Chapter 6 and I don't really have time at the moment to type a witty comment so...
(I don't own Naruto in any way!)
There should have been complete chaos, but here wasn't. The Ambu had done their job so well it was nearly unbelievable. Kakasi, who was carrying a heavily drugged Sakura, trudged down the stairs to the "new" holding cell. Asuma was right behind him. He was carrying Tenten. Tenten had been found freshly bandaged at the Konoah hot springs. It was clear that she had been bitten. Kurenai was currently taking care of Tenten, Hinata's, and Sakura's parents. Inoichi, Ino's father was already apprised of the situation. Suffice to say, he was not happy.
Kakashi and Asuma finally made their way into the underground chamber where those who had been bitten were being kept. Shukaku who was the father of Shikamaru, was standing guard over the "vampires" inside. The jonin shadow master was sitting in a chair, as far from the cage as he could get. Tsunade had sent him to figure out what he could about the new patients but so far he hadn't learned much that helped.
Kakashi said, "We got Sakura and Tenten here. They need to go in. Shukaku looked up as he spoke, "Well looks like you two had some trouble getting Sakura here." Asuma nodded, "That we did. She nearly took my head off and she came within a hair of biting Kakashi's throat out." Kakashi said, "One thing is for sure. She retained all of her abilities and knowledge and yet also has gained vampire strength and speed." Shukaku sighed, "That is both good and bad." Asuma asked, "What does that mean?" Shukaku said, "It's bad for the exact reason you mentioned, but it's also an excellent opportunity to learn about the abilities one gains from the bite." He motioned to those inside the brightly lit cage. Naruto was meditating while Hinata leaned against him sleeping. Aumi was writing in a journal of some sort.
Shukaku asked, "Do they look crazy or evil to you? No? It's because for whatever reason they didn't lose their minds. And as far as I can tell they never went through the second or third stages of transformation." Kakashi said, "That great, but can we get these two inside before we have to clobber one of them." Shukaku nodded and went to unlock the door. He pulled it open and Kakashi and Asuma entered. As they walked to the back of the cage, Hinata woke up and looked around. She sat up and gazed at Sakura. She asked, "What happened to her?" Asuma, taken by surprise, took a quick step to the side. Hinata's eyes were a deep purple. They seemed to swim with emotion. Asuma quickly noted her claws and fangs.
He said, "Hey Hinata. It's been a while. It's good to see your actually alright." Hinata nodded. Then her eyes went wide, "Is...that Tenten...?" Kakashi said, "Yes, Sakura bit her last night when she escaped." As Kakashi and Asuma set their burdens down they both saw a look flash across Hinata's face. It happened so fast that neither could get a good read on it. However, it struck them both with unease. Neither of them liked that flash of emotion. Those shy eyes and that friendly smile changed for a brief second. Kakashi and Asuma walk/sprinted to the door and let Shukaku close it.
Aumi looked up at them as though she had just noticed them. Asuma practically jumped out of his skin. Aumi's eyes had changed even more than Hinata's. Her eyes, once brown, were red with black slits for pupils. Shukaku said, "I guess you noticed it too. This is something else that has me worried. So far everyone who has been bitten during this incident had developed some kind of ocular change. Normally vampire eyes change to a glowing red and stay that way permanently. But their eyes are all different and none are like normal vampire eyes." Kakashi asked, "Do you think it's significant?" The other man sighed, "I'm afraid at this point, we know so little that everything is significant."
The girl with the demonic eyes seemed bored and twisted to look back at Naruto and the two new girls knocked out behind him. She yawned, showing her long white fangs and...disappeared. Asuma and Kakashi, along with Shukaku panicked for a second. Then the girl reappeared next to Naruto. Hinata immediately turned away from examining Sakura, to whisper to Naruto. Asuma asked, "Did I just see that or am I falling for a genjutsue." Shukaku said, "Actually you did just see that, but no that's not a vampire ability. It's actually her own special skill. However it seems to have been heightened by the disease. In her file it says that she can "flicker" during a fight to appear right behind an enemy, but it's classified as a last resort because of the massive amount of chakra required to use it. Somehow she can use it to instantly transport from one place to another over long distances."
