Uzumaki stayed unconscious the entire ride home. Sasuke had a feeling it had more to do with the flight more than his injuries. Naruto had slept only 4 hours at Gaara's home and was awake on the trip there and back and awake the entire day before they had left.
Sasuke picked Uzumaki up from the car and carried him inside.
"Should I prepare something for him to eat?" Tobi asked, holding the door for his master.
With a brief nod, Sasuke went up the stairs to Naruto's room, placing the teen in his bed. He was looking at the limited selection of clothing for something suitable to change him into when he heard Uzumaki begin to stir.
Picking out an undershirt and a pair of shorts, he draped them over his shoulder and prepared a rag and a bowl of hot water. Uzumaki was just waking when Sasuke returned. "Finally, awake?"
Uzumaki's blue eyes peaked out from under blond lashes, lazily locking onto Sasuke. "…No," he replied, closing his eyes.
A smile twitched onto Sasuke's face against his will. Sitting down beside Uzumaki, he removed the blood and dirt covered blazer and shirt, depositing it onto the floor. "You're pretty gutsy to be covered in blood in front of a vampire." Sasuke made the comment off-handedly but there was some truth in what he said. He hadn't actually breathed since Tokyo. Naruto's blood was still very tempting to him and catching a whiff had made his fangs forcibly extend.
"What's life…if you don't live a bit dangerously…now and then," Uzumaki joked, though he was still drifting in and out of sleep.
"A safe one." With a damp cloth, he wiped down Naruto's torso of the blood and grime, inspecting Naruto's injuries as he did so. There was heavy bruising and swelling around his clavicle and abdomen, but they seemed to be in the late stages of healing.
Naruto's hand, which had the most blood on it, was mostly back to normal, the skin closed with just a bit of redness and tenderness left.
"Shouldn't you ask… before holding my hand, bastard?"
Sasuke just lifted an eyebrow. "Didn't know you were such a girl. And after we shared a kiss too."
Uzumaki woke up a bit more at that becoming flustered. "Th-that was… that didn't count."
"What? Was that your first kiss or something?" It was meant to be teasing, but Naruto's face turned bright red as he looked away. "You really are a girl."
Uzumaki managed to kick him which was an impressive feat given his worn-out state; it got a chuckle out of Sasuke. A kiss really wasn't a big deal to him. Living so much time in Europe over the century, kissing was a greeting to him.
However, there were some memories from when he was human when his father, who had grown up in the Edo period, was unnerved by handshakes. Even while living in England, his father refused to get used to some English customs, keeping to his traditional Japanese roots, and instead had his sons learn in his place. Well, at least Japan had grown accustomed to handshakes to an extent, though limited to foreigners and closing business transactions.
Sasuke really couldn't call Japan home. While fluent in Japanese due to his parents, it had grown rusty and it was uncomfortable to use. He was more accustomed to English and French and he would call them his first languages if asked even though they weren't. He couldn't even read the majority of kanji, the reason why he was failing the majority of his classwork. He may as well be called a foreigner.
Uzumaki seemed to pick up some Western behavior, probably from Tsunade and a few of his classmates, which made it difficult to remember that he wasn't. Moments like this, getting embarrassed over something like a kiss, were entertaining to Sasuke. He couldn't help but make fun of him for it. What did they call it here? Gap moe?
Leaning forward, Sasuke carefully felt the back of Uzumaki's head to feel for any bumps. He didn't expect to find any if the healing of Naruto's body had anything to say, but he was thorough with whatever task he did. Uzumaki made sure to avoid eye contact during the entire process.
"Do you have to be so close?" Uzumaki murmured under his breath. The flush had reached the fledgling's ears
"I wouldn't have to do this if you stayed put like I told you." Sasuke tried to ignore the heat radiating off Uzumaki's skin or how soft his hair was. Lips thinning, he pulled away as soon as he confirmed there was no damage he could see.
"It was too stuffy in there," Uzumaki muttered, sulking.
"Next time, just listen," Sasuke's voice took a slightly sharper edge, both in warning and out of his own discomfort.
There was a brief knock on the door before opening to reveal Tobi with a silver tray and a bowl of rice porridge.
"I prepared some rice porridge for Uzumaki-sama. I thought something easy to digest will help him get his energy back." Tobi took a knee, offering the tray.
"Do you have the strength to sit up?" Sasuke asked, taking the bowl.
"I'm not really hungry." Uzumaki was still looking off to the side, but he was no longer embarrassed. More like he was trying to avoid something.
