Log; Ongoing-ish

[oro-chama.livejournal.com]

When; Around Midnight on October 8th
Rating; G
Characters; Orochimaru oro_chama and Yondaime yellow_flash
Summary; Orochimaru goes over to the Yondaime's place for tea under the influence of a curse, and gets abducted ((odd seeing as he just abducted Nemu days before)).
Log;

Orochimaru had a smile on his face, not the typical smirk, or evil grin he was so well known for, but a genuine smile. Arashi had forgiven him of his past grievances and invited him over for tea. Sure it was rather late, but he wasn’t going to pass up a chance to visit his newfound friend. Besides, Arashi had invited him over, and he wouldn’t have done that if the time was inconvenient.

He arrived at the apartment door, he knew belonged to his newfound friend, and knocked briskly.

He felt almost guilty over the thought of perpetrating this trap on someone who was not in their right mind. But then, Orochimaru was one of the legendary sannin and Arashi was quite sure he could not be defeated by only himself in a head on fight. Thusly, this measure of security was needed.

As the knock sounded on the door, he moved to it, taking a cursory glance behind him at the setting of the apartment. Yes, this was going to be difficult, but worthwhile if it paid off. By midnight the curse would be gone and Orochimaru would be himself once more. Then the real plans could begin. Swinging the door open, he stepped aside and ushered the snake man in, "Please, enter. I'm glad you could arrive, I know the hour is late, but I thought this quite important."

Orochimaru stepped into the apartment, not really looking around as he would normally do and asses his surroundings, but kept his attentions focused on Arashi instead. The blond man seemed a little bit off, nervous or uncertain about something perhaps.

“Important? I thought this was just tea. Is there something else we need to discuss?” He hoped there was nothing wrong, and if there was that he could be of some assistance to his friend.

"It is tea, between friends, but I also wanted to ensure that you were no longer a threat to Naruto and his friends, this is your true feeling, is it not? That you would prefer forgiveness and acceptance?" Arashi asked, putting on a faux serious expression, as though he had been considering this for the entire while that Orochimaru was on his way over here.

"Tell me it is so and I will trust you," Aaah it was hard to be dishonest, but this was for his son and the village.

Orochimaru’s smile disappeared in favor of a serious expression. “Of course I really mean it, I wouldn’t have said so otherwise. I never realized how right you were until this morning, and I feel terrible for all the trouble I’ve caused everyone. Especially arguing with you so much, who gave his life for so many others while I’ve been nothing but selfish in my quest for power.” He should have known that he could not gain trust by simply saying he had a change of heart out of nowhere, but Arashi seemed to be very forgiving considering the circumstances.

He inclined his head, serious expression lightening to a smile, "All right then. I take your word for it. Now, how about tea? I was unsure what type of food you liked, so I went with a failsafe- ramen!" For a single male, the place was rather clean and tidy, the tea was made and sat in a pot on the table waiting to be poured into cups, and ramen (For which there was an endless supply) was steaming beside that.

Orochimaru’s smile returned. “I’m glad, thank you. I don’t deserve your kindness.”

He stepped further into the apartment now taking a look around, eyes settling on the table and the neatly set up bowls and cups. “Ramen is fine, though it’s been years and years since I’ve had any. In fact, not since I left Konoha.” He cringed, remembering his defection, and leaving the friend who had forced ramen on him on an almost daily basis.

"When a person is sorry, they deserve to be forgiven," Arashi replied. "Hm. Years and Years, eh? I know mine doesn't compare to Ichiraku, but hopefully it won't leave a bad taste in your mouth!" Then gestured for Orochimaru to have a seat as he himself did as well, and began pouring the tea. There was a sedative powder in the cup Orochimaru was using so that Arashi could drink of the tea as well. It would take a little while to work and would hopefully knock the other man out for long enough to tie him up before Orochimaru metabolized it.

Orochimaru accepted the cup of steaming tea, and took a sip. It was hot and he didn’t want to burn himself. “I’m sure your ramen tastes wonderful.” He picked up his chopsticks, saying a quick ‘ittadakimasu’ before taking a bite. It was miso flavored; something he had never admitted as being his favorite flavor. “This is very good, I don’t know what you were worried about.” He took another couple of bites before taking another sip of his tea, it cooling off enough for him not to be cautious with it.

