Maxie: "I'am sorry to say that my brother is kind of ill at the moment, so this wasn't posted when he orginally intended it to be. So he apolgizes. And seeing as he isn't here at the moment, I have nothing to say, since he's usual the one starting things. -sigh- I really don't know when he'll get better. His sickness is so bad that he's acting delirious...it scares me. -shudders- Anyway, enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 10: Nightmare

It was either the fact that Sakura has been captured by demons, or that Sasuke was somewhere on a battle-damaged tower, possible bleeding to death this very moment, that made Neji want to inflict harm upon someone for not receiving the news earlier. How could the night patrol even consider delaying this important message!? And yet, when it's completely something unimportant, they don't hesitate to notify him immediately. What incompetent fools they were!

Sighing in apparent frustration, Neji's brows wrinkled to mirror his attitude as he sat at his desk chair, eyes closed wearily. They opened momentarily when someone entered his office without asking permission, his mind already figured out who would dare do such a dangerous thing.

"Yo," Shikamaru greeted with his usual lazy tone, leisurely walking over to the empty chair in front of Neji's desk. "I assume you heard the night patrol's report judging from your face."

"Yes," Neji sighed again, giving voice to his weariness. "And it's most disturbing to hear."

"Did you send anyone to retrieve our prince, and track down Sakura?" Shikamaru questioned his face in its usual calm, as if not bothered by the situation at all.

"I sent Hinata and some medics to retrieve Sasuke. Kakashi and his tracking squad are following Sakura scent as we speak." Neji eyes shifted toward the moonlit window, his face taking on a more solemn expression. "However, the real problem begins when our prince becomes aware of our situation. I fear he'll-…"

"Become infuriated, act rashly, have violent tempers, begin to grieve. All and all, not exactly fit to lead, correct?" Shikamaru interjected lazily, as he situated himself more comfortably, giving a content smile when done.

Neji's solemn appearance changed temporally as a grin found its way onto his lips at Shikamaru's articulate interruption. "I couldn't have worded it better myself."

The genius responded to the compliment with a drowsy yawn, closing his eyes in attempts to find sleep. Without sleep, how could one function correctly?

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Unfocused, groggy, green eyes blinked a few times, trying to process what was going on because they quickly realized they weren't in Konoha anymore, more like a forest wonderland. It was like there was miles of foliage, not a cement road or building anywhere, leaving wherever she was undisturbed by human activity. Sakura had to admit though; it was a pretty nice change of scenery from the dull and gigantic city that she grown accustomed to. Particular, since she had never ventured into a forest before, usually to disheartened to even get close to chance a glance at its expansive depth. Well now since she woke up in a forest, the intimidated feeling was erased completely, replaced with the feeling of serene acceptance.

Sakura gave a diminutive groan as she tried to rise to her feet, her body feeling stiff as a rock due to staying in one spot for nameless hours. Much to her dismay, her efforts were in vain because her hands and feet were bound together by rope, restricting her attempts to move. She frowned and let out a discernible line of curses under her breath, wishing harm to befall upon the person who dared to do this to her. Like come on! How do you just leave a girl all tied up, in a forest, without any means to protect herself from wild animals that might see her as an interesting meal!

"Don't you think my rope skill is awesome?"

The inquisitive query was enough to make Sakura glare in the direction of where the asker of the question was located, who just happened to fall to the ground from a tree branch, landing on his feet with a minimum amount of effort expressed.

"No, now untie me and take me back home!" Sakura demanded vigorously, her fangs bore in a minatory fashion, a silent declaration of her anger.

Houkou regarded her with false attentiveness, dismissing her incisive threat as if it didn't affect him at all. He was too use to hearing death threats and similar things such as that from far more intimidating people, making her threat measly in comparison. And yet, her threat did hold the fire of determination, as if she was really going to try and carry it out. That seemed unlikely though, for her to carry out that wordless threat, seeing as in what position she was in right now.

Sighing at the lack of excitement going on right now, Houkou slumped against the tree he had been occupying moments ago, gazing at the moon that shone crystal-clear in the star filled sky in his boredom. He was really fatigued right now, but still yearned for some sort of entertainment. And the only thing that had the potential of providing some sort of amusement was tied up, a tad bit aggravated, and looking quite a bit hungry. To put it simply, she was not in a divertive mood, nor would she be if he even requested it cordially. But hey, he was desperate.

