Man, oh man, I really hope all of my lovely bros are ready for this update and can forgive me while I was away and being a butt at college. I love you guys, you're my world. So, anyway, regular PV
-
Kiba's eyes cracked open and he groaned feeling his body weighted down with the grogginess of his mind and the stiffness of his muscles. He coughed, slouching over on himself and looked at his surroundings. His senses started going haywires as adrenaline flooded his veins, making his new instincts kick to life. A harsh, defensive growl broke through the silence as he got to his feet. What had happened? He had only been alone five minutes, tops. And now he had no idea where he was, who had taken him…Well he had an idea about how could have concocted such a scheme. Kiba felt an ache of longing in his chest. He already missed his mate and could feel the pain Shino was feeling. How was it that they were so connected now? Was it like this before? Kiba couldn't tell. The past few weeks blurred together in a whirlwind of knowledge, experiences, love, and terror. The farther he felt from his mate though, the more empty and scared Kiba felt. He didn't want to be separated from Shino and his heart blistered with longing now that they were more than an arm's reach away.
However, Kiba knew that wasn't the most important thing going on. Shino would no doubt be looking for him and that might just lead him and whatever other forces into a trap. He cursed under his breath and looked at his surroundings, hoping to gather something about where he was and how he could possibly get out of here unscathed. He was in a dank cell with hard concrete walls, scattered with claw marks from desperate wolves trying to free themselves. He gulped a little and turned his attention towards the bars. He reached out to touch them, wondering if he could force them open with his strength. Kiba yelped with pain, pulling his hand back, cursing. The bars were silver, pure silver which meant he couldn't touch them, let alone force them open. There was really no telling what could happen to him if he stayed here a minute longer and that really could spell trouble, especially if he and Shino were so…Connected. Kiba smirked to himself a little and closed his eyes. He and Shino were connected, they shared their thoughts now. He could try to reach his mate, call for him, and make him come. "Shino…Shino, please, I need you. Please hear me…"
To be honest Kiba wasn't a hundred percent sure about how this was exactly supposed to work. It just seemed like Shino would know where he was and come to save him. But then again all the times this had happened, he had been at home. "Well fuck…" Kiba muttered as he sat down on the small cot again, noting how uncomfortable it was and thanking his lucky stars that he had been passed out while he had to sleep on this. What was he going to do now? He barely remembered what happened to him. He was laying in the bed where Shino decided to speak with him about fighting and then Shino left to go and speak with Itachi. He had been alone for a few minutes when he saw someone break into the window, and before he could do anything his mouth and nose were covered with a cloth that reeked with an unfamiliar scent. It knocked him out though so he wondered if it was some kind of chemical specifically designed for werewolves or just chloroform. He didn't know, this was the first time he had even been kidnapped. Hopefully it was also the last time.
"Finally, you're awake." Kiba's heart was chilled when he heard that voice. Even though he knew Sakon and Ukon were the ones who either executed his capture and or asked for it to be completed, he was still chilled to the bone whenever he heard their voices. It had been a while since he had seen them and he hadn't gotten much stronger since that day. The brunette swallowed the dry lump in his throat and glanced towards the bars of his cell. Sakon was staring directly at him, smirking widely, and seeming to be extremely satisfied with himself. Of course he would be since he had finally managed to capture Kiba. In the brunet's head he qualified how easily captured he was by saying his emotional state left him unguarded and that Shino had been distracted at that time. Sakon and Ukon wouldn't have gotten away so easily if this had been any other time. But the weird thing about it was that he hadn't sensed them, Hell, he didn't even smell them. It wasn't a complete surprise that the kidnapping had gone so well for them. Kiba refused to respond to Sakon and chose then to turn away from the wolf, not wanting to look at him either. He had the snapping of jaws and the rattle of the cell door so when he turned Sakon and Ukon were atop him in a moment. "You speak when you're spoken to, got it?"
"Get off of me!" Kiba yelled, trying to shove him, only to have his arms pinned down at his sides. He was jerking his body wildly and tried to lash out with his feet. He was quickly stopped when a hand reached out and slapped his harshly. He whined with pain as Ukon's arm slipped back and Sakon chuckled as Kiba's body quieted from the previous onslaught. Sakon cupped the brunette's face in his hand and pulled it up to meet his own. Kiba didn't let him though, opting to head-butt the wolf, making him stumble backwards. He shoved Sakon after that creating a large distance between the dazed wolf and himself so he could escape out of the still open cell door. Kiba felt exhilarated as he exited the cell, slamming the door behind him. Even if it didn't lock automatically, Sakon and Ukon would still have the obstacle of getting the door open…The fact it was silver didn't hurt either.
Kiba didn't get far into the corridor of the prison though. He ran into the hard chest of a different wolf, which he didn't sense, making him stumble back. When the brunette looked at the wolf head on, his breath caught in his throat with a sudden, unrelenting anxiety filled him. This wolf was sickly pale and the way his long black hung around his face made his unnerving yellow eyes stand out even more made him feel nervous, like he was looking into the face of a snake-like man. Kiba was seized by the arm and quickly jerked around. The wolf was strong, strong enough to whip Kiba's body like a rag doll. He was slammed into the ground and his body, just with the sheer strength of the impact, crushed the floor. The brunette let out a howl of pain as he lay in the small crater, breathing heavily as pain ricocheted up his spine, blurring his vision. He coughed, rolling onto his side, blood spattering his lips. That blow would have easily killed any human, breaking their spine and neck upon impact.
"Lord Orochimaru," Sakon had finally caught up to him, his hands slightly redden and burned because of the silver. "That was unnecessary. You could have killed him…"
"Oh?" The wolf seemed highly amused and smirked at his subordinate. "It looks like he'll live though so I'd assume there was nothing to be worried about. However, if you didn't let him escape you, he wouldn't have been injured, would he?"
