My Other says I'm a sadist. At the moment, I'm inclined to agree.
Thank you so much for all the kind reviews. I love and appreciate each of them (even the one where one poor reviewer called me cruel- it amused me greatly).
I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's short, but I wanted to get something out quickly and it seemed like as good a place as any to take a break. I'm leaving Sunday for a week long camping trip, but I'll try to get the next chapter out before I do. If I don't manage it, I apologize in advance.
Chapter 13: Stay with me
Kiba snarled, and even Kakashi seemed concerned with how easily Naruto had acknowledged his role in freeing Sasuke. Kakashi leaned forward and asked, "Naruto, do you understand what that means?" Naruto grinned back at him and leaned back on his hands.
"Yea, of course. It means that I have to die in order to free Sasuke." Naruto himself waited for the panic of that statement to set in, but he felt oddly calm. This was the price that he would have to pay for the time he had spent with Sasuke. And he hadn't been lying when he said that he would do anything for Sasuke. He could do anything for Sasuke, and sacrificing his life for Sasuke's freedom seemed so trivial. What was his life worth if Sasuke couldn't be a part of it anyway?
Kiba still seemed displeased at the idea. "Maybe you don't have to die." Kakashi furrowed his brow.
"But the glyphs require a substantial amount of blood. No mortal could survive that."
"What if we turn him? He won't die then." Kakashi looked over Sasuke's notes.
"No, I'm fairly sure that won't work. If we turn him, then a majority of his blood wouldn't be his own, but that of his prey. And, any injuries would heal too fast; his wounds must stay open long enough to break the seals at one time." Naruto smiled and reached over to take Kiba's hand.
"Kiba it's fine…"
"No," Kiba snapped back. "What if we turn him after Sasuke's freed? He'll be half way there anyway." Naruto considered him while Kakashi thought it over.
"How does one turn into a vampire anyway? No one ever gave me a straight answer."
Kiba growled at the abrupt change of topic, and Naruto thought for a moment he wouldn't answer him. "The intended vampire must be close to death from blood loss, which you will be, and then enough of a vampire's blood must be pushed into their system."
"Did Sasuke tell you how glyphs work, Naruto?" Kakashi was leaning on the back of the door with his eyes closed.
"Yea. Something about a residual power in the blood of vampires and the glyphs direct that power. Or something like that." Kakashi nodded.
"That's the general idea. The residual power is enough to turn a weakened individual. It's why the intended must be bled before being turned. Certain incantations and glyphs drawn on the flesh allow the blood to have direction in the intended's veins. Unfortunately, I don't believe that this will be a possibility for you."
"Why not?" Kiba yelled. Naruto shushed him.
"Kiba, keep your voice down. I don't want Itachi to wake up."
"Why not?" Kiba whispered, but the force behind his voice was still there.
"I believe that this is the opportunity that Itachi has been waiting for. He and Sasuke are evenly matched, especially since Itachi has been sealed away for close to three centuries. He needs to find a way to weaken Sasuke in order to defeat him for good." Kakashi turned from Kiba to Naruto to explain why Kiba was pulling at his hair in frustration. "A vampire is incredibly vulnerable when turning a fledgling. They must open themselves and pour everything they are into the process, so they also allow themselves to be open to attack. It explains why Itachi let you find Sasuke so easily, why he allowed you to find the glyphs that will free Sasuke. Itachi wants you to free Sasuke so that Sasuke will try and save you. He will be able to kill him then." The first dregs of dread started to form at the back of Naruto's throat.
"You can't let him." His breathing was coming hard. He couldn't free Sasuke if it meant his death. That defeated the point. "Don't let Sasuke try and turn me." Kakashi reached out to him and rubbed his arm.
"Calm down, Naruto. Breathe." Why should he breathe? Breathing seemed so inconsequential.
"Don't let Itachi kill him. Kakashi, you can't let Sasuke die!"
"I won't, Naruto. Calm down. Sasuke has an entire coven that would die before letting Itachi hurt Sasuke." Naruto finally inhaled and relaxed enough so he could think properly. Kiba still was agitated.
"Fine, then I'll turn him." Naruto shot him a shaky grin.
"Thanks for the offer, but I would rather you didn't." An offended look passed over Kiba's face, so Naruto was quick to explain. "But I'm sure that Itachi will have Atatsuki there, if anything so they can witness Sasuke's death. Sasuke will need all of your help." He turned and faced Kakashi and lowered his voice to a threat. "And I want all of them dead. No mercy, and no second chances." Kakashi nodded in agreement.
"Of course. They have already wasted their second chance. None of them will survive, I promise you." Naruto nodded in satisfaction before turning back to Kiba.
"Besides, I don't think that Sasuke ever wanted me to be turned." The phrase "in your lifetime" kept running through his head, and he remembered that Sasuke seemed so pleased by the thought. Kakashi seemed to agree with Naruto's guess.
