Chapter 275: Serpent's Frustration and Quiet Reflection
Cutting away from Malik for a second for A Chaotic Morning in Orochimaru's Private Base
The room was shrouded in shadows, the faint light of dawn barely breaking through the heavy curtains that adorned the windows. Lady Orochimaru stirred in her enormous, opulent bed, the silk sheets rumpled and clinging to her pale skin. The subtle perfume of incense hung in the air, masking the faint scent of sweat that clung to her from the restless night before.
Her golden, slitted eyes snapped open suddenly, blazing with frustration that surged in her chest like a coiled snake ready to strike. The memory of being pushed out of the dream world by Malik hit her like a blow, reigniting the rage she'd tried to suppress.
"He dared—" Orochimaru hissed under her breath, her voice low and venomous.
She threw the silk covers aside, standing swiftly despite the faint heaviness of her swollen stomach. Her waist-length black hair, sleek and immaculate, had come loose during the night, falling around her shoulders and framing her striking features in chaotic waves.
Before she could think twice, her anger erupted.
The ornate vase on her bedside table shattered against the wall, its fragments scattering across the polished floor. Another object—a small gilded lamp—followed suit, crashing loudly as Orochimaru's clawed hand swiped it from the table with unbridled fury.
Her breaths were ragged, her sharp nails curling into fists as she growled under her breath.
The sound of hurried footsteps reached her ears as Kabuto Yakushi, ever attentive, rushed into the room.
Kabuto Steps In and Kabuto was quick to assess the scene—Lady Orochimaru standing amidst the wreckage of her frustration, her golden eyes burning and her hair in disarray. The younger woman's onyx eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing together in silent concern.
"Lady Orochimaru," Kabuto began carefully, her voice firm but calm. "You need to stop this."
Orochimaru turned sharply, her gaze pinning Kabuto where she stood. "He thinks he can dismiss me like some insignificant nobody! ME!"
Kabuto sighed softly, stepping closer despite the intensity of Orochimaru's glare.
"You can't act like this," Kabuto said firmly, her voice steady. "You have other priorities now."
Her hands moved with practiced precision, pressing gently against Orochimaru's swollen stomach.
Orochimaru froze, her rage faltering as Kabuto's touch brought her back to reality.
"The twins are fine," Kabuto murmured, her tone softening slightly as she checked for any irregularities. "But if you don't calm down, you'll make this harder on yourself—and them."
Orochimaru's fists unclenched slowly, her breathing evening out as Kabuto guided her back toward the bed.
"Sit," Kabuto instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, Orochimaru complied, lowering herself onto the edge of the bed as Kabuto began to tidy up her disheveled appearance.
Orochimaru was in Anguish as Kabuto retrieved a cloth, wiping the sweat from Orochimaru's pale, strikingly beautiful face. Her features were sharp and commanding—pronounced cheekbones, fang-like teeth, and the signature purple markings around her eyes. Even in anger, there was a certain elegance about her that no amount of chaos could diminish.
As Kabuto tied back her mistress's long black hair, tucking the loose strands into place, she asked the inevitable question.
"How did locking Malik in his dreams work?"
Orochimaru was quiet for a moment, her golden eyes flickering with emotion before she answered in a single, clipped word.
"Bad."
Kabuto sighed heavily, her head shaking as she finished tying Orochimaru's hair.
"How is the mission going with Konan and that weird masked one who talks too much?"
Orochimaru leaned back against the headboard, closing her eyes as if the act of answering required too much effort.
"No idea," she admitted flatly. "But from the fact that he isn't trapped in his sleep anymore, most likely a lot worse."
Kabuto nodded, her lips pursing slightly in thought.
She checked Orochimaru's stomach once more, her hands lingering briefly to ensure everything was still as it should be.
"Did you tell Malik about the babies?" Kabuto asked, though she already knew the answer.
Orochimaru didn't reply, her golden eyes remaining closed, her expression unreadable.
Kabuto nodded quietly, covering her mistress with the silk sheets before standing to leave.
Kabuto's Thoughts on Malik grew in her mind As Kabuto walked through the dimly lit halls of the private base, her mind churned with thoughts of Malik—thoughts that had plagued her ever since Orochimaru first told her about the twins.
Malik was a mystery to Kabuto, even after all the research she had done on him. His power was vast, his charisma undeniable, but there was something unpredictable about him that unsettled her.
"How will he react?" Kabuto wondered silently, her hands brushing against the cool stone walls as she walked.
She couldn't imagine Malik as a father—not because he lacked the capability, but because his nature seemed so wild, so untamed. Malik was a force of nature, someone who thrived on freedom and chaos. Would he accept the responsibility of being a parent? Would he care for the twins the way Orochimaru clearly hoped he would?
And then there was Orochimaru herself. Kabuto had watched her mistress change in subtle ways since learning she was pregnant—her obsessive tendencies growing even stronger, her focus shifting to something deeper, more personal. The twins were clearly important to her, but Orochimaru had yet to share that importance with Malik.
