A/N: Hi guys! Oh my gosh! I am so sorry for taking so long but as you can see, this chapter is kind of long. Sorry. I didn't mean to make it so long but oh well. Now I must warn you, you will go 'Yes! Go, go!', then 'really? Oh come on!', then 'oh wow, (possibly) didn't see that one coming' or 'Oh hell yeah!' at that moment, then 'Aw…T_T', and finally 'oh shit…' That's what I assume, anyway.

I do NOT OWN ANY of the Naruto characters or the story itself. Believe me if I did, I would write it like how I am writing 'What Will You Do Now, Sasuke' – which I also need to update… But I also have a surprise for you! WYLM and this story is more than a year old and I believe I have kept you all waiting long enough. On Christmas Day, I will unleash the first chapter of the winning story idea! Then I will delete 'Which ItaSasu Story is Next' and start over for a new vote, once I'm half way done with the winning story idea. That is my Christmas present to you guys! Thank you all for the wonderful reviews and please keep them coming. I love them all! Every single one of them! I accept criticism too because I want to become a better writer. Thank you and please enjoy!

Ch. 32: Liar

"Your majesties, I request your full permission to personally eliminate this traitor."

That is the first thing Itachi hears as soon as he comes back to consciousness and the first sense to come back to him is hearing. Though in all honesty, that was not really the most pleasant thing to hear as soon as you wake up after getting your head wacked from behind. Talking about the head, it hurts likes hell.

"Answer me this, first. What exactly has he done to deserve death so suddenly? Way I heard it, my son just came home only yesterday evening."

"The time of his arrival has nothing to do with his crimes, my lord. He could have returned earlier this morning and the events would have inevitably occurred."

At the moment, Itachi doesn't even bother with trying to know who is talking right now. His head hurts too much at the moment and he just so happens to wake up on something cold and hard. Almost like the time when he first woke up in the castle when he was captured as a human. Cold hard floors, cold temperature all around him, his muscles and body aching everywhere, and cold metals on his throat and his wrists. Just like the first time, only he can feel that his wrists are bound behind him now.

Opening his eyes to see his surroundings, his vision comes back in a fog but at least when it all started to come back the first thing he sees is three pairs of feet on the other side of metal vertical bars. Trying not to move to alert the other people here, he looks up and with the dim light of the lighted torches in this dark hallway he can see the sparkling gleam of silver hair and the stunning radiance of two porcelain skins. As the daze moment begins to cease, he sees who's in this room with him; Kakashi and his parents, both men looking upset as Mikoto looks extremely worried. By the sight of the metal bars between them and him, that must mean that he's in the dungeon and with the metal bonds on his wrists behind him and on his neck that he knows are attached to the ground, there's no doubting that theory.

However, there is something different about the metal collar around Itachi's neck. It's too big for him. Almost as if it were just an inch wider, he could smooth it off over his head. It's too loose around him, but that's the bad part about it. It only took him a second to realize by the size of the collar why exactly it's made this way. It's because it's a collar that can instantly send several thin needles through the neck without damaging or hitting any vital organs. The only way that it can be activated is if the one wearing the collar speaks a word. It's a silence collar. The needles it sends are electrifying and they prevent anymore talk to be said from the one wearing it. The needles also give the opportunity to easily rip off the head since every centimeter of the needle is razor sharp. Why does a collar that silences all who wear it exist? It's because if a vampire is lying, what better way to make sure than blood?

Blood never lies.

Before the mature vampires could continue their conversation, Itachi pushes his body to move into an upright sitting position – since that's all he can do with these chains. The only sound echoing in the this dark and lonely section of the castle became the sound of his chains clinging and clanging together, as well as the surprised but relieved gasp coming from his mother.

"Oh my baby! Are you alright?"

Looking up when she asked that, Mikoto is already kneeling before her son on the other side of the bars, looking at him with extreme motherly concern. Itachi would answer her to ease her fears but the issue is he can't. Like last time, she tries to have the warm sweet eyes and smile to ease her son's nerves but the moment her eyes notice the extra large collar around Itachi's neck, her eyes widen and her mouth becomes a straight line. Oh boy, that's not good.

Standing up and facing the one eye vampire, Mikoto's voice practically drips with venom as she asks, "You're not going to let him speak in his defense." That actually sounding more like a statement than a question. Great, now she's upset.

"He is traitor and a liar. He could easily twist and bend his words to make you believe him." Then Kakashi approaches the chained up silenced vampire and kneeling before him, he clarifies, "This way, we can properly punish him for his crimes. You knew this was coming, Itachi. Don't deny the fact that you deserve to be here, getting exactly what you deserve."

From that one single eye, the hatred inside of it hasn't faded away or lessen at all since their last meeting. That shouldn't be too much of surprised, now that Itachi knows the reason why Kakashi wants to kill him so badly. He can understand where he's coming from but it also saddens him to know he could have been like that towards Sasuke, who was already torturing and punishing himself for it. Kakashi is the perfect example of what would have happened if Itachi hadn't let go of his revenge. The older prince's response is looking directly into that eye with no fear or pity.

"And you think my son is going to quietly go along with this?" Madara asks, eyeing the silver hair man with extreme dislike for threatening his family like this – his child no less.

Hearing that, Kakashi looks back at the vampire king before standing up to face him. "I don't believe he has any other choice, my lord. He knows the depths of his crime and how dire his punishment has always meant to be."

"I wasn't talking about Itachi. I was talking about his master."

Right after he said that, fire travels right across the ground. With the speed of a little mouse scurrying on the stone floor, it circles around the area where Kakashi stands. Then in a blink of an eye, the fire rises up and surrounds the one eye man, taking the shape of his own individual, skinny cage. Both Kakashi and Itachi are definitely surprised to suddenly see this and possibly even more so when both turn to see Sasuke behind the silver man at least a cell away, and man does he look more than just pissed off as all hell. Actually the way he looks, he could be mistaken for the God of Hell right now. If it were only possible, fire could be pouring out of his eyes and breathing out of his mouth – as well as surround him from behind to look like the very devil of hell. Instead, his eyes are blood red, pouring out all his anger and hatred towards his formal teacher as he glares more than just daggers and swords at him; his fangs are extended with his teeth gritted tightly together, and a red glow surrounds his entire body. To be using fire, he must have lightning fast speed to get from the library to the dungeons in possibly less than thirty seconds.

