A/N: This chapter is more of a history lesson, but I hope you will enjoy it.
A special round of thanks to all the people who reviewed up until now, Your advices, critiques and words of encouragement keep me going. I thank you all!
Also, a big THANK YOU to my Beta snipa who helps me with my grammar, spelling and punctuation problems.
Now, on with the chapter!
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Warm, lively torches lined the cold stone walls. In a mass of gray, the small orange embers seemed the only spot of color present in the cold hallway. The massive stone blocks followed a strict pattern, ending the hall with two large oak doors.
Sounds of merriment could be heard in the eerie, and rather creepy, castle. Inside the spacious dining room were at least fifty men, all clad in colourful velvets and expensive furs. The men were laughing, devouring with gluttony the rich meal their guest provided, and drinking the expensive wine he gave them.
"My Lord," said a chubby man, holding his wine cup sluggishly. "Merry with us! After all, today we celebrate the Holy Easter day, do we not?" His breath held the stench of alcohol while his chubby fingers were greasy from the table's goods.
The Lord stood at the head of the table. His food and drink lay untouched as he scrutinized each and every boyar that presented himself. Looking at him, some would believe he was made out of stone. His sharp features with high aristocratic cheekbones held a grim expression. The only thing tearing him apart from a marble decoration of a newly risen war god were his long, pitch black tresses as well as the neat moustache he had.
He had been advised to be merciful, but how could he? The heathens sitting at the table deserved a more severe punishment that he could ever offer. And they call themselves Christians. Stealing from the poor, gaining wealth on the peasants sweat and backbone. Eating the best meat, drinking the finest drinks and clothing themselves in the most expensive clothes while his people, the people he vowed to protect, starved.
In a swift motion, the dark haired man stood from the table, showing his impressive height. None of them noticed, none stopped from their merriment. Only the deafly silence caused by the lack of entertaining music spiked their attention toward the new leader.
"Voivode Vlad, why so grim? You are our host, let us celebrate in your name and the years you are to rule." the man's voice seemed cheery, but Vlad saw the mischief in his eyes.
They wanted him gone; all of them and if he were to let them be, they would become a menace. He had no intention of ending up like his older brother Mircea here at Targoviste.
Turning slightly, the new voivode of Walachia gave a curt nod to one of his captains before turning fully toward his guests.
"Your words are true boyar Danesti. And I shall merry soon. As soon as my people are fed and my country is free of traitors." a knowing smile spread across his face as he saw his guests gradually becoming less cheerful and more fearful.
"B-But..." uttered the one from the Danesti clan. "My Lord, there are no traitors in Wallachia. We are loyal to you until death, or so our faiths be cruel to us." The man had already begun to sweat like a pig, fear emanating through his every pore.
"Tell me my dearest guests, did you lot swear allegiance to my brother and father the same, before you plotted like rats against them and killed them like cowards? Your betrayal knows no limits my dear guests, but have no fear. I have come here to wash away your sins."
He grinned at the hope that flared in their eyes. "Let the feats begin."
As he clapped his hands, the guards entered the large room, immobilizing every man in the room. "You have been charged with treason against my family and this country. You shall pay in rivers of blood and the span of your lives in labour. Take them away!"
A symphony of screams caressed his eardrums, making him hum in joy.
The traitors shall pay. Thieves and invaders, they will pay for invading a land of free men, they will pay for crossing my will.
The carnage displayed afterwards felt like an homage to the deaths of his father and brother.
He made the young ones watch as the elders screamed their heart out while sharp spikes entered their stomach and exited through their mouths. The younger ones were to travel to the citadel of Poienari and rebuild the fortress. He wanted it done quickly. Manpower wasn't a problem, he had and endless river of sinners and betrayers he could use.
Slowly but surely, everything became foggy, the faces became blurry, the noises mangled.
Alucard awoke from his sleep at sundown. His dream bothered him, sending unknown feelings through his dead body. It felt strange to remember his mortal days. At that time, he was a ruler of men, fighting with the Turks for the freedom of his country.
Sometimes he wondered if anything changed over time...