"Heh, it's the instant kind, that stuff is never as good as homemade," Arashi replied, blowing on his own ramen and waited for it to cool a bit before taking a bite. "Do you intend to return to Konoha once we have found an exit from this place?" Idle conversation to bide the time.

“I do, if they will allow me to do so. I miss my old home.” Orochimaru took a long sip of his tea, blinking a little as his head started to feel a little like it was stuffed with cotton. He brushed it off, he must just be tired, he hadn’t been getting much sleep over the last couple of weeks.

"I am sure you would be welcomed. A stray nin from the village returning. Of course you will likely be kept under watch, but they will see you mean what you say and trust will be returned," He replied, taking a sip of tea and looking over at the other man, "Are you well? You are. . .looking pale."

Orochimaru nodded. “I hope so.” He blinked a few times, his vision doing odd things about focusing. “I’m just a little tired, but I’m sure the tea will help clear my head.” He took another long sip of his tea to emphasis his point, but only let out a big yawn instead. He used his free hand to cover it his mouth, but his movements felt sluggish.

"Tired? That is natural. If the tea does not help, feel free to lie down until you feel a little better," Arashi replied, apparently concerned. "Or perhaps have a bit more?" He offered, pouring Orochimaru another cup.

“Thank you.” Orochimaru took another long sip of tea, hoping the hot liquid would wake him up. “You know,” He said after another long yawn, “I think I may lie down for a moment, if you don’t mind. I know it’s a little rude, but I’m more tired that I thought.”

"No, no, of course," Arashi rose, "This way. I know I called you over late, I was quite prepared that you might need to stay the evening all things considered."

Orochimaru stood to follow, “I see, I just don’t want to inconvenience you. It might even be better…” He yawned again, “if I just go home, instead, I’ll make it up to you later.” What was wrong with him? He normally had no problem staying up this late or later, in fact, he did it all the time.

"Nonsense, I could not possibly let you go out in such a tired condition, especially with the dangerous nature of the place," And half smiled, "Come, I will show you a place to lie down."

Orochimaru could only nod. This whole thing was ridiculous; he couldn’t recall being this tired before, ever. So he just followed Arashi through the apartment, doing his best not to fall asleep on his feet, but he wasn’t sure he was going to make it. He wasn’t even aware that he was swaying on his feet, they felt so much like led right now.

"This way," Arashi replied, leading him to the spare bedroom. Everything seemed neat and in order as the Yondaime gestured to a tidy bed on the far wall. "Rest here."

“Thank you.” Orochimaru made it over to the bed, and practically collapsed, asleep the second his head hit the pillow.

"You are. . quite welcome. ." Arashi replied, then took out the jutsu proofed rope and started to tie up the snake man. Oh yes, he had forgotten the tongue. Perhaps a mask so that Orochimaru might talk without springing it on him.

Orochimaru shifted as he was moved about in his drug induced sleep, but didn’t awaken. He mumbled something and tried to roll over but couldn’t because of the ropes, so he just settled back into laying as he was.

Once the Yondaime was finished, he stepped back and arched a brow. The snake man had quite a slender form, which was not the best for tying a person up, but made him seem innocuously fragile. Glancing at the clock, Arashi noted midnight was almost upon them.

The drug induced sleep was already beginning to wear off, from the weak sedative, and Orochimaru’s fast metabolism. He was still sleeping, but it was already apparent that it was not as deeply as before, and he was starting to shift around a bit more.

Arashi checked the knots once more, ensuring that they were not in reach of Orochimaru's hands, nor that he could wiggle out of them, leaning over him, the Yondaime ran fingers over each knot.

Orochimaru’s hands twitched at the soft touches brushing at the skin of his wrists, touching something there. The simple touch alone brought him to consciousness, not used to the contact at all, unless he was initiating it. His head still felt stuffed with cotton, and his vision was blurry. The events from just before he fell asleep coming back quickly anyway. “Fuck.”

"Such language," Arashi clucked his tongue at Orochimaru. "Are you desiring to recant your previous want of redemption and apology to all those that you have harmed?" The Yondaime asked with a chuckle in his words.

