Blood Ties

A/N Sorry about the size of the first chapter. I promise the others will be shorter...for the most part, maybe. Well here it is the second chapter of Blood Ties. Please let me know what you think. This is the first fanfic I ever wrote so I hope it is not too horrible. Enough of my nervous rambling though, onto the next chapter! heh

Ps. Although this world is not mine some of the characters are original when you see them you'll know but the one to get to know is Emoki....he is stickin around, for a bit.

Trial and Error



Opening his eyes to the blackness of a dark and lonely room filled with an unhappy air, ‘again’ he thought to himself. Naruto had not been sleeping well for the longest time though he had always slept very fitfully and had never actually had a good night sleep the dreams he had been plagued with for the last couple of years had been the worst of his life, he had been used to the loneliness of the dream but never in his memory had he ever felt so utterly helpless and hated in his dreams.

The night terrors of late had been ones of his early gennin days when he had for the first time ever been truly happy, and also of losing everything that had ever really meant something to him the only thing in this life he could always use as drive to get stronger and to show that he was something for.

Sasuke.

He rose to get ready for the day, stumbling towards the bathroom to relieve himself he also began removing the little clothing he had on and when he finished utilizing the toilet he stepped under the hot spray of water pouring fourth from his shower nozzle. The steam and heat turned his body red in a moment. It ached to the point of pain but he didn’t mind, it only proved that he was alive and could feel.

Whatever that meant.

After enough scrubbing to assure that his body was sanitized from the nights sleeping and cleansed enough to last through another day he switched the water off and stepped out onto the cold bathroom floor into the sauna that was his bathroom.

Dried and wrapped in a towel in order to stand before the sink with both hands free to do what he needed to do.

Once he removed some condensation from the mirror above the counter he noticed the somber expression on his face and while brushing his teeth he worked on building up the cheerful mask he used in his daily life.

Once he deemed the time right he slouched over to dispense of the foamy paste in his mouth rinsing the sink out in the process he stood straight once more and looked into the mirror noticing some residual leftovers from the toothpaste, wiped it away and searched his face for more not finding any he moved from the bathroom and began putting on his clothing along with his uniform.

He left his dreary apartment to start the day early, already thinking of new ways to get Sasuke back to the village. The planning and plotting claiming almost all of his concentration he never noticed the tall figure watching his movements. Follow him out of the building through the shadows and along the dark buildings.

As Naruto headed towards the Hokages office passing through the lightly lit empty streets of the empty village the figure passed at the edges of a light, his billowing cloak barely visible and the glowing crimson wheel spinning ever unending in the depths of his mask.


**

'Will this day ever end.' Sasuke pondered to himself as he fluidly dodged a rain of kunai from behind him and countered with his own storm but of fire balls shot forth from his mouth. The intended target expertly dodged each and everyone of them, and began to prepare for his next attack, bringing his hands up and blurringly shape them into the necessary seals.

What his opponent didn't see was the dark figure hidden in the trees behind him, who redirected the fireballs towards his back at lightening speed, the man did not see them until it was almost too late, and he was barely able to stop them with snakes coiling around his arm which ate the fire...Orochimaru felt a shock from his side and looked only to see Sasukes hand surrounded in lightening enter his side and puncture a lung sending a jolt of pain down his spine. He turned to have the snakes attack Sasuke only to have the boy raise his hand to his lips index finger upwards and each of the tiny Shiruken which had been hidden in flames activated and self-destructed, blowing them all to nothingness and burning every inch of his arm in the process. The insolent child smirked. His face was splattered in blood, as he ripped his limb from Orochimaru tearing a larger hole than necessary. The Snake clenched his teeth, “ugh. How dare you, wretched child!”

Sasuke stopped, still, and quiet. Closed his eyes, unsure as to what the boy was doing Orochimaru raised his hand and vanished in a cloud of smoke. Reforming ten meters away cloaked in shadow, a mouse could have been found by sound faster then he would, he remained stoic as ever but his thoughts were furious. ' how could you not see those attacks, the boy moves with such precision that you can calculate his next attack just from that. Just like that aged fool always said....you ARE ignorant Orochimaru.'

