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Ratings: M for adult themes, situations, language
-- CHAPTER 21 -- A HEART STRUNG REUNION
"Hh, I don't know whether to be upset or relieved that Sasuke walked out like that." Naruto laid back, with his hands behind his head, against the pillows upon the raven's bed. "Still I wonder what pulled him away. I suppose I'll just have to ask him when he gets back." He glanced at the two coffins that were adjacent from the bed. "Vampires." he scoffed. "At least now I know more about Sasuke. His past was so traumatic and yet, he told me every detail and for what? Gah! Why do I feel so guilty about not holding up my part of our deal?" He rolled onto his side and sighed. "Oh, that's right," his baby blue orbs caught sight of his gloomy slave attire draped over a chair. "I'm suppose to feel like this because I'm his slave. Even so, why does some part of me actually want to have sex with Sasuke?" He ran his hands through his golden locks before getting up. Then he got dressed and went to close the drapes. "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with myself." the blond flopped back on the bed. "Me, out of my own free will actually wanting to sleep with Sasuke? Maybe I'm more tired than I thought." He let out a yawn and waited for sleep to overtake him.
OoOOoo
"This place just gets creeper and creeper." Sakura's heart pounded in her chest. "I just wish I could find Naruto and get the heck out of here." She was making her way down yet another long corridor, its walls decorated with cobalt tapestries and the floor was, wet? Her eyes followed the puddles to an ajar door. "Why is all this water here?" She peeked her head in the doorway, her nose instantly filling with the sweet scent of jasmine. "Mmm...that smells heavenly." Sakura opened the door wider providing her with a better view of what looked to be a lobby into the master bath. There was a large, round desk in the center of the room that was decorated with small candles. Behind the desk were two doors, one with a dove tapestry next to it, the other with a falcon one. "Such beautiful embroidery on these." She reached out to touch one, but was startled when she heard a girl humming. "Eek! There's someone here." She took baby steps backwards until something shiny caught her attention.
"Huh?" She cocked her head to view the back side of the desk. There was only a simple chair along with make shift wooden drawers. "Where are you?" She took a step inside, her eyes darting for the glittering object. "AH! There you are!" She grabbed onto a small, silver chain. "This is...." Sakura pulled the object close to one of the candles. "Naruto's chain?! What's it doing here?" She quickly stashed it into her pocket.
"I thought I smelled a human in here." The girl, covered with only a silk sheet that stretched from her bosom to just below her buttocks remarked while eying Sakura from head to toe.
"Ino?!" Sakura turned a ghostly white as the image of Sai ripping into her throat and vice versa flashed before her eyes.
"That's right." Ino raised a brow. "But how do you know it?"
"I saw Sai bite you in the kitchen."
"You did?" Ino smiled with an air of arrogance as she shook out her long locks. "What did you think? Be honest now. Did you enjoy it?"
"Of course not!" Sakura backed up against the wooden drawers. "Why would I like something like that?!"
"Because," Ino stepped up to Sakura and whispered into her ear. "little homely girls such as yourself, find my kind memorizing. Our elegance, power, glamor, the bite...ahh..the kiss of death, that one act which pulls humans into our world along with eternal beauty and the thirst for the crimson wine. "Who could blame you for envying us?
"I'd never trade my soul to be what you are." Sakura bravely stated as her hand reached back to find a piece of broken timber hidden among all the wooden drawers.
"Not many humans have a choice." Ino closed in. "You, on the other hand, don't have to worry about becoming one of the damned."
"Why not?"
"Because I prefer turning males rather than other females." She elongated her fangs. "Surely you understand, more females mean more competition, and I certainly don't want that."
"Stop right there!" Sakura successfully found and grabbed onto a free-floating piece of wood.
"Eh?" Ino furred her slender brows.
"Unless you want to die," Sakura brought forth her make-shift stake and pointed it towards Ino's chest. "You'd better move aside."