"Kakashi…" he growls, low and dangerous. Then he screams, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't burn you where you stand!" He slams his fist against the dungeon cell beside him and by his touch, the metal melts away and turns into hot goo as it drips down to the ground. That explains the red body glow.

Itachi's eyes are wide to see his little brother so angry and behaving as such. This is worse than the last time they encountered the silver hair vampire. Kakashi, on the other hand, is not too terribly surprised to see this reaction. He just greets, "Sasuke, so glad you could join us."

Yeah right. He was hoping he could convince the King and Queen to either sentence Itachi's death or lock him away forever without Sasuke's knowledge. At least that way, the younger prince wouldn't be able to do a thing to save his little servant once he found out.

From the end of the dungeon hallway, Naruto appears but he stops at the door as a way to not disturb the scene he now sees happening before him. Then Sakura appears with Hinata in her arms and she sets her down as soon as they arrive to see the same horrifying sight of their prince's anger. Kimimaro, Juugo, Karin, and Suigetsu have yet to arrive; due to the fact that three of them are humans and Kimimaro can't carry all of them in order to get to the dungeon with his vampire speed. In the mean time, the three that are here are surprised, amazed, and scared out of their minds to see the full hell-hot burning rage of Uchiha Sasuke. Even from behind, the prince looks like a beautiful and dangerous demon that could easily kill you in less than a blink of an eye if you even speak a syllable against him.

Growling at the guy's irritating stoic attitude he's trying to pull here, Sasuke yells at him again, "You are sick in the head, Kakashi! Release him, immediately!"

"You better do as he says, Kakashi," Madara tells him as a matter of fact. With Mikoto by his side again, the king reminds, "Technically, you'd be breaking the vampire laws if you imprison Itachi like this. If a servant vampire does something wrong, then yes, he is to be trialed but the person who has the right to punish him is his master. This case, if my son has truly done something wrong, Sasuke is the one who gets to 'permanently eliminate' him, as you claim he deserves."

Turning back to Madara, Kakashi looks like a lawyer ready to face the judge with his proclaim. "I know the laws but do not be fooled. Itachi is no longer a vampire servant."

When he said that, both brothers' eyes widen – one in surprise that he figured that out and one in surprise of realization. Since Itachi can see Sasuke and Sasuke could see Itachi, they both look at each other from the corner of their eyes and the older prince looks at his little brother with questioning eyes. Regaining his composure, Sasuke ever so slightly shakes his head as a way of saying, 'don't say a word.'

Kakashi explains further, "The only way he's been missing since yesterday was if he made the decision on his own to leave."

Like the opponent lawyer, Sasuke calms down just a little bit before saying "There have been many cases before of servant vampires leaving their masters." The attention is turned to him as he approaches Kakashi in his fiery cage to add, "That's why we have the twenty-four hour time limit. If the vampire returns to his master within that time limit, then he will only receive minor punishment from his master for leaving against his orders. If not, he might be killed by his master if he is proven guilty in a fair trial."

Again with the trial. Everything has to be done through a damn trial. As Madara and Mikoto look at their younger son in pride, Kakashi is really close to just being fed up with this kid. Before, he was irritated that the kid would protect the traitor from his wrath but knowing in the depths of his soul that this very vampire freed his servant when he knew the consequences of doing so, it just disgusts him. Oh how far his student has fallen.

Finally, he gives in, "You want a trial so bad, let's have it."

Not dropping his guard for only a minute, Sasuke orders, "Take off his collar so he may speak."

"No need. I'll speak for him."

What? As Sasuke is confused by Kakashi's claim, Itachi has other thoughts running through his head. How exactly is Kakashi going to speak for him when he doesn't even know everything? Did he so happen to hear the conversation between Itachi and Deidara? If he did, then how exactly is he going to speak against the Uchiha prince?

"Lower your fire and I'll explain."

Sasuke is reluctant to do so. Looking at his older brother for some kind of advice on what he should do, Itachi nods. He's curious as to what his first bite has to say. Unwillingly, Sasuke calms down completely and allows his fire to cease. Good boy.

Right then, the others arrive right where Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata are. The humans are a bit out of breath but seeing the situation and after just seeing Sasuke release Kakashi from his fire cage, Suigetsu whispers to the others, "What did we miss?"

Replying just as quietly, Hinata says, "They're having a trial to determine Itachi-sama's fate after he ran away yesterday."

That confused the white hair human. "But doesn't that only apply to vampire servants? Itachi is free from Sasuke's control." Sakura and Hinata did not expect to hear that – even though they just heard the conversation before them, they weren't so sure. But oh right. They didn't know about Itachi actually being a free vampire.

Both of them ask, "What?"

"That's why I'm wondering what Sasuke is planning," Naruto speaks out softly for the others to hear. "He told his brother not to say a thing about that. Not it would matter too much anyway. Kakashi put a silence collar on Itachi teme's neck."

Hearing that brought the air of curiosity to surround their little group. Why would Sasuke want to keep the fact of Itachi being free a secret? Though, Naruto has a good idea. If everyone finds out about Itachi and Sasuke being mated at this situation, that's not going to help the wrath of Kakashi's rage at all. But what's scarier? Sasuke's rage or Kakashi's?

Turning around halfway to the King and Queen as a way to include Sasuke in this 'trail' as well, Kakashi says to them both, "Madara-sama, Mikoto-sama, if I may, I will now speak the other reasons as to why I believe this vampire should be charged and killed for treason."