For a few moments, his thoughts travelled to the blond kunoichi residing inside the mansion. He grinned like a maniac remembering Integra had a mission prepared for the two of them tonight.
What and interesting night this will be.
Three solid knocks brought Ino's attention toward the door. She put aside the scroll she had been working on and headed toward the noise. As she opened the portal, a polite smile appeared on her face.
"Ah, Walter, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
The butler gave her a small courtesy bow and answered kindly. "Miss Ino, I have brought you your supplies of silver senbon and I took the liberty of creating a little gadget for you."
"Walter, I already told you, I don't want to use guns." A frown appeared on her pretty face as she saw that the man continued to smile.
"Have no worry miss Ino, I believe you will enjoy it." As he spoke, Walter entered the room and placed a wooden casket on the table.
As Walter opened the box, Ino's eyes grew larger. The weapon inside looked like a bow, although it was smaller. The rest of the weapon's body seemed to be for support. It looked magnificent, beautiful, deadly.
"Walter..." she said in an awed tone. "what is it? I have never seen a weapon like this!"
A small chuckle could be heard from the old retainer. Of course she does not know what it is! Foolish old man...
"This, miss Ino, is called a crossbow. Let me explain how you use it." He took the weapon from the casket and fixed it on his arm.
"As you can see, the support is meant to keep the bow on your arm, so you may shoot the target with ease. The trigger is positioned at the end of the support. All you have to do is flex your fingers, and the arrow is released with the force of a bullet." He took the arrows out of the casket and gave them to her for examination.
"The tip of the arrow is made out of silver and they have been soaked in holly water. The arrow body is made out of a light, but strong, metal. I took it upon myself to modify the crossbow's model, making it more.... automatic. To put it simple, this weapon is the machine gun of crossbows."
Ino was mesmerized. She was already thinking of ways to bend her ninja knowledge with her new toy. Happy beyond comparison, the young girl gave a delighted squeak and latched herself on the butler's neck.
"Thank you Walter! Thank you so much! This is a great gift! Thank you, thank you thank you!!"
Blushing at the attention, the elderly retainer slipped out of her embrace with his dignity intact. "Miss Ino, there is one more thing before I leave you with your new toy. Sir Integra awaits you in her office."
When Ino opened the door to Integra's office, she was determined to show he boss she could be the epitome of politeness and loyalty. Following every order. All went well until her sky blue eyes saw a man dressed in a long, red trench coat. She snickered and huffed all the way to Integra's large desk, forgetting all about polite salutes and following orders.
With a loud 'hmph' and a wave of her hair in a gesture that shower superiority, Ino took a seat on a chair near the desk and proceeded to ignore the master vampire seated a few feet next to her.
"Integra-sama..." she spoke in a whiny voice. "what is he doing here?"
Astonished at first, annoyed later, Integra lit another cigar. "Yamanaka Ino!" her commanding voice left no room to argue. "You are a solider of Hellsing and a guest in my house! I will not tolerate such words in my presence! You are to work with my servant, or whomever I wish to, without question! I don't care about your personal likes and dislikes, understood?"
Ino could swear she was at least three times smaller. Talking about resemblance to Tsunade.... She nodded slowly, afraid to rile up the woman once more.
"Yes sir!"
Somewhere in the background, Alucard grinned satisfied.
"Good!" She stumped the cigar furiously, watching both occupants with a mischievous glee in her eyes. "Your next mission has a double role. I realized that the two of you have poor teamwork with each other."
"Master, with all do respect, I do not need team work. I work alone." A mocking bow accentuated his words. With the tip of his eye he saw his Master twitch in annoyance.
Annoyed was an understatement. She was pissed off at their lack of understanding. Slapping her hands on the table, the Hellsing's Iron Maiden blazed with fury. "I care not of your ways, vampire! You must learn to work together for the greater good! You must learn to try and not harm or kill each other! Understood?"
Ino gave a short nod and gulped in slight fear, while Alucard's grin grew even wider as he bowed.