"Hey, you; can you do anything funny?" Houkou asked with a bit of desperation, for the boredom was getting to him.

"I have a name and it's Sakura. Use it. And no; I' am not something that entertains people whenever they get bored." The pink-haired vampire growled out, ignoring her famished stomach to the best of her abilities.

The demon gave out a tedious, obnoxious sigh, earning a keen glare from emerald eyes. In return, he responded with an amused grin and continued on with his obnoxious noise-making, almost to the point where Houkou saw a vein on her head, looking like it was about to burst. It was obvious she didn't find this amusing like he did, but that was the point. Her frustration and annoyance was what he got a kick from, even if the source of amusement was getting aggravated.

"Can you stop!? Your over-exaggerated obnoxiousness is giving me a migraine!" She shouted, making the demon fall on his back as his face contorted into helpless laughter.

Looking at the demon hatefully, Sakura rolled her eyes at the immaturity just displayed, wondering how a fool such as he could be a powerful demon. It seemed he was more like a naughty child that could never learn his lesson; no matter how many times someone scolded him. At this point, Sakura wondered if she would live to see the day when Sasuke rescues her before her mental stability collapsed because of this childish fool. In which, Sakura was almost completely sure that seeing Sasuke pop out unexpectedly and kicking this guy's butt was very dim, seeing as he was preoccupied with something involving her blond friend.

Speaking of the black-haired prince, Sakura couldn't help but concern herself with the well-being of him. Was he ok? Did he win? Did he spare her best friend if he won? The latter of the questions immediately earned a grimace on her beautiful face, for the knowledge of Sasuke sparing her friend had a low probability of occurring, especially since he had a high disliking for the blond demon. But maybe, just maybe, Sasuke could have a mental image of her begging on her knees in his head while he is about to end Naruto's life. Maybe that could do the trick, and out of the goodness of his heart, he would begrudgingly spare her friend's life on her behalf. She scoffed at this ridiculous scenario, because it seemed to far-fetched. Miracles didn't happen twice, if it did, than fish would fly across the endless sky, and birds would sprout gills and swim in the depths of the deep blue. Not likely.

'Someone's in deep thought, huh?' Inner Sakura mocked in the usual fashion, breaking Sakura's train-of thought.

'You have an annoying knack of disturbing the tranquil peace of my mind inner. Why couldn't you do it earlier when I was forced to endure the laughter of an obnoxious bastard, eh?' Sakura berated, trying to make the inner suffer the hands of guilt.

The inner laughed tauntingly, completely squashing Sakura's attempts at making her guilty. 'I remain clueless to what you speak of partner.'

'Don't feign innocence with me.'

'I still remain in the shadows of what you speak of,' she sighed, the hidden, laughing smirk in her supposed innocent obliviousness. 'Anyway, I see you're still kind of hungry.'

'What gives it away I wonder?' Sakura skeptically grumbled, grunting at the ropes digging and irritating her skin.

'Must you be sarcastic at a time like this?'

'The hunger gets to you.'

'Whatever. Now like I was saying before I could get to the point, you could always drink animal blood to sate your hunger for now. In situations like this, it could be very helpful. Even if the taste could be rather plain and lack flavor.'

Angrily questioning why her other didn't mention this solution earlier, Sakura's attention returned to the white-haired demon, who seemed to have retained the boredom he had minutes earlier. His attention was consistently shifting from the ground, to the night sky, and to the rest of the forest that continued onwards next to their little campsite, anything that appeared interesting. It served him right for laughing at her though, and karma was now repaying him with the insufferable jaws of mind-numbing boredom. Sakura almost wanted to laugh at the dulled look in his golden eyes, which seemed that the light in them dimmed a little. But she refrained from doing so, because it was common knowledge that he would deny her what she wanted with out any form of consideration if she laughed.

"Hey demon," she called to him, making the demon break the cycle he had established. "Can you get me something to eat?"

Houkou look of boredom turned into discomfort. "My name is Houkou, use it. And sorry; I' am not particular comfortable with the idea of killing someone so you could drink their blood."

Sakura glowered, "It doesn't have to be a person. An animal will do perfectly, something preferably small."

