Naruto Fan Fiction / Naruto Shippuden Fan Fiction ❯ The Never Played Symphonies ❯ The Serpent of Sky ( Chapter 13 )

 

 

The Never Played Symphonies

 

Chapter 13 The Serpent of Sky

 

 

Sasuke stared morosely towards the entrance to the Village of Sound. It had taken them almost three days to get there, and now that they were the Uchiha almost wished he could turn around. How would he survive this? How would he not only survive this, but also take the life of the one he now considered almost a brother?

 

“Are you prepared for the worst?” Sasori asked from the side of him, and Sasuke could already sense the sound ninja's on their way for an ambush. He couldn't lie to his sensei and say he was prepared, so instead all he did was pull some shuriken from his pouch on his leg, preparing himself for quite a battle…because that's really all he could do.

 

He glanced at Sasori in his puppet, almost wincing at the grotesque form compared to the redheaded beauty he normally was. “Shouldn't we attempt to take them unaware?” The Uchiha asked, already knowing from the scoff he received in return that the answer to that was no.

 

“Taking them unaware at this point would be impossible, they knew we were here the moment we stepped into the territory.” Sasori gave him a disapproving gaze, motioning for him to put away his weapons. “There will be no fighting until the deed is done.” Sasuke felt his eyebrow rise, not at all getting the strategy. “Well do you want to get close to him or not?” Sasori chided. “I have a plan. You just do your part to play along as you should.”

 

Sasuke scowled, not at all liking the prospect of a plan he knew nothing about. Sasori had been quiet since they left, and he had a feeling that this so-called `plan' had something to do with it. “I don't suppose you're going to tell me what this plan is?” He asked harshly, already knowing the answer.

 

“And miss you squirm?” Sasori teased, his voice lower and scratchier than it normally was with use of his puppet. “…Never.”

 

Cursing under his breath, Sasuke kicked at the ground. He had thought as much, but that didn't piss him off any less. It was bad enough to be thrown into such tough odds, but added to that a plan he knew nothing about and he might as well just kiss his life good-bye.

 

The shinobi were on them as they crossed the threshold into the village where Orochimaru…if you could even call it that. He strode confidently forward at Sasori's side, although inside he was a bundle of nerves at the prospect of what might happen when he came face to face with the snake who had terrified him throughout his youth.

 

The dark grim faces of the sound nins were strange in comparison to the bright exuberant ones of Konoha, but then again he supposed if he had Orochimaru as a leader he might not be all that happy either. Just thinking of the Sannin made the seal on his neck burn, as if the closer he got the more it could sense its master's presence. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever be allowed to leave this place at all, or if it were yet another cruel joke thrust upon him by his only living blood to make the hate that was slowly extinguishing inside of him fester and grow.

 

“Take us to the pathetic traitor you call your leader.” Sasori barked, the harsh demon like voice making the lower shinobi shudder as the realized the strength behind it. In fact they seemed to almost back away with cowardice, sensing the power coming from the two visitors and almost trembling in fear.

 

“Lord Orochimaru isn't interested in anything the Akatsuki have to offer.” One brave voice spoke up, a voice Sasuke only knew too well as he stepped out of the shadows.

 

Light silver hair was revealed as the sun reflected of the medical-nin's glasses, and the Uchiha couldn't help but hiss out, “Kabuto,” as soon as he saw him, letting his hatred for the one who had once pretended to be an ally be well known.

 

“Sasuke.” The shinobi said good-heartily, either not sensing the hate radiating from the teen, or else not caring. “How good of you to come…I hadn't realized you had become the Akatsuki's pet, but all things considered that's really not all that surprising.” He said in a teasing manner, giving him a smile that looked much too fake on his face. “Orochimaru had said you would come to him to find the means to kill your brother, but then it looks like you went ahead and took the more direct approach.” The smile widened as he practically goaded Sasuke on. “Tell me…is it going as well as you'd hoped?”

 

The Uchiha snarled, feeling his hatred bubble to the surface as he felt chakra begin to flow to his fingertips. Sasori had said they wouldn't fight, but then again Sasori had also told him to take initiative…he figured when all was said and done his sensei would be proud he killed the rotten bastard.

 

“Tell me, does Orochimaru still want his prize?” Sasori's voice came out of nowhere, asking a question Sasuke certainly hadn't counted on, and receiving an answer he certainly did not want.

 

“Oh yes. As the days grow thinner Lord Orochimaru's thirst for the boy grows essentially…” Kabuto gave him the up and down, practically sneering at what he saw. “Though honestly I can't see why. Cursed eyes might be a rare gift, but I'm still under the impression he could do better.” He gave a smirk, never breaking eye contact with Sasuke's Sharingan eyes. “Now Itachi was a different story altogether…a specimen worthy of my master's praise. It was a shame that he slipped through his fingertips…now Lord Orochimaru has to settle for second best.”