"But don't worry. It isn't a teleportation jutsue. She is just moving super fast. She can't sprint through the bars of this cage." Asuma sighed, "Good, You had me worried for as second there... Well I need to go with Kakashi to report our success." Kakashi waved goodbye as they left. Shukaku sat back down, keeping an eye on those inside the cage. He couldn't hear what they said, but he was more cautious than half the Ambu put together.
Naruto listened to the girls on either side of him. Aumi said, "Naruto kun what are they going to do with us? Are they going to kill us because of what we turned into?" He said, "No, I wouldn't let anyone kill you, besides I think the only people who would try, would be that prick Danzo and his flunkies." Hinata whispered, "But what if the villagers find out what happened at the bunker? What about what Sakura did while she was out last night...what if...she killed someone?"
Naruto didn't know why they were turning to him for directions. He was just as lost for an answer as them. He thought, Why do they want me to do something. Is it just because I was the first one who went through this...or is it because I am friends with most of the villages Shinobi? "It's because you turned them. They have instinctive trust in you. And every time you bite someone, your power grows to protect your new servant." "What the hell! I thought I told you to get lost! And what do you mean by servant? Hinata is not my servant and neither is Aumi." "You are the master now. Your blood runs through their veins. You can command them Naruto. They will do your bidding." The voice laughed, "Though, they would probably do that anyway. In either case, they look for you to protect them now. Don't fail them.
He felt the presence of that other...thing recede into his mind again. He didn't know what that was all about, but he needed to find out if it was true. He thought of something unreasonable to ask, yet something that wouldn't cause trouble. Eventually he said, "It, doesn't matter if the villagers find out. Tsunade has the respect of the Leaf village and the loyalty of most of its shinobi." Naruto scratched the back of his head, "Anyway, I was kind of thirsty so..." Aumi and Hinata almost collided in his lap, trying to get there first. Hinata said, "Let me Naruto kun!" Aumi said, "No, bite me please...!" Naruto put a finger to his lips. They both went silent.
A little light bulb came on in Naruto head. He whispered, "Hinata, go get Sakura. I'll try her first." The two girls looked incredibly sad, but they stood to retrieve Sakura's still unconscious body. Naruto said, "Wait. come back." A second later they were right there again. Naruto thought, I'm pretty sure now. They will do anything I tell them, even if they really don't want to. Hinata still isn't happy about Sakura trying to draw her blood, so she should have refused to let Sakura have the privilege...Wait did I just think that...? "Good, you understand now. They need to serve you, to do whatever you desire. And they want to feed. But you can feed from them and they will love it."
Naruto could feel his fangs lengthening. Suddenly he was very thirsty. He pulled Aumi to him and kissed her neck. She whimpered and tried to push his head down hard into her throat. He bit down and let the blood flow. Aumi moaned, "Oh...please drink...more..." She wrapped her arms around him as he satisfied his thirst. A minute later Naruto pulled out of her neck. She had lost the strength in her arms and legs. Her red eyes pleaded with him to bite down again, but she was too weak at the moment. Aumi was already falling asleep. Her eyes closed as she slipped down into his lap.
Hinata seemed to be tired of waiting, "Naruto kun, your still thirsty...um try me next." He didn't need her to offer a second time. His hand pulled her in close and he drew his fangs across the delicate skin of her throat. She closed her eyes in preparation for the bite. Then she felt his fangs sink in. She did her best to stay conscious, but all too soon pleasure and blood loss put her to sleep.
