Author's Notes: I cringe at how long it's been since the last update, but like I promised, I have not and will not abandon this story. I wrestled with this chapter for...far too long. Parts of it felt cliche to me, but most of it is very vital for the storyline. Let me know what you think. Constructive Criticism is always welcomed. Enjoy~!
Chapter Six:
Trust
The morning dawned as gray as ever, but without a hint of rain. Fugaku had left early in the morning to compare notes with Itachi before they commenced their continued investigation.
Once again Mikoto had arisen with the dawn with Ame not too far behind her. Sasuke awoke shortly after and the three enjoyed a peaceful breakfast together.
Sasuke had only glanced out the lace curtained windows of the dining room once before announcing that he was most likely not going to follow his father and brother after eating. Thus, when the knock came later that morning he was unprepared for what would follow.
Sasuke was sitting in one of the armchairs reading as Mikoto showed Ame how to properly tie off her thread and needle when the sound was heard.
"You poke back through the other side, catch the loop twice and pull," Mikoto instructed.
She and Sasuke looked up at the sound; Ame was too busy concentrating on her needle, she figured that any real threat wouldn't take the time out to knock.
"I'll get it," Mikoto said as she stood up. "It's probably Ms. Tsunade again."
Sasuke watched his mother's retreating figure disappear around the corner before watching Ame delicately catch the loop and pulling firmly. She looked pleased with the results until an unfamiliar voice reached her ears from the doorway. She stiffened quickly in response to Sasuke starting out of his chair.
"How could I forget?" he mumbled to himself, darting a glance at Ame in slight chagrin.
In the next moment a blonde-headed figure with bright blue eyes stormed into the room, fit to burst. "Come on Teme! We've only been planning this trip for weeks! Take a break for once and-"
He paused halfway across the room, causing a nervous and apologetic dark-haired and light-eyed girl that was following right behind him to nearly run into his back.
"Naruto!" Another voice, one loud enough to match the boy's, filtered in from the hallway. "You shouldn't barge into other people's houses! It's rude!" The feminine body of the voice entered the room soon after, her long blonde hair and light blue eyes widened when she stepped inside.
"Ino? Do you think you could keep your voice to a reasonable decibel this morning?" A third female voice added to the commotion as a young lady with tied up brown hair, sepia eyes, and a rather full stomach tottered into the room. A young gentleman with long coffee-colored hair and light eyes hovered right behind her, an undercurrent of concern lacing his every movement.
"I'm sorry about this," a final voice added in a sigh as a young man with his brunette hair tied high on his head sauntered in at Mikoto's side.
She smiled graciously. "Don't worry about it Shikamaru, dear. I'm thrilled that you all are here, you haven't visited in ages." She halted at the crowd just inside the doorway to her parlor to see Ame looking at the rest of them, terrified. Sasuke was torn between reassurances and kicking them all out at once.
"Sasuke?" She asked, drawing his attention. "Why don't you take the boys into the kitchen to explain?"
Relieved, Sasuke nodded. Ame shot him an alarmed look. He looked at her for a moment. "Just the other side of the hall," he assured her.
She bit her bottom lip but nodded warily.
"Come on," Sasuke grabbed a hold of the blonde boy's shirt sleeve and dragged him out of the room, the other two gentleman following close behind.
The three girls left behind continued to stare at Ame, unsure, until Mikoto looked at her for permission. Only after Ame gave the faintest of nods did she direct the girls further into the room and had them seated.
"Girls, this is the young lady that Sasuke found. Her name is Ame," Mikoto began.
Ame was now sitting in the furthest corner of the couch with all of her muscles clenched; her old instincts flaring back to life. Mikoto, who was sitting next to her in the center of the sofa, grasped one of the pale girl's hands gently but firmly, forcing it to relax.
"Ame, I would like to introduce to you some of Sasuke's friends. This is Ms. Hinata Hyuuga", she indicated the quiet girl sitting on Mikoto's other side. "Mrs. Ino Nara," she nodded to the blonde in one of the armchairs, and Mrs. Tenten Hyuuga," she nodded to the brunette in the other armchair.
"I'm sure you have heard a bit about Ame from your parents?" Mikoto asked the room.
The three girls nodded in silence.
"So you're her, huh?" Ino asked, unusually subdued.
Ame looked at her warily and slightly puzzled.
"I'm sorry about what happened to you," Hinata's shy voice spoke up. "We're not all like that; like him."
Sakura shook her head in dismissal after a moment. I know.
"No worries, Ame," Ino's cheerful voice buoyed back up. "We'll keep the men away from you, and if we can't the guys will."