Silently, Sasuke moves a little closer to the dungeon cell and takes a few steps back away to avoid Kakashi whiffing his scent. Then he grabs one of the bars. Noticing this, Itachi sidely looks up at his little brother's hand and at his face. In a way, it's almost like Sasuke is either trying to assure him that Kakashi will not win or it's like his indication of comforting his lover since he's behind bars. It made the older prince wanna smile at his love but he can't because he cannot afford such a luxury right now and Sasuke is keeping his eyes at the silver hair enemy before him.

Nodding in approval, Madara tells Kakashi, "Go on."

"This vampire was conspiracy with the enemy to overthrow our kingdom and kill us all three days from now."

Both Uchiha brothers did not expect him to say that all. Sasuke is surprised to be hearing this for the first time while Itachi is caught off guard that Kakashi knows this. So he did overhear the conversation between Deidara and him? If that's the case then not only does he know about what was the original plan but he should also know that Itachi declined Deidara's offer to leave.

When Madara and Mikoto hear this, the king raises a brow and lets out, "Oh?"

"Yes," Kakashi nods. "This morning, I smelled something most strange in the air and when I looked out the window to investigate the origin of the strange smell, I instead see this murderer talking to the very Akatsuki member who was his accomplice when they first attacked our home."

Sasuke this time took a side look at his brother. He wanted to communicate through his eyes of asking if what the delusional one-eye vampire is saying is true but Itachi isn't looking at him. His eyes are glued to the white hair vampire and he looks pretty cautious to what else Kakashi might have to say in his place. A little too cautious for Sasuke's liking.

"So you saw them talking?" Madara asks, like he's asking 'and what's your point?' "What were they talking about that would make you assertively believe Itachi would betray us?"

"He did it the first time. What would change his mind now? Itachi is a ruthless, merciless killer with no compassion for his own kind or even has a heart to care. He is not the honorable respectable prince you used to know, or believe to still know." Sasuke grips the bar a little tighter.

Madara resists the urge to just pinch the bridge of his nose and he especially resists the yearning to just slap this vampire before him. As tragically as he is, he is so blind. This time Mikoto asks him, "Kakashi-kun, it's understandable that you still don't trust him after everything that's happened and I know that it's only been a few days but I have seen signs that my son has changed. He has a much lighter expression than he did before and, thank Kyuubi, he's taking care of himself by eating."

"And from where we're standing, he's taking care of his little brother as well," the vampire king decides to also add. Only at that part were the two princes' caught off guard. What their mother said were pretty obvious signs but the last parts should still be secrets. Unless… They know about the little closet incident and possibly the…Oh Kyuubi….

If only this wasn't the time to be doing so, both Itachi and Sasuke would have madly blush and try to hide themselves in their embarrassment. Their parents, or just the king, know all.

Once again, Kakashi is still not convinced. "They're fakes. All of them. Itachi's specialty as a vampire hunter is using lies and deceit to trick his victims. He makes them lower their guard and at the perfect moment, he strikes. You of all people should understand this. It is in his files. He could easily fake kindness, goodness, and love."

When he said those words, they struck Sasuke deep. His words are heavy and they echo through the young prince's mind like a boulder fallen into the darkest, deepest of holes and banging against the walls as it falls. The reason why it feels like that is because there's truth behind them and the denial part of Sasuke's mind believes those words. His eyes are wide with realization and his mouth is a straight line. There's truth in Kakashi's words because it was written in Itachi's file. Sasuke read through some of it at the trial and all of it when the Itachi was unconscious from the vampire venom. His hand that was gripping the metal bar so hard loosens and then collapses to his side, leaving a grip mark on the bars that is just as thin as a strand of hair. Itachi notice that this time and the others behind them gasp very silently when they suddenly see Sasuke's dejected posture.

Oh no. Not now! Of all the times, don't start doubting now!

The older prince's eyes widen in shock of Sasuke's retracting hand and he flinched at the possible meaning as to why Sasuke retracted that hand. Oh how he wanted to move closer to him to convince his little brother otherwise but he can't. Not with the chains keeping him in place. Due to the noise he made when he moved, Kakashi takes a peak at him and he sees how the older Uchiha prince is looking at the boy behind him. He looks too and he sees Sasuke looking down at the side of the ground and his eyes look like he's realizing things and he's putting the pieces of the dreadful puzzle together in his head. Seeing that ignorant expression made Kakashi want to scorn at him but maybe now is as good as any opportunity to bring Sasuke back to his side.

"You're a fool, Sasuke, to believe he could change," he says to him. Sasuke looks up at him and Kakashi continues, "Once a vampire hunter, always a vampire hunter. I told you that before, didn't I? So learn it now before you get hurt."

But he's already hurting. He won't show it in front of his teacher but he can feel his heart aching inside his chest for the assumptions and theories building in his mind as quickly as he can run on fire-mood. With each one created, an arrow struck him fast and deep within his flesh, tearing him apart limb from limb. If he would allow himself, he would be hyperventilating right now and with each breathe would make the pain worst as it pulses through his body like an agitated heartbeat. He won't show it. He would never show it in public but his hearing is starting to go deaf on him. He can't even hear the crinkling of the fire or the silent sounds of the non-feeling wind gliding through the hallways of this dungeon. The pain is starting to intensify and now he can no longer feel the ice-cold temperature of this dreary cell. He doesn't feel like he's standing anymore. Only by his own will power is he remaining to do so instead of collapsing on his knees right now. But soon, he won't be able to control that anymore. He will lose it and when it does, that is when he will allow every emotion inside of him to break loose and run amuck. He will feel the extreme mental pain of betrayal, anger, frustration, disgust, and above all – great sorrow. Naruto, his parents, and Itachi can see all of this; no matter how dormant he tries to be about them. Naruto is actually praying to the vampire god inside of him to not let what he fears to happen, Mikoto and Madara are tense as they watch their youngest son with vigilance incase anything drastic happens; and finally Itachi, he's had enough.

