FicWad

Author’s Notes: From writing an rp with my friend 23redheaad, we agreed to turn it into a full blown out fanfic. It’s basically a rewrite of Shippuden with Orochimaru. Many things will change including his apparent death and return during the war. He won’t be dying and the war also won’t be happening, at least not the way it did. Pairings are Oro/OC and Sasuke/OC. We do not own the Naruto characters, but we do own Sarah Ransel.

Prologue - Meeting

Sarah Ransel, a trained kunoichi of a foreign land, was tracking her way through the Land of Fire. She was heading towards the Leaf Village on a diplomatic mission, wanting to seek an alliance with them. It was a long-term goal of her village, which was known as the Village Hidden Underground, to become allies to other shinobi villages. The underground village was small compared to many others and didn’t have a Kage, but did have a leader who was treated as Kages were.

While on her travels she decided to stop and take a breather near a riverbank. Unknown to her though, she wasn't alone. Where it was nightfall, it was hard to see, which hid a dark figure that was sitting on a large rock near a tree. The figure felt the woman’s approach and did his best to cloak his chakra, which didn’t take much as he was in extreme pain from the recent battle he was in. His haunting eyes watched as she approached the riverbank and pulled her backpack off to get a drink.

Sarah wasn’t paying too much attention until she heard labored breathing from behind her. Grabbing a kunai from her leg, she was swift to turn to the sound. "Who are you!?" she demanded.

When she received no answer, it caused her to narrow her eyes. She could see the person was sitting on a rock, who was an older looking man with long dark hair. He was hunched over a bit, hair hanging in his face. His breathing was labored, making it a bit noisy. A few coughs were heard, adding to the breathing. His arms remained at his side, looking a bit stiff. In the dark she couldn't really make out who it was or make out any of his features.

Angered by the fact her question was ignored, Sarah threw the kunai towards the man. It sailed past his head, colliding into a nearby tree. The figure knew immediately the blade was only meant as a warning shot. He saw she produced another kunai and was ready to attack.

"I asked you a question!" Standing, she took a cautious step, slowly approaching him. As she drew closer the night sky opened up, revealing a gorgeous full moon. Illuminating the man, it allowed her to get a better visual of her guest. The man's arms were not the normal color and though the moonlight didn’t give a lot of brightness, it gave enough to know he was in a lot of pain.

"You're hurt," she presumed, not knowing who she was dealing with.

Coughing again he lifted his head slightly to look at her. The moonlight illuminated his pale skin, making his golden eyes visible. Still he said nothing as he continued his struggle to breathe.

Keeping on her guard, Sarah lowered the kunai. Deducing the man before her couldn't harm anyone, not by the way his arms were looking. They were an odd color and that alone wasn’t a good sign.

"I'm sorry for saying this, but you look like hell." She knew he was listening and that he chose not to speak. Either that or his labored breathing was preventing him. "I don't think I've ever seen you before."

Between breaths he finally spoke. "What… do you want?" By his tone she could tell he didn't fear her, though her approaching him made him curious.

Sarah took a step back. His voice was very menacing and it was something she didn't like. She may have lowered the kunai, but it was still in her hand. Clenching it tighter, she kept a good hold on it. Appearances were often deceiving and being a ninja, one never could let their guard down.

"You look like you're in need of some kind of help," Sarah replied with caution. "I mean you're out here alone, in the forest, injured, making yourself a very easy target. From just by the way you’re dressed and your eyes, I can tell you're a shinobi, but in your condition you can't do much."

She had no idea she was talking to a well-known feared Sannin, former ninja of the Leaf, Orochimaru.

"I'm… fine," he said, his breathing betraying him. He once again gave another small coughing spell.

Sarah snorted. "Could have fooled me," she said, taking another step closer to him. Though she remained on edge in case he tried anything.

Not raising his head, he spoke once again. "Persistent thing… now aren't you?" the snake nin said before another cough cut him off. 'Where the hell is Kabuto with that medicine?' he thought, remembering how he wound up being there in the first place, alone.

"Well I want to be sure you're alright," she frowned, causing Orochimaru to break out of his thoughts. "You look hurt and your arms…look like you can barely lift them."

The more she tried to help him, the more she intrigued him. Through his breathing he smirked slightly, amused. "You really want to help me…don't you child?"

Her frown deepened. "I'll have you know I'm 30." What she didn't realize was, while she was talking to him, she had no idea he was nearly twice her age. "And yes I want to help, if I can, that is."

It was easy for him to take note, her eyes showed her fear just by looking in his, but she wasn't going to back down.

Figuring she might be useful, he finally gave in. However, if she betrayed him, he’d have no problem in killing her on the spot. Yes, he was wounded, but that wouldn’t stop him. There was more than one way to kill a person without the usage of hands. "I'm waiting…for my medic… But I need…shelter," he managed to get out.