"You think you could actually kill me?" Ino erupted into a giggle fit. "That's hilarious." Seconds later, she lashed out, her hand now covering Sakura's hand. "Sorry girlie, CRACK!...the stake crumbled into dust. "...You're out of your league."
"Never underestimate the power of the smartest ninja in Konoha." Sakura smirked before using her free hand to toss the remaining drawers at the vampire. Her plan worked exactly as planned for now Ino was too occupied with blocking the drawers that she unconsciously loosen her grip. "You may be stronger than me," She jumped over the edge of the desk. "but that doesn't mean I'll be your willing victim." She dashed out the door and right onto the slick floor. "AHHHH!" She slid straight into the opposite wall, earning her a split lip and a large bump on her forehead. She crumpled to the ground with a moan.
"Hah!" Ino materialized beside the battered girl. "Looks like the bath slaves need to be more careful with their buckets. Someone could get hurt." She mocked while sitting back on her haunches. "Not a bad effort, then again not a good one either."
"I won't let you bite me!" Sakura shouted. "I have to save Naruto!"
"Naruto?" Ino paused, giving Sakura the opportunity to punch Ino right in the stomach. "You bitch!" Ino wailed as she watched the human disappear down the corridor. "She's going to pay dearly for that."
OoOOoo
"This isn't working." Naruto sulked. "I'm just not tired." He pushed himself off the bed and slipped his feet into his worn sandals. "I think I'll go and look for Sasuke. Besides, I haven't listened to him in the past, so why start now?" Naruto left the room.
OoOOoo
Sakura continued to sprint down the endless twists and turns of the castle. "Huh?" She skidded to a stop right before a window. "So that's why Ino hasn't caught up with me yet, the sun's starting to rise which means she should be concerned about lethargy at the moment than with me. Thank goodness." She took an extra moment to catch her breath. "At least now I could search for Naruto without running into anymore vampires." She strolled down the hallway, taking in the Gothic décor. Above her, black candelabras dimly lighted her path. The only thing that hung on the desolate walls was a large painting of a blue haired woman and a ginger haired man, dated 1692. The male was dressed in a suit and seated on a chair whereas the woman stood behind him, donning an elegant wedding dress. Both their expressions were grim "Boy, don't they look like a happy couple." She paused to conjure up a story about them. "I wonder if they were in love?" She found herself tracing the long train of the dress. "Wait a minute, what am I doing? I don't have time for this." Her steps pounded on the stone floor for she was a girl on a mission. "I wonder if I should check the lowest levels for coffins. Yeah, that'll be a good place to start," She laughed nervously, "...then again, there's no harm in checking out the nicer rooms on this level first." She reached for the first of many doors.
OoOOoo
"Why...Itachi..." Naruto rubbed at his temples as Sasuke's broken words echoed in his mind. "Stupid shovels." "Well, at least I know Sasuke's alright, but why am I hearing him as if he's right here?" The blond looked around, his eyes seeing nothing but an empty corridor. "It must be something to do with our contract." He fell to his butt and leaned against a simple door with floral designs on its top, middle, and base. "This may be a good thing, but right now, its giving me a major headache." "Going to the mausoleum...at a time like this? What the hell is Itachi thinking?" The raven's words continued to pump more clearly through his brain. "He's going outside? Now?" Naruto furred his brows. "But I thought vampires couldn't stand the sun. Maybe he has some type of resistance to it, after all, he's been a vampire for over 300 years."
"Naruto?" A voice he thought lost to him filtered down the hallway. "Naruto, is that you?"
"Sakura?" Naruto stared at his best friend, a look of complete shock on his face. "What are you doing here?"
"Sai brought me." Sakura ran towards the blond, tears hanging from the corners of her eyes. "I thought I'd never find you." She wrapped her arms around Naruto and then kissed him on the cheek.
"You shouldn't be here." Naruto stated grimly while firmly planting the girl a good arm's length away from him. "This place is dangerous."
"I know." Sakura stole a glance over her shoulder and then looked back at Naruto. "I've seen aggressive biting, overheard an erotic sexual experience, and barely escaped one's wrath, but I think the sun knocked her out, so I'm okay now." She pumped her fists. "Um...how are you still awake?" She cocked her brow. "The sun's already began its ascent."
