What Will Be

Chapter 40

Naruto nearly bit his tongue off trying to stop himself from running to Sasuke the moment he saw him.

He had barely convinced Sakura to let Sasuke stay in the same room as Akio so he could look over them both. The woman was skeptical but allowed it nevertheless. Sakura was rarely here anyways, busy helping get the village ready for an attack in Naruto's place.

Naruto hated that, but it wasn't like there was any choice. After all, according to Sakura, he and his abnormal chakra reserves may be Akio's only chance at life.

Naruto groaned. Davina had taken off looking for Orochimaru, and now he was all alone in caring for Akio.

He stared longingly at Sasuke's limp form on the bed next to Akio's, wishing he could just wrap him up and prevent anyone and anything from touching him.

"Your possessive tendencies are just as concerning as when you were a kit."

"Tch. Yea yea. What do you want?

"The photo that Uzumaki lady showed us. I figured out what it was."

"Yea, no shit. It was pretty obvious. I'm going to kill him."

"No, Naruto. I mean I've figured out what he was trying to do."

"..."

"Please continue."

Kurama sighed. "He's trying to recreate the ten-tailed beast. My best guess is he wants to extract immortality from it."

Naruto's eye twitched. "Are you kidding me? How do you know this?"

"Just think about it, kit. That liquid and those tubes are meant for preserving chakra. The two that are empty are obviously for Shukaku and me."

"And?"

"When was the last time someone brought all the Biju together? With their chakra preserved, no less?"

Naruto's eyes widened, slowly connecting the pieces. "Holy- Orochimaru's trying to gain immortality with the ten-tailed."

"..."

"Yes, that's what I just said, you dimwit."

"Hush! I gotta let Sakura know."

"You can't leave Akio, and Sakura's probably too busy to hear your yells."

Naruto gently removed the IV from Akio's arm before scooping her into his arms. "Problem solved. Let's go."

Kurama fell silent, and though Naruto could hear his muttered berating in his head, the blonde chose to ignore it.

~*~

Huan pinched Mitsuki's cheeks happily. "Oh, would you look at that! You gained some weight! So proud!" Her grin nearly blinded the boy. Mitsuki tried to wriggle out of her hold, but the woman just flung her arms around him, nuzzling his cheek.

Mitsuki could barely breathe. "Huan- I have to... have to go see Akio." Huan smiled, letting him go. "I know, but you can spare a few seconds for your loving cook." Mitsuki nodded furiously. Anything to get out of here.

Boruto chuckled from behind him. "I'll head out first Mitsuki. Good luck!" He winked before disappearing. Mitsuki adopted a look of betrayal. "Boruto-"

Alas, it was too late, Huan had captured him again now to try some more of her food. Now, don't get him wrong, Mitsuki loved food, and he loved Akio. But this was just too much.

By the time he'd finally managed to get away, nearly fifteen minutes have passed. He sighed, not even making it two steps out the door before being dragged into an alleyway. The boy tried to scream, but the other wouldn't let him.

"Mitsuki, hush. You don't want the others to find us, would you? They'll take you away again." Mitsuki's eyes widened, and he could feel his heart beating in his chest as his vision blurred. Fear.

Noticing this, Orochimaru sighed, stepping back to give him some space. "Mitsuki, I'm saying this for your own good. Konoha's going to be under attack, and I don't want you to get caught up in it.

"What?" Mitsuki scowled. "Why the hell would you do that?"

Orochimaru shook his head, leaning down to cup the boy's cheek. "Shhh, Mitsuki. I understand you're confused and scared, but I'll explain everything later. This is exactly what we've been working for all these years."

Mitsuki felt like throwing up. "We? WE?" He swat the other's hand away from him. "No, this is what you've been working for. Don't talk as if I had any choice in this matter. This was all you."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Mitsuki-"

"OI! Get AWAY from him!" Suddenly, hundreds of Borutos surrounded them, each one holding a swirling ball of air. Simultaneously, they attacked, providing enough time for Mitsuki to escape the alleyway.

He didn't make it far. Orochimaru held a bruising grip on his arm. "Mitsuki, listen to me son. This must be very confusing, but you'll thank me when you grow up. This is your destiny."

Mitsuki shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. He tried to get away from him but failed. He was too strong. "MITSU!" Eyes bled yellow as a giant snake protruded from the ground. Orochimaru lost his grip on Mitsuki, and the large white snake slithered between them, acting as a barrier between the two.

"Mitsuki!" Orochimaru yelled. "Please don't make this mistake. I am your parent, I only want what's best for you!"

Mitsuki sobbed. "NO, YOU DON'T! YOU JUST WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU!" Orochimaru scowled. "Mitsu get out of the way." The snake didn't budge.

Yellow eyes identical to Mitsuki's glared. "You dare disobey your creator?" Nothing. Orochimaru grit his teeth. "Mitsuki, don't do this. We can still go back. You, me, and Log. We can be a happy family again."

"What, in that pathetic excuse for a prison?" The boy's words were cold, the air around him cooling with them. Mitsu seemed unaffected, but as the temperature sank, Boruto, who had been watching wordlessly, began to shiver.

Mitsuki shook his head. "I'm never going back there. Not when I've found a real family that loves me!"

The other seemed... hurt. "Mitsuki. Don't say that. I am your family, and I do love you."

"Yeah well, you've done a shitty job in showing it."

Orochimaru seemed like he wanted to say something, but Mitsuki just shook his head. "I can't do this anymore. I can't live in fear of you harming my friends and family. I can't live trapped underground with nothing to do but train day and night."

The tears continued to flow, and Orochimaru watched on with an indecipherable look.

"I just wish things could go back to the way they were. But that was all fake, wasn't it? You've been planning this for a while."