Sakon was silent and nodded his head towards his Alpha. "Yes, I understand." He grabbed Kiba, dragging him back to his cell. He put the brunette down gently as to not further damage his already broken body. Kiba moaned with pain as he tried to push Sakon away from him. Ukon scoffed a little and turned his head to look at the wolf who still insisted upon rejecting their advanced.
"Hurry brother, while he's in this state, it will be easier." Kiba's body froze when he heard those words from Ukon. What exactly were their plans? Were they going to…Take him by force? Kiba's body was too paralyzed to move, let alone fight off the advancing wolf.
"Don't be afraid, I'll be gentle." Kiba's eyes widen when he heard those words from Sakon. The wolf reached out and grabbed the brunette's shoulder, pulling him close, earning a yelp of pain from Kiba. He was trying to push on Sakon's chest but it wasn't working and Kiba could hear Ukon's pleased yet sadistic chuckle knowing this was not going to end well for him. There were cold lips against his heated neck and Kiba's entire body was shaking with nervousness, the anxiety in his veins making his breath shake as he tried to calm himself. It wasn't working and when he felt a tongue snake out and lick his neck, he shivered with disgust. Sakon growled harshly and gripped Kiba by the hair, tilting his head back forward. "So, you consummated your mating I see. Well, I can fix that. We'll just have to repeat the mating ceremony again but this time I'll take you and make you mine. Do you hear me? You'll be mine and there's nothing Shino can do about it."
"Why are you doing this?" Kiba cried as he felt the lips on his neck again. Sakon continued to mar Kiba's neck with rough bites that broke up the skin. Kiba was shaking with fear as he figured out what should and probably would happen next.
"Isn't it obvious why?" Ukon asked, rolling his eyes at what he thought was a seemingly stupid question. "Because we've been watching you, wanting you, and now, we shall and will have you. You were our dream and I will be damned if I don't get to experience the sweet flesh at least once. See the way he sucks the blood up? Your blood is addictively sweet, the cries you release when in pain…They're like the most glorious forms of music. You belong to us now, and we are not willing to let you go so easily. I suggest you accept it. The transition will be easier on all of us." Kiba whimpered when he felt the sharp points of Sakon's deep scraping his neck where he had bitten previously. His blood was staining his shirt, rolling down his neck in fat droplets. Kiba closed his eyes as he tried to steady his breathing. Shino was coming. He was. He just needed to keep telling himself that. Shino would save him. He always would. Kiba screamed when a white hot pain filled his body causing him to convulse as Sakon brought him closer, as if he was embracing the smaller form. He was chewing Kiba's neck turning the skin into a pulpy mess of blood and chunked flesh.
Sakon pulled back, moaning with satisfaction as Kiba's blood dripped down his chin and neck. He licked at his skin and sucked at his lips, greedily enjoying the other wolf's hot, sweet blood. His virus was entering Kiba's system now and in the next few days he would be able to take the smaller wolf and be mates with him, just as he wanted. Sakon laid Kiba's body down. He was shaking and seemingly on the brink of passing out from his new injury. Ukon was smirking at the look on Kiba's face. "How arousing…" He stated and Sakon couldn't help but agree. He leaned in and smashed his lips into Kiba's, smearing the blood as he roughly forced the brunette into the kiss. Kiba whimpered as his lip split open from the sheer force Sakon was using to kiss him. He was shuddering and shivering. He was so afraid. He was bleeding so much. He was starting to doubt that he would live through this and before he could freak himself out further, Kiba's eyes drooped, slipping him out of the conscious world.
The wolf moaned as his nerves tingled with the new blood filling his stomach. The feeling was enormously pleasurable. It was a deep, well rooted satisfaction from the bite. He smirked and then petted Kiba's cheek. Maybe it had been better for his new mate to run into Orochimaru. It made it far easier to bite him when he was in his far weakened condition…And the look on his face. It aroused him. The pain that twisted his features and made him release soft moans….Sakon and Ukon both growled softly in their throats. Both of them would have a very good time with Kiba and his body later when he had healed but for now they had other plans. Orochimaru was leaning on a wall in the cell, having slipped in at some point while they had lost themselves in the biting and claiming of their new mate. Sakon stood up, straightening him body, blood still staining his lips and chin.
"Now that you've finally found that wolf you were so desperate to mate with, I need you and your team to wait and be ready. Itachi will not wait any longer now. And I don't want to wait to have him. My body yearns for his…And when I'm through with him, I'll need all the support I can get." Orochimaru said a smirk blossoming onto his features. "The war is upon us and it will bring glory to our names. Soon it will only be us. Only the most beautiful race, we, the werewolves will take our rightful place at the top of the food chain." Sakon and Ukon were both smirking with satisfaction. Everything was slowly falling into place. It was all like going exactly like Orochimaru said and soon he would be leading the new world, he would be the prophet, the God, he would be the savior. It was all so beautiful. The lights of success were shining brightly upon them. On this day, it was obvious; all the Gods were showing them favor. They believed in everything that they were trying to accomplish. They probably wouldn't have received such good fortune in any other case.
Orochimaru started to laugh and his laughter bounded off the walls. Indeed all was going according to plan. Itachi would be itching for blood now and if not him then his pack. Once a member is taken or killed, they all feel it. And that rage, it blinds their judgment. Perhaps now Itachi's great leadership skills would finally crumble leaving Orochimaru even more victorious. Itachi and he would mate; they would combine their packs and together crush the other Alphas. The number of wolves would expand, and expand, until every wolf fell underneath them. And with such a large army, what could stop them? Humans wouldn't know what hit them. And neither would the Night Children, especially when their food supply started to dry up and they began trying to feed on each other. All it would do is kill them even faster.
"Soon, soon my dearest, everything will be lined up. But now I need to go." Orochimaru muttered as he cupped Sakon's face, the wickedness in his eyes making them shine darkly. Sakon and Ukon both admired their Alpha, wanting his desires, sharing them. Anything for Orochimaru. Anything for their Alpha. His words were law, his ideals were goals, and his visions were truth. Orochimaru was the destined leader of the new world and he would soon be unstoppable.
