Hello everyone. It's actually me this time. I'm sorry I've been out of commission. Between my computer dying and trying to figure out how copy from my tablet, it was much easier for Pippa to. Today, I'm using my sister's computer (nice trade off since I'm watching my nephew for her). So I have some news.

1) My grandma was taken to the hospital. She has trigimal neuralaga. (Totally spelling that wrong lol) but it's rare and super bad. She's in rehab right now (apparently she has to do that before surgery?) but she's doing a lot better than she has this month (or in a while, I suppose). She, unfortunately, will never be able to live here because she needs 24/7 care. So she'll be living with my aunt. I'm going to see her tomorrow and Monday (one with my youngest sister and the other with my other sister (who is also younger than I am :D))

2) Since my grandma isn't coming back then there's a high possibility my sisters and I will be living here and just paying bills and such. As it stands, I have no job *sigh*, but I"m working on it. I also had to get a denial letter from Medicaid so that I can get my insulin from Prescription Hope. (If I could get Medicaid I wouldn't go through this nonsense! *angry face of doom*) so I'm waiting for the letter.

3) Pippa and I have been working on different stories. I have two more stories in the works. One is called "Flutter" and it's a ObiRin story, which has two chapters so far and the other is called "Ruby Ice" and it's a OroAnko story, which only has one chapter. I'm debating on whether I want to change it or perhaps add a bit more. Flutter (as of right now) has three POVs per chapter. I may add more or take away. I haven't quite decided yet nor have I written anything for any fanfiction in quite a while, honestly.

4) I have been working on my original series "Aurora Eclipse" and have written chapter twenty-two (?) of Fang (the first book in the trilogy). I've been organizing my notes into a composition notebook and then transferring them into a single document instead of having my notes all over the place lol. I've made great progress with it too. It's exciting writing a story :).

5) This is related to 4 (somewhat) so, "Fang" was a fanfiction I wrote for Yu-gi-Oh! back in umm 2013 I believe? Anyway, so Pippa took it down for me because, well, I thought it'd be for the best since I'm actually turning it into a real story. So, this, in turn, had one of my old friends/exes (whatever you want to call her) to post the fanfiction up on A03 and Wattpad. Then she wanted to say we (Pippa and I) were causing drama. Umm? Well, I wouldn't have gotten involved if she didn't outright STEAL my story! ESPECIALLY that one! I mean the fanfiction isn't all that great (my first AU and really, I'm not all that great with them. I prefer Post-Canon and AR stories to AU's) but she thought it was a WONDERFUL idea to COPY it WORD FOR FUCKING WORD! As if I wouldn't NOTICE! and I STILL have the fanfiction on Google Docs (good thing I put everything on there from Word (well IMPORTANT things lol) otherwise, I would have lost EVERYTHING (well, not everything since Pippa has my stuff too lol.) And steal my OC characters! Umm? And yes I am STILL pissed. I gave her a warning. Of course she is playing the victim and saying Pippa and I are "causing drama"? (indirectly) I suppose I am saying stuff indirectly too. I'm just ranting to y'all. If she (or anyone) for that matter thinks I'm going to put up with stealing my shit (ESPECIALLY FANG!) then I will report you. I worked hard on all of my stories and I don't appreciate people stealing mine (or other people's works) and claiming it as their own. It's disrespectful, lazy, and plain stupid!

6) There is a high possibility that in April (or May) I will be moving up to Halifax, NS with Pippa. She is graduating this year and her mom is buying her an apartment (which I didn't even know you could do lol) and I'm planning on doing the same thing. I'm really excited! Yoy! 100% yoy!

Okay, I THINK that's all? I'm sorry about the long ranting! :(. Please enjoy the chappie! :) We're up to chappie forty! :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, 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-eight: Pure

Sasuke

"Love him?" Suigetsu asks, breaking the silence surrounding us. "Like as a friend… or…?"

"No. Well, yeah, but it's more."

"So you're fucking him?"

Naruto blushes deeply.

"Ah ha!" Suigetsu exclaims, jerking his finger towards Naruto then he turns towards Karin, smirking. "You owe me a kiss."

She scowls, crossing her arms. "Fine. I can't believe you were right, Suigetsu."

He just grins.

"Follow me," Kabuto says after a while.