Not liking what the voice in his head was saying, 'Like you could do better' he retorted back. The voice, smoothly replied 'well yeah, I could. Let me have a go at the little boy.'

Meanwhile the shadow, was inching ever nearer, he came closer and closer edging his body ever more towards the man. Once he was a safe distance away he activated the seal on his shoulder and became a monster, charging up his strongest attack. His black lightening, he came at the man with what was hopefully his victory.

From behind he charged the snake at the last second the man ducked and attacked him with more speed than he had ever seen from the Sannin. Before his mind could comprehend anything the man had skewered him straight through with his sword.

But he wasn't nervous his lips curved into a sadistic smile as he exploded, a devastating blast, the man was thrown back into a tree. As Sasuke appeared out of the darkness he smirked, “Do you like my original technique? Hn, it is designed specifically to search and destroy, while wearing my form it also can allow me to see through its own eyes.”

“You little shit!” Orochimaru roared with a power never before seen ebbing its way out of his body. “How dare you attempt to kill me with such a measly weapon.

Sasuke was taken aback by this new sight he had never before noticed this power, the snake had never shown this ability in all of there sessions of training. He gasped and unknowingly shrunk back.

Orochimaru, internally pleaded 'noooooooooooooo, we can not injure this child....we need him. He will carry our soul soon....he is a perfect container....NOOOOOOOOOO!' the monster hissed back 'well I guess we will have to find another one, won't we. Because when I am through with this one there will not be enough pieces to contain anything. Mwahhhahahahaha'

'NOOOOOOO!'

Then his form changed into what seemed like a horde of snakes. And Sasuke was further surprised, 'this could get bad' he thought to himself.

As his mind was contemplating whether or not he would be able to actually defeat the senile man in this state, the form collapsed into a heap of skin and torn clothing.


**

“Is this what you wanted us to achieve Danzou-san? Did you want all our plans to go down the drain? He has failed us, and he will be taken care of for his folly. But should we just give up our ambitions all because that child has not done his duty?” Emoki was not pleased with the boy and he would see fit too his punishment personally.

Danzou who was not fazed by Emoki's little outburst, only shook his head and nodded towards the doors across from him. “You may take the prisoner in now.”

The doors slowly opened with a resounding creak, and in came a man barely conscious battered and bruised to the point of permanent damage. His once dark eyes so swollen that the only hues discernible was purple and red. He was dragged in held by chains which dug deeply into his wrists.

There was a gasp in the room. From the direction of Emoki.

Danzou was not fazed in the slightest at the sight before him, he had been the reason for some of them bruises. 'let them see the price of failure for the orders which I have issued to them.'

“This is the man we sent to accompany the demon child on his mission, in which he was ordered to join the snake to further our deal with him. Successfully giving us a foothold in his plans for ultimate destruction of Konoha. And as you can see he has failed us, and not only has he failed us but he has allowed the Hokage knowledge of our dealings....he has set us back innumerably in our planning and therefore he must be taken care of.”

Silence followed.

“Though the punishment for his disloyalty is death, we are unable to follow through with that penalty. He has made companions in the demon child and his teammate, his disappearance would cause notice. It is now my suggestion that he be placed in the care of someone here, for an unforeseeable amount of time, to be taught the price of failure and the punishment that follows it.”

All in attendance were quiet, the silence was so potent Emoki could hear the blood pumping in his ears. His mind racing for the right words. He wanted to teach the boy a lesson for failing in his duties. “Danzou-san I would be obliged if you would allow me to take the child and show him the meaning of penance.”

The others present remained silent, none of would like to go up against Emoki if it could be avoided but the evidence of their shock at Emokis ability to recover from such a sickening sight and the purpose for which the wounds served was plain on their faces.

Danzou was not the least bit surprised at the question from the stoic man, Emoki did have a hunger for punishing those who needed to learn a lesson.

