So here is chapter 4. Please review so I know how everyone likes it...or dislikes it, Whichever. Anyway, time for problems to ARISE!

(I don't own any part of Naruto) Except for the whole vampire thing of course

Chapter 4

Two days later-

The Third Hokage stood with Kakashi in the hospital. They were watching a sleeping Naruto. He was sweating and he tossed in his sleep. The nurses had been unable to do anything for him. All they could say for certain was that his body was going through a change. What it was or how it worked...none of them knew. The day before they had given up on figuring out what kind of sickness he had caught. Instead they had focused on relieving pain.

According to the head medical ninja, a woman called Akana, Naruto's chakra network was being assaulted by his own body. She explained that because of the agitation, his chakra points were all fully open at the same time, allowing a massive amount of chakra to be gathered. The problem was that his body refused to stop harming it's self.

Naruto's body had rejected all forms of food. They were reduced to injecting what he needed directly into him through an IV. Naruto's nervous system was also in shock, which no one could explain. To top all of that of he seemed to be having some sort of sensory change. The nurse who had first seen to him confirmed what he had mentioned. His sense of hearing had been magnified. They still didn't have any clue to why that happened.

The Hokage said, "This isn't good. We have no way of determining what will happen to him at this point. I myself am unsure whether he will pull through this." He turned to Kakashi, "Are you sure you saw no sign or clue as to what caused this sudden change?" Kakashi said, "I talked with his teacher and some of his class mates from the academy. From what I've heard he wasn't acting normally, even the first time I met him."

Old man Sarutobi sighed, "I was afraid of that...and unfortunately because Naruto has always been alone and elusive...it is unlikely that anyone knows what caused this or when it started."

Just as he finished speaking, the door behind them opened and two people entered the room. It was Sakura, escorting a very agitated Hinata. Kakashi and the Hokage stepped aside as the two girls went to the side of Naruto's bed. Sakura walked over and checked Naruto's temperature. She had become quite the nurse in the past two days. Kakashi noted the bags under her eyes. She had taken personal interest in making sure he was comfortable during the times he had woken up.

Kakashi look to Hinata. She was pale and shy. Her large lavender eyes were very sad and she held flowers in her hand. Kakashi glanced to the Third. The old man had a sad smile on his lips. He muttered, "At least he has friends to care for him..." The old man turned and left the room.

Kakashi continued watching the two girls fuss over Naruto as he slept. After a few minutes he heard the door open again and Sasuke walked in. He stood by Kakashi and watched. A minute or so later he asked, "How is it going? Did they figure out what's wrong with him yet?" He shook his head. "No we still don't have a clue."

From the bed Sakura said, "Sensei! his temperature is going down. He might wake up!" Kakashi started forward. Sasuke stayed back. Hinata's cheeks began to turn pink as she stood at the foot of the bed. In bed, Naruto shifted.

All three of them leaned over the bed to see.

Naruto opened his eyes. But even before that his thirst hit him hard. It was like a physical pain being this thirsty. His nose picked up that maddeningly sweet scent as he looked around the room. It was too bright. He moved a hand to cover his eyes. He groaned..."Shut...the...window...please..." Sakura rushed to close the drapes. Once that was done Naruto let his arm fall from his eyes. His eyelids were still so heavy. It was hard to stay awake, but sleeping didn't seem like a good idea.

He forced himself to sit up, quickly realizing that it was not going to work, he plopped back down. Pain exploded in his head, bit he was too weak to express it with a shout or a scream. Instead he groaned. His mouth was so...dry. And that damn smell. It made him wish he had a glass of...whatever it was... right in front of him. He blinked and looked at the people around him. He saw Sasuke first, hanging back in the shadows. Then both Sakura and Kakashi who were hovering over him, their expressions concerned. At last he saw Hinata, trying to hide her face behind the flowers she was holding. She lowered the flowers and he saw her pale eyes and bright blush. A thought entered his mind, cutting through his headache..."I like her..." It was the kind of instant thought. There and gone, but he managed to put on his signature foxy grin. Everyone, excluding Sasuke, smiled back. Sakura asked, "How are you feeling?"

Naruto croaked, "I'd...kill for some...water..." Kakashi found a pitcher and poured into a paper cup. Then he handed it to Naruto, who took it gratefully. Naruto brought it to his lips and drank.

Almost as soon as the water reached his throat, it started burning, like whisky instead of water. Naruto coughed and felt a shiver run the length of his body. He promptly dropped the cup of water. It was ten minutes before the pain in his throat went away and he was able to relax.

Naruto laid back on a heap of pillows. He thought out loud, "What...what is that smell...? It's here too. I don't know...it...makes me even thirstier." Hinata leaned forward, "Naruto kun...is there anything you need? I...I could stop by your apartment if you needed something..." He shook his head.

