To Woo A Prince

My…my stories are updated slower than the season’s change :P Sorry about the slowness with the work load and getting back into the swing of things in college I haven’t had much time to write, so please bare with me. On with the story.

Victims of War

Vibrations deep within the soil caused the man’s steps to halt; his keen eyes shifted through a layer of darkness. No creature stirred, and the wind itself stilled in the night. How odd, for only moments ago the wind had been whipping though his hair, sweeping across his face, and rustling his clothing against his frame. If he had a pulse, now would be the time for it to race, as his palms grew sweaty and the familiar yet foreign feeling of fear came over him. Startled by the strong chest pressed against his back, Sai spun around frozen in place by the power of his master’s artic blue gaze. Their eyes met and Sai melted into his embrace, for powerful arms wrapped around his middle, pulling him closer. The presence he sensed in these ghastly woods had not only caused his panic but the others’ too. On the night Naruto and he had left their home; it had only been the two of them. Master and servant, but now…now they had gained more for their coven. Sai watched them huddling together, glaring at him for being their Master’s pet. Truth be told, Sai couldn’t give a flying fuck at the moment, not when Naruto’s arms held him so perfectly. His gentle fingers passed through Sai’s coal black hair, while Naruto’s other hand rubbed circles over his back.

Eyes now closed, Sai whimpered as the soothing voice brushed against the shell of his ear, calling his attention from the dark corners of his mind.

“Hush…you can feel them…can’t you Sai?” Shivering from the deep sultry purr of the blond’s voice Sai could only nod his head in answer.

“Those beasts are on the hunt, but it is not our blood they seek.”

Pulling away from the safety of his master’s cotton clothed chest, Sai gazed up with a lost expression weighing on his features.

“If not us Master…then who?”

It seemed that question had sparked an interest in Naruto. Lifting his head toward the glistening night’s sky, the heavens above were clear of clouds, allowing the full moon to shower his clan in a sliver glow, and pure serenity passed over them all. Devil be damned this moment was too perfect; his tongue eased between his lips, caressing his plump bottom lip before gliding over the top in a hungry fashion. Blue eyes flashed crimson for only a moment before Naruto pulled himself back in check. His mind raged with thoughts of blood. Oh, the night was young and his coven had yet to feed, would luck be on his side tonight? Or had it abandoned him in his time of need? Lowering his head, Naruto leant down, letting his moistened lips hover a hair’s width over the flushed face and trembling lips of his servant. Lowering his eyelids and speaking in a dark bedroom whisper he nearly moaned from the reaction Sai provided. Knees weak, hands clenching desperately on his shirt, Sai’s breath was coming in ragged pants. His mid-night eyes shined over with lust, all this…and Naruto hadn’t even touched him.

“That is the question now isn’t it Sai…who indeed?”

Lifting his head, Naruto left Sai forgotten to face his coven. Sai collapsed to his knees, silently crying out as his hands gripped the throbbing bulge within his suddenly too tight pants. His eyes were damp with unshed tears; damn he was so hard it hurt! How cruel his master could be at times, playing with Sai’s emotions for his own amusement. It was wrong, Sai was still young by vampire’s standards, and he had yet to learn how to keep his feelings in check. It was a test just now…and Sai had failed. He knew that; it was not the first time that Naruto lit his fire, only to leave him cold and wanting.

Now he was left to suffer with his mistake while Naruto gave orders for the coven to move forward and scout the area, treading lightly for what was lurking within the woods.

“Get up Sai.” At the sharp command Sai shot up, his erection standing proudly, yet he dare not touch himself any more. He would not show farther weakness and disgrace his Master.

“Yes Master.”

“Come.” With the harsh sound of crushing leaves and hasty steps, Naruto knew Sai was right behind him. It saddened Naruto to know that after ten years of service Sai seemed to have learned nothing. Yes, the boy could hunt for himself, and shifting hadn’t seemed to be a problem. Yet the life they lived was far more than shifting and feasting. For hell’s sake they were at war and Sai still clung to him, as child would do their mother. Something would have to be done, and soon.

