Red Dawn 13

Kyouran felt someone watching her. So looking up she saw Kakashi watching her from the window. Once he knew she caught him he vanished from the window. Her heart ached a bit, but she shook it off. The sound of wings didn't startle her as someone landed beside her. The scent of the person wrapped around her and it made her start. It was of fire and a crisp winter day. Looking over her shoulder she was a bit surprised to see Kabuto standing there. His fiery colored wings vanished in a flurry of feathers.

"Kabuto," she murmured softly.

He looked over her a moment before tipping his head in greeting to the Shadow Fox Queen. Kyouran sat down and eyed the Phoenix wondering what brought him to this place now of all times.

"I heard she was in the care of the snake."

"Was, we just got her back."

"Did he…" he asked as he trailed off not being able to say it.

She shook her head in a negative before answering.

"No, but he might as well have. Though, we have Sasuke now."

"So she's found her other half also?"

A loud squeal of pain echoed from the house and Kyouran smirked. Kabuto had a light dusting of red across his cheeks. Kyouran was amused considering Kabuto himself was far from innocent of carnal acts with his own mate.

"Well…" he coughed.

"You want to come in?"

"No, I actually came here to speak with you on another matter, entirely."

She had a sinking feeling that no one knew where he was even his own mate. That was dangerous knowing the reputation of the members of the Sabaku Clan.

"Kabuto you did tell…"

"No, I didn't."

"Great," she growled. "Now what's so important that you'd come out here in a war zone to speak with me?"

He moved over to a bench and sat down. Kyouran moved forward and sat down in front of him. There was worry in his eyes. This unnerved the Shadow Queen. Something must be seriously wrong.

"What's wrong? Is it Hitomi?"

"No, it's Gaara."

"Okay. What about him?"

Kabuto released a heavy sigh before looking the demoness in the eyes.

"Gaara wants to mate with Kaji."

Kyouran knew exactly where this was going. Kaji would more than likely want to mate in her demon clans way along side any other thing that might be brought up.

"Let me guess she probably wants to do it her clan's way."

He nodded his head.

"Which leads me to the reason I'm here. He's worried about what his blood would do to her."

"I don't know what to tell you Kabuto, I really don't. My dealings with the dragon clans are limited at best."

"Do you know someone…"

"You know that's a death sentence if I send you to a dragon clan you know that right?"

"But Gaara took me in…"

"I know he did, but I don't know what to tell you Kabuto. If it was a demon of the mammal persuasion then I could tell you how to help them but a dragon is something entirely different just like you and Sakura are."

"Does Alexial know any…"

"I do," someone said.

They turned around to see Deidara. He was leaning against a sturdy oak. He pushed away from the tree and approached the pair.

"I was coming back from my parent's house and happened to stop and hear the last bit of the conversation."

"Deidara," Kyouran growled.

He put his hands up trying to show he'd meant no harm. The Shadow Fox Queen was as temperamental as his own mate was on occasion.

"I know a dragon, her name is Ryuu. She's an ice based dragon."

Kyouran thought for a moment and realized that Kaji was part ice dragon demon. Hope sparked in the newly turned vampire's eyes.

"Where is she I need to speak with her?"

"I don't know if she'd help you Kyouran. She's a big vampire hater."

"I have my ways to get out of people what I want," she said then turned her attention to Kabuto. "Deidara can you send an escort with him back to the Sabaku Clan manor?"

Deidara nodded. Since Alexial had become his mate that would make Kyouran family and he'd do anything for family. He let out a shrill cry. A barn owl landed gracefully in front of them and shifted. She bowed before her master.

"Lord Deidara," she murmured.

"Escort Kabuto back to the Sabaku Clan Manor for me please."

"Yes, Master Deidara."

"But…" Kabuto started.

"I'm going to get the information for you even if it kills me, but you can't go with me. Go on."

"What about Sakura?"

"Sakura isn't going to going anywhere for awhile if Sasuke has anything to say about it."

He nodded his head before flames shot up around him turning him into his namesake. Before too long Sakura would be able to tap into the same things and be able to assume the guise of her other self. Both birds shot skyward and vanished into the gathering clouds.

"What the…" Deidara asked.

"Long story short he's a creature of legend and so is Sakura. They are two souls born every so many years in order to do something great. Once they are bonded to their soul mate they can assume the guise of the creature that sleeps inside of them."

She shifted to her humanoid form. "Where do I need to go to seek audience with this Ryuu?"

A cold wind sprang up shifting their hair to and fro. A white owl landed gracefully beside them.

"Tabatha can take you to the Ice Dragon's realm."

"Tell your mate to start gathering our allies, because it won't take long for the snake to regroup."

He gave a curt nod. The white owl blinked slowly at the black fox. Footsteps stopped everything. Looking over her shoulder Kyouran growled softly. Kakashi melted from the shadows.

"I'll go with you," he offered.

