The real heartbeat

by Porcelain.Memories

HE is the irresistible VAMPIRE Prince who rebels against the sacred rules of the immortals. SHE views SUICIDE as the ultimate liberation. On a faithful night, they meet. And he comes with an alternative choice in lieu of death: in exchange for her blood, he pledges to fulfill her dearest wish: "Teach me...how to feel alive." She asks for the impossible, but love is unpredictable.

5. The other side of the Moon - Part I

::CHAPTER V: The other side of the moon::

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::I thought I could read the story in your onyx eyes,

Your pain was a tangible emotion that I could define,

And that empowering feeling has gave me courage to venture farther into your world of demons,

But I was wrong in praising ETERNITY for something so gentle that only the passing TIME could grant:

The healing of all your scars.

There is so much turbulence bedeck those pulpy warm lips that you allowed me to kiss,

There are long forgotten desperate pleas embroidered into the nocturnal filigree of your elegant eyes,

And the implacable immixture of tenderness and euphoria elicited by your fingertips alone, Have successfully made me blind to the coldness of your warm embrace.

I failed to descry the solitude of darkness enveloping your bleeding soul,

Because you syphoned my world with incandescent solar light.

You can be darkness,

While you bathe into the sun.

Because you didn't want me to decipher the hardship and tumult in your heart.

Please, don't stray your heart`s call from me

My long lost forgotten love song

Amore…

Don't hide those grieving tears of Autumn under the false pretense of Spring,

Because I am here to answer to your call,

While you will tenderly show me the other side of the scarred full moon::

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"So? Where is the emergency?" A stentorian self-reliant voice, ringing from the glitter silhouette of a staggering champagne haired blonde filled Sasuke`s airy living room, immixing into the metallic sonorous screech of broken hinges and immediately, a slim flute pink high heel clicked on the polished luscious floor, as a palm pushed the broken door into the wall beside.

Out of pure reflex, a startled Sakura almost jumped on Sasuke, who had a mild embrace around her slim waistline, fine raven eyebrows slant on the bridge of his nose, as Sasuke pinned the glamorous obnoxious intruder, with a stare soul piercing enough to let her know that the bravado was cheap, unwelcomed, unnecessarily and utterly annoying.

As no other than the avid fashionista of their mismatched group made her sizzling appearance into Sasuke`s home, Sakura let her jade orbs travel along the aura that the newcomer projected, blinking slowly twice and breathing her in, trying her best to be objective and pinpoint the dominant trait in that interesting woman`s character and the first thing that she learn about her, was the fine sense for details and exquisite aesthetics, for the platinum honey haired stunning Ino`s choice of portrayal was swaying on the fine line of provocative, but not in a deviant sultry way, in contradiction with Hinata`s scholastic bourgeois lunar appearance.

Every single article of the clothes she wore, starting from the bright lilac button up strapless Charmeuse silk shirt, following the elegant wine glass outline of her model body and enhancing the elegance of her delicate rounded bare rounded shoulders, let the feminine tantalizing accents fall on her slim long porcelain arms.

She was playing with the viewer`s mind with the mid cut outfit, which presented a sensual, but not vulgar vista of the silhouette of her toned violin shaped waist, as the long skirt, split on her right leg, was rippling down her waistband and voluptuous hips, in the same vibrant color of violets as her shirt, and stopping on her gazelle ankles, to offer a generous peek on the fancy Cinderella Jimmy Choo pumps.

It didn't require a genius insight to understand that the zesty original fashionista was a Vampire.

The effervescent contrast of her opaline fine complexion, was framing the shade of her radiant turquoise orbs, elegantly highlighted by a bold spectacular cat eye smokey make up, her flawless features emphasized the unnatural beauty of her flawless oval elegant face, high regal cheeks, kissed by a subtle rose shade and thin incarnadine rouged lips were typifying the elegance and refinement of an astonishing female Vampire.

The type that whipped heads around and earned gasps of adulation from men and envy or appreciation from the other women.

Ino Yamanaka was gorgeous and her unique bright daring personality made her stand out and shine whenever she went and something assured Sakura that the woman had neither pardon nor reticence to express her inner thoughts.

"When have I turned into an emergency?" Sakura murmured to Sasuke, as her emerald orbs were following the march of the mysterious glamour platinum haired Vampires towards them, as all the fluttering from their splendid kiss washed away, shattering the intimacy between them.

Sasuke on the other hand, seemed as calm and unflappable as usual, only his ghost of a deep growl as he addressed her back, betrayed sheer annoyance. He was probably used to such outspoken behavior, having seen much worse, but just the mere figment of such occurrences being frequent was making Sakura wonder if those Vampires ever stopped moving. "She has always been eccentric."

In the back of his mind, Sasuke was being extremely pissed off and it took a lot of skill and practice to bring THE Uchiha Sasuke on the edge of exasperation, but Ino definitely had the necessary traits, for she had one particular sinful idiosyncratic drawback, that she was sharing with the dobe: they were both too extrovert for their own good.

Just what the hell was she doing in his house, disturbing his kiss with Sakura?!

"You should have known better than to make a lady wait in your threshold, Sasuke!" Ino flicked her hand through her golden luscious hair, flipping it behind her bare shoulder, waltzing towards the owner of the home that she has just trespassed and his mysterious companion, eyes like the infinite azure all set on the pink haired blossom. She seemed to scurry closer to Sasuke taken aback –scared- by her, somehow laid back.

"As far as I remember, I didn't ask for another woman's presence." First chance he got, Sasuke would first bloody murder a certain Uzumaki Naruto, for having him deal with the outspoken Ino Yamanaka and the overflow of glitter she brought along, already feeling his fingers itch to curl into a hard punch and his temples throb and pound, like a bass guitar.

And that opportunity would present pretty soon. The Uchiha just couldn't wait to ardently pummel the living daylights out of his –oh, Heavens, that word pained him in the chest- best friend, until he would consider it twice next time he entertained the idea of being funny and sent Ino to fuel her need for gossip and live from torturing him and meddling with his personal life.

Because, for Christ`s sake, Ino LIVED for gossip! She would rather give up on blood completely –she was already on a 'diet' from blood- than survive without her hot pieces of steamy gossip about everyone and everything that moved, breathed, ate or even worse, had sex.

"Well that`s too bad that presents doesn't have feet to walk by themselves to your door, you jerk." Through her porcelain clenched teeth, Ino spat right into the unfathomable Uchiha`s face, being totally unfazed by the Vampire she was addressing to, and that has been something that Sakura found absolutely admirable and striking: her femineity and delicacy was perfectly balancing the calloused independent tirade of chutzpa and intransigent personality.

Sasuke on the other hand, was pondering whether he should tarnish his reputation of a noble Vampire Prince and show the blonde the direction of the door she has just catapulted into his newly painted wall, and throw her ass outside, as Naruto would rudely put it, then but the presence of the petite frame of Sakura`s warm body, radiating under the palm he had slid around the curb of her lower back, made him push back such rough behavior and simply dripped to him, in his peculiar typical unruffled, yet adamant way, the blonde`s fitting fancy name. "Ino-"

"Move over, I want to see – Oh! By the goddess of holly malls and Vuitton shoes, you are so cute!" Totally undaunted by the Uchiha`s trailed hidden threat underneath the velvet way he rolled each syllable of her name, Ino proved to be her valiant spunky self and not so gently pushed the Uchiha aside, breaking the subtle and rather intimate and very PERSONAL contact with Sakura`s body, tossing him aside like she was disposing of an unpleasant piece of article that wasn't on her taste, and jolly stretched her hands to latch with a stunned Sakura`s ones, spewing glitter and rainbows from both her eyes and glossy rouged lips as she sang to her like a banshee emerging from a blue lagoon, during a starry night, baby blue aquamarine orbs gleaming like jewels. "I am Yamanaka Ino, you have no idea how glad I am to finally meet you!"

"Finally?" Sasuke didn't even try to prevent a smartass retort to form on his lips, slipping his hands inside his pockets, in that characteristically nonchalant way that vexed his interlocutors, faking surprise by curling a fine eyebrow up, much to the blonde Yamanaka heiress`s dismay. "You have just found out about her presence here."

With me.

"In the women's dictionary, it means a lot of precious time and stop damn interrupting me you cocky bastard!" What a totally unresponsive and unmoving Sakura found really staggering about Ino, was the versatility and spontaneity in flapping personalities.

She could turn from a feral blood thirst lioness, defending her territory, to a mesmerizing siren in a heartbeat, with the mastery of a famous actress, but her character was inspiriting, energetic and refreshing.

Ino whipped her head back from glaring daggers at a slightly amused Uchiha –Ino knew him well enough to realize that the bastard Vampire Prince was entertained by his mockeries, even without smirking in that annoying sexy way- to beam heartedly at Sakura, curled long rimmeled eyelashes fluttering like a dove`s wings. "Don't you worry girl, he's not that bad as he looks. Just a tad uptight since he is sexually frustrated and has anger issues."

Putting all the overwhelming energy of that spunky and totally outgoing beautiful blonde aside, Sakura was confused about Ino`s choice of words, even though she clearly saw that the women in their group were permitted a lot of independency, plus that Ino character was probably a really close friend to Sasuke, since she wasn't reticent in calling him names and taunt him back.

The midnight haired Uchiha Prince was anything but withdrawn and edgy, though hearing Ino casually place him among the modern teens in search for identity, was funny and almost made her giggle.

Then, she started her outburst again, focusing on the rosette`s very avant garde appearance, clearly flashing before her principles of art and vogue. "Oh my God! Is that hair color natural? You can never get that shade in any salon!"

"It is natural, though I don't find it to be such an amazing thing…" If only Ino knew how many times she has been ridiculed for the bubblegum shade and the unexpected exotic looks, but apparently, it was very popular among vampires.

Of course, freaks by nature, just like her…

"What are you saying, it is absolutely perfect and so stylish and fancy!"

"I am not running a hotel here, Ino." Before the aforementioned baby blued eyed female Vampire had the chance to inquire more about the expressive appearance of the radiating cherry blossom and her involvement with the leader of their small group, the Uchiha found it funny to remind her in his own subtle polite way, that she should scurry the hell out of there, because the lingering chemical charged tension sizzling between the two of them, like dew drops in a warm April morning, assured her that she came as an intruder and shattered whatever activity they were engaged into.

Ino wasn't stupid nor oblivious and if there was someone between their gang who truly read through the lines of romance transpiring between people or Vampires, it was the blonde introspective Yamanaka, and her skill to pinpoint their emotions and thoughts, had nothing to do with her inborn affinity to use her own family`s hidden Techniques and telepathic abilities.

