𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐢 | ɴᴀʀᴜᴛᴏ ꨄ︎ ꜱʜɪᴘᴘᴜᴅᴇɴ

A New Beginning

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✧˖*°࿐

In the vast space of my mind, nightmares of a void lap around until it becomes the world itself. Until I am forever wandering through the black, my steps always bare against the pond of oil. There is no such thing as buildings, places, people, animals, nature, nor a path I am to directly follow.

It's an endless black. But there's a piece of my heart that keeps me going, keeps me travelling thousands of miles in this place buried in my mind.

I'm looking for something, my subconsciousness tells me. I'm like a moth trying to find that flame.

That light. The figure of my uncle, his glowing stature defying the blackness. And my mother's face that almost blinds me by her forced proximity. It's been years since I've last dreamt of them. But each night I come closer to finding her again.

I will find her, again. Even if I have to walk another thousands of miles inside of my head's space. The sole reason for keeping me sane against the awakening: my mother. It is not her seal that's inside of me, but her chakra.

Therefore making Orochimaru's attempts at finding it crumble.

Alas, dawn calls. And I wake. My search for her chakra deep within me is just as vain; I can no longer count on both my hands and feet.

The amount of times I fail.

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"Wake up." The stern voice of Kabuto's stirs me awake from that nightmare.

My eyes meet a ceiling of pipes and cracked tile. Before I could process much, a cool wave of water splashes over me. I'm chilled to my surroundings, jumping up from my wide bed to glare at him.

He's slightly older than before, but nothings changed in his appearance and style. He's got that envious disgust behind those round glasses of his, and his bottom lip scowls with contempt.

It's only been two years. Yet he never fails to give me an everyday reminder of his petty hatred. After a while, I've grown used to it. Doesn't mean I won't wield it to my advantage.

"This is your last resilience training. Lord Orochimaru's wanting to focus your abilities elsewhere starting next week." Kabuto mentions, tossing the now empty bucket on the hard ground.

It loudly rolls until it hits against my wall. My eye twitches.

Resilience training. Yes... Just a protocol I go through alongside my strength, endurance, and battle skills. Orochimaru wants me at my best shape, as I'm his prime vessel and successor. Or so he says.

Except I can tell he's more entertained by the prospect of owning someone by blood. Sasuke once mentioned how Orochimaru never failed to bring my name up like some proud father.

I was proud once.

I wipe the water from my face, unable to lessen my glare at this man. "Understood." The moment I replied with dryness, Kabuto turned and left the cell.