Toughen Up Kabuto x Reader

       After well over a year of almost complete isolation, it had finally happened. You didn't want to admit it, bur you'd become horribly lonely and dreadfully bored. Kabuto was almost never there anymore, though you knew that wasn't his own choice. After the time you'd gotten yourself completely lost, you'd stopped spending your days exploring. There was nothing for you to do, and no way for you to entertain yourself. “I might have made a huge mistake.” You hated yourself for saying that, but being indoors constantly could drive a person mad. With a loud, pained sigh, you dropped back onto your bed and stared up at the dark ceiling. “I can't live like this any longer. I'm going to have to leave this place, and I'm going to have to do it soon.”

“Really? I'm sorry to hear that.” Kabuto, who you thought was once again away, walked into what had been your room since the first day you decided to join him. There was a hurt, but understanding look on his face. “I can't say that I blame you though. I've been a very neglectful friend, and a poor excuse for anything else.” He tried to smile to hide his sadness.”

Hearing his voice, you sprung up to a seated position and quickly tried to take back what he'd heard you say. “I didn't mean to say that out loud. I didn't even know you were here.” Despite how much you loved to tease him, you genuinely felt bad that he'd heard you. This was one time when you didn't want to tease or torment him. “I know it's not your fault, but you're not around much anymore and I'm not good at being alone all the time.”

Kabuto sat down next to you and gently placed his hand on your knee. “I knew you'd get bored here, anyone would. That's why I've offered quite a few times to take you back home.”

“I know, but I don't want to leave you.” Hoping to ease some of the discomfort in the room, you wrapped your arms around him and snuggled him to a laying position. “You're kind of a dork, but you're my dork. I really don't want to loose my dork you know.”

“I'll take that as a complement.” Kabuto's face turned red as it often did when you hugged him. “Still, this is something we need to talk about. The last time you got overly bored, you got lost. I'd rather something like that, not happen again.” He freed an arm from your hug and adjusted his glasses. “So, we really need to come up with a solution.”

You didn't want to spend the time you had with him discussing things like this, but you knew he was right. Releasing him from your tight hug, you sprawled out on the bed and tried to think. “You're the genius here, do you have any bright ideas?”

“I could ask Lord Orochimaru if you could come with me when I leave for missions or to work in the lab, but he'll probably dislike that idea.” Kabuto shook his head, disproving his own idea. “What if I drew you a map to get outside? Do you think you could read it?”

“Maybe, but even if I went outside, I couldn't really talk to that many people. Everyone at the Leaf probably thinks I'm dead by now, and if they saw me they'd just get suspicious.” Though you'd never felt at home at the Leaf Village, the idea of being back there, surrounded by people again, was a happy one. “I don't know anyone in the surrounding villages either.”

“True, but at least you'd be able to go places and meet new people. You wouldn't be stuck in here unless you wanted to be. You could come and go as you please.” He lied down beside you and smiled sweetly. “Maybe you could even get a pet or something to keep you company when I'm away.”

The fact that he was willing to try just about anything to get you to stay, warmed your heart. “A pet might be nice to have, but I'd really rather have you here with me.” Feeling much more emotional than usual, you rolled over and snuggled your face into his chest. “Sorry, I know I'm being all whiny. I swear I don't mean to be.”

Kabuto suddenly seemed extremely focused. “I know I just got back, but there's something I have to do. I'll be back as soon as I can.” He quickly sat up and pushed himself off of your bed.

“What, are you serious?” You grasped his hand and tried to pull him back to you. “Where are you going? Can't you stay a little longer.”

He didn't give you any explanation, but somehow you trusted him. “This is important, I need to do it now or I might never do it. I'll be back soon, I promise.” He placed a kiss on the top of your hand and quickly disappeared down the long, winding hallway.

“There he goes, again.” You were only alone for a couple of seconds and the loneliness was already creeping in. “I really hope he comes back soon. And I'm talking to myself again.” You let out a loud groan and slammed your face into your pillow. Between your boredom and stress, you were constantly tired causing you to fall asleep only minutes after your face hit your pillow.

A while later, how much later exactly you didn't know, you felt someone gently shaking you awake. “H-hey, could you not be asleep for just a minute please?”

You sat up slowly and rubbed your eyes, still not sure what was going on. “Hey, you're back.” Your eyes widened at the extra figure standing in the room. “And it looks like you brought Orochimaru along with you, which is a little weird.”

“Quiet child, I need to speak to you.” Orochimaru looked down at you in a way that scared you half to death. He was much more intimidating in person than you'd ever imagined he would be. “Kabuto seems to be having a very difficult time focusing on the tasks I'm giving him, and now he thinks he has a right to make demands. I don't like when my peons disrespect me.” His glare intensified, make you feel like you were an insect about to be stepped on. “I blame Kabuto's sudden disrespect for authority on you. What do you have to say for yourself?”

You looked to Kabuto for answers, but his gaze wouldn't meet yours. Without any idea what you were supposed to be doing or saying, you took a deep breath and spoke your mind in the most respectful way you could. “I might very well be at fault, sir. But I don't really feel bad about it. Kabuto's always doing your bidding, I think he deserves a little down time too.”

“Is that so?” Orochimaru's glare softened. “I suppose I should consider this, but for the time being, I suggest you two enjoy whatever time I allow you to spend together. Also, it might make things a bit simpler if your room wasn't so far away from everything. I'll have it moved closer to the lab, eventually.” Still looking incredibly stern, he turned around, and walked out of your room.

That entire conversation had just left you feeling confused and little freaked out. “I'm confused, was he just nice to me?”

Kabuto nodded, trying not to laugh, just in case Orochimaru could still hear him. “In his own way, I think so. I'm sorry I left you earlier, but I wanted to talk to Lord Orochimaru about spending more time with you. I didn't want you there in case he got angry, which he did at first.” He blushed slightly. “I brought up the fact that you can cook and it calmed him down a bit. He also agreed, after a bit of begging, to not make me run errands for  him on Sunday.”

“Man, you really broke him down didn't you?” You jokingly punched him in the arm and gave him a teasing grin. “I had no idea you could be so tough and relentless when you wanted to be.” Your grin morphed into a smirk. “Now if only you could toughen up in a few other important areas.”

Knowing exactly what you were talking about, Kabuto hung his head and sighed loudly. “You thrive on tormenting me. I swear I don't think you'll never be satisfied.”

“Don't say that. I was just reminding you that there are still some things we need to work on.” Once again, you pulled him onto your bed and snuggled him close. “And now that I'm going to have you around a little bit more, we should have time to work on those things.” Snuggling even closer, you kissed all over his flushed neck, chin and chest for no other reason than to embarrass him further. “Wouldn't you agree, my adorable, blushing, dork?”

Kabuto wrapped his arms around you in a way that made you think he might never let you go again. He rubbed his nose against yours and chuckled quietly. “You know, sometimes I think you might be the evilest one out of all of us.”