From the very first moment when she collided with the stillness and suspicious silence of a living room occupied by two inhabitants, who have just met, her inquisitive keen orbs flew on Sasuke and Sakura, who looked like they were embracing and ventured in a very romantic kiss.

Yes, judging by the flushed roses filled cheeks of Sakura and the way Sasuke has refused to lose contact with her closeness, proving it that he wasn't afraid to be caught showing affection and prove it to all of them –his nagging annoying obsessed friends- that he was ready to move on and find himself a woman, they have clearly kissed.

And that made her overjoyed and hyperactive because she, just like Naruto, was constantly pestering Sasuke to open up more and chase after the ladies, until he found someone to love him and share his bed in his moments of solitude –mostly magical nights- it being the main reason why both the blondes have conspired and plotted together, dragging his ass to every single party, waiting for the unthinkable to happen.

And her first glance on Sakura assured Ino that, by a fortunate flip of destiny, the lonely Uchiha handsome heir has hit the jackpot. The mysterious young woman had a very distinctive, tropical appearance, but nonetheless, what shined brightly about her overall aura, was her innocence, the angelic purity and ineffable femineity and tonic energy. Totally NOT like all the other women that Sasuke has been with, his fiancé included.

Yes, Ino absolutely despised that woman with burning passion for playing with his heart and throwing him into the oasis of broken hearts and mistrust in women in general.

She wasn't even interested in her own version of the story or her point of view, because fueling a man`s hopes and expectations in vain, was unforgivable. To a woman like Ino, it was either she loved him or left him, without taking it too far, until they passed a point of no return.

Plus, there was one detail that assured Ino about the deeper connection between Sasuke and the mystery girl, Sakura, despite him welcoming him into his home, namely the fine astonishing piece of jewelry embellishing her slim neck.

Ino was an expert and an avid fan of precious gemstones and precious metals, so she knew that not just anyone would afford to buy such a necklace.

Not only it amazed and stole breaths away with the elegance, refinement, taste and pattern, the mastery behind it shining in all its splendor, but the price was also mind blowing, so it was clearly a gift from Sasuke to her for her birthday party.

But… receiving such a present from a Vampire, wasn't having the same meaning as being offered by an ordinary man, no. If she was to take the meaning of the gesture literarily, in the most traditional conservatory dogmatic code of the Immortals` way, then offering a woman a piece of jewelry, be it a bracelet, earrings or a necklace, meant offering his heart too. To put it simply, it was reminiscent to mortals` established practice of wearing engagement rings to portray the claim on each other, which would ultimately lead to holy matrimony.

Which only left Ino with one big question mark floating above her head, on a puff cloud: Was Sasuke insane?! He couldn't be possibly thinking to marry Sakura, could he?

The raven haired Uchiha wasn't JUST a vampire, even if his group of friends were all being bound to their folklore and culture, despite their modernist and liberal doctrines, he was the current Leader`s of the Vampire Reign son and only successor! The Crown Prince of the Vampires! Was Sasuke planning on making Fugaku fume and loathe him even more, by pressing the ultimate sensitive button?

Ino was beaming with pride and clapping at his guts, totally supporting him. The hell with Uchiha Fugaku and the other loser Vampires who supported him! Good for Sasuke to have the will-power and headstrongness to stay so resolute in his ideals and convictions.

But it didn't mean that she would bow to his 'Majesty' and give up to her imposing independent and acid bickering with Sasuke. They were after all, really good childhood friends.

"Hmpf, definitely not. You get at least a decent room service in a hotel room." She injected sternly, scoffing her nose in his direction, returning her gaze to Sakura, amazed by how angelic and beautiful that young woman, who couldn't be more than twenty four really was. Where has Sasuke found someone like her?

Straight from Cupid`s realm, on Valentine`s Day, most likely. Her entire radiance was typifying love and chaste honey kisses, in Ino`s view. It was almost sweet and totally cute to see that cherub, who looked so lost, similar to a star falling from the sky, seeking for a source of light to reflect, in the embrace of someone like Sasuke Uchiha.

The discrepancy, the contrast between light and twilight, the innocent color of pure virgin pink, emblazoning the first steps to womanhood, intertwined with unfathomable bottomless pure black, the resolute and absolute symbol of royal manhood and sensual virility, they were picture perfect together, a dance of contrasts.

"You must be the Sakura I have heard about! Oh. My. God! Look at you, you are so beautiful! Oh, and that hair is totally so fashion, I love the color! It matches your bright green eyes!" Still having a firm rhapsodic hold of Sakura`s hands, Ino carried on with her overjoyed tirade, flailing and spitting rainbows from her mouth, enthusiastically.

Sakura could vehemently see the contempo touch in Ino`s proclivities and the penchant and affinity for modern, with clashed with the foreseeable conservatory Vampire dominant trait.

She was lustrous in her studied and tasteful glamorous world, and her liberal, insouciant and solar character -very reminiscent to Naruto`s easygoing demeanor- was making her resemble pure warm light and appear as very approachable.

"Ahm… thank… you?" From the corner of her viridian orbs, Sakura took the liberty to peeped at Sasuke who had an indecipherable look on his face but the gleam inside his onyx orbs assured her that he was gravely biting back a harsh retort, visibly bothered by the clearly unexpected visitor, which was a funny thing to witness, because a rather cornered Sasuke, compelled to make compromises and be polite to the ladies, was really amusing.

"Ino, drop it. You are scaring her, you troublesome woman." A very apathetic masculine voice popped from the behind of a big colorful wrapped box that the owner was carrying, letting himself inside, not only after gazing at the broken door and the hole in the wall, completely unfazed like such occurrences were really common happenings amidst their group, carrying on with his mutterings. "She is already giving me headaches."

Shikamaru idly shuffled inside Sasuke`s flat, pushing the requested delivery on a mini round decorated table looking like he was cursing under his breath, as Ino hollered to the straggling genius.

"Hurry up, you lazy ass! We don't have all night, jeez. I have classes at first hours in the morning and I don't want Kakashi on my head!"

The tall man with an interesting individual hairstyle, crayoned into a messy high ponytail, reminiscent to a pineapple, wearing a mantle of indifference on his perspicacious face, mumbled right back to her, and unlike Sasuke, that one had no problems in vocalizing what was running through his mind. "If you are in such a hurry, then why don't you push it in yourself?"

"Are you insinuating that a lady should do a man's job?" Immediately, Ino`s equally solar kissed fine eyebrows narrowed to slits, shooting him a doom glare, like she has been visibly insulted. Sakura was observing the interaction between the mysterious new male and the radiant Yamanaka, with much interest, trying to depict each one`s character. "What kind a man are you?'

"One that is being overly abused."

"HA! Then why don't you call Greenpeace and complain to someone who really cares? Put it there, in the kitchen." Ino sternly instructed, as Shikamaru brought the cake into the adjacent kitchen, addressing something incomprehensive to the Uchiha, who nodded back at him, clearly teaming up as the abused males into the room, but Ino paid them no mind, turning to sing to Sakura, like a nightingale.

"You will just love it! Mom and I personally did the decorations." Although, the rosy haired Sakura had no idea of what she was talking about, it promised to be something good, flashy and tasteful since it came from Ino, so anticipation bloomed inside her. So far, those two days were comprised in a single heartbeat and she came to know that Sasuke had very interesting acquaintances.

Shikamaru slide his unhurried feet to bring his shadow to rest beside an equally stoic Sasuke, but the lazy genius of the group was positive of the fact that the Uchiha was pissed off and totally not impressed by Ino`s tumultuous appearance, but it wasn't like the Nara heir had a choice.

She absolutely stormed into his own house, not so gentle, namely swaying through the window of his bedroom, making it shatter and, not once concerned over the embarrassing situation she found him into when just stepping out of the shower, she dragged his ass to Sasuke`s penthouse, not once removing the cotton flashy latest phone from her ear, talking to Heaven knows who about a birthday cake and 'Oh. Em. Gee! Sasuke has a girlfriend!' it being the only reason why he indulged into turning into her servant… again. "Damn troublesome woman is making my head bleed."

Sasuke simply nodded in conformation, thankful for Shikamaru accompanying her to try and temper her even for a bit, but of course that Ino had eyes at the back of her head and a keen hearing that totally caught the rude gossip about her, so she swiftly spun on her fancy high heels, like a smooth artful ballerina, to glare at them.

"Aish! Stop being a lazy bum and move them legs! You just don't make ladies wait, this is totally rude!" She then returned her attention to Sakura to brief her about the abhorrence of having such boring specimens into their contradistinctive group. "Don't mind these guys dear, they are definitely the most monotonous from our peers. I am Ino Yamanaka!"

"Haruno… Sakura. Nice to meet you, Ino."

"Aww, you are totally kawaii! I can TOTALLY see why he likes you!" Sasuke faked an awkward cough as Sakura turned blazing red like the sun at dawn in embarrassment, hearing Ino`s bold affirmation, biting her lower lip and dropping her chin to the polished floor, fighting against the need to camouflage the flush on her cheeks and the truth amassed into her apostate viridian orbs.

Honestly hearing it from someone else had the scouted revealing effect on her which Ino totally caught from the beginning: something very personal ensued between Sasuke and Sakura, before she rudely interrupted him, catching them in the act.

"This brooding person here," The charismatic platinum blonde cocked her head to Sasuke, talking casually about his persona like he wasn't even present in the room. "Is even more introvert and emo than his own shadow. But you my dear, are a ray of light! Ah, let`s be BFFs!"

She casually tucked a surprised Sakura in an unforeseen bear hug, which she couldn't help but return, because, even though Ino was being very extrovert and blasting in all her glamorous extravagant way, she was being very honest and easygoing. Like a sister that Sakura never had and that thought alone, brought a candid smile on her lips.

"Oh?" She was surprised but the blondes happy-go-lucky personality was really contagious and warm. "Ok, ok, just… let me breathe first, please." Of course, it didn't change the fact that Ino was choking her and it was in that moment when Sakura realized that the beautiful Ino was really strong.

"Oh? I am sorry." She immediately grew conscious of her own Vampire strength and loosened her embrace, but still kept a light touch over Sakura`s shoulders, tucking out her tongue and giggling like a schoolgirl, plucking sun flowers. "I just tend to get a little bit enthusiastic from time to time, hehe."

Only from time to time? The same thought has just strike Shikamaru and Sasuke`s mind, both having similar inscrutable poker-faced expressions waltzing over their figures, but they didn't voice it out loud, because Heavens might forbid them angering Ino Yamanaka further.