~.~

Tucked beneath the warm covers lay a small boy tossing and turning in his sleep. This child was plagued with dreams of being ripped from his mother’s arms as she was dragged away from him. They were nightmares of the fearful train ride that had taken him to the distance far off valleys of his grandfather’s homeland. With a heart-wrenching gasp he woke; brown eyes wide as a thin layer of sweat covered his forehead. His tense hands trembled in their clenching of his bedding. Sitting up a bit more comfortably, the young boy did his best to calm his nerves. The day he was taken away from his mother had been the worst day of his life. A plague had spread, and it was with a heavy heart his father had been taken. His mother, being the fine nurse that she was, was to be sent to a hospital that had need for her. Only…he could not go. The train attendants had practically ripped him from his mother, and his screaming and pleading had fallen on deaf ears. So here he lay within his grandfather’s spare bedroom in lovely little Diosa.

Yes Diosa, with its lush forest and rolling pastures, its fine farmland and happy little townsfolk. It made him sick. All of them with their smiling faces and warm welcomes. He hated them, every last one of them. His grandfather promised that in time he would grow to adjust to his new environment. Only the boy did not want to adjust, he wanted to return to his real home, to his real friends and school. He wanted a place where there was action and life. Nothing of which could ever happen in Diosa. Well, maybe that wasn’t true; as of lately rumors had been going around the town. The type of rumors women would whisper to each other when they thought no one could hear them. Curious as to the happenings of this seemingly dull town, he’d taken it upon himself to question his grandfather, only that conversation hadn’t held too well. His grandfather grew very tight-lipped and said it was best for young children not to know such things.

Well that just wouldn’t do, so once again the young lad went in search of answers. He was rewarded with tales of monsters and unholy creatures lurking just beyond the forest borders. These beasts stalked the woods searching to young flesh to feed upon. Great, he moved to a town crazy with ghost stories. He was a nine-year-old boy, not yet a teen and nowhere near a man, but he was mature for his age. Or so he liked to think; the other children would tell him stories of how their friends had wandered off alone in the woods and never returned. In his mind they were the lucky ones that had found true civilization and chosen not to come back! Chuckling softly, he shoved back the covers of his bed and stepped onto the chilled wooden floor, giving a long stretch.

He was not fully awake, but Mother Nature was giving him a call he could not ignore. His hands passed through his unruly brown hair, pushing it away from his eyes as he moved towards his bedroom door. It couldn’t have been past the hour of twelve or so at night; the full moon shined through his single bedroom window, causing shadows to pass along the floor and walls. He moved down the darkened hallway, lit only by splashes of light from the moon. His footsteps were taken lightly so as not to awaken his grandfather; the man was old and needed his rest. The bathroom lay just beyond the hall, tucked in the corner near a cracked window. Nudging open the door with his shoulder, he lifted a hand to rub the sleep from his eyes as his free hand struggled with the tie of his pajama pants.

He yawned, letting his bare toes wiggle in the wool rug placed on the bathroom floor, his eyes calmly looking down at nothing in particular. Distracted by nothing, a cold draft ran over his back, sending a chill like no other down his spine. The sensation was so strong he spun around catching only a shadow, from the corner of his eye, vanishing just past the doorway. His eyes grew wide in fear before a wetness spilt onto his foot. Looking down, he mentally cursed at finding that he’d misaimed a bit, dampening not only his foot but the rug as well. With great haste, he finished up cleaning his hands on his pants before peeking out of the bathroom door. Unaware he was holding his breath, he felt the cold breeze of the night on his face and shifted chocolate eyes toward the window.

‘Wasn’t it cracked when I came in here…why was it now fully open?’

His grandfather must have done it. That was the draft he felt, and the shadow must have been his grandfather walking away. The cottage did grow a bit warm at night; yes that explained everything perfectly. Looking back down the hallway he didn’t see anything, nothing looked disturbed or anything. Tch, those stupid stories were starting to get to him! After all, it was just he and his grandfather that lived here anyway, nothing to stress over. He yawned again; all this overreacting was making him sleepy again. It was time to head back to bed. The trip back to his room was silent, until he slipped and caught himself on the wall, eyes wide before frowning and looking down. He should have been paying attention; maybe then he would have caught the wet puddle on the floor.

