Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Reflections ❯ Two of a Kind ( Chapter 9 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: siberianknight 
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Mystery | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 07.03.2007 | Updated On: 07.04.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 537 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Mystery | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 07.03.2007 | Updated On: 07.04.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 537 | Status: Completed
Author's Notes: Here's the next chapter.
In the following chapters, the pace will pick up and things will start to happen -- I promise! :)
I fixed the part about the age and the sharingan. I had forgotten that Sasuke actually developed his sharingan at 13, not just suddenly learned how to use it.
Warnings: Very Minor Spoilage (c295+)
Chapter Status: COMPLETE
--------
The room had fallen silent, all eyes were on the sleeping form of Naruto. In the distance, faint sounds of thunder rolling across the gray sky drifted lazily to the group’s ears. Tsunade spared a meaningful glance in Kakashi’s direction and the two quietly left the room, leaving only the two Sasukes and Sakura behind. “The doctor said he was fine, just exhausted. Perhaps we should leave him alone too.” Sakura’s voice was a mere whisper, afraid of stirring up the two men’s emotions again. One stood on either side of Naruto’s cot, the Japanese Sasuke glaring at the other. They had been like that since the doctor had left the room.
The wheels in Sakura’s mind began to churn wildly in the hopes of breaking the tension between the two men, but nothing came to her. Her narrow shoulders slumped slightly as she realized that there was a distinct possibility that the two Sasukes wanted to fight one another over Naruto. Just as she was about to open her mouth, the door opened slightly and a messy bit of silver hair appeared, it was Kakashi. “Sakura, can you come out here for a minute please?”
Glancing between her old teacher and the faces of her old friends, she tried to determine whether it was safe for her to leave the room or not. Konoha Sasuke’s deep voice quietly put an end to her inner struggle. “Go, Sakura. I’m not going to kill him -- yet.” The corner’s of Sasuke’s mouth quickly pulled taught as he glowered even harder at the smiling face of Konoha Sasuke.
“You may say that, but --”
“Go.” His voice was stern, and told her that he would be more than happy to force her out of the room. She nodded wearily as she backed slowly out the door.
The silence that filled the room was palpable, both boys’ stood trying to reign in their burgeoning tempers. After a stretch of time, the Konoha Sasuke broke the tension. “He’s mine.”
“I never claimed him. Besides, you can’t declare ownership of another human.” Japanese Sasuke peered at the other through hooded lids. He wasn’t surprised that his other self was arrogant, but he was appalled by just how haughty he really was. “I’m sure Naruto wouldn’t be very happy if he heard you proclaim that.”
“Look, I don’t like you. Nor do I trust you, but he is mine. Just as I am his. It works both ways ... he -- he saved my life and I’ve yet to truly thank him for that. Truthfully, I don’t think I can ever thank him enough for what he did for me.” He turned his head away from the Japanese Sasuke in an act of embarrassment. He hadn’t intended to voice any of that, but for some reason what the other man had said had made him feel that it was necessary. If he had the use of his eyes, he would have caught the concerned look which briefly flashed across the other’s face. It was a look which would have told him that the other felt sorry for him.
“I’m not planning to steal him from you -- if that’s what you’re afraid of. But I will tell you that I don’t think he sees you as anything more than a friend.” The aura around the Konoha Sasuke changed immediately. His desire to fight had faded, and in its place grew a strong sadness. Not knowing exactly what to do, the Japanese Sasuke decided to leave the room. There wasn’t much more he could say that could make the other feel any better, for the only one who could fix him was asleep in the hospital bed.
Outside in the corridor, the Japanese Sasuke met up with Tsunade, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Sakura. They had been talking about something, but had stopped as soon as the door had opened. Looking apologetic, Sasuke closed the door quietly and began to walk away from the group. “Um, Sasuke-kun ... could I see you for a moment?” He turned slowly at the sound of Tsunade's voice, and retraced his steps back to stand before her. “There are some tests I’d like to have run on you. Just to, well learn about you.”
