Chapter Text
" I shut my eyes a long time ago...the things I seek now lie only in the darkness. "
Electric blasts danced between puffs of smoke, thundering and crackling hues of white and blue mingling within the haze. Shades of yellow and red followed each burst in rapid succession, even as the skies above darkened and welcomed the rain.
Beneath the weeping heavens, two ninjas clashed in escalating power and emotion. Mortal versus immortal, man versus beast, dashed across the quaking landscape; turning the mountainous terrain into craters and debris.
Outraged eyes, brimming with crimson, challenged eyes of sadistic amber in an unwavering frenzy of weapons and combative arts. Flesh and fabric fluttered in the winds of their onslaught, splotches of scarlet bleeding tears onto the ground.
Left and right, up and down, quick maneuvers sent dual individuals soaring amidst highs and lows with no intention of giving an inch.
One young man, cloaked in dazzling orange, punched forth with curled fingers and claws to leave his adversary choking down the metallic taste of blood. Devilish laughter responded to the assault, as a man of the finest alabaster and serpentine charm summoned hissing serpents to do his bidding.
Raven locks cracked like a whip in the violent tornado forming around them, as Orochimaru relinquished a moment for smirking lips to speak their cruelly, "Naruto, isn't this enough? What you ask of me is impossible. Venting your frustrations on me will gain you no footing. The deed is done. Sasuke has chosen to come with me."
Across the field, the glow of crimson hues streaked with black and orange ignited further in rage. Fox-like features glared, the usual warmth and vibrant energy overshadowed by vengeance and determination. "You're lying! Sasuke would never agree to go anywhere with you!" Naruto growled in a piercing scream.
Naruto's claws sank into the earth, his short form bending like an animal about to lunge, as elongated fangs snarled in warning. In a flash, hands mimicking paws launched from the ground. Naruto bounded towards the slithering snakes being summoned and quickly severed them into pieces. Another group of hissing snakes advanced, but blind madness drove him to ignore them and speed directly towards the source.
Orochimaru clicked his tongue in annoyance, as slippery maneuvers bent and weaved the elusive snake charmer out of reach. "How pathetic are your delusions, boy? Sasuke-kun is far more valuable than you could ever imagine. His talents are wasted rotting away in that worthless village. Aren't you ashamed to stand in the path of his success? Haven't you cried for him long enough?"
Harsh words and trained instincts exerted their bodies in primitive combat, their humanity degenerating into monstrous creatures. Orange fox and alabaster snake, blazed their immense chakra signatures in explosive fury as sharp teeth caught up with the evasive serpent who was growing more and more exhausted.
Naruto chased every movement, refusing to allow Orochimaru to breathe even for a second. Eventually, an opportunity reflected in his burning gaze as his prey stumbled on one of the many pools of blood and allowed him to strike. "Don't evade me. It's your fault, everything is because of you! Sasuke doesn't need you to become a great ninja. Just give him back!"
Orochimaru's features narrowed in malice, a chilling hiss echoing from his mouth like a million shards of glass shattering to pieces. "Give him back? Is that all you know how to say?! Over and over, the same tiresome whining. If all you can do is wail and bite, then Sasuke-kun will never be within your reach." Orochimaru bared his own fangs and fought at close range. Responding in kind to the claws continuously puncturing his flesh, whilst being pinned down.
"Where. Is. He?" Naruto growled each word through dripping fangs, while finally binding Orochimaru's wrists and wedging a knee into his stomach. "I'll kill you, I'll really kill you! I'll never give up, I'll do anything…"
Orochimaru offered him a thin smile as traitorous tears rolled from Naruto's eyes and splattered onto his face, "...still just words. Has your temper tantrum come to an end? This is starting to become inconvenient…"
The Ex-Sannin eyed the boy's hold on him with dull interest, and could not muster fear or remorse. They had exchanged such devastating blows, and yet the attacks only marred the exterior and never struck for the heart. Even now, the boy either hesitated for the sake of gaining information or was too much of a coward to truly bloody his hands. Such a softhearted ninja could never hope to accomplish anything.
