Chapter 7:
Drink Up Sweet Decadence
Hinata leaned on the door of Sasuke's bedroom.
A sadness consumed her body. Her shoulders hunched and her head faced downward. She closed her eyes. It had been three full months since her awakening; three full months that she had been rarely able to see her older brother; and three full months which she had fought a growing hunger.
During his long absence, Hinata had more time to analyze the character of her older brother. One thing she concluded out of all her other guesses was Sasuke's secretiveness. Hinata did not understand why Sasuke was extremely secretive around her. There were many questions she wanted to ask him about their parents, his life, and the job that made him so weary whenever she was able to catch a glimpse of his face. Yet, he never approached her and it was difficult to approach him when he always came home bearing such tiredness in his aura.
"How have you lived, Onii-san?" This was the question that she wanted to ask him most out of the others. Her interest since the initial had always been about him, the people or things that had surrounded him that gave him support to continue living in an existence that Hinata found lonesome. What does he do? Why does he do them? Were our parents supportive?
Therefore, Hinata could not hide the fact that her joy at having a brother would at times become overshadowed by the fact that she was living more with a stranger than a family member. The first time she saw Sasuke, she had felt a radiating heat inside of her: A heat that had sent him to the ground with her mouth at his neck in their primary meeting. It was a hunger that she had not been able to control: A hunger that took her into desire.
The truth was her body was craving something more delicious. It was something that flowed in her older brother's vein. It was a pure red liquid that had captured her into a rapture of pleasure and satisfaction the first time she tasted it at Sasuke's neck. It was this hunger that Hinata had been able to define during these three months as Sasuke's blood.
She did not fear what she had become, for she was grateful that she was someone considered significant in his life so as to watch over her. Being a vampire was something Hinata could not change. And though her memory was gone and Sasuke had done nothing to remind her of the past, it did not matter to her what the past contained.
So, would it be okay to tell him face to face that she had missed him? Would it be okay to tell him that she had always craved his blood? These two questions plagued Hinata, facilitating her predicament as of now. She continued to lean on the front of his bedroom door with an anxiety growing within her that she had never felt before.
She was fighting the urge not to go inside his room. She was fighting the urge to see his face.
Today would mark the sixth day straight she had skipped her feeding regime this month. But how could she let Sakura or Sasuke know that she had never craved human blood. Human blood had only been a substitute for a craving she knew was immoral.
What broke Hinata to bits, as her body began to shake from the lack of food, was that she had made a promise to Sasuke. It was a promise that she would not bite him anymore which had been sealed with an apology the very day she was pushed onto the floor by him when she had awakened. And now Hinata was trying, desperately so, to not open his bedroom door.
I can resist, she told herself tightly. I can resist.
Hinata whimpered as her left hand slowly, but shakily clasped the door knob. No! Stop! Immediately, Hinata's legs collapsed. Falling to the door, Hinata shook her head violently. I'm not supposed to be doing this! This is wrong! He's my brother, after all! Yet, an overpowering sensation filled her up at the thought of having his blood in her mouth. NO.
But even the strong objections her mind was rambling inside her head could not suppress the weakening of her state of mind and physical body movements. Hinata needed to feed. Fast.
But she could not allow her body the bliss of having her preferred meal. Hinata would not be able to stand for it.
Get up!
Hinata could not help but feel weak and dumb. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to bring her body up. It was useless, her legs were immovable. Her throat was feeling itchier and drier because of the lack of nourishment. Hinata's breathing increased as she struggled to clear her vision.
Why am I crying? Why am I weak?
Hinata was a vampire. She was adjusting to the vampire ways. So there was only one type of food a vampire needed to survive on. Yet, Hinata hated herself at this very moment. Was she the only vampire in the world that craved vampire blood, especially that of her only kin?
Under such a disconcerting chaos that surrounded Hinata, she was forced to concur that with such a manner as hers, it was not normal. Not right. Not comfortable. And Hinata was trying her best to conceal her manner under this dark night. If Sasuke knew what was going on in her, surely he would be disgusted with her. Perhaps, even despise her.
