Price

Naruto spared his brother a worried look, before jumping onto the next tree. If anything bothered him as much as his mother missing, was his brother missing. He couldn't help but recall how Orochimaru had previously tried to abduct Sasuke from the Leaf. It was a relief that the Hokage sent back up just in time before the snake of a man successfully kidnapped his only brother in the world. It probably was as much of a trauma for Sasuke to seek out the vile creature who branded him with a curse mark that required the help of Legendary Sannin Jiraiya to release.

"Sasuke…" Naruto began but was cut off.

"We're gonna find him." Sasuke was determined to. He couldn't have mother wait any longer.

It wasn't until another few days when the two finally pinpointed the snake nomad's current hideout. As they suspected, it was within the borders of the Hidden Sound Village, a place Leaf shinobi didn't visit often unless they had some sketchy dealings in mind.

A malicious aura surrounded the unannounced guests, who entered the damp tomb without a moment of hesitation. Using his Sharingan for better navigation, Sasuke led with Naruto taking the back as they ran through the well-lit stoned hallways. After a series of turns and hidden passages, they were eventually acquainted with the man they were hunting.

"Fancy having such valuable visitors," the all-too-familiar ninja oozed with maleficence. "How can I be of service?"

"Where did you take our mother?" Naruto asked, anger apparent.

Orochimaru's eyes flashed with amusement, feigning concern. "Oh? Did you come searching for Mother-chan?"

"Snake. I know you don't have her."

Naruto gaped at Sasuke, not completely understanding how his brother could be so confident. The unaffected Sasuke made his way closer to Orochimaru, all the way wearing his Sharingan.

"Now where is she?"

"Well, I have an answer," the snake hissed. "But I have a price."

"Name it."

Orochimaru's wicked smile surfaced as he licked his lips in excitement. "I want a pair of those…Sharingan."

"NO WAY!" Naruto yelled without a second thought. "We're NEVER giving that to you!"

"Then no information," Orochimaru responded with ease. "If there's no further business, then I-

"Wait."

Naruto stopped in horror. Sasuke couldn't really be…

---------------------

[It was after the battle with Haku in the land of Mist when I found myself hospitalized in Konoha. The air was warm and I was confined in my bed, my entire body sore and unwilling to move. Mother's voice could be heard from the doorway scolding an indifferent Kakashi-sensei. It wasn't until a nurse came to ask for quiet for the resting patients when sensei was let off the hook.]

The door slid open and the dark-haired woman walked next to my bed.

"Talking too much again?" I attempted to joke.

[But she wasn't in the mood for it.]

"This isn't that serious," I assured her. "I'll be out in a few days if not by tomorrow." I peeked at her, who was awfully silent.

"Hey…" I reached out for her hand with my bandaged ones.

"Sasuke." She finally looked at me, her blue eyes bloodshot. With her free hand, she brushed my hair back. "I'm proud of you for bravely shielding Naruto. For that, I am very grateful."

"It's an honor to give up my life for a brother," I said confidently.

[I'd do anything for the both of you.]

"But," she cut in abruptly, "I have something selfish to ask of you." She tightened the grasp on my hand.

I was alerted by her nervous shaking, but I let her continue. I hated seeing her like this.

"Sasuke, promise me that in the future, no matter what happens, you won't ever throw your life away like that again. Even if you're protecting Naruto, promise me you'll find another way without endangering your own life. Promise me that you'll treasure yourself enough to come back home…safely."

"I did what I could," I responded a bit harshly.

"Sasuke Uchiha-Uzumaki. Promise me that." She squeezed my hand for an answer.

[You're asking for too much.]

---------------------

"One." Sasuke stated boldly. "One eye."

The snake grinned, once again investing interest in the matter. Even he didn't expect the stubborn Sasuke Uchiha to agree to such a bargain.

"One." Orochimaru's slit eyes lit up like a satisfied predator.

"You can't be serious Sasuke! Are you out of your mind?!" Naruto's yell echoed throughout the hollow structure of a cave.

"Snake. Keep your word."

"Of course."

And with that, Sasuke unsheathed his katana.