Orochimaru turned his head, glaring at the blond blur he knew to be the Yondaime. “You know I didn’t mean any of that.” His words were slurred still, and his limbs felt heavy. “That was another one of the curses.” He spat the last part angrily, not believing how badly he had been affected. Also unable to believe how easily he had been tricked.

"Good faith is easily put into those who have offered it before," Arashi replied and reached down, pressing a finger under Orochimaru's chin, tilting his head back. "I am only thankful I did not fall under the curse and was able to pull this off. And I cannot tell you enough how much this pleases me."

Orochimaru laughed. “That was a curse, I didn’t mean a word of it. Saying that is like saying that I was a woman once so it could happen again with enough persuasion.” He tried to sit up, but felt a pulling at his wrists and noticed he was bound.

"Oh yes, I knew it was a curse. And I timed this so the tranquilizer would wear off right at midnight when the curse did," And chuckled. "How do you feel being tricked, hm? Yes, I know, it was rather cheap to wait until a curse day, but we both know I needed you at a disadvantage."

Orochimaru glared again, the details of the Yondaime’s face coming into focus finally. “You could never beat me in a real fight, but I thought you were too good for cheap tricks. This is a rather low blow for the righteous Yondaime Hokage of the great Konohagakure no Sato.” His words were mocking and far too arrogant for someone in this situation.

"You expected no tricks from a ninja? That certainly is an amusing admission on your part," And gave a warm chuckle. "And I would not say I could not defeat you in a fair fight, as I have no inclination that you would fight fair."

“I expect tricks, but nothing like this, not even I would do something like this. Nor would any of my subordinates.” Orochimaru smirked a little, even from his position making it seem like he was looking down his nose. Something he had perfected at a young age and that had served him well over the years, the effect was somewhat ruined by whatever type of covering Arashi had placed on the lower half of his face.

The mouth covering was something of a mesh mask to keep the snake's dangerous and oddly long tongue inside of his mouth. "You expect me to fight fair where the well being of my son and village is concerned? Tsk. What high expectations you have. And I would consider preying on the wants and hopes of youth to be worse than this." Arashi leaned in, face very near Orochimaru's, "How does it feel to be vulnerable?"

“Even like this, I’m not afraid of you. You may have once been considered the most powerful ninja in your village, but you don’t have what it takes to be terrifying.” Orochimaru knew the man well enough to know that he was not fond of torture, most Konoha ninja weren’t, that’s why there were ‘experts’ who took care of those things.

“As for you son, I have no interest in the brat…” The blond seemed to think that Naruto was particularly special, but the Kyuubi container wasn’t. Just a waste of good oxygen; no talent and a loud mouth. “… as long as he doesn’t get in my way.”

"But he would have," Arashi replied. "And that is why I have decided to stop things as they are now. There are two foreseeable outcomes to this, you know. Either you will accept that your ways were wrong and change them, or you simply will not leave this place."

Orochimaru discreetly tugged at the ropes holding him, searching for flaws. “You think my subordinates won’t look for me? There is more loyalty in them than you know.” The ropes were tied well, too well to slip out of without direct access to the knots with both hands.

“Though, I am curious as to why you want me tied to your bed like this. I never pegged you as into this kind of thing.” He attempted a one handed seal, to destroy the ropes, but his chakara dissipated without effect. The Yondaime was a smart man, and the student of his former teammate, Orochimaru wasn’t surprised that he was well prepared for this.

"They will look for you, but they will not find you," Arashi replied. "No matter how hard they try. Besides, if they do not hear a thing from you, they will think you simply. . returned to the world." And smiled down at Orochimaru, not hostile, but determined. "I would not try jutsu on those ropes, you will only waste your chakra, which I imagine you have in abundance."

"As for your positioning, I have no want to take advantage of you in that sort of way. I only thought it would be more comfortable for you since we will be here a while," And sat down beside the prone form, "What happened to you that made you this way. I was under the impression you and the other legendary three were vehement defenders of Konoha."

“Nothing made me this way; this is how I’ve always been. It just took some time to gain the strength to separate from that pathetic village.” Orochimaru sneered, resisting tugging at the ropes again so that he wouldn’t appear desperate. “There is nothing in me to redeem or fix. Perhaps you should take a look at your own ideals, maybe with a little bit of effort you’ll be able to find the flaws.”

