Blood Ties

AN: Sorry for the lack of updating life is something that is unavoidable. Thanks to all of you who have read this story up till now. I do have a plan for this but it is taking longer than expected to put said plan into action.

Please RR tell me how this is working.

...and on with the show!!!

Chapter 5 Cherry Blossoms


Her mood was sour.

'Why do my friends end up wanting to leave?'

Sakura had been in a daze in the days since Naruto left, the whole village went on as it normally did, but she knew better.

It was the little things. Like how Tsunade-san had not sent anyone after the blond. Claiming that he would be back when he was ready.

'If that is how she feels. It doesn't explain why she has been pushing me like an animal when we train. She has been killing me with studying everything. All the stuff she taught me when we first started training, I can't look at another model of the human body and tell her the various ways to repair a missing limb. I just might go insane if she brings that up tomorrow!'

Taking a calming sip of the now almost cold tea in front of her, she stood to go make herself a fresh cup.

Tea always cooled her off whenever something was wrong. It helped her to relax, finished pouring the last of the batch she tossed the pot in the sink and sat down ignoring the angry thuds coming from the still moving object colliding with the other glass.

She glared at the clock above the door.

'Its almost midnight! I can't believe she kept me out so late! Yeah she can act like Naruto is just on a vacation and that it doesn't bother her, but I know her better than she thinks.'

Then there was the disappearance of Jaraiya-sama, he never left so suddenly without warning. 'But he is an odd man, as it is he is probably just off 'researching' some poor woman with a large chest.'

'Old Pervert! Naruto was right calling him Pervy-sage.'

'Naruto' ignoring her upsetting train of thought for the moment.

She took a sip of tea.

'That obnoxious punk better come back alright, otherwise I will hunt him down and make sure he is alright. Then KILL him myself!'

With that she stood and dropped the cup in the sink, and went to bed.

Uncaring for the now shattered glass and teapot that now littered her counter and most of her sink.

'Please Naruto come home safely. I can't lose you too.'

***


Cutting his fingers for what seemed like the millionth time on shards of glass Rock Lee tried to remain quiet while he soothed his wound lapping at the newest slice on his work calloused finger.

Moving to continue cleaning the pieces on the counter and in the sink. He put them in a small pile beside the dozen cherry blossoms he had picked today. They were pink with white tips and at the height of there youth.

'Just like her, beautiful and smart. Strong willed and dedicated. She is wonderful!'

Cautious not to wake her he washed the few dishes and cleaned the counter. Once finished he searched quickly for a vase of some sort to put the flowers in.

Placing the beautiful Sakuras in a green tea cup he noticed how they stood tall even when their life was taken away.

Walking to the window he had entered through he climbed out and closed it without a sound.

'Just like my perfect cherry blossom.' walking away Lee wiped a tear from his eyes.

Never noticing that he left the shards of glass next to the cup with the flowers in it, Sakura's standing tall and proud but kept safe from possible harm by a form of solid green.

***

In the early hours of morning the pale man awoke with a smile on his face, these last days with the raven had amused him.

The boy never ceased to amaze the snake, with his blatant denial of what was to come. He had no idea how wrong he was.

'Today I will finally have that which I have coveted all these years, the Sharingan!'

Sasuke had been on edge lately and it was very obvious to Orochimaru, that the boy knew what was coming, but had realized that he had made a huge error in coming here for power.

Orochimaru always got what he wanted and with years of experience over the child, their was little to no chance that Sasuke could escape the inevitable.

The yellow eyed Sannin rose from his bed to shower and get ready for this special occasion.


Walking into his bathroom he glanced at himself in the mirror smirking at his own reflection, years of experimentation and his lust for power had changed him visibly.

For what he wanted he would risk everything, and he had.

It would be worth it, more than worth it.

It will be fun!

'Today Sasuke-kun I will finally have your body, and nothing you can do will stop me!'

Getting into the shower with pure malice plastered upon his face he washed himself thoroughly and thought about how great today would be.

