Just a scene from a story I have stuck in my head. Thought it would be appropiate to post since it's Halloween. Besides, someone should write an AU Ita/Hana story.
"Sakura! Sakura!" Hana ran through the woods, stopping in a clearing as she looked around her, panic gripping her tightly.
Where is she?
"You are being very loud." Hana's head whipped around, eyes looking wildly in all directions before noticing a young man on a branch of a tall tree. He was watching her, arms folded carelessly.
"It is not a good idea to be loud in the middle of a dark forest," he continued, "You might attract the wrong attention." He smirked, too-sharp canines coming into view.
Vampire, whispered Hana's mind.
"Who are you?" Hana was beginning to comprehend why she had felt so uncomfortable with the vampires, why in her heart she had been unable to accept Orochimaru's explanation that they weren't human. The evidence was in front of her, the 'vampire' staring back at her, observing her in an all too human, relaxed way.
"I thought it was obvious." The vampire disappeared from the tree, only to reappear right in front of her in a spilt second. "I am Vampire 17, or whatever that insane man calls me. I, however, prefer Itachi."
Only years of experience working with unpredictable animals enabled Hana to keep her composure when she found herself looking directly into blood red eyes. She took a deep breath to calm her heart and took two steps back, putting distance between them.
"Where is Sakura?" she asked in a calm, level voice. Internally, however, Hana was worried. How could you escape an unnatural creature, one created in a lab?
Especially one with such human speech and intelligence?
"The doctor with unusual hair?" Itachi asked, a smile slowly spreading across his face, "In one of my brother's caves, probably. I suggest that you don't try to take her away, Sasuke doesn't like it when his pretty toys are taken away."
"Toys?" Hana's blood froze. Images of the battered animals she had treated (and sometimes lost) came to her mind. Few prey animals survived being 'played' with once caught by the predator.
"Don't worry, he did not take her to devour. Foolish as my brother is, he will not kill the doctor. The worst that could happen is that she falls out of the cave." Itachi closed the distance between them and leaned close to examine Hana, his hands clasped behind his back and his head tilted to one side.
"Then why did he take her? Sakura is needed to treat the victims of Orochimaru-san's labs, she must be returned. Orochimaru-san has demanded that she be returned." Hana said forcefully, the words coming out harsher and more breathless than she intended.
Calm down, Hana. Breathe, breathe. Don't let him provoke you.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Why not?" Hana jerked when Itachi's hand reached out and caressed her cheek, backing away several more steps.
"You are a veterinarian, are you not, Hana?"
"How do you know my name?" asked Hana warily, struggling even harder to remain calm.
"Your brother…Kiba, I believe his name was. He mentioned you to his colleagues a few times while he was checking the health of the animals here. I was close enough to hear."
Hana was silent, her pulse accelerating. Itachi continued to speak, as though he had not told the girl he had seen her missing brother.
"As a veterinarian, you know, for example, how some animals find and take a mate?"
"Yes." Realization dawned on her. No, not Sakura, no…
"Well, it seems my brother took a liking to the doctor, and found a chance to take her. He was never very patient. She's his, now. Nothing you do or say can change this fact. Tell Orochimaru-sama," He spoke the name mockingly, "That he needs a new doctor. Haruno-san will not be leaving this forest. In fact, tell him that he will soon need to replace all of his staff. You all are much too interesting to remain human."
Hana felt sick at his words. How could he, this creature, say such things? Were they the reason that so many scientists had disappeared, kidnapped by one vampire or another? One of his phrases caught her attention, piquing her curiosity.
"What do you mean, 'too interesting to remain human'?" she asked. Itachi chuckled, amused.
"You will find out soon enough. Good bye for now. It is time I feed." The vampire leapt onto the top branch of a tall tree. He bowed to Hana before speeding off, the leaves rustling slightly in his wake.
Once he was gone, it was all Hana could do not to faint. Instead, she forced her body to move, half-stumbling, in the direction of the research center.
Maybe Orochimaru was right. Maybe they are monsters.
In all likelihood, I will continue this. But until Breaking the Glass Ceiling is finished, I won't be working on this. Please review and tell me what you think.