Since Sasuke knew that Uzumaki hadn't eaten much in the last 36 hours minus a few bites at Gaara's, Sasuke decided to give him a little push. "Should I blow on it and say 'ahn, ahn'."
As expected, Uzumaki's pride got him sitting up, with some difficulty. "That's disgusting. If you were a cute girl on the other hand…."
"Should I invite your girlfriend then?" Sasuke asked dryly, handing over the bowl.
Uzumaki muttered something, stirring the contents of the bowl.
"I can't say I'm surprised. You kept ditching her, and you didn't seem very interested. I'd have dumped you too."
"No one asked for your opinion, bastard."
Uzumaki took a bite of the porridge and then there was a hard gulp as if he had to force himself. The spoon lowered to the bowl slowly then continued to stir it for a little while. He struggled to keep his face neutral, and he was failing.
Sasuke had his suspicions, but this confirmed it. "You can't taste it, can you?"
Uzumaki shook his head no. "It…. It's starting to taste like ash. I can barely taste what it is."
"It may be hard but keep eating. You can't survive off blood yet."
It was difficult for Uzumaki. It was unappetizing, and each spoonful was getting harder and harder to swallow. Finally, Sasuke took pity, taking the bowl from him.
Sasuke took a bite. Ash really was the best description to call the taste in his mouth. The texture was gritty and dry to him. It was almost tasteless but had a hint of something bitter and distasteful underneath. He took another bite and another until there was nothing left.
Then, he addressed the confusion on Uzumaki's face. "Until you no longer have to eat solids, I'll eat with you."
"You," Naruto looked at the bowl. "You don't have to do that."
"I know I don't." Sasuke put the bowl back on the tray and collected the rag and bowl as Tobi picked up the soiled clothes. "Rest. You're going to have an early morning tomorrow."
Naruto laid back down, exhaustion catching up with him. "Why?"
"You'll see," he glanced at Tobi. "Tobi, meet me in my office once you have taken care of the chores."
"Yes, young master," the butler bowed.
Naruto listened to both vampires leave, closing the door behind them. Sleep was knocking at his consciousness, like a persistent salesman who refused to leave after being told to get lost. As much as he'd like to indulge, he needed to do something first.
Can you hear me? He called out into the darkness of his mind.
Unfortunately. Naruto was in the mindscape again, a vague man standing in the shadows, staring at him with the glowing eyes. What do you want? I thought you were ignoring me.
Because you aren't real. I shouldn't talk to you.
Then why are you?
Because...if it wasn't for you, I'd be dead.
The man laughed. I didn't do it for you. If you die, then it becomes a pain for me. I did it for myself.
Naruto figured; however, hearing out loud felt disappointing. For a being he tried to ignore, why did he feel a sense of loss. Sorry to bother you then.
Before you go back to ignoring me, the man said, taking a few steps closer, you should know that things are about to get rough. If you don't get stronger, you may not survive.
Is that a threat?
The man didn't respond, retreating to the recesses of Naruto's mind.
What was with that cryptic message? Couldn't his other self just answer the question instead of leaving a mystery? Naruto sighed, sleep tugging at his eyelids. Unable to stay awake any longer, he gave in, relinquishing himself to sleep.
"Well, is it there?"
Sasori glared at the man who stood across from him with a gun to his head. If he was asked one more time, he did not care what the consequences were, he was going to kill that man. "I know you are impatient," Sasori said as calmly as he could. It took all his strength to remain neutral to the intruders in his territory. His morgue was not for outsiders to taint it. "But unless you want his corpse to be desecrated more than it already is, I suggest, you wait calmly.
The man's partner tapped his foot impatiently, further agitating Sasori's concentration. Finally, Sasori found what he was looking for, or rather, he didn't find it. "It is as you suspected; the soul was forcibly removed."
"So it was Hidan," the man who had been tapping his foot cursed.
"Jiraiya-san. I am sure you are relieved to find out that you were correct and angry at the discovery; however, I did as you asked. If you would be so kind as to have your henchmen remove their weapons, I would be ever so grateful," Sasori did not hide his annoyance or dry tone.
Jiraiya waved for the two men to lower their weapons. One had a gun while the other held a kunai to his neck. They did not let put their weapons away, still on guard to Sasori's every movement.
"Is there anything else you want from me?" Sasori asked, zipping the body bag of what was basically chunks of meat rather than a corpse.
"Yes, we want to know about Orochimaru. We were told you have a spy watching him," Jiraiya said, his eyes fixated on the body bag.