"...take me instead. Aren't I of value too? Trade me with Sasuke! I'll go instead!" Naruto rambled through his tears, his mind racing for solutions his fists could not seem to achieve. He had vowed to pursue Sasuke to the ends of the earth, to do whatever it takes to bring him home…
...but Naruto, himself, had never promised to return.
Only Iruka-sensei would ever be awaiting his return with a smile…no one else.
So, for Sakura's sake and his own, Sasuke had to be prioritized. He would sacrifice himself if necessary.
Sasuke would always be his best friend, he refused to accept a world in which that would ever be false. Though they shared unfortunate backgrounds and suffered through their own loneliness, he had learned to believe that Sasuke was a good person and that he understood him rather well. He'd sacrifice anything, even his freedom or body, to a nutcase like Orochimaru if it meant saving his dear friend. Konohagakure still had a place for Sasuke, and he strongly believed that over time Sasuke would find happiness.
The same could not be said for him.
Naruto wore smiles and pulled pranks for attention but, when the sun set and everyone retreated, he still looked on with envy as those who were loved and cherished returned to their homes. Over time he'd won some people over and gained some right to exist. People tolerated him a lot more and spoke to him without immediately spitting venom. Even so, though he declared to be steadfast and confident in achieving his life-long goals, he couldn't altogether escape the treacherous reminders of their hatred and contempt for him.
At least Sasuke would be welcomed back home, whereas he would have to endure their curses and heinous comments. They would wish him death as always, ask him why such a failure was tasked with retrieving Sasuke (a remarkable asset to the village), or why he hadn't just gone and died instead of returning at all.
Only Iruka-sensei would pat his head and hold him, only Iruka-sensei would frown bitterly while shielding him again and again. He couldn't hide or be a burden forever. He could at least be the hero that sent Sasuke back, he could at least be the best friend that sacrificed everything to protect what matters most.
Sasuke had a home to return to and, if Naruto ever admitted it, Sasuke was his home. Knowing his home, his Sasuke, was safe would be enough.
"...take me instead." Naruto repeated the words over and over like a snapping beast in front of Orochimaru's face as his aura flared further out from him. "I'll go. Just...give him back."
Orochimaru watched in silence with calculating eyes as emotions flowed rapidly across those fox-like features. He had honestly been taken off-guard and surprised by such a promising offer. If he agreed, he'd obtain the Nine-Tailed jinchūriki; a truly quintessential vessel capable of eternally preserving his soul. He'd never have to seek out another body again, and would finally be within reach of his ultimate objective!
However…
Orochimaru cursed at his misfortune. Things had gotten out of hand far too quickly, and he hadn't had time to waste. He had reached his limits faster than he had anticipated…
"Sasuke cannot return," Orochimaru glanced to the side. His words were firm and meaningful, yet his demeanor suggested he was holding onto a rather important secret. "It's too late…"
Naruto's aura burned hotter than fire, sizzling the pale skin of Orochimaru's pinned form as he spoke, "What, what have you done?" He hadn't missed the strange behavior, or the way Orochimaru so confidently avoided his gaze. The Ex-Sannin always boasted and acted so smug, so why was he hiding from him now? Or was he not hiding? Then what was this emotion…
Orochimaru was absolutely furious. So consumed with anger that he couldn't stand to look upon the perfect vessel glaring at him. If he had simply waited, no, he couldn't have gone on any longer. Yet this situation...why had he never considered it a possibility? He was a renowned genius! He should have been able to predict this scenario! Now, even as that boy's vile potential burned at his skin and mocked him with the Nine-Tailed power he could have had, he couldn't even be bothered to flinch in pain. "What do you think I've done?" He smirked in spite of his warring thoughts and finally turned back again.
Naruto felt a chill slither down his spine, like a bucket of water had doused the flame of his Chakra and weakened him in a single blow. "S-Sasuke...is...where is," his voice stuttered broken-heartedly. For once, he struggled to formulate the question he'd screamed nearly a hundred times earlier.
