Chapter 2: Pursuit
Ino walked into the extremely large mansion. This was where she lived with her clan. Werewolves roamed in packs. Witches lived together as a coven; vampires lived together as a clan.
The mansion was dark, it had heavy black curtains that blocked out sunlight, the lamps and chandeliers didn't produce much light. It wasn't like how humans live, putting as much light into their lives, while they were awake.
Vampires didn't burst into flames when sunlight touched them; she had no idea where that idea came from. They just preferred the night because their eyes were more sensitive to light than humans. Ino had to wear special contacts, that helped her eyes adjust in the daylight.
She began to walk towards Sasuke's room. If Sakura had taken her advice, then she was probably there. Ino felt her feet get heavy with every step.
Sasuke had assigned Ino to get close to Sakura. Ino was genuinely twenty years old. She was the youngest of the vampires, so a few years ago, she was still aging and could go to Sakura's high school and become her friend.
Sasuke couldn't get close to Sakura while he waited for her to come of age. However, he was allowed to send a member of his clan to keep an eye on her.
Clan usually meant family in human terms; and while that was also true in vampire terms, clans could accept new members if they saw fit. Ino's parents died when she was young, so she was accepted into Sasuke's clan. So, she got close to Sakura out of gratitude and loyalty. She kept tabs on her, kept her safe, earned her trust. All for her leader… at least that was how it started.
Now, she genuinely cared about Sakura. She thought of her as a friend and not the future bride of her clan leader. She was afraid of what Sasuke was going to do to her.
No one in the clan currently, was related to Sasuke. All the members that were related to him by blood was dead. They died out a long time ago. From what she heard, they were killed, by Sasuke's brother.
Sasuke wouldn't go into further detail, but she did know, he craved power. When a vampire receives a mate, they get stronger, strength that is meant to protect his mate. Sasuke wanted that power to kill his brother. He also gathered those who had no family, but also had unique abilities. Ino was one of them.
She respected Sasuke, but she also feared him. He wasn't cruel, he was fair. He defended the clan and he acknowledged their strengths. But… he had a darkness in him. A cold hatred, that made him fearful. If he wanted something, he'd do anything to get it.
Sakura's parents learned that their daughter was being watched by vampires. So, they did everything they could to protect her. Getting amethyst earrings that were enchanted. On their own, amethyst could protect the wearer from the mind control powers of a vampire. These were enchanted by a witch that Sakura's parents went to. As long as Sakura wore them, her intended mate could not touch her.
Ino remembered how heartbroken Sakura was, when her parents died. Ino was afraid that Sasuke killed them. She never had the courage to confront him about that, but she did have the courage to tell Sasuke that if he ever hurt Sakura, she'd betray him. Ino risked her life saying that, but Sasuke didn't hurt her. He said he wouldn't hurt Sakura, even if she fought him.
Ino couldn't stop a vampire from claiming his destined mate. It is said that when a vampire smells their mate, they will know, and every instinct will demand to have that mate. Mostly the mate was another vampire, but every once in a while, they were human.
Ino was terrified of the thought of Sakura being in Sasuke's room. She was going to learn that she helped Sasuke kidnap her. Vampires were raised knowing they had destined mates, humans weren't like them. Sakura was going to be terrified. Scared, her whole life forced to change.
Ino was going to do everything in her power to help her through this. To being forced to live in the mansion, even after the night Sasuke claims and turns her. She would help Sakura get through this… even if she never forgave her.
Ino stopped in front of Sasuke's room. She didn't need to knock. Sasuke tended to know when someone was visiting him.
"Enter."
Ino opened the door. She first looked to the bed, expecting Sakura to be sleeping there. She wasn't. she scanned the room and smelled the air for any traces of the rosette, Sakura wasn't there.
"Did Sakura…"
"She took them off," Sasuke confirmed, "I managed to put her into a trance. However, she broke free before I could get her to leave her home."
Ino felt relief spread through her chest. She had more time, more time before Sakura learned everything.
"That won't last long," Sasuke said, "Get her to invite you into her home. Take her earrings and remove the talisman."
Ino tensed at the order. Sasuke really wasn't going to wait anymore. She could tell by the look in his eyes.
Sakura walked through the park, the warm sun fell upon her, the wind swept through her hair.
She had just had lunch at her favorite restaurant and went to the book store and bought some new books. Now she was bathing in sunlight, walking across a trail, and looking at the scenery. Despite it being the first few days of winter, it was a little warm that day.
A huge grass field were kids were playing. Adults were jogging or having a picnic. A river stretched behind it, reflecting the trees and the city skyline. It was a relaxing sight, a day of reading, in the park; this was what she needed. She found her favorite bench, the one under a tree for shade.
She quickly sat down, taking it. She pulled out her new book and started reading the first chapter.
After a while, however, she felt a chill run up her spine. She looked up from her book to see someone standing in front of her. It was a man, he was wearing a black trench coat. He had long black hair, but you couldn't tell straight away. It was pulled into a loose ponytail.
He reminded Sakura of the man she saw in the patient waiting room, the day prior. Sharp handsome features, almost aristocratic. Dark eyes that seemed to bore into her.
Sakura was starting to get uncomfortable at the way he stared at her. Not wanting to deal with it, she put her book away and stood up. She started to walk away when he finally spoke, "You're being watched."
Sakura stopped and shot him a glare, "I noticed, now leave before I call the police!"
"Not me," the stranger said, "By my brother."
"Then get him a puppy or something," Sakura snarked.
"He's watched you, your whole life, since you were a baby."
"That's it, I'm calling the police," Sakura started to dig through her purse.
