Hi to all those that are still hanging on with hope that I am still going on with this story. The answer is yes! Though my updates at times can long overdue, in my opinion, I have been very very tired, that has left my muse buried in an onslaught of fatigue that he hasn't been able to get out of. Anyhow, I'm not going to whine about it. Writing this story is what I enjoy doing to get away from the work world, thus I will always try and get it going and keep it going. I NEED my boys to get through this, experience all I have planned, and hopefully have a happily ever after! So without further delay, on with the tale. PS, this chapter really bugged me for a bit cause I wanted to give SO MUCH MORE! But I am pretty sure I got out everything I wanted to give you darling readers some 'rest assured' feelings...I think that's the right words...haha... I'm soooo tired. Keep smiling everyone!
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Three black wolves raced through the forest, heavy breaths panting out as they followed a trail in the light snow. All three snarled and snapped at each every so often, communicating, while the light of the moon reflected off their coats and snow. All three twisted about through the trees, all within a few meters of each other, Itachi in the lead, following Sasuke's trail. They had been running hard for thirty minutes now, and there was still no sign of Sasuke. Itachi's mind was overrun with panic, thinking what had made Sasuke go into this crazed state.
'What have I done?' Itachi's thoughts continuously went over the outbreak that happened. He knew Sasuke was fearful of what their father would think once it was discovered Sasuke was an omega, but he was certain that their father would not be how Sasuke envisioned. Yes their father was bred in clan lifestyle. An honourable and proud alpha clan leader who was noble to the tips of his hair, yet leading that type of lifestyle demanded sacrifices on so many levels. It was no secret that centuries of strong leadership in the Uchiha clan made for heavy sacrifices in the clan, that included slaughtering of what they considered "weaker pups" when born, keeping more alphas than betas and omegas. Itachi shook his head roughly, shaking the shadowed thoughts from his mind, he recalled the ancient scriptures, located in the library that had intensely studied for decades.
He shook his head roughly, trying to keep his mind focused on the task at hand. They needed to find Sasuke, they were still on his trail, but they had not been able to hear or sense him nearby. It was almost as if the trial was slowly disappearing the more they followed. 'Fuck! Where did you go Sauske!?'
The three wolves came together in an area, several miles away from where they began. The forest was thick, the ground was rocky and several rock formations were beginning to get more vast the deeper they went into the forest. The moon had been covered when thick low hanging clouds began to move in over the land. The clouds began to release their heavy loads of moisture, dropping fat thick snow flakes over the trees.
'A heavy snowfall is coming! We are losing the trail!' Itachi called out through the bond to Obito and Izumi's wolf forms. He tried to keep his voice calm, he wondered if he failed.
'We'll keep going as far as possible. He can't be too far ahead now!' Obito called out, huffing his muzzle out and pawing at the ground.
'I can still catch his scent, let's go!' Izumi called as she sprinted off through the trees, giving a few barks.
The three wolves sped off through the thick brush, blending into the shadows with ease.
==/\/\==
Deidara was pacing in the kitchen, cleaning dishes, putting away food and wiping everything with a surface. He gnawed at his bottom lip continuously, his wolf whining continuously in his mind and Deidara's anxiety wouldn't settle. Watching Sasuke lash out, panic in his eyes, the wolf within Sasuke taking over, running from the manor, Deidara watched helplessly from the front of the house when Itachi told him to stay put while the others took chase. His heart ached for the younger omega, who was practically his own little cub, was lost in a world of hurt, pain, confusion all over again. Deidara again whimpered at the thought.
"Can I help?" A small voice broke through the room.
Deidara stopped wiping the counter and leaned against it heavily, his head dropping and his shoulders shaking slightly. He knew who the voice belonged to, but he didn't want to turn to look at the motherly omega. He was afraid that he would break down if he saw the worry in her face, the face that looked so much like Sasuke.
"Deidara," Mikoto whispered suddenly right behind him. "Are you-"
Deidara shivered when a light warm touch was applied to his shoulder. "Mikoto-sama," Deidara whispered out. "I'm so-so sorry," his voice cracked as he struggled to push his voice out.
"No Deidara. It's not-"
"I wasn't strong enough to help him!" Deidara wailed out suddenly, his body trembling and his hands squeezed the rag in his grasp. "Y-you don't under-you haven't seen-"
Mikoto pulled Deidara into her arms, squeezing him tightly as he began to sob into her shoulder. "Shh...it's okay," she muttered into the blond hair, stroking it gently and rubbing his back. She rocked him gently and let Deidara release his anguish into her shoulder, humming supportive words into his hair. After several minutes, Deidara pulled away but Mikoto kept her hands on his shoulders. Deidara took the rag he was holding to wipe his face, his eyes not wanting to look at the kind Uchiha omega. "Let me make some tea while you sit for a moment," Mikoto softly spoke out, turning Deidara towards the small table in the kitchen, making sure he was seated before she went about the kitchen to prepare the tea.
Deidara sniffled at the table, his head hung low as he dabbed at his tears. The guilt had wrung through him like a bullet train, leaving his head pounding from the stress, and his body weak from losing all that fluid in his tears. He was mentally exhausted, but still anxious that his mind wouldn't shut up.
