Laying Claim

The dining hall seemed like such an innocent place.

A simple room, with a table, where your body finds nourishment. It should be the place you find comfort; a breeding ground of laughter and company.

Then why was this the place where meetings of life and death occurred?

Rin picked at the skin on her left thumb, working a small tear. The pain helped her focus and tried to drown out the desire to run, that pulsed through her with each passing moment.

How was she going to tell him? How would he react? It was one thing for her visit to have been on his terms, but Rin deciding to stay on her own accord, was out of his wishes. He'd never go for that.

The twisting feeling of dread raked her body, dripping cold sweat down her back.

Pick. Pick. Pick.

Small drops of blood began to surface on her thumb, oozing from the self-inflicted wound.

Until, suddenly, a cool hand rested on top of her skin, quieting its worry.

Gaara raised her injured hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "It hurts me to see you do that."

"Sorry."

The feeling of his lips against her skin calmed the raging storm within, even for a few moments.

Realistically, she knew Gaara was stronger than Orochimaru, but old habits die hard and the man who would walk through those doors, had the power to make her feel like she was back on the examining table; strapped and helpless against whatever he wanted.

"What is it you're always telling me to do when I'm nervous?" Gaara's words drifted in the air.

"Breathe."

He leaned over so that his kiss found the side of her neck, his voice an anchoring whisper. "So, breathe. Let me help you through this, like you've helped me."

A ripple of tingles washed through her at the feeling of his breath against her skin, but more so, the confidence in his words.

Gaara had her back. She didn't need to be afraid. She didn't need to be afraid.

The door opened.

She was afraid.

Rin tensed up like taut wire, all her senses alert.

Gaara slid their hands underneath the table, squeezing once more, before addressing their guest. "Lord Orochimaru. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation."

His amber eyes took in the Kazekage and then settled on Rin. "The pleasure is mine. I'd thought you'd be too busy to receive me. Curious as to how your schedule lightened since this morning?"

Gaara gave a light, controlled smile. "You're an honored guest, my Lord, it's only natural I'd move some things around to have a meal with you."

The leader of the Sound matched his expression. "My, what wonderful etiquette you have. The evidence of a long line of Kage. So charming, that you've even managed to tame a little sparrow on your shoulder. Truly impressive, Lord Kazekage."

Rin flinched at the nickname both her mother and Orochimaru used.

He sat at the opposite end of the table, studying the pair like they were a puzzle that needed solving. "Good evening to you, my dear. How lovely to see you up and out of the hospital. You're looking well. The Sand seems to agree with you."

Rin stayed where she was, her muscles tight.

His smile faded half an inch. "Rin, your master just paid you a compliment."

Gaara's eyes shifted to the woman beside him, who swallowed and lowered her chin. "Thank you, my Lord."

That was bizarre. He'd never seen Rin so docile before.

His thoughts turned to when she received the scroll a few weeks ago. "Wait, that's not exactly true either. She acted like this when he commanded her to work on Haru. What kind of hold does this man have on her? Why is she so frightened?"

Gaara cleared his throat, signaling for the meal to be laid out before them. "I hope you find everything to your liking. Never visiting the Sound myself, I'm unaware of what your cuisine is."

"Well, we will have to change that, won't we? I'll make sure to arrange a special tour for you."

"Thank you, that would be very educational."

Orochimaru reached for roll and set it on his plate. "For myself as well. It's been forever since we had anyone from the Sand visit and I'll have to make sure to arrange it as soon as possible. I can only assume you'll be anxious to visit Rin. Her shop is adorable."

"I'm sure it is, but I won't be visiting Rin there."

He stopped, amber eyes turning to meet sea green. "Whatever you do mean, Lord Kazekage?"

Gaara's hand squeezed tight around Rin's. "Ms. Ito has made the decision to stay in the Sand."

His gaze shifted to Rin. "Is that so?"

There was silence and she realized, it was because he'd been looking at her, waiting for her response.

It took a moment to find her voice, but the feeling of Gaara's hand in hers, gave her strength and she let out the breath she'd been holding. "It is."

"For how long?"

"Indefinitely... my Lord."

There it was. She made her claim and it was up to him to decide how he'd receive it.

Orochimaru lifted a glass of wine to his lips, savoring the rich bitterness that coated his throat. He swirled it around and turned his attention to Gaara. "You know something I've always admired about the Sand, Lord Kazkage?"

Gaara waited.

