Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Warning: This is a Vampire/High School AU. There might be some OOCness.

Enjoy!

Morning had come and Sasuke had yet to move from his spot at the small wooden kitchen table at the Hozuki residence. Before him was his two 'kidnappers'.

The one on the left, the girl kept glancing at him. It made him feel unease. She had an ulterior motive for bringing him and Sasuke wanted no part of it. Perhaps, he could use her affections to get himself out of this mess. That wouldn't be such a horrible idea. It had a certain level of irony to it that he found rather amusing. They used his affections against him, if only he could figure out a way to use hers against herself.

To the right was his other kidnapper, the boy. He seemed reluctant about the entire situation. Sasuke could probably use that to his advantage as well. The boy looked anxious. There were other things clouding his mind at the moment. Sasuke just hoped they didn't have to do with more plans concerning him.

Sasuke's thoughts were broken by the sound of a door being slammed from above him. There was another person in the house. But who? Judging by the footsteps coming from the staircase, he would be finding out soon enough.

"Fuck," The male captor stood up. "Why is he up? It's nine."

Sasuke, not knowing the entire situation, could only guess that this third person had a Naruto time schedule…meaning that it had to be around noon from them to even think about leaving the bed.

"What should we do?" The female captor asked with a hint of edge to her voice.

"Just get him to go away as soon as." The male captor muttered, shifting lower in his chair with an unpleasant expression painted on his face.

Sasuke remained rooted in his position as he watched the staircase. The man was slowly descending them. He looked a great deal like his male captor. They were probably brothers.

"Sui," The older man said as he glanced around the table, his eyes leering at the female but slowly locked onto Sasuke. "Who is this? A friend? Or more?" The brother sneered as he walked past the table and opened a cabinet. No one at the table responded so the brother continued. "Where's your other boyfriend? Dumped you, huh. That's why you got this guy." The brother made himself of dry cereal and cast Sasuke another look. The man's voice was drenched in uncaring sarcasm. It was as if the jokes and prods that he was making even bored him. It was as if he did these things out of habit. "You like them quiet types don't you, Suigetsu."

Sasuke began to realize that this brother posed no threat to him. He was left in the dark and didn't have an idea of the magnitude of the situation. That was probably for the best, at least in Sasuke's mind. One less person to concern himself with. Although, judging from what he had observed thus far, he wouldn't have been much of a competitor.

The brother pour milk into his bowl of cereal and quickly closed the refrigerator. "Later." He spoke as he ascended up the stairs, only glancing back to smirk at the redhead. "My door is open Karin, remember that."

And then he was gone. Sasuke looked between Karin and Suigetsu trying to evaluate their expressions. Karin looked like she was going to be ill. Suigetsu just looked…well much like Sasuke did after a run in with his own brother. Perhaps that was also another relation he could use to his advantage.

Suigetsu stood up suddenly and began walking to the door. "Come on; let's just go somewhere else for a while." Was all he said as he closed the door behind him.

Karin stood up and threw a blushing look at Sasuke. "You heard him."

Sasuke followed his novice captors outside to the hideous purple Dodge Neon and climbed inside. Perhaps this would be his chance to change the game.

"Still nothing?" Shikamaru muttered to Naruto as they clambered down the stairs to the basement.

"Yeah." Naruto looked down at his feet. "I don't think he is coming back."

The two remaining boys sat on the couch. Itachi had called a small meeting with only Naruto, Shikamaru, Sakura, and himself.

Itachi leaned forward in his chair, his eyes immediately on Shikamaru. "I need you to take charge for a while."

Shikamaru barely reacted, only asking, "Why?"
"I have to hunt down my little brother." Itachi sighed loudly. "That's not really the point. I need you to start strategizing. Looks like the Snake is planning an all-out war, we need to do something before that starts, understand?"

"Hn."

"Good." Itachi's gaze turned to Naruto. "You are on babysitting duty again. Keep those girls ignorant and at bay." Naruto nodded his head earnestly, but swallowed hard. That wasn't going to be easy with everything they know already. He just hoped that the Sasuke-Sakura bit was enough to keep them sated.

"What are we going to do about Neji?" Shikamaru asked after a few moments of silence.

