Immortal Chapter 13: Blood, a naruto fanfic

-1Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

A.N.: Yeah, this took a while to get out. I'm already working on the next chapter so hopefully it won't take long to come out. Enjoy!

XxX Chapter 12 XxX

There was something about this vampire that seemed off. His manner of speech, no better yet the way he sounded as he spoke each word with such care and precision. Almost as if he was being cautious or he loved to speak, hear himself speak that is. How vain. If this had been at a different time and under different circumstances he would have outright mocked him. Say something, anything to infuriate the other but he held his tongue and gave a critical once over of the other, taking a cautious glance at the other vampire that was a few feet away from the vain one. It would be stupid of him if he didn't take the other into account but then again he had his brother, who would back him up if anything would occur, he was certain.

"My aren't you an odd pair, all alone in the middle of nowhere"

His eyebrows furrowed, was that a threat? He gave Itachi a meaningful look and then he received a very discrete nod.

"I can say the same about you two" Itachi stated calmly.

The other in turn let out a low guttural sound, a strange and eerie one at that. His companion let out a brief look of disapproval and distaste when their eyes locked. There must have been a silent conversation going on between the two, because why would the sight of him invoke such a reaction. He hadn't done anything to the two, yet.

His scowl must have been showing for the other gave him a scowl in return and was now at the others side in a blink of an eye.

"You should really keep your thoughts shielded, Kyuubi doesn't seem fond of you" the other said rather seriously, his voice changing a few octaves. No longer seeming pleasant but instead full of emotion.

That mere sentenced struck him because he had in fact shielded his thoughts when Itachi and he had left Shisui, and had kept them as such. And to hear that they weren't shielded meant that the precautions he had taken had been wasted. But more importantly, that meant he could be putting both their lives in danger. If these two were in league with whoever was seeking their destruction then they were in danger.

There were many things that they could do. For one they could have a one on one fight or run, the latter seemed the most logical but then it would be ineffective. If they ran then the other two would surely follow them, and if their speed was anything to go by then they wouldn't get very far. But now that he thought about it, this didn't necessarily mean that they didn't have a shot at beating them in combat.

But before he could even take these possibilities into consideration they had to figure out if these two strange individuals were truly after them or better yet, if they knew who they were in the first place. They could be in search of Itachi and him but what if they didn't know what they looked like, and if they revealed themselves then they would be doing the two a favor. Argh!, it was times like this that he wished he could just read someone's mind.

He felt something akin to revulsion as he looked at the youngling that was across from him. There was something about him that reminded him of Sai. He wondered if Naruto had noticed. These two looked so much like him, if he didn't know better he'd think that they were long lost relatives.

'Kyuubi, shut up.' Naruto said knowingly

His eyes narrowed when he picked up some blatant scheming in the others eyes. How dare he? How dare he plot against them, against Naruto. He scowled, he'd break his arms and legs if he tried anything.

He moved to Naruto's side, just in case. He gave the older of the two an equally cold glare, it took everything to stop himself from taking on a battle stance, protectively in front of Naruto and stop his fangs from protruding past his gums.

'Kyuubi calm down. If they pose a threat then we'll strike them down' Naruto silently commanded him.

"So, what exactly are you two doing here anyway?" Kyuubi said as controlled as he could.

They stared at each other, both unmoving. Their stillness would be considered unnatural if the observer was a human. You couldn't even hear their breathing, the only thing that was moving constantly was their eyes. Shifting from one direction to the other. You could say their was tension in the air.

There was a shift and limbs reacted. They clashed, leaving a deafening crash in their wake. They sprang like bullets and their opponents, like before, could not block them.

"You know, you smell different somehow?" Naruto said quite curiously as he gripped Sasuke by his torso and flung him to the side, aiming for a boulder. With much grace Sasuke twisted his body midair and skidded to a halt a few feet from his intended landing area.

He felt something cold drop to the pit of his stomach as he heard what his opponent had said. If there was anything that made his blood boil it was being talked down to or frowned upon because of his blood. And if this pretentious vampire makes a snide comment about it then all hell will break loose.

He was so deep into his thoughts that he barely missed the kick that was aimed at his stomach, he looked to his side and looked at the remains of the bolder. It was now gravel. His blonde haired opponent, pivoted his other leg, quickly, but missed and his foot only made contact with the wind. Sasuke was watching his opponent from above, he had jumped on a tree branch.

