Thanks to Kakashis-First-Kiss (such a great name, seriously XD) for persuading me to get off my ass and write this chapter. Shameless self-promotion ftw! The only defining feature of this chapter is that it contains no smut, although I suppose you could say it talks about BDSM in… like… the last sentence. ;;

Disclaimer: See other chapters.

As Kabuto wiped bile from his chin, he pondered why Orochimaru had chosen to reveal such personal information. Jiraiya? The thought of the white-haired womaniser sleeping with someone as beautiful as his master made Kabuto ready to throw up all over again… and since they met as children, he was probably his first time as well…

Kabuto had to stop his thoughts then, as he was unsure his sanity could withstand that image.

But why would his master tell him that? He knew from experience that nothing was given without an expected return, that was just the way Orochimaru was, and Kabuto felt that nothing he had could equal the importance of what he had been told, apart from possibly – oh god. Kabuto had a horrible feeling that he knew what it was that Orochimaru wanted, and he wasn't sure he had the nerve to give it to him.

Kabuto, despite several advances, was still untouched, even at 19. He wasn't innocent, but had little real experience in that area despite the fact he had witnessed – and occasionally perpetrated – mass murder.

Deep in thought, he went to wash his face in a nearby river, grateful that Kimimaro had taken over from breakfast duties.

He spent the next few weeks in a constant state of anxiety, waiting for Orochimaru to take by force what he had not the courage to give – but nothing happened. Soon the mission was over: they discovered that it was merely a group of scholars who had read of his masters bond with snakes, and hired thugs to try and get it for them. One outcome of this was that base security was tightened, it had never been that strict before, as they had believed its location to be unknown to anybody of importance. Gradually his worries lessened, the danger went to the back of his mind, and normal life resumed at the Sound base.

One morning Kabuto went to train alone, hoping to perfect his chakra jutsus, and maintain his fitness levels. After hours of intensive exercise he paused, taking off his glasses and wiping sweat from his brow. In the seconds he let his guard down, his eyes had been bound and a weapon whipped to his throat – but Kabuto was unfazed, knowing that the enemy did not wish to kill him, and that he could probably escape when he wished. He pushed his chin tentatively against the blade – it was not smooth enough to be metal, and yet not rough enough to be wood.

Kabuto had a quick flash of inspiration, and all the tension drained from his body.

"Well done, Kimimaro-kun, now kindly let me go, I am in the middle of practice." He felt oddly vulnerable without his glasses, and closed his eyes behind the cloth. Despite his command however, the bone remained pressed to his throat. Kimimaro's reply was soft but insistent.

"I'm sorry, Kabuto-senpai, but I can't do that. Someone has told me to bring you."

Kabuto rolled his eyes at the leaving out of a name. Only one man 'told' Kimimaro to do anything, and that same man had all the control over him.

"Fine, Kimimaro-kun. Although I wish Orochimaru-sama would allow me to know the reason for my summons." This received no reply (Kimimaro was a boy of few words, so this hardly surprised Kabuto) apart from his hands being carefully bound. He was spun round a few times, and led off. Kabuto reckoned he probably could have escaped Kimimaro's clutches, but he would never dare oppose his master.

As they walked, he remembered his encounter with Orochimaru months before. Apprehension coiled in his stomach, but his mouth curved in a small smile. He had been mentally readying himself ever since, and now he felt he was ready to take whatever punishment Orochimaru was prepared to deal – and enjoy every moment.

the end

See? Smut-Free. But I am seriously considering writing a sequel, if I can persuade myself to… O.O And, because I love Kimimaro too and he was neglected in this story, he might get to join in the fun as well :3