"Now's not the time for that discussion." Itachi muttered as he stood up. "For now, we keep him locked up. Sasori is working on something with him. I'll let you know how that goes, but for right now focus on organizing a way to get that Snake out of here." Itachi turned his head to Sakura. "Let's go."

"Wait!" Naruto yelped, jumping up. "Sakura's is going with?" Naruto knew that Sakura and Sasuke were close for a while, but Naruto was definitely knew Sasuke better.

Itachi, already knowing the underlining question answered. "You might know him better, but she has a deeper impact."

Naruto watched Sakura, her face unmoving. Naruto nodded his head. Itachi was right. Sasuke would do anything for Sakura even if she didn't need or want it, it was simply a different type of bond. "Okay, keep us posted and get him back."

Itachi nodded his head as he and Sakura climbed up the stairs from the basement and began their search for the missing Uchiha.

Naruto and Shikamaru stared at each other. "So, you're in charge now."

"Only for a while." Shikamaru stood up as well. "Can you go find Kisame? He knows just about as much as Itachi. I could use some help."

"On it, boss!" Naruto smirked and he raced up the stairs to search for Itachi's closest friend.

Shikamaru sank into the couch the minute Naruto disappeared. His life was a mess. One friend was missing. One friend was failing at maintaining the peace. One friend was locked away for nearly killing another person. A war was going to break out. Innocent girls were involved in issues that would only hurt them. And she was still fucking dead. How had is life turned so…dramatic?

Itachi and Sakura walked in silence for a long moment. Sakura watched the older Uchiha, waiting for an order so she could help in some way. While she hated Sasuke, she couldn't let him get hurt or taken by the Snake. The feelings deep down wouldn't let her do so.

Itachi pulled out his phone and handed it to Sakura. She looked down at the screen to see a dot speeding along the screen.

"Is that-"

"Yes." He answered simply.

"You put a tracking device in his phone." Sakura raised an eyebrow as she followed the ping.

"This is not his first time trying to run away."

"So let's get him." Sakura made a move for the car.

"No." Itachi stopped her. "We go on foot."

"Why? It's fast by car." Sakura narrowed her eyes.

"I need to see where he goes. We will catch up. He isn't leaving the city. Right now, we follow by foot. We will catch up to where they are going. Rushing in recklessly will have consequences."

Sakura slowly nodded her head as she handed back the phone. "You're right."

Itachi pocketed the phone with a faint smirk. "I guess not all those feelings are gone."

Sakura frowned. "No. I just owe you. Once that debt is paid-"

"You're gone. I know." Itachi nodded his head solemnly. For now, this was the best he could do to get her to open up. It would have to do. Right now, his priority was getting his little brother back.

Naruto stood in front of the girls door and for the first time in a long time, he was dreading spending time with his girlfriend. It wasn't because he didn't love her, which was absolutely not the reason. He just wasn't sure he could handle anymore lies. They were eating his away and the closer she got to the truth, the closer she would unveil a nasty past. Something that was best buried.

Naruto tapped his knuckles against the wood and waited patiently for one of the girls to answer. Tenten appeared a moment later and gave Naruto a weak smile.

"Come in." She opened the door wider for the blonde to step in. Naruto watched as Ino and Hinata sat on the bed looking innocent…a little too innocent, especially after all she had uncovered from him.

"N-Naruto-kun." Hinata jumped up and kissed him. "Ino and Tenten were j-just leaving…"

"Now." Ino stood up as well, patting Naruto on the back. "Any clue where Nara-ass is? I have a few things I want to talk to him about."

"Oh, uh, basement." Naruto grunted before racing to stop in front of her. "Wait, he is busy…with stuff!" He exclaimed.

Ino rested her hands on her hips. "What kind of stuff?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously. "Stuff…stuff."

"Uh-huh." Ino nodded her head. "Stuff-stuff is sure rough." Ino pushed past Naruto. "Nice try."

"Have fun." Tenten waved off before following Ino out the door quickly.

Naruto turned with a questioning look to Hinata.

"She gets along better with Shikamaru." Hinata smiled awkwardly.

Naruto frowned. "Is it because he is a push-over?"

