Chapter 9:

Sasuke was no fool. From how his mentor was acting he knew the man's time was almost up before he tried to take his body. At first he didn't care. He just wanted to end Itachi and give up entirely. He has lost the love of his life so young, his best friend. His everything. He wasn't thinking correctly when he made the deal to join Orochimaru, he wanted revenge. He took all his anger, his sadness, his being into getting stronger. He barely rested. Barely ate. He acted the same way after the death of his clan. Only this time, he didn't have his Kira to comfort him.

His body had ached and he felt dead most days. He would pass out at the brink of exhaustion. He hated his life, he had no purpose. She was gone. The only thing that made him happy was Kira and believing she was dead he had nothing.

He always took notice of the way Orochimaru looked at him, that sick gleam in his eye when he watched him train. It was in his exhausted state that her image appeared. Following him around, chatting about whatever he was doing. The thought of her kept him sane most days.

Sasuke gave off the faintest of smiles glancing behind him. How foolish was he? To believe she was actually gone. His family mark. Something he watched her trace over and over again when she wasn't paying attention. Now they were together again. His light in this eternal darkness. He would never let her go again. It was a promise he would not break.

Sasuke felt his heart flutter as soon as he walked back into base. He caught sight of his beautiful Kira reading her book curled into a ball, orange slices lying flat against the bend of her knee. Her thumb pressed against her bottom lip as she ignored the world around her.

He felt a small pool of heat spread across his face watching her. Leaning against the wall he watched her left hand hover over an orange slice, trying to figure out what would be the perfect next bite before returning to her book. He felt many overwhelming urges just watching her interact with her food.

Shifting forward Sasuke walked towards her briskly till he was directly behind her. When she looked up Sasuke could not help himself from tasting her lips. He heard her sharp inhale through her nose while he grasped chin, the sweet citrusy taste on her lips gave Sasuke his own little high. From this angle she looked even more like the goddess she must have been.

She waited for him to finish her hand grasping onto the orange slices on her leg. She should have pushed him away but he said they were leaving today. They weren't going to suffer at Orochimaru's hands anymore. His eyes half lidded, he smiled down at her. "Orange slice?" her hand reached up to him, fruit in hand. 'So cute.'

"It's time."

He watched her eyebrows knit together before realization coursed through her. "It's time?" he nodded watching her jump from her seat, food falling from her lap to the ground in her excitement. "Are you sure?"

He nodded again reaching out to grasp her left hand in his, his thumb grazing over the scarred skin, she was so cute and excited at this moment.

The two teens walked through the many twists and turns of the deserted halls, Kira felt completely lost at this point, she had no idea where she was. She had never ventured this far into the secret base before. How did Sasuke know where to go?

She didn't want to think about how he knew where to go. All too soon Sasuke stopped in front of a doorway. Tugging her behind him, Sasuke didn't want anything to happen to his goddess while he ended his mentor.

Chakra flowing through his veins to his hands, a blue light emitted from his hand, the chidori! Kira stared amazed, somehow Sasuke had manipulated the Chidori to take the form of a sword. Giving a soft chuckle at his love's amazed face Sasuke faced the wooden door once more. Taking a breath to concentrate the Chidori blade shot through the wooden door, through Orochimaru's room.

Orochimaru only had seconds to defend himself moaning softly in pain, already weakened he felt the Chakra slice through his arms and just barely pierced his chest. The sick man watched as his door shattered completely showing who was behind the attack.

Of course it was Sasuke and that no good woman behind him, Kira. "I knew it'd come to this." Orochimaru grumbled glaring heatedly at Kira. She put ideas in his head about leaving him. "I have nothing more to learn from you." Kira watched wide eyed as the black markings spread across his left.

Instantly she had flashbacks to the Chunin exams. How Sasuke got those marks and how terrible their fate had been since that day. "Orochimaru." Chancing a look Kira gazed at Sasuke's face, he looked so emotionless. Blank. Was this really Sasuke?

"You are weaker than me." It was a fact. Orochimaru was sweating profusely in his bed, his labored breathing showed that he wouldn't make it much longer. "There is no point in sacrificing my body to you anymore."