"I'll keep coming if you keep running away" Naruto mocked.

Sasuke grounded his teeth in frustration. Why couldn't he land a hit? All he was doing was dodging, and he had narrowly escaped the last attack. He chanced a glance at his brother, who was a few yards away.

His breath was knocked out of his lungs in the next second. The other had him pinned to the bark of the tree, their bodies melded together.

"Your fights with me, not him. So focus" Naruto whispered.

He froze in astonishment. When had he gotten so close?

There was a moment of silence where Naruto stared at Sasuke with such a deep gaze it blazed with anger.

"You should be thanking me, unlike him" here he pointed at his red haired companion "I'm giving you a chance to fight"

His eyes gravitated away from his opponent and he stared at his brother who's lips were moving so quick, he couldn't tell what words he was forming. What he was saying to the red haired vampire, Kyuubi?, that was the name the blonde had said earlier...right? He looked angry, no furious.

Kyuubi, gave a deafening growl. He could feel the anger emitting from him, it was unfortunate that he locked eyes with him because for a second it seemed to fuel those piercing gold eyes to ablaze with such hate as he mouthed to him one word, only one word; 'Die'

"You shouldn't ignore me, especially when I have the upper hand"

Sasuke ignored the light pressure that gripped his jaw as a hand clenched it tightly as he stared at the incoming attack that was directly aimed at him.

His brother hadn't been quick enough to obscure from its path and he stared as it drew closer and closed his eyes, he couldn't get away

"Kyuubi!" Naruto snarled fiercely.

His hand gripping a diminutive wooden javelin, fingers clenched tightly over it, his breathing hard.

"Don't you ever- don't you ever do that again" Naruto roared.

Bewildered Sasuke slid his eyes open, not comprehending exactly why Naruto had stopped a near fatal blow that was directed at him. They were fighting each other, so why would he protect him. It didn't make sense.

It was then that he shifted his eyes to look directly into eerie cobalt ones. There was something in them, that drew him closer. A layer of doubt, a layer of anger and one that made him freeze, it was a layer of longing that drowned the rest. This is what he saw as he stared into those eyes, those piercing blue eyes.

They stood there frozen in time, for what felt like eternity. And in an instant they were back, time was moving forward. Sasuke took advantage of Naruto's obvious loss of concentration and punched his throat, effectively escaping from his captors hold.

"Such, an ungrateful child even after I give you leniency" Naruto rasped out.

He felt something within him snap; patience, self control? Completely forgetting that not a moment ago that the other had saved his life. He really didn't know why he did it but what he did know was that it gave him a sense of satisfaction as he clawed at his opponents pale face leaving five long slash marks from his forehead to his chin.

His captor released him and clutched his face. Slowly he lifted up his face and revealed, and much to Sasuke's disappointment, an unmarred appearance.

"You really are a horrible child"

"Stop calling me a child you arrogant bastard!" Sasuke shot back.

"Am I?"

Sasuke gave a low guttural growl. His patience was gone, his fear carelessly thrown aside and he felt angry. How dare this arrogant vampire talk down to him, speak so condescendingly to him. So what if he was only a century old, so fucking what! Where did this guy get off calling him a child. Acting so high and mighty, ha! What a joke.

"Yes, you really are!" Sasuke bit out.

The other gave a low and dry laugh his mouth twisted into a grimace "Funny"

"Hilarious"

Naruto shifted his arm and examined his clawed hand leisurely, his the emotions surrounding him taking a turn, completely changing into something more- strange. "You know there's something different about you"

"I didn't notice it before but now…" he trailed off

Sasuke eyed him with sharp eyes as Naruto circled around, no as he glided around him. He soon learned that he really didn't like it when he did that. It made him feel like a piece of meat, technically he was a piece a meat that is to say a dead piece of meat.

He didn't know why but he couldn't stop himself from following the blonde's every move. He was on high alert, it seemed.

Naruto was smelling, tasting the air for that smell. It kept escaping him, what was this scent ? It was at the tip of his tongue. His eyes slid shut and he basked in the scent, the distinct scent of a vampire was evident but there was so much more to it than that. It was warm, it was alive, it was..

"Half-blood" Naruto whispered as his eyes glided open.