"…yes." Hinata smiled shyly.

"And Tenten?" Naruto asked, nodding his head in the direction of the door both girls had left through.

"She is m-meeting Sasori."

"Oh. Okay." Naruto nodded his head. Silence filled the space between the lovers. It was nearly palpable, the tension in the room. It could have been cut with knife…but neither teen was willing to discuss the tension.

"C-Come!" Hinata squeaked before calming herself down a bit. "Come sit." She patted the bed as she sat herself down.

Naruto slowly came beside his girlfriend and clumsily took her hand. There was another moment of silence before Naruto coughed. "Uh…so you told them about what I told you yesterday?"

"About S-Sasuke? Yes." Hinata looked down at their intertwined hands.

"How'd they take it?" Naruto asked, hoping that maybe the tension would clear.

"F-Fine." Hinata lied. She didn't want to talk about what they discussed all last night. She didn't want to tell him what else she found out. She didn't want to confront him about knowing his lies.

"Oh, good." Naruto coughed.

Minutes passed by without so much as a sound. Both teens contemplating what to do, but at the same time doing nothing. Neither could decide what was better. Keeping the tension or coming clean.

Hinata reached her decision first.

"We know about T-Temari." She whispered as quietly as she could hoping that her boyfriend didn't catch a word.

Naruto released Hinata's hand and turned to face her. His stomach instantly scrunched into painful knots. He held his breath as he watched her. She didn't look hurt or upset…but imploring.

"You know."

She nodded her head, avoiding his blue eyes. "N-Neji did it…right?"

Naruto was speechless. How she found out was above him. The boys had made a pact that they would never talk about it, for Neji and Shikamaru's sake. Sasuke agree…he was good a keeping secrets. Naruto only agreed because he didn't have anyone to keep it from, plus they were his friends. It was a complicated issue…something that he didn't want to tell Hinata for multiple reasons. Firstly because of the pact. But also because he was fearful she wouldn't understand.

"Yeah." Was all Naruto could utter.

Hinata turned back to Naruto slowly. "H-How are you still f-friends with him?" That was the question he didn't want to answer. His answer especially would not make things sound better either.

"Because he didn't mean it." Naruto responded truthfully. And it was true. While Neji did kill Temari, he didn't mean to. He didn't even realize what he did. He had no control over his actions. How he could explain that to Hinata, he wasn't sure. But he had to try now.

Hinata just stared at her boyfriend wide eye. Was that really the answer? He didn't mean to? That doesn't mean he should be forgiven and free reign. It proved useless, especially since he almost killed her best friend.

"He almost k-killed Tenten. He has kill at least one girl and a-almost another and your excuse is that he didn't mean to? That's u-unacceptable. He is a murderer and you are letting him walk around free?" Hinata asked accusingly, her words coming out fast and louder the angrier she got. "You a-are his friend because he didn't mean to and you kept this from me because it was an a-accident? You don't kill n-nearly two people on accident!"

Naruto nodded his head, but made no move to correct or try to change her mind. It was useless. She was right in nearly all instances, but Neji was the exception…that was something Naruto didn't have the ability to explain.

"That's then?" Hinata murmured as she glared. "You aren't g-going to explain?"

Naruto shook his head. "You won't understand."

"M-Make me." Hinata urged. She needed to at least hear his reasoning.

Naruto turned to face Hinata fully, grabbing her hands carefully. "Okay, fine. But please understand that I support him and we are trying to do everything we can to fix it. I promise you that his actions don't go unpunished." With a sigh, Naruto began. "When a person is…turned…they adopt traits of the person who turned them. Like Shikamaru, the person who turned his was a man with no emotions. Now, he was always kind of this way, but now he is even more so. The person who turned me was a really awesome guy, so I'm pretty neat. But it isn't always good traits that you adopt and you have no control over them. The person you turned Neji was evil. Neji got some of that evil. It's like two people living in the same body. There is boring old Neji…but there is also dark Neji. When dark Neji is in control, there is no stopping him. The most we can do is keep him contained until the Neji we know comes back. Now, I know that's not an excuse for killing people but you have to understand that Neji doesn't want to do this. He doesn't even remember doing it most of the time, not until we tell him. When dark Neji takes control, our Neji is left in the dark."

