Hi there readers! It's time for another chapter. I'm feeling great so I hope that it transfers to the fic. As you know FF had a glitch- or that's what I saw when I tried to update and review- and so I was not able to meet my deadline for you guys so sorry about that.
By the way there's something that is bothering me. What is happening to the world of fanfiction? When I was first introduced to this site, the writers updated at least once a week and readers reviewed. Now, Even though I have over 100 favorite fics, I barely get notices of updates from most of them and readers have become lazy, not wanting to take the extra time to say a few words to the writer, who had spent a great deal of time and energy writing for them. Even last week, when I updated I must say if I got five reviews I got a lot. I try to review whenever I read someone's fic because I know what it is like to just stare at the pc waiting to know if readers liked the chapter. If you write or only read, I'm asking for other readers and writers that you take the time to update or review.
That being said, let's get on with the fic.
Excuse any errors and R&R!!!
Chapter 28: First Taste
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There was nothing like the last day of school. Even Sasuke felt the excitement ringing throughout the school- or was that Naruto's voice?
It was the last period of the day, and year, and Sasuke could not wait to get away from the place even if it was only for three weeks. He was not the only one who was of this view, for the class was humming with anticipation of the final bell to ring.
There was nothing to do since Kakashi had decided to sit at his desk and read, occasionally telling them to be quiet when they got too loud. Sasuke did not mind in the least, except for the fact that his ears were ringing from all the shouting Naruto was doing. Every time the clock ticked away a minute, the blond would shout at it-
"Come on! That's the fastest you can go?!"
-for not going fast enough.
Naruto was just itching to leave school. He was excited about going to his house to clear away his things since he lived with Sasuke now.
Last night he had said that he was not certain about moving out all his things because he was thinking about moving back there with Karin, but he was not so sure that they were entirely ready for that. He said he could always rent it again when he made up his mind but at the moment he was fine living with Sasuke and the others at the Uchihas'.
It was amazing how Naruto had matured after he cheated on, and broke up with Hinata. Not that he minded because he had Hinata now, but it was good to know his best friend was growing up.
RING!!!
Sasuke was nearly knocked from his chair if he had not been holding onto his desk by the students who were in a hurry to get away as soon as possible. The school sounded as if it would collapse from the stampede of students that ran down the halls and stairs only to squeeze through the gate. Some were even jumping through windows from what he could see from his classroom.
He waited until the last person of the migration left and saw that the only people left were Ino, Hinata, Naruto, Kin, Karin, and Sai. Hinata was talking to Ino, probably about the sleep over while Neji waited outside for Hanabi to come from her class.
He walked over to Hinata and she turned around when Ino cleared her throat.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," she replied.
Ino smirked and nudged Hinata's shoulder. "I'll wait for you outside until you're done," she said.
They watched her go and then Sasuke fixed his attention on his girlfriend.
"I hope you have fun," he told her.
"Hai, I will," said Hinata. "Are we still on for Monday?"
"Hai, I can't wait," said Sasuke. And in reality, he honestly couldn't wait. Hinata had asked him to teach her to drive just a few days ago and they planned to do it on Monday.
It was going to be fun teaching her, ignoring the fact that it was going to be done illegally. Naruto did it all the time before he got his license and he nearly ran over someone every time he touched the steering wheel; hopefully, hinata's hand would be more steady and her foot be not as heavy on the accelerator.
Hanabi came up to them, rubbing her nose.
"Hi," she said, and the greeting was returned. "Neji's waiting to tell you goodbye."
They all went outside where Neji was waiting and they said goodbye to each other. Ino and Hinata went together, Neji and Hanabi, Sai, Karin, and Kin, and then he and Naruto.
Sasuke made sure to drive them to Naruto's old home and when they got there, parked in the cracked parking lot. Naruto sighed as he got out of the car, taking two empty boxes and then Sasuke followed him inside with two boxes of his own.
When they got inside, Naruto and Sasuke wasted no time in packing up everything that the blond would be needing. All his books and some clothes that he had forgotten about were put into the boxes. It amazed Sasuke how his best friend could just throw everything into the boxes like that when he was trying to get them neatly packed.
"I think that's it," said Naruto. He looked around the room fondly. "I'm going to miss it here."
Even though Sasuke was not so attached to the place, he had some respect for it and the old CRT monitor that was sitting on one of the boxes. This was where he had 'met' Hinata and found out about her crush on Naruto. This was where he first realized that he had to hold on and wait for her.
"Hai," said Sasuke, not really sure how to respond.
