Guyyyyyssss! Arent you so proud of me for keeping up with my update schedule? Cause I am! :D Albeit a couple days late. But anywhoooo...

Chapter 5: Gentlemen's Chapter

Sakura had been doing her best to stick to her regular schedule. Despite her parent's hesitance for her to have a career, she was allowed to sit in on some lectures at the college in London three times a week. Perhaps her parents thought it would pacify her. It only motivated her more. She would sit in the back quietly with her notebook as not to draw attention to herself.
Usually she soaked up the knowledge eagerly, but she found herself spacing off at times. Then she would go to the library on campus, find a quiet corner, and pull out the tattered supernatural book from home. Then she would score the aisle inconspicuously, finding other books related to the supernatural and occult. Not wanting to deal with strange looks or questions, she would hide them underneath her biology book. She had her own notes that she compiled in her notebook, and she found herself writing down more and more questions. It was becoming a hobby. A puzzle, and she liked puzzles.
While the supernatural was steeped in wickedness and scary things, she found herself becoming less frightened. Studying from a book took some of the reality away and allowed her mind to surmise without that mental block of directly facing danger. Not that she could ever abandon the body's built in warning system. She simply wished to gain an advantage. To know the world in all its crevices so she could better prepare herself.
It would be a lie to say that she did not find her new hobby enthralling.

Sakura had been home from lectures for a while and dinner had already been served, so she found it odd when she walked past the kitchen door and saw Bridgette, a woman who sometimes assisted the cook when the family was entertaining. She did not recall anything for tonight, what was going on? She peeked in. Not only was Bridgette here, but another woman was platting some hors d' oeuvres. Even her mother was lending a helping hand.
"What is going on?" She inquired, coming to stand next to her mother. The older woman was wearing a golden dress with the sleeves rolled up so she could put together an appetizer called angels on horseback, which were skewered bacon-wrapped oysters. One of her father's favorites.
Mebuki was an upper-class lady, but she was not a snob. Mebuki respected all levels of class, because ultimately, they all belonged in some way or another. She knew that every person held an importance and value. A trait she had passed along to her daughter. Sakura joined in, helping with wrapping. She needed something to keep her busy anyways, so she helped make appetizers for the guests. "It is your father's turn to host his gentlemen club tonight." Mebuki told Sakura as she punctured a bacon wrap with a skewer.
Sakura nodded. Her father spent his time around respectable men, and she did not dislike any of them.
"Poor Edmond was in a tizzle. You know how he rushes himself." Mebuki said, tutting with her tongue. Sakura looked up. Edmond did seem panicked. He took a momentary break, and pulled out his hanky to dab at his forehead and mustache.

"I don't know why we are making so many, all they care about is the booze anyways." Sakura said to him as he walked over. Edmond sighed.

"I know, but food keeps them from getting out of hand. Never mind that they leave such a mess after…"

Sakura giggled at Edmond's solemn face. The man loved cleanliness. A messy room was just so perilous to him.

"When are the guests due to arrive?"

"Any minute now. Ack!" Edmond hurriedly put his hanky away. "I must wait by the door to greet them!" He dashed out the door in a flash.

Sakura and Mebuki continued helping the cook and assistants. Her mother even opened a bottle of wine, indulging the moment. It brightened the kitchen staff's mood and made the cooking feel relaxed and sociable. The woman was good at working a room. Sakura had one glass of wine. She did not care for the bitter stuff, so she let her mother finish the glass while she switched to tea.

"Can we not open some of the sweeter wine?" Sakura asked. Mebuki firmly shook her head. "No no. It would not pair with the food Sakura." She reminded her, then swiped a piece of sliced meat for herself. She cut another piece and gave it to Bridgette. Bridgette accepted the slice like it was a gold coin.

"Here, I'll take the first couple out while you keep working." Sakura offered with a smile. Edmond looked relieved; he did not like when they hosted the gentlemen's club because they always tried to coax him into the group and 'have fun'. It made the man uncomfortable when all he wanted was to do his job. So he welcomed the break.

"Oh, you're a dear Sakura. Thank you." Edmond responded gratefully.

