In "Twilight", Edward Cullen's flashback revealed him to be a victim of the Spanish influenza, and it inspired me for one of the characters to be revealed sooner than you think. I'm still doing more research on the pandemic even in this country, so nothing will be stressed at this moment.

In Japan, 23 million people were affected; out of that number died 390,000.

Composition by Derek and Brandon Fiechter.

Chapter Four

Silhouette

After speaking to Sakura, they went their separate ways, but not after he tasked himself with burying the dead deer at the base of the tree where it was feeding itself before its demise. This bothered her even though she preferred feeding on animals and donor blood rather than on a living human, and she killed, too, only out of defense and protection just like both her husband and brother-in-law.

Sakura had been one of those affected by the pandemic early in the last century. It was when their country was beginning to open to Western influence, hospitals founded...but that also meant traditional medicinal care declined rapidly, especially when the flu pandemic took away three hundred and ninety thousand in Japan. She was trying to become a nurse, but just as she was in the middle of her education, she was stricken down. Her parents died, and she would have if not for his brother.

By the height of the Cold War, she found her way to where she was now, with all the education she'd grabbed with Sasuke beside her.

While he was imprisoned within the Senju family, a choice of his own just to keep his brother away. That included letting him have a mate while Itachi preferred to keep himself isolated. Sakura was a gentle, pleasant woman, but if you provoked her, her temper was on the same level as Tsunade's.

He had been mated twice before, but one betrayed him and the other he lost. He wasn't sure a third heartbreak would ever be on his agenda again. It was another reason to serve the oldest family who hunted his kind. If he had to have a purpose for his damned existence, then this had to be it: protect the human race by eradicating his own. I'm not one of them anymore, but I wish that my heart knew I would always belong to them. I gave it up for my brother...

"Give my good night to Sasuke," he had told his sister-in-law before they parted.

It was then that he found himself receiving another call from his mistress, expecting him back very soon. "Don't worry, Tsunade," he replied, first names accepted only between the two of them, but before others, he was permitted to call her Lady. "You will expect me back soon. I have just had my meal."

There was a scoff on the other end. "I don't need to know any of the details, thank you. But what about my granddaughter?"

He was standing on the very same street now when she asked him of the girl. He saw it all from afar, through the window, but this time it was only the Uzumaki and her boys. He assumed the other chose to bail because of - "No harm has come to her or her friends. They went inside the grill, but the Sabaku girl has left in a rather foul mood. No doubt it is her brother."

"So it appears. But there is nothing we can do to soothe either of them. It's for the best they never get involved in this."

But if it does happen, what shall we do? Everything we can to protect them - even isolating me from them. That would be my choice if you'd never give me the order.

"Watch them until they get home safely, then come straight to headquarters," Tsunade told him firmly, before there was static, telling him she ended the communication until she said so.

In other words, there might not be anymore vampiric activity tonight, but the command was unspoken: if he saw anything of the sort, he would know what to do, and then clean the mess up himself just like he did tonight. Itachi hummed in acknowledgement at the same time he saw Hanaru Uzumaki and the young men leave Akimichi's, the rich smell reaching his nostrils, but then they separated - curses, woman! - before he caught sight of it all before she did: across the street, outside the sports bar. Her friend and roommate was leaving with a young, blond man with green eyes and an unkempt appearance. No doubt some females would be weakened at a class of male like that. Although it was evident that it wasn't really the case, and the fool misinterpreted her company for something much more vulgar the immortal Uchiha could see from miles away. What transpired that his highly alert ears and vision captured not too long ago.

"Where you want to head, baby? Your friends are across the street, like you said," he drawled in Temari Sabaku's ear. "Didn't you say you wanted to not be around them tonight?"

The vampire narrowed his eyes at this. Whatever the woman had said to him, after apparently one too many and allowing it to cloud her judgment, she was thinking of going back home with some random stranger, was she? He could smell the putrescence of various liquors, combining into a foul aftertaste to the senses. But it seemed he was proven wrong. "E-excuse me, I said nothing of the sort!" she snapped, pulling her arm out of his hold. "You really think that I would just go off with someone like you just because my boyfriend and friends annoy me. I still care about them no matter what." She huffed and turned to stalk across the street.

"I'm not one of those bimbos you think you can just sway with some sweet talk." Her snip made him clearly angry, for he growled and was just reaching for her again when she whirled around and formed a fist, striking him directly to the jaw, followed by her body whipping around, throwing her leg to target his vulnerable spot between those legs of his. Both of those simple blows without trying too hard. He was impressed.

Hanaru saw all of this and whistled. But then she bolted, bagged food and all, when she saw her friend's sudden sickness, which would continue into the morning to come, catch up to her, causing the pigtailed woman to turn around and vomit over the railing that was behind her, before the window of the bar. At least she checked to see any vehicles coming, and none.