Naruto grinned at him. "Oh well! I guess it's official now that I live with you!" he said quite loudly. He walked up to Sasuke and threw his arms around his shoulders. "Let's go home."
They put the boxes in the back of the car and this time Sasuke let Naruto drive.
"So did you figure out what you're getting Hinata," asked Naruto, narrowly missing a stray dog.
"Hai," said Sasuke. "I think she'll like it."
"So what are you getting her?" Naruto pressed- the gas a little too much, jerking the car forward.
"I can't tell you that," Sasuke told him. "You're mouth is too big."
"Aww, don't be like that," Naruto whined. "You're supposed to tell me everything."
Sasuke chuckled. "You will know when Hinata's birthday comes. It's not that far away. It's like what, the twelfth of December?"
Naruto pouted all the way home and Sasuke had to wonder if he should make Naruto like this every time for he drove for his hands and feet were as steady as a surgeon's.
They brought the things inside and Sasuke helped Naruto carry them to his room. After that, he went to see Sai. As far as he could tell, the coast was clear and he could not hear or sense Kin and Sai doing anything.
He knocked on his cousin's door and was told to enter. When he did, he saw Sai sitting on his bed with his art pad in front him as was custom.
"What can I help you with?" asked Sai.
"Where's Kin?" asked Sasuke, noticing that she was not in the room or house.
"She went to the store to pick up a few things" Sai told him.
"Oh, well I had to ask you something," Sasuke told him as he sat next to Sai. "I wanted to ask you about giving your mate a cross. You just buy it and give it to her?"
"It's not that simple," Sai told him. "You have to go to the mines to get the appropriate stone and then have them fashion it. It takes three days."
"Where are the mines?" asked Sasuke. "I'd like to get it done as soon as possible."
"On the other side of town," said Sai. "If you go tomorrow you should be able to go back for it by Tuesday or Wednesday."
Sasuke nodded. It was going to take some time and effort to get it but he was going on the right track.
"Can you give me the directions?" he asked Sai.
"Sure," said Sai and Sasuke waited until his cousin wrote up the directions to the mines.
Sasuke got up and walked out, feeling much better. Before it was just an idea that he had, but now it was going to be real. He was going to get Hinata a cross and he would make sure that it was the best one he could think of. There was something that he had forgotten though. He rushed back to Sai's room.
"I forgot to ask you," said Sasuke, peeking his head through the door. "How much will it cost?"
"Cost?" asked Sai. "If you want to call it that. Well, it's not money you have to give but blood. Blood as an offering to the mines and then blood as 'payment' to the jewelsmith of course."
"Nani?" Sasuke said quickly. "I'm not letting some random person bite me."
"Just put it in a vial or capsule," said told him. "I wouldn't think anyone who wanted a cross made let the miners and jewelsmiths bite them."
"Hn."
Sasuke left Sai's room and went to his own. He didn't think Hinata would be be online since she was on a sleepover with Ino, Naruto was with Karin and he had no idea where Itachi was so he just lay there as he was accustomed as there was thankfully, no homework because they were on vacation. Who would have thought that he had nothing to do on his first night on vacation?
Then an idea hit him. He was good at art, so he would design Hinata's cross. He didn't know exactly what he wanted it to look like but he did he did know that he wanted the best for Hinata.
Christmas was coming up and so was Hinata's birthday. What would he give her for Christmas? He knew what he wanted to give her for her birthday already. The more he thought about it, the more it came to him what he would do. He was sure that not many people had done what he was thinking about doing and that made him excited.
He got up and went for his art pad and a pencil. He sat on his bed, leaning over the art pad. He did this because he remembered something Sai had said to him when he asked the older teen why he didn't just draw at the desk where it was more comfortable.
Sai had said that was the main reason why he sat on the bed; because it was uncomfortable. He used that to respect what he was doing. The paper and whatever he was using to make a mark on that paper feel proud of the effort he was making to transfer his thoughts into art.
Sasuke thought that Sai was just an art freak at the time he had told him that, but now he understood. He wanted that when he was done sketching what he wanted Hinata to wear to symbolize she was taken, he would be looking at his hard work; his effort to make that sketch fit enough to cut out and wear if he wanted.
His ideas came flashing before his eyelids and he drew as he imagined Hinata wearing his cross, his heart… a part of him.
The more he thought about it, the more he began to realize that it was not enough and the more that thought filled his head, the more he transferred to the paper until he was certain of what he wanted for Hinata. He was sure she would love his gift.
Hinata and Ino caught the bus to her home. They talked just about everything like Sakura's secret relationship with Kakashi-sensei, to the fact that Ino and Chouji broke up weeks ago and Hinata had no idea until now.