Grabbing a tray, Sakura walked out of the kitchen. She glanced out the windows as she went down the hallway toward her father's study; the sun had already set, so the streetlamps were letting off an ominous glow over the front yard. Would she be able to see if someone was stalking out there, watching? Last time she thought she saw someone it was her uncle acting like a drunken fool. 'I'll have to check on him again tonight. Just in case. I cannot have him wandering the grounds late at night.' She would be devastated if she found her sweet, silly, yet sharp uncle dead and drained of blood. She thought of the two missing women. Were they in a ditch somewhere, dead and drained of blood?

Stopping at the door, she took in the atmosphere before she went into the study. Some cheeks and ears were already pink, but for the most part, the men looked composed. She would sneak in, drop off the tray, and sneak out. Quietly, she stuck to the wall until she reached the table that held the appetizers. She switched out her tray for an empty one.
"Sakura!"
'Crap.' She had been discovered. She turned to face her father and she put on a smile for him. Then he gestured to someone standing behind him, and her smile twisted a bit at the ends. Her curled hands clenched the empty tray, and she took a sharp breath in through her nose.
"Have you met Sasuke Uchiha? He recently moved in just down the way at the old Burberry place." Her father explained. She barely registered the words. Had mother invited him? Or father? When Sakura had first returned home, she had been terrified of the very being in front of her breaking in and attacking her in her own home. Then, per her studies, she had discovered that several books stressed that vampires could not enter a home without being invited in. That had quelled most of her worries when she was at home.
Whenever there was a power imbalance, the world made some effort, even if it was small, to even the odds. Supernatural creatures were no exception. Many of them had sets of rules they were forced to follow. Restrictions that kept them from massacring everything in their path. Some creatures could only be killed by silver. Some were even slaves to sugar. Fairy-like creatures had to count every grain of sugar if it was spilled.
Vampires burned in the sun, so she had thought they could not be out in daylight, and they could not enter a home without being invited. Sasuke had defied both of those rules. Were the books wrong? Or had one of her parents invited him in? Would it have mattered who invited him? He could have just shown up at the door, and Edmond could have led him in.

Through her studies, Sakura had written down two different kinds of vampires. Both were incredibly dangerous to come across.

The first were what she had nicknamed 'rippers', because they reminded her of Jack the Ripper. They were impulsive and reckless. Tore into flesh and left a trail of blood behind. From what she understood, some people who were turned into vampires could not control the impulses that came with the darkness. They went mad with blood lust. Perhaps that is what had happened in London. Jack the ripper was a vampire, who thought it fun to rip up women.

Then there was the second kind. Vampires who could control the impulses. Several books accredited the most powerful thing about them was their cleverness. They were methodical and knew how to cover their tracks. Chameleons who could blend into society. Which meant they lived longer, were wiser, and honed their skills more thoroughly. If Sakura had to compare the two, these vampires seemed the most dangerous.

Sasuke was the second type, as luck would have it.

The only reprieve she felt from this knowledge was that he was not going to kill her right away. He had insinuated such when they had been out on the patio, and he had been around town for at least a week (that she knew of) and had not come for her yet. The only thing she could do is try to discover the end and beat him at his own game. The necklace she had and the fact that one of his tricks did not work on her somewhat leveled the playing field. And, well, she was clever too.

Sakura raised her chin. "Yes. Briefly."
"Ms. Haruno, pleasure to meet you again." Sasuke gave a slight dip before reaching his hand out to her.
Did no one else see the devious smirk on his lips? Surely her father could see. But when she glanced up, her father looked aloof and jolly. Maybe it was the brandy clouding his judgement. Or Sasuke's 'charms'. Biting her lip, she held out her hand. It was customary, and her father would grow suspicious and reprimand her if she did not accept Sasuke's gesture. She needed to play along with it.
His hand slid under hers, thumb lightly pressing on top of her fingers. He bent to kiss her hand lightly. Again, it seemed as though she was the only one to notice him lingering a little too long. She bit her lip harder; even with the bravado in her wit, it was becoming increasingly hard to be around him. Her hand yanked back as politely as she could when he finally pulled away. As Sasuke righted himself, that infuriating smirk was still on his face.
"Father, if that is all, I do not wish to impede any longer-" Sakura started. She needed to leave immediately and come up with a way to fortify the house. She should have done so sooner. Immediately, when he had shown his face. There was something that repelled vampires. What was it again? She needed to refer to her notes, which were tucked away in her vanity.
"Nonsense! We were just talking about your trip to Romania, since Sasuke is a count for the southern region."
"Yes, how did you like my country?" Sasuke asked politely. She had never seen a knowing smile look so arrogant.

