It's been a long time, hasn't it? I'm sorry to everyone who reads this story and has been waiting for the next chapter for...oh, a long time. But here it is at last. Thank you to anyone who's still reading! To anyone that's sussed the pattern in the chapter titles, well done. For future reference: There WILL be slash in this story, but with this only being nothing graphic. (I can't write that stuff anyway, it makes me all embarrassed!) But if I do decide to write the scene in all its lemony glory, I'll post it up at adult fanfiction for you to read. Now, on with the story!

Warnings: yaoi, incest. Don't like it? You can see the back button.

Disclaimer: Naruto and characters © Masashi Kishimoto.


CHAPTER THREE: SAVING ME (part one)


Sasuke felt his life draining out through his wrist. It flowed out along the concrete, starting to form a puddle around him, and all he could do was lie there, soaking in his own blood. It felt...nice, almost. Leaving all these troubles behind, nothing more to worry about. Would he go to Hell, he wondered? Was there any afterlife fitting for someone as useless as he had been? He pulled his wrist up and rested it on his stomach, and smiled bitterly as a chilled wind whipped at his face. He couldn't really feel it – he was numb from the pain.

The smile faded when a face entered his blurred vision. It loomed over him, a blank and cynical mask, pale as the moon and just as ethereal. Perhaps it was the moonlight that gave the vampire such an odd sort of glow. The pain had subsided now, Sasuke lost in his musings as he quietly watched the vampire's face.

Itachi knelt down beside him. He had been watching the boy's face at first; his change in expression from mild amusement, to confusion, and then emptiness. But now he was looking at something else; the wrist that Sasuke had draped over himself. Itachi could smell the sweet stench of the boy's blood from the warehouse – it was the reason he left – but it didn't entice him now. There was another, stronger feeling. He was worried for the boy.

His eyes travelled back to Sasuke's. It startled Itachi when he saw that Sasuke was still watching him. Only a few minutes ago, the boy seemed to despise the very sight of him. That thought brought Itachi back to his senses. If he left Sasuke for too long, he would certainly die. He had to make sure that it was what the boy wanted; he couldn't simply sit back and watch as he died.

Itachi found himself speechless, and that didn't happen very often. His face, though, was still a perfect mask of indifference. Perhaps that was why Sasuke was looking at him, so mesmerised. It was probably rather strange that someone should be so calm right now. Or at least, Itachi appeared to be calm.

A voice screamed in his mind for him to do something, and he opened his mouth to speak, not caring what he said but hoping that it was the right thing. He hoped for some – for any – response from the boy.

"Is this what you want, slayer?" He asked. His voice was clear in the silence of the night, and he saw Sasuke start slightly when he spoke. "Do you want to die?" He reiterated, not all too sure if he should expect a response at all. He wasn't even sure if the boy could hear him any more.

Silence followed. Almost a minute had passed and Sasuke said nothing. Itachi was growing increasingly worried. Every second seemed extended: wasted as more blood seeped out through his wrist. He was about to speak again, he wanted to urge the boy to talk, but Sasuke got there first.

"It...h-hurts..." He mumbled, his voice barely audible, and Itachi had to strain his ears to hear it. "Hurts..."

Itachi nodded, "Yes." He answered bluntly. Carefully, he took hold of the boy's arm and turned it over to look at his wrist. He'd lost so much blood now. His shirt was drenched in the crimson liquid that had started to drip down onto Itachi's hands too. "You've cut very deep."

Sasuke didn't like feeling so helpless. He couldn't even move now, as Itachi took his wrist. A smile spread across his lips again, "A-are you thirsty?" He asked, pretending to be amused when really he was petrified. He didn't want to die, what was he doing? Why had he been so stupid? There was nothing he could do now. The vampire would drain whatever blood was still flowing to his arm; he would take his life, and there would be no more pain for Sasuke. He didn't expect to see the vampire shake his head, a solemn look gracing his pale features.

"I'm not." He answered, once again in few words. "You must tell me, slayer, as you don't have long now..." He began, ensuring he had Sasuke's full attention. He did, but Sasuke was blinking rapidly. Itachi doubted he could see very well, and he was probably very dizzy. "Do you really want to die? I can save you." He offered, his voice neither persuasive nor vindictive.