She might even go as far as to call Tenten for back up and only monstrous horrifying things would happen to certain anatomies parts if they went against their feminist movement.

"It`s ok, I am just not… used to have… so many people around me. Or… Vampires." She didn't want to sound completely loser-ish but Sakura opted for a honest approach, since she truly wished to not be impolite with Sasuke`s friends and truly befriend all of them, Ino included. But cognizance stirred within Ino as her cobalt blue orbs fluttered wide, visibly taken aback by Sakura`s revelation.

"Y-You mean… you are human? Not a Vampire?! Really?!" She didn't see it coming, not in a million years and suddenly, very interesting things were fueling Ino`s bottomless tank of wisdom in terms of romance.

Sakura was human, just like - Oh. My. God! Suddenly, everything has just gotten more stirring.

"Well, yes. Sorry."

"Oh no, don't be sorry for such an uni-" Then out of nowhere, another outrageous thing has bolted down Ino`s mind as she whipped her head over her shoulder, to shoot lasers towards Sasuke, hands possessively thrown around Sakura`s shoulders, as she was trying to consulate her for some really important loss.

"Don't tell me he uses you for blood or to fuel his deprived perverted fantasies, because so help me God, Uchiha, I will personally castrate you and feed your balls to those dirty half-breeds, if I hear you went as far as to lay a finger on her!"

Oh, the way she reviled as her pearl lucent teeth were clattering, was enough to melt rocks and freeze an entire room, because, when Ino Yamanaka was furious, she gave another meaning to the word corybantic and menacing.

Her usually warm azurite orbs turned seething and seeping with vile intent, and, have it been someone else in the Uchiha`s place, that person would have been virtually dead and gone, but the onyx eyed Vampire before her remained his annoyingly benumbed self to the blonde`s threats, fighting the urge to snort at her attempts to be challenging. It worked for losers like Naruto or Choji, but definitely NOT someone like Sasuke, or Shikamaru, who was yawning uncontrollably beside him.

Sasuke felt the itch to punch his face and give him a round of wake up calls.

If Sasuke had the audacity to transgress their sworn code of never relying on human blood, only when absolutely necessarily and, instead, nourish from the replenishing blood pills that the Hyugas strive to brand among the Vampires, then he would be automatically be labeled as a persona non grata amidst their group and be punished for the infringement of their most sacred rule: do not disrepute their cause by considering the mortals inferior to them and only worth of drinking their blood.

It was exactly the epitome of wrongdoing in infringing the very foundation of their principles and dogmas, it being fighting against the vampires` innate habits and sins, which wouldn't be tolerated among the world they were aiming to create, when shouting it out loud to anyone that they wanted peace to be achieved through cooperation, love, respect and mutual understanding, but at the same time, killing people by having their bloods filling the throats of the thirsty vampires –the ones they were supposed to trust- was unpardonable, be it form an ordinary vampire, or the next in line Prince himself.

"Actually, he was very kind with me, so-"

"Oh no no no honey," Ino interrupted Sakura`s weak murmur and attempt to side with Sasuke, leading her towards the kitchen like a good willed protective lioness with her cubs, shaking her head at her, where Shikamaru has conveniently placed the small fancy pink table with the boxy resting atop of it, silently asking the lazy Nara for a lighter in that 'polite humble' peculiar way, namely narrowing her baby blue eyes at him, 'advising' him to keep his mouth shut because they will never hear the end of her ranting.

"That one Uchiha Prince there," her tone was mocking and somehow playful, but her resolute intimidating peril still lingered in her husky expressive voice. "Is a master of deceiving. But no worries dear, because now you are officially part of our gang of totally independent, strong and ridiculously fancy girls that no one will dare mess with."

Unfortunately –for the guys- Ino wasn't joking. Really, whoever knew of the famous Konoha Uni. 'Sirens' and knew what was good for them, wasn't crossing paths or breathed towards them in the wrong disrespectful way, because if they weren't having their lives made miserable by Ino, who could sprout the most compromising embarrassing gossip about just anyone and ruin their reputation or chances to hook up with someone decent in the next thirty lives, then Tenten would definitely use her impressive traditional Japanese and Thai collection of weapons and chop off their bodies, in the most ingenious artistic way possible, that would make trained skillful vampires crawl in dread.

During the centuries, but mostly the recent technological outbreak and the modern times and college years, Ino, Tenten and Hinata, who was a solid pillar and a well-versed eloquent silent supporter and, recently, Sabaku no Temari, have constructed an eminent notoriety and their fame of being unperturbed from their ideology and adamancy in giving up living by the bloody vice standards of their Vampire ancestors and start anew, guided by a friendlier and compromising drive, and it was a fame they were struggling to preserve.

Ino was always experimenting with vegan and vegetarian recipes and tried on mind blowing radical diets, in order to trick her system into thinking that he has been rewarded with the much anticipated human blood, trying her best to go on a blood less 'diet', coaxing the girls and boys to try it over, dreaming of seeing the light of the day when she would be free from that addiction. To her, it was the typified expression of being completely free to spread her wings and soar.

Free from the cluster of her Immortal peers, who were degrading the regal reputation they were trying to preserve, by not being able to be abstinent with their yen for blood. So what if her powers would weaken without consuming human vital red fluids regularly? She just had to find a way to conjure more energy and take it from something else.

During the centuries, their group has undergone numerous experiments and the experiences weren't always pleasant. In fact, they swayed more on the abhorred and disgusting side, having moments when they would taste animal blood, but the different structure, the typical unparalleled human energy, the soul, the nutrients, the life pulsating within, couldn't be equaled by anything similar.

And the animal which proved to have the closest set of genes to human blood was no other than the famous Rhesus macaque, the monkey which helped with the discovery of the famous Rh factor system in human red cells antigens.

But it wasn't like they had the possibility to go and hunt down all the aforementioned monkeys and live on their blood, that was just ridiculous. So naturally, they were forced to rely on the pills that Neji`s family has created, in collaboration with Nara family`s longtime genius medical research, until the medical development would permit the researchers to successfully test artificial human blood, made in laboratory and solve their problem once and forever.

The Yamanaka, Nara and Hyuga clans were secretly syphoning money into the research of artificial blood, to the top researchers from reputed universities all around the world, to speed up the process, but of course, they were keeping it a well hidden secret from Uchiha Fugaku and his supporters, who were calling it a sacrilege and a disgrace to the Vampires.

Albeit, even if they were basically forced to starve and refrain from having human blood, living on the pills as much as their bodies could take it and permit them to run a normal Vampire life and not appear weak in theirs brethren critique disapproving eyes, Sasuke had no reasonable excuse to secretly try to betray the vow they all made and make it easier for him, by bewitching Sakura into allowing him to drink her blood for free, until she would die.

Heck no!

The ebony eyed Uchiha on the other hand, was well aware of what was traipsing into Yamanaka`s mind, her stare speaking more than a thousand words, but he had no reason to explain the promise made between Sakura and him, because his private life was no one else`s property, plus, he was not disobeying the pledge.

He has sworn to himself to refrain from drinking Sakura`s blood, until he would go on the level of insanity and even used the injection instead of the pills which were starting to have lower and lower effect, just to moderate his thirst and need to dig his fangs on her neck.

The fact that he ended up kissing her instead, was a complete other story, but that also wasn't infringing the rules that he and Naruto created, to serve as a pattern for their movement. His train of thoughts was cut short by Sakura`s nightingale tune.

"This sounds interesting, but how do I qualify as one of you, since I am clearly so under your level?" Not to mention that her eyelids were fluttering and felt heavier and steel like, since the rosette was more than tired.

But she quickly came to the realization that Vampires weren't having the same circadian cycle as humans and clearly their energy and vitality was on a league of their own.

Probably, they could go on for weeks without hitting the pillow, but she on the other hand, was being overwhelmed by the last two very eventful days, which resembled the electrical tumult of a carousel ride.

It was jolly, unthinkable, she still lived through a fairytale, not believing that she wasn't dead, but fatigue was getting to her. It was 23:00 p. m. and her internal clock was ticking the seconds that begged for a good sleep.

The Vampires around her on the other hand, were fresh, tonic and beautiful, looking like they have just woken up, took a fresh cold shower and served an appetizing energizing breakfast.

At least, that was how they were portrayed before her oblivious emerald orbs, because little did she know that it was only a good trick and a clever skillful orchestrated façade, since, except from Sasuke, Shikamaru and Ino claimed a record among their group for abstaining from having human blood for a month and a half and they could feel the languidness overwhelm them. Shikamaru was smartly wrapping his fatigue under the distinctive ennui.

Soon enough, they would have to visit the hospital`s blood bank… again. Because Ino would rather die than drink off a man or –God forbids- woman`s neck or wrist. The mere idea was so repulsive that it made her innards squirm in disgust.

"Oh, that`s nonsense! We don't have this… Vampire ego and bravado like the others from our reign. This is totally not something fancy and we don't consider ourselves superior to humans and besides, you could have fooled me, Sakura honey!"

Ino was quick on her intervention, patting the rosette on her shoulder in a reminiscent sisterly way, not wanting to take a no for an answer.

"You are even more beautiful than most of the other female Vampires sluts. Seriously! So how did you guys met? Tell me it was something romantic and totally stylish!"

The introspective way her baby blue hues glittered and flashed little minion heart shapes, made Sakura avert her jadeite jewels from her –feeling that Ino could bore into her very soul and read underneath, in a similar way that Sasuke did- to rest on the Uchiha before her, silently inviting him to either tell the truth or create a less depressing and lame background story between them, mumbling.

"He... saved my life... well kind of-" For the love of God, committing suicide has been the smartest idea that Sakura ever had, but why did it sound like the vilest sin she has ever committed after meeting Sasuke`s friends? She suddenly felt so dumb and wanted nothing more than to go back to the past and never repeat that asinine gesture ever again.

But she would have never met Sasuke to begin with, if she wouldn't have been the right woman on the right place… Even if 'right' might seem a little bit forced into the context, since she was on the verge of ending her own life, it was so worth it in her mind.

He is worth of every sacrifice…

"Really? Oh. My. God! You were her dark knight in a shiny armor! Prince Charming or something totally cliché and romantic like this! This is so stylish!" No, by any means, it wasn't the gesture itself the thing that had Ino squeal and flail like she has discovered a Shopping Mall the size of Planet Mars, for the Uchiha has saved numerous lives before.

It was the fact that he rescued a woman with the intention of keeping her by his side and even invited her to live with him, the things that had her mentally do a happy dance.

