Sorry about the extremely long wait. But now the newest chapter is here! Yayyy! I hope you enjoy it and check out the poll on my profile. Regular PV
The wind came sweeping down through the trees, rustling and shifting the leaves, full and green by this time. It was supposed to be summer but there was a chill around this place, a chill that couldn't have a specific name. Kiba stared as Shino passed him. At this time they were waiting for Sasuke and Naruto to show up. It had been bestowed upon them to go lobbying around the faerie courts. Itachi had made it clear that they talk to no one but the Queen. Every other faerie would attempt to lead them astray and cause them to be eternally frenzied in a haze of pure terror and bliss. Apparently it wasn't entirely uncommon for faeries to take Werewolves in an attempt to create a pet out of them. From what Kiba had heard, they were gloriously beautiful creatures but their cruelty knew no limits. And they had a fondness for newly Turned wolves.
It was the peak of dawn as the sun christened the sky with multitudes of color, staining it with such a brilliant mixture that it started to almost seem surreal. Shino was pacing around, a small bell in his hand. Itachi, back when Sai had been a menace to the court, was given the bell by the faerie Queen and was promised a favor for his deed. It made Kiba wonder why Itachi hadn't gone himself, thinking, maybe, it would have been better if their Alpha pay this personal visit. Perhaps, Kiba mused, he didn't particularly favor the faerie Queen.
"Don't say it." Shino cut off as Kiba was about to open his mouth. For the past three minutes or so Kiba would ask Shino where Sasuke was. It made Shino uneasy to be constantly reminded that Sasuke still hadn't arrived. They were in the makings of a war now and to think about his Beta being kidnapped or worse…It hung heavily on his conscience. "Naruto is probably slowing them down. He doesn't like to get up in the mornings, we both know that." That was what he had been telling himself and Kiba every time. And he hoped it was true. Because if it wasn't…How was he supposed to break it to Itachi? And then also to Kyuubi? Shino didn't see how he would live through that experience, both of them would be furious.
"YO!" Both of the wolves turned and saw Naruto's spark of blond hair dotting towards them. Sasuke was casually walking behind him. A sense of relief flooded Kiba and Shino; they had been only waiting for them for a mere few minutes but so much could happen in that time that seeing their faces caused such a tension release.
Sasuke passed his way around the bubbly blond with that sense of grace and fluidity that was only seemingly possessed and used by an Uchiha wolf. He wasn't smiling or smirking at the two of them when he stopped and grabbed Naruto by the arm to steady him. "Sorry we're late." Sasuke gave a pointed glance towards his mate, who was now looking at the sky like he hadn't done anything. "Naruto decided to turn off my alarm last night as though we had nothing to do. It's bad enough we've got to go to the damn faerie court, it's even worse to be late. Give me the bell."
"But Sasuke!" Naruto whined as his mate given the bell by his Gamma. "You look so beautiful when you're sleeping in. I couldn't help myself."
Sasuke gave his mate a pointed glance and flicked him in the back of the head. "Hush you." The Uchiha looked at the small bell in his hands. "We all need to join hands otherwise only I'll be transported through the opening."
Kiba grabbed onto Shino's hand and felt a little heat rise in his cheeks. It felt strangely intimate to hold hands with Shino in front of everyone else but when Naruto grabbed onto Sasuke's hand and then Shino's, it felt less and less like an embarrassing experience. Sasuke felt the small bell between his fingers and let out a calming breath. There was a small jingle from the bell and then it felt like it was echoing through the very core of everyone's bodies. It vibrated and actually caused Kiba to feel a little uneasy as though his stomach was doing cartwheels within his body. He actually had to close his eyes to keep the nausea at bay but when he reopened them, as the feeling in his gut dissipated, he was in a new surrounding.
Shino didn't let go of Kiba's hand as he looked around. They were underground now in a chasm between reality and almost illusion. The walls were sparkling with a gold flecked earth and were unnaturally lit. The light was eerie and almost a faded blue and purple combination; it was actually quite beautiful. Naruto gasped a little as he looked up towards the seeming to be lanterns. When Kiba finally caught a gaze at them he had to focus his eyes to actually see what it was. Small creatures, dripping with a greenish ooze were pinned to the walls by small, fragile looking wings. He could tell that most of them were dead, and the deadest ones were actually shining the brightest. It was as though their escaping life forces were causing this inhuman and inhumane shine.
"How could they do this to their own people?" Kiba muttered to no one in particular. The grip on his hand increased as Shino tensed a little and he could feel the anger coming off of his mate. The sheer disregard for life, and not even other life, but the life of their own people made him sick to his stomach. Shino looked over at Sasuke, who had Naruto clutched to his arm, a horrified look upon the blond's face.
