Stand By Me

STAND BY ME - chapter 05

I slowly stirred awake, my body breaking out into a sweat. My heart was pounding. Everything felt so sore.

My eyes adjusted onto my surroundings. I was surrounded by four dull, brick grey walls, plopped onto a bed with a thin mattress.

"Goddammit," I bit my lip, "Goddamit!"

I just had to be hungry?

There must have been something in the food or the tea. The restaurant seemed so inconspicuous. How could I have fell for it?

Someone lured me. I need to get out. Is this Orochimaru?

One of the walls started shaking, sliding upwards rigidly. I turned my attention towards the wall. A kid was on the other side.

Oh my god. I clenched my fists. It's the kid who was laughing at me for being so hungry.

"Aya-chan.." the kid muttered, looking down towards the ground, his hands behind his back, "Don't be mad at me. I had to do it for Orochimaru-san's sake."

Should I go off on this kid or be calm? I can't think straight. This headache is killing me.

I rubbed my temples, and heaved out a sigh. I really don't need this right now.

"I can't be mad at you," I said, even though I really wanted to be, "You're just a kid. How long have I been here? How do you know my name?"

"I-I..." The kid stuttered, "Orochimaru told me everything about you. You've been here for about..." The kid said, looking up towards the ceiling, obviously thinking, tip-toeing, "...Three days. My name is Kuzo." He said, with a childish grin.

"So, Kuzo..." I said, trying to get some information out of him, "I'm in Orochimaru's hideout?"

He nodded. "Mhm! This is the Krubera cave."

I'm so far from home.

There was one thing I could rely on, though. I did send Hokage-sama a note via a messenger bird detailing my notes so far. Inside the note was the suspected location of Orochimaru's hideout, the Krubera cave.

I can't receive any notes if Tsunade-sama sends them out here. Thankfully, protocol details that if I don't respond within a week, Konoha by law is required to send anbu shinobi to search for me.

"Kuzo," I looked at him, "I'm very disoriented. What has Orochimaru done to me?"

"I," He stared, his eyes widened, "Don't know..."
"Can I speak to him?"
"Sure, follow me!" He gleamed.

I felt bad for this naive child winding up in a place like this. I slowly got up from the bed, clutching my torso. Everything hurts.

Kuzo lead the way to Orochimaru.

---- MOMENTS LATER ----

I hear a sinister laugh, coming from no other.
"You've finally awoken," Orochimaru said, licking his lips. Yuck.

"Orochimaru," I looked at him, hard-gazed, "I frankly don't have time for games. Tell me what you want from me."

He seemed slightly baffled by my impatience, glancing at Kuzo.

"Your byakugan. I'm getting very sick, I need a new host. Your eyes will be easy to take, you're not from the side branch, so no seal is in the way."

I looked at him, disgusted. I should have known. "What's wrong with you? Is this your fetish?" I looked around his laboratory, everything smelt so... embalmed.