Trigger warning: blood, scenes of torture, death and sex

"Are you trying to decimate any semblance of control I possess?"

Smirking impishly, she pressed a single lingering kiss to her lover's lips before continuing with her walk to the gardens, fully aware of his heated stare following the sway of her hips. It took him an extra moment of appreciating Sakura from behind for Gaara to join her, quietly informing her of the humans being ready for their so-called business meeting. They were compelled to be obedient and under the protection of his siblings until needed, just on the off chance her clan couldn't control their urges.

"Sakura."

They finally came to a halt by the oversized glass doors and windows that opened up to the terrace, brightening what was once an elegant ballroom. It was the only room most of her clan couldn't enter during the day due to the lack of curtains or protection from the sun – a purposeful move on her part, for it allowed Sakura to appreciate the vast expanse of land that oftentimes brought her great peace alone.

"You have it?" she asked of Mitsuki, his nod bringing forth a pang of unease as she noted his concern and hesitance to hand the vial over.

The scent was unmistakable to a being as old as he was, causing Gaara's eyes narrowed fractionally. "Vervain."

"A necessary evil," Sakura murmured to them both. It was partly to remind herself also as she accepted the vial and swallowed hard, though allowed herself to be distracted and hesitate once more when Ino returned to her side with a flick of her hair over her shoulder. They'd already decided she would remain by her side for the meeting. "I can't take any chances."

"You've got this," her righthand encouraged, nodding once.

But Gaara caught her arm just as Sakura moved to shot the vial of liquified vervain, expression cold. "You can't be compelled while my blood is in your system."

Don't put yourself through unnecessary pain.

There were too many who could overhear their conversation and it had her holding back in sharing all as Sakura knowingly tapped her ear, reminding Gaara of that fact. It was only when he released her with an agitated sigh that she mouthed, "It was weak, but they can still compel me."

All anger vanished as he straightened, troubled attention drifting to the garden.

That time, she was the one holding him back as Sakura caught his arm, warning, "I have a plan, however." Glancing to the other two with raising eyebrows, she added without making a sound, "Just follow my lead."

"They're almost here," Mitsuki interrupted just as Ino went to question her.

No time to waste.

Like that day in the bar, the effects of ingesting vervain were instantaneous, and it stunned Sakura when her legs buckled beneath her, forcing Gaara to steady her before it became too obvious. Pure agony blistered its way down her throat and plummeted to her gut, leaving Sakura to try and mask her gasps and coughs when it had her spluttering. If she likened the vervain to anything, it was bleach. It felt like she'd guzzled litres of undiluted bleach.

Without a moment of hesitation, Gaara was biting down on his wrist and offering it to her, gaze dark and demanding as he shoved it closer.

But Sakura shook her head even as those damned urges demanded she caved. "Later," she rasped, forcing her demon eyes to deactivate. Already, she was beginning to heal, albeit slower than usual. "I need to build up a tolerance."

"They're here."

Noticing movement at one end of the garden, she looked to Mitsuki with a frown and demanded herself to rein in her composure. The others would already know she'd ingested vervain – that or they would assume somebody had forced it upon her – but they wouldn't know the whole plan.

"I'll need you out there afterwards," she quietly told the young warlock.

"Hence the humans," noted Ino, sighing. "You're trying to keep Sasuke's thirst under control."

"Sakura-chan!"

"Wait for my signal," Sakura instructed and handed the vial back to Mitsuki, thanking him with her eyes for agreeing with the decisions.

All four of them were in attendance and she offered a coy smile while leaving the mansion with Ino and Gaara flanking her, amused eyes immediately drawn to the furious stare of Uchiha Sasuke.

Of course, Sakura already knew exactly what his problem was. Thanks to the linking spell, he too was on the receiving end of the scalding agony inflicted by the vervain. Like herself, it was still burning demandingly in his gut. She wondered why he held back with the accusations and insults he so clearly wanted to hurl at her, however.

The weather was working in her favour as it brought out the vibrancy of the gardens that she and Ino adored, and Sakura chose to barely grace the others attention as she strode to the balcony where Itachi stood calmly, his back to them all.

Now that he was out of the prison, he'd returned to his well-fitted suits and overall smart appearance, and Sakura allowed herself a moment to admire the broad shoulders that dominated her past until she was by his side. If she wasn't careful, the image threatened to throw her mind back into the past and their memories. They'd spent many peaceful mornings together admiring the sunrise on that very same balcony.

"Not much has changed," came his quiet admission as he looked out at the serene land, expression wistful. Humming at her telling pause and the response of those behind them, Itachi glanced to Sakura from the corner of his eye, adding softly, "Besides the ownership, of course."

He could no longer enter what was once their home.

Squaring her shoulders, she copied his previous example of staring out at the freshly mowed gardens, attention drifting to the water feature. "I'm sure you understand my reservations with inviting you all inside."

Mitsuki.

"Of course," Itachi allowed.

"Why continue to stay here?" questioned Naruto curiously, just as invasive as he'd been in the prison and completely uncaring for those who shot warning glances his way. "Wouldn't you want a fresh start?"

Sakura scoffed at that and turned her back on the garden to lean against the stone barrier that boasted intricate patterns – although thrice her age, the wear and tear was relatively minute and gave off a more gothic vibe to the mansion. Her attention was first drawn to the intrigue in Gaara's eyes as he admired the ease in which she stood beside Itachi, then to Ino who was purposely avoiding glancing in Sasuke's direction.

Finally, she returned to looking to Naruto and told him simply, "I stay here because this is my home. I'm not giving a place like this up."

"Even if it means living with your past–"

"You have quite the obsession with the inner-workings of Sakura's mind," commented Gaara, sparing the blond a glance that only she seemed to notice was protective.

But Naruto was all grins and cheerfulness. Helping himself to a seat at the large glass table and whistling appreciatively at the choice of alcohol awaiting them, he poured himself and Sasuke a glass each, handing it over. She didn't comment on the rudeness of it – alcohol was a great way of dulling the cravings for blood and she knew that was Naruto's way of supporting his lover (which happened to support her too, so she couldn't really complain).

"Living with my past… Not much has changed because there's great character in older, original buildings," Sakura told the hybrid with a roll of her eyes. "You're also assuming that my past life here was unpleasant – it wasn't. I don't hold any unpleasant memories here."

With his back to the others, she noticed Itachi's expression soften somewhat.

"I don't plan to make any either," she announced to them all. Using that as the starting point of their meeting, she gestured to the table and waited until Sasuke and Shisui were seated at either side of Naruto before approaching it herself. While passing the now seated Ino, she offered her righthand woman a discreet encouraging squeeze as she bravely sat opposite Sasuke. "That's why I invited you all here."

Snorting at that, Sasuke quietly demanded, "You think a nice home will keep us on our best behaviour?"

"It better," came Ino's cool warning. Her eyes were fixed on his with an unmoving steeliness, jaw set and just itching for a reason to snap. "Or didn't your parents teach you any manners?"

"Ignore him. He's grouchy due to the cravings," sighed Shisui. He leaned back comfortably in his seat and looked to Sakura appreciatively, telling her, "This is what I was hoping for when arranging our first meeting back at the bar."

It wasn't Itachi who chose the spot?

