Twisting Fate

Bleeding Heart

Author's Note: So this was the last written chapter that I have for this story so far. I realized that this story is getting a bit of attention recently on this site so I figured I'd put this chapter out there and maybe I'll be able to come back to this story sometime soon. I hope you guys enjoy!

Sasuke felt it, like a cold chill down his spine. He felt the presence there at his back and was moving immediately, sword in hand and in a flash, it was soaring through the air with a loud thunk in the otherwise quiet room once it embeds itself into the wall right by the door that leads into the Hokage's office. He stares with his single, black eye at the man leaning casually against the far wall, cheek split open by the blade on Sasuke's sword with a sickeningly sweet smile on his face that Sasuke recognizes oh so well.

"My... jumpy, are we?"

"Orochimaru," Hiruzen says, obviously somewhat surprised by the situation, whether it was Orochimaru's sudden appearance or Sasuke's violent reaction to it, Sasuke's not sure. But Minato's eyes are burning into the back of his head. Sasuke doesn't have to look over his shoulder at the blond man to know that move - while instinctual for any shinobi if someone snuck on them - was an unwise one. Any progress they may have made was wiped out quickly.

A part of Sasuke had to wonder, at that moment, that while he knew the relationship between the Fourth Hokage and Jiraiya was one of Master and Apprentice if the Fourth didn't somehow have a connection to Tsunade and Orochimaru through Jiraiya. As far as Sasuke understood from the bit about the relationship between the blond and the white-haired man, they were very close. It's not really anything he's seen so far since coming here so he had to wonder about its validity. But the chilling stare from the blond at Sasuke's back was either because he had a relationship with the snake Sanin or simply because he was a Konoha Shinobi that Sasuke outwardly assaulted. Called for, or not.

If this timeline stays true to Sasuke's own, Minato will be thanking him for chopping the snake's head off. It's the only way to really kill one.

Sasuke is mistrustful by nature, he knows that. Itachi made him that way to help keep him safe, but he's been opening up to Minato and the brats and maybe tricked all of them into thinking that he was becoming more forthcoming with them. Well, Sasuke and Minato get to share in their disillusionment now. Even Sasuke was beginning to trick himself into letting them in, even if it's only a little bit. He was growing a bit lax, a bit unfocused, as it were. He should have remembered that Danzo wasn't the only threat Konoha had to offer.

But unlike Danzo, Orochimaru may still hold the Third's confidence, which doesn't bode well for Sasuke. Orochimaru originally went after Sasuke because he couldn't have anyone else, but now he may be more of a tasty morsel than the snake can ignore.

Orochimaru's appearance was accompanied by the loud slamming of the door of his heart. He's not used to lashing out like that, especially because he was caught off guard and it's left his nerves frayed. Orochimaru leaves a very sour taste in his mouth that he hasn't had in what felt like forever. The master that was only interested in him because there was literally no one else in the world for him. Itachi killed all the Uchiha, then when his body was momentarily taken by Orochimaru, he contracted Itachi's sickness, so Sasuke was his only salvation.

Sasuke was not afraid of Orochimaru. In fact, if anything, they ended their relationship on a relatively high note, if anyone asked Sasuke. But in that case, it could be argued that Sasuke had all the cards and Orochimaru didn't have a lot of choice but to be forthcoming and honest. He's not in that predicament anymore. In fact, he's younger, healthy and strong. He's more of a threat now than he was before. Before, he was afraid, sick and dying. Now, he's younger, arguably stronger and more fearless than ever.