A few minutes later Mikoto placed a steaming cup of tea in front of Deidara's nose. She pulled a chair up close to the other omega, quietly put down a plate of thin cookies before pulling her own tea cup and cradling between her slender fingers. She leaned into Deidara slightly, releasing a soft purr in the air.
"I'm sorry Uchiha-sama," Deidara blubbered out between sniffles. He still refused to look at the kind woman, guilt still thundered throughout him, his inner wolf whining loudly at the hurt.
"Nothing's your fault Deidara-kun, how can you say that?" Mikoto said softly with a smile. Deidara shook his head in disagreement. "Come now, sip some tea to take the edge off and you can tell me why you feel this way."
Deidara did as he was told, sipping at the hot tea and he closed his eyes at the warmth that blossomed down his throat. It was a chamomile flavor, the scent flowed through his sinus and the flavor warmed his stomach. The sensations began to take the edge of his headache the more he sipped. Mikoto waited patiently, sipping her own tea and nibbling a cookie while Deidara calmed himself.
"Thank you Uchiha-sama," Deidara murmured out into his cup.
"Please, enough with the formalities Deidara-kun. You are my son as much as Itachi is." She smiled warmly and gave him a small nudge with her shoulder against his. "Better?"
Deidara nodded slightly, gripping his fingers tightly around the warm mug. He took a deep shuddering breath, "I should have prepared Sasuke-kun for the dinner, I-I should have told him, but 'tachi, he-he was worried-and we both wanted, but...we didn't want him-and then 'tachi would have-oh…" Deidara began to sniffle again, his chest clenching with the memories of the conversations, the outburst from Sasuke and him running into the night. "I should have been stronger!"
Mikoto wrapped her arm around Deidara's shoulder and pulled him against her. Petting his hair, "there there now. It's alright." She whispered in a warm voice. "Why would Sasuke need preparation?" she asked lightly.
Deidara shook his head. "It's not for me to say why," he sniffled out in a choked whisper. "Sasuke-kun should-he-it's always been rough, and-and we just got him b-back," Deidara hiccuped out between sobs.
Mikoto stopped stroking Deidara's hair suddenly. "Back? Back from where?"
Deidara began wailing again. He knew he said too much. He knew that Mikoto and Fugaku didn't know what had been going on with Sasuke since he came to stay with them. They were kept in the dark about Sasuke missing, how he was found feral and emaniciated, near death, mutilated and mentally scarred for life. It was easy to keep the truth from Fugaku, being he was deeply involved with his clan, the politics, business ventures, the power and ensuring that the Uchiha clan does not fall. Itachi kept their own Uchiha clan thriving and gave his father updates on any political and business ventures, their communication was only just that. Clan business.
Deidara got up from the table suddenly, his eyes still leaking tears, he tried to contain it, he needed to go before he really said something he shouldn't to Mikoto. "I-I'm sorry Mikoto-san, I-I need to go-lie down, or something…" He gave a small bow to Mikoto before leaving the table.
"Is this about Sauske being omega?"
Deidara stopped in his tracks and held his breath. Surely he did not hear what he thought he heard?
"Deidara love," Mikoto spoke softly, her word was thick with kindness. "Things may not be what they seem. You may be surprised."
Deidara slowly turned and looked at Mikoto's soft red lips curled up with a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with tenderness. He couldn't move, his body was struck with shock at her words that played over and over in his head.
Mikoto could see Deidara's eyes red stained and puffy from crying, his cheeks flushed and nose red from all the sniffling but his mouth hung open agape. She giggled lightly at the sight. She got up with the grace of a queen, practically floating to the blond omega and she pushed her fingers through his hair, tucking it behind one of his ears. She cupped her soft palm and fingers gently to his cheek, her thumb gently caressing his skin. "You go have a hot bath and when Itachi comes back with Sasuke, and if it isn't too late, we can talk." She stepped up on her toes and kissed Deidara's forehead softly. "But just a little bit," she added. "I think there has been a lot of emotional turmoil and little wolves need their rest." She gave a teasing smile. She gently turned Deidara around and led him towards the kitchen door. "I'm going to go see if Fugaku wants some tea." She tapped Deidara's shoulder gently before slipping out the door before him.
Deidara just stared at the now empty corridor where his mother in law was just standing. What the hell just happened?
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
A small fire burned within the trees, the four men, Naruto, Kyuubi, Hidan and Utakata watching Kakashi tend to Kisame, who in his wolf form was unconscious, panting out heavily, and his wounds were beginning to pus out a fluid that released a horrid stench at times had Naruto and Kyuubi gagging.
"What is that stuff Kakashi? It smells like death!" Naruto gagged out.
"That's a good term for it, since that is what the poison practically does. It enters the bloodstream and begins to turn the blood that the body can't fight or defend against, and it slowly kills everything in its path. It literally turns the blood into a liquid death. Similar to what happens when a body begins rigamortis." Kakashi sighed out loudly and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm afraid that these supplies you brought are not adequate to stop the process." Kakashi placed the cream down with the other small bottles of supplies Naruto brought from the small pharmacy located in the town. "The wounds will continue to fester, until…" Kakashi just went silent.
