Konan spoke in a low voice, leaning in closer to Sasuke, telling him of her recent visions. Sasuke nodded encouragingly and scribbled in his journal as Konan explained the details. She spoke of the lava that surrounded her, the reflective triangle, the purple dense smoke that made it difficult to see. The glowing eyes and sounds of roars, she guessed was the dragon, for she never really saw it. And lastly the reflection in the mirror, what on the other side that she could see to the blond boy on the other side before the mirror shattered.
Sasuke had his head lowered after Konan was speaking, his hands gripping the sides of his journal tightly, his knuckles turning white. Konan gnawed her bottom lip while seeing the young prince in his state. She was feeling an inclination of fear, as the young Uchiha seemed to be ready to explode with anger.
"Thank you Konan-chan," Sasuke whispered, but he did not look up. His bangs covered his eyes, but he slowly closed the journal.
"A-are you alright?" Konan found courage and managed to speak in a broken whisper.
Sasuke slowly lifted his head, his eyes focusing on the young girl before him and the uneasiness in her eyes. Sasuke took some deep breaths, trying to calm the emotional turmoil that was going on within him. 'With what Konan has shared – it explains so much more…' he thought to himself.
"I express my deepest gratitude for your information. I have much to process," he finally managed to say.
Konan looked away to the floor, pinching her lips in thought. She quickly looked back up at the young Uchiha, "can I help you go through your notes?" She took another breath, "m-maybe I can see something, umm, things that will remind me of…"
Sasuke's face softened at the shy request. "I don't know how much time we can spend, but let's try another few minutes," he quickly whispered and shimmied his chair closer to the girl. "I have the verses to the end of that song, maybe, just maybe there is something there?" Sasuke flipped his pages to where he had written the song. He dragged his finger down the lines, quickly looking through them and whispered through the areas that he already shared with Konan.
Konan looked at the pages with fascination. Seeing the jumble of symbols that she knew nothing of, and to know that people could see words, she felt very idiotic in the young prince's attendance. She was no better than a slave girl, to a powerful king, and she would never be seen as anything else.
"...days of chaos came to pass… until a maiden fair … sent to the dragon's keep to lull the beast back to sleep," Sasuke began to verse the words of the song, Konan listening closely. "Her heart was put to the test, for the dragon seemed innocent and kind, not the terrible beast she thought to find. With a trembling, yet gentle hand, she led the dragon to the waking land…" Sasuke stopped speaking and looked up at Konan. The girl's eyes were looking at the pages of his book, though Sasuke knew she didn't understand the words written but she appeared to be in deep thought. "You have thoughts?" Sasuke asked gently.
Konan leaned back in her chair, her fingers laced together and she licked her lips before gnawing on her bottom lip. "I'm thinking, my lord, that the ending is the key to how to be rid of the dragon," she explained, her eyes still not looking towards the floor. "But, the maiden fair, what does that actually mean? A woman or girl, yes, but fair?" She looked up at Sasuke for help.
Sasuke took a breath, pursing his lips at the innocence of the girl beside him. "Fair, is a term used for a girl who has not been spoiled?" Sasuke considered his use of words, because now that he heard himself and considering Konan's innocence, those choice of words may not be suitable for her. He watched her face as she continued to look at him with curiosity once more. She said nothing and it was apparent she still didn't understand.
Sasuke ran a hand through his thick locks, thinking again. "A girl who hasn't been intimate with another person…" Sasuke attempted to explain. He could feel the heat rush to his face while trying to explain something so simple, yet so difficult. He widened his eyes and nodded his head slightly, hoping she would get the idea.
Konan twisted her lips in thought, while the young Uchiha prince was giving her obviously hopeful looks. After a moment, her eyes widened as the inclination was obvious. "Oh! Mating!" she exclaimed quietly, a blush rising to her cheeks.
Sasuke shrugged. 'That's one thing to call it,' he thought.
"So a girl, who has never been touched in that way, has to lead the dragon to a waking land? I don't understand what or where that could be," Konan said.
