Vampire Heart
Everything was peaceful and quiet in the gothic mansion. Not even the cobwebs stirred, the lights weren't flickering; it was all peaceful. So, when the large, grand doors burst open from the meeting room into the entrance hallway, the ninja were certainly startled, to say the least. They would have protested, loudly, if not for the stern and serious looks on their faces. Saki takes the lead, her brothers follow too. Not even the Uchiha's resist following the pre-set hierarchy, and Sasuke doesn't show any signs of an imminent rebellion. Whatever it was, it was deathly serious. They weren't even so stern when the Kita coven were on the attack.
"Saki, what's going on?" Juugo asks.
She comes to an abrupt halt. "The last days of sorrow are upon our hearts."
A wave of confusion comes crashing down on the hapless ninja. The vampires don't wait around for anything to become clearer. Ice looks as though she has something to say, but brushes it off. The rest follow her as she walks off. Her guilty conscience is as clear as skies are blue, and that is more worrying. Megumi's the last to leave the mansion grounds, but no one would dare talk to her. The absolute hate that she exudes and directs to everyone is more than enough to unnerve them. Especially since they're not too sure what her capabilities are. The large doors creak closed, and darkness reclaims the hall. Effectively leaving the ninjas in the dark.
"Saki," Ice whispers, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
"Saki, there isn't much time," Megumi states. "Just what would you have us do?"
She looks up to the sky. "Even the heavens weep… Megumi, go back home find your friends. If we lose, we should at least apologise and say our goodbyes. Sasuke, take your brother to your parent's grave… We won't get second chance at this, so make it count. It's time we prepare for all eventualities."
With no further words spoken, those around her disappear off to say farewell to those they have left. Despite the Uchiha's obvious confusion, they comply without hesitation. Except for, Spectre and Daiki, who have nothing left of their mother, and don't know where their sisters have been laid to rest. Then, Daiki leads the way back to the underground hideout hidden behind that bookcase. Which leaves Saki all alone. Her eyes darken ever so slightly, and her fists are clenched. A circular red glow starts fading into sight on her heart chakra. A few loose tears drip freely before she summons flames to surround her. They extinguish almost immediately and leave no trace of her.
"You don't actually trust her, do you?" Sasuke asks.
"You're just bitter because she killed you," Itachi mutters.
"This is a waste of my time," Madara growls, glaring at the graves.
"You don't understand this," Itachi states. "Madara, Sasuke, you're too narrow minded. Start to look outside the box. There's no point in you being here otherwise."
"Need I remind you that I never wanted to be here in the first place? Everything that happens, whether I co-operate or not isn't important. We either live or die. Don't drag me into these foolish games," Madara snarls.
"I agree, two less people won't make a difference," Sasuke states.
"Enough!" Itachi snaps. "You can leave if you want, but you'll be stuck as a Half-Blood forever. Weak, and nothing more… Hmm, so you put it here…"
Itachi pulls on something hidden by the overgrown grass, and a tunnel opens up next to their parents 'graves. Choosing not to wait for them, he heads down into the absolute darkness. Caution spreads over the remaining two, and fear creeps up their spines. They hesitantly follow him down the flaming torch lit path. Above them are metal rafters. The only things keeping the roof from caving in on them. Then, after a while, a light appears ahead of them. Next, two giant open wooden doors come into view. They step through the boundaries, and are momentarily blinded. When the light starts dimming, all around them are shelves upon shelves covered in all kinds of weapons. The situation finally seems to hit home for them, and they stagger back. Meanwhile, Itachi was somewhere in the myriad of shelves and near endless corridors, searching through all the weapons.
Megumi pauses just on the edge of a sparkling, glimmering blue lake. Surrounding the lake is a vast, dense forest, and on another is a gently sloping mountain of emerald green. She kneels down by the water's edge and skims her fingers across the top. Glitter rises up from below the surface before taking on the shimmering, transparent form of a slightly older teen. She has caramel hair, slightly tanned skin and warm brown eyes. She smiles down at Megumi adoringly.
"Why, you've grown, Megumi," she smiles, laughing lightly.
Whereas, Megumi's eyes have filled with tears. "Big sister, Ruka…"
"Oh dear," Ruka frowns. "It's time now, ne? Oh, well, you won't lose. I believe in you."
Megumi stares at her through tear filled eyes. Words are beyond her sadness and elation. The matter at hand is hard to avoid though, especially since Ruka knows.
"Don't question me sister," Ruka frowns. "I gave up my life to fulfil my destiny and become one with the water. You know, being an Elemental Guardian isn't so bad! I love my new vocation in life, but, please tell Shizuka to get her butt down here. She hasn't visited me in so long…"
"Is she still alive?" Megumi asks, hoarsely.
"Don't be silly, sister. I take on a physical form too!" Ruka beams.
"What!" Megumi shrieks. "That's not allowed!"
"Oh, hush," Ruka laughs, waving it off nonchalantly. "I just swim around and listen to the locals talking before going under. She's definitely alive and well!"
Ruka had always been such a cheerful beyond all compare child, and Megumi had always been in her shadow. Megumi hadn't minded that at all, she always hid behind Ruka anyway. Then, after their mum died, Ruka soon disappeared.
"Tell me, I need to know now," Megumi whispers. "The last chance is here, and I need to know Ruka."
"You were always the problematic, quiet one," Ruka sighs. "Nevertheless, what you seek lies below the below."
Then, she starts dissipating. Megumi's expression changes instantly to one of hurt and despair. Instead of moping around and crying her eyes out, she walks away. Shizuka was her first priority, but not for her sister's sake. Really, it was for anything but Ruka. Megumi passes the first line of trees.
"Do you understand, then?" Tsunade asks.
"Completely," Megumi nods.
"Who goes there?" a secretary frowns, peeking around a corner.
Seeing nothing, she turns around and walks away. Then, from the shadowed ceiling, a figure silently drops onto the floor in a low crouch. The figure stands up, looking ahead at the bright fluorescent lights. A smirk forms on the person's face before bursting into a flat out run. The person disappears through a closing door and darts into the shadows by the door. The people who came in first are suddenly nothing more than smeared blood on the carpet. A dimly lit light is on an occupied throne. The figure steps out in front of them door.
"Hello father," the voice purrs.
"It was about time you returned to die," the throne's inhabiter smirks, chortling darkly.
"Saki."
Author's Note: Ahem! This is important, so you'd better be listening, er reading.
I have implemented a new system for chapter uploads just recently, however this story does not fall in favour with it. Nor is this story able to claim indemnity to it. In other words, there must be as many reviews as there are chapters, and I will wait fifty years if I to. Do not try to wait me out. It will not work.
Thank you for reading. I hope you have sincerely enjoyed this chapter.
(I'll have my grandkids upload the next chapters if I die before I get enough reviews).