"I don't know." Naruto just shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, whatever the reason, my bargain with Sai was well worth it. I found you before you turned into some bloodsucking monster." Naruto looked down at her. "Okay, so those weren't the best words, but I found you and that's what counts." She smiled.
"What type of bargain did you make?"
"I freed Sai from Konoha's prison and in exchange he had to bring me here; however, we ended up going our separate ways."
"Don't involve yourself anymore with him" Naruto flat-lined. "Sai's not to be trusted."
"I kinda figured that out after I saw him bite Ino. The strange part is that he looked like he actually enjoyed doing it."
"He does." The blond frowned. "Sai's embraced the vampire lifestyle."
"Oh."
"Sakura, why didn't you stay in Konoha?" Naruto gave a frustrated sigh.
"I couldn't. Not when I knew you were stuck here serving some blood thirsty creep." Sakura laid her hand on the blond's chest and was deeply saddened when she felt no heartbeat. "I came to rescue you."
"There's no where to go outside these castle walls." He brushed back a loose strand of her pink locks. "I'm a vampire now and this is where I belong. Away from the people of Konoha, shut up in a place where I can't hurt people. Even now when I look down at your innocent face, it reminds me of when I almost bit you, and I hate myself for that."
"Don't" Sakura's eyes glistened as she recalled that terrifying time. "It was that damn blood lust that drove you to do it." She was getting choked up at what fate had done to her best friend.
"And that's why I have to stay here." Naruto stated firmly. "My thirst for blood could happen at any time. And when it does, I don't want you anywhere near me."
"Naruto, don't isolate me!" She said through angry tears. "We've been friends since we were little kids. Don't expect me to live my life without you! I love you too much!"
"I had a feeling you felt that way." Naruto wiped at her tears.
"You did?" She sniffled.
"How could I not? You were so obvious at times." He got her to laugh. "And its those times I want you to remember when you head back to Konoha, alone."
"Please Naruto, come back with me. I'm begging you." Sakura pleaded. "I'll do everything and anything to find you a cure."
"No." The blond scorned as he intertwined his fingers within Sakura's. "I don't want you wasting your life seeking something that doesn't exist."
"But I have to try." She said barely above a whisper. "Otherwise, I'll lose you." She pressed her lips against Naruto's unsuspecting mouth. Her kiss was sweet and innocent as if all her tender feelings were put into this one action.
"Sakura..." Naruto tried to speak, but as soon as he did, the girl slipped her tongue in his damp cavern. It swirled everywhere desperately wanting to memorize this wonderful place. She found his canines exceptionally interesting for when she slowly dragged her tongue up and down them, a moan escaped from the blond.
"I should have kissed you sooner." Sakura pulled away, a heart broken expression on her face. "But I didn't want to jeopardized our friendship. We've always been together..." She traced the hard lines of Naruto's jaw.
"This isn't easy for me either, Sakura." Naruto ran his hands from her cheeks down to where they settled on her upper arms. "I'm going to miss you too." He slanted his lips on the unsuspecting girl. He did this because he didn't want her to forget about him. Naruto may not have harbored feelings of love for this girl, but he treasured her as a friend. And so, with this being their last moments together, he decided to kiss her just once, but not because of his blood lust, but because he wanted to. The kiss deepened as his tongue dove into her mouth where a battle for dominance was fought. Naruto easily won because Sakura's knees grew weak and had to half-focus on retaining her balance.
"Naruto..." she panted while he moved to kiss down the smooth curvature of her neck. "Ah...ah..." She winced when the blond's hold on her upper body tightened, his tender, soft kisses, now sharp nips and bites. "Are you going to bite me?" She mustered out as she found herself craving the devil's kiss.
"No." Naruto pulled away after licking at the small beads of blood that formed on her tempting flesh. "I was just enjoying your warmth."