What impressed him just as much was her kicking the offender down in the same place Temari struck. Half of Itachi seethed when he heard her being called the word for a female dog, right after she pulled out the Taser and threatened to shock him down there if he came near her and her friend again.

"Bitch, you don't have to step in, you know. I just offered her a ride home, and she went on to attack me for no reason."

She didn't seem to believe it, for her teeth were bared as she was bringing a finger to the switch of the defense weapon, when something inside him snapped. She'd done enough, so he was going to take it from here without resorting to any blood spilled amongst the humans.

Itachi appeared right behind her while her friend was still hacking up, obviously dazed from having too much to drink and socking the pervert. Hanaru whipped around only by half at the sound of his voice. "You don't have to do anything else," he told her. "Leave him to me."

My way is bloodless but likely to leave a lasting impression on his psyche.

Her bright blue eyes, now royal blue at night, took in his appearance from head to toe, intrigued but wary. "Who the -? Who the hell are you to come into business which isn't yours?" she demanded, keeping the electric device in her hand. It was amusing that she kept something as dangerous but not fatal in her possession rather than the hand-held alert that was bestowed these days. And if she thought she would use it on him, it would cause some discomfort that the human body could not withstand.

Her spirit he admired. Just like her grandmother. She didn't trust so easily, especially him. But if he was going to deal with this guy on the ground, then she had no choice but to listen to him when he said her friend dealt with it very well before she came to her aid, and he'd seen it with his own two eyes as he saw her right now. "I make business mine when I see fit, and I say you focus on her while I deal with this fool for you," he replied coldly.

Hanaru's eyes narrowed. Her attention then shifted to Temari who was on her knees now, rasping for air after three times of shooting out. "...you have a point," she muttered, standing up and putting the weapon back into her bag. She stalked past him without another glance, focused on her friend and knelt behind her, helping her sit and rest her back against the metal bars. Temari was now breathing easily and putting her hands on the other blonde's shoulders for support.

He turned his back to her, aware of every action she was doing, and knelt down to pick up the scum by his shirt, throwing him onto his shoulder like he was nothing more than baggage to carry. The weight was nothing compared to the constant thirst for blood, knowing the other humans would fear him walking amongst them - humans who were not his mistress and her subordinates.

He was certain she saw him gone as soon as he was, like a shadow that was there and then wasn't, but there was no turning back now. She was caring for her friend, they would get back to their men, and that was all he interfered for. He could focus on this filth who was thrown onto the ground of the forest, the quarter moon shining overhead, and the impact awoke him to the tall, dark figure who stood against the silver in the sky.

Itachi's eyes had been black before - his human irises - but now they changed at his will.

His red eyes bore the three tomoe, before they swirled and formed the black pinwheel that brought him into the nightmare world named for the god of the moon.

~o~

The strange man was gone when she turned to look back at him, and so was the guy on the ground. What - how did he do that?!

He'd stood there like a silhouette, a part of the night, but now he'd vanished as if he'd never been. He didn't seem to have a car in the wing, and did he pick the bastard up and take him with?

If she didn't think this was weird enough, it had just gotten so much more.

Temari throwing up was a sign that she might not eat the food in the bag tonight after all, but a good night's rest and then get back to work tomorrow. Or if Asuma was reasonable enough to just let her call in sick, but that also meant he would want to have the serious talk if Shikamaru had. She sat beside her friend who was taking some breaths to calm down. When she was done, she looked Hanaru directly in the eyes. "I had it taken care of," she rasped, forcing a smile. But the other rolled her eyes.

"Come on. We're going to Shikamaru's car. He's driving us all home." She helped Temari stand up, and it was amazing she could still walk. "I see you're still clear-headed."

"Don't make fun of me, alright?" Temari grunted, taking the bag of food from her because she thought her best friend had carried enough tonight and had to come after her sorry ass. "And Shika - he's gonna talk me again like this." Probably what you need after the attitude you've given us all this time.

Hanaru knew she should say something regarding her behavior, but if she was still intoxicated, she might not remember certain things said to her. Tomorrow when she was a little better would have to be the time. Or if Temari didn't want to, then what choice did she have?

Choji was in the back behind the driver, Shikamaru himself, and both looked very grim when they saw both girls coming towards them. "Don't say a word," Hanaru had to hiss under her breath, and he just nodded. Choji watched on with greater worry as she helped Temari into the front passenger seat beside her boyfriend, before getting behind her, and Shikamaru started the engine, having it off to save the gas before she arrived.

She left the bag of food in Temari's lap, and that was when the pigtailed blonde sniffed and then laughed. "I smell my favorite dumplings. Hanaru, you know me too well!" Her laugh became a shriek then, making Shikamaru roll his eyes. "Pork, onion and garlic - just the way I like it! What else is next? Dango?"

