Too much to learn
Don't you know there is
So much to learn
Don't you know you have…
—Jesus Jones
-Too Much to Learn-
"Vampires are an ancient race governed by the Vampire Counsel and laws developed over the ages. The moment we neglect to uphold these laws, we become like the other mortal creatures that roam this world.
Savages.
Those that would save our race from extinction are as follows:
Thou shall not kill your own lest they break the rules.
Thou shall not hesitate to destroy those marked as an enemy of the race.
Thou shall not kill humans.
Thou shall not lie to another vampire.
Thou shall not mate with humans."
Ino had been holed up in the library for two days and Anko was beside herself with concern.
Konan was concerned, too… After all, the human was locked up with her books.
The bluette didn't understand why her second in command didn't just kick the wretched door down and remove the human bodily from the room. For every meal the purplette insisted on leaving a plate outside of the heavy double doors—just imagine: food and books!—and would take the empty plates away afterwards.
There was never a word of thanks or even any acknowledgment when Anko asked her questions in a gentle voice meant for skittish, stupid beasts.
To tell the truth, it was one of the most pathetic things Konan had ever witnessed. What was so important about this girl that would cause Anko to disregard the summons of the Counsel? What was so important about this girl that would make a vampire of Anko's stature debase herself so?
Vampires were predators and warriors—not maidservants!
In fact, the purplette was crouching in front of the library doors, practically begging the human to emerge.
Konan had seen enough.
~o~
Ino had been holed up in the library for two days and she knew Anko was probably beside herself with concern.
Konan seemed concerned, too… If her curt words about the many priceless books held within this wondrous room were anything to go by.
The blonde didn't understand why they didn't just barge in, guns blazing as the saying went, but she was thankful that Anko respected her enough to give her some space. For the moment, she was fed—though never near the precious paperbacks—and the books contained a wealth of knowledge—especially about vampires.
She refused to speak to Anko, because, well, she was hurt. Everything in the books confirmed Sakura's harsh words.
To tell the truth, she thought that believing in the purple-haired vampire so completely was the most pathetic thing she had ever done. Why had she done it? Why on Earth hadn't she questioned these so-called dreams or even talked to someone about them?
Vampires were very much real, as it turned out. What was she going to do? She couldn't stay in the library forever.
In fact, Anko had started to beg for a chance to explain herself. It was only a matter of time before she lost patience.
Ino had heard enough.
(break)
The library doors swung open and Ino was faced with a kneeling Anko and the bottom of one of Konan's combat boots. She stumbled backwards and would have fallen had the purplette not moved far faster than any mortal creature and caught her.
"Ino…" The relief in her voice made the blonde's ire waver a bit.
"I hope you have not damaged my books," Konan deadpanned, stepping past her.
Ino bristled. "I didn't. I just read them." Her ire returned with a vengeance and she rounded on Anko who had the decency to look cowed. "You… Why did you lie to me? Why am I even here—as a plaything?"
There was a scoff from behind her. "Do not flatter yourself."
"You're my friend, Ino," Anko said softly. "I wanted to keep you safe."
Another scoff from behind them, though the bluette refrained from commenting.
"By forcing thoughts into my head?"
"I—"
"What else have you been lying to me about, Anko?"
"Nothing."
Blue eyes narrowed. "What have you omitted?"
"Oh God, you've been reading," she joked weakly.
"Anko."
A groan. "Someone else has been in your head. I can't be sure who it was or what they did, but that's reason enough to keep you close."
"That's ridiculous! What if the vampire didn't have malevolent intentions? Your kind aren't supposed to kill—"
"I erased your memory," Konan interrupted, cool as a cucumber.
Ino's jaw dropped. "You… what?"
She had stumbled upon such a thing in her reading, but she would never have considered…
The blonde stormed over to where Konan was and got as close to the bluette's face as she dared. "Give it back."
Dark blue orbs blinked slowly. "Brave or stupid—which are you?"
"You… Bitch!" As Ino lifted her hand to slap the woman across her face, she was suddenly rendered unable to breathe properly by the hand around her throat.
"You are in no position to make demands or threats, human. Know your place."
"Konan," Anko warned.
A split second later, Ino's backside met the hard wood floor and she struggled to take in a lungful of air.
"Why did you take her memory, Konan? I knew nothing of this."
"She was a possible threat to the race that I eliminated."
Ino rubbed her neck and glared spitefully at the bluette. "You had no right."