"Fuck! There has to be something! Anything! I-I can't let this happen!" Naruto jumped up, his hands pulling on his hair as he paced around the fire, looking up at the night sky. "Maybe I can carry him, to-to another city, or perhaps someone can go to the-"
"NARUTO!" Kakashi's voice snapped out, deep and full of authority. Naruto stopped pacing suddenly, his eyes wide with a trace of fear, the fire light causing flickers of light on his face. Kakashi sat back on knees and slouched his shoulders. "I can't - there's no stopping it Naruto," he spoke softly.
Naruto took several long solid steps towards Kakashi before dropping to his knees before him. He gripped Kakashi's shoulders firmly, his claws extended slightly and pierced Kakashi's skin. "We can't give up here Kakashi, you hear me!?" Naruto shook Kakashi's shoulders firmly. "I-we can't let him die out here! He has a pack! A clan! He's part of Sasuke's family for fucks sakes!" Naruto spat out angrily now. "I can't let this happen to the Uchiha's, and to-to Sasuke! Do you know what could happen if we can't get him home? ALIVE?" Naruto was now shaking Kakashi recklessly, his fangs peeking out as his voice deepened with anger. The fear of losing someone was embedded within him so deep, his inner alpha was bubbling with anger, Naruto was ready to just let the alpha release its wrath.
"Enough!" Kakashi slammed both hands on Naruto's chest, causing the blond alpha to fall back on his ass in surprise. Kakashi's eyes flickered with irritation and he snarled threatenly at Naruto. "Get-A-Hold-Of-Yourself!" Kakashi growled each word slowly and threatenly. "There's nothing more we can do!"
"But - but what if we carry-"
"Understand Naruto," Kakashi cut him off with a snarl, he was tired and his patience was on the last thread. "Vampire's have always had a strong defense in their genetics, that is why many species try to avoid them as much as possible." Kakashi's voice began to calm down, as he thought about the words he wanted to say to the blond alpha. Naruto adjusted himself to sit on his ass, elbows on his knees as he looked at Kakashi. "Their… defenses, or venom, whatever you want to call it, regardless of what the story books say, kills their victims from the inside out."
Naruto bit his bottom lip and scratched his cheek, "story books?"
Kakashi's lips pinched tight. "You know how humans have written stories about vampires." He raised a brow at Naruto and Naruto nodded his head. "The majority of those stories is how vampires can drink blood from humans, share their blood with humans and turn humans into vampires and how it can be at times orgasmic. They have made it from murderous to romantic." Kakashi shook his head in disgust. "Well that just isn't how it is for our world."
Naruto lowered his head sadly. "So you're saying…"
"The only way to stop the poison is a serum, that is at my lab...at home," Kakashi said sadly.
"But Kakashi, surely you can make-" Kyuubi now spoke up from the other side of the fire.
Kakashi held his hand off to stop Kyuubi from speaking and shook his head slowly. "The ingredients for the serum are incredibly rare Kyuubi and not even found on this continent. And before you ask, there is no way to slow the poison enough for us to get Kisame back home."
Hidan suddenly began to whine quietly.
"But-but I was cut up, and so was Hidan! We healed up okay!" Naruto quickly spoke up, his arm pointing to Hidan and then himself.
Kakashi again shook his head. "Yes, our species excels at healing superficial wounds, even against vampires," he took a breath. "But when it has gotten to a point of breaching the blood stream like in Kisame's case, our abilities cannot fight off the poison fast enough."
Hidan suddenly stood up, Kyuubi holding onto the side of his leg at the sudden movement, making sure Hidan wouldn't fall. The silver haired man stood for a moment, ensuring he could stand on his own before tapping Kyuubi's hand in thanks and moving slowly to where Kisame's wolf lay. The Uchiha pack member slipped down to his knees at the large wolf's head and Hidan adjusted himself to be sitting close to Kisame's head. He placed a hand on the large muzzle and slowly stroked the fur. He dropped his head so his face was hidden, while he silently continued to pet the long fur. Soft whimpers raised up through the silence of the forest with the crackling of the fire.
Naruto pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them as he watched the tender moment between Hidan and Kisame. His mind churned as the words Kakashi told him riddled him with guilt. 'If only I had gotten there sooner! If only I saw that Kisame needed the most help!' Naruto rocked back and forth while watching Hidan, knowing that the fellow pack member was grieving hard. Naruto bit his bottom lip as the thought of Sasuke came to his mind. 'What am I going to tell Sasuke…' His inner alpha began to howl in misery at the thought of his mate. Naruto dipped his face between his knees, the few stray tears soaking into his pants.
The thickness of the sorrow around the small camp fire was suffocating. Kakashi's face was hidden by his hand while he leaned into it, Kyuubi's head was lowered, shadows covering his entire face. Hidan began a low howl of sorrow that echoed through the trees. The flames flickered shadows around each individual, the misery ached from each soul.
Utakata's eyes flickered to each individual, taking in each form carefully. He had not seen a group of individuals expel such emotions, such sorrowful emotions, towards another member of their species who wasn't even part of the other's pack! A memory popped up into his mind in an instant that caused him to close his eyes momentarily.
~memory~
"Mommy needs you baby, can you please…?" The woman's voice was cracking and breathless as she held up her arm to the young child.
Utakata's small hands held his mother's arm, looking up at her kind teary eyes, the bruises, cuts and scrapes that littered her face and body. He looked down at her arm that held the same amount of injuries.