"I would never-"

Spluch

All attention is turned to him in a heartbeat when they heard those two things. His family widens their eyes and silently, for the men at least, gasp at the sight they see and the others feel dread and worry when they heard that sound and/or smell the blood that comes after it. The needles were released from Itachi's collar and they pierce right through his throat. Just like how it was designed to do, it does not struck any vital parts and now he really can't speak to save himself. Possible the only thing that can is the blood leaking out through the small openings between the needles and flesh.

Kakashi, being the only one who can careless about what just happened, lets out, "Oh?" He approaches his prisoner again and this time when he kneels before the Uchiha and they look at each other, Itachi has anger in his eyes. Strong, intense anger that he would usually never have unless he's really crossed. Like that scares Kakashi. "You would never what, exactly? What does your blood have to say for you?" Reaching his hand out towards the wound, Kakashi's finger smoothes across the drench skin and now it's covered in blood. Itachi watches him with caution as he retracts his hand and uses his other to lower his mask and lick the blood right off. Everyone watches and waits as Kakashi's one eye glows red from the taste of blood and he lets out a soft sign of contentment from the taste of blood rolling off his tongue and the small bit of memories he wanted to see play in his mind. They all wait on him as he takes the moment to take in everything that he sees before looking directly at Itachi in the eye as soon as he was done. Putting his mask back on over his mouth, he asks, "A one-sided mission if you get captured? 'You will finally be free'? If life is truly so terrible for you, you should have just come home and I would gladly have put you out of your misery myself. What could be so terrible that you'd lower yourself to a human whore?"

Itachi did not back down. But he is curious to wonder if Kakashi took a bit of his blood, why didn't he look at the 'why' portion of his actions. He did, after all, took only a small amount and that could only give him so little information. So he ignored the 'why' and only accepted the 'what'. What exactly is Kakashi trying to prove by getting Itachi convicted?

"You know he can't speak now."

The attention turns to the speaker when that was heard and they all turn towards Sasuke. Though when they look at him, his expression is different compared to how it was before. Completely. His face has become totally relaxed. It's calm but also very scary than his fire-furious look. His eyes are dark, cold, and empty. There are no emotions visible on his face anymore. The only simpler way to describe how he looks is by saying he looks like his brother. Expressionless, clear of any compassion or mercy. Just cruel blunt words and actions that will some come later. Even Kakashi right now is taken back and confused by the boy's sudden mood transformation. Madara puts his arm around his mate just in case something drastic happens.

Sasuke approaches his two childhood mentors and before Kakashi had the chance to move, the Uchiha prince grabs his shoulder and pushes him out of the way. The strength and force he used made the silver haired man glide in the air with only an inch apart between him and the ground and he crashes into the wall. When the crash sound is heard, Hinata, who had moved to Naruto's side, cringes and grips onto his arm. He holds her hand on his arm to comfort her, or to rather comfort himself. Kimimaro and Karin even reached for their lover's, or ex-lover's, hand to just have something to hold onto. They both hold back in response. Regardless that the off-stage Suigetsu is supposed to be on with Karin, him, and Juugo as well, want something to hold onto right now. Sakura has nothing for her to hold on to and thus just holds her hands tightly in front of her chest. She always knew that her fiancé was terrifying but this is the first time that her blood has ran cold from only being such a far distance away from him. First time for everyone, in fact.

Kneeling before him this time, Itachi would like to show that he's not afraid even of his little brother but that might be debatable now that his baby brother's onyx black eyes pierce right through his very soul and spirit like how his sword would have stabbed through any unfortunate prey. For once in Itachi's life, he feels like the prey.

Reaching his hand through the bars, the older prince stays very still as Sasuke speaks, "There is only thing I want from you now, hunter." Even his voice sounds brutal and malicious but when he called Itachi 'hunter', now is the time to worry.

Sasuke reaches as far as to press his entire hand against Itachi's neck. Against the warmth of the blood, Itachi can feel the cold touch of his brother's. Not even the dungeon's floors or metals have felt as cold as his hand does now. It feels like the hand of a dead body and it sends shivers down Itachi's spin – very small shivers but numerous amounts.

As if they're all standing on the edge of the tallest mountain in the world, everyone watches in silence, some not even breathing to not disturb the heart-pounding scene, as Sasuke retracts his hand and he now stares at his blood covered palm. He looks intently at the blood; analyzing it's glittering light from the torches and feeling its warmth and texture against his skin. Funny how he's been feeding on this blood for days now and only now will he use the ability every vampire has to extract the truth once and for all. Humans would think that if he's been consuming his brother's blood for so long, doesn't he already have the knowledge to know that Itachi would never betray him and love him forever and ever? But memories are only good when they're first consumed. It's just like living through those moments your self. You experience through them once but when it comes time to try and remember those moments, it's fuzzy and then they just disappear from your mind like they never existed in the first place. That's exactly how it's like.

Slowly to everyone, Sasuke raises the hand to his mouth and he begins to lick the blood and all of the memories that come with it. He wanted to but he does not groan. His eyes fade to red and he licks the blood off his skin from between his fingers, his palm, and some of the drips that travel down his arm. Would it be so wrong with Itachi to think that as he watches his mate lick his blood, he looked so beautiful and just so delectable himself doing that? Sasuke takes his time, doesn't allow any emotion to appear on his face yet, and his only focus is the blood. When the blood was gone, he lets his fingertips travel from his cheekbone down to his lips and then his chin. His eyes still remain close and he appears to be watching the memories in his head right now as the seconds roll by. One by one, he sees them all; the memories he wants to see and the truths he wants to hear.

Then he opens his eyes, only to look directly into Itachi's again. To say he wasn't scared then by those eyes would have been a lie.

Suddenly grabbing the bars, Sasuke pulls himself close to the bars and to Itachi, causing many to flinch at the sound of the bars crying from the force of the younger vampire's hit, and he instructs, "Move your head if you can. You came back to kill the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, correct?" Almost hesitantly, Itachi slightly nods his head – not wanting the needles to harm his neck any further. Next question.

"And if you should fail, you were to gather any information you can find about our security and weaknesses."