"I liked Chouji a lot because he liked me for me," said Ino, continuing their conversation. "But lately my mind has been on elsewhere."
"So how did Chouji take it?" asked Hinata.
"How did Chouji take it? He's the one who broke up with me," said Ino with a sad smile. "He said that he could tell that I had my eyes on someone else and either I go after that person or come back to him when I was ready." She gave a short laugh. "I never would have thought that it would hurt the way I did though; I cried for the entire night."
Hinata bit her tongue quickly and hugged Ino tightly. "Gomen," she told her best friend. "Gomen nasai, I should have been there for you."
"It's fine," said Ino, hanging on tighter. "I know that your anemia has gotten worse so we've not been so close lately; I understand that."
Ino's stop came and they got off, walking the short distance to Ino's house. Hinata always liked Ino's home. It had a beautiful garden out front with almost every flower that grew in Konoha and the porch had two rocking chairs that she and Ino spent many nights in, talking well into the early morning.
They walked up to the door and Ino opened the door with her key since she said her mother had gone to get some seedlings from in the town. Hinata followed her to the door… but something was wrong. She couldn't go further than the door. It was like there was a barrier blocking her way and Hinata started to silently panic.
Ino looked back at her.
"What's wrong?" the blonde asked her.
"Ano… nothing," Hinata stuttered. "I was… just looking at the flowers a bit."
"Oh! You can see them in the morning when the dew's on them," said Ino. "Unless you want to help me water them now?"
"Hai," Hinata said quickly, looking for a reason to stay outside a little longer so that she could figure out why she could not go inside the house. "You go get the watering cans and I'll wait here."
Ino stared at her for a moment. "Don't you want to put down your bags?" she asked, and then shook her head. "It doesn't matter," she said with a grin. "I'll be right back!"
Hinata watched as the blonde ran into the house to the back where she knew the watering cans were and then tried out what was happening.
She walked towards the door again and everything seemed fine until she wanted to step over the threshold. It was simply impossible to go inside. What was going on? She tried again and again to get inside. Hinata walked away and came back slowly, trying to sneak up on whatever it was that was stopping her but it still didn't work.
Ino came back with two cans. "Ready?" she asked and Hinata nodded with a painted smile.
It took quite some time to water all the flowers in the garden and by the time they were done, the sun was going down.
"Well that's the last of them," said Ino. Hinata followed her to go inside again, afraid of telling Ino that she could not enter for whatever reason it was. She met up with the barrier once more and froze.
"A-ano…"
"What are you waiting for?" asked Ino. "Come in."
Hinata literally felt the barricade shift for her to pass. What was that all about? She'd have to ask Sasuke about what happened.
They spent the night doing what ever they wanted. Prank calls, talking about boys, being online- they did it all until they were worn out.
They both collapsed on the bed.
"I had a great time," said Hinata. "I really missed this."
"Me too," said Ino and Hinata nearly choked when her best friend hugged her suddenly. "I'm so glad you came over… I missed you."
Hinata smile. "I know."
Ino let her go slowly and looked away. "Iie, I don't think you do."
Hinata was confused. What was Ino talking about? "What do you mean?" she asked the other girl.
"Remember the time Sakura and me were in an argument?" asked Ino. "And I said she was not my type?"
'Oh Kami…'
"H-hai?"
"I don't know why, Hina," said Ino. She looked completely ashamed of herself. "Demo… I like you."
Hinata paused, not knowing what to say. She was stuck with no clue whatsoever of what she could possibly say in this situation but finally, words came out.
"I have Sasuke."
"And if you didn't?" asked Ino.
"I'll always have Sasuke," Hinata whispered. "Is this why Chouji broke up with you? Because he found out your feelings for me?"
Ino grinned nervously. "Iie, he found out that I have a crush on Itachi."
Well that wasn't new. Hinata was sure half the population of the school liked Itachi even though they were afraid of him. That and he looked like Sasuke.
"So you're bi?" asked Hinata. She could not believe she was reacting this calmly.
"I still think I'm straight," replied Ino. "The only girl I feel this way about is you," she finished sadly. "It's sick, isn't it?"
"Iie," said Hinata, moving closer to Ino. "It's not sick. You can't control your emotions."
Hinata could feel her thirst rising and knew it was a bad idea to be so close to her preferred taste in blood among females, but she took the risk. Unfortunately, just like emotions, she could not control her thirst and urges either.
She knew she could not bite the girl in front her, but Ino's nervousness made her heart beat quicken, making her pulse that much faster so that Hinata could sense it stronger.