"It was strange, and beautiful." She responded honestly. There was no need to lie about that.

"Have you talked to Jiraiya? He wishes to go back soon and finish the dig." Kizashi asked Sasuke. Had they been discussing the excavation before her father had spotted her?

Sasuke frowned. "I have not." He responded. "truth be told, I was out ruled by the board for Jiraiya's men to dig on my land." It made sense that Sasuke did not want people sniffing around his land and the past of his family when they kept such dark secrets, but it made her wonder. Had the Uchiha been people or vampires? Who could kill a whole clan of vampires? Did Sasuke know what happened to his ancestors?
All questions that did not matter to her, and yet she was eager to know.
Kizashi's eyebrows popped up. "Oh? What for? The deal was respectable. The government agreed to the dig because they would keep the artifacts. My brother just likes digging up history; he meant no harm." He explained.

"I am aware." Sasuke responded. He looked down at the tumbler in his hand, whirling the amber liquid. "It is just…sometimes the past is best kept in the past."
"Do you not wish to learn more about your ancestors? The ancient clan of the Uchiha? I have heard a little about them. I thought they had been extinct until I met you." Kizashi pushed. Sasuke remained cool, although Sakura picked up a subtle hesitancy from him. To her, that confirmed that he already knew what happened to his ancestors. Knowing that your family had been massacred in the past would upset anyone, even a vampire that either had little to feel, or was good at masking those feelings.
"Digging up secrets can be a dangerous occupation." Sasuke paused and took a sip of his brandy. "Besides, I hold all of those secrets already, and I do not like sharing." He gave her a pointed look. A shiver crept down her spine at his gaze. Kizashi was completely oblivious.
"Ah! Keeping up the mysterious heir, huh?" He chuckled.

"It makes me appear interesting." Sasuke said with a smirk. Kizashi was a smart man. Perhaps the alcohol was the reason why he had not picked up the undertone in the conversation. Or maybe, Sakura only heard it because she knew to look for it. If Sakura did not know Sasuke's "secrets", she too might be sucked in. It surprised her that Sasuke was skilled socially, but she guessed it should not. He was a count after all.
"You make my work as a doctor seem boring." Kizashi said.
"Your work as a doctor is important." Sakura said before she could stop herself.
"Thank you, dear." He said, then told Sasuke, "my daughter is passionate about learning and helping people."

"And yet you will not let me practice." Again, another slip of the tongue.

Her father gave her a stern side eye.

"In my country, it is a waste to not utilize the gifts women offer. One secret of the Uchiha culture? Many of the women provided medical care for soldiers and taught the children. Some even saw the battlefield, as war does not discriminate who it takes."
Sakura glowered, not at all pleased that Sasuke agreed with her.
"My, that is interesting." Kizashi responded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. She knew what her father was doing. He did not want to respond without sounding rude. While he somewhat agreed that some women could work, he believed the worries of work belonged to the women of the working class. Not for his daughter, who should marry a doctor or lawyer. Not become one. He wanted to be supportive, but at the same time, did not.
It frustrated her to no end. She would run down his will, eventually. He was the one that paid for her to attend lectures after all.
"Even with the few exchanges I have had with Sakura, I can tell she is a bright woman." Sasuke commented. She narrowed her eyes at him. What was he trying to do?
"Yes! She is." Kizashi said proudly but avoided the topic of working. A man's holler grabbed her father's attention. He must have already been feeling the brandy because he left without worrying that he had abandoned his daughter. Sakura held the empty tray to her chest, still baffled that he was standing in front of her inside her stronghold.

"You...you shouldn't be able to be in my home." She said before she could stop herself.