Hinata swallowed hard. "W-Why is he like that though? If he is like you guys, s-should that trait be mixed in with his n-normal personality?"

"I don't know the answer to that." Naruto bit his lip. "But it happens every once in a while. We don't know how to fix it, but Sasori is trying to help him out."

"So, when he kill T-Temari…"

"That was Dark Neji taking over." Naruto sighed.

"Why her?"

"He was doing it for a friend."

Ino and Tenten shared a look at the bottom of the stair case. "I guess this is where we part, right?" Ino muttered.

"Yeah." Tenten nodded. "Looks like he isn't here yet." Tenten glanced around the deserted first floor. She was supposed to be meeting Sasori. They had made plans to further talk about what went down in the second basement. "What are you going to talk to Shikamaru about?"

Ino shrugged. "Anything really. He is surprisingly agreeable with giving me information."

"Maybe he likes you." Tenten muttered in distaste. "Better watch out."

Ino smirked flirtatious. "Oh I wish that were the case." Her words drenched in sarcasm. "But he already has a honey."

"Really?" Tenten frowned. "We haven't ever seen a girl around her…except Sakura."

Ino joined in frowning. "Shit, you're right. Now I know what to ask the ass."

Tenten sat on the sofa. "Glad to help."

Ino flashed a bright smile at the bun headed girl before disappearing down into the basement. Tenten watched her go before leaning deep into the cushions of the sofa, trying to sink as deep as she could into them. She wanted to fall in, get away from this house and the craziness that surrounded her. It was becoming too much. The lies, the secrets, and death that seemed to keep popping up. None of it is what she wanted in life. She was satisfied with normalcy. Just going about her every day, doing random acts of kindness, being with people who made her happy. Not this.

The front door opened and Tenten looked over to see the red headed Sasori coming in, putting his wooly coat on the hanger and shaking his head from the cold. Tenten stood up, despite wanting normalcy she also craved knowledge and Sasori held answers about Neji that Tenten just needed to know.

"Ready?" Sasori nodded his head in the direction of the basement.

"For what exactly?" Tenten bit her lip, carefully analyzing the man before her.

"I want to test something. Yesterday, after you left, you seemed to have left profound effect on Neji. I want to see if we can elicit anything else from him."

Tenten swallowed hard. She wasn't really sure about all of that. They barely had a conversation. That was probably the worst she had even since Neji aside from the…Tenten shivered in remembrance. No matter how hard she tried, he still haunted her and yet…she still wanted to help him.

"Why me?" Tenten asked, eyes casting suspicious glances.

"I'm not sure." Sasori shrugged in a very uninterested way. "Maybe because you two had an emotional tie. Maybe because you were the only sane person down there. Or maybe because you are simply the one that got away. Any which way you put it; you got him hooked on something about you. So it is in your complete control on whether you come down to the basement or not, but if you want to find out more, it would be in your best interest to come down." Sasori watched Tenten as she looked down to the ground. Her eyes listless and unfocused as she thought over his words. One on hand, she was eager to find out more information. On the other hand, she wasn't sure she could handle seeing him again.

"Let's go." Tenten whispered lowly after a few moments of silent thinking.

Sasori nodded his head and began his way to the door. Tenten followed, mentally preparing herself for what was in the basement. At least this time she knew what she was getting into.

The first basement held three people. A bored looking Ino who have Tenten a half-hearted wave, a concentrating Shikamaru, and a tense blue Kisame. Sasori and Kisame each nodded in each other direction, Kisame only glancing at Tenten in inquire for a moment before concerning himself with something else.

Sasori opened the door to the second basement, handing the single flashlight to Tenten. He let her descend first and soon followed behind, closing the door between basements.

Tenten's eyes adjusted to the light slow as she crept down the middle of the rows of cages. This time Tenten peered into each one to see who else was locked down here. It was also a nice way to detour the inevitable second meeting with Neji.

She reached his cage to see him curled up on the ground, knees tucked to his chest. One arm was wrapped around his legs and the other was holding his head as if he were in a constant headache. Tenten stopped in her spot and turned to see Sasori's eyes focused on the cage opposite of Neji. Whatever Sasori's connection was to the old woman it was none of Tenten's business.