-
Itachi's veins burned with rage as he looked out over his pack. He called an emergency meeting at the last moment but everyone seemed to come promptly, knowing something had happened. Itachi usually was a very calm man, not letting unsettling emotions pervade his countenance. But now his eye brows were furrowed, his eyes shined with a distressing grief and rage that only came when something had happened. The wolves all felt the rage even though they had no idea what was happening. It didn't matter though. They were ready to follow any command Itachi was ready to give. It was them who would sacrifice everything at the drop of a hat if their Alpha commanded it. Blood would run in the streets this night. It would give a new meaning to 'paint the town red' and the war would undoubtedly come to a new and horrifying light. It was right around the corner now and they all knew after this meeting it would officially begin.
The Uchiha was growling in his throat, very quietly but it seemed to grab every single wolf's attention. They all looked up at him, admiration and fear mixing in the eyes of some. Anxiety and excitement in others. They had been waiting for this. They did not fear it any longer. It was part of life now. To protect the weaker men of the Earth measures had to be taken. This time it would be the wolves who stood up, bearing their claws and teeth so that the world's order would remain in the same light as before. This war, if it was lost by them, had the potential to destroy everything and ruin the lives of everyone it touched. They couldn't let it happen. No one in their right mind would.
"I've contacted you all to relay very important information…" Itachi was saying this and his voice was lower than usually, spiked with the anger that danced in his eyes. All of them were shivering at the tone. They had never been the other end of Itachi's angered voice before. And even though he wasn't angry with them, it still chilled them to the very core. "One of our newest females has been kidnapped. Orochimaru's forces have broken all of our laws, everything we hold sacred. I will no longer sit idly by and wait for other support or other wolf clans to come to our aid. This is inexcusable and the straw that breaks my patience. If Orochimaru wants a war, we will give him a war. We will crush him under our claws and rip his clan apart." The wolves were cheering at the words coming from Itachi's mouth. They could feel the power within them, drawing them closer to their Alpha. His words were always passionate and expressed in a relatable way. They just wanted him to talk, encourage them, and make them feel what he himself was feeling. "My pack…Are you ready? Are you ready to save the world from this impending darkness?" Itachi words were met with harsh and overzealous shoots, howls, and barks of excitement. The males of the clan were on their feet, cheering and clapping for their Alpha. They also were also fed up with all of this. How could they, one wolf clan, try to ruin everything they had worked so hard for? And then insult their clan by stealing a mated female? It was disgusting and had all the males fiery and itching for blood. It could have easily been one of their females and they would not let such an atrocity stand in their pack. They would help their brothers and rush to the battlefield, defending the honor of their pack, upholding all the laws they held sacred. This was the least they could do and they would give their lives to make sure everything the balance of the world would not fall and that no one innocent would be hurt in the process.
But suddenly, every wolf stopped, the attention averted from Itachi. But Itachi too had stopped and was looking at the door to their meeting room, smelling something most foul coming towards the house. He was growling in his throat knowing only one wolf could cause such a large stir. It was that hybrid, Kabuto. Sasuke was on his feet in a moment, heading up the stairs, Naruto looking after him, feeling extremely anxious as his mate stalked up the stairs, claws extended. "Sasuke stop." Itachi's voice rang clear and his Beta paused completely, straightening up his back and growling, moving back down the stairs. "Let him come…" Sasuke shuddered when he heard the commanding anger of his brother's voice. There was an obvious score that Itachi wanted to settle with this wolf. They heard the door upstairs open and the soft footfalls of the wolf entering their compound. He didn't even seem to care that he was not only trespassing on Uchiha territory, but also just breaking into Itachi's home and meeting spot. All of the pack was bristling with anger as Itachi's eyes narrowed at the figuring coming down the stairs. He was smirking, looking extremely pleased with himself. Sasuke growled as he passed in front of him, putting a protective arm around his smaller mate. Sai and Shino had both stepped out to see if they could, maybe, just maybe find Kiba's trail, so they weren't here to get in the imposing wolf's face. He bowed to Itachi, his silver hair swaying a little as he did.
"Kabuto…" Itachi said, his voice dripping with disgust and anger. "What do I owe this displeasure?" Kyuubi was staring at the wolf, hissing softly. Kabuto's eyes drifted over to the Vampire who was licking his lips, smirking a little. Itachi couldn't control him and that meant Kabuto was vulnerable to whatever the Vampire was plotting. The Alpha wolf's gaze shifted towards his undead companion and Kyuubi shrugged, moving back a little farther so he wouldn't be tempted to rip the wolf's arms off and beat him with them.
"Such a strange pet you've decided to adopt…" Kabuto muttered, sending a crooked glance towards the Vampire. Kyuubi's eyes narrowed and he was going to step forward and really get in Kabuto's face when Itachi stepped away from his podium, covering the distance between Kabuto and Kyuubi. The red head peered from around the Uchiha's shoulder, sticking his tongue out at Kabuto. "Itachi, I haven't come to stir up trouble with you. I just merely wish to talk, besides, I have something for you, from Orochimaru." Every wolf seemingly tensed when Kabuto said that, the amusement rolling off his tongue with each word. The pack didn't want to sit there quietly any longer, they wanted to attack. "We're a civilized race, don't you think? And that means when we start a fight, it is only proper to send a messenger."
"Hn, so what? Has Orochimaru sent you to give me a Declaration of War? This isn't something so formal as a war in the human world. We aren't large countries going to battle on each other's land." Itachi said, slightly annoyed with the wolf before him. "The hubris of your master disgusts me." Kabuto twitched at the last part of Itachi's statement but he continued to smile at the Alpha. He pulled a parchment scroll from his pocket.
"Don't shoot the messenger." Kabuto muttered and Itachi took the scroll, rolling his eyes. Kabuto turned away from Itachi then, glancing into the crowd of wolves, smirking as he did so.
