Now I know that this chapter is relatively short but I figured that you guys would rather have this chapter now instead of waiting for who knows how many more weeks to make this chapter longer. I hope you all enjoy it though!
Disclaimer: I do not own these Naruto characters.
Vampire Prophecies - Chapter 7: The Evil Man
(Hinata's POV)
While the others left to go explore, I decided to stay in the house and become more familiar with my surroundings. This place was like one giant dust ball; it was completely filthy! I swiped my finger across the counter of what I assume used to be the kitchen and found a whole mound of dust that had accumulated on to my finger tip. With a look of disgust, I used my affinity with the air to create a little tornado to pick up some of the dust on the counter. I open the window nearby and let out the dust tornado. As I watch the tornado slowly start to lose momentum, I let my mind begin to wander.
Now that I think of it, this all seems so ridiculous. Us being here in Spain with men that just a few weeks ago betrayed us. I should have listened to Sakura. We were all skeptical of what they were doing yet I could not get over the fact that I might be separated from Naruto. He is like my addiction now since he has been the only one, other than the girls, who has shown me kindness and compassion. I had always craved these affections when I was growing up but was never given them. However now that Naruto is back in my life, I am afraid of what will happen to me when and if he does in fact leave me. What do I do if what we originally thought about the men were true? That they really were going to keep us in the dark? As all these thoughts swirled in my head, I began to feel dizzy. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to get out of this house!
As I opened the door and stepped outside, I took a deep breath to try to clear my throbbing head. As I gazed around my surroundings, I felt like I wasn't completely alone; as if a pair of eyes were watching my every move. My senses were telling me it was coming from somewhere in the woods.
'Maybe it is Naruto.' I thought happily to myself. He had left with Neji and Tenten to go into town and get some food for us to eat later tonight.
At the possibility of seeing Naruto in private, I quickly rushed toward the forest. I slowed down once I reached the big tall trees that seemed to tower over everything around here. I looked up in awe at these beautiful trees. The leaves provided some shade from the bright sun but let some light cascade down in between. The lights danced across the forest floor and on my face, reminding me of a pleasanter time in my childhood when I was able to escape the cruelties of my family. I would go into the thick pine forest and lay there, no matter what time of the year it was, and stare up in fascination at the tall trees. It just felt like they were protecting and trying to comfort me in a way no one else could during that time in my life.
A slight breeze brought me back to reality and I was reminded of the reason why I was here. As I went further and further into the forest, it began to get darker. No longer did I feel comforted by the tall trees. Now they felt menacing and suffocating. Suddenly I heard a noise come from my left. I jumped a little but tried to keep myself calm.
'It must be Naruto trying to play a trick.' I thought yet deep inside I didn't really believe it.
Another rustle spooked not only me but some birds as well and therefore sending them flying, leaving a trail of feathers in their wake. Just as a precaution, I formed a ball of air around my hand so that I can strike out if something does attack me.
"Hello?" I call out timidly, surprised that my voice was even functioning right now. Another rustle from behind me nearly caused me to throw my air ball but I held on to it. I didn't know when I might need it.
"Little vampire." A voice behind me called out. I quickly spun around and throw my air ball but it passed right through the being that was behind me.
At first glance the figure looked like an ordinary man. He was much taller than me with spiky black hair, dressed in all black but that is where the ordinary ends. His entire face was covered with an orange mask with only his eyes showing. At first his eyes were red which was normal for a vampire when it was dark; however, last time I checked it was still daylight. When he blinked they changed to a gray color with rings around the pupils. I shivered as those gray eyes stared into mine. I wanted to shield my eyes and run away, never to look back but I was frozen with fear. This man must be a vampire but he was different. He had a dangerous aura emanating from him telling me I should do what he wanted if I wanted to live.
"W-Who are y-you?" I asked in a small voice.
I could hear the man chuckle from under his mask. "What an amusing little vampire you are." His deep voice rumbled throughout the quiet forest.
"W-What do y-you w-want with m-me?" I asked. I was absolutely terrified right now. I would try to blast him with an air attack but the last time I tried that, my attack just went right through him. It is as if he was able to phase right through it.
"I have big plans for you little one as well as your little friends." He said in a menacing voice. What could he have planned for us? What was he going to do? During this moment I decide to send out a cry for help to the others through our connection however I did not receive an answer. That was when the voice spoke up again and moved even closer to me.
"Do not try to communicate with the others. It is useless now that I am around."
"J-Just what a-are you?" My voice was shaking the entire time.
"You will find out soon enough but for right now just know that I will be watching. I really should thank my followers for bringing you here. They have done their job well."
And with that he was gone. At first I don't move for my feet felt like they are full of lead but then I manage to run as fast as I could to the cottage and away from those dark woods and that evil man.
(Sakura's POV)
We returned to find Ino completely enthralled over some animal she found today. She was speaking too fast for me to understand what she was saying. All I could understand was that it was an animal that was not from here.
"Can you please speak a little slower?" I asked trying to calm Ino down but I knew it would be in vain.
"I said I found my animal familiar!" She practically screamed in my face.
At this my eyes widened in surprise. She found her animal familiar? This was truly a pleasant surprise.