Orochimaru took a moment to bask in the sweetness, to appreciate the turmoil he'd inflicted upon Naruto's mind. He probably didn't have to say the words, yet he spoke them anyway with such unrestrained pleasure, "Sasuke is right here." He waved a hand over his features, and removed the genjutsu he used to mimic his original face.
A familiar face shown before Naruto. Cold dark eyes, traditionally frowning lips, thick bangs and black hair styled like a hawk's mane. Everything was absorbed greedily into Naruto's eyes as he stared with horror into his best friend's face. The only foreign accents were the painted alabaster skin and the purple rimmed eyes that were attributed to Orochimaru, otherwise he couldn't notice any other differences. This was Sasuke!
Naruto trembled with a mixture of emotions as one of his hands seemed to move on its own. He touched that fair cheek, and then snatched his hand back and slammed it into the ground beside Orochimaru's head.
"..."
He couldn't speak for awhile. Every emotion, all his rage and sorrow, stayed lodged in his throat. Tears cascaded in waves down his cheeks. He'd just lost his home, his best friend, and all that matters most in the blink of an eye.
"Sasuke...I'm so sorry. Sasuke, forgive me. This can't be real, right? Sasuke...hit me, berate me, or laugh at me...please just talk to me. Sasuke...Sasuke….SASUKE!" Naruto screamed and wailed, shaking Orochimaru's form over and over as he rambled broken-heartedly, "Sasuke, where are you...I need to find you. Sasuke, it's not too late, right? Sasuke…Sasuke, this can't be...Sasuke, don't go."
Orochimaru smiled thinly through Sasuke's face and reassured Naruto in his best friend's unique tone, "You're too loud, I'm right here. What took you so long...I've waited a long time." The words were manipulative and honeyed with deception, but Orochimaru said them wholeheartedly as he leaned up from the boy's loosened hold and whispered a final tease near his ear, "Stop crying, Baka."
In an instance, Orochimaru found himself pinned again but the pressure this time was different. Naruto had retracted his claws and most of his aura, his blazing eyes were flickering between red and blue, and he wasn't trying to attack or hurt him. However, he wasn't given a chance to observe anything more before he found a pair of lips pressed against his own.
In the beginning the pressure was soft and tentative, like a virgin exploring uncharted territory. Slowly and clumsily, the boy nibbled and tasted his lips in such an awkward fashion that he was actually repulsed and tried to push him away. However, Naruto growled suddenly and that dimming aura flared out to pin Orochimaru down. Orochimaru struggled, the burning and clawing returned. Only when he yielded and rested did Naruto seem to calm down again.
When Orochimaru's body relaxed, Naruto continued to explore his lips. His moistened tongue trailed his bottom lip, his fangs tugging on the flesh and finally biting him until he gasped aloud. The tongue slipped inside and ravished his mouth, sucking the breath from his lungs as Naruto mindlessly tasted him.
Orochimaru choked and wanted to vomit from the horrible kisses. That slimy tongue kept touching all the wrong places in his mouth, the fangs kept tearing sensitive skin and pricking his tongue if he fought back. And the saliva mingling between them tasted salty and metallic.
Of course Orochimaru knew Naruto cherished Sasuke, but how could he presume that his grief would become like this?
Even looking into Naruto's eyes, the boy seemed unwell and possessed. As if his mind had shattered and he was pure instinct now. But what instinct would lead to this degree of intimacy? Was it regret? Had his suppressed feelings overflowed in his despair? Was this a need to act out feeling he'd never expressed before?
Orochimaru didn't know what to think, but he definitely wasn't interested in becoming a substitute for the boy's unfulfilled fantasy. He jerked away from Naruto's insistent kisses, ignoring the warning growl as he gasped, "Hold on, what are you doing? This is gross...you have no experience. Why are you forcing me?" He was panicked, yet still tried to keep his lines similar to something Sasuke would say. He didn't mind playing the role a bit longer to keep the Fox Demon tamed. He was willing to do what was necessary to save his skin, however, that didn't mean offering his ass on a silver platter.
