Lili-chan: God... i dnt feel like doing a disclaimer...
SparklyLipgloss777: Well too bad you have to
Lili-chan: Itachi-kun! Would you be a sweet heart and do the disclaimer pleez!
Itachi: Lili-chan doesn't own Naruto or any of the characters of that world.
What Brings Us Together
Chapter 12
"NORIKO!!!!" Gaara roared in anguish, still continuing his efforts to clear her airways. Sakura looked at me with tears streaming down her face.
"Sasuke… Help her… Please…" I flew forward to try and help my cousin. My brain was wracking itself when an idea hit. I focused my magic into my left hand, and electricity began to form. Lightning enshrouded my hand, crackling dangerously.
"Move Gaara!" He shot up and I slammed my hand onto Nori's chest. Her chest flew up slightly before falling back. Still no heart beat. I did again, and again, and again. Three more times and her heart started. Gaara had cleared her lungs out, and she was breathing once again. There was an air of relief as the girls shooed us out to change Noriko.
"Uchiha." I turned to Gaara, who was walking towards me.
"What is it Sabaku?" he just stared at me.
"I want to say thank you. You saved her." He gestured to the closed door behind us.
"It's the least I could do after putting her through hell." I responded quickly.
"Damn right it is." Gaara growled. I smirked and continued to walk to the Den. Yuki and Itachi were there, arguing.
"Fuck you Itachi! I don't care if he's your brother! He's a dead man!" Yuki shrieked before my brother pinned her to the wall by her neck.
"You have 2 choices Yuki. You can leave and never see me again, or you can stay and die right here." Itachi growled. Yuki just squirmed, unable to release herself from my brother's chokehold.
"You're not even worth it." He released her, letting her slide down the wall.
"Get your things and get out." He growled at her shivering form. She didn't waste any time in getting out of the room.
"How's Nori? I heard things, but Yuki was being… difficult." I filled him on the situation when he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in between his thumb and pointer.
"The curse is moving faster now that her body's getting weaker and weaker." He growled out in distress. There was a sad silence as we thought about the curse eating away at my cousin's body.
"There's nothing we can do but wait for her decision on the matter. Just relax." Itachi finally broke it, putting in a movie as the girls joined us. Sakura sat beside me, leaning against my body.
"How is she?" she just stared at the menu for "Wanted" before answering.
"She's still out, but she's breathing and her heartbeat is steady." She finally replied. I kissed her hair before leaning my head on hers.
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"Noriko…" something was whispering my name in the blackness that had enveloped me. I felt weightless, like I was underwater in a deep dark ocean. The voice continued to call me as I floated through limbo. The voice was getting closer and closer, until I saw something piercing through the darkness.
"Noriko, honey, can you hear me?" I bolted up and saw a woman walking towards me. She wore a simple robe of the purest white, the hood drawn up over a head of hair similar to mine. Her face was exactly like mine, with pale skin and big eyes. Her eyes were an icy blue, almost silver color.
"Wh-Who are you?" my voice cracked out. The woman smiled, showing her perfect white teeth. I noticed a pair of fangs in the top row. She was a vampire.
"I'm your mother, Nori." Her voice was soft and gentle. It seemed so familiar to me.
"My mother is dead." I retorted her claim. She just chuckled before pulling her hood back, releasing a waterfall of blue-black hair. She turned, moving her hair to the side, and showed me the Uchiha crest on the back of the robe.
"I know. But, you're sleeping dear. I'm just a ghost, one that was sent to tell you the answer to your problems." I still didn't trust her, but she held a hand out to me, and began to sing gently. It was a wordless tune that I recognized from my distant memories. Oh god… she WAS my mother. I felt a tear stream down my face at the realization.
"Don't cry sweetie. I'm here. It's alright." She took me into her arms and stroked my hair.
"Listen Noriko. I don't have much time, for you'll wake soon. But I came to tell you that there is a solution to the curse." I looked up into her blue eyes.
"But, you KNOW deep down inside what that solution is." I just shook my head.
"I don't want to be vampire… I'd rather die." I choked out.
"And be without HIM?" I froze at her words. She just looked at me.
"You know what choice needs to be made Noriko. And deep down inside you, you know that choice." She began to pull away from me. I held onto her, struggling for words to come to me.