Golden eyes locked with hungry jade ones, trying to make her reconsider because vampire feeding habits didn't exactly bode well with him. It was rather repulsive and disturbing to even think about it, and even worse to witness, human or animal, it didn't matter who the victim was. To think, vampires actually enjoyed sucking the life out of their victim, which was exactly why he didn't like them. They enjoyed it. All sense of remorse didn't exist or was discarded casually when it came to these creatures feeding. They didn't care if they were killing a loved one that would be dearly missed or taking someone's life when it wasn't their time to depart from the world of the living. They just didn't care because they were selfish creatures. It was just so…

Despicable

Sakura watched the demon walk away into the bushes with the task she had given him, taking note of the look she prayed that she never would receive from her friends. Those looks of disgust, repulsion, and of course the icing on the cake, hate. If she did, than she herself would truly believe that those words described her-what she had become. She snorted ironically. It wasn't like she a choice you now. If she did, than right now, she would be hanging out with her friends, having a grand ol' time, blissfully ignorant to the existence of other beings that shared this Earth. Something that she would, without hesitance or doubt, prefer over being in an immature quarrel involving a prideful vampire and a stubborn demon.

'You know wallowing in self-pity is pathetic right? You should be honored you become a vampire.' Sakura could swear that the inner rolled her eyes when she said this.

'Be quiet you.'

"Um, Sakura right?"

Said person looked up to see Houkou offering her a rabbit, which so happened to cease to be alive, making her frown slightly. It was good the animal was dead because she knew that she would fail in trying to kill the cute little thing. Even if the thing was dead, she still didn't want to drink from it. The damn thing was just too damn cute and fluffy. She had a soft spot for cute little animals thanks to watching too many fairytale movies when she was younger. Those movies always had friendly woodland creatures that made hearts come in her eyes, and made her squeal like a fan-girl.

'Can you just drink already? Your acting like you never drunk blood before,' the inner sighed in her annoyance at the reluctant Sakura.

'But it's so cute…' Whined Sakura as Houkou cut the ropes that tied her hands together so she could hold the dead animal.

'Then starve.'

With that said the inner became quite and settled in just observing, leaving the pink-haired girl to stare at the limp animal with a forlorn expression, not at all excited that she would be drinking from it. Sakura sighed sadly and picked up the rabbit at the scruff of its neck, its limbs dangling loosely. She stared at it some more, her bottom lip quivering, a single fang poked out as she heard her stomach growl with impatience, along with her inner who was muttering insults that didn't fall on death ears. The girl had no choice, she would have to drink or else she would go hungry and insane, things that didn't mix well with her.

Another remorseful sigh and Sakura brought the rabbit closer, letting vampire instinct guide her on how to exactly do this, seeing as she never drunk from the neck before; drinking from Sasuke's wrist did that to you. Her fangs bore without her knowing and she plunged them deep within the furry neck of the dead animal. She had an insightful feeling that the animal, if alive, would have struggled desperately before realizing that it was just denying the unenviable. That is why she was grateful the thing was dead because she couldn't handle the prospect of the animal dying by her hand (or fangs), seeing the life leave beady little eyes, and hearing that heart-wrenching squeak. It was just too depressing for her, and it made things worse when it dawned on her that she would have to be killing things to live. How could she forget such a fact…?

Pulling away quickly, Sakura dropped the thing to ground hastily, feeling a little if not a lot, shaken and somewhat scared. The animal's blood tasted, as the inner mentioned before, plain and was kind of flavorless, but still drinkable. It did help the hunger problem because she no longer felt weak and her senses returned back to normal, but she was still hungry. Despite the fact that she was in better condition, she felt scared because somewhere inside her, she had enjoyed actually biting into the rabbit's neck, regardless of the fact that it was already dead. Sakura had felt so…so…thrilled! What would happen if the thing was alive!? It would be so much more fun.

No! What was she saying!? Wasn't it minutes ago that she disliked wanting to drink from the poor thing? What had just come over her?

'Vampire instincts; the thrill of killing things with your own hands type situation, the usual,' yawned Inner Sakura, a tired, hidden smirk in her words, as always.

'What!? I don't want to enjoy it; it's sickening!' Sakura snapped, appalled at this revelation.

'Who are you trying to convince Sakura? Me; if you are, than your doing a rather horrible job,' mocked the inner, as if bored with the whole conversation, which she was in fact. If Sakura could just act like a vampire and stop acting like a human, than she wouldn't have any trouble with adapting faster.

'Your so…urgh…infuriating and…and…lacks the ability to sympathize and understand!' Sakura shouted mentally, here temper rising.

Inner Sakura chuckled impishly, 'I proud myself in knowing those facts.'