 

He wanted to kill him…now. Throwing off pretenses Sasuke stalked up to Kabuto, and without warning punched the cocky bastard right in the cheekbone, only mildly surprised when all he hit was air.

 

“Sasuke. Enough.” Were the harsh words hissed from behind him, and knowing Sasori was definitely losing patience with him, he merely scoffed at the med-nin and walked back to his place by the puppet master's side.

 

Kabuto didn't seem one bit fazed by the almost attack. No, he kept the same lighthearted attitude as always as he stared at the pair as if they were grime underneath his shoes. “State your purpose for being here, or leave now.” The cheerful voice took on an icy undertone as the shinobi's eyes narrowed a degree, showing the warning in their depths.

 

“A trade.” Was the calm statement that came from his side, and even though Sasori wouldn't meet his eyes to inform him just what that trade was, he couldn't help but think that somewhere deep down he already knew.

 

“And just what does the humble Village of Sound have to offer the mighty Akatsuki?” Kabuto asked with contempt, all the while edging closer as Sasuke's heart began to beat in dread.

 

“The ring.” Sasori said at once, and Sasuke's stomach churned as he realized his nerves had taken shape. “The ring for the boy.”

 

Not thinking Sasuke shot a betrayed look to his sensei, not being able to believe this turn of events. …They were supposed to fight…they were supposed to fight and cut the ring from Orochimaru's cold lifeless fingers.

 

Though maybe he was overreacting, Sasori had said he had a plan, hadn't he? Maybe this was it. Maybe this was how they were going to get into the stronghold. He convinced himself of that, he forced his heart to slow down before it hammered out of his chest altogether. He could not blow this, because if he did it would ruin everything.

 

“So Sasuke is just going to willingly let himself be exchanged?” Kabuto asked with interest, amusement evident in his voice.

 

“He thinks he's come here to kill Orochimaru and take his place as an Akatsuki.” Sasuke's eyes widened as he veins filled with ice. …He hadn't just said that. It had to have just been in his head…a wild daydream concocted by a disturbed mind that had spent too much time in solitude…he should have known nothing good could ever happen to himself.

 

“Does he now?” Kabuto asked, although this time his voice was much more guarded. “And tell me Sasori of the Red Sands, what ever could give him that impression?”

 

“Our Leader did, all the while rejoicing in triumph at the thought of how he was really going to regain what was lost to him.” Sasuke turned to Sasori, eyes filled with mistrust at his betrayal.

 

“It's not true.” He spat, all the while backing up from the one he had come to consider as brother. “…It's not.” Though from the fiery glint in Sasori's eyes, and how everyone around him seemed to be chuckling at his expense he couldn't help but think that it might actually be the truth.

 

“Don't delude yourself, Uchiha, into thinking that our Leader would ever give Itachi that much power.” Shaking now, Sasuke's hand reached for his weapon bag, all the while continuing to listen to Sasori's reasons…needing to hear them.

 

“So this is all about my brother?” He asked fearfully, feeling the hate bubble inside him as he took in Sasori's grotesque puppet appearance. He wished he looked like that always…it would show what he truly was…that he was truly becoming the Uchiha's nightmare.

 

“Of course not. Leader did want the ring, and at the same time he gets to teach Itachi a very good lesson in humility.”

 

“Yeah and what's that!” He spat, seeing red as hatred bubbled out of his fingertips as lightening crackled at their tips. He couldn't believe this. He couldn't believe he had ever been so stupid!

 

Sasori gave a smile that demented voice reaching his ears for one last taunt. “To not think himself bold enough to bring back strays…no matter how many times he fucks them.”

 

Losing control at that point, Sasuke screamed out words of hate as he lunged at his mentor, barely hearing the screamed out command of `seize him' as he did, but in the next moment he was surrounded by at least fifty of Orochimaru's pawns he all came at him at once. In his fury he knew he managed to take down quite a few, but then something connected hard with the back of his neck…and from the point on he saw nothing but black nothingness.

 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Sasuke awoke to a pain where he had gotten hit, having no idea where he was but sensing the familiar feeling of being bound before ever having to open his eyes. From what he could tell it was just his hands, and he seemed to be laying on something rather soft…seeing as how his hands were bound and he was laying on a cushioned bed, it didn't take him too long to guess just where he was.

 

“Awake already Sasuke-kun.” That slippery voice slid over him much like a snake's tongue, and he knew that he couldn't feign sleep any longer. His eyes cracked open, seeing the Sannin standing over him, obviously just watching his unconscious form.