She quietly thanked Gaara as he pulled out a chair for her, though was unable to ignore the warmth he brought to life by remaining behind her protectively. Even with all her reassurances, it became obvious to Sakura that he was still worried about the vervain weakening her. As she'd always known when it came to her lover, no matter how callous he could be, he would never allow her to be at risk. He was covering for the weakness she forced on herself.

Throat still tender from the vervain, Sakura gratefully accepted the glass of whisky from Ino, hoping that it could at the very least mask the godawful taste.

"Well? Are you joining us, Itachi?" she requested, though didn't look over her shoulder. It was only once Itachi was sitting opposite her at the other end of table that Sakura decided to get stuck into the meeting, murmuring, "I know that Madara is still here in Konoha. Know that I plan on going after him and anyone working with him."

Sasuke straightened at that, snapping, "You think we have a choice when it comes to working with him?"

"I don't care," she told him simply, raising a challenging eyebrow.

The rest of that damned clan didn't mean a thing to her. She'd only ever met Obito, Fugaku and Mikoto once – burned them all to a crisp during that same meeting and would happily give them a repeat performance if they pushed her. Moreover, their connections to Itachi didn't mean anything and she could tell by the acceptance in his expression that he was at peace with her decision too.

At the end of the day, they were all grown ass men and women. They could fend for themselves just as they'd made countless agonising decisions that fucked the rest of them over, including their own damned children.

"The safety of Konoha has to remain my priority – we haven't spent the past fifty years raising this town from the ashes to have Madara assert his dominance over us all again," she informed them though ensured to hold Itachi's gaze above all others, knowing that realistically, he held the greatest power over them. "We will go to war and use whatever means necessary to protect it. Moreover, we have the hunters on our side and they will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of the humans."

Ino finished her drink and lowered the glass to the table, adding softly, "Just so you know, our witches can sense all movements any original makes in this town, so we'll know if you rat us out to them too."

It left the trio limited in their choices as they stripped control away from them and Sakura allowed the coldness of their reality to settle in as she sat back in her seat, relishing the hands that briefly ran along her shoulders. They silently informed her she was doing well, that she had them seriously contemplating the pros and cons of siding with her.

However, Sakura was not naïve – wasn't even much of an optimist nowadays either. Sincere loyalty was going to be extremely rare if not downright impossible.

That didn't mean she would stop trying, though. Wedging herself into that gap was a must, as was exploiting their differences with the older members of the clan. Itachi's in particular, but Sasuke had received plenty of reasons to turn his back on the others too. The latter would be harder to seduce to their side, but that was where his helpless guard dog came into the mix. As for Shisui… Admittedly, he was a mystery and certainly one Sakura would never be one hundred percent about. But she knew he cared dearly for Itachi and Sasuke. That was good enough for now.

"This meeting is purely to offer you guys an out," she admitted, holding Itachi's contemplative gaze.

"Is that so?"

Having expected their lack of trust, Sakura revealed her own and stated, "I'm willing to overlook our past and the wrongdoings between us. However, I'm not an idiot – I learned from said past." She straightened in her seat and slipped one leg over the other, raising an eyebrow. "I don't trust easily. I would rather you all performed one of your disappearing acts rather than risk being stabbed in the back."

"The linking spell–"

"Will remain," Sakura took great pleasure in telling Sasuke, smirking at his growl of annoyance. "You said yourself that you'll kill me the moment it's undone."

"Don't take it personally," Naruto tried, grinning. "Sasuke always says he's gonna kill people."

"Except he's proven to follow through with those threats," argued Ino with a wavering patience. "Don't be so blinded by your feelings that they allow you to look away from what he really is." At the clenching of his jaw, her righthand woman pushed harder and with a coldness entering her tone, warning, "And if the spell is undone one day, rest assured I will stand in your way. You won't get near Sakura."

Scoffing at the threat that clearly went over his head, Sasuke sat back arrogantly and offered Ino a cruel smirk that revealed the very same fangs that had ended the lives of all those she cared for.

But he was interrupted before he could respond, much to Sakura's gratefulness. The blonde could only be pushed so far before sensationally losing her temper and right now, they needed to remain calm and rational. She needed those guys on their side, even if it meant having the devil's reincarnation with them.

"As I have previously told you," Itachi spoke up and over his brother, bringing all attention to him. "The ways to kill an original are extremely limited. You do not have the means to go after Madara. He will kill you."

Being one of the oldest vampires in existence, Sakura knew that Itachi wasn't exaggerating. Madara was unfathomably strong and that was without taking his strategic mind and seasoned fighting skills into consideration – during the era he grew up in, wars ravaged the lands and made it so only the strongest survived. She knew not to go into their own battle for territory and revenge overly confident.

"Although a permanent death for that bastard would be preferable, there are other ways to subdue him," she announced impishly and smirked at the narrowing of his eyes. "Those nifty daggers of yours are inspirational."

"You will only be able to keep him down for so long with magic," warned Shisui.

"Long enough to drop him into the deepest parts of the ocean," Sakura shot back. She could sense Gaara's proud and cruel smirk as he leaned forward on the backrest of her seat, warming her shoulders. "I can't imagine a more tortuous existence than repeatedly drowning to death for all of eternity."

She knew she was onto something when Sasuke showed that he was impressed with her vindictiveness. Sitting forward just as Naruto did, the couple shared a brief glance that had Sakura biting the inside of her cheek, particularly when Ino brushed a foot to her leg to alert her to the headway they were making.

Reaching across the table to pour herself another hearty glass of whisky, she tugged on the thread bared before her, murmuring silkily, "By all means, stick around and have a part in putting him down. Even have a say in who becomes collateral damage." Looking to Itachi with a lidded gaze, Sakura added, "I certainly won't be complaining if you choose to stick around and try to make up for all that happened between us."

The Uchiha offered an unamused chuckle and copied her example of helping himself to the alcohol, hand stilling as a specific bottle captured his attention. It had her lips tugging with petty vindictiveness – getting him back for his own pettiness when Itachi attempted to serve her an old drink.

But rather than rising to the bait and allowing her to see how it affected him, he held her gaze and taunted, "What other belongings of mine have you held onto after all this time, my love?"

But she wasn't about to hold back. Not when she knew how deeply he continued to care.

"Your piano," she responded with great ease, smirk stretching into a smile that had the others doing a double take, unable to decipher its meaning. Their unease only increased at his stunned response. "I intended to use it for a bonfire, but it really is quite the antique."

"That piano only followed him through four centuries," sighed Shisui with a shake of his head, eyebrows puckering. "Do not be so cruel, Sakura-chan."

Yes, she knew that already. Out of all his possessions, the piano was his most treasured.

Honestly, Sakura was surprised she hadn't taken a bat to it while her humanity was off, alas there it was. Sitting peacefully behind them in the grand hall just as it always had. Not even an inch out of place. The thought of taking her frustrations out on it hadn't even crossed her mind.

Raising her chin pointedly in the direction of the room they sat in front of, Sakura offered a small sigh. "It's still right there," she assured him in a gentler tone. "Though it's possibly out of tune now."

"You never could pick the skill up," he remarked.

She pouted. "Some of us haven't had a thousand years to learn it yet."

"Yet," scoffed Sasuke.

"Yet," repeated Naruto with a deep scowl in his lover's direction. "She's got time."

But he was disbelieving as he sipped at his drink arrogantly. "Going against Madara? I doubt it. I'm being generous by giving it six months."