Orochimaru smiled, staring at the deep red liquid in his glass. "Your expert knowledge of endurance and sacrifice. Take this village for example; it's situated in the middle of the desert, where nothing comes easy. You have to work for your food, your safety, even your water supply. If there's anything the Sand understands, it's the small graces fate gives you..."

He set the glass down.

"And how easily they can be taken away again."

"What are you implying, sir?"

His laugh was cold and lacking humor. "I've given you a wonderful gift, Lord Kazekage. A treasure in the Sound. How do you intend on repaying me for that gift?"

Gaara's eyes narrowed. "Rin isn't something to be given away. She's a person."

"An experiment."

A swirling cloud of anger began to build in his chest, while Gaara struggled to maintain his calm exterior. "A person. One who is invaluable to myself and my village."

Rin looked from one man to the other, feeling as though she wanted to defend herself, but terrified of making the situation worse.

"Invaluable, you say? Is she really worth that much to you?"

Gaara's hand felt iron-clad around hers. "She is."

Orochimaru's smile sent ice through her veins. "To me, she is worth more."

The trickle of Sand that came around her ankles, woke Rin from her trance and she looked to Gaara, who was quickly losing his composure.

"You can't take her back against her will."

"I can."

"I'll stop you. Rin is a human being."

"She is a product of the Sound and if you insist on keeping her here, you will be stealing from me, Lord Kazekage. Surely, you don't want to get the other nations involved in this dilemma? Legally, you have no standing to have her remain against my wishes. Everything is according to what I want."

There was a crack in Gaara's stone expression; the heat of his anger, resonating through his chakra in waves. "If it's a war you're after, the Sand will rise to meet you. I can't say that the Sound will survive the outcome."

Orochimaru's smiled pulled up too far his face. "You'd go through so much, for a woman you don't even know really loves you?"

"I know enough."

"Do you? Has it ever occurred to you exactly why you were drawn to her, Lord Kazekage?"

Gaara stood from his chair and lowered himself over the table, his fists digging into the wood. "I've heard this speech, Orochimaru. I know everything and I don't care what you have to say about her past."

The snake-lord rose up to meet him, long hair trailing over his shoulders. "I don't think you know everything. My little Rin is full of secrets. Did you know she's not as pure as you, my Lord? From what I hear, you've barely had time to run your country, let alone experience anything else."

"What are you implying?"

Suddenly, Orochimaru came around the table, taking hold of Rin's wrist and pulling her out of her chair.

Gaara's hand rose, the sand accumulating in his grasp. "Release her."

She turned her face, her eyes seizing him, their expression clear. "Don't let him get under your skin. I'm fine."

Orochimaru smiled, his other hand coming around her waist, pressing her against himself. "I don't think you know all the things my little Sparrow was made to do. Shall I inform you?"

The sight of the woman he loved in that monster's arms, was enough to enrage him. He wanted to pull her back, rip her from his grasp and throw himself head first into war over her, but the face she made was enough to still him.

Rin's eyes spoke volumes, the small shake of her head pleading with him to stay where he was.

Orochimaru's hand trailed up her waist, resting over her right breast. "That's right. You're dying to know, aren't you? You already met the original work, saw how she operated. That experiment was a favorite of mine. Her ability to take a mind and bend it to her will, was enthralling to watch. But there are other ways to ensnare a man."

His other hand let go of her wrist and pulled her hair-tie out, releasing the wavy tresses down her back. He pulled that mane of hair away and rested his chin in the crook of her neck, the smile never leaving his face.

"I created Subject 18 to be the exact opposite and do you know the interesting thing I found? Pleasure calls to men so much quicker than fear. If I found an enemy of the Sound, all it took was sending in my beloved pet and he'd be at her mercy in one session. She's custom built to be pleasurable."

Gaara was ready to snap. There was no way she'd expect him to hold back when that man's hands were on her that way.

Orochimaru's fingers trailed up, brushing over her lips. "Her voice is warm and sensual."

His hands ran down her arms, holding her wrists up. "These hands are soft, but controlled. Do you have any idea the things she can do with these hands? I know."

Rin wanted to cry. He was laying her bare for her lover to see, goading him into making the wrong move, but still, she begged Gaara to remain calm.

Orochimaru kissed the side of her neck, the feeling of his lips so different than Gaara's. "Even I've taken advantage of her talents. I know firsthand how enthralling she can be. So, what do you think, Lord Kazekage? Are you man enough to handle my pet?"

That was it. Gaara was going to kill him. It didn't matter what repercussions came from the move, he'd snap this snake in two and skin him for the world to see.

Until Rin's voice froze them both. "Are you, Lord Orochimaru?"