Author's note:

Hello! This one was a long one, and we get introduced to some characters. Were starting to get a glimpse into Sasuke's past..also going to get team 7 (sans Kakashi) together. I don't like depicting Naruto as stupid, because I don't really think he is. I just think he can be thoughtless. I know a lot of times in the show it comes across like that because it's funny and part of Naruto's charm, so I'm trying to capture that charm without making him look dumb if that makes sense?

Thanks for reading! Please review and let me know what you think! No flames please.

Chapter 12

Team 7 and Team Taka

Slang Terms:

Mafficking:An excellent word that means getting rowdy in the streets.

Skalamalink:Secret, shady, doubtful.

To poke bogey: meant to talk rubbish, or, by extension, to play a game unreasonably, in contravention of its rules.

Flashback:

"I think we should end this, Karen."

The red-haired woman popped up, crinkling the bed's sheets.

"What?" She demanded.

Sasuke sat at the edge of the bed, facing away from her. His elbows rested on his knees as he looked at the floor. His voice had been steady, full of resolve. He had made this decision a while ago.

Karen was dumbfounded. She crawled towards him, wincing as the sudden movement irritated the bite on her neck that he had given her. She reveled in the pain. It would heal quickly, but it was a mark only she could bear. Now he was trying to take that from her?

"I do not understand." She said.

Sasuke finally turned to face her. He had hoped she would not push, that they could just part ways, but deep down he knew that would not be the case. She would not just simply let it go. He felt guilty.

"This is my fault. I took advantage of you. That is why we must stop." He said in absolution.

Karen grabbed onto him. "No, I did this for you. You never forced me."

He had taken advantage of her though. They had been friends for years, and throughout them, Karen had developed a crush on him. He was aware, though he never made any indication that he knew. He was always careful to avoid subtle advances, even the not-so-subtle clinginess she occasionally displayed, because she was a valued friend and tracker for their military.

But things changed when he transformed. He knew that if he asked for her help and her secrecy, she would willingly give it to him. That started the late-night rendezvous. Now he was dealing with those mistakes.

When he returned from the mountains, turned, that crush Karin harbored for him morphed into something more. Not love. An obsession. He had not seen it until recently; how desperate she was to be in his presence. The way she talked about him to the other women…Sasuke had overheard her once. She had implied that they were romantically involved, among other strange things…it creeped him out.

She had told the others that he looked so beautiful when he slept, which was curious because they had never lain together, or slept within the same vicinity. She openly lied, bragging to the others that they were lovers. Sasuke only fed from her, nothing more. Then she talked about a lock of his hair he had given her so that he would always be with her. He had done no such thing and yet she had pulled out a necklace with a patch of dark hair to proudly show the other women. It disgusted him, her twisted pride.

His friend had fallen into one of two categories that Sasuke dealt with, now being a vampire.

Not everyone in the kingdom knew what he had become, but word spread quickly through the castle. A long-lost secret among the Uchiha had come to light. Most people respected him, that was still true. Yet, several in the kingdom held contempt in their eyes when they looked at him. Eyes narrowed in disgust at his back, even though he had become this way to protect his people. A monster. However, they kept to themselves and never dared to show it to their prince. He still felt it regardless.

The others, like Karen, became obsessed. They followed him with a cult-like fascination. Instead of being degraded in their eyes, he was ascended to a powerful god. Women fell to his feet, just to kiss them. They would wear low collars and put their hair up, offering their blood up to him.

It upset him. He had dealt with these wiles before, to an extent. He was a handsome prince, and his status drew plenty of willful women in for the title alone. He was an object of power they were attracted to, and the sniveling frankly turned him off. It happened to most royalty, but there was a sickness to the way they chased after him now.

He had hoped that Karen would see that he was still the same man and would not overthink his favor, but she had done just that.

"It was unfair of me to ask you. Please do not come here again."

