Chapter#8

"What the hell is going on out here?!" Koenma shouted as he threw open his door, not surprised by Hiei's and Sasuke's condition.

"Koenma! Naruto escaped! He's changed again!" Botan explained hurriedly, eyes wide with panic.

"Damnit," he cursed softly before making his way to Hiei and Sasuke, "Can we go ONE ay without this bullshit?"

Keiko moved dizzily, looking up at Botan with strange recognition. "Botan?"

"Yes dear," Botan tried to mask her fear, "You're ok now."

"Where's Yusuke?" She asked tiredly.

Botan flashed a fast glance at Yusuke's unconscious form before answering. "He's here sweetie. Let's just get you inside so you can rest."

"Fuck... I feel like I got his by a goddamn train." Hiei winced in agony as a sickening series of cracks erupted down his spine, making him sink his shoulders.

"Where's… Naruto?" Sasuke bit his lip to hold on a cry of pain as he felt his broken bones protrude from his skin. His eyes then widened with more concern or dread he cared to ever show. "Where's Sakura?"

"Getting away from your guys' stupidity no doubt. It's what I tried to do," Koenma's eyes were filled with an indescribable rage and the two fell silent.

Sasuke then threw himself onto his feet earning more unbearable snaps as he hardly let a loud grunt escape his lips. "I have to find her!"

"Sasuke!" Hiei hissed as he tried to straighten where he stood. "Naruto's little changed-self has been set loose on the Egyptian population!"

"And I don't give a fuck!" Sasuke shouted. Swiftly, he grabbed a piece of the broken side table, placing it in his mouth.

"And since WHEN do you choose her?!" Hiei yelled, trying to reason with him.

Sasuke's eyes flashed a deadly crimson glare at Hiei before he clearly stated with the wood in his mouth, "Now." A muffled scream of torment soon followed as Sasuke thrust his back into a door. Botan and Koenma flinched in disgust as the cracking of his bones popping back into place echoed much louder and more defined than before. The wood piece fell from his mouth and no sooner had it hit the floor had he vanished altogether.

"Fuck," Hiei muttered bitterly. "We need to find the boy…"

"And fast, we don't know if he'll attack random citizens or not," Botan added quietly, turning Yusuke's body over, earning a hateful glare from Hiei.

"I shouldn't have left him to deal with you idiots," Koenma breathed angrily, digging into his pocket only to have his eyes widen. "It's not here."

"You're joking." Hiei grimaced.

"Do I look like I'm laughing you prick?!" Koenma snapped. His anger was steadily rising.

"But, you always keep it in your pocket!" Botan exclaimed, allowing herself to panic now.

"Where else could it be?" Yusuke started to mumble and Botan became distracted immediately.

Koenma tried to think back, knowing that he was losing precious time. With a sudden realization he gasped, seemingly triggering Hiei's comprehension.

"You seriously don't think—"

"Sasuke stole it," Koenma finished.

"But he's going after Sakura!"

"I know that!"

Botan stood with a predominantly lightheaded Yusuke. "We have to look for him... Before someone gets hurt."

"I'm going," Yusuke grunted having pushed away from Botan, unmistakably annoyed with his current condition. "Help Hiei with his back and split up. Koenma and I will start searching for Naruto or Sasuke."

"I don't need her damn help." Hiei scowled at the mere thought.

Walking briskly to his unwanted aid Botan tried to stand behind him. "There's no time to argue!"

"I have all the time in the world to argue!"

"BOTH OF YOU shut up and join us in the search as soon as you're done. That is an ORDER!" Koenma finally cut in, his patience, at last, had dissipated. "Understand?"

"Yes Lord Koenma."

Yusuke and Koenma exchanged glances of approval before taking off down the hall. Botan sighed and finally was able to get a good view of the damage Naruto had done. "God... This is awful..."

"Get over it and do what you need to do. We're wasting time," Hiei spat hatefully.

Her slender fingers reached up to touch his neck gently and he froze with a slight shiver. Slowly, his body went numb and a tingling sensation coursed through him, dropping him to his knees. His head felt light as he wondered how she could have this kind of power over him. He noticed her arms wrap around him, and a feeling of warm overwhelmed him. He couldn't register any pain as she pressed against his back; his mind became too bewildered to care.

"You're going to be ok Hiei," her voice sounded angelic as is always did, and her words always felt so assuring.

"You're doing a good job," he said breathlessly. Now, he was giving into the slight contentment he was starting to feel, taking in her delectably sweet scent. "You smell nice... As always.'

