Like a withered flower
You lay on the ground
Still
Cold
Forlorn
Your hand reached towards my direction
I backed away
Shocked
How did you know I was there?
"What…" Kiba said, his volume going down by a few decibels. Temari just blinked. She was still white, though. In other words, they were surprised. Sasuke repeated his sentence. "Yes, you can protect her. But till when?" Upon hearing that, Kiba got agitated again. "What the heck do you want to say?" He snapped impatiently.
Temari did not say a word. Sasuke continued. "You can protect her from being bitten today. You can protect her from being bitten tomorrow. But—' His eyes gleamed dangerously, " Can you protect her forever?"
Kiba halted, biting his bottom lip. Then he spoke softly, "So, I take it, you are just going to let her die? Is that it?" Temari closed her eyes, her face growing even paler. Sasuke's eyes gleamed even more dangerously. "Yes."
You didn't speak a word
But your face said everything
I took a few more steps back
Then ran
And ran
And ran
I can't help…
I can't help you
Please forgive me
"YOU FREAKING BASTARD!" Kiba yelled, lunging at Sasuke. Temari gasped.
And so
That was just it
… You lay in the earth for all eternity
Probably hating me
For not saving you
I don't mind
It is perfectly normal
I understand
But that guilt
And grief
Will live with me forever
Sasuke ducked Kiba's punch with ease. Temari grabbed hold of Kiba from the back. "Stop it!" She shrieked, trying to hold him down. The boy gritted his teeth. "Let me at him!" He growled. Sasuke walked to him, his hands in his pockets. "Listen, you idiot. A victim of a special ability is a lost case. If you want to devote your whole life to protect her from getting killed, I won't stop you."
"I-I'll just… I'll just protect her until the blood-sucking freak gives up"—
"Have you forgotten? No vampire bites his prey twice unless they're interested in sucking their victim dry completely. They won't stop until their prey is killed. And this girl has been bitten twice by the same vampire, who is also a special ability. Doesn't it sum it all up? You should try and reduce the vampire population rather than spend your whole life trying to protect a girl who's going to die anyway." And with that, Sasuke walked past them without any change of expression or another word.
No, I'm not a heartless jerk
Just a plain, old, common…
Coward.
When Sasuke is out of sight, Temari released Kiba quickly. They both stood there for a while. Then the blonde girl turned and walked to the door, turned the handle, and was out of the house. Yeah, isn't what you're probably trying to say, isn't it, Temari? But deep down, Kiba knew Temari and Sasuke were right. They've encountered incidents where people they know just…He swallowed. But not me. Kiba walked up the stairs, and entered the room. Hinata had her eyes closed, but she opened them with a start when she heard him. "…How…How was it…How did it go?" She asked softly.
But how… But how could I just let her die like this? She's innocent.
Kiba's forced smile came out again.
"You can go home."
I can say a thousand sorries
But it won't be enough
It doesn't even come close
Sakura blinked, and rubbed her eyes. "Huh?" She said groggily, and her hands reached out, grabbing the chair for support as she walked unsteadily to the window. "…A bear?" the pink-haired girl murmured. A yellow bear was sitting on the window still. She picked it up. "What's a bear doing here?" Sakura blinked again, cocking her head to one side as she looked at the bear. "Hello, mister yellow bear." She grinned, her hands moving the bear's paws. "What do you want from me?"
A pale hand that had fingers that were curled up, almost claw-like, stopped in the mid-air.
Sakura threw the bear up gently and caught it. "Well, you're staying with me, until I find your real owner." She put the bear on her bed and leaned out. Who put the bear there? Her head turned towards the clock at the wall. 10pm? She turned towards the bear again. Who would put a bear in my window still at 10pm at night?
The pale hand retreated.
Sakura, still blissfully unaware of the situation, had her suspicions. Vampire? Her mind went, automatically.
Don't be an idiot. Probably some well-wisher. And vampires don't give out bears. Have you gone nuts or something? Just lock the windows and doors and sleep.
She closed the window, turned the lock, put the bear on the dresser, and covered herself with her blankets.
Temari ran, her blonde hair flying, and a stake in hand. No vampires in sight so far…
She turned right, then turned left.
"…!"
The girl stopped. What's this feeling? Then her eyes widened, and she clutched her stake tighter. …Gaara?
The red-haired boy stood on the rooftop, his hands clutched tightly. The full moon appeared from behind the clouds, and Gaara was suddenly bathed in pale-yellowish light.
Why can't I…He stared at his hands.
"Here's your present!" A small hand stuffed a yellow bear in Gaara's hands.
Gaara blinked, looking at the bear. "…This is… for me?" He whispered. The girl smiled. "Of course."
"But…But no one had ever given me a present before… And besides," He lowered his volume, "I thought father had said that"—
The same small hand clasped over his mouth. "Ssh. Do you want it or not?"
Gaara's blinked, and nodded furiously. The girl beamed.
"…Temari…?" He whispered. "Temari… Where did that name come from?"
Author: Yes, this chapter may be confusing to some, so please read on:)