Grunting in pain Orochimaru had to sound like he was in control. Or most likely prove to himself that he was in control of this situation. Though Kira could hear his rapid thoughts cursing himself for not taking his body sooner. "Big words..." He gasped for breath "from the leftover Uchiha."

Sasuke smirked resting his elbow on Kira's shoulder still clutching his katana tightly in his hand. "Hmph. If I hadn't been so weak, so blind. I never would have sought you out, would I?" Orochimaru had no words to say. "You only wanted me because you couldn't handle Itachi." Kira stilled hearing the other Uchiha's name. Reaching over she placed her metallic hand over her abdomen. A close call from a while back. "Right mister 'Great Sannin Genius"?" Everything Sasuke was saying was making Orochimaru angrier.

"Perhaps the world at large would consider you gifted. But you're nowhere near the level of an Uchiha. Before us, The greatest genius in the universe barely comes off as average." Crimson eyes locked onto the side of Sasuke's face. Why was he mocking his teacher? Weren't they supposed to escape now? Why drag this on? Why not incapacitate him more and get out of here?

"And as someone who carries the name, from my point of view your attempts to obtain our power are so disgusting they're almost funny. Saturating yourself with drugs and medicines? Transferring bodies? Your methods are pointless. Only one woman has the right to call herself an Uchiha."

Golden eyes locked onto the woman behind his student. Orochimaru growled glaring hatefully at the girl. The man hissed, feeling Sasuke's chidori push deeper into his skin, blood staining the man's bed red. "How dare you even look at her. You don't even deserve to be graced with her presence." He snapped malice in his tone of voice.

Kira felt a fear start to build up within her chest again things were not going to go good, she just knew it. And to make matters worse, she didn't have her weapons. She'd have to rely on her jutsu's and skill. Well that was a lie, she had her new arm but she's never used it before. "Your methods are pointless, do you even have a goal anymore?" Sasuke went back to his task at mocking his former mentor. "You claim to be seeking the reason behind existence yet all you do is make petty excuses for playing god with people's lives."

Sasuke couldn't stand to look at his mentor any longer. Just the sight of him made Sasuke feel sick. "You sicken me."

With quick speed Sasuke shot forward with the intention to kill. It happened so fast. Kira felt her body fall backwards staring at the large snake. Was this actually Orochimaru's true form? Looking back Sasuke stared unimpressed at the large snake made of snake monster. "So your true body is a scaly, white serpent."

His red eyes locked onto her own 'Get out of harm's way, love.' Scrambling to her feet Kira took another three steps backwards staring at the snake 'Don't you want help? You could get hurt.'. It didn't make sense? Why would Sasuke want to face off against Orochimaru alone? Was he trying to show how strong he was? Acting this confident could get him killed! Now fully facing his past mentor, he scoffed at his appearance. "You wanted to take over other people's bodies so badly, you experimented on your own." Sasuke felt another wave of disgust course through him. "Now you're a pathetic shell of your former self."

'Do as I say. When I finish, be prepared.' Kira didn't know what to be prepared for but she feared it. Be prepared to leave? Be prepared for what?! Sasuke had blocked off his mind after that, not letting her know what he had planned or what would happen afterwards.

"Come Sasuke-kun...GIVE ME YOUR BODY!" His large snake head shot forward intending to eat Sasuke whole. Sasuke was too quick, avoiding the large head and slicing through the smaller snakes attacking him.

Kira watched Sasuke pause shifting his arms out of his shirt sleeves showing off his slightly tanned, well toned back. Kira felt her cheeks turn a faint pink staring as his back flex, his muscles rippled under her stare, almost as if Sasuke was showing off just to her. 'Bad Kira! Why are you thinking like that?! Why are you blushing at Sasuke! Stop, we don't love him!' A large portion of the snake body to swarm around his own trapping him in place, or so it seemed.

His skin had started to turn into a dark gray, almost dead flesh color, while his hair had turned a light gray. Again Kira felt a wave of flashbacks return again, only this time her right arm stung at the memory. "Though the snake dreams of soaring through the sky, it's forever doomed to crawl on his belly." his quote made no sense!

Snakes don't crawl! They slither, crawling involves the creatures having arms and legs crouching low and moving in a sneak like move or something her dogs have done multiple times. The snakes around Sasuke exploded showing off his large wings, they were so weird to look at from behind. "You'll have your chance to fly snake, in the talons of a hawk."

