𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔱 ;;

@crochimaru

Man. The clouds were something else today. Shikamaru took a gentle puff of the cigarette between his lips. Yeah. Still disgusting. The grass around here was kind of damp despite the fact it haden’t rained the entire time he’d been within the Sound Village. He could feel the wetness seep into his hair and bleed his dried sweat anew. The tree would probably have been a better option, but you saw less sky up there behind the leaves. Was is disrespectful to wait for a legendary Sannin this way? Probably, but he doubted that manners alone would sway him towards what he brought with him. Either the snake wanted the deal or he wouln’t-and he would want it. Just had to make sure it was delivered right, and this would go off without a hitch.

“What took you so long? I was beginning to think you weren’t interested after all…Or were your lackeys simply too stupid to understand words like ‘arrangement’ and ‘quickly’?”

❝ Careful now. You’re not dealing with an ordinary person anymore. ❞ The Sannin approaches the boy but stops walking once he recognises him to be of the Nara clan. One of Konoha’s many famed clans, specifically one that manipulates shadows to immobilise and strange their opponents. The concept of their Jutsu was impressive, but it was not without its flaws. 

The ice-cool stone dug into his cheek unkindly. He thought then for the first time that perhaps coming back had been a mistake. What a foreign thought. Was it his? It didn’t sound like him. What did he sound like anyway? He felt himself disassociating in this, a crucial moment. A voice within the back of his head yelled for him to stop this before he could no longer. It would be fatal to allow such a state to overtake him here. 

His mind clawed it’s way back into place only to see the violent eyes of a serpent stare him down. What was happening here? Oh yes. Orochimaru, his Lord. He knew of the treachery. He did not believe him. Though the words had not been comprehended from his lips, there was nothing else this situation could have been born from. 

“Some girl found me and overcame me. She caught me off guard.” he said quickly and calmly, as though they were standing face to face rather than in this precarious situation. “I took care of it. The mission was a success. All of the subjects have been accounted for. I saw to that first thing when I arrived. I have the documents prepared for you, if you’d like to see them…”

Now he was even spacing out? It was either fatigue, or something heavy was dancing around in his mind. Either way, Orochimaru didn’t appreciate this at all. Whatever happened out there had definitely taken a toll on his little spy. He listened to each word highly tentative, searching for any kind of deceit they may be hiding. 

A hefty scoff rushed through his lips. A girl outwitted him? Kabuto really was losing it. Oh, the poor, poor child. The Sannin’s fingers moved away from his neck and began to fondle his ponytail. ❝ Oh, Kabuto... ❞

❝ For you to be caught off guard is highly disappointing. ❞  And also highly punishable. Did he no longer take his position seriously? Was he seriously slacking off? What a fool. It was time to teach the boy a lesson. Orochimaru had usually been fine whenever Kabuto made mistakes, but no longer. No, he was to be treated just like the others for now until that trust could be regained. 

The snake moves its head closer until its nose was millimetres from his face. It started him down, waiting for the signal of its master. Orochimaru took his hands away from Kabuto completely, he was going to allow his pet to handle this. 

❝ I don’t care for the documents, the fact of the situation is that you have disappointed me, and you of all people ought to know what happens to those who disappoint me. ❞ 

Air rushed from his throat leaving his lungs aching, not only for the violent tug of his collar but the inexplicable and overwhelming fear that washed over Kabuto in a matter of milliseconds. It was foolish, yes, but he had not been expecting this sort of reception from him. Surely Lord Orochimaru would have faith in his right hand man? He should have known better. His master had been growing far more ill-content and violent as the days progressed. Of course this would happen. For one all encompassing moment, he thought Orochimaru would tear his throat clean out. Not even he was free from the rage that filled him.

The moments of stress had scrambled for the story he had prepared in the absence, but all of that fell to ashes with the plucking of a single blue hair. Wait. Wait this could still be salvaged. Kabuto was nothing if not skilled in the art of lies and deceit. 

“I-I ran into some trouble on the way here, Lord Orochimaru…”

It was not a satisfactory reason to be as late as he was, was his dear right hand losing his edge? Losing his worth? Becoming weak? Useless? There was no holding back as he slams the boy into the nearest wall and pins him there by pressing into the back of his neck. A white serpent slithers its way out of the Sannin’s sleeve and moves onto Kabuto’s shoulder, inches away from his face. It stares into his eyes almost as menacingly as Orochimaru had. 

❝ KABUTO! ❞  He’d finally found him. Pale fingers grab the back of the medic’s collar before pulling him back against his chest, the nails of his other hand come up to sit nicely at his throat, daring to penetrate the skin. The Sannin hissed furiously. 

He was supposed to have returned last night, but it was now midday and he wasn’t pleased. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he playing games behind his back?! The line of trust he had towards the medic had dwindled to nothing. 

❝ WHERE have you BEEN?! ❞ Did he think it was funny to make him wait? He’d have to wipe that smug little attitude out of him. But then he observantly notices and picks a strand of dark blue hair from his shoulder. ❝ Whose hair is THISSS? ❞

@kimimarothechosenvessel

     ❝ Is that so, my child? ❞  The serpent considers the amount of patience he should spend on this child, the special survivor of the Kaguya clan. His next vessel. Yes, it would be worthwhile being patient and earning his trust.