While they sat there a nurse entered and pulled out a syringe. She said, "We need to take a blood sample ok...?" Naruto did his best to shrug. He said, "Whatever..." The nurse cleansed a spot on his arm and inserted the needle. Then she drew back the plunger, drawing out a vial of red liquid. Then she removed the needle and left. Naruto's nose twitched. He realized something, "That sweet smell. It's blood. I'm smelling blood..." As the thought rolled through his mind he could almost...no ...he could hear the blood...it was inside the people around him. It was rushing, shooting through them.

Naruto felt a cold drop on his arm, where the nurse had extracted his blood. He reached a finger over and captured the drop on his finger. He brought the drop in front of his eyes and watched as it trailed down his hand. The others watched him do it. They all were silent. Then Naruto spoke. He said, "Hey guys...could you leave for a little bit...I...need to talk...to sensei." Without hesitation everyone left besides Kakashi. After a few moments Naruto sat up. He said, "I know...it sounds crazy...but I think... I think that I need blood..." Kakashi looked puzzled, "What do you mean. You're not suffering from blood loss. What do...?" Naruto cut in, "To DRINK!"

His hand grabbed Kakashi's wrist and squeezed. The older man winced at the strength. Naruto growled, "I NEED..." He released Kakashi's wrist and looked away. Kakashi heard him mumble quietly, "Please..."

Kakashi left the room. Naruto watched him go. His heart was pounding, just the thought of...blood... it was making him shiver...with pleasure. An overwhelming feeling of anticipation settled over him. He didn't care if it was wrong. He was too thirsty for that...far to thirsty. If it would only not hurt. If he could drink it without choking. That would be worth it. As he waited his expectation grew...the longer it took the more he wanted it. His teeth...pulsed like his heart.

Kakashi returned with three blood packs in hand. He set them on the bed. Naruto picked one up and turned it around in his hands. It was a blood pack, sealed tight with plastic. He attempted to tear open a corner, but something stopped him. hesitantly...slowly he placed his mouth over the corner of the bag and bit down. His teeth pierced the bag and blood flowed into his mouth.

The flavor...the sensation...the warmth. Heat spread out over his body as he drank. He closed his eyes and squeezed the blood pack. It was better than anything he'd ever tasted...far better than ramen...far better than... He finished the first blood pack and his hand shot out to grab the second one, faster than the eye could follow. He drained it in a matter of seconds and he was on the third one. It was so... good... Like sweet and warm and... Naruto's cheeks reddened in pure pleasure. His headache... gone. The cramps...disappeared. His hunger...fading.

His whole body felt fresh and new. As he licked the last precious drops from the blood pack, he slowly, almost in slow motion fell back onto the bed. He...was so sleepy... Naruto closed his eyes and was out.

Kakashi watched Naruto drink all three blood packs. Each pack had been about 18 fluid ounces. Naruto had just consumed four and a half sodas worth of blood. The sheer hunger that had absorbed Naruto for a few minutes was gone, replaced with peaceful slumber. There was no trace of the pain that had been apparent before. Naruto looked...almost happy...except for the red that coated his lips. Then as Kakashi watched, his tongue darted out and lick his lip. Naruto shifted then, rolling onto his side.

Kakashi stood up. He needed to report this to the Hokage. He left immediately.

Hinata saw Kakashi leave the room. She stood up and walked inside. Naruto was there in bed sleeping. he seemed to calm and relaxed now. She didn't know what Kakashi had done but it worked. Hinata stood over the bed. Naruto looked so handsome to her. And his cute whisker marks as well. He always worked so hard and he never gave in. She thought that it was the best thing ever.

Then she noticed that his mouth was open slightly. She bent down to look closer. Her breath hitched. There were two...fangs, much longer that they should have been. They were sharp and...kinda cute. Hinata smiled slightly... Naruto opened his eyes.

She leapt back, then feeling self conscious, she stepped back to the side of the bed. Naruto sat up as she came in close. His amazing blue eyes were focus on her. His lips were slightly parted and he... he was smelling the air. Naruto said, "Hey Hinata..." She blushed red...just him looking at her like that. It made her feel all warm. Naruto reached out, his hand catching a hold of her jacket. He pulled her closer. his heartbeat sped up...and he could hear hers do the same. She smelled, incredible... Naruto imagined what she could taste like. Her blood, pumping through her, like sweet nectar.

His throat was suddenly dry. He was thirsty. She was right there. She was standing with her hands clasped in front of her, looking so innocent. His gaze settled on her neck. Her porcelain skin, so soft... "Hinata...come closer..." He needed her closer.

