What Brings Us Together
Chapter 10
Lili-chan: No one wants to do the disclaimer... *sniff sniff*
Naruto: Aw, don't cry Lili-chan. I'll do the disclaimer!
Lili-chan: *looks up* r-really?
Naruto: Believe it!
Lili-chan: YAY!!!
Naruto: Lil-chan doesn't own me or the characters that were created by Kishimoto-san. BELIEVE IT!!!!
Lili-chan: Thank you Naruto!!! *hugs*
I waited on the outskirts of the city for her to show up. I must've been out of mind when I came up with this. A gentle breeze ruffled the leaves of the tree I was leaning against. I ran my hand through my hair, when a swirl of pink cherry blossoms flurried 2 feet from where I was standing. Sakura appeared before me when the blossoms disappeared.
"What's the matter Sasuke? I got your voicemail when I left for school. You sounded desperate and it kinda had me worried." That's when I knew I wasn't crazy. Who cares if the elders were going to hunt me down? Who cares if I get killed? As long as she was with me…
"I'm leaving Sakura." Her peridot green eyes widened considerably.
"And I want you to come with me." She was silent at first, at loss for words.
"They'll kill you Sasuke! Have you gone ma-"I cut her off by pressing my lips to hers. She froze at first, but eagerly parted her lips when my tongue licked her bottom lip. I pulled away, leaning my forehead against hers.
"I don't care. I'm willing to risk it all for you, blossom." I saw the crimson tears leaking from her eyes at my words. She wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me close. I returned the embrace, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair.
"I love you Sasuke." She sobbed, her voice cracking. I cupped her chin and pulled her face up. I kissed her once more before returning her words.
"I love you Sakura." I then grabbed her wrist and took off, with her by my side.
I ported Noriko and me to the Uchiha manor after we properly, ahem, FIXED ourselves up after, well, you know. Hinata sat on the steps beside Naruto, their fingers entwined. TenTen was pacing in front of them, twirling two shuriken around her fingers. Kiba was stroking Akamaru's head, which was resting in Kiba's lap. Itachi had his arms crossed, one hand raised to pinch the bridge of his nose in between his thumb and forefinger.
"How long have they been gone?" Noriko asked, walking towards Itachi.
"I don't know. I tried following their scent, but they must've ported out of Konoha. I can't pick up anything." He growled, causing his wife to poke her head out.
"Megumi's grandfather is furious. They've already begun hunting." Itachi glared at her.
"Watch your mouth Yuki. That's my BROTHER you're talking about." She hissed at him, her garnet eyes flashing into glowing rubies. Itachi snarled, his Sharingan slowly forming the Mangekyo. She pulled back into the dining room before Itachi's gaze ensnared her into her darkest nightmares.
"Me and Akamaru tried to pick up a few leads earlier, but it didn't work." Kiba hung his head, causing Akamaru to whine slightly. Noriko pulled out her cell phone and called in a futile attempt to talk to her cousin and best friend. I saw Itachi's eyes return to black before he spoke.
"Nori, use the Rengoku." I growled.
"Do you want her to go BLIND, Uchiha? That's too risky!" I snarled. Nori shook her head.
"I don't even know how to use them Itachi! It'd never work!" She walked towards me, grabbing my hand.
"I'll help you. If we combine my magic with the energy generated from the curse mark, it'll do minimal damage to her eyes." Itachi stated matter-of-factly. I hissed quietly, but looked down at Noriko when she squeezed my hand.
"What exactly are the powers of the Rengoku, Itachi?" Great. One of Itachi's lectures of the powers. Brilliant.
"They're very similar to the Byakugan, which only manifested in the Hyuga clan before the vampires of the clan died off." He looked at Hinata, whose eyes were wide with wonder.
"Well, they are known to be able to track down purebloods. They came in handy when a pureblood went rogue. The Uchiha clan was in charge of slaying berserk vampires, like the police force of the vampire world, so to speak." He pushed off the wall and walked towards the dining room. Noriko let go of my hand and went to follow. I just grabbed it again and followed her into the dining room.
"Do not disturb us or our guests Yuki. I don't care that you're Suzuka-sama's granddaughter. I'll kill you, or even leave you." He stated coolly, walking past her to the Den. I smirked at her shocked expression as we followed the elder Uchiha into the Den. He sat on the couch, tying his hair back from his pale face. He gestured to the spot next to him before activating his Sharingan once more. Noriko gulped, squeezing my hand. I squeezed it back before she walked to the spot next to Itachi. I leaned against the wall by the TV in front of them, watching them.
"All right Nori. Just focus on the anger. Don't let the curse run rampant though." She nodded and closed her eyes, concentrating. Her hair swirled slightly as glowing, red, flame-like marks spread over her skin. The marks continued to spread over her face and arms, as well as her hands. The marks then stopped, and darkened to a black color. She opened her eyes, and I saw the same eyes from 3 months ago. Itachi then grabbed her head in between his hands and his Sharingan began to spin. She closed her eyes once more, and they grew still for many moments.