The most logical consequent question was already whirling into the golden haired Yamanaka`s head: what was that diacritic minutiae that made Sakura be so exclusive in Sasuke Uchiha`s eye and conjure him to so openly accept her, if not for her blood and beauty? Was he attracted to her for a specific trivia that Ino couldn't begin comprehend?

Naruto surely knew what was that about, she should just give Hinata a call and force the truth out of her mouth! Ino was dying to know about what kind of formidable mystical features abode inside that woman, with the most exotic peculiarity ,in order to catch the eye of someone with Sasuke`s fancy for aesthetics and critique overview over everything. Surely, the looks and the overwhelming aura of innocence was a magnet to any man, be it vampire or human, but it had to be something more exclusive and deeper than that.

A mystifying connection between the two of them, veiled by the intimacy that both seemed to share. They have just met two days ago and Sasuke already welcomed Sakura inside his home –he never brought a woman into his new home, since he broke up with his fiancé and left the Uchiha residence- and offered her an expensive gift, which portrayed a lifetime promise of becoming her husband someday, according to the ancient Code of Vampires and folklore.

What was going on?

Sakura… Haruno was definitely more than just a young pure woman, with a stunning appearance and a suspicious dramatic background. Ino could just feel it, although she couldn't pinpointed it. But judging from Sasuke`s resolute unfazed stare, she was positive that he knew about her, though she wasn't certain that it was that the reason why he saved her life.

Who is this woman?

And of course, he just had to crush the building romantic tension with his next flat statement, being so man-like –dumb to the core and have the delicacy of an elephant in a china shop. "Frankly, I was dead drunk."

It took Ino a nanosecond to switch the bulb of light to amass off bubbling fury, punishing Sasuke for his totally not fortunate choice of words, by impaling her merciless lustrous slim high heel into Sasuke's feet, until she was certain that she felt it pierce his skin and aimed for the bone. "You inconsiderate asshole! This was totally unstylish! What kind of gentleman are you?"

Instead of flinching and wincing out in pain –that woman was insane, eccentric and knew the definition of pain and how to inflict it, by metamorphosing everything into a lethal weapon, damn her- Sasuke simply hissed like a ferocious Cobra, while Shikamaru fought the need to snort at his friend and the comical unfolding of events.

Sakura looked like a mini replica of an elf, by the way the lobes of her ears were embellished by a cute rose color, out of embarrassment. "One that will have you kicked out for abusing the intimacy of my home and my patience."

"I am telling Tennie that you were rude to the ladies and I will have her chop off your testicles and feed you with them! You know how much she enjoys torturing jerks."

"Ino..."

She casually brushed him off like it was nothing, waiving her hand up in the air, scoffing and turned to beam at Sakura, flipping her attitude in a heartbeat, but the jadeite eyed human, trapped in the middle of the really diacritic small group of vampires started to get accustomed to their banters.

"You will fit perfectly in our crazy cool fabulous group, I`m telling you, girl. And you will just love the others, they are all crazy!" Sakura sweat dropped at the blonde`s confession already envisioning how the other might be if they resembled Ino and Naruto even for a bit, albeit the Yamanaka heiress was definitely tonic and friendly.

She turned to scoff at Sasuke and Shikamaru who had deadpan intertwined expressions making them look like twins. "Minus those two here, who are always such party poppers."

"Ahm… I… ah… thank you for the trust and credit…?" Frankly, Sakura didn't actually know what to say in order to not appear rude or conceited. Ino was a ray of light, unwithered and colorful, her vivacious energy was peaches-and-cream just as her vitality was contagious and exhilarating, being extremely honest in befriending her and not mimicking politeness, out of respect for someone who was acquainted to Sasuke, and in need to not disrepute him and their friendship first. She was honest and that thought alone was making Sakura smile.

"Oh, don't be so formal, we have enough of this with Sasuke and Neji. See, this is why everyone always mocks us for still living like in the 17th century. Loosen up a lil` bit, ok?"

It was not that Ino had a particular problem with Neji or Sasuke`s conservatory manner of conduct and talking, but, seriously, going to a club of partying modern people, who spurted slangs just like they were syphoning fancy alcohol and their colloquial teenage language, with two hotties who were talking like torn from a traditional English novel, was such a cramping of style and ruined her chances to flirt and hook up hot men. They were no fun. "Now let`s properly celebrate you, shall we?"

"O-Okay?" Sakura allowed an enthusiastic Ino to gently push her back to the front, as they made a semi-circle around the table, urging her to unwrap the cute pink ribbon atop the package which Sakura did, curious as what did they have in stock for her and why were they all making such a fuss over something as unimportant as her birthday.

What she didn't know, was the fact that it was very symbolic to Sasuke's group –and vampires in general- because, for a human whose life was finite, it was the representation of aging and acquiring wisdom from getting older, but to an Immortal, it was meaningless and utterly irrelevant and it was exactly that linkage to their human side the one that Ino and her group of Vampires were trying to cling to, so yes, it was very dear and important to them.

"I have no idea of what flavors you like, but I know for a fact that no woman can resist chocolate." She opened up the box and Sakura couldn't help herself but smile brightly at the appetizingly delicious looking loaf.

A two tier cake, entirely covered in white chocolate, offering it a more modern frilly touch, instead of the dark chocolate traditional ones, with a golden band swaddled around the base and embellished with petite charming bouquets of cherry flowers made of strawberry fondant, all complimented by the two pastel pink candles representing the numbers of her age, which Ino quickly lighted up, with a lighter she received from Sasuke.

The moment the flickering of the delicate candles burst like the gleam of her viridian irises, Sakura crossed her hands upon her racing heart, fatigue and exhaustion from the tumultuous eventful day being long forgotten as another pleasant sentiment, which she hasn't felt in ages overwhelmed her senses and her chest filled with a radiating warmth, which was projected on her enlighten features.

She listened to the way Ino happily started to sing the conventional 'Happy Birthday' song, in a perfectly harmonized charming voice, the strong jolly vocals filling the tranquil space and Sakura`s eardrums.

Being completely absorbed into the picturesque image of the beautifully decorated cake and the ripples of the dancing flames, she failed to notice the subtle shove in the ribs that Shikamaru got from the filigree blonde as an impulse –and a firm threat- to open up his damn lazy mouth and damn sing, or else-

The bright scholastic Nara representative bit back a vicious 'Auch, damn woman' which he knew she telepathically conveyed to him, in order not to ruin the moment and, reluctantly complied with the request, but instead of looking like the delighted new girl in the town, he let his inquisitive orbs shuffle to the Uchiha beside him, shifting an eyebrow in surprise.

While Ino cheerfully let her obvious singing skills shine and let the high suave notes fly out of her mouth like she was a nightingale in a golden cage, Shikamaru mumbled more out of respect for a lady and not wanting to ruin the harmonization and the flow of the song, because he was completely and embarrassingly tone deaf.

Even worse than Naruto, but the cheerful idiot took much pride for the credit of being the clown of the group, completely unperturbed of making a fool of himself.

There was another point of interest he could peep at, namely Sasuke beside him, who could do better at singing than him –way better even- but he was busying himself by being absorbed by the celebrated rosette.

He arched a fine eyebrow at Uchiha`s questionable behavior, not quite comprehending the reason why was he that entrapped by Sakura, who wasn't even facing him. Since when was Sasuke admiring a picturesque image of a woman?

Yes, he wasn't an oblivious fool either and Shikamaru totally observed how very special Sakura really was and her beauty was only counterbalanced by her bright warm personality and delicacy.

But she was also very insecure and circumspect with strangers, similar to how Hinata was, clearly not used to be sociable, albeit she was doing her best to be polite. Her character was puzzling Shikamaru, but he too found the reminisces with Sasuke`s introvert personality very funny and coincidental.

He suspected that Sakura was coming from a problematic family and didn't have many friends to begin with, but she definitely wasn't a harlot who was looking for Sasuke`s money, or lusted over him.

Interesting.

But still… not once has he removed his onyx orbs from her face. What was crossing on his mind in that moment, and why was he that focused on her, was still a mystery for Shikamaru.

Sasuke on the other hand, was absolutely unable to peel his ebony eyes off Sakura. His trained eyes for details was allowing him to breathe her in in all the beauty of her splendor and the girl with the eyes like crystals, was radiating of an untouched grace.

She was absolutely ravishing; angelic even, like a sylph of nature, emblazoning a divine femineity and an elegance, with the help of a shimmering smile alone.

He just couldn't believe how gorgeous she truly was. The fulgurating scintillations entrapped within her foliate eyes, were mirroring the gentle lazy pastel ritzy decorated flickering of the candles that she was starting at. The dancing limbs of fire percolated along the swells of her rose kissed cheeks and wrapped her features into a mystical aureate glow of light, making her sparkle even more, like a cricket.

Moist lips dancing into a perfect loving smile were keeping his onyx eyes interlaced to her beam, and, for a moment, just for one tiny moment… he felt his heartbeat take another harmony, and it was making is chest warm and frizzy. Her kiss… by all the Heavens above, it was one of the best kisses that Sasuke ever give to a woman.

So soft, so velvet and rich, so heavenly sweet and succulent, she felt and tasted like the select succulence of ambrosia. Sasuke wanted for nothing more than to kick Shikamaru and Ino out of his home, curl his fingers into the veil of her silk hair and slam his lips against her in another breathless kiss.

Would she possibly allow him to kiss her again?

She cupped those appetizing lips he was fantasizing about in a cute heart shape and eagerly blew upon the candles, as they clapped and cheer for her.

"Happy birthday, dear!" Ino was expeditious to throw her arms around her and wrap the rosette with a sisterly tight hug which she returned, but Ino was full of surprises, for the sneaky azurite eyed seductive vampire placed a golden bag in her arms -one that she had hidden behind her back. "Here!"

A present that she personally handpicked for Sakura, with all her love and a fancy short note from Shikamaru and her, and a neatly italic writing adorned with hearts and flowers and a honest 'Happy Birthday, Sakura' written on it.

"Thank you so much, I…" Sakura was at loss of phrases to express her gratitude and tears were pooling into her shimmering emerald eyes. She felt like crying of happiness -for the first time in forever, it wasn't tears of sadness and rancor amassing within her orbs- and she didn't know how to react.

All those Vampires were so friendly and kind to her and she didn't know how to respond and what to say. So far, no one has ever done something similar to her. Heck, they didn't even acknowledge her presence and while she got the attention of the people, it was mostly acerbity and animus.

"I don't… know how to properly thank you all for your kindness. This is… no one has ever done something similar for me before."