"It's all up to you Nori." She smiled before she began to fade. "I love you, my dear sweet little girl." She completely vanished, leaving me in the darkness.
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"Are you ok Gaara?" I snapped my head up to Sakura. Her eyes were filled with concern as she stared at me.
"Hn." I mumbled from my spot on the far end of the couch.
"If you're so worried about her, go and check up on her." She chuckled. Sasuke smirked a little bit as the sand swarmed around me. I ported up to Noriko's room. She was still asleep, her face a mask of peaceful slumber. I sat on the edge of the bed beside her and grabbed her hand. A lock of hair was splayed across her cheek, covering her moonstone skin. I pushed it aside gently, tucking it behind her ear. I noticed her smirk and slowly open her eyes. They were cloudier then before, but still held that glint in them.
"That tickled." She giggled hoarsely. I just smirked and ran my thumb over her cheek again. She smiled up at me, her pale lips drawn back.
"You scared the shit outta me Nori." I mumbled. She widened her eyes and gasped dramatically.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I scared THE Sabaku no Gaara! Heaven forbid!" she let a hand drape over her face, hiding her eyes.
"Now you have to pay for that." I growled next to her ear. I felt her jump as I kissed her neck.
"Down boy. You can punish me when I'm better." She teased. I gave her ear lobe a gentle nibble before pulling away.
"How are you feeling?" I asked more seriously. She closed her eyes and tried sitting up. I lifted her up easily into a sitting position before she answered.
"A little froggy to be honest. And the mark is stinging like a bitch. Other then that, I feel fine." She tried clearing her throat after she spoke.
"This is the story of a girl, who cried a river and drowned the whole world!" I reached into my pocket and pulled out Nori's cell phone.
"Hello?" I answered.
"WHERE IS NORI? I WANNA TALK TO HER!" Tsunade shrieked into the phone.
"She isn't feeling well right now Tsunade-san. I'll have her call you later." It came out a little harsher then I intended, but she got the message.
"Ok. If you don't tell her Gaara-kun, I'll make you wish you'd never been born." She growled.
"Sure" Was all I said before I hung up on her. I'd love to see her try.
"She's worried isn't she?" Nori looked at me with a somewhat sheepish look.
"Yeah. She wanted to talk to you, but you can call her later." I laced my fingers with hers as I spoke.
"Ok. Um, can you carry me downstairs please?" she asked sweetly. I took her into my arms and walked out of the room. They had put her in a pair of sweats with a blue t-shirt, Uchiha crest showing on the back. I went into the Den, and everyone turned to look at us.
"Yay! Nori-chan's awake!" Naruto crowed from the floor.
"Quiet down dobe. She probably just woke up." Sasuke glared.
"Screw you teme!" Naruto threw Sasuke the bird.
"Sorry dobe. I don't swing that way." He retorted with a smirk.
"I'M NOT GAY!!!!" Naruto yelled. Hinata then clasped her hand over Naruto's mouth, muffling his argument.
"How are you feeling Nori?" Itachi asked quietly. I sat in the empty recliner and laid her down on me, opening the leg rest.
"Pretty good actually. The mark's stinging and I sound like I swallowed a frog, but I'm ok." She grinned.
"You missed the movie though! It was so good!" TenTen bounced on the beanbag.
"What movie?" She looked up at me, raising an eyebrow. "Itachi put on 'Wanted' with Angelina What's-her-face." Kiba answered, placing his head in TenTen's lap.
"Oh. Was it good?" They then launched into observations and arguments over the movie, with Nori listening to them all. Then Yuki crashed into the room, with several white robed vampires following. She pointed at Itachi before shouting.
"He threatened to kill me!" she screamed like a banshee before pointing at Sasuke and Sakura.
"And there are the fugitives! Get them!" The vampires launched at us in a split second. My sand barely reacted in time to shield Noriko and me from a silver long-sword that had been thrown towards us. I placed Nori beneath me, rougher then I should have, but I had to protect her. I let the sand coat my skin before crushing 2 of them. Sasuke and Itachi were slicing through the assassins with blinding speed, while Naruto tossed Hinata onto Kiba's back.
