Another Nine-Tails?!

Brothers Dual

"What's wrong now?" Orochimaru looked at Akiko, his golden eyes studying her reactions.

"He got to him."

"Who?" There was an edge in his voice.

"Naruto. He got to Sasuke."

"Can you see them now?" She nodded, her eyes turning red.

"His Nine-Tails is acting up. He's taking advantage of Naruto's anger and bringing his chakra out through my brother. Sasuke is attempting to activate his curse mark to stage 2."

"Stage 2 this soon after awakening? He's something else entirely."

"They're fighting each other with moves I've never seen from them. Naruto is using the same jutsu that he used against you." She looked at Kabuto for a moment. "And Sasuke is using the same jutsu that Kakashi tried to use against you. The lightning one with the bird sounds."

"Kakashi taught them both well. But now, they're branching out and finding their own mentors so they can one dat fight one anther again. Children these days grow up very quickly." Orochimaru reached a hand up. Akiko placed her own in it, a soft smile coming to her face.

She reclaimed her hand, letting it drop to her side. "It's raining, and Sasuke won."

"And what about your brother?" Kabuto asked, his eyes showing a hidden worry.

"He's... hurt. But he'll live."

"You desire to see him, do you not?"

She nodded, her eyes closing for a moment. "Yes, but I know I can't. It's too dangerous for me to go to the Leaf, at least right now. I'm allied and loyal to you, willingly. The village is nothing to me. It's done nothing but let my parents die and ostracize my brother and I." She shoved away her guilt and her hate. While she hated having to leave Naruto, she knew it had to be done. She couldn't protect him from the shadows forever. "He should be arriving soon."

"Good." Orochimaru straightened up, his excitement showing. "Retire to your room for a little while. I will send Kabuto to retrieve you when you are needed." The girl nodded, her eyes returned to normal.

Kabuto watched in confusion as she left the room. "It would be much easier to handle Sasuke if he knows she's here. Why make her leave?"

"While that is true, he was in a fight. I want him cleaned and ready to begin training as soon as possible. That is where our dear Akiko comes in. Once he's ready, she can see him."

"Sasuke isn't the only person she wants. There's Itachi. She misses him, desperately."

His master hummed in thought. "Her power would increase should she see him. Which would benefit us in the end. But the Akatsuki are hunting Jinchuriki, and should they get their hands on her, they would have no trouble obtaining the other one. We can't risk that. It would halt our plans."

"And she's too great of an asset."

"Akiko is not a pawn, not like the others." He let out a chuckle. "She never was, even in the beginning. I've made a deal with that beast of hers. A deal which requires me to not harm her nor force her to do anything she doesn't want to do."

"And what was your side of the deal?"

"I protect her from anyone who wishes to harm her. The same deal I made to you all those years ago."

"She'll become like me."

"Yes, but no. She'll become one of my most trusted, yes. But she won't be a spy. She may do as she pleases, even going as far as moving from hideout to hideout of her own volition."

-:-

With Sasuke now his grasp, Orochimaru led his small 'family' through the halls of his hideout. The Uchiha boy trailed behind the sage while Kabuto and Akiko walked behind him.

"Sasuke, you are the chosen human."

"I don't care. Give me power."

Orochimaru turned his head to stare at the boy. Akiko stopped, worry growing in the pit of her stomach. Kabuto stopped as well, becoming startled at his masters chakra. He quickly moved forward to warn Sasuke. "Even though his body is different, that is Lord Orochimaru in front of you. If you don't want to die, you should watch your mouth." The boy glared at the medic, startling him again.

Akiko stepped forward, gripping Sasuke's arm. His attention snapped towards her, a glare on his face. She refused to back down, her eyes becoming red. "Don't forget your place, little brother. You don't get threaten him and get away with it." He yanked his arm out of her grip.

"You left me. You don't get to order me."

The siblings staring contest was interrupted by Orochimaru's chuckle. "That's enough, you two. You'll have the change to fight with one another later. Now is not the time."