"I do not know anything regarding Orochimaru-san," Sasori lied smoothly.
"Don't lie." Jiraiya met his eyes. "We know you made a deal with him. We just want to know what you gave him."
"I gave him corpses for experimentation. With the proper permits, the council will exchange corpses for research data on them. Doesn't matter if it's human or immortal."
"Give us the data," Jiraiya demanded.
Sasori continued cleaning up from the autopsy, not intimidated by the humans around him. "And why should I do that, Jiraiya-san? You have threatened my life, the life of a vampire council member, and expect me to answer so easily? Whether its UV radiation research or searching for the grand panacea, I have no obligation to tell you."
"I think, you will find it more beneficial to tell us, Sasori-sama. "
Sasori glanced up, looking at Jiraiya as if he were a worm. "Humans have always been such self-righteous creatures. I always found it fascinating how confident you are that you are always in the right while my kind is supposedly the plague upon mankind. In reality, immortals are just another tier in the food chain. Humans are the only creatures who don't seem to accept that."
Sasori saw the punch coming but did nothing to intercept it, taking the hit. His head snapped to the side, a small cut on his face, though the rest of Sasori's body stayed rooted in place. "Was that supposed to hurt?" He asked, unimpressed.
"No, it was just to make me feel better," Jiraiya shook his hand out to get the feeling back in it. "But you will be coming with us."
"Do you want to start a war so badly? The council won't sit still, attacking and kidnapping one of its members."
"You could always resist," from Jiraiya's voice, it sounded like he wanted him to.
Sasori's vision began to swim. "No. I'm not one for fighting." He stumbled into the examination table, and he had to grab hold just to remain standing. "And it appears you have already gained the upper hand."
Jiraiya dropped the scalpel Sasori had been using earlier, its tip covered in coagulated blood. "The funny thing about an immortal working in a morgue is that you are surrounded by your own poison," he said.
Sasori couldn't say anything. He had been careless. He hadn't thought they were desperate enough to go past a threat or two, but he remained standing. The cut wasn't deep. It would pass in a minute or two. He had built up some immunity to dead man's blood.
"Kakashi-san, Iruka-san, give him a larger dose of blood. He can't have him recovering until we have him secured."
"Yes, Jiraiya-sama," they bowed together, proceeding to do as they were instructed. Sasori didn't put up a fight, knowing it would only cause damage to himself and his lab. They cut into his arms, and Sasori's world blurred and tilted, making him nauseous.
Grabbing hold of him before he could collapse, the two men carried Sasori out of his lab. As he began to blackout, his final thought was how Deidara was going to kill him when he returned.
"Why am I up so early?" Naruto yawned. He was still in his sleep clothes, having been denied a chance to change. He was standing in a dojo that was located in the basement of the house with wooden floors and a rice paper door. Vaguely, he remembered thinking this room was out of place in a Western-style mansion during the tour. He was so tired when he was taken to the room, he didn't even remember walking there in the first place.
"Training. If my brother is after you, he will come again soon. You'll need to be ready." Uchiha had changed into a gi, the white uniform worn by martial artist, with a black belt wrapped around his waist.
"And this couldn't wait until after I got dressed? Forget it. I'm going back to bed." Naruto turned around but his instincts told him to jump back. Never one to think twice about such a warning, Naruto followed though just as a shuriken whizzed by, imbedding itself into the wall.
Naruto hadn't noticed before, but Tobi was standing off to his right with the shuriken in his hand. "Very good reflexes, Uzumaki-sama!" Tobi praised. "I would have been sad if you didn't dodge that."
"What the hell!" Now fully awake, Naruto realized Tobi was not the only one-armed. Uchiha was holding a sheathed katana. He barely managed to scurry back from more shuriken thrown at him, falling in the process.
"Tobi is an expert in human weapons in this area. Before you can learn to fight a high-level vampire, you have to know how to fight humans."
"Humans?" Naruto snorted with disbelief. "Why would I need to know that? And no one fights with these anymore. This is the stuff shinobi used to use."
Uchiha narrowed his eyes at him as if assessing whether he was serious or not. Apparently, he decided to answer his question. "Humans are far more dangerous than you think."
Kneeling on the floor and sitting back on his heels, he held his right hand out in front of him. Naruto watched every movement wondering what Uchiha was doing. Something started to swirl in his hand. It was clear but visible by the distortion of the air. The same type of distortion one could see when looking through the heat of a fire.