Karen saw that begging would not work on Sasuke. Seething quietly, she chose a different tactic.

"Sasuke, I am the only one that truly accepts you. What will you do without a donor?"

"I will find another." Although he did not have anyone in mind, yet. He just knew things with Karen needed to end before they escalated.

Karen snorted. "Like who? That princess? Sasuke, she would never understand who you are. What you are. Imagine how unfair she'd be, the disgust in those pretty blue eyes." She spoke of Princess Marina with venom, obviously jealous. It was one of the reasons Sasuke had to do this.

Sasuke openly flirted with the beautiful princess, knowing that their fathers were in discussions of an arranged marriage between them. He did not mind; he had no one he was in love with, and he did have a genuine interest in her. He had even kissed her in the hallway, just the other day.

Then, he saw Karen watching them, peeking around the entryway.

The possessiveness in her eyes actually scared Sasuke. More than any man he had faced on the battlefield.

Now, as she looked at him, that possessiveness was still there. If she did not have this bond of being his donor, maybe the sickness behind her actions would fade. However, right now she was bitter, and there was vengeance in her tone. A warning.

It was true; the princess did not know what he was. The Princess and her family were still considered outsiders since the alliance was not solidified yet. Even then, the secret would only be privy to a select few, as only rare exceptions were privy to this knowledge, like fellow soldiers or citizens in the palace who had been taken in from their war-torn homes. People like Karen.

He had hoped it would not come to this, but it needed to be done. Karen could not be trusted; he could see it in her spiteful eyes. She would resort to blackmailing him; if he did not keep feeding from her, then she would expose Sasuke to the princess.

Karen would cling to him like a leech if she could. Sasuke would not let her tether them in such a way, and he did not take threats lightly. If she were anyone else, he could have easily snapped her neck and the problem would be solved. Instead, he held her gaze. His dark ebony eyes shifted to crimson, and the tomoe in his irises started to spin.

He would wipe her mind, and she would not be able to remember that for months he had let himself be vulnerable to her. That he had trusted her enough to feed from her, and she had abused that.

Once the deed was done, Karen fell back onto the sheets in a deep sleep. When she awoke, he would not be here anymore. His eyes faded back to their darkness, and he stalked away.

He mourned the loss of their friendship. Even if she could not remember, he did not see things returning to normal. After becoming a vampire, nothing would be normal again.

End Flashback

"We've arrived."

The driver's words brought Sasuke out of his thoughts.

"Thank you, Juugo." He responded, then got out of the carriage. He nodded as Juugo tipped his hat to him, then moved to unstrapped the horses to tend to them.

Sasuke suddenly felt tired as he entered his Applegate home. He had not thought about his old friend in some time. It used to haunt him, what happened to her, but tragedies were a dime a dozen to him now.

It must have been what Naruto said to him that brought forth the memory.

Naruto had struck a nerve. Sasuke had limits too. While the sunlight did not kill him, he was rendered in a weaker state. Along with that, the detective had vast resources that he did not. London was not Romania. The Romanian council was accustomed to him, and he knew how to handle them(even with one particular councilman trying to work behind his back). London was a different beast in its own right. Modernized and bustling with people, he was out of his element.

Unfortunately, he needed to rely on the Haruno's. He had a hard time trusting, let alone relying on others for help. Juugo had been with him since the kingdom fell, and most of the people that served him had generations of family under him. They were loyal and he took care of them. He knew how to take care of his people, he had been born a prince after all.

A flash of Sakura's defiant green eyes came to his mind, and a smirk emerged on his face on reflex. Naruto wanted to know what his intentions were with Sakura.

Often, he found himself pondering the same thing.

Sakura was in a bad mood today. Such a bad mood, that even her mother was avoiding her.

She had gotten into an argument with Ino at tea time. Ino had been in a competitive mood, and prodded at Sakura, looking for attention. Occasionally, when Ino felt insecure, she would do that. She would put Sakura down in a roundabout way to make herself feel better.

