Note: Dear people, I'd been ill lately. My head was throbbing. Again. So, sorry for not updating my fanfics, and now here comes a new one. I'm not supposed to publish this first chapter, but I'd like to see how you would like this. You might this boring at first. Well, that's mystery and horror to you. I don't know if I should continue this; it depends on how many people would like this. I am half way through with the second chapter. This story would probably ends by the third chapter or so. If you find any flaws, especially in my grammar, kindly point them out for me.
Reviews are highly appreciated!
Summary: He was a nobody, a bad omen to most to be precise. He had no parents or anyone to look after him, no friends to play with, and no voice to express his self. But, someone came in his life and changed everything. And, along the way he will find answers to questions he had since he was a small boy. But, he will risk the one thing he only had.
There was thunderstorm that night when murder happened in an isolated house. A man's silhoutte can be seen standing proud over two corpses that lay lifeless on his feet with blood pooling beneath them, and then lightning flash and thunder followed not long after, scaring the baby even more that had been crying since the unwanted visitor came. The person who murdered the baby's parent took a step forward and slowly made his way to the crib that was next to a bloody and shredded master's bed.
A pair of red eyes that had three swirling black comma-shape around each pupil stared eerily at the crying baby. It seemed to irate the person even though it did not show in his eyes, but his action was enough to tell that he was annoyed by the cries that no one could hear. With his left hand, his dominant one, he choked the baby to stop its pitiful cries until a thin line of blood came out of the young one's mouth. Seeing it somehow made the man release his hold on the baby. His eyes had a haunting look on them before it disappeared into indifference in a split of second. And, for a moment, he stood still as he waited for another cry from the baby that never came before he flickered away.
He could not comprehend why a long forgotten feeling emerged from within.
He felt vulnerable.
He swore he could see his self in the baby.
A violin was being played. Its soft and gentle melody can be heard along one of the mansion's hallways that lead to a room where everything was light in color. The door with intricate designs was plainly white while its knob, which was gothic, was of gold. Beyond the door were beige walls and ceilings, the floor was made of granite marbles, the curtains of two adjacent windows that were drawn open were light yellow, and the couch and two armchairs that were placed in the middle facing the window were orange.
And someone in black suit occupied the couch.
The room was filled by the sun's light, giving off a warm atmosphere. The violin's melody kept on playing, which tone was soft, gentle, and entrancing, yet it also had haunting characteristics in it that one could feel being trapped by it.
Soon, the violin stopped.
"How do you like it?" a low and almost feminine voice asked.
The one on the couch smirked. His pale skin reflected the light that made it magnificent, his short dark hair that framed his flawless immaculate face swayed as he stood gracefully and took some steps towards the one who played the melody. "It was perfectly sweet..." he murmured as his left hand caressed a scarred and tanned cheek. "When did you finish composing it, little one?" he then asked.
The little one, a blonde boy no older than eleven, pouted as he dropped his hands that held his violin. He wore white tee and orange sweats. "I'm not little one anymore. I'm eleven!" he corrected the man.
"Yeah, I know. But, in my eyes you're still my 'little one' forever and ever."
"Tch."
"Stop with that face, Naruto. You'll look ugly." the man pinched the boy's cheek. "And, answer my question, will you?"
"Right, right." the boy grumbled and slapped the man's hand away. "I finished it just yesterday."
"I see. What's the title?"
Naruto looked down shifted his weight. "Uhmm...there's no title yet."
"How about I give it one?" at those words, the blonde looked up immediately.
"Really?"
The man nodded. "Sweet Melody."
"Sweet Melody? Why is that?" the boy tilted his head in confusion.
"Because...little one..." started the man, kneeling on a knee. "It sounds sweet and the tempo is slow. Just like your voice." he explained.
"Huh. I dun' really get you, y'know. But, thanks! I like it!" the boy flashed his brigtest grin and embraced the man. "I love you...dad!"
Unbeknownst to the little one, the man frowned at being addressed as 'dad', because for him he did not deserve such title. Pulling away and standing up, he told the boy to take a bath and change into a nice suit for his home tutorial later. He watched the boy kept his violin in its case and gave it to him before running out of the room. "Don't run, Naruto!" he called out after the boy.
"I won't run!" Naruto yelled back and Sasuke shook his head with a sigh.
"Idiot."
Some time later, the doorbell rang, and the man, who had been in the living room reading an 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by Shakespeare, stood as he snapped the book close. He then walked casually, placing the book in a shelf on his way to the door. When the doorbell rang again, he let out an irritated sigh. "I'm coming, I'm coming. Just wait a sec." he said though the one outside the mansion could not hear it as he was still a bit far from the door and his voice was not loud enough.
