A figure walked out of the trees and into the moonlight, he was dressed in all black, purple makeup around his eyes. He stopped a few feet away from the vampires and with a single signal of his hand other dark figures emerged from the Forest, the silver haired teen that had threatened Naruto stood a few steps away from his master.

"What a magnificent vessel, it's a shame he is still a mortal, he looks delicious" - Orochimaru licked his lips with a long purple tongue.

"Come with me Sasuke and I'll let Him live" - his lanky finger pointing at the blonde

"You look even more disgusting since the last time I saw you" - Sasuke spat.

Juugo placed a sword on Naruto's hand and winked. "We'll be alright" - he whispered reassuringly.

Sasuke took a step forward, away from the group with a devilish smile adorning his lips. "Kill yourselves" - he growled, Orochimaru didn't even flinch as some of the men around him began stabbing themselves to death.

"Predictable… but you brainwashed more people than I expected" - Orochimaru clapped. "How about speed then?" - the man rushed forward with unnatural speed and extended his hand to grab Naruto by the collar but Sasuke stopped him with a punch in the face.

"Leave the boy out of this" - he roared in anger

"But Sasuke, we need to test your true potential if you will be mine" - Orochimaru licked his lips. "I hunger for your body, I need it, it needs to be mine" - he screamed in ecstasy as he once again jumped into attack.

"Take Naruto away" - Sasuke commanded, the blond felt a strong grip on his shoulder and he was pulled away by Sakura. As they were rushing away an arrow shot right by Sakura's neck, gracing her delicate skin, she turned around to attack and Naruto readied his sword.

He was nervous, anxious. This was the first time he had killed someone, he felt nauseated when his sword had pierced the man's stomach, his eyes burned with unshed tears but he had to be brave, he had to pull himself together.

"Sakura, to your right" - Ino warned, her dress had been cut to her knees and was soaking in blood. The pink haired girl turned quickly to cut a man in half.

"Naruto you have to get to Kyubi and run, we'll follow"

"I won't leave you" - Naruto readied his sword once again, he slashed to the right, right into a woman's waist, with a kick her to the ground and against all logic and Sakura's yells he ran back to Sasuke.

The snow was impregnated in blood, bodies were scattered over the floor and Sasuke's feral expression was something he had never expected to see. Orochimaru was still standing away, clapping in delight.

"Look at him, mortal boy, isn't he a wonderful specimen and he is still far away from unleashing his true self, he just needs a little push. Grow stronger my boy, if i am to take you and achieve eternal life i need you to be stronger than this" Orochimaru laughed. "You won't have a chance to breathe, my man will follow you wherever you go and I will make you stronger" - with a rapid movement of his arms he disappeared into mist.

"Sasuke" - Naruto called at him, the wild look on Sasuke's eyes remained.

"We leave, right now" - he commanded. "We can't stay here anymore, change out of your dirty clothing, we travel light. Naruto, saddle the horse" - the red eyes looking at him burned his very soul.

This is not Sasuke, the blonde thought to himself, Sasuke turned to him sharply, probably after reading his thoughts but said nothing at all.

"Where will we go?" Ino asked

"To Kakashi. We move in smaller groups to avoid calling attention. Juugo and Sakura, go ahead, full speed and not looking back, you should reach the shelter in four days at most. Do not frequent villages, stay out of frequented paths"

"Take care" - Sakura approached them and kissed Sasuke's cheek. "We'll meet you there" - Sasuke nodded, his eyes turned cobalt once again, his cupped his hand to gently grab her face

"We'll see each other soon"

Sakura and Juugo jumped high up into the night sky and soon disappeared.

Naruto came back with a new set of clothes and heavy coat followed by Kyubi. Sasuke nodded and mounted the horse before extending his hand to Naruto.

"Let's go" - Kyubi galloped through the night, Naruto holding Sasuke's back tightly.

XxXx

The sun was peeking in the distance, they had traveled for around five hours and both Naruto and Kyubi were exhausted. Sasuke let go of the rein to place a comforting hand on the blond's arm.

"I see a farm nearby, we'll rest there for the day, in the barn"

After a few minutes they arrived at a small farm, Sasuke dismounted and helped the blond. The immortal knocked on the door and an old couple opened the door.

"Feed the boy and let him wash himself, we will occupy the barn for the day, no one is to disturb us. Tomorrow when the sun goes down you will forget about us" - he commanded, the old couple nodded and stepped aside for Naruto to come in.

"I'll join you when i'm done"

After refreshing, the blonde went back to the barn, to feed Kyubi and take him into the barn to protect him from the cold. Ino, Suigetsu and Sasuke were far into a corner sleeping soundly in the dark. The blonde searched for something to use and covered them even more from the coming sun.

He couldn't sleep, he sat down near his family and every little noise made him jump in panic, every shadow that peaked from between the wooden planks made him worry. He would often walk up to Kyubi to stroke his mane or watch him sleep.