Botan's muscles tensed as her words were caught in her throat. Maybe this was a bad idea... An inconceivable aching in her chest soon followed to aid her grief. "Thank you Hiei," She managed a very calm answer. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes despite how hard she fought them back.

He twitched visibly. "Why are you crying?" The aroma stung his nostrils.

She couldn't help but feel the need to confide in him, now more than ever. "It's nice when you're like this..."

"There's no one to hide from. No reason to fight it." So blunt.

"I really like it," she found herself saying before she could stop.

"I know," he admitted with a twinge of regret.

"You're going to feel the pressure. Don't focus on it though, focus on my voice," She explained while pressing her hands against his spine.

"I always do." And she flinched again. Before any other sound could be made or any pain was felt Hiei was already diving into a slumber. "I love you..." His eyes shut and his calm shallow breaths became instantly rhythmic, he was asleep now.

Her tears fell as she snapped the last vertebrae into place. "I can't."

This wasn't something that he was used to; this never happened before. The lust for blood was at its peak but his mind was actually pacing itself, giving him time to think almost clearly. Though he was aware that he wasn't his usual self, something more powerful had taken over, a different and cruel mindset. He was slowly evolving each time...

His grasp on the frail girl's neck let up slowly, letting her fall lifelessly to the ground. It was easy to lure her, draw her to the shadows with a silent charm that had initially intrigued her before it could frighten her. Foolish, he thought. He would do well to make use of these new changes.

The thirst, however, was not so easily quenched. He didn't think it ever would be. A deep chuckle built in his throat and he couldn't contain his vicious laughter as it soon filled the shadowed alley.

"I thought I sensed you," A calm and gentle voice came from behind him. This took him by no surprise, having sensed them earlier.

His deep scarlet eyes led his movement as he turned slowly to face them with an evil smile. "And now you've found me..."

Sakura stared at him as blankly as she could, knowing that her eyes gave away her fears. "Naruto. Who is that?" She gestured towards the dead youth at his feet.

He cackled gleefully. "A light snack."

Sakura shuddered with pity. The poor thing had no idea. "Naruto you need help. Please, you need to wait for Koenma to show up."

"Like hell I do!" He roared a beast-like sound from his throat menacingly. She flinched. "I am sick and tired of you guys trying to change who I am!"

"This isn't who you are Naruto!" Sakura's voice broke fearfully. She realized now that he was advancing on her.

"How would you know...?" He whispered before his eyes changed to a deeper shade of red. "YOU NEVER TOOK THE TIME TO CARE!" His eyes flashed blue before reverting back to red, making him clutch his head in pain. "Damnit..."

"Please," She croaked, "Don't do this."

An alarming growl came as her only reply before he charged at her with his claws outstretched. "STOP!" The razor-like nails made contact, shredding through flesh and the sweet smell of blood filled the air much to his satisfaction.

"SASUKE NO!" Sakura screeched.

"Get back," Sasuke growled, his fresh wound didn't seem to disturb him. "You asked for it baka!"

Naruto's wicked smile widened in delight as his eyes narrowed slightly. "Love to stay and chat, but I'm quite thirsty..." Sasuke's eyes widened at the newly transformed and coherent Naruto.

"No..." Sasuke breathed anxiously. "This can't be happening..."

"It gets stronger each time..."

"FUCK YOU!" Sasuke shouted, a bit hesitant since he wasn't used to raising his voice. "I'm done with you!"

Naruto's eyes flickered blue as he staggered in confusion.

Sasuke took out the loaded syringe threateningly. "All you've ever done was cause trouble for everybody! Including me! I'm done with your shit!! I HATE YOU!"

Naruto froze, his eyes still bloodshot but a certain pain could be seen in them. Sasuke's grip on the needle tightened as he drew his arm back to sink it in. "Sasuke stop!" Sakura cried out, grabbing his arm just in time. "Look at him!! Stop it!" Sasuke's muscles clenched as he finally realized what he was about to do. Naruto's eyes were a faded orange, reverting slowly into a deep ocean blue.

"I..." Sasuke stammered, trying to find the right words, but nothing could justify anything.

"Sasuke," Naruto muttered in a strained voice. Sasuke stood still as he advanced on him gradually and looking up into his eyes, more vulnerable than he's ever seen Naruto before. Wordlessly Naruto slipped the syringe out of Sasuke's grip and without faltering jabbed it into the soft flesh of his arm, emptying its contents. "I get it..." He continued, looking down at the ground before looking back up at Sasuke, the helplessness had died along with any life in his eyes... "Go to hell."

Sasuke held his breath as he watched him walk down the alleyway, his hand still burning from how tightly he clenched the syringe.

There was no turning back now.