"You read my books,"—her tone was condescending—"thus you understand that I acted as my kind should." The blonde's eyes narrowed, but she simply clenched her jaw and looked away. "As I thought. You think me some monster, but I act for the good of my people."
With that, she swept out of the room.
Konan balled her hands into fist as she prowled through the halls of her home. She felt like striking something; destroying something; anything that had to do with hurting.
It didn't matter if it was herself or someone else.
She had to get out of here. What was once her sanctuary felt like a prison with that blonde human within its walls.
Who was she to judge Konan?
The bluette had done what she must to ensure the survival of her family. Surely that could be understood by any living creature—but especially by humans.
Who was she to judge Konan?
Sakura wordlessly fell into step beside her, her own eyebrows drawn with annoyance. They were linked now, bound by blood and memories. It struck her now how similar the human and the Fledgling were.
/There was a sharp sound as the bone broke.
Tears welled up and the girl whimpered. "You...bitch!"/
If left alone she would, in time, probably regain her intense fascination with Ino. With a little guidance, however…
She didn't want the Fledgling to make the same mistake she had.
Who was she to judge Konan?
Filthy human.
~o~
Anko's hands were cold against Ino's skin as she touched the human's neck to assess for damage. When the blonde flinched, brown eyes widened with concern. "Where hurts?"
"It doesn't hurt," Ino replied, her voice a little breathy. When Anko quirked an eyebrow, she gestured dismissively. "Can you, um, fix my brain?"
"I don't think anyone can." It took the blonde a moment to realize her companion was joking. "You already know about us, so… Remember."
Ino was instantly hit with a migraine and her temples throbbed with her pulse. She swayed on her feet and would have fallen if the purplette hadn't been there.
"What… did… you…?"
Memories flooded in as though a dam had broken.
/"I love you, Konan," the orange-haired male whispered. No matter what."/
'Huh?'
/"Miss Ino, would you mind coming with me?" Konan's lips twitched in the approximation of a smile. "I'd like your help with something."/
Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…
/Fear. Her heart beat. Babump-babump- babump- babump!/
Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…
/ Shadowy figures circled her, occasionally striking each other. The smaller of the two came flying at her and—/
Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…
/Deidara was a walking away from her a few paces off and, slung over his shoulder, was a struggling Sakura./
Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…
/ "I thank you for your help in capturing her," Konan continued, her face expressionless. "Unfortunately, you have outlived your usefulness."/
Babump-babump- babump- babump…!
Ino started awake to the feel of fingers running through her hair. "Head… hurts…" she mumbled. She parted her lips obediently when a cup was held up to her lips only to turn her head away at the warm, thick fluid that met them.
"Drink."
The blonde went stock still and she swore her heart skipped a beat.
It was then that she noticed the stench of copper; her eyes fluttered open to find Anko leaning over her.
"Trust me, Ino," the purplette murmured.
Compelled by a mixture of her tone and compulsion, the blonde parted her lips and allowed the warmth to slide down her throat and fill her body with warmth.
"Good girl," Anko crooned. She turned her attention to the wide slash across her forearm and lapped along it, her saliva working to seal it up. "Everything will be better now, Ino. You'll see."
~o~
"Sakura."
The pinkette bowed her head obediently. "My lady?"
For a moment, the bluette wavered.
/"You… Bitch!"/
"My lady?" Sakura repeated.
She was a good little soldier, now. As it should be.
Then why did it feel so wrong?
"It is time to Feed."
"Yes, My Lady."
Sakura vaulted over the edge of the roof and landed five stories down, the concrete caving in with her weight. Her nostrils flared as she scented, her head snapping to the left as she caught a tantalizing smell.
Her body blurred as she darted forward, her heels leaving furrows in the ground as she slowed herself.
"What the fu—"
With a low sound, the Fledgling latched on to the man's throat and began to drink. The blows to her torso became weaker as did his pulse. The smell and warmth of him was intoxicating and she flexed her jaw, shifting her way closer to his jugular.
His pulse was a mere flicker when a firm grip on her shoulder made her hiss and jerk away.
"Enough." Konan said, her voice muted by the 'fwump' of a body hitting the concrete.
Instantly, Sakura stood at attention. "My apologies, My Lady. I was overeager."
The bluette closed her eyes, her mind wandering. Sakura's newfound obedience was a product of the blood that they shared and that was all. It would wear off eventually.
She was like an infant at this moment and her critical period was right now.
"There is no need to apologize, child. Come. You have much to learn."
-End Chapter-