“Very well, Urahara-san you may make use of your talents, and take this child preparing him for his next assignment...and Emoki. I expect to see this boy completely willing to serve us, it was unsettling at his refusal to be taken in for this meeting. I hope you can train him to be compliant, as a child should be.”

“Yes, Danzou-sama I understand.” pleasure evident in his voice, it had been so very long since Emoki had had a proper toy, all of the other ones just lost his interest quickly, and he liked the way this one looked, with his lean strong build and his dark penetrating eyes this one would be fun....

“Then it is settled. Now I will send the Hokage a letter, letting her know that Sai will be on Mission for the time being, one which we are not sure when he will return. And that she will need to assign another as team sevens member. In the meantime, we have other matters to discuss. Since the troublesome child has also told Orochimaru of our intentions he knows that we want to help him to destroy the village, but he might also suspect us of double crossing him seeing as how Sai betrayed him also, it is a upsetting that we can't just kill the boy here and now.”


Sai who could barely maintain consciousness whined. “No. Please don't, I promise that I will never betray you again. I swear it, I will do as you say please-” Whack!

Emoki hit the child with such force his hand stung. “How dare you speak out after what you have done, I will teach you to speak when spoken to. When I am done with you, you shall know the meaning of Sorry.”

“I am sorry about that Danzou-san, I will show this child the error of his ways. He will be a true 'Root' when I am finished teaching him.”

Danzou just nodded.

“Alright now that we have that matter taken care of, we must now discuss the matter at hand. What to do about Uchiha, he had been such a promising prospect and would have made a wonderful addition to our cause.”

At this the others present began to voice there approval and upset at the boys defection from Konoha.

Emoki only smirked, They didn't even know the half of the boys potential.

“Maybe his act of betraying the village, only further proves his ability to follow us in or mission.” said someone who Emoki did not even bother to notice his mind was rooted on the boy at his side....He could not wait to get him home and begin his training.

Less than a quarter of an hour later Danzou stood and spoke “Alright now that seems like a plan, but I am afraid we must end this meeting or else outsiders will suspect something.”

With that they all rose, and in turn bowed there respect to Danzou then exited the room, eying Emoki and his new plaything as they passed. Danzou followed the others leaving Emoki and Sai alone.

He turned and looked at the child, “So child, shall we head on home.”

The fact that it wasn't a question never came to mind and Sai being his usual self, turned and said “Actually I was kind of hungry. If you don't mind, I would like to get some form of nourishment.”

Emoki was very unhappy with the child for speaking as if they were so familiar, which they in fact were being in the same group as they had been but due to Sais new status as a toy. Danzou decided to show the child just how low he had sunk thanks to his recent deception.

“ A toy does not get to decide when he is hungry and most definitely not ask permission for anything unless he has been good. That is the first rule I must teach you Sai and let us hope you learn it quickly for I can be known to grow angry when my toy's do not do as they are told. So now remove your pants, you are not ready to leave yet. I need to give you something.”

Sai did not know why he was being told to take off his clothing so he remained still.

“Why?”

Emoki was frustrated that the child had not learned from his previous statement, so he decided that Sai was the type to learn the hard way.

He grabbed the boy by his hair and smashed his face against the table, and then again. Then again.

“What did I tell you, a toy doesn't isn't allowed to ask anything unless he has been good, and you have most certainly not been good. Now I fear I must do it myself, if you had done as I asked at first I would have allowed you to be prepared first now though you have to take it all at once.” he then pulled Sai's pants down from the back until his whole ass was showing then he bent the boy over the table revealing a firm muscular rear, he then reached inside of his bag to pull out the required instrument. Once he found what he was looking for he removed it from the bag.

“Now Sai this will hurt but the more you scream the worse it will be for you later, but if you do there is nobody who can or would help you.”

He then placed the object at the child entrance and quickly rammed it in to the hilt, tearing his flesh in the process, and forcing a moan of pain from his toy but the boy clenched his teeth and did not say anything.

'He is learning.'

“Now Sai you are going to wear this until we get to my house, and if I deem it alright it shall be removed but remember failure to be good will force me to leave it in there over night.”