The doorbell rang for the third time.
"I'm here, dammit!" he yelled as he pulled the door open with more force than intended, almost breaking the door off its hinges, and came face to face with a woman.
The woman had chestnut hair tied in a bun, letting a strand fall on her side of face. She had a fair complexion, wearing red rimmed glasses, and wore a light pink Victorian Era type of gothic dress with a matching shoulder bag and light make-up on.
"Who are you?" was the rude question the woman received.
"Oh. I was the one you hired as your child's home tutor. Naruto Uzumaki is his name, right?"
The man frowned at the mention of his child's former name. "It's Uchiha." And so, he corrected. "Why are you dress like that? That wasn't in your profile."
"Oh, yes. I thought you'd like it to match with your mansion." she batted her eyelashes.
"Are you hitting on me?" he asked suspiciously in which the woman only giggled behind her hand.
"Of course not, Mr. Uchiha-"
"How do you know of 'Uzumaki' name?" he narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, silly. I read the child's profile."
"Is that so?" he raised a brow as he believed that he did not put his son's name in that way. But, did not push the matter.
"Yes."
The woman greeted by silence. She fidgeted, uncertain of what to do stop the intimidating look she was directed at. "Uhmm...er...do-do you mind...?" she tried to voice out her concern, hoping her employer would catch on it, which did not happen. So, she tried once more. "...c-can I come in?"
"Of course." he nodded. "I was wondering when you'd asked." he muttered as he stepped aside to let the woman in before closing the door. Turning around, the man faced the other and demanded, "Name?"
"Oh! I'm Clarrise J. Faust. You can call me Izza, my friends call me that. How about you? What's your name?"
"Mr. Uchiha should be enough for you." Mr. Uchiha told Clarrise sternly and walked away. "Follow me."
"Oh, right!" Clarrise exclaimed and did as she was told. But, Mr. Uchiha stopped abruptly, causing the woman to bump on him. "O-oh. Sorry."
Without turning around, Mr. Uchiha asked, "Do you mind dropping the 'oh' in every sentence?"
"Oh! Righ- I mean...right...of course."
"Hn."
Meanwhile, the little boy that sat on a huge bed was struggling to get his sock on his foot. For some reason he found the task difficult. "Geez!" he exclaimed exasperatedly. "How do I make this work?" the boy was frustrated. His shoulders slumped and dropped on his back. A moment later, a knocked was heard followed by the clicking of a doorknob.
"Done yet?" asked Mr. Uchiha as he sauntered farther inside Naruto's room.
Getting up, the boy asked his father for a little help.
"Are you not old enough to do it yourself?" Mr. Uchiha asked rhetorically as he kneeled to work on with his son's socks and feet.
"I know, but..." the boy pouted.
"Nevermind." He shook his head. "You've grown, yet you haven't at the same time. It makes me happy. Dad doesn't want his little one to grow old." the man, without chancing a glance at his son, smiled fondly whilst tying the knot of the boy's white dress shoes.
"Eh? But, dad! I wanna be like you! I need to grow as old as you are now!"
"Really?" Mr. Uchiha looked up. "If you did, then can you promise me, your dad, to not grow older beyond that?"
Naruto nodded uncertainly. "I wanna become like you and dye my hair black!"
The man raised an eyebrow and stood up, silently asking why his boy would want black hair. "Your hair is fine." he pointed out.
"But my friends like you! They said I do not look like you, so I thought if I have black hair maybe they'll see the resemblance between us?"
Mr. Uchiha had nothing to say. He only stood still, looking at the boy without actually seeing.
"Dad?" Naruto waved his hand. "You okay?"
Closing his eyes briefly, Mr. Uchiha replied, "Of course. Now, come along." He said as he escorted his son out. "Your new home tutor is waiting. I hope you won't cause any undesirable thing and make your…"
"59th." Naruto supplied.
"Yes." The man agreed. "Don't make your 59th home tutor quit." And then, he sighed lightly. "Who knows, maybe she'll be the last and after her no one would apply."
"That's impossible, y'know. You're quite well known and people admire you, so no worries dad. There'll be more who'll apply as my new home tutor." Looking up, Naruto asked with a grin. "Wanna make a bet? I'm sure she won't last a week."
Once again, Mr. Uchiha sighed, feeling an incoming headache. "Naruto…I don't want to change your tutor. Again."He chided.
"But, dad…" the boy whined. "You know those people are mean!" he yelled indignantly.
