Loyalty (Sasuke Uchiha)

A few days had passed since my encounter with Yuukimaru, and I couldn't shake off this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach that had formed then.

I tried to ignore it many times, but the feeling was at its worst when I slept.

Which is why I refused to sleep.

I knew Orochimaru sensed my uneasiness buried within my stubbornness, but he chose to let it slide instead of worrying about me since he was so focused on doomsday.

I dipped my foot in the underground hot spring, sinking slowly into the water as it licked away at my skin. It burned, it was almost too hot, but the sensation felt good against my skin.

The wide space was thick with mist as I relaxed into the water, using this time to clear my head.

I hadn't seen Sasuke yet. He was probably with Orochimaru, making last minute preparations for the doomsday.

The closer that day approached, the more worried I grew.

I didn't know why. This is what Orochimaru wanted. This is what Sasuke wanted.

But this isn't what I wanted.

Miyako..

My eyes shot open as I jumped up to my feet, wobbling to regain my balance. I cupped my eye with my hand when I felt a burning single water droplet enter my eye.

Except I wasn't in the hot spring anymore, and clothed in my usual black attire.

Shiroryuu's bubbling, white, chakra filled face was pressed against the tall metal bars, her eyes glinting and wide in curiousity.

"Stop bringing me here." I said in annoyance.

I am concerned about you. Her huge yet soothing voice echoed out.

"Of course you are." I muttered, crossing my arms.

We share one mind. I can hear your thoughts. Feel your emotions.

I rolled my eyes. "You're a nuisance."

I can help you protect him, Miyako.

"I have no clue what you're talking about." I said with narrowed eyes.

Sasuke Uchiha.

"Sasuke... He doesn't need protection. He can handle myself." That's true. That brat is a beast.

You and I will both get what we want.

"You have no idea what I want!" I snapped.

Oh but I do, Miyako. More than you know.

"Then what is it that I want, Almighty Shiroryuu?" I mocked.

Freedom.

Freedom?

All your life you've been controlled for the selfish ambitions of people.

"How the hell would you know?! You've been dormant inside me until recently."

And during all that time I witnessed your entire life through dreams and visions as I slept.

My entire life?

"You... You saw everything?"

Yes, my child.

Oh my god.

Shiroryuu is my undoing to this captive life.

I assume from the look on your face you wish to know about the memories Orochimaru wiped away from you?

"Wait. I thought you said our minds are connected? If Orochimaru wiped my memory out, shouldn't yours have been wiped out too?"

You really think someone of the likes of Orochimaru is skilled enough to wipe the memory of the creator of the beasts? Child, he wasn't even strong enough to extract me from you. What makes you think he can wipe my memory?

"Okay, Shiroryuu. Stop being so... sassy." I said with a smirk. But I found her fire to be amusing. She reminded me a little of myself.

I will tell you everything you want to know. But in exchange, you must allow me to protect you. Allow me to take over your body for a while; I will kill Orochimaru, Kabuto, and whoever else you desire to see dead. I will protect Sasuke, and perhaps even help him get his revenge. I would also protect Naruto..

"Surely to help me isn't all you want.

I know you long to see your beasts of creation. And that would involve you tracking the Akatsuki down."

The Akatsuki, hmm?

"They've captured at least half of your tailed beasts. And I won't let you near Naruto. Who knows what you'll do to him. For all I know, you could have the same ambitions as the Akatsuki, or Orochimaru even, that you plan to use me to get what you want."

I just want to take protect my tailed beasts. You'd do the same for Naruto.

"Your version of 'protecting' is to kill everyone."

It isn't very different from your method, child.

"Shut up. I'm goi-"

I jolted upright, bringing my head up from the water as I let out a choked cough, water shooting out of my mouth.

"You're going to what?"

I turned in the water and stood up on my feet, wiping my hair out of my face. I could feel myself sweating, even through the hot and steamy water.

Because the mist was so thick, I couldn't see him.

But I could feel his presence.

"Care to join me, Sasuke?" I called out to where his voice came from.

"I can't believe you fell asleep in the water. Fool."

I only laughed at his response.

"Well? Are you coming in?"

It was silent for a few moments before I heard a faint shuffle of clothes, followed by approaching footsteps.

I smiled when I heard the slight splash of water as ripples made their way toward me.

I could see the faint outline of his figure along with his dark hair and eyes as he made his way over to me slowly.

"Who were you talking to?" He asked, stopping a few feet in front of me.