After 2 minutes passed, I noticed a single, red drop make its way down Noriko's cheek. Itachi let go of her head, before she fell back. I propelled myself forward, catching her before she hit the floor. Tears of blood were streaming down her eyes, staining her pale cheeks as they went. I ported to the dark blue bedroom and laid her onto the silken sheets. Itachi was right behind me. I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him up against the wall.
"WOULDN'T CAUSE MUCH DAMAGE? WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?" I pointed my head in her direction. That's when I saw them. His eyes were blood shot, and a few vessels were busted. Blood ran down his face in a similar manner to Noriko's.
"I took most of the damage." His voice was hoarse and rough. I released my hold on him before walking back to the bed. The blood had stopped, but her eyes remained closed. The black marks over her skin began to glow once more, and then receded down to the small pinwheel on her hip. I went to the bathroom and grabbed 2 washcloths. I wet them with warm water before returning to her. I tossed one to Itachi before sitting beside Noriko. I wasn't used to this sort of thing, so I was as gentle as I could be when I wiped the blood away from her face. When I was done I tossed to the clothesbasket.
"Did you see where Sasuke and Sakura were?" I broke the empty silence that had grown in the room.
"They're in Suna right now. The hunters are on their tail already." His voice was already starting to clear up.
"G-Gaara?" My head whipped around to Noriko, whose eyes were fluttering open.
"I'm here Nori. It's ok." I grabbed her hand, leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead. (XD Picture that!!! Gaara being sweet!!!! I wish I was Nori… T_T)
"We have to hurry to Suna! I saw a few more things when I passed out!!! The hunters had them cornered in an alley somewhere in Suna!!!" She shot up, but winced and grabbed her hip. I looked at Itachi, who nodded.
"I'll get Naruto and Kiba. We'll track them in Suna." He was out the door in a matter of seconds.
"I want to come with you guys! You'll need me to tell you where to go!" I just nodded and pulled her out of bed. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"I need to switch out my contacts for my glasses." She groaned and reached into her blazer's breast pocket. She pulled out a little white case and her leather glasses bag. I watched as she pulled out the clear lenses from her eyes and placed them into the solution filled bubbles of the container before sticking it back into her pocket. She whipped out her black-rimmed glasses and placed them on her face.
"Much better." She smiled before walking with me downstairs.
"So what if we're human! Sasuke and Sakura are our friends too! We want to help!" TenTen shrieked. The scene in front of the staircase was one of tension. Hinata had her hands on her hips, while TenTen was throwing a kunai up and down in her hand. Their eyes were narrowed at Itachi and Kiba.
"Just let them come with us! They have a point cousin." Noriko caught their attention. Itachi sighed.
"Fine. Naruto, you'll carry Hinata. Kiba, you'll take TenTen." Naruto jumped for joy while Kiba grumbled. TenTen just gave him a smack up his head. We walked outside; the bright sun was now disappearing behind the horizon. Itachi stood in front of us, staring off into the distance.
"We'll port to the outskirts so Kiba can shift without anyone noticing. Then we'll run the rest of the way." His voice was firm and monotone. A flock of ravens swarmed him and Kiba before they disappeared. Naruto held onto Hinata before swirling orange flames surrounded them and TenTen. I pulled Nori close when the sand began to swirl around us in a cloud. The sand disappeared, and we stood on the outskirts.
Kiba had removed his jacket and shirt, tossing them to TenTen before a sickening sound of cracking bones filled the air. Waves of brown fur spread over his body as it grew, ripping his pants to his thighs. He groaned and fell forward onto his hands, which were quickly becoming paws. When the sounds stopped, he stood on his hind legs, towering over us. He turned towards, and let his tongue loll out of his mouth in a cartoon manner. The girls and Naruto giggled at the wolf.
"Lets go." Itachi was already tensing up. I sighed and grabbed Nori, swinging around to carry her on my back. She got the signal and wrapped her legs around my waist and wrapping her arms around my neck. Naruto just bent his knees while Hinata jumped onto his back. He grabbed her legs while she held onto his shoulders. Kiba barked at TenTen, who was still in awe at the sight of him. She snapped back into reality and walked forward. He knelt down before TenTen jumped. He went onto all fours before howling to the rising moon. She grabbed fistfuls of his brown fur and leaned forward like a horse rider. Itachi crouched down before springing forward. We ran after him at a speed that was almost super sonic.
"Yeehaw!!!" TenTen crowed from Kiba's back. Noriko giggled and buried her face in the crook of my neck. I smirked and continued on.