Her master let her slip to the floor. Naruto hadn't felt this strong in a long time. He felt like he could destroy anything in his path. A moan and a cough came from behind him. He twisted around to see Tenten sitting up. Naruto was surprised that she had woken up before Sakura. The weapons mistress caught Naruto's gaze. He looked her up and down. She was naked, save for a few concealing bandages. She seemed to realize she was close to being naked at the same time. She quickly pulled the blank up to cover herself.
Naruto picked Aumi up and gently laid her to the side. Then he stood up and walked to Tenten. Her hair was a mess and her face was red with embarrassment. He sat beside her on the bed. Neither of them spoke for a moment. Naruto eventually said, "I'm a vampire." Tenten gulped. "And I've been one for about two years. I was bitten shortly after we received news about the Atkuski being wiped out. I'm sorry you were dragged into this."
Tenten said, "I guess It's not so bad...I mean you seem normal if a bit depressed. And Sakura seemed to be thinking clearly even if she was trying to drink my blood. So maybe I'll keep my wits too." Naruto looked away saying, "It's not that simple and this time things are different." He paused. "Tenten can I ask you a question?" She nodded slowly. He asked, "Are you thirsty?" The question hit her like a load of bricks. Tenten trembled and shivered the instant he asked if she was "thirsty". A blood red exclamation mark formed in her mind. "Yes!" Naruto turned his back to her saying, "Go ahead and drink. You don't want to be thirsty."
Before he could say another word, Tenten's teeth were in his neck. He flinched at the pressure. Does she have to bite a chunk out of me?! As he thought that she relaxed her jaw. Tenten drank steadily until they both heard a thump. Naruto looked to his right. Shizune had rolled out of bed. She pushed herself to her knees as they watched. Naruto said, "Tenten let go." She obeyed quickly, giving a small lick at his neck. She said, "Sorry I bit you so hard, but I couldn't help it..." The look on her face changed to a lustful, dreamy expression. "But I never thought you...it... would taste so good..." Any contrition that might have been present on her face was strangely absent.
Naruto didn't answer, approaching Shizune. The woman looked up and saw him coming. Her eyes went wide and she tried to crawl backwards. Naruto tried to reassure her. "Shizune! wait, I'm ok now. I won't try to hurt you." She looked up at him in fear. Shizune put her hands up and quickly made three hand-signs. At the end she thrust her hands at Naruto's heart... Nothing happened and Naruto took her by the hands. He said, "It's me...please don't be scared." Tenten jumped over to where Naruto knelt with Shizune. She said, "Hey Shizune san everything is fine now. Your safe." He nodded.
Shizune looked between them. She coughed, trying to speak, but was unable. Struggling to get words out she finally pointed at Tenten's mouth. Naruto turned. Tenten had a thin ribbon of blood that graced her chin. The weapons mistress seemed confused until Naruto pointed out, "Um..Tenten your chin..." Tenten thought, "Oh!" She brought a finger and erased the trickle of blood...and...almost as an afterthought, licked it clean. It probably wasn't the best thing to do under the circumstances. Shizune tried to crawl away again. She saw Shukaku on the other side of the room, behind substantial cage bars. Getting to her feet she darted for him.
He looked up as she reached the cage bars. Shizune managed to gasp, "Shukaku get me out of here! Tenten and Naruto are both vampires! Why did you stick me in here?!" Shukaku slowly stood saying, "Well you were bit as well so we couldn't let you stay outside. So far everyone that has been affected as a result of Naruto..." Shukaku paused, "...Has retained their intelligence and personality. You're perfectly safe in there Shizune." The Hokage's assistant asked, "Then what happened? I see... seven people in here besides me. How could this have happened?" Shukaku said, "Naruto bit you, Hinata, Aumi, and Kara. Then Sakura was accidently injected with a sample of tainted blood. She managed to escape a different cell, where she bit Tenten and Ino."