“Tests?” He couldn’t keep the slight quiver out of his voice. He hated doctors, and he wasn’t sure if they had the same type of equipment in this world of ninjas as his own world. Images of horrible looking drills and needles flashed briefly through his mind, and he would have turned and run away if Jiraiya hadn’t placed a large hand on his shoulder stopping his retreat.
“It won’t hurt.” Tsunade stated with a quiet snort. She was laughing at him, which of course gave him more courage than anything else she could have done. He was going to show her that he wasn’t afraid.
“Fine. Just be quick.” His bolster of courage died in the face of Tsunade's smirk. Great, this was going to hurt.
“Sit.” Sasuke sat in a large arm chair which had straps attached to it. He didn’t feel comfortable at all, in fact the urge to flee was rearing its head again. Tsunade had disappeared behind him, and he could hear clanks from bits of metal objects hitting one another. The quiet that followed worried him; he began to imagine the various horrible tools that she could be bringing out for use. Then she moved over beside him with a blood sampling tube and a bit of rubber tubing. She was only going to take a bit of blood. “This’ll be over in a few seconds.”
“Why do you want my blood?” He asked quietly as she straightened and capped the small tube.
Tsunade let out a quiet sigh before her brown eyes turned to Sasuke. “Our Sasuke is a member of a family with something that’s called a bloodline limit. Basically a special ability that’s passed through the genes. I want to see if you happen to have true Uchiha blood in you.” She studied his face, hoping to read his reaction, but his face was a perfect blank -- just like his counterpart. With everything said, she turned and began to walk out of the room.
“Are we done?”
“Yes.” Relief flooded Sasuke’s body as the door closed behind the retreating form of Tsunade. He had escaped the horrifying torture which had been playing over and over in his mind. All she had wanted was a bit of his blood, but what if he did have the same blood as the other Sasuke? Wouldn’t that mean that since the two of them were in the same world together that they were somehow defying the order of the universe? Tired and hungry, he decided to find somewhere to stay.
-----
“Tsunade-sam a, I know you don’t really like it when I say things like this ... but --”
“Just spit it out, Shizune.” Tsunade was bent over a microscope looking at the blood sample which the Japanese Sasuke had given to her. So far, it had reacted the way it should for someone who carries a bloodline limit; however, there were some subtle differences, which meant more tests. Her temper was beginning to run thin and Shizune’s buzzing around her was not helping much.
“I don’t think he should be here. I think it’s messing up the order of everything.”
“I understand that. And I agree ... but we won’t know if they’re really the same until I have the results of these tests. So, please -- sit still!” Shizune quickly dropped into the nearest chair, and allowed Ton-Ton to jump into her lamp. She and the piglet managed to sit quietly until a loud ‘what’ caused them to both make a startled noise.
“What is it Tsunade-sama!?” Shizune waited with baited breath for the answer, but Tsunade sat motionless with her back to her friend. “Tsunade-sama?”
“Fetch Jiraiya and Kakashi. I need to speak with both of them -- immediately.” Tsunade stared down at the vial of blood which rested in a test tube rack. What she had seen confused her, and worried her that just maybe Shizune was right.
-----
Sasuke slowly felt around the far wall of the hospital room, trying to locate the chair that he knew should be there. After a moment’s search, he found it and dragged it carefully and silently over to the bed. By the sounds of deep even breathing, Sasuke had thankfully managed to not wake Naruto.
Sasuke’s hand groped for Naruto’s in a need to feel him. It had been almost three years since they had fought one another. Naruto attempting to make Sasuke see the error of his ways, and Sasuke wanting only one thing: revenge. However, all that was over now, and Naruto had miraculously forgiven him; although, it was still unclear to Sasuke as to why or how he had forgiven him so simply and easily. If it had been reversed, he knew for certain that he would have had a difficult time forgiving his best friend for trying to kill him, not just once -- but twice. In truth, he probably wouldn’t have ever forgiven Naruto for something like that. Their friendship would have died the day he had left Konoha.