"No idea is perfect, but it is the intent of the people that make it so. Konoha has good ideals and good people. Though they are often misguided, they try and that is what counts," Arashi did smile then, a genuine one before pausing and looking down at Orochimaru, "There is good in everybody, I believe that. And we will have endless amounts of time to find it in you. Though. . should that fail, I have you at the perfect spot to never let you leave."

“I could almost say I expected better of you, but I didn’t.” Orochimaru laughed. “You have more balls than I gave you credit for brat.” He had to hand it to Jiraiya, he picked a good student, too bad his former teammate made a terrible teacher. “If you’re going to try and find the “good” in me, then I’m going to try and find the logic in you.”

Arashi chuckled, "Do as you like. Perhaps we can come to some sort of understanding, but remember, in the end it is I that have you at a disadvantage." Then reached down, pressing his hand audaciously over Orochimaru's heart, "You should never expect the best of someone who would defend others with everything they have." Then caught Orochimaru's eyes, "Dying here does not one dies permanently as you might have seen. But it does mean one can never leave this dimension. Consider that as enticement for taking seriously the goal I set for you."

“Even if I cannot leave this place here, there are deities that can be overthrown, and what greater power is there than that of a God?” Orochimaru’s smirk widened. “You can tell yourself all day that you have me at a disadvantage, but the truth is, you cannot win. Even if you do kill me, I can just transfer my soul into the living body of some one else, even your precious son if I so choose. The real question is, how long do you think you can keep me here like this?”

"As long as I need," Arashi replied, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, good humor fading at the mention of his son. "You would never be able to transfer your soul to him. Kyuubi would interfere." Though he was not certain, and even the vaguest hint of a threat had his fingers fisting in Oro's shirt, right over his heart.

“We’ll see about that; we both know you’ll slip up sooner or later. When you do, we’ll see how far all of your effort got you.” Orochimaru didn’t miss the nerve he struck at the mention of transferring into his captor’s son’s body. “As for the Kyuubi, I don’t think that will be a problem, seeing as when I go into a new container the original soul is simply destroyed. Seeing as it already contains two, I only have to focus on the one I wish to replace. It wouldn’t be difficult at all.”

His face was inches away from Orochimaru’s, hands gripping his shoulders at that thought, expression feral. "You are trying to bait me. And I will not rise to it." Then drew back, forcing himself to calm, "Besides, you are not interested in him. He does not possess any blood line limits. And I am not one for torture, either way."

“Bait you? No, I’m just stating facts. He is one of the living options available to me in this city after all. Bloodline limits aside; besides, to have the power of the Kyuubi at my fingertips is very tempting.” Orochimaru loved to see the look of anger and hints of fear this was bringing to his captor’s eyes. The blond had been making his weaknesses obvious from the moment they first began their arguing in this City, and now they were being exploited. Cheap shot for cheap shot made if all fair play in the end.

“Then again, there are the other Konoha ninja here as well, not to mention the very container I am after. So really, killing me is only aiding me. Giving me an excuse to change bodies again, rather than waiting for my return to our world.”

"You have an answer for everything, don't you? A failsafe plan for all incidents," Arashi replied, releasing him and sitting back up instead of fairly laying over the other man. "But not for this. This you were not expecting. And if no one realizes you were taken, then no one will think to look for you. I will simply wait until they are all gone. We have all the time in the world, now. And as you are the one currently tied, I would suggest being on your best behavior."

“Or you’ll do what?” Orochimaru couldn’t help but ask, the temptation too strong, needing to know the end of the threat. “If you kill me, I’ll be resurrected, and if you don’t I will just continue like I am.”

“As for no one looking for me, I wouldn’t be too sure about that. You made an open invitation for me to come here, I’m sure many may have seen it, my own subordinates especially. They will know this was my last known location, and will search this premises first.” He had faith in his followers, even if they were just fodder to him. They were loyal fodder, and useful, and that’s what was important.