Tenten agreed enthusiastically.
"Hey!" Ino's face lit up excitedly. "Why don't you come with us today?"
"Ino, I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Hinata warned.
"It'll be fine, right, Mrs. Uchiha?"
"Where are all of you headed off to?" Mikoto asked.
"To the beach!"
Mikoto studied Ame. "It might be good for you, dear," she encouraged. "Being outside and around people your own age would be healthy, even if they are vampires." She smiled knowing Ame had noticed almost immediately, hence part of her hesitation. "And with you going, Sasuke will be sure to stay with you the entire time," she added good-naturedly, squeezing Ame's hands as she said it.
"And we'll be with you too," Ino assured the still nervous rosette haired girl.
They watched as Ame debated with herself for a few moments. Well, what could it hurt? I don't want to leave my scent outside this house, but being in the water will clear that up quickly. Plus, these are Sasuke's friends; he obviously trusts them, as does Mikoto…Why not?
Hesitantly she nodded, as Ino let up a big cheer. "I'll go tell the guys," she said as she dashed out of the room in the blink of an eye. Hinata and Tenten shook their heads, as Mikoto smiled.
"So how is your little bundle of joy coming along?" Mikoto asked pleasantly.
Tenten brushed a hand across her bulging stomach. "Any day now I think, but I was determined to come today no matter what. Neji is just going to have to deal with it." She grinned widely.
Hinata giggled. "Between you and Naruto, I'm surprised he has any control left."
Mikoto joined in the laughter as Ame looked from one to the other, storing all the information away for later use.
A few moments later Sasuke reappeared in the doorway with Ino right behind him. He looked at Ame with his brow raised. "Do you really want to go?" Ame paused for a moment before nodding again, more firmly than the first time.
"See! I told you!" Ino's bubbly voice rang out. "Let's grab your stuff and hit the road!"
She waltzed back out into the hallway, dragging the guys with her and out the door.
Mikoto chuckled, "Let me see if I can find something for you to wear Ame, I'll be right back."
Hinata gracefully rose from her seat and helped Tenten up into a standing position, a step behind her as they followed Ino's dust trail outside. "We'll be waiting in the motor," Tenten called over her shoulder.
Sasuke trudged up the stairs, after throwing one last glance at Ame, to gather his things. Ame stood in the doorframe leading out into the hallway, not knowing what she should do with herself, or what had gotten into her. She had never been to a beach before, though she had heard of them often enough and seen pictures such as the ones in the Uchiha's hallway. Maybe it was the desire to see a body of water that impossibly big, or maybe…just maybe it was that little, unnoticed and hidden desire to just want to be normal for a change. To simply exist within the sphere of people who had grown up with the possibility of light, people who had been given that choice.
Mikoto appeared moments later with a small shoulder bag. "Here, everything you should need is inside," she hugged the still too thin girl tightly. "Be careful, but have fun out there, okay? And you keep an extra eye on her Sasuke," she added as her son appeared next to her. Ame started only slightly at his speed.
"I will," he reassured her before slinging his own bag over his shoulder, and the three walked out the door.
After everyone bid their goodbyes, the group of eight traveled in the two borrowed motors to the beachfront. Ame could only stare out the window in slight trepidation, praying that no one would recognize her from the streets, but as the town fell away to rolling hills, and soon the open water, she relaxed with an inaudible sigh.
As the motors rolled to a stop right at the edge of the beachfront, Sasuke helped Ame down to the ground and she breathed in the excitement and fresh air surrounding her. The sound of the waves gently crashing on the shore lulled her into a calmer state as she tried to lend a hand with the equipment.
The guys set up both the men and women's striped changing tents, as the ladies set up the blankets and umbrella slightly nearer to the seashore. The fervor escalated as everyone set up, and upon completion the guys barely had enough patience to spare to let one change at a time. Within moments Ame was witness to all four gentleman racing each other to the water in their colorful one-piece suits, which looked like someone had decided to sew a pair of shorts and an undershirt together.
They were splashing, dunking, and general rough-housing; Ame was stunned to see Sasuke letting loose and just enjoying his time, before Ino had gently but firmly grasped her around the elbow and dragged her to the women's changing tent, seemingly unaware of her tensed muscles from the contact.
Ino herself had already changed into her white and navy blue striped swimsuit that was more of a short-sleeved, thigh-length dress with a pair of knee-length trousers underneath. On her legs and feet were black stockings and a pair of navy blue slip-on shoes. It was still considered indecent to show much of their skin in public, even if times were changing.
