I deeply apologize for not updating for a while. I have been quite busy lately. But Pippa and I are hoping to get back into updating reguarly. We do need to write out more chapters. At least, Pippa does in terms of Fissures of Thirteen. I am currently in the middle of Chapter Forty-two(?) for this story. And Flutter is in the works as well. I think I'm on nine or ten for that? It's been forever since I've been able to sit down and write, honestly. I'm currently visiting Pippa in her new aparment. (But i have to leave Tuesday :'( ). I'm trying to move up here, but it's more complicated than we originally thought. So, I'll be staying with a friend from work until I can move up here. I'm so thankful I have her in my life. Pippa too.

Anyway, again, I'm sorry about the lack of updating, but here y'all go. :)

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: NaruOro, 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 Thirty-two: Thunder

Tenzo

I stand in the middle of Orochimaru's room. He stares at me, waiting. Naruto's arm draped around his lover's pregnant belly in a deep, snoring sleep.

The eyes of Orochimaru pierce into my soul. Those otherworldly eyes that sent terror shivering up my spine and shaking me to my very core when I was a child.

But now…

Now those eyes… they…

They're so lost.

Why am I here? Why did I help this man? It's not like I owed him anything. Naruto would be better off with someone else.

My eyes wander down to the swollen abdomen of the man who made me a freak.

"Six months today, huh?"

"That's what Kabuto said."

I nod, silence filling the air once again. I feel so awkward being here. Part of me wishes Naruto would wake up, but… I need to conquer this fear. If I'm going to have Naruto in my life, then Orochimaru has to be as well. As unfortunate as that is.

"Do you know what you're having yet?"

"Of course."

"Oh?"

"If you're that interested, we're having a boy."

"Congratulations."

Orochimaru's eyes drift to the window. "Why did you do it?"

I know what he's talking about. Why did I save him instead of killing him that day?

"I remembered Naruto's words," I reply.

"Isn't that what everyone does?"

"It's hard not to. Even you've been affected by Naruto."

"He's the first person…" he trails off.

"Is it true?" I ask.

"Is what true?"

"That you think death is suffering and that's why you've done what you've done?"

"Part of it was other things as well because I lost sight of my true goal. Naruto reminded me of it. And, for the record, I don't think it's suffering. I know it is."

Wow, Naruto was right… Orochimaru is…

"That makes no sense."

"I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"That's rich coming from someone who experiments on people," I spit.

"Am I supposed to feel bad?"

"I know you don't and never will."

He shrugs, looking out the window.

"What makes you think that?"

"I've seen the truth."

"I need to tell you guys something," Naruto says.

"What is it, Naruto?" Lord Sixth asks.

Naruto looks at his lover nestled under the covers, breathing steadily.

"I think… something is off with Oreo."

Sakura scoffs. "Naruto, we already-"

"No, Sakura," he whispers, voice quivering. "He's…"

Her eyes soften. "Naruto…"

Tears fall down his face as he holds Orochimaru close.

"Naruto, please tell us what's going on," Hinata says. "We want to help."

He swallows. "He thinks… death is suffering and his goal is to save this world from these 'reapers'."

"That's absurd!"

"He never acted like that around us."

"He's… different around me…"

"He trusts you."

"So what do we do?"

"I can't do anything without his permission."

"Not to mention a test may affect the baby."

"So we wait."

"Death is a part of life. I know it hurts to lose people we care about, but-"

"Death is not a part of life! It is evil thrown in! What is the point in living if we die?!"

"I don't know. We all have a purpose. We're all here for a reason."

"Well, my reason is to stop those reapers! I have the power of the Divine White Snake! I was chosen by him to defeat the Reaper King and bring people back!"

"People must die. Naruto will die and so will-"

I stop midsentence when I see Orochimaru shaking and curling up. He stares at me, but it seems more through me than anything.

"You will not have them!" he snarls.

It's different than what I've ever experienced from him. Those eyes…

"One more thing. Sometimes Oreo isn't… here."

"what does that mean?" Sasuke asks.

"I'm not sure. But please watch out. It comes unexpectedly and can cause a lot of destruction."

Naruto bolts up, looking at his terrified, yet furious pregnant lover. He looks at me then back to Orochimaru then me again.

"Captain Yamato, what did you do?!"

Orochimaru

"People must die. Naruto will die and so will-"

"Of course they'll die!" a reaper appears, squatting on the foot of the bed, claws clung to the metal frame. "And it's because you're too weak! I'll be taking that child soon and that fox brat is next!"

"Never! You will not have them!"

"And what do you plan on doing about it?"

"Yeah," a female reaper scoffs, appearing beside of Tenzo."You can't use your chakra when you're carrying that brat of yours."

"I'm tired of this. Can't we just kill him now?"

"His Majesty said he has to watch first. Besides, he'll be difficult to kill with Shiromaru on his side."

"That's no fun."

"Enough!" I snarl. "This time you're all dead!"

"Then come and try it!" They cackle.

I lash my tongue out, it hits the floor hard.

"Can't even aim. What good are you?"

My body snakes as I force my chakra out, extending my tongue. I grab a reaper, throwing it across the room.

He yelps as he hits a table, knocking it over onto himself.

"You're a fool if you think you can beat me!"

"You know, these bag of worms look like they could be successful pawns for his majesty. What do you think, Zaiko?"

"Do what you will, Xinu. I'm here to bring Shiromaru's bitch to his knees."

She laughs. "Very well then."

She approaches Tenzo from behind. She smirks at me as she grabs his shoulders and licks his neck with a long, green tongue.

The male reaper slowly gets up and walks over to me.

I hiss, jerking out of the restraints and throwing myself at the female reaper. I hiss when I hit a dome of wood.

The male cackles. "So damn stupid! He's already been transformed. There's no denying that simple fact. The wood boy created that dome because he wanted to protect his master."

"Tenzo would never serve you vermins!"

"Yeah, yeah! Just try and save your little friends! It's over!"

I continue to fight them. I manage to break the dome wuth Kusanagi, but it keeps rebuilding itself. It's frustrating to say the least. Still, I have to fight! I can't let anyone down. I'm the only one who can actually see these foul beasts!

More reapers gather. A swarm of them chanting about how they're going to take my child from me and Shiromaru.

"Never!"

"Tie him up!"

"Right!"

I feel cold metal across my chest, legs, and arms. I try to get them with my tongue, but i'm much too weak right now.

They cackle gleefully as they make sure I'm all tied up.

I struggle. I try the escape jutsu but to no avail. My chakra burns me like burning acid.

"He's weak!"

"He's always been weak!"

"He's weaker!"

"Such hostilities are a sign of weakness. Lord Vairu won't have any of that!"

"Yeah, yeah! We know!"

"Let's just get on with it!"

I struggle, trying desperately to find some strength and chakra. I won't let anything happen to my family.

The reapers grin, cackling. They reach for my abdomen and proceed to steal the baby. I continue to struggle, doing everything I can to get out of this situation. When their hands touch my abdomen, my eyes meet Naruto's.

Preview

Naruto

Oreo grips the front of my shirt, sobbing uncontrollably. "b-baby. My baby is-" he cuts himself off with another wave of sobs.

I thread my fingers through his hair. "He's fine, Oreo. Everything is okay," I whisper against his hair, kissing the top of his head. My eyes snap to Captain Yamato, demand in my tone. "Did you have to bring up the baby?!"

Next update date: June 30th

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