"Get them out of here!" he roared before a blue sphere began to spin in his hand. He rammed it straight through 3 of the vampires. Several silver daggers were thrown at Kiba, but my sand was faster. It knocked the blades aside while Kiba jumped through the window. Sakura was holding her own, porting all over the room to distract them before crushing their head or shoving her hand through their chests. When the bloody battle was over, Yuki was left cowering in the corner.
Itachi walked forward then, crouching in front of her.
"You DARE bring assassins into this manor? I warned you Yuki. But it seems I've been too soft with you." He grabbed her by the throat and brought her up against the wall.
"Please Itachi-kun. Don't k-kill me." She whimpered.
"What gives you the right to beg for mercy, Suzuka? My brother isn't merciful when it comes to people disrespecting him or his family." Sasuke hissed, his Sharingan glowing. Itachi smirked before growling menacingly. I smirked while Naruto waved as Itachi bit into her throat. Yuki shrieked as Itachi ripped out her throat, spraying blood all over him and the wall. He then bit into her again, sucking her dry as she screamed in horror and pain. Her screams eventually faded till they stopped completely. Itachi let her body drop with an empty thud, licking his lips clean. I ran over to Noriko. She was ok, but her ears were covered.
"Could she possibly BE ANY louder?" she grimaced as she removed her hands from her ears. I smirked before picking her up and porting her back into the bedroom.
"You don't want to see that mess." I answered her confused look. Her mouth made a small "o" as she nodded. Everyone joined us eventually, clean and blood free I might add.
"I have a feeling that this isn't over. They'll come again, especially now that Yuki's dead." Sasuke sighed, pulling Sakura to him.
"I agree. We'll have bounties on our heads now. The elders will probably stop at nothing to kill us." Itachi growled. Noriko looked at me, then at her cousins, then at her hands.
"How long do you think it'll take for them to come?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.
"Two, maybe three days. We've killed an heir to the Elders council. It's top priority for them now." Sasuke answered.
"They'll be after all of us, except maybe Hinata, TenTen, and Nori. We've killed royal guards and an heir." Naruto added glumly. Hinata gasped before looking at him. TenTen's lip began to quiver as she grabbed Kiba's hand.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but if I'm gonna die, I'm gonna go out fighting." We all looked at Kiba. He returned our gazes.
"I agree with Kiba." They all looked at me and I just shrugged.
"If we get enough people, we could take them on." Sakura's voice was a somewhat sad attempt at enthusiasm. I saw the Uchiha brothers look at each other, then smirk.
"All of us should be able to take them on. Hinata, TenTen, and Noriko could wait for us here." Itachi looked at the girls.
"You're funny Itachi. I can help you guys." I looked at Noriko with shock. Everyone did.
"No." I said firmly. She glared at me.
"Yes. I can use the curse mark and help you guys. I CAN fight you know. I'm an Uchiha after all." She said firmly.
"Nori, if you use the mark," Sasuke began, looking at her.
"Yeah I know. I might not survive. But like Kiba said. I would want to go out fighting. I know what I need to do." Her cloudy eyes were hard and firm with determination and stubbornness.
"I know what I must become…" She whispered quietly. My eyes widened. She couldn't be serious.
"Well, we do have a greater chance if Nori's with us." Sakura spoke, grabbing our attention.
"The curse possesses a great amount of power. I researched it some time ago. We'd have an incredible advantage over the vampires." She smiled at Noriko.
"Don't encourage her Sakura." I growled.
"You don't control Nori. It's her choice. Itachi said to wait for her choice. Now that we know what she wants, we should grant her that." Sakura growled at me. I snarled before glaring at her.
"We'll stay here at the manor. Sakura, you go to your apartment and pack some things for you and Nori." Sakura was off in a shower of crimson cherry blossoms.
"Naruto, you take Hinata and TenTen to their apartments so they can pack as well. You pack for yourself as well." Naruto grinned and gave the thumbs up before disappearing with Hinata and TenTen in a firestorm.
"Sasuke, you take Kiba to his place so he can do the same." There was a crash of thunder and the wolf and younger Uchiha were gone.
"Gaara. I'll watch Noriko so you can go prepare." Itachi looked at me, then at Nori.
"Hn" Was all I said before I ported into my apartment. Temari had just walked in.
"Where've you been? Me and Kankuro were starting to get worried about you." She had an armful of papers from the school and her bag.