Tears began to form threateningly on his sealed lids. Did he really deserve to be forgiven? He had been so cold, so brutal toward Naruto, and for what? So that he could fight his brother. The desire to kill had left him after he had finally faced Itachi, and learned the full truth. Then his brother had given his life to protect him in the end. It all made his lust for revenge pointless, and it made him feel like a horrible person. “I don’t deserve you,” Sasuke whispered to the sleeping form. Naruto stirred slightly, and rolled closer to Sasuke. His free hand reached out and rested lightly over his and Sasuke’s joined hands.
Sasuke stiffened for a brief moment, then relaxed when he realized that Naruto was still sleeping. He needed to talk to him, but he was far from ready. The feelings within him were still jumbled and raw, but even still, he knew without a doubt that he loved Naruto. That had been why he couldn’t kill him, and that was most likely why he felt such an enormous amount of guilt when he thought about building a life with him. As his mind began to think of all the reasons why he failed to deserve Naruto, a quick, white hot pain shot through his unseeing eyes, causing him to feel a bit lightheaded. His breathing quickened and he carefully laid his head down on the edge of Naruto’s cot.
When the aftereffects of the pain subsided, Sasuke tried to open his eyes. The skin of his lids slowly peeled away from his cheeks, sending yet more excruciating pain throughout his head. Sasuke held in a cry of anguish as his eyes gingerly opened. He blinked a few times, allowing the moisture which was flowing freely to wash over the tender lids. Then, carefully, he pulled off the silk wrap. There was only blackness. He was still blind.
Sasuke threw the scarf away with an angry jerk of his hand. Why was he still blind!? It didn’t make any sense to him, unless -- that girl in the woods. What had it been that she had said to him? “I decided that it would be better this way, since you need to realize your folly.” Did she mean that he needed to atone for his sins? “Am I being punished for what I did? For the pain I brought to you?” Fear gripped his heart as those thoughts began to seep deeper inside him. If that was true, then what was it that he was supposed to realize? He had already admitted that he had been wrong to do what he did, but apparently that wasn’t the only thing he needed to apologize for. Sasuke grunted softly out of frustration. If only that girl hadn’t died, then maybe, just maybe he could have found out what she had meant. The sound of the door opening caused Sasuke to swivel around.
“Sasuke -- your eyes!” It was Kakashi.
“They opened just a few moments ago. And no, I can’t see anything.”
“Then you’d best put the scarf back around your eyes, otherwise you’ll fry your retinas. The reason I came in here, is to tell you that Tsunade wishes to see you in her office.”
Sasuke turned back to face Naruto. He longed to be able to look at him, even if it was just for a moment. He wanted to see that bright smile lighting up his face, but the odds of that happening were most likely slim. “Sasuke?”
“Tell her I’ll be there in a moment.” Kakashi grunted softly and after a brief hesitation, he left.
Sasuke bent over the hand he held and brushed a feather-light kiss upon its rough knuckles. “I’ll come back later ... I promise.” With that, he fumbled around trying to locate where he had thrown his scarf, and then left with angry jerks of his hands as he tied it back in place.
-----
Sasuke felt haphazardly around for the handle to Tsunade’s office. His delay in finding it surely didn’t have anything to do with his preoccupation with Naruto, or at least that’s what he was telling himself. After groping aimlessly for a few minutes, his fingertips finally hit the cold brass of the door knob. He began to wrap his thick fingers around the knob, but before he could do so, it swung open and away from his hand. “Sasuke! Excellent! Come in, there’s something I need from you.” He slowly entered the room, wondering why Tsunade sounded so falsely happy.
“What’s wrong?” Tsunade winced at the bland tone of Sasuke’s voice; she knew that he could tell that she was hiding her concern.
Tsunade decided that it would be best to stop pretending with Sasuke, so she dropped the happy act and replaced it with her usually brusque tone. “I need a sample of your blood.”
“Why?”
“We took a sample from the other Sasuke, and I -- I need something to compare it to. It’s very important,” she added almost as an afterthought.
