Hello! I'm back! =D I hope you all missed me =) But not too much! Here's the next chapter to Dark Prince... as if you didn't know that already ^^; I have a few interesting twists... or at least one... and I hope you've all remembered the cliffy from last chapter! Enjoy =3
BTW, for those that read my GrimmIchi, I'll be reposting 'Uncharted Waters'. It probably won't show up on your alerts, because I'll be posting over the current chapters, so keep that in mind =)
Chapter 9
The night is still, the waning moonlight peeking in through broken blinds and striking Sasuke's closed eyes. He groans in pain, his every muscle screaming in protest as he stirs, and forces his eyes open to view his surroundings. The room is made of dark wood, a single candle lighting the small area the cot lies in, and Sasuke's surprised he's not cold. The blanket he's wrapped in is actually thick and well made, keeping in his body heat just enough to warm him comfortably. He sits up and glances around, sniffing the incense laden air within the room to catch the scent of another. Someone is in the room with him, hiding within the shadows.
"So… you've caught me," Sasuke hisses. "What are you planning now? You're not very knowledgeable, leaving me here without restraints and only a single guard…"
"Good thing I caught you before you were carted off," an amused snort sounds within the dark. "I doubt they would've lasted five minutes against such a dangerous opponent."
"… Aniki?"
"You certainly get yourself in some serious spots without trying, otouto."
Itachi moves from his seat in the darkness, stepping close enough for the candle to set light to his features. Sasuke's eyes grow large, relief setting flight within him, and a small smirk makes way upon his lips. He's never been so happy to see his older brother.
"Aniki! What happened?"
"I felt you approaching, I had been staying here for the week," he comments. "You remember this place, don't you? My cabin between the compound and Konoha? I used to bring you here when you were younger, when I was in charge of your lessons."
"I remember."
"When I felt the attacks, I got worried and hurried out to find you. You were just falling under when I reached you," he explains. "The demon sent to abduct you is dead."
"… Thanks, aniki," Sasuke breaths.
Itachi sends him a rare smile, as small as it may be, and sits beside his injured brother. Sasuke has always been an oddity, but that's to be expected considering who his father is. Itachi has always felt compelled to protect the smaller feline, tucking him away from those within the Uchiha clan for his own safety, and now is no exception. With Sasuke injured as he is, he'd be easy pickings for the more aggressive panthers within his clan… it's best to keep his little runt here until he's healed up enough to fight back.
"So, cub," Itachi muses. "How's that little pink haired tabby?"
"Sakura? Please don't get me started," he huffs in exasperation. "She had the audacity to offer her love if anything should happen to Naruto. I know she'd never do anything to hurt him, hell I don't think anyone can hurt him, but the comment was unappreciated."
"How's Naruto now?" Itachi wonders. "I heard from your father that you managed to bag a mate, but shouldn't he be with you?"
Sasuke sighs and looks away, a forlorn look in his eyes. He had managed to ignore the building pain within his chest in the face of threat and confusion… but now it's back. With an empathetic nod, Itachi leaves Sasuke to his thoughts for the moment and the young snow leopard tries to imagine what his ball of mischief could be up to.
In the meantime, the mountains of Kyuubi's territory are alight with the fireworks of fury. Upon Kyuubi's return and Naruto's arrival, they were met with an eager female. She's Naruto's double, though her long hair is pulled back into two pigtails and her attitude is far less compliant than the soft hearted male she calls her twin. Separate the two are nightmares, yet together… they're apocalyptic.
"HE WHAT!" Hikari screams.
"It's not that bad, Hikari," Naruto assures with his hands up in defense. "I really like him."
"I'll fucking castrate that piece of shit snow leopard!"
"No you won't! He's my mate; I won't let you hurt him!" Naruto snaps.
Their 'civil' conversation started with a recount of Naruto's little vacation, Hikari always happy to hear Kiba is doing well. After all, he's practically her litter mate. Once the blonde Kitsune started telling of his fight with Sasuke and the marking… well… she wasn't as happy anymore. Hikari has done everything in her power to keep the riffraff from her 'little' brother. Since Naruto is less aggressive than her and far more naïve, he's normally their preferred target. Sure he manages to keep them away, yet they've begun fighting unfair lately and she's started hunting them all down to give a 'friendly' warning.
"No one fucks with my family!"
"Hikari, I wanted him to be my mate," Naruto pleads. "He's the one I keep talking about... that super-hot, yet extremely arrogant, snow leopard? Kakashi's little cub?"
"… Oh he is hot," Hikari remarks wistfully. "Do you think he'd mind if we shared?"
"I'm not sharing him with you!" Naruto hisses. "He's mine! I'll share anything else, but not him."
"… Baby," she huffs. "Whatever."
Naruto and Hikari laugh at their childishness, forgetting their anger that shook the mountain only moments ago as they relax. It isn't long, however, that Hikari's laughter stops abruptly and a snarl is ripped from her throat. Naruto, uncertain about the sudden change, stops to listen. Their ears twitch at the different sounds as they attempt to pinpoint the foreign one they heard, their bodies ridged and ready to defend or attack at the drop of a pin. A rustling from the bushes draws their attention; the two back to back in hopes of thwarting any would be assailants. A small ball of black bounces toward them. They watch it cautiously, gasping when a cloud jets forth from it and everything goes black.
Ta-da! I know, it's probably not that good T^T I"m sorry. I got you with the cliffhanger, though, didn't I? Lol! I bet you all thought Sasuke was captured by the enemy, huh? I know AlienDroid did! They requested it and they still fell for the cliffy! *evil laughter* Anyway, I'm hoping to get the story flowing a bit better next time ^^; Until then!