‘…Puddle? What?’

Jerking back, his face was covered with a look of disgust as he leant down to see what he’d stepped in. His body tensed. Eyes glaring at the floor, his fingers moved without his permission, kissing the surface of the pool. Pulling back his hand his heart stopped. That smell was unmistakable; his mother was a nurse after all! There would be times when she’d come home with stains this color on her uniform. Blood…his hands started shaking without realizing it. He’d stepped in blood…he’d touched blood. His head snapped up, he was seconds away from calling for his grandfather. His eyes followed the crimson river to its origin, leaking from beneath his closed bedroom door. Closed…he hadn’t closed his bedroom door...

In the back of his mind it clicked that the liquid was warm and thick with color, the flowing from beneath the door showed no signs of slowing. Instinct was starting to kick in loud and clear, warning bells ringing on full alert that it was time to scream, run, and not even think to look back. Yet it was boyish curiosity that won out in the end. Rising from the floor he crept forward, cautious of the mess on the floor. His body was shaking as if he was cursed with Parkinson's disease. Gripping the handle to his door he gave it a soft turn, slowly pushing the door open to see what was happening.

His eyes did not grow wide in shock, his blood did not run cold, and his heart did not stop in his chest. He would have pissed himself had it not been the fact he’s just come from the bathroom. So there he stood still as stone and his shakes no longer seemed important, because they had stopped. He couldn’t find the strength to tremble any longer. His room, in a strange way did not seem destroyed with what little furniture he had thrown around. His bedding was not torn to strands along with his curtains. In fact there, sitting as peaceful as the night, sat a man. If it was right to call him so, he sat looking up at the moon from his now open bedroom window. This man…this stranger was large with wide shoulders and muscles sculptured by the gods themselves. His naked torso was chiseled and dusted with what looked to be battle scars.

His face was painted with wild red triangles turned on their points; his glowing yellow wolf eyes stared at the sky with boredom. His legs were covered by worn brown leather pants, faded and torn in some places, his feet bare and covered with layers of dirt. A glimmer around his neck caught the boy’s attention; what looked to be a white pearl in the shape of a wolf fang hung like a necklace. It wasn’t the man that caused this petrifying moment. No, more like the beast at his feet…eating his grandfather alive. The blood that had stained his fingertips and foot was that of his grandfather, the same blood that was pooled around his corpse and the monster eating him. His grandfather was practically torn apart, how had that happened while not making a single noise?! Pieces of his flesh were scattered along the bedroom, while the white furred beast viciously ripped at his dead body. His white coat was covered with blotches of blood, his muse drenched in it. It was far too large to be a dog, much too cruel to be a wolf, and never would he be considered a man.

With the sudden spike of fear in the air he’d caught the man’s attention; brown eyes met yellow gold in a clash of interest and fear. A feral smile flashed; unleashing dangerous inhuman fangs from their hiding place within his mouth. The man’s voice echoed off into the dead silence of the room. It was deep and rough and it was in that moment the child knew his dreams would be haunted by something new, something he’d never forget for as long as he lived.

“…Look Akamaru…dessert.”

At the sound of its name the creature looked up and laid eyes on the boy. Letting the words spoken register for a moment, before it threw back its head and let out a loud high-pitched howl, the action causing the child to wince and cover his ears in pain.

“Kill’m.” The brunette command.

That instinct he’d ignored before came back with a vengeance; and this time he did not ignore it! He ran; good God did he run, as if the hounds of hell were at his heels! Oh wait…they were- in the form of a great white wolf like beast. It was salivating, crawling, tearing up the path before it. Eyes blazing, the scent of fear was so strong it was driving Akamaru mad! He raised his voice to scream for help as he cut through the kitchen and out the back door, only to find his screams were joined by many. Left and right, these beasts consumed the villagers! Men, women, and children were attacked. How…how could this have happened? Had his wishful thinking brought such horrors to this once peaceful town?