"I know, that's why I fired them. But, please…" the man trailed off and looked down on his son with a meaningful look. "Be in your best behaviour and make them like you, so you two will get along."
"Fine." The blonde boy huffed. "But, if she hurts me-"
"I'll kill her."
The boy was surprised at the very cold tone his father had upon saying those words. He looked up to see the man's expression and as expected, his father was glaring and scowling ahead. I've never heard dad speak so cold like this except that time. It was my first to see him like that.
Mr. Uchiha stood by the doorframe, leaning on it as he watched his son sitting on his seat in his table. The boy paid attention to what his new tutor, Clarisse, was discussing in front of him, and watched carefully as the woman traced something on the small board.
"I think you made a mistake." Said Naruto, which only made Mr. Uchiha smirk, feeling proud as his son noticed a thing that neither of the adults did.
"Oh? Where?" Clarisse asked, searching the board.
"The cone." The boy pointed at the area on the board where the figure was. "It should be upright, and then you should add curves on it."
The woman was confused, but Mr. Uchiha could only guess what.
Sighing, Naruto stood from his seat and went over to the board to redo the figure on it. "There!" he exclaimed happily once done.
Naruto draw an ice cream.
And Mr. Uchiha face palmed as he muttered, "He's hungry."
Clarisse frowned, not liking that her pupil was making light of their advance math lesson, but restrained herself from voicing it out. Instead, she smiled and gently said, "Naruto, this is math, not some pathetic culinary lesson."
"I know. I'm not that dumb." The boy folded his arms; his face contorted into a pout.
Before any of the two could utter a single word, Mr. Uchiha suggested taking a break but Clarisse asked to let her finish one more problem, which was granted much to Naruto's displeasure.
Mr. Uchiha watched the child struggled to focus on his lesson while feeling hungry. And then, his mind drifted off to the past. He could swear that it had only been yesterday since he took the child in.
Six years ago…
It was a fine weather at morning; the town was bustling with life as people went on with their lives. In a particular family restaurant, some customers were eating their food while some were waiting for their orders. A television was set up at the upper right corner to entertain the customers by showing a kind of variety show, but was cut off suddenly for breaking news.
"...Vampires attacked once again and killed a girl..."
Upon hearing those words, people lost their interest on the news. They got tired of hearing the same thing over the decades, yet their government could not do much to capture the creatures that attack at night.
Yes, vampires are prominent in their world and treated like terrorist.
People had long since accepted the fact that they would not live in peace any sooner as long as no one could end the vampires' killings.
Night came and the streets and some stablishments were almost deserted, knowing that vampires were active during dark hours. People felt safe at home, but not at all times.
A tall clock tower at the town's circle chimed each second for ten times until the hands reached twelve o'clock. At the same time, someone broke in a house silently. It was dark inside, but a black silhoutte of a man can be seen walking casually upstairs and opened the first door to his right. The door then creacked close and a mortifying scream followed not a second later.
"PLEASE!" sitting on the floor was a woman. She inched backward whilst begging to spare her life as she was three months pregnant. Her husband lay dead two feet away from her. "Please..." she sobbed as she held her womb protectively with her right arm and the other was held up as though stopping the man from getting closer. "...spare me...please!"
Whatever the woman did did not stop the man from his advance. He merely stopped on his track to stare at the woman's midsection, before he struck as fast as lightning, spluttering blood on the wall and floor.
The man licked his lips, savouring the blood. "Taste like heaven...I like a pregnant woman's blood." he smirked.
The next day, news of the family dead in their room was reported and the news of an unknown vampire's feeding and killing did not stop after that until one fateful day.
"Get away!" barked a grumpy old man, shooing a little, dirty, blonde boy away from his bakeshoppe. The said boy dropped on his rear when a hand pushed him.
Even though he was hurt by the treatment, it did not stop the boy from his desire. He stood up and dusted his rag, brown shorts before he run up the man.
Feeling someone tugged his pants, the old man turned to see the same boy he had pushed, looking at him pleadingly.
The boy pointed at a piece of bread.
"You don' haf money in ye! Even if ye haf 'm not gon' gif ye. Now, gerrof son of a witch!" he kicked the poor boy on his stomach and went in his shop.
Little did they know, someone had witness the scene.
A young man around his early twenties clad in black jeans, black leather jacket, and white tee under it crossed the road with his hands in his pockets. When he reached the boy, he stopped and asked. "Hey, you okay, kid?"
Looking up over his shoulder, the boy saw the man and noted his unique pale skin, short dark hair that framed his flawless face, and the sunglasses that covered the eyes. The boy then stood once again and dusted the back of his shorts before sprinting away.
