Hidden Desires
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 12
The next day, Hinata woke up snuggled into her new lover's arms. She smiled and cuddled into him further. Sasuke didn't seem to mind this gesture because soon she felt him trace the curve of her hip and place a few soft kisses along her neck and shoulders.
"You alright?" Sasuke asked as he watched the woman in his arms carefully.
It probably hadn't been smart to make love to her while she was still a human. If he had lost control, Sasuke could have drained her dry. He could have gotten too excited and hurt her with his vampire speed or strength as well. Hinata looked perfectly content and unharmed at the moment though. Maybe his recklessness hadn't hurt her.
"Mmm I'm better than alright. I'm wonderful." She assured him as she rolled around on her side to face him.
Sasuke smiled in relief. Good. He hadn't screwed this up somehow. Not that he thought Hinata would tell him, if he did. She was too kind to do that, but Hinata was also a very bad liar. The Uchiha would have known if she had tried to lie to him.
"Good. Any cold feet? I can understand, if you change your mind." Sasuke inquired warily.
It killed him to ask, but Sasuke knew that he had to. Asking her was the right thing to do. Better to have her back out now than to become a vampire and regret it later. There was no going back, once you became a vampire.
"No cold feet." The Hyuga woman murmured as she resumed her morning snuggling.
Sasuke smiled and wrapped his arms around her. He was relieved to hear her say that. It would have been only natural for her to change her mind, after having more of a chance to think about it. He was glad that she hadn't though.
It was probably the most selfish thought that he had ever had. The young vampire couldn't help it though. He loved her. Sasuke didn't want morality to steal her away from him that easily and it would, if she stayed human.
"Good. If you continue your internship at the hospital, Kiba will know that you are still there. He'll try to come visit you." Sasuke whispered.
Hinata bit her lower lip. Maybe she should finish her internship and graduate med school first. If she didn't, odds are she wouldn't be able to go back for awhile.
"That's a good point." The bluenette admitted.
"If you want to finish first, that's okay with me. You don't have to though. Hinata, you could always go back later or Madara can get you whatever credentials you want." The raven haired man assured her.
Hinata frowned. That seemed like cheating. She wasn't entirely certain that she wanted to know how Madara would get her those credentials. As with so many things related to that man, the med student decided that it was best to file that under the I Don't Want To Know Category.
The Hyuga woman had realized that it was just easier to stay sane that way. There were a million things that she was curious about. Most of the time, she didn't dare voice her curiosity though. Not because she was afraid that the vampires would be upset by her questions, but because Hinata was afraid of what the answers might be.
"That's cheating." Hinata chided him gently.
"Maybe a bit. When you live as long as a vampire though, people tend to start asking questions. If you still have your degree from today in fifty years and haven't aged a day, people will notice." Sasuke warned her.
That was a good point. Apparently, she would have to refresh her medical license every so often. Maybe once every twenty years, if she was lucky. Hinata might get away with looking twenty-three at forty, but not much further than that.
On one hand, it did seem like quite the annoyance to keep going back to school. She loved med school, but the bluenette wasn't sure that she wanted to keep going back to it that often. Realistically, she was looking at a minimum of five times a century.
"It's completely up to you. If you want to keep going back, I'll support you." Sasuke promised her as he kissed her cheek.
Hinata smiled in response. She didn't doubt that. Though honestly, she imagined that it would get a bit annoying after awhile. So much of her attention would be consumed by college and med school over and over again.
The young woman could easily understand how some couples would struggle, if one of them was in med school. It took a lot of time and effort. It wasn't unusual for med students to be running ragged between their internships and actual studying. It could put a strain on any relationship. Would it really be fair to ask Sasuke to endure that multiple times?
"I know. Maybe once I get more control, I'll go back and finish. After that, I think that I'll let Madara help me. I'll have already done the work. So it wouldn't really be cheating. It would just be a timesaver." Hinata said thoughtfully.
"Are you sure that's what you want? You don't have to make any decisions right now." Sasuke replied.
The bluenette paused as she thought it over. It would be more seamless just to finish before being turned. It would only take a couple years, but that wouldn't be smart.
That was a gamble. There was no real way of telling when she would meet the next Deidara. What if a vampire attacked her while the Uchihas weren't around? What if she got run over by a car? What if she got sick?
"I'll think about it more, but right now it seems like the smartest option." Hinata whispered and Sasuke nodded as he caressed her cheek.
There were too many ifs. Hinata didn't like that. With that many variables, something bad was bound to happen. She just knew it.
"This is just about making that beautiful body of yours more durable. You're strong where it counts. In spirit." Sasuke's earlier words rang in her ears.