"Let's keep moving…" Sasuke announced finally and Kiba almost felt glad to focus on something other than the grotesque beauty that seemed to exist in the depths of the rabbit hole. It was a surreal experience as they pressed forward, passing inhuman yet human looking things as they walked through the corridors of the chasm. One of them in particular would stick in Kiba's mind for years to come. As he, or what looked like a he, wandered by them, he smiled. The teeth inside that mouth were needle points, looking more like glassy ice than actual enamel. It was even more startling with his sparkling, white skin and short frosty blue hair. For some reason, besides the sheer and utter shock Kiba felt looking at him, he was still somehow beautiful. His body seemed invitingly cruel with the intentions of his steps and the sheen of his eyes.
"Finally I've found you." Said a voice coming from behind them. They all turned to see a very tall, muscular man. He was decked in finely crafted armor, it was a soft golden green color and was sculpted with leaf looking decals, all painstakingly swooping from the tree which was in the middle. He was frowning at them, his green hair falling around his eyes and cupping his rounded face. The only pointed feature he had was his ears, which shot up from the striking hair. "Young Uchiha, very daring of you to bring yourself and others into the faerie court…Unannounced." He added the last part, glaring at them with his words and pointed tone. "The Queen is ready to see you now however, so if you will, follow me."
As though they hadn't seen it before, a curtain laid before them. It seemed to shimmer with an orange and black sheen but upon closer inspection, it was the flapping, frantic wings of butterflies. They had been strung into long strands almost as if they were meant to be strings and then sown together to make the living curtain. It was demented and as Kiba passed through it, he avoided the flapping wings as best as he could.
"Well, well. Itachi's Beta has appeared to finally grace me with his presence. Pray tell, why has your master not come to see me in person? I do miss such a beautiful face…" The faerie Queen said as she looked over at Sasuke. She was laying on a white couch looking object that seemed to almost be carved out of bone. The ivory sculpted material swooped and dipped with swirling and well crafted designs that were hard to follow. But at the end, where the ivory straightened itself, had the pointed bony fingers of a human hand. Her gown was the only spark of color, a deep forest green than hung loosely around her body and was tightened only around her bosom, which, like the rest of her skin was pure, powdered snow white. Her long copper hair was tightly and uniformly braided, swooping to the floor and curling on top of it. She smiled and those needle white teeth came into view. She was disgustingly beautiful. "Young wolf, what service does your Alpha wish from me? Surely the reason he called upon this favor now would be that it truly serves to greatly benefit him."
Kiba didn't know why but she bothered him. There was such a derisive manner in which she almost objectified Itachi and addressed Sasuke; it made his blood boil. She turned her head slightly to look at them and smiled. There was something about this situation that really started to tug at Kiba's nerves, like she knew something that they didn't. The way she picked her words almost seemed to signal that she knew Itachi was in need of her aid as an ally against Orochimaru. She seemed to almost tip-toe around it, like she had all the time in the world to talk and dance around the issues.
"Itachi has sent me to garner your aid, milady. Orochimaru is a zealot Werewolf who has been raising an army of rogue wolves. He wants t-"
"To destroy every other race besides his own." She interrupted Sasuke and then smiled at him again. "I'm quite aware of the situation. But, I fear I cannot be of any service to you in this battle. I have not been assured so much that Itachi will win this. It cannot be foreseen that he will or will not lose and that's far to great of a risk for me and my people to take."
"But he'll slaughter your people!" Naruto cried out, his tone exasperated and angry. Kiba wasn't surprised by the outburst and no one else seemed to be either. Sasuke tapped his foot for a moment, seeming to stomp out the rage brewing in his body and calmed himself down.
"I care not." She replied as she reached for a crystalline glass sitting on a table next to her head. "Unlike you and your kind, mine are strong and do not have to rely on the help of others to stomp-out a menace. We're vast in number and are exceptionally resourceful. Just because I owe Itachi a favor doesn't mean he'll receive it." Everyone was silent as she took a sip from her glass. "If and when Orochimaru comes knocking, I will put an end to him."
"Then why not do it now?" Sasuke pressed, his tone getting a little more irritated with each passing word. "It will save you time."
"I have nothing but time, little boy." She said as she glanced at him, an uppity sheen in her eyes. "Or have you forgotten? We faeries live far, far longer than you do. I have all the time in the world…Even when your war has long been over and all the victors put in the ground, I will still be here. That is why I do not care for your petty squabbles; in the end, all that will be left is us and our stories."
"So there's no changing your mind…" Sasuke muttered a little defeated. He knew his brother wouldn't be angry with him for not gaining the faerie Queen's support but he felt disappointed in himself for failing. The Queen's golden eyes flickered for a moment as she stared at Sasuke, a small smirk coming to her cherry lips.