Usually, Sakura could handle it. While they were best friends, often Sakura found herself unconsciously competing with Ino in certain things. Ino was the same. They were both driven women. She highly doubted that Ino felt the jealousy that Sakura felt though.

Today Sakura woke up irritable, and the prodding felt like being jabbed by a hot iron poker.

Then Ino mentioned Sasuke lewdly and hinted at something between them, and Sakura just snapped.

"I'm sorry that I disappeared during the ball. That count, you know, Sasuke Uchiha? He wanted to see the gardens. It was embarrassing how desperate he was to get me alone honestly, but I went along." Ino chuckled as she fanned herself.

Sasuke was the last thing she wanted to hear out of Ino's mouth, but Sakura clenched her jaw and kept her mouth shut during her beautiful friend's bragging, knowing that they were lies. Why was she even gossiping to Sakura? She knew that kind of chatter was wasted on Sakura because she would not tell anyone(which was the opposite of what Ino wanted. She wanted the news to go around to the other women so they would know that the battle for the new bachelor was all but won). Perhaps she was practicing her gloating. But then Ino said something scandalous, and Sakura could keep quiet no more.

"Once we got to the gardens, he practically threw himself at me. Really!" Ino sighed. "Not to say that I didn't let him get away with a little bit...from what I saw, everything else on his body is just as gorgeous as his face. He just might be my frontrunner."

"Throwing yourself at every man is not something to be proud of!" Sakura burst, her fists hitting the table. "Whoring around, throwing around your looks to get what you want. No one takes you seriously."

Ino gaped. Sakura gaped. Then Ino got furious.

"How dare you!" She seethed. Her chair screeched when she abruptly stood. "You're just jealous because the only man interested in you is your cousin. Maybe men would like you more if you were less 'difficult'."

"What!?" Sakura stood up as well, the two women glaring holes into the other. That jab cut deep since it had been the same thing Henry said about her.

The tiff had not been one of Sakura's finest moments. Tea time had ended promptly with both women storming out. Sakura was stunned and upset at both their behavior. Ino had only said what she did because Sakura had hurt her first, but Ino was reckless. She should not be gossiping about and lying.

Now Sakura was home, walking down the hall when she saw Naruto heading for her. Her hackles rose, already annoyed. She did not want to deal with people, but she was also looking for a fight.

Fortunately, Naruto said something that rose her spirits.

"It has been a while since we've had an adventure together." He said as he approached her with a broad smile. She responded with a smile of her own. Her interest piqued, his words deterred her from the self-destructive path she had been walking. She could not handle it if Ino and Naruto were angry with her.

"It has been!" She responded hurriedly.

"How about a secret mission to London?" Naruto asked.

"Oooh. A secret mission?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Yes. Which means you cannot tell Jiraiya." He told her.

Sakura frowned. "Why not?"

"Because he doesn't know about it, and he doesn't want to involve you."

That lit a fire in her. She wanted to be involved, but every time she asked Jiraiya blew her off. Thank goodness for Naruto.

"Well, I am always up for a challenge. What is in London?"

Naruto told her about the Humphry sightings, as well as paraphrased the story his mother told him. "The company would have been informed if Humphry had returned using the company's credibilities, which he would have needed to get a train ticket home. I've been told there's a possibility that he too has been roped into this supernatural business. There's a meeting with a contact that might be able to find him."

"And you want me to join?"

"Of course, your the sharpest person I know. Well, Shikamaru and you."

"Will Shikamaru be joining us?" She wondered.

Naruto frowned. "No. He wants nothing to do with it."

Sakura could understand. Shikamaru must be having a hard time coping with the events at the founder's ball from the previous week. He was trying to live a normal life by leaving it behind. But it would not be normal anymore. Soon enough he would realize that.

"What about Kakashi?" Sakura asked.

"Busy. Also, I'm afraid he might tell Jiraiya and I know you won't."

