Summary: [SasuSakuIta He's a Vampire; she's a Vampire Hunter's daughter. Their worlds just didn't mix. But when she's taken as hostage, they gave her a choice: Join them or die. "You know what they say, "she felt his breath along her neck, "Never trust a vampire"
Oh wow! I'm shocked at the amount of positive feedback I got for this story! Thank you so much! I am definitely going to continue this.
Between Life and Death
Chapter Two
A Paradox
NO!
I bolted upright, and gasped in fear. My whole body was shaking and soaked in sweat and grime. I could feel drops dripping down from my matted hair onto the sheets below, where small dark marks began to spread and stain the crimson coloured blanket. My whole body was sore and hurting all over, especially my… neck.
I closed my eyes, and suddenly like a jolt of lightning, everything came back to me. The pale faces… that strange boy… and… the bite.
I shrieked and clutched my neck.
He called himself… Itachi?
I tried to feel the bite marks, but my actions were all in vain. I felt nothing.
Nothing was there.
I gave a sigh of relief and almost laughed out loud, "Just a dream," I said to myself, still keeping my eyes tightly shut, "Just a silly nightmare. When I open my eyes, I'll just be in my own bedroom, getting ready for a regular day at school."
I think I almost convinced myself. My mind was in a big jumble as I tried to separate reality from fantasy. I tried to imagine my life normally… but those faces kept flashing in my head.
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
I crawled to the side of the bed, and threw up.
Staring down at the mass of gooey liquid and particles on the floor, I could still see the remnants of some spaghetti and meatballs, which was my lunch… how many days ago? I realized I had no idea what time or date it was. The splattered mess on the floor, quite disturbingly, resembled the remains of a brain, getting blown to smithereens.
The pungent smell of the vomit somehow brought me back to my senses. I examined the room with caution. It was dimly lit, with only a few half melted candles around the corners, which seemed to illuminate the room, giving it a sinister look. The canopy bed I was on was enormous, with translucent drapes hanging. Everything else seemed to be obscured by the darkness.
I rubbed my neck again, remembering the details of meeting the cold strangers, claiming that he was a… vampire?
I continued to try and find the marks, but no such luck. Not only was the dim light not helping, my hands were shaking too much to focus.
Does this mean I'm one of them?
Does this mean I'll prowl the nights and drain the blood of innocent victims?
Isn't there a way to…
That's it!
A mirror!
I made a move to leap off the bed, but I helped in pain and immediately fell back. My whole body was aching as if someone had snapped every bone in my body. I tried to move my legs- but they wouldn't respond. And I couldn't possibly crawl off a bed this high.
I gave an angry cry as hot tears streaked down my face. I have never, in my life, felt so completely helpless and weak. I pounded the bed in frustration when suddenly I heard voices.
"…Why do I have to go?" a high, girlish voice whined, "I can't see why I have…" her voice faded away. It was oddly familiar, but I couldn't remember where I last heard it.
"Because you're a useless bitch and no one gives a rats ass about what you do or do not want to do." a cold voice replied. I flinched at the harshness of the tone.
The girl laughed and suddenly replied in a breathy, low voice, "You say I'm useless, but you didn't seem to think I was so useless last night, did you? I know you liked it, and I can do it again, if you just-"
There was a sudden clatter and the girl shrieked. The cold voice said gruffly, "Don't you try and bargain with me you fucking whore! This isn't fucking negotiable! Are you trying to put both our asses on the line here?"
There was more talking, but the voices receded to a low whisper. I strained my ears trying to hear, but it was no use.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a low stream of light entered the room. Despite how dim the light was, it still hurt my eyes that were already adjusted to the previous darkness.
The same high, girlish voice rose, "Hello newcomer, I've heard so much about you. Absolutely everyone is talking about the new girl."
It might've been my imagination, but I could've sworn there was a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Who… who are you?" I asked timidly, still trying to get my eyes to adjust.
"What does it matter to you?" she snapped, as she loomed closer and closer, "Let me see your face. I want to see if it's as pretty as they all say."
She swatted my hands away, and for the first time- we both got a good look at each other.
I gasped in shock.
I couldn't believe it.
I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound would come out.
"Sakura?" she croaked, her hard expression deteriorating bit by bit, "Is it… really… you?"
"You… you disappeared! Months ago!" I cried in disbelief, "No one knew where you were! Everyone looked for you! Oh god, your parents… they're heartbroken… you were all over the news…" I trailed off as fresh tears trailed down my grimy cheeks.