~end memory~
How long he had closed his eyes, Utakata didn't know, but it didn't seem to matter, as it would appear the group hadn't changed their demere at all and most likely didn't notice when Utakata had his eyes closed. He pinched his lips together, took a breath and stood up. The others barely glanced at him, the black cloud of depression still hanging heavily over them all. Utakata walked slowly over to where the large wolf lay, being cautious to not appear as a threat to the silver haired man that was mourning beside the wolf. Utakata slowly lowered to his knees along Kisame's back, both his hands out to show that he meant no harm when Hidan looked up at him, his eyes narrowed at him in warning.
"I know you don't know me," Utakata started voicing out softly, "but I would like to help." He waited for the silver haired wolf to acknowledge him.
Hidan growled low, his fangs slightly visible to the unknown man, his eyes glaring in warning. "Don't touch him!" he spoke out slowly but deeply. Hidan felt his hackles rise at the stranger who dared touch his pack mate who was in a most vulnerable position. The beta wolf's instincts were strong and was by no means scared of making a move towards the stranger.
"Please, I may be able to help." Utakata bowed his head slightly towards the beta wolf.
Kakashi came to sit beside Utakata, placing a hand on his shoulder. He glanced at Hidan and nodded, "it's alright. He helped us find and help Kyuubi." Kakashi nodded towards Kyuubi who was now watching the scene.
"Also he saved me from an avalanche," Naruto piped up. "I was practically buried under a ton of crushing snow. Utakata found me and dug me out before I became a frozen part of the land." Naruto smiled sadly but nodded his head in agreement.
Hidan's eyes flickered to Kakashi and Naruto when they spoke. His face scrunched up in thought for several seconds before leaning back slightly. He growled out a huff but turned his head slightly, showing that he was willing to agree. "If you do anything-anything to worsen his condition, I will not hesitate to rip your fucking head off!" he snapped out in a low menacing voice.
Kakashi squeezed Utakata's shoulder. "What is it you think you can do?" he whispered out.
"I'm not sure, but, I remembered something...something I did long ago for-" Utakata trailed off, his eyes looking over the injured wolf. He moved his fingers to an area where the wounds looked to be festering the worst. Finding the biggest wound, he shuffled onto his knees and brought his lips to the thick skinned area closest to it. He slowly opened his mouth and placed it into the fur. His eyes flicked to Hidan and Kakashi, giving them a silent plea of permission. Kakashi nodded and Hidan just narrowed his eyes, but didn't make a move or sound telling Utakata to stop.
Utakata felt his fangs protrude before he bit down quickly enough to pierce the thick skin. He held his position for a moment, his eyes watching Hidan and Kakashi, showing them silently that he was to be trusted. After several moments, he released his bite and moved to another area on Kisame's body. He proceeded with the same request with his eyes towards Hidan and Kakashi, and when they gave him the go ahead, he repeated the bite. He did this several times over Kisame's sleeping form, near a lot of the festering wounds before releasing a long shaky breath and stumbling back onto this ass, his hands grasping his head and his body wobbled.
"Woah there, I got ya," Kakashi whispered as he quickly shuffled behind Utakata, ensuring he didn't fall over. "Are you feeling dizzy or going to pass out? Naruto, bring Utakata some food and water." Kakashi let Utakata lean against him as he breathed in shaky breaths. Naruto quickly got up to the backpacks and dug inside them to find some meat and water, bringing them to Utakata.
"So-kay, ju-just give me a couple minutes," Utakata breathed out, his face pale in the flickering firelight. Kakashi opened the water bottle and held it to Utakata's lips. Utakata opened his lips, humming his appreciation when Kakashi tipped the bottle past his lips.
"What did you do?" Naruto whispered out, looking over Kisame's body at the wounds. They didn't appear any different, still pus filled, but now the greenish tinged pus was bubbling in a way Naruto couldn't explain, nor had he ever seen.
"T-trying to-to help," Utakata breathed out shakily. He managed to drink some water and he was now struggling to take a bite of the cooked meat. "I-I'm not sure if it will work, but-" he trailed off again.
"Naruto, see if you got something with sugar, a cookie or chocolate or something, to get Utakata's blood sugar back up." Kakashi tapped Utakata's shoulder supportively. "Well, whatever you think you did, thanks for trying." He smiled sadly.
After ensuring Utakata was okay on his own, Kakashi got up and stretched. "Look, we'll set up watch while the others sleep. Those vampires that got away may be back, knowing them, they will want reinforcements." He grimaced at the thought. He knew that when they came back, there would be more of them, meaning they would most likely be outnumbered and in a shit load of trouble. "I'll take first watch. That way I can watch over Kisame's condition. Hidan?"
Hidan just snarled quietly, his hand grasping Kisame's fur tightly. Kakashi just nodded at him. He knew that Hidan wouldn't sleep knowing his pack mate's life was in danger. Kakashi had seen to many situations like Kisame's before, he knew the inevitable outlook for the wolf and honestly, he didn't know what this group was going to do when Kisame's life force gave out.
"Kakashi," Naruto whispered out as he came up to Kakashi. He nodded to Kakashi and kept walking, a silent request that Naruto wanted to talk to him away from the others. The pair stepped a few meters into the darkness, away from the group. Naruto turned to look at the elder wolf. "Kakashi, I can run ahead, get the others from the packs, get them to come back and help-"
"No," Kakashi shook his head.
