I can't stop…you're too delicious…come closer…
Everything eventually has to come to an end. I told myself this over and over. This whole new side to me soon had to stop. I remember thinking that what had happened in the prison cell could happen to anyone. It all started from the smell. So, I decided, walking down the paths of the village, I needed to start getting attached to another smell.
Ino's Flower Shop was open twenty-four seven. I had entered the shop sheepishly aiming to avoid conversation with anyone. Usually, when ever I began a conversation with another, I would get side tracked by the good or bad stench of their blood. I made my way towards a table of roses and placed one underneath my nose.
I had to say it smelled really good- way better than blood. I started moving on to other flowers. Of course they smelled better, in fact if flowers were edible, they may even taste good. I should start hanging out here more often, I told myself.
My kuniochi senses kicked in when I felt a presence of another. Who was I kidding…it was the scent of their blood that gave them away. Ino had stood there, looking surprised. Before she uttered a word, I had inspected the nature of her blood. Bitter yet sweet, calm yet with a hint of arrogance. My body shuttered when I had realized I was able to pick out the scent of a human from this far away.
In fact, I was repulsed.
She questioned me and I shrugged her off, claiming I was on a tight schedule. Flowers…did they work in the end? As a matter of fact, they didn't.
I couldn't do it. I just couldn't break away from blood. That didn't mean I wasn't going to give up.
That night, after Naruto demanded why I wouldn't touch or stand at least three feet close to him, I had explained everything. His reaction was far from what I expected. He only asked a few questions, and then for proof. My smugness took over, and in a matter of seconds I tackled him onto the ground and ripped his shirt open.
He gasped but was silenced by my lips. My hands explored each muscle on his chest and finally gently rested on his neck. He whimpered however I was too caught up in the moment. His scent was fascinating…everything about it. How could I have not noticed it before?
My teeth sank into his skin, although it wasn't in my favor. I had a hard time biting through.
Why hadn't God blessed me with fangs?
Eventually, after using an ounce of my chakra, I was sucking and licking on the wound. Naruto moaned and dug his nails into my back.
It hurts! he had argued, only to find that I was far from listening.
Those first swallows of the most precious blood out there were like taking your first whiff of marijuana…or cocaine. It was like being lifted from the ground, as light as a feather, flying away from all your problems and pains.
And like all great things, it had to come to an end.
Naruto had pushed me off. If I didn't stop you sooner, you would have sucked me dry.
I was grateful for that, because that was seriously what I was intending to. It didn't matter though, I assured myself, I had enough for that night…at the moment. Before being swept up into bed, I forced Naruto to vow to me that he wouldn't tell anyone.
"Naruto?"
"Hmm?" He continues tracing small circles on my bare back.
"You don't think I'm crazy do you?" I say, biting my lip.
He chuckles, "What kind of question is that…of course I do."
I sigh and close my eyes.
"I'm a bit disappointed that you hadn't told me early, before it got…"
"Out of control…like now." I finish with a pang. "I'm just so stupid. So, so, stupid!"
We silence and Naruto's hand drops behind me. I pull up to meet his eyes which are filled with sadness and despair.
"What's wrong?" I murmur, cupping his cheek.
"You know," he starts, "if I hadn't been so weak and careless, we wouldn't have ended up in that prison. I couldn't protect you, and now because of me…you've become like this."
I roll my eyes and rest my chin on his chest, "So you're blaming everything on yourself now? Naruto, we both are equally guilty of what happened."
"No!" he growls, suddenly bolting upright. He grabs my face and leans in, eyes fierce. "Remember what I told you that night, by the waterfall."
I recall my memories and nodded. I would never forget it.
"I still mean it."
My head bobs down when I realize I'm crying.
"Sakura." He lifts my head, "You say you are so addicted to my blood. The least I could do if offer you some, I owe you." His hand slides behind my head and gently pushes it towards his own neck.
I gasp, realizing what he meant. "No! I cant, please don't make me."
"Sakura…" he whispers.
My entire body tells me not to. I don't want to. Yet, I feel myself baring my teeth, I feel the pressure of skin against them, I feel the tears pouring down, the taste of warm blood in my mouth, the sound of a grunt.
Naruto quietly lowers himself back onto the bed, and keeps the firm hold on me.
"This actually… feels nice." He mutters.
Time flows by, and finally I retreat, wiping the last of the red from my mouth. However, the tears remain fogging my vision.
"Naruto." I whimper, "What's happening to me? It's like I'm some monster…"
His eyes are passive. His finger stokes the side of my cheek, "I'm going to get you through this. Don't worry…"
I had stood before the Hokage of Konoha, feeling a little disgruntled.
When I had stated I was in need of help, I didn't mean go straight to Tsunade. But what could you expect from Naruto? I remember the conversation going somewhat like this:
Tsunade had eyed me curiously, "You're addicted to blood?"
I shrugged, and Shizune sheepishly added, "Like a vampire?"
"No. Not like a vampire." I shook my head, "I'm just addicted to blood."
"My blood, especially." Naruto put.
"Well, that's really impossible, Sakura. Humans can't possibly be addicted to…blood." Her voice had died down, and she got up.
"It happened when we were prisoners…I was dependant on the blood around us to quench my dying thirst, master…"
"I understand…" the Hokage had sighed, and said in a shamed tone, "I just can't believe the apprentice of Godaime Tsunade is addicted to blood."
I remembered that one of the Hokage's worst fears is blood.
"What can we do for her?" Naruto pleaded.
"Like is there any antidote…or special treatment to this situation?!"
"I don't think so," Tsunade had said. "I mean, it shouldn't possible, Sakura would have died of sickness from drinking too much…"
"I feel very sick at times, but thanks to my healing power I get better…" I dragged on.
The blonde lady folded her arms before her, "Right now, I can see you are very under control. There really isn't a major problem, but when there is, by then Shizune and I would have made an appropriate plan for you, Sakura."
Throughout the days I would have gone on missions, fought in battles, if it hadn't been for my little…problem. I was disappointed in the way Tsunade handled the information; perhaps she didn't believe me. I sure as hell wasn't planning on giving her proof as I was to Naruto.
I could just imagine the taste of her blood…
If I didn't go on missions, so didn't Naruto. I couldn't live without him, and this wasn't because I was in love with him, it's because I seriously couldn't live without him. I followed him around like a dog most of the time. His blood was always what made my day. He didn't mind yet I felt like I was invading his privacy at times.
My eating habits haven't changed. I usually accompany Naruto to the Ramen Shop or buy a cold sandwich with Ino. The only difference was instead of a ice cold drink on the side, I'd get a…well, you know.
Also, this whole situation had turned to be a joke between Naruto and me. When he acted stupid, I'd bite him. He was the only person and the only blood I ever drank from, plus the only person (besides Tsunade and Shizune) who knew I drank blood. Well, that was until I started noticing Mr. Uchiha.
Sasuke had always been the outcast. He never attended parties; never spoke too much, just the regular Sasuke with a bit more coldness to him after the Itachi incident.
When I say Itachi incident, I mean the time when he pursued to kill his brother, only to find out he was a good guy, all the same killing him.
I had realized my feelings for him have changed dramatically. From the moment Naruto brought him back to the village, I knew that I now see this boy as just a brother, someone I wanted to protect, my teammate. Nothing more. It was Naruto who I started growing feelings for.
That was my overall view of Sasuke. Up till the moment I bumped into him at the grocery store. We exchanged hellos and he went off to his business. I stayed rooted to my spot. Dread filled me when I realized I had caught his scent, even worse when thoughts circulated my head. Thoughts such as…
Damn, that boy smell's nice.