"We already have a lot to work with that we didn't know before," Sasuke assured the girl. "Somehow there is a mirror that may be a portal to another world, and the dragon has to be led by that girl or woman." Sasuke hummed, tapping his finger on the book for a moment before looking at Konan again. "Do you remember me telling you about the astral planes of existence?" Konan nodded her head yes. "I believe that Naruto's subconscious could be somehow trapped in an astral plane. What if this mirror is the possible gateway? Maybe that's why there were so many mirrors in the cave! The dragon knows, but doesn't know how to get the actual enchanted mirror doorway! And your visions; of a reflecting glass, seeing the other side and seeing Naruto, it has to be part of the answer!" Sasuke slapped his fist on the top of his journal. "Fuck, its all coming together! I'm certain!"
Konan gnawed her lip in thought, listening to the words that the young Uchiha was coming up with. She was shaken from her thoughts when she felt a warm hand grasp her own. She looked up to see Sasuke's warm smile.
"Thank you Konan-chan, for trusting me and sharing with me what you know. I have so much more now to work with." He tapped squeezed her hand and nodded his head. "I'm going now, I want to study the new information. Maybe we can meet again if possible?"
Konan could feel the warmth in her cheeks. She had never had a male be so kind to her before. She nodded her head and lowered her eyes.
"I'll head out before anyone comes around. The others should be done with supper soon," Sasuke whispered and headed for the door.
Sasuke quietly opened the door and looked slowly up and down the corridor. Satisfied there was no one there, he quickly slipped out and turned to look at the young golden eyes watching him. "Thank you again," he whispered with a nod, glancing over his shoulder down the corridors again and then quickly sprinted off.
Konan watched the young Uchiha until he was out of sight and smiled before closing her door softly.
A pair of eyes hidden in the shadows looked down the corridor and to the now closed door before a quiet chuckle rose from the shadow. The figure turned on his heel and headed in the opposite direction that the young Uchiha had gone.
~later that night~
"Thank you for the evening lady Uzumaki, we shall retire for the evening," Itachi spoke to Kushina. He had seen enough of the Sound king, a substantial amount to know what he was dealing with and to put it simply, Kushina's change of mannerism around Orochimaru was vexing. "I look forward to our meeting in the morning, Lord Sanin," he added with a nod towards Orochimaru.
"Sleep well lord Uchiha," Orochimaru raised his goblet with a feign smile.
"Thank you for sharing our meal, lord Uchiha. And be sure to ring if you all need anything at all," Kushina cooed with a giggle. Itachi nodded with a small smile towards the queen. Haku bowed in response to both before they took their leave.
Itachi had his hand in the small of Haku's back as he led the way back to their chambers. Haku's gloved hands were threaded together, and Itachi could see how his small bride was ringing his fingers together constantly. He directed the both of them into Haku's room, holding his hand up to the ladies in waiting, giving them a silent command to wait outside.
He came up behind Haku who was standing near his bed, his hands still rubbing together constantly. "Talk to me love," Itachi whispered, laying his hands on his shoulders.
"Forgive me lord, but that man, the evil that emanates from him…" Haku's voice quivered.
Itachi pulled his smaller bride into his chest gently and kissed his veiled head. "Understandable. I can say that he does not have a warm perception about him," he whispered. "But, I believe we can always be one step ahead."
Haku turned in Itachi's grasp, his veiled face looking up at the other. Itachi smiled down at the movement. He could only see shadows and lines of his betrothed's face, but he could sense the worry. "I'll let you rest, and come to you first light," Itachi purred and placed a soft warm kiss on Haku's veil covered forehead. The sensual sigh coming from Haku's lips was enough for Itachi to know that Haku was settled, for now.