"Hina-chan still awake?" TenTen called out to Naruto.
"I'm still awake TenTen!" Hinata squealed with exhilaration. I could only imagine how this felt to them.
"It feels like I'm flying!" Nori called out after she brought her face away from my neck. We continued running for 2 hours till we reached Suna. We stopped on the outskirts of the City Hidden the Sand so Kiba could shift. I looked out at my hometown and sighed. It was now a modern city, with buildings and bright lights. It wasn't the village that was tucked away in my memories.
I let Noriko down, as did Naruto and Kiba. They stopped for a second, before gripping their heads.
"I HATE VERTIGO!!!" Nori shrieked before falling to her knees. I just laughed to myself. They were suffering from a massive head rush. The dizziness was killing them. I walked over and crouched next to Nori.
"Tuck your head to your knees. It helps considerably." Nori sat on her butt and brought her knees up. She tucked her face to them and breathed slowly.
"So does chocolate!" a now human Kiba called out. His pants were ripped, but were still on. Thank god. If they weren't I'd be disturbed for centuries. When the girls had recovered, TenTen tossed Kiba's shirt and jacket to him. He pulled them on before we headed into the city.
"I know this place! I saw it earlier!" Noriko yelled and ran down the streets with us following. The sound of snarls and growls were heard from an alley.
"You stay here. We've got this." I growled out as I let my animal instincts take over. The girls nodded before Itachi, Kiba, Naruto, and me walked into the dark alley. It was a long alley, one that was perfect for vampire assassinations. We ghosted down the alley till we reached the end. Seven cloaked vampires had surrounded 2 other vampires. The pink hair was dead giveaway.
"If you are smart, you'll leave my brother and his companion alone." Itachi's voice caught the hunter vampires' attention. They whirled around, looking at us with bright red eyes. I glared at the 2 that were in front of me. They snarled at me, and I roared. They shrunk back for a second before crouching.
"They're worth a lot of money. I won't give up on them so easily." The leader snarled, reaching for a silver dagger. Kiba flinched, but stood his ground.
"Then we'll just have to kill you." My flat tone was accompanied by a hissing sound. The vampires looked around, and saw the sand that was forming on my back. It formed a large gourd on my back, carrying a good amount of sand in it. The sand continued to form as it coated my skin, forming an armor that encased my body.
"You can try!" the leader roared before launching towards Kiba. Kiba wasn't as fast, so a hit from the dagger was guaranteed. My sand was faster though. It formed a shield in front of Kiba, breaking the blade of the dagger. The sand then came to shield me from the 2 vampires in front of me. After it blocked their hits, it enveloped one of them in a coffin of crushing sand. I grasped the others head in between my hands and squeezed. His head was crushed, spraying blood all over my hands. I looked at the others and smirked. Naruto had driven his hand through the heart of one while Kiba had torn the head off another. Itachi had one vampire on his knees, clutching his head in between his hands. No doubt he was in the nightmare realm of the Mangekyo, Tsukoyomi, while he ripped another's throat out with his teeth. He then broke the kneeling ones neck before crushing his head under his foot.
One remained, cowering in the corner. I just smirked, and my sand formed a long javelin. I hurled it at his throat, piercing through and pinning him to the wall. I removed the javelin then speared it through his heart. The sand that coated my skin lost its shape and fell to the ground, as did the javelin and my gourd. Sasuke and Sakura stood before us, eyes wide.
"You're coming back to Konoha. We need to talk." Itachi said coldly before walking out of the alley. I turned and followed. Nori looked at me, then at a bloodstained Itachi.
"Are they ok?" I nodded before walking to stand beside her. The others came out, and there were mixed emotions amongst us.
"Let's port home. It's easier and faster. We'll just need to rest." Itachi words were flat as he ported out of sight. The rest of us ported to the manor.
After we got cleaned up from our fight, we were in the Den. Naruto and Hinata were on the beanbag while Kiba and TenTen were on the couch. Itachi sat in one of the recliners, staring at his brother coldly. I was lying on the floor with my head in Nori's lap. Sasuke and Sakura sat on the couch. An uncomfortable silence filled the air.
"Say what you're going to say Itachi." Sasuke glared at his older brother.
"What were you thinking Sasuke? You know the laws of our world! The elders are ruthless and have no qualms whatsoever about killing!" The elder Uchiha snarled. Sasuke's face remained calm.
"They're just a bunch of old men who would find any reason to kill. The Uchiha clan was the royalty of the vampire world until Aya disgraced us! They'll find any reason to put the last of the Uchiha out of the picture!" Sasuke's temper flared slightly at the end of his sentence.
"But did you have to leave without telling us your plans!" Noriko's voice caught my attention. I looked up at her. She was glaring at Sasuke and Sakura with malice in her eyes.