Sasuke wanted to say no. He didn't want to be helped by a vampire. He wanted to be taken to a hospital, treated by doctors, as he should be. But he knew as well as the vampire did that he didn't have the time for that. He would die before he could arrive at the hospital, and everything would have been pointless. He didn't know how the vampire intended to save him, but it wasn't his place to wonder. Time was scarce; he would have to make a decision now, before it was too late.

Slowly, he shook his head, "I...I don't want to die." He mumbled, and averted his gaze. He didn't want to look at the vampire now. He was probably smiling smugly, knowing that now Sasuke owed him his life. Sasuke didn't know whether he'd made the right decision, but he certainly hoped he had.

The same thoughts passed through the vampire's mind. Was this the right thing to do? Yes, the slayer wouldn't die, but could he live as a vampire? He might grow to despise his own existence, and wish even more than ever that he were dead. Itachi shook his head lightly, telling himself that this was okay. The boy had asked for his help; the consequences were not Itachi's fault now.

He looked at Sasuke's wrist, which he was still holding. He wouldn't have to bite him, at least. "It will hurt, at first... But it will be over soon." He told the boy, trying to assure him, or more so himself. With that warning, he lowered his mouth to the wound, closing his lips around it and he began to draw the remaining blood from the boy's body.

An indescribable sensation came over the vampire and for that moment he was numb from euphoria, as Sasuke was numb from blood loss and pain. He started to get carried away and it took a pained yelp to draw the vampire back to his senses and he quickly pulled back, shocked at himself. He had almost killed the boy he was trying to save!

Sasuke looked terrified, white as a sheet, weak and drained of blood. Itachi didn't apologise - what would be the point? Sasuke couldn't hear him. Using his sharp fangs, he bit into his own wrist, letting his blood trickle from it. He quickly held the wound up to Sasuke's mouth, loathe to waste what was now necessary to someone's life.

At first, Sasuke closed his mouth in protest. He was so weak, though, that he couldn't keep it closed for long, and Itachi watched as Sasuke was forced to swallow the blood pooling in his mouth. That mouthful was all it took: Sasuke was hooked. His motions grew faster suddenly, and after a few more gulps he brought up his hands to pull Itachi's wrist closer.

The vampire winced when Sasuke sucked hard at the wound, drawing out blood faster, but he didn't pull back – didn't even think about it. He could withstand the pain for now. It wasn't long before Sasuke started to get more vigorous though, almost violent. Itachi felt himself growing weak, the pain immense. He told the boy to stop, but he wasn't listening.

"Stop it, that's enough!" He commanded again, this time harsher and at last Sasuke took notice, eyes flitting up to meet the vampire's.

Sasuke's eyes widened, as if he had only just realised what he was doing. He forcefully pushed Itachi back in anger and frustration, and he sat up, head spinning momentarily. Itachi looked on silently, allowing the boy some reprieve. Sasuke's mouth was red with blood – Itachi's blood – and the metallic taste made him want to gag. Disgusted with himself, he spat at the ground and wiped his mouth with the back of one hand. Still, Itachi simply watched, waiting silently. He didn't falter in his neutral expression when Sasuke shot him a heated glare. There was more than anger written in Sasuke's features. Usually so quick to speak; to complain or yell, Sasuke was silent now. He was confused. He didn't know what to say, because he didn't really know what just happened. He wanted it all to be some sick dream. He wanted to hear that he was not – would never be – a vampire.

His contempt faded as he stared at Itachi with questioning eyes, and after a long silence, Itachi spoke.

"I know what you want me to say." He said calmly, "And I'm not going to say it. I won't lie to you; that was the easy part." Somehow his voice served to soothe the bewildered boy somewhat. It was relieving to be told the truth for once, as cynical as it was, and as much as Sasuke hated it.

Itachi stayed quiet now, watching Sasuke's gaze drop to the floor, "What do you mean?" He asked, and swallowed hard. He knew what Itachi meant. Still, he wanted to hear it from the vampire's lips.

Itachi sighed. Comforting others wasn't exactly his forte, but he would have to try. "I turned you, I'm sure you're aware of that much." Sasuke looked back up at him and Itachi seemed anxious as he continued, "Your human body is yet to die. It will be...a painful process. After that, you'll be a vampire, completely."


Aieeeeeeeee! Har, so there you go! I promise I won't leave the next chapter as long as this one took to churn out, and sorry it's rather short! As always, reviews make me work faster. Constructive criticism is nice, too. I like to know how to make my stories better for the readers! So leave me some comments, tell me what you think. ;P