First off I'd like to thank everybody who reviewed last chapter. All the positive comments I received made me eager to write this next chapter when really I should have been revising. Oops.
Anyway, this chapter is more explaining background than action but next chapter will definitely have Gaanaru action in it, I promise. Hopefully it will be a good New Year's present for you all :)
Chapter 2
Once the three younger teens had left their sight Zabuza and Itachi dragged Gaara into one of the club's back rooms. Gaara had calmed down by this point and sat in one of the room's comfy chairs without needing to be forced. Seeing that he was willing to co-operate, Zabuza decided it would be alright to let Itachi handle Gaara on his own. He said his goodbyes to the two then departed to find Haku.
The walls of the backrooms were all padded to make sure that if its occupants desired some peace and privacy that would be what they received. When Zabuza closed the door behind him the room became wrapped in absolute silence. Itachi remained standing, his piercing gaze aimed directly at Gaara. The redhead returned the unwavering gaze, his arms crossed over his chest defiantly.
Eventually, Itachi spoke. "You shouldn't have done it." Gaara made no move to acknowledge he'd heard the raven haired man. Itachi released a minute sigh. "What happened Gaara?"
"I got angry."
"I gathered that," said Itachi dryly. "What I want to know is what, exactly, made you angry enough to bite the boy and risk exposing yourself."
"Hemade me angry," Gaara said as he turned to glare at the wall. "That boy is so…infuriating and confusing."
"Go on," Itachi prompted.
"He has such a fiery spirit; he's honest, accepting and fearless. He was willing to let those who tried to hurt him go free, yet he remained angry with me for only sharing one dance with him. He seemed attracted to me and yet he refused to let me kiss him. I wanted so badly to touch him but he wouldn't let me so I bit him." Gaara's eyes glazed over slightly as he remembered the moment. "His blood tasted so good."
It was at that moment that Sasuke walked in. He quickly took in the scene: Itachi was smirking and Gaara was looking defensive, as if Sasuke had walked in on something very private. After spending so much time with Itachi Sasuke knew better than to skirt around important questions and so outright asked Gaara what was on his mind. "Why did you bite Naruto?"
Gaara didn't look like he was going to answer so Itachi did it for him. "Gaara likes your friend and got frustrated when he didn't receive the same sentiments."
Gaara sent the man a dark glare whilst the youngest Uchiha raised an amused eyebrow. "So that's what the problem is."
"Yes, and now we need to work out a plan to solve it," Itachi said with a hint of thoughtfulness.
"Well for starters Gaara's going to have to apologize to Naruto."
Gaara glared at Sasuke. "I don't apologize to anyone," he hissed venomously. "And this has nothing to do with you so back off."
Sasuke returned his glare. "Naruto is my friend and I'm not going to allow you to fuck around with him. If you're serious about hooking up with him then I'll help you since I know Naruto doesn't need a crazy vampire stalker in his life right now. If you're not serious then you're the one who better back off because nobody messes with my friends."
Gaara growled threateningly and made to stand but Itachi placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. Gaara turned his glare on the oldest Uchiha brother. "Tell your Partner not to make threats he can't carry through."
Itachi held his gaze as he said, "Who says he can't keep them? I care nothing for Sasuke's friend but if my little brother asked me to stop you then I would."
Gaara turned away. He remembered the last time he had fought Itachi with a grimace. It had been a long battle that he had not won or come anywhere near to winning. It seemed he'd have to tolerate whatever the insolent human had in store for him as he wasn't ready to come to blows with the eldest Uchiha again just yet.
Sasuke noticed the look of resignation on Gaara's face and smirked. "Haku and I will be back with Naruto on Friday. Be ready to apologize to Naruto then. I'll get Haku to soften him up before then for you so that he'll be in a forgiving mood. After that it's up to you and you better not screw it up because I am not dealing with a bawling Naruto."
"Whatever," muttered Gaara resentfully. "Can I go now?"
"Yes," answered Itachi. Gaara stood up but before he could leave Itachi added, "Don't try to make contact with the boy before Friday; the best place for this to be done is inside Club Secret."
"I'm not stupid; I know the code," hissed Gaara.
Itachi remained silent. Gaara turned on his heel and strode out of the room into the chaos of the dance floor. His senses were immediately flooded by the pounding beat of the music and the strobe lighting. Gaara had no desire to dance though so he headed back up to the balcony to get a drink. After the night he'd had he was sure he deserved it. Memories of the beautiful blond boy struggling beneath him reared their ugly heads and made his heart stop for a second. The vampire quickly shook his head to brush away the unwanted thoughts and hurried on his way. Better make that drink a double.