"Hey, four-eyes." The silver haired wolf turned towards Kyuubi who was approaching him, very slowly, much like a predator would. "If the Werewolves are so civilized and correct, then the Children of Mikaboshi are…What you could say to be…Lesser and not nearly as respective of the rules, correct?" Kabuto blinked not completely understanding what Kyuubi was trying to say. He nodded slowly, seeing the wicked and intense look in the Vampire's stunning blue eyes. "Oh okay then. I just had to make sure." Everyone was taken by surprise when Kyuubi's body suddenly move, spinning around Itachi so that he was face to face with Kabuto. It was difficult to see the next movement but as soon as Orochimaru's right hand was sent flying into the wall behind him, everyone knew what Kyuubi did and what he had really meant. Kabuto coughed as he rolled over onto his stomach, groaning. "Next time I'd suggest you pick your words a little more wisely. You never know who can and will take advantage of them. Oh and just to let you know, I didn't shoot the messenger." Kyuubi started chuckling as the wolves just stared, in awe. Kabuto got to his feet, a small trail of blood trickling from his mouth.
"This isn't over Vampire…I'll see you on the battlefield." Kabuto spit the blood onto the floor and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Everyone was silent as Itachi turned, about to say something to his Vampire companion.
"I like that Vampire." One of the wolves in the very back of the group said making everyone burst out into laughter. Even Itachi's mood seemed to be a little lifted, especially since his pack was enjoying Kyuubi far more than before. Maybe there was a chance for their relationship after all.
But Itachi's face gained a more serious tone when he reached into his pocket and pulled out the scroll Kabuto had given him. Orochimaru must have been taking this far more seriously than he expected which meant that this next fight would be much more difficult than they had originally anticipated. Itachi gulped quietly as he cracked the seal open and unfurled the paper. Orochimaru had detailed in the letter where they would meet to fight, someone he could easier control, not good. But this was war and it wasn't like he exactly make negotiations with the other wolf at a time like this. There was no way he'd get Orochimaru to come out and face him if that was the case. Itachi scoffed a little and shook his head, right now was not the time to get distracted with Orochimaru's unrealistic expectations of this war.
He looked out at his clan, who were all looking at him expectantly. They were all waiting so patiently for news that would send some of them to their deaths. But he knew that they had all accepted it. So what else could he do? Itachi sighed a little as he returned to his place at the podium. He had to tell his pack about what he had learned. Tomorrow, midnight, the abandoned graveyard twenty minutes outside of town. That's where the battle would take place and they would win it. This time, Itachi couldn't allow Orochimaru to escape again. He had failed twice before. TWICE. And it killed him on the inside. He couldn't stand by anymore and let anyone else get hurt. He had already hurt his Gamma more than words expressed. He wouldn't forgive Orochimaru now. And it was time, time for Itachi to bring him down.
-
The night was cool and calm, hushed of the summer winds and the drone of the far off, muted city fell upon deaf night's ears. The strong light pollution no longer existed out here. It was dark and quiet. But the air was off this night, filled with anxiety and fear. Sometimes a rush of excitement would grip it, though as quickly as it came, it would be blown away. Slowly, so slowly, almost a crawling pace Itachi's pack and Kyuubi's clan had descended upon the agreed land. The graveyard had long since been abandoned. The bodies dug up and moved to a much nicer, easier to access location. The head stones and burial plots littered the ground, some cracked, some covered in weeds and wild flowers, giving the place a feel of neglect and hopelessness. A tree sat in the middle of the graveyard and though it was the middle of summer it had no leaves. It was barren and dead, the bark chipping off and falling away. It was also like a metaphor for what was going to happen today. Summer brought life and happiness to all that touched it, but his pack would lose some bark today, lose some outer protective shelling. Member's lives would be given up and Itachi couldn't help but feel a strong sadness within his heart. How could it have come to this so soon?
Itachi moved forward, Kyuubi at his side, the wolf's grace and agility making it easy for him to maneuver around the grave stones, plots, and the occasional still open graves of the forgotten dead. Sasuke, Sai, and Shino all followed right behind him. They were his support system. They were his strongest allies. He wouldn't let anything happen to them. Especially not Sasuke. He didn't know what he would do if he lost his little brother…Sasuke was everything. The only family he had left.
Naruto leapt over a hole in the ground and was mirroring Sasuke's movements only as his shadow, gracing the dark behind him. The blond was the only female here that Itachi begrudgingly allowed. Mostly because he felt that even one of his commands couldn't keep Naruto away, especially since Kiba's disappearance. But now, it didn't matter. The blond could help and if anything it would make Sasuke more vicious and protective; make him a better, more lethal fighter. A mate's presence brought out the best and worst in a wolf fight and Itachi hoped he had made the right decision in allowing Naruto to come.
The scent of wolves was everywhere, Itachi's eyes glanced around. He couldn't see them yet and he hoped that he wasn't walking right into an ambush of some kind. To be honest, Itachi wouldn't be surprised at all if they did. He wouldn't be surprised if Orochimaru didn't even show up either. The man, deep down, was a coward. And if the battle for him got hairy, he would flee, just like he had before. Itachi scoffed and a sudden movement made him pause in all motion, claws starting to spring forward. He whipped his head around to see his pack separate, backing away from a surprise attack. Of course it was going to be like that.
The change was quick. The entire pack was in their wolf form, hunched low to the ground as their jaws snapped at the intruding wolves tried to separate and conquer them. Itachi growled lowly in his throat as he jumped into the fray, being followed by his Beta. Sasuke leapt forward, grabbing a silver wolf by the neck and wrenching the body to and fro, effectively breaking its neck. Blood and fur started to fly everywhere as the carnage ensued. Vampires were hissing and growling as they used their massive strength to break bones, sever spines, and decapitate wolves. Itachi eyes shifted around and he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. This wasn't Orochimaru's normal pack; they didn't exactly smell as he remembered Orochimaru did. In fact, the scent of the wolves was familiar…Itachi growled lowly in his throat when he finally recognized the scent. It was Pein. He had stopped by right before Kiba was kidnapped…Pein had been helping Orochimaru the whole time. He had even gone so far as telling Itachi not to get in contact with the Elders and getting more reinforcements. Could what he said be a lie? Had the Elders really changed? To Itachi, it didn't particularly matter now. He had to get through this pack and the other members before too much blood of his pack was spilled. He saw a few of his members, cold, dead. He could say it was lucky none of them who had mates who would mourn, but he felt the sting of loss no matter their status. They were his people and he was connected to each one of them.
