Sasuke's stomach rumbles with anticipation. It hasn't had a proper meal in three weeks.
The regret of fleeing from home weighs on him, and for once, he misses his mom. Yes, at times she nags him until his ears bleed, or she embarrasses him in front of his friends, but Mikoto only did that out of love.
As Sasuke sits on the bus, he opens up his third bag of chips. The red-bordered sign clearly read 'No Food Or Drinks Allowed,' yet the ever rebellious Sasuke Uchiha ignores it as the hunger occupies his mind.
One chip after another, he stuffs in his mouth. For the moment, it satisfies the ache in his belly, and without the need to eat filling his mind, his eyes close.
He has a long trip ahead of him.
...
When Sasuke awakes, his groggy mind tells him to get off at the next stop. He wipes the sleep from his eyes and scans the seats around him. His bag is safely at his side, and there are less than half of the original riders before his nap.
The bus halts, and over the intercom Sasuke hears, "Now entering the Land of Sound. This is the last stop."
Sasuke hums, thinking this is far enough from home for him. He hefts his bag over his shoulder and trudges off the bus with the other patrons.
His eyelids hang from his face. The dark circles contrast against his sickly pale skin. His mother would probably fuss over him, thinking he's sick. But no, he's tired. Worn out.
His feet meet the street, and vertigo hits him in waves. At first, the pavement sways beneath his feet, next he stumbles, trying his best to regain his balance.
"Fuck," he mumbles as he crashes down on a bench. He throws his head back and closes his eyes.
If only I can find a place to sleep.
The tiredness nearly delivers him to sleep again, yet the feeling of something snagging at his side makes his eyes snap open. A man, who thought Sasuke was sleeping, tries to rip Sasuke's bag from his hands.
Sasuke hears his heart pounding in his ears as he pulls his bag closer to him. The man realizes Sasuke's awake, snags something, and runs.
"Hey!" Sasuke yells, standing up. "Give that back!"
He chases the thief, stopping on the curb once the guy speeds into oncoming traffic. The cars honk and swerve, barely missing the deranged man.
Sasuke looks left then right. The world moves on, not caring about the thief or him. His face twists into contempt, and slight panic as his attention returns to the man, who slips between some bushes.
What did he take? What did he take?!
Sasuke pats down his pockets, making sure his wallet is still attached to him.
He huffs out a sigh of relief one he feels the familiar square bulging from his right pocket. Sasuke also checks the pouch the man was digging in and sees his headphones and pocket change is missing.
At least it wasn't a lot. I can live without headphones.
Despite the calming and reassuring words, Sasuke's heart still pounds. He's never been mugged before and doesn't want to experience it again.
Seeing how close he is to the curb, Sasuke takes a step back and surveys the area.
Unlike his home, the Land of Sound is barren, almost desert-like. There are hardly any trees, and even the trees here are ridden of their leaves. It's uncomfortably busy here as if this small town should never have this many people. And considering his first experience here—getting mugged—, Sasuke senses this place isn't a good one.
Lost in his own thoughts, Sasuke jumps once someone gently touches his shoulder. He turns to see a man? Woman?
No, definitely a man.
"You look tired," he says. His voice is gentle yet cold. It sends a freezing chill down Sasuke's back.
"I'm, I'm fine," Sasuke says, taking a step back, he's now at the edge of the curb again.
"Lost too," the man comments. Sasuke shakes his head, denying everything he's saying. "If you come with me, I'll protect you and make sure men like that won't bother you anymore."
The man gestures towards the far-off road where Sasuke's mugger ran off.
"It's okay, I'm f-"
"My name is Orochimaru, yours?"
The man named Orochimaru smiles. His smile is devious, evil even.
"Sorry I shouldn't be talking to you."
Sasuke ends the conversation quickly and speeds down the street.
Why did I throw my phone? Why did I throw my phone?!
Orochimaru's presence follows behind Sasuke, lurking far enough so that Sasuke can't call the man out on his creepiness, but close enough for Orochimaru to see Sasuke's unique hairstyle.
These are the moments where Sasuke wishes Itachi were here. Even the Android would suffice.
Sasuke pulls up his hood and hugs his bag to his body while he maneuvers between the crowd. He thinks he loses Orochimaru when he slips into a grocery store.
Upon entering, his mind immediately reels to food as the high shelves are stocked full of edible delights. The smell of freshly baked bread enters his nostrils, and his stomach growls with feverish excitement.
Sasuke enters one aisle, and thanks to his newfound thieving skills, Sasuke quickly shoves his bag full of carbs and proteins.
"You know," the same bone-chilling voice enters Sasuke's ears, halting all his movements. "If you just come with me, I'll feed you, clothe you, bathe you, and protect you, so you don't have to... steal."
Sasuke swallows thickly. He's been caught.
"And if you come with me, I won't call the police," Orochimaru adds with a hiss. The mention of the cops makes Sasuke's shoulders shake. A sense of dread pools in his gut, spreading like a disease to his ever-pounding heart.
Sasuke bites his quivering lip. "Please don't."
"Then come, boy."
Sasuke holds his tongue, even though he wants to ask why. He's in no position to ask questions.
Orochimaru takes Sasuke's wrist and drags him to the cashier, slamming down all the food items Sasuke planned to steal. Orochimaru pays for them and hands them to Sasuke.
"Eating things like that will ruin your body," he says, but Sasuke doesn't care, he's just happy to have food.
"Thank you," he mumbles, opening up cookies to eat.
"You're welcome, now, your name?"
Sasuke blinks and looks up to the older man with big black innocent eyes. He shoves a cookie into his mouth without a second thought.
"Sasuke."
He drops his gaze. The dreadful feeling never leaves his body, but only increases once Orochimaru presses his opened hand on Sasuke's lower back.
Orochimaru grins. He found the lost boy. The one Fugaku and Mikoto were looking for.
"Well, Sasuke, let's get you somewhere safe."
And he has no intention on giving Sasuke back.
YOU ARE READING
Defective .:Yandere!Itachi x Fem!Reader:. AU
Fanfic[Name] is such a lonely person, desperate for a relationship. She has no siblings, she moved away from her parents, and not to mention she dropped out of school. She feels like a failure, yet no one is there to tell her she's trying her best. Finall...