Time moved so fast that Naruto didn't see the punch that was aimed directly at him, with such force that it left him on the floor, completely caught off guard.

"You fucking pureblood!" was all that he could make out from the figure above him. There were too many words being shouted at him to discern.

He froze though as he realized what exactly was being said to him.

'How did he know, how does he know that I'm a pureblood?'

He was shaken from his realization when he felt something wet drip and he realized that he was bleeding. He was perplexed, he had truly underestimated this young one.

He couldn't really reassess his opponent as he felt himself be lifted up on to his elbows, violent hands clutching at his collar, shaking him violently.

"You fucking purebloods, you're all the same!"

'There were more, since when? How could there be? There's no way.' he thought astounded.

Even with the others fast and angry words, everything became quite clear. And he figured it out. This wasn't his enemy, this vampire really didn't…

"You really don't know anything, do you?"

He never got a chance to hear Sasuke's response, or really appreciated the confused look Sasuke gave him in turn or how it quickly transformed into one of resentment. He didn't because in that moment his eyes widened, his back stiffened and he sprang.

"Now tell me who you are." Naruto ordered as he clutched a woman, no a vampire, by the throat.

He felt something shift and didn't need to turn, to know that it was Kyuubi. He could feel the uneasiness rolling off in waves, and he paid no heed to it as Kyuubi scanned their surroundings.

"I was sent here by my master to eliminate the intruders, that is if you choose not to come quietly"

"Who is your master?" he inquired, not one to be lead away so easily.

"I cannot say, milady said not to divulge such information"

Slowly he released her, leaving her neck unmarred. She had a thin neck, that begged to be snapped in half.

"Lead the way" he said tonelessly.

She gave a faint nod and they all, somewhat reluctantly, followed as she disappeared into the distance.

He edged closer to Kyuubi as they neared their destination, he felt warmth envelop him, a shudder raked his frame. He clutched his shoulders and he felt a smile curling at the corner of his lip.

"He's close and she's with him" he breathed out.

There was something about him that sent shivers down his spine. This delight, mad joy, that he displayed. That rolled off in waves and startled him. Who was this vampire, this vampire that was called Naruto.

A kind of dread overwhelmed him as he looked at his form, he looked to be his age but looks were always deceiving. How old was he? How old was he to act like he'd seen everything, and call him a child. To any human he'd look like a mere teenager.

Who are you? Is what he really wanted to ask.

"Tell me what do you hope to accomplish by capturing him?" Zaku asked.

A laugh escaped thin lips "You really wouldn't understand, and I don't want to bother explaining it to someone like you"

"Someone like me?" Zaku questioned angrily.

"Yes, someone like you. A weak and narrow minded fool"

He violently bit his lip, refraining himself. Fist clenched and aching. There was no way that he could do anything, not unless he wanted to die. His lord was merciless, didn't care about others and certainly not about his subordinates.

There was a pause, filled with silence but Zaku endured, like he always did.

"Naruto" he paused, "will change this rotting world, whether he wants to or not"

Zaku listened with interest.

"It's his destiny, and I intend to be a part of it, in the recreation of the world"

"He will not join you" Zaku stated resolutely, his eyes staring into his master's own.

Gold eyes narrowed, in anger. "How would you know…I know everything about him. After all he was my creator"

Zaku froze 'Naruto's his- his..'

He left, defeated, his nails biting into his flesh, drawing blood. Jealousy surged through him, and he didn't care if anyone noticed. He was livid, and he punched the wall.

'Why' he thought.

"Why did you choose him and not me?"

He needed to see him, he needed to find Naruto.

Orochimaru smirked as his fledgling left. There was something he was hiding. It seemed that he could no longer trust Zaku. Not, that he ever really trusted him to begin with but, any faith he had placed on him was gone. What did he know, whatever it was - he would soon find out.

"Kabuto" he ordered.

And in mere seconds a person was kneeling in front of him.

"You called, lord Orochimaru"

"Yes, assemble a team. Follow Zaku and don't let him out of your sights. You will require stealth and speed"

"As you wish, milord" Kabuto said as he stood up and bowed, leaving just as quietly as he had entered.

"I've brought them, just as you asked milady" she said with a bow.

"Splendid, bring them in Shizune" Tsunade ordered.

"Roger" Shizune said politely as she turned to usher in their guests.