"Well," That had everybody's attention. Having support from the faerie Queen could tip the balance in the war. If Orochimaru's forces were outnumbered and overpowered, then he could be completely demolished. "I may consider doing it if you were to fulfill your own favor first…I've been lacking a companion." No one liked where this was going or the way she seemed to eye Kiba and then Naruto. She knew they were new wolves and the smirk on her lips wouldn't dissipate. "The blond one," Kiba felt a sudden sense of relief from not being picked but Naruto tensed up like no other. Sasuke's eye were already shinning with anger and the feeling coming off his body was of an encroaching attack. "I would gladly lend you a few soldiers if you let me have him."
Sasuke's jaws were snapping at her as he growled lowly, pushing his mate behind him in a display of aggressive resistance. Kiba felt a hand go to his back, grabbing at the back of his shirt and pulling him closer. Kiba could tell that the Queen would go for him next. She was playing mind games with them. She knew they needed help and would do almost anything to get it but some things couldn't be done. Some things couldn't be given up. "Forget it! You can have my mate when my body is cold and lifeless."
"Oh how feisty for a second rank. And selfish, I thought your brother needed me. But I suppose its better if you disappoint him." She mocked and then she waved her hand dismissively. "I think we're finished here. You have nothing to offer me, we have nothing to offer you."
-
"Hn." Itachi grunted as he and Kyuubi made their way into an abandoned apartment complex. It was overrun with the smell of aged and rotting blood. There was a pile of bodies in the corner, covered in glamour so that the garbage men would pick them up without being any wiser. The smell of Vampires was so strong to Itachi that he couldn't help but let the occasional growl in his throat come out.
"What is it?" Kyuubi asked as he pulled a key out of his pocket and led them up a rickety stair case. Vampires obviously didn't use this staircase unless they were with a human victim or subjugate. They could easily just jump up to the top. Kyuubi opted to take them since Itachi didn't have the super strength to allow such a large jump.
"The faerie Queen would only help us if we gave her Naruto in exchange." Itachi muttered. "I knew I should have gone in person. I could have serviced her or something of the sort and not had her play such games with Sasuke."
Kyuubi paused for a moment and looked at the Uchiha. "She isn't just playing with you and Sasuke. She's trying to get on my nerves as well. She knows Naruto's my little brother and ever since I accidentally ate one of her Changelings, she's been trying to get me back. Keeping Naruto as a pet would serve that purpose." The red head huffed a little. "We all know that Naruto's a bleeding heart and if it would serve to benefit us all, he may have agreed to it. He doesn't want anyone getting hurt, especially not Sasuke or any of his friends. He knows that faeries on our side could easily tip the war in our favor…"
Itachi couldn't help but think that Kyuubi would do the same in that situation. He probably would too, if it wasn't so important that he control his clan of Vampires. He would do whatever he could to beat Orochimaru and keep the world in balance.
"Master…" There was much hissing coming from the darkness surrounding them and Itachi's ears were perked up as the smell of copper blood intensified. He was trying his best to keep calm and suppress the claws and fangs that were burning to come out and fight these children of the night. "Have you gone mad? Bringing a wolf into our domain is certain death. That wish is most unbecoming on you…"
Kyuubi started to hiss at the crowd of blood-sucking monsters around him and they all backed away, hissing in return. The Vampire who spoke stepped forward into the small crack of light. The bulb hung from a cord in the ceiling and was swinging as shadowed beasts swooped past it, all gathering on the ground to see their leader falling in league with their hated predator. He was staring at his master, fangs dripping venom because of the natural urge to fight. Black dyed hair was hanging in his eyes which glowed unnaturally bright in the dim light making the pale, almost translucent color of his skin stand out less and less. His dark clothes made it seem that only his skin and eyes were coming out of the darkness, not an entire body. It was a frightening prospect, Itachi mused, because all you saw before the attack was only a blur of monstrous humanity.
"How many of you wish to die?" All of them looked at each other, some of them tensing up. The hissing ceased as they drew their attention towards Kyuubi, almost begrudgingly listening to what he had to say. "I would assume that none of you want to die, that none of you wish to die. With the way things are now, we can live comfortably. Dare I say that our kind has never lived this well within a treaty. However…" Statues, that's how all of them looked. So deathly still as they listened to their master. It made Itachi tense up even more. Vampires moved so quickly that if he wasn't ready and one attacked, he would be done. "A threat has come into our shared territory," Kyuubi glanced briefly at Itachi and then looked back at his clan. "He will kill all of us because of what we are."
All of them started to talk and hiss, causing a great commotion within the room. Most of them were moving around, breaking their statue like appearance. There were a very large volume of Vampires in this compound and it was disturbing to hear all the anger coming from within the dark.