 

“What are you doing?” Sasuke bit out, already struggling against the bindings that seemed to cut into his skin. His skin was already crawling the closer Orochimaru got to him, and it made him detest the situation even more to know that one of the only people he had put his trust in had betrayed him.

 

“Admiring my catch.” Orochimaru practically purred, and the sick feeling in Sasuke's stomach only grew.

 

“I'm not your catch!” Sasuke spat back, feeling that warm trickle of blood begin to slide down his wrist from the wire he was bound with had cut into his skin…to his immense disgust a tongue too long to be human snaked out, licking up his pale wrists and letting his precious life source slide down that abhorring throat.

 

“But my mark burns just as brightly on your skin as it ever did…I've had my claim on you since long ago.” The cold voice hissed, that tongue making its way down his arm to touch at the mark that seemed to burn like acid at the very touch.

 

He struggled to remove himself from the disgusting touch, but the wasn't anywhere he could maneuver himself on the bed where that long horrific tongue that reeked of death couldn't follow. “I've been marked in deeper ways than your curse on my skin ever could dream of!” Sasuke growled, biting as that tongue licked its way up his chin.

 

Why had he said that? Why…in this moment of absolute torture had his mind once more gone back to Itachi…to defend him no less! Was it because of his recent betrayal? Was it because out of all the people his brother had been the only one to stay loyal to him…to care for him? The necklace that had been most precious thing Itachi had ever bestowed upon him still hung from his neck, seeming to warm his shallow chest as Sasuke struggled to think of a way out of his predicament.

 

“Is that right?” The Sannin mocked, making his way over to the bed and placing the tongue back in his mouth. “And where is this person now?...Tell me will your dear aniki come to save you?” Sasuke shut his eyes in terror as the snakes hand closed around his collar, ripping down the front so that his entire chest was displayed, the cursed seal only showing all the brighter now that there was no clothes to obstruct the vision.

 

Cold clammy hands fell to his skin, and he thrashed around to try to get them to stop. His wrists bled more profusely as he struggled, but he didn't care…He wasn't about to lie there and let himself get raped! If he bled to death fighting then at least he would have fought! He couldn't believe that after all the time of training…of all the time thinking he had gotten stronger it had come down to this.

 

He actually heard himself scream when the bastard leaned his head down, closing his teeth around a nipple and biting down so hard it bled. “He'll kill you if you touch me!” He cried, not caring how pathetic it sounded. He would use any means he had necessary to stop inevitable at this point. Orochimaru got off of him, going instead to stand at the foot of the bed and stare down triumphantly at his prize.

 

“Really?” He mocked. “Well I don't see him here now…as a matter of fact I don't see anyone here to help, my dear Sasuke-kun.” His head tilted to the side in mock pity. “You were sold down the drain…and for what.” Smirking he walked over to the bedside table, and to Sasuke's disgust pulled out a decaying hand…a hand with the Akatsuki ring still on its pinky finger. “A ring for a human life…how pathetic you must feel about your very existence.”

 

Knowing that the bastard was absolutely right, Sasuke knew that he couldn't let him win. He had a plan. Forcing the chakra to pool at his feet, Sasuke waited until the snake began to crawl back on the bed, letting him sneak further until he was practically on top of him, and then with a cry sending him flying back against the wall, after connecting his red crackling power with the center of his chest.

 

He watched as Orochimaru slumped against the wall, and knew that if he were to live he didn't have much time. Curving his body, he let his teeth enclose around the wire encasing him, ignoring how it cut up his lips as he tugged on the unmoving restraints. That wouldn't do. …Trying to calm himself he thought of a rational way out of this, and taking a deep breath began to perform the hand signs for the Jutsu, but it was too late because before he knew it a body was upon him, pressing him hard into the mattress as a dribbled of blood ran from his mouth a dropped onto Sasuke's already bleeding face.

 

“So you have some spunk in you after all…and I was beginning to wonder why Itachi took some trouble to keep you…but then I guess that was always the case.” Sasuke recoiled in disgust as snakes crawled out of Orochimaru's throat, slithering their way down the Uchiha's body and making binding his feet in a way he knew no Jutsu could break…apparently the Sannin learned from his mistakes. “Tell me Sasuke, do you want to know a story about your darling brother?”

 

Sasuke's fist clenched at those words, seeming to act like a trigger to stop his struggle, because even though there was no way he was going to let Orochimaru do what he was planning, he was generally intrigued at the prospect of learning something of his elusive brother in a way only a hated enemy could tell you.

 

“As I thought…” Orochimaru teased, squeezing his chin a little as he leaned in closer to the body underneath him. “You're rather adorable when you're curious, but then again Itachi has always piqued my interest as well.” Never failing to touch him in some appalling way, Orochimaru began his treacherous tale.