"No," Kyouran said. "I can't have you slowing me down Kakashi. I don't want to leave Sakura alone any longer than I have to."

She turned her back on him. "Beside you're hurt."

The owl took off and Kyouran shifted and started following the owl. Kakashi's shoulder's sagged. Deidara watched the pureblood carefully. He knew exactly what the pureblood meant to Kyouran and the fox was shouldering the heavy burden alone. Even he could tell the vampire's blood was killing her because the bond wasn't finished. He shook his head. There were times when he wanted to intervene but Kyouran would only tear him to shreds if he tried to help, but she understood where Kyouran was coming from. Vampires could hardly grasp the concepts that demons knew when it came to mating. Kakashi retreated to the roof. Deidara half expected him to bolt back the Uchiha manor but he didn't. He just sat on the roof staring listlessly up at the moon.

A little earlier…

Sasuke drug himself to stand in the doorway. Even though everything still hurt like hell he wanted to greet them standing up. His breathing was coming out in soft pants. He'd felt the brush of Kyouran's power. Leaning against the frame he waited for the black fox queen. If she didn't bring Sakura back he vowed to himself he'd go out after her himself consequences be damned. A sigh of relief escaped him as he noticed her sitting on Kyouran's back. Sakura seemed a bit hesitant to leave her mother's care. That sent tremors of anger rushing through him knowing something bad had happened or almost happened. Kyouran nudged her towards him. Knowing he needed to show her he still wanted her here he opened his arms. With a happy cry she rushed into his arms. He saw the look and Kyouran's eyes and he gave a curt nod that he got the message loud and clear. He pulled her back into the guest house. Some of the pain caught up with him and he sagged a bit against the wall. Her hands were resting on his shoulder and chest trying to steady him even though he had some weight and height on her.

"Sasuke!"

"I'm okay," he murmured softly.

She draped his arm over her shoulder and helped him back to the bed. Her healing instincts kicked in and she made him sit down on the edge of the bed. She knelt beside him on the bed. Closing her eyes she focused on the healing power within her to help Sasuke. Her hands rested on his chest. Her green energies poured out of her into him searching out all his hurts and healing them. Once her power receded she looked up into the deep onyx eyes of the man who had come to mean so much to her. His hand came out and his fingers brushed softly against her cheek. Even though she was worried that what Orochimaru had done to her would affect Sasuke touching her didn't rear its head. She leaned into his touch. A small smile spread across her face. Sasuke cupped her cheeks softly before bringing her forward so he could brush his lips across hers. Her hand crept up under his shirt and brushed across his stomach causing tremors to rocket through him as they kissed. His head went down to nip at her neck but he stopped. There were healing bruises around her neck that looked almost like hand prints. Then he noticed the red rings around her wrists.

Sakura had felt him stiffen. She looked up at him worriedly.

"Sasuke?"

His fingers took care as he touched the marks on her neck and then her wrists. He brought her wounded wrists to his lips and kissed them softly. Sakura watched him as he kissed her wrists gently. Her mother once told her that she could see the good in anyone and she was sure it was the goodness that she saw in Sasuke that had drawn her to him. Once he was done kissing her injures he looked up at her. She gave him a tentative smile. A smirk crossed his features. She could resist launching herself at him and wrapping her arms around his neck. They tumbled backwards in a heap on the bed. Sakura was laying on top of him. A soft blush dusted her cheeks as she looked down at the man she'd fallen in love with. A rich warm chuckle escaped Sasuke's lips at her innocence. He leaned up and brushed his lips across hers. Pulling back he looked up at her.

"Sakura…"

He could see sadness creeping into her eyes. Reaching up his fingers brushed across her cheeks.

"I know that I'm tainted now…"

An angry snarl escaped Sasuke and he flipped her over. He had her hands pinned above her head but was mindful of her injuries.

"You aren't tainted. That snake can't take what already belongs to me," he growled softly against her neck.

"Sasuke…"

"I won't let anyone touch you ever again."

He finally pulled back to look down at her. Tears were glistening in her eyes. A wince washed through him. He'd made her cry again.

"Sakura I…"

"Please Sasuke," she whimpered.

He searched her eyes. He saw a lot of things there. There was a deep seated pain that was begging him to take it away. She turned her head to the side before murmuring the next part. "Make love to me."

Leaning down his nose brushed against her jaw. Even though the snake's scent was starting to fade from her body he could tell where he'd touched her.

"Sakura," he said.

She looked back up at him. "This has to be for the right reasons."

He couldn't believe he was saying this to her. He, the player and ladies man, telling her that it had to be for the right reasons. She smiled up at him. Before she leaned up to whisper in his ear;

"I love you."

Once that being said she lay back down. Sasuke's grip on her wrist relaxed completely. He'd suspected for some time that she had fooled herself into believing that she loved him. His silence must've told her something because she started to withdrawal back into herself. He wasn't about to let her do that to herself, because he'd found himself liking her companionship. He didn't know when it happened but right at this point he wanted to make her his.