Shukaku yawned, "Over all that means there were only 8 shinobi affected and no civilians bitten or killed. However there have been numerous people killed. So far we have counted around 22 deaths related to this incident." Shizune let herself sink to a sitting position. So many have died. How could this have happened...and it all started with attempting to make a cure. Shizune heard a ringing laugh. It was like clear bells. She turned her head to look behind her. Naruto and Tenten looked back at her. "Oh I'm not over there." Shizune thought that the voice sounded like it was coming from right beside her. "Getting warmer Shizune chan." "No wait it's almost like it's inside my head." "I think we have a winner. So my dear girl, How are we...wait! don't answer that. I think we should talk face to face."
She felt like she was falling and darkness closed in on her... Shizune opened her eyes. She was in a massive room. With bright, hospital white walls and medical equipment all over the place. Turning around, it became clear that the room was empty. Shizune heard a voice come from behind her. She whipped around. "Take it easy... I'm on your side." "Who are you, Answer me now!" "Well you could call me Shizune, but that would get confusing. How about you call me Shizu." "What are you talking about? Are you trying to say that you are me, cause even though you look like me, I would never wear that!" Shizu looked down at herself. She was wearing a white skintight shirt, that showed of her stomach. She was also wearing a wide black belt with ninja tools arranged on it. Last she was wearing a skirt also in white.
Shizu asked, "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?! I think it makes us look good." "Us?" Shizune asked this rhetorically. Shizu answered it anyway. "Yes...us. Haven't you realized it yet. I am you, at least I have a fashion sense...anyway...you need to drink something soon or you're going to collapse. Then I would have to take over for you." Shizune got a really bad feeling at that, "What do you mean by "Take over"?" "I would think that it was clear what I meant. If you can't move then I'll move for you. I am looking out for our best interest after all.
Shizune asked, "Are you the vampire part of my mind that takes over when I turn?" Shizu seemed insulted, "Who do you think you are?, talking to me like that!? I'm the only one who has kept you sane for the past three or four days, you've been without blood." "So what are you?" The girl sighed and slipped off the table she was sitting on. Her bare feet made no sound as she walked towards her. Shizu pulled off her top exposing her breasts. She said, "Now we both know exactly how our breasts look. You've looked at yourself naked in the mirror enough." Shizune had to admit that they were physically identical. "Now look!" Shizu smiled showing long pearly white fangs. Then she showed off her claws. "I am you, just with a few extras."
Something occurred to Shizune, "Let me ask, Do vampires normally have...you?" "No...you are special. Well, you and the others that have Naruto's blood. If you really want to know I'll tell you. Naruto's demon blood altered the vampire blood in him...so naturally when he bit others, it transferred." "Is that why the cure didn't work?" Shizu seemed pensive. She walked past Shizune still thinking. As she walked she started humming. After a few moments she hopped up on a lab table cross-legged. She then assumed the thinker pose. "Well, I'm not sure. Even though I'm you...I'm not just like you as far as how I think. I have all your memories, but I'm more...action oriented." "What is that supposed to mean?" Shizu pulled her top back down and grinned. "Let me put it this way. I am part of your personality that has been given form inside your mind. I suppose that means that...um...given the way I think, I'm your emotional side. I don't really have the concentration to figure out stuff like that."
They both stayed silent for a moment then Shizune asked, "So do I have to drink blood to survive?" Skizu frowned, "Yeah, you have to drink blood...I would say about once or twice a day to be satisfied. And once every two days to stay healthy. Oh and by the way, because Naruto bit you, you will never fully turn." That surprised Shizune. "Never?! What does that even mean?" "You know...Vampires lose their minds when they fully turn. But you won't go crazy or lose your wits, even though you'll get all my powers." "What do you mean by your powers?" "I'm the mental embodiment of your vampire powers as well silly." Shizu tapped her fangs before saying, "Anyway, I liked talking to you in person, but you need to find some blood. So I'll let you go for now..." "Wait where do I get blood? I'm locked up!" "Any of the others in the cage with you. None of them have fully turned, or ever will, so their blood is fine!" "Ok...Thanks...Shizu."
Please remember to review and wait for the next chapter, coming soon...Bye!