Seemingly deciding he was now going to acknowledge the younger man, Itachi looked to Gaara with veiled disdain that Sakura could easily see through. Whether the redhead could was a mystery to her, though he responded with equal waves of discontent, brow lifting ever so slightly in silent demand.

"You are suspiciously quiet in all of this," Itachi accused, no longer hesitating with the alcohol as he poured himself a large glass. "I can't imagine you would agree with Sakura's recklessness, regardless of being what you are."

"Oh? And what is that?"

"A raging psychopath," muttered Sasuke, prompting Ino to bark out a single laugh of disbelief.

"Like you can talk," she snarled. "What did any of those kids do to you to deserve such merciless deaths?"

Sakura glanced to the blonde with carefully hidden concern, heart taking a vicious lashing at the trembling of her jaw before it clenched tightly. The hate and anguish in her stunning blue eyes were unmistakable and had Naruto looking between them with a frown. But just as he opened his mouth to try and cut through the tension that was suddenly unveiled, Shisui silenced him with a minute shake of his head.

"Sixty-seven people were in that house," came Ino's trembling announcement and she straightened in her seat, looking ready to lunge. However, when Itachi looked to Sakura expectantly, she merely shrugged her shoulders and leaned back. She would never silence her soulmate's suffering. "Nobody survived."

"You–"

The glass in her hand shattered spectacularly and green eyes glanced downwards at the splash of aged red wine to her blazer, her next inhale deep and a sad attempt to remain calm.

"You can't call anyone a psychopath when you slaughtered everyone in that house – kids just having a good time." Sasuke stood when she did, his upper lip curling when Naruto once more tried to calm them. He shoved the blond back when he attempted to come between them, dark gaze fixed on Ino's. "You're a fucking monster."

"Sakura-chan, do something."

She dragged her gaze from the stain on her white fucking blazer to meet Naruto's despairing features.

"You know he can't help it–"

"Can't help it?" demanded Ino shrilly and Sakura was thankful when Gaara thought to snatch the parasol up just as the table was ripped from the centre of the patio, shielding the rest of her outfit from the mess her righthand created. "He laughed and mocked him while killing the man I loved when he tried protecting me!" Naruto was shoved out of the way again when Ino stepped up to Sasuke, the latter growling at him to stay the hell out of it. "You laughed when those kids begged and cried for mercy!"

Sighing in irritation once the parasol was tossed carelessly aside, Sakura rose silently to her feet and removed the stained blazer with a pang of regret. She didn't even care about the shattered glasses or wasted alcohol.

Another fucking outfit ruined.

"I was supposed to become a doctor," she yelled hatefully, sorrowfully. "Sai wanted to open his own art gallery!"

Contrary to what the Uchiha believed, Ino was holding back. She was forcing herself back from lashing out in the way she craved most, restraining herself from going against the original who'd ruined her life. Not out of fear or self-preservation, though. It was purely so she didn't indirectly hurt her.

"This is getting us nowhere–"

Sakura's eyes snapped to Itachi's with a warning glower. "Don't interrupt her."

"I should have been a grandmother by now," she snarled and grabbed a fistful of Sasuke's shirt to yank him closer, demon eyes activating. "My body should be wrinkled and sore and slowing down–"

"We all should be!" argued Naruto hotly and without a shred of concern for himself, squeezed between them.

But the second he moved to push Ino back was when Sakura finally intervened. She effortlessly caught the hand he raised against her righthand woman, features cold while twisting it painfully behind his back. As he struggled to break the hold, she looked to Sasuke, jaw clenching.

"I said I wanted to be civil," she muttered.

"Don't go blaming her outburst on me–"

"You started it," Sakura interjected smoothly and forced Sasuke to catch his lover as she shoved Naruto into him. "And you deserve a hell of a lot more than being yelled at after all you've stolen from her."

Assessing the other two Uchiha men, she contemplated their next move. Admittedly, Sakura wished Ino hadn't lost her shit, but who the hell was she to tell somebody how to manage their rage and grief? After all she'd done? Ino had always squashed down her own trauma and suffering to be by Sakura's side during hers. If she wanted to scream and shout at Sasuke, then allowing it was the least she could do.

However, it did have her wondering where it left them.

Resisting the urge to sigh, Sakura took a step back and closer to Ino's panting form, ordering quietly, "Go to Temari and Kankuro, Ino. Tell them now's as good a time as any for a snack. They're more than welcome to join us too if they want to."

"Are you serious–"

"Yes," she interrupted Naruto and rolled her eyes, hands coming to her hips. "They're only stuck inside to make sure nobody tries to take what's mine."

Shisui frowned thoughtfully while watching Ino leave with a harsh snarl in Sasuke's direction, attention soon focusing on the mansion she adored. "How many are in there?"

In a bid to ease the suffocating tension that was going to ruin any deal she hoped to make, Sakura offered a playful hum. "Ten? Maybe thirty? I've lost track at this point."

"You have full control over them all?" Holding his hands up when Gaara's eyes narrowed suspiciously, Shisui added, "I'm only asking due to the rarity of your clan, Sakura-chan. Even we struggle to maintain control over so many."

"Vampires are unpredictable unless sired or compelled," Itachi commented. Glancing to her and bringing her attention to the bottle of his old whisky with a snicker (because of course he'd saved it during all that drama), he held it out in what she knew to be a peace offering. "You should be wary of those in your presence."

Did they really believe that she was so pitiful to not already be aware of those risks? That she hadn't had eyes and ears all over that mansion for the past month to make sure none of them were turned against her? Humming and accepting the whisky, Sakura stepped back until her back was bumping into Gaara's chest, bringing the bottle to her lips to take a swig.

"They know what will happen if they get on my bad side," she assured with a voice tinged in dark promises. "They know they won't be spared from my wrath if they betray me – compelled or not."

"Back to what you were saying about Sakura's apparent recklessness," Gaara commented blandly and looked to Itachi. "She is capable of making her own decisions – decisions that are rarely made lightly."

"Even if they get her killed?"

He snorted at that. "With survival skills as impressive as hers, I know she won't die."

"You helped me hone them, after all," came her heated response and Sakura looked over her shoulder at him, admiring the smirk that was so enticingly close.

Fifty years' worth of playing cat and mouse, of running for her life before Gaara caught up to her. Knowingly riling the darker side of him up and leaving trails of bodies in her wake to try and slow him down or antagonise him, using whatever means necessary to keep their game going for as long as possible. While there were still moments of impulsiveness, thanks to Gaara's relentlessness, she was forced to become more of a strategic thinker.

"You think that's enough?" questioned Shisui disbelievingly as he looked between them. "Against someone like Madara?"

Picking up on the sounds of footsteps and quiet chatter, Sakura offered the Uchiha a careless shrug before directing their attention to the double glass doors. And it was impossible not to send her lover a proud smirk at the delectable snacks he'd swiped up in such little time, especially when Naruto let out an appreciative whistle and even Sasuke seemed impressed.

She ran her tongue along her teeth at the humans who lined up like they were at auction, throat constricting with thirst at their tantalising scents. Gaara's idea of having his siblings guard them was incredibly wise – she knew the newbies of her clan would've caved to their instincts and gone after them otherwise.

"Call this a peace offering," Sakura suggested while striding forward, attention drawn to one human in particular whose appearance and scent called out to her the most. Circling the shorter woman who was compelled to stand obediently, she trailed a hand across her smooth skin and inhaled deeply. "Or, if you decide to stick around, a way for us to seal the deal."