“Fine.” Tsunade’s strong hand grabbed his arm and led him to a seat, and pressed him down onto its hard surface.
“This’ll only take a moment, but I would like you to stay -- until I finish running the tests.” Sasuke merely nodded his assent and sat quietly as he listened to Tsunade’s movements around the room. He sat there so long that he had begun to fall asleep when she finally announced that she was finished.
“Was my blood helpful?” Tsunade decided to ignore the snide tone in his voice and carried on with a bit of cheerfulness.
“Yes very.”
“Tsunade-sama -- what is it that you’re trying to do?” He heard her sigh heavily and then sensed her presence near him. A knot was beginning to form in the pit of his stomach, and he couldn’t understand why. Was he nervous about what she was about to say to him? Or was it something else?
When she finally spoke, there was no trace of joy in her voice. Tsunade lowered herself into a chair next to Sasuke and spoke in an even and serious tone. “The other Sasuke and you have the exact same genetic make-up. You are essentially the same person.”
“And ...?”
“Well, I’m not sure what it means. It’s basically an impossibility to have two people with the exact same genetic make-up in the same place, unless one is a clone. Which that could be what’s happened here, but it doesn’t explain where Naruto went -- or why he has those memories of that other world.” Sasuke grunted impatiently. Tsunade ignored him, and continued on despite the disbelieving look Sasuke was now sporting. “Look, I know that you probably think that all this postulating is pointless unless we already have an explanation. I’m sorry that we don’t, but I thought it would be good to tell you that the other Sasuke has the sharingan as well. Obviously he has no idea how to use it --”
Sasuke quickly straightened up in his seat and gazed in the direction of Tsunade’s voice. “Do you mean he has the gene which is passed onto his offspring? Because unless it developed before he was sixteen -- he won’t ever be able to use it.”
“I realize that, Sasuke-kun. But there is a difference between the dormant state of the gene which transfers the bloodline limit and the active state. His is in the active state, just like yours. That’s why all this is so confusing. And as much as I hate to admit it, but it reeks of --”
“Orochimaru,” Sasuke finished quietly. It was everyone’s fear that somehow, someway the ninja who had caused so much grief would come back once more. He had cheated death more than once, and although it was highly improbable that he could have survived the last attack on him, there was still that possibility.
“Yes. That’s why we must find out why and where that other Sasuke came from. I don’t feel that he nor Naruto were ever in that other world -- especially if Orochimaru is behind all this. But then, I may be wrong and we need to be prepared for that. I’ve asked Kakashi to allow the other Sasuke to stay with him. He’s to keep his eye on him at all times, and if there is any odd behavior he’ll report it to me.
Now, I want you to go with a small team I’m sending to one of Orochimaru’s old research centers. The reason I’m asking you is because you’ve been there before -- and you’ll be of great help to the team.”
“The last time I was there, I could see. How am I supposed to help now?” His temper was flaring slowly once more. If he went and was to help them, what if he gave them poor advice? It was likely that someone would die, and he didn’t want that on him. Not when he had a chance to prevent it.
“Didn’t Kakashi teach you how to overcome your handicap?” Tsunade asked a bit irritated with his attitude.
“Yes,” Sasuke mumbled miserably.
“Then, you’ll go. Calm down, you won’t be the leader,” she added when he made to protest again. “Jiraiya will be leading -- so I want you to concentrate on remembering that place inside and out. As of right now, we’re not certain what we’re looking for -- so I just want an eyes-only investigation.” Sasuke tried to not let her thoughtlessness sting him and forced himself to nod in agreement. “Good. Jiraiya will pick you up at your apartment at first light tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
- ----
“Is it almost time?” Her soft feminine voice echoed off the stone walls and floated gently into his ears. A cold smile crept slowly across his pale face as he gazed at her.
“Yes -- they should have discovered the eerie similarities by now, thanks to Tsunade’s sharp mind. Yes, it won’t be long before the second phase of my plan is placed in motion.” His cackle filled up the empty lab’s space. The young girl smiled sweetly at the sound of her ‘father’s’ laughter. It was good to know that she had done her job well, and that her sister’s sacrifice had not been for nothing.