Hinata surmised her older brother Sasuke to be a quiet but protecting creature. He was a creature that had taken care of her since her transformation process (as told to her by Sakura). Thus, Hinata was frightened and worried that Sasuke would find her like this in a state of frenzy and vulnerability that would reveal her disturbing nature to him.
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"What a surprise."
Hinata stiffened as she felt the presence of another creature in the hallway. It had been what seemed like fifteen minutes that Hinata had struggled with herself to not make a loud sound. By now, she was very tired. Her eyes widened and her tears stopped. She was still looking downwards at herself.
The voice was clearly male and taunting. Hinata did not like the sound of it at all for it held the voice of someone ready to reveal her.
"P-please go," pleaded Hinata in a whispered tone.
A small chuckle resonated.
"Don't you remember me?"
Raising an eyebrow, Hinata looked up and was staring at a young looking man. He had silvery hair and black glasses and was dressed in black straight jeans and a black coat. He looked down at Hinata with a grin as he held out a hand to her.
"Need help, Hinata?"
"W-who are you?" Hinata asked in a daze.
"I'm Yakushi Kabuto. I serve Lord Uchiha," spoke Kabuto in a gentle voice. With his hand still held out, he beckoned her," Aren't you going to take my hand?"
Hinata bit her lip as she tried to speak once more," I-I can't. My b-body won't let go." Her left hand was still clasped on the door knob.
Another small chuckle resonated. It only added fear into Hinata as she watched him move closer to her.
She could feel his hand touch her hand on the door knob. His hands felt rough, but were gently prying her fingers from the doorknob. However, Hinata could not even turn to look up at him anymore as her body suddenly became weaker. As Kabuto helped her up by holding onto her under arms, Hinata thanked him.
She gasped as she felt him embrace her. Her eyes widened.
"If you're hungry, you can bite me," whispered Kabuto quietly and soothingly. "It's not the same as Lord Uchiha's but it is vampire blood. You should find contentment for the time being."
"H-how do you know?" asked Hinata shockingly in a whispered tone back to him.
"Another vampire can tell when one of their kind is going through a bloodlust attack. You can try and hold yourself back, but you can never get rid of the lust. It is impossible and pure nature to desire blood," answered Kabuto softly, his words tickled Hinata's right ear.
"B-but-"
"A vampire like you is not normal. Lord Uchiha will be ashamed of you, Hinata," continued Kabuto, his eyes narrowing, as his arms around Hinata's waist tightened. "It is best to do onto me what you should not do onto your brother."
Hinata's eyes widened at his words. He was right. If another vampire was willing to offer blood in the place of Sasuke, than she would gladly take. It was a humiliating act for her to do, but she would do anything not to let her older brother see her like this. With their close bodies, she had clear access to Kabuto's neck. The moonlight reflecting off of a large window in the hallway illuminated their shadows.
"I-I won't be sorry, because I know I won't regret this. So, thank you," whispered Hinata weakly. Closing her eyes, Hinata bit into his neck.
Absorbing the blood in her mouth provided relief and she could feel the dryness and itchiness in her throat subside. The blood was fulfilling. However, she could feel herself unable to stop and she continued for a good three more minutes on draining his blood straight. It was with a swiftness that took Kabuto by surprise and he immediately brought his hands up to Hinata's face to pull her away. Kabuto winced at the pain of prying her teeth from him.
With a drunken expression on Hinata's face, she looked at Kabuto dazedly. Then, she passed out.
Kabuto took her into his arms as he eyed the line of blood coming down Hinata's lips. With no more smile, he bowed to the bedroom door.
"She is rested, Lord Uchiha."
"Good. Take her to her room."
Kabuto bowed and disappeared.