It appeared her righthand was under better control now and Sakura nodded once to her in understanding and forgiveness, silently telling Ino all was good. Still, composed or not, the blonde chose to remain by Temari and Kankuro's sides for the time being – not that Sakura could truly blame her. The last time she'd witnessed Sasuke feeding was during a binge that ended not only her life, but her love's. Of course she was going to feel uneasy witnessing it once again, especially if he couldn't control himself.

"Well?" Sakura pushed and looked first to Naruto with a lidded gaze, hand drifting up the woman's side enticingly. "Will you join me?"

Someone snorted when he gave in without any fight, but neither paid much interest as he came to stand in front of whichever human caught his interest. Still, Sakura couldn't help but raise a curious brow witnessing how carefully Naruto handled his prey, how earnest he appeared while compelling them not to feel fear or pain. He was Sasuke's opposite.

Sparing the Uchiha trio another seductive glance, she grazed her fingers down the woman's arm before entwining them with hers, gently tugging her in the direction of the chair she'd previously occupied. It was impossible not to feel both Itachi's and Gaara's heated gazes greedily soaking in her every move even as the others helped themselves to their buffet, and Sakura made sure to put on quite the show.

She sat down with an air of arrogance and seduction and eased the human into her lap with tender caresses. No fear or nervousness met her, and Sakura smirked at the genuine curiosity in the woman's brown eyes when she guided their faces closer. Gods, she smelled delicious and it had her grip tightening reflexively on her hip, thirst growing more demanding by the second as Sasuke caved and approached the first human he laid his eyes on.

"Don't worry," she insisted when her prey was distracted by a gargled scream that was cut short. Holding her gaze firmly, Sakura continued to compel her and whispered in a sultry tone, "I'll be gentle."

Unable to resist any longer, she finally sunk her fangs into the woman's slender neck with a pleasurable sigh. But at her jolt of pain and shock, Sakura ran her gentle touch over her skin in reassurance, keeping their bodies flush and refusing to part from the delectable blood that caused her taste buds to tingle.

The others were far less restrained, though none were as rough as Sasuke as he pressed away from his human with a trembling hand that soon wiped at the blood smeared across his chin. Gaze distant, he made a notable effort to remain in control of himself even with his brutish display and it was only once they witnessed his determination that Itachi and Gaara moved. Until that point, she'd failed to notice their tensed muscles as they readied themselves for Sasuke responding negatively to another ripper feeding in his presence.

"Shh," Sakura urged when Gaara's presence startled the human in her embrace. She met her lover's eye appreciatively as he brushed the other woman's hair off her shoulder to expose more of her neck, insides clenching needily at the awakening of his demon side's eyes. "It'll only hurt more if you struggle."

"But by all means," the redhead whispered seductively, nipping at her ear. "Try and fight me off."

She pouted at that but didn't make a move to stop the woman from responding to Gaara with a short cry of fear. Partly thankful that he yanked her away before they could stain her clothes any further with their struggling, Sakura looked to Sasuke and swallowed. Not for the first time, she relished in his feeding himself as the rush warmed her pleasantly, allowing Sakura to sit back comfortably and bask in the satisfaction of that itch being scratched.

It wasn't hard to notice that Naruto played a major part in Sasuke controlling himself, their eyes locking several times as they fed. But their connection wasn't allowed to dominate her thoughts for long as Sakura soon found herself distracted by the pleasured gasp that escaped the woman Itachi had chosen. She was blushing in his embrace, hold equally tight as she tried to close the distance between their bodies completely by arching up into him. It wasn't done entirely to make her jealous – she'd previously believed Itachi to be an incubus to some extent, after all. He preferred prey that enjoyed his feeding on them.

But he pulled away not long after catching Sakura's eye, ensuring to hold it as his tongue swiped at the puncture wounds left behind on the woman's neck, lapping up the leftover blood that oozed to the surface, his lips quirking at the responding gasp of arousal.

A complete opposite to her lover who had his prey pinned to the balcony with his hips alone, grip leaving bruises wherever he touched as Gaara clutched her impossibly closer. And shit, his barely there groan of satisfaction had Sakura longing to join him, to kiss him and share the meal.

Forced to look away before she truly lost control, Sakura crossed one leg over the other and offered Itachi an impish smirk as he moved his chair closer and returned to sitting opposite her. The woman he'd chosen lingered behind him, expression nothing short of infatuation as she waited for him to call on her once more. It almost had her snorting.

"You mentioned there are chosen ones here," Itachi brought up while the others fed, taking a sip of his whisky. "Be wary, Sakura. Even with your agreement, they cannot always control their urges to hunt vampires and will stop at nothing to put us down."

Frowning at that since it was a legitimate cause for concern, she allowed herself to be distracted while trying to remain composed, looking to Sasuke's unyielding grip as it turned his knuckles white. Already the woman had bruises and scratches marking up her arms and shoulders and somehow, that appeased Sakura. It had her breathing out a quiet sigh of pleasure as the warmth flooded through her. Would he tear her to pieces as rippers often did, she wondered with morbid delight?

"Any handy tips?" she eventually asked, gaze once more lidded.

If he was affected, Itachi didn't show it. Instead, he hummed thoughtfully. "You cannot compel the chosen ones, although I suppose that would offer little to you, considering the rest will be smart enough to use vervain." Considering her momentarily while reclining back, Itachi allowed his gaze to wander along her body appreciatively, soon meeting her eye with a ghost of a smirk. "True chosen ones possess a supernatural strength other hunters cannot begin to fathom. That may be your only tell, if it as you say, and they have evolved."

Thanking him with a nod, Sakura considered the feeding vampires around her and felt a part of herself relaxing when she noticed Ino sharing a man with Temari. The original made it a point of keeping her body situated protectively between Ino and Sasuke and it filled Sakura with relief. Temari was absolutely ruthless when it came to battle. If anybody could protect her mouthy righthand woman in her absence while refusing to baby her, then it was undoubtedly her.

"You didn't answer earlier," she pointed out during the distraction, returning her focus to Itachi. "Are you planning on staying in Konoha?"

He couldn't, was what his eyes told her long before her former love uttered, "No."

Sakura supposed it was probably still too raw for him. Even with that perfect composure hiding his emotions from them all, Itachi was no different from the rest of them. He also experienced heightened emotions. He'd proven once before that he couldn't handle their separation, rather choosing to remain desiccated.

It was at that moment that Shisui decided he'd had his fill, stunning her briefly with the thankful kiss he placed upon his prey's lips just as he compelled them to forget his feeding on them. Touch lingering for a few seconds longer to ensure they were steady on their feet, he then gently pulled away and joined them once more.

"Naruto-kun will be sticking around," Shisui informed her, wiping at the corners of his mouth.

Good.

However, she wouldn't show her relief as she instead snapped with false agitation, "Like hell he is–"

"I won't cause you guys any trouble," he assured her and released his human, eyebrows knitting together. "I… just want to live too, y'know?"

The discussion was enough for Sasuke to finally regain total control, even though it visibly pained him doing so. Still, he didn't hesitate to glower down at her, snarling, "This was his home long before it became yours. You don't get to say who can and cannot live here."

