Loyalty (Sasuke Uchiha)

XXV: Into the Coil

Adrenaline pulsed through my body as I rushed back to Father's hideout. Perhaps it was the effect of the solution I had injected into my skin to numb out the pain, but the more I swung and jumped through the branches, the more energized I felt.

It was hard to part from Naruto like that, knowing I wouldn't see him for a while, if the circumstances turned either in Father's favor or mine.

But I made him a promise.

-

I threw open Orochimaru's door, only to see him hunched over.

He lifted his head up, sweat covering his face as his body trembled slightly. His was wheezing as he let out a loud series of coughs. Geez. He really has gotten worse.

I stepped into the room, slamming his door shut.

"Welcome, my dear daughter." He greeted, wiping away the blood with his hand.

"I won't let you take Sasuke."

He smirked.

"Oh?"

"You failed in your mission to retrieve the Three Tails. As you will fail to reincarnate in Sasuke."

"Do not underestimate me, darling, just because I am in this state."

"Do not underestimate my strength, Orochimaru. I can escape whatever the hell you throw at me." I snapped.

"There is one thing which you cannot escape." He spoke as he licked his lips.

"Rot in hell." I growled.

"We'll have to see who-"

He suddenly broke out into a violent coughing fit, as I took that as my cue to leave, making sure to slam his door shut.

And then I sped through the halls to where I sensed Sasuke's presence coming from, walking into the room, only to see his chidori everywhere, taking the targets down as they crumbled to the ground. And then chidori died down after a few moments.

I watched from the doorway as he drew out his sword, an animation of his brother appearing before him. And then he sliced the animation in half as the image of Itachi dissolved.

Sasuke sheathed his sword, turning to me as he approached me slowly.

I made sure I was blocking the doorway.

"I can't let you do this, Sasuke." I said as he stopped before me, looking down at me with empty eyes.

"Miyako." He spoke my name casually.

"I won't let Orochimaru take you. He'll only betray you in the-"

I froze as his hand reached up to my face, placing it over my cheek.

It was surprisingly warm for such a cold hearted person. But what shocked me most is the way he caressed my cheek with his thumb. The look in his eyes was filled with nothing but pure emotion as he looked at me like I was the most important thing in his life... it made me extremely uncomfortable.

He was gentle, his touch warm, eyes holding a glint of uneasiness.

Why is he touching me?

"I know."

My eyes widened.

He dropped his hand at that moment, snaking around my shocked form.

He looked over his shoulder at me.

"Come with me."

-