The small explosion of snake heads and snake parts littered the room. The markings and dark color faded from Sasuke's body "Over already? That was far too easy." he grumbled, not even satisfied with that fight. With his curse back under control Sasuke frowned, eyes widened feeling his body grow heavy. What?

"Sasuke?!" Kira darted forward grasping his body before he could fall; she felt her head spin but powered through it to check him over. He looked fine, he wasn't even perspiring. What had happened? "Are you okay?" he felt his heart swell with love seeing her concerned face, she was so thoughtful, so loving. He was so lucky to have her. "Finally feeling the effects are we?" Orochimaru's still snake-like head spoke up, chuckling to himself. "The humors of these white snakes can even taint the air with their paralyzing venom."

Sasuke sensed this danger and pushed his love out of the way before she could get eating along with him. He'd never let her get hurt. "I'm undying. You are a whelp whose jutsu are still too weak to kill me." Chuckling once more "Once you're mine I'll finally get rid of this ungrateful brat. You're mine!"

Kira squeaked watching Sasuke go under this Genjutsu attack, though with his Sharingan he must know that it wasn't real. He sat on the ground in a daze, Orochimaru's head no longer moving. She didn't know what to do, this had to be what Orochimaru was planning all along. He finally had Sasuke. She needed to get out of here. Cowardly to run but she had no other choice. If Orochimaru indeed took Sasuke's body then she was as good as dead.

Stumbling to her feet Kira rushed out of the room and down the hallway, there were so many identical halls she was sure to get lost but she needed to find a way out. Pausing she thought she heard voices. It was too late! She was done for, Sasuke was taken over by Orochimaru!

"Kira." That sounded like Sasuke's voice but she couldn't be too sure. Orochimaru was a master trickster and constantly had a plan for everything. "Come out here. It's me." Kira didn't move. What if it was a trick? Clenching her teeth together Kira knew she had to at least have a proper fight before she died. She wouldn't die like a coward.

Stepping out of her hiding spot Kira held her finger over the release mechanism of her new arm, ready to stab the fucker for taking Sasuke. She felt such shame knowing she couldn't save him. She had left everything behind for him and she couldn't even save the bastard! "Lets go." He stepped towards her and she stepped backwards. "Prove you're Sasuke first."

Sighing, Sasuke let his shirt drop down to his waist again, showing off his chizzled abs. She tried to control her blush at the sight before her. Damn him. Shifting her eyes down his chest to where Sasuke was pointing to a scar right near his hip. "You gave me this." Orochimaru could have just guessed that!

Seeing that she wasn't convinced Sasuke continued the tale of how he got his favorite scar. "It was when we were still in school, before we even became Genin. I had said something dumb about Naruto and we got into a fight, while we were wrestling in the ground a sharp rock cut me right here. We stopped our fight because you were worried when you saw me bleeding, dragged me all the way to Iruka sensei." he smiled softly at her.

Sasuke watched her left hand lower from her arm and relax at her side, completely convinced now. "So what happened? You just sort of froze up."

Walking towards the girl Sasuke placed a hand on her hip pulling her waist towards him, leaning down to her level he placed a feather light kiss on her cheek "I killed him." her eyes widen and her jaw drops in surprise. Sasuke Uchiha killed Orochimaru?! Pulling away he grasped onto her wrist and dragged her back to her room to gather her things. He held her precious backpack over his right shoulder as they walked towards the exit.

He could see how excited she was to leave. Once outside in the fresh air Kira felt completely at ease. She was finally free of Orochimaru, they were free. He'd come home with her and...she'd have to break up with Gaara. "Where to?"

"Suna." He watched her gulp but nodded her head in agreement. They made a deal. And even though it may kill her she had to uphold her end of the bargain. They walked close to one another mostly in silence, every now and then one of the teens would say something to break the silence though it was mostly Kira. Eventually Sasuke got so annoyed with her constant hand swinging that he laced their fingers together.

Day had turned to night leaving the two teens to set up camp in the middle of the forest road. "So what's the plan? I know we're headed to Suna but what next? Wonder around until we find Itachi?" Sasuke watched her stare at him, waiting for her answer. "Can't we go home?" she gave him her pouty face that he couldn't help but admit was adorable.