"Oh." Sakura brought a hand to her swollen lips, her voice somewhat disappointed.
"I won't bring you into this world." Naruto pressed one last kiss to her forehead. "You are needed in Konoha." His now purple orbs bore deep into Sakura's eyes. "You must go."
"Wait!" She waved her hands in front of the blond's face. "Don't put me under any hypnosis." She quickly fished in her pocket for the silver chain that she gave him so many years ago. "I want to give this back to you before I leave."
"My silver chain. Where'd you find that?" Naruto looked from the chain to Sakura and back again. "I never knew what happened to it once Hinata took it from me."
"Hinata?" Sakura raised an annoyed brow. "Whose she?"
"Dead." Naruto answered with a hint of remorse. "So don't bother getting jealous."
"I wasn't." She puffed out her cheeks. "Anyways, your chain was in a basket in the master bath. Sakura leaned forward to put the chain back where it belonged, but was startled for when the silver touched his skin, it left a nasty burn. She quickly yanked it away and hid it within her closed hands.
"Maybe you better keep it." Naruto winced as he felt around for the damage. His flesh now sporting a thin, black line just inches below his collar.
"I'm sorry." Sakura felt horrible. "I didn't know that would happen."
"No surprise there," came an arrogant female voice. "for no human has ever left here knowing that."
"Ino?!" Both Naruto and Sakura turned to stare at the scantily dressed vampire. She may have lost the sheet from earlier, but now she wore a short light blue dress. The top was cut in a way that accented her breasts and the sleeves were severed right at the shoulders. Her legs were bare as were her feet and her fangs were fully extended as she approached her prey.
"Get behind me." Naruto ordered Sakura as he took a defensive position to protect her.
"Why aren't you in a sleeping in a coffin somewhere?" Sakura yelled out from behind the blond.
"Because the sun hasn't completely passed the horizon yet." Ino glided effortlessly closer to the duo. "Therefore, I still have some time to kill you before lethargy takes over."
"Leave her alone!" Naruto snapped at the female vampire.
"What are you doing up?" Ino stopped inches before the blond, her nose practically touching his. "You're a youngling. Sasuke should have you locked in your coffin by now."
"You..you have a coffin?" Sakura's jaw dropped.
"Ah..um..sort of." Naruto babbled.
"Why so protective of her?" Ino swung one of her legs around the blond's hips while her hands gripped the tops of his shoulders. "Was she your former lover?" She purred.
"What do you want?" Naruto asked coldly without reply to her previous question.
"Well, since you asked," She nipped at his ear.
"Get off him you slut!" Sakura glared daggers at the female vampire.
"Jealous, are we?" Ino smirked while nuzzling into Naruto's neck.
"Naruto!" Sakura chided. "Don't just stand there. Push her off!"
"He can't." The female vampire answered for him.
"And why not?" Sakura demanded.
"Because he's a slave." Ino simply replied. "And also if denies me, then I'll tell his master every little detail of what took place between the two of you."
"Sasuke will never find out about this." Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"That was some kiss, Naruto." Her hand snaked down the front of his chest. "Is that how you do it with Sasuke too?"
"What is she talking about?" Sakura's voice wavered.
"Nothing." Naruto snapped back.
"You have a delectable body, perhaps I may take pleasure in it in exchange for keeping your secret." Ino licked at his throat. "But first, I need to bite her. She dares to strike me and get away with it? Her death is close."
"Forget it!" Naruto sneered before he literally threw Ino off him. Although surprised, the female vampire was able to land gracefully on her feet. "First of all, Sasuke would never allow someone like you to use me and secondly, if you want Sakura then you'll have to fight me first." He bared his fangs.
"Such a stupid slave." Ino crouched low and extended her fingernails making her hands appear more like claws rather than human. "Challenging a master? Do you honestly expect to win?" She scorned the blond while bouncing lightly on her toes.
"Sakura, go into that room behind us and shut the door." Naruto ordered. "You'll only be a distraction if you stay out here."
"But..." Sakura started to protest.
"Go!"