 

“He was always an enigma, your brother…and it was I that was called upon to recruit him…the famous Uchiha prodigy, the one that had made older shinobi look like fools when compared.” Orochimaru said in almost awe, and Sasuke got a sick feeling in his gut at envisioning how sinfully the man must have looked upon his brother. “When I first contacted him he adamantly refused to cooperate, being the stubborn boy that he was…but it didn't take long for me to come up with a plan of persuasion, especially after I realized that, like everyone, Itachi Uchiha had a weakness.”

 

“Itachi has no weaknesses!” Sasuke immediately shot back with, to which Orochimaru gave a smirk.

 

“Hmfph…He does have the one.” Those same clammy hands came back to his face, stroking his flesh almost tenderly.

 

“Yeah?” Sasuke bit out with, turning his face to break their contact. “And what's that exactly?” He had said it to get Orochimaru away from him, not ever believing his brother to have a weakness, but he was given a prompt response.

 

“You.” Sasuke's eyes widened at that, and he couldn't bring himself to give a response. “The beautiful little boy overshadowed by his sibling's accomplishments…the one no on saw any worth in…except the more talented sibling himself.”

 

He shut his eyes, he didn't want to hear this, and yet he couldn't bring himself to tell Orochimaru to stop talking, and so on with his story he went. “I followed him a long time you know…long enough to see just how he ticks…to see all the dirty secrets a teenage boy would never reveal to the world, because even with all his accomplishments that's just what he was…a teenage boy who lusted after his own brother.”

 

A bright blush lit up his cheeks at that, and he wished he could just dissolve right there as he had to hear Orochimaru tell him of his and Itachi's dirty secrets…to know that someone had a clue just how fucked up their relationship together really was. But he couldn't call him a liar…because he remembered things his younger mind had taken for granted at the time. He had remembered the kiss…and the hardness poking him between the legs that his younger thought nothing of.

 

Orochimaru's lips were on his skin, but at this point he was too disgusted and ashamed with himself to push them away. “I watched him at night as he touched himself…” The bastard smirked against his skin. “He would whimper Sasuke so seductively, with such want, that it would make me hard right on the spot.” Swallowing the lump in his throat, Sasuke felt that Orochimaru seemed to be having that same problem now.

 

So many emotions flooded through him at that point….shock at hearing that Itachi had thought such things, jealousy that the bastard atop him was the one that got to experience them, and disgust that the repulsive snake currently molesting him was the one to see Itachi's weak points…though he still refused to believe that his brother had any.

 

Sasuke winced as yet another wound was inflicted on him in the of a bite, and Orochimaru licked the wound before jumping back into his demented fairytale. “It was only too easy after that…planting the seed of doubt into his mind.”

 

“What seed of doubt?” The Uchiha asked quietly, not all that certain he really wanted an answer. …Though it became rather apparent that the Sannin most certainly wanted to give him one.

 

Placing that decrepit mouth on his earlobe, he let his tongue snake out to trace the cartridge as he practically hissed into his ear. “I told him that cousin of his knew of his lust for you, and to get back at him he was going to steal your innocence before he ever got the chance.”

 

“No!” He heard himself gasp, shaking his head in shock as a series of events played their way in his head…it didn't even take Orochimaru's narration for him to put the pieces together.

 

“It only took one time of watching that boy interact with you to know what needed to be done….After all a child is a deep sleeper, and it didn't take much for me to sneak into your bedroom and place those condemning marks on the creamy flesh that Itachi wanted no more than to make his own.” Sasuke felt sick, he couldn't take hearing this anymore…he didn't want to know!

 

“After he had murdered his own cousin and gained Mangekyou it didn't take long to corrupt him further. In fact I need not have lifted a finger at all, because his plans had long been in place.” No…he didn't want to hear anymore. He tried to block it out but the words came in regardless, torturing him in his hell. “You see your brother's sanity had been slipping for quite some by then, every day he had to see you and know that the one thing he wanted was off limits.” Sasuke remembered how his brother had been away more and more towards the end, how his forehead poke rejections had become almost a common occurrence.

 

“No more…I don't want to hear anymore!” Sasuke pleaded, the guilt once more bubbling to the surface as Itachi's crimes were made light of, but it seemed Orochimaru wasn't kind enough to hear his pleas, as a matter of fact all he got from the snake was a cold biting laughter.

 

“What, can't handle the truth? Didn't you ever wonder why you were the only one left alive?” Sasuke shut his eyes tight, willing his body to stop shaking as words sharp as a thousand swords cut through him.

 

“LIES!” Sasuke screamed, struggling harder than ever against his restraints. It wasn't true! It was another trick concocted by the snake! That's all…THAT'S ALL! He wouldn't be blamed for his clan's death! He couldn't accept the weight of that on his shoulders!