"But Kakashi, I'm sure-"
"Not possible," Kakashi cut Naruto off. Naruto frowned at him and Kakashi returned the frown. He knew Naruto would try anything at this point, it was in his nature. "If you leave, you put yourself in danger and not to mention, it would be leaving us down a wolf. We need you here, with Kyuubi especially, who's still unstable and has been depending on your strength." Naruto's brows went up and his eyes flickered to his own pack mate, who was still sitting by the fire, looking forlorn. Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Look, I know it looks grim, but - but right now we can't move Kisame. I'll think of a plan tonight Naruto, just-just give me some time."
Naruto's shoulders slumped, feeling defeated and exhausted, but overly frustrated as well thinking about the situation they were in. "I'll think of some ideas too Kakashi," Naruto mumbled out as he stepped past the grey haired man and headed back towards the fire. His head was down and his feet shuffled heavily.
Kakashi released a breath and followed the blond back to the fire. He glanced at Utakata who had taken to lying down by the fire. He looked pale and Kakashi wondered what it was that Utakata did. Kakashi watched the man as he sat himself. He knew what Utakata had presented as when he first met him, but Utakata becoming a wolf, had Kakashi now wondering if he was mistaken? Kakashi inhaled deeply, taking in Utakata's scent again. 'It's still there, very subtle and faint. But, if I hadn't seen his werewolf…' Kakashi pinched his lips together in frustration. He was certain of Utakata's species there, on the mountain, but-but now it didn't make sense! He would need to question the wolf before they returned, something wasn't adding up and he wasn't about to bring it up during this time. Utakata had proven his allegiance to the small pack since they arrived, so how could he doubt him? He shook his head and rubbed his forehead. He had a lot of thinking to do.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Itachi continued to run through the heavy falling snow, his eyes scanning every inch of the forest floor. The three had lost the tracks from the falling snow and any scent of Sasuke disappeared. Itachi was beginning to panic. His nose continued to smell at the brush, trees, any rocks that weren't covered yet, anything in hopes to catch the scent of his otouto. Obito and Izumi were several meters around him and he hoped that they would catch something, anything, that could lead them to Sasuke. His inner alpha was an emotional mess, knowing his otouto was missing, in fear, and Itachi tried not to imagine Sasuke being in any type of physical, painful distress.
'We are going to have to get back! This storm isn't letting up anytime soon,' Obito called through the bond. 'I'm not getting any scents other than the intensity of this storm!'
'I'm not getting anything here either! Itachi-sama?' Izumi called out.
Itachi whined loudly, his nose frantically sniffing every surface not yet buried with snow, his eyes scanning every shadowed area. But the snow was falling so hard and fast, he was walking in a whiteout. Of course their thick furred bodies could handle the snow, but if they weren't careful they could get lost and end up miles away and wouldn't know it until the storm passed. And by the smell of it, the storm was going to be a heavy one with the promise of several inches of snow. The forest and rock terrain was also full of deep hidden trenches that could easily be hidden by the snow that would be treacherous if any of them fell into them. If there was a swift moving river at the bottom of that trench, they could easily be swept away in the frigid waters, and some of those rivers went through rocky tunnels.
'Itachi-sama!' Izumi barked out again through the bond, breaking through Itachi's mind.
He continued to ignore the call while he pushed through the thick forest blindly. He was depending on his senses to guide him through the snow. He snarled out suddenly when a massive force knocked into his side, causing him to stumble into the snow. He snapped out his jaws repeatedly at the unknown large force, his body on instant alert and attack, his alpha roared out in warning to the attacker.
'STOP!' Obito's voice howled out through the bond! He stood before Itachi, his large alpha frame solid and tall, blocking Itachi so he couldn't move forward.
'Move,' Itachi growled out threateningly. He stood to face Obito, his chest puffed out as wide as it could, his head held high and his eyes glared at the other alpha.
Obito held his stance before Itachi, not intimidated at the least to get in the way of the proud Uchiha alpha clan leader. 'You need to stop,' Obito firmly spoke up. Itachi didn't move but continued to snarl out a warning, his ears folded back and his lips curled up showing his canines. Obito snorted out loudly and turned around, then stopped and looked over his shoulder at Itachi. 'Look here,' he snapped out and turned his wolf head forward, staring through the blinding snow that whipped about their bodies.
Itachi didn't move for a moment, his mind assessing that this other alpha was a fellow family member and pushing back his inner alpha. He stepped slowly around Obito, standing beside him and looking to where Obito was staring too. Obito gave him a sideways glance before stepping forward again, his paws pushing through the snow before he jumped back suddenly.
Itachi looked to where Obito walked and found that a huge section of snow fell away into darkness. Cautiously Itachi stepped closer and found that the snow had fallen through a large trench opening, and Itachi couldn't see the bottom. He could hear the rush of water, but there was nothing but darkness below.
'We need to stop-for now," Obito barked out firmly but gently.
Itachi just stared at the black rip of the earth that lay before him. The wind whipped around both of them, the snow so thick it was like a blanket. He didn't know what to say. His mind was so shocked at what lay before him, how he could have taken that blind run towards this black hole that fell into the earth, his legs began to tremble and Itachi began to step away. How could he be so careless, so thoughtless, so-so inept for an alpha as highly ranked as he.