After calming her spirit down for a bit, Integra lit another cigar. "This mission is of major importance for England and the Queen. Denmark asked for England's help regarding a ghoul infestation problem. You will take the plane right away. You will arrive in Copenhagen, and from there a guide will take you to Odiskive. My orders are clear: Search and destroy! May God and you Majesty be with you."
After packing all of her weapons, scrolls and exploding tags, Ino was in front of the mansion, waiting for her companion.
Mission with Alucard, great, I bet I'll have so much fun. Even she was surprised at how sarcastic she sounded.
Oh shut up girl! The familiar voice of her inner self interrupted her not so happy thoughts. Instead of mopping around and creating gruesome scenarios of how you two might kill each other, you could at least try to know the guy!
Ino stopped for a moment to listen to her inners words. Know him? The moment flew by like it never came and the girl began laughing out loud like a maniac. That's a good one! Damn, if I knew that you were so funny, I would have kept you a long time ago!
She was about to start explaining to her inner why there was no need to try and know a mad bastard like Alucard, when a velvet voice interrupted.
"Do tell me Blondie, what is it that you find so amusing?" Long, red trench coat, orange glasses and a red fedora, Alucard was equipped from head to toes.
A scowl replaced her once merry face as Ino looked away from the tall vampire.
"None of your business! Let's go."
The car ride was more than boring, and Ino's tongue was itching for conversation. She tried to count the trees as they passed by, but soon got bored. She tried to practice her chakra control, but soon got bored of that too, plus it attracted Alucard attention since "it brought power to her blood.". So, all Ino had to do now was stare into empty space; an activity that made her get even more bored.
With the tip of her eye she glanced at the man seated in front of her. The limo was large, so they managed to end up at completely opposite sides. He was quietly sipping from a glass, his crimson gaze lost in a sea of memories. To her he looked almost.... peaceful.
"What are you thinking of?" the words slipped past her lips without her even realizing.
Her voice awoke him from his daze, the memories of his life slipping away far into the subconscious once more. "What's with the curiosity, Blondie?"
"I..." she stopped for a moment. Why an I curious? Do I really agree with my inner crazy part? Well, it won't kill anyone if I try....at least I hope so. "I thought that since we are stuck on this mission together, we should at least get to know each other..."
His glasses slipped on his nose, marking the vampire's interest. "Oh? You, want to know me? The monster?" He grinned at her, showing his sharp canines. "What would you want to know?"
Amazed that he would give information about himself so freely, Ino began to slowly feel the bubbling feeling of joy. Finally, I'll get to know more.
"Tell me of your life when you were alive."
He was stunned for a few seconds. Surprised that she asked of something he was thinking about earlier. The memories began to flood his mind once more as the 'No Life King' remembered the ups and downs of his mortal life. He blinked a couple of times, regaining his grin in the process.
"I see little Blondie is interested in history."
"I see you are a total jerk and can't appreciate when someone acts friendly toward you." the girl said with a huff, sharply turning her head in the other direction with her nose high in the air.
The vampire looked at the frail woman sitting before her. To his eyes, the resemblance was striking. Her almost pale skin, the rosy cheeks she had when embarrassed. The long, blond hair and striking blue eyes. Their character sometimes had similarities, but if he were to look deeper, the woman before him was far more complex.
Why do you bring the ghosts of my past back to the surface?
"I died at the end of December, year 1476, assassinated by traitors. It's been 523 years since then. " His soft words, rimmed with nostalgia captured Ino's attention.
"I was a ruler of men, born from rulers of men, fighting for freedom."
As he spoke, memories, faces he had long forgotten, came back to him as the events of his mortal life surfacer in his mind. Somehow, he felt the need to tell her. It was not out of the need to be understood, but to make her understand he was not a man to toy with.
Before he managed to speak once more, the car stopped, signaling their arrival to the airport. Without saying a word, Alucard opened a dark portal, slipping out of the car through his shadows.
A bit puzzled, Ino quickly got out of the car and sprinted toward the plane. As she entered the medium sized aircraft, she saw Alucard seated on one of the comfy futons, a glass of something in his hand.
