Loyalty (Sasuke Uchiha)

Sasuke Uchiha

I can't let her leave: that was the first thought that went through my mind at her words. I watched her movements closely, water dripping from her skin and clothes, as I could still see the faint marks of the injuries that were on her skin.

She was walking away from me.

I was behind her in an instant, gripping her hot and wet wrist as she stopped in her tracks.

Miyako turned her head slowly, her eyes dull of life.

She looked drained, as if the life had been sucked out of her.

And it was. Her life was being sucked out of her slowly. Its funny, you'd think that she's grown weaker ever since she used that forbidden jutsu the first time. But instead its having the opposite effect, her strength growing. And then it would explode, and she would most likely lose control.

I wasn't there when it happened the first time, but I was when it happened the second time.

I watched what Orochimaru had inserted into her body to slow down the process that second time I had witnessed it; he had given her his own blood every hour for a week straight. The treatment was so complicated that I hadn't seen her for two weeks after it had happened.

And in turn he took in her own poisoned blood into his system, eating away at his body. Another reason he had grown so weak and pathetic.

I was still surprised Miyako didn't shed a single tear at her father's death. Even though he took her in for his own selfish reasons, he did care for her more than she thought. Every time we trained, he would always talk about her unmatchable strength, her unbeatable power. He praised her. Everything he did, he did so cautiously to keep a careful eye on Miyako and to protect her.

I just want to be there when she finally breaks down.

"I can't let you leave." I finally said after a long moment of staring her down.

Her eyebrow shot up. "You were literally just urging me to." She said in disgust.

"Leaving in the vulnerable state you are right now will result in you being abducted. I can't let that happen."

"Since when do you care?"

She was right. When did I care about what happens to her?

"You are a part of the Hebi."

"I couldn't give two shits. Just give me the damn truth."

"I need you. You are an important part of this team." I spoke lowly as I turned her around so her body was now facing me.

"I don't believe you." She spat. I could see the confusion in her bloodshot, swollen eyes.

I clenched my teeth in frustration.

"Your father is dead. If you weren't with me right now, you would be alone. Be thankful that I took you with me."

She pressed her hands against my chest, shoving me back. And just like that all the emotion disappeared from her face and was replaced by anger.

"Don't bring that bastard up around me." She spoke through clenched teeth, her voice shaking in anger.

I almost smirked. Perhaps this is the moment when she'll break down soon.

"You know, Miyako. You really are a heartless person. Not even shedding a single tear at Orochimaru's death."

"You have no right to-"

"You know, everything he did, he did for you. Yes, he took you in for his own selfish reasons. But you really were the only person he cared for."

"Shut up!" She snapped, eyes glinting in rage.

"You want to know what his last words were before I took his life?"

"Go to hell, you bastard." Miyako spat harshly.

I stepped closer to her, knowing the next few words would get to her. Even when he had told me this, I was shocked. But I had to honor that bastard's dying wish.

"'Protect Miyako with your life.'"

-

Miyako

I swung my fist at him, costing it in ice, as I tried my best to hold the tears back. He caught my hand midair, as his dark eyes never wavered from mine.

"You fucking-"

"He was your only family you ever knew. He gave you everything you asked for. He cared for you more than anyone ever had, and even still he kept up the reputation as one of the most dangerous rogue ninja to have lived.

Even through all the dangers and complications he went through, you were still his top priority. Just like at the time of his death. And it's sad that you treated him like worthless trash for the longest time leading up to his death, disobeying his requests especially made to protect your stubborn self.

And you don't even bat an eye. You refuse to accept that he is gone. Why are you so afraid?"

Sasuke lowered my hand as I felt my vision fog up, his dark expression softening.

Yet he did have a point.

Orochimaru, my Father, is gone.

He's gone.

My Father. My family. True, he might have abducted me. True, he is, was, the most dangerous rogue ninja alive. But he did care for me, watched over me. He went through extreme lengths to keep me safe. There are some things that I didn't approve of that he made me do, or that he did to me, but I now realize, he did them to help me. Well, at least most of them.

And then a tear slipped down my cheek.

I didn't react in any way as Sasuke pulled me gently into his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around my torso as I wept into his chest.

Sasuke's right.

I felt my knees buckle underneath me as I attempted to choke back a cry, only to fail as tears cascaded down my cheeks.

He wrap his arms tighter around me as he brought us down onto the ground. I buried my face in his chest, the harsh reality sinking in.

My Father is dead. And he died because I disobeyed him, because I acted like I hated him. When in truth I did not feel any resentment for him at all, sure, I was angry at him alot. But I didn't hate him. As much as I convinced myself I did.

I was just scared I was going to be replaced by Sasuke, part of the reason why I disapproved of him taking over Sasuke's body.

And in the end, I ended up a worse person than everyone, even myself, could imagine.

Orochimaru died because of my childish and stubborn actions.

How could I do something that horrible? Cause my father so much pain?

I let out a horrified scream against Sasuke's bare chest, tears of frustration rolling down my cheeks.

I could feel Shiroryuu's sadness fill my emotions even more, causing more tears to fall.

Sasuke wrapped his arms tighter around me, as he swept me off my feet.

I hadn't realized until he dipped us in the cold water that my temperature had been elevating again, as sweat mixed tears dripped down my cheeks.

I didn't even flinch when I felt a needle pierce into my neck.

-

Sasuke

I never thought seeing Miyako so vulnerable and broken could affect me this much.

To the point I had to inject a sleep serum inside her.

I felt the need to comfort her the moment I made her break. Her chakra spiked harshly, and I had to wrap her inside my own to keep her from revealing my position. I took her to the water because no only did I feel her body heat rise rapidly, but her chakra was as well.

I had the urge to comfort her, to shield her from this pain she was enduring.

I remembered weeks ago when I could care less of what happened to her. She was just another barrier to my plans.

And then she did something that shocked me.

My plan was to seal her away after I killed her Father. I knew I couldn't kill her if I tried, but I could lock her away.

But I was an idiot and searched for her when she told me to stay, making sure to keep my chakra completely hidden since she was a master at sensing chakras.

To say I was shocked when I found her with Naruto was an understatement.

It made me a bit angry; she had left me to go find Naruto.

And I could see through the way she looked at him that she adored him. And from the way he looked at her too, he cared as much for her as she did for him.

It made me even more angry when she kissed him on the cheek. They even made pointless promises to each other. And one of those promises had to do with me.

So yes. I know the reason why Miyako is staying with me.

I brought her along with me for that exact reason. I don't know why, I just wanted to see what she would do. I didn't need protection. I knew I wouldn't go back to Naruto.

But she was a pawn that had an important role to play in my plans. After I killed Itachi, I would use her abilities to destroy the Akatsuki.

Then I would try to extract the beast from inside her.

Wether I'd like to admit it to her or not, I need her. Not only because of her powers, but because I wanted to see how far she would go to keep her promise to Naruto.

She was the only one who truly understood who I was. I relished in the fact that at least one person knew who I really was, despite the fact that she was my enemy.

And in this moment, holding her small burning body in my arms, I realized I need her even more; the urge to protect this woman was beginning to surface. Possibly because her Father's desire to protect her within me was strong. Perhaps its rubbing off.

I turned her in my arms, her cheeks a slight pink as water and sweat stuck to her calm face. In her sleep, she was peaceful. She didn't have that ridiculous smirk or scowl on her face like she always did.

She was stunning.

I wiped the wet strands of her hair from her face, looking down at her evenly structured face.

And then I suddenly had the urge to do something...