"It is unwise, to give away one's location especially to strangers" Jiraiya commented, leaning against the wall as he flipped through a book.

"I know what I'm doing, and if I recall it was my instincts that have kept us well hidden and secure these past years" Tsunade bit out angrily.

Jiraiya shrugged "That's open for discussion"

Tsunade glared "Oh shut up"

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you"

"Here they are, milady"

Tsunade looked up and froze.

"Your alive" she whispered, and her frame quivered.

A smile tugged at the edges of my lips, so overjoyed to see them both, I felt connected to them once again. A warmth filled me that left my body shaking, and I loved this feeling. Feeling the emptiness inside being filled, if only a little. Yes, these were my beloved long lost children. Was this how it felt like?, how a parents felt like to see their children- so happy and so, oh so, warm. I sighed in delight.

"I missed you" I let the words roll out of my tongue and I was enveloped in a tight embrace.

"I thought you were dead" I heard Tsunade whisper.

"You're alive" was all that Jiraiya could get out, the phrase repeated like a broken record and filled with such disbelief that I smiled. Well it felt like I was smiling.

They skimmed their fingers over my face, down my neck and to my chest. It wasn't enough to just see me, after all to them I could be nothing more but an allusion, they needed to feel- to make sure that I was really there.

And I welcomed them with open arms.

I love them.

I turned away from this display of affection, it seemed wrong to look upon it. I was not meant to look upon it, unworthy of seeing this. I wasn't entirely sure why I felt like this but I knew that I had to look away. It was too intimate and I was a stranger to this.

I envied their warmth, their love for each other. Suddenly I felt so unloved as I turned away. I wish I would have that kind of love. But why was it that I looked at Naruto as I thought those words? I didn't know, and some part of me didn't really want to find out.

I envy you, Naruto. I envy what you have because I will never have that, at least not anymore. And I hate you for it.

I ran as fast as I could, they were hot on my trail- I had to shake them off. I thought I felt a faint flicker of someone familiar, but I couldn't be so sure, because some of the others were foreign. They couldn't come. They couldn't find Naruto, no I have to keep them as far away from him as possible. I won't hand him over to them, to Orochimaru. Never.

I looked behind me, and saw nothing but darkness, they were well hidden. I'd have to lead them astray, send them on a wild goose chase and into oblivion. I just hoped that I would be able to find him. I sniffed the air and I knew that he had passed through here, several days ago. And as tempted as it was to follow that scent made my nostrils flare, that taste that made my mouth water and my body alight with fire, I withstood it and went off into a different route. That delight would be mine and mine alone.

I will protect him no matter what the cost, because he will change everything. You will survive, you have to.

Naruto, you will not fall, I won't let you.

"So how did you two know where to look?" Jiraiya asked.

And just like that all eyes swiveled to the two Uchiha brothers who had up to this point remained silent throughout the reunion.

Itachi, the older of the two stepped forward "Shisui, sent us"

Jiraiya scrutinized the two "Let's pretend that I believe you, Why would you even want to find this place, find us? What would you get out of it?"

Itachi didn't so much as twitch as he spoke the words smoothly rolled out of his mouth "We, need your help"

Jiraiya raised a brow "With what?"

Sasuke's hands clenched into fists, this pointless questions were aggravating him.

"There are people who would rather like us to just disappear it would seem, we need a place where we can hide. Somewhere safe"

Jiraiya took a step back and stared at Itachi straight in the eyes "I don't trust you but I don't think you're lying"

"Are you serious, we can't just let them stay when even you don't trust them" Tsunade growled.

"Tsunade calm down, its alright after all they did mention Shisui" Jiraiya said placacently.

But Tsunade would have none of that. And just as her temper grew Naruto placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

"Tsunade, calm down. Let me check" Naruto spoke softly. Her jaw slackened and her anger ebbed away, slowly.

"Open your mind for me" Naruto instructed, staring at Sasuke.

Itachi instantly stepped forward, effectively blocking Sasuke from Naruto's field of vision.

"Why not me?" Itachi offered.

Naruto stopped and stared "Why not."

They stood in front of each other and Naruto placed his hands at each side of Itachi's face.

"Now close your eyes, fill your mind with everything that has led you to us" Naruto said voice sounding so hypnotic as he spoke.

