Parallel Lines | Naruto

?| The Lonely Means Of An End

Sasuke ignored him, he'd learnt to tune out of Suigetsu's ceaseless rambling, restraining his urge to kill him was a work in progress.

Their path treaded through the current of the crowds, torrents of people pouring in and out- although it was expected of merchant villages to always be busy especially during peak sales, there was an additional feeling, one that boiled blood and heightened emotions. It made personalities more volatile and violent, in every twist and turn, laid an unconscious body and aggressive exchanges.

"Giving me the silent treatment again?" He groaned childishly. "It's annoying when you do that, it puts me on edge, you tend to do crazy shit—"

Something barged into shoulder. Sasuke maintained his stance as the person who barrelled into him stumbled a couple of steps back, a whiff of alcohol suddenly lingering in the air. The man was like any other lurking in the street, with harsh lines, scruff and a disheveled appearance.

"Watch where you're going, you fucker!" The man growled in a vicious tone, almost like a rabid dog eager to fight. Sasuke held his stare contemplatively, his eyes flickered for a brief second. "Why you staring at me like that, boy? I'll show you something to stare at—"

He lifted his fist, ready to pummel it forth, only that the man was unable to pull his fist back as he paused midair. His eyebrows scrunched as though in pain, the veins on his wrist pulsated and darkened visibly, and his body writhed with struggle.

"W-What are—" He let out a pained grunt, tears escaping his eyes.

Sasuke merely lifted a thin brow and tilted his head, watching as a sickening crack resonated in the air and the man's hand shrivelled up like a raisin; raw, bloodied and his bones protruding and every angle.

"See?!" Suigetsu lifted his hands in exasperation as he stared at the man who was now on his knees, screaming in pain. "Batshit, I say. At least you didn't kill him this time."

His body trembled as he frothed at the mouth, in the matter of seconds he stopped moving.

"Never mind."

Tavern. Green eyes. Crooked nose.

"Let's go." Sasuke said after a small pause, ignoring the onlookers and turning a sharp right. He didn't care to cover his tracks, not when the streets were already littered with bodies.

An abrupt inkling propelled him. Orochimaru had always sent him on wild goose chases in order to discipline his incessant desire for bloodshed. If he was given something else to focus on without losing his temper— his Tenebris would be easier to rein in, an empty and undisturbed mind guaranteed control.

But this time, Orochimaru was persistent, eager even, with eyes that glinted with underlying motive. Sasuke knew he'd be able to retrieve the answers in an instant, but decided to humour him for the time being.

"Can you at least tell me what-"

He entered the tavern, the bell chiming upon their entry, but the noise was drowned out by voices of collective laugher and words amalgamating.

In each and every corner, the seats were filled to the brink, with clusters of people crowding around tables, placing their bets and gambling all their money. The stench of alcohol, odour and drugs were pungent; he recognised the scent, a new drug that had recently been introduced on the market— Tranquil, just one dose was enough to induce powerful hallucinations and delusions. Post Departure, many people resorted to drugs as a coping mechanism, as an escape from reality.