[OPEN] The Strange Man's Arrival

[soveryhelpful]

Within hours of finding himself in this new location, he'd removed his Sound forehead protector and buried it in a copse of trees beyond a rice paddy. It was clear that there were no shinobi here, and he had no desire to stand out. What was the saying about the post that sticks up...? If captured, he would need to be able to morph his allegiances to suit, not be branded prematurely by a piece of metal. Purposefully, he'd masked his Chakra and made to blend in, smiling and earning himself the trust of a simple herbsman within the village itself. To even the most trained eye, the young man with the prematurely-grey hair had made himself a home in this so-called Michi no Sato.

Yakushi Kabuto had no home, only cover stories.

Whether this was a test of Orochimaru-sama's or a genjutsu prison devised by any one of their many enemies, Kabuto would survive, would thrive, and would eventually escape to rejoin his master. Any lingering doubts that he might eventually be happy here on his own were quickly squashed. Independence was not an option.

Within a few days, other shinobi began to arrive, some more obviously than others. Through it all, the young man only smiled, collected herbs, mashed poultices, and took careful, careful notes.

The bustle of the Frost Festival provided the perfect opportunity to personally gather more information. The shifting timelines and alternate personalities he'd observed would only be to his benefit here.

Comments

[soveryhelpful]

He only blinks and inclines his head in a noncommittal agreement without removing his eyes from the other's face. It wasn't often the spy found himself at such a disadvantage information-wise, and he still hadn't found his metaphorical feet, as it were.

"A kidnapper?" he repeats as if amused, bringing a hand to his face to adjust his glasses as he watches the other. "I take it you've been speaking with Naruto-kun."

[smallstepstopower]

"My housemate, actually." A smirk flit over his face. "He's incredibly amusing. Though, if he doesn't stay out of my lab space in the future I'm going to be much less forgiving."

He hummed and stepped in, holding eye contact with the other male even as he took in the details of how he held himself and such. "I do think I would love to have your name."

[soveryhelpful]

This time, there's the smallest twitch, a narrowing of the eyes as one hand's fingers flex, so recently injured by Naruto's kunai. Even so, he's remarkably at ease in the presence of the other -- off-balance, to be sure, but at ease. As if he's fully confident the other won't attempt to harm him.

So Uzumaki Naruto was living with Orochimaru-sama. Curious, and yet dangerous, as Kabuto holds no doubts that the boy will attack him without any hesitation whatsoever. Even so, he keeps his gaze steady as he inclines his head again. "Of course. Please forgive my rudeness, Orochimaru-sama. My name is Kabuto. Yakushi Kabuto."

[smallstepstopower]

"Kabuto." He paused, then hummed softly as a slow pleased smile crossed his face. "I like it Kabuto-kun. You use sama with me... so just how is it we know each other?"

[soveryhelpful]

This question he'd anticipated as soon as it was clear the other had no idea who he was. He'd already concocted a half-dozen stories to tell him, just in case he wanted to break away, but... what would be the point? Orochimaru-sama may be testing his loyalty again.

"I am your loyal subordinate, Orochimaru-sama," he answers simply.

[smallstepstopower]

He hummed softly and flicked his gaze over him, studying him with care before looking to his face again. "And that pleases you?"

[soveryhelpful]

"Of course." There's not hesitation at all to that answer as he reaches up to adjust his glasses again, a small smirk curving his lips. Orochimaru-sama had already mentioned having a lab, so therefore he was still conducting experiments. Time to make sure he'd still be indispensable to his master.

"With what other master would I be permitted to research as I do?"

[smallstepstopower]

Well, that certainly garnered his interest, and he didn't bother to hide it. "You like in depth research do you?"

[soveryhelpful]

"Medical research, to be more specific," he admits honestly, lowering his hand and keeping the other's gaze. "However, at least in the future, our methods are... frowned upon."

[smallstepstopower]

"I've heard." He let out a deep sigh and frowned. "Which is irritating considering that it's perfectly condoned, at the moment in my time. Encouraged even."

[soveryhelpful]

Aah, time to step carefully. If Orochimaru-sama's methods were still condoned, then he was from further in the past than he had suspected. "If I may ask, Orochimaru-sama, is Naruto-kun aware of what it is you do?"

[smallstepstopower]

"I never -denied- what I do." He canted his head. "But I get the impression he was more upset on behalf of the one I 'kidnapped' than anything to do with my actual tests. Even if he is making it difficult to set up a lab space. It's been... slow."