Growling mutely to herself, Sakura rubbed her wrists that had turned red due to way the ropes were constricting her. She growled yet again, but this time more soundly, earning Houkou's golden stare, who had turned around once he saw her drink.

"What are you looking at?" Sakura asked, a little more hostile than she needed to be.

"A rather temperamental, half-vampire; now lets go. Someone is on my trail that is getting closer the more I waste time quarreling with you."

Slashing the ropes that bound her feet, Houkou slung the girl carelessly on his shoulder, and began running once more, with more urgency in his step. Not so far away from here was a vampire tracking team that could provide trouble that should be easily avoided. He didn't need to face a couple of vampires that without a doubt, was after the pink-haired, vampire girl. Not only would Naruto be angry beyond all comprehension, his pride would be insulted for allowing his captive to be rescued. So it was best they continue on. The faster they reach Kumogakure, the better the chance of them reaching the town unscathed.

"You know," the distressed girl began, "I' am not going to even bother screaming."

"Good, cuz' ya' sound like a damn banshee." Houkou teased as he laughed as the fuming girl tugged at his snow-white hair angrily.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Piercing, onyx eyes snapped upon, roaming around cautiously, taking in everything that was seen. Obviously, he was contained in a room, a room that wasn't lit, dim. It was furnished with many things that he recognized because only one clan could posses such priceless and beautiful possessions. And there was only one clan that could bandage up his wounds like this.

The Hyuuga clan.

Sasuke grunted as he sat up, an eruption of pain shooting throughout his battered body, making him hiss in agony. It hurt like hell and he hated the person that was the cause of his pain. Uzumaki Naruto, that damnable demon that Sasuke betted with his life was still alive. Sasuke was positive that the demon was probably waltzing around, a victorious grin on his face as he thought that his rival and enemy was dead, crushed by the aftermath of the explosion. The demon should know that no matter how many wounds he accumulate, he'll keep on rising, despite the severity of some of them.

"Ah, Sasuke-san, you're awake."

The sound of the door opening, accompanied by a calm voice, and two pairs of feet, made Sasuke narrow his onyx eyes to the source of the sound. The prince snorted expectedly, a barely noticeable smirk curving on his handsome face as he stared at Neji and Shikamaru.

"Yes, and I' am in a severe amount of pain. How is everything?"

Shikamaru eyes closed thoughtfully, a lazy finger playing with his ponytail; whilst his companion Neji, if possible, looked nervous. Immediately Sasuke sensed something was amidst if it got these two fidgeting in his presence, which usual meant the news his was about to receive would cause him to have a very bad temper and deal out some harsh scolding. Already, he could feel the migraine that followed after one of his violent episodes. Hopefully, the news they were about to share would not have him destroying things.

"Well, you see," Shikamaru began only to give Neji a look that said "finish it".

Neji mumbled something incoherent before finishing what his companion started. "Naruto is alive, and he had one of his general's intercept Sakura travel here, resulting in her capture."

As soon as those nervous words left Neji's lips, an eerie silence followed, increasing the tension that was in the air. The only sound heard was Sasuke's hollow breathing, making the other two vampires uneasy. They knew that this deathly calmness from him was really dangerous and meant that if angered worse, someone might just get injured. The vampire was prone to inflict harm upon anything that moved, friend or foe, it didn't matter in those blood-red eyes as long as something suffered his rage. It was almost to the point where one might say he was on the border line of becoming insane.

"Get out…" Sasuke requested softly, his voice a deathly whisper that promised agony if his wishes weren't complied.

It would have looked like Neji and Shikamaru were scared if weren't for them expressing such understanding for their leader as they did what he said. He was going to grieve for a few seconds before unleashing his anger in the solitude of his room, which was typical for someone who has lost a beloved one.

Just as they were about to go their separate ways for the moment, a kunai flew straight through the door, embedding itself in the wall in front of them, sending chills throughout their spines. To think they 

were just standing in front of that door was what made them glance at each other before leaving to give their friend some space. He desperately needed it.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Blood…

Naruto kept on running through an endless sea of red, barely making any progress towards an unrevealed destination, his blue eyes wide with fear and confusion. He didn't know what to do, where he was or why he was here; all he knew was he had to keep on running; running from the anguished wails of his dead comrades, his dead warriors, his dead family, as they sung their lament. He was so confused-so scared as to why this was occurring, that it made salty tears blur his vision, making him stumble and gasp. And yet that wasn't what scared him the most. It was how they kept repeating his name like a mantra.