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Gaara languidly parting from the human's throat and allowing her to slide to the ground in a dazed heap. His features were cold and unmoving while looking over to the youngest Uchiha, demon eyes still activated and adding an extra wave of maliciousness to his already domineering aura. Sakura believed that was what prompted the others to get involved also, releasing their prey without a second thought as they awaited his commands.

Remember to go along with the plan, Sakura wanted to remind them.

"You just want to keep an eye on me," she accused.

"Of course I do," Naruto snapped disbelievingly and ignoring Gaara's warning glower, approached her without hesitation. "You're going to war against someone like Madara! Let me help."

"And when he turns on you?"

"If anything, he'll hesitate when he finds out I'm sticking around," he assured her and had her scoffing at his eagerness. He really was a helpless mutt, one who was persistently burrowing deeper beneath her skin. What did that make her, she wondered? "It'll buy you and your witches time to come up with a plan." Grinning widely, he then said, "Even better, he won't ambush you guys with his lackeys. He knows it'll be pointless if I'm here."

Speaking of the coven…

Although she'd predicted being close enough with Naruto now for him to want to help, Sakura admittedly struggled with the notion of him being around the coven – Mitsuki in particular. After all he'd been through, the boy's resemblance to his ancestor (even if it was only the pale skin and golden eyes) could very well set him back. Worst case scenario was Naruto attacking him.

She couldn't let that happen.

"Before I agree to housing you myself," Sakura began, only to pause so she could snicker at his gleeful expression. She pretended not to notice Ino's wide eyed shock at the offer and was thankful the blonde remained quiet and didn't question her in front of the others. "I need you to meet someone. Officially meet them."

He frowned deeply in confusion and Sasuke's expression briefly flashed with concern, his eyes lingering on him with a shocking hesitance. "Why?"

"Despite the overused saying, time doesn't heal all wounds," she softly murmured and something in her tone had Itachi's expression gentling, though she refused to acknowledge it. "I'm not having you invited in until I can assure his safety. This is his home before anyone else's. Understood?"

Realisation had him calming considerably and Naruto nodded, murmuring, "You mean Mitsuki, right?"

"…Yeah." It made her skin crawl discussing him out in the open and like he was attempting to shield the weakness for her, Gaara came to stand at her side, hand barely and discreetly brushing against her shoulder. Setting her jaw as Sakura stood up once more, she glanced around them with an obvious warning and just in case they somehow missed it, said out loud, "Don't try anything funny."

"I promised you, Sakura-chan," came Naruto's earnest vow. "No kids are dying."

And because she could read so clearly in his eyes how important that vow was not only for their blossoming friendship, but to him personally, she nodded in acceptance and sent Ino to retrieve him. They didn't miss the blonde's hesitance in leaving, expression twisting for a moment like she was about to argue, but fortunately didn't. Instead, she disappeared into the mansion with a minute nod and tense muscles.

To try and alleviate the gross sensation of being so utterly bare, she walked around the Uchiha trio and Naruto to stand closer to the mansion. It was futile if they made a serious attempt on Mitsuki's life, but at least that way, she could act as a shield and shove him back into their home where they couldn't enter. She could make up for his slower reaction times and give him the opening he needed to defend himself.

How maternal of her, Sakura thought with a strong pang of apprehension. Anyone else in the clan – minus Ino, of course – were used as her shields. Never the other way around.

The others fanned out when Mitsuki's human heart drew closer and soon enough, they could hear Ino quietly speaking with him. He sounded unaffected in his replies, his heartbeat remaining strong and steady. But then when he saw them all, she heard it skip a beat and in response, as wrong as it was, acted completely on instinct.

Hand coming to his shoulder the moment Mitsuki was within reach, Sakura brought him to stand before her though couldn't bring herself to release him for even a second. Instead, she brought his back against her chest and set her jaw, coolly assessing the expressions of the Uchiha clan then steeling herself to look at Naruto.

Terror was the first emotion to register in his widening eyes and Sakura's grip tightened on Mitsuki as she brought him impossibly closer, arm soon slipping around his shoulders to keep him pinned against her. That apprehension only increased when Sasuke came to stand by Naruto's side, prompting Ino to come to theirs also, her arm slipping in front of the young warlock, eyes never leaving Sasuke's.

"Woah," was all the paling hybrid could say for a few moments, voice nothing more than a breathless, thick whisper. He swallowed hard and Sakura was surprised when Sasuke made a more obvious effort to comfort him in front of them all, his fingers slipping between Naruto's and holding tightly. It had Gaara notably intrigued as he looked to their joined hands. "Those eyes… That face…"

"I understand if you can't handle it," she further surprised them all by murmuring. "But I hope you understand that Mitsuki-kun is my priority here, not you."

"He's…" Breathing out harshly and forcing himself to try and shake off his trauma, Naruto looked to Mitsuki and held out a faintly trembling hand, causing Shisui's shoulders to drop ever so slightly and his expression to soften. "It's nice to officially meet Sakura-chan's son."

The jolt in Mitsuki's body upon grasping Naruto's hand had her gaze saddening, especially when the young boy instantly looked over his shoulder to her with the first open display of emotion the others had ever truly seen, granting them a glimpse of the level of his abilities. Golden eyes were a fraction wider than usual, lips parting in what she knew to be upset and Sakura sighed sadly and nodded, confirming what he'd seen at their physical touching.

It was a gift that usually applied only for psychics, but after the rest of the coven had joined them, they soon discovered Mitsuki was able to sense the intentions, thoughts or pasts of supernatural beings. Only if they were powerful enough, however. They were working on it, from what he'd told her when it came to his practicing magic, but Mitsuki had admitted without a fuss that Yukimaru was the true psychic of their coven. He would have been happy with leaving the ability at merely sensing other supernatural beings.

Mitsuki looked back to Naruto and tightened the handshake, which had grown limp at the rush of memories of his captivity. "Thank you for taking care of her."

He laughed at that, albeit without his usual cheeriness and Sakura noticed his squeezing Sasuke's hand like he needed more support. "Someone has to. Your mom can start a fight in an empty room, y'know!"

"Ino-oba is even worse," he warned with a smile. "So I would be careful with what you say."

Glancing up at the Uchiha clan, she assessed them all carefully and hesitantly, after noticing the sincere longing and determination in Itachi's expression alone, Sakura gradually relinquished her powerful hold of Mitsuki. Her hand lingered for several moments longer but was prompted to lower to her side when Itachi met her eye.

In my eyes, they will be.

She would trust those words. Although he'd given her every reason to never trust anything he said, to hate his guts, Sakura put her heart on the line. She would trust him with one of the most precious beings in her life.

Besides…

Just looking between Ino and Gaara (and subsequently his siblings once they detected their brother's rare protectiveness) told her Mitsuki would never be harmed. Even Naruto, the one who still looked overwhelmed by the resemblance to his tormentor, and Shisui seemed ready to protect the boy. The only threat there was Sasuke and he seemed more concerned with his traumatised love.

Her shoulders relaxed and Sakura took her first unburdened breath in a long while, hand finding its way to Mitsuki's hair to ruffle it fondly.

Her son would be safe.

"This place is insane!" came Naruto's repeated excited outburst as Ino showed him around the mansion and to his room. "I bet you guys never get bored, do you?"

"Between the parties and protecting the town, it's rare to have a quiet day around here," Ino responded, snorting.

"Parties?"

"You haven't lived until you've attended one of ours."