"Would you care for a glass of whine?" his hat and glasses were gone, and Ino could see his crimson gaze measuring her.
"No thank you." a gap of silence followed. She took a seat in front of him, waiting for something.
Minutes passed. Eventually, Ino couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Tell me more."
With a smile, Alucard lowered his glass and regarded the woman before him. "You know Blondie, this information is personal, so I won't give it without something in return."
Blue eyes widened in shock.
The vampire could practically imagine how the tiny wheels in her brain worked to find a way out of this. But there was no way. She would either agree with his terms, or give up the information she so desires. He knew her choice already.
"What are your terms?"
"Ah... making a deal with the Devil, are you sure? All I want, my dear Blondie is to know of your life as well."
Ino weighed his proposition for a few moments. Something deep inside her mind told her she should say no, but he had already thrown the bait in the car, and she took it. The curiosity was killing her. All he asked was for me to return the favor.... seems OK to me...
"Fine, I agree."
If possible, Alucard's grin widened even more.
"Then I shall begin. My mortal name was Vlad the third Dracul, or Vlad Tepes as I was later called. I was born in what now is Romania, in the citadel of Sighisoara, Transilvania in 1431. At the age of five I was initiated in the Order of the Dragon. I was taught in the art of war since I learned to walk, and my father was not quite the easiest teacher to have around. The first execution I ordered was around that time too. I still remember screams of the traitor as the stake plunged through his internal organs."
He made a short pause, careful to let the image of a young boy ordering and watching the execution print inside her mind.
"At the age of seven, my father sold me and my brother to the Ottoman sultan."
"What? How could he do something like that? You were his flesh and blood!" the indignation present on her face was of no surprise to Alucard. He knew she wouldn't understand.
"Understand, Blondie, those were bloody times. At that time I hated my father for what he did to me, but afterwards I understood it was for the good of his country, for the good of Wallachia." He stopped for a few moments, giving her time to adjust with the concept, then continued in a serious voice.
"My father became the sultan's vassal, and Radu and I were taken hostages. For ten years, I was tortured and raped by the future sultan, Mehmed the second. After ten years, Mehmed placed me on the throne of Wallachia as a puppet ruler, thinking I would serve him. I fled to Moldavia and took refuge with my uncle, Bogdan the second. A few years later, my plan began. I went to Hungary, and through my intelligence and hatred for the Ottoman Empire, I became the regents advisor. Later I regained the throne of Wallachia, and was named prince. That was when my plan truly revealed itself. When I came to throne, Wallachia was in a state of chaos. A constant state of war had led to rampant crime, falling agricultural production, and the disappearance of trade. I restored the order, inspiring fear with gruesome executions. By the time I restored the order, people were drinking water from the fountain with golden goblets."
Ino watched mesmerized as the vampire before she spoke. "Is that it? What happened to the Ottoman Empire? Did they leave you alone?"
Surprised with her curiosity and the attention he was getting, Alucard laughed. To Ino's ears, the laugh was different, less insane and almost joyful. "The rest is another tale for another time."
Unwillingly, she smiled. However, inside her mind, Ino felt sorry for the man before her. He had a harsh life, and she didn't condemn him for his deeds. He wanted freedom and justice to his people, things that in her mind gave her a reason to think there was more to him beneath the insane bloodthirsty, sadistic monster.
"I think you don't give enough credit to yourself, Alucard. And I also think that you are more than what you show."
Once more the No Life King stared at her in shock. The shock passed soon, allowing a crude laugh to take its place. "Blondie, you are too gullible. By believing a monster can be human... you risk a lot."
She had no witty comeback for his words.
Ino realized she was walking on a double edged sword. She felt compassion for him, but the real question was, would he accept her compassion? Does he want to be saved? She knew from personal experience, that just feeling sorry for someone and wanting to make it all better, wasn't enough. Trying to fix things for your own egoistic purposes was no better than doing bad things. You can't force healing to someone that doesn't want to be cured. So what to do?
Do I actually want to look for a trace of humanity within him? He never showed any, so why would I think there is?