Nod.

"So this entire time, you were really a spy for your occult to kill us all; father, mother, Naruto, me, everyone?"

Slowly but surely, nod.

That's all Sasuke wanted to know. He doesn't ask any more questions. He stares at his brother for a moment longer, his eyes hard and calculating again. Then he pulls his hands back and looks down at the side at the ground. thinking. Itachi watches him, panic starting to appear in his chest, as he watches Sasuke grit his teeth together in a tight grip and his bangs hiding away any emotion that could possibly be revealed in his eyes. He could not see it and suddenly, Sasuke's fist bangs against his cage again and Itachi flinches back – many others jump.

"Fuck everything to hell!" Sasuke yells. Pushing himself up, he gets up and walking away from Itachi's cell.

From Itachi.

'Sasuke!' the older brother wanted to call out to stop him.

WACK

CRACK

But what he sees next not only shocks him completely, but shocks everyone as well.

Sasuke punched Kakashi right across the face and from the sound of it, he hit him pretty damn hard. Hard enough to break a vampire's jaw. Not even giving the masked man any time to defend himself, Sasuke uses his lightning fast speed to kick him right in the stomach, then upper cuts his chin, and then grab the back of his head to swiftly slam his head against the hard pavement. The others watch in gasping shock at the results of what their youngest prince just did. The force of the kick not only hit Kakashi but it also slammed him against the wall again and created a crater in the wall, and a deep one in the ground when his head was forced down on it. In no time at all, the smell of Kakashi's blood overpowers the smell of Itachi's; which the wound is starting to heal now that he's perfectly frozen at the sight of what he just saw before him. Through estimation, Kakashi probably has several broken bones and internal bleeding in multiple places inside his body right now. To be more precise, every rib inside of him is either broken or shattered, his spine is cracked from the bottom up, his jaw is broken completely on one side, and his head is cracked open against the pavement. Everyone is shocked and too stunned to say anything, which might be good thing since Sasuke now looks more pissed off than anything. His eyes are bleeding red again, his teeth are extended fully, a growl rumbles from his chest, and sparks of fire and lighting appear all around his body. Walking around Kakashi's body, he soon stands over it and then he gets on his knees so he could grab his teacher's head by the chin and the back of the head – which is already starting to heal thanks to his vampiric powers. Lifting the head up, the younger prince shows no mercy as he suddenly jerks the head and breaks Kakashi's neck.

CRACK!

Hinata gasps the loudest out of everyone and she instantly hides her face away from the scene to Naruto's chest. He holds her to hide here away from the horrifying sight. In all honestly, he wants to look away too. He doesn't want to watch Sasuke beat the living shit out of his teacher, or even kill him as the prince grabs the masked vampire by the hair.

"You miserable, lying fuck," he growls, in a voice not at all like his normal one. "How dare you lie through your damn teeth to me and my family about my brother's innocence! You have no right whatsoever to do that when he wasn't even the one who killed Obito! You're pathetic and the worst piece of shit to have ever been born on this fuckin planet! All you do is complain, mop, and demand for some unreasonable justice. It's god damn depressing! I should just kill you right now to save us all the headache you bring every day for the past years but that would be exactly what you want isn't it? Perhaps I should just give it to you so you can rot in hell like you've always wanted." Raising his other hand, it becomes very similar to the attack Kakashi was going to use on Itachi in the garden. Lightning and fire surround his hand until they twist and form together into a sharp point like a sword. The lightning cries through the dark quiet hallways and the fire's heat can even be felt through the bars of Itachi's cell. Not even a moment passes before Sasuke raises his hand up higher for better momentum and then starts thrusting it down in for the kill. No one was given the chance to come back to their senses from the shock of seeing Sasuke going on a rampage from his own rage and no one was given the chance to call out for him to stop.

Only one person took that half moment to move.

Before Sasuke's attack could hit Kakashi's broken neck, someone pushes the white hair vampire's head back down to the pavement and at the same time grabs the younger prince's wrist to stop him. That person is Madara. His son didn't expect for him to appear when his attack was stopped, but that doesn't stop him from struggling when the vampire king pushes him away from his prey and still keeps a firm grip on his wrist even after the attack faded away.

"Sasuke, control yourself," his father orders.

But he barks back, "Give me one god damn good reason why I should! He wants to die so fuckin bad, I'll gladly do it for him now!"

Not too kindly that the boy swore to him of all people, Madara tells him more sternly and a little harsher, "Killing him won't do you any good. It'll just make you just as bad as him or any wretched vampire who kills on a rampage. He's not worth it!"

Sasuke wanted to argue back of what Madara would do if Mikoto was the one behind bars and someone was trying to smear her good name in front of him, and he nearly believed it. However, Madara shoves his wrist away with enough force to cause his son to turn around back to Itachi's cell. The moment Sasuke set eyes back on his brother, it was like a splash of cold water hits his face dead on. He becomes stunned and almost instantly cooled by the beseeching satin eyes looking at him. Due to the incapability of speaking, Itachi shakes his head and mouths no to him. Sasuke is confused as to why his brother/mate is asking him to stop when Kakashi is the one who deserves to die for the stupidity of his actions, but he can't move. He can't look away from Itachi. At least this small bit of delay is enough for Madara to tell him one more thing.

Placing his hand on the boy's shoulder, he says, "The next time you want to kill someone, clear your mind and your heart first. Then decide if he's better off dead for you or for everyone else? You need to stop letting your emotions control you. You need to think before you act, my son. And death is a kinder fate than living." As his hand slides away, Sasuke is left to ponder his father's words for a bit. He takes in those words and lets them sink and burn into him. For his pride and stubbornness, he would've instantly rejected those words and do what he normally would do – growl like an enrage animal, destroy something with his fists, and walk away. But the longer he stares at his brother, the cooler his fury becomes. His eyes fades back to onyx black, his teeth shrunk back to normal size, and his face calms down from the brink of monstrosity. Seeing him back to his senses, Itachi gives him a soft and greatly relieved smile.

