My Lover's Keeper

Naruto looked at the rest of the teens as they kept a fair distance away from them both.

The person with the evil smirk in front of him was nothing short of sinister.
He did a medical exam. He was a doctor but saving people wasn't for him.

"Perhaps not as defective as I thought after all..." He smirked "So unfortunate..." He ran his finger on Naruto's cheek again. "Lose the clothes"

"Wha-what?" Naruto moved away "No, that's not going to happen. I'm getting out of here," he stood up still not controlling his legs so he wobbled and struggled to remain standing.

"This is why Lord Orochimaru doesn't fancy blonds so much....they're harder to tame" Kabuto had walked in front of Naruto and raised his hand to slap the blond. He would have loved to beat him up but he didn't want any marks left on the boy.

Naruto blocked his arm glaring right at the person in front of him. If he wasn't still drugged he'd have fought. But, his legs wobbled again and he fell.
Kabuto's anger boiled and he but all was going to punch him to unconsciousness.

The only thing that did stop him was the sound of shoes clicking on the tiled floor.
"Kabuto, I hope you are playing nice" his master's voice spoke.
The teens were coming his way when he just swatted them away with his hand showing no interest in getting their attention. "Where is my blondie?"

"Over here Orochimaru-sama" Kabuto smirked "he wants to leave,"

"Does he now?" He got on his knees in front of the teen "why do you wish to leave me? I can give you the world, make you rich-.. "

"I don't want your money," Naruto spoke with conviction. They were the truest words the adult had heard anyone speak.

Orochimaru lost any self control he had, leaning in and kissing the teen. There was something about the teen's eyes that just drove Orochimaru over the edge. He was looking at innocence itself and he wanted it to be his.

Naruto didn't have a saying in the kiss, he had no control over his body and the stranger was physically stronger. His mouth was violated by Orochimaru's tongue that took freedom in probing Naruto's oral cavity.

"Leave us" Orochimaru ordered, pulling away.

"Hai," Kabuto had taken the others and left with them. He knew what was coming for the teen.

Naruto was breathing heavy as he wasn't given a chance to gather himself, his hands shook.
Orochimaru had noticed the fever. He might be a Pedo but he had some morals. Besides, if he treats the blond well, then Naruto would be no different than the rest of his harem.

Orochimaru made sure they always develop feelings for him. Stockholm syndrome was his game and he was good at it.
"I didn't mean to kiss you so suddenly." He caressed the teen's cheek "I've never met anyone quite like you before"

How many times has he told that sentence? But this time, he actually felt something as if he meant it.

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Unfortunately, what was supposed to hopefully last one night didn't.

Naruto woke up the fifth day to the sound of one of the teens crying. He slowly got out of bed and walked to him.
"Hey..." He sat on the soft mattress and saw the teen curl up to a ball. "Are you okay?"

"Tomoya, Orochimaru-sama is waiting for you" the eldest teen informed.

"I'm not going" the kid curled up more.

"You know what's going to happen if you don'-.."

"I'll go instead" Naruto didn't even know what he was volunteering for.

"Your funeral" the teen shrugged walking away.

Naruto followed him "excuse me..."

"He's in the master bedroom. That would be the one down the hall, go anywhere else and the guards won't hesitate shooting you." Youhei, was the oldest and the one who had been there the longest. He had been there for seven whole years, almost eight, for a reason. Youhei had learned to play by the rules.

Naruto opened the door and got out of the harem lodging. He saw guards on his left keeping an eye on the stairs and went the other way to the door down the hall.

He softly knocked and the door swung open. "You are-..." Orochimaru immediately stopped when he saw the blond and not Tomoyo whom he sent after.

"He isn't feeling well." Naruto looked down.

"Don't lie to me" Orochimaru walked past him and froze when he felt the blond's soft hand holding his.

"I'm not. Besides, I thought we could get to know each other. They said-.."

"You want to get to know me?" Orochimaru suspiciously raised an eyebrow. None of his hostages had ever so forwardly done what Naruto had.

"Mhm" he nodded.