It was odd; his feet hadn’t stopped moving, though the world seemed to move slower. He was watching everything go on with a kind of sick fascination about him. It was like he was in tune with the rest of the world. He could hear the echo of his bare feet beating on the dirt road, the blood rushing in his ears, his ragged panting, and racing heart. He could feel the sweat running down his forehead and taste it on his lips. Brown eyes watched as he ran. He didn’t know where he was going but he dare not look back. Mrs. Miller, the blacksmith’s wife was screaming as he husband did his best to fight back a creature much like Akamaru. Large and covered with gray fur, the fur around his fangs was pulled back in a snarl, dodging a narrow blow with an iron hammer. Mr. Takanashi tugged at his daughter’s hands as her lower half was hidden in the door way, she seemed lifeless; something hidden inside the home was pulling her back into the darkness. One of the lanterns of the house on the corner had caught fire and the three houses were starting to join the blazing one.

Then there were the ones who weren’t so lucky. The ones that lay broken and torn on the ground. He tripped; down right predictable really when he thought about it. In his distraction of what was going on he tumbled over something. Falling to the ground he shielded his face, tucking into a tight ball as he rolled along the ground, tearing his nightclothes, scraping his skin. With a final roll he laid still, eyes closed as a dull ache filled his person. It was the resounding screams and the foul stench of death that made boy finally cry. He was going to die now; he was going to be ripped apart by the same thing that killed his grandfather. He would never see his mother again, his home or his friends. He was only nine years old, he had only begun to live, he had seen death and it scared him, and now he’d face his own. Had his grandfather cried? Had he begged the creature to spare him? Surely not, for he would have heard that within the silence of their home. His grandfather was a proud and strong man... and he would not bring himself any shame.

Clenching the blood soaked soil beneath his hands, he pushed himself to his knees, eyes lifting to stare into the gleaming hunger-filled gaze aimed at him. Yes he was scared; the river of tears falling from his big brown eyes said it all. He was only a child after all; one could not expect much. But it was clear Akamaru was not expecting this. He stepped back, his growling warning the child of his plan to strike. The boy still rose to his feet, hands tight to his sides, eyes lifting up his chin pointed skyward. Standing at his full height, the poor boy only reached about a few inches below his front legs. Did these creatures truly exist to be so big? It was pointless now…everything was pointless.

They stared off, for how long neither knew, and when brown eyes closed, the beast lunged.

~.~

Blue eyes scanned the area. So he had been right; the werewolf pack had crossed paths with this village. Diosa, it was called. Disgusting creatures werewolves; the whole town was left to nothing but dead, drained bodies and piles of ash. Bastards, Kiba was surely working with the hunters. Kiba was a monster by all sorts, but never would he behave this low. Naruto was growing impatient. This was the fourth village he’d come to, only to find it destroyed. They need to feed! There was nothing left; Kiba would unleash his demon pack and they’d kill everyone, making sure every ounce of blood was drained or spilt, going to waste. The slayers would spare his filthy kind, in exchange for their aid. Humans…how low could one be to destroy his own in order to defeat an enemy? It was moments like this that Naruto was proud he’d been turned. His heavy booted feet splashed in the muddy soil, his coven searching the area for any signs of life...only so they could take it. His hands rested deep within the pockets of his fine fitted overcoat, the ends lapping at his ankles as his white cotton button up shirt reflected the moonlight, the beams playing with his bright blond hair. This was becoming tiresome; he could only go so long without feeding. At this rate he would become weak, and be of no use to his coven…or himself.

Turning down a single wood path that lead back to the way he’d come, he paused mid-step, lifting an eyebrow at a sight he’d missed before. Looking around it seemed he was alone; funny he could hear the others moving about. Why hadn’t anyone seen this before? There he faced a child, a small boy no older than nine years of age at the most. Brown eyes watched him carefully, calculating his moves as if the human stood a chance. He was a fine boy, a brunette, with powerful brown eyes and a strong jaw. His nightwear was a bit worse for wear, with the signs of dirt and blood. The boy reeked of the smell of blood. Yet he stood perfectly still; he didn’t seem afraid, just waiting for something. Moving forward, intrigued by the child Naruto closed the gap between him. When only a few inches away from where the child stood, brown eyes following him, Naruto lowered to one knee. The cleanliness of his black pants was no longer a concern.