"That would make sense. Sasuke has always been against the turning of vampires. That's why he set up so many obstacles for vampires who wish to take fledglings, and why he has to be certain that the intended is positive they wish to be a vampire." Kiba didn't share the sentiment.
"But don't you think that Sasuke would be more against Naruto being dead?" Kakashi shrugged.
"Who knows? Sasuke has issues." Naruto grinned and found himself missing Karin.
"So I've been told. From day one." Kakashi chuckled.
"You should have known then." Naruto sniggered, but Kiba was still frowning at both of them as if they had lost their minds.
"Have the both of you lost your minds?" It didn't help that Naruto started laughing. "You're talking about being killed, Naruto."
"I know, Kiba. And thank you so much for your concern. But this is something that needs to be done." Kiba went to argue, but Naruto stopped him. "This is something that I want to do. I'm happy that I can finally repay Sasuke for everything that he's done for me. I'm not scared, and I have no regrets. Please, don't you regret anything either, okay?" It took a long time, but Kiba finally nodded, just once.
"How will this work then? Sasuke will need back-up."
"I agree," Kakashi said, "but we can't enter the basement until Sasuke is freed. If we do, Itachi may throw the ritual."
"We'll wait then," Kiba chimed in, "at the top of the stairs. Atatsuki will probably be distracted by the ritual and their own blood thirst to notice us. I'm sure that Kakashi will be able to tell when Sasuke's free. We'll attack the moment the chains are off of him."
"And stop him from trying to turn me," Naruto reminded.
"If we can," Kiba shot back.
"Kiba," Naruto warned, but Kakashi's hand on his shoulder cut him off.
"Let us concern ourselves with that. You have a large enough role as is. You focus on freeing Sasuke and we'll handle the rest." Naruto considered Kiba's stubborn expression before turning back to Kakashi.
"Fine. I'll go to Itachi as soon as the sun sets and tell him that I'm ready. He'll probably tease and torment me before telling me what needs to be done. Give it about half an hour to forty-five minutes before you come into the house."
"Of course. We'll be waiting outside of the house until we see them head into the basement. We'll be ready."
"I trust you," Naruto replied. Kakashi inclined his head in acceptance. "Both of you." Kiba was still scowling at him, but he gave Naruto a weak grin.
"It's almost sunset. We should get back and rally the troops. You'll be all right?" Naruto laughed and Kiba's concern.
"Of course." They stood and Kiba and Kakashi started to pile their layers back on. "I appreciate everything you've done for me. It's been fun. Tell everyone else bye for me."
"Of course." Kakashi's voice was muffled by the ski mask, but Naruto could pick up what he assumed to be affection in the man's voice. "It has been an honor and a pleasure, Naruto. I wish you luck." Kiba hesitated in following Kakashi out of the closet before deciding to hug Naruto. Naruto grinned into the hug.
"Hold on for as long as you can, Naruto."
"Kiba," Naruto warned, but Kiba was shaking his head.
"Please." Naruto sighed.
"All right. I will." Kiba finally grinned back at him and, after a quick hug, followed Kakashi out the window. Naruto considered going to the window as well to see them off, but the sun was low on the horizon and he was running out of time. Instead he went directly to the study and replaced the book on the shelf. He turned to leave, but halted half way to the door and returned to Sasuke's desk and took his regular seat next to Sasuke's chair.
He didn't have to wait long. The sun had only been set for a couple of minutes before Itachi blew into the room. "Ah, Naruto, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I'm ready." Itachi grinned.
"Ready? For what?" Naruto had prepared himself for this. He knew that Itachi was going to toy with him, so he took a deep breath before he answered.
"I know how to free Sasuke. I also know that it requires your help. So, I'm telling you that I'm ready. Tell me what to do." Itachi's grin didn't falter. He stayed there and stared back at Naruto for some time before he moved to the desk and opened one of the lower drawers. There was a lock box there without any lock, but that didn't seem to bother Itachi. He extended one of his claws and traced over a symbol on the side. Naruto watched as the lid to the box dissolved away to reveal what looked like a bowl, but as Itachi lifted it from the drawer to place it on the desk, Naruto realized that it was closer to being a basin. It was stone and had an intricate design on the inside. Itachi sat back in Sasuke's chair; it took all of Naruto's willpower to stay in his own chair so close. Instead, he settled for pressing himself back into his chair as far as he could go.
"Should I be insulted?" Insulted or not, Itachi's grin was still solid on his face.
"Yes," Naruto responded. He motioned to the basin. "What's that?" Itachi's grin turn nostalgic.
"This is an ancient Mayan sacrificial bowl. Do you know much about the Mayans?" Naruto shook his head and wondered where this was going. "They were a marvelous culture that believed heavily in sacrifice. They would brutally slaughter thousands of victims every year." Naruto couldn't help the scoff that escaped his mouth.
"Sounds like your kind of culture."