-------------
Naruto belongs to Kishimoto Masashi, TV-Tokyo, & Shounen Jump
geovisit();
In the following chapters, the pace will pick up and things will start to happen -- I promise! :)
I fixed the part about the age and the sharingan. I had forgotten that Sasuke actually developed his sharingan at 13, not just suddenly learned how to use it.
Warnings: Very Minor Spoilage (c295+)
Chapter Status: COMPLETE
The room had fallen silent, all eyes were on the sleeping form of Naruto. In the distance, faint sounds of thunder rolling across the gray sky drifted lazily to the group’s ears. Tsunade spared a meaningful glance in Kakashi’s direction and the two quietly left the room, leaving only the two Sasukes and Sakura behind. “The doctor said he was fine, just exhausted. Perhaps we should leave him alone too.” Sakura’s voice was a mere whisper, afraid of stirring up the two men’s emotions again. One stood on either side of Naruto’s cot, the Japanese Sasuke glaring at the other. They had been like that since the doctor had left the room.
The wheels in Sakura’s mind began to churn wildly in the hopes of breaking the tension between the two men, but nothing came to her. Her narrow shoulders slumped slightly as she realized that there was a distinct possibility that the two Sasukes wanted to fight one another over Naruto. Just as she was about to open her mouth, the door opened slightly and a messy bit of silver hair appeared, it was Kakashi. “Sakura, can you come out here for a minute please?”
Glancing between her old teacher and the faces of her old friends, she tried to determine whether it was safe for her to leave the room or not. Konoha Sasuke’s deep voice quietly put an end to her inner struggle. “Go, Sakura. I’m not going to kill him -- yet.” The corner’s of Sasuke’s mouth quickly pulled taught as he glowered even harder at the smiling face of Konoha Sasuke.
“You may say that, but --”
“Go.” His voice was stern, and told her that he would be more than happy to force her out of the room. She nodded wearily as she backed slowly out the door.
The silence that filled the room was palpable, both boys’ stood trying to reign in their burgeoning tempers. After a stretch of time, the Konoha Sasuke broke the tension. “He’s mine.”
“I never claimed him. Besides, you can’t declare ownership of another human.” Japanese Sasuke peered at the other through hooded lids. He wasn’t surprised that his other self was arrogant, but he was appalled by just how haughty he really was. “I’m sure Naruto wouldn’t be very happy if he heard you proclaim that.”
“Look, I don’t like you. Nor do I trust you, but he is mine. Just as I am his. It works both ways ... he -- he saved my life and I’ve yet to truly thank him for that. Truthfully, I don’t think I can ever thank him enough for what he did for me.” He turned his head away from the Japanese Sasuke in an act of embarrassment. He hadn’t intended to voice any of that, but for some reason what the other man had said had made him feel that it was necessary. If he had the use of his eyes, he would have caught the concerned look which briefly flashed across the other’s face. It was a look which would have told him that the other felt sorry for him.
“I’m not planning to steal him from you -- if that’s what you’re afraid of. But I will tell you that I don’t think he sees you as anything more than a friend.” The aura around the Konoha Sasuke changed immediately. His desire to fight had faded, and in its place grew a strong sadness. Not knowing exactly what to do, the Japanese Sasuke decided to leave the room. There wasn’t much more he could say that could make the other feel any better, for the only one who could fix him was asleep in the hospital bed.
Outside in the corridor, the Japanese Sasuke met up with Tsunade, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Sakura. They had been talking about something, but had stopped as soon as the door had opened. Looking apologetic, Sasuke closed the door quietly and began to walk away from the group. “Um, Sasuke-kun ... could I see you for a moment?” He turned slowly at the sound of Tsunade's voice, and retraced his steps back to stand before her. “There are some tests I’d like to have run on you. Just to, well learn about you.”