"Where is it?" I asked excitedly.
"She is here in the house. Iris, come here please!" Ino called and sure enough a small furry animal came scurrying into the room and crawled up Ino onto her shoulder.
"What kind of animal is it again?" I asked as I approached the furry little thing. I lifted up my finger toward her and she sniffed my finger. After she seemed to approve of my presences, I was able to pet her soft furry head.
"Iris is a prairie dog. I found her when Sasuke and I were... walking around by the woods." At this she seemed to blush. They were obviously doing something more than just walking around. I'll have to talk to her about that later.
After our interaction with Ino's new animal familiar, Tenten, Neji and Naruto came in with the food along with few pints of blood. As to where they got the blood, I do not know but I do not wish to know. I just hope they took the blood from some willing people.
Everyone else was introduced to Ino's animal; all except for Hinata. However I did not notice her presences was not around until we started to cook dinner. Hinata is the chef in our group; she can make almost anything taste absolutely delicious.
"Has anyone seen Hinata?" I asked as I finished washing the potatoes.
As if on cue, Hinata burst through the door. She looked absolutely horrible. Her hair stuck out in odd ends, face completely devoid of color and small cuts in the fabric of her dress.
"Hinata what happened?!" I ran up to her and carefully guided her toward a seat in the small living room. Ino and Tenten were next to me with the men behind us.
"There is an evil man in the woods." She said very quietly but then she turned her terrified eyes toward the men behind us and pointed. "And he knows you all."
We all gasp and turned to face the men. They look absolutely perplexed.
"What did this evil man look like?" Itachi asked.
Hinata didn't speak at first. My guess was that she was trying to calm herself down before speaking so as to get her message clear. "The most distinct feature I remember is his orange mask and changing colored eyes."
Now everyone in the room was confused. I can see why Hinata came in like this. If I had witnessed a man in a mask come out of nowhere, I surely would be scared out of my mind.
"But we do not know anyone who wears an orange mask." Neji said.
I wasn't sensing anything misleading about the men. They seemed genuinely confused and as flabbergasted as we were. Maybe it was someone playing a trick on poor Hinata?
"He also said something else." Hinata added quietly.
"What did he say?" Tenten urged.
"He says that he has plans for us."
We all gave each other concerned looks but held in our questions for the time being. We will have to discuss it later in the privacy of our room. Right now we need to take care of Hinata.
"Let's get you some blood. Maybe it will help calm you down." I looked at Naruto and he got the message.
He quickly returned with a cup of blood and handed it toward the quivering blue haired vampire. She just looked at it at first but then her thirst got the better of her and she tentatively took the cup in her trembling hands and downed the whole thing. The affects of the blood were immediate. It's really a fascinating thing and I love the feeling it leaves you with afterward. Hinata's skin began to take on a healthy glow and her cheeks returned to her flushed state. Her trembling stopped and her eyes seemed to be filled with more confidence instead of fear.
"Do you feel better now?" Ino asked softly. It was probably the quietest voice I have ever heard from her.
Hinata nodded and gave us a small and shy smile. Yep, she was back to normal!
"Why don't we start cooking?" I suggested. At this everyone seemed to agree and left to go do their jobs. I think we are all relieved that we can get our minds off of what just happened...at least until we have to go to sleep.
~Two days later~
(Sasori's POV)
After some questioning around, Sasori was able to pinpoint where those foolish men and the prodigal women were. To think that Itachi would come back to his home land was foolish of him. Does he really think he can change the minds of those girls? Sasori had made sure to plant that little seed of doubt in Sakura's mind which means that if Sakura is doubtful then the rest will be too.
Sasori has had two weeks to plan exactly what he was going to do when he finally comes face to face with Itachi. He wants to expose Itachi and the others for what they really are and wisp away the girls so they can continue on with Leader's plans. Sasori had to give a little chuckle at his plan. Not only will he humiliate Itachi but he will slowly destroy him by first taking away Sakura, kill his animal familiar and turn the Akatsuki against him.
When they finally arrived at the cottage, Sasori was the first one to get off his horse followed by Hidan, Deidara and Kisame. It wasn't until he burst into the small cottage that Sasori realized that it was empty and devoid of any living thing.
"Where are they?" Hidan asked.
As they searched the small cottage for any evidence of someone living there, Deidara found a small note.
"Sasori! I found something!" Deidara called out.
Everyone rushed over to where Deidara was. Sasori grabbed the note from Deidara's hands and read it out loud.
"Sasori,
I understand that you are in pursuit of us. Please do not think of me so lowly as to not expect you to follow us. And please do try to arrive on time so that I may get a chance to see the look on your face when you see me with Sakura.
Until next time,
Itachi."
Sasori crumpled the note and threw it against the wall. How did Itachi know that he was coming? Sasori was so sure that he had the element of surprise on his side. No matter, he knew where they were going next and this time he will arrive there on time.
"Gentlemen, saddle up. Our destination has changed."
The men looked at their leader with worried eyes.
"Where are we going know Sasori?" Kisame asked.
Sasori gave one of his knowledgeable smiles. "South Africa."
As always please review!
- Akiko-pink