"I know!" she began to cry too, "I saw, but I couldn't… what could I do?" she sobbed into my chest; "It was too late for me."
I stroked her hair, trying to comfort her as she sobbed into my shirt. I raised her body up to face me, and looked at her in the eyes, but I quickly looked away. I was shocked to see how much has changed in her.
Her long, blonde hair used to be shiny and voluminous. I remembered always hearing her brag about how much care she puts into it. But now it was matted and dead, just hanging limply around her face.
Oh god her face. Her bright, blue eyes used to be full of life, and despite her sometimes annoying and snooty manner; she always had a smile for everyone. Now everything about it seemed… dead. Her skin was grey and she looked like she hasn't eaten in months. But her eyes… they cast the same dullness as the others. They seemed to stare blankly at me, like an old beat up rag doll.
I couldn't bear to look at her.
Ino wasn't one of my close friends. I doubt she even liked me all that much. But we did have a history together. Though we barely talked to each other in school, other than to bicker or degrade each other, we always had an understanding. Somehow, we subconsciously knew that we'd always be there for one another. And this time, she needed me… badly.
I cupped her face, as if trying to bring some life into it, and forced myself to look her in the eyes.
"Oh Ino," I whispered, "What did they do to you?"
"It-was-horrible!" she said between breaths, "I'm so scared Sakura! I have living in fear everyday, wondering whether I'm going to live or die!"
"We… we can leave this place together!" I said excitedly, "You've been here for a while so you probably know this place well, we can escape! I know people who can help us, I know-" I broke off when I saw her solemn face.
She shook her head, and replied flatly, "No one can save us, Sakura. Once you're down here… you can never leave."
"What? What do you mean?" I asked, as panic rose in me.
"This place is like hell. We're stuck here for all eternity, and that son of a bitch Itachi is Satan."
Itachi…
I know that name…
"I met Itachi!"
"You… met… him?" Ino's eyes widened, "Oh no, don't tell me he got you too!" her eyes searched my neck, but suddenly, she gave me a relieved smile, "Oh thank goodness it's not too late for you. You can still-"
"INO!" a voice bellowed, "Where are you, you stupid whore! You're being a bad girl, Ino! Get your ass out here so daddy can give you another good spanking!"
"Shit I have to go!" she whispered urgently, "We'll talk later, okay Sakura?"
"Wait, where are you going? Who was that creep? I don't-"
But she was already gone.
"Here I am, master." I heard Ino say to the man, using the same girlish voice as before, "I am fully at your service."
"Where the fuck where you?" the man spat out angrily, as their footsteps began to recede, "If I ever have to fucking wait for you to spread your legs then…" their voices faded away.
I was once again, alone. I wrapped the sheets around my body tightly, as if they were some sort of protection barrier.
"Hey, the protected me against the boogey man when I was a kid, so why not vampires?" I thought to myself.
Pathetic.
How I could still make a lame joke at a time like this.
I kept picturing Ino's face in my mind over and over again.
Is that…
What I'm going to look like?
What I'm going to become?
I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn't even realize the door opened a second time…
And this time, it wasn't Ino.
"Here's your breakfast." a familiar voice said, interrupting my thoughts.
I looked up to see the same boy from yesterday. The handsome one, named… Sasuke?
Oh yes, I remember him. He was the one who had abandoned me and left me with Itachi.
I glared at him as he walked towards me, setting the tray at the edge of my bed. He held my gaze, and to my surprise, smirked.
"What? I don't even get a thank you for coming all the way here to give you breakfast?"
"I don't want it," I said stubbornly as I turned away from him, even though I was starved.
An amused grin spread across his face, "You sure? Then how would you be able to keep up your energy to plan out escape routes with your buddy Ino?"
My head snapped up in shock, "How did you… You heard our conversation… You…" I was at a loss for words.
"You guys were talking much loud. This place isn't very soundproof." he said, and paused for a minute before he continued, "You know, you're lucky it was me, and not someone else who overheard you guys."
I narrowed my eyes, "Why's that?"
His expression darkened, "Because if someone else heard, Ino's head would not be attached to her body right now. And you'd probably find yourself surrounded by another gang of sex driven vampires."
I let out an empty laugh, "Oh so let me guess, you're here playing Mr. Chivalrous?"