Naruto smiled a charming smile that the boy did not return; if anything his eyes grew colder. Smile never failing, Naruto spoke in a calm soothing voice.

“Can you speak?”

Silence was his answer.

“Are you afraid of me young one?”

Coffee eyes, if possible, glared harder.

“Aa… so I see you understand me...why not speak then?”

The only visible sign the boy was listening was the sight of his hands clenching. Though he portrayed it very well, Naruto was not a patient man. He wouldn’t be known and feared if his temper had not made its appearance from time to time. He could only do so much, and this child was making little if no effort at all.

“Why?”

Blue met brown in a blast of emotion. Tears fell against bronze cheeks, his glare strong, and Naruto was sure the boy didn’t even know he was crying right now. Though he was not sure what the boy meant. Was he asking why Naruto was talking to him? Why hadn’t he killed him? Or maybe he was asking why the foul beast had come in the first place? Then…it clicked and Naruto’s smile did fall. For it became very clear what the boy was asking.

“…Because…I am meant to kill you, that is why you were left alive.”

Lifting a single hand, golden skin brushed along the tear stained cheek, wiping away his tears. Oh, he had been wrong…Kiba was low…very low indeed. For only Kiba knew of the pain Naruto felt right now, for the grief and sorrow pulling at his heart. The boy was as dagger to the heart, cold and sharp, and Naruto swore the werewolf would pay for this crime. For it was not the simple fact of leaving a child to feast on, oh no, Naruto had no problem feeding on children. What hurt though was this child…this boy that caused a hollow ache in his chest. This boy of brown hair and brown eyes, this boy with such pride and bravery, for it’s as if he’d taken a step back in time, it was as if he were looking at…

“…Konohamaru.”

Brown eyes looked confused for a moment. The touch was slightly cold, but it was gentle.

“…What’s your name?”

“Inari.”

“Inari…would you like to come with me?”

“Who are you…w…what are you?”

Naruto smiled that charming smile once more, “…My name is Naruto, and I… am a vampire.”

Brown eyes widened. Moving closer, he lifted a hand, touching the smiling face in front of him. He looked into vibrant blue eyes, and his fingers played with blond silky strands, ghosting down to the low ponytail behind him. He tilted his head, looking at this flawless face.

Inari pulled his hand back whispering quietly, “…you’re beautiful...”

Naruto chose not to reply, not wanting to embarrass the boy, “Inari…”

Looking up slowly, Inari held Naruto’s gaze.

“Would you like to come with me?”

It did not matter where they went, or what happened when they got there. It didn’t not matter what Naruto was, because Naruto was beautiful and he hadn’t lied. He hadn’t tried to hide what or who he was. Quite the opposite, Naruto seemed proud of what he was, honored to be associated with the bloodsuckers. No…it didn’t matter, because… Inari had nothing left to lose.

“Yes.”

Pleased with the answer Naruto released the boy, and standing to his full height he turned sharply on his heel and walked back the way he came.

“Come Inari, we must find Sai so you can meet your new brother.”

Naruto’s word was law; it was not to be argued or disobeyed no matter what. It did not have to be said, because Inari followed behind him quietly, his hand reaching up to hold Naruto’s. The blond allowed the action as the two set out in searching of Sai. For it was not odd to see Naruto holding a living child’s hand, because it was no secret that Naruto Uzumaki had a love for beautiful things. For what could be more beautiful in the eyes of a vampire, than that of a broken blood stained child.


|||End of Chapter|||

I hope this came out well. Nonetheless… this chapter is a bit all over the place. I wanted to show you a bit of Sai and Naruto’s relationship, simply because it’s going to make a impact on this story, and no this not a Naru x Sai story…but there will be mentions of Naru x Sai so expect that...because that pairing is hot too. I also wanted you to see a nasty aspect of the war because, well let’s face it; it’s why Naruto left the letter for Sasuke to begin with. So yes, Kiba is a werewolf and is working with the Slayers, the people Naruto is at war against. I promise everything that happens is for a reason, and Inari is very important…got big plans for Sparky! If you have any questions…well then I guess you just going to have to review in order to ask them, now won’t you.

Please R&R!