Chapter 9

I'd like to, once again, thank the people that stick to this story. Thanks to Red-eyed Gal, Sakurasapprentice, and others for reviewing my story. The reviews really encourage me to write more. Eventually (soon I think) I won't be able to update this story or my other story as fast as I usually do 'cause of testing. [Evil testing :( ] Anywayz...

Enjoy!

When Natsumi woke up a few hours later, she noticed that someone had put her in her bed. She sat up in bed and looked around -- Sasuke wasn't there. The woman figured that her husband has woken up a while ago, put her in bed, and went downstairs. Natsumi got out of bed and headed downstairs. Everyone was in the living room watching television. Yin looked over at her and smiled.

"Hey, Mom," she greeted. Yang, Nhamo, and Hunter looked at Natsumi and smiled as well.

"You look better," commented Hunter.

"Yeah," agreed Yang.

Nhamo nodded. He turned his head to look at Sasuke. Natsumi, too, looked at the Uchiha. He stared back, and a small smile came across his lips.

"So, whatcha guys watching?" Natsumi asked as she walked over to the couch.

"Watching a movie," Mayume replied.

Yin specifified, "Rush Hour Three."

"I see..." Natsumi sat down between Yang and Hunter, which is a spot right by Sasuke's feet. She looked at the TV. The movie was at the part where Carter and Lee were in the taxi trying to get away from the motorcyclists. Natsumi watched as Jackie Chan punched one of the cyclists while Chris Tucker does the same.

Just then a knock came at the door.

Everyone turned around and stared at the hallway that led to the front door. Natsumi got up and jogged to the door and opened it. There was an ANBU standing before her.

"Natsumi Uchiha," the man said.

The woman nodded. "Yes?"

"You are to meet the Lady Hokage right away." When he saw the kunoichi nod, he disappeared into the night.

Natsumi turned around, closed the door, and ran up the stairs. Within seven seconds she was in the living room in her usual attire in case of missions: a pair of slightly baggy black capris and a red V-neck shirt. Over that outfit was a green vest the represented the Jonin rank of ninja. Her headband was tied securely around her head. "Ill be back guys," she said. "The Hokage wishes to see me."

"Mission?" asked Yin.

"Probably, haven't gotten one in a while." She began to head for the door. "Catch you guys later."

Her sister and children said their good-byes. When Natsumi reached the door, she heard Sasuke call her name. When she turned around, he was right there. The man gave her a hug, and she put her arms around him as well.

"Be careful Nat," he said.

"I will," Natsumi assured her husband. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, grabbed her sweater, and walked out the front door. She then began to run to the Hokage's office, making sure she doesn't use her full strength and become a blur.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tsunade was going through some paperwork as usual, massaging her temples at the headache they were causing. When the knock at her door, she sighed in relief at the short excuse to ignore her paperwork and told the person to come in. She stared intently at the door as it opened, and when she saw Natsumi, she smiled. "Ah, Natsumi. It's good that you're here," she said.

Natsumi bowed to the woman. "Good evening, Lady Hokage," the woman said humbly. She stood up straight and looked at the Hokage right in the eye. "You called for me ma'am?"

"Yes, I did." Tsunade looked through her stack of papers, and then she pulled out a folder stamped "TOP SECRET". She dropped it on top of her current pile.

"This," the Hokage said, "is that case you were assigned nearly two months ago. In that time, there was no news of the killer. But..." The woman's face frowned, and her brows came together. "There has been another attack."

Natsumi tensed at the notice. "So, it's the same man?" Natsumi asked.

"I'm sure of it. The same things were found at this scene: the dents and craters, the two pronged bite, victims drained of blood. This specific scene is worse than the previous ones." She held the folder out to the Niikyo-Uchiha. "It seems as if the man, or vampire as you say, has a grudge against you." Natsumi slowly took the file and stared at the cover. She opened it, and her eyes widened at the photos.

This murder scene was much worse than the other ones. These victims are children, and they were not just merely bitten...

They were injured in the most severe ways: limbs broken to where the bone splintered out from the flesh, disfigured bodies, covered in huge cuts and gashes, even chunks of flesh were missing.

Natsumi's hands began to shake in both anger and shock. She hoped that the children were already dead when their bodies were mutilated. She couldn't bear the thought of them being alive and conscious during this...this cruel, horrible torture. There was a message written in blood:

To the half-blood who got away with my last meal,

Look at this scene -- take it all in. This is going to happen more and more often. Try to kill me, I'll kill five people at random. You can not kill me...I live for eternity. I will strike soon, and if you wish me to stop, then come quietly and give yourself up. The decision is yours.

There was no signature besides the blood splatter that looked at if he flicked the blood of the children off his hands.

Natsumi could feel the rage boiling within her. It took much self-control to keep herself from ripping the folder to shreds. Carefully, she handed the folder back to Tsunade, who took it with just as much caution. "What do you want me to do?" Natsumi said through clenched teeth.

"As this man put it, it is your decision," she replied. "I give you permission to go after him, but I recommend that you wait and think of a plan to take him down." The Fifth leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "For this type of mission, I would rather have it be a solo for you or an ANBU assignment, but if you have anyone in mind who can help you, please say so."

"I do have someone in mind." The woman looked up at the Hokage, her eyes a ruby color. "I'll go contact her immeadiately."

"Alright, dismissed."

Sorry, this one's short, but I want to give you all a taste of what is gonna take place. Review please. Much appreciated.