It was the smell of frying bacon that awakened Naruto. Yawning, he sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He then kicked the blanket off him and stretched out his aching muscles, wincing slightly as he stretched his neck to the side. After that all that was left was for Naruto to follow his nose into the kitchen.
Haku smiled at Naruto from his place by the stove. "Sleep well?" he queried.
"As well as you can when you're sleeping on the couch," Naruto replied still half asleep.
Haku nodded as he moved to get plates. "Bacon sandwich?"
"Please," muttered Naruto as he moved to get the bread.
Together the two boys made breakfast and sat down together at the table to eat it. They talked in hushed tones as Zabuza was still sleeping in bed. Naruto teased Haku about wearing the older man out, saying he should have known the seemingly gentle teen would be a harsh seme. Haku had blushed and hurriedly informed Naruto that even if he had shared a bed with Zabuza that didn't that they had had sex. He then added that Zabuza always slept for most of the day as he had late hours at work. Haku neglected to elaborate on the seme comment but Naruto decided to let that one pass.
"Why are all the windows covered up?" Naruto asked instead as he looked towards the kitchen window that was completely covered by cardboard.
"Zabuza doesn't like the daylight – he has some sort of medical condition that makes his skin react badly if he stands in direct sunlight."
"Poor guy," sympathised Naruto before gulping down his orange juice.
Haku nodded before turning his attention to his watch. "What time did you say you would be home by?"
"Around lunchtime. Why?"
"It's getting near to lunchtime now. When you're finished eating grab your things and we'll go."
"You're heading home too?"
"I told my parents I'd be back around lunchtime as well; if I'm not there by one they'll call the National Guard."
Naruto laughed. "Iruka's the same – I'm one minute late and he goes on at me about worrying him into an early grave."
Haku cleared up the breakfast things and placed them in the dishwasher. The two teens then made their way out of Zabuza's apartment, twisting through a few side alleys before they reached the main road. They then followed the road to the bus station where they caught the same bus as both teens lived in the same direction, Naruto just got off a few stops earlier than Haku.
After an uneventful bus journey Naruto wished his friend goodbye. It took him an extra ten minutes to get to the apartment where he lived with Iruka but when he did arrive he was met with Iruka's smiling face. "Naruto, how was your sleep-over at Sasuke's?"
"It was alright, Sasuke's parents caught us trying to watch an 18 so we ended up watching some kiddie movie but apart from that everything went well," Naruto lied easily.
"I'm glad to hear it. I've already eaten lunch but if you want something there's instant ramen in the cupboard."
"Ramen!" Naruto cried as he eagerly ran into the kitchen.
Iruka shook his head and laughed before sitting on the sofa to watch TV. Meanwhile Naruto was busy making and devouring his ramen. As he slurped up the noodles he made his way over to the laptop and logged onto MSN. He didn't think Haku would be online just yet but perhaps Sasuke was. Much to Naruto's disappointment, he wasn't. Setting the laptop down Naruto finished his ramen whilst watching TV with Iruka.
Ten or so minutes later the computer pinged twice. Naruto immediately pulled it back into his lap and grinned when he saw that both Sasuke and Haku had logged on. He immediately sent a message saying "Hi." A few seconds later two similar messages appeared before him. Naruto continued grinning as he typed. "Did you sleep well last night Sasuke? Did you even sleep at all?"
"None of your business Naruto."
"That's a yes then."
"Don't be mean Naruto," chided Haku.
"I'm not being mean, just establishing facts."
"Moving swiftly on," interrupted Sasuke, "There's something important Haku and I need to discuss with you Naruto. I'd do it now but my parents want to show me off to their friends. We'll meet you at your place at 1pm tomorrow alright?"
"Alright, but what do you need to talk about?"
"Tell you tomorrow," was all Sasuke said before he signed off.
Haku sent him a smiley before also signing off. Naruto was left glowering at his computer screen. He hated it when his friends became cryptic. He wasn't very good at reading between the lines and it was things like that that made him feel left out of the loop.
Sighing Naruto closed his laptop, setting it aside so that he could fully concentrate on the TV. Reruns of some of his favourite shows were starting and he didn't want to miss them. It was the ideal way to while away the hours until his friends explained to him what the hell was going on.
