Sasuke Uchiha wasn't the calmest person around. He got angry, just like everyone else. But over the years, and with the help of Itachi and Sakura, he liked to believe he could control his rage.
But when Ino threatened to go to Naruto, Sasuke wass angry.
A scary-calm kind of anger.
He smiled at the blond, his fangs and cold black eyes making Ino flinch.
"Okay, Ino," he murmured. "You can go to Naruto. Tell him my mistake if you'd like. I won't even stop you."
The two locked eyes. The Uchiha smiled as the Yamanaka woman slowly turned away. She only took five steps before Sasuke spoke.
"I just wonder...how long do you think your parents will survive once I sink my fangs into their throats?"
That stopped her in her tracks, a cold feeling washing over her. She could leave, make sure Naruto knew the truth so he could stop Sasuke. But...in that small amount of time, if the Uchiha followed through on his threat, her parents would be dead. She turned back to the vampire and narrowed her eyes.
"I hope you die a horrible death, Sasuke Uchiha. You deserve it," Ino whispered. She knew Sasuke was a monster now...but to threaten her parents so easily? She hadn't expected that from even him. She'd be quiet though, at least until she came up with a plan. "You'll regret threatening my family."
When Ino was gone once more, Sasuke quickly stepped inside. He snarled as he punched the wall, cracking it with ease. That bitch Ino...! Yet another problem for him to worry about. Ino, Hinata's new "condition", getting blood for two vampires...His life was becoming far more complicated than he wanted. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. He knew Itachi and Sakura would help him. They always did. And now there was Hinata...sort of. He felt responsible for her now, since he turned her.
"Sasuke?"
He slowly pulled himself from his thoughts and looked over to find Hinata.
"I don't feel good," Hinata said softly. She frowned, placing a hand over her stomach. She hadn't fed yet.
Right.
Blood.
He had promised to get blood for her.
How the hell was he supposed to...
"Hey, could you wait here for a moment? I think I know how we can get plenty of blood. I just need Sakura's help. We'll figure something out." He didn't sound too convinced. "Just...wait here."
He left Hinata without another word, his vampiric features slowly going away by the time he reached the kitchen. He took a deep breath and sat at the table.
"Sakura! Itachi! I need to talk to you!"
His family entered the room in no time, worried looks on their faces. Sakura sat by his side, and Itachi sat at the end of the table, his arms crossed over his chest.
"You threatened Ino?" Itachi questioned.
"She was threatening to go to Naruto. I wasn't thinking, Itachi."
"That seems to be a thing lately," the older Uchiha replied before sighing. "What did you need to tell us?"
"I know how we can get blood without hurting anybody. Sakura could...Borrow blood from the hospital. Me and Hinata have food, and nobody has to get hurt."
"I mean..." Sakura began, tilting her head. "Yeah I guess that could work. I could just say I'm working on a project if they ask why I'm taking blood." She sighed softly as she stood, running a hand through Sasuke's hair. She leaned down and gently kissed his forehead. "I'll be back soon, okay? I love you, Sasuke. Everything is going to be fine." She looked at Itachi and smiled softly. "Itachi, I'm bringing Hinata with me. Can you keep Sasuke busy until we get back?"
Itachi, who had been listening in silence, looked over at the pink haired woman. He smiled only a little as he nodded. "I'm sure everything will be fine here. Sasuke might make inappropriate comments and stare at me when he smells me, but he won't do anything while you're gone. And if he tries getting blood without asking, I can protect myself with Susanoo."
Sasuke looked between the two. He rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to stay focused. He'd have blood soon. It'd be okay. How was Hinata handling things so easily? Did he really just not have any self control? His thoughts kept drifting to blood. Ino's blood...it had smelled so good...Would she taste as good as Itachi or Sakura? Would she even be able to put up a fight? It was almost thrilling to know he could take her blood if he desired. He could drink from anyone...
"Sasuke!"
He looked at his girlfriend. Her heart was beating quickly, her hand over her mouth. She had stepped back, her chair knocked over. What was wrong...?
"Sasuke, take a breath," Itachi said at his side, the man's Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan showing in his eyes. The arm of Itachi's Susanoo pressed Sasuke against the chair he sat in, keeping him in place. "You need to relax. Your eyes are black."
The cursed Uchiha pressed his tongue against one of his fangs, rubbing it for a moment. He chuckled softly then took a very deep breath. Of course, it was only to calm down. Sasuke didn't need to breathe anymore.
"Guys, really. I'm fine. I just..."
His own Susanoo arm formed, knocking Itachi away. He lunged at Sakura, slamming her against the fridge. He leaned in as she struggled, ready to sink his fangs into her throat. Drain her dry...