This day would be an amazing one, but it could wait while he took care of a disturbance that always seemed to occur when his mind wandered to Sasuke.

“Yesss Sasuke-kunnnn -nuh- I will be inside your body by the end of the day -mmmm- and there is nothing you can do to stop it.-ngha-ohhh!!!”

*

Minutes passed by and the erotic moans coming from Orochimaru-samas room got to him as he entered to wake up his master.

Today was a special occasion.

To finally get rid of that Uchiha brat and have him replaced by such a perfect creature.

It was arousing.

Before he knew it he was stroking himself in unison to his masters moans, while laying on his the still warm bed.

The mere thought of those pale fingers digging into his thighs drawing blood and squeezing still more while riding his master was pure bliss.

Stifling his own whimpers Kabuto quickly reached the climax that thoughts of Orochimaru always brought, riding the waves of pleasure onward.

“Nugh-Orochi-sama!”

Giving into his orgasm and letting go of protocol he reached the point of no return with no cares for the alarms going off in his head.

*

Keeping as silent as possible the man moved through the lab searching through various jars and containers within the rooms many cabinets, searching for the item he had traveled this far for.

The silver haired Sannin knew what he was looking for but not where to find it.

'If only my informant had found its location. That would make things much easier.'

Being careful not to trip any alarms the brilliant man might have placed in this chamber. Already he had run into a few snares that would have been difficult to escape had he not been the great Sage Jaraiya.

Finally finding what he had come for the man smiled.

'Finally I have it.'

Eyes sparkling he held the thing in his hand careful to remain undiscovered he made his way out of the room and towards the wall he had made into his entrance.

'Orochimaru you're done for.'

Flames danced in his eyes as he left the one of the many so called sanctuaries the Snake had hoped to keep hidden.

The Snakes dismembered hand firmly in his grasp.

Jaraiya was on his way to his next stop.

Already searching for his next target.

Uchiha Sasuke!

***

Finished tying her pink hair in the forehead protector to keep it out of her eyes the konoichi placed her hands nervously in front of her in anticipation of Tsunade-san's lessons today.

'Please no more diagrams and charts!'

Having woken up early to get ready for the day Sakura made her way to the kitchen passing the makeshift vase on her table without even noticing it she made herself some tea and food.

In mere minutes she had created a small breakfast for herself a few meager slices of dry toast topped off with two fried eggs, and with her tea. It was a meal perfect for her mood.

While she ate in silence she observed the flowers on her table noticing now how they resembled her closely, wilting under the pressure of trying to keep their heads high.

'You poor bastard Lee I don't know what I would do if I did not have you around.'

Taking a sip of tea to wash down the chalk taste that now clung to the insides of her mouth, then standing to throw away the remnants of her pitiful food.

She washed her dirty dishes, cleaned the counter then brought her garbage can to the table turning it so it rested directly under the glass shards and swiped them into the bucket without a second thought she pushed it back to the corner it belonged.

Next Sakura walked out plucking a blossom from the vase on the table and left her small apartment while attempting to push the stem through her hair to rest beside her ear.

***

Carefully stalking his prey, the old man made sure to keep his chakra undetectable and remain quiet while approaching the quarry he had been tracking.

Coming upon the child during his training could be an unwanted trouble.

Jaraiya did not want his encounter with this boy to go anything but according to plan.

His observation of the raven was quite intriguing.

'I had heard that Sasuke was good but I never expected that to be such an understatement.'

Watching the prodigy in awe Jaraiya did not even notice the dark form behind him.

Observing the boy and the Sannin at the same time, with a knowing smile placed on his face.

Everything was in place.

'This is working out just the way I have always envisioned. Humans are so predictable in their goals. Now just one more thing before the final phase of my plan is fulfilled.'

Fading away into birds a tear fell from one eye.

'Just this last thing.'

***

The blurry form in the clearing stopped moving.

Figuring it was about time to stop for the morning Sasuke went over to the few belongings he had taken with him.

Taking a sip of water from his canteen he stood.

Then stretched after putting it back.

