CHAPTER 2: PRINCESS contract negotiation

Itachi awoke.
He recalled his latest memory. His battle with his brother, then his last one saving those children. He checked his surroundings while sitting up. Strange. Its been forever since he's felt this good. He doesn't feel the pain in his lungs anymore whenever he breathes. Most of all, the improvement in his vision. Now he could see every miniscule detail in the room, every strand of hair in the fine, fur blanket that covered him. Features he couldn't see anymore before unless a few feet away, due to the overuse of his kaleidoscope sharinggan.

Is this the afterlife? So it consisted of a four post bed, red silk curtains, an ornate wall clock and a flat screen…television…
He heard footsteps and wheels of a tray cart approaching the room. A tall maid entered with bust sizes rivalling that of the 5th Hokage's.

''oh my… Pardon me for entering without permission. I thought you were still asleep. Good morning, guest-san~''

''…''

''I am this household's maid. Sawawa Hiyorimi, a pleasure to meet you~'' the maid continued speaking with her sweet tune. ''I brought your clothes. I had them freshly cleaned and dried. I also mended some of the ripped fabric when Flan-chan handed them over for cleaning… I hope you don't mind.''

He noticed that her line of sight is in his exposed abdomen. Only now did he realize hes naked. Thankfully, the lower portion of his body is clothed with some kind of cottony pants, he inwardly sighed in relief. His relief was short.
So its this 'Flan-chan' who changed my clothes while I was asleep… Hes too caught up in feeling so well that he didn't notice his clothes were changed. So he cleared his throat and made his mind work fast again.
Morning? He glanced at the window. It was still dark outside but with the chill in the air, he could feel the arrival of dawn.

''Excuse me but, where am I?'' Sensing no malice from her, he decided to push his luck, hoping this person wouldn't try anything funny, besides the blatant staring. She doesn't seem to be a kunoichi, but all his life taught him to never judge from outward appearance.

''You are in ojou-sama's mansion.'' was the sing-song, vague reply he got. ''Ah! Forgive my manners! Shall I serve you tea? Well then, I'll be taking my leave.'' She didn't wait for his answer when she bowed and turned to go when she greeted someone outside his door. ''Oh hello Flan-chan! Perfect timing, our guest just woke up.''

''Fuga.''

Good. The maid is polite enough to not to ask for my identity. Or maybe she already knows who I am? Anyway, he get to meet this Flan-chan as soon as possible. And erase all memories of this person concerning the sight of him indecent. Remove possible threats of future blackmailing.
His gaze led to a delicate looking girl with the same uniform as the tall maid's, with some metal attached to her head. Is that a screw? She's so young! Probably younger than me when I first awakened my sharinggan…

''Oh, I almost forgot! Ojou-sama orders your presence to join her for breakfast. Flan-chan will lead the way~''

''Fuga.''

Hes sure he's seen her glance one more time at his torso and smiled wider as she left.

''Fuga?''

''Hm? …pardon me, I'll quickly prepare myself.'' Not breaking eye contact with the strange little girl.

''Fuga.'' The little maid stepped out of his room to let himself prepare.

A minute later, just as hes finished wearing his freshly cleaned Akatsuki cloak, the little girl entered with a tray of tea, uttered the same two syllables and waited for him to take it.
He cautiously picked it up and thanked the girl, then sipped his tea after checking it wasn't poisoned or spiked. He looked out the window and saw a wide area of land. The view is hidden by overgrown trees and untrimmed foliage so hes not sure about their topographical location. But the view is proof they're not underground and that's a relief.
The sun hasn't risen yet and the clock's hand shows its 5 am. Too early for breakfast. Or the mistress is just an early riser.

He looked at his worn clothes. They've seen better days. Even the doormat looks better. He finished his tea quickly so as to not to keep the little maid waiting. He is quite hungry too…

Now hes fully ready & went to meet this oujo-sama. He has questions to ask. He followed the little girl out the room, through the spacious mansion and into the 2nd floor's balcony, overlooking the estate's front gate and the view of the city. Based from the numerous streetlights, hes affirmed the mansion is built on top of a hill, and in a populous city.

''Oh, youre finally awake. Took you quite a while.'' The lone person in the balcony greeted, sipping her tea.

A young woman, probably in her teens. He assessed. Blond hair and an unfamiliar style of clothing. And a pair of uncommon eyes for a civilian, if she is one. He tried to speculate from which clan or country she is.

''I know you have questions. Do sit and join me for tea.''

''…'' He complied.

She made a little laughing sound as she met him eye to eye. ''Fufu…such calculating gaze. Fine, I'll start. Are you aware of who I am?''

''No.''

''Then I'll introduce myself. I am a royal princess of the underworld kingdom. And I am the one who brought you back to life. ''

His eyes widened for a fraction at this sudden revelation. '' I was wondering…I should be dead by now. & yet I feel alive more than ever. What did you do?- No. How did you do it?''
It was uncharacteristic of him to be suddenly demanding for answers, but hes always been conscientious about situations unknown to him. Especially if it involves an impossible jutsu that can perfectly bring someone back to life.

Hime is pleased to have finally seen even a bit of emotion on his perfectly stoic face and monotone voice.
''As I have said, I am a princess of the royal family. I have the ability to bring the dead back to life, with a drop of my blood. And you, the receiver of my blood, are now half-immortal.''

''why just half?''