Shino was running through the crowds of wolves and Vampires. He was looking for Sakon and Ukon. He was desperately searching for them. He wanted blood. He wanted his revenge. They took his mate and now they would pay the ultimate price for it. He snarled lowly as a wolf tried to attack from his side. He gracefully dodged it, flipping around to lunge and strike this miniscule threat. The wolf cried out, a loud piercing howl, as Shino's teeth dug into its side. The wolf crumbled to the ground, whining with pain. Shino wasn't finished though; he growled and delivered the finishing blow. The sharp, long fangs entered the delicately exposed neck of the wolf. He ripped the flesh away, causing blood to spill freely and stain his fur. The wolf sputtered and whimpered as the blood flushed out of his system. The body was limp within moments and when Shino knew him to be dead, that's when the Change reversed itself. He was disgusted at the sight. It was just a kid, a boy of maybe fifteen. Orochimaru was changing them when they were still young, whether they did it willingly or not. Orochimaru was just sending them in for the slaughter. The chances of survival were still risky, no matter the situation, and infecting so many younger humans with it just insured a larger surplus of warriors. Shino's jaws snapped with anger as he charged into the fray again. He couldn't dwell upon all of those thoughts; he still had a mission to accomplish and his sights were set on a certain, very annoying set of twin wolves.
Kyuubi was side by side with Itachi, both of them making a devastating pair. The Vampire was decked out with silver teeth coatings, just like the rest of his clan, and they were proving to be an effective weapon against the attacking wolves. Verbally Itachi couldn't communicate with Kyuubi in his current form, but he felt as though the red head knew he was appreciative of all of his help. He hoped that after all of this was over he could, perhaps, make Kyuubi retire from his current clan status and have him come to live with the Uchiha pack…As their new pack mother…As Itachi's mate…Itachi knew he shouldn't be having such hopeful thoughts at this moment, they didn't know what the outcome of this battle would be. And Itachi didn't want to think about the possibility of he or Kyuubi…dying. The red head ducked under a striking wolf and hissed when he received a kick to his shoulder, knocking him to the side, and to the ground. Itachi turned to look at his fallen companion and that's when he made his first mistake. Being caught up in Kyuubi, he didn't notice the approaching presence behind him, and certainly couldn't dodge fast enough the flying, spiral of dark magic. Itachi cried out when he was sent flying across the ground, whimpering softly as he struggled to get back to his feet. So Kabuto finally decided to grace them with his presence. Kyuubi was skidding backwards, landing next to Itachi.
"Are you alright?" He asked, petting Itachi briefly before turning his attention back to Kabuto. He hadn't bothered to Change. He was still in his annoyingly haughty human form. Itachi huffed his reply and started to stalk forward, only to be halted by a barrage of dark magic. Kabuto seemed to be on the top of his game, yet he was frivolously shooting his magic around, like he expected this to be a quick battle. Itachi didn't like the way this was going…Kabuto wasn't an idiot; he wouldn't just do things willy-nilly. That meant there was a reason behind his adventitious attacks. Something they had yet to see. Kyuubi's entire body froze and he shrunk back, hissing and wailing suddenly as he seemed to cover his face and body.
Itachi was confused until he got a good smell of the air. There was a heavy linger scent there; one of blood. But not fresh blood. It was dead blood; blood that had been allowed to sit and stagnate, coagulate and congeal. Kyuubi was hissing and Itachi noticed then that some of the Vampires were writhing and stumbling around, making them easier to line and a kill. What was going on?
"Dead man's blood, real helpful stuff, don't you think Kyuubi?" Kyuubi was hissing and shaking as Kabuto held up a vile. It was thick and dark red, almost brown in color. Itachi's growled at the vile. This was a problem he hadn't thought of. He'd nearly forgotten how vulnerable Vampires were to dead blood. It was poison in their system, even the smell made them ill. It slowed them to a stop as their already dead, cold systems tried to process it and remove it. From what he had read about the experiments performed on captured Vampires, if enough was introduced into their systems, they would die. If a little was added they would be slowed down, severely weakened, and it made them completely vulnerable to weapons, such as guns, for a short period of time because of how it affected their healing abilities. "Where's the tough talk now, Kyuubi? I thought you were a stronger man than this."
"You're playing dirty…" Kyuubi snapped, still shaking as he looked at the vile. There was a hand over his nose and mouth, trying to protect him from the smell.
"You have capped silver fangs. I think we're on an even playing field." Kabuto said as he approached the pair.
Kyuubi's eyes widened as he saw a blotch of blond fur come up on Kabuto from behind, knocking the wolf to his feet and effectively separating him from the dead man's blood. Kabuto cursed as he grappled with a very unhappy, vengeful Naruto. The blond's teeth were clamped down on the back of Kabuto's exposed neck and he was thrashing his body around. The silver haired man wailed but then he sprung up a barrier around his body causing the blond to be sent sailing backwards with a whine. Naruto turned back into his human form, rolling on the ground before abruptly stopping, letting out a pained moan. Kabuto didn't even have time to recover before he was struck again but not by the blond, but by Sasuke. He was snapping his jaws close to the silver haired wolf's face, obviously not pleased to see his mate being thrown around. Itachi lunged when Kabuto's hand sparked with blue sparks. He pinned it down with his paw and was about to crush the wolf's windpipe with his paw when he activated the barrier again. Sasuke and Itachi however expected this move and jumped away before they could be shot backwards by it.