She tucked a lock around her ear, in a gesture that betrayed her lack of experience with having friends to care for her, visibly troubled about what to say and what not to, in order to not do something to wrong them, opting not to face their eyes –she was purposely avoiding Sasuke because his stare was something that did… things to her system- but heartedly cuddled the present into her chest, smiling and looking at the cake. "I don't deserve all of this and honesty, it is more than I can…"

Never in her life has such thoughts knocked to her mind, she didn't know what to say, despite her eloquence and rather educated humble character, she was beyond overwhelmed by the cute gestures of, not only Ino and Shikamaru, but Naruto and Hinata as well, her heart was flickering like those candles that were standing as a token of the age that… two days ago, they would have been utopic and one year shorter, and her heart jittered with a pleasant fluttering.

Soft steady thumps, like jingling like the petals of the soft bell flowers in spring, caressed by the wind, flapped the rhythm of her heart and Sakura couldn't deny that she felt… warm and light and surrounded by colors.

Hence the tears she was holding back, because she didn't want the moment to be dramatic and depressing.

Honestly, if Sakura were to die right then, she would feel utterly content; because she was granted the privilege to know the definition of such joy and take the memories of those loving warm, genial and sympathetic sentiments wither, around those vampires who were welcoming her like one of them, without showing the shadow of their dismay. She would die with no regret.

They were showering her with feelings that she didn't have the chance to learn the meaning of: friendship, devotion, affection, care and warmth. Those people came to Sasuke`s home, by the call of Naruto, despite the late hour and went as far as to bring her a present along with their open feelings of amity and sweet honest words.

To someone as insignificant as Sakura, it meant the world. Those two days of her life, encompassed the loss of the years she lived in misery and hardship. It was enough and more than she could ask for.

And of course, the observant Vampire beside her read everything into the heart she was wearing on her sleeve, like enfolding an ancient scroll, written in a language they could understand and felt pity for the rosette, but of course, they didn't venture to express it.

"Oh, don't be so modest, Sakura, it kills the charm of a woman." Ino nictated in a suggestive way, trying to silently let Sakura know that no one was judging her nor did they considered her to be less amazing, just because of her lower social status. Also, her nimble baby blue orbs have seen the cursory exchange of glances between Shikamaru and Sasuke.

The charcoal eyed Uchiha briefly let his head fall askew on his shoulder, shifting his onyx orbs to Sakura, without her to notice it and then left them shuffle back to an understanding Ino, letting out an invisible nod.

Ino grasped their secret message, singing to Sakura in her peculiar buoyant way.

"How about we, the girls, do some midnight shopping, hm? What do you say?" She proposed to Sakura, who let her emerald orbs naturally travel to the clock on the wall, taking in the late hour. It was, indeed midnight. Even though she was beat tired, the Vampires amassed around her were beaming with an electrical energy, looking totally refreshed.

Did they even sleep? She knew from Sasuke that mostly gave up on that human habit completely, while some used it to replenish their energy –though it didn't make much of a difference- or simply rested after some… other late nocturnal activities they did.

She on the other hand, was silently crying for that inviting pillow, knowing that she needed to wake up in the morning and knock on the Chancellor`s Office door and enroll to Konoha University.

"I, well… ahm… I am a little tired and-" Oh dear, how should she refuse those Vampires who were been all sugar and honey to her so far? Sakura didn't mean to offend them, she would sincerely love to experience shopping with friends, but not exactly… in that very moment. She would have enjoyed being able to at least keep her orbs open and preferably not fall asleep in a changing room.

"Oh, c`mon girl, you will have plenty of time to sleep when you are older, but until then, lets enjoy our teenage days!" The blonde waited no second to hook their arms, playfully bumping Sakura`s shoulder, singing to her and for a moment, Sakura was stunned at how casual and… human that Ino acted, like she was not an Immortal to begin with. "Besides, I can bet you didn't have time to shop for toiletries, right?"

Ok, she got her there. Sakura didn't get the chance to buy them and stop using Sasuke's since they had that small and unpleasant argument –which she would rather not think about.

"Actually, you are right. I don't want to continue to use someone else`s belongings and…" She turned to peek at Sasuke, nibbling on her lower lip, as she felt a mysterious tingle decorate the fine skin of her lips as she gazed at the breathtaking Uchiha before her. "…abuse of their generosity…"

Not that she didn't like to bath into the aroma of his perfumes and smell his unique masculine scent on his clothes –that she borrowed. "Is it ok?" It was him she addressed to and surprisingly, Sasuke simply nodded to her.

"As long as you do not allow this fanatic to transfigure you into an equally shopping habitué as she, then it is all right."

Ino gyrated her aqua orbs at Sasuke's way of talking, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Jeez, what`s with that old fashion way of talking? You make us look old and so out-of-style." She gravely turned to advise an amused Sakura. "I hope you don't pick it up too."

Because God forbids they needed another freak among their group. It wasn't a problem among Vampires who couldn't adapt to the sudden transition to the modern era, but to humans, it was a subject of gossip and mockeries. One doesn't just stroll to the local fast food and use Shakespeare's romantic way of talking, to ask for a hot dog.

"Wait a second!" As she almost dragged Sakura to the hole in the wall, where the broken door stood weeping and hanging on its hinges, Ino swirled to Sasuke, saying a line that almost had the hair at the back of his nape stand erect. "I need money!"

Oh Heavens, that was never a good sign!

Sasuke sighed heavily as he racked a hand through his raven wings resembling disarrayed hair, reluctantly taping the back of his pocket, fingering his wallet, sliding up a very exclusive black credit card, inwardly debating whether he should handle it to Ino, but the banshee squealing Yamanaka was fast as lightning to snatched it form his hand, even before he had the chance to stretch his hand to her or blink. Damn was she nimble when it came to money.

"Ino, I find it mandatory to remind you that this is my unlimited credit card and I fancy to think that, when it is going to be returned to me, I will not be inhumed under a pile of bills and broke."

In fact, it was the one he got from his father, since it was reserved exclusively for billionaires and he didn't need another scandal on his head, for spending Fugaku`s money, even though he was helping him with his business and earned a lot.

Fugaku was even greedier and materialistic than Ino.

"Pff, if it is unlimited, then what is there to run out of? I swear I don't get you men and it is rude to complain about that in front of the ladies."

Ino brushed Sasuke off, mentally laughing her ass out loud at his apparently indifferent face, knowing that he was probably panicking inside, because a credit card in Ino`s hands, became a lethal weapon, so she snatched Sakura`s hand, and dragged the poor girl out of that house, stellar orbs gleaming like diamonds.

Credit cards that have no limit? Heck yeah! Not even she had such a luxurious item in her posession, because it only belonged to exclusivists social circles, like Hyugas and Uchihas.

She knew that Sasuke gave it to her because it would give access to every single glamour shop, cafés, restaurants, theatre, concerts, and it was another token that he cared deeply for Sakura, since he obviously entrusted such a piece of jewelry in Ino`s hands, thinking about her own interest, so she could go and enjoy everything that the high class materialistic word had to offer, from the finest clothes to the rarest cuisine.

And that thought alone was filling her head with verve. Sasuke would never go so far to please a woman. Just a woman, so Sakura truly was something aggrandize to him.

"Wait, Ino-" Sakura didn't have time to question Sasuke and the flaunting glee Yamanaka` brief interaction, for she was being lead outside the avian spacious flat, outside the halls, so she swiftly fluttered her hand towards Shikamaru and Sasuke, paying her farewell and the two Vampires briskly wondered whether she was wordlessly imploring them to save her from Ino`s overjoy and energy, but Sasuke only smirked softly at her, enjoying the way her rosy cheeks turned the color of wine, spanning along her earlobes, at the vista he greeted her with, furtively causing her to retrospect about the moment of their kiss.

As she was busy tucking on her hand, hooking arms with the girl, bouncing and jogging down the empty hall, to the elevator, Ino leaned forward to whisper to her new human friend, dramatically.

"Why is he worried about? He is already filthy rich. That greedy person… hey, let`s have some really good cocktails first, what do you say? Do you like strawberries, mango, stracciatella and green apples? I totally love them…"

She kept on showering Sakura with the things she adored, while questioning the rose haired woman about her own tastes and guilty pleasure and Sakura found herself casually conversing with Ino, all the while having the feeling that they knew each other since forever.

Somehow, her energy was dissipating from Ino and fused with her own going low one, invigorating her. Plus, Ino promised to show her a non-stop coffee shop which sold the best chocolate and caramel frappes, so her night looked promising.

.

.

.

---

The moment his bored but deeply amused olive orbs lost the fluttering shadows of the two women and the space around him went silent as a grave, Shikamaru turned to look at the Uchiha beside him, barely muffling his snorts, tapping his shoulder in what would be considered a consoling brotherly gesture, mocking him.

"If you need a place to stay after Ino successfully makes you go bankrupt, my friend, let me tell you that I have some spare space in the garage and it is only yours."

The glare he got from Sasuke was enough to make him smirk at the way his orbs went beyond darkness level, swallowing all the light and made Hell freeze in dread. "Fuck off." It was rarely to hear Sasuke curse on someone, but when he did it, he put a lot of passion and meant every single word of it, that was beyond funny to Shikamaru.

"I wished to, but they found themselves quite the hobby tonight. Old habits die hard."

"But they would, eventually." Sasuke lurched towards his bedroom, gnarring back at Shikamaru, fighting against the need to punch the living daylights out of him for being such a smartass, but they were already late. "Let me change my attire first. Then… we can enliven their memory, so as to not forget whose territory they smear and transgress."

"This… is going to be such a drag." The sapient Nara stretched his hands above his head, yawning heartedly as he followed Sasuke`s silhouette disappearing around the corner. "How boring."

No kidding, he would have rather been in the coziness of his bed, practicing his favorite hobby and sleep until morning –the prospect of waking up at such a moody hour was already very troublesome for him- but instead, his never sleeping group of 'partying' peers were always dragging him into doing someone else`s dream job and cover for their lack of personnel and inefficacy in keeping the balance between the two clashing worlds and handle their own criminals.

But then again, it wasn't like they could ignore the latest outburst in the criminal rate and attacks on innocent people, either.

So what any other more convenient day of refreshing those assholes` memories about them being under strict surveillance, than a serene Sunday could be?

.

.

.

---

"Is this your car?" Sakura smiled at the totally girly charismatic neon pink convertible flashing in the underground parking lot, as Ino jouncing as she fingered her car keys inside the mess of her clutch, singing at her.