''Fufun…half, because all wounds and any injuries you suffer will be immediately & completely healed. No matter how severe or life threatening. But, as soon as the power of my life-giving blood in you runs out, then you will revert back on being a corpse.''

The princess watched him with fascination. Itachi decided to test it out by biting his thumb like when doing a summoning jutsu. To his astonishment, the flesh repaired itself without him using his chakra to heal it. ''How long till the blood runs out?''

''2 to 3 days. Sometimes it varies.''

''What do I have to do in return?'' he asked. Getting to the point. He knows very well that there is a price to everything.

''You catch on quickly. Im impressed. Receiving my blood makes you my servant. For unlike you, I am not immortal. Well, not yet.

I am currently at war with my siblings, and I must do any means necessary to ensure my survival. As my blood warrior, it is your foremost duty to protect me. But-''
Hime paused. Deeply thinking about what shes going to say before she proceeds, her slender brows furrowed in concentration.
After a few seconds, she continued. ''But, It is true that I have revived you without your permission, and since I am a kind person, I give you this choice. Will you serve me? Or not?''
She gave him a cunning smile.

He is certain that his answer is going to be no. He already decided to end everything by dying in Sasuke's hands. And with his death, he gives him his eyes, so his brother can complete his manggekyo sharinggan, if he ever awakens it, and defend himself from Madara.
Him being alive and well will wreck his life-long plans, it will destroy everything he worked so hard for.

The princess watched the raven-haired man with continued fascination as he struggle with her offer. No doubt a very big turning point of his life. This is the first blood servant shes ever met who has second thoughts on being alive again, she mused. Most would die for the honor of being one, and yet this one is taking too long… This does not please her.

...

To serve? Or not to serve?
To rest or continue living?

His pondering was cut off by a sound of an unfamiliar machine flying from a distance. With blades attached to it and spinning so fast, producing a very, powerful sound that seems to be the only thing keeping it in the air. And also, the sudden appearance of a floating woman wearing another unfamiliar outfit interrupted his line of thought.

''Oh my~ Our guest is finally awake~

He looks so much better now that hes revived!~ don't you think so, Hime-sama~?''

"…"

Itachis not sure whether to comment about the floating woman's revealing black underwear.
She probably deliberately flashes it. Indecent, but a very effective distraction… he thought.
His eyes immediately went back to the princess.

But the princess is even less pleased when she saw his eyes' line of sight before turning to her. If shes hiding her displeasure, shes not doing it well.

''Hmm? Am I interrupting something~?'' sing-songed the floating woman.

''No, you're not. Tell me what you have found out. & as for you?'' She directed this question at him.

He decided that giving his name would be fine. If a princess like her doesn't know who he is or does not even recognize the black and red clouds of the world-wide infamous Akatsuki.
''Itachi. My name is Itachi.''

''Itachi. As proof of my compassion, I'll give you time to think about this. You have 2 days. Reiri, proceed with your report.''

Taking this as dismissal, he made his way to leave after returning the greetings with the floating woman.

''By the way, the princess added, I thank you Itachi, for saving my servant, Hiro.''

He nodded and took off to the trees. Leaving the two women shocked at the incredible feat displayed.

After letting her sight linger a bit in the direction of where the potential servant took off, the princess attended to her vampire friend.

''oh my, oh my~ He's quite the catch, isn't he Hime-sama~? Im surprised that you let such a person go… Didn't you say you were in need of servants? I thought he's just a human when I first saw him, but that jump! Is he a magician? Where did you say you got him from again, Hime-sama~?''

'' You should ask Hiro that... That kid is seriously leading me to more troublesome events….''

''But it turned out to be an interesting event! How cruel of you, Hime-sama~ for not bringing me along… The bitch also said hes defeated an entire army... how powerful he must be…'' She licked her lower lip.

''hmph... A very powerful man indeed. The more powerful, the more dangerous. He has the look of a fighter who doesn't just blindly follows orders from anyone…''

''But wouldn't he be much more useful to you? You think so too, right Hime-sama~?''

Another hmph.
''Ive seen him in action myself. Just before he died. The way that he defeated that whole army, with a strange, destructive power Ive never seen before or heard of, or even read about. Just by himself!
Id rather not be on his bad side. And I doubt id have the capability to control such a person…''

The first rays of the morning sun brightened the horizon.

''Well considered. As expected of you Hime-sama… On with my report then. My scouts investigated the place, there were no signs of any royal interference when we got there. And the black flames, it hasn't stopped burning after we left. But when I tried to enter the realm last night, I was pushed out. And we can no longer find the well. It has disappeared.''

Satisfied with what she heard. She commended her friend, and emitted her signature laugh.

''Fufu… such an interesting event indeed. I'd love to investigate further about his true identity and origins as well… assuming I don't get an arrest warrant by then.''

The princess smiled at the rising sun.
The vampire yawned. ''Well then, if you'll excuse me Hime-sama, Im off to sleep. You know how much my kind hates the morning sun. Good day~''

...

The two ladies went on about each one's respective routine. Unaware of another presence who listened intently throughout their conversation. Ninja habits.

A/N: yah i recently fixed this chapter, for you and your grammar nazi-cism *cough*me familia*cough*
and yie im warning you to prepare your eyes cuz what yall be readin is a bunch of temera no nozomu tokoro da, and im sure temera ga sono hou wa ii... aegesou~? haha
ore wo wakaru hodo ne -w-