He could just kiss those lips, he'd do anything to make her smile. Anything. "Maybe after Itachi, we could settle down somewhere. Have a few kids." he watched the color raise up her neck. Eyes widen and unable to form words. Kids?

"You-you've been talking about ki-kids since we were thirteen Sasuke." he only shrugged scooting closer to the girl of his dreams placing his arm behind her making sure to brush up against her back while doing so. "Is that so wrong? Wanting you to be the mother of my kids."

"It's still too early to talk about children! We're only teenagers, we're not married yet or..." He nodded tapping her forehead affectionately "We can get married anywhere. It's not hard."

"You're missing the point! We can't get married yet!"

"Why not?" He felt so angry hearing her say they couldn't get married. Sure they were young but he knew deep down in his chest that they were meant to be! They always were meant to be! Why couldn't she see that!

"We're too young! For fucks sake Sasuke!" she growled facing him fully. "Since when is age a problem for us! I've known I wanted to marry you since we were kids!" Scoffing Kira looked away crossing her arms over her chest.

"You might have known but I haven't! I've been having plans with Gaara. I planned to..."

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Sasuke warned. He didn't want to hear anything about what plans she 'might' have had with that sand bastard. If it came down to it Sasuke wouldn't hesitate to end the fuckers life. Forcing Kira to forget about him and focus completely on Sauke. He would do whatever it took to make her realize that she was his and his alone.

Letting out a deep growl Sasuke watched her crimson orbs start to glow "I had plans to marry Gaara." there it was again, the undertone of her voice sounding like it wasn't just her speaking. "I gave up every plan I ever made for you jackass!"

"Why would you ever make those plans?!" Sasuke screamed, not caring anymore. He saw red. The next time he saw Gaara of the Sand he was going to kill him. "Because we've been dating for two years!"

"You should have waited!"

Unable to take anymore of this bullshit Kira shot to her feet pointing an accusatory finger in Sasuke's face. "You left! Your plans were never going to change whether I ran after you or not! You left Konoha!" At this point the forest was quiet. The crackles of fire was all anyone could hear. "You're a selfish asshole! Expecting me to sit around and wait for you to come home!"

Scoffing, Sasuke stood as well, unable to sit and let her berate him any longer. She was blaming him for her relationship with Gaara. Ugh pathetic. "You did come though! You came for me and I would have brought you with me!"

"Why would I ever want to work with Orochimaru!?" Kira screamed again clenching her fists "He would have given me to the fucking Akatsuki!"

"Do you honestly think I'd ever let anything like that happen to you?! I would have ended him long ago if he even tried to!"

Rolling her eyes Kira walked around the fire annoyed. Trying to get as much space as she could away from him. "How would you have killed him? Orochimaru would have easily killed you! The only reason you had such an easy time is because he was weak! He was one of the Legendary Sannin! They don't give that name to just anyone you dipshit!"

Sasuke, while very annoyed, was a bit giddy. This was their first fight as a couple. Kira on the other hand was snarling at herself for being so stupid. Any feelings she might have had for the boy was completely squashed. She easily remembered why she hated the boy in the first place, he was insufferable! That fucking supirority complex on him.

"I didn't see you lifting a finger to help back there, you just stood there and watched." Sasuke watched her eyes squint, her lip pulled back showing off a very sharp canine. He could see her teeth changing form. He always knew she had two sharp canines but now the rest were shifting. Changing shape to sharp cylindrical teeth.

"How could I?! You have to be in charge! You're the one who said to do as you said! Why the hell would I bother when you're just a stubborn ass!"

Rolling his eyes at such an answer, their argument was getting them nowhere. "What does this even have to do with getting married and having kids! We were having a nice time before and I brought this up and you flip out!"

"It's because you left you asshole!" She screamed again you could hear her voice starting to crack at the loudness, her hands in fists. Sasuke has never heard her scream this loud before. Sure they argued before but it never progressed to be a screaming match between the two. "You changed! How could I marry you when I don't even know you anymore! If you had stayed I might have married you but why should I marry you and have your kids!" Her words stung, a venom that moved through his core. He didn't know she felt this strongly about this.

