Sadness and Sorrow

Realization and Escape

It takes a dream to remind me of him.

Kabuto. Your precious one. The one you must save. Remember, little one.

It's dark here. I can barely see anything, yet I know where I'm at. The old house Kabuto and I used to hide out at, to escape the Snake. All of a sudden, I hear a whimper from the corner. It's Kabuto.

I move over to him, only to realize that he can't see me or feel me. He's asleep, hands bound and bloodied from struggling. He has bruises all over and cuts on his face and arms.

I gasp at his condition. It seems like everything that could be wrong, is wrong. The cuts are in the early stages of infection, he's feverish and shivering, and from the looks of it, he hasn't eaten in days.

A shadow lurks in the chair on the other side of the room. I know exactly who it is,  playing with something in his hands.

The object glints in the low light, reflecting onto the wall...

I shoot up, surprising everyone around me, and start ripping wires out of myself. It hurts, but not as much as Kabuto is right now. I was supposed to protect him; what's wrong with me? Sasuke and Fugaku try to hold me back, but I push them away. I need to get Kabuto! Move. More people grab me as I jump out of the bed. I struggle against them, then relax, getting an idea.

Their grips loosen ever so slightly as they try to lead me back to the bed; that's all I need. I pull from their hands and make a beeline for the door, opening it and dashing away.

"Naruto!" It's his voice that makes me hesitate. I said I wouldn't leave again. I turn to look at him, see the pleading in his eyes. I clench my fist and turn away to run before someone grabs me. I'm sorry, Sasuke. He needs me more.

{}{}{}

The house is old and leaning slightly; considering that it's almost as old as Jiraiya, it makes sense. I push open the gate, wincing at the squeak. If Orochimaru wasn't aware of my presence then, he is now.

The door creaks open as I enter the house, on edge already. I know what this man is capable of; I'd most likely never forget.

Steeling my voice as I turn corners, watching shadows, I call out to them both. "Orochimaru? Kabuto?" I don't hear anything. My dream couldn't have been wrong, right?

"Fancy meeting you here, little fox," I hear as a gun is cocked and cold metal placed to my temple. My eyes close.