Kyuubi hissed loudly and all of them silenced themselves. "The treaty between our kind and the Werewolves has allowed us to pick up arms and fight together for we have much to lose if we don't. The wolves of this area are ready to fight with us to protect the balance and lives we've worked so hard to maintain. So, tell me now, who will sit idly by and let our kind be stomped out?" Many voices shouted back, all of them almost entranced by Kyuubi's voice and call to action. "Who will answer this call and sully the Earth with the blood of the wolves?"
Itachi cleared his throat behind Kyuubi and he thought for a moment. "Sully the Earth with the blood of the menace…" He corrected himself with a smile towards his wolf companion. Itachi rolled his eyes and smirked a little. A few little whispers engulfed them and Kyuubi hissed some more. "My clan, we are strong and ready, this demonic wolf spawn will be eliminated before he can decapitate a single member of our family."
Itachi stared at Kyuubi, he seemed so powerful in this moment, having a huge clan of Vampires under his control. And none of them had attacked Itachi even though they knew what he was. It was that command of respect and control that must have made Kyuubi grab their attention. He was a firecracker, even when he was a human, and he knew that someone like Kyuubi always made a good leader.
The red head turned towards his companion, the Vampire from earlier standing beside him and staring at Itachi. This must have been Kyuubi's second-in-command and now that he was fully in the light, he looked as though he was a boy of sixteen. So young and innocent when he was bitten and Turned. "Katsu, while I'm out, I'm leaving you in charge; take much care and watch for my signal. This war has been brewing for the last couple weeks and there's no telling when the first move will be made. But, if something does happen, contact me immediately. I want us to be ready to fight at a moment's notice." The Vampire turned towards Kyuubi and nodded.
"We have a feeding party out at the moment and if they return missing a member, or have been attacked, or see any wolf that doesn't smell Uchiha, I'll make sure to notify you." Katsu replied as he made a slight bow towards Kyuubi. He nodded his head and grabbed onto Itachi's arm, leading him away from the group of Night's children.
"Have you spoke with Tsunade already?" Itachi questioned as they passed back through the abandoned complex. Kyuubi nodded his head and grabbed a phone from his pocket. He sent a message and smiled over at Itachi.
"She was waiting for us to finish so she could zap us to her apartment." And as soon as those words were spoken, Itachi and Kyuubi both felt a sinking feeling in their stomachs as they were transported to Tsunade.
Itachi landed on his feet and hands, crouched over but feeling much more solid that Kyuubi, who landed on his face. The Vampire looked up from his spot and glared at the Warlock woman. She was frowning a little as she walked out of a chalk circle on the floor.
"Bad news boys, the Chamber of Seven doesn't want Warlocks to engage in combat with the wolves. They believe that this issue will resolve itself." Tsunade said as she grabbed Kyuubi by the arm and lifted him from the floor.
"Great…" Itachi muttered. "The faeries aren't going to help us either."
"I could have told you that much." Tsunade muttered as she walked over to her work table. There was a few strange looking ingredients and something that shined and made Itachi's skin itch just by looking at it. "However…They never forbad the Warlocks from helping you though, so I've been working hard on making things for your clan Kyuubi." She grabbed a small paper bag and handed it to the Vampire, who shoved his hand in and started to laugh as he pulled out a small, silver thimble.
"Silver fang caps?" Kyuubi tossed one up and caught it, smiling. "Oh these will do nicely."
"Just be a little careful with them, will you? These can burn Vampires too, Kyuubi. So make sure that if they start to hurt you, take them off." Tsunade scolded a little and the red head stuck out his tongue a little.
"I know, I know. They're just kinda cool…"
They heard the door open behind them and a man came out of the bathroom, brushing his shirt off and looking out into the living room. "You keep the strangest company." Itachi could tell, just from the smell of him, that he was a Warlock. They always smelled like fire, herbs, and chalk. He was tall, even for a Warlock, his hair black as night and seemingly stuck up in every direction possible. He was wearing glittering black eyeliner that made his cat eyes seem more like a gimmick instead of a natural birth defect. His shirt was neon purple and matched with bright green, skin tight jeans. Eccentric was a good word for him. "A Vampire and a Werewolf. How fun. You must invite me to one of your parties Tsunade, they must be filled with such interesting creatures."
"Oh, I hadn't been expecting you to come this early, or through my bathroom." Tsunade muttered as she went to her work desk and grabbed a small bag. She tossed it to him and he smirked a little.
"Ah perfection, yet again. Thank you Tsunade." He muttered as he pushed the bag into his pocket. "I hope everything goes well as you fight your apocalypse. See ya!" In a sparkly cloud of smoke, the Warlock disappeared.