Oh Kyuubi, what almost just happened?

Not caring who's watching or what his actions could indicate, Sasuke rushes to the cell to kneel down before his brother again and both hands reach through the bars to cup his cheeks. "I'm sorry," he whispers so softly to him, it was almost inaudible for the others to hear. If it weren't for those bars and chains, Sasuke would plead with his body for comfort and Itachi would gladly give it for him. He was scared too, after all. "I'm so sorry."

'He's always apologizing.' Itachi turns his head to one of Sasuke's palm and gently he kisses it. That's all he can do at the moment. That and smile again at his love while he leans into the warm touch. Sasuke, in return from the tenderness of his kiss and smile, returns the favor with a soft smile of his own.

Seeing such a scene, and so up close, Mikoto melts inside from the joy and happiness of her sons being so close once again. And now, they're truly inseparable. The others at the end of the hallway also started to breathe a lot easier. Hinata even let out a big sigh before relaxing in Naruto's warm hold around her. He didn't mind it at all to return the affection. Karin and Suigetsu started to lightly chuckle at only how incredibly frightening that was to then everything being alright again. But they also looked at each other for a moment and Karin started to smile herself before Suigetsu joined her in their own private moment. Kimimaro places a hand on his non-beating heart in relief and then Juugo squeezes his hand again to surely assure that everything is fine now. The worst is over, and Kimimaro couldn't agree more when they silently spoke that little conversation. Sakura, as dense as a thick brick, relaxes her nerves as well at how her soon to be mate nearly lost it but is now back to normal.

Poor girl, she has no idea that she is too late.

However Madara puts his attention to Kakashi. Lifting up his head with care and grace, he forces the head and neck to correctly form itself to its rightful position. The healing vampire responds to the most appreciated gesture by coughing and wheezing to prove that he can breathe again as his bones begin to form back to heal. Still kneeling beside him, the vampire king tells him, "This trial is over. Good attempt, but better luck next time with some real solid evidence. Unless you have something to add, my son is innocent."

Then with a snap of his fingers, the needles in Itachi's collar instantly retracts back and both the collar and the chains on his wrists break into two's as they fall to the ground. The two brothers are taken off guard by that action but realizing that Itachi is free of his bonds and his silence collar, they didn't waste another moment to grasp each other's hands and lean their foreheads together as best as they could through the thick bars that keep them too far apart to kiss. If the bars were thinner, they probably would have kissed and as Itachi's wound heals, Sasuke would lick the excess blood away and then offer his hand for his brother to drink for now until they can find some real food. But at the moment, they just want to live in the moment of being together after another trial to prove their love and faith to the other.

Madara reminds Kakashi this time, "If it were up to me, I would banish you at once for what you tried to do but by law, your creator has more authority than the king to banish you from his home. Itachi is too kind for that so I will leave you with this warning. If you ever try to endanger my family again, I will not hesitate to dye my hands with your blood."

Thanks to the king's help and his swift healing ability, Kakashi was able to move once again. His throat is burning for blood but he can fulfill that later. As he lifts himself up from the ground, he says to the king, "Say what you want and do what you want with him. There's just one thing now I want to confirm with." As fast as he could, he gets up, grasps Sasuke's shoulder, and by the time both brother's feel/see this, Sasuke is forced away from Itachi and he feels the crushing force of his back against the wall and Kakashi's death grip on his shoulder. He winced from that hit but when he looks at his attacker, Kakashi's one blood red eye, full of hatred and anger, is now directed to him. The others watch with shock and/or fear when they see how angry Kakashi is at his formal pupil now but both Madara and Sasuke stand their ground and wait for any moment to when and, not so likely, if the white hair will harm the young prince. "I smelled your scent, Sasuke. You mated with this man?"

Oh shit.

"I thought I was only imagining it on Itachi from all the blood he consumed from you but did you?"

Sasuke tensed up when he heard that but his mentor's words did not make him back down. Not in the slightest. "Yeah, and what of it?"

To assume would make one angry but to actually hear the words was unspeakable. "Are you insane, Sasuke? How could you just give yourself to him? A murderer and a traitor!"

Now many of the others became worried for Sasuke's safety since he's in the grip of possibly now a hysterical vampire but the prince can take care of himself. It's just a matter of how far Kakashi will go to express his anger.

Though in all honesty, Sasuke's only getting more irritated. "What I do and who I mate is none of your god damn concern! I don't need your blessings or your approval!"

"Do you not understand the pernicious deed you have committed mating with him!"

"Why? Because he was a vampire hunter or because he's my brother?" Then he pushes Kakashi off of him, his eyes haven't changed color yet nor his teeth extended. He just looks angry. How dare Kakashi of all people tell him how repugnant his mating may be! "You don't get to tell me what to do or how I live my life. All you are to me is someone who I just learned sword fighting from! You're not my father! You're not my brother, and you suck at being a mentor! What am I learning from you exactly? Huh? How to wish for the absolute impossible? Wondering what could have been if this or that happened instead? Punishing myself over and over again for things I couldn't control, and regretting every single day of my damn life because I lost the one thing more important to me than my own race? I already lived like that for twenty years and I hated it every bit of it! Why can't you just fuckin move on?" Then he shoves the vampire again and this time hard enough to slam him across the hallway to bang his back against the metal bars. Itachi moved back when he saw that but no one says anything as they all watch Kakashi on what he's going to do now.

At the moment, he just sits there on the ground. His eyes not visible for anyone to see or know what he's feeling or thinking this very minute. Sasuke told him some pretty personal stuff. Maybe some of it affected him. Who knows? However, some of those things were what a lot of people wanted to tell Kakashi but were too scared to do it. They were just all giving him the baby treatment and probably thought that time would heal his wounds. How wrong they were. Sometimes to start the healing process, you need to hurt them a little more first.

"This is what you want?" he finally speaks.