Inside the tent an already dressed Hinata, clad all in black with plum trim, was buttoning the back of Tenten's all black with a white polka dotted collar and trim suit. Both girls wore the same identical black stockings and black slip-on shoes.
As she finished, all three girls aided Ame into her swimsuit that covered nearly as much of her skin as her dress had. Just one look at it and Ame knew she would sink like a rock if she were to get wet. To her surprise however, the material was lighter than it looked, and with the loss of the cumbersome hoop skirt she actually felt unburden by her clothing for once. Her suit was white with maroon striping along the bottom of her dress, trousers, collar and sleeves. She also had a maroon belt that Tenten had to tie a little tighter than normal upon her waist, black stocking and slip-ons with white ribbons that Ino crisscrossed up to her knees.
Not used to being the center of attention, Ame could do nothing but stand there as they dressed her like a doll, and chattered quietly in the dim tent. Satisfied, the four young women exited the tent and set themselves underneath the large umbrella.
"Well, Ame," Ino began. "I don't think we have had a chance to really introduce ourselves yet." She smiled good-naturedly at the apologetic face of the pale girl before her. "My name is Ino Nara, formerly Yamanaka. My husband is the brunette with the spiky ponytail," she shoved her thumb over her shoulder in the general direction of the guys. "I met him when I was still in finishing school, and when I was still human."
Ame's mouth dropped open slightly in shock.
Ino's smile widened even wider. "I didn't know he was a vampire for quite awhile when I first met him, but as he began courting me things sort of fell into place. By the time he finally spit it out, I already knew and wasn't nearly as shocked as he thought I would be." She smirked. "The look on his face was priceless." Tenten and Hinata laughed along with her. "He proposed not long after, and after I made him promise to marry me as a human, I let him turn me. That was a year ago."
"I knew about Neji nearly right away," Tenten teased.
"Yes, well, your situation is highly unusual. So you cheated," Ino teased right back.
"I'm Tenten Hyuuga," Tenten informed Ame. "I've known the Hyuuga family since I was born and when my parents died in an accident when I was five, they took me in. Thus I fell upon their secret almost right away, but being so little I guess I didn't think it was too big a deal. Neji, the one with the long hair," she pointed him out to Ame "Hinata, and I grew up together, and as soon as I was out of finishing school Neji proposed and turned me." Her smile softened. "We've been together for two years now, and this little one," she stroked her belly. "Is about two weeks from his or her due date according to the doctors, but I think this little one is getting restless."
Ame studied the mother-to-be and knew, vampire or not, a mother's love for her child was something special and glorious in all of its wonderment. She felt a pang in her chest for a moment as memories surfaced, but she suppressed them quickly not wanting to alarm her company.
"You're so lucky," Hinata whispered. "You're going to be a wonderful mother Tenten."
Tenten blushed before her brows came together in concern. "I certainly hope so, but with you living just around the corner I shouldn't worry."
"Your turn is coming Hinata," Ino slung an arm around her friends shoulder.
Hinata blushed all the way to the root of her hair.
"You see," Ino began. "Hinata's boyfriend finally proposed to her as well. Right? Soon to be Mrs. Uzumaki?" Her grin widened as the poor girl blushed even harder.
Ame looked back at the beach to see the blonde-boy get dunked underwater by Sasuke.
"That's Naruto Uzumaki," Tenten supplied for her. "He and Sasuke grew up together, and are pretty close friends. He met the Hyuuga's around the same time I was brought into their family, and has had his eyes on Hinata ever since."
"My father and Neji's are twin brothers," Hinata explained. "So Neji and I are cousins, and now Tenten is my sister-in-law of a sorts." She smiled warmly at Tenten. "Naruto and I are to be wed in about half a year, and unlike Tenten and Ino I was born a vampire. My entire family is of vampire lineage."
Ame looked at the circle of girl's around her, touched that they had all shared their stories with her, and felt the ever-increasing twinge of regret that she couldn't say anything back. She smiled uncertainly at them before looking apologetic once more.
"Don't worry about it Ame," Ino waved away her silent apology. "We already know, and we don't mind." Hinata and Tenten were quick to agree with her. "And now if you don't mind I need to go and get someone's fiancé off my husbands back." She stood up quickly. "Naruto!" She yelled playfully. "What do you think you're doing?" She took off running down the beach as Naruto's eyes widened in an expression torn between mischievous and fear.
The three girls watched as Ino dove right in with the rest of the guys and dunked Naruto thoroughly. Hinata and Tenten laughed at Ino's antics as Ame's small smile spread across her cheeks.