"I know," he murmured softly.

She turned her head to the side to stare out the window. Sasuke smirked as he dropped all his weight on her body making her catch her breath. Leaning down he nipped at her throat causing her to gasp.

"How does Kyouran put it…" he started. "Be my mate."

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him.

"Sasuke… Do you mean it?"

Before he could answer she jerked up and kissed him. The fingers of his left hand tangled in her pink locks and his other hand snaked up underneath her shirt and caressed her breast. Sasuke leaned down and kissed her and the kissed turned heated quickly. For brief second he was glad for the moment that she was wearing men's clothing. He pulled back till his forehead rested against hers.

"You know I'll have to change you," he growled softly. "I won't let you go after this."

She smiled up at him gently with that knowing look in her eyes.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Sasuke."

"Good."

He smirked as he recaptured her lips.

(okay for the sake of so I don't get in trouble I've taken out the sex scene but you know it happened.)

A few hours later…

Sasuke sighed softly as he watched his sleeping mate. Her pink locks were splayed all over their pillow and his shoulder. He dozed a bit but not for long since sometimes after someone being turned into a vampire something could happen. He was thankful that Sakura's transformation was painless. She'd fallen asleep after he'd done it. Something red on her shoulder caught his eyes. There was a red tear drop where he'd bitten her. What had shocked him during their mating was the fact Sakura had bitten him back. There was something where she'd bitten him but he didn't want to move her to see. His mate was resting peacefully and he didn't want to ruin that. The opening of the door didn't startle his mate for which he was thankful. Kyouran crept close to them but left some distance between them. He knew she wanted to talk.

'Nightmares yet?' he heard in his head.

'No not yet.'

She saw hesitation in his answers. It was as if he was worried about something. She didn't want to wake Sakura because she'd probably be able to sense it if he got to distressed by what was bothering him.

'What is it Sasuke?'

'You're not upset by this?'

She just smiled at him which kind of freaked him out a bit. It wasn't that long ago that they were enemies because of something stupid he'd done to start it.

'No, she needs you like you need her.'

Before he could protest to the comment she continued. 'You were destined to be together. Though you will need to help her because she'll soon be able to change into her other form.'

'Other form? I don't understand.'

'Don't be worried it'll be okay. It was necessary for you two to become mates in order for this to happen. It'll tip the balance of the war in our favor.'

Sasuke couldn't help but look down at Sakura lovingly. Kyouran drew his attention back to her when a soft growl escaped her. 'Before anything else happens I want you to swear to me that you'll take care of her for the rest of your days.'

'You don't have to worry…'

'Swear it, Sasuke,' she hissed.

He realized something then. Kyouran was making sure that Sakura would be taken care of.

'You're not planning on living through this are you? But I will swear it because I can't let her go now.'

A curt nod was her acceptance of his oath to her. Rising carefully she retreated into the shadows. Sasuke felt his eyes get heavy as he slipped into sleep.

Kyouran left the guest house with a heavy heart. Her daughter would be taken care of. That took a great deal of weight off her shoulders. It was too bad that she wouldn't be able to see their children. It would only be a few days till the final battle would start, she could feel it. Alexial had her will so her wishes could be carried out after everything was said and done. Changing she leapt up onto the roof she laid there basking in the moonlight. She knew she was leaving herself open to attack but she wouldn't care at this point. A wave of pain washed through her as Kakashi's blood drained more energy from her. Someone landed gracefully beside her. Looking over tiredly at her partner she let out a soft sigh before turning her head away from her partner. Her ears were laid back.

"When are you going to tell Naruto and Sakura?"

"They already know. Naruto is acting as my replacement with my brother's help. And Sakura has her mate now."

"When are you going to tell him?"

Kyouran growled softly but wouldn't look at her partner. That told the tiger everything. "It's not fair to him Kyouran."

Kyouran rushed to her feet. An angry snarl escaped her. Alexial wanted Kyouran to voice what the real issue was between her and the vampire she was half assed tied to.

"Fair to him? They imprisoned me to gain power and they forced my hand in battle. Leaving me no choice but to attack the threat to my kits. And now I find myself in a half assed bond with a vampire that won't even acknowledge that demons are people too. How's that fair to me?"

"But you love him."

"I'm not going to be trapped in a relationship that's one sided."

"Give him a chance."

"I don't have the time to give him a chance. I have a month in me at best."

Alexial looked at her friend in shock. "I've sped up the poison in my body by fighting. He needs to move on without my feelings holding him back."

The white tiger could see where this was going. Kyouran's selflessness at work again. The black fox was considered the heartless one but that was far cry from the truth. That made the white tiger determined to say something to the stupid pureblood that Kyouran had fallen for. The shadow fox queen had to survive this battle.