We do. Naruto follows first, muttering sweet words and kissing the Sannin's nose and cheeks as we go through a tunnel.

"This is interesting, Kabuto," Jugo says.

"We built it to have better access between the orphanage and the hospital," Urushi says.

After Urushi leaves to tend to other matters, we turn a corner and reach a room. It's not as impressive as the hospital Sakura works at, but it's decent. Decent enough to be comfortable in, at least.

Kabuto motions for Naruto to place his previous obsession down.

Orochimaru moans painfully, clinging to Naruto.

"It's going to be okay, beautiful. We're going to see what's wrong. Kabuto's gonna help you. But he can't if you're attached to me, so will you let go for me?" Naruto asks softly, brushing Orochimaru's hair out of his face.

After a bit of coaxing and encouraging, Naruto is finally able to set him down. Kabuto turns to the cabinet, taking out some vials and a syringe then takes Orochimaru's blood.

"How long has he been unconscious?" Kabuto asks, marking the samples with a marker and placing them in a tray.

"I'd say about five to seven days," Tenzo replies.

"That long, huh?" Naruto whispers. "I shouldn't have-"

Tenzo walks over to Naruto, placing his hand on his shoulder. "I should have taken him back to the hideout right away. Better yet, I should have brought him here."

"Should haves and could haves aren't necessary. What's necessary if finding out why Lord Orochimaru is so sick," Karin says.

"Karin has a point. Let's focus on figuring out what's wrong with Orochimaru. We have no time to play the blame game," Jugo says.

"Aww! But the blame game is so much fun!" Suigetsu mock pouts. "It means I get to blame Karin!"

Karin starts to punch Suigetsu, but a white snake grabs her wrist. She looks over to see the snake coming out of Kabuto's robe.

"Get out if you two are going behave like children. I need concentration."

"Right. Sorry, Kabuto," Karin mutters as he calls back the snake.

"Yeah, uh, sorry," Suigetsu mutters awkwardly.

"Naruto, can you tell me everything that Orochimaru has been going through? And when this started?"

"Umm… I'm not exactly sure when it started. It sorta just came out of the blue, you know? One day he was fine then he started getting all sick. He had a fever, so I thought he may have been getting the flu 'cause he was puking and could barely eat, you know? So I went out to get some meds and all that. There were days where he'd be better than others, so I thought he was getting better, but then he'd just get worse. His chakra is all crazy. Karin, Jugo, and Suigetsu can explain more, but basically it's not spreading right and gathering in his belly and there's Sage chakra and I don't know… it's weird. Also, he's fallen a few times too."

Kabuto nods. "Did he hit his head?"

"A bit. It's more like those stumbling falls, but he couldn't fall down completely 'cause it was in the shower when it happened. He said he'd lost his balance."

"Any unusual behaviour?"

"Besides him getting sick? Well, um… he's been gaining a lot of weight. I mean I think that's weight anyway," he says, pointing to Orochimaru's abdomen. "Oh and he's been eating ice cream here and there too."

"Ice cream? Orochimaru hates cold things. What kind of illness is this?" Suigetsu asks.

"Anything else you'd like to add?"

"He's going to the bathroom a lot and he drinks a lot of water. And he sleeps a lot too."

"And all of this has been steadily getting worse?" Kabuto asks, writing down the information Naruto has been providing for him.

"Yeah, I think so."

Kabuto nods, placing his notes aside, and begins checking Orochimaru's vitals. "Hypertension, bradycardia, hypoxemia and hypoxia…" Kabuto says aloud.

"Huh? What are those?" Naruto asks, panicking.

"High blood pressure, low heart rate, low oxygen in the blood and in the tissue," Karin explains.

"Is he… going to be okay?"

"I'm going to have to see exactly what's wrong. First, I need to lower his blood pressure. It's near critical level, and that can certainly cause issues."

Kabuto leaves for a moment. He and Urushi wheel in machines-IV, heart monitour, ventilatour, a catheter, bedpan, ultrasound machine…

"What's all this stuff?" Naruto asks.

"All of you are going to have to leave," Urushi says as he prepares to insert the IV.

"What? No! I'm not leaving him!" Naruto exclaims.

"Naruto, it's just until we get everything set up," Kabuto says.

"Well, I won't be in the way!"

Urushi sighs. "Look, kid-"

"Look yourself. I'm not leaving!"