Hinata wasn't stupid. She knew that she wouldn't be invincible as a vampire. Obviously, Sasuke and Itachi weren't easy to kill. That didn't mean that they couldn't be though. There were vampires out there that were stronger than them.
Despite that, the Hyuga woman knew that she would be stronger and safer as a vampire. She'd be stronger, faster, and heal more quickly. The bluenette would never have to worry about getting sick or old. Those thoughts were certainly appealing.
"Alright, beautiful. How does a hot shower sound? After that, we can track down my crazy Sire and ask him about turning you into a vampire. Though now that I think about it, Konan might be a better Sire for you." Sasuke suggested.
"A hot shower sounds good and you're right. We really should talk to Madara about all of this. Wait. Why would Konan be better?" Hinata asked.
She didn't know that there was a choice in Sire. The med student had just assumed that it was going to be Madara. Knowing that there was a bit of leeway was interesting to say the least.
"Well she's another woman. That might make it easier on you. It's a matter of personal preference. While your Sire doesn't determine your destiny, it's advantageous to have one that powerful and well known. Konan fits that mold." Her lover told her.
"Isn't Konan younger than Madara?" Hinata asked.
"She's younger than him, but I'm not sure how much younger. I do know that she was older than Deidara though. Konan has never actually told me her exact age. A lot of vampires are very protective of that type of information." The raven haired man explained warily.
Hinata nodded in understanding. As far as she could tell, age was very important in vampire society. The older a vampire was, the more worried you should be for your safety.
"If Madara is stronger, wouldn't he be the better choice?" The human woman inquired.
"If one is lucky enough to choose who sires them, strength and age are certainly important considerations. There is also intelligence and personality. Madara has the first three, but he's a bit wild at times. It's not his fault. Not really. He was just turned in a different era." Her lover elaborated.
Hinata didn't think that Sasuke was lying to her. That all sounded sincere, but she felt like there was more to the story than he was letting on. Was Sasuke actually jealous of his Sire?
"Would it make you jealous, if he was the one to turn me?" The bluenette dared herself to ask.
Sasuke stiffened. He was a little embarrassed that she had figured it out that quickly or at all really. He didn't want to seem insecure, especially the day after they were together for the first time.
Hinata loved him. She had said so and it was obvious that they were very compatible. It was silly and he knew that, but Sasuke couldn't help but feel a little insecure when it came to Madara.
"Maybe a little. It's something that he can do for you at the moment, that I'm not sure that I can. It's a very intimate bond. The Sire Bond can be the closest thing to a parental bond that vampires have, but it can also be a bond shared between lovers. Then again, there are those that are turned for more practical reasons. It just depends. No matter how you look at it, you never forget your Sire." Sasuke muttered.
Madara was older than him. A lot older. The man had far more experience when it came to intimacy than he did. His Sire was also attractive and capable of being VERY charming, when he wanted to be.
Hinata was a faithful person and he knew that, but still. He couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't quite measure up to his Sire. Sasuke wasn't sure that he ever would.
"Well if Konan is willing, I'm sure she'd be a good Sire. After all, she's in love with your brother. Itachi is a good person. So I'm sure that she is." Hinata said.
The Hyuga woman didn't really mind having Konan for a Sire. Who her Sire was mattered little to her. Just as long as they weren't cruel and didn't "accidentally" kill her during the transformation.
So if it made Sasuke feel better, Hinata was fine with choosing someone besides Madara to turn her. She didn't really have a strong preference either way. That and Konan seemed like a good candidate.
"That's true. Now about that shower." Sasuke said with a smirk and Hinata blushed.
Sasuke's stamina was certainly impressive. She wondered if that was a Sasuke thing or a vampire thing. After she pondered the matter for a moment, Hinata decided that it was likely both.
Meanwhile Rin, Kakashi, and Obito were catching up in the living room. Madara watched this all with a great deal of amusement. He could scarcely remember a time when he had been so connected to anyone. Friendship was not something that he indulged in lightly these days.
Oh he cared for Itachi and Sasuke a great deal. The same applied to Obito, but that was slightly different. He had sired Obito and Sasuke. Itachi was his descendent. They all were.
"Blood is thicker than water." He mused to himself.
That meant something to him. They were all descended from Obito's line. Madara himself had never had children before being turned. That had been by choice though.
He had grown up during the War States Period. Children were often forced to be child soldiers in those days. Many would be quite lucky to make it to then. Madara just couldn't bring himself to bring a child into the world under such conditions.
"It must have been awful to lay there for centuries. Rin, I'm truly sorry. I swear to you that I had no idea. If only I had known, I would have helped you." Obito apologized for what Madara was sure was the 100th time.