On the other side, standing in front of his bedroom door, Sasuke had his right palm pressed tightly onto his bedroom door. His eyes were stressed as he looked down at the carpet, unable to allow himself to look up at the 'wall' which had separated him from Hinata. He was shirtless when he slept in his room, but even the cool air from his bedroom window could not cool off his tense muscles flexing on his back and upper arms. Dressed in only black sweat pants, his spiky ebony hair was messy from prior sleep.
He had awakened to the noise caused by Hinata and had stood tensely on the other side of the bedroom door, listening to her struggle. He had fears from the beginning of her awakening that she would be this way. And his assumptions earlier had been proven correct. Hinata was a vampire that fed on vampire blood. Even though human blood was still acceptable, it was the vampire blood that would fully satiate Hinata's hunger.
He dreaded this revelation. He had heard her rustles, her tears, and the words she had spoken to Kabuto. He had ordered Kabuto to station himself by his room tonight in case Hinata should come. It was the sixth night that Hinata had walked by his door in the middle of the night. It was the sixth day that he had to watch Hinata try and hide herself from him and avoid greeting him at the door like she usually did. In return, Sasuke could only watch and hold back from her as he watched her suffer.
For the past three months since her awakening, Hinata had been able to feed on her own without any resistance from other vampires or the Council. He could smell human blood from her whenever she came home. Yet, now, it was clear, that the blood in the air was no other than one that belonged to a vampire's.
Sasuke's left hand had curled into a fist, especially during the moment it had become silent and all he could hear was Hinata's sucking of Kabuto's blood. How his hand had wanted to open the door and pull Hinata into his arms.
However, such fleeting moment would only expose his knowledge of her well-being and further create confusion on Hinata's part. Explanation was the only key for her sanity, but Sasuke was not willing to let Hinata discover her past and her true identity. Such news would give her loss and an unimaginable force of pain that even Sasuke knew would be detrimental to her health.
There are things I won't do, thought Sasuke to himself, to make me less of a monster.
Sasuke turned away from the door and headed back to his bed. As he lay down, his eyes remained looking up at the ceiling. Therefore, don't forgive me that I must take this away from you.
He was doing this in her best favor, he believed, and for himself as well.
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Sakura had watched the scene in the darkness of a corner.
Was she taken as a fool? There was no way that as the third and last member living in this large home she would be kept aloof about the tumultuous relationship between Master Uchiha and Hinata. Even Sakura was shocked to see that tonight, when she had come back from her hunting, she had stumbled upon a teary-eyed Hinata at her Master's door.
What shocked Sakura even more was to see Kabuto also in the hallway, with his inquisitive eyes staring intently at Hinata's form. Had he been there the whole time, watching and doing nothing?
Thus, her eyes laid claim to the whole surprising scene of Hinata's forbidden bite on Kabuto. Biting another vampire was wrong and law-breaking. The punishment was severe torture and with further investigation could lead to death. Witnessing this scene could allow Sakura to send Hinata to the Council and have her eliminated from Sakura's path to Sasuke.
But now that the event had passed, Sakura walked dumfoundedly downstairs into the kitchen. She had taken out a wineglass from the cupboard in the kitchen and poured sink water into it. Walking to the counter, she took a seat on the stool and her index finger circled the top of the wineglass. Her emerald eyes gazing away into nothing as her mind sorted out its thoughts. But would I do that to Master Uchiha? Sakura shook her head in answer as she released a sigh of exasperation.
"Did you have a nightmare?" asked Kabuto, walking to Sakura slowly in the kitchen. His hands were in the pockets of his dark jeans as his black loafers stalked toward her.
Sakura rolled her eyes as she continued in her reverie.
Taking a seat next to Sakura by the dining table, his eyes darted toward the wineglass.
"It's interesting, that we vampires have better night vision than humans. Which is why in darkness, we don't have the excuse of making mistakes like humans because we clearly see what we and others are doing. Tell me, were you jealous?" taunted Kabuto, but his voice was contradictory. It was serious, though he forced it this way to irritate her more.