Sarah looked at the night sky. It was going to be a long night, and the man before her was easily at a disadvantaged, or so she thought. She then gave a nod.

"I can help you with that." She lowered her kunai once again, this time putting it back in her holster. "Try anything and I'll kill you." She probably could with his condition.

He chuckled at her warning, amused by her idea she could defeat him. Soon another cough forced his amusement to disappear. ‘Damn that old man!’ he thought, angered at his misfortune.

With the kunai away, she went over to her backpack and pulled out a large piece of material. It took her a few moments, but the material soon revealed to be a small two-man tent. When she was done she turned back to the man.

"It's not much, but at least it's shelter. I have a couple blankets and it can fit two people easily, if you're willing to share."

He stood slowly, his arms hung limp at his sides. Little did she know he was used to camping out to and from missions. His golden eyes fell on her. "It's up to you…" Not caring what she did.

Kneeling down in front of the tent, he got in as best as he could without using his arms.

Sarah waited until the man was inside. She could see he was the type who really didn't like having help so she gave him his space. Once waiting a few minutes, giving him some time to situate himself, she soon entered.

Once inside, she pulled her backpack in with her. She then pulled out the blankets and a pillow. "I'll let you use my pillow and I'll use my pack." She then offered him a blanket waiting to see what he would say.

Leaning back against the tent wall, as best as possible, he looked at the blanket. He wasn't used to being treated this way. "I won't need it…” he finally said. "I can't use my arms…anyway."

"Fine," she replied. "Don't gripe that I didn't offer then." She then took the blanket and pillow and rested it beside him, in case he changed his mind.

"Would you mind then, if I got some rest?" she asked. Where it was dark and the tent blocked much of the moonlight. It was hard to see she had green eyes and brown hair with bangs draped framing her face, a lone strand hanging slightly toward the middle.

"Do as you will….," he replied. He found it amusing she would talk back to him, even more so that she would let her guard down around him, though she didn't know who he was. She would eventually learn soon enough.

Sarah nodded as she got herself settled. "Oh and before I forget, I'm always armed. So you try anything funny, I will kill you." Too bad her feelings weren't as convincing as her words. She sensed out his chakra and though couldn’t find much, that didn't mean he couldn't try something. If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have even bothered to help him. His eyes were really creeping her out. She really didn't want to be in the tent with him but she smelt moisture in the air, which meant it was soon going to rain.

An hour or so later, she was fast asleep. The snake nin sat in the same spot, resting as best as he could with his breathing. Occasionally, he glanced over at the sleeping woman. Thinking about the previous events, he heard the rain hit the tent and was glad he took refuge.

He, Kabuto, and his Sound Ninja Four were traveling back as quick as they could to their hideout that he named, the Hidden Sound Village. They had just left the Hidden Leaf Village after successfully killing the Third Hokage. His arms were now sealed, leaving him injured and weakened. Not able to make it back to the Sound Village before he had a coughing fit. The Sound Ninja Four were looking after their Lord when he started to cough too much and they had to stop. Doing so sparked an idea to Kabuto.

At the rate they were going, it would take too long to get back and administer treatment for the pain. Kabuto then decided to travel back and get his medical supplies to help Orochimaru with the pain so he could make it back. His followers had no choice but to leave him behind, while Kabuto retrieved the medicine. It had been a while since he last seen the boy, and he could feel his condition getting worse.

He was alone, which he didn’t mind, until this woman came across him. He soon was pulled from his thoughts.

"My lord?" He heard a familiar young male’s voice outside the tent.

With a smile, Orochimaru got himself up. Being careful not to disturb the woman who kindly allowed him usage of her tent, he pulled himself out to stand next to his faithful follower, Kabuto Yakushi. He had noticed the rain had stopped, indicating while he was thinking about his predicament; he actually must have fallen asleep as daybreak was soon approaching.

The silver haired medic, medicine in hand, gave the older man an odd look. "Are you alright, my lord?" Curious as to why he was in a tent.

"Fine..." he coughed, lying, which was a common action for him.

Knowing he was lying, Kabuto didn’t say a word as he decided to hand his Lord the medicine. Orochimaru was quick to take the pills, swallowing them whole.

"We should get back," His medic suggested. The snake nin nodded, glancing over his shoulder at the tent.

"Is something the matter?" Kabuto asked.

"It's nothing..." With that the two left, disappearing into the darkness.

When Sarah woke the next morning, she saw she was the only one in the tent. Growling that he left, but glad he was gone too. She packed up her things and continued her way to the Leaf only to learn the Third Hokage was dead, and that meant her mission was a failure. Once learning of the news she then travelled back to her home country.

The village was completely underground, not of caves but more tunnel like with a large open space. The village was smaller than the Leaf, but larger than many smaller ninja villages.