"Yes," Hanaru said through her teeth. "Mitarashi for you, and bocchan for me."

"That's my girl who knows me better than anyone!"

She was crowing now, and it made Hanaru and the poor guys groan to each other. She was going crazy now, but at least they were on their way back to their apartment. But it wasn't long before the high effects of the booze overcame Temari, and she passed out then and there in the passenger seat. Her loud snoring could be heard. Hanaru put a hand over her mouth and giggled, her body wracking with the laughter. At least one funny thing happened at the end of the night.

Shikamaru chuckled as he stopped them at her and Temari's place which was a few blocks from where he and Choji lived. "What a relief."

"Tell me about it," Choji grumbled. "Night, Hanaru."

"Good night, Choji," Hanaru said, unbuckling, but before she could open the door on her side, Shikamaru beat her to telling what happened before he would get out with her, to help Temari, and their pudgy friend was rapt.

"So, what was the trouble that took you so long, besides her acting up?"

She didn't have to waste any time, because she couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious man who helped get rid of the guy who tried to attack Temari. "I was just going across when I saw some creep trying to...you know." He stiffened, meeting her gaze in the rearview mirror. But he said nothing, except the silence was tense. "But she kicked him down, in a certain place." Now that brought a smirk and a snicker on Shikamaru's face.

"But then, just as I was going to bring my Taser to his balls -" It was so hard not to giggle again, but after clearing her throat, she got serious again. "- someone showed up and told me he would take care of it. Said she needed me more than the jerk did."

"'He'?" Choji repeated, blinking.

Hanaru nodded. "Yeah, some guy in a black trench coat showed up out of nowhere and thought he could help us."

Shikamaru sniffed. "That's very weird. Did he say his name?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. He said this business was his as he saw fit, and that I had done enough." She huffed in frustration as she recalled the cool arrogance, the refined calm - and that face...that damned coat hid the bottom half, but there was something about him that seemed so familiar...

His voice, low and rich, rustled her senses like the most luxurious of velvet.

And no, that did not mean she was swooning over him. But she never saw anyone like him before. Except the man in my dreams. "He annoyed the shit out of me, I'll tell you that much, boys," Hanaru said. "And since he never said his name, I doubt I'll ever see his face again."

"Huh, troublesome," Shikamaru agreed, and by this time, they both opened their doors to get out and let the cold, night air into the warm interior of his car, making Choji shiver a little. "But it sounds like he really meant to help you, and he did...right?" He raised another eyebrow as he waited for her. Meanwhile, Temari was still snoring, oblivious to their conversation.

Yeah, you're right. But that guy...he disappeared as if he'd never been there. How the hell did he DO that?

Shikamaru said nothing to this, but he was just as baffled as she was. "Just like a real shadow, he was there and then he was gone."

"That's what I said to myself," she grumbled, unfastening her seatbelt at the same time he did, once again bidding good night with Choji. She picked up her bag and notebook before going outside to reach Temari's door. With Shikamaru's help, the woman was out in no time, and Hanaru took the bagged food into her arm, leading the way while Shikamaru carried her friend bridal style up those stairs to the flat. And for a sec, the Uzumaki was worried he would end up falling down the iron steps, where he would end up with his brain matter splattered all over the pavement!

She fished out her keys from the inside of her bag to bring the one she wanted towards the keyhole, then turned counterclockwise and worked the knob to open and bring them inside. "Go ahead and get her into her room." He'd been here before, so he knew where that was. Letting him do the job, she brought the food into the kitchen, putting it all into the fridge to keep fresh. When he was gone, she would get herself the dumplings. After that, a nice, hot shower and onward to bed. If only she could wake Temari up for that.

Hanaru arrived outside Temari's room in time for Shikamaru to leave it, rubbing the back of his neck. "Did nothing except take off her jacket and shoes. Thought I'd leave the rest to you." His cheeks were pink as if he was disconcerted about undressing his girlfriend when they weren't married yet or even took their relationship to that level.

"Thanks for your help." She was about to go in and finish the job when he halted her with a hand on her shoulder, still covered by her sweater jacket.

"You sure you'll be fine? That guy - I can't help but have a bad feeling, and usually I am right," Shikamaru said. "I get he helped you, but if you see him again..."

She knew what he was going to say, and she really didn't want to think about that oddball of a man. Good deed or not, he really had her floored with mixed feelings. She was grateful for him getting rid of that man, however he did it, but she was also irritated that he interfered when she would have tased that creep's balls like she did a couple times before in the past.