"There are many names for it. Qi. Chakra. Magic. It is the lifeforce that dwells in all living beings, from trees to humans. Vampires naturally possess high levels of this force through the blood we drink. This excess energy is automatically transformed into strength, speed, agility, and other abilities.
"Normal humans do not normally have access to such power. However, there are a select few who do possess an overabundance. They are known to the world as psychics, shamans, wizards, and many other names. These humans who use that power to hunt down supernatural beings are called hunters."
Uchiha closed his fist. "These humans are exceptionally dangerous. Humans are more versatile. The excess energy they possess is not automatically transformed and they can manipulate it to how they see fit. Their bodies are more adaptable, and their power is malleable, giving them a wider range of abilities, limited only by the amount of power they possess and the amount of strength and training they put into honing those abilities."
"What type of abilities?" Naruto asked, clearly intrigued. There was a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"There are 5 types of abilities: creation, manipulation, enchantments, contracts, and specials. Creation is giving your lifeforce a form in the physical plane. For example, the ability to create fire or a sword where previously there was none. It was created by transforming your lifeforce directly into the element or object.
"Manipulation is when you insert your lifeforce into something and manipulate it to your will. For example, bending a spoon with your mind. You insert your life force into the spoon and tell it to bend. Creation is often confused with manipulation. A being can manipulate the moisture in the air and freeze it, creating ice. It has the appearance of creation but is fundamentally different.
"Enchantments are as they sound. Using words, talismans, and the like to enact commands. A priest who uses talismans to put up barriers would fall under this category. He inscribes a command onto paper. When he wants to use it, he injects lifeforce into the talisman and it reacts according to the command.
"Contracts are more complicated and depend on the situation, but it involves a contract with another party. Familiars are the most notable form of this.
"Special is any ability that falls outside of the previous four. It is rare, but occasionally you will run into a special user.
"Aside from contracts, an ability is rarely just one type. It is usually a combination of two or more types, making the combinations that a human can create would be limitless if not for death. However, each human has an affinity for a certain combination of manipulation, creation, and enchantments, making it difficult to change that combination. It is possible to learn, but the time it takes learning and developing lots of techniques ill-suited for an individual usually develops a weaker overall product.
"Instead, a certain ability is nurtured. The ability of the child often mimics the ability of the parent. Humans pass down the techniques from generation to generation, adding new tricks and skills to enhance their natural power and versatility. However, the fact that a human can learn other abilities to either enhance their own battle prowess or cover for themselves should their usual attacks not work is a problem. A typical hunter will have a main ability for attack and use supporting abilities for defensive measures.
"A vampire's power is not as flexible, and we are generally limited to only one or two abilities. While they will grow in power and versatility with age, should the ability be ineffective against an opponent, a vampire can be easily cornered. Humans also attack in packs while vampires are typically living alone."
Naruto listened to the information intensely, trying to digest it all. Powers did exist. The idea was mind-boggling. "But I don't have powers. Would I even be able to use those techniques?"
"I think rather than not having it, it's untrained." Uchiha stood. "Human weapons tend to have enchantments on them to prevent healing or coated with poison. At the very least, we'll teach you to dodge them and protect yourself from them."
"But why shinobi weapons?"
Uchiha seemed like he didn't want to answer, which was strange. Was it that hard of a question? "Each section in the world is known for a distinctive group of hunters. In Europe, it's the Templars. In America, Area-51. Japan is known for ninjas, though their skillset these days stray from the ideal version of them."
"Shinobi are real," Naruto's lips twitched into a smile. It just sounded so ridiculous. "I can see it now, 'Vampires versus Ninja'. Oh, wait, I think that movie already exists. How about, 'Horrible Plot Ideas: The Movie'." Naruto was full on laughing now.
A shuriken whizzed by, cutting into Naruto's cheek, stopping his fit of laughter.
"If I was a hunter, I could have killed you," Uchiha said, not finding it amusing. "Stand." Uchiha pulled out his katana with exaggerated slowness. It gave him a very menacing approach, and it was slowly sinking in that Uchiha was being serious.
Tobi's smile took a dark edge, as he said happily. "Now then Uzumaki-sama, shall we begin?"
Sasuke excused himself from the dojo, leaving Tobi to continue Uzumaki's training. He wanted to have this conversation without the chance of Uzumaki overhearing. It was obvious Naruto had no idea who exactly lived on his island or what type of company he kept. If there was a reason for that, he wanted to know why.
Going to his office and locking the door, he turned on the light, noting that Tobi had finally gotten this part of the house wired for electricity.
He had memorized the number he needed, inputting it into his phone. Someone answered sharply in Arabic.