After a moment Hinata sighed and stood up. "I had better go help him before Ino drowns him." She strolled down to the water's edge gracefully before digging into the revelry with nearly as much enthusiasm as Ino.
Tenten let out a great sigh. "I wish I could join them. It's just not fair that my 'condition' keeps me planted here."
Ame wasn't sure what to do. She settled for fiddling with her fingers for a moment until a shadow crossed her lap and she tensed. She looked up slowly to see that Neji and broken away from the group and was gently helping Tenten to her feet. The look of bliss on Tenten's face stirred something inside Ame; a longing she didn't know had existed.
She watched as the expecting couple carefully made their way down the sand and stepped into the water. He only allowed her to go in up to her knees, but the relief of the cooler water was evident on Tenten's face.
Ame was so caught up in watching the pair, that was was startled out of her wonderment when a few drops of water landed on her arm. She jumped when she noticed a hand held out right in front of her. It was Sasuke.
"Come on," he gestured.
Reluctantly she lifted a shaking hand, as her heart still beat furiously in her chest. Then with a determined look she slid her hand right into Sasuke's. He was slightly taken aback, but didn't let it show on his face. He simply helped her stand and calmly guided her to the water's edge.
Ame was enjoying feeling the texture of the sand through her thin shoes. The way it seemed to give way and hold her weight at the same time was fascinating. She immediately noticed the change when they hit the wet sand, how it was firmer, and didn't cling to her like the dry stuff had. She continued to follow Sasuke's lead, and delicately slid her feet into the delightfully cool water. She felt it lapping around her ankles as it began to soak through the material of her suit, weighing her down, and keeping her anchored all at the same time.
She held one of his hands with one of her own, the other on his upper arm as they moved deeper. As the water inched up her knees, her gripped tightened, and when the water hit the bottom of her dress she halted, eyeing the water.
Sasuke was puzzled by her reaction for a moment, before he caught on. "You can't swim, can you?"
Her look said it all as she blushed faintly, eventually shaking her head no.
There was a moment's pause then, "Would you like me to teach you?"
Ame's eyes widened in surprise before she looked at him warily.
" I won't let anything happen to you, I promise." His gaze was steady.
Jerkily she nodded her head. Sasuke released her grip on his arm and took both her hands in his and gently pulled her into deeper water, assuring her every faltering step of the way until she was in waist deep.
"Do you know how to float?" He asked her, not entirely sure where to begin. When she shook her head no, he studied her for a moment. He sighed slightly. "Then you're going to have to trust me, okay?"
She nodded quietly, as Sasuke approached her. He put one arm behind her back, and without warning used the other to catch her under her knees. Ame jerked and clung to him around his neck when she felt her feet leave the ground so that he was now carrying her in his arms.
He was startled by her reaction, but not so much as she was by her own. "Relax," he assured her as gently laid her out flat in the water, supporting her with his arms.
Ame felt the water creep into her clothing and dampen her hair as she struggled with herself to trust him. He knows what he's doing.
"Now, I'm going to let go, little by little, okay?" Sasuke warned her.
She nodded, trying to relax, but her eyes were squeezed shut. As his arms fell away she felt herself sink further and tried to wrench herself up, causing her to sink further, but Sasuke was right there to catch her again.
She sputtered as she wiped the water off her face. "You're okay, you're fine," he assured her. "Let's try it again." Her look of fear made him smile slightly. "I'm not going to let you drown. I'm right here. Just relax." He tipped her back again, and this time he waited until he was sure she was relaxed. Then ever so gently he released his arms, telling her to spread her limbs out as he did so.
Ame felt herself suspended on the water's surface, nothing but her own body keeping her up. With her eyes closed it was like she was floating on air with nothing in the world to bother her; when the pair of arms returned and lifted her up again, she felt a twinge of disappointment.
"Good," Sasuke said as a look of small satisfaction flitted across his face. "Now let's try it on your stomach. Hold your breath and keep your eyes closed. Ready? Now."
Ame's face hit the water, and let herself float as all sound was silenced under the water. Perfect silence. Once more the arms came up underneath her and lifted her out of the water, but this time she came up with a small smile, water dripping down her face. I did it.
As the time lingered on, Sasuke demonstrated the different strokes of swimming, and patiently taught her how to do each fairly well. Ame was well aware of his grip around her waist as they practiced, but was genuinely pleased to feel security rather than fright. She haltingly paddled a bit, as Sasuke guided her, until he slowly let go when he was confident she was ready.