Jiraiya had not adopted Kakashi since he was already a teen when his father died, but Jiraiya had become a mentor to the detective at a young age. She understood Naruto's hesitancy, although she found it strange that it would just be Naruto and her.

She wasn't going to question it and risk being a part of the action, though.

"When do we leave?"

"How fast can you get ready?"

For Sakura, the day had started rough, but now she had a pep in her step. She was overjoyed to be included. This was her burden too. An adventurous, and dangerous, burden. Was it wrong to feel excited?

Naruto locked the door behind them and they descended the steps and down the walkway. Sakura noticed that the waiting carriage did not look like one of theirs, and she did not recognize the driver. She threw Naruto a curious look.

Naruto let out a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his head. "I forgot to mention, there is someone else who will be joining us." He explained, then added quickly, "I'm sorry."

When they approached the carriage she noticed how massive the driver was. He towered over Sakura. Naruto too! But he was also wide, like a wrestler or one of those performing musclemen. His hair was orange and he had orange eyes. He seemed polite enough, although the blank look on his face threw her off, and he opened the carriage door for them.

"Thank you," She said with a smile before stepping up.

She got halfway inside when she noticed that the other party was Sasuke Uchiha. 'Oh.' She momentarily paused before climbing into the carriage and sitting opposite of him. Naruto came in behind her and sat next to her. The driver nodded, shut the door, and stalked to the front.

"No need to apologize," She said slowly, looking between the two, "although I am curious as to how this coupling happened."

Naruto did not like Sasuke, and from what she saw at the ball, Sasuke returned the sentiment. Yet here they sat.

"Sasuke and I agreed that helping each other would be beneficial. Sasuke set up the meeting with a contact he knows." Naruto murmured. Even if he thought it beneficial, he did not like it.

They had talked? When? Whose idea was it? Sakura's head filled with questions. It dawned on her that Sasuke was the reason Naruto didn't want Jiraiya to know. He would have never agreed to work with Sasuke.

Sasuke said nothing, staring out the window. Naruto cleared his throat.

"Everyone good?" The driver called out.

"Yes," Sasuke responded without looking.

The carriage was off.

'Do not look at him.' And she wouldn't, but Sakura squirmed in her seat. The atmosphere was awkward, so she opted to look out the window.

She had not seen Sasuke since the night of the Founder's ball. She was already not fond of social events, but lately, she fought even harder to avoid them knowing that she might run into him. The isolation was needed for her to think through what she had learned, but she admittedly had not come to any conclusions.

Sasuke's answers she coveted had come to light, but they put her out of sorts.

It had been a werewolf stalking her, not a vampire. Although, the vampire had come because she had entered his castle and thrown suspicion on her family. Turned out it was well-warranted suspicion.

Then there was assessing if Sasuke was still a threat to her and her family. Truthfully, she had not seen him hurt anyone, but was it not in his nature? He needed blood to survive. That would require some harm, and from what she understood, vampires did not have consideration for victims, only for getting caught.

The topper on her mess of life was her wounded feelings. He had admitted to seeking her out because he was looking for information. It would be hypocritical to be upset about that since she had done the same. As far as she was concerned, that evened out.

But hadn't he admitted to being attracted to her? Then there was his flirting. The kissing. The intention behind them. What was the reason for choosing to seduce her? How could Sasuke have known she would develop an attraction to him? Did he know the extent of how she felt? He must have realized early on that she did not hold any of her uncle's secrets, yet he continued to seek her out.

He was still a vampire. Once he realized she was useless, he could have planned to feed on her.

Sakura unconsciously rose a hand to her neck. He had gotten close. Today, she was wearing her necklace, so he would not be permitted to get so close again. But she did not believe him to be a monster anymore.

There was some semblance of humanity and compassion to him. She had seen it. Yet she was bitter towards him. Embarrassed that she had given him some vulnerability. 'Did you not expect him to jump at the chance?'