"Indeed." Itachi picked the bowl up and rested it on his knee so that Naruto could look inside. "This design here is the infamous Mayan calendar. They placed this on the inside of all of their sacrificial bowls because they believed that blood was the fuel of the universe. All blood collected in these bowls was thought to feed the calendar. This would ensure that universe would continue to move."
"Fascinating," Naruto deadpanned. Itachi chuckled and placed the bowl back on the desk.
"When they would go to war, they would never kill their opponents on the battle ground. Instead, they would take them prisoner to be used in sacrificial rites later on. It ultimately was a contributing factor to their downfall as the Spanish did not play according to their rules."
That sounded vaguely familiar. Naruto strained to remember his world history lessons from High School. "Cortes?" Itachi grinned at him.
"Ah yes. Heard of him, have you?" Naruto didn't respond, but Itachi accepted his silence. "The poor Mayans did not quite understand why the Spanish Gods were killing them in war. Fortunately for us, many of their artifacts remain in this world." Itachi considered Naruto before he continued. "As a part of their religion, they believed it to be an honor for oneself to be sacrificed. All sacrificial victims were considered willing. Are you willing, Naruto?"
"Yes." Naruto answered without hesitation and the quick response seemed to take Itachi aback.
"Does my brother inspire such loyalty in you? Or are you simply desperate for something to be loyal to?" Naruto went to answer him, but Itachi interrupted him before he could respond. "Think before you reply."
He did. Kushina had told him that people needed something to believe in to be able to continue living. Was he clinging to Sasuke simply because he needed something to believe in? The thought didn't settle well in Naruto's stomach. He recalled Sasuke, Sasuke's mannerisms, his looks, his small gentle smile that he always reserved just for Naruto. He knew of Sasuke's convictions, what Sasuke had faith in. He also knew that he respected and agreed with those convictions that the murder of innocents was essentially wrong and the endless hope that vampires and humans could live in symbiosis, and that he was proud that Sasuke pursued his beliefs with a dogged determination. He also knew that he never felt safer or more wanted than when he was with Sasuke.
So which was it? Naruto knew. He still knew. "I love him." A look of disgust passed across Itachi's face.
"Do you? You were not given much of a choice."
"I was given a choice. Sasuke let me choose and I chose him. I love him." Naruto forced down the shivers traveling up his spine and leaned forward to growl in Itachi's face, "And I will do anything for him. Now, tell me what to do." Itachi sneered at him.
"You will have to do very little. My coven will link this bowl with the chains. I will spill your blood. All you will have to do is stand there and bleed. Can you manage that?" Naruto sneered back at him and hoped that it was just as intimidating.
"Yea, I think I've got that part down." Itachi stood and Naruto followed.
"Good. Well, let us get started then." He moved to leave but paused at the door. "There will not be time for regrets later. Once you leave this room, your course is set. Be sure." Naruto grinned at him.
"I'm sure." Itachi scoffed at him and turned to leave; Naruto followed him. He was so sure because he knew he had no regrets.
Naruto had no regrets when he walked out of the room and heard Itachi hiss for Atatsuki.
He had no regrets when he saw the looks of pure glee cross their faces at the news of his impending death.
He had no regrets as he was led by an entourage of monsters to a torture chamber.
He had no regrets even as he saw the look of utter betrayal crossed Sasuke's face.
He had no regrets as the ominous chanting caused shivers of fear to race up and down his spine.
He had no regrets as he listened to Sasuke scream himself hoarse in his please to spare Naruto's life and please, please Naruto do not leave me! I need you! I love you!
He had no regrets as the searing pain of Itachi's fist ripped through his body and he gagged on the blood flooding his lungs and racing up his throat.
He had no regrets as he struggled to stay awake long enough to lean over the bowl and cough up as much blood as he could to insure that there would be enough there to free Sasuke.
He had no regrets as he felt the horrible sucking pull of Itachi pulling his hand out of his stomach and he collapsed to the floor in a blood stained heap.
He had no regrets as Itachi's insane laughter, Sasuke's anguished screams, and Kiba's blessed battle cry as Sasuke's coven stormed the torture chamber echoed through his head.
And as he lay there dying, struggling to draw breath into his shredded lungs and choking on blood and fluid, he knew that he never could regret anything that led him here.
"Naruto, hang on! Do not leave me! Stay, stay with me! Naruto, please!"
Because everything had been for Sasuke. And he could never regret Sasuke.
Death is easy. It is simple and amazingly effortless. It's like a heavy sleep that you never remember falling into until you're waking up.
It's wonderfully blank. It's empty of all feelings, all thoughts, all consciousness, and all awareness. There are no bright lights and long tunnels ending in a flooding white. There are no tearful reunions with loved ones long past. It is a blessed, heavy nothingness.
And just like sleep, you never realize that you were dead until you're coming back to life.
Oh yes, death is easy. It's living that's the hard part.