Kushina sipped some hot tea as she watched Itachi and Haku retire for the evening. The Uchiha knights all stood, showing their loyalty in a bow in unison towards Itachi, herself and Orochimaru, before filing out of the dining hall shortly afterwards. The Sound kingdom knights however, seemed to be more intent on staying longer. They had slowly gotten louder with each goblet of alcohol drank and Orochimaru seemed to be content on joining them. It wasn't until she noticed Kabuto came up and dropped to his one knee before Orochimaru, head bowed and waited for Orochimaru to acknowledge him. 'Funny, when did he leave?' she thought to herself. She glanced over the rim of her cup, being careful that neither noticed her interest in Kabuto suddenly appearing.
Orochimaru nodded his head and leaned to the side furthest from Kushina, when Kabuto came up and whispered in his ear. A frown marred the king's face and he responded in whisper to Kabuto. The silver haired man nodded quickly and left the dining room.
"You look troubled my lord," Kushina purred quietly. "Something I can help you with?" She flashed him a flirty smile and fluttered her eyelashes.
Orochimaru glanced briefly at her before pinching his lips in a frown. "It would seem I need to take care of something before I retire. I need you to accompany me," Orochimaru demanded while rising from this chair.
Kushina's anxiety rose, wondering what Orochimaru wanted to do. Suggestions flashing through her head were not pleasant, as she thought the worst. "As you wish my lord," she managed to squeak out and take Orochimaru's hand that was present to her.
Without another word, Orochimaru forcefully shoved Kushina's hand into the crook of his arm and practically dragged her from the dining hall.
Kushina managed to keep up with Orochimaru's long strides down the corridor, despite her heels, but she knew that the king was irritated beyond belief. What though, she did not know. His face spoke volumes of how upset he was, and it was directly after his lackey, Kabuto, spoke to him. She dared not say anything, but just keep up and hope that his anger wasn't directed at her.
Kushina was surprised to see Kabuto and at least two of Orochimaru's knights standing near Konan's door. All three bowed briefly when they walked up.
"Is she still in there?" Orochimaru barked at Kabuto. He moved his hand to grip Kushia's arm tightly. Kushina gasped slightly from the pressure, but she kept her mouth shut, watching with wide green eyes at what was happening.
"Yes my lord," Kabuto responded.
Orochimaru snapped his head to look at Kushina and tugged her closer to his face. "You will stay here with Kabuto to wait and watch," he hissed through clenched teeth. He shoved Kushina roughly towards the two knights who grasped her firmly.
Kushina grit her teeth, holding back her temper as Orochimaru handled her roughly like a doll. 'What the hell happened? Konan? What could he be so …' She stopped her train of thought when she suddenly recalled that Sasuke was going to speak to Konan…
Orochimaru did not knock or announce his presence as he slammed open the door, stomped his way into the room and bellowed out Konan's name. Kushina bit her bottom lip as she heard the quivering voice of Konan floating from the room.
"You dare deceive me you — you whore!" Orochimaro's voice bellowed out after a loud slap resonated and Konan's cry came from the open door. Kushina clenched her fists when she heard Konan's fearful pleading cries echo from the room and cries of pain that followed with each slap. "Your liberty has now been revoked little harlot!"
Kushina nearly threw herself at the Sound king when Orochimaru emerged from Konan's room, his hand clenched tightly in the purple locks of Konan's hair and he roughly tossed her to the floor. Her heart ripped at seeing the young girl in her nightwear, her hair a tousled mess, her face glowing red from apparent handprints all over her face. Her cheeks were glimmering from the continuous moisture of tears streaming from her reddened eyes. Her golden eyes looked up at Kushina, pain and fear riddled, a small spot of blood in the corner of her mouth. Kushina's anger exploded.
"WHAT the FUCK is GOING ON!" Kushina roared, ripping her arms from the guards and rushing down to gather Konan into her arms. "Just what the fuck!" she demanded again, holding the girl's sobbing head in her chest. She snarled through clenched teeth up at Orochimaru, who just smirked at her in response.
"Ah, there is the fireball that I had heard from the mouths of many in my travels," he sneered.
Kushina began to stand up, her eyes burning with hate towards the Sound king, making sure Konan was still within her arms. "How dare you touch her, you fucker," she hissed. "I ought to kill you," she snarled and leaned towards Orochimaru.