Well in all fairness, the elder vampire knew that he was exaggerating. In reality, that was more than likely the tenth apology. Still Obito was getting rather repetitive. After twelve apologies, he decided he would step in.
That was sat the point where Obito would start to sound pathetic. There was a limit to how much someone could apologize for something that wasn't their fault. There was a fine line between expressing sympathy and being annoying. Madara didn't deal with annoying well.
"Oh. It's not your fault. You mustn't blame yourself. I'm just so happy that we have all reunited. It's just like the old days." Rin said happily.
Kakashi nodded in agreement. He smiled at his two friends. Rin's and Obito's eyes were alit with happiness. Rarely, had he seen such joy in his long existence.
"That's true. I was not much better myself. The only reason I found out is because there were rumors of a talking grave. So I investigated the matter." Kakashi told him.
He could only hope that Obito would agree to help them. Clearly, the descendents of those who had wronged Rin needed to be punished. Surely, the other vampire would be able to see that and assist them on their quest.
Madara might even help. After all, the Uchiha was very protective of their race as a whole. While he might not hold individual members in high regard, he was very much a proud vampire. There was a chance that he would also see reason.
"And I'm very glad that you did." Rin stated with a smile.
Obito smiled as well. It was nothing short of a miracle. Rin was alive! She was alive and sitting right next to him and Kakashi. Nothing could make this day better, in his mind.
That's when Sasuke and Hinata walked down the stairs. Madara raised and eyebrow and smirked. Their hair was wet and the scent of shampoo clung to their bodies. They had showered. Recently and together.
"I see that you gave your pet a bath." Madara observed slyly.
Hinata blushed scarlet and buried her face into the crook of Sasuke's shoulder. That was embarrassing. Though she supposed that they probably should have dried off more before coming downstairs.
"Technically, it was a shower. You're right though. I did." Sasuke said as he kissed her cheek reassuringly.
"Well who could blame him? She is a rather adorable little thing." Kakashi observed in amusement.
Rin rolled her eyes and get Kakashi a playful swat on the head for his remark. Honestly, it didn't matter what era it was. Apparently, some things would never change. One of them was that Kakashi would always be a pervert.
"Owe! What was that for?" Kakashi demanded.
"You were being rather vulgar. You really shouldn't eye my nephew's pet in such a fashion. It's most unbecoming. Mind your manners." Obito scoffed.
"Your nephew? Do you even know how many generations you are removed from Sasuke and Itachi?" The silver haired vampire inquired.
Hinata watched them carefully. She had never seen the silver haired man or the brunette before. The med student assumed that they must be vampires though. Almost everyone that came through was.
"It doesn't matter how many generations separate us. Blood is blood. That and it's just easier to call them my nephews." Obito said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Well he is quite the handsome one. The spitting image of Izuna. I can see why Madara turned him now." Rin noted slyly.
Hinata didn't quite care for the way that the vampiress was glancing at her lover. It was far too suggestive. Well now she had her answer. Vampires were very sensual creatures it, seemed.
"Well there were other reasons besides that. The man tried to sacrifice himself to save his friends from Deidara. Oh right. You wouldn't know Deidara. He was turned after your disappearance. Well Deidara was one of my associates. He had a habit of playing with his food, unfortunately." The Uchiha Patriarch observed with a sigh.
"Oh yes. I'm very familiar with that type. I assume by your use of past tense, that I'm never going to meet Deidara?" Rin inquired tactfully.
"No, you won't. He's dead and he deserved it." Hinata stunned Sasuke by saying.
"My, my. It appears that Sasuke will have his hands full with this one. Sweet as a kitten one minute and a tigress the next." Kakashi observed with a chuckle.
Hinata felt her face burn with embarrassment again. That happened far more often than she would have liked around vampires. She supposed that there was no help for it though. It was just one of those things that she was going to have to learn to live with, it seemed.
"That's my Hinata. Madara, I wanted to speak with you about my pet. Hinata has agreed to become a vampire. I'd like your blessing, of course. I know that it can be quite an adjustment to take in a newly turned vampire." Sasuke said.
He prayed that his voice didn't betray his nerves. Madara was like a bloodhound. If he smelled blood or fear, he would react. The man was certainly very aware of his surroundings.
"Ah that didn't take nearly as long as I expected. Of course, I don't mind if you have your beautiful pet turned into a vampire. Such beauty should obviously be preserved. Though I do have some reservations." Madara said thoughtfully.
"And what reservations are those?" Sasuke replied warily as he placed his arm around Hinata's waist protectively.
It was as much to show that he was serious about this as to comfort her. That and he didn't care for the way that Kakashi was looking at her. Normally, he didn't mind the other vampire. This wasn't normally though.