Sasuke's eyebrow perked. "Ah, I see you've done your homework. I ran into the good doctor just the other day, and he was kind enough to invite me." He explained.

'Damnit father.' She seethed. It was not her parent's fault that they were kind, ignorant people. She was too.
"I meant what I said." He spoke as they stood face to face. They were in the far corner of the room, and it felt like no one could see them even though they were surrounded by people.
"What?" She responded with discomfiture. The tray in front of her chest was a pathetic shield and offered little comfort.

"That I think your intelligent." He said it like it was so simple. He always seemed poised and at ease. Almost the complete opposite of when she met him. But she knew the other version existed.

"I am not fooled by your silver tongue." She retorted quickly.

"I know that." He replied.

'Do not engage. That is how he draws people in.' She had only stayed to talk because of her father. Now that he was gone, she wanted to get as far away from Sasuke as soon as she could. She turned to leave, then hesitated. He called her witty, maybe she could use some of that wit to good use. She was in a room filled with men so she did not think he would do anything. This would be a prime time to take advantage of that. How could she go about it though? Sakura faced him.
"I know better than to go around telling people about your secrets. They would lock me up for hysteria for less." She told him, addressing his hidden concern. "But I am not foolish enough to walk around without knowing what I am up against."
The words seemed to pique Sasuke's amusement. Let him be 'amused'. As long as she had this necklace, he would not harm her. At least, she did not think so since he could not drink her blood.

"Is that so?" He leaned against the pillar next to him. "It appears as though I have left an impression. Do you think of me often?"

Her cheeks burned. How dare he tease her with insinuations? Was there no honor among 'hunters'? Her head turned. Unfortunately, she had thought of him. Too often. Even when the nightmares had lessened, he still held on. That was the most embarrassing part.

"Not of you," She lied, "I simply wished to not be ignorant of things I did not see before."

"I see. And what does your research tell you? That I will burn to ash the instant I step out in the sun? That I cannot cross over water?"

Obviously, she knew that he did not turn into a pile of ash being out the sun because she had seen him during the day last week. She doubted some of the things she read. A lot of it seemed too farfetched. But the subject of study was farfetched in itself. Her confidence waned. Perhaps she was not as prepared against the dark as she thought she was. What else did she have though? It was not like she could just walk up to a werewolf or a vampire and ask them for their weaknesses.

Her eyes flicked to his as she thought of that. No, he would not outright tell her. That would be stupid. She needed to go about it in a different way.
"I know that you can compel people to do your bidding with some kind of hypnotic gaze. Is that what you did to my mother? And my father tonight?"

He chuckled. Right. In. Her. Face.

"Alright; I will entertain your inquiries, but only a little." He leaned in. "Do you remember my eyes when we first met?"
She could not forget. "Yes. They were crimson." The color of blood. "And there was black. Like odd shaped pupils. As if you had multiple in each eye."
"They are called tomoe, and they are not pupils. Are they red now?"
"No." She responded. She did remember seeing the 'tomoe' when he had cornered her, and thinking it was strange how his irises whirled before her own vision started to fade. 'So, the signs of him compelling someone are when his eyes are red and the tomoe are spinning.' She had not seen that when they were out on the patio before, or tonight when talking to her father. That did not mean he had not compelled them before though. How long did the effects last? Because her mother had not stopped talking about him, making it even harder for Sakura to think less of him.
Curses. Curiosity kept getting the best of her. She hurriedly asked another question.
"How were you able to walk in the daylight?"

Sasuke shifted. The ice in his glass clinked. "This feels one-sided; I entertained your question. Now answer mine."

"Fine." Sakura said to appease him.

"How did you end up at my castle?" He asked. His eyes slightly narrowed at her. She fought the urge to bring up her shield tray and block his gaze. Instead, she frowned. "I was telling the truth. I was looking for someone."
"Ah, yes. A man from the excavation site." He glanced away from her. "Did you find him?"
"No." She replied, her brow furrowing. Why did he care?

"Hn." He looked as if he was thinking of something.

"Why would it matter to you?" She asked suspiciously.

Sasuke shrugged.