Obito turned to face Itachi and rubbed his massive wolf head against Itachi's. 'Look, Sasuke's a strong smart wolf. I'm certain he is somewhere safe while this storm blows over and isn't running around in it putting himself in danger.' Obito continued to nudge at Itachi, sensing his distress. 'He's not a pup anymore - right?' Obito stepped back and snorted out a huff, watching Itachi closely.
Itachi shook his head, the snow being thrown about only to be replaced just as quickly by the swirling snow. He pawed at the ground angrily, feeling how his alpha was frustrated at how their quest went unfulfilled and the family pack member was still missing.
Both wolves turned their heads to the sound of Izumi running up to them, her sleek wolf body appearing from the blizzard of snow instantly at their sides. 'We better get a move on and let the others know what's going on,' she huffed out.
Obito snapped out an approval back and began tailing Izumi who turned around and disappeared into the swirling snow. He glanced over his shoulder to see if Itachi was following, he slowed his steps as the other alpha wolf looked dolefully in the other direction and let out a pitiful long breathless howl. Obito's chest tightened from the pained howl. He knew that type of song and it certainly wasn't joyous. He huffed loudly once before following Izumi, knowing Itachi would be right behind him.
Deidara ran down the long stairwell, not taking care to watch his step and just wanted to get to the bottom when he heard Itachi and the others come in. "Itachi!" he cried out, flying into the alphas arm, his face burrowing into his neck, sobs escaping his lips. He clenched the alpha tightly, mumbling into Itachi's neck and the alpha enveloped Deidara just as tight. Itachi dropped his nose into the blond's crown, rubbing his cheek and leaving soft kisses on the weeping omega.
Obito and Izuni shook the snow off their shoulders and hair and used a towel to dry their legs and feet. Both giving Itachi a sad look, they both bowed then left the alpha and omega alone in the entrance way, off to go find Fugaku.
Itachi pet Deidara's hair, letting the omega calm down in his arms. His own inner alpha howled in distress as it tried to understand why Sasuke wasn't home and why his mate was grieving before him. "It's okay, he will be okay for now, I'm certain," Itachi calmly spoke to his mate while hugging him close. "Let's get some tea, so we can talk." Itachi moved slightly and Deidara reluctantly moved away and wiped his nose. Itachi tipped Deidara's chin up to look at him, seeing the puffy red watery eyes pained him deeply. His mate was grieving and Itachi was struck with feeling like a worthless alpha who couldn't console and suppress his mate's pain. Deidara's lips were quivering and he slipped his bottom lip between his teeth to hold it steady. Itachi leaned in and pressed his lips on the quivering ones. "It's alright my love, let's get our tea." He slipped his arm behind Deidara's back, placing his hand under Deidara's shirt, so he could feel his mate's warmth through his fingers and gently led them both towards the kitchen.
Instead of sitting at the table, Deidara insisted on stradling Itachi's lap and holding him close. He has already been in this kitchen talking to mama Mikoto, with tea, and going through stress. He felt much better in the arms of his mate, though he was still feeling stressed, somehow being with his mate made it more bearable. Itachi whispered what had happened in their search for Sasuke and the struggle he went through with the decision to head back home.
Deidara had his head resting on Itachi's shoulder as he spoke, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts at why Sasuke had suddenly bolted from the family in the manner that he did. "You said Sasuke's wolf panicked...what do you think triggered it?" Deidara whispered out.
"It was most likely the surprise of mother and father. Seeing them, after so many years-and I know Sasuke was fearful of what they would think of his true status." Itachi turned his head away, a familiar feeling pricked at his eyes, a lump began to form in his throat. "I knew how he felt about it, he said he wasn't ready and I-I didn't listen…I thought he was..." Itachi choked out in a whisper. "This is all my fault…"
"He just needs time to think," Deidara countered Itachi's accusation. Deidara palmed Itachi's cheek, pulling his mate's face to his own, then planting a soft kiss on the alpha's lips. Deidara sighed into the kiss when Itachi responded just as softly. The kiss was gentle, loving and they both released their supportive embrace to each other, desperate to soothe the other from the agony they both suffered from.
==/\/\==
"Uchiha-sama," Obito called out and bowed when he walked into the library, Izumi beside him bowing as well.
Fugaku was standing near the fireplace, a tumbler in his hand full of an amber liquid. The firelight twinkled off the glass when Fugaku turned to see Obito and Izumi enter. He said nothing as he waited for his two clan members to report.
"We were unable to locate Sasuke-kun Uchiha-sama," Obito shook his head sadly. "The storm that blew in made it unsafe to continue."
"The terrain is treacherous and the snow was covering areas that were dangerous. Itachi-sama had narrowly missed falling into a deep trench," Izumi now spoke.
"I'm certain Sasuke will be alright out there for now. He knows the land, and whatever his wolf was going on about," Fugaku twirled his one hand about and rolled his eyes in an exasperated breath. "I suspect he will be back once he's cooled off." Fugaku nodded his head, his voice deep and firm. He walked over to one of the large windows, looking out at the swirling snow. "You are dismissed," he huffed out, not even looking at the two Uchihas.