"I thought you were dead." his words were even and blank of emotion beside fear, sadness, and anger. "What was I supposed to do, Kira? Stay in that village without you?! I had nothing." He waited a moment to let those words sink in. Sasuke watched her eyes soften just a fraction. He started to feel the pain of losing her all over again, he felt so hopeless, so distraught without her. Just the idea of her leaving him brought all those feelings crashing back down.

Kira watched wide eyed as tears started to form in Sasuke's eyes. Was he...was he going to cry? She had never seen him cry before. Sure a tear would fall when he yawned or when he got really hurt on one of their old missions but he was actually going to cry. "Without you I had nothing to live for. You are my world. My being. My everything."

"Sasuke..." She didn't know what to say. Watching Sasuke tear up in front of her she just didn't know what to was still angry but seeing him so down, so out of character she pitied the male. Hesitantly Kira walked closer towards Sasuke till they were directly in front of one another. She didn't know what to do to stop him from crying. She realized she didn't like this side of him. She didn't like seeing him so down.

Wrapping her arms around Sasuke's middle she held him like she would Naruto when he was upset. It didn't take long before she felt arms encircle her waist, his head resting against her neck. She could feel the warm wet tears start to drip down her neck. His arms tightened around her considerably as Sasuke tried not to make a sound. Just basking in her comfort.

"I'm sorry." she mumbled against his ear, running a hand up and down his back. Sasuke took a deep breath inhaling the fresh scent. It almost reminded him of an ocean. It was funny, her scent changed depending on wherever she used but there was always that underlying scent that was just her. "I'm sorry I was trying to push you." he mumbled into her neck.

Slowly Sasuke pulled away, keeping his arms locked around her frame. His charcoal eyes locked onto her crimson. "I won't push you for marriage or kids." He saw the small relieved smile on her face. It was just breathtaking. How was it she had no idea what she did to him. "We can get to know each other again if it makes you happy."

"Thank you."

Reaching up he held her face. His large hand easily engulfed her face fitting perfectly, his fingers tangling in the strands that were in his way. "Of course." His smirk returned watching that adorable blush dust across her nose under his stare. The fire light enhanced her beauty giving her pale skin a beautiful glow. How could she think she wasn't gorgeous?

Leaning down he brushed his lips across her own, her lips were so soft and smooth, unlike his chapped ones. Her lips parted from his kiss and a quiet gasp was felt against his face. He felt the small pressure of her lips returning his kiss. His heart was beating rapidly in his chest.

Sasuke felt her heat wrap around the two of them in a blanket or was it from the fire, he couldn't tell or care to find out. Tightening his hold around her waist he pulled her closer causing Kira to crane her neck back even more. He was in heaven and didn't bother coming down. Her kiss was just that intoxicating.

A twig snapping broke the teens out of their almost makeout session. Both sets of eyes locked in the direction trying to analyze what had just happened. Or possibly who could be spying on them. "Can you see anything?" she mumbled softly so only he could hear.

"No." Glancing up at one another they shared a look before pulling away completely. There could be someone out in the dark. Petty thugs attacking travelers. "Stay here I'll be back in a moment." Kira rolled her eyes crossing her arms over her chest.

"Fine but you owe me." smirking to himself he disappeared into the woods, blending completely into the dark. Taking a seat by the fire Kira kept an eye on her surroundings though gave off the appearance of being blissfully unaware.

Her movements were almost graceful as she pulled out a book, her crimson eyes locked on her green bookmark staring at it lovingly, anyone watching would see the girl pull the little plastic marker to her lips. Her eyes resting on the text before her. Looking completely oblivious to anything around her.

"It's not nice to stare. Didn't your parents ever teach you that." her voice called out flipping to another page of her story. "So you knew I was here all along hmm?" a new voice called stepping into the light. Her crimson eyes locked onto a middle aged man.

Just like she suspected, a rogue thug trying to prey upon unsuspecting travelers. "Of course." she smirked under her mask. Studying his features she noted that the middle aged man had raggedy clothing. Deep dark eyes, though that could be because of the dark surrounding him. She could faintly see deep scars running across his neck, almost as if he had lived to tell a few battles in his time.

He stood three feet away from her and she could just smell the old blood on his clothes and probably didn't know what a bath was regarding that putrid stench clinging to him like a second skin. The man looked like he was probably in his mid thirties early forties. It didn't matter.