"There's no point in arguing with him. Just don't get in their way, loser," I say.

"I won't, jerk!"

"Karin, Suigetsu, Jugo, let's go," I say, walking out of the room. They and Tenzo follow me.

"So it's worse than we thought," Karin mutters, leaning against the wall and biting a nail.

"I wonder what's going on."

"We'll find out soon. Kabuto's a great medical ninja," I say, watching the door.

How did I end up in this situation? How did Naruto? I want to know what's been going on. How did my best friend go from hating Orochimaru to loving him? Does Orochimaru feel the same?

There are so many questions I need answered, but I know now isn't the time. Naruto needs to be assured that his lover is going to make it. What could possibly be wrong with him? I believe that Kabuto can find the answer. In fact, I know he can.

XXXX

We're gathered in the room once again, Orochimaru hooked up like one of his test subjects. I notice Tenzo shudder slightly. This must be bringing back old memories.

"Captain Yamato, you don't have to be here," Naruto mutters from his chair beside of Orochimaru's bed.

"I'm fine, Naruto. I want to be here for you."

My best friend looks up with pink, swollen, puffy eyes and smiles. "Thank you."

Tenzo nods.

Kabuto lifts Orochimaru's hospital gown and rubs the ultrasound gel on it. It's swollen and has a slight shade of red to it. He uses the machine, watching the screen.

"What's going on?" Suigetsu asks.

"I can only see a tight ball of chakra. It's difficult to get a clear image."

"Is the chakra ball causing all these problems he has?" Naruto wonders.

"Perhaps. It's not good to have so much chakra collecting in one place," Karin replies, pushing her glasses up. "We need chakra to flow like our blood. From the looks of it, it could be a chakra clot."

"What is a chakra clot?"

"It's like a blood clot, but with the build up of chakra in an area instead of blood," Kabuto explains. "It may very well be that. In which case, he'd need to have surgery to remove it since the clot is so large. However, it is possible that it's something else. His blood results will let us know."

"How long will that take?" Naruto asks.

"Just a few moments. Kyurokei is checking over his samples right now. She's an expert in blood."

A soft knock and voice come from the other side of the door. "Lord Kabuto?"

"Come in, Kyurokei," Kabuto says.

A petite woman with chin length hair and green eyes walks in, holding a clip board.

"What did you find?"

"Besides the low oxygen and chakra levels in his blood, I found nothing unusual."

"What about all that chakra gathering in his belly? And why is it all red and swollen?" Naruto asks.

"There doesn't seem to be a blockage of blood or chakra. Just low levels."

I look at the ultrasound machine then use my Sharingan to look at Orochimaru. "It seems that chakra and blood can pass, but it's choosing not to."

"But why?!"

"How should I know?"

"We're working on figuring that out, Naruto. Have patience, please."

"I… I'm trying. I just don't to lose him," he whispers, tightening his grip on his lover's hand.

XXXX

Sakura

"That's it, Sarada," I smile with my arms stretched out and knelt on the floor as my daughter stumbles her way over to me.

She falls, and starts to cry.

"Don't cry, Sarada. Pick yourself back up. I know you can do it."

Sarada stays on the floor a bit longer then pushes her way up. She takes a few more steps then falls down again.

"You're doing wonderful. You're almost there."

She tries again, making two more steps before falling again. Each time she falls less and less and cries less and less.

A knock on the door signals that Ino is here with Inojin. He's officially a month old today. He's growing up so fast! He's such a cutie! I'm so happy that Ino and I aren't fighting over Sasuke anymore. She's happy with Sai. And I'm happy for her. She's always been here to help take care of Sarada. I promised to do the same for her.

I pick my near ten-month-old daughter off the floor where she decided that the little bug crawling on the floor was more interesting than learning how to walk, and walk towards the door. I open it. "Ino, you-" I stop midsentence realizing that the person I'm talking to instead my best friend, but my husband. "S-Sasuke?"

"Well, are you going to let me in? It's snowing."

I stare at him for a bit then move out of the way. He shuts the door behind him, removing his cloak and hanging it up then toeing off his shoes. He walks over to me and looks at our daughter.

"Hello, princess," he smiles.

Sarada babbles.

"I've missed you too."

"You're home early," I say then add, "Not that I mind."

"Things have come up," he says, sitting on the couch. "Come here."