"Tell Youhei to lend you a suit, meet me downstairs when you're ready" he softly smiled and brought Naruto's hand to his lips kissing it before walking away.

The blond went back to the lodging and borrowed the black suit. He took a quick shower before he changed into the dreaded formal outfit.

Then he was allowed to go downstairs by the guards. The estate was big but he didn't give anything a second glance. He didn't marvel at it the way he had at the car.

Orochimaru noticed but he also noticed that although the teen didn't adhere to wearing a tie, he still looked absolutely dashing. It was all he could think about.
The blond was more handsome than any of the dozens of lovers he had through the years.

The man offered his hand which Naruto graciously took.
They sat at the table, together. Naruto was quiet, looking at the food in front of him and realizing he had no appetite whatsoever.
"I'm Yashamaru Orochimaru, you can call me Orochimaru-sama" the man smiled at the teen.

"Uzumaki Naruto" he softly bowed his head. "I'm seventeen,"

"Really? you look much younger." He confessed, "I'm 55" he hated his old age, he had hated his age ever since he was eighteen.

"I wouldn't have been able to guess" Naruto noticed the man looked at him not understanding what he implied "you look in your late twenties at most dattebayo?"

Orochimaru cleared his throat. For the first time in decades, someone had actually genuinely complimented him.
"Flattering" he smiled as he ate.
Naruto on the other side of the large table, only drank a glass of orange juice.
"It's not drugged or anything"

"I didn't mean to offend you. I simply don't have an appetite" Naruto looked at his plate, hoping the appetite loss was temporary. Ever since his arrival, he pretty much had only occasionally eaten a few bites here and there.

Orochimaru allowed this behaviour, the teen was new so being a bit distressed was natural.

After breakfast, they went on a walk in the garden.

Naruto was feeling cold as it was snowing and he was way underdressed for the weather. The man next to him removed his black coat and silently placed it around the teen's shoulder.

The blond stopped walking when he felt the warm coat. "Thank you" he casually said as he properly wore it holding to it for more warmth. "Orochimaru-sama-..."

"The story about your boyfriend, was a lie, wasn't it?" He looked at the blond who was focusing on the beautiful roses. He knew it was a lie. Naruto was way too calm for someone just kidnapped.

"Mhm...." He nodded and blushed a deeper shade of red "some friends of mine....they said they went there and lost their virginity to older men...ya know they're more experienced and such....and I was...kind of intrigued. It's embarrassing" quick on his feet, Naruto covered up with a more believable story.

"My first time was with an older person too. Don't be so embarrassed." The man couldn't help but feel all giddy inside. The last time he felt like that was with the person he fell in love with. The person he now hated from the bottom of his heart.

"Did it hurt?"

"A little at first" Orochimaru put his hands in his pockets for warmth. No one had ever actually made effort to get to know him.

Naruto held his kidnapper's hand and put it in the coat pocket with his. In the blond's mind, he needed to get on Orochimaru's good side. He needed to protect the rest of the kids.

He was willing to do whatever it takes, no matter how much the thought of it hurt him.

Still, Naruto's kindness towards his captor was genuine. He was caring towards everyone, that was just his nature.
"We should go back inside, it's too cold and you gave me your coat,"

"You really are...quite unique" he placed his index and thumb on the teenager's chin pulling him closer.

"Orochi-..." Naruto felt those lips against his, his body plainly tensed up but he closed his eyes and gave into the kiss, reciprocating the action. He forced his body to relax to not seem suspicious.

After that, Orochimaru had taken him to the car, seeing as they had a party to attend out of town.

Naruto saw only vast green lands covered with white snow. Even if he thought of an escape plan, would he manage to get help?

He fell asleep some time during the ride. When Orochimaru nudged him to wake up, they have already arrived and it was night. He was given a mask.

Naruto put on the fox mask handed it to him, whereas, Orochimaru had worn the mask that was known in Konoha as the Shinigami mask. It was a bad omen.

The teen noticed as he stepped through the door, that this was a gathering of high status people who had sick and twisted sexual desires.

He plainly tensed at the sheer number of people. He hated small closed spaces; crowded areas were even worse.