From his point of view he thought her to be weak. She had Sasuke with her and as soon as he left he figured he could make his move. Children were not able to defend themselves. In the end they would be overpowered and beaten.

Crimson eyes glowed in the dark, a dreadful unease settled in the man's stomach yet he was unsure why. "Your stench alone would alert anyone of your arrival." Kira continued her thought causing the male before her to glare. Her voice was deep, the man thought. Deeper than most young girls he's spoken to, though truth be told he barely spoke to women this young. Regardless there was something off about her.

It had to be her deep crimson eyes she must be some sort of demon. The woman before him was dressed in simple garb. A jacket overtop a blue top, his brown eyes traveled down her figure to her toned legs covered in black. Her short gray hair was resting upon her shoulders messily. Almost as if she did not know what a brush was or how to use one for the matter, and her face. It was covered in a black mask hiding it from view. He swore she wasn't wearing one earlier when he caught the male holding her but it must have been a trick of his mind.

"Stench or not, if you value your life you will give me that bag."

Smirking she closed her book returning it back to her bag. "If you want it, come and try." she smiled sweetly towards the male her hands placed delicately in her lap. "Unless..." she looked away towards the fire. "You're scared."

The man jumped seeing those crimson eyes lock onto his form again. "Scared! Ha!" He stomped towards her intending to get her belongings. As soon as he was a foot away he felt his body being sent backwards back where he once was. Moaning in pain he sat up clutching his stomach, his brown eyes locked on her form again only she was standing.

"What're you doing over there? I thought you intended to get my bag?" He watched her bend down picking the pack up and extending her arm towards him. "Don't you want it?" she cocked her head towards the side. He didn't like how he couldn't figure out what her facial expressions were. Her eyes showed some emotion. Her tone was so taunting.

Getting back to his feet he walked towards her grabbing her back only to feel white hot pain soar through his chin. His body went flying through the air again and a loud splat on the ground. Rubbing his chin he sat up again, his anger getting worse by the moment. "Come now, you said you wanted my bag. Perhaps you'd rather catch it?" Kira tossed the bag towards the male.

Right before the bag could even land near the male, Kira was landing in front of him, sending a powerful kick to his ribs, she could hear the sickening cracks of his ribs as soon as her food made contact. "Man you're pretty lame! Not even putting up a fight." she whined. "At least try to get my bag. If you want I'll keep my arms behind my back so you can try and get a hit on me."

Sasuke watched from the sidelines as a thug chased after Kira her arms behind her back as she avoided each attack with ease. Her movements were like a dance. Bowing, sliding, jumping, twirling. Her taunting behavior set the male on edge.

Try as he might he couldn't do anything to get her or any of their belongings. At one point he tried to just grab their things and leave. As soon as he took his eyes off the girl towards their belongings he felt searing hot pain, blood oozing free from his left hand as the very sharp throwing star was embedded into his flesh. "Ah, ah, ah!" she giggled.

"You can't just ignore your opponent like this! Don't you know anything could happen if you don't pay attention?" she shook her head at the man.

Chuckling to himself Sasuke walked out of the woods and into the firelight view. "I didn't realize you liked to taunt." Taking her eyes off her opponent she shrugged at her companion. "I told you. We don't know each other anymore."

Sasuke nodded taking that into account. Maybe she was right, they would need to get to know one another once again. Taking his katana out of its sheath. Kira watched wide eyed as Sasuke slit the man's throat open. Blood gushed onto the grass and dirt. The man lay lifeless creating his own little pool. "I guess we don't."

Kira couldn't take her eyes off the man before her. Why would he kill him?! What good came from this? He didn't have to take the man's life! "What the hell!" she screamed.

Sasuke smirked, not bothered at all. "What?"

"Why'd you kill him?!"

A sadistic chuckle escaped Sasuke's lips as he walked towards his lover. "Because..." as soon as he stood directly in front of her he placed a hand to her cheek staring into her deep crimson orbs. "No one gets to try and hurt my love."

I'm back! I am so sorry it took me forever to write for this, I got distracted with other stories and life in general. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and you're all going to have a wonderful new year, lord knows we need it. Anyway I'll be writing more for this story, I just don't know how long it'll take me to actually post.

Love you all!