Snake's Prodigy

Memorable Fragments

"Hey, what's with your eyes?" Sasuke asked while observing Naruto's new shade of eye color and form.
"Oh, this is nothing to worry about. My eyes tend to change whenever I come here, it's part of my Contract" Sasuke glanced at a sedentary Naruto leaning against a pointed boulder, his right leg and left foot dipped into the lake water. Naruto perceived what Sasuke was troubled by and instinctively straightaway replied.
"The Contract I mentioned earlier allows me alone to come in contact with the water here" Naruto convinced his companion that he is safe, but the water isn't safe for Sasuke; or anyone for that matter.
"I'm the current gatekeeper. This place lies deep below the surface, cavernous to be precise. It's a spiritual place, for the undead" This information alerted Sasuke. Naruto went on to continue his explanation upon the place.
"Chōetsu no mon [The Gateway of Transcendence] that's the title I granted it" ongoing with the clarification of their location, Sasuke unyieldingly stationed himself across Naruto's form. Sasuke harbored so many questioned, Naruto could tell. Persistently Sasuke wanted answers.
"How did you come across this place?" Asking away, Naruto look off into the emptiness of the cavern as if in a dazed state before answering his friend.
"I didn't come across it. He did!" An inauspicious silence occupied the air.
"An alternative to tedious chatter, why don't I show you" Naruto extended out his right arm hovering over the water.

The water commenced rippling in the most eccentric manner almost bijou. Some ripples extended to the boundary of the lake, imagery could be seen as the ripples steadily grind to a halt. Sasuke stared and watched as the image sharpened to show a little blonde boy with whisker like marks across his cheeks, perhaps 6 years of age. Along side the boy was a man with straight jet black hair, pale white skin and piercing yellow eyes. Resembling a snake himself the boy like the mans appearance; Leading the older man somewhere the young boy seemed unsure.
"You said I could trust you, right" After what the boy has been through in life, there is no question to why he wouldn't be wary of this man. This man peculiarly knew the young boy would not be surprised so easily. It was surprising since a boy his age was just as prepared or cautious as any adult would be.

"I've been watching you for two years now, child. You are familiar with my summon snake" The older man spoke as a little white snake slither out of his sleeve and perched itself in his hand.
"So, your Snake's Master?" The little blonde stated more then questioning it.
"Yes, my name is Orochimaru" Orochimaru introduced himself to the young boy.
"Orochimaru? As in the legendary Sannin?" The young blonde continued to look deeper into finding out for sure who this mysterious man is.
"Indeed you are correct, smart child for your age. As I've seen you are very skilled as well" Orochimaru's interest in the child exceeded his first impression of the boy. Until now he had only heard of the reports given to him by Snake.
"You fled this putrid village. Why?" Blinking in question the young blonde continued to stare, analyzing Orochimaru's movements carefully.
"Not letting your guard down, continuing to amazes me I see" Orochimaru smirked at the boy before answering the blondes question.
"Konoha doesn't appreciate my... interests" Orochimaru licked his lips with his unusually rather long tongue, taken back slightly when the young boy did not react.
"I shall take my leave I have matter to attend. He shall keep you company" Extending his right arm then his finger pointing to the white snake; Gesturing to the little white snake now resting on the young blondes shoulder, Orochimaru turned on his heels taking his leave.
"Naruto!" A shout halted the older snake in his tracks. Turning slightly to look over his shoulder to be facing at the boy once more.
"It's customary to give ones name after ones already been given a name? Isn't that right? Lord Orochimaru" The young blonde bowed respectfully. Rising to his usual straightened posture the boy addressed Orochimaru one last time.
"My name's Naruto. Have a nice day, Lord Orochimaru" Little Naruto smiled at the snake, seeing a curt nod before the man disappeared.

A full month had gone by before little Naruto could have a chance to meet Lord Orochimaru again. One cold rainy day, young Naruto jogged through the forests foliage. Harbouring a little snake hidden away from the cold weather, in his breast pocket on his jacket the boy made it to his home. Entering his home he spotted Lord Orochimaru standing in his living room, taking off his shoes at the doorway and proceeding to the older man.
"Tadaima" Little Naruto felt like shout that particular saying now that someone might answer him.
"Okaeri, Naruto" Orochimaru averted his gaze from the scroll he picked up on Naruto's table. Naruto showed a small smile, excited that he was welcomed home for the first time in his life. Naruto and Orochimaru sat down and talked in other to get to know each other for a while. Orochimaru was perplexed that a 6 year old could sit still for so long and have a significant conversion with any adult to his perception. Orochimaru viewed the boys home. Nothing he has ever seen before, astonished by how neat and well taken care of Naruto's home is since he has been living her alone for two years already. Everything this boy does remote reminded Orochimaru of himself. He too had to grow up fast without his parents.