Orochimaro's sneer did not waiver, but he raised a brow and looked at the knights. In a slick movement, Konan cried out in surprise when she was ripped from Kushina's grasp by Kabuto and the two knights grabbed Kushina's arms. Kushina grunted at the firm grip of the knights, "fucking coward," she spit at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru stepped forward and grasped Kushina's jaw, hard, with his hand, forcing the queen to look directly up and at him. "Tut tut my bride," he growled. He brought his face in close to Kushina so he could feel her breath huffing on his face. "I had wondered when the real you would be coming forth," he chuckled.
Kushina's eyes widened slightly at the comment but kept her snarl fixated on the man.
"Did you think you had me fooled my queen? With your ridiculous stupid girl act you've put on since my arrival had begun to get on my nerves," he growled. "When I was informed of how fiery your composure was, how people feared your wrath, I was very intrigued indeed. I had grown excited that perhaps I could find out how much heat you would bring to my bed," he then chuckled with lust.
Kushina nearly gagged when Orochimaru's tongue slicked up his lips and his eyes looked her up and down. She tried to jerk her head from his grasp but the king's grip only tightened on her jaw.
"Oh yes, this I do enjoy," his voice purred. He yanked her face to the side and ran his tongue up her cheek. "Mmm, spicy," he hummed before jerking her face back to look at him. "But for now, you will learn what happens when you betray me," he growled. He pushed her face away harshly.
"Take the girl to my tent and have her secured." He took the two steps towards the quivering girl. Kushina grunted and snarled but was held firmly in the two mens' grasp. "And you, my queen," Orochimaru turned to look at the fiery green eyes that threw daggers at him. "If you want Konan-chan here to be treated fairly, you will behave yourself as a good queen does. Just as you have been doing." Orochimaru grabbed Konan's hair and yanked the girl towards him. "And you, my dear, will tell me what you and Sasuke-kun had done while he was in your room."
Konan's eyes were wide, red rimmed and tears still ran down her cheeks. "W-we did no-nothing my lord, please! I–I am l-loyal only to you!" Konan cried out.
"Leave–Her–Alone!" Kushina hissed while struggling against the two mens' hold.
Orochimaru shoved Konan back into Kabuto's hold. "Take her away," he snarled before turning back to Kushina. "And you my dear, my words are not a threat but a promise," he hissed. "Take the queen to her chambers," he barked out and turned on his heel, "let's go Kabuto."
Kushina watched with a heavy heart as Konan was dragged forcefully by Kabuto. She vowed she would get that girl free from that snake, if it was the last thing she did. She reluctantly allowed the two knights to turn her around and hold her firmly as she was directed to her own chambers.
Kushina snarled at the two knights as they shoved her into her room. She slammed the door at them and let out a discouraging snarl. "Fuck!" she howled and kicked at a small table in her room. She ran a hand through her hair and fell to sit on her bed, her shoulders slouching when she released a long sigh. With the two guards now situated outside of the door, she knew she wouldn't be able to leave. And not being able to leave, she wouldn't be able to talk to Itachi or Sasuke about what was happening. She had to figure out what to do now before Orochimaru did something to the Uchiha's that she feared could be the death of both of them.
Orochimaru walked into his tent, Kabuto following and dragging Konan beside him. "Secure her to the pole," Orochimaru commanded, pointing to the main pole that supported the tent. Kabuto smirked and threw Konan to the ground, grabbing the chains with a metal choker, securing it around Konan's neck.
Orochimaru stalked towards the girl, who scurried back and tried to curl within herself in fear. Kneeling down, he grabbed Konan's hair and forced her to look up at him. "Now, little one, what was Sasuke-kun doing in your room?" he sneered.
"He-he asked about my h-home. He w-was curious!" she whimpered.
She cried out when Orochimaru's hand slapped across her cheek. "Liar!" he growled, still holding her hair tight. He felt satisfaction at seeing the red blob blooming on her cheek, her tears streaming, her red rimmed eyes wide with fear. "Now, what happened?" he snarled and tugged on her hair.