"He was the one who got me all of that silver to make the caps." Tsunade said. "I provided him with a few items in exchange. Seems to me that he's going to summon a demon or something like that…" She turned back to look at the two of them. "Do you need anything else? Because there's not much else I can do."
"No, just be in reach of a phone incase someone gets hurt. That's all."
-
Shino was standing at the window of Sasuke's room, pacing around every so often, waiting. Itachi had called and told them about what provision and groups they had been able to get. Just Kyuubi's Vampire clan and silver caps they couldn't even use, that was all. Sai had been running around all day trying to get in contact with the other wolf Elders, but apparently they had all gone into hiding as soon as Orochimaru's name was mentioned. No one wanted to deal with this, but Itachi's pack seemed to be the only ones ready to take this head on.
"This isn't fair." Kiba said as he sat down on Sasuke's bed with the blond. Naruto was still a little shaken from the encounter with the faerie Queen, but didn't say anything about it. "Why is no one helping us? Do they not get that this involves every race?"
"They don't think Orochimaru is that big of a threat," Sasuke muttered. "and what's more is that he's only targeting us for the time being. But if we do lose, and Itachi is either killed or mated off to Orochimaru, we'll have to stand with him. And we're a large pack. If that cycle continues, Orochimaru's army of wolves will become HUGE and he may actually reach his goal."
"I don't want to keep sitting around doing nothing," Shino said as he finally took a seat with the rest of his friends. "I feel like if we just sit here and wait then Orochimaru just plots and plots. We don't know whether or not he's making the first move or if we're going to have to just jump to arms at a moment's notice. It's driving me nuts."
Kiba knew that feeling as well. That restlessness had been burning in his stomach as soon as Kyuubi and Itachi had made their stances clear. It was going to be war, and it wasn't going to be pretty, in fact some of them might not be coming back. And that was a risk everyone was willing to take. The balance of the world wasn't something to take lightly and if all the races started allying with each other and just getting into random battles, there would be nothing left. Every human who was caught in the crossfire wouldn't know what to do and would more than likely die ignorant of why this was all happening. There was just too much at stake, too much to lose if Orochimaru won. They had to make their moves carefully and since every other race wasn't going to help, they had to rely on their own strengths. It was just scary to think that they may lose, that they may start an all out war between everyone and everything.
"Shino, be patient." Sasuke said as he put a comforting hand on Shino's shoulder. The touch visibly calmed him and he sighed a little. "We know Orochimaru will make the first move, he's a coward. He'll want to hit us hard enough to hurt so we can't fight back as well. But the real question is when."
"I think it'll be soon." Kiba nearly whispered. Everyone turned to look at him, feeling the tenseness return. "I don't know why, but everyone is so restless as it is that I can't see him not making a move soon. He's selfish and wants everything for himself, and he'll want it quickly. He's been waiting long enough…"
They were all silent after that statement. All of them knew it to hold some truth. As soon as they found out Orochimaru was alive, that stress and edginess came to every wolf. The urge to end him had become too much to bare. Everyone wanted it to be over, it almost hurt how much that urge consumed them. Shino looked at Sasuke and they seemed to be exchanging information because their eyes would flutter over to their mates before coming back to meet each other. Kiba wished he had a connection like that, that no words had to be spoken to get a point across. But he had a feeling this was something he wasn't supposed to hear.
Naruto leaned forward. "They're trying not to freak you out. And I think I already know what they're telling each other. I overheard Sasuke and Itachi speaking about hiding the females and the children so they wouldn't get in the middle of the fighting. You and I won't be in this battle…"
"WHAT?" Kiba was outraged by what he heard from the blond. Shino and Sasuke both stopped and looked at the blond, who just laid back with a shrug. "Why didn't you tell me that I wasn't going to be with you? No, I can't accept this, I'm going with you. I'm not letting you go out there alone. Naruto, you agree with me right?"
"We have no choice in the matter." Naruto replied. "I've already fought with Sasuke over it and I don't want to anymore."
"Naruto's right, and I have no urge to fight with Kiba about this..." Sasuke said with a slight sigh. "Shino you need to explain to him what a liability he'd be to you, as Naruto is to me." The Uchiha took the blond's hand and Naruto seemed a little angry but kept silent as they entwined their fingers.
"Liability? Is that what I am to you Shino?" Kiba asked, his voice sounded a bit crushed and his heart seized up in his chest.
Shino grabbed Kiba's hand and took him out of the room. Liability wasn't the word he would use to describe what Kiba meant to him, or how much the pain would be if Kiba was hurt or lost. Shino couldn't imagine what his life would be like without his mate. But he knew Kiba was upset by hearing that he couldn't venture with Shino. It wasn't very good to keep a secret like that but it was for Kiba's protection. That deformed wolf pair would be gunning for Kiba, especially if Shino was injured or unable to protect him. Not to mention that Kiba hadn't perfected his changed state, he wouldn't be able to fight as it was.