 

His hands hurt more than ever by this point as the wire cut down to the bone, having to hear Orochimaru's insane laughter as he withered in pain not at all caused by his physical injuries. He didn't want this feeling of guilt…it was almost overbearing as it crushed down on his chest harder than the snake's body ever could.

 

“Make it stop…Please…” He pleaded to an unknown source, wanting someone to take him from his pain, not even caring as Orochimaru continued to strip him of his clothes, he was way beyond even feeling it by this point. “…Help me…Nissan.” He didn't know what made him call for Itachi, given what he had just learned he should furthest from his mind, but he did, and he couldn't help but want with every fiber of his being for the brother he believed to be kind when he was younger to rush in and save him from his terrible fate…but dreams are never exactly how you want them. Itachi didn't come rushing in on a white stallion, but then again he wasn't exactly left alone either.

 

His skin began to burn as the necklace seemed to glow bright hot, tightening around his neck as the stones inside of it glowed an almost fiery red. He screamed as he felt his skin begin to sizzle, and he noticed how Orochimaru was looking down at him was something akin to shock on his face. …Apparently he wasn't the one that turned his necklace homicidal.

 

Sasuke's eyes widened as far as they could go as they seemed to drop was a sort of liquid as his vision turned red, and he knew that he was now seeing through a Sharingan…but that it was not his own. He couldn't even control his line of vision as his eyes scanned Orochimaru in hatred, almost beckoning the snake forward as the man stared at him with a look of fearful curiosity on his face.

 

“I wasn't aware you had obtained the Mangekyou Sharingan. I thought that was an accomplishment only Itachi possessed.” The shock rolled off him in ways as he attempted to react to that news, but it seemed he had no control over any aspect of his body by this point. The necklace still glowed fiercely against his chest, and even though he wasn't sure how, he knew that it was the reason this was happening.

 

It only took a second for it to happen, their eyes had only met for a moment, but he was sent swirling into the world of reds and blacks that Itachi cursed people with, and he had a feeling he didn't need to fear it this time. Whatever was happening to him, this new power was not supposed to hurt him, but to help…or rather control.

 

He watched a copy of himself walk towards the confused Sannin, no longer bound or injured in any way…no longer under the bastard's control. His mind watched from a distance as the other Sasuke began to talk to the snake, obviously saying things that would even make Orochimaru shudder in fear, but Sasuke heard none of them. No, it was almost as if this entire world's sound was from muffled from him, but that didn't mean he couldn't witness all the things that transpired that he no control over…the things he saw burned in his mind, only adding to the torture that he was the one doing it.

 

Orochimaru's head was the only thing visible, the rest of him was buried deep within the ground, and Sasuke watched in horror as snakes of every size and color slithered towards him. His eyes widened in fear as they reached his head, crawling up his insides, beginning to push their way into every orifice available to him.

 

He heard the scream as a huge boa constrictor pushed its way into his mouth, slithering down his throat so that it pushed it out in an almost ungodly manner. Even though Sasuke could not hear what they were saying, he swore he could almost imagine the sounds of Orochimaru's throat stretching and breaking as the serpent forced its way down.

 

The screams were gagged by this point, Orochimaru's eyes widened in pain as his agony continued to grow. Two king snakes began to slither up towards his ears, pushing their way into his canal and no doubt traveling towards his brain…the pain had to have been excruciating, and Sasuke actually thought he couldn't watch anymore when those same snakes came out through his nostrils, pushing the cartridge of his nose until it broke and bled, only adding to the Sannin's screams as the boa constrictor finally made its way down his throat, doing god knows what to his insides.

 

It continued that way for hours…it could have been days even, he lost track. The demented Sasuke who seemed to be in control of this world had created another Orochimaru right across from himself so he could both watch and feel the agony being inflicted upon himself.

 

Though he supposed he didn't need to worry about watching himself suffer all that much longer, because after a while those snakes found a new place to infest, and popped out his eyes altogether. By this point Sasuke was just a quivering shaky mess on the ground, lying in a puddle of his own vomit as he wished for their torture to end. But he knew his suffering wasn't anything compared to Orochimaru's, who didn't even seem to have vocal cords left to scream by this point. It might have just been pain he was feeling…it might not have been real, but something told him that having to feel snakes eat away your insides, even if it weren't real, was a torture he wasn't even sure Orochimaru deserved…no matter what he had done.

 

He wasn't sure when it happened, because as more Orochimaru's began to appear around him he lost track of time, but eventually the harsh reality began to fade to black, and he was brought back into the real one with only screams to welcome him back. He wasn't sure which one of them was screaming, but judging from the volume and pitch it very could have been them both. He glanced around, seeing that Orochimaru was back in front of him. …Had it really only been seconds? Had his body only been trapped in that nightmare that long?