"She doesn't want to ruin the surprise," Kabuto thought grimly, shaking her head.
It was a dangerous gamble. Malik wasn't someone who liked being caught off guard, and Kabuto doubted he would take kindly to finding out about the twins in such a way.
"But she won't tell him," Kabuto muttered under her breath, her tone resigned.
No matter how much Kabuto wished otherwise, Orochimaru had made her decision—and Malik would find out when Orochimaru decided he was ready to know.
As Kabuto moved deeper into the base, her concern for both Malik and Orochimaru grew.
The main lounge of Orochimaru's private base was dimly lit as her lady liked it, the faint glow of flickering lanterns, lights and gasless torches casting long shadows across the stone walls. The room was sparsely furnished, with mismatched chairs and a worn couch that had seen better days. Despite its utilitarian design, it was the closest thing to a communal space in the base—a place where the more eccentric members of Orochimaru's entourage occasionally gathered.
Today, Tayuya and Kin Tsuchi occupied the space, their voices carrying through the room as they lounged on opposite ends of the couch.
Tayuya sat cross-legged, her untamed red hair spilling over her shoulders as she leaned back, her expression impassive but her tone sharp. Kin, meanwhile, reclined with her long black hair cascading down the side of the couch, her snake-patterned scarf draped loosely around her neck.
Their conversation was… unsettling, to say the least.
"I'm just saying," Tayuya began, her voice laced with sarcasm, "if you're going to break someone's bones, you might as well make it artistic. Like, snap them in a way that spells out a word or something."
Kin smirked, her black eyes glinting with amusement. "You're thinking too small. Why stop at bones? You could rearrange their organs while you're at it—make it a full masterpiece."
Tayuya snorted, shaking her head. "You're sick."
"And you're boring," Kin shot back, her smirk widening.
The two women laughed, their banter carrying an edge that would have made any normal person shudder.
Kabuto Interrupts just by stepping into the room and as Kabuto entered the lounge with her usual air of quiet authority, her Black eyes scanning the room before landing on the two women. She sighed heavily, shaking her head as she approached them.
"Aren't you both supposed to be searching for the escaped prisoners and test subjects instead of talking about Malik?" Kabuto asked, her tone sharp but calm.
Both women froze for a moment before turning to glare at her in unison.
"We weren't even talking about that idiot," Tayuya snapped, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
"Affectionately," Kin added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Plus," Tayuya continued, crossing her arms, "that sounds like minion work. And neither of us are minions. Go ask Zaku—he's definitely a minion."
Kabuto sighed again, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Zaku… what can I say? The boy has a green thumb, so he's too busy handling Orochimaru's special garden on the lower levels. And neither of you can do anything of the sort. All you two are good at is breaking bones."
She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Well, Tayuya is talented with the flute, but that just leads to her breaking the bones of her enemies, so it doesn't count."
Tayuya's glare intensified, her fists clenching slightly.
Kabuto smirked faintly, sensing an opportunity to get under their skin.
"You know," she began, her tone casual but pointed, "you two are very good at talking about your lovey-dovey relationship with Malik. Talking with one another about how much you miss him."
Both women stiffened, their expressions darkening.
"What are you talking about?" Kin demanded, her voice sharp.
Kabuto's smirk widened. "Oh, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That private conversation you had—just the two of you. It was very personal, wasn't it? A moment of weakness, speaking to each other as future sisters-in-law and best friends."
Tayuya and Kin exchanged a quick, panicked glance before turning their glares back to Kabuto.
"You were eavesdropping?" Tayuya growled, her voice low and dangerous.
Kabuto shrugged, her smirk never faltering. "I don't need to eavesdrop. You two are predictable."
She leaned back slightly, her tone turning mocking as she repeated their conversation perfectly:
"'I miss him,'" Kabuto mimicked, her voice exaggeratedly soft. 'I haven't seen him in so long. It's like there's this hole in my chest where he's supposed to be.'"
Kin's face turned red with anger, her fists clenching tightly.
"'He's so annoying,'" Kabuto continued, switching to mimic Tayuya's tone, 'but I love him anyway. I hate that I love him.'"
Both women stood abruptly, their anger boiling over.
"You're dead," Tayuya hissed, her voice trembling with rage.
"We're leaving," Kin snapped, grabbing Tayuya's arm and pulling her toward the door.
The two women stormed out of the lounge, their footsteps echoing loudly as they disappeared down the hallway.
Kabuto watched them go, her smirk softening into a satisfied smile.
"That felt good," she murmured to herself, her tone light.
She turned back to the lounge, her mind already shifting to her next task.
=== Storming into the Woods ---
The sun hung low in the sky, its rays barely breaking through the thick canopy of ancient trees as Tayuya and Kin Tsuchi stormed out of the base. The air felt heavy, filled with the scent of damp earth and moss, and the forest ahead stretched endlessly, shrouded in shadows and whispers of life hidden within.