“Tests?” He couldn’t keep the slight quiver out of his voice. He hated doctors, and he wasn’t sure if they had the same type of equipment in this world of ninjas as his own world. Images of horrible looking drills and needles flashed briefly through his mind, and he would have turned and run away if Jiraiya hadn’t placed a large hand on his shoulder stopping his retreat.
“It won’t hurt.” Tsunade stated with a quiet snort. She was laughing at him, which of course gave him more courage than anything else she could have done. He was going to show her that he wasn’t afraid.
“Fine. Just be quick.” His bolster of courage died in the face of Tsunade's smirk. Great, this was going to hurt.
“Sit.” Sasuke sat in a large arm chair which had straps attached to it. He didn’t feel comfortable at all, in fact the urge to flee was rearing its head again. Tsunade had disappeared behind him, and he could hear clanks from bits of metal objects hitting one another. The quiet that followed worried him; he began to imagine the various horrible tools that she could be bringing out for use. Then she moved over beside him with a blood sampling tube and a bit of rubber tubing. She was only going to take a bit of blood. “This’ll be over in a few seconds.”
“Why do you want my blood?” He asked quietly as she straightened and capped the small tube.
Tsunade let out a quiet sigh before her brown eyes turned to Sasuke. “Our Sasuke is a member of a family with something that’s called a bloodline limit. Basically a special ability that’s passed through the genes. I want to see if you happen to have true Uchiha blood in you.” She studied his face, hoping to read his reaction, but his face was a perfect blank -- just like his counterpart. With everything said, she turned and began to walk out of the room.
“Are we done?”
“Yes.” Relief flooded Sasuke’s body as the door closed behind the retreating form of Tsunade. He had escaped the horrifying torture which had been playing over and over in his mind. All she had wanted was a bit of his blood, but what if he did have the same blood as the other Sasuke? Wouldn’t that mean that since the two of them were in the same world together that they were somehow defying the order of the universe? Tired and hungry, he decided to find somewhere to stay.
“Tsunade-sam a, I know you don’t really like it when I say things like this ... but --”
“Just spit it out, Shizune.” Tsunade was bent over a microscope looking at the blood sample which the Japanese Sasuke had given to her. So far, it had reacted the way it should for someone who carries a bloodline limit; however, there were some subtle differences, which meant more tests. Her temper was beginning to run thin and Shizune’s buzzing around her was not helping much.
“I don’t think he should be here. I think it’s messing up the order of everything.”
“I understand that. And I agree ... but we won’t know if they’re really the same until I have the results of these tests. So, please -- sit still!” Shizune quickly dropped into the nearest chair, and allowed Ton-Ton to jump into her lamp. She and the piglet managed to sit quietly until a loud ‘what’ caused them to both make a startled noise.
“What is it Tsunade-sama!?” Shizune waited with baited breath for the answer, but Tsunade sat motionless with her back to her friend. “Tsunade-sama?”
“Fetch Jiraiya and Kakashi. I need to speak with both of them -- immediately.” Tsunade stared down at the vial of blood which rested in a test tube rack. What she had seen confused her, and worried her that just maybe Shizune was right.
Sasuke slowly felt around the far wall of the hospital room, trying to locate the chair that he knew should be there. After a moment’s search, he found it and dragged it carefully and silently over to the bed. By the sounds of deep even breathing, Sasuke had thankfully managed to not wake Naruto.
Sasuke’s hand groped for Naruto’s in a need to feel him. It had been almost three years since they had fought one another. Naruto attempting to make Sasuke see the error of his ways, and Sasuke wanting only one thing: revenge. However, all that was over now, and Naruto had miraculously forgiven him; although, it was still unclear to Sasuke as to why or how he had forgiven him so simply and easily. If it had been reversed, he knew for certain that he would have had a difficult time forgiving his best friend for trying to kill him, not just once -- but twice. In truth, he probably wouldn’t have ever forgiven Naruto for something like that. Their friendship would have died the day he had left Konoha.