He still doesn't look up but Sasuke doesn't wait for him to do so. "Yes." His answer won't change if he looks into Kakashi's eye.

"Then…" With vampire like speed, he gets up from across the hallway and stands before the prince again. He looks down upon the boy, who did not flinch when he suddenly sees Kakashi in front of him, and he says with a tone of caveat and danger, like he's telling some dark tale about some forbidden place full of monsters and death, "live the rest of your existence with this man. Do whatever you want but I warn you. When he forsakes you, don't come crying to me when you realize your mistake. The funny thing about time and the choices we make is that you can never reverse back to do what's been done. That much I know."

Then finally, he turns away from the prince and walks down the hallway towards the exit. Of course when Naruto and the others see him coming, both Kimimaro and him acted fast to push the others to the side to get out of sight and to hide behind the door when Kakashi comes out. The Uchiha family, however, keep their eyes on Kakashi as he walks away, hands clench at his side and a posture strong and angry. Sasuke didn't let him get too far.

"I suppose you should. How's Iruka, by the way?"

Right after he asked that, Kakashi stops dead in his tracks of walking. That was curious, for Itachi anyway. He never heard that name before now. Who's Iruka?

When the white haired vampire didn't respond, answering his first question, Sasuke asks another question. "When was the last time contacted with your son?"

Kakashi…had a son?

The news is surprising itself, because Sasuke and Naruto never mentioned him having a son with Obito, but to hear that there was an offspring is not.

When Kakashi didn't respond to any of those questions and after a long moment of silence, he starts walking again to leave. The Uchiha watch him leave again and Sasuke looks like he's trying to stand his ground but anyone looking at him could tell instantly he's affected the most of what just happened. Itachi didn't wait till Kakashi left and he looks at Sasuke to see the expression on his face. He's looking down, gritting his teeth together, and there's so much emotional turmoil going on inside of him that can be seen through his eyes. That's when he decides to get out of this prison.

Chink

His family turns to see him breaking the lock on the iron gates and pushing it open; his eyes instantly locked with Sasuke's. As soon as he got out to approach his mate, Mikoto instantly becomes the first to jump on him and wrap her arms around him instead. He had to take a few steps back because of her sudden 'attack'. Seeing that, Sasuke looks away. He knows what's coming. After a tight squeeze, their mother pulls away and tells her eldest son, "I'm so glad you're safe, sweetheart. Don't ever scare your mother like that again. A fair warning would have been nice."

Sure, like he knew what was going to happened that would've led to all of this drama. Leave to his parents to suddenly turn the serious moment into 'I want to spoil my children rotten' moment.

Before Itachi had a chance to say anything, he feels a hand on his shoulder and he looks up to see Madara smiling approvingly at him. "You have done well, my son. But next time, don't scare your mother like that. You know how she gets when she's overly excited."

And of course father joins in on the happy moment.

"Dear!" Mikoto calls making it sound like 'don't say that! It's embarrassing'. Madara slides his hand off Itachi and laughs at how adorable she looks when she's angry. Itachi looks away. He places his attention on his brother/mate who slightly jolted when he looks back up to see at Itachi looking at him with such tenderness and understanding in his eyes.

Itachi steps away from his parents and towards his little brother. "Sasuke, are you…" But he didn't get to finish.

Pow

Both Mikoto and Madara gasp and look at their sons to see Itachi facing one direction because of the hit to his cheek and Sasuke being the one to give it to him. He was surprised to have been punched like that but when he looks back, he sees Sasuke glaring at him and his body shaking. He knows what he's angry about and he thinks he probably deserves it too. He grasps Sasuke's wrist and pulls him into his chest and holds him there. This threw him off but being in his older brother's arms causes the younger Uchiha to relax and then hug him back, clinging to him desperately and gripping the shirt on Itachi's back. What he's holding right now is something he thought he was close to losing – half of the reason because he almost agreed to let it go.

"Forgive me, Sasuke. I didn't mean for you to go through that," Itachi apologizes.

But all Sasuke tells him is, "Just shut up already." In short, 'just shut up and hold me'. Their parents just smile and silently sigh at the sight of their children finally together through the sweet bonds of love.

When Kakashi walks pass the door, he stops walking again. He knows whose there. He can still smell their scents as clear as if they were standing right next to him. They haven't been gone from the spot he's standing at now for long. He asks them, "Enjoyed the show?" Those that are couples hold their love ones close from the harsh tone of Kakashi's voice. He is one of the people most definitely a lot of people do not wish to be alone with when he's upset. "You're fools. All of you. Everything will look so perfect but when the time comes, he'll just leave again."

But then right when he was about to leave again, someone asks him, "You were hurt too, weren't you?" Looking over his shoulder, Naruto is the one who asked him that question. He's out of the shadows, Hinata no longer in his arms, and he's facing the one-eyed vampire on his own. Those watching in darkness, that's all they're doing. Watching, waiting, and hoping that the worst doesn't happen between those two with this bold move the Kyuubi Jinchuriki is making here. "When Itachi left, you felt the pain of the betrayal just as agonizingly as his family. That's what you can't let go, isn't it?"

Hearing that made Kakashi greatly angry to hear. "Forgive my rudeness, my god. But you are delusional. Might I remind you that if it weren't for him, Obito would still be alive!" His voice was only raised. Not loud enough to disrupt the 'happy' family moment he left in the other hallway.

Despite the harshness of his voice, Naruto is not afraid. "But you would never have met Obito if he didn't leave, would you?" That shocked Kakashi even more than when he figured out Sasuke and Itachi mated. There is truth in Naruto's words and after the blonde said that, he approaches the vampire and grasps his hand as he says, "I know that you care about Sasuke. You care about him a lot and you care for Itachi just as much. You're just having a hard time remembering how."

This…is…ridiculous!