There was a pause in their conversation and knowing exactly what was about to happen, Sakura playfully rolled her eyes and retreated from the witches' quarters. Instantly, as a precaution, that barrier was once more erected and she confirmed it by attempting to re-enter, sighing in relief at the resistance she was met with. It was nothing personal against Naruto – she just needed Mitsuki to have that extra layer of protection.

It was evident the boy was still troubled by what he'd witnessed of Naruto's memories but as badly as she longed to stay by his side and soothe that stress, Sakura knew she couldn't. They had to keep up their seemingly distant relationship. There were too many who would target him to get to her and like Itachi and Shisui said, she needed to be wary of her own clansmen being corrupted. Until they knew for certain the mansion continued to be a safe space, she would do whatever necessary to protect him.

"Sakura?" Ino called out, voice pitched with hope.

Like she could ever deny her soulmate, Sakura thought with a snort. "I suppose we should throw a party to properly welcome our guest and ally."

The excited reactions of the two were so similar that she could sense their shocked pausing and it had her walking through the mansion happily. Ino could do with someone with a heart similar to her own hanging around – not necessarily in the hopes of anything developing between the two (no, Sakura knew his devotion to Sasuke would prevent that) but as companions. It was nice having another heart to connect with.

And it was like the others could sense the similarities (or were wise enough not to try anything funny with a being a hundred times older and stronger than they were) for anybody Naruto tried to speak with, responded well enough. Not exactly friendly, but not unwelcoming either. They were reasonably wary and making her scoff with disbelief, Naruto took it all as a challenge. Told her as much when she was making her way back to her room, declaring he'd show them all he was one of the good guys.

"You handled yourself well today," complimented Gaara as she slipped into the shower behind him, arms winding around his waist. She released a calming breath and rested her head to his back, shoulders slumping under the hot spray. "Not many can remain so composed and rational after poisoning themselves."

Ah, she was in trouble. Sakura offered an apologetic kiss to her lover's shoulder but wasn't surprised when he responded by shaking her off to turn around. Although visibly displeased, Gaara's eyes lacked the usual coldness that unnerved others. No, he seemed more concerned than anything and it had her relaxing despite the scolding, because it proved to Sakura that Itachi was wrong. Gaara wasn't a monster. He did love her.

"Do you think it's unnecessary?"

He pursed his lips at that, jaw clenching. From the brief silence alone, she knew he agreed with the actions. Gaara was too intelligent and would have even considered the strategy himself at some point, but those pesky heightened emotions were a pain in the ass for everyone. Even though the others and Gaara himself believed he was immune to them, that he couldn't feel anything, Sakura knew that was bullshit. His passion alone was otherworldly and took her to new heights just as she was starting to believe it couldn't get any better – not just sexually, either.

Smirking faintly, her fingertips followed the path of the water that cascaded down his chest, only falling away when she reached low on his abdomen and was met by wiry hairs.

"Although weaker than you originals, I'm not a damsel in distress," Sakura reminded firmly, once more meeting Gaara's eye. "I can't afford to be delicate or weak."

Gaara snorted at that and had her biting back a grin as she was backed up against the wall, just out of reach of the hot spray of water. But his body heat quickly made up for that and she sighed happily when he pressed up against her, muttering against Sakura's lips, "Nothing about you is delicate."

And just as he always did, Gaara ensured to prove that point, leaving the shower running to cover most of their noises.

As expected of her impressively talented righthand woman, the party was nothing short of spectacular.

Sakura's entrance was filled with welcome homes and appreciative stares, prompting impish smirks and teasing caresses to those who were still new and eager to earn her affection or praise. The month-long absence held the potential of creating distance between her and those who idolised her, and Sakura knew she had to step up at that point as their leader. Starting with more appearances around the mansion and reminding them all who was boss.

Unrest was natural with all that'd gone on. Clansmen being slaughtered, her being imprisoned, those who remained having movements limited and being prevented from enjoying the only hours they were physically capable of leaving the mansion. Only an idiot wouldn't anticipate backlash.

Having Naruto on their side worked well in her favour, especially when he continued to act like a loved-up moron around her. Also working in her favour was the Sabaku clan's presence. Had it merely been Sakura against the Uchiha, she knew the others would have deserted her. But they were comforted by her abilities to claw in others. They admired her survival skills. They respected Sakura's judgement and strategies.

Everyone knew it was safer with her than against her.

Soon enough, Madara would learn that the hard way.

Sakura's hand grazed around Ino's waist in passing, praising her for yet another job well done though not wanting to take her away from the fun she was having. The bright smile shot her way was full of thanks and pride, and it had her softening up.

There was never a gradual progression as the night wore on. No easing into their wild parties. Now more than ever, with their inability to move as freely as they once had, Ino ensured everyone felt safe and happy while letting go. It was a skill she'd honed over the years and graced the other generations with without them ever really knowing, always loitering around the humans and their parties so they never suffered a similar tragedy.

Although, of course, that caused pretty humorous rumours.

The fraternity massacre was infamous and granted their town recognition for all the wrong reasons, and to that day many prayed for the lives lost that day. However, not all shared the compassion. Leaving a bitter taste in Sakura's mouth, thrill seekers often trespassed on the now abandoned fraternity house and claimed to have supernatural experiences, travelling for miles and miles to gain some kind of sick gratification out of the suffering. Halloween or the anniversary of the massacre was when they seemed to flock to the town, and Sakura ensured to have her soulmate well out of range for the cruel lessons she imparted on the insensitive humans.

But continuously leaving her in a state of awe, Ino never let it drag her down for too long, choosing to focus on the people of their town and how they continued to feel the devastation of Sasuke's binge. And now, the blonde was even something of a legend for her protection of the kids.

They never saw her in person. Never knowingly crossed paths with her. But everyone claimed to feel the energy of those who'd lost their lives and their determination to protect them. Sakura often found herself humoured by their beliefs. Yes, they were right in believing they had protectors watching over them, but it wasn't spirits. No, spirits were trapped behind a veil that allowed the dead to view but be separated from interacting with their world. Their protector was the very being they were taught to fear. How could she not find that amusing?

There he was.

Humming in approval at her entrance, Gaara reached out for her without a word and guided Sakura to the woman he was currently feeding from, the intensity of his heated stare never failing to flood her stomach with a warmth that threatened to get the best of her. Like that wasn't enough to shake her composure, fingers laced through her hair once she managed to lock on, curling in appreciation at her quiet sound of bliss and adding that extra kick to the feed.

"You picked well," she murmured huskily, only just parting from the woman's throat when guiding him closer to claim his lips, like Sakura wanted to share the evidence of how great she tasted. And his response came in the form of a low growl and bumping of their hips, Gaara's deepening the kiss leaving her lightheaded and insides clenching. "As always."

"Then let's not waste a fine meal," came his seductive reply and she was all too willing to return to the human's delicate throat. The reflexive jolt was stilled by Gaara coming to her other side, keeping the woman sandwiched between them and their wandering hands. "You can thank me properly later."

They weren't the only ones to partake in such debauchery, the sounds of pleasure and pain becoming equally as important as the music itself in creating the overall vibe of the room.

That didn't mean they didn't attract any attention, however.

Smirking at the feel of eyes on them as they fed together, Sakura pulled away to first meet her lover's darkened gaze then to meet Naruto's curious stare. There was blatant uncertainty while regarding them, blue eyes scouring their forms no doubt to read their cues to find if he was welcome.