"Hey, wait!" the man called out. He knew he can easily outrun the boy, but decided not to pursue. He sighed.
The man behind the counter in the bakeshoppe looked up from his newspaper when the bell chimed and saw a customer stepped in. "Yes? How can I help you?" he asked.
"I want ten redberry croissant." replied the man, shifting his sunglasses up.
"Right away, sir." the man then grabbed a paperbag and clippers, and went to the left side of the shop. He slid the glass open to pick the redberry croissant.
"Say...why did you push the child?" asked the customer whilst watching the man, who then tensed, picked his order.
Straigthening up, the man turned to his customer and sighed. "So, you saw that." he said, earning a light nod from the young man. "Well, that kid is bad luck. His mother was a witch and he and his parents live on the outskirts of town, but his parents were already dead when he was still a baby. Rumors say he ate them or that he's a vampire in disguise. He was adopted by a good old man, but died three years after."
"Who's taking care of him now?"
"No one that I know." the old man shrugged and resumed his task.
You call vampires monsters, yet you humans act more like it than vampires who only did things to survive every day. The young man thought darkly.
It was not long before the dark haired man walked out of the shop and found the blonde boy that he had been looking for the past thirty boy was sitting on a swing with both hands on either rope that held it up under the shade of a tree. He watched his feet dangled back and forth, wishing he could buy a new pair of shoes.
"Eat this."
The familiar voice startled the boy that made the young one snapped his head up to see the person from before. He was about to jump and run away, but the man seemed to know his escape plan, thus he was being held by two strong arms before he could do anything.
"Calm down, boy. I'm not gonna hurt you. I bought you croissant."
At the mention of the food, a grumbling sound was heard and the boy stopped struggling.
"I see you're quite hungry." said the man and settled the boy on his feet. "Here." he trusted the paper bag that had breads in it. "You want this, right?"
Reluctantly, the boy took the bag and peaked inside only to see the bread he wanted to eat. He then looked up, silently asking the man why.
"I know what you're thinking. People treat you badly, but I'm not like them. Let's say we're the same. Now, c'mon. Eat it."
The boy nodded his thanks and sat back on the swing. He picked two croissants and gave the one to the good man who took it with a smile.
"I'm Sasuke. What's you name?" asked the man as he crouched beside the boy on the swing. The said boy put the bag aside and jumped down on the ground. He walked to where he saw a twig and came near the man, Sasuke, before crouching and scribbling his name on dirt. "Naruto Uzumaki?" the boy nodded happily. Sasuke frowned when Naruto did not speak a word yet. "Can you speak?"
Naruto shook his head. He then opened his mouth wide, and Sasuke instinctly went to see what was in it, but could not tell what the problem was. So, he covered the boy's eyes with his left hand, activating his sharingan, and finally saw the damaged vocal chords.
Somehow, a baby's image flashed through his mind.
He couldn't be, could he?
Sasuke found his self walking down a familiar path through the woods later that night. He was following Naruto, who was oblivious of his presence, back to the boy's house. As the dark haired man walked through the thickness of woods, images of the same path he was on flooded his mind. He was aware that wherever Naruto's house was it was also in the same place where his victims used to live. It did not took him long to identify who the victims were or who else was living in the same area, but wished that he made a mistake in his presumptions.
A creaking noise was heard as Naruto opened the door of his house leading into a dark living room. He left the door open to allow some moonlight illuminate the inside for him to see well in the dark, and went to grab the matchbox in the drawer that was attached to a dusty divider. And then, the boy walked towards the coffee table and lit the candle that was atop it on a saucer.
Naruto screamed without a noise and stumbled back when Sasuke's face suddenly appeared before the boy upon lighting the candle.
The raven haired young man watched the blonde lad screamed something and pointed accusingly at him. Sasuke did not know what Naruto was trying to tell, and the latter wished he had a voice to express his feelings. "Are you…demanding to know why I'm here?" Sasuke guessed right when Naruto nodded. With a sigh, the man inquired, "Do you want to live with me?" and thought why he had asked.
There was only silence in Naruto's part, not that he could speak. The blonde boy had been living in hell as far as he could remember. He was only five and had been alone since his guardian that he can barely remember the face died two years ago. No one had been nice to him to give him something to eat to live the day and sleep the night with a full stomach, and now someone he did not know well had asked him whether he wanted to live with the man or not. Being a mere child, he was ecstatic to find someone that wanted him.
Naruto smiled, and then grinned, before nodding his head enthusiastically.
What kind of life awaited him?