"We could have distracted them long enough for you to get away! We would have played along!" she continued. I felt a tear hit my face. I sat up and pulled her to me, so she was sitting between my legs. I held her quivering form as she continued.
"We love you guys! We'd do anything to help you! But you guys don't seem to know that!" she sobbed. Sakura was about to say something when I looked at her. She closed her mouth and hung her head in shame. Sasuke clenched his fist and looked away from Nori. I kissed her shoulder and rubbed her arms, trying to comfort her shaking body.
"Because of your little Romeo and Juliet runaway act, Nori's sight and body are deteriorating faster and Itachi's sight is getting worst." I added. Sasuke shot up from his seat.
"What are you talking about?" he snarled. Sakura brought her head back up and looked at Nori.
"She had to use the Rengoku, which means she would have to activate the curse mark. Itachi helped her by trying to take on some of the damage. It cost them both." I added coldly, pulling Noriko close.
"You needed to think this over before you ran off! Look what's happened now teme!" Naruto added.
"Naruto's right guys. Even if it was spur of the moment, at least leave a note or something. We were all worried." TenTen said.
"For being really smart Sasuke, you were pretty stupid today." Kiba received a glare from the younger Uchiha. Sasuke then looked to glare at me, but I glared right back.
"Look at what you two did to Nori." I growled. When they didn't, my temper flared.
"LOOK AT WHAT YOU FUCKING DID TO HER!!!" I roared. Sakura looked at Nori's sobbing form in my arms. Sasuke did the same, and for once, I saw sadness in his cold eyes.
"Look at her eyes." I commanded. Nori looked at Sasuke and I know what he saw. Her black eyes were clouding and turning into a dark gray color. Her now visible pupils weren't dilated right, and you could tell she couldn't see very well.
Sakura got off the couch and walked towards us. She knelt in front of Noriko.
"I have no right to apologize. I've taken something from you and I didn't have the right." Sakura's voice was shaky as crimson tears began to form in her green eyes.
"But for the record, I'm sorry Noriko. You don't have to forgive me, but just know that I am so sorry." She reached out to hug Noriko. I let her, but didn't move from my spot on the floor.
"You know I can't stay mad at you Saku." Noriko choked out between her sobs. They stayed there for a few moments before Sakura let Noriko go and sat down beside us. Sasuke stood there, frozen in place as the dread began to spread over his pale face.
"Nori…I… I…" for once he was at a loss for words. He fell to his knees in front of her, a crimson tear falling down his cheek. Noriko just looked at Sasuke.
"Forgive me, Nori. I wasn't thinking. I never meant to do this to you… I-I" He hung his head as more tears streamed down his cheeks. I'd never seen Sasuke cry. I don't think anyone has ever seen him cry. Nori just leaned forward and embraced him. She stroked his hair softly, almost in a mother-like gesture as he cried into her shoulder.
"Shh Sasuke. It's ok. I'm still here. So is Itachi. So is Gaara, Naruto, Hinata, TenTen, and Kiba." Her voice was soothing and completely maternal. She finally let go of him and pulled away. She smiled gently at him, and we all about died at the next sight. Sasuke smiled back and nodded sitting by Sakura. We were all silent for a moment as this all sank in.
"You can stay here for the night. Don't you girls have a concert tomorrow?" Itachi stood and headed towards the doors.
"H-hai. Tomorrow is also Noriko's solo debut." Sakura smiled towards Nori. I picked up Nori and carried her to her room.
"I can walk silly panda. I'm ok." She giggled quietly.
"So? Doesn't mean I'll let you walk." I smirked as I placed her on the bed. She pouted before getting out of the bed.
"I need pajamas silly." She walked to the drawers beside the vanity table. I frowned as she rummaged through the drawers.
"I know I had one of Itachi's old t-shirts in here!" she said, digging through the drawers with determination. I just smirked at her attempts.
"Aha!" she squealed in triumph, holding an oversized black t-shirt with a red cloud on the front. The small Uchiha crest was right below the neckline on the back of the shirt. She smiled and walked to the changing screen. I just shook my head and listened to her humming. She walked out from the screen and to the bed. The shirt fit her like a mini dress. She crawled in and under the covers before looking at me.
"Are you gonna go home? Or are you gonna stay here?" she tilted her head to the side at me. I kicked off my Vans before joining her. She used my chest for a pillow, running her hand over my stomach while I twirled a strand of her hair on my finger.
"Gaara?" she looked up at me, taking her glasses off and tossing them onto the nightstand.
"Hm?" I responded, using some sand to guide the glasses to their destination and land gently onto the small table.
"You wanna come to the concert tomorrow?" she asked sleepily. I smirked and kissed her gently.
"Sure. Love to." She smiled before her cloudy eyes closed and her breathing grew deep. I watched her sleep the entire night. I didn't want to miss a single thing…