They were, unfortunately, not completely unaffected by the magic. Both Sasuke and Itachi reverted back to their human forms, glaring at the wolf in front of them. "Kyuubi," Itachi voice rang out clearly even though the loudness of claws and teeth were echoing behind them. "Kyuubi, take Naruto and get out of here. Sasuke and I will handle Kabuto. Make sure your clan is okay…"
Kyuubi gave Itachi one passing glance before he leapt over Kabuto's head and landed next to his little brother, who was on the brink of unconsciousness. He picked the boy up before jumping away.
"Vampires remind me so much a fleas…" Kabuto's voice rang out. He was lying on his back on the ground. There was blood pooling around his body and his barrier still hadn't dissipated. "Blood-sucking pests." He sat up suddenly and his entire barrier changed color. It went from red to blue and all of Kabuto's injuries started to heal themselves. Even the blood that had been staining his skin and clothes was slowly starting to be reabsorbed by his system. Itachi's eyes narrowed.
Shino was still whipping around, feeling more and more agitated as the seconds ticked on. He hadn't seen head or tail of Sakon and Ukon. It was as though they weren't even here. It made Shino's blood boil in his skin. Where was he? What had he done with Kiba? Shino's body suddenly stopped and he felt a ripping pain shooting up his spine. The pain was so intense that his body switched back into his human form. He gripped his hear where it beat unevenly and throbbed in his chest. He had heard about this pain before when he was first learning about becoming a Werewolf. When someone had taken another's mate and then proceeded to try and Mark them after a different Mark was in place, it would rip through their bond and attempt to replace it. That meant one thing. Sakon and Ukon both weren't here because they were trying to re-mate Kiba. But this was a delayed reaction, Shino had learned because of the current distance between him and his mate. Kiba was probably bitten sometime before this. Probably the night before, or a few hours previous to this moment. Shino's eyes narrowed as the pain seized him again. He had to fight through this pain though, there was still a battle going on and any weakness or moment of vulnerability an enemy saw then he would take advantage of it.
"You've grown so much." Shino's body completely stopped in all motion when he heard that voice behind him. That voice he had only heard one time before. The voice that had haunted his dreams for years now. The voice he could now put and face and name to, it was Orochimaru. He was here at the battlefield, standing behind him. Orochimaru had been watching him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. "What an interesting situation this is, don't you think?" Shino's gaze shifted upward and he stumbled to get back into his wolf form, coming to find that he couldn't bring the Change to his system. "How pitiful. Seems like your bond being severed was enough to bring you down a notch or two." Shino growled as he attempted to lunge at the other wolf. Orochimaru seized his arm then and quickly flipped him so that Shino was face down in the dirt. He got a mouthful of it and started choking and coughing. "Is that really a proper greeting for the man who made you? The Uchiha pack has made you rude…and so unbelievably weak…"
"I'm not weak!" Shino exclaimed as his arm was twisted painfully in his socket. Anymore pressure and he knew that his arm would break from its socket and cause him unbelievably agony. Just because he healed quickly didn't mean he was completely immune to the horrid sensations placed upon him. "Perhaps if you hadn't have sent your inbred wolf pup after my mate, I could show you my full power."
Orochimaru chuckled. "You'll prove your worth to me soon. But until then, I have bigger fish to fry…I've had my eye on Itachi for a good while now and I will not leave this place empty handed. When I'm through, you'll wish I never left you with the Uchiha."
Shino felt relief flood his system as Orochimaru released his hold and disappeared into the skirmish. What exactly did he mean? Sai came running up to him, nudging Shino with his nose. The wolf got to his feet and he looked at the other Gamma, anxiety striking his features. "Sai we need to find Itachi, NOW."
Itachi's jaws clamped down on Kabuto's arm, shaking him and pulling him towards the large wolf. Sasuke had leapt onto his back and was attempting to break his spine by biting Kabuto's neck and pushing against him with his heavy, large paws. Kabuto was holding back his cries of pain as the blue barrier surrounded him. The wounds they were inflicting weren't doing damage anymore. They were just being deflected by the healing light. It made this fight impossibly annoying. Sasuke jumped back from Kabuto, panting as he watched his brother continue to struggle. He looked around for Kyuubi and his mate when he received a particularly painful kick to the side of the jaw. Sasuke yelped as he was brushed aside. Itachi and Kabuto both stopped fighting with each other to glance over at Sasuke. Itachi knew that presence anywhere. And Kabuto just seemed so pleased that he couldn't contain his excitement. His smirk was wide and vicious.
"Looks like time's up, huh Itachi?" Kabuto said as he released his red barrier again. Itachi changed back, spitting Kabuto's blood on the ground as he did so. The barrier blocking the virus was quite annoying but there wasn't much he could do about it. Itachi didn't know how to block magic and it wasn't like he could use magic either, so it was just better to try and incapacitate him at all costs. But that needed to come later…
Itachi took in the figure and swallowed hard. This had been Orochimaru's plan all along. And how could the Uchiha not have seen it coming? In his hand he held a very paralyzed looking Kyuubi by the hair, blood was dripping out of the sides of his mouth and he was gagging, vomiting up more blood. It was obvious that Kyuubi had been poisoned by the dead blood. Orochimaru must have been watching him, trying to find any and all weaknesses he had, and what would hurt him the most. Itachi growled lowly in his throat and Orochimaru just started smirking and laughing.
"Oh no, no, no, little Uchiha." He pulled the Vampire closer, causing him to moan. "If you try anything, I'll make sure he dies in the worst way possible…Kabuto, make sure our Uchiha is comfortable."
Kabuto nodded and then a large, red, impenetrable barrier popped up around him, sealing him inside a small box shaped prison. Itachi didn't know what he could do and passed a glance towards Sasuke, who was rolling onto his side, holding his jaw and almost pushing on it to put it back in place. The older Uchiha stood up and crossed his arms over his chest. "Your fight isn't with Kyuubi. Just let him go and we'll fight, one on one. I know that's what you want."