Kiba was being dragged by his wrist and he wanted to just rip himself from Shino's grip and shove him against the wall. Shino couldn't treat him like this, they were mates now and he wasn't a little kid. He was strong and he could handle this war just as Shino could. He wanted to be by Shino's side during the battle and Kiba couldn't just sit idly on his ass and wait for everything to resolve. It was too much for him to bare, he needed to be with his mate.
They entered the reserved room for Shino when he wanted to stay with Sasuke and he tossed Kiba onto the bed like a rag doll. "What the fuck?" But before he could say more to Shino, the wolf was atop him. He was being pinned down by his wrists and being that close to his mate made his head swim as the fire entered his gut. There was desire that he couldn't exactly name but when Shino's lips encased Kiba's he just let that desire overtake him.
Shino's lips were hot against his own, his body temperature always seeming to be over the normal and it made Kiba's entire body relax. He hadn't even realized how much he loved this taste, this feeling until it was overriding his system. It just felt good to exchange this kiss, like he and Shino were connecting on a deeper level. They had already made love and Kiba was again feeling that urge to be filled fully by that love. Shino's lips broke away from Kiba's so he could bite and nip at the base of his neck, around the still sensitive mating mark. Kiba moaned when he felt teeth scraping against it and he shifted around lustfully to get a full feel of his mate.
When Shino finally pulled back, Kiba was left a little breathless and hot for more but Shino didn't want to do that now. That kiss was all of those feelings, the ones that were left silent, and it was an apology for his silence. He shouldn't have left Kiba in the dark. But if anything were to happen to Kiba…
"I'm sorry." Shino started and the brunet snapped back into his right mind. He was supposed to be angry with his mate, not trying to get into his pants. "Sasuke didn't explain what he meant very well. Naruto and him already have an unspoken language between them and though they do fight often, they always know where they stand with each other. And Naruto already agreed to hang back after Sasuke explained it to him fully…So I'm hoping you'll do the same."
"Shino…"
"No, just let me explain first." Shino said as he grabbed onto Kiba's hand, pulling him a little closer. "When we became mates, it made us both extremely vulnerable. You because of what you had to go through as a new wolf. And me because of how much I love you." Kiba was a bit stunned by the words that came out of Shino's mouth, they were so blunt and he felt his heart thundering in his chest. "Thinking about you on the battlefield, being injured or captured…or killed. It distracts me. If you were with me, I would spend all my time trying to protect you and not focusing on the enemies. It could very well be disastrous for both of us." Shino paused for a moment and Kiba felt the burn in his chest of guilt. He didn't even think about it, he just wanted to be by Shino's side. "Even the thought of losing you is too much for me to stand. If I can keep you safe, I will. If I have to lock you away and hold the key, I will. If I have to break both of your arms and legs so you won't leave, I will. Do you see it now? Do you see why? You're far too precious and vulnerable to let on the battlefield. I would die without you…"
-
Kyuubi and Itachi walked into the house and sighed. They hadn't gotten as much support for the war effort so it mostly rested on their shoulders. Sai walked up to his Alpha, he was a little exhausted looking. Large bags under his eyes, a little more pale in the face than normal. "All the Elders won't speak with me. As soon as I mention Orochimaru, they hang up on me."
Itachi patted Sai on the head for his efforts. "Thank you Sai. I suppose this is a matter I must handle in person. Go get Sasuke and Shino, I want all my higher-up with me."
The raven nodded his head and disappeared upstairs. Kyuubi was biting at his nails and he glanced over at Itachi. "Do you think Orochimaru will attack soon?"
The Uchiha shrugged. "I don't think that he meant for the war to happen this quickly. I really believe that he was willing to wait even longer but as soon as one of his wolves went into our territory and blew his cover, he had to do something. Besides, I can tell he was planning on doing something to me and my pack. We never found his body. I could just feel that he was alive…Hiding somewhere."
A knock at the door broke Itachi's attention away from Kyuubi but the two of them were tense. The smell was of a Werewolf, but it wasn't any one in Itachi's pack. Could this be it? A formal declaration of war? Somehow Itachi doubted it, but who knew. Orochimaru was a little crazy and there was no telling if he was doing it as a way to draw Itachi out for an actual attack.
Itachi braced himself as he walked to the door, Sasuke and Shino coming down the stairs with Sai following behind them. Kyuubi was standing in the living room and he was just watching the door. Sasuke came up to the red head and he pointed towards the door, where his brother was tentatively reaching out for the door knob. Sasuke's entire body tensed up when he smelled the air. Shino and Sai both followed that and small growls were building in their throats. Kyuubi flexed his hand, allowing the claws to grow long and sharp. He was poised for the attack, if there was one. He couldn't allow Itachi to be hurt.