Pulling his hand away, Kakashi tells him, "That guy will never change. Just watch. You will see." Then he turns back into the hallway to look at the happy couple. There, he sees Sasuke in the middle of licking away Itachi's dried blood off the skin of his neck and chest. He'd just finish and he looks back up at his older brother's face, his hand reaching up to his face, and then bringing him closer as he moves up to capture those lips in a desperate, needy kiss. Itachi returns the affection without hesitation. When Kakashi sees this, he 'che's and then turns around to leave for real. All Naruto could do is watch him in his own personal disappointment and pity. It'll take a lot more to reach that vampire's battered heart and maybe a lot more time as well.

"I won't allow this."

That's not good.

Turning around towards the darkness, Naruto doesn't need x-ray vision or night vision to know that the person who said that was Sakura and that she's really pissed off now.

"Sakura-san!" Hinata tries to call to her protector, but she can't stop a vampire as she pushes herself off the wall and walks around the door to storm into that hallway.

"Don't go in!" But Naruto stops her right before she does.

As ordered, Sakura's feet are then glued to the floor and no matter how hard she tries, she can't move them. On instincts, she turns to the one who stopped her and her eyes are bleeding red with rage – very much like how Sasuke's was earlier. "Naruto-sama, don't you dare stop me! This isn't fair! He was supposed to mate with me! I'm the fiancé!"

However he tells her, "That is only an agreement between two vampire families. That is not how mating works. It's a lot more than that. You would know if you were ever truly in love." Sakura wasn't the only one who became shocked by his words. Those listening were too. But just like his protector, Naruto doesn't back down. He remains strong, determined, and true to his words even when Sakura's eyes appear to glow a brighter red and her fangs extend a little loner as her anger is now directed at him.

"How dare you…" she growls like a ferocious animal. She approaches him with thoughts of how to make this vampire before her scream and wail for insulting her, despite the fact that he is her god.

But using his ability again, he commands, "Go, Sakura!" She stops dead in her tracks again, stunned by his words. He pushes it. "I don't want you to lay a finger on Sasuke or his mate. Just leave this place before you make a bigger fool of yourself."

Sakura is just flabbergasted. This vampire before her as not only insulted her once but twice now. How dare he tell her that she doesn't know a thing about love when she's been infatuated with Sasuke since she met him! How dare he call her a fool! Who exactly does he think he is? He's Kyuubi's host and that is why when he orders her to leave, she has no choice but to do so, quietly. Naruto can tell just by looking into her ruby red eyes that she wants to tear him to shreds and eat his heart like a true wild vampire. He's not afraid of her and as she begins to walk around him to leave, she glares at him for as long as she can until her neck is unable to completely turn. Since it's against her will, Sakura walks away. But if she has to leave, then so does Hinata.

"Excuse us."

Naruto watched the pink hair vampire leave as well and when he heard that small voice like bells spoke to him, he looks forward to see the girl he loves bowing before him before looking up at him with sorrowful eyes. He knows why she's sad and unfortunately, he's not going to apologize for it. He looks away and nods for her to leave. She curtsies and then goes off into a sprint after her protector. When she left, the others come out of the shadows as well.

"Youch," Suigetsu comments, approaching the spiky blonde with Karin accompanying him.

Karin walks around the jinchuriki to praise him on the other side of him, "Good going, Naruto-sama. I couldn't have done it any better than that, my lord." She tries to make it sound like he did the right thing sending Sakura away before she did something here, and will most likely take it out on the first fifty things she sees afterwards, but Kimimaro and Juugo know that Naruto is not too proud of what just happened.

Kimimaro tells them, "You two are not helping."

As for those in the hallway while Itachi has Sasuke leaning against his chest and in his arms again, he soothes the boy by rubbing circles on his back. He can feel it working as his little brother relaxes in his arms while his distress and anxiety melts away. Though all Itachi really has to do is just be there and Sasuke would feel just as safe and secure as he does now. Though after a few moments longer, he stops and the boy notices.

"Father," Itachi calls. He knows he has Madara's attention so he goes ahead and asks, "You know I'm not a servant vampire anymore, right?"

Hearing that made the vampire king smirk. "You wouldn't have been able to mate with Sasuke if you still were."

Itachi knows his father knows that's not why he asked that.

"Then tell me this. Where is Deidara?"

Once they're pretty far away from where the others are and still some distances away from Kakashi, Hinata finally catches up with Sakura. She rushes to her side, clings to her arm and tries to say to not only her protector but her dear friend as well, "Sakura-san, please do not be too upset about this." They stopped walking when Hinata caught up but that's when something really weird happens.

Sakura is smiling – very wide on her face and very creepy like. Why is she smiling like that? Then to add more to the weirdness, she starts laughing. It starts off with a snicker and then as her shoulders begin to shake, it turns into a chuckle. It grows louder and louder, but not loud enough to turn into a full on laugh with the dripping madness it would've provided with it. Hinata can't see her face very well. Only the wide crocked smile and all she can hear is that demented chuckle.

Frightened and very concerned for her friend, Hinata calls again, "Sakura-san? A-Are you…alright?" Never before has she seen her like this. Is this because of what happened? Has the shock of Sasuke mating someone else and Naruto telling her off so appalling that she's starting to lose her mind?

"Oh it's nothing, Hinata." Then she turns her head to face the concerned human, only to cause her to gasp and pull away from her almost instantly. What Hinata sees on Sakura's face is something completely different than what she was used to seeing. Instead of seeing emerald green or ruby red eyes she was expecting to see, one eye has a golden iris and the other is completely golden. The entire is gold. It's not just at the iris. The pupil and the white's of the eye is completely golden, and also Sakura's teeth is pointy. Every single one of them is razor sharp and that just makes the wide smile even more terrifying. "I just think that it's time that the Akatsuki pays a little visit to our beloved love doll."

"S…S-Sakura…san?"

…

Sasuke has passed his test. Now it's Itachi's turn to pass his.

…

And there! I'm done! Umph! So was everything I predicted true, or did you expected as much. At least I got this done on Christmas Eve so consider it an early Christmas present from me to you.

But how was it, really? Bad? Good? Not eventful enough? Let me know, okay? Merry Christmas everyone!