The water only reached below his chest as he looked down at me, eyes narrowed through the heavy mist.

"Shiroryuu." I said blandly as I leaned back in the water, circling around Sasuke.

"By the way. Did you need something?" I added.

"You were there on our most recent encounter with Naruto." He said.

I stopped my aimless circling as I looked up into his eyes, the water lapping at my hair.

"What of it?" I was surprised that he brought Naruto up, again. I just hoped he didn't want to continue our talk about my loyalty in Naruto.

"When I fought them, I used Sharingan to appear in Naruto's subconscious. I encountered the Nine Tailed Beast."

I stood up on my feet, standing right in front of Sasuke as I scrutinized his face.

He looked down at me with equal intensity.

"Are you asking to look into my subconscious?" I wondered, raising an eyebrow.

His blank reply answered my question as his eyes narrowed further at me.

I tried to ignore the fact that I was invading his personal space and that we were completely nude before each other.

"Why are you asking for my permission?"

"I can't do it unless she tries to take over your body."

I rolled my eyes. Right. Like hell I'd do that on purpose.

"No."

"I want to understand the nature of these beasts. Since you have the mother of them inside of you, I want to see how much Shiroryuu differs from the Nine Tails."

"This might not turn out in your favor."

"Shiroryuu's desire is to protect you from harm, correct?" Sasuke questioned.

"Yes.." I replied as I gave him a squinted look.

"Then she doesn't need to worry. I won't hurt you."

I almost wanted to laugh, but the amount of seriousness in his eyes and the softness of his tone changed my mind.

I took a deep breath in, relaxing my mind and soul as I slowly tore down the barrier that prevented her from taking over my body.

When I lowered it just a tad, I felt her jolt, sending my body plummeting forward. I felt Sasuke's hands catch my arms from falling into him, as a new kind of chakra begun to envelop through and around me.

And then from there on, Shiroryuu tore that wall down even more as I allowed her to easily, suddenly finding myself in front of the golden bars. Her huge white chakra had leaked through them as she peered down at me with her glinting eyes.

"Sup." I greeted her casually.

Her glinting eyes narrowed slightly down at me as her chakra bubbled around me slowly, surrounding me.

Just what do you think you are doing? She asked, her tone slightly annoyed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I lied.

You're purposefully letting me take over your body.

"Shouldn't you be happy about that?"

You can't lie to me, Miyako. I know this is a trap.

"Then you guessed correctly."

I looked to my right to see Sasuke standing right next to me as Shiroryuu's chakra surrounding us tightened.

Hmm. Sasuke Uchiha. Your power has exceeded your years.

I watched as Sasuke's eyes narrowed at Shiroryuu's compliment.

"I'm going to ask you a question, and I expect an answer from you." Sasuke spoke.

Not with that tone, child. Shiroryuu's coil around tightened even more. She brought me back closer to her, intimidated by Sasuke's presence.

Sasuke placed his hand on her chakra that wrapped around us as it collapsed at his touch, releasing me from her coil.

"What do you know of my brother?"

I grabbed his arm, yanking him to the side.

"What the hell are you doing?" I snapped at him, but he only ignored me, his attention set on Shiroryuu. He shook off my arm, stepping in between myself and the dragon.

Itachi Uchiha knows where his loyalties lie. How about you, Sasuke?

Sasuke was about to make a move on Shiroryuu, his eyes overcome with rage. But I grabbed his arm, threw him onto the ground, before clamping my eyes shut and slipping from my subconsciousness, forcing Shiroryuu back. And surprisingly, she didn't fight against me at all.

As I opened my eyes, they widened in an instant as I realized I was in Sasuke's arms, my head pressed against his chest.

I pulled away from his arms, meeting his frowned expression.

"Sasuke, do-"

I gasped when I felt Shiroryuu jolt inside me.

What the hell are you doing?

I sense Isobu. We have to go. Now.

Isobu? Who the hell is Isobu?

Orochimaru is far more cruel than I had imagined. Yuukimaru. The child you encountered. If you want to save him, then you'll have to do as I say.

Yuukimaru?! He's alive?

He is being used as a tool. Just as you are.

"Miyako."

I pulled away from Sasuke's grasp.

"Sorry Sasuke. I have to go."

"Go?"

I turned to look at him one last time. "Just... Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone. Wait till I come back."

And with that I left him in the spring, quickly drying myself off and throwing my clothes on.

And then I sped out of the underground hideout, following the huge amount of chakra I suddenly felt even more once I had exited the hideout.