"I am quite aware of that and I intend to make a reply to that, as though you had never arrived. Besides, I am quite sure that they would be easily handled by myself if it came to that," Arashi replied. "You are not nervous about your future, or are you? I imagine you think yourself able to get out of this situation, but for the time being, you will not. I told you before, harming you is a last resort, I intend to get some reason past your thick skull." And, for emphasis, tapped Orochimaru between the eyes lightly.

Orochimaru blinked, golden eyes involuntarily performing the action at the contact to his forehead. “They won’t take your word; you are our enemy, and they will be certain that I am not here before they believe I have left the City.” This situation, he didn’t know what to think of it, other than it was going to give him a headache. Now he would have no choice but to listen to the mindless brainwashing of the Konoha ninja. Really, the village was like some religious cult, always trying to convert members to their cause.

He smiled at the blinking, such a mundane gesture, "They will search, but will not find you. Of course, I will be terribly concerned that you are in our world once more wreaking havoc. And if it comes to that, I will simply force them out." He said succinctly, then leaned back in an audacious gesture, sitting to one side of the bed, while leaning back over Orochimaru's tied form, shoulders against the wall. It was an unintentional gesture denoting the lack of threat he considered the sannin at this point. "Why do you do it?"

“Do what?” Orochimaru knew full well what he was being asked, but he wasn’t just going to cooperate, that wouldn’t be any fun. Still, he didn’t like the arrogant little brat acting as if he wasn’t in danger, and by the time this was all over, he was going to regret his actions.

"You know what I mean," He replied, arching an eyebrow, "Why do you do all of this. Act only in your own best interest, use people. Had you stayed in Konoha, you could have perfected your jutsu and many others in manners that would not involve harming people. You took the easy way out."

“I took the most effective path, which also happens to be the easiest path in the end. Those two things usually go hand in hand.” He replied in an almost bored tone. He had explained this so many times before to this one man, that he didn’t really feel like going through it again, but he would humor the blond for now. “As for acting in my own interests, that’s called survival instinct. You don’t survive acting for others, one needs to put themselves before all else.”

"And what have you learned, how to harm people, how to cause pain? You could have used your techniques for protection, for healing, you would have been respected and revered instead of feared and hated," Arashi replied. "Does it matter so much that you live? Everyone dies, Orochimaru, everyone. You will die some day as well."

“That, is entirely the point.” Orochimaru stated, pausing before he continued. “No one lives forever, but I will, and in a thousand years, what will it matter what a few people think of me now? Nothing. It will be a new era, and it’s too bad you won’t be there to see it.” He closed his golden eyes, relaxing into the mattress beneath him, as if getting ready to go back to sleep. “Pain and suffering are small prices to pay for immortality.”

"You can easily say that because it is not your pain and suffering that is paving the way for your so called immortality," Arashi replied, fingers moving to draw a strand of black hair around them and give a tug, "Ah, no sleeping just yet."

He cracked an eye open to glance at Arashi before closing it again. “I’m not asleep, I’m just tired of looking at you.” Sleep was, however, preferable to explaining these same things again. It also was a good pretense for thinking of plans for escape. “Besides, who says I haven’t suffered. Losing my arms like I did was very painful.”

"You deserved that, you know," Arashi replied. "And it was about time you had a taste of the suffering you inflict so casually on others." He shifted again, straightening to look directly down at Orochimaru, "I just don't know how to get through to you. But I do not intend to give up on you."

He still hadn’t opened his eyes, but could feel the close proximity of his captor, ever aware of his surroundings. “If I deserved to lose my arms, then Sarutobi more than deserved to lose his life, too bad he stopped me before I could bring you back to help me, things might have gone a little less painfully for me if that had not been the case.”

It was impressive how persistent Arashi was, not giving up on a lost cause. Orochimaru knew he would eventually though, in a few days, weeks, it didn’t matter; sooner or later he would realize that all of this was for nothing, but in that time perhaps Orochimaru would be able to acquire himself another loyal follower. It was a possibility if he could get past all that blond hair and thick skull. “I wish you luck in your endeavors.”

"Sarutobi was defending the place you attacked maliciously, he was in the right and you were in the wrong," Arashi replied. "Especially for calling up the souls of the other Hokage. Nasty thing on your part." Then chuckled slightly, "They should have kept a closer on you anyway, with colorings like this, there was no doubt you would be prone to misdeeds." And drew a finger over the purplish markings near the inner tear ducts of Orochimaru's eyes lightly, curious to see if it was face paint or actual flesh color. "And don't start getting smug and anticipating my giving up on you. I have nothing but time."