Tayuya stomped forward, her untamed red hair glinting in the dappled light filtering through the leaves. Her fists clenched at her sides, and her expression was one of barely restrained fury.
"I hate Kabuto!" she growled, her voice cutting through the quiet. The fire in her words was matched only by the way she ground her teeth, her every step carrying the weight of her frustration.
Kin walked slightly ahead of her, her long black hair trailing like a dark ribbon behind her. She rolled her eyes at Tayuya's outburst but said nothing.
That, of course, only made Tayuya angrier.
"What the hell was that for?" Tayuya snapped, quickening her pace to walk beside Kin. "You rolled your eyes at me like I said something stupid."
Kin let out a soft sigh, glancing at Tayuya with an infuriatingly calm expression. "I rolled my eyes because you hate everyone. So, you saying you hate Kabuto doesn't exactly mean much, does it?"
Tayuya scoffed loudly, throwing her hands up. "Yeah, well, I especially hate her. She's always smirking like she knows everything. I just—gah, she gets under my skin."
Kin's lips twitched upward in a small smirk. "You hate that she's usually right."
Tayuya opened her mouth to retort but stopped herself, realizing Kin had a point. Instead, she settled for a sharp glare, her brown eyes narrowing as her bangs shifted slightly over her forehead.
As they started Tracking the Targets Their conversation was briefly interrupted as they reached the edge of a small clearing. They slowed their pace, their movements becoming quieter, more deliberate. Both women scanned the forest floor, their eyes sharp and trained for signs of disturbance.
It didn't take long for Kin to notice it—a faint trail of footprints leading through the underbrush. She motioned for Tayuya to follow as they jumped down from the treetops, landing lightly on the soft ground.
"Looks like we're on the right track," Kin said, her voice low but confident.
Tayuya crouched down beside her, studying the tracks with a frown. The footprints were uneven, hurried—definitely from someone who had been running, likely in fear.
Kin stood, brushing her hands off before giving Tayuya a sassy look, complete with a sly smile.
"You hate that you love Malik," she said casually, as if stating a simple fact.
Tayuya froze, her glare snapping up to meet Kin's. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, it seemed like she might actually punch Kin. Instead, she straightened, brushing off her knees as she muttered, "If we start talking about him, we're only going to prove Kabuto right."
Kin raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening slightly as she crossed her arms. "So?"
Tayuya groaned, dragging a hand down her face. She could feel Kin's expectant gaze on her, practically daring her to say something. And against her better judgment, she did.
"Fine," Tayuya snapped, throwing her hands up. "I love Malik. I hate that he's an idiot. I love it too, and I hate myself that I love it. And I hate that I hate it enough to love it."
Kin bit her lip, stifling a laugh as Tayuya continued, her words tumbling out in a mix of frustration and reluctant vulnerability.
"I hate his stupid smile," Tayuya muttered, her voice softening slightly. "I hate his warm skin, his soft belly—the way he looks at me when I glare at him. And I hate the way he holds me tight, like I'm the only thing that matters in the world. Like I'm safe."
Kin couldn't hold back her laughter this time. She clutched her stomach, doubling over slightly as she let out a loud, amused cackle.
"Oh my god," she gasped between laughs. "You're such a love-sick girl."
Tayuya's face turned red, both from embarrassment and anger. She pointed an accusatory finger at Kin, her glare sharp. "If I'm a 'love-sick girl,' then what does that make you?"
Kin straightened, brushing a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. She smiled, her expression softening into something almost wistful.
"His future wife," she said simply, her tone carrying no hesitation.
Tayuya blinked, her expression momentarily blank before her glare returned.
"I hate you," she muttered, though there was no heat in her voice.
Kin laughed again, reaching out to ruffle Tayuya's wild red hair. "Love ya too, future sister-in-law."
Tayuya swatted her hand away, grumbling under her breath.
As they started Refocusing on the Mission Kin's playful demeanor shifted slightly as she crouched down to examine the tracks again. Her smile faded into a focused expression, her sharp black eyes scanning the surrounding area.
"Alright," she said after a moment, standing and dusting off her hands. "Let's focus. I don't want to be out here all day looking for these idiots."
Tayuya sighed, adjusting the position of her flute as it hung from her waist. "Fine. But if we find them and they do something stupid, I'm breaking at least one bone."
Kin smirked, glancing at her with a raised eyebrow. "No fighting. That's one of the biggest rules, remember?"
Tayuya rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath that Kin didn't quite catch.
The two women moved forward, their banter falling into a comfortable silence as they followed the trail deeper into the forest. Despite their bickering, there was an unspoken bond between them—a shared understanding that neither of them needed to voice.
The forest around them seemed to close in as they went, the shadows growing longer and the air colder. But Tayuya and Kin moved with purpose, their steps swift and deliberate as they worked together, pushing thoughts of Malik and Kabuto to the back of their minds—at least for now.