They stood there and Itachi felt as if something was draining him, his thoughts escaping him. Something was pulling him, dragging him forward and he opened his eyes. Naruto's eyes were opened as well. Fingers trembling, muscles straining; a look of pain flashed through his eyes.

He let go, arms falling to his sides and then he spoke "It's alright, they can stay…for now"

Tsunade still looked reluctant to accept, Naruto noted but he gave her a meaningful look and she nodded. She would behave accordingly.

"I'll leave you to discuss, now I must rest"

"But Naruto, you-"

The words fell deaf to his ears. He went outside and walked. He was tired.

"Naruto, are you alright" the concerned filled voice felt refreshing and he let out a low hum in acknowledgement.

"Kyuubi, its hard. Its hard reading into people's minds. I wonder when I will forget who I am and believe I am someone else. Too many thoughts and memories of others I take on with each one I look into"

Kyuubi was soon at his side kneeling in front of him.

"Don't worry I'll be here to remind you"

"Sure you will" he said tonelessly.

I hope you will.

"Well now that you believe our story, can't we at least know whether we should trust those two" Sasuke said pointing at the door where Naruto had exited from, soon followed after by Kyuubi.

Jiraiya scratched his neck "Well we can't really say much, but if we trust them and you trust us, then there should be no problem in taking our word that they are trustworthy"

Sasuke gave a noise of disappointment "Its not enough, we obviously know who you two are, your part of legendary three. Everybody knows who you are, but who are they"

"You don't need to bother yourself with that, the less you know the better we'll all get along" Tsunade said with narrowed eyes and voice sharp.

"Tsunade, we should at least tell them something, anything come on don't be so uptight" Jiraiya tried to explain the grounds of fairness but Tsunade like always was stubborn.

"No, you can't just run your mouth like that, that's what got us in trouble the last time you went babbling"

"Oh I never did"

"Oh really, don't you remember having the senate's trackers on our doorstep the very next day"

"Oh, come on they could have just stumbled upon us"

"Jiraiya, we were in Antarctica, how the hell could they just stumble upon us" Tsunade bellowed, frustration and anger clearly audible in her voice.

Jiraiya just shielded himself, in defense.

"There's something strange about Naruto" Itachi threw in.

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade stopped their bickering and listened.

"I felt as if my mind was tearing itself apart, it was painful. What exactly did he do?"

"He looked into your mind" Jiraiya answered, Tsunade hit him shortly after.

"Are, you really going to tell them?!" Tsunade voiced in exasperation, her eyes looking around frantically.

"Yes, why not. They have a right to know exactly who Naruto is"

"Jiraiya, they don't. If something terrible were to befall on him I will kill you" Tsunade threatened.

Jiraiya ignored her and continued to talk "Naruto, is a very special vampire"

"What do you mean by special?" Itachi questioned.

"I mean exactly that" Jiraiya said good naturedly.

Both Uchiha's furrowed their eyebrows not entirely understanding where Jiraiya was getting at.

"He is extraordinary, superior and one of a kind" Tsunade spoke, her eyes looking clouded, and the first hint of a smile formed at the corners of her lips.

"Naruto is a very.." Tsunade trailed off, not quite knowing how to finish her sentence well better yet not wanting to.

"A very strong vampire"

All eyes swiveled, speak of the devil. Naruto was there leaning against the doorframe, watching them all with veiled eyes.

"Jiraiya….Tsunade when did I ever tell you, to discuss my life"

Jiraiya's shoulders slumped and Tsunade looked visibly startled.

"We weren't discussing anything" Tsunade defended looking a great deal more anxious then was necessary when getting caught gossiping.

"But you were, you were going to" Naruto said evenly.

"Tell me what's so great about me, huh?" Naruto said slowly looking at everyone in the room.

"Come on say, tell them what I am. I dare you' here he only locked eyes with both of his fledglings.

They both looked away "Don't tell me you don't feel like it anymore, you were about say it only a minute ago…Tsunade"

Tsunade glared at both Uchiha's, blaming them with all her might. Making it seem as if it was all their fault that she was being scolded.

"What's wrong, cat got your tongue" Naruto said rather sarcastically.

"Shut up!" Sasuke growled.

"We weren't asking you, we were asking Jiraiya" Sasuke said angrily.