"Do you speak English?" Sasuke asked.
There was a long silence. "Unfortunately," the speaker seemed to hate that fact.
"I want to speak to your brother."
"My brother doesn't want to be disturbed. Call back later."
"Tell him that it has to do with Naruto Uzumaki. He will take it."
"…Hold on a moment."
So even Gaara's older brother knew who Uzumaki was. Sasuke pondered on what that could mean as he waited, and he waited for several long minutes before a tired and very annoyed, "What?" came over the phone.
"I have some questions for you about Uzumaki, and I want answers to them."
"I have no obligation to tell you anything."
"Really? Are we going to have this conversation again? Or should I just collect what you owe me from Hyuuga?"
Gaara went quiet.
"It would be a simple phone call. I'm sure the shinobi would love to know where Hyuuga is right now."
"What do you want to know, Uchiha," Gaara growled softly into the phone. "But I won't guarantee that I'll answer everything."
"Your cooperation is all I ask. First off, how did you get involved with the hunters here?"
"They raised me since I was a child. I am under the protection of the previous head of the organization."
"Why's that?"
"None of your business," Gaara snapped. "Next question."
"Does Uzumaki have retrograde amnesia?"
Gaara sighed softly on the phone. "How do you know about it?"
"Little things. Your lying about meeting him before, a few muttered words in his nightmares. It's either he cannot or will not remember or that he was too young to remember."
Gaara went quiet again before mumbling, "Pass."
"What about the fact that his godmother is the leader of the hunters in Japan and the immortal council knowing who he is, yet Uzumaki not having a no clue? Why is it being kept from him?"
"How long has been having the dreams?" Gaara interrupted, bypassing the question.
Irritated, Sasuke responded, "The past couple days. He's had two that I'm aware of."
There was another silence on the end of the line before Gaara finally responded with, "If he has another nightmare, call me."
"That's not an answer," Sasuke's voice turned threatening. "What are you hiding?"
"Uzumaki doesn't need to know anything, and I can't trust you not to tell him."
"Your beloved Uzumaki nearly got killed by a ghoul yesterday, and a powerful immortal has set his sights on him. I can't help him if I don't know anything."
"Uchiha," Gaara said calmly. "Uzumaki will be okay. He's not as weak as a normal human. If his life is in danger, he will be protected."
"And why is that? What is he?"
"Uzumaki...Uzumaki is just like me. For now, watch your back. The fact you are turning Uzumaki will not sit lightly with Tsunade. If that's all, I'll be hanging up."
After delivering his message, Gaara hung up without waiting for Sasuke to respond. That call had been almost completely useless. He gained a few puzzle pieces but also gained more questions.
What did Gaara mean he and Uzumaki were alike? From Sasuke's perspective, Gaara was an immortal though there was some weird twist to him. His eyes had changed colors as Uzumaki's had when he was confronted on the school's roof, but little seemed similar other than that. Naruto came off human while Gaara came off as an immortal.
He'd have to corner Gaara when he came back. The information he was given was unacceptable.
Pocketing his phone, he headed back to the basement to check on Naruto's progress.
Naruto was covered in fresh bruises and cuts thanks to Tobi and Sasuke not going easy on him. The accelerated healing wasn't kicking in either. He was currently laying on the floor, sprawled out and panting heavily, his shirt drenched in sweat with speckles of blood.
"Bastard, I can't believe you did this to me."
"If you learned to dodge, then this wouldn't have happened," Sasuke said. He had changed back into normal clothing before his call, planning to leave the house afterward.
"Well maybe if you weren't attacking me like you were trying to kill me, I would have learned something."
Oh, Uzumaki made it so easy sometimes. "It can't be helped. You can't teach brainless animals new tricks unless they are in a life or death situation."
"Who are you calling brainless! My grades are better than yours!"
Sasuke smirked. Really too easy. "So, you don't deny you're an animal."
"You're intolerable!" Uzumaki threw back, crossing his arms in a pout.
Sasuke faked a shocked expression. "That's a big word. Did you learn it from your daily kid's cartoons?"
Throwing his hands up in the air, Uzumaki decided to give up while he was ahead. It wasn't worth the frustration.
"Are you done complaining then?" Sasuke asked, squatting beside him.
"I'll stop complaining when you stop being an ass."
Sasuke gave him one of his fake polite smiles. "Now, Uzumaki-san, we both know that's never going to happen."
With a small smile, Uzumaki sighed. "Yeah, wouldn't be you otherwise, bastard."