"I'm staying at the Uchiha manor for a few days." I stated coldly.
"Wha? Why?" she shrieked. "Nothing important. Nori's feeling a little sick and she's staying there with her cousins." I answered quickly as I headed into my room. She followed.
"Now that you mentioned her, can you tell me why I smelled Uchiha blood on the couch and carpet in the living room?" her voice was hard.
"I bit her is all. Don't worry. That's not why she's sick." I added, grabbing my stuff and tossing into a duffel bag.
"Gaara you need to tell me what's going on." She hissed.
"I've told you, Temari-sama. Noriko is sick." I growled as I finished packing. I zipped the bag closed and tossed it onto my back, walking out of the room to grab a few CD's and movies.
"Gaara…" I ported out of the apartment and into Noriko's room. Itachi stood by the wall, watching a sleeping Noriko.
"How long has she been out?" I asked, dropping my bag on the floor.
"She just fell asleep about two seconds ago actually." Itachi walked to the door slowly.
"She doesn't have a lot of time Gaara. Spend every moment you can with her." His normally monotone voice had an underlying hint of sadness in it.
"Will do." I added, walking over to the bed. Her face was peaceful as she slept. I didn't want to wake her so I just sat on the edge of the bed quietly and watched her. I know it sounds like a stalker thing, but I enjoyed watching her sleep. I often snuck into her room at night just to watch her. Don't jump to conclusions you sickos.
I heard Naruto downstairs, shouting at Sasuke, who was threatening to throw Naruto's ramen out if he wasn't quiet. I heard Nori stir, and looked to see her eyes open.
"I fell asleep again?" she asked wearily. I just chuckled and nodded. She sat up and stretched, raising her arms above her head. Her stomach growled rather loudly, shattering the quiet silence. I almost busted out laughing as she blushed, clutching her stomach.
"Let's go and get you something to eat, Sleeping Beauty." I pulled her out of bed, but she shooed me off.
"I can walk Gaara!" she laughed, waving me off. I just grabbed her hand, and she laced her fingers with mine as we walked downstairs. She dragged me into the kitchen before fumbling through the cabinets. She found no food in the cabinets above, so she bent over to look below. I couldn't but look at her, well, you know.
"I can't see a damn thing without my glasses." She grumbled as she continued to search. She finally pulled out a cup of instant ramen. I watched her as she prepared it, pouring the hot water in and letting it sit and steam. The subtle movements were all but captivating. The way she moved her arm, or the small turn of her wrist as she poured, they all caught my attention, tempting me. I finally succumbed while she stood waiting for the ramen. I walked to her and turned her around.
"Eek!" I silenced her small scream by pressing her lips to mine gently as I wrapped my arms around her small waist. Her arms snaked around my neck, pulling me down more. I licked and nibbled at her bottom lip, seeking entrance into her mouth, which she granted eagerly. Our tongues slid over each other's in a dance as I pulled her up and sat her on the counter. She hesitantly opened her legs to me, and I fit myself between her knees before pulling away so she could breathe. Her cheeks were a pleasant shade of red, and her eyes were half-lidded. I smirked and kissed her again, letting one hand travel up and under her shirt and up her back to her neck before I twisted some of her blue-black locks through my fingers. She moaned as I sucked on her lower lip, and bit it gently, drawing a small river of blood. I groaned at the taste of it. It tasted like a sweet, ripe pomegranate that I could easily get addicted to.
"Ahem!" We pulled apart and looked to the door to see Sasuke and Naruto standing there. Naruto was just grinning like an idiot while Sasuke was suddenly extremely interested in his bangs.
"Sorry about the interruption. I just wanted to get me some ramen." Naruto wiggled his eyebrows as he walked by us. I glared at him the entire time as he grabbed a cup of ramen, poured the water in and left the room, Sasuke following instantly.
"Um, I better check my noodles. I don't want them to get too soft and mushy." Nori's statement was added with a loud growl from her stomach. I just chuckled before capturing her lips one more time, running my tongue over her lips before pulling away and placing her on the floor. She grabbed her noodles and a set of chopsticks before walking out the kitchen with me following.
We walked to the Den, and saw Kiba and Itachi pressing buttons furiously on a PS2 controller. I looked to the screen and saw Sub-Zero freeze Sheeva before shattering her into a million pieces.