"No, I just don't like seeing people who don't deserve to die, die."
I stared at him incredulously, and anger rose in me, "I don't believe it! You! A vampire! You live off of innocent people's blood for god sakes! Are you saying that the people whom you suck dry deserved to die? The people you guys ruthlessly kill for your own selfish needs deserved to have everything taken away from them? All of you blood- sucking freaks are the same so don't you give me this Mr. Compassionate bullshit!"
I could see I touched a nerve. His jaw tightened and he balled up his hands into fists. But for some reason, I didn't' care what he did. I waited for him to put a blow to my face…
But he didn't.
All he did was stare at me with those eyes of his. I tried to stare back with the same intensity, but they were so overpowering. For a split second- I could've sworn I saw a look of pain in his eyes.
I shook my head at that thought. Vampires couldn't get their feelings hurt. They don't even have feelings.
The silence between us seemed to go on forever. He began to walk towards the door. Before he left, he finally said slowly, "I suggest you stop associating with Ino, for the sake of both your lives. I can tell you right here and now, escaping here is hopeless. Trying will only get you and Ino killed. Don't think that just because you're a bargaining tool, that they'll spare your life. It's like you said, we're ruthless creatures." he paused, as if giving me time to absorb the information, "I'm sure Itachi's already told you this but… don't trust anything they say." he turned around and looked at me straight in the eye, "Never trust a vampire."
"Well that's a bit of a paradox isn't it?" I said loudly, "A vampire telling me not to trust vampires, how do I know I should trust you?"
"Use your better judgment for that." he slammed the door shut and left. I could've sworn I saw him smile.
"Interesting, I didn't think her and Ino would have a past relationship with each other." a man with strange fishy features said.
"Hmm… interesting indeed, Kisame," Itachi replied, he was lying on his bed lazily. Two gorgeous female vampires were attending to his needs. One was fanning him while the other gave him a massage. They kept shooting him lustful looks, but he paid no attention to them.
"Shall I kill Ino?" another vampire said, as he ran his hands down his scythe, and the other, through his white, slicked back hair. "Too bad though, she was a tasty one." he licked his lips.
"No Hidan, we're not going to kill her just yet. We can still use her."
"Use her? For what?" Hidan raised an eyebrow and looked at Itachi, "The only thing that slut is useful for is a good romp in the sack."
"Tsk tsk, Hidan." Kisame smirked, "You should never underestimate women. You don't know what those little things are capable of."
"So what are we going to use Ino for?" Hidan said shooting a nasty look at Kisame.
"Information of course," Itachi said curtly, "Our poor, little Sakura is so naïve that she'll probably spill everything to Ino. It might contain useful information on her family, especially her father."
"And you really think Ino will tell you?" Kisame asked.
"Of course," Itachi smirked, "She might resist at first, but I think after a bit of torture she'll give in. They all did, after all."
"Sounds good to me," Hidan said, getting up, "I think Deidara has had enough time with Ino. I'm going to savour every moment I have with her now, seeing as she probably won't live through the weekend."
Hidan left, with Kisame following.
"Like the plan, little brother?" Itachi said as the two of them left.
Sasuke emerged from the darkness, "You knew I was there?"
"Naturally."
"Hello Sasuke," one of the female vampires giggled, "Would you like me to give you a massage too?"
Sasuke ignored her and looked directly at Itachi, "You're underestimating them."
Itachi laughed, "I thought you'd say that, Sasuke. You've always had a soft heart for those kind of people."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "What's your point?"
"It means I need you in this plan." Itachi said, "I am well aware that Ino could possibly not give in. That's why I need you."
"For what?"
"I need you to get Sakura to trust you, to have faith in you, to... love you."
DONE CHAPTER 2!
Did anyone see the Ino thing coming? I hope not! It was supposed to be a twist!
Anyways, I know this chapter didn't focus much on Sakura's "condition", and didn't have much "SakuItaSasu" moments, but I promise in the next few chapters there will!
Ratings may change depending on how graphic it's going to get. It's weird how I can't write a vampire story without including sexual themes, even though this is my first one. :(
Thanks for reading! Reviews are greatly appreciated, as is constructive criticism.
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Thank you all for reviewing! Sorry, I wanted to reply to all of them, but my computer is temporarily busted, and I'm actually at the library right now, with the desk lady throwing dirty looks at me for hogging the computer.
Till Next Chapter!