She was a doctor that yearned to heal, but would her curiosity make her want to be a soul healer? Would she force atonement to someone who didn't desire it?
Maybe he is a monster, just like he always claims....A heartless demon bound to this world only by the thirst for blood. But if he is a monster, then what of Seras? She's more innocent than me, even though she's just like him, a creature of the night. What defines a monster?
Ino's trail of thought was interrupted by the landing of the plane. Anxious to get this mission over with, Ino quickly got out. She noticed the rising sun and sighed.
He's not at full capacity during daytime....great.
She saw him get out of the plane, glasses and hat in place. "So..." she begun in a bored voice. "I guess we'll take shelter for the day."
He didn't bother to answer her suspicion as he walked past her with silent steps.
A lonely figure stood on top of the church tower. It was a good observation point and the creatures couldn't reach him there.
Everything was new to him in this intriguing world. As he pondered his situation for a moment, he began to wonder if the inhabitants of this world weren't the creatures he encountered while entering the town.
He had to leave the town, find refuge somewhere else. But first, he needed to bring his chakra to a normal level or he was bound to die in the next week.
His dark tresses fluttered in the morning wind as his dark eyes scrutinized the area. His clothes were mere rags, torn from the many torture sessions. Scars peeked through the rags, accompanied by some unhealed wounds here and there. He tried as best as he could to keep them from infecting, but he had to find medical help nonetheless.
Leaving all of this behind, food, or better said, lack of food was his biggest problem. He hadn't eaten in almost a week and his body was showing it. His figure had turned bony, ribs sticking out, showing the damages made by lack of nutrition.
As smooth as he could, Sasuke jumped from his observation point to the streets below. Using all his stealth, he travelled to the nearest building that appeared to have food.
Soon Ino and her vampire companion were in a first class hotel room.
Alucard's coffin stood proudly in the middle of the living. Obviously, inside the coffin, the vampire took his day sleep, giving Ino enough time to get bored.
Alucard's story spiked her curiosity to unimaginable heights. How was he as a mortal? How did he live? How he died? Did he fought for his country with as much passion as he claims? All these questions, and a dozen of others, plagued her mind.
Have a little peek! The mischievous voice of her inner persona cooed. Come on, he won't know, he's sleeping! A peek won't hurt, and you'll satisfy that curiosity of yours. Go on... do it!
The idea appealed to her in many ways. I won't stay long...just a peek....
She neared the coffin, gently touching the words inscribed on the lid: "The bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame."
Her slender fingers lingered on the sentence. "I wonder what it means...."
With her enhanced strength she carefully removed the lid, allowing her to see his face.
So peaceful...
She quickly made the hand signs and in less than a few seconds the shinteshin no jutsu was performed.
At first it was dark. At first she lived with the impression that his mind was like every other she had entered. Her hopes were soon crashed to oblivion.
At least a thousand voices roared in her ears as countless tormented souls reached their hands to grab her. She struggled, trying to set herself free from their grasp, winching as their bloody hands touched her body. Her scream was overpowered by their pained moans. Soon panic installed.
Ino was just about to cancel the jutsu when the sound stopped. Their hands stopped dragging her further into the abyss as the souls stepped away from her in a deadly silence. Confused, Ino looked into the darkness. She could hear the clinging of armor followed by heavy steps. Someone was coming. Was it her salvation, or her doom?
"A new one, is it?" The voice sounded a bit rough, even if it still kept it's velvety inflexions.
Blue eyes squinted further as her vision became accustomed with the dark. She could see a tall silhouette clad in heavy armour. As he stepped further, Ino distinguished his long, dark hair, but his face remained shadowed and above recognition.
"Actually, I'm not here to stay..."Her voice, though she wanted it to sound convincing, sounded small and frightened.
"Are you? That's strange....No one has left before..." The mysterious man took another step forward, revealing his face to the newcomer.
A gasp of terror left her lips. Blue eyes widened to their limit as Ino stared at the man before her.
"A-A-Alucard?"