His eyes really shouldn't stray beyond her creamy neck so much. Sasuke knew that Kakashi was just admiring the view though. It wasn't like the vampire would seriously pursue Hinata as anything more than a playmate.
"You're rather young to Sire someone. It takes a great deal of control to not get carried away. You wouldn't want to accidentally drink too much." The elder Uchiha reminded him.
Sasuke knew that Kakashi would ask for his permission before he nipped or tried to seduce Hinata. He might be a lecher, but the older vampire was an honorable one. Still that didn't change the fact that the youngest Uchiha suddenly found himself rather irritated.
"I'm aware of that. That's why I would like you, Obito, or Konan to do it. Hinata would prefer Konan. It'd be easier for her, I think. They are both women." Sasuke said.
"Ah I see. Hinata, is that true? Do not feel that you have to become a vampire. This is your decision. Turning someone against their will is rather frowned upon in our society. It is one of our ultimate taboos these days." The elder Uchiha told her.
Hinata nodded. That was true. Sasuke probably had a point about Konan. She was no longer terrified of Madara, but she still recognized a top predator when she saw one.
The Hyuga woman was perceptive enough to realize that Konan and Obito were also top predators, but they weren't in the same league as Madara Uchiha. Not really. Mostly, she just wanted to be a vampiress so that she could feel safe again and be with Sasuke.
"It's true." The bluenette answered honestly.
"Well Obito, it looks like you may have a chance to sire a cute kitten. Wouldn't that be fun?" Kakashi asked his friend slyly.
Obito snorted in amusement. Kakashi was Kakashi. He supposed that the man would never outgrow teasing him. It didn't matter how old they got. It was just the natural order of things.
"I wouldn't mind Siring her for you, Sasuke. Though I suppose you're right. Konan might be a better choice. She's a right sight better than Madara. I think that we all know he can be rather temperamental at times." Obito mused with a smirk.
Madara twitched. How dare Obito say that about him? Temperamental? What on Earth was that supposed to mean?! He felt insulted.
"You may wish to clarify your statement now." He growled at his "childe" in warning.
"I'm merely saying that sometimes you lose your temper rather quickly. Hinata is a gentle soul. She needs a patient Sire. The woman doesn't need as a firm a hand as yours." The younger vampire said quickly.
Sasuke wondered if Obito was actually afraid for his life at that moment. It was hard to tell. His "uncle" had known Madara lot longer than him. Maybe, he wasn't scared.
There was a chance that they had developed a deeper bond. Sasuke certainly hoped that was the case. For Obito's sake. He didn't mind his uncle. Obito was certainly better than Deidara, anyway.
"Well when you put it that way, it does make sense. I'll have to get in contact with Konan. Hinata, are you certain that you understand what you are getting into? This would mean you would have to put off your schooling, if you were turned immediately. Your contact with your family and friends would cease entirely or be drastically reduced." Madara warned her.
"I know what this means. I have considered all those things. Sasuke and I are still working on a cover story to explain why I won't be around as much, but I'm not going to change my mind. This is what I want." She said determinedly.
Madara smirked. Ah young love. It was rather adorable. He couldn't help but wonder if it would stand the test of time though. Forever was a far more romantic notion, when you were a mortal.
"Good. I hope that you continue to feel that way, after you are turned. There is no going back." The elder vampire pointed out.
"I completely understand that. It's worth it though." The bluenette replied as she smiled at Sasuke.
Had he ever been that head over heels about someone? Hmm. It was hard to remember. He probably had at some point. Overall though, Madara was quite content to exchange one lover for another. Variety was the spice of life.
There was nothing malicious in it. It was just hard for one person to keep your attention when there were so many options and you likely had centuries or even thousands of years to live.
"In that case, I'll give Konan a call." He stated as he took out his phone and proceeded to do exactly that.
"Good luck, Hinata." Obito whispered good-naturedly and Hinata smiled in response.
She quickly mumbled a thank you and nodded politely when Rin and Kakashi gave similar words of encouragement. Well at least no one was protesting her becoming a vampire. So that was good.
"Hello, Konan. This is Madara. I was wondering, if you could stop by. It seems Sasuke's pet has decided to become a vampire and she'd like you to be her Sire." Madara said.
Sasuke and Hinata go silent. Konan's response was critical. The Hyuga woman had decided she was going to become a vampiress no matter what, but she still hoped that Konan would say yes. It would certainly make things much easier.
"There's never a dull moment with any of you. Mmm I'll stop by. I should really get to know the woman better before forging such a powerful bond with her though." A feminine voice said.
"That's a fair point. We shall eagerly be awaiting your arrival. Oh and of course, feel free to bring Itachi. After all, this is something of a family affair." Madara replied with a smirk.