The Fall

When Naruto stirs again, it's because there's a noise at the door.

Knock. Knock.

Odd, Sasuke never knocks. Kabuto has once visited him this way, but beyond that, Sasuke has been his only contact for a while. Routine broken, he's a little disoriented.

The door opens and Naruto's hopeful expression deflates.

It's Tayuya.

Besides having grown a miraculous foot since he'd first met her in the forests of Konoha, she's also grown a healthy pair of breasts, cut her thick red hair so it only reaches her neck, and has milded out, despite her love for cursing. The thrill of death and battle left from her, now she's just a bossy brat of a woman.

There's a bit of camaraderie between them despite everything. They've fought each other twice to a standstill, Naruto never disrespecting or submitting her. He supposes that might be unusual enough for her to treat him differently.

But that doesn't keep her from her job.

"Oi, jackass, pigeon-face wants to see you."

"Pigeon-face?" Naruto rubs his eyes, adjusting to the light rapidly, standing on shaky feet.

Hand landing on her extended hip, she laughs slightly, "Yeah, you know? Beady eyes, hooked nose, tiny arms, dick legs?" she shrugs, "Point is, he's ugly as shit."

Naruto smiles slightly at her and nods, "Lead the way then."

"Heh, you don't need an escort. You could practically go there by yourself," she snickers, "Dumb bastard waking me up. You know he comes into my room an hour ago and says, "Get Him" and walks out without another word? Took me a while to figured out what he wanted. He's such an idiot.

Naruto nods quietly, wondering if he'll be able to sneak some extra food at lunch today. If it's time for another check-up, Kabuto might have some test planned again...

Tayuya leads Naruto through eight different security clearances, taking him straight to Sasuke's quarters. Naruto finds it odd once he realizes where they're headed. Only twice has he ever gone this way, and it was only because Kabuto was in conference with Sasuke.

"Wait here a sec," she tells him, walking into the room, the electronic door sliding shut behind her.

It's not even a second later before Tayuya's shouting at him, her voice carrying through the thick stone and bedrock.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING UCHIHA? REMOVING A PRISONER FROM HER CELL––"

Naruto can hear Sasuke reply in a toneless mumble.

"...I see," Tayuya has calmed down, her rough voice is barely audible, "You've lost it. You're insane! Orochimaru told you ... anymore than you are. And you do this?! Wait until I tell Kabuto-san ... you can't just do whatever the fuck you want."

There's a long pause, a fierce silence in the dank halls. A light overhead flickering. A nasal buzz humming from somewhere. A metal door is slammed shut.

Tayuya walks out, the doors to Sasuke's room clicking closed.

She looks at him with a bit of pity and shrugs, "He's lost it. But he wants you in there. I'm not going to oppose it, but that bastard is fucking sick. Whatever did you do to that shithead?"

"Nothing I regret."

Tayuya looks at him with finality and sighs, "Whatever. Why am I getting worked up over some dumb leaf prisoner? Just get in there before I get in trouble. Orochimaru would probably support whatever that idiot has planned."

Naruto nods.

She shakes her head.

"I won't promise anything, but I'll try to get you out of there. I doubt Orochimaru-sama or Kabuto-san approved of this, even if they might like the idea. I don't know if they'll want a precedence of this kind set, however."

Naruto tunes out Tayuya as he relaxes himself. He doesn't know what awaits him in that room, but his gaze hardens. He looks away from Tayuya's dark eyes.

"I've been tortured before. I can handle it."

If he dies, so what? What's a little more pain?

"Yeah, you say that. Lots have said the same. Whatever. Sayonara, idiot."

She walks away, not even bothering to make sure he enters.

Naruto doesn't even consider escaping. He already has a vague idea of what Sasuke has planned for him. He's not the one to use whips or scalpels. Not even the kind to pull teeth. Sasuke will try and kill his heart.

He steps into the sensor's range. The door opens. When he walks inside, he slowly opens his eyes.


[Truncated and edited, though the dialogue and plot so far feels unnatural. I'm rushing things, I guess.]