“Yes, you have all eternity. Being dead will do that for you.” The muscle in Orochimaru’s eye jumped a little at the finger on his face, tracing the natural patters in his skin; this boy was so touchy feely. He was not used to this kind of contact, and any contact he did experience was only that which he asked for. The exception being fights, and this was hardly that. “Nasty or not, the technique served it’s purpose, and that is the important thing. Too bad it wasn’t more effective, I had planned on leveling Konoha that day. Not all plans are perfect though.”

"And you did not. Nor will you ever destroy Konoha or accomplish your goals if they are malicious ones," Arashi replied. "Haven't you noticed? No matter how strong your minions are, no matter how good your plans, you have been stopped at every turn." He could tell the brief touch made the other man a bit twitchy and half smiled to himself at that. All right, keep him off balance. The Yondaime drew fingertips down Orochimaru's cheek.

He turned his head slightly, away from the wandering fingers, and suppressed another twitch or whatever response his body had planned to give without his consent. “If I’ve been stopped, then why were they unable to prevent me from getting the very thing I wanted? The Uchiha boy has been serving under me for nearly three years now, and will willingly give his body to me as my new container at any time. I’d say things have been going very well for me.”

"You exploited a weakness in a him," Arashi replied, biting back a smirk as Orochimaru turned away, a small victory, it would seem. "Are you sure he is on your side? What happens when he isn't able to do the one thing he wants and realizes you have failed him. ." Arashi asked, fingertips moving to the exposed side of Orochimaru's face, running along his jaw line. The other man was rather beautiful in an exotic sort of way, there was a frailty to his look that undermined the strength of chakra and mind.

Orochimaru shuddered at the foreign contact, the caress of sorts not something he had experienced. Opening his eyes just enough to glare, he tilted his head away from the fingertips again. “That doesn’t matter, as far as he’s concerned, I can take over his body first then kill his brother, just as long as his brother dies. Itachi will die too, he’s too much of a problem to keep around.”

"I don't know, I've heard you left Akatsuki and avoid them for fear of Itachi. There's another wasted talent, he was always a solemn child." And returned the glare with a smile, reaffirming his fingertips on Orochimaru's flesh, moving them down his throat, feeling the pulse.

This was getting ridiculous, so he decided to just ignore the physical contact altogether, and he closed his eyes again. “Once I have Sasuke’s body, Itachi’s strength will be nothing compared to mine. Physically, we will be evenly matched, but when it comes to chakara capacity and in battle tactics I will beat him every time. We will both have the Sharingan to copy each other’s moves and counter them, and he would not be foolish enough to use the makgenkyo on me, when it would do little more than waist most of his chakara.” He wasn’t aware of how much information he was giving away, having let his guard down knowing that Arashi wouldn’t actually do anything to him while holding him captive.

"How do you know the makgenkyo Sharingan will not affect you? Especially if Sasuke does not himself have it," Arashi asked, stopping his touch at Orochimaru's throat and removing his hands to the other man's shoulder, fingers kneading in a bit. "This position will get uncomfortable, I imagine. I do apologize for that, but it cannot be helped."

“I do my research. I know how it works from years of studying it’s effects and victims; I was even subjected to it once.”

Orochimaru wasn’t worried about the position he was tied in being uncomfortable, due to the nature of his ninja abilities he was able to bend in far more interesting ways that this for much longer and more stressful periods. What he was a bit put off by was how good those fingers felt, probing at the muscle like they were; that alone made him tense up. “I’ll be fine, it’s not like I’ll be here for too long anyway.”

"So Itachi has used it on you before and now you are immune?" He was rather probing for information, but Orochimaru was being surprisingly cooperative with liberal tidbits of things that the Yondaime found quite useful. "And don't be so sure. No jutsu will take you from those ropes and I will keep very close watch on the knots to ensure they do not come loose." He continued to knead over the other man's shoulder, the tension was evident, "Might as well relax."

“Not immune, but I know it’s workings, and how it effects different people; including the user.” Orochimaru clarified.

