Chapter 64 : Uchiha or Monster (2)

Fear. All she could feel was fear.

The woman was just looking at them, but that, apparently, was enough. Images of her and her team dying were the only thing on her mind. It was like they were already dead. Her skin was just as cold as her sweat.

Her heart beat was extremely fast, and so very loud. It was like the entire world could hear it. She couldn't tell if she was breathing hard, or soft. This was it. They were all going to die.

The woman's vicious, creepy smile was etched into her mind.

"Don't you see, Sasuke-kun? I can give you this power. I can give you what you want." The woman began to approach them. "We are a lot alike; you and I. Leave Konoha, and I can make you strong enough to have your precious revenge."

Sasuke was just staring at the ground, like he was just as terrified as Sakura. His body was shaking and he didn't say a word.

"Join me, Sasuke-kun." She said again. "Or join your fellow Konoha Shinobi in death." She smirked. She was looking at Sakura while she said this. Sakura managed to whimper the closer she got to them.

Just before she could reach them, Sasuke raised his head, looking her straight in the eyes. He even managed to stop her in mid step. Why was the boy smiling?

"Thank you, Orochimaru." Said Hebi narrowed his eyes. How did the Uchiha know who he was? "I never really understood what he meant by being awake." Sasuke took in a deep breath. "You have shown me what it truly means."

His onyx eyes morphed to a blood red crimson, three tomoe in one eye, two in the other, greeted the world.

"You think I would abandon Konoha to gain the power you promise?" The Genin actually laughed. "I've been promised true strength, true power from a God."

Sasuke knew he stood no chance against an opponent like the snake-teme, but that meant little to him.

"Why do you look so surprised? Did you truly believe you could escape my master? Did you think he wouldn't warn me about you?" He took out a kunai. "You're an arrogant fool, Orochimaru."

This was it. He was awake. His eyes were finally open. His soul was finally free. "My master's eyes can see everything. It's too late… he can already see you." He was finally a Monster.

The Hebi Sannin started to chuckle. "You stand against me with a confident smirk on your face and you call me the arrogant fool?" The pale man's tongue slithered out of his mouth, licking the air creepily.

"Let's see just how much you value your village." Before he even finished his sentence, the Sannin took off.

Even with his Sharingan, Sasuke wasn't fast enough to react to Orochimaru's speed. Sakura was being held by the snake Sannin, and a kunai was placed at her throat. Sasuke gripped his kunai and snarled. "Let her go."

The snake chuckled. "Now why would I do that?" He put pressure on Sakura's throat with his blade, a thin line of blood following the threatening action. "What will you do, Sasuke-kun?" He asked with creepy joy.

"What would someone like you want with me?" Sasuke began to think out loud. "Why me specifically?" His eyes met the Sannin's. "It's the Sharingan, isn't it?" He asked. "You want the power of the Uchiha, and I'm the only one who you could take it from." He smirked.

"You're a bit late, Orochimaru," the Uchiha began in a serious voice. "My eyes already belong to Heaven." He took his kunai and placed it in front of his left eye. "And I know for a fact that my master would rather have me carve these eyes of mine out before they were tainted by you!"

Sasuke's voice snapped Sakura out of her terrified stupor. "S-Sasuke-kun…" she whispered.

"You wouldn't," Orochimaru started, "You'd never sacrifice your revenge for a worthless Kunoichi Genin." He tried not to show it, but Sasuke had him a little worried.

Kabuto had told him that the boy was a selfish, stuck-up, revenge-crazed typical Uchiha. This, however, was very different from the Genin he saw in front of him.

"You don't know a damn thing about me…" Sasuke said softly. "Or my brother…" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.

"We protect Konoha, and all of her citizens!" He raised the kunai to better thrust, ready to serve his master in the only way he knew he could.

That's when he felt it. It was like a hand was holding his back, stopping him. It was a strange feeling, and he couldn't really explain it, but it was there. He had felt this before. He knew exactly what this was, who this was.

It was hope incarnate. It was a God among men. It was an Angel of Heaven. It was a Monster. It was his master.

It was Naruto.

The forest surrounding them was alit in a golden light. Even with his Sharingan, Sasuke had to shield his eyes from the majestic shine. It was like the sun; extremely bright and warm. It washed over all of them, and just as fast as it came, it left.

When Sasuke slowly blinked his eyes open, he couldn't stop the smirk that crept onto his face. Orochimaru was gone… from above Sakura's head.

What was left of the snake Sannin's body fell to its knees, releasing the cherry blossom. When it hit the ground, it crumbled away like dust. Tears ran down Sakura's cheeks, and she did the only thing she could, and Sasuke let her.

When Sai 'finally' met up with the rest of his team after he was 'separated' from them, he was met with Sakura weeping within Sasuke's embrace.

Sasuke's Sharingan was still active so he was able to see how fake their last team-mate's smile was. Naruto was right.

They needed to have a talk with Sai.

....

Naruto had been watching Team Seven for a little while when the traitorous snake showed its ugly face. He had watched with curiosity.

What would Sasuke do in the presence of someone who could easily kill him if he wanted?

He was furious when Orochimaru just looked at Sai and the boy took off, leaving his comrades behind. That was the worst thing he could have done. Naruto had been trained since he was three to value his subordinates above even the mission. Sai was now worse than trash, and Naruto needed to let the boy know of his place.

That's when the sinister, disgusting killing intent leaked from the enemy of Heaven. He could feel how scared Sakura was.

The girl had been training everyday as hard as she possibly could, but there was nothing she could do to ready herself for something like this at her current level.

It wasn't her fault, and Naruto was pissed that she had to go through it. This wasn't her fight. This wasn't her problem. Orochimaru should have been killed a long time ago.

Sasuke, however, reassured Naruto that he had made the right choice in apprentice. To actually wake in the face of someone like the snake Sannin… it was priceless. He actually smirked at him. It was perfect!

When he felt the Uchiha's resolve, he even smiled. He was ready to rid himself of his eyes for Sakura, for Konoha.

If that wasn't the actions of an Angel of Heaven then Naruto didn't know what was.

Before he could actually carve his eyes out, Naruto decided it was time to end this. He reached out to Sasuke with his chakra, his will. The young Uchiha would need those eyes if he wanted to complete his goal. He then promptly rid the Forest of Death of 'Orochimaru'.

After his presence lifted from the forest, Sasuke even managed to surprise the Bringer of Hope. He did not expect the Uchiha to allow the much needed embrace for Sakura. He could feel his heart, his mind, his soul. Sasuke was different, better. He no longer saw Sakura or any other Shinobi as hindrances, but as important allies.

As family

Sasuke had passed his last test. He was now seen as a Monster in the eyes of a Monster.

Naruto's eyes narrowed when Sai finally decided to grace his team with his presence. He could tell that Sasuke had also seen his fake smile. He was right.

They needed to have a talk with Sai.

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