Sakura remained silent and unmoving.
Kabuto scratched his silver hair and chuckled. His right hand rested at the area where Hinata had bit him while his left hand tapped the table thrice. With a small smile, he quickly disappeared.
Sakura sighed and disappeared quickly afterward.
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"Why did you allow her to bite you?" asked Sakura irately. Her eyes flared at him as they stood atop the roof of a tall building. Outside, they could hear the sounds of technology reverberating down below. Sakura was wearing nothing but her knee-length aqua nightgown with spaghetti straps.
Kabuto stared straight at Sakura with nothing but a cool grin on his face.
"Stop smiling, you look like an idiot, and answer me," mustered Sakura, though she shivered a bit at her harshness. She knew wasn't dealing with an ordinary vampire. Even though she didn't know anything much about his past, she could feel an intense aura from him especially in his smiles that seemed to hide his feelings very well.
"You didn't answer my question. Answer, and I'll answer back," replied Kabuto, his voice cool and soft.
Sakura scoffed, as she looked away and turned to look at him again," Everyone thinks they can use me for their own gains. I am a tool to both you and Master Uchiha. I need answers now. What is your motive?"
Kabuto pushed up his glasses, his eyes reverting away from Sakura and towards Tokyo's bright lights. "When someone talks a lot and ignores my question, I get annoyed easily."
"Just answer me!" shouted Sakura angrily," Or else I'll kill you!"
Kabuto chuckled," Kill me? You really want to?"
Sakura's nose flared as she tried to contain herself.
With his attention still on the lights, he continued talking," You, Sakura, can be nothing to Lord Uchiha if you can't even prove yourself worthy. You allow yourself to bask in his love when he doesn't harbor anything for you. Love is nothing but a cover-up for one's own loneliness."
"Why you-" muttered Sakura angrily," Don't you dare ridicule my feelings for him!" She charged at him, striking him with her fists, but he easily evaded her. His eyes quickly focused on Sakura intently, watching her movements.
"I hate being used! By you! By him! By my parents! By my old human friends! Everyone!" shouted Sakura, as tears spilled from her eyes.
Sakura halted as Kabuto grabbed her right fist into his own, holding onto it tightly. Next, he caught the flying left fist and held onto it tightly as well.
"Power is what saves lives," answered Kabuto. His eyes narrowing as he enveloped Sakura into an embrace. His arms tightly maneuvered around her shoulders as he continued in his gentle voice," I need power to get what I want."
Sakura's eyes widened. The tears she had wept now dried at her cheeks as she continued to listen to his words.
"Remember that deal you refused a while ago?"
Sakura stiffened.
"I don't think that this time, you'll be able to refuse me," spoke Kabuto darkly.
Sakura brought her hands up to push him away. She succeeded and moved a few feet back. Her eyes stared horrified at him.
Kabuto brought his arms to his side and flexed his fingers. He cocked his head left and right before speaking again. "Lord Uchiha grows weak. I remember when he was able to kill endlessly without feeling any remorse. But ever since he's met that Hyuga child, he's become softer. If I had his power to control such a powerful unit, I would make sure every day, every hour, Hyugas were paying with their lives," spoke Kabuto coldly, his smile gone.
Sakura took a few steps back. "I-"
"If your love is truly real, Sakura, than you know that the only way to save Lord Uchiha is to take him away from Hinata. Lucky for you, things will be working out in your favor for the future to come."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, stopping in her tracks, with confusion on her face. "What are you talking about?"
Kabuto frowned," You're not perceptive when it comes to Lord Uchiha. Under his orders, I visited the Council and have arranged for Hinata and him to be separated."
Sakura's eyes rose," What? But that's ridiculous. We both know that he would never allow Hinata to leave."