"Hai, goodnight Uchiha-sama," Obito and Izumi spoke out and left the room.
Fugaku twirled the liquid in his glass gently, his eyes watching the snow, his brows furrowing in thought. He turned his head to see the large green eyed alpha standing in the corner of the room. The large alpha was impressive. His broad shoulders, his thick chest and he stood well over 6 foot 4, an intimidating creature that's for sure and Fugaku was pleased to have had this alpha in his pack. He recalled finding him, practically feral, living on whatever he could find and achieve by fighting for it, mostly food. His clan was wiped out decades ago, from what he could find out, due to a species war. A species he knew that could wipe out any other clan if they desired it so. The alpha needed guidance, support and direction, and most of all, a powerful alpha leader. And Fugaku practically overflowed with such teachings. And with such knowledge within his bloodline, Fugaku brought the alpha in, showing him what the Uchiha clan was all about.
"Kakazu," he barked out with authority and the green eyes flicked to focus on him. "What do you think of what happened with my son?"
The large alpha didn't flinch and kept his eyes on Faguku. The alpha was still as stone and the shadows that flickered across his massive body created a being that looked straight out of a horror movie. "His wolf was shielding something. I'm unsure why." The mask moved slightly when Kakazu's lips moved behind it.
Fugaku's eyes widened slightly at the answer. "Hmm," he hummed out when he brought his hand to his chin, using his forefinger and thumb to rub on either side of his chin. His eyes lowered to the floor as he thought deeply, the ice clinking to the sides of the glass when he paced slowly around the fireplace. All he had sensed was a strong sensation of stay back from Sasuke, though he wasn't close enough to get a full reading of the wolf, plus the sudden outburst from his youngest son had surprised him.
"Fugaku," a soft voice flowed through the room.
Fugaku blinked, looking up and over to see Mikoto entering the room. She floated with smooth grace, her long blue black hair waved gently around her shoulders with each step, her warm wide dark eyes were focused straight at him and her lips held a small smile. His own wolf fluttered with excitement seeing the female omega, her wolf releasing a strong perfumed scent that immediately calmed his worried thoughts about Sasuke and replaced it with something else much more heated. He could feel himself smile when Mikoto slid right into his arms and nuzzled his neck. His wolf panted out with sudden excitement, goosebumps traveled all down his arms and legs from the sudden attention his omega was giving him. "Mi-Mikoto love...w-what-"
"Let us retire now," Mikoto purred into his ear. "-alpha." Her voice seductively rolled off of her tongue, her hot breath pushed into his ear canal and Fugaku eeped suddenly when she nipped his earlobe. She pulled back with hooded eyes focused on him and gave him a wink. She then turned slowly, dragging her fingers down his one arm slowly, before she began to saunter towards the door. She stopped at the door when she opened it and threw a seductive look over her shoulder at Fugaku, "don't keep me waiting Uchiha-sama." Her lips curled up into a smile before she slipped through the door.
Fugaku's eyes stared at the door, his body shivering slightly from what just happened before clearing his throat and finishing off what was left in his tumbler. He pulled his collar away from his neck, suddenly he was feeling flushed. His inner alpha was clawing at his mind, the heightened desire sparked this libido and his alpha was ready to claim what was already his. "Ehem! Y-you are dismissed Kakazu," Fugaku coughed out as he strode towards the door keeping his face as placid as he could, but he couldn't stop the corner of his lips smiling up when he thought of what lay in wait for him in his chambers.
Kakazu watched as Fugaku left the chambers and he walked over to the slow burning fireplace. His eyes watched the flickering flames, thoughts went through his mind about what had happened earlier in the evening. The younger Uchiha gave off a strong scent that Kakazu had only scented in omega's in the clan, yet Fugaku-sama never mentioned the possibility of his youngest son being-. He shook his head, clearing it of the thoughts, since Fugaku had never said there was any danger here while visiting with his sons, therefore he shouldn't worry much about what the younger of the two did, it wasn't really his business. He turned and headed out of the library to his sleeping chambers.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
The sun began to break through the horizon and the snow that lay on the branches of trees and the surrounding mountains, sparkled and dazzled against the deep dark blue sky. The sun was slowly turning the sky into a brilliant blue, phasing out the dark colour of night.
Naruto flickered open his eyes, a yawn broke out through his lips suddenly and he stretched his arms out over his head. Scratching his head, he smacked his lips while sitting up and saw the glowing coals of what was left of the fire that was going last night. Blinking quickly he realized where he was and looked around.
Kyuubi was sleeping near him still and Naruto smiled. Kyuubi looked better, the colour was coming back into his skin and he had easily gained a few pounds since they found him, Naruto could see the hollowed areas in his face were filling out. Looking past Kyuubi, he saw Kakashi sleeping a few feet away. 'What happened to taking turns for the watch?!' Naruto thought quickly, turning his head around to find the others. He saw Kisame still lying where he was last night, Hidan, sleeping beside him but no Utakata. 'Huh...Utakata must be on watch.' Naruto slowly got up, stretching his legs and arms again as his lips released another yawn. He squinted towards the sunrise, taking a moment to admire the beauty before turning to go check on Kisame.