"He plans to take you soon," the man said, stilling Sakura's movements, "When he does, you will never be part of the human world again."
"Human world?"
"He is a vampire."
"Okay, I really mean it," Sakura pulled out her phone, "Leave or I call the cops!"
The man simply stood there, "Tonight your friend will come over. She will steal your amethyst earrings and the talisman your parents put in place to make your home a safe haven. They knew you were being watched, so they did everything they could to protect you."
"I warned you," Sakura said, as she began to dial her phone. However, in the middle of dialing she looked up again, to see the man was gone. Sakura blinked. Was he real, or was he a hallucination?
Sakura put her phone back and started walking. What was happening, was this all really just a case of fatigue and stress?
It had to be. Ino would never steal her earrings, she knew how important they were to her. She probably was going to visit Sakura that night. She was considerately annoying that way.
Her phone started ringing, she pulled it out and read the caller I.D speak of the devil. Sakura pressed the green button.
"Hey Ino."
"Hey Sakura, how are you feeling?"
Sakura couldn't help but look behind her when Ino asked that. The strange man popped up in her head.
"I've… been better."
"Well, we can't have that," Ino said, "How about this; I invite myself over, order take out, and have a movie night?"
Sakura laughed. Ino was supposed to be a vampire minion? That guy must had been a hallucination.
At the end of the third movie. The scene faded to black and the end credits started to role.
"That was beautiful," Ino said dramatically.
"I'm pretty sure you saw that before," Sakura rolled her eyes.
"What? I can't enjoy it after watching it a hundred times?" Ino asked.
Sakura laughed, before she ate another spring roll.
Ino stood up stretching, "Alright, I need to go home."
"What, miss night life is tired?" Sakura teased.
"Oh be quiet, some of us have work," Ino teased back. With that Ino left.
Sakura decided that now was a good time to go to bed. She went upstairs to brush her teeth. As she did, she noticed her jewelry cleaner.
After she spit and rinsed, Sakura decided, she let her earrings soak in cleaner fluid for long enough. Time to put them back on.
She twisted open the jar, then grabbed the small handle to pull the small basket out, to reclaim her earrings… only to find it empty.
Ino stood in front of Sasuke in his room.
"Well?"
Ino didn't look up to face him. With trembling hands, she placed the earrings and a small wreath of lavender on the table next to her.
"Well, done," Sasuke congratulated.
Ino didn't respond, she didn't feel like she accomplished something great. She could only imagine Sakura's fearful shock when she realized her earrings were missing.
"Sasuke," a voice broke Ino out of her depressing thoughts. Shikamaru entered the room. He was still lax, but he also looked tense. That meant he didn't have good news.
"What is it?"
"Itachi has been spotted in the area."
That sentence brought a sense of dread in the air, Itachi? The one who destroyed Sasuke's clan, that Itachi?
Cracks filled the air. Ino looked to see that the mirror as well as the windows were starting to crack. She looked towards Sasuke, and saw lighting sparking around him, in wrathful streams.
Ino took several steps back so she wouldn't get hit. After what felt like forever, the pressure in the air faded and the lightning died down. Good, Sasuke calmed down.
"Ino," Sasuke commanded, "Tomorrow night, bring Sakura to the park," Sasuke instructed as he left the room, "I'll meet you both there."
Ino watched as her leader left. She felt sick as he finally disappeared. No more waiting, the next night, Sakura was going to be pushed into something she probably wasn't ready for. Sasuke couldn't try to pull her into a trance. Human minds couldn't handle the strain of being placed under too many spells to fast. So, that meant Ino had to bring Sakura to him physically.
She felt Shikamaru place a hand on her shoulder, "If Itachi's back, then he's probably here to finish what he started. For him to do that, he'll need to weaken Sasuke and killing his intended mate would be the easiest way."
Ino could already hear the rest of Shikamaru's explanation. Sakura was safest with them, with Sasuke and he wouldn't hurt her. However, that didn't make it easier.
Sakura tore through her house looking for her earrings. But she couldn't find them. She knew she left them in the cleaner. How could they not be there? She asked that question for the millionth time as she sat on the floor in her, no messy bathroom.
She will steal your amethyst earrings…
Sakura shook her head at the memory. No, Ino was her best friend. They knew each other since high school. She knew how much those earrings meant to her. She wouldn't hurt her like that!
They did everything they could to protect you…
From vampires? Vampires weren't real! Ino wasn't a thief!
So where were her earrings.
Sakura went to her bedroom, she really tired. As she climbed into her bed, she noticed her nightstand. The same nightstand that had her parents' letter.
Her parents weren't defending her from vampires, they would have told her. If they didn't, it surely would be in the letter they left her, right?
Sakura took in a deep breath, forced her anxiety down, and opened the drawer. She pulled out the letter title 'Sakura.'
She stared at it. The last words, the last things they ever said to her, were in her hands. All the same thoughts that plagued her every time she held that letter entered her mind: How hard it was that her parents were gone, that if she opened that letter, it would be like admitting they really were gone, and that always made her cry.
Even now, she felt the tears running down her face. Instead of throwing it back in the nightstand like all the other times, Sakura continued to hold the letter. Until she finally calmed down.
This letter was her parents last words to her. There would be no warnings about monsters. Just, that they loved her and hoped she would be okay without them.
Ino didn't steal the earrings, they just fell somewhere she hasn't looked yet.
There was no crazy vampire stalking her. It was just stress from work.
Sakura took one final breathe before tearing open the envelope.
She pulled out the piece of paper, unfolded it, and began to read.
I know it's short, but this was the perfect place for a cliff hanger.