Tears began to form threateningly on his sealed lids. Did he really deserve to be forgiven? He had been so cold, so brutal toward Naruto, and for what? So that he could fight his brother. The desire to kill had left him after he had finally faced Itachi, and learned the full truth. Then his brother had given his life to protect him in the end. It all made his lust for revenge pointless, and it made him feel like a horrible person. “I don’t deserve you,” Sasuke whispered to the sleeping form. Naruto stirred slightly, and rolled closer to Sasuke. His free hand reached out and rested lightly over his and Sasuke’s joined hands.
Sasuke stiffened for a brief moment, then relaxed when he realized that Naruto was still sleeping. He needed to talk to him, but he was far from ready. The feelings within him were still jumbled and raw, but even still, he knew without a doubt that he loved Naruto. That had been why he couldn’t kill him, and that was most likely why he felt such an enormous amount of guilt when he thought about building a life with him. As his mind began to think of all the reasons why he failed to deserve Naruto, a quick, white hot pain shot through his unseeing eyes, causing him to feel a bit lightheaded. His breathing quickened and he carefully laid his head down on the edge of Naruto’s cot.
When the aftereffects of the pain subsided, Sasuke tried to open his eyes. The skin of his lids slowly peeled away from his cheeks, sending yet more excruciating pain throughout his head. Sasuke held in a cry of anguish as his eyes gingerly opened. He blinked a few times, allowing the moisture which was flowing freely to wash over the tender lids. Then, carefully, he pulled off the silk wrap. There was only blackness. He was still blind.
Sasuke threw the scarf away with an angry jerk of his hand. Why was he still blind!? It didn’t make any sense to him, unless -- that girl in the woods. What had it been that she had said to him? “I decided that it would be better this way, since you need to realize your folly.” Did she mean that he needed to atone for his sins? “Am I being punished for what I did? For the pain I brought to you?” Fear gripped his heart as those thoughts began to seep deeper inside him. If that was true, then what was it that he was supposed to realize? He had already admitted that he had been wrong to do what he did, but apparently that wasn’t the only thing he needed to apologize for. Sasuke grunted softly out of frustration. If only that girl hadn’t died, then maybe, just maybe he could have found out what she had meant. The sound of the door opening caused Sasuke to swivel around.
“Sasuke -- your eyes!” It was Kakashi.
“They opened just a few moments ago. And no, I can’t see anything.”
“Then you’d best put the scarf back around your eyes, otherwise you’ll fry your retinas. The reason I came in here, is to tell you that Tsunade wishes to see you in her office.”
Sasuke turned back to face Naruto. He longed to be able to look at him, even if it was just for a moment. He wanted to see that bright smile lighting up his face, but the odds of that happening were most likely slim. “Sasuke?”
“Tell her I’ll be there in a moment.” Kakashi grunted softly and after a brief hesitation, he left.
Sasuke bent over the hand he held and brushed a feather-light kiss upon its rough knuckles. “I’ll come back later ... I promise.” With that, he fumbled around trying to locate where he had thrown his scarf, and then left with angry jerks of his hands as he tied it back in place.
Sasuke felt haphazardly around for the handle to Tsunade’s office. His delay in finding it surely didn’t have anything to do with his preoccupation with Naruto, or at least that’s what he was telling himself. After groping aimlessly for a few minutes, his fingertips finally hit the cold brass of the door knob. He began to wrap his thick fingers around the knob, but before he could do so, it swung open and away from his hand. “Sasuke! Excellent! Come in, there’s something I need from you.” He slowly entered the room, wondering why Tsunade sounded so falsely happy.
“What’s wrong?” Tsunade winced at the bland tone of Sasuke’s voice; she knew that he could tell that she was hiding her concern.
Tsunade decided that it would be best to stop pretending with Sasuke, so she dropped the happy act and replaced it with her usually brusque tone. “I need a sample of your blood.”
“Why?”
“We took a sample from the other Sasuke, and I -- I need something to compare it to. It’s very important,” she added almost as an afterthought.
“Fine.” Tsunade’s strong hand grabbed his arm and led him to a seat, and pressed him down onto its hard surface.