But before he could, he was dragged back.
"Sasuke! Stop!" Hinata shouted. She held the Uchiha back as he struggled and reached for Sakura. "You'll hurt Sakura if you don't stop!" He only struggled more, trying to get to Sakura.
"Just one drop!" he screamed. He broke free from Hinata, but Sakura kicked him in the chest. He stumbled back, growling softly as he tripped over her chair and crashed to the floor. He watched Sakura and Itachi rush out into the night, off to get the blood they needed. Hinata stopped him from following, grabbing him by his arm. When he could no longer smell them, no longer hear their hearts, his head slowly began to clear.
"Oh god..."
He slowly sat down, pressing his forehead against the table. He closed his eyes tight and held his chest where Sakura had kicked him. "Hinata..." he whispered. He wasn't really sure what to say to her. What could he say?
"Sasuke...I'm hungry too," Hinata told him in a gentle voice.
"But you didn't...I attacked Sakura."
The Hyüga woman took a seat by her maker and watched him. He really did look horrible. He seemed unfocused. He was clearly unstable...Was blood really that addicting? Would she struggle like Sasuke? She was hungry, but...she didn't want to hurt anybody. She refused.
"Naruto-kun...Naruto-kun could help," Hinata whispered. Even with his incredible hearing, Sasuke could barely make out her words. "I know he could help." She had been away for days...was the blonde doing okay? He must be worried sick! "Please, Sasuke? Can't we see Naruto-kun? Nobody will get hurt. It's nighttime now...aren't we creatures of the night?"
Sasuke slammed his hand on the table and sat up. He snarled at Hinata before laughing at her words. Was she an idiot?
"Nobody will get hurt? That's ridiculous, Hinata! We're monsters! I killed you! I attacked Sakura, threatened Ino and her parents! Nobody is safe around us. Do you really want to see Naruto? Fine. Go. But you'll only hurt him. You'll hurt everyone you care about. I should have just killed you when you were asleep..."
"I'm not you, Sasuke...I would never hurt somebody I care about..."
He stared at her, her words silencing him. Hinata was definitely more bold as a vampire, it seemed. He took a deep breath before standing. He nodded once, forcing himself to calm down. To look human.
"Go, Hinata. You've always been such a kind person. Maybe you'll actually keep your humanity. I'll bring you blood when Sakura returns."
Hinata watched him quietly as she stood. She wanted to apologize for her words, but wasn't really sure how. She didn't want to make things worse. He was already dealing with enough. She remained by his side for a few more seconds before she slowly turned and began to walk away.
With Hinata gone, Sasuke was alone in the house.
Alone, and very hungry.
He tried to keep himself busy. He read from the books Itachi bought, wanting to know as much as he could about monsters. He wasn't sure which book to believe, though. Some books claimed vampires burned to ash when exposed to sunlight. Other sections claimed vampires couldn't have kids, so anyone they turned would be considered their daughter or son since that person was 'reborn' from their blood. Was he able to have children? His body had reacted at Sakura's 'chest test', sure...but could he get her pregnant? Or was Hinata the closest thing to a daughter he'd have? Did he ruin Hinata and Naruto's chance at starting a family? Vampires didn't have heartbeats, so could a child even be born from a vampire mother? How did a vampire's insides even work...? He wondered if he should ask Sakura to study him at some point.
When he wasn't trying to rip her throat out.
Not wanting to deal with the thoughts flooding his mind, he set the books on his nightstand and went to the window. He looked at the full moon, resting his forehead against the cool glass. It did little to ease his hunger, but he found it relaxing.
He didn't feel relaxed for very long, his cooped-up feeling quickly returning. He hadn't really left the house since turning, other than Naruto's party.
"That ended so well," he muttered.
Though he knew it'd be a bad idea, he had to get out. Nighttime was safe, surely? Not many people would be out so late, and he doubted anyone would cross his path. If he made a plan and stuck to it, surely things would be fine?
Just a little fresh air. That's all he needed.
When Sasuke stepped outside, he looked to the sky, studying the moon and stars.
"Maybe things would have been easier if a werewolf bit me," he muttered. "At least then I'd be human most of the time."
He began to walk then, headed toward the middle of the village away from the home he shared with Sakura and Itachi. He wouldn't be gone for long...Just a quick walk to clear his head, then he'd head back. As he got closer to the village, though, he became agitated. Even as late as it was, he could hear people. Bars played music too loudly, drunken idiots stumbling out. It would be so easy to turn them into a quick meal, drain them dry before anyone could stop it...
Perfect.
Sasuke stopped in front of a bar, one that held the most people judging by the amount of heartbeats he heard. It was dark inside, loud, and full of drunk people. Even as unskilled as he was with his vampiric persuasion power, he was sure it would work on at least one person. Soon he would have blood. Soon he would feed...