Naruto…why?

He ran without fatigue, his pace carrying a silent desperation to get away from the saddening voices that echoed in the unmeasured darkness, which clung to Naruto like a coat. He gasped loudly, tripping on something that went unnamed to him, falling clumsily into the sticking grasps of the sea of blood, making him squirm with horror. It just felt so cold in comparison to how blood should feel; warm and full of life. And yet, Naruto couldn't rise back up, like some invisible force was dragging him down, sapping him of his once abundant source of energy. Like whatever this indistinguishable force was, wanted him to suffer and drown in an endless sea of blood that threatened to engulf him in its illmitable depth in mere seconds.

Why couldn't you save us, o' mighty prince?

The blond, with the little energy he had left, spring up from the clutches of the cold feel of ruby red liquid, and continued running, even faster than before, the blood staining every part of his clothed body.

We were loyal to you, stood beside you, and this is or reward?

"No! I didn't mean it," Naruto whimpered, trembling as the voices grew louder, losing the sadness they once held, and replacing it with an accusing anger.

Truly pathetic…

Naruto stopped his desperate escape, falling to his knees in blood, the tears final beginning their downpour. He just couldn't run anymore, for the echoing words had finally gotten to him, filling him up with their guilt. It was hopeless to run away…from something entirely his fault. He had let them down, his race-his people as the vampires were victorious in the war, committing genocide upon the demons that once was a proud race. It was his entire fault that he allowed history to repeat itself, but with a different ending. This time...there wasn't a single demon left...with the exception of him of course. But that didn't matter; he didn't want to live anymore, to be subjected to this horrid world of misery, blood, and affliction.

You let us down…

"Yes Uzumaki, you let them all done, every single one of them." A voice jeered gleefully, sounding quite familiar to the despairing blond, making aquamarine eyes narrow hatefully.

It was Sasuke, standing right in front him, his infamous sword dyed crimson as he let it dig into Naruto's shoulder cruelly, cutting into sinew and muscle. That arrogant smirk that always adorn his handsome features, had evolved into something more sinister and twisted, never failing to wordlessly gloat in Naruto's face that he failed in something that he yearned for.

"I hate you, you sick vampire bastard." Naruto hissed out, not even wincing when the blade dug even deeper, almost cutting into his shoulder blade, blood spilling undistracted from the wound.

"I' am sure you do," Sasuke dismissed with the casual wave of his free, blood covered hand. "I' am also certain that you wish to join your deceased race in death, right?"

Sasuke didn't even have to hear a verbal reply from Naruto to know the answer to his inquiry, for it reflected deeply in those blue orbs of his. And that was exactly what made Sasuke smile sadistically because he knew what the demon wanted, and the only one to give it to him was his truly. But if he was a generous person, he would have granted the demon that simple whim. To die, and leave this world that belonged to vampires, a world because of him came into fruition. However, he wasn't that kind of person, the perfect opposite actually. He liked being the cause of the blonde's suffering. It provided loads of fun to him.

The black-haired vampire kneeled down until he was eyelevel with Naruto, not letting go the grip on his sword. "Well, I apologize. That won't be happening anytime soon. Instead, you'll be suffering here for an eternity in miserable existence, sounds fun?" Sasuke laughed coldly, amused at the horrified look on Naruto's face. This was just too fun for him.

A punishment suited for a failed prince…

A scream of undignified horror left Naruto lips, its mirror opposite, a satanic chuckle that forever stayed etched in Naruto's mind…

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Naruto awoke with a start, perspiration running down his face in hot trails, his breath coming out short and ragged, as he sat up from his bed. He sighed tiredly, the traces of his nightmare still drifting in his mind, that cruel chuckle still ringing torturously in his ears.

It was strange…that after he just arrived in Kumogakure that he had this nightmare, right after he killed his enemy. No matter. The bastard was dead, not ever coming back from his crude grave, never to bother him again. Because the whole idea of Sasuke coming back to life sounded like a sick dream, he decided not to worry about the disturbing dreams. It was best not to dwell on these things. He needed to have a clear mind once Sakura arrived.

"Stay dead, Sasuke. Just stay dead." Naruto whispered, before laying back down, falling into a welcomed, dreamless slumber.

How could someone stay dead if they were never dead to begin with…?

Maxie: "Uhhhhhh...I hope you liked it...? This feels weird without my idoit brother." -Goes into an out-of-charcter silence-