"H-he a-asked about–about," she whimpered. Her mind was a mess of fear. Konan raced through her conversation with Sasuke, knowing that she could not let this man know what the Uchiha's knew. "M-my innocence…" she managed to breathe out and lowered her eyes.
Orochimaru pinched his lips in thought and looked at Kabuto briefly, who only raised a brow in question. "And why would he want to know that Konan-chan?" he asked, his voice strained with anger.
"U-Uchiha-sama wi-wishes to marry," she responded quietly.
"Hmm, I see," Orochimaru hummed. He released Konan's hair and dragged his fingers down Konan's cheek, wiping away the tears before pinching her chin. "You, belong to me, now and forever!" he barked and flung her head back before he stood up. Konan shivered and pulled her knees into her chest, her eyes looking up at Orochimaru through her fallen hair. "Did–He–Touch–You?!" he snapped, his eyes narrowing at Konan and going over her body.
Konan shook her head no fiercely, closing her eyes and dropping her face into her knees.
Orochimaru kicked Konan's leg, causing her to whimper and try to back away from the king, but the chains connected to her neck limited her movement. "How can I believe you, you harlot!?" he snarled.
"P-Please my lord! I-I p-promise you! I would not allow it! I belong to you, only you! I-I promise! My lord!" Konan jumped to her knees and grabbed Orochimaru's leg. "O-only y-you—" she whispered and laid her forehead against Orochimaru's knees. "Please believe me…"
The Sound king smirked at the sight below him, but he barely held the anger brewing within him at the mere thought of Sasuke-kun even considering touching what was his. The vision of the young Uchiha touching Konan in an intimate way, he clenched his fists and shook Konan off his leg. She squeaked in fear, falling back towards the pole she was chained to and dropped her head to the floor, giving the Sound king a low bow of submission. Orochimaru growled and grabbed Konan's hair once more, yanking her head up so she would hear his words. "If you betray me, I will not hesitate to send your soul to the Shinigami to reunite you with Yahiko and Nagato," he hissed with venom. With those words he pushed Konan's head to the side, stood and stomped out of the tent.
Konan peered through her lashes at the two men who left the tent, leaving her alone. Her fingers trembled as she brought them to her lips to muffle her cry. 'Yahiko—Nagato? W-were dead?' Curling up into the fetal position, she wept.
~back at the Uzumaki castle~
Sasuke knocked at his aniki's door, bouncing on the balls of his feet, his fingers strumming on his journal. He again looked up and down the corridor, trying to hold his patience waiting for his aniki to respond to his knock.
"Otouto," Itachi's voice floated up from down the corridor.
Sasuke twisted towards the voice, seeing his aniki making his way towards him, shifting his weight to the cane in his hand with every other step.
"How nice to see you waiting for me to tuck you in?" he teased, stopping before Sasuke.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, refusing to take his elder brother's bait. Instead he turned to the door and opened it wide, inviting Itachi into his own room, giving Itachi an annoyed expression.
Itachi chuckled. "Oh if you insist otouto, but only for tonight," he teased again, stepping past Sasuke and into the room. Sasuke quickly slipped in behind him, shutting the door.
Itachi sat at one of the big arm chairs, placing his cane on the floor and folded his hands together on his lap. It was obvious that his little brother had something to share, so he would wait patiently.
Sasuke quickly went to his side, pulling his own chair closer to the other and opened his journal. He quickly whispered about his conversation with Konan, what she had shared and his theories. Several minutes later, Sasuke took a breath and closed his journal. "What do you think niisan?" he whispered.
Itachi tapped his chin, thinking for a moment. "I believe… that we will have to determine our first move and be ready for the inevitable as soon as possible," he hummed. "Take a message to Yamato," he started, reaching for a scroll. "Be careful, we can not risk someone else learning of what we —" he pointed to himself and Sasuke, "know."
Sasuke nodded firmly and waited for his brother to finish his message. Excitement began to vibrate through his body. 'Hold on Naruto, I'm coming.'