Half of the guests were pretty much kept in restraints, a collar around their necks with a leash. He was at least thankful, Orochimaru did not treat him that way.

He trailed behind the dark haired man with the reaper's mask, too scared to get lost. In that sea of monsters, it was ironic to see that Orochimaru was an angel.

"You have a new pet," the woman replied looking at his striking blue eyes and blond hair, just her type "is he for sale too?"

"I'm afraid not, Kitsune is mine for the keeping. Ogle him like that again and I'll rip your eyes out of their sockets" his voice was kind but his words were venomous. The contrast sent chills down Naruto's spine.

"The last time you brought a blond here was five years ago." She remarked "for your own safety and that of your pet, I hope history doesn't repeat itself; Considering you don't leash your property" she threatened in the same tone before walking away.

"That bitch.." he muttered. "Naruto, stay close"

"Hai" the teen replied getting even closer. It wasn't like he was fond of being away from Orochimaru. As ironic as that sounded, he felt safer with his kidnapper than with any of these other strangers.

He stood by Orochimaru's side, spoke only when spoken to. The man fancied him even more, unlike the last blond he had ever brought here, Naruto was well mannered and obviously quick to adjust.

Naruto stared at the giant glass habitat for display, trying to spot the snake. He could only see a light orange coloured toad in there.
"Are you interested in reptilians?" Orochimaru asked the blond.

"Not particularly. But I find it more intriguing than the company we're having" he leaned forward spotting some faint movement in the snake habitat.

"Of course such a low class human would not understand something so above their pitiful low status" another man sniggered. "You're no different than that frog. A weak stupid prey unaware that it is about to be eaten by a bigger predator." He huffed. "Dumb blonds"

Orochimaru was about to pounce the man for assaulting his date when Naruto's eyes curved suggesting he was smiling as the snake showed up and swallowed the helpless toad alive and whole. It slithered away until it suddenly stopped.

"You shouldn't be so quick to judge. Sometimes the weak stupid prey might just surprise you." He pointed at the dead snake as the toad safely made its way out of its predator's jaw. "Who's dumb enough to give a cane toad to a snake?" He wondered to himself, not realizing the man who insulted him was the owner of the now rare dead snake.

Orochimaru smirked hearing appreciating that smart remark. "You know about toads?"

"Mhm, I know about a lot of animals. Cane toads are infamously poisonous. They're not quite deadly to us but they are to animals. I wanted to see if the snake could see the warning signs. They're usually very smart, perhaps this one was just too tamed"

"Enlighten me, what are the warning signs?" Orochimaru asked interested.

"You already know" Naruto smiled at him "you're wary of me for those same signs. I'm too relaxed for someone you have just kidnapped. Just like the toad didn't care that it was being stalked. I'm not fighting your advances just like it didn't fight the snake and allowed itself to be swallowed whole. You're afraid you'd take a bite, find that I am poisonous and it'd be too late for you to do anything. Unlike the snake, you're being careful,"

Naruto had hit the nail on the coffin. Those were all thoughts that have crossed Orochimaru's mind but he didn't think Naruto smart enough to pick on those subtle cues. He hadn't slept with Naruto for the same reason.
"Well I have been curious as to why you're just okay with your current situation"

"I try not to overthink. It wouldn't be good for me if I stress. I wish I was a poisonous toad but I'm more like an opossom." Naruto chuckled. "Of course, my current honesty is questionable."

"I'll refrain from saying anything else" Orochimaru walked away and Naruto followed behind. "It's best you wait for me here."

"Hai," the blond bowed to the dark haired adult until he was out of sight. Then he sat down.

He didn't like that he was the centre of attention in that room. It made his claustrophobia act up and he found himself rushing out of there needing some fresh air.

He passed by the guards who oddly didn't attempt to stop him at all.
Naruto removed the mask once he was outside and gasped for air.

He counted his inhales and exhales until he calmed down. He chose to stay out on the porch. The cold air hit his face, people's laughter was audible behind him.

But the sky was beautifully lit by the stars. They were far from the city, that much the sky had told him. Because, the stars were never this visible in the city due to light pollution.