Well. she did and she did not. A part of her had hoped he had just been lustful for her. Not for her blood, but as a man and woman with intimate feelings would. Now that she acknowledged her feelings, a big part of her had hoped for that. But what could she expect from such a relationship if possible? He wasn't human.

Could a vampire feel something for a human when humans were prey? Was there a part of him that was still human? Or had he never been human to begin with? She still wasn't sure of his past.

Her whole being felt conflicted and complicated. She did not know much of Sasuke. It did not make sense to feel so drawn to him.

She huffed. Love and relationships were things that Sakura had thought about before, but not deemed important because she was still on her journey to become a doctor. Her mother nagged her that if she did not start courting soon she'd be doomed to spinster status, but Sakura never worried. She felt no need to rush.

Now she found herself thinking about it nonstop, and she realized it had been a week since she had gone to her classes or picked up a medical book.

Sakura and Naruto started playing some word games to pass the time, all while fully ignoring Sasuke's silent presence. He seemed preoccupied with his book anyways. Sakura would have brought one as well but did not think to in her rush.

"Mafficking is not a word!" Sakura called out.

"Yes it is! People say it all the time!"

"It is slang. It is not a proper word, and therefore does not count!"

"But I have seen it in the dictionary!"

"What dictionary? The Skalamalink?" She teased.

Sasuke laughed under his breath at Sakura's words, capturing their attention.

Hearing the noise brought a small smile to her face, but she shook it off quickly. She wanted to continue her conversation with Naruto, but Naruto's intentions lay elsewhere.

"Like you would do any better? I bet you do not even know how to play." Naruto said to Sasuke.

"I don't, and I'd still probably beat you," Sasuke responded without missing a beat.

Naruto pouted. Sakura held back a grin.

Naruto crossed his arms, a smirk coming to his face. "You are not as clever as you think."

"Oh?" Sasuke closed his book and set it aside, giving Naruto his full attention. "How so?"

"Those falsified documents you use have some errors." Naruto pointed out. "I'm surprised no one else has questioned what your hiding before."

Sasuke smirked back. "True. The falsified documents are so no one questions my age, yet you seemed to catch on. Very rarely are records compared to the old ones. Bravo, detective."

"I am not the one who looked them up," Naruto admitted sheepishly but refused to back down. "But I knew something was off about you, to begin with. And I was right."

"You knew I was a vampire because of an inaccurate age on a piece of paper?"

"No." More like some kind of criminal, but Naruto did not feel like explaining that ordeal. "but it confirmed that you were hiding something."

"Was I on your mind so often?" Sasuke replied smugly. Sakura was having a hard time holding back her laughter.

Naruto pursed his lips. "You kept hovering around Sakura; I was looking out for her."

Sakura's smile fell.

"If you did not know what I was, then what were you trying to protect her from?" Sasuke asked with a tilt of his head.

Both were deadlocked in a stare, challenge in both of their eyes. Sakura sat there, almost choking on the masculine pride. She did not like that they were talking about her as if she was not sitting right next to them. Yet they both ignored her in their proverbial joust.

'Men.'

They might not be aware, but she knew what was unsaid. Sasuke was digging at Naruto on purpose because they both knew that he had seen Sasuke as a rival. A rival for her affections.

Sasuke was actually enjoying their verbal joust, one Sasuke was obviously winning, up until the point where Naruto suddenly got a grin on his face.

Naruto sat back in his seat. "You are right; I should not have been worried." He admitted.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"After all," Naruto slung his arm on the back of the seat, not quite touching Sakura but effectively putting his arm around her. "You are limited."

Sasuke said nothing in response, but his eyes turned to slits.

