Black as Blood

XVI

“No! I will not hand over Naruto and Sasuke to you!” Tsunade yelled, slamming her hands on her desk. Orochimaru stood in front of her sans chains, simply because Sasuke had managed to convince Kakashi of all people of the former Sannin’s integrity. Sasuke was now in the care of Shizune and Sakura with Naruto acting like a vulture over a freshly killed deer.

“I’m not asking you to hand them over. I want to borrow them.” Orochimaru replied.

“The answer is still no!”

Orochimaru stalked forward, ignoring the two ANBU guards that came forward to grab him. He slammed his hands down on Tsunade’s desk, forcing her to look up at him. They had a staring contest for a good five minutes before Tsunade finally looked away. Orochimaru stepped back then, sighing.

“We haven’t been on the best terms for a long time, Tsunade.” Orochimaru began. “You don’t have to believe me. Believe Sasuke then, if you have to believe someone. But look at it this way. Give me what I want, and I’ll go away. Maybe I’ll send you a birthday card or three.”

Tsunade watched her former teammate, searching his eyes for a lie. She didn’t trust him, she couldn’t trust him, not with the lives of her jounin, with the lives of Naruto and Sasuke. Finally, Orochimaru reached into his sleeve, pulling out a satchel and tossing it on the Hokage’s desk.

“Whether you like it or not, Sasuke has already agreed, and from what I have seen, Naruto will follow him into death.” Orochimaru said softly. “Think of it as a commission, a contract. When I have what I want, you have what you want.”

Tsunade looked at the bag of coins, knowing no amount of gold or silver could compare with what Orochimaru was asking for. She looked up at him, her lips a thin line.

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“Then at least I will know I have tried.”

“The body will have completely decomposed by now.”

Orochimaru smiled vainly. “The sands of a desert do wonders for preservation. Tsunade, please, you don’t have to forgive me for what I have done. I regret nothing and I know you don’t either. Just give me what I want and I’ll go away. Naruto and Sasuke will be returned to you unharmed and you’ll never hear from me again.”

The Hokage was silent, thinking over her former teammate’s words, watching his face. She stood before a forked path, one that could lead her to destruction and the other to prosperity, or they both could lead down the same dark road. She was at an impasse, for the Council called for Sasuke’s blood and she wanted so desperately to protect him. Her eyes widened then, realizing a third option was open to her, as a way to give Orochimaru what he wanted and a way to save Sasuke.

“Very well. It will be a mission, payment already received. The selected jounin are Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. They are at your command until such time the mission is completed.” Tsunade said as she reached for a mission form, filling everything out before handing it to Orochimaru to sign. “You’ve saved his life.”

Orochimaru looked up at her, pen stilling after completing his signature. “Sasuke made me realize my errors. I’ve trained him well. He will be of much use to you.”

Tsunade took the paper and the payment and locked them in a drawer of her desk, sitting back in her chair, watching her former teammate settle back, relaxed. She smiled then, nodding. Orochimaru bowed slightly, returning her smile, though his was a bit strained.

“He’s fragile.” Were the words Orochimaru left Tsunade with as he took his leave from her office and the Hokage turned to her window. She wouldn’t see the trio leave, but she’d know of her jounins’ return. She was taking a risk, handing over two of her most valuable ninja to a man that had been an enemy until recently. It would save Sasuke’s life, for she could claim a temporary brain fart and say she forgot she’d sent the pair on a mission. Those loyal to her would add to the claim if the Council decided to press the issue and she wouldn’t have to worry. Tsunade rubbed her forehead to try and alleviate her growing headache. She’d have to call Shizune up for some medicine soon. She didn’t know how much more of this she could take.
---
Orochimaru didn’t push the two younger men; after all, he’d been waiting for this moment for a few years, what were a few more days? They traveled light and as quickly as Orochimaru dared to push Sasuke and he didn’t have to worry too much about the brunette young man, as Naruto was right there to say when enough was enough. The former Sannin knew that Naruto didn’t trust him; he didn’t have a reason too. The only reason he was here was because of Sasuke, despite the contract the two younger men were under. Orochimaru let the boys have their space, knowing they wouldn’t wander far. He often watched them leave at dusk to return near dawn, exhausted and otherwise looking rumpled and sated. The snake-like man said nothing about it and kept on their pace, only half listening to the whispered words coming from the two younger men behind him. Orochimaru struck a fire up that night, their first in the week they’d set out, simply because their surroundings had become darker the further away they moved. He listened to the soft conversation and ached to have one of his own with one who was very much dead, but ready to be resurrected. Orochimaru closed his eyes and let the boys slip off into the dark, knowing they’d be back.