I do as he asks. He pulls me onto his lap, holding me close. He tickles Sarada's belly. She giggles, grabbing a finger. We smile.

"I've missed you."

I close my eyes, relaxing in my husband's embrace. "Me too."

"She's getting so big. What have you been feeding her, Sakura?"

"Her dinner?" I scoff.

"Might want to cut back," he teases.

"She's not that fat," I laugh.

"Well, she sure has an appetite. Just look at her trying to eat my finger."

I laugh as Sarada's small hands grip her father's finger as her little mouth sucks on it.

"She's silly. She's been doing well with walking."

"Oh?"

"I practice with her each day, distancing myself bit by bit."

"It's the best way to. Itachi taught me how to walk."

"He taught you a lot of things, huh?"

"It was how I liked it."

We sit in silence, just enjoying each other's company. It's been so long since I've been in Sasuke's embrace. I hold our daughter close, watching as she slowly falls asleep sucking on her father's finger. I smile, snuggling into his chest. This. This moment. It's perfect. I can't believe this is my life.

"Were you going to tell me what came up that made you come back?"

I'm grateful he has, but I know his job isn't done. After he's done with helping rebuild villages and help places in need to atone for his sins, he's going to do some research on Kaguya.

He believes that there will be a larger threat. Perhaps. I can't say. I do trust him to find the answer. It just hurts he's always gone. That's why moments like this are so precious.

Sasuke gently lifts my face and presses his lips against mine. My eyes flutter closed and my arms tighten slightly around our daughter. Sasuke's arm wrap around both of us more.

He deepens the kiss and I respond. Happiness fills me as the man I've loved since a child is finally showing how he feels about me. I thought he hated me. I thought I'd never be able to have him. I've had so many people (especially patients) want to date me, but I've refused them.

Yes, it does hurt that I never get to see my husband and our daughter won't know who he is. She'll question me, and I won't have an answer for her. But, it's how things are. I want no one else but Sasuke. He has been the love of my life for so long. I've fought too long and too hard to give him up just because he's doing what he feels is right.

We pull apart, panting and staring into each other's eyes, our daughter snoozing softly.

Sasuke pokes me in the forehead gently. "Nice kiss, my little cherry blossom."

I blush and smile. "Yours was nice too."

"Let me put Sarada to bed. We have a lot to discuss."

"Alright," I say, getting up and handing Sarada to her father.

He holds her close, smiling down at her. Tears of joy spark in the corner of my eyes. He walks out of the room.

A few moments later, he comes back, empty-handed. He sweeps me up with his arm, pushing me against the wall and kissing me harshly. I wrap my arms around his neck. I pull his hair and gasp as his teeth sink into my bottom lip.

"I've missed you," he whispers seductively, kissing down my jaw and planting butterfly kisses on my neck.

"S-sasuke," I moan as he pulls me closer to his perfect body, and kisses and sucks every inch of skin he can reach.

He pulls away, both of us flushed. Yet, I seem to be the only one out of breath. I know it's not me. I know how to bring the passion out of my husband. I know how to make him lose control. It's beyond beautiful, and it's for my eyes only.

"As much as I'd love to have my way with you right here, there are pressing matters we must discuss."

"How pressing?" I whisper seductively, nibbling on his ear, and raking my nails down his back.

I feel him shiver and arch into my touch. His erection rubbing against my thigh. I smirk, and rub my leg against it.

Sasuke inhales sharply.

I smirk. Still got it.

"Sakura…"

"Yes?" I ask innocently, planting kisses on his neck and jawline.

"We really-" he gasps as my leg presses on his erection more.

"We really need to what?"

"T-talk."

"Can't we do it after?" I pout, rubbing my leg harder.

He hisses. "It's about, N-Naruto…"

I pause. "Naruto?"

He composes himself as well. "Yes. He's back."

I twist out of his hold, landing on my feet. "Dammit, Sasuke! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Well, I was going to, silly. You just got a little too excited," he grins, poking me in the forehead.

"So did you," I motion towards his large erection.

"Well then, do you want to talk about Naruto now or after?"

"Will talking about Naruto ruin the mood?"

He frowns. "Probably."

I toss my shirt off. "Lovemaking first, talk later."

He chuckles, removing his shirt as well. "Right."