Naruto then proceeded to list off all the reasons why Sasuke was not a threat. He could not enter homes without being invited in, something as trivial as garlic and sunlight could weaken him. He lived in a crusty old castle (which was technically not true; he did not live at the castle for most of the year), most likely had dated tastes and opinions (Naruto even asked if Sasuke even knew what a light bulb was). Sasuke's eye twitched, because yes, he did know what a light bulb was, but it was the next thing Naruto said that got to him.

"And, your old enough to have witnessed the construction of Big Ben."

Sasuke's eye twitched again because what Naruto said was true. He remembered traveling through London while they were building the large clock tower.

Even Sasuke did not know why, but his sore spot was his age.

It took one look at Naruto's smug face to decide he had enough. Sasuke's eyes flashed red as he reached across and grabbed Naruto by the shirt. Sasuke heard a small gasp from Sakura but did not pay much mind to it.

"Hey-" Naruto started to protest.

"Go to sleep," Sasuke commanded, tomoe swirling.

Naruto's eyes closed and his head lulled to the side. Sasuke let go and the blonde ungracefully thunked his head against the sidewall, snoring softly. 'Finally.' Sasuke thought. Some peace and quiet. He settled back into his seat. He wanted to go back to reading, but he felt a penetrating stare on him. He caught Sakura's green eyes.

She was looking at him with a disapproving glare.

"He was annoying me." He stated. Why did he feel as though he had to explain himself?

"And how was your reaction less childish?" Sakura responded.

"Hn." Sasuke sat back in his seat and crossed his arms.

Sakura leaned over and looked the sleeping man over, making sure that he was physically okay. And hopefully mentally too. Once she felt satisfied, she scooted back to her side.

This partnership had not been well thought out. She kind of expected something like this to happen sooner or later.

"You would think you would know better, with how old you are." She said. It was her turn to poke bogey, and she hid a devious smirk as she said it.

Sasuke gave her an agassed look.

"Pfft." She lifted a hand to her mouth but could not resist giggling. Such an expression looked unnatural on him. Her teasing had gotten a reaction. She found her gaze softening as she gazed at him. 'Oh, lord. What is wrong with me?' She pondered as her heart warmed.

'Plenty.' Her mind chided back.

Sasuke picked his book back up to promptly ignore her. She doubted that Sasuke Uchiha pouted, but she assumed this was the closest to it for him. Sakura noticed the title on the front. It was one from an author she enjoyed, and her face lit up.

"You like Samuel Chaeruta?"

"I do." He responded without looking up.

"Oh." She folded her hands in her lap and looked down, expecting the conversation to end there.

Sasuke looked up and stared at her. "Chaeruta is young, but his writing makes him sound wise. I have met him before, at a gathering in Paris."

"You have met him?!" Sakura glanced up excitedly. She leaned forward. "I'm so jealous."

Sasuke smirked. "There is no need to be. He himself is not that impressive, but I do enjoy his writing from time to time."

"I enjoy his poem Changes the most." She started. "It's about transformation. Often, the butterfly's metamorphosis is used as an example, but he writes that truly every creature, even plants, undergrow growth and transformation."

Sakura realized she was babbling and stopped. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Then remembered the conversation with her grandmother.

Sakura glowered. "Books are not sexy to a man."

"Smart men like talking about books," Yua assured her.

"I agree, although, using a toad as his main talking point? A more aesthetically pleasing animal could have been used. It would appeal to a larger audience." Sasuke countered.

She blinked. Then a small smile rose to her face. "But is that not the point?" Sakura responded. "That even unappealing creatures have beneficial growth?"

"The growth is not always beneficial." Sasuke pointed out.

"Hm," She hummed thoughtfully, "I guess that is the duality of the poem, and why the toad is the main object."

Sakura swore that Sasuke had the tiniest hint of a smile on his face too as they talked.

Naruto was still asleep as they made it to their destination.

Sakura and Sasuke stood outside of the carriage, staring at the dozing blonde. It was a bit chilly out, so they had their cloaks on and Sakura had draped Naruto's across his body. Juugo waited dutifully, petting one of the horses.