 

The Uchiha wanted to rip the cursed necklace that had brought him so much pain, but he couldn't bring himself to destroy it. He had no idea it had contained so much power, and yet he couldn't cast it aside because it had been the only thing to prevent his rape.

 

Orochimaru was shaking in front of him, and Sasuke knew just how powerful he was when he didn't pass out from the strain of it all. No he was conscious…conscious and very, very pissed.

 

“I'll kill you!” Was the hissed response, and Sasuke noticed how he seemed reluctant to keep the snakes around restraining him. No, apparently the sword now appearing from his mouth was enough to finish the boy still tied to his bed…even if it would cost him his host body. At that point it didn't seem to matter to Orochimaru…but then again Sasuke didn't really blame him after what he had just been put through. Even if he hated the Sannin and would kill him without a thought, he would never put anyone through something such as that.

 

The sword came sloppily out of his throat, and seeing such a thing Sasuke knew there was no way he could dodge it. The slice came with a sickening thud, cutting through his shoulder blade as blood already began to pool at the wounds.

 

“I'll have that body of yours…even if I have destroy it first,” Was Orochimaru's demonic response, pulling the blade back, and making the motion to come down for yet another strike.

 

That strike never hit Sasuke's body, however, because a sickening tale seemingly made of bone lashed out, grabbing Orochimaru around the throat and slicing his skin in the process. Orochimaru cried out, and the Uchiha didn't blame him…he had known from training that Sasori's poison was nearly unbeatable. But why was he here? Hadn't he just gotten done hadn't he just gotten done handing him over on a silver platter?

 

He didn't get to think on the conundrum long, because the next moment Orochimaru screamed for Kabuto, all the while pulling on the tail binding him so that Sasori edged forward, and the sword that was heading towards Sasuke got closer and closer to its mark.

 

Doing anything and everything he could to defend himself, Sasuke let his feet fly up, catching the sword between them by the end of the blade, holding off the decent as long as he could as he tried to think of a way to stop this.

 

That came with a distraction from Sasori as he tightened his grip on Orochimaru's neck, and Sasuke was able to use his leverage to parry the blade the side, making it ricochet off the headboard and slice his restraints in the process.

 

Orochimaru's eyes seethed with anger as they met the Sharingan ones belonging to Sasuke. It all happened in just a few seconds after that. …Just a few seconds, but ones deciding the fate of his very life. Grabbing the sword by the blade, Sasuke took the pain that came from cutting his hands up even more and spun it, freeing it from Orochimaru's throat and almost simultaneously spinning it around and impaling it right back where he got it.

 

It slid all the way through the Sannin's head, hitting something hard and breaking through that barrier as well. Sasuke had closed his eyes through the whole ordeal, but when he felt the lifeless body weight slump onto the sword he opened them to see just what had stopped the blade's thrust. Red eyes widened to saucers when he saw that the sword had punctured Sasori's puppet, miraculously getting through one of the small holes in his line of defense.

 

He wasn't sure that it had pierced the body underneath, and seeing as how Sasori didn't seem hurt he would have to say that it hadn't, but he had come close…so close. Itachi's orders once more came to his mind, as did the fact that Sasori had been the one to betray him earlier.

 

All he had to do was push it in a little further. He would his brother's respect! He would have what he always desired! Not only that but he would get his revenge for the betrayal that he wasn't sure was genuine anymore. His mind raced with possibilities and yet only mere moments had passed.

 

Letting go of the sword, Sasuke was ready for the first time to fail his brother's request. He couldn't do it…not after what he had seen…not after the blood that was already on his hands. He heard an exhail, and it seemed Sasori was rather relived by his choices as well, and just as the puppet master went to pull the sword out of his shell, the necklace reacted once again, and without once being in control, Sasuke once more took up the sword, plunging it as far as he could forward and striking the fleshy pulp underneath…after that it didn't take to long for the body to fall to the ground, hot plasma leaking out of the puppet shell that most certainly did not belong to his sensei's work of art.

 

“Sasori?” Sasuke asked fearfully, gripping the blade that had sought after two lives so hard in his hands it hurt…when he received no answer he let the cursed object go altogether and ran to his sensei's side that he had just stabbed. “SASORI!”

 

He ran to his friend, his sensei, his brother's side, not seeing in trace of life the husk he was residing in. Calling Chidori to his fist he didn't hesitate on slamming down on the shell, shattering the puppet to reveal the man inside.

 

Sasuke had never seen Sasori look so fragile as his small frame just rolled over, revealing the clouded over eyes of the puppet master as the teenager could see the obvious flow of blood dripping from his heart…no doubt one of the only parts on him that was human.

 

“Sasori-sensei! Sasori can you hear me!” He cried, cradling the body in his arms as he watched those eyes just barely flicker towards him, as if registering just who was holding him, and how it had been him that had made the pain all the more real in his heart.