Orochimaru was done with the meeting. He went to fetch Naruto but couldn't find him.
"Your little fox had left about an hour ago. Looks like we've having ourselves a fox in the hunt this year too" she smugly stated.

The Snake pushed passed the bodies that were too busy drinking, making out and some were even getting started with a small orgy. It disgusted him that they would share lovers like this.

He didn't know why the thought of Naruto running away hurt him so much. He felt his heart beating in his throat, but he opened the front door and immediately noticed the blond sitting there leaning on a beam.

Naruto had sat up alert when he heard the door open.
"Orochimsaru-sama, I...needed some fresh air" he relaxed back as it was only the Snake and not any of those other more dangerous predators.

"Haven't I specifically told you to wait?" He partially raised his voice.

"I couldn't breathe." He calmly clarified "it's too crowded in there. It's much calmer here, much prettier" he shifted his attention back to the stars "Orochimaru-sama,"

"What is it?"

Naruto simply tapped the empty space next to him. The adult would have normally declined but seeing that serene smile on the blond's face made him comply.

Once Orochimaru sat next to him, Naruto rested his head on the adult's shoulder. "what would you do if you knew you wouldn't live long?"

"Are you having an existential crisis?"

"No. I'm getting to know you" Naruto closed his eyes.

"I never thought about it. I'll give it a thought and answer later" he simply replied. "What about you?"

"Mhm, I don't know either. But I have never been to the beach before." The teen never thought of making a bucket list. He never planned for anything too far in the future. He learned to live each day on its own.

"Really?"

"Yeah" Naruto's breathing calmed after a bit. Orochimaru asked the young teen if he wanted to go home and he received a short yes as a reply.

He stared at his blond all the way back. Naruto rested his head on the man's lap as he slept. The adult played with the blond locks and then memory flashed of when he used to do that with his own late son, so he stopped.

The boy opened his eyes when he could no longer feel the gentle brushing.
"Are we home yet?" He looked at his kidnapper. His eyes opened in recognition, the dark haired adult was crying. "Orochimaru-sama"

All Naruto could see was another human being with pain deeper than he let show. He didn't know why but Orochimaru was a monster, until he saw him cry.

The man pulled away immediately and put on the Shinigami mask as he couldn't bring himself to stop crying.

Everything he had done in his life had suddenly come back to him.
But the teen wasn't willing to watch him suffer in silence.
"You don't need to hide" the boy removed the mask and gently wiped the older male's tears pulling him close for a hug.

The action seemed to only cause the pale skinned male to cry more. Why had his life turned the way it had?

Why was he sold like a puppet and then used by the one person he trusted most? Why was he abandoned when they had a son? Why did he have to lose said son? That hole he was left with, no matter what he had done, was always there. But being with Naruto, almost made everything alright.

When they have both arrived back home, Naruto calmly put the mask on the older male to spare his pride in front of others. He got out of the car first and held his hand out to the snake.

Orochimaru got out silently, greeted by his servants. Naruto bowed back to them out of habit then he followed his captor.
"Orochimaru-sama, I hope the evening had went well" Kabuto eyed his silent master. "II must say; you're unusually early,"

Naruto lied for the sake of the man who was okay only on the surface "Orochimaru-sama is tired, I'll escort him to his bedroom."

"Have you caused him problems?" Kabuto asked agitated as he was ignored by his master.

Naruto didn't know the answer. He looked at the stairs where Orochimaru continued climbing in a trance. Was he the reason the pedophile was emotionally distressed?
But before he could process it, he felt the impact of a slap on his cheek.

Kabuto reached to hold Naruto's hand but his master stopped him. Orochimaru's eyes have never been so full of anger.
"I will have your hand cut for hurting him,"

Naruto gently brought Orochimaru to stop by a simple touch. "It's okay," he mumbled to the adult male who, when seeing that soft gentle smile, calmed down. The man brushed his hand on the red cheek before partially removing his Shinigami mask to lean in and kiss the red cheek.

All Kabuto could think when the other two males were out of view was how dangerous Naruto was.

