Loyalty (Sasuke Uchiha)

I followed behind Genyumaru and Sasuke through the halls of Father's lair since Father had requested me to come, stating it would "improve my mood". Father had already gone on ahead, leaving Sasuke and I alone in his room for a few brief moments.

"You look scared." Sasuke had pointed out. I'm surprised he didn't say anything more.

I reacted by throwing Father's chair across the room, falling to my knees and clutching at my head. I had a pounding migraine, and I felt like I was about to erupt any minute.

He was just as bad, if not worse, as the Akatsuki.

He doesn't even deserve the title of Father anymore.

"Hey. Get up." Sasuke said dryly.

"Sasuke." I said his name through gritted teeth as I felt my body tremble. I ignored the fact that my voice had cracked, as a single tear found its way down my cheek that I quickly wiped away.

I hadn't known Orochimaru's words could affect me this much.

"What?"

"When Orochimaru takes you as his vessel," I rose my head up to meet his narrowed eyes, "kill him once the process is complete. Do not let him take you over. I beg of you."

Sasuke's eyes widened at my plea. Worry flashed through his eyes as he watched me.

I rose up from the ground slowly. To my surprise, Sasuke's was in front of my in an instant, his hand grabbing mine and helping me up gently. Kabuto opened the door, revealing Genyumaru behind him.

We were on our way now to Father's destination, as I tried to ignore the fact that a woman had just run past me as I followed behind Sasuke.

Kabuto stopped behind me to tell her a few things before he resumed on following us.

-

We were now at a vast open space, empty of any life whatsoever upon the ground. I sat on the top of the closest tree, using the wind to envelop me. I also manipulated the wind to my own benefit to hear the words they exchanged. I tried to ignore the presence of that woman right underneath me.

"Sasuke. Let me see the results of your training so far." Orochimaru said.

"You're my opponent?"

"By no means."

The next moment I blinked there was an army of at least a thousand standing behind Father.

I rose an eyebrow as I watched Sasuke's face, curious to see any change in his expression.

But like always, it was bland.

"Very impressive indeed. A thousand foes stand before you and you don't even bat an eyelid."

No response.

Orochimaru sneered. "Begin."

As he disappeared from view, the soldiers charged at Sasuke as he jumped back, drawing out his snake sword.

Sasuke was majestic.

Every swing of his sword, every move of his body, every block he performed. It was flawless. I, myself, am impressed.

Orochimaru may have seen me as the most perfect vessel. But Sasuke just now proved his worth. At the same time he was strong in strength and endurance, he was also strong in power. And what even made him more impressive was his style and movement when he fought. He was graceful; planned out his moved beforehand.

Myself, on the other hand. I go with whatever comes first into my head, or I just go with my gut instinct. I love a hard challenge, the harder, the messier. And I loved the rush I felt when taking life after life. I was nowhere as graceful as Sasuke was in combat, but I was faster and used more force, just because I love creating a huge mess during fights. It shows how strong I've truly become.

But now, back to Sasuke. It felt like only mere seconds before he took down every foe Orochimaru had thrown against him. And there he sat upon a dead body, without a single scratch on him.

"Is that all?" He asked in his bored tone.

Tch. Showoff.

"You didn't kill all of them. How naïve." Orochimaru pointed out.

"There are others I'd rather kill."

"Unless you become heartless, you cannot defeat Itachi."

Sasuke brought himself up to his feet.

"When I stand before him, I'll be heartless, whether I want to be or not."

I rolled my eyes as he sheathed his snake sword in a rather dramatic way if you ask me.

He then appeared behind Father, walking towards me and the weird woman who had emerged herself from the trees. I could literally feel the envy radiating off of her.

I gracefully leapt off of the tree, landing right in front of Sasuke as he paused in his steps.

I gave him a small smirk as I spun around and walked off, hearing his steps behind me resume. I slowed down just a tad bit while he sped up just a tiny bit until we were now in synch.

"Its been a long time, Guren. I'm glad you came. Yes, he is my next vessel.." I heard Father speak.

I rolled my eyes as I sighed, glancing at Sasuke.

"Stop looking at me."

"You're pretty scary." I said in a sardonic tone.

"Hmph."

"Boy, would I hate to go against you."

"You already have."

"Yeah, but you and I both know that we were holding back." I said with a smile.

He kept his attention forward as we continued to walk in sync, side by side, as I finally moved my eyes from his furrowed expression.

"I want to ask you something." Sasuke spoke after a few silent moments.

"What is it?"

"Where does your loyalty lie?"

"I'm loyal to no one." I replied quickly, not understanding the point of his question.

"You're loyal to Orochimaru. That's why you've been with him for six years."

"There was a time when I once placed all my loyalty into him. But I've changed. I'd rather kill myself than put my loyalty in someone as foolish as Orochimaru again."

"And Naruto?"

I stopped in my steps, staring at his retreating form with narrowed eyes before he stopped, glancing back at me.

"What of Naruto?" I was surprised Sasuke mentioned him at all.

He turned around, watching me with empty eyes.

"I assume you aim to betray us in order to protect him."

I scoffed. "Nonsense."

Kabuto must have told Sasuke about this, since he's the only one I ever talked of Naruto about.

"You don't even know him." Sasuke said with a scowl.

I matched his expression, placing my hand on my hip. "What's your point, Sasuke? Since when do you bring up Naruto? This doesn't have to do with my loyalty now, does it?"

His deepened frown proved that it did, his dark eyes twinkling in annoyance.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

Why is he asking about my loyalty? Since when did he care?

-

Orochimaru

I watched through the shadows as my daughter and Sasuke stood there, exchanging thoughtful glances.

Most of my attention though was on Sasuke as his eyes stared harshly into Miyako's. It was amusing when I watched Sasuke interact with others; his eyes were empty of life, the sole dark eyes of a killer.

But when he looked at Miyako, that veil was torn down, revealing his emotions through his eyes.

She meant something to him, even though he never showed it. Until now.

He wasn't the only one that was changing.

Miyako, my lazy, merciless daughter known previously as the Hidden Assassin of the Five Great Nations had changed also.

It was because of that damn beast that had finally awakened. Miyako had grown softer ever since that day. She disobeyed my orders more than she already had before, going off on her own at times for hours without telling anyone.

Her change is a threat to my aspirations. Once I take over Sasuke, I had expected her loyalty to me to be unwavering. And then that incident with Sasuke happened; the incident in which he awakened the spirit inside of her. Sasuke's sharingan and our powers combined together would be more than enough to extract out the Mother of Beasts from Miyako's body, to take complete control of the manipulation of the beast.

And then using that beast, I would become unstoppable.