It was at Gaara's bloodied smirk that she beckoned him closer with an inviting smile, hand soon cradling the back of his head to wordlessly accept and guide him to her part of the human's neck. Gaara returned to his feed also, languidly meeting Naruto's eye as they fed together.

Sharing blood was intimate as hell, whether that be sharing a meal together or drinking from another vampire's veins. And Sakura could tell from the short sound of pleasure that Naruto wasn't opposed to the connection, and she rewarded him with a caress that had him shivering and leaning into her touch.

Despite what others said about her lover, there was no denying the allure. Witnessing Naruto becoming lost in the moment only proved that and Sakura spared a discreet glance around the grand hall. She was satisfied with the responses towards the originals, though knew she had a long way to go to prove she wasn't some incompetent moron who managed to get themselves imprisoned by their own fucking trap.

Like he was having similar thoughts, her lover offered an impish smirk that insisted she returned to his side, and dark excitement curled tight in her belly when he held up his exposed wrist in invitation.

The move took Naruto by surprise and he lost his lock, looking between them. "Wait you guys do this out in the open?"

Gaara's gaze was fixed on her lips and grew lidded as she bit down on him, only then murmuring, "I have no problems in silencing anyone here who may have a problem."

He was essentially ensuring the others knew not only their places, but the concrete relationship between them too. To feed from an original was unheard of – they were the elite of their kind. Royalty, even. Allowing Sakura to feed directly from the vein was his way of claiming her, and she him.

"And you're okay with that?" he asked of her, frown minute and concerned as he scanned the busy hall. "With Gaara silencing them?"

Another in. Another show of leadership that reassured her clansmen, even if what she said wasn't actually true. "Just because you surround yourself with riff-raff, doesn't mean the rest of us do." Continuing to hold Gaara's wrist close as his blood pulsed through her hotly and demanded she returned, Sakura smirked. "These guys aren't stupid. You don't have to worry about them."

There.

Sakura wasn't naïve. She knew that statement alone wouldn't win them over, but it was evident their heightened emotions and wishes to serve the leader who granted them a second chance at life were playing in her favour. They were biased and any who were bitter in any way were soon sweetened up by Ino.

The human eventually trembling and growing a sickly shade of grey had them pulling away despite instincts begging they finished her off. Usually, they would have, but with Naruto tagging along they knew they had to be on better behaviour – just meeting Gaara's eye before his rolled with annoyance warned her of that, and Sakura bit back her amusement watching him sinking into a quickly vacated sofa. He acted as though the newbie vampires who'd occupied it until he set his eyes on it didn't even exist, didn't even acknowledge their presence as they scarpered before him.

They seriously wouldn't make it through the entire party, if even an hour, Sakura thought as she got drunk off his domineering presence. And shit, when he stretched his arms along the backrest and looked at her like that…

"This is…"

The spell wasn't broken, but still she looked to the hybrid who was full of wide-eyed wonder before snorting. "Haven't you ever partied like this before?"

"I suspect Sasuke keeps him on a tight leash," came the muttered words of her lover. There was no hiding her wants when his gaze pierced through her like it currently was, and she grinned as the fire threatening to consume her reflected in his eyes. "Will you do the same?"

Will he be joining us tonight?

"Absolutely not," Sakura murmured while slipping into Gaara's awaiting lap, stomach fluttering as she inhaled his scent. "Naruto, feel free to join the party." Smirking at his hesitating, Sakura barely glanced up at him from her task of savouring her lover, gaze lidded. "Unless you're still intrigued about our sex and want to watch."

The hands on her were hungry but inviting, subtly angling Sakura without alerting anyone else. "I must warn you: it gets messy."

Naruto was visibly intrigued, however when he looked back to the crowds, she noticed a flicker of apprehension.

"I've been harsh with you, I know. But we don't discriminate here," she promised and sat back to fully straddle the redhead. It allowed her to hold his eye meaningfully until Naruto relaxed bit by bit, showing Sakura he was afraid of rejection. "Just don't go biting anyone," she added teasingly. "They're not like us – they're far too tame to appreciate the spice."

He laughed at that and leaned down to graze his teeth along her throat in a silent promise, evoking a delicate shiver that had Gaara looking to him appreciatively.

"I'll keep you both in mind."

They each grinned wickedly, but before she gave into her primal urges, Sakura met his eye a final time, murmuring with a knowing smirk, "Welcome to the clan, Naruto. Go enjoy what we have to offer."

As she suspected, they didn't last an hour at the party that continued to shake the foundations of the mansion even in the early hours of the morning. In fact, within forty minutes of making her entrance, they were leaving and snatching up one of the humans on the way out. That woman now lay dead across the foot of the blood-soaked bed, drained and left to stare sightlessly up at the ceiling while they forgot about time entirely and got lost in one another.

"You can take it," he groaned gutturally. "Keep taking it."

Shit, how she even had the mind to do it as she was once more submerged into sensory overload, Sakura would never know. But somehow she managed to hold her legs out wider for him, her moan going up an octave at Gaara's telling falter and broken moan as she threatened his composure. His pace was absolutely brutal and left her on the verge of tears – in the best way. Gods, in the best fucking way.

It was clear from the way he next moved that her lover wasn't ready for their night to end just yet and Sakura delighted in the hand that closed around her throat to silence the moans threatening him, restricting her breathing, hips bucking into his with a primal desperation that had Gaara growling appreciatively. She didn't even hear the dead human falling from the bed with a thud, barely even registered the flashes of pain dancing along various parts of her body.

However, there was no missing Gaara's appreciative growling transforming to the hottest territorial rage when that stupid mutt burst into the room with his phone pressed to his ear, only to freeze at the sight of them.

"Get out," ordered Gaara darkly, demon eyes activating to ensure his point hit home.

He left the reddest she'd ever seen him before and she barely managed to hear Naruto whispering into the phone, "S-Sasuke, they're fucking. I think you're just gonna have to deal with it."

No longer caring for his presence and knowing exactly how to continue, Sakura raised her wrist to her lover with a challenging brow. And it took him just a split second to descend, though Gaara knocked the hand away to leave deep bites along her slender shoulders and chest that had her writhing against him. They healed within seconds of being inflicted, but their point would get across with the added bonus of bringing her wonderful pleasure.

Definitely the best way to end a horrendous month, Sakura decided as she admired her lover's sleeping form hours later. Although sleep wouldn't come to her, she'd never felt more refreshed and full of energy and it was with a smile that she draped the bloodied sheets across his naked body, hand lingering for a moment when a rare spark of restlessness came to life.

Maybe she could…

It'd been a long time since she last watched the sunrise from the gardens – well over fifty years, in fact. After all that happened in the past, it simply didn't hold the appeal it once had and she'd often felt cold and unattached standing out there alone. Ino offered to join her many times, but… Nothing felt right.

Being dressed casually and comfortably was a blast from the past and Sakura frowned at the sight of her hair thrown up. It was like seeing her old self all over again, the one who was unbroken and so new to the world that it was sickening. Seconds later and it was falling around her shoulders once more, outfit glammed up with the silk robe gifted to her by the same man who now occupied her bed.

Sakura damned Uchiha Itachi even as she traipsed to the spot that was once their favourite place to relax and appreciate the world, stomach lurching at the unnecessary challenge she'd set upon herself.