 

“The plan…” Was the croaked out voice of his sensei as he attempted to reach out, obviously using the last of his strength. “It wasn't…you weren't to be hurt…the ring, get it…protect yourself…save…” But he never got anymore out, because his body went limp in the Uchiha's arms, causing a scream to rip from his throat.

 

He couldn't be dead! HE COULDN'T! Sasori was practically immortal…he couldn't die, he wouldn't die here! Sasuke cradled the body to him, all the way realizing the position he was in and that any moment hoards of shinobi would be in to claim his life…he wasn't wrong.

 

The door bust open, and Sasuke watched Kabuto's shocked features as he took on Sasori and Sasuke on the floor, and then over to Orochimaru's corpse with the sword still embedded in his head. Sasuke had never seen more hatred in his life then what was directed at him then, and he knew that it wasn't going to be easy getting past the med-nin, especially with his still injured shoulder that Orochimaru had been kind enough to give him before his passing.

 

“L-Lord Orochimaru!” He heard the shocked gasp. He knew this had to be quite the turn of events in the med-ninja's eyes, after all the last time he had checked Sasuke had been tied to the bed about to be raped and all other mannerisms of horrid acts performed on him. Now…now Orochimaru lay in a bloody heap near the bed, and Sasori was bleeding out on the floor…not exactly the scene you dream of walking in on.

 

“What did you do!?” Kabuto's voice was now acid as his eyes seemed to practically glow red in blood lust. “I'll kill you for what you've done!” He screamed, and as the shinobi lunged at him, Sasuke barely had time to avoid getting struck in the chest by the med-nin's dangerous fists…Though that didn't mean he avoided the attack altogether. No, Kabuto managed to strike a sound blow in his thigh, no doubt severing the muscles attached there, sending ungodly pain shooting throughout his body. Sasuke was only aware that he was screaming by the sadistic look covering Kabuto's face at his small victory, and by the looks of it he wasn't nearly done.

 

“Does it hurt you Uchiha brat!?” Kabuto hissed, getting closer and closer to the struggling teen on the ground. “I hope it does, and I want you to know they'll much more of that pain…I'll sever every muscle and tendon in your body until you're begging for death…I'll make it so you can't move, can't speak, can't do anything except lay there and feel your pain and agony until your body gives up!”

 

Sasuke's body began to shake as Kabuto neared him. The pain in both his shoulder and leg were overwhelming, and he knew for a fact that if he didn't do something now the bastard would do all he was saying and more. He needed to act! He needed to move!

 

He practically screamed at his body to move from his spot as Kabuto got nearer, but it didn't seem to want to listen to him. No, it just stayed huddled on the ground, as if it had already accepted its own death. But he wouldn't accept that! He had to live! He had a mission, and despite how much he might not want to think of it right now he had people to return to!

 

Kabuto's fist came down again, and as it did it seemed to move in slow motion, speaking tales of his demise only to be repelled just before it touched his already mangled shoulder by a bright red light coming from his chest. That small distraction was all it took to snap Sasuke into action. Acting on pure instincts he grabbed the sword still embedded in Orochimaru's body, pulling it out with a sickening plop and slashing at Kabuto's body, letting the spray of blood cover his face as the med-nin temporarily fell to the ground. He knew it wouldn't last long, however, the shinobi's healing powers were legendary and he knew he had about a minute tops to get out of there before the man was just as good as new.

 

Rushing over to the desk that he had seen Orochimaru mess with before, Sasuke pulled out the sickening hand, ripping the ring off its decrepit finger and gripping it in his hand as he ran over to his fallen sensei. “Come on Sasori, we gotta go.” He said to the cold body in his arms, limping as he tried to put all support on one leg as he balanced the redhead painfully on his injured arm.

 

Balancing Sasori while having a good hold of the treacherous blade that had claimed countless lives, Sasuke prayed he had enough chakra left as he forced it down to his feet, feeling the crackling around his heels and thanking Sasori once again for teaching him such a technique.

 

Using his new speed, Sasuke ran awkwardly out of the room, ignoring the pain in his practically useful leg, hoping that the adrenaline in his body would be enough to hold him long enough until he could get far enough away to just collapse.

 

Shinobi were starting to crawl out of the woodwork as he ran down the hall, and he knew some kind of alarm had already been sounded. That ran towards him, and almost on instinct, Sasuke lashed out with the sword, impaling one ninja only to pull it out and slash another's throat.

 

He made his way through the compound, not even being able to see straight anymore as he took life after life. He was covered in so much blood by this time that he couldn't even see any skin that wasn't that deep crimson color. He had become demon, slashing his way through the masses, thinking about nothing more than his survival as he killed relentlessly. How had it come to this? When had he become no better than Itachi?