Perhaps…he did know something about Humphry.

"Did you…did you hurt him?" She dared ask.

He looked back at her. "No."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You do not believe me?" He responded to her suspicion.

"Why would I?" She retorted. To her surprise, he smirked.

"I am amused by your contempt for me."

"You shouldn't." She said, her anger rising.

His smirk grew. "Is that a threat?"

She kept gripped her hands tightly in front of her because she could feel them shaking. "Perhaps. That sharp wit you admire so much can be just as dangerous." She overstepped with that comment.
"A challenge then?" His eyes flashed. Was he angry? Excited? She cursed herself for being so daring. "Is that what you want, little mouse?" Even as the words left his lips, there was something predatory in his eyes. He was enjoying this cat and mouse game too much. She did not want to play, but she also could not risk losing. Damnit. What did she do now? Would it be better to stand her ground and continue with the bravado, or leave? She did not want to give in to the 'prey' trope, but how had she ever thought to challenge a living monster?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father walking past. She jumped at the chance. "Excuse me, there is something I need to discuss with my father." She did not even look at Sasuke as she bid her farewells. She followed her father's path until she melded into the crowd, then turned and hurried out the door. She was confident that he would not follow, for it would draw too much attention.

'What did you just do, you fool!?' She seethed to herself as she marched down the hallway. She had allowed herself to get wrapped up. She knew better than to do that, and yet it had still happened. 'So much for keeping myself from acting like a fool. I am no better than those who are ignorant to what he really is.'

"Sakura?" A male voice called out from behind. Her back tensed for a moment, thinking she had been wrong and Sasuke had followed her, but she relaxed. It was Naruto's voice, not Sasuke's.

Sakura turned around to regard her cousin, who walked up to her with a troubled look on his face. "Are you alright?" He asked as he approached.

"Yes, I'm fine." She did her best to keep her voice level.

Naruto glanced behind his shoulder, looking at the door to the study. "Did Count Uchiha say something to upset you? When I noticed you talking to him, you looked upset. I meant to intervene, but your father came over and you left in a hurry."

"No, Naruto. Don't worry about it. I'm fine." He stared at her with concerned eyes. "Really."

She did not need him stepping in to protect her. While Naruto had a physical advantage over her, that would do him no good in this battle she was caught up in. No. Her brains were more powerful than bran for this issue. So, she gave her a cousin a convincing smile. "His arrogance annoys me. That is all. I do not understand why everyone has taking a liking to him."

"You and me both." Naruto agreed.

She urged him to rejoin the party, and she still had to return the empty tray in her hands. Satisfied enough with her answer, Naruto returned to the study. She walked briskly to the kitchen, dropping off the tray. She was surprised she had not left marks on it, with how hard she gripped it earlier. Then she gave her mother an excuse, saying that she was not feeling well and wished to retire early. That was not a lie. Sakura did feel unsettled and was going to her bedroom. She needed to calm her nerves.

It felt like she was in a field of flowers, and everyone she knew were collecting bundles without knowing what they were picking. Sakura was the only one who knew that there was a poisonous flower among the beautiful petals, but she could not tell them. However, these were not flowers. Flowers could not lash out and attack. They sat. They waited. Sasuke would only wait so long. Sakura rose a hand to her chest, feeling for the hard jewel underneath her clothes. She highly doubted she was truly safe from him, but she had some leverage. Sasuke had an ulterior motive for coming to Applegate, she just knew it, and she was the only one that could figure out what that ulterior motive was.

For some reason, her resolution did not feel scary. Instead, she felt giddy.

And that was a problem.

Bap bap bap went the sabers around them, but Naruto had a hard time hearing them. He was not focused on his own dual, barely defending himself against the oncoming jabs. His mind was somewhere else, the image of Sakura's forlorn face burned behind his eyelids. He had never seen her so guarded, and the results was from being in the presence of Sasuke Uchiha.
WAP!
"Ow!" Naruto cried as a practice saber swatted the top of his head.
"Engard!" The mask swatter proclaimed, then stepped back into a defensive position. The attacker took off his mask, revealing Kakashi Hatake. He was well known for his swordsmanship and marksmanship, and taught in his spare time. Often, he mentored Naruto. "You are sloppy today, Naruto." Kakashi chided. "You strike without thinking, although that isn't uncommon, but today it is almost like you are not even trying."
Naruto frowned, raised his saber, then aggressively stepped forward. His strike was parried easily. "What do you know of Sasuke Uchiha?" Naruto asked as he jabbed.