"Feel free to wake him." Sasori muttered after a while. "You can discuss anything you'd like. I'm just here to observe."

Full of unease, Tenten looked from Sasori to the cage. She stiffened her shoulders and gently rasped her knuckles on the steel, cold cage. She watched as Neji stirred for a moment, his eyes clenched shut. "…Neji…"

Tenten jumped back as his eyes flashed up and he sat upright all too quickly. Tenten looked cautiously at the cage behind her and away from the old woman's cage. With Neji, she had a brief idea of what she was getting into…with the old woman not so much.

"…Tenten?" He muttered so quietly, his lips barely moved.

"So this is a war, huh?" Ino asked lazily from the couch, her head resting on her chin.

"Does she have somewhere else to go?" Kisame whispered, although still loud enough for Ino to hear.

"Can't stand me in your space?" Ino sneered loudly.

"Apparently not." Shikamaru groaned, ignoring Ino.

"I can hear every word you are saying." She reminded them all too clearly.

"That is also very apparent." Shikamaru stepped away from the map of Konoha that Kisame and him had been gazing over. "Let's pick this up later. I'll deal with this one."

"Fine by me."

The door slammed behind Kisame, leaving a tired Shikamaru glaring at a perky Ino.

"Hello." She smiled endearingly. Shikamaru didn't bit. "I was bored and wanted to chat."

"About?" He asked, sitting beside her on the couch as leaning back as far as he could. He closed his eyes gently.

"Oh, I don't know!" Ino shrugged coyly, even though Shikamaru wasn't watching.

"Yes, you do." He murmured. "Get on with it."

"Well, there isn't much I need to know anymore." She smirked as she watched his frown.

"What do you mean?"
Ino grinned widely, despite the topics at hand. "I know about Sakura and Sasuke." Shikamaru opened his eyes in blatant surprise, but Ino continued anyways. "I know about Sakura and that Temari girl." Shikamaru was up right at this point and Ino still didn't stop. "I know who turned Sakura, or at least I have my best guess."

Shikamaru couldn't believe what he was hearing. More importantly, he just wanted her to shut up. "Ino-"

"I also know who killed Temari." Ino's face was downcast. Shikamaru was speechless. "I know a lot of things, a lot of dark things. I want to know something lighthearted." She looked up at Shikamaru wide eyed. "Something not dark." Shikamaru remained silently, just struck with astonishment.

"Ino-"

"Lighthearted!" She smiled somberly. "Remember?" He sat back in the couch cushions, but remained stiff back. "Tell me about your girlfriend."

Ino watched Shikamaru with utter confusion. The mention of his significant other was like he got shot in the head. Ino knew she was throwing a lot at him but his reaction just felt…off.

"I don't have a girlfriend." He answered, almost breathlessly, like he was gasping for air.

"You said you have someone like Naruto has Hinata and vice versa."

"I do." He hissed, hoping his tone would indicate he didn't want to talk about it.

Ino picked up on the tone, but it only made her more curious. "And you aren't dating her?"

Shikamaru remained silent and Ino frowned deeply. She bent down to try and get a look at his face. "Why are you being weird about this?"

"Why do you want to know?" Shikamaru asked. His voice was dipped in hurt and Ino just couldn't grasp why.

"Because, you talked about her and how you love her and everything, yet she isn't here! I've never seen her. You won't even tell me anything about her."

"You never asked."

Ino narrowed her eyes. "I'm asking now."

Shikamaru shook his head, resting his head on his hands and turning his gaze far away from Ino. "I can't."

"Why?" Ino snapped, arms crossed and eyes aflame.

"She…" He stopped himself with a heavy sigh.

"Just tell me about her. It's all I ask. I just need to light in this darkness, don't we all?"

"There is no light." Shikamaru whispered. "She was light. I suppose she still is in a way. She was always positive…in a negative sort of way." Shikamaru smiled ever so slightly and Ino was surprised to see such an expression on him. "She was bold, terrible bold and brash. I guess like you, but in a more elegant sort of way. You are chaotic, she was in control of everything she did and she knew it. And she was hilarious. Not so much to be known for it, but enough that I knew. Sarcastic, as I'm sure you can imagine. Incredible so, but that was just how she was."