"Isn't it totally glamour? My dad has given it to me when I turned twenty one and become…" The honey haired diva unlocked the door and slide into the passenger seat, as Sakura joined her on the passenger seat, giggling at the electrical red custom seatbelt, having an intricate tribal pattern designed on it. "…you know, a Vampire. It`s a birthday present, like it?"

Like it? That pink blob, in the same shade as her exotic hair shade, was one giant cherry ice cream, reminding Sakura of Katy Perry`s music videos, with all the tumult and explosive energy of colors, candies and strawberries.

In one word, she adored it! It was so much like Ino and so typical for a woman surrounding herself of rainbows, light and happiness and Sakura couldn't help herself but he her eyes scamper to the interior design, taking in all the girly details embellished into the leather upholstery, comparing it to Sasuke`s car, noticing the differences.

A car spoke volumes about one`s character. While the Vampire with the most mystifying olive eyes was driving a spacious, smooth and elegant car, where the colors light blue, silvery and black were dominating, Ino on the other hand, was driving Cinderella`s Carriage.

"Oh? It is beautiful and so… cute. Like a world of colors, and cupcakes. Please don't take it as an offense, I truly like it." Ino giggled at the choice of Sakura`s words, as the rosy haired young woman beside her was running a hand along the steering wheel, which Ino had wrapped in neon pink fluff. It was so crazy and eccentric, that it made Sakura laugh involuntarily, out of the blue.

"No, in fact, I think the same about this Princess. She never fails me and never left me in the middle of the road so far." Ino giggled along, switching the keys into the ignition, making the engine roar to life. "And it attracts hot guys." She cocked her head to wink at Sakura, as her stylized platinum curled lock of her bangs fell on her eye, stepping on the gas pedal pressing it to the floor, without looking at the road, laughing hotly at the blush on Sakura`s face.

She totally knew that Sakura had a thing for Sasuke –she saw it, smelt it, caught it and cheered for them- and it was fantasbulous!

There was such a mild hot starry night, the streets were illuminated, dazzling and not crowded, they both looked fabulous, she had her pair of favorite heels on and a new BFF to chatter nonstop too, so everything was looking promising to Ino. She was ready to hit the night markets, pubs and streets and bond more with her!

And the days that would follow!

Soon enough, the way her heart leaped from her chest as Ino made her car come to life, hitting the streets and speeding on the fast line, convinced Sakura that not all the Vampires drove sleekly like they were flying, like Sasuke did. "Let`s kill the night, Sakura!"

Ino hollered to the emerald eyed rosette beside her, messing with the neon buttons around the DVD player, turning on the radio until she found a hot radio station with vogue pop music, singing along the latest hits and after Sakura caught her breathe and assured herself that she won't die because Ino wouldn't crash her car into some palm tree, since Ino went two times over the speed limit –and still speeding- she rejoiced, singing along.

That girl was kooky and utterly insane, but the kind of craziness and vibe that teens in the movies had which were enjoying every moment of their lives, treasuring friendship, love, romance, the sun and their favorite music together, without a care in the world –something that Sakura never had- and she found herself grow more and more attached by that blonde`s touch.

By any means, Sakura hasn't been living under a rock for the past twenty one years of her life, even though her previous home kind of resembled something that Fred Flintstone would reside into, so she too enjoyed things that were normal for a girl her age, starting with fashion, music, latest gossip, hot stars and movies, even though it was mostly hearing from the others and window shopping or flipping through Mebuki`s fashion magazines –where did she get those money from?

But it didn't automatically implied that, while reeling into her teenage days, she lost the sense of ration, so she turned to Ino –who was busy sliding a pair of Police blue tinted sunglasses on the bridge of her nose, like a true glamour fashionista- and asked her. "Ahm… Ino? Why did we actually left?"

"Aren't we smart? Well, the real reason is that the guys are a little bit… busy."

"Busy? With what?" There weren't together or… were they? Horror crept upon Sakura`s spine as the shudders of imagining such a horrendous scene flaunted before her orbs. Sasuke didn't strike like the type to have such… tendencies.

"Haha, you think they are into men, right? Oh, you are too funny for your own good." Upon realizing what exactly did Sakura mean by that, Ino let her head fall on the head rest and laughed at the content of her heart, tears prickling at the corners of her baby blue eyes, totally entertained, because usually, everyone tended to mistaken Sasuke and Naruto`s closeness for gay penchants, but never Shikamaru and him, though Sakura`s totally repelled figure, turning blue like she has just encountered walking zombies, was absolutely priceless.

"No, actually, they tend to do this pretty often and it is usually on Sunday. Some sort of a habit, if you want. An unwritten tradition of theirs. You see, I don't know how much he told you about what we do and what our purpose truly is, but I am sure that Sasuke let you know about the clans of vampires, right?"

And then she would open up Pandora`s box and reveal the skeleton in the cupboard, but Ino was one of the most extroverted and outspoken naïve member of their group and Sakura seemed like someone she could trust, hence entrust some of their deepest secrets –for humans, because it wasn't such so ocult among their fellows Vampires.

"Actually, he only told me that there are pure blood Immortals, like his own Uchiha family of Rulers, then there are the ones that don't share your point of view and there are the others… half Vampires, if I am not mistaken, like Naruto, but nothing more than this."

Which was only scraping at the surface, but it wasn't like Sakura`s befuddled mind could have comprise everything in such a short amount of time –the shock of finding out about the existence of Vampire was still present- and make it a compact Encyclopedia, coming into terms of their hierarchies and sacred rules.

But it didn't imply that the naturally curious rosette wasn't intrigued and fascinated by the prospect of stripping Ino of more information. The more she knew about Vampires, then the easier it was to blend into their world and communicate. Plus, it gave her free access to Sasuke`s world and the chance of understanding him better.

"Yes, actually Vampires have suffered different mutations before reaching the supremacy of our race. Like the pure blooded vampires. Uchihas if you want. Or the Hyugas. They are the most powerful and the absolute leaders, like you said it. To make it easier to differentiate us from the others, we are grouped in clans, and commonly and conveniently named after Greek numerals. The most famous and main clans are: the alpha which are the pure blood vampires, then, at the very opposite side, there are the omega, which are the sick psychopaths half-breed vampires, led by this totally freak, Orochimaru, and there are lambda, who are the rebels, and they don't belong to any group, but oppose to all the others and have their own weird rules and ideologies. You can easily tell them apart by this Tattoos on their wrists, with the respective letters. If you don't have one, it generally means that you have either been casted away from a group, or have no affiliation and to cut long story short, it means you are vulnerable and unprotected. Basically, you are easy prey for the other clans."

As she was focusing on the road, Ino let the information sink into Sakura`s head, while the mills into the chartreuse eyed woman`s mind spun rapidly, digesting what she was hearing.

Plus, there was a deeper meaning underneath the Greek letters of their alphabet and Sakura was positive that it depicted exactly the social status of the Vampires, which were more scattered than she would have thoughts. Alpha, the letter used to delineate the crème de la crème among the Immortals, including their Leaders, emblazoned the Primary Force, hence their supremacy among the others. They were the ones who pulled the strings from the shadows; the elites among haut monde.

Opposite to the primary letter of the Greek alphabet, Alpha, was Omega, that typified the end or the last, which was totally understandable, since the pure bloods –the ones who had the power- considered any immixture into their perfection to be a disgrace and ultimately leading to the loss of the original imprint.

And then there was Lambda, a very intriguing and unique letter, defining the Solar energy, which was probably the reinterpretation of the myth of darkness veiling the Immortals, represented by both Alpha and Omega. Those who were revolutionary always denied everything coming from their ancestors and pursued the living of a renegades, so they were basically Vampires who contradicted the traditional sovereignty of night, by its Yang counterpart, the sun –the light.

If she thought in that manner, Sakura realized that Vampires weren't just a bunch of naturally skilled and brainy creatures, but very insightful and inspired too. She saw the genial manifestation of that in Sasuke and Hinata and the solar radiance of their rather pure dream materialized in Naruto and Ino`s way of thinking, and that was fascinating her.

"Wow, now this is kind of… confusing. I didn't know that the world of Vampires was so scattered. I have thought that being a race which hides into the shadows would make you guys more united."

"Well, it should have, but unfortunately, we are at war with one another. There are many tensions between us and we are currently at bad blood, because everyone is fighting for the supremacy. It is some sort of a sick twisted race to who gets to control the streets and consequently, gain the rule over the other Vampires."

As the nocturnal city lights beamed before her aquamarine orbs, Ino`s thoughts slipped from the streets she was focusing on as she drove to an opened supermarket, to wander amidst of the intricate net of lies and blood thirst which claimed the throne of their world, while everything else turned into an avian mass of blending neon lights passing at the corners of her eyes.

It was probably very difficult for Sakura to understand exactly how bad things were, but it was even worse to be part of that world and try to find a meaning or seek for something –anything- innocent into a puddle of mood and blood.

"Aren't the Uchihas the current Leaders of the Vampires? And what do they do if the world of Vampires is not united to begin with?" What Sakura meant by that, was what in the world was Uchiha Fugaku ruling over and what did he expect from Sasuke, since it was pressing him with being his successor?

"Well, you see, the three groups I have just enlisted to you are not equal in terms of adepts. The pure bloods and the regular vampires who recognize the suzerainty of the Uchihas and accept them like their leaders and they are the majority. I would say 75% of them are falling into the category, so, yes, you can say that Uchiha rules over the vampires. The others are insignificant in their number of devotees, but their number grows as they win more adepts on their side."

"You don't mean… adepts like… defectors of the Vampires, or humans turned into vampires, right?"

"Both the ones you have listed, but the former is much more difficult for them, because only a pure blood has the unlimited ability to turn a mortal into a full Vampire and make sure that the person survives and awakens as a transformed Vampire. The process itself is painful, brutal, intricate and hard. The hal- breeds simply don't have that power, but that Orochimaru I was talking about has managed to somehow create a mutated DNA in his lab and is now able to create this totally disgusting upgraded half-breeds that I was talking about."

Ok, now she was totally giving off secrets from the depths of the Vampire`s occult society, but what the hell, if Sasuke trusted a human enough to allow her to live with him and even told her some of their secrets –including the fact that he, as the Leader`s child and next in line, has disclosed the secret of Vampires to a Mortal- then she was free to tell her what she would consider relevant.

Plus, the Uchiha already foreseen that Ino wouldn't keep her mouth shut –like most of the women- and Sakura would probably find things that she shouldn't have nor did she have the ability to come in terms and accept them, let alone fathom them, and it wasn't necessarily because talking about Immortals to a human was such an unforgivable sin and a taboo, but it was aimed to also protect them for being attacked by the other groups of Vampires, who didn't quite fancied the idea of befriending mortals and live like a single race.