Naruto was playing games on his laptop when the doorbell rang. He immediately closed down the game and rushed to open the door. Iruka beat him to it though; the older male had already ushered Haku and Sasuke in by the time Naruto arrived. They exchanged quick greetings before being ferried into Naruto's room. As soon as the door was closed Naruto asked, "So what was so important that it couldn't be said over the phone?"
Sasuke picked up the clothes Naruto had draped over his swivel chair and dropped them on the floor. He seated himself on the vacant chair while Haku flopped on the unmade bed. Sasuke drew out the suspense for as long as possible, poking at the things strewn across Naruto's desk, before finally answering. "It's about what happened on Friday night."
Naruto's shoulders slumped. "Look I'm sorry I got into a fight and ruined it for you guys. If you don't want me to come with you again I'll understand. I mean, it's the only time you get to meet your boyfriends and I must just be a third wheel so I guess it's best if I just stay home."
"That wasn't what we were going to say Naruto," said Haku sweetly.
Naruto blinked in surprise. "It wasn't?"
Haku nodded. "We were actually wondering if you wanted to come with us again on Friday."
A brilliant smile spread across Naruto's face. "Of course I want to come! I had a great time Friday night! Well, except for when I was attacked and sexually assaulted. Apart from that I had a great time though!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. Naruto really was an idiot sometimes. "Before you make up your mind there is something you really should know about Club Secret."
Naruto quirked an eyebrow in interest. "What's that then?"
Haku and Sasuke shared a glance. Haku gave Sasuke a look that clearly told him he was the one giving Naruto the information he needed. Sasuke sighed before returning his gaze to his blond friend. "The VIPs of Club Secret: Itachi, Zabuza, Gaara – they're all vampires."
Naruto looked at Sasuke like he was crazy. Then he laughed. And laughed. And laughed.
"Stop laughing I'm being serious!"
Naruto eventually managed to stem his raucous laughter. Gripping his sides (which hurt from laughing so much) he replied, "Sasuke I'm not stupid; I know that vampires don't exist."
"Naruto, Sasuke's being serious – vampires really do exist."
Naruto looked between his friends, waiting for them to suddenly change their tune and say that they were joking. Their faces were both deadly serious though. Naruto stopped grinning as the thought that they weren't joking crossed his mind. "You're not joking."
"No Naruto, we're not," clarified Sasuke.
Naruto stood dazed for a moment, trying to take this new information in. The myths and legends of vampires were supposed to be just that – stories that could be made into good horror films. They weren't though, apparently they were real.
As he continued to think about vampires Naruto remembered that Gaara had bitten him. His hand immediately snapped up to the place on his neck where the fangs had pierced his skin.
"It's alright Naruto, Gaara didn't turn you into a vampire," Haku was quick to reassure.
Naruto let out a sigh of relief, his hand dropping back to his side. "So the psycho bit me because he wanted to drink my blood?"
"Actually I think he was just frustrated with you," answered Sasuke.
"Frustrated with me?"
"You weren't quaking in fear before him," replied Haku. "Gaara likes people to be scared of him because it gives him control over the situation. You weren't acting scared so he got angry because he wasn't in control."
"Well that bastard better get use to it because I'm not scared of anyone!" scoffed Naruto arrogantly.
"Not even a bloodsucker that's twice as strong as you?" questioned Sasuke with a small smirk.
"Nope!" There was a moment of quiet before Naruto asked, "Anything else you want to tell me?"
"Gaara's going to be at Club Secret on Friday and I've told him that he needs to apologize to you." Naruto was about to say something but Sasuke cut him off. "Please accept his apology and don't laud the fact over him or he might just kill you. Gaara doesn't usually apologize but he's making a special exception for you."
"And why's that?"
"From what Itachi tells me he's got it bad for you."
Naruto didn't look like he believed it. "He told me that I intrigued him. I think if he really liked me he'd be a little bit more than intrigued."
"But Naruto, to Gaara most humans don't even appear on his radar!" protested Haku. "Sasuke and I sit with him every Friday night and to him we're little more than annoyances. Gaara being intrigued by you is good!"
"Besides, why would he sexually assault you if he didn't want you?" posed Sasuke.
Naruto tipped his head to the side thoughtfully. Maybe his friends were right. Gaara had seemed pretty interested in him when he had pinned him to the wall. And when those thugs had attacked him the redhead had been positively livid. Perhaps Gaara did like him after all.
"So what if he likes me, that doesn't mean I'm going to forgive him for biting me."