With the party in the process of winding down, though certainly far from over as her clansmen continued to lose and enjoy themselves, she went mostly unnoticed by them.

Luckily for her moment of weakness, most couldn't enter the grand hall now that the sun was beginning to rise, so the party had moved further into the mansion and granted her the solitude she craved. It allowed her to drift over to the antique piano and trail her fingers over the keys, stomach somersaulting at the memories she'd previously kept locked away.

Gods, Itachi had spent many nights trying to teach her how to play but somehow, those lessons always ended with her wrapped around him on this very piano. How was she supposed to remain focused with him leaning so close, Sakura had repeatedly argued. It was like he was trying to test her.

There was no ignoring the pit in her stomach, and she turned away from the piano with a sharp snap of the cover hiding away the keys once more.

Why did he have to come back and turn her life upside down? Threatening everything she'd come to know and live by? Why did he have to undo that goddamn compulsion? What was wrong with her living in blissful ignorance?

Sakura didn't want to remember the mornings they'd spent together out on the balcony. She didn't want to recall how at peace and fulfilled she felt standing next to him, or how prior to being turned her heart had skipped beats whenever he pulled her that little bit closer, expression soft and serene.

Her fingers curled into the stone of the balcony but Sakura forced herself to look out at the gardens as the sun brought it all to life once more. She hadn't lied yesterday when telling Naruto there were no negative memories – she loved the gardens. Truly she did. She and Ino had spent way too long nurturing the space and growing together for her to hold any resentment or upset towards it. However, sunrises were avoided. They never had the same effect, rather leaving her cold and all too aware of the crushing solitude she was submerged in when left with no other choice but to face the darkness of the world.

Asshole, Sakura shot out impulsively but found she wasn't all that concerned whether the thoughts reached him. She slumped forward onto the stone, posture defeated and eyes shutting against the beauty of nature.

You…

He should have stayed gone. They all should have.

Who am I without the hatred? Without the rage?

Movement to her far left had Sakura nonchalantly straightening from her slouch, guards raising since the majority of her clan were unable to stand in the sun without burning to a crisp (another wise move on her part as she managed to control their movements).

Whoever was out there and watching her didn't belong with them, instincts warned her.

"You sensed us," came the soft chime of a woman she didn't recognise, confirming Sakura's suspicions of their being strangers as two of her own kind left the cover of the hedges. "How unusual for a vampire so young."

She maintained the calm façade despite anger sparking at having the moment of weakness intruded upon. Considering they were brazen enough to approach, mentioned her young age and boasted the ability to walk in the sun, that meant they weren't to be brushed off.

Assessing the silver-haired man and taking careful note of the agitation revealed by his clenched fists, Sakura dragged her gaze to the brunette at his side, raising a daring brow.

"You must be Haruno Sakura."

It wasn't a question and given all that'd happened recently, she believed she had every right to be on edge.

She stepped over the balcony and dropped to their level to silently make it known that they weren't welcome on her property, responding flippantly, "Depends who's asking."

There was plenty of Gaara's blood in her system – more than enough to take on a couple of ordinary vampires if they tried their luck with her. Maybe she'd even manage to release some of the rage that seemed to be trapped away in her chest by letting loose on them.

"I thought I could smell the others," came the man's quiet mutter, stormy eyes glaring at the space previously occupied by the Uchiha clan. Sakura resisted the urge to show her suspicion, instead staring them down coolly until the man looked back to her. "Where is he?"

"You're going to interrogate me without any hellos or introductions?" she questioned blandly and placed a hand to her hip. "How rude."

But everything went wrong so horribly fast and with nothing more than the clenching of his jaw, she was brought to her knees, unable to handle the explosions of her nerves that seemed to erupt from everywhere all at once. It felt like her brain was on fire and despite being what she was, it seemed like enough to end her life there and then, telling her in a split second that she was under some type of curse.

But how could he use magic if he was…?

Was he…?

"Do not screw with me," he muttered darkly and Sakura screeched as the pain somehow worsened, entire body seizing into an agonising, unnatural position before convulsing uncontrollably. "He came here because of you."

The brunette by his side grimaced and grabbed at the man's arm as numerous sets of demon eyes came to life within the mansion, pleading, "Kakashi, stop–"

"Where is Uchiha Obito?"

A/N - There you go for those of you asking for Kakashi! Is he what you were hoping for? ;)

Sorry for the silence and lack of updates! We had the baby - she's perfect and healthy, although the labour itself was horrific.

WARNING: COULD BE VIEWED AS GRAPHIC/DISTRESSING!

They thought the placenta detached as I started bleeding and had intense stomach and back pains (that weren't contractions), so rushed me to theatre, leaving my partner behind and clueless as to what was happening. Then they didn't help matters by returning to him and taking him to a quiet room telling him that's where he'll go to recover - not me, him. In his mind, he was losing one of us and thought he was going to have to make one of the hardest decisions he could make. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

Meanwhile, in theatre, they were trying to put the spinal block into me but the contractions were coming ten seconds apart and on top of that, I had this constant horrible pain in my stomach and back that was only getting worse and the pain relief wasn't touching any of it. It legit felt like my hips were tearing apart or breaking or something and the pain was so bad that I kept losing consciousness and getting really weak.

They kept telling me that I had to sit up on the table so they could put the block in and tried holding me up for it but when I did eventually sit up, I could feel her head pushing against the table. They didn't believe me and kept trying to keep me in position so I ended up having to throw myself down on the operating table and pushing her out more or less without assistance. I couldn't have any more pain relief simply because there wasn't any time and after that, I was so out of it.

My partner was in the room by that point and by my side, and he got to cut the cord like I was really hoping he could. Sadly, I couldn't hold her for a few hours because I had intense shakes, leg cramps, general weakness all over and was out of it, but we both had him there. He fed me toast and sips of water, helped ease the cramps, gave baby her first feed and had skin to skin with her since I was unable to, even helped clean me up and dress me once I was able to move.

The two midwives who'd been with me from the start of labour filled us in once I was mentally there again like a few hours later. Placenta didn't detach, but her head was stuck and both our heartrates were classed as us being in distress, alongside the bleeding. I tore and lost a fair amount of blood, but what gets to me the most is the midwife saying I was having a conversation with my mum, which I don't remember at all.

My partner told me I asked for her a load of times and the student midwife kept trying to figure out how to contact her (bless her she really was so sweet), but all I really remember is seeing this pink newborn hat the midwife gave to us, because it was made up of all the colours of my mum's favourite loungewear set that she always used to wear. When I told them that, they let me keep the hat (usually they don't allow it because it's property of the delivery suite) and it's now in a keepsake box.

We're all recovering well - she was born 9lb 3ozs and as of today at 2 weeks old, weighs 9lb 7ozs. Flappy wasn't overly keen on her but he's slowly coming around, I think. We're mostly just going with the flow at the minute.

So yeah, there you have it! I'm officially done having kids now. Oh! Originally, I wanted to become a surrogate for people who couldn't carry kids themselves, but my body genuinely can't cope with pregnancy so I'm currently looking into donating my eggs if any of you have any experience or knowledge of that. It seems a waste since they're obviously healthy and I'd love to be able to help someone start a family.

I'll leave it there because I've definitely banged on long enough haha!

Thank you to those of you who asked about us. I really appreciate it!