Well, it wasn't like any sane Vampire would attack Sakura as long as she was under Sasuke's wing, and those who were fool enough to attempt it… let's just say that they would face an imminent bloody and very harrowing bloody end of their existence –as contradicting to the dominance of immortality among Vampires as it might seem, they could be killed.

The mere ideas of human experiments was making Sakura feel her stomach get queasy, as she was imagining the horrid horror sick movies with demented genius doctors and the things that could come out of their labs, not liking to learn that such creatures were wandering through the streets and even blending with the humans, as they remained oblivious to the potential threat. "Half breed as in… half human and half Vampire, right?"

"Yeah. And he even found a way to grant them large great powers. They aren't as powerful as us the Vampires, but their advantage lies in the fact that they are ruthless, wilder and more savage than us, hence they are able to face us, stand as equals and even win some of the clashes. They are dangerous and they do illegal things for a living, consequently have a lot of money."

No kidding, Sakura and most of her brethren human had no idea that it wasn't the 'mafia' the envisioned and seen in the movies, the one who had the dominance over drug cartels, illegal weapons, liquor and tobacco. It was the playground of the Vampires, mostly half-breeds.

Orochimaru was incredibly wealthy because he made his dirty money from the illegitimate business and illicit acts of his henchmen, hence funding his experiments.

Of course that his dream was to overthrown Uchiha Fugaku and steal the crown from his hands, ruling over the Vampires. Since he wasn't of a pure blood family, the white serpent resembling half-breed character always lived under the stigma of his tainted genes and own personal frustrations, fueling his obsession to become a better Immortal than the aristocracy of the Vampires.

And his adepts were growing in number daily, because he was always a mastermind and a master at deception, and knew exactly what to offer to his potential adepts in order to lure them –trick them- into following him and mostly yenned for a very obvious thing: power.

"I see… it sounds really complicated." Sakura could bet it was, because living in secrecy among people, allowing them to foolishly delude themselves that they topped the trophic chain, as the most evolved species populating that planet and live a parallel life of luxury and endless blood supply, was rather tricky and difficult.

Also, Sakura was definitely shrewd and lucid. If there was such a thing as 'criminals' and half-Vampires who defied their rules and codes, then it was only logical that there had to be such a thing as an uncorrupted Judicial System and Police Forces –or an equivalent- to follow their steps and prints and make justice.

So far, the world of Vampires appeared very organized and meticulously supervised by the Uchihas, so the natural question immediately aroused in Sakura` s brain: were the Uchihas playing the part of the Police Force as well, or they had another branch to deal with those creatures?

She doubted it that the upper crust of the Vampires would stain their hands into doing such dirty jobs, as seeking criminals. So who was dealing with that aspect?

"It is, and they are very dangerous. For instance, if you watched the news, you have probably heard of those recent attacks, right?" She vaguely heard about those tragedies, since the small black and white TV –which looked like a museum relic- from their impromptu kitchen, was always buzzing and on, but there were already other things transcending her mind in the past few days, namely suicide.

"You mean those difficult cases that the police cannot solve? I had. Sasuke told me it is the Vampire`s doing."

Ino rolled her orbs at that, taking a sharp U-turn at the roundabout. "Well he DOES think that he must take all the responsibility and atone for the entire Vampire race, but not entirely. The half-breeds are behind it, and not the Vampires per se. They feed from both blood and food, but they need human blood to survive, unlike us who need it to replenish our energy and invigorate, either ways their half human bodies won't be able to sustain the Vampire side."

It was just reasonable and logical, the fact that the mortal side cannot sustain the dead one –immortal, so they needed to nourish their dead –immortal- side with living blood.

Since it was peculiarly antithetical and a logical oxymoron, Sakura felt her temples start to spin around. She had troubles in getting cozy with the fact that immortality from her vocabulary, as in perennial and endless, wasn't the same meaning as in the Immortal`s lexicon, which meant, negation of living, hence death.

That was why they needed to cling on the part that has once been human and alive and preserve that nature, if they were only half turned into Vampires. And that was the reason why a full-fledged Vampire won't die of lack of blood, only get weaker and weaker, until they would eventually enter a comatose state, but never fully die just because of lack of blood only.

"So they kill innocent people at random, by attacking them at night in order to drink their blood and hence survive, right?"

"Yeah. The streets are not safe anymore, especially not at dark times." It was needless to hide something so sad from Sakura, since she was clearly a potential target to both Vampires and half-breeds –especially the former.

Ino could clearly sense the fruity scent of her fresh meant and the appetizing blood flooding through her system, so she felt extremely sorry for the girl, briefly wondered how come she has survived so far without being a living target. Was there something more about the girl which she failed to notice?

"What about the Vampires and the pure blood Vampires?"

"Unfortunately, most of them don't want to give up human blood and I am sure that Sasuke already filled you in. This is why we, mostly him, are at war with the pure blood Vampires, since this is something we totally cannot accept. But unlike those creepy half breeds, who are like mindless grotesque cavemen, without a purpose in their pathetic existences and a big stomach to feed, they are leaving no traces and are more subtle, but in exchange for their… clean work," Ino grinded her pearl luscious teeth in revolt and annoyance, as her neon coral manicured nails dug into the steering wheel, gripping the very life of it.

"They are taking pleasure from torturing and playing with the humans, before disposing of them. This is something that we can't simply overlook."

There was just something poignant and malicious coming from Ino`s glossy lips and suddenly Sakura felt an electrical discharge over her spin, as the tension grew stiff, cold and charged among them, but she knew it wasn't diverted to her, rather than to something that the glamorous diva found repulsive. "What… do you mean by disrespect us, the humans?"

The Yamanaka heiress nervously tucked a hand through her hair, pulling her long bang backwards, biting her lower lip, debating whether she should disclose further or flap the subject and bombard Sakura with more casual girl talk, such as her favorite perfume or rockstar.

But somehow, she just couldn't stop her lips from fluttering, all the while her words looked avian like she was mentally transcending to those times, turning back to a very acrid memory.

"I have only been there twice with my family because it was an Uchiha invitation of the highest rank, so we couldn't refuse without openly declaring them war but… we went to this huge theatre like grandiose building that is one of the Uchiha`s possession and every entertainment of this sort is held in there and at first I thought it would be a normal opera play and it was… up to a certain point."

"What… happened before that… point?"

Ino didn't answer at first and she didn't know how much time would Sasuke spend with that girl to begin with, so of course her reticence was pooling from the myriad of unpleasant very personal memories, that were chronologically connecting the order of events and stood as the unshaken foundation of their amity and cordiality, debating whether she should tell her or brush it off like it was nothing, nipping on her luscious full lower lip.

Upon seeing her reserve, Sakura immediately tapped the blonde`s shoulder, briefly pondering about what it could have been so disquieting to make the headstrong volcanic blonde to slightly reel in apprehension, which was projected on her beautiful shimmering face.

"It is ok, I already vowed to never disclose anything about Vampires. Besides, I am not going to live that long to have the chance to say a word, so you can rest assured. Sure, it doesn't mean that I am trying to pressure you into disclosing something you cannot or is way too personal."

"What do you mean by that?" Briefly pausing on pondering whether she should disclose that particular memory to Sakura or not, Ino let her azurite orbs hurtle towards the rosy haired female beside her, and involuntarily landed on the subtle imprint of sharp delicate fangs embed along the outline of her pulse, while Sakura was fiddling her necklace absentmindedly, playing with the pendant.

"He gave you the necklace, right?" Ino of course, knew the meaning behind that gesture. Vampires only gave that to the ones they were having serious sentiments for, something similar to an engagement ring. "It's beautiful beyond words, Sakura."

"Yes, he somehow remembered that we have met on my birthday and gave me this jewelry as a present. I am not very sure of how to repay him for this gesture. Even someone as unschooled as me, could clearly see that it is very expensive and precious."

Sakura fugitively wondered whether she should decline the present or not, but then realized that it would only bring opprobrium and deeply insult the owner of the gift, and it was the last thing in her mind. Sasuke has been anything starting from elegant to her and she didn't want to affront him.

"He drinks from your blood." It wasn't murmured as a question, it was a discontent and disappointed remark coming from Ino`s susurrating lips, as her French manicured finger traced the outline of the two punctures in her neck, somehow feeling sorry in the name of Sasuke and her entire Vampire race for something that Sakura couldn't comprehend, though the emotion was there, lingering within the swells of her shimmering aquamarine orbs.

"He does, but this is only because I allow him to do so. He promised not to touch me in any deviant way, without my consent."

"Why do you let him do this to you, Sakura? You do know that your lifespan is going to lower because of that, don't you? And besides, we can very much live on this pills that Neji-"

"Ino." She abridged Ino`s words of pity and empathy, softly, feeling her chest warm at the way the blonde seemed to genuinely care for her well-being, completely moved by her gesture. "You are acting like the sister I have never had and I don't know if I could ever repay you for the kindness, but there is a promise made between Sasuke and I which is private and concerns only the two of us, so I am asking you to accept it and respect it. Everything he does to me, it is only because I let him. He doesn't hurt me at all."

Truth to be told, when Sasuke drank her from her blood, he made it be a soaring experience. Sakura has never lived through something so staggering and pleasurable to the senses ever before and frankly, she never minded doing it over and over again, until there won`t be anything left inside her for him to take because the way he made her feel, was totally worth the high price she paid.

Of course that Sasuke told her afterwards that she would had her lifespan break short, since there was only a limited amount of times that blood cells –and human cells in general- could regenerate and she appreciated his honesty –and the visible hesitation that came along- but it was, for the lack of better words, her own free choice. Sasuke hasn't constricted her in giving it to him and even went as far as to offer a truce: happiness vs. life itself.

"Well damn…" Ino let the clearly sensitive topic die as she slide her baby blue orbs back to the windscreen, gazing at the road. "Sorry, ok? I tend to be quite troublesome, like Shikamaru says, but don't tell him he was right, cos I don't want to grant him this satisfaction."

"I swore to him I won't say about Vampires to anyone and if I ever do that, I gave him complete freedom to personally silence me." She didn't need to voice it out loud, because Ino comprehended the meaning underneath, nodding once in understanding. "So please Ino, finish your story. I want to know."

No, she needed to know, because any chance she got from getting closer to Sasuke –the man behind the royal title of a Vampire Prince- she would grasp it and never let it slip from her fingers. If she would know more about him, then the chances of offending him again and trigger memories that she shouldn't, like the one about his fiancé, would be nullified and their cohabitation could flow smoother.

