A Winner Is You Tournament: Orochimaru

This is my entry for Avatarjk137's Tournament

I do not own any of the characters in this story.

Orochimaru-sama where are you? Kabuto thought restlessly as he scanned the crowd yet again for his master. It was only ten minutes past the rendezvous time but Orochimaru was usually so punctual. Kabuto sighed and began to walk around the mall again. He couldn't understand why Orochimaru insisted on coming to this thing. It seemed like a tournament held in a mall would be kid stuff. Though, as he looked around Kabuto saw that many powerful fighters had arrived as well. There were a couple kids and quite a few creatures that looked like fluffy toy animals, but overall the people here were warriors. Some of them might even be able to match Orochimaru.

"Kabuto" A low voice said behind him, so close that the breath stirred the hairs on Kabuto's neck.

Kabuto jumped. Orochimaru chuckled as Kabuto tried to recompose himself.

"Well, how does it look?" Orochimaru asked.

"You were right Orochimaru-sama; there are many skilled fighters here that would make good additions to Sound."

Orochimaru laughed again, he didn't need to say I told you so. Kabuto had regained his calm by now so he didn't show the blush he was feeling. Orochimaru always treated him like a kid.

"There you are," Said a tall red haired man walking toward them. "You ran away while I was in the middle of talking snake. That's very rude." He didn't seem to be joking. In fact he looked almost threatening.

Orochimaru smirked. "Deepest apologies demon fox." He was joking.

The man considered him for a second. Then let the menace drop from his face and voice. "Well then." He said and walked away. Indeed, the air seemed lighter now that he was gone.

"Who was that?" Kabuto asked.

"You don't recognize him Kabuto? You need to heighten your senses."

Kabuto thought for a good minute about everything that he had seen while the man was talking. Orochimaru patiently waited for the pieces to click into place. When they did Kabuto's eyes went wide and he lost his usually well kept composure for the second time.

"Kyuubi?" He whispered, unbelieving. Orochimaru nodded.

"How?"

"I forgot to ask him." Orochimaru obviously didn't care how it had happened. He wouldn't have forgotten something like that.

"And you were talking… about what?"

Orochimaru gave him the look that said he didn't need to know, but then shrugged and told him anyway. "Just making a bet."

Kabuto didn't know what to ask next. The whole thing was so strange, so impossible.

Orochimaru laughed seeing his confusion. "Don't think so hard Kabuto." He said, walking away. "Now come show me this place in more detail, I'll need to know the layout for the fights. Have they announced pairings yet?"

"No, Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru tsked and kept walking. "Well, I hope you've started getting data on everyone."

"Yes Orochimaru-sama."

"Good." He walked on at a brisk pace even though Kabuto was the one showing him the mall.

a/n good luck to all my opponents!