Hinata leaned in even more, smelling the other girl's hair and neck as they held onto each other. She could tell that Ino was somehow drawn to her and she could not help it either.
'Just one quick bite…'
Hinata flipped Ino onto her back, catching the other girl by surprise.
"Hinata, what are you doing?" asked Ino, not entirely protesting.
"I'm so sorry, Ino," Hinata apologized. "But you won't remember what I'm about to do."
Straddling the girl under her, Hinata moved in. This felt so different from what she was accustomed to. It was dead wrong of her to do this, but then again, it was wrong to be with Neji the way she was too. Case solved, guilt overrun.
It was amazing how much control she had now that she was an ST vampire. That didn't stop her body from reacting and she was deeply mortified. Ino ground her hips against Hinata's, causing them both to gasp.
"H-Hinata, you seem so different," Ino whispered as she pulled her down to kiss her.
Hinata thanked Kami that it was an innocent kiss, but that didn't stop her from feeling the intense thirst as she felt and saw that her mark surfaced, tracing all of Ino's veins. Ino traced her fingers over Hinata's cheek and the latter wasted no time, grasping Ino's hand and taking her wrist, sinking in her teeth.
Ino screamed but Hinata didn't know if it was from pleasure, shock, or pain. She was not bothered which it was for she was tasting new, fresh blood, straight from the veins.
The girl under her, jerked her hips upwards, and Hinata's teeth dug even further into the girl's wrist only to make more blood flow. Hinata was not sure if she would be able to stop and she was not sure if she wanted to. Ino's blood tasted so delicious; it was the first of a blonde's blood she had tasted.
"Ino, dear?"
Hinata dislodged her teeth from Ino's wrist and looked in the direction of the door where she heard Ino's mother's footsteps come closer to the door. What would Inorai-san say if she saw her on Ino like this?
She could see that Ino was barely able to talk from the shock of what had happened and she quickly got off, pulling the sheets over them, willing her mark to go away in time.
"Ino? Hinata?"
Inorai opened the door and Ino and Hinata looked at her innocently, smiles plastered on, Hinata's mark gone.
"Hai, Oka-san?" Ino asked sweetly. "I didn't know you came back."
"I came back not too long ago. I heard some noises up here so I came to see what was the matter," said Inorai. "Is everything alright?"
"Hai," Hinata said quickly. "We were just playing around before bed. Tickling, pillow fight… the usual. I'm sorry if it disturbed you."
Inorai looked at them both with narrowed eyes and then looked at Ino, who avoided eye contact. "Ok then. Get some sleep, it's pretty late."
"We will!" the two girls chirped, as Ino's mother closed the door.
They waited until her steps were far away and looked at each other. Hinata could tell that Ino was flustered at what had happened.
"Hinata, what did you do?" she asked.
The girl spoken to looked at her best friend. "I can't tell you," she said.
Ino turned around to back Hinata.
"I know you can't tell me," she heard the blonde say. "You never tell me what's going on anymore."
"Gomen," said Hinata. She knew that Ino was hurt from what had happened.
"It's not just 'gomen' anymore," Ino said. "…Why did you bite me like that? Drink my blood? Why were there veins around your eyes?"
Hinata was alarmed and before she could think, she pressed her two fingers to Ino's neck.
"Hinata, what are y-"
She could feel Ino's heart rate slow down as she was put to sleep. Hinata pressed her fingers to Ino's neck and leaned into her unconscious form.
"Gomen, Ino," Hinata whispered. "Demo… erase."
The point where Hinata's fingers were glowed faintly and Hinata was fascinated, seeing this for the first time.
She felt so guilty and wondered if this was how Sasuke felt when she had first tried to bite him. Even more, she felt a little angry at what her grandmother had done to both Neji and herself. How could the woman live knowing that her granddaughter didn't know her?
Hinata sighed and looked at the blonde next to her. What would she do about Ino's affections for her? She knew that she had no choice in the matter about her vampiric carnal impulses whether it be male or female, related or not, but she would have to hope Ino really forgot about what had happened.
She turned over on her stomach, pulling the covers over her head. Tomorrow was another day. She was too tired to deal with her dilemmas right now.
And that is the end of the chapter. I hope you liked it. Sorry again about the late chapter but I didn't know FF was back up and running until last night when I got a new chapter. I was not even able to read it, trying to finish this chapter since my enthusiasm had faded from the glitch. But it is back! So no worries, because the glitch is gone, thank goodness.
If you have not read A Happy Ending or Hina hime, please do.
Until next update…
Ja ne!
Please review, I love it when you do!