Not that it wasn't already swaying on the right track. His kiss was a solid irrefutable proof of that. She followed the way Ino`s rouged lips pursed into a perfect pout, as she finally exhaled once, nodding in agreement, but pulled the car on the side of the road, as she would probably disclose something very intimate and rather disturbing, so she didn't want to fight against her flashbacks, to not distract her from driving safely, but she let the lights on.

"Well, I am not sure if I should tell you about this or not, since you are human and barely met Sasuke, but I thought that the Vampire in that tragically opera play was just acting, when, in reality, he was truly drinking that girl`s blood and when he dropped her lifeless and almost dry unmoving body on the floor…"

Ino`s voice was shaking as emotions started to overwhelm her and Sakura felt her heart take a swift leap into her throat, feeling that the nightmares she would experience were just at the beginning. "…damn I didn't realize it at first, otherwise, I wouldn't have clapped when the first act was over and the next thing I know was that… Oh. My. God. she was dead. Truly dead, Sakura. And they were cheering and enjoying it, the bastards!"

Sakura felt her own eyes prickle with saline tears as Ino`s baby blue hues were pooling like mountain rivers, syphoning down her cheek as she didn't flicker her hands to wipe them as they started to fall unrestrained.

"This is-" Although the blonde wasn't making any sense, since she was jabbering and mumbling incoherent sentences, like she was trying to grasp a congruity into her own thoughts, Sakura could easily depict poignancy and grief consuming her words and it was forwarding them to Sakura, unconsciously.

"They are able of much worse than that. Sometimes, they would simply drag young men or women in, because they don't make any difference, and completely leave them naked like in the day they were born, just to mock them for their scared and pitiful state, bite them in various places and drink their blood, while they do… certain things to them…" Sakura figured it out that Ino meant engaging them into sexual activities that they didn't consent to –rape- and her skin shivered in dread.

As the blitzing beautiful baby blue eyed female Vampire was openly crying, without being bothered or ashamed of that human weakness that she preserved, Sakura patiently listened to how her story was starting to get a precise outline, as the blonde haired female looked both angry and disgusted, and Sakura herself remained frozen in shock, upon hearing the next line that came out of Ino`s mouth.

"…their screams, that panic in their eyes when they looked at us," She turned to look at Sakura, azurite sky luscious orbs intertwining with chartreuse ones, as the rosy haired woman silently conveyed her the message that she understood her and tried to comprehend every word and phrase the best she could. "They looked into MY eyes Sakura, do you understand that? I was able to read their fear, the fear of dead, they were so scared to die, yet… I did nothing to prevent it."

The Yamanaka heiress laced her jittering digits to the crown of her head and pulled her hair backwards, facing her lap as she suddenly couldn't face Sakura anymore. "I simply stood there… petrified, those faces which screamed for help, while vampires… creatures just like me, from the same species and blood, were using their bodies and fed from their flesh and blood… those agonizing screams… that was not entertainment, Sakura… it shouldn't be like this… no one is to suffer such ignominy and shame… no one!"

Heartbreakingly despondent apatite hues drifted back to gaze into Sakura`s effervescent emerald ones and she transmitted all the resentment and disgust that was fermenting inside her and the rosette could depict it into the queasiness of her clenched stomach.

"…it was Hell. I felt surrounded by demons, and not by my own family members. Only demons would take pleasure from the other`s suffering. Like you would see people torturing animals… and you won't laugh at that because your know that they are weaker, dumber and powerless to defend themselves against your abuse. Your heart should break because they cannot defend themselves from you."

And the images were even more horrifying that she was crayoning them to Sakura, but Ino couldn't tell a friend –a human companion nonetheless- such revolting things and expose too many details.

The way those vampire actors or whatever they pretended to be were shouting words of how assailable, vulnerable, exposed and pathetic human beings were, how they demean and tarnished their species before laughing audience, the way women no older than Ino herself were being raped by two or three vampires each, as they screamed in unmitigated pain, was too much of an injustice and disgrace to be put into words.

It could only be translated into tears and immersed into blood stains.

It was massacre yet… all the others were laughing. Never in her entire living has Ino experienced something more grotesque and horrifying than that.

"I couldn't accept that, Sakura. And I swore to God that from that day on out, I will fight with all my might to change that and to never allow something like that to happen. And if I am not strong enough to fight by myself, then I will team up with Vampires who can help me reach my goal, if that means that I can make a difference by helping and supporting their cause. "

To someone like Sakura, it only sounded like page of an adult graphic pornographic vampire movie, which would only stirred disgust inside her, by presenting such a distorted image of human`s frailty and the favoritism for the Immortals, aimed for a particular target of audience, since it was swaying on the sultry, dark and BDSM zone, but learning it that it happened in real life, was bringing another sort of tumult into her chest.

She simply couldn't believe what she was hearing from Ino, but lies she wasn't telling her. Were the Vampires so ruthless and cruel by nature?

Was that the reason why Sasuke chose to stray from them and depart from home? Was he feeling equally repulsed by that like Ino and most likely the rest of his friends did? Feeling the need to reverse their roles and be the one to soothe her new friend, Sakura softly placed a hand atop Ino`s, giving it a light comforting squeeze.

"You don't have to feel guilty about anything, Ino. The fact that you think like this, that you value us, the humans` company and respect us, simply shows how kind hearted you really are. You didn't know, but your morals reacted in the right way, hence you strengthened your resolve. You couldn't have done more in that situation, but you understood their pain. This is an important step and I admire you for that courage. You weren't afraid to take in their pain and courageously face it and even if you are immortal, you had the guts to watch the Dead, mirrored into the eyes of an innocent mortal."

Somehow, Sakura`s lines have brought more fresh tears into Ino`s eyes –tears that she probably has amassed during all those decades, but never found the fortitude and determination to let the flow- and she carelessly threw her hands around Sakura`s shoulders, hugging her tightly, wetting her shoulder with her tears.

"Thank you! Seriously, I don't know how you and Sasuke met, but I feel like Heavens have sent you to us!"

Sakura brought her palms to rub against her shoulders, returning her embrace and trying to be as comforting as she could, listening to what her heart was dictating her to do in such a situation for a dear friend, allowing Ino to take it all away off her system.

They pulled apart after more prolonged moments, during which her baby blue orbs lubricated with all the burning jewels that washed away the remorse and contrition she felt towards her lack of feedback . She needed that: the amnesty of a mortal, feeling that she silently wronged them all by not interfering to stop what she has witnessed.

She has lived with that shadow cast upon her shoulders for centuries and it was consummating her like a shadow swallowing up all the light and drained her of the life-force. In her road to redeem herself in front of her own eyes and the others`, Ino has just passed through the final and most difficult stage – that was acceptance and remission.

"But you are wrong on one aspect. I could have done something right then, and yet I was too scared to voice out my frustration, because I would have been deemed as a traitor and embarrass my family in front of the other elite Vampires. But someone else did what I and everyone else who disagreed with what they have witnessed failed to do and reacted vehemently."

Ino took a napkin from the glove compartment and wiped away her tears, while looking into the rear-view mirror to fix up her leaking makeup. Sakura arched an eyebrow at her enigmatic choice of words, inquiring. "Someone else did… what exactly? From the audience?"

"Yes. While we were all staying frozen like handicapped cowards unworthy of the title of noble exquisite Vampires, someone shot up from the seat, as one of those young innocent women, who was being forced to… suck on a masked Vampire actor as another was taking her brutally from the behind, and shouted it out loud at them to stop with the disgusting act, because the only message that they succeeded to convey, was that they were undeveloped mindless amoebas, who couldn't even make it to baboons according to Darwin`s theory of evolution, because even those monkeys had more morals and rules than that, and by that, made the entire audience freeze and gasp in shock."

Despite the fact that Ino looked very open minded and hardly someone who would feel ashamed to relate such shameful vulgar chronological events unfolding, there was hesitation and abashment churning into her words, which only emphasized the fact that, even though she was a modern independent woman, living in the age of technology and freedom, the golden haired Yamanaka princess had virtue, morals and integrity.

Nevertheless, she was a very good story teller and Sakura could even envision an Aula full of Vampires belonging to the beau monde, all assembled in a single compact place, as one of them –their own blood, flesh and comrade- stood up to defy the entire breathing of the Vampires and that thought alone, made her extremely curious about who the mysterious Immortal might be.

"Wow, now this takes some courage! Who did that?" Whoever that Vampire was, Sakura knew that it had to be either someone plainly insane or insanely strong.

At that, Ino finally found the strength to regain her iridescent energy and fully grinned at Sakura, in a manner that could be compared to someone who has just obtained a great victory, singing to her ears to hear one very elegant and indomitable velvet name. "Uchiha Sasuke."

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A/N: I am deeply sorry for how long it takes me to update this story, but I must say that this is not my only project and I absolutely don`t want to rush things up and write something that I am not content with. Initially, I wanted this chapter to be longer and I have more written in advance, but seeing that you guys have become impatient and sent me messages to ask me when I will update, I decided to give you half of what I have written so far, until I finish the rest of it.

Also, I am aware of the fact that Ino`s short peek into the past is dark and might be offensive and outrageous, it was hard to write that as well without being too vulgar, but this is a Vampire story and consequently it will explore darker and sexual themes.

Anyways, by any means, I am trying my best to give you guys good chapters for you to read and not take too long to update. Lately, inspiration hardly came to me and I focused more on the stories I felt inspired to update.

Ah, by the way, one of the Guests have addressed me a rather interesting smart question, which I hoped I answered in this chapter.

My special million thanks to:

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You guys have taken from your precious time to share your opinion with me regarding Chapter IV and your beautiful words have made me deeply joyed and thrilled. Thank you so much for the feedback, I will take more time into answering to all of them as I will soon post the other part of the next chapter. You have no idea how it makes me feel to read your reviews, it only gives me the courage to continue and brighten up my mood –which equals inspiration.

I am jolly to hear that you liked Sasuke and Sakura`s first kiss. I have worked much on that scene to add to the intimacy , romance, feelings and the act itself.

I have to disclose the fact that this update takes me so long –besides the obvious personal problems such as college and Dissertation and my other projects- is because there are two upcoming things that comes as challenging for me to write namely: an upcoming fighting scene which gets me everytime since it is not a forte of mine and another intimate moment between Sasuke and Sakura. Don`t worry though, I am pretty advanced in writing it.

Until next time, I am sorry I kept you wait so much, I do hope that this glimpse of an update –which wasn`t too eventful, I know- was tolerable and I thank you ALL OF YOU GUYS who read, follow and enjoy this story and have so much patience with me.

Till later...