“This’ll only take a moment, but I would like you to stay -- until I finish running the tests.” Sasuke merely nodded his assent and sat quietly as he listened to Tsunade’s movements around the room. He sat there so long that he had begun to fall asleep when she finally announced that she was finished.
“Was my blood helpful?” Tsunade decided to ignore the snide tone in his voice and carried on with a bit of cheerfulness.
“Yes very.”
“Tsunade-sama -- what is it that you’re trying to do?” He heard her sigh heavily and then sensed her presence near him. A knot was beginning to form in the pit of his stomach, and he couldn’t understand why. Was he nervous about what she was about to say to him? Or was it something else?
When she finally spoke, there was no trace of joy in her voice. Tsunade lowered herself into a chair next to Sasuke and spoke in an even and serious tone. “The other Sasuke and you have the exact same genetic make-up. You are essentially the same person.”
“And ...?”
“Well, I’m not sure what it means. It’s basically an impossibility to have two people with the exact same genetic make-up in the same place, unless one is a clone. Which that could be what’s happened here, but it doesn’t explain where Naruto went -- or why he has those memories of that other world.” Sasuke grunted impatiently. Tsunade ignored him, and continued on despite the disbelieving look Sasuke was now sporting. “Look, I know that you probably think that all this postulating is pointless unless we already have an explanation. I’m sorry that we don’t, but I thought it would be good to tell you that the other Sasuke has the sharingan as well. Obviously he has no idea how to use it --”
Sasuke quickly straightened up in his seat and gazed in the direction of Tsunade’s voice. “Do you mean he has the gene which is passed onto his offspring? Because unless it developed before he was sixteen -- he won’t ever be able to use it.”
“I realize that, Sasuke-kun. But there is a difference between the dormant state of the gene which transfers the bloodline limit and the active state. His is in the active state, just like yours. That’s why all this is so confusing. And as much as I hate to admit it, but it reeks of --”
“Orochimaru,” Sasuke finished quietly. It was everyone’s fear that somehow, someway the ninja who had caused so much grief would come back once more. He had cheated death more than once, and although it was highly improbable that he could have survived the last attack on him, there was still that possibility.
“Yes. That’s why we must find out why and where that other Sasuke came from. I don’t feel that he nor Naruto were ever in that other world -- especially if Orochimaru is behind all this. But then, I may be wrong and we need to be prepared for that. I’ve asked Kakashi to allow the other Sasuke to stay with him. He’s to keep his eye on him at all times, and if there is any odd behavior he’ll report it to me.
Now, I want you to go with a small team I’m sending to one of Orochimaru’s old research centers. The reason I’m asking you is because you’ve been there before -- and you’ll be of great help to the team.”
“The last time I was there, I could see. How am I supposed to help now?” His temper was flaring slowly once more. If he went and was to help them, what if he gave them poor advice? It was likely that someone would die, and he didn’t want that on him. Not when he had a chance to prevent it.
“Didn’t Kakashi teach you how to overcome your handicap?” Tsunade asked a bit irritated with his attitude.
“Yes,” Sasuke mumbled miserably.
“Then, you’ll go. Calm down, you won’t be the leader,” she added when he made to protest again. “Jiraiya will be leading -- so I want you to concentrate on remembering that place inside and out. As of right now, we’re not certain what we’re looking for -- so I just want an eyes-only investigation.” Sasuke tried to not let her thoughtlessness sting him and forced himself to nod in agreement. “Good. Jiraiya will pick you up at your apartment at first light tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
“Is it almost time?” Her soft feminine voice echoed off the stone walls and floated gently into his ears. A cold smile crept slowly across his pale face as he gazed at her.
“Yes -- they should have discovered the eerie similarities by now, thanks to Tsunade’s sharp mind. Yes, it won’t be long before the second phase of my plan is placed in motion.” His cackle filled up the empty lab’s space. The young girl smiled sweetly at the sound of her ‘father’s’ laughter. It was good to know that she had done her job well, and that her sister’s sacrifice had not been for nothing.
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