"It appears as though I put Naruto in a deeper sleep than I meant to." Sasuke apologized, although he did not sound all that sorry. Sakura frowned.

"We cannot just leave him here." She stated, poking Naruto in the cheek. Not a flinch, even though his snoring stopped for a second.

Sasuke disagreed. "He will be safe in the carriage. Juugo will be here as well. As soon as he wakes up, Juugo can fill him in."

Sakura was hesitant to agree, but time was of the essence. If they were to meet Sasuke's contact on time, they would have to leave Naruto.

Sakura glanced at Juugo. Juugo noticed the worried gaze.

"Do not fret. He will not be alone." He reassured her in an even tone.

Juugo was a stranger, and a large one at that, but he appeared earnest. To some degree, if they were working together, she would have to trust Sasuke and extend that trust to his men.

"Alright." She relented.

"My lady."

Sasuke held out his arm to her. She looped her arm around his, her hand resting on his bicep. They began to walk, entering the crowded area. She was acutely aware of his closeness. She felt warm next to him, even though she remembered how cool his skin was.

Sakura scanned the passerby's, casually looking for familiar faces. Or, by some chance, Humphry. "So, where are we going?" She asked.

"The Dorrington."

It was not a place she was familiar with, but she did not go to the city very often, let alone the taverns and clubs. He did not offer more information, and she did not ask for more. She noticed that she was quite comfortable with the silence. With him. It felt like they were simply out for a stroll. Their conversation in the carriage earlier had broken ground between them.

The club was not too far. There was a sign outside with The Dorrington in cursive letters. Before they entered, Sasuke stopped and leaned into her. Instinctively, she leaned closer as well until his lips hovered over her ear.

"Do not let go of my arm, even when we are seated. Do you understand?"

"Yes." She held on tighter. His words made her nervous. Who, or what, were they meeting?

Sasuke knew his way around the club, indicating that he had spent time here. He did not stop at the host to be seated and they did not stop him. He kept walking until they reached the back of the club.

Among the few patrons was a lone man sitting in the corner. His hair was blue-grey and reached his chin, and his eyes were shrewd and were purple. When the man saw them, he flashed a toothy grin. Sakura almost gasped at the jagged teeth. 'Peculiar.' She could tell he was not human with one grin.

The man stayed sitting as they approached him. "Sasuke! Can't say it was a pleasant surprise to hear from you."

Sasuke ignored the dig, guiding Sakura to sit. She did so dutifully, loosening her hold around his arm so she could slide into the booth, but not letting go.

"I'm here on business, Suigetsu," Sasuke stated as he sat next to her.

Suigetsu snorted. "Not to see an old friend?" His eyes locked on Sakura. "And who is this?"

"Sakura." She responded. Sasuke frowned at her.

She gave him an innocent look. 'What? No reason to be rude.'

Suigetsu tilted his head as he studied her, then he smiled. "I like you. Why you hanging around with this stick in the mud?"

"Suigetsu," Sasuke said, exasperated.

"Are you a vampire too?" Sakura asked curiously, ignoring Sasuke's stare.

"No," Suigetsu tilted his head in Sasuke's direction, "asshole here wouldn't turn me."

'They must know each other well then.' "But your not human," Sakura stated.

Suigetsu relished in the attention. "No. Would you like to know my secret?" He asked, leaning forward like it was a secret.

"Sure."

"I fucked a siren and it gave me magical powers."

"Suigetsu," Sasuke warned, but Sakura wasn't offended by the vulgarity. She was fascinated.

"Really?" She asked with genuine amusement.

"How else are they supposed to reproduce?" Suigetsu teased. "The men they capture off the boats don't always die. Some lucky few transform during the, eh, mating. I can't carry a tune like them, but I developed some nifty powers."