She was dead. He saw her and now he knew she tried to sneak inside his mind. Panic filled her brain. Slowly, as to not attract unwanted attention, she began to raise her hands to do the release sign needed to get away.
A large hand grabbed her wrists and squeezed gently as the girl before him began to shake in panic. "You must confuse me. I'm not him, just part of who he is."
"W-What?" Slowly, the logic part of her brain reawakened. "Then... who are you?" She gently extracted her wrists from his large hand, amazed the man allowed her.
"My name is Vlad. I was once known as voivode Vlad Tepes." With royal courtesy, the man took a small bow, capturing her hand in his and gently kissed her knuckles. "And you are?"
Ino blushed at the gesture, unaccustomed with such manners form a man that had the spitting image of the bloodthirsty vampire who was currently sleeping. Stupid, of course he looks just like him! He said so himself that he used to be Vlad when he was alive!
"My name is Ino."
"So, Ino," he said as he straightened up "since you're not here to stay, why are you here?"
Since all the panic disappeared form her mind, Ino was able to give him a cheeky smirk. "I want to get to know you better."
"Is it me you wish to know, or him?"
"He was you. You must first get to know the past to understand the present, right?"
A deep chuckle was his answer. "Tell me Ino, what do you wish to know?"
"Everything."
"I can do nothing but obey the request of such a beautiful woman. Follow me."
She watched as he turned and began walking through the darkness. She watched him in admiration, wondering why is it that Alucard wasn't more like him. What made him change, or, did he change at all? After all, Vlad had been a brutal, bloodthirsty ruler. Wasn't Alucard the same? What marked the difference between Vlad and him, what made him change and leave his former self behind somewhere in the depth of his subconscious?
The questions plagued her mind, none finding an answer. However, upon watching the man before her, Ino realized he was a wolf clad in sheep clothing. He wasn't less brutal then Alucard, only more human, and thus equally dangerous.
"This is where we stop. I have left all the memories from my past there. You will find everything you need. Although, are you sure you want answers to your questions?"
Ino blinked, wondering why he grinned in a way not to different from his vampire counterpart. "That, is for you to wonder, and for me to know."
She took a step toward the door, her hand lingering for a moment as she looked at him one more time. Dark eyes watched her intently, daring her to move back, to retreat. That was the only impulse Ino needed as the pushed the door open with confidence and took a step inside.
Everything happened in flashes.
A young boy, chained in a room, tortured to an unbearable extent. He never cried, he never begged. Numerous victims on a plain of spiked with death as it's caretaker. She saw him fight with bravery, sending his enemies into oblivion. Even when the chances were too slim to be noticed, he fought for the freedom of his country tooth and nail, protecting his lands from the ottoman's.
She saw him betrayed, and she saw him punish the ones that betrayed him. She saw him merry, and please the women that loved him. She saw a bit of the abused and abandoned child, of the fierce ruler, of the brave warrior, of the passionate lover, of the brutal king. She saw a bit of each, wrapped up in what would become the base of his future existence.
In a way it overwhelmed her, making her head hurt, making her regret for trespassing his memories, his secrets. But curiosity drove her forward. It was like a drug and she wanted it all, she wanted to know everything.
With cautious steps, Ino walked toward the most guarded door. Iron locks as big as her skull kept the massive doors shut. What was so important to him that he kept hidden so well? It was so deep in the subconscious that she wondered if he even knew of it's existence anymore.
Gently, she tugged on the lock and it seemed to shatter into her hands. She opened the door like it was something sacred as her senses strained to their maximum. All she had to do know was take a step inside.
A brutal yank tore her from the door. She felt her body being pulled against her will as she rapidly began to lose control over the jutsu. In a flash she was back in her body, nursing a heavy head ache and facing a very angry vampire.
The said vampire was growling like a hellish beast, fangs lengthened in deadly sharpness. His large hands held her shirt in a vice grip, lifting the kunoichi off the floor like she was weightless.
"What have you done?!" venom dripped from his angry words, bringing moisture to her eyes.
"I-I..." her voice seemed lost at the betrayal she could see into his eyes.