“Are you going to come out Jaraiya or are you just going to sit there watching me all day.”

His voice echoing in the trees he heard a distinct gasp, followed by a chuckle and he smirked.

***

Tsunade looked at her student in trained sympathy.

'I am sorry for going over things that I taught her in the beginning but she needs to know these things inside out.'

“Times up Sakura. Give me what you have completed and you can go take a short break for food, then go put in a couple of hours in at the hospital.”

The stern tone she used made her feel bad but the usually docile girl could get so smart mouthed at times...Thinking back to that one time in particular where Sakura had gotten so out of hand...

....A heavily sweating Sakura attacked Tsunade.

Relentlessly blurring in her motions which were easily blocked by the very skilled woman. A high kick towards her neck that just barely missed being blocked only by an arm and years of experience was quickly followed by an extremely low one attempting to trip her that was inches from being successful if it hadn't been for Tsunade jumping.

Then the young woman suddenly fell over exhaustion.

Panting from three straight hours they had been sparring Sakura payed no mind to the splatters of dust on her covering her face nor the fact that she was covered in her own sweat. She felt like she was going to die.

“Hey brat!” Tsunade screamed at her clearly surprising the nearly passed out girl.

“What woman! I feel like I am dying!” The old hag had made her almost jump out of her skin!

“Did I say you could stop attacking! NO! Get your ass up and come at me I want you to give me your all until I say you can stop.” Agitated by the girls insolence Tsunade decided to teach her a lesson if the child wanted to be stubborn.

“But Tsunade I am so tired and sore, I feel like I could sleep for a week. Its not a like I am going to die if I do not get up and fight you.”

“I don't care for your lack of respect get your fuckin' ass up or I will tear you limb from limb!”

Sakura slowly began to rise all the while grumbling “Naruto was right call you an old hag...”

Narrowing her eyes at the child in irritation Tsunade vowed to show her a thing or two..or twelve.

'I'll show her who is old!'

She flung herself at Sakura full force and violently attacking her as if she meant to harm her student. Kicking, punching forcing the girl to defend with everything she had and even then the child barely managed to keep herself from being killed.

Tsunade's movements gave Sakura no option but to back up and keep attempting to defend herself fear showing in her eyes in response to the womans malevolent attacks.

“Is this the best you can do Sakura? Your weak, no wonder Sasuke left. Did you seriously think he would want to be around such a weak, whiny person as you!”

Suddenly Sakura changed drastically she attacked like a monster and it was the best Tsunade could do to keep the child from causing HER serious harm, until she cracked the girl upside the head making her fall unconsciously to the ground...

...Watching the child leave her room she pondered the incredible innate talent the girl possessed and remembered how once Sakura woke up the next day she asked what happened and why she was in the infirmary. Once she had been told what happened Tsunade asked her what that change in her fighting was.

“I don't know Tsunade-san I-everything just went black after you said that terrible thing about Sasuke.”

Smiling down at her students work and seeing how perfect everything was every answer was written just how she had been taught. The little brat must have finished early due to the neat little drawing decently rendered in Sasuke's likeness.

'It really is necessary she knows these things like the back of her hand. Sakura has the potential surpass me completely. Once I teach her that move she will be my equal and that has to be done soon times running up and now with Naruto gone I can't stall much longer questions will be asked and I will have to do something about his disappearance, but what? If we go by his note he is just searching for Sasuke. He really does care about that boy.'

“Naruto come back soon, please you have no idea how much you are missed here.”

***

Quickly over his initial shock at being detected when he had not wanted to be noticed until he was ready, the Sannin cleared his throat made to move. This is what he had come here for.

To help Him.

Jaraiya left his hiding spot and entered the clearing that the Raven had previously been training in minutes ago.

“oi Sasuke! How are things? Still Orochimarus' Bitch?”

The boy regarded the remark with a calm expression. “Why Pervert, Jealous?”

Jaraiya choked out a nervous “NO!” unknowingly giving Sasuke the upper hand in this encounter for the time being.