He pulled up the boys pants he spoke once again.

“Let's go.”

Leaving the shackles on the boy he led Sai from the room, and off to his house.

**

The glen in which he was in was one he had only entered at one other point in his life, the place he had lost not just a battle but his best friend. As he surveyed the land below him from atop the Hokage, he could vaguely hear voices. He slowly wandered towards the area in which the sound was coming from, lower and lower he moved. At the base of the great statue he slowed and began using great caution, for he had no idea whom he was moving to. Only that the sound of the voice sounded familiar.

“-but who are you?” he heard the voice of familiarity stutter.

“I am one who knows your path and your future, one who will help you to become who you were born to be. Change what others have fated, show you what you must do and in the end give you what is needed to face your brother.” The aged man spoke with the wisdom of many years and great power.

He was very shocked to learn the identity of the younger one, and stunned at what the old man was speaking of, it seemed as if he knew more about the child's family than the boy knew.

The man MUST also be an Uchiha.

“But what is it that you can give me? How can you help me in such way's if this is not real, if this is all but a dream?” Sasuke questioned.

“A time for everything Sasuke. I will tell you when it is time for you to know. For now though there is one thing that I can help you obtain.” Spoken through cryptic words that irritated him.

Though Sasuke had seen how his parents had reacted to this man and he had no wish to have that happen to him.

“Well could you at least tell me who you are?”

The man shook his head. “All I can tell you is that I am your kin, and that in time you will learn the truth.”

Sasuke angered by this but feared the mans fury, vowed to keep his tongue in check and learn the truth whether it be from this man or from another.

“So about this thing you said you would help me obtain, what is it and how can it help me in my ambition?”

“That I can not tell you either you must learn it on your own if it was worth the sacrifice. I believe it is something you already have but are ignorant as to what it entails and its power. You gave something dearly to unknowingly obtain it, and have yet to discover it. It is something that makes your brother yearn for, he is willing to do anything to obtain that power. Now I must leave you, there are things I must see to, I leave you with this. The truth is where you least expect it. It is in the place it all began, where time has no meaning and your brother could never understand. Here you will find what is needed to help, if you trust in that then anything is possible.” And with that he became hazy and disappeared into nothingness, his words echoing throughout the cavern.

The man in the shadows was so stunned he barely had time to hold in the gasp that threatened to escape from his lips.

He hurriedly scurried from the shadows and into the deafening fall of untamed water.

Hearing footsteps he ran trying to leave no trace anyone was ever there. And as he made it to the top and over the ledge he turned one last time to see Sasuke outside of the cave he that he had also just left.

He stared for a moment just taking in all that was Sasuke, his every curve his strong body his stern face, he was so beautiful in his walk in his talk and in his heart.

And as Naruto turned into a false sunrise to walk away below his eyes were tears of loss and love.

He awoke in his bed to find sweat soaked sheets covering, and the faintest sent of musty water covered him along with another scent underneath, the scent he had grown to desire in this very place in recent years.

Tears leaked down his face, leaving wet trails along his cheeks. He could smell him, this wasn't just his imagination it was here he could sense the scent and feel it in his heart it was the smell of Sasuke

**

Sasuke stood in the clearing for a time after he left the cave, just breathing and thinking this was where his life had turned him on the path he was on now. This was where he had fought the most difficult battle of his young life.

This truly was The Valley of the End.

He could feel the sun rising and turned to a red ball of light and warmth, allowing the breeze to wash over him his eyes closed and he took a deep breathe, smelling something familiar a scent he hadn't smelled in years.

Naruto.

He had opened his eyes to the effervescence of the sun and barely had the chance to see something move out of sight....the glimpse he barely got was more than enough though.

That hair, only one person he knew had that kind of blond hair.

He hurried up the side of the hill and into the glare of heat and radiance only to see. Nothing. There was nobody, what he thought he saw was not gone all he could see was the same hollow sun. Only now it was even more shallow than moments ago, when that blond angel was standing in its brilliance.

Sasuke basked in the void of light for a time, before slowly he himself faded away.


End of Chapter 2