"Have you seen my Mommy?" a small voice asked from his side, a small hand tugging at his shirt to get his attention. He looked over only to find a small girl staring up at him with wide, innocent blue eyes. She appeared to be underfed and her clothes were dirty, her shoulder length red hair tangled and unwashed. "She said she'd be right back..." Her heart beat weakly, and Sasuke noticed she smelled sick. He doubted she'd live much longer if nobody helped her.
An easy meal.
Sasuke kneeled in front of the child and held out his hand, flashing her a reassuring smile. "It's going to be okay. I can help you..." She slowly reached out to take his hand, and the moment she did, he raised it to his mouth, pressing his fangs against her wrist.
Fortunately, before he could bite the girl and drain her, he was yanked away. "Sasuke, you don't want to hurt her," a gentle, lovely voice whispered in his ear. Who was it? It was hard to focus, his thoughts focused only on getting blood. He tried figuring out who had their arms around him, but he heard no heartbeat. Who...
"Hinata...? What are...?"
As if waking from a trance, Sasuke looked around in confusion. He saw the scared little girl and realized what he had almost done. He looked down at his chest as Hinata let him go then watched as the Hyüga woman kneeled in front of the child.
"Please, forgive my friend. He's not feeling well these days. Fever hallucinations. My name is Hinata Hyüga..." She raised her hand, placing it on the child's shoulder. "Please forget you saw us."
For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. But then the girl looked confused. She looked around before shuffling along, continuing the search for her mother. When she was gone, Sasuke glanced at Hinata and rubbed his eyes. Luckily, with how dark out it was, it was easy for his black eyes to go unnoticed.
"How did you do that? Aren't you starving as well? I can't focus on anything but blood!"
Hinata stood and grabbed him by the arm. She began to walk, wanting to get away from people as quickly as she could. She didn't think Sasuke looked stable enough to remain near people.
"I...I saw Naruto-kun. I told him and he offered his blood. It's...I barely drank from him, Sasuke. I feel perfectly fine now. Follow me. You need blood."
He was too hungry to argue with her. When they arrived at Naruto's and Hinata's house, he stopped walking and turned his head to listen. Three heartbeats from inside the house...Just how many people had Hinata told? He wanted to be angry, but then he recognized the heartbeats as Itachi's and Sakura's.
Great. What could go wrong?
Sasuke opened his mouth to speak when he saw Naruto coming outside. He wanted to explain things to him, or apologize at the very least. He did kill his girlfriend, after all. Even if she was still up and moving now. But before he could say anything, Naruto punched him in the face. Hard. Sasuke stumbled back and fell to his ass with a grunt, rubbing his jaw slowly.
"Sasuke, you asshole! You killed my girlfriend!" the Uzumaki shouted.
"And possibly made her my daughter?" he offered as he stood, brushing himself off. "She was made from me, making her...my progeny I suppose. By vampire logic at least."
Naruto went to punch him again but paused mid swing, looking curious. "Wait, what? That's, like, a thing? But you guys are the same age!" he shot back. He then looked from Sasuke to Hinata. He rubbed his head and groaned. "Alright, come inside so we can talk...I have a lot of questions!"
Sasuke froze in the doorway when he saw Sakura. What was he supposed to say? 'Sorry I tried to kill you, babe. We cool?' He watched as Sakura opened her arms, a loving smile on his face. God, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He went over to her, sitting next to her on Naruto's couch. For a moment, he hesitated, but then he hugged her tight as he pressed his face to her chest. He breathed in her scent, almost whimpering when she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his head. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I love you, Sakura..."
"Hey, hey, Sakura-chan, I still have questions!" Naruto interrupted. Mood ruined, Sasuke sat up and nodded at his friend.
"Ask away."
"So um, can vampires be trusted? How dangerous are they?"
Sasuke stood, keeping eye contact the entire time. His eyes turned black and his fangs showed. He stood there, staring at his best friend's throat. He listened to his powerful heartbeat. Naruto's was, so far, the strongest heart he had ever heard. Breathing deeply through his nose, he smelled Naruto. His shampoo, his body wash, even the detergent he used to do laundry. He gave his friend a polite smile and cleared his throat.
He then shot forward, too fast for even Itachi's Sharingan to track. He grabbed Naruto by the throat and lifted him from his seat, slamming the man into the wall. A clone appeared on each side of Sasuke, pinning Naruto's arms to the wall as he leaned in, pressing his lips to the Uzumaki's neck. He let go the moment Hinata and Sakura grabbed him, his clone dispelling as he laughed at Naruto's wide-eyed, mouth open expression.