He made a moue of distaste. "No matter, I've a test to run in the morning on Itachi-kun." He flashed a smirk. "I rather get the impression that he doesn't care what I do as long as he improves. He was taking the most fascinating mix of poison before."

[soveryhelpful]

He takes careful note of the way he uses 'kidnapped' in past tense. Knowing Naruto-kun, there was only one potential target that the other would be upset that he was kidnapped -- Sasuke-kun. If it were in the past tense, that would mean their attempt to lure him succeeded. Which meant that in relation to his own self, this Naruto-kun was from a further point in time. Fascinating, really.

All that is decided in an instant as he doesn't comment on the setting up of a lab, not yet knowledgeable enough to comment. Instead, he lets his eyes widen with interest. "Uchiha Itachi... is it? This is not an opportunity that should be wasted... if I may suggest, Orochimaru-sama."

[smallstepstopower]

"Oh I don't intend to. I'll be taking regular blood samples throughout the course of the drug testing until I find something... usable." He waved a hand and canted his head to the side. "I'm sure I'll have him around for a good long while. All the better in my opinion. Naruto is far harder to coax into cooperating. And you Kabuto-kun? Will you give me the chance to better get to know -you-?"

[soveryhelpful]

"And his body itself?" If Uchiha Itachi is weak enough to seek aid from Orochimaru-sama, then he should be weak enough to easily defeat... though, upon second thought, if Orochimaru-sama were really only as old as he looked, was that even a concern of his?

The question didn't merit a real answer; the other should already know the truth, especially if the presence of Uchiha Itachi as a willing test subject were laid as bait. Kabuto answers anyway, lips curving into something like a sadistic smirk. "As my lord wills," he answers.

[smallstepstopower]

"Hmm, you're asking something other than what I want to believe you're asking." He stepped forward, reaching up to brush his fingers along Kabuto's hair, shamelessly curious about this man.

After all, if he was cast in so bright a light for him he must have done -something- correctly. "Mmm, you'll tell me more about what I've done in the future? I'm tired of only getting the accusations when I ask." He paused, huffing softly. "And it's not even just Naruto-kun doing it either. Irritating."

[soveryhelpful]

Kabuto's eyes follow the other's hand to his hair, but he doesn't flinch away or make any sign that's he's uncomfortable with the motion. He only watches without blinking and settles his weight to show that he's not about to move.

"It would be my honor, Orochimaru-sama, but..." Purposefully, he lifts his eyes to survey the festival itself, one brow arching. "That is not something that should be openly discussed, if you don't mind my saying so."

[smallstepstopower]

"True, but that becomes a question of what definition of openly is in use." He pressed his fingertips to his sleeve where a small seal was inscribed. "I'll admit that war has made me -very- cautious."

There was a small flex of chakra, and the crowd abruptly seemed just a bit... brighter. "Will you walk with me Kabuto-kun? It's so pleasant to have a friendly face."

[soveryhelpful]

His eyes move from the seal to the crowd, attempting to analyze just what's been done, but he doesn't think he's seen the technique before. He only nods and extends a hand to gesture that Orochimaru-sama should continue on his way, and that he would fall into step behind him.

"It would be my pleasure. If I may ask, what jutsu is this?"

[smallstepstopower]

He turned to slip into the crowd. "Just a minor seal. I designed it to damped sound to a specified area and obscure so those within the area are difficult to look directly at. It's rather whimsical, but really only goes just out to fully-extended arm radius. I have it on most of my clothes. It's enough to dissuade casual spying, which is all I would have at the current time."

[soveryhelpful]

"I see." He nods with a small, interested smirk, and falls into step just behind him. "As expected from Orochimaru-sama. If you'll permit another question... what is it you are presently researching to trouble Naruto-kun so?"

[smallstepstopower]

"I've been bothering -him- actually. He really has no idea as to my proper studies, though they've not gone far given my incomplete lab." He tisked. "Research documentation from the locals has proved... fascinating however."

[soveryhelpful]

He nods once, watching the other for a moment before turning his attention forward again. "I agree. There are herbs in this country that I was not familiar with before arrival. It would suggest that we are far from any of the Five Great Nations."

[smallstepstopower]

"Considering the name of the country and the time... issues... I would presume that we're in a place somewhat removed from the elemental nations entirely." He didn't sound overly concerned by this, instead drifting to another vendor to collect something.

[soveryhelpful]

"So it would seem," he agrees impassively with another nod, only following the other far enough to stay out of the way of the main crowd, waiting patiently for him to collect whatever it was he wanted.