"Does that mean…" Sakura stopped, unsure how to ask. The only thing she knew about sirens or mermaids was that they often represented feminity in culture. And that a man mermaid, merman?, was unheard of as far as she knew. He might be offended...but might as well spit it out. "Are you a mermaid?"

Sasuke cracked a smirk. Suigetsu frowned.

"Not technically." He said.

"He's a type of mermaid." Sasuke corrected.

"Tch." Suigetsu raised his arms to spread them across the backrest, slumping in his seat. "I hear Juugo's still your pet."

"He's not a pet. He's just loyal."

Suigetsu waved the comment. "Semantics."

"That's not what we're here for."

Suigetsu sighed. "Right. Right. Here on business. Spill it then." He motioned for Sasuke to continue.

"We're looking for someone," Sasuke replied. Suigetsu tilted his head.

"And what's in it for me?" He asked, a smug smile on his face. Sakura knew that the world of men, well more so society, relied on power. Leverage. Suigetsu had the upper hand because they needed something from him, but she did not know what Sasuke had up his sleeve.

Sasuke crossed his arms. "That sword you've been looking for."

Suigetsu's eyes widened. "You have it?"

"No, but I know where it is." Sasuke replied ambiguously.

Suigetsu clicked his tongue, and the excitement in his eyes clouded. "I don't trust you."

"...Your still angry."

"What would I be angry about?" Suigetsu sniveled.

"Karen." Sasuke stated.

Suigetsu's face turned at the name. The cocky sly expression on his face darkened. The sinister part of him that was hiding beneath the surface came out.

Sakura's eyebrows knitted. Who was Karen? Why did her name invoke such a change? Her impression of him had been easygoing and arrogant, but now she felt dangerous waves coming from him. Sakura unconsciously tightened her hold on Sasuke's arm. In response, he made a small movement and put his hand on her knee.

A man putting his hand on a woman's knee was considered daring and intimate, but it did not feel like an invasion to Sakura they way it would if someone else would have done it. She understood he was offering some comfort to her, and it did not offend her. It accomplished its attended effect; Sakura was comforted and reminded that Sasuke was powerful too.

Suigetsu noticed her confusion. "What, he didn't tell you what happens to the women he hangs around?"

Sakura's brow knitted together. Doubt crept into her, and Sasuke's hand on her knee felt less comforting.

"Suigetsu," Sasuke warned again. His monotone voice had an edge to it.

The table went silent. Suigetsu seemed to be battling an inner demon.

Suigetsu slapped the backrest. "Damnit." He hissed. "Fine. Who is it your looking for?"

Sasuke turned to Sakura.

"Humphry Chesterton." Sakura said.

"How much time do you need?" Sasuke asked.

Suigetsu shrugged. "Depends on how far away he is. Stick around town and come back before the drinking crowds come in. I should have an answer before that." He told them.

Sasuke nodded, and Suigetsu waved down a waiter. Sasuke took that as their cue to leave. Sasuke slid out of the seat and and stood. Sakura followed suit, before they could turn though Suigetsu reached out to her. Sakura turned, suprised.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll kill him before he kills you." Suigetsu told her. He let go of her hand and leaned back into his seat. "Nice seeing you again, Sasuke."

"Tch." Sasuke stalked out, and Sakura took hurried steps to keep up with him. He practically glared at the door until they passed through it and were out of the club.

Suigetsu's comments jarred her.

"What did he mean?" She demandingly asked.

Sasuke was silent for a beat as they walked. Then he said quietly, "Karen was a friend. All of us were; Suigetsu, Juugo, Karen, and I. They had come to our land seeking refuge and joined the ranks of our military. They became part of my team."

"So what happened?" Sakura looked at his face as she said it. Sasuke was hard to read, but she could see that he was unsettled.

"When I turned, it was like learning to walk again with no help. It is hard to control when you don't know what the limits are, and when it's dangerous to push boundaries." He explained, then paused. Sakura waited for him to continue.

"I killed her."

End Chapter!