“I am relaxed.” He lied, not caring if the lie was blatant. He wasn’t on edge, just uncomfortable with all the touching and being unable to pull away. It was overly familiar, overly friendly; like being nice would convert him from his evil ways back to the side of Konoha. Which the Yondaime was continuously holding up as the beacon of hope and light in the world.

"Oh? And how does it affect the user?" Then frowned slightly, "You are tense, I can feel that. I don't intend to harm you if things continue like this. ." And as for added emphasis, pressed his thumbs directly into the muscles joining shoulder and neck in effort to force relaxation.

Orochimaru let out a hiss, his muscle losing some tension. Arashi had hit a knot in the muscle, and the pressure was something of a relief to it. “Just leave it, I am relaxed.”

“That all depends on how it’s being used, the most effective method is the most dangerous to be used, because it can be countered by someone with a strong will, and then it just becomes nothing more than a huge waste of chakra. The ultimate level of the Sharingan is rather useless to me, I’m only interested in its ability for copying jutsu, but even that needs to be handled with care. Limits are… imperfect.” He had gone through enough bodies over the years with enough bloodline limits to know they all came with flaws; for all that they were envied and closely guarded within clans.

"Why bother with them if they are imperfect. . ?" He asked, somewhat curious for the method behind the madness. He was dying to know just how many limits Oro had obtained through the years and which ones, but refrained from asking or now. "Leave what?" Two could play the feigned ignorance game. He had felt the knot and the tension leave and continued to work through the muscles there, now using all fingers and thumbs to work away the tension, body quite warm so near the other man's.

“My shoulder, just leave it be. I’ll be fine, even tied up as awkwardly as you have me.” His arms stretched above him as they were would get painful after a few days, but even then he wouldn’t admit to it, ninja were raised on pain.

“They have their uses; even with flaws they far outrank any normal jutsu, and even many kinjutsu. Though the later depends on the nature of what you are trying to accomplish.” He knew more about limits than anyone else from their world in all likely hood, and with a little more research could probably design his own, and not even have to worry about breeding it to increase it’s strength. “They wouldn’t be prized or feared if they weren’t powerful.”

"I would, but you aren't the one giving orders around here. Does it bother you, the contact?" He asked, sliding hands up over Orochimaru's slender upper arms. There was a corded strength in them, however, much like a snake. How not ironic, the Yondaime thought, continuing to touch him. "How many limits would you say you know?"

“Dozens, most likely, I never kept count.” Orochimaru shuddered as the contact returned to lighter touches, now tracing his arms. “I may not be giving orders, but it’s unnecessary.” He refused to open his eyes to acknowledge the other man. “Besides, I think it’s about time I got some sleep; which, while not impossible, is fairly difficult with you hands roaming around like that.”

"Your company is not so unpleasant, I think there is hope for you yet," he replied. "And if you wish to sleep, then by all means, do so. I will cease distracting you." Now that thought was interesting, but he counted on the sannin not being used to pleasant and nice touches. His hands trailed off Oro's arms and Arashi leaned in, pressing lips to Orochimaru's forehead in what was meant to be a rather fatherly gesture.

Orochimaru’s eyes snapped open, and narrowed into a glare at the sudden and very unexpected kiss to his forehead, but he didn’t comment on it. Arashi was just trying to push his buttons, so not responding was most likely his best option anyway. “Until later then, seeing as you’re so sure I won’t be moving, and are so intent on preaching to me.”

"Oh, I'm not going anywhere. I intend to keep an eye on you in case you are intending to try an escape instead of sleep," The Yondaime replied with a heartfelt smile. The glare had not been lost on him either. He was not solely touching Oro to provoke reactions, but also to give him a sense of contact with another person that was not rough or demanding or anything less than nice.

“Fine, stay.” Orochimaru closed his eyes, for the last time, ending the conversation for the evening. He was saving his attempts to figure out what exactly was going through the Yondaime’s head for the next day. Insanity was hereditary, and that would explain Naruto as well; too bad he knew nothing of Arashi’s father. That would be something to ask about later.

The Yondaime said nothing more either, moving from the bed to a nearby chair, putting his feet up on the side table and tipping the chair back on its hind legs as he watched Orochimaru.