Idly he swam alongside her in slow fluid strokes, and she felt her confidence rise. They swam for a few paces, Sasuke watching her, and Ame too pleased with herself to pay attention to much else until her head collided with something hard.
With a gasp that was silenced under the water she slammed her hands on top of her head, and wincing tried to stand up, water falling into her eyes. Sasuke was there immediately to steady her, as a blonde head rose out of the water wincing.
"I'm sorry," Naruto babbled. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I didn't see you."
Sasuke sighed heavily. "It's alright Naruto. She's fine. Right?"
Ame's head smarted, but she managed to nod and give the concerned boy a weak smile. It took a moment for Ame to realize that Sasuke was holding her up and against him in the water as he waited for her to get her bearings again. She felt a blush creep across her face and tried to gently break away, her heart pounding.
Silently Sasuke guided her back to the beach, after finally assuring a still apologetic Naruto that they were fine. Sasuke led her up to the umbrella where Neji sat with Tenten, Neji clearing off at their approach. Ino and Hinata followed Sasuke and Ame out of the water, promising Sasuke they would look after her.
He made sure to ascertain if Ame needed anything until she waved him off with, what she hoped was, a reassuring smile. Reluctantly Sasuke left to rejoin the guys, but continued to throw worried glances back at her until Naruto dunked him full under the water. A water-wrestling match soon sprang up amongst the four young men and the moment was put out of everyone's heads.
"Wow, I never thought I'd live to see the day," Ino said in a breath of wonderment.
Ame looked at her puzzled.
"We've never seen Sasuke so attentive toward anyone else like that before," she explained. "He's been so fixated on getting him since he was little and found out about his mother."
Tenten nodded. "Sasuke's never spared so much as a glance for any girl before."
"And then he spends hours teaching you to swim," Ino added.
"You should have seen the look on his face when you and Naruto collided," Hinata murmured, looking at Ame.
A blush flushed across Ame's face that didn't go unnoticed, but unspoken between the girls.
Tenten became quiet as her face suddenly went white. Ame was the first to notice, and looked at her in concern. Tenten caught her looking and then let her gaze fall to her lap where a growing dark stain spread across the dark towel underneath her, she looked back up at Ame in a panic.
It took only a moment for Ame to process the meaning. The baby! Her arm darted out and clamped around Ino's arm startling the girl out of her reverie as she watched the guys play. Her eyes widened at the alarmed look on Ame's face, but Ame was looking at Tenten.
Ino's eyes followed. "Holy - Tenten did your water just break?"
Tenten winced in pain for a few moments as she nodded. Hinata, alerted by Ame's movements was behind Tenten before Ame could blink and rubbing her shoulders, whispering things to her that Ame couldn't entirely catch.
A millisecond later Ino was down at the waterfront, her speed, something they weren't supposed to use in public, caught all four of the young men's attention. Ame couldn't hear her words, but her erratic gestures was all Ame needed to know that they needed to get moving and fast.
Ino was back beside Ame in a flash, helping her to pack everything away quickly. Naruto and Shikamaru immediately seized upon the changing tents. Neji was beside Tenten in a moment, taking Hinata's place as she helped Ino take down the girl's tent. Sasuke gently lifted Ame up and out of the way of the vampire's hurried movements before giving her upper arms a faint squeeze and helping as well.
Meanwhile Tenten was beginning to panic, and Neji's calming words weren't enough to get her to settle down, no matter how much he explained that it wasn't good for her or the baby.
Unsure of what to do, but following her instinct Ame approached the panicking couple slowly. Apprehensively she reached out and rested a hand on Tenten's hand and the other on the brunette girl's belly.
Tenten stared at the glass-eyed girl, stunned, effectively calming her down. Ame smiled reassuringly, as she caught Neji's eye, and he gave her a nod. Ame tensed slightly as Neji rose to his feet, but helped him ease Tenten up to her feet and walked her slowly to the awaiting motor. Tenten let out another gasp, biting her lip to hold it in.
"Just go," Ino was saying to Sasuke as they approached.
"We'll follow you guys in a few minutes when we finish here," Shikamaru agreed.
Sasuke nodded as he opened the door of the motor, and Neji lifted Tenten in as easy as anything. "I'm driving," Neji muttered to Sasuke.
"Are you sure?"
Neji nodded firmly as Ame crawled in the backseat with Tenten, grasping her hands once more to keep Tenten calm. Sasuke climbed into the passenger seat, when he saw Ame going along, to keep her calm as Neji started the engine and headed to Ms. Tsunade's private clinic.
Let us make it in time, Ame prayed.