"SHIT! That's the third time you've gotten me with that stupid freezing snowball thing!" Kiba shouted, waving his arms. Itachi just turned to the wolf and smirked.
"That's cause you suck at MK Kiba. Let me try!" Sakura giggled before taking Kiba's spot on the floor by Itachi. Nori sat on the beanbag and let me lean my back against her knees. We watched as Itachi chose Sub-Zero once more, while Sakura chose Mileena. The famous voice over said, "Fight!" and Sakura went into a flurry of attacks, followed by a well-timed throw. We all let out our comments as Sub-Zero went tumbling down the tower to the second level. It eventually ended with Mileena biting off Sub-Zero's head.
"You just got owned Itachi!" Kiba barked, clapping. Naruto was snickering away while TenTen was on the floor in a fit of giggles.
"Let me try." Sasuke walked forward and grabbed the controller from his older brother, sitting cross-legged beside Sakura. She chose Mileena once more while Sasuke settled for the tag-team Noob and Smoke. It was a tie.
"C'mon Hinata! I'll go easy on you!" Naruto was making puppies eyes at Hinata.
"A-alright N-Naruto-kun." She stuttered as she grabbed a controller. Now it was Bo Rai Cho versus Ashrah. Naruto didn't even land a hit on our new Mortal Kombat prodigy.
"Ooh! I wanna try!" TenTen shoved Naruto out of the way and chose Jade. She lasted a little longer, but not by much.
"Gaara should try!" Noriko suggested after slurping down her last thing of noodles. I looked up at her.
"Yeah! Go on Gaara! Try it!" Naruto and Sakura cheered from the couch. I just smirked and grabbed the controller. Hinata chose Ashrah again, while I chose Scorpion. I used his spear right away, pulling her in then landing a combo with another spear, and then a throw. Hinata landed 4 hits on me before I knocked out of the ring and down onto a spike. Everyone had a go at me, all losing to Scorpion.
"I want to try." Noriko sat next to me, grabbing a controller and choosing Princess Kitana. I smirked and chose Scorpion. I tried the spear move, but she ducked and switched her styles to her blade fans. I managed to block a few of her hits, but she did a throw and disabled my attacks. She then sliced me to ribbons.
"Yep. She's an Uchiha all right." Kiba teased poking her on the back of the head.
"Ok, you guys have school tomorrow. Time for bed." Itachi smirked.
"You ain't my mom!" Naruto shouted, grinning.
"He's just telling you dobe because you can't wake up even if it was to protect the world from ramen eating aliens." Sasuke smirked with Sakura laughing on his lap. Before Naruto could go into one of his loud rants, I used my sand to cover his mouth. Everyone laughed as Naruto's eyes went the size of saucers and his hands claw at the sand in vain. He even fell off the recliner he sat on and wriggled around on the floor. I finally let the sand slither off his face, and he shot up, pointing at me.
"Screw you Gaara!" I just smirked. "I prefer women Namikaze. Boys just don't do that for me." Everyone busted out laughing while Naruto's eyes turned red with a slit pupil.
"Screw you guys! I'm going to bed!" He ported out of the room before we could ridicule that last remark.
"Seriously. We all have school tomorrow. You think you can go Nori?" Itachi turned to Nori.
"Yeah. I'll just sit out during gym." She stood up and hugged everyone as they left. I walked up behind her and took her into my arms, carrying her to her room. I placed her onto the bed, letting her get cozy as I took off my shirt and changed into some black sweats behind the changing screen. She was singing a wordless tune when I walked back out, tucking my shirt and jeans into my bag. She checked her phone and set her alarm before plugging it into the charger and tucking it under her pillow. I crawled over to where she was and laid down, resting my head on the pillow and motioning with him my hand for her to come. She scooted over and snuggled up to me, running her hand up and down my torso.
"Go to sleep Noriko. I'll see you in the morning ok?" She looked up at me with lazy eyes.
"Ok." She propped herself up onto her elbows and kissed me gently. I stroked her face before she pulled away and rested her head on my chest. I ran my fingers through her hair and sang "If You Could Only See" till I heard her breathing grow deeper and steady. Itachi's words played through my head all through the night while I watched her sleep.
"She doesn't have much time Gaara. Spend every moment you can with her."