Sasuke led Naruto through the trees, pausing only to let the blonde catch up before he dropped to the ground into the cradle of tree roots, his mouth covered by Naruto’s. He clutched the blonde’s shoulders, pressing close as Naruto pressed him into the ground. When they broke apart, Naruto knelt between Sasuke’s legs, smiling and watching him. Sasuke returned the smile, shifting to push himself up and watch the younger male. Another kiss and the two stood up, clutching hands as they walked into the clearing. They broke apart then and faced each other as if they were going to fight. Their hands came up, Sasuke’s fingers going though seals slow enough for Naruto to follow, ice forming on the grass and Sasuke’s body. Shiro Koori’s form appeared before Sasuke, facing Naruto and watching, hoping.

They’d been at this for a week, ever since the first night. It was dangerous, they knew, to try to undo what the Yondaime had done and unseal Kyuubi, to let him back into the world. They had Kyuubi’s word that he wouldn’t cause any mischief and they had Shiro. Whether or not it was safe, Kyuubi needed to be out for the resurrection to work. So far, the seal had done what it had been meant to do and kept Kyuubi from emerging. But they were making progress, as little flames would begin to lick at the grasses at Naruto’s feet and his eyes would turn rusty as he fought the seal branded on his stomach.

Sasuke dismissed Shiro before Naruto could strain himself too much, moving over to him and wrapping his arms around the blonde. Naruto’s teeth sank into Sasuke’s throat, drawing a soft moan from the darker. The blonde was in a frenzy then, nibbling and bruising Sasuke’s throat and what available flesh there was, even his lips, hands busying themselves with trying to open Sasuke’s pants, not even bothering with the brunette’s shirt. That was only pushed up as Naruto bore Sasuke to the ground, the blonde’s mouth bruising his skin again. Sasuke let Naruto manipulate his body, spreading his legs as Naruto forced his way between them. It was something that happened every time the pair did a little practicing, as though Kyuubi’s rage at not being able to touch Shiro himself translated into lust on Naruto’s part. Sasuke didn’t care, figuring what little blood that was drawn was worth what they were struggling to accomplish, even if Naruto grew upset at the sight of red staining grass and cloth alike.

Sasuke let out a little moan as he felt pressure at his entrance, clinging onto Naruto as the blonde pushed into him, stretching him beyond capacity yet again, blood easing the way as the two created a rough rhythm, Naruto pounding Sasuke into the dirt and grass, bodies slick against one another. Sasuke was growing tighter and it took Naruto biting into his shoulder to get him over the edge, the darker giving a short cry as his seed created sticky ribbons between his stomach and Naruto’s. The blonde tensed, slammed into Sasuke one more time, and let out a gasp as he lost himself to the sensations, his essence filling Sasuke. They lay together for a time, Naruto clutching onto Sasuke as they cooled down, pulling away only to lap at the blood drawn, making Sasuke squirm.

“We’ll get it soon,” Sasuke whispered as Naruto apologetically cleaned him up and helped him dress.

“You always say that.”

“We will. We just have to keep trying. Flames, Naruto. You got flames this time.”

Naruto just smirked and lifted Sasuke off his feet, cradling him close, bridal style. Sasuke shook his head and wrapped his arms around Naruto’s neck, letting himself be carried back to the campsite. Naruto set the darker down on their chosen spot, curling around Sasuke and cradling him. Sasuke fell asleep against Naruto’s shoulder, leaving the blonde and Orochimaru alone. Naruto studied the former Sannin for a while before closing his eyes, believing the man to be asleep as well.

“You should take care you don’t hurt him too much,” Orochimaru whispered. “He’s fragile.”

“I’m not going to leave him.” Naruto replied venomously.

“That’s not what I said.” Orochimaru turned to look at Naruto, head tilted. “He’s still healing.”

“Oh.” Naruto looked at Sasuke’s face, petting the pale skin. Orochimaru shifted, rising and moving over to the younger pair. He crouched in front of Naruto and reached out to put his index finger to his forehead. Naruto shivered, watching that finger and then the man, Orochimaru’s eyes meeting the electric blue of Naruto’s.

“There’s a block,” Orochimaru whispered. “Yondaime did the spell well. Next time you practice, synchronize your chakra and Kyuubi’s. Make a key.”

Orochimaru moved away then, back to his spot, arms folding around his chest as he settled to sleep, leaving Naruto much more confused than before.