"Past tense." Ino muttered, echoing Shikamaru from a few days ago.

She watched as his smile fell and his eyes turned empty. "She's dead."

In a dark, cold, basement, Kabuto worked relentless over a set of wires making sure the connections were just right. Hours, he had spent fiddling around in this room. It had to be cleaned, than arranged and organized, than tested, than tested once more. Corrections were then made to make sure that when the real thing happened there were no mistakes. His master watched from his seat.

"How much longer?"

"Almost done," Kabuto whispered, "Just a few loose wires. Of course, I still need to prep the boy, but that shan't take too long. Perhaps three days at the most."

"Speaking of the boy-"

"On his way." Kabuto cut Orochimaru off swiftly. Much was still need and time shouldn't be wasted on wasted words. "Our three hired hands are bringing him over here. He is reluctantly here so they had to bring him into as much as a false security as they could."

"And his brother?"

"Also on his way." Kabuto didn't even need to look at his master to see his back stiffen. "Don't worry. I have gone over this with the hired hands. They will take care of him and we will get the boy. Worry not, you have entrusted me with this task so let me do it to its completion. Everything has been accounted for."

"Has it?" Orochimaru stood up, analyzing the coy man in front of him. He never really understood Kabuto's dedication. What he promised was valuable beyond comprehension, yet the things Kabuto was willing to do made Orochimaru suspicious. But, at his current state, eh could no longer question the validity of Kabuto's trust and wasn't about to turn away a dedicated slave.

"There is bound to be a small conflict tonight. I suspect within the next few hours, but nothing damaging will happen to the boy. He will only be more cooperative. Don't worry, my master. I have planned this moment and the moments to follow very carefully. You'd have to be a genius to even come close to thwarting them."

Orochimaru nodded his head and slowly began to ascend the stairs. "Good. I expect nothing less, but let me warn you Kabuto, don't underestimate Itachi and his forces."

"I won't."

Sakura watched the man before her carefully. Her boyfriend had told her many things about him, yet she had barely ever spoken so much as a word to him. He had always been around just…they didn't get along well. A brothers' dispute of some kind or another.

But now, her boyfriend had disappeared for a few hours leaving her alone in the home. Sakura knew it was a matter of time before she got to speak more in-depth with the brother. She was actually quite surprised it didn't happen sooner.

"Sakura, is it?" He spoke carefully.

"Yes." She nodded her head slowly.

"Yes, my brother has been very careful with keeping us apart."

"Is there a good reason for it?"

The man paused and Sakura grew uneasy. "Perhaps, not really I suppose. He has always been a paranoid one. I'm sure you've noticed."

"Cautious." Sakura smiled fondly. "Not paranoid."

"Synonyms in my book." The man shrugged. "How are you doing?"

Sakura frowned at the change of conversation and was off out by the question. "…Fine…should I not be?"

"I hope you are." He muttered. "Has my brother been acting odd around you?"

"He has always been odd, but not odder than usual." Sakura furrowed her brows together. What was the man getting at?

"He hasn't hurt you?" The man asked with a stern, unmoving face.

Sakura was very taken back by the question. "No! Never! He is always polite and nice and- Why would you ask such a thing?"

The man looked relieved. "Good. I should hope not, but if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need assistance, I would be more than happy to help."

Sakura nodded her head, but still not willing to let the topic go. "Why would be hurt me?" Her frown deepened. "Has…has he done that to others in the past?"

"No." He answered quickly. "There haven't been others, only you. That's why I asked."

The man began to walk away and Sakura stood up quickly. "You don't trust him?"

The man turned and smiled, eyes closed and head cocked slightly to the side. "I'm afraid I trust him too much."

I AM SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT. But fear not, it is here! This was originally a longer chapter, but it got too long so it has been chopped into two so the next chapter will be a continuation of this. I hope you are enjoying everything thus far. It will hopefully be wrapping up soon. As much as I love this story, it needs an end.

Anyways, thank you for everything (reading, following, waiting, etc.) You all are Angels and I don't deserve you. Until next time! Peace.