"…" Hinata opened her eyes groggily. She heard voices talking. A boy and a girl. The girl sounded anxious.

"Did you get him?"

"No, I didn't. Don't worry, it wasn't Gaara. It seems that there're new vampires around here…Hey, you've woken up?"

Hinata groaned and tried to get up. Kiba pushed her down. "You can't get up yet…" Temari looked at the girl. "I think we have to give her a blood-replenishing potion. She doesn't look good—The vampire must have taken lots of her blood, unlike the pink-haired girl who came in just now…I'll go and get it… And meanwhile, you perform the ritual on her."

Kiba nodded, and Temari went out of the room. Hinata looked at Kiba doubtfully, trying to figure out if he meant her harm. "U-Um…" She whispered, feeling giddy. "W-What-What seems to be the connection between you and-and vampires? Di-Did you bring me here?" "…Hmm. Yeah, I did. You were attacked by a bloodsucker and I saw you. You could call me a vampire hunter." Kiba answered. "Hold up your head, please."

Hinata obeyed, and Kiba took a packet from the table and applied the contents on her wound. Then he took out a gold, tear shaped pendant from his pocket, placed it on her neck, and started chanting. Hinata bit her lip nervously, totally baffled by his actions.

Author: Please read chapter 8 if you don't understand what's going on.

"…Huh?" Kiba looked at the gem in disbelief. "It's supposed to turn black... Why is it still red?" Hinata's heart skipped a beat. I…I don't know what's going on, but… but it doesn't seem to be good news.

"What's wrong?" Temari asked, coming into the room with the potion. She was holding a tray with a bowl, and the liquid in it appeared to be brownish-red. "The gem. The ritual wasn't successful." Kiba muttered. …Not successful? Hinata froze, suddenly feeling cold. The way he spoke his sentence frightened her. I-Is something going to happen to me?

"That's strange…Anyway, drink up first, Hinata." Temari passed the bowl to her, taking the jewel from Kiba's hands. Hinata peered at the bowl wearily. I have no choice but to trust them…Her hands lifted up the bowl and the liquid went down her throat. It tasted salty and bitter, nearly making her gag, but she persisted and soon the bowl was empty. "Good. Just lay down for a moment…Kiba, you stay with her." Temari ordered, going out of the room. "I'll be back in a minute after looking at this."

"What? Wait!" Kiba yelped, his face turning red, but the blonde girl was already out of the room. He sighed and turned back to Hinata. "W-What's going to happen to me…?" She asked, looking at him worriedly. "And why-why are you people helping me? Y-You don't know me at all…"

"Umm… I told you before, we're vampire hunters. Our mission is to seek out vampires and basically get rid of them. We also help victims." Though I don't feel like doing any of this right now… Just my luck. Hinata looked as though she understood. "S-So… A-Am I okay now?" She asked. Kiba smiled forcibly. "Sure, you're going to be fine." Not. Once you encounter a vampire, you'll be haunted by vampires for the rest of your life…Perhaps not physically, but definitely mentally. And you've encountered it twice. He looked at her face carefully for the first time. She was pale, but a twinge of healthy red was coming back to her cheeks. Her eyes were confused and cloudy.

Wait a minute…"Hey, can I see your wound again?" Kiba requested casually. Hinata grabbed the bed sheets tightly, and nodded. Those bite marks…Are deep…Gosh, they could take months to heal…Plus the ritual couldn't get rid of the stupid anti-healing substance…Could the vampire…be?

"Kiba, come out here." Temari's dull voice was all the answer Kiba needed.

"A special-ability. That vampire is a special-ability kind." Temari muttered glumly, thinking of Gaara. Kiba didn't say anything. He just stared at the ground.

Fear

Sorrow

Anger

Hate

Loneliness

All those negative feelings

Are they the cause of

"Bad things" people do?

TAP.

"…!"

"…Gaara?" Naruto turned, startled. Gaara walked slowly, his eyes fixed on the blonde. "…The girl…" He said in a low, throaty voice. "…Who's the girl?"

Did he… hear our conversation just now? Naruto opened his mouth and closed it. Why didn't I smell him?

A pale hand suddenly shot out and grabbed Naruto's shirt. Gaara went to Naruto, his eyes closed, sniffing him.

What the… OH CRAP! Naruto pushed Gaara away, his eyes widening with realization and surprise. Gaara stared at him, his face expressionless.

"…What are you going to…" Naruto started, but Gaara had turned and disappeared.

Author: …Reviews… I know this chapter is a lousy chapter…Sigh… The pressure of homework…Read on…