Itachi thought about throwing the door open and attacking before the other could but decided against it. If this was a peaceful affair then he better not ruin it. When he finally opened the door, relief flooded him. It was one of his fellow Elders, Pein. "Itachi, took you long enough. I need to speak with you." Pein paused a little as he smelled Itachi a little more. "You reek of Blood Sucker venom." The Uchiha raised an eyebrow and moved out of the way so his colleague could come inside. Pein glanced over at Kyuubi and smirked a little. "Oh, I see now."
"What is it you need to talk about?" Itachi asked, a little annoyance coming into his tone. It wasn't that he didn't like Pein but he was still trying to keep whatever he had with Kyuubi under wraps. It wasn't in any means traditional or accepted in Werewolf or Vampire culture. "I was actually about to come and see the council…"
"That's actually what I'm here about." Pein said as he looked around the room, taking a seat on a black leather sofa in the middle of the room. Sasuke moved into the room, Shino and Sai following behind him, and they joined their Alpha. Sasuke sat down next to his brother and Itachi briefly petted his little brother, slowly letting his Beta relax into the touch. "Listen Itachi, I don't think you should contact them anymore. It's been relayed to me that Orochimaru's influence is starting to break in…"
"What?!" Itachi was purely shocked by that. He would have never thought Orochimaru would get his holdings in the council after he killed some of their members. How could this be possible?
"I know…I was surprised too." Pein said as shook his head. "But if you think about it, it makes sense. They've been refusing to take your calls, correct? The only reason I didn't take it was because they were with me and I didn't need to risk blowing my cover. That's why I'm here now." He licked his lips. "Itachi I'm going to give you as much support as you need…But we cannot be seen talking to each other anymore from this moment. I already fear I've overstayed my welcome…My Beta, he's…I don't know. He isn't obeying my command anymore and I think he's become a sympathizer. And if I don't return soon, I fear he may betray and kill me to gain leadership."
"But how could Tobi do such a thing? He never seemed like the type…" Itachi muttered as Sasuke started to snuggle closer to his brother, feeling the tenseness coming off of him. Itachi buried his nose into his little brother's hair, a small patch of relief coming from his Beta. He knew Sasuke would never betray him…
"I have to go now…" Pein seemed a little more jumpy as the moments passed and Itachi could feel a strange presence outside. "I left Konan outside."
"Pein…If you need to stay here there is space available for you and your mate. We won't let anything happen to you."
Pein turned away from Itachi as he stood up. "I've got to go…Just be careful, alright?" Itachi stood up too and he was about to snatch his colleagues sleeve but he pulled away from the Uchiha. "Whatever happens Itachi, just remember that my pack is yours to control. Or at least what's left of it. They'll arrive by tomorrow for further instructions. I place my trust in you Itachi."
Everyone felt awkward in the silence that pursued after Pein left out the front door. Itachi felt compelled to go after him. That presence outside hadn't left yet and he couldn't help but feel that he was being watched. He didn't like it. If Pein was in danger and every other council member had fallen to the wayside, then who did he have left?
"Itachi…" Sasuke muttered against his brother's arm. "What are you going to do now?"
Itachi turned his head towards his brother and kissed the top of his head. "Whatever I can, Sasuke."
Kyuubi walked into the room and sat down next to his Werewolf companion and sighed a little. "This isn't turning out as glorious and awesome as I imagined." Itachi nodded his head. He wasn't expecting everyone to jump on the horse and help but he didn't think things would turn out like this. Nothing was happening as he thought it would. Who knew that it would get this bad so quickly? It felt like the world had turned its back and just left them alone. He had never felt this alone with so many people around him before.
"Sasuke!" Naruto's voice cut through the silence and everyone instantly perked up. Sasuke was on his feet before the echoing even finished and he ran as quickly as he could. His mate was obviously in trouble and if anything happened to him. He would murder anyone who got in his way to save the blond. Naruto powered his way down the stairs coming to a halt halfway down. His face was cut at the forehead and blood trickled right above his eyes. "Sasuke! GET SHINO NOW!"
"What's going on?" Sasuke yelled back and the blond fell to his knees on the stairs, tears springing in his eyes as he looked at his mate.
"It's Kiba, he's gone. I heard glass breaking and I went in to check on him and he was gone. But when I went to open the door I got smashed in the head by someone…I didn't see who." He choked on his sobs and Sasuke grabbed his mate, licking the blood off his face.