"The Council will kill Hinata if they find out the feelings Lord Uchiha harbors for her. She is a Hyuga and will always remain a Hyuga. There is no way the Council could ever stand to have Hinata by his side forever, especially if the Hyugas ever find out she has become a vampire. And on top of that, Hinata drinks vampire blood. She has sentenced herself to death without even knowing it. Therefore, Sasuke is willing to send her away in order for her to live," spoke Kabuto, his voice growing dim from excitement. "But what he hasn't planned is that you will be there to comfort him, love him, and be a substitute after Hinata's definite absence."
Sakura shook her head, unable to take in this startling information," And what about you? You know I will never let you harm Master Uchiha."
Kabuto was not fazed," I am obedient to my lord regardless of your suspicions. But what I hate, is serving under a weak leader. Over these long centuries, Lord Uchiha has killed many lives in his thirst for revenge. But he is abiding when it comes to the power he possesses. He doesn't threaten authorities with his power nor abuse his power. This is why he is such a grand tool for the Council. I may be a servant, but I cannot stand the fate of the VPU resting on my lord's lovesick unrest; power has been the only thing that has guaranteed the lives of Japan's vampire community. I have served an Uchiha for three hundred years and I know what he wants above anything else besides his revenge."
Sakura's ears perked up as Kabuto spoke it into the air.
"He wants to rebuild the Uchiha clan."
Sakura's eyes widened as a blush crept onto her cheeks causing her to look away from Kabuto.
"Master Uchiha will give up anything to perfect these two goals: His revenge and the restoration of the Uchiha clan. As his follower, I have been under his watchful eye and know him better than anyone else," answered Kabuto, his eyes growing cold," You still have yet to understand the similarity between Lord Uchiha and Hinata. His attraction to her is also fueled by the fact that she longs for a family as much as him."
Sakura released a small exhale of disbelief. This was too much. Why tell her this? Couldn't Master Uchiha just kill her and secretly marry Hinata? How come she was still breathing and had to hear this tale?
"Lord Uchiha may be cruel," spoke Kabuto, raising his hand up to examine it," but he doesn't kill vampires willingly. He leaves that to the Vampire Watch Unit. He strictly adheres to protecting our society from vampire hunters. If you're wondering why you're still alive, it's because you're here to serve Lord Uchiha. But once Hinata is sent away, it will only be the two of you. And eventually, if your love is insurmountable as you'd like it to be, you will become his mate."
"And what will happen to Hinata?" asked Sakura, her voice cautious on that part. But Sakura couldn't ignore the growing excitement now pouring over her.
Kabuto raised an eyebrow," Does it mean you'll agree to my deal?"
Sakura snapped at him," I want to know what will happen to her."
Kabuto smirked, not surprised by Sakura's brash nature. "She'll die. Her death can only result when Lord Uchiha consummates. By then, Uchiha Sasuke will only have one goal left and that is his revenge: To kill all Hyugas."
Sakura stared at Kabuto in disbelief. His face, expression, everything about him read cold-bloodedness. This was truly a dark creature. "How are you able to do this to your own leader?"
She had expected Kabuto to stand behind Sasuke's position, but here he was, plotting to destroy Hinata, a creature whom they both knew was important to Sasuke. Where did Kabuto's loyalty lay?
Kabuto's face turned serious and his smile withrew itself, as he continued to stare at Sakura's disbelief face," Love makes creatures do stupid things. I don't believe the emotion is useful to me."
"You will break your Master?" questioned Sakura, her voice growing cold.
Kabuto narrowed his eyes, his voice growing irate," I will do what is needed to be done. Lord Uchiha was not wrong in his endeavor to annhilate all Hyugas. I am only protecting his dream of a revenge. Aren't you doing the same thing if you want Lord Uchiha?"
Sakura could not trust him. Not anymore when Kabuto was willing to put those he respected into his devious ploy. But she had listened to his words of revelation throughout. This was no game if she agreed to join with him. They were both fighting hard for what they wanted and if they failed, there was no reset. It was true, that she was going to break her master's will to be with Hinata. But, if there was a way to right the wrong in Master Uchiha's mistake of caring deeply for a human Hyuga, it would be for Sakura to win over Sasuke.