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Orochimaru had basically fallen into depression following that night. Naruto was the only person allowed in his quarters. He was the only one he needed. For an entire week, Naruto didn't leave his side.
"Mitsuki" the man called again before his lips quivered and he cried.

Naruto didn't know who this was but he finally gathered his courage and asked. "Who is Mitsuki?"

Orochimaru went quiet, not even crying after that. And the silence lasted for a long time before he finally answered.
"My son, he was my son"
Orochimaru was only fourteen when he gave birth to Mitsuki, back when he was a girl.
"He died twenty-six years ago"

"I'm sorry for your loss" Naruto couldn't help the tears.

Orochimaru looked at him and saw a genuine kind person in front of him. He had never met Mitsuki but he cried for him more than his own father had.
"Would you...like to go visit him with me?" He hesitantly asked and the boy nodded.

That was the first time in days that Orochimaru left bed.

In the garden, there was a grave for Mitsuki, surrounded by beautiful flowers. Orochimaru lighted the incense.
Naruto joined his hands together as he sat on his knees paying respect.

Visiting his son's grave made him feel better. He hadn't visited him in ages as it hurt him too much.
"He looks a lot like you" Naruto looked at the picture by the grave marker. They looked so happy together.

"I was a girl in the past." Orochimaru stated "Mitsuki is my biological son. I had an unconventional upbringing. I was groomed as a child and sold at the age of eleven to Mitsuki's father. I thought he was kind and loving, I was but a naive child and he played me.

I got pregnant at the age of thirteen and he was happy. He said he wanted an heir, that in four years time he would marry me. It all seemed so perfect. But it didn't last. Shortly after our son's birth, he claimed he no longer found me attractive.

He forced me to go through gender reassignment surgery. It was quite painful but if it meant having a family, if it meant making the person I loved happy; I was okay with it.

Four years after that, he didn't marry me, no..." Orochimaru chuckled sadly "he said that he was no longer interested in men and that I was too old for his taste. I don't know if he allowed me to stay because I was Mitsuki's mother or because he was concerned of scandals.

I should have just left with my son. But I was blinded by his fake display of fatherhood.
One day, he went on a travel with him and when they were back, Mitsuki was too sick. His father refused to tell me anything that happened. He refused to bring him a doctor, and after three excruciatingly painful days, he passed away. To this day, I have no idea what took my son away from me so early,"

Orochimaru failed to mention that after his son's death, he went absolutely crazy and murdered his ex-lover along with his new pregnant paramour.

Naruto was silent. What could he have said to such a sad life story? Sorry was surely not enough. So he held the man's hand. If Iruka and Kakashi hadn't taken them in, perhaps he and Kurama would have had a similar tragic life.

"Orochimaru-sama" Kabuto stayed in the distance not approaching the grave he knew was too personal for his keeper.

"What is it?"

"Tomoyo-kun had lied about not feeling well. I found no ailment" he smirked as he saw his sadistic master go back in the house, Naruto was straight after him.

The harem stood in place as they saw their captor. Tomoyo was visibly shaking. The man raised his hand to hit the boy but his hand was stopped.
"Please don't hurt him. I lied to you. If anyone deserves to be punished it's me. I just- wanted to-..."

"Know me" Orochimaru interrupted him and Naruto nodded as that was what he was going to say. The dark haired adult knew that was a lie. The blond lies to protect others.

"So please don't hurt him," he pleaded.

Orochimaru curled his fist before he finally relaxed. He walked away, stopping at the door.
"Naruto, don't leave my side"

"Hai, Orochimaru-sama" Naruto replied following the man. He saw the hand that was subtly asking to be held and he complied.

Youhei had never seen Orochimaru calm down before. But he was thankful the thirteen year old was spared.

He was wrong about the blond. Not only did he survive more than a week but he was also the only one Orochimaru wanted to spend time with.

The following day was a different story as their owner came into their lodging.
"You must all get ready for dinner tonight. We are having guests over. I want you all to behave yourselves." the man said as he took Naruto away.

The rest of them were silent. It was obvious, Orochimaru was acting out of character. Holding hands, smiling, being extra gentle...those were not characteristics of the man who took their innocence.