"I wasn't going to hurt him, relax! I just wanted him to know you can't trust monsters. I could have killed you by the time they grabbed me, Naruto. Never forget that."
Everyone stared at Sasuke for several seconds after that to make sure he was actually in control. When he sat, so did they, Sakura holding his hand.
"I..." Naruto began. After Sasuke's little stunt, he was a little unsure about asking questions without thinking about how to word them. "Um...Okay, so...Do you guys sleep during the day? Do you have coffins?!"
Hinata shook her head and Sasuke chuckled.
"We have eternity, Naruto. The downside? No sleep to pass the time. Just endless time, day after day. Forced to live with our mistakes without an escape," the Uchiha vampire muttered and shook his head. He rubbed his jaw, the pain already fading. "Though, I suppose if we lost blood or something we might pass out? Possibly die."
"I'm sorry about the questions. I'm just curious. I mean...Sakura-chan is living with a vampire! How crazy is that?!" At Sasuke's blank stare, Naruto cleared his throat. "Sorry. Last question, then I'll give you blood before you go home. We can talk more in the morning. So...Does anyone else know?"
Sasuke and Sakura shared a look, the pink haired woman narrowing her eyes as she thought of Ino. Her ex-friend, now...enemy? She definitely had to be watched for awhile.
"Ino is...very convinced I'm a soulless monster with no remorse. Just a leach, a killer. She didn't seem too happy to see me when last we spoke." He eyed Naruto and smiled, leaving his fangs visible. "I threatened her. I'll need a better solution eventually, but..." He sighed and shifted on the couch.
Naruto held out his arm then, rolling his sleeve out of the way. Both Hinata and Sasuke studied his arm, listening to his pumping blood. Hinata, far more in control, simply bit her lip and looked away. Sasuke stared, unblinking at the offer.
"I promised you blood, Sasuke. So...At least until you guys figure something out, I can help out. Hinata didn't need to drink much, so don't worry. Plus, I recover reall- OW! Dick, could you wait for me to stop talking?!"
Sasuke had bit his friend's arm already, not caring what he had to say. He drank only a little, far less than he ever drank from Sakura or Itachi. Naruto's blood made every inch of Sasuke's body feel as if it were buzzing with energy, leaving him feeling better than ever.
Of course, with his Uzumaki blood being so potent, it also left Sasuke falling back against Sakura. He laughed, lips red, his eyes unfocused. His body felt very light, his mind foggy.
"Um...Sakura-chan...Is he alright? Hinata didn't react like this..."
Itachi and Sakura helped the wasted vampire to his feet, putting their arms around him to keep him up.
"It's alright, Naruto. Sasuke is...Kind of a lightweight currently as he adjusts to his new diet. He'll be drunk for awhile, but thanks to your blood he shouldn't need to feed. Hinata must just handle blood better," Itachi explained.
"I really appreciate the help, Naruto. I'll have to wait to get bag blood from the hospital, so you were a huge help," Sakura added.
"No problem, Sakura-chan! Anything for my friends! You guys take it easy, alright? Make sure Sasuke doesn't do anything stupid!"
"Not even a kiss goodnight?" Sasuke asked between laughs, giving his friend a playful wink. Of course, his vampiric features showing, it only freaked Naruto out more.
"Um...Right. Goodnight guys!"
When Sasuke's mind cleared, and he was able to think coherently again, he found himself sitting at the kitchen table. His book on vampires sat open in front of him, the page illustrating how a vampire could transform into mist. He looked around and rubbed his eyes.
"Jesus, I need to stop getting drunk," he muttered as he stood. He began to head for his and Sakura's room when he heard a soft knocking at the front door. He felt a little groggy as he headed to answer. Could vampires get hangovers? It was one of the many questions he wanted to answer eventually as he opened the door. "Yeah, what- Ino...? What the hell do you want?"
The Yamanaka woman smiled sweetly, her hands before her back, her head tilted to the side. "Do you remember what was said when we talked?" she asked her old friend. She seemed oddly excited, Sasuke noticed. What mortal was that excited at such a late hour?
"I believe I told you I'd kill your parents if you try anything. What do you want?"
Ino actually giggled this time as she shook her head. "No, Sasuke. Don't you remember?"
"Ino...Get to the..."
His words trailed off as Ino quickly moved her hands. He felt a sharp, intense pain in his chest. The pain only increased until it felt as if his insides were being dipped in lava. He coughed out blood as he looked down. He first saw Ino's hands, soaked in blood. His blood. The second thing he saw was a long, sharp piece of wood sticking out of his chest, her hands curled around the weapon.
"I told you, Sasuke. You would pay for threatening my family."