"I think I know myself better than Jiraiya does, isn't that right" here he signaled Jiraiya and Jiraiya obediently nodded.

Sasuke was perplexed, why was Jiraiya listening to this guy.

"How can you talk to them that way, with no respect. Do you know who your talking to?"

Naruto looked at him and Sasuke looked back " I know who they are-"

Naruto was effectively cut off by Sasuke "No, I don't think you do. They're the legendary three. Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru. The strongest vampires in the world"

"How dare you speak his name in front of me" Naruto angrily whispered.

"What?" Sasuke asked, not quite catching what Naruto had said.

"Oh, the legendary three. The strongest vampires that walk this earth. The children of the pureblood, must be such an honor to be his fledglings…his children. Funny" Naruto said, a strange sort of anger growing within him, sprouted by the mention of the black sheep of the family.

"Your such a fucking bastard" Sasuke shouted.

Naruto looked at him calmly "So what?, what are you going to do about it?"

Sasuke growled, fingers aching, wanting so desperately to end the fight that had been interrupted.

"Jiraiya take him outside, he needs to cool off"

Jiraiya rose obediently and walked towards Sasuke still frame.

"Why are you listening to him, your stronger" Sasuke argued as he was lifted up and dragged to the door.

"He won't listen to you, he only listens to me" Naruto said, as he took the seat that Sasuke had only moments ago been sitting in.

"Isn't that right, Jiraiya" Naruto said patronizingly.

Jiraiya didn't say anything but his silence was louder than any words could ever be. And just like that Sasuke lunged forward, and took a hold of Naruto's neck. Both hands wrapped around one delicate neck.

"Go, on do it, I dare you. But if you do I can assure you that you won't live long"

'He's right' Sasuke thought angrily.

Kyuubi had a hand on his shoulder, nails digging into his bony shoulder. Itachi was ready to strike Kyuubi down, positioned so close that a fatal blow would be soon followed after he launched an attack.

"Your different" he heard Naruto say sounding so serene and unperturbed even though his hold tightened.

"So quick to take action, a smart vampire wouldn't do that. But that is expected of a human, a half blood" Naruto said pushing Sasuke's buttons.

"Come on, I know you want to. Your burning for it" Naruto goaded him on.

His jaw clenched and his fangs protruded past his gums. He ignored the tiny voice in his head that told him to stop. He latched his mouth over Naruto's neck and sank his fangs, drawing blood.

His eyes widened, and he sunk his fangs deeper. Everything seemed so surreal and Naruto was the only thing that felt real.

It didn't take long for him to realize that the warm liquid that was flowing into his mouth was gone.

An enraged Kyuubi took hold of him and threw him across the floor. Jiraiya and Tsunade were both standing in front of Naruto. Hands painfully clenched over their mouths and noses. To stop the smell from overtaking them and the eventual desire to taste to overwhelm their senses.

Naruto looked completely undisturbed by the whole thing. The blood trickling down his neck didn't faze him. He used his middle and index finger and wiped some of the blood off, bringing his lightly coated fingers in front of his mouth. He licked the blood and wiped the remaining of it on his sleeve.

"You're a brave one aren't you biting me like that" Naruto said with a laugh as the two puncture marks healed over and closed.

Sasuke was on the floor, nails digging into the carpet, his eyes completely shrouded with red. Body twitching and writhing in pain. Body aching for more.

"Don't worry, this always happens when people drink my blood. You want more, but you'll just have bear with the thirst"

"Who are you?" Sasuke gasped out in pain.

Naruto looked at him "Oh, I'm not someone you should worry about. In fact pretend none of this happened."

Sasuke's red rimmed eyes narrowed threateningly , but it might as well have looked like a squint. In his state he was anything but threatening.

Naruto drew him close, keeping a safe distance from Sasuke's mouth. He bent closer, hot breath ghosting at the rim of his ear and he spoke in a whisper "My name's Naruto and I'm the pureblood"

'Oh shit' Sasuke thought as he was overwhelmed with an undeniable urge to devour more of that intoxicating blood and as he lost consciousness he couldn't help but hear the distinct laugh of someone above him, or the small smile he thought he saw. Maybe it was all a dream, he hoped it was. But then again he hoped it wasn't. One thing was certain either way you looked at it, he was screwed. In more ways than one.

Tbc….