XXXX

His lips are soft against my overly heated skin. His hand squeezes a breast gently as his tongue travels down my body. He kisses, licks, and bites my abdomen. He swipes his tongue a few inches away from my clit, teasingly. I gasp, trying to get him in that special spot.

He licks his way back up, moving to the opposite breast his hand is currently squeezing, pinching, and pulling at. I moan as his mouth closes around it and he sucks and licks.

"Sasuke…"

He hums, swirling his tongue around my nipple then moves to the other, supporting his weight on his arm. His erection rubbing slightly against my thigh, licking and making it sticky.

I sit up enough to grab his erection, stroking it. His moans are muffled by the mouthful of my breast.

"Let's stop playing around," I whisper, rubbing the head gently.

"Are you sure?" he asks, pulling away, his hips jerking.

"Yes. I mean we do have a situation, no?"

"I don't want to ruin my time with you," he says, kissing my shoulder.

"No, I don't either."

"Well, if you're sure," he says, pulling me down on the bed and moving between my legs. "Next time, I won't give into you so easily."

I smirk. "We shall see."

"We shall indeed," he hisses as he slides into me fully and deeply.

I moan, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss.

We kiss long and deep as Sasuke thrusts in and out of me at a steady place. His arm around my lower back, keeping me there.

He moves to my neck, sucking and biting it as he quickens his pace. Our hearts beat wildly in sync and our breath becomes laboured as we lose ourselves to the pleasure of each other.

My nails rake down his back. He sits up, lifting my legs over his shoulders and moving into me harder and faster.

"S-Sasuke," I moan, shivering against him.

, sighing happily as he slips out of me.

I sigh happily as well. We stay like this a bit longer then Sasuke lies down on the bed, pulling me close to him once we've done a quick wet washcloth clean up.

"I'd like to take a shower, but we've put what we need to talk about for a while."

"Hmm," I hum in agreement, snuggling into his chest. "Well, go on. You said it was about Naruto. What has he been doing?"

"He's been with Orochimaru," Sasuke replies after a short while.

I frown deeply. "Orochimaru? What's he been doing with him?"

I know Orochimaru has changed. I know he's not the same person, but help but be wary of him. You can't just change overnight. I know he's not evil. He's one of those people you keep your distance with.

"I don't know all the details, but apparently, he's been on a mission to help him. That's what Tenzo said at least."

"So that's where he's been," I muse. "So what's so urgent? Has he succeeded? Is Orochimaru freak free?"

I feel Sasuke tense.

I pull away a bit. "What's wrong?"

"Sakura, don't talk about him like that." Sasuke says, standing up, and getting dressed.

I do the same."I- what?"

Since when has Sasuke cared about Orochimaru? He's always been so distant and closed off when discussing the years we were apart and he was with Orochimaru. I have suspicions as to why. Sasuke knows I'm here if he needs to talk.

"Just don't. He's not like that anymore."

"I know he's changed, but I can't help but feel I need to keep my distance from him. He makes me extremely uncomfortable."

"I know. Just remember what Naruto said and what we fought for. We can't expect to call him a freak and monster and expect him to cower in the corner. Eventually, a cornered or caged animal will lash out."

I bite my lip a bit. "I know…"

"So please watch what you're saying, Sakura."

I nod. He's right. I shouldn't judge so quickly. Lady Tsunade and I have talked about her teammates before. She said she had a crush on Orochimaru when they were children, but unlike mine, it faded over time. I have to admit, he was cute a child. But those eyes…

What is he…?

"I don't agree with everything he does. In fact, I find it disgusting, but he has his reasons. I don't know exactly why he does what he does, but he's still human. We can't treat him like shit just because we find him repulsive. Remember, your master is his friend and an old teammate."

"That's true. I'm sorry, Sasuke."

He kisses my forehead. "It's alright, my beautiful cherry blossom. I was just warning you."

I frown. "Warning me?"

"Not to say such things in front of Naruto."

"He's become friends with Orochimaru already?"

Sasuke chuckles.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, they've become much more than that."

"What? You mean… they're…?" I whisper, suppressing my urge to kill that fool.

"Naruto is in love with Orochimaru."

Preview

Anko

"Orochimaru is back in the village."

I nearly choke on my sweet. "W-what? Since when?!"

"By now it's been about three weeks."

"Three weeks?!" I exclaim.

Next update date: February 1st*

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