“hn.” Sasuke smirked back.

Minutes passed while the two shinobi glanced back and forth. Each one waiting for the other to make a move. Neither one really knowing what to say or do to make the other explain themselves.

Giving up on pretenses Sasuke shrugged “Did you want something old man. I mean besides to make me uncomfortable?”

Inside his own raging head Jaraiya was still fuming at the uchihas previous statement. 'why would he think that I am jealous that Orochimaru has him as his own personal bitch I never loved the man in THAT way and we never even had anything together outside of friendship and compitition...well once. But that was it!'

“Yeah you little prick I did have good reason for this visit. But if you are just going to be a jackass then I may not even keep to it.” That should show the asshole to respect his elders.

“ohh well its not as if there is anything important to talk about between us and I don't really like you so I am just going to leave.”

“No! Sasuke this is very important and there is not just one reason I came here today.”

Turning to pick up his stuff and leave Sasuke smiled he knew the old fart would spill the beans once Sasuke showed no interest in what he had to say. Truth was though he really was curious as to the mans reasoning for coming here.

“Well then it looks like you will have to find another way perv I don't care.”

Jaraiya was getting fed up with the child for his attitude and abruptness. “Are you sure about that Uchiha? I for one thought that Naruto at the very least was important to you.”

Sasuke shivered at the mention of his former teammates name. “You are not wrong Jaraiya. But I left that behind to fulfill my goal. I am sorry I cannot help you. I have too much to deal with now anyways Orochimaru plans on taking my body today and I need to do something to prevent that.”

Surprised by the boys sudden show of humanity Jaraiya held up his own hand showing the boy what he had procured from the lab earlier.

“Which brings me to the other reason I came here.”

Now it was his turn to smile at the boys purely shocked face.

“Now Sasuke will you help me or not? I am sure that I can make things work out for the both of us. If only you will nod your head or speak so I am assured of your cooperation.”

The boy shook his head still shocked at the new development in this interaction.

“Does this mean I will be free from that pervert at last. I have never planned on giving him my body but I cannot seem to find a way out. I have barely even done anything all I have been able to accomplish is using my chakra to form a spherical ball around the edges of my mind in circling lines going every way and I am pretty sure that will only put off the bastard for a day or two at the most.”


Now it was Jaraiyas turn again to be shocked. 'He created a Rasengan in his mind! He doesn't even know how to make one physically. Another reason he is a genius.'

“That is very well Sasuke but what I plan will not only get you out of Orochimarus clutches but also help you achieve your ambition.”

The boy looked at him silently thanking the wise old man.

“What do you want me to do Jaraiya-san?”

***

The blond awoke on an ice cold floor in partial darkness.

Blue eyes looked at the only source of light coming in through the small window. The sun barely shone in. It was either early morning or late evening depending on which way the window was facing, but he could not tell which. His nakedness revealed for all to see, should somebody else actually be in here with him.

'What happened? The last thing I remember is traveling through the forest and then everything was dark.'

Trying to shift from his sprawl on the floor he realized the cold chains keeping him in place, forcing him to remain where those who had chained him left him. Trying to sum up chakra for strength did not work in only succeeded in making the chains on his cool flesh.

“What the hell is this? Why am I here?” his screams only succeeded in drying out his already parched throat. Echoing off the walls his voice lingered in his ears for a moment then died.

Silence answered him.

Naruto struggled against the chains rattling them and scraping his half frozen back on the floor,

Then suddenly there was muffled shifting behind his head and then a deep voice that sent chilled down his spine came in loud and clear as anything he had ever heard.

“You are alone as you should be Monster.”

***

Finishing her meal Sakura rose to dispose of the garbage.

The pink haired konoichi was having trouble with her mind 'I am going crazy I got to do something else for once besides looking at charts and diagrams. Tsunade-san is driving me mental.'

Then it hit her.

She walked towards her house with a genuine smile on for the first time in what seemed like years.

'I will do something nobody would expect from the meek apprentice of the hokage. I guess this is what team seven does best.'