Hinata stepped closer. The gentle tugging on her jacket didn't stop. Naruto seemed so desperate, his breath coming hard now. She leaned over the side of the bed. Hinata asked, "Naruto kun... ? I...is there anything...you ...need?"

Hinata was close enough that he could touch her face... His thirst was taking over. It was so easy. Just tell her to come closer and then he could bite into that beautiful neck...drink from the lifeblood that would gush from her. "NO!..." Naruto grabbed Hinata by the front of her jacket. He growled, "You Have to get away from me...I'm Not Safe...GO!" He released her as a shudder snapped through him.

She backed away from the bed. Naruto's eyes were red...they were glowing. He panted, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Then he stopped. He went completely still for a minute. Then his face turned to her. Hinata ran.

Kakashi barely arrived back at Naruto's room in the hospital to see him open his door. He stepped through. Behind him the Third Hokage kept pace. They both stopped when they saw him. His red eyes,, his heavy breathing, the prominent fangs. Even the way he stood, it all screamed bloodlust.

The fight to bring Naruto down was short. The struggle to properly restrain him required a lot more effort. Eventually they had to inject him with an extremely powerful sedative. And even that only kept him weak. He was still wide awake. Kakashi and the medical staff marveled at his ability to stay conscious under all the drugs. For the moment though, they were safe.

-one week later-

Kakashi made his way to the hospital. The head medical nin had insisted that Naruto have no contact with anyone other than the hospital staff. They had been running nonstop tests since about five days ago. Akana made sure they knew how he was, but today was the first day the squad would be allowed to see him since the incident with Hinata. In fact Hinata was with them today. She had been with them nearly constantly for the past few days. Kakashi was starting to wonder what the deal was with her. She seemed to care for Naruto far more than she should have. From what Sakura said, Hinata didn't have any more friends than Naruto. She was extremely shy and very polite. She wasn't what he would have expected from a Hyuuga. Most Hyuuga he had met over the years were proud and aristocratic. And lately those he knew within the clan had developed an arrogance. It was surprising that such an introverted girl had survived in the Hyuuga clan, especially since she was the heir to the main branch.

Squad 7 along with Hinata stepped into the hospital room where Naruto had been moved to. He had a medical ninja who stood silent behind the bed. Naruto was not restrained at the moment. He was free to move but the heavy sedatives meant that he lacked the strength to fight anyone. He was sitting up in bed as they entered. he looked...haggard, though clean and groomed, his face displayed his misery.

The four of them approached the bed. He didn't look up, but he spoke to them anyway, "Hey guys..." Sakura approached till she was standing at the foot of the bed. She asked, "How are you feeling Naruto?" He turned his head and gestured to the medical nin behind him. He said, "I feel great... I even have my own personal guard...except he's protecting everyone else..." Sakura gulped and looked up at the man stationed behind the bed. She asked him, "Hey...Do you know what's wrong with him yet?" The man shook his head. He had short brown hair and a thin scar running down the side of his face. He said, "Naruto has some kind of condition. The symptoms seem to change hour to hour, but the ones that are most common seem to be heightened senses...strength...speed...and a thirst for human blood."

The room went still. Naruto chucked, "Ya know...I thought it was horrible at first too...but now... it's like I'm addicted or something." Kakashi stepped forward as well. He asked, "So have you figured out why he's craving it? Is there some deficiency that drinking blood helps?" The man shook his head no. He said, "As far as we can tell he has nothing wrong with him, but he goes through violent withdraw if he doesn't drink at least four or five times a day."

Sakura gulped, "Four or ...five times a day...How much is that?" She didn't really want to know, but a kind of morbid curiosity made her ask. The guard thought for a moment. "Well that's about three blood packs per sitting at 18 fluid ounces each. Approximately... 1.6 liters. And the average person has about 5.5 liters of blood...and he's easily drinking that much." The guard shrugged, "If it wasn't so unnerving I might make a joke about where he puts it all...but..."

He stopped talking at the looks on their faces. Sasuke was even paler than usual. He asked, "how is it possible for him to consume that much blood on a daily basis?" Naruto answered that, "Well other food tastes bad now so...I don't eat or drink anything else. Plus...with...the um...way blood tastes..." Kakashi asked, "You enjoy the taste of blood?!" Naruto cringed away from him saying, "It's not what it sounds like...it doesn't taste like it should." Sasuke asked ,"What do you mean?"

Naruto looked up at them, "It's like drinking sugar water...almost. But thicker and...better...I guess..."

Review ...review...review. NOW or else I'll have Naruto kill someone...(accidently granted), but they'll still be dead. And I'm not talking about Sasuke so don't get excited.