"Itachi don't think so lowly of me. I've changed in these past few years, I assure you of that much. I want something different from you now." Itachi's face was completely blank and his fists clenched, claws starting to grow. "No need to get upset with me, darling." Itachi's eyes narrowed at that comment. He knew what Orochimaru wanted from him now and he would NOT let him have it. He would not allow himself to become this wolf's mate, let alone his bride. "Be my bride, rise to power with me. Do we really need to continue to fight? Together we can rule this world and with our powers combined, we will be unstoppable." Sasuke was growly loudly by then and he lunged, only be grabbed by Orochimaru's free hand and whipped around to where Naruto was approaching silently from behind. The blond yelped when his mate was slammed into his body, knocking them both away from the powerful wolves. Itachi couldn't see what exactly had happened to them because Orochimaru moved in front of them, still yanking Kyuubi along. "However, I know you have your eyes on this…Blood-sucking demon and we need that to end, don't we?"
Itachi's eyes shot open as he saw Orochimaru bite down into Kyuubi's neck, ripping the side of his neck out painfully slow. His mouth hung open in the position of a scream as he watched in utter horror as his fist beat and tried to push through the barrier. At the last moment the barrier gave way and Itachi stumbled slightly as Orochimaru threw Kyuubi's barely conscious body to the ground. He was laughing in a very amused way as Itachi got on his knees next to the dying Vampire. He was holding Kyuubi's limp body and holding back the cry of anguish in his throat. He hadn't even started official mating rituals with the red head, but he felt a horrid, aching stab in his chest. He loved…him. He loved him so much. "I suggest you say your last words to him now. He won't be alive for much longer." Kabuto quipped and Itachi's claws struck upward, blindly. Kabuto sputtered as he was knocked backwards, a huge gash in his side. It was deep and leaking blood. Orochimaru walked up to his Beta and shook his head.
"I think that wounds a little too serious, even for your healing abilities." Orochimaru shrugged a little and put his hand on Kabuto's head, kneeling down. "Don't worry though." Kabuto's eyes brightened up a little before he realized the hand slowly slinking down to his neck. The silver haired man's eyes widened as Orochimaru snapped his neck, effectively crushing his windpipe and snapping his spine. "With your magic and loyalties, you've become too much of a liability. I can't trust you." Kabuto's body slumped over and Orochimaru stood again, looking over at a different Uchiha, a smaller, more feisty one.
Naruto was trying to bring Sasuke around by licking his face and nudging him with his nose but the Uchiha wasn't responding. He had hit his head hard when he had been thrown by Orochimaru. Sasuke moaned and his eyes cracked open just long enough to see Orochimaru's shadowed body looming over him. "Naruto…Naruto please. Run…" But the blond wasn't fast enough. Orochimaru grabbed Naruto and smirked before throwing him towards Kyuubi and Itachi. Itachi looked towards his little brother and fear seized his heart. Orochimaru threw Sasuke over his shoulder and just started laughing again.
"Since Kabuto's recently…Deceased…Looks like I'm in the market for a new Beta. Yours seems pretty good," Orochimaru said with a smirk. "But if you want to take him back from me…" He threw a piece of paper towards the bewildered Uchiha. "Come and find me!" Orochimaru reached into his pocket before Itachi could even stand, throwing a white, sparkling powder from his pocket onto the ground. When the powder cleared Itachi couldn't speak, he couldn't even breath. Naruto was wailing and flinging himself to the ground where Sasuke's body once laid.
"SASUKE!" Naruto's shrill voice cut through the silence as the wolves all started to disappear with their master. Shino and Sai burst through then, panting, covered in scratched and bite wounds. They were sweating and in their full human forms.
"We're too late…" Sai muttered softly.
Shino stomped his foot on the ground, cursing. He and Sai were so close. They had almost gotten there in time to help and save their Beta. Shino's eyes drifted downward to where Itachi was still on his knees, covered in blood that wasn't his own. Sai's gaze followed and the wolf instantly had to look away from the body his Alpha was holding. Itachi's eyes were glistening with tears. Too much. Orochimaru had already done too much. Itachi couldn't handle what he had done. He had taken his mate, his Beta…What else more could this wolf possibly do to him now?
"Itachi…"The wolf was holding Kyuubi's body, his hand against the red head's neck so that blood would stop pouring from the wound. Itachi's eyes snapped down to his face, taking in those fading blue eyes. Naruto collapsed onto the other side of his brother, tears of loss already burning down his cheeks. "Itachi stop, I'm dying. I won't make it. Not this time. The dead blood…I can't."
"I won't let you die. Not again. I didn't protect you from it the first time, I won't let you go again. We won't get lucky enough for you to pop back out of the grave this time." Itachi cried, not letting actual tears come to his eyes. He couldn't let Kyuubi think that he was going to actually die. He had to keep his façade up, not let his beloved lose hope. Itachi couldn't, he just couldn't. He had to keep strong for Kyuubi at least, when he was okay, Itachi would leave him to go and find Sasuke. He couldn't just abandon him right now.
Kyuubi laughed and then coughed and coughed; more blood staining his lips. "Don't waste your time on me. I already had one foot in the grave since I was reborn. Don't worry about me, worry about your brother…And take care of mine, will you?" Naruto grabbed onto Kyuubi's hand and the red head gave it a gentle squeeze. "Don't let Orochimaru win. Don't let my death be in vein. Protect them Itachi, protect the innocent ones and the ones you love. I cannot do it anymore."