Shino was already running down the hall as soon as Naruto said Kiba was missing. He couldn't believe it, his worst fears were coming to life. And it hurt, it hurt so bad. His mate was gone but he wouldn't let whoever did it get too far. The door was ajar and he stepped inside, panting with the fear and anxiety building up in his veins. The window was smashed in, glass was everywhere. Naruto's blood was splattered in a tiny puddle by the door frame and a small bed-side table had been what he had been hit with.
The scent in the room was multiple wolves, one of them was that pair of deformed wolf. He had come for Kiba and he had taken him right from Shino's nose. And now his mate was gone. Shino walked to the window and he noticed that there was no definite scent trail, whoever else had been with that damn wolf had made sure to cover their tracks. There wasn't even a scent from Kiba outside. Shino bit down on his lip as Sai and Itachi walked up behind him.
"Sai, go with Shino to find Kiba." Itachi commanded, his tone elevated because of how angry he was. He had let one of his wolves be stolen from right under his nose. And there was no excusable situation for it either, he had failed his pack and as a leader. He needed to rectify this mistake as soon as possible.
"It's already too late." Shino said as he walked away from the window. "The scent is dead. They did something to scatter their trail."
-
Pein walked up to the lair and Orochimaru was standing in front of it, smirking at the wolf. The pale wolf was slowly moving up to his new found companion. "Very well done. Very well indeed. I assume Itachi doesn't suspect a thing?"
"Of course not. He believes that he cannot trust the council and that I'm not going to help him." Pein muttered, tasting the bile like sting on the back of his throat. It was guilt and that horrid taste of betrayal. He frowned a little, a glare coming to his features. "I've done what you asked of me, where is my mate?"
Orochimaru smirked wider and directed him towards the entrance of his lair. "Go right on in. She's been waiting for you."
Pein walked inside and he saw Konan, his blue hair sullied and clumped with blood. Her throat was ripped out, teeth obviously the culprit because of the deepness and marks. The heavily pierced wolf ran to his mate, feeling an instant pain and anger rising in his body. She was just killed, otherwise he would have felt it earlier. Mates always know when the other dies. He picked up her stiff body and hugged it to himself.
"Oh Pein, you should have known that I don't trust you. Especially since you like Itachi so much." Orochimaru said with a shrug. Pein was ignoring him, that pain overwhelming his other senses. He knew he was in danger but what was the point of living when your mate wasn't going to be in the world with him? His smelled the air and his Beta slowly approached him. His scent was also all over Konan, he was the one who killed her. "I think you've ruled long enough Pein…Tobi, put an end to him."
Pein just sat there as his masked Beta came crouching closer and closer. His body was morphing and before he knew it, there was a claw against his throat. Pein didn't care though. If he couldn't be with his mate in life, he would join her in death, as custom. He closed his eyes and let his Beta release the life within his body.
"Finally! I'm an Alpha and it feels so good. You were right all along Orochimaru." Tobi turned around and he felt a hand go through his chest, making him stumble backwards as he pulled the appendage out of himself. Orochimaru's hand flashed with more than blood and Tobi noticed, when the burning pain filled his system, that Orochimaru had painted his claws with silver. He was laughing and laughing.
"You fool, you foolish little monster." Orochimaru grabbed Tobi by his arm, pulling him up so they could make eye contact. "Killing your Alpha was just a ploy, I wanted his pack and you were the idiot to give it to me. You've betrayed your pack, your Alpha, and now you will die."
Tobi seized up as the silver poisoned more and more of his blood. It was burning and stinging in his veins. There was so much pain filling him and he instantly felt regret from killing his Alpha. He should have known that betrayal this deep would have consequences from the universe. Karma was a bitch.
Orochimaru dropped Tobi's lifeless body and exhaled. He could feel the power of Pein's pack enter him. That's what happened when you became a new Alpha or had more wolves join you. The power came all at once and Orochimaru limbs were shaking with the power at his finger tips. Tomorrow, when Pein's pack came to help Itachi, he would take control over them. And then Itachi would be completely at his mercy.-
SHIT GOT REAL!
Also, if you know who the Warlock that stopped into Tsunade's house was, I'll forever love you :D It's a Cassandra Clare reference, just for hints.
Itachi: What are you doing?
Shino: Searching. -is looking under the bed- Hitoko-sama hid Kiba in real life imagination as well
Itachi:Really? She's vengeful lately.
Shino: I have so much hate for her right now…-goes to search more-
Me: Hey Itachi. -with ice cream and Kiba-
Itachi: Shino is looking for him…
Me: Really? We were just out getting food…I should actually hide him to piss Shino off
Kiba: Don't do it! He'll kill you
Me:…And then Kiba found himself in a forest…
Itachi: You and that forest
Me: Don't make me send you there…This was Hitoko-sama.