"Sasuke…Saa-suke...don't leave me. I'll train harder, I'll get better…" Naruto slumped on top of him, and clung to his body like a lifeline. His fingers caressed through Orochimaru's clothing, mapping out his form and memorizing every curve and muscle that they touched. His nose buried into blackened spikes, breathing in the rich scent and worshipping the opportunity as he breathed in greedily. "I've always wanted to tell you...how wonderful you smell. Every time, when we trained...you'd always push yourself to the point that you'd be drenched in sweat and glisten in the sun. You'd smell so good...I'd do anything to stick close to you just to enjoy the sweetness longer. …you never noticed."
Naruto's voice murmured into Orochimaru's hair, and caused him to tense and wiggle in embarrassment as those hands seized his waist.
'I'm not Sasuke!', Orochimaru hissed mentally.
And if he truly was Sasuke, he would be gagging. The boy's words made his skin crawl and he felt like he'd done Sasuke a favor that could never be repaid. The way Naruto expressed his attraction to Sasuke was not normal, and he was beginning to wonder if the boy had a few screws loose.
"T-That's...weird. I don't think…" Orochimaru struggled to stay in character as Naruto's wandering hands kept growing bolder and bolder. One hand untied his haori jacket and slipped underneath the plain shirt he wore. He hissed and arched in spite of his discomfort, stumbling with his thoughts, "Wait, what are you trying to do? We're both...we're both guys."
Orochimaru groaned at his own pathetic argument, especially since he wasn't one to personally care about the gender of his partner. However, he was Sasuke right now and had to complain on his behalf. The sole survivor of the Uchiha Clan had to marry a woman and produce an heir, or else the Bloodline would cease. He'd heard similar lines of boredom from Itachi when the elder sibling mocked his brother for being naive.
"...That doesn't matter! It's not weird. I've...I've been holding back, all this time, so I don't get in your way. I know it has to be a girl...but I…" Naruto leaned up to stare into his dark eyes as he smiled bitterly. "...I've always wanted to hold you instead."
Confirmed. Orochimaru was on the verge of a panic attack as he was forced to listen to this boy's desperate confession. He had some inkling beforehand, yet he had still deluded himself into believing Naruto wasn't intent on spreading his legs and using his back-door.
Now, by his words, he knew for sure that Naruto actually lusted for a submissive Sasuke. Orochimaru didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The cynical, antisocial, and resentful Sasuke getting pegged by his best friend was so utterly ridiculous that he'd give up immortality and a wealth of knowledge for a chance to laugh. Unfortunately, he'd be swallowing that bitter pill personally if he couldn't wake Naruto out of this bizarre Genjutsu he'd cast upon himself.
"Baka! What if I don't feel the same way?" Orochimaru collected himself and reached to stop the hand at his chest. He squeezed the appendage through the cloth of his shirt, and halted its advance. He sneered with Sasuke's face, and glared with eyes starting to burn with coloration. Orochimaru had almost forgotten about his new Sharingan abilities, though he hadn't adjusted to them quite yet. If Naruto pushed the matter then he'd simply have someone to practice on.
Naruto observed him with adoring eyes that flickered between blue and red. Orochimaru swore internally, as he witnessed the warning hidden behind something he couldn't quite place. Would Naruto continue to pursue his best friend even if Sasuke rejected him? Had his morals diminished to nothing but worldly desire?
"I know you feel the same way…" Naruto smiled at him, offering him another awkward kiss.
Oh no! Orochimaru could feel himself sweating in despair. No bottom in history had ever been shown mercy upon hearing such cliché lines. This boy's delusions were certainly predatorial! The Nine-Tailed bastard inside him must be suppressing his self-control. Or, perhaps, Naruto was as dishonorable and savage as Konohagakure suspected.