 

The screams throughout the village echoed in his ears, but he couldn't discern any voices, let alone make out what they were saying. It just seemed to be the pounding in his head driving him on, making him not give up on his life just yet. He couldn't fail…he had to live.

 

After what seemed like hours, but had to only have been a short time Sasuke broke out into the open, making a mad dash towards the trees, barely being able to drag his useless leg and Sasori along with him. If he could just get into those trees he could hide. If he could just get there they would be safe.

 

That was the only thing that kept him going as he made his way towards his sanctuary, getting into the foliage and running towards the thickest part of the forest. In the back of his mind he knew he would be easy to trace, what with the trail of blood he was no doubt leaving behind, but he didn't care, because he got here, and somehow he would make it the rest of the way home. …He just needed…He just needed to rest.

 

Sasuke's head began to get cloudy as the last of his chakra was used and the Chidori around his feet sparked out and faded, slowing his movements down to an almost crawl. The body he was supporting now felt like a thousand pounds as his leg refused to cooperate anymore. He knew his body was failing him, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it as he collapsed in a clearing, not having the strength to even pick his face up from the mud pile it had landed in. Was this the end? Was this what it felt like to die?

 

Kabuto and his men would be on him anytime now, and yet he couldn't force his body to even move from its sprawled out position on the forest floor with Sasori collapsed half on top of him. He would die like this. He heard footsteps in the leaves, and even though he tried to move to see who it was he couldn't get his body to respond. Everything was fading to black. He gripped the ring still resting in his palm, knowing he had failed, and just wished he could have heard Itachi tell him that just once before the end.

 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

 

Two figures emerged into the clearing, approaching the bodies sprawled across the ground carefully. The one with light flaxen, almost silver hair approached the dark haired boy, kicking him with his foot to confirm he was unconscious.

 

“Does this mean we're going to have to haul both of these bastard back to headquarters?” The man grumbled, leaning down to check both their vitals. “Well they're both alive…though Sasori seems in pretty bad shape, and the kid's pretty bad himself.”

 

“Well you know Hidan, they both have quite the price on their heads from their villages. We could always say they didn't make it out.” Hidan turned towards his partner who was pretty much covered by his cape, giving a laugh at his antics.

 

“And reap the profits? You're fucked up Kakuzu, must be why we fit so well, but even I'm not dumb enough to go after that fortune.” He turned back towards the bodies, flipping Sasuke over so that his face was out of the mud. “I'm sure Deidara would be quite pissy if we didn't bring back Sasori, and well this kid….he…”

 

A deep laugh sounded from behind him, and Hidan turned to see the source of his partner's amusement. “Still afraid of Itachi, Hidan?...How shameful.”

 

“I'm not afraid of that bastard!” He shot almost immediately back with, glaring daggers at the one who had dared call him out. “I just don't think it would be wise to make an enemy of him. You know what he thinks of this brat…rumors of what they do with each other have spread throughout the entire organization.”

 

Kakuzu scoffed, leaning down to pick Sasori's body up and sling it over his shoulder. “I think they're beyond rumors at this point.”

 

Hidan nodded, going to pick up Sasuke's body as well, but paused when he saw the necklace resting on his throat. “Hey, isn't that Itachi's?”

 

His partner looked down, scoffing once again. “No wonder the kid's still alive.” Shaking his head, Hidan picked the unconscious teen up, slinging him over his shoulder in a manner very similar to Kakuzu.

 

“Well you got to hand it to those Uchiha's…they can be sneaky when they want to.” He looked down towards the bloody spot on the forest floor, hearing the approaching shinobi from the direction of the Village of Sound. “Well let's get going…we need to bring our little stray back to his owner.” Kakuzu nodded, and they both began to head towards the headquarters, both injured bodies in tow.

 

,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

 

 

A.N- Omg that was the most evil chapter ever to write! I was like…this is sooooooooo messed up the entire time….(very heartwrenching and evil) and when I was writing the torture scene I had to stop in the middle of it and be like…damn I'm fucked in the head. LOL…but I hoped you liked it even though it was sooooo sad, and I got to write new characters! I love Hidan and Kakuzu, and hopefully I didn't write them too awfully bad. Please review! They really encourage me to get working on the new chapters!

 

And a big thanks to my beta who helped tons in this chapter! I couldn't do it without her

 

And OHHHHHHH I had fanart commissioned for my lovely story I'll post the links below so you can stare and drool just as much as I did, thanks!

 

The first link is actually his, and then the DA one is just cuz it made such a pretty wallpaper I couldn't resist lol…and even though I could never draw such a thing so beautifully I'm still proud cuz the idea came out of my head so enjoy!

 

http://yaoi.y-gallery.net/view/317910/