Sasuke sighed wearily. "Naruto, Gaara is a vampire; he doesn't play by the same rules as you or I. I've heard enough stories to know that if a vampire likes you it's best to just accept it. Unless you'd like a stalker who comes into your bedroom at night, rapes you and leaves you with no memory of the incident."
Naruto paled slightly. "You think he would do that?"
"Truthfully? I don't know what Gaara is capable of," said Sasuke seriously.
"If you turn him down he might forget about it but if you piss him off he could make your life a living nightmare. I really do think you should give him a chance. Then you can let him down gently and beg Zabuza to make sure he doesn't try anything funny," added Haku.
Naruto ran his fingers through his hair as he thought about the whole thing. It wouldn't hurt to give Gaara a chance to redeem himself. Naruto couldn't deny that the guy was hot or that he had previously liked him. Perhaps he could even con him into taking him out for ramen as a way of properly apologizing. "Alright I give him a chance." Haku gave a little cheer while Sasuke merely nodded. Naruto leaned back against the wall and continued. "Are there any other surprises you want to spring on me?"
"No, that's all the surprises for today," replied Haku cheerfully.
"In that case will you tell me more about vampires? Do they really turn to dust in the sun? Is it true they only die if you put a stake through their heart? What cool powers do they have?" asked Naruto eagerly.
"They don't turn to dust in sunlight but the light does burn them so they avoid it," answered Sasuke. "The whole stake thing is a myth. You can kill a vampire the same way you can kill a human – with a gun. It's just hard to do because they're so fast."
"And strong," added Haku. "They can also erase memories. Those are their main powers; if they have others they're probably restricted from using them by the code."
"Code?"
"Vampires have their own laws to ensure that they remain a secret to human society."
"What's the punishment for breaking these laws?"
Haku shrugged. "Depends on the offence. The only punishment I've heard of is death but I'm sure there are less severe sentences that are handed down. Zabuza's never broken the code (as far as I'm aware) so I have no idea what happens if you do."
Naruto nodded. He was then struck by a very bizarre thought that made him ask the question, "Are vampires dead?"
Haku frowned as he answered. "In a sense. To become a vampire you have to have most of your blood drained from your body and then drink the blood of a vampire. Why?"
"Just thinking that if you guys slept with your boyfriends who are vampires and vampires are dead then that would mean-"
"Naruto, I am not a necrophiliac," said Sasuke sternly in a way that brooked no argument.
"Naruto!" cried Haku, horrified. "You have such a dirty, twisted mind!"
"No wonder Gaara likes him," muttered Sasuke under his breath.
Naruto, who had been laughing sheepishly, suddenly froze and stared at Sasuke. "What?"
"You're both twisted bastards – you belong together," answered Sasuke with an imperial smirk.
"You ass; I am nothing like that guy!" cried Naruto indignantly. Sasuke's reply was to continue smirking. Naruto turned away from the raven haired teen and hissed, "Jerk," under his breath.
Haku giggled before looking down at his watch. "Sorry guys but I've got to go. I'll see you both tomorrow at school."
"I've got to go too," said Sasuke as he rose from his seat.
"Alright, see you tomorrow," said Naruto as he waved goodbye to his friends.
Once the two dark haired teens had left Naruto flopped down onto his bed and stared absently at the ceiling. So vampires really did exist huh? Most people would need more than their friend's word to believe something as preposterous as this but Naruto trusted his friends not to joke around with him like that. Besides, Sasuke wouldn't know a joke if it danced naked in front of him singing the Barbie song.
In some odd way the whole thing actually made sense. Naruto had known that there was something different about those three when he'd met them. Something in the back of his mind had nagged him to be careful but he had ignored it. Maybe next time he should listen to his instincts.
It was Naruto's instincts that had drawn him towards Gaara. Actually it was more his teenage hormones than his instincts but whatever, it still amounted to the same thing. Naruto could still see those piercing green eyes studying him intently. He'd loved the fact that the redhead was paying attention to him and probably would have done anything if Gaara had only asked. It seemed Gaara wasn't the asking type though; he was more of a cryptic messages type. Technically that wasn't a good match for Naruto who wasn't very good at deciphering hidden messages. Still, there was something about Gaara that intrigued Naruto and made him willing to give the psycho bastard another chance.
Naruto chuckled to himself. He'd got pissed when Gaara said he was intriguing and now he was thinking of the redhead as intriguing. What a cruel, ironic twist. Perhaps Gaara wasn't the only one who needed to apologize after all.
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