Orochimaru's neck extended sickeningly, and I immediately block his bared teeth with a kunai. But the smirk in his eyes let's me know: I won't be getting out of this unscathed. I was in his territory, his hideout, surrounded by his men.
I knew that eventually this would happen. I had prepared. But I thought I would have a couple more days at least. As much as I hated to admit it, it seemed as though I'd... Miscalculated.
Suddenly I felt I blinding fire make it's way up from my calf. "Fu--" I'm cut off as I topple over. I glare at Orochimaru as the black binds envelope my body. His binding technique... He must've... Ah, there. A small white snake slithered silently to Orochimaru, sliding up his sleeve.
I glower as Orochimaru strolls towards me. His binding seal would retreat less then two minutes after it's activation. The clock was counting.
But Orochimaru wasn't going take his time, or take any risks. With a hiss his head shot towards me, and his fangs slammed into the center of my chest.
Ah. So it would be the Cursed Seal of Earth, I thought vaguely as fire began to take over my limbs. Orochimaru leaves me as the binding seal begins to recede. I fight for consciousness.
The door clangs shut, and I can hear the sliding of the bolt as his footsteps grow distant. Good. I couldn't have him here.
With a pain-filled groan I stagger to my feet, knocking over bottles and beakers as I use the lab table for support. Staggering, I make my way to the desk drawer and fling it open, frantically rummaging for the hidden compartment.
Success. I grabbed one of the two containers and a syringe, hastily drawing the liquid and knocking air bubbles to the top. This was getting to be bad. Most curse mark recipients had passed out moments after receiving the curse. I was already pushing the minute mark.
I separate my mind from the pain, willing my hand to stop shaking as I hold the needle over a vein. Fuck it. With narrowed eyes I stab it into my arm, pressing the plunger quickly. Now...now to... Chakra...
My mind is growing hazy, eyesight dark. But with one last effort I activate my chakra, running it through my entire body.
Nothing had ever been so painful.
The scream rips from me without any control, tearing my throat apart.
Using chakra while the cursed seal was attempting to take hold... Painful. So painful. Tortuous.
But worth it. If my calculations and experiments were correct, and they were, they had to be, this would do it.
This would counteract the curse mark.
With that last thought, I passed out.
