?"

"I am not a thing! I am a snakey! I am much venom!"

"You tell him, Miss. Snakey!" Karin cheers.

"So do you have like a name… or…?"

"I don't think they have names, Suigetsu."

"I think they'd want to be identified as something besides "Orochimaru's soul snakes" though," Jugo says.

"So do you have a name?" I ask.

"I do. My name is Kiseki."

"Pretty. So are all of you named that?" Karin asks.

"No. We're all just Orochimaru until we fall off. Then we name ourselves."

"So are you still connected to Orochimaru, or…?"

"Yes. Not like I was, obviously, but I can still feel him and my brothers and sisters in and out of him."

"Interesting. You guys still didn't tell me why you're visiting Orochimaru. Surely there are better people to visit?"

"Apparently, Orochimaru is sick," Karin says.

"Kiseki came to us for our aid."

"And we care because….?"

"It matters to Naruto."

"Naruto? What does he have to do with this?"

"Well, Orochimaru tried to show Naruto the soul snakey and-"

"Woah! Seriously?! This has gotten very interesting," Suigetsu grins. "You guys know what this means right?"

"No," Jugo says.

"Well, you wouldn't know. But you and Karin do, right, Sasuke?"

"Not really."

"Oh c'mon! Clearly they are fucking!"

"What?! No they're not!"

"Of course they are! Think about it: Orochimaru only reveals his true form during his immortality jutsu thing. It takes too much energy; so why would he reveal that form to Naruto of all people? We all know that Orochimaru wouldn't stand a chance against Naruto, so him taking over Naruto's body was definitely not in his agenda. So what else could it be? Why would he want to show Naruto something so powerful yet so vulnerable?"

"But he didn't show him. Kiseki just said he tried."

"See? That makes it even worse! Like I said earlier, Orochimaru isn't going to show off something so vulnerable."

"They could be just friends, Suigetsu," Jugo points out.

"We were his top subordinates and the only people who were able to see his soul-snake thing was Kabuto because Kabuto worshipped him and gave Orochimaru a blow job-"

"You're so disgusting! That never happened!"

"How do you know, Karin?" Suigetsu smirks.

"And Sasuke was the body he wanted, so what? It doesn't mean that Lord Naruto and Lord Orochimaru are more than just friends."

"Keep believing that," the swordsmen leader scoffs, biting his straw.

"What you don't understand about my friend is how powerful his words and actions are to people," I say. I look at Kiseki. "How long has Naruto been with Orochimaru?"

"We snakey. No good at judge time. Fox hooman come before burr time and stay through hot times."

"They've been around each other that long?" I ask.

"Umm… how do you understand her?" Suigetsu asks

"Never mind that."

Suigetsu gives me a look. "Well, alright then… You'd think they'd have tried to kill each other by now? I mean if you three are right. Which, you're not."

"Well, of course, Naruto isn't going to kill anyone. Not anymore at least. There is a reason he's been with Orochimaru as long as he has. And no, Suigetsu," I say, turning to him, "it has nothing to do with sex. Naruto loves Hinata."

"He may love her, but I can assure you there is more going on than just Naruto helping Orochimaru. He's had our help for years, and only Sasuke and Kabuto have ever seen his true form. What does that tell you?"

"It tells me that your mind is in the gutter."

"We'll just see," Suigetsu says, grabbing a rice ball out of Karin's bag and taking a bite. "I'm telling you guys: they're fucking."

XXXX

It takes another three and a half days to reach the snake hideout.

"It's been a while since we've been here, eh, Jugo?"

"Indeed."

"Are we going to go in or just stand here?"

I jump down off the cliff, the others doing the same.

I barely dodge the blur running right into Jugo.

"It's Naruto," Karin says.

"Naruto? What's he doing out here running around? Shouldn't he be-?

"Shut up, Suigetsu!" Karin exclaims, punching the Kiri ninja on the head. Water sprays everywhere as he slowly gains his physical form back.

"He doesn't look so good," Jugo frowns, lifting my friend up.

He doesn't. Black circles, bruises, cuts, scraps, fatigue…

"Naruto, what are you doing out here running around like a moron? You look like you haven't eaten or slept in days."

"He's… gone…" Naruto rasps weakly.

"Who's gone?" Suigetsu asks.

"O-Oreo…" Naruto whispers shakily, tears falling.

Preview

Tenzo

"Snake."

"Nagi."

I clear my throat. "Nagi," I correct myself. "Why is Orochimaru lying out here in this weather?"

"He is much ill."

"Then all the more reason…"

"He wants to discover. Asked for my help. I don't agree, but do as bond hooman wishes."

Next update date: December 30th

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