"You sneak upon me while I sleep, like a soulless traitor!!" He shook her form, like the answers he was seeking would fall from her with the motion.
"No!" she cried out in despair. Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Silence! Do not dare to speak to me after you defiled my trust!" His anger was reaching insane heights and he found a hard time resisting the urge to tear her to pieces.
"Wait, No! I only wanted to know you better, know who you once were and what you've been through!" clear, salty droplets began to fall from her blue eyes as Ino's voice choked with each word. "I didn't mean any harm, I just wanted to know. I'm sorry Alucard."
He saw her tears and his chest tightened. The image of a blond beauty with long tresses and sky blue eyes came back into his mind, pleading him with her tearful eyes and soft voice. "I'm sorry Vlad..." His grip grew slack, allowing the kunoichi to fall onto the floor into a heap. He watched her, willing the image to go away. "Leave."
Alucard watched as the girl quickly left the room, tears still flowing freely from her eyes. He fell on a nearby chair with a sigh. Inside his mind a pair of blue eyes seemed to scold him. He frowned. She deserved it! She had entered his mind, violating his memories in her curiosity. She had betrayed his trust with her actions, and she deserved it.
Didn't you do the same thing? Questioned a voice deep inside his head. Didn't you violate her memories by drinking her blood and seeing her life? How is it that you are any different?
"Silence!" his hand banged on the table to make his order clear. How could a voice inside his head dare to question his actions. Yes, he did see all of her memories, but it wasn't the same as what she did!
And even with these thoughts, the No Life King's features saddened as an unusual thought crawled inside his mind. Was I too harsh?
The thought left as soon as it came. The full moon peeked from a curtain of clouds. "Such a wonderful night..." An insane grin came to his lips as he stepped outside, ready to blaster the freaks into oblivion.
Ino ran. She ran to get away from him, ran to vent away her feelings. She was near the infested town now, only a wide plain keeping her apart from it.
What did I do wrong? Why does he have to act like that? She was outraged by his behaviour, though deep inside she knew he had every reason to be angry. Now that she knew a bit more about him, Ino understood that betrayal was the thing he loathed most. However, that didn't stop her from being angry with his behaviour.
She could still remember the last thing her eyes got to see before she had been brutally pulled from his mind, and it made her a bit uneasy. The long, blond hair kept in two thick braids, the warm, loving blue eyes and the smile planted on her rosy lips.... Who was that woman? And why... why is it that she looked like me?
Her trail of thought was brutally interrupted by a presence. Somewhere at the edge of her senses, Ino felt a chakra signature. How can this be? It felt familiar, though she couldn't quite place it. "Who?..."
She began to run toward the source, each step making the signature grow stronger. "Who could it be?"
What am I doing here? What do I do in this Hellish world? What is my purpose now? How do I get back? Questions swarm in his mind, giving the last Uchiha a massive headache. The last Uchiha... how ironic...
A breeze gently shifted his hair, bringing with it the smell of fresh grass and... Chakra signature! His head snapped forward, looking for the owner.
Somewhere in the distance, a silhouette stood, the wind blowing her long hair in a golden river. Her blue eyes were as hard as steel and as cold as ice, mouth set in a firm line. "Uchiha scum."
Squinting his eyes and stretching his senses, Sasuke was able to realize who the person was. His eyes widened. "Yamanaka Ino." She seemed stronger, her chakra felt denser, more secure and powerful than their last encounter. "So you survived..."
All it took was a sudden movement from him. The nodachi blade was unsheathed with a promise of death. She moved like lightening, covering the distance in a few moments and charged with a feral cry. "DIE, TRAITOR!!"
A/N: I hope you liked it! tell me what you think.
So that everything is made clear. Some of you might know, some might not, but I'll say it anyway. everything regarding the history part about Vlad Tepes is true. Even the mystery woman existed. If you are curious, I could give you some links, but I don't think it would do you any good since most of them are in Romanian.
Anyway, I want your opinion on how everything is doing and if needed a bit of advise in order to improve my style.
Thank you all for sticking with me. your Reviews are my fuel!!
Love,
Ity