"O..okay." She gave a curt nod and scrambled to the door. Once there, she dashed inside, but left it open a crack. "Be careful, Naruto." She whispered as she watched from afar.
"She's going to be one of the feisty ones when I bury my fangs into her." Ino laughed. "I've dealt with her type many times."
"You're not going to touch her!" Naruto got into a fighting stance.
"Such bravery." Ino mocked as she charged forward, her claws slashing three lines across his arm. "But that alone won't help you." Ino then ruthlessly attacked his thighs, leaving behind more ugly gashes.
"Tell me slave, just how difficult was it not to take her blood?" Ino walked around Naruto.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Naruto gritted out through the pain.
"Oh, I'm sure you do." She slashed her claws across his face. "I could see the color in your eyes. They always change when a vampire desires blood."
"Is that really true?" Sakura felt along her neck and indeed came across two small puncture wounds. Her breath hitched.
"You need to spend more time with Madara." Ino schooled the boy as if a child. "It's an embarrassment housing a slave like you." Naruto's blood began to boil, but he had yet to figure out a way to best the female. "Mmm...." Ino licked at her claws. "at least you're good for nourishment. Perhaps that's why Sasuke hasn't handed you off to someone else yet."
"I'm more than just a neck to suck off of!" The blond retorted. "Sasuke and I share something that no other master and slave do."
"Oh, Naruto,..." Sakura brought a hand to her heart. "You have feelings for him."
"That's ridiculous." Ino scoffed. "Sasuke caring for a slave. I'm sure he has more important 'things' to worry about than you."
"You and everyone else here may think that, but I've seen a different side of him." A smile pulled at the blond's lips as a plan finally dawned on him. "He's not like the rest of you." Naruto suddenly had Ino pinned against the wall, his hand squeezing her throat.
"How'd you..." Ino stared dumbly at the blond.
"I saw Sasuke translocate awhile back. And it seems this ability really is beneficial."
"Slaves aren't suppose to know how to do that." Ino hissed, her claws ripping into Naruto's arms.
"Well then, perhaps I'm more than just a slave." Naruto's pupils turned to slits before they both disappeared and then reappeared at the end of the hallway. Ino's back was towards the window, the sun's rays causing it to smoke.
"AHHHH! Let me go!" She screamed.
"No." Naruto's voice sounded more like an animal's growl. "Your time as a vampire has come to an end." He then forced her through the window, her body dangling like a rag doll from his hand.
"Sasuke will learn of this and you'll suffer a fate worse than I." Ino laughed crazily as a flame burst from her back.
"I'll take my chances." Naruto released her seconds before the female vampire turned into dust.
"Naruto! Naruto!" Sakura cried out while running towards the blond. "Are you alright? I saw you disappear and then..." She soon caught sight of Naruto's bloody and blistery body. "Oh my god, what happened?" She looked around. "Where's Ino?"
"I...I killed her." Naruto glanced at Sakura, his expression blank. "I shoved her out the window and..." He soon found himself embraced in a comforting hug provided by his long time friend.
"Shh.." Sakura brushed the sunny locks of the blond. "It's over for now." She rocked Naruto until he fell into his death sleep.
OoOOoo
"Hurry up, Sasuke." Itachi settled into a deep crevice within the tunnel that both he and the raven were digging for the past twenty minutes. Its midnight walls made of Black Blood. "I still can't believe this mausoleum is now a square of inky solidified rock that's surprisingly thick enough to protect us from the sun. Where the hell is Deidara? We've already made it one forth of the way in and we've come up with nothing." Itachi surveyed their work. "What the hell was he doing out here? Deidara knows better than that!" He muttered while Sasuke continued to stare out the entrance. "What's wrong with you?" Itachi grabbed his brother's wrist and pulled the raven onto his lap. "Don't you realize that one more minute standing there would have cost you your life? Seriously, sometimes I feel like I'm babysitting."
"It's Naruto..." Sasuke's voice was hoarse. "He's killed someone."
--- END CHAPTER 21 --
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