"Kakashi-" Naruto whispered out quickly, his eyes going over the body of the still unconscious wolf. "Kakashi!" he spoke out more hurriedly when nobody answered. Naruto dropped to his knees, his hands shaking as he moved to touch the thick fur. Hidan woke with a start at the cry, scrambling to his knees, blinking the sleep out of his eyes and rubbing at them furiously. He quickly focused on Naruto whose fingers were shaking slightly in the long black strands of Kisame's fur.
Kakashi jumped up and stumbled over to where Naruto was kneeling beside Kisame. "Wha-What is it Naruto?" Kakashi asked, worry was evident in his voice when he dropped to his knees as well beside the blond alpha.
"Kah-Kakashi...its-Kisa-me, he's...he's," Naruto sputtered out when he slowly moved his fingers slowly through the thick fur.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he took in the large wolf's frame, his breath hitched, "h-how is this…" he trailed off.
Hidan snapped his head to the side and suddenly moved to crawl on all fours towards Kisame's head. He gathered up the large wolf's head, embracing it into his chest and dropped his face onto the wolf's head between the soft drooped ears. Sniffling and whimpering escaped Hidan's lips while he rubbed his cheeks against the wolf's head constantly before a deep throaty moan rose from the muzzle of the wolf.
Naruto jerked his head at Hidan. He shut his mouth quickly with a click and his lips curled up into a huge smile. "Kakashi," he whispered. "He-Kisame, he-he's getting better!" Naruto turned back to look at the gray haired wolf. Kakashi was moving his fingers gently around Kisame's body, looking at each wounded area cautiously.
"But, how-" Kakashi whispered out, his eyes looking at Naruto briefly before moving to look over the wounds again. The festering wounds had all but closed, they were no longer leaking fluids, and healing normally like a werewolf should.
A soft thump on the ground had Kakashi look over to see Utakata, who had jumped down from a tree. "You-what you did..." Kakashi asked with a raised brow.
Utakata walked softly towards the wolves, his eyes quickly scanning Kisame's body before he nodded. He knelt down beside Kakashi tilting his head. "Glad it worked. I wasn't sure-" he trailed off.
"Whatever you did, it worked!" Naruto chirped out happily. "Thank you so much!" Naruto beamed a smile at Utakata before shuffling over to sit by Hidan who was still sniffling into Kisame's head. "Hey Hidan, look! He's getting better! This is great!" He rubbed Hidan's back soothingly. Every so often there would be a throaty moan that would come from Kisame's muzzle. The wolf was still asleep and it appeared he was dreaming or starting to wake.
"Thank you, Utakata," Kakashi spoke softly and sincerely. He smiled at Utakata and nodded. "But you know," he added. "There are questions…"
"Hn...maybe," Utakata replied, his eyes not meeting Kakashi's.
Kakashi dropped it for now and went back to examining Kisame. For now he was grateful for whatever Utakata had done to save Kisame's life.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Sasuke slowly opened his eyes, not sure of what he would see, but he kind of knew where he was but needed to see it to believe it. So when his vision saw nothing but a haze of blue fog, he turned his head to see that it was all around him. It felt as if he was laying down, and that he was waking for a long nap. Moving to arrange himself to sit up, he then realized that he wasn't technically lying down. In fact, he wasn't in human or wolf form at all, and he mentally rolled his eyes.
'What are you doing fur ball? Why am I here and not in form?' Sasuke mentally yelled out. He now realized that he was in the subconscious of his wolf, but why he was here, he didn't understand. He huffed out in an annoyed fashion and concentrated. Visions of what had happened in the hall came to the forefront of his mind. 'Father, Itachi, and mother.' The emotional onslaught when he saw his mother, the shock of seeing his father and that-that greened eyed alpha that he hadn't met before. The rush of panic from his wolf when seeing the green eyed alpha, those piercing eyes and his wolf took over, that's right, his subconscious was forced to the side as his wolf took charge and-and nothing. He didn't know what happened after that.
Several tingles of electric bolts of blue vibrated through the blue fog and Sasuke was drawn away from his thoughts suddenly, as a new sensation was brought to his attention. His wolf was expressing strong excitement, and pushing an urge to him to come-'come with me' it seemed to call. It pulled at him and Sasuke began to move through the blue fog, looking to where the streaks of light were pointing too.
The thickness of the fog lightened somewhat, the longer he moved through it, but the streaks of light didn't lessen, they continued in front of him, guiding him along. Sasuke felt the flutter of possessiveness become stronger, laced with a heavy dose of protectiveness, was the best he could explain, when the same small green glowing ball came into view, as it did earlier when he was laying on his bed back at the Uchiha manor. He felt his heart hitch a beat, matching the excitement his wolf expressed out through their bond. Getting closer to the glowing orb of green, that had its own sparks that shot out randomly, a sudden warm heat pushed through Sasuke's mind that left him immediately breathless. His heart thumped heavily in his chest and ached so hard that Sasuke burst into tears. The onslaught of emotions to protect, worship, and just love had him so overwhelmed with happiness, that he couldn't control the release of his subconscious tears. He understood now. This is why his wolf was expressing so loudly and strongly, trying to get him to understand the only way his wolf knew how. And now, the only clear concise thought he had was he needed to surround that green glowing orb of pure untainted, innocent and helpless essence to protect it from everything around it. And that is what he did.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
as always...comments are appreciated if you feel the need to express what this story/chapter is doing for you.