Shikamaru sighed at her silence. "Well, take care and have a good night's rest. See you tomorrow. Oh!" He stopped when he was just marching for the door. "If she's sick tomorrow, Asuma would just excuse her for the day...but this could be the last time he does that." Because their manager knew what it was like to suffer hard times, but this was just plain immature. Sooner or later, Temari had to get help and find some healthy coping mechanism. Both brothers were gone, and they wouldn't have wanted their sister to wallow the way she was now.

When he was gone, Hanaru reached to unzip her sweater and slung it over her arm, tossing it through the doorway so it landed on the armrest of the couch - but it was then that her eyes landed on the window beyond, the curtains opened, but the panes locked tight.

Why did she feel like someone was watching her? The cold ran up her spine like it did the night Naruto never joined them for his birthday celebration...the night he vanished...

But she saw nobody outside. Nothing but shadows in the alleyways as well as silhouettes of some people below in the streets. Yellow-gold light from the lamp posts illuminated the paths on the sidewalks. And as for the rooftops of the buildings, it was hard to tell. I must be imagining things. I'm worrying over nothing.

How wrong she was.

~o~

His red eyes had been in the darkness so she didn't see him, but somehow, she knew someone was watching, before she seemingly thought nothing of it and just turned her back from the window, after pulling the sheer curtains over the glass.

Even through that gauzy material, he could still see through everything.

She and the Nara young man, whose family was known in Konoha, brought Temari up the stairs to the apartment she shared with the drunk woman, and she was the one to take them inside. Then Nara brought his girlfriend into her room while Hanaru put the food into the refrigerator. He couldn't even see what it was; he was only gifted with reading body language, peering into their souls, and detecting their next actions before they even began. Penetrating through objects to see what was inside was something the Hyuuga clan was capable of, not someone with the Sharingan.

Which was exactly what he gave Temari's would-have-been assailant. The tremendous impact left him in a comatose-like state in which he wouldn't wake up for weeks from. When he was finished by manipulating the maze of the scum's mind and blocking his way out, he was deposited outside the police station. Itachi had used one of his nails to scratch open a small cut in the fool's flesh, near his jugular without killing him, and one lick with his tongue, making him flinch at the muddy tang of this one's blood, made him see that this person was a suspected rapist, but no charges were filed due to lack of evidence.

His undead veins burned with righteous rage. Perhaps nothing would happen, but leaving him in front of the police headquarters might keep him in a cell for some time. And perhaps he would think twice before he went to Hanaru and Temari a second time, since he had his balls busted twice by them.

No girl - three of them before these ones tonight - ever fought him back the way they did.

Now Itachi was across the street from the girls' apartment, tailed them home and saw nothing happen to them. If only he could be full-time protector of them, but there was no such thing. It wasn't like he was a literal god who could be everywhere and see all.

But with my lifetimes, there is no such thing as a god. I have never once seen one, nor were my prayers answered in my young days, in times of dire need...

Right now, he watched on with his eyes now switched on to full power as Tsunade's estranged granddaughter worked on removing her clothing in front of the one she was unaware was watching her. But you have no idea that someone is. You're quite foolish to be unaware.

However, she seemed to be aware, but she could see nobody. It was clear enough she wasn't going to take any chances and investigate. But she did have everything secured tight, which was enough.

The mauve blouse was unbuttoned and then parted to show rosy lace in the form of a plunging halter that went below the waistline of her gray denims, but then she turned around and let them slide down her smooth legs, revealing her ample backside. The teddy snapped closed at the back of the neck, and when it was undone, the fabric started to slide down her body, divine as a goddess.

He shouldn't even be watching this, but it was nothing he hadn't seen before, especially after living close to six centuries and being mated twice.

But the thrum in his veins was the same as it was with them.

He closed his eyes at the memories as well as the throbbing within, as he recalled her profuse essence. She had a power over him similarly to the beginner's luck and then the one who was taken away from him.

If Tsunade knew of this, then she would do the unthinkable to keep her family safe from someone like him - especially when he was her servant.

But I am also an ally of the Senju, willingly joined them to protect the humans. I used to be like them and therefore know them as well as she. And Hanaru is one of them. She cannot be tainted by the likes of me.

He once thought the same of his previous brides - look at what became of them. He clenched his fists to his sides just thinking about them. With that, he stood up and transformed himself into a flock of crows. He had to return, or else Lady Tsunade would berate him for tardiness.

So, yeah, as a vampire, Itachi has his powers we know in canon, but more will be expanded upon later. Or maybe for those who have read "Setting Sun" and "You Mate Only Once", you might have some ideas. Though to tell you the truth, it's been awhile since I read either, so I only recall bits of this and that. Basically, in the former, when you become a vampire, your powers (the ones we know from ninja-verse) awaken.

Reviews! :D And Happy Easter and April Fool's.