"But I love you…I couldn't even protect you. Forgive me Kyuubi, I-"
Kyuubi reached up and put a finger to his lips. "Don't cry for me Itachi. I would never have made it through all of this without you. Don't allow this to be the straw…I won't let you break. I can't allow you to give up because of me…Leave me Itachi. Go to Sasuke…Find him…" The red head's eyes were slowly closing but they sprung open when a sudden, extremely painful fit of coughing hit him again. Blood was leaking everywhere. There wasn't time anymore. "I always loved you…"
Naruto was choking on the sobs shaking through his body. His brother…His mate. Both of them had been taken from him. And he didn't do anything to save either of them. Kyuubi smiled at Naruto and when Kyuubi pulled his hand back to brush a stray hair from the blond's face, it suddenly fell flat and limp to the ground. Itachi's body was solid as he looked away, not being able to face Kyuubi's death a second time. He couldn't handle all of this…He…
"I'm going to find them." Shino announced as he walked over to his Alpha. "I will go to Orochimaru's lair and I will find them. I won't let him take Kiba and Sasuke without paying the ultimate price. Kyuubi's right. We can't let his sacrifice be for nothing. I…" He paused looking at his Alpha and the mate of his Beta. Both of them, their eyes were cold and dead. So much pain and hatred filling them up. "Take the wolves back home Itachi, bury the dead…Come and find me soon." Shino grabbed the paper Orochimaru had thrown at Itachi's feet and opened it. There was an address written in an annoyingly satisfied scrawl. "As your Gamma, Itachi, I will do anything and everything in my power to make up my absence during your time of need…If I hadn't have been so distracted by losing Kiba and finding that wolf, I could have saved Sasuke…And maybe Kyuubi…Forgive me my Alpha, but I will atone for these losses…" He memorized the contents of the paper and gave it back to Itachi, who seemed slightly more in his right mind. "Come when you are ready, I will try my best to hold Orochimaru off as long as possible."
And with that Shino changed and pursued that cursed wolf into the darkness.
-
Shino was surprised at how quickly he had gotten to the designated cave where Orochimaru was hiding. It didn't smell like the wolf at all and that was probably why they hadn't found him until now. It disgusted Shino that Orochimaru had been under their noses the entire time. He was shaking with rage as he burst through an iron gate, expecting a fight as soon as he entered. There were no guards, no other wolves in sight. He changed back into his human form and found that the front door of the compound was unlocked, as though Orochimaru was waiting for them to come and find him. He was bringing more than just a physical fight now, he was playing with the heart of his Alpha, the heart of his Beta…Everyone. He wouldn't allow Orochimaru to do anymore damage.
He was smooth and silent as he entered and made his way through the compound. He couldn't smell many wolves around and decided it would be best if his presence here barely stirred a ripple. He needed to get in and get out without causing a massive stir within this place. He couldn't take on an army by himself. He hoped Itachi would get a grip on himself…And soon. He wandered into a room with large iron doors and gasped softly to himself. Sasuke was lying across Orochimaru's lap, fully clothed now, a small bandage on his head. The Uchiha was moaning in pain as the large, evil wolf petted his hair, snickering to himself.
Shino didn't bother with letting Orochimaru know he wasn't here. The wolf had been expecting someone anyway, right? The wolf pushed all the way through the doors, allowing Orochimaru's head to snap up towards him. The wolf smirked a little as he picked up the Uchiha in his lap and placed him on the throne he as previously occupying. Orochimaru was clapping a little, seemingly very amused that Shino had come to this place without anyone else. Shino's jaw was locking up and he ran forward, only to be ambushed from all side by a group of four wolves. Shino stopped and looked around him. Sakon and Ukon were in this group and the wolf seemed very pleased with himself.
"This wasn't what I had been expecting. Return to your posts and I will call for you if I need you. I want to speak to this wolf, alone. You understand?" Orochimaru commanded. The wolves, unpleased but still obediently moved out of Shino's way. All four of them dispersed and Shino couldn't help but wonder where they had gone…
His eyes glanced upwards as he took in the other wolf's form. He hadn't changed much from the memories, still haunting and fresh, and to be fair he almost seemed stronger. He seemed wiser, perhaps as well. He had gained much experience from being in hiding for these past few years. It wasn't a complete wonder that he had gained the upper hand on Itachi today. It was more than apparent now he had been watching…He had been waiting. And he found that moment to strike, chip away at Itachi's strength. At first it had been with the pack, which this wolf knew was ready to die for Itachi, and that had created the first dent in his armor. The second and probably the most painful came from Sasuke. Kidnapping him, taking not only Itachi's Beta, but also his little brother…It was like he was trying to make Itachi come to him, barter and exchange for something else. It was a genius move. But that wasn't where it ended either. Shino felt sick as he pictured the scene again…Killing…No, he couldn't think about that because even that struck ice into his very core. Naruto and Itachi both were now…Inconsolable.
But for now, he had his own score to settle with Orochimaru. He knew where Sasuke was and that his Beta was safe so there was only one more wolf left to find…
Shino was glaring now, the heated hatred filling his blood with a new found passionate rage. "Where is Kiba? What have you done with him?"
His laughter was derisive and cold. "I'm not really the one to ask…However, since you were one of my first creations; I suppose I can level with you. How about this? If you can kill Sakon and Ukon, I'll show you where your precious mate is. A little show for me and then a little show for you. Sound fair? I've always wanted to see what the virus has done for you. You were once weak and human...Now you're part of the perfect race. We will rule this world soon."
Shino was silent and scoffed a little, ignoring the statement's ending. He wouldn't give Orochimaru the satisfaction of his opinion on that subject. However, he was a more than happy to oblige his 'creator' in this 'show'. How the tables would turn... "How kind of you to allow me to settle the score. Bring them out and I will show you what the virus you put in my veins has done."
Orochimaru laughed haughtily as Sakon and Ukon reappeared from the shadows. "Yes, show me. Show me why I decided to create you in the first place. And I hope you don't disappoint me."
-
MEOW. I'm done. And I really hope you guys liked this chapter. The next chapter will consist of Shino, Sakon, and Ukon's fight. WOOO. And also the burial of Kyuu and all of those horribly sad things that made me sad.
Kiba: If it makes you sad, then why did you do it?
Me: Remember? I said someone was going to die a while ago. And I'm pretty sure someone would have ripped my arms off if I killed Sasuke or Naruto, or Itachi, or one of the super main characters. Kyuubi was a good choice because, damn, you still feel awful about it when it's all done.
Shino: this better work in my favor. Otherwise it'll be ME who rips your arms off…
Me: Uhh…okay…This was Hitoko-sama.