He had time to think, to process everything that had happened, the way the man had challenged Sasuke, to the gruesome scenery of dismembered bodies around his home which had held so many happy memories for him.

He didn't even notice when night came. His companions came out of their slumber and they were off to another night of traveling.

The snow was cruel that night, the vampires didn't even notice the wind or snow accumulating over their shoulders, Naruto was holding Sasuke tightly, his fingers were hurting and all his body felt numb.

"I can't be a burden" - he thought to himself. "I can't slow them down "

That became his mantra for that day and the following.

Come morning they had nowhere to take cover, the immortals had to bury themselves under the ground to protect themselves from the sun, much to Ino's disgust. "So rudimentary" - she complained.

That was the second morning without rest, but now under the cold winter wind, with no shelter other than a tree's shade. Kyubi sensed his distress and laid by his side, his head resting over the boy. "Thanks buddy" he kissed the horse's head.

XxXx

Naruto had been coughing for the past two days, Sasuke noted, he was tired, gaunt and aloof, by the fifth day the coughing was incessant but the boy had reassured him that everything was fine, that he was just tired and that he had probably caught a cold,and Sasuke had foolishly believed him and his confident smile, probably because they could not slow down on their pace or because he had no recollection of how sickness felt in a human body, besides, they were just a day or two away from Kakashi's home, so the boy could probably hang on.

The blonde barely slept, he was alert all morning long and traveling at night, food for him was scarce whereas the vampires could feed once and feel sustained for two days or so. "We're not that far away, we made it" - Ino celebrated, her baby blue eyes focused on something the mortal could not see.

"Hold on a little longer" - his muddle mind repeated over and over and after a few hours he felt as if he had been pulled into a waterfall, a strong force pressed over his entire body.

"We crossed the barrier, we're here" - Suigetsu said in relief.

"I did it" - Naruto whispered, his hazy gaze fell upon the wooden mansion, his grasp on Sasuke faltered as a coughing fit engulfed him, his eyes closed and he felt himself falling to the ground.

"Naruto" - Sasuke screamed in panic as he heard the thud of the body hitting the floor, he dismounted the horse in a second, holding the mortal's head over his lap. "He is feverish" - he commented, his cold palms over the clammy forehead. "His breathing is so shallow" - Ino kneeled by their side.

"I...did...it" - Naruto whispered again, his blue eyes opened and he gave them a small smile, he didn't even register he was no longer riding the horse or even where he was.

"You did good. It's ok now" - Sasuke said lovingly before kissing his forehead. "We need to take him inside, now" - Sasuke gathered the blonde in his arms and scooped him up as a young bride, he ran at his full speed towards the front door of the mansion and he let himself in without waiting. The sight of Sakura at the base of the stairs made him sigh in relief.

"I felt you coming, your desperation is washing over us" - she said, her long legs were bare under the small silk dress she was wearing, her long hair tied in a ponytail. The immortal walked up to Sasuke and took the blonde out of his arms. "I'll take you to one of the rooms, Kakashi and Iruka will meet you later" -

"Bring me some cold water from the washroom" - Sakura pointed to her back as she undressed the boy, she tenderly washed his clammy skin with a washcloth, shushing the blonde when he whimpered in discomfort.

"I need to feed, the others too"

"There is a rather populated city nearby, about six miles from here"

"Can you take care of him? Please"

"You don't have to ask. I might not love him the way you do but he is my family" - Sakura had been a doctor during her human years, even a short time after becoming a vampire, but as the people around her aged she had to flee, never belonging to a place in fear of the humans finding out what she was.

"I'll come back as soon as possible" - Sasuke went to kiss the boy and left him in the good hands of his dear friend.

Kakashi and his partner were already home when the three visiting vampires arrived. Iruka was a father figure to him so it was no surprise to anyone when he ran to envelope him in a hug.

"A human boy?" - Kakashi asked from behind, Iruka threw him the deadliest glare.

"Good to see you too Kakashi, and no need to remind you that you turned a human boy for yourself too" - Sasuke teased. Iruka bumped his head softly.

"Get yourselves settled, our home is your home. I presume you will stay with your lover" - Iruka said. Sasuke's eyes widened, he would have blushed if he was human.

"I'll stay with Naruto, yes" - he stammered, Suigetsu sniggered behind them.

"Kakashi and I will show you around. You can go to him Sasuke, the smell of sickness is strong"

Sasuke went back to the guest room. The short and shallow breathing of the boy was the only thing he could hear.

"He has a lung infection, I'll have to go to town and buy some medicine for him but for now we need to work on keeping his fever down. I'll be back as soon as I can" Sakura left them alone in the dark room.

"I'm sorry I put you through this" - Sasuke told his blonde, his hand leaving gentle touches over the exposed skin. "I can never protect you, no matter what i do i always end up hurting you" - Sasuke kissed the pale lips once, twice, a third time before changing out of his clothes and getting to bed, he took the blonde into an embrace, his body perfectly molding into the boy.