Kakashi did not hesitant with his next block. He continued the fight without his mask, confident he did not need it. He frowned at the random inquiry. "The Count from Romania? Not much." Clang! Clang! "Why are you asking me? Your uncle does business with him, does he not?"

"Jiraiya's contact for the dig was one of the councilmen, not the count, but the land for the dig was in his province." Naruto clarified. "I only just met him when he came to Applegate." Clang clang. "Something's off about him."
"He's a foreigner that comes from a different culture." Kakashi said like it was common knowledge.
"It's not that." Naruto parried. "Why would he suddenly come to Applegate, only once our excavation had to be delayed? He also said that he did not support the council's decision to approve of it."
"So? Maybe he is protective."

"Of what? I think he is hiding something." Naruto slid his front foot forward, adding force to his strikes. Kakashi moved at the last minute. "And I don't like the way he looks at Sakura."

"Ah!" Kakashi deflected Naruto's saber and rounded him on the mat, putting space between them. His grey eyes crinkled with amusement. "There's the culprit then. It's jealousy."
Naruto flushed with embarrassment and anger. "Your no help, Kakashi!"
"Apparently I am not. I have spent years tutoring you and you still stab at things like a child."
The match ended not long after, and they continued their conversation as they sat down and watched others in the club dual. Shikamaru walked over and sat down next to them. "geez, this is such a drag."
Naruto did not hear him since he was so caught up in what he was saying.
"He's secretive and ambiguous. I can never get a straight answer out of him, but he is very clever when going about it." Naruto chided as he took off his boots.
"Who are you talking about?" Shikamaru asked with a frown.
"Sasuke Uchiha, the Count from Romania. He was at the gentlemen's club last Thursday."
"Oh." Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Yes, what about him?"
"Naruto is not happy that he has been asking about Sakura." Kakashi told him.
"It is not jealousy." Naruto repeated. He told Shikamaru about his suspicions.

"Face it Naruto. The count had no chance of fair judgement once you realized he was competition."

"I think it is only a competition if you are an active player in the game." Shikamaru added. Naruto sunk in his seat and scrunched his face. It was no secret among his friends that Naruto had feelings for Sakura, and had been sitting on them for some time.

"It is not just that. Although, should I not be suspicious when it is a stranger that no one knows anything about?" Naruto stated in a huff, then he lowered his voice. " Sasuke said something that I thought was strange that night at the gentlemen's club. He mentioned the 'accident' with our workers to Kizashi. No one should know about what happened to Humphry, outside of some men at the company. We have made sure none of the papers have gotten a hold of the story. His family even assured their silence when we informed them of the ongoing investigation and that we were footing the bill."
"That is strange. How could he know about that? Perhaps the information did leak? You know how this town is with gossip." Shikamaru said.

"But who else has heard of it? No one. Why would the leak go to the new stranger in town? It does not make sense."

Kakashi stared at Naruto for a moment, analyzing the firmness in his mouth and seriousness of his hardened gaze. His past student had difficulties with focus, but had good instincts. However, jealousy did a lot to cloud the mind. Kakashi decided he would help his worried, if just to ease his mind.
"Alright. I have some contacts. I will dig up what I can about this Count Uchiha." Kakashi told him as he rubbed his chin. Surely, Naruto would not be this worried simply because the man was a love rival.

Naruto looked up to him gratefully. "You have my thanks! Even if not much comes of it, he will not be as much of a pariah. It will soothe my worries."
Loud voices interrupted their conversation. The trio looked to the front door, where the chatter was coming from. Kiba, another member of the club, ran up to the trio. "Have you heard? Mrs. Wilson has been found!"

Shazam!

R&R review please! Constructive criticism fine but no flames please. No reason to hurt ma little feelings.

Thanks for reading!