"Deal," spoke Sakura coldly. Her eyes looked narrowed at Kabuto," But if you do anything else to hurt Master Uchiha, I will go after you."
Kabuto nodded," Deal. As long as you keep your end of the bargain, I will live quaintly knowing Lord Uchiha is well-loved."
Sakura couldn't help the cold sensation running down her spin at Kabuto's taunting voice at the end. She approached him and they both shook hands.
"Don't do anything stupid." It was Sakura's only advice to Kabuto.
He laughed into the air.
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Sasuke had arranged for a date. For him and Hinata. He had informed Sakura of the event, and to his surprise, she had calmly nodded. He did not sense the anger in her eyes and he was relieved he didn't have to undergo any of her annoying glares.
"Onii-san, where are we going?" asked Hinata, her eyes blindfolded by an indigo cloth. She was in a car that was being driven by Sasuke. She was relieved that a whole week had gone by and Sasuke had remained usual as ever: Going out of the house for long periods of time. It was better than to have a look of pure disgust on his face at what he could have found out about her bloodlust. It was still a haunting fact Hinata was trying to deal with and supress. Her promise to Sasuke was something precious Hinata was going to protect.
Hinata looked down, playing with her fingers. Sasuke had chosen a green dress for her to wear. It was a v-neck dress with frills at the chest area and a bow in the back. Her long ebony hair had been styled into curls by Sakura and Hinata finished the look off with black peep toe shoes.
Sasuke's attention remained focus on the road. He was dressed in a black suit. His spiky ebony hair framed his face handsomely.
"You look handsome, Onii-san," spoke Hinata quietly, trying to bring up a conversation. When she had saw him, she couldn't help but be proud to have such a protective and handsome brother.
However, silence only ensued. Hinata couldn't help but give a small sigh, remaining quiet for the ride. They had driven one hour already in silence.
After ten minutes, she was surprised to hear him speak.
"Father was named Uchiha Fugaku and mother was named Uchiha Mikoto," spoke Sasuke, his voice cold, but with a hint of hesitance. "And there was also an older brother named Itachi."
Hinata's mouth gaped open and closed after a few seconds before she turned to Sasuke. Though she could see nothing, she could not help but turn to his direction. Was he opening up to her about their parents? And they even had an older sibling?
"I don't like to speak about them. But I want you to know, that you were loved by your family," spoke Sasuke calmly, with a hint of gentleness.
Sasuke's hands tightened on the steering wheel. He was trying hard not to touch Hinata throughout the drive. Her scent lingered in his car the moment she sat inside and it fueled his desire to hold her hand. It wasn't easy trying to distance himself from her. After all, Sasuke could come home and find Hinata smile at him. Her smile gave such warmth to his heart that Sasuke could not afford to act 'unbrotherly" to her. If he wanted Hinata to continue living without despair over her past, Sasuke had to hide the fact that he wanted and desired her.
"Thank you, Onii-san," replied Hinata with a small smile. She turned away from him and faced straight ahead in her seat.
Sasuke contained his smile even though Hinata would not be able to see.
The rest of the ride was forty minutes long. Though Hinata had no idea of the place they were heading off to, Sasuke was taking her to his favorite place as a child: A beach. Even Sasuke had not visited one since the last time he went with his parents.
When Kabuto had brought confidential news from the Council that Hinata would be leaving soon but to an unknown destination, Sasuke quickly prepared this date in order so that he could show her this place if there was not a chance they could ever be with each other again.
We'll lose sight of each other, thought Sasuke, his eyes hardening, and lips tightening, but I want you to remember a piece of me. At least, a piece that I find to be the last bit of good that's left.
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Author's Notes: This was the longest chapter so far. The next chapter will be a time skip. I hope I didn't confuse any readers about Kabuto's intent. But, most importantly, thank you to all the readers who left a review! Thanks for the wonderful support! I'll do my best to update!
