The Hunt

"This is your room," said Sasuke sullenly.

Naruto gaped a bit. It was probably about the same as Sasuke's room but he hadn't really been looking at the Uchiha's room whilst he was being strangled. The bedroom wasn't very big but it was still a lot nicer than anywhere he could ever remember living. The furnishings were old and traditional. A thick rug lay in the middle of the room over hard stone, there was a desk, love-seat, chest of drawers and a wardrobe made of the same sturdy, dark wood as the queen-size four poster bed.

"I'll get the girls to go shopping for you."

"Shopping?"

"You can't wear those rags forever," Sasuke said dismissively.

"They're not rags!"

"Whatever," Naruto growled slightly but Sasuke ignored him. "It's nearly sunrise. Do you want dinner now or do you just want to go to sleep?"

"Dinner?" Naruto frowned in confusion.

"Yeah, the kitchen is back near the lounge."

"Dinner at sunrise?" Naruto asked again.

Sasuke suddenly realised what he was getting at. "The whole Hunt is nocturnal. There's no point being awake in the daytime when we can't hunt until nightfall."

"I suppose so," said Naruto thoughtfully. "So do you all have powers? Like your lightening and Ino's... mind-melting?"

"Yeah, we do..."

Sasuke looked away distractedly. Naruto walked over to the bed running a hand over the covers before throwing himself down on them. A small smile spread across his face at how comfy it was.

*

Sasuke watched Naruto stretch out on his new bed. How the hell was he supposed to break the news to him. How did one tell some homeless guy that he would soon gain powers that may be beyond his ability to control. First he needed to know which of the early symptoms he was showing.

"Say... Naruto?"

"Hmm?" Naruto looked up.

"Have you noticed anything strange recently?" probed Sasuke.

"Strange? You mean other than the existence of vampires and you people?"

"Yeah. Like how good is your night vision?"

Naruto sat up looking thoughtful. "It's good I guess. I mean I managed to see okay on the staircase leading down here."

'Very good then. The only light on that staircase is what leaks through the doors at either end.'

"Okay. How about your hearing?"

"I've never had any hearing problems, why?"

Sasuke ignored his question. "What about your sense of smell?"

"It's good, although that's a bad thing if you live where I do." Naruto pulled a face.

"Have you ever caught a cold?"

Naruto hesitated. Sasuke could almost see the gears turning in his brain. It was unusual not to get ill at some point during your life especially if you're living in less than pleasant conditions.

"Not that I remember. Heh, guess I must have a good immune system," said Naruto lightly.

"Neji-san was right..." muttered Sasuke.

He hadn't completely believed it but now all the signs were pointing toward the same conclusion.

"Right about what?"

"You met Neji on your way here didn't you?"

"I passed by him. He gave me such a weird look."

"Hmm."

Sasuke walked across the room to sit on the desk chair. Naruto was now sitting on the edge of his bed watching Sasuke think.

"Look! Are you going to give me some answers or are you going to keep asking random questions?!"

Sasuke gave him a long look before sighing softly, "Neji and his cousin are powerful Hunters. They can sense the magick within the blood of every demon and Hunter in this city if they put their minds together."

"Sense the magick...?"

"Yes the blood magick that resides within all of us here," Sasuke looked Naruto directly in the eye. "Including you."

"What?" shouted Naruto, jumping to his feet. "That's stupid! I'm not like you people! I'm not supposed to be here!"

"Yes you are. It all adds up. The reason you followed me-"

"I followed you because you owe me an apology!"

"You followed me because you were drawn to the coven, to my magick, the magicks of the people here and the ancient magick which protects our home," Sasuke explained calmly.

"That's ridiculous!"

"It's not. You yourself have admitted to feeling the early effects of magick. The heightened senses, the strong immune system, you've even developed your sixth sense."

"A sixth sense?"

"Yes. It is the sixth sense that led you here. You felt the pull. I also believe you used it to get past our doorman."

"That was a lucky guess!"

"Denial is a common part of the transition. But once your powers really manifest you'll need to except your fate."

Sasuke faced Naruto with a deadly serious look in his eye. The boy was looking properly frightened for the first time since he had arrived. A small, unwilling part of Sasuke felt sorry for him. It was a horrible position to be in, but they had all had to go through it and so would he.

*

Naruto felt quite sick as his knees gave way and he sunk onto the edge of the bed. This couldn't be real. 'This is the most surreal day I've ever had! These people are crazy! Either that or they're not real... which means I'm crazy.'

"One last question," Naruto glanced up at him, wondering if it could possibly get worse. "What's your favourite colour?"

Naruto was stumped, this guy clearly didn't get out much... but of course he didn't, the nocturnal bastard. "Orange, why?"

"Nevermind. I expect you wish to sleep right now but we can continue this conversation when you wake up."

Naruto nodded dumbly. He was in total shock but Sasuke was right; he was tired. So... so tired. He let himself fall back on the bed. It was comfy and warm and if he slept he wouldn't need to think about anything. But Sasuke was talking again.

"Suigetsu, I know you're there."

Naruto managed to keep his eyes open long enough to see a pale man slip out of the wall and into his room but then he sunk into unconsciousness.

*

Suigetsu grinned as he separated himself from the wall. "Making friends, Sasuke?"

"Must you always eavesdrop?"

Suigetsu faked an offended expression, "You make me out to be an insatiable gossip."

Sasuke rolled his eyes as Suigetsu's face broke into a sharp-toothed grin. Ignoring his fellow Hunter, Sasuke walked over to where Naruto was already fast asleep. The boy had had a long and difficult night, unfortunately his life wasn't going to get easier anytime soon.

"Not molesting the poor guy in his sleep, are we Sasuke?" taunted Suigetsu following him over to peer at Naruto. "He isn't exactly an eyesore though..."

Sasuke continued to ignore the other and he bent down to look at the bottom of Naruto's battered converse. He could barely read the size they were so worn out. "Size 10," he muttered, straightening again to take in Naruto's sleeping form. "Probably only one size bigger than me... but orange? What terrible taste."

Suigetsu gave a sharp laugh from behind him that caused Naruto to grunt and turn over. "You going shopping Sasuke?"

"No. Ino and Sakura are, since it's partly their fault he ended up here in the first place."

"But they'll enjoy it so it's not much of a punishment really."

"I don't care, as long as I don't have to do it."

Sasuke found Ino and Sakura in the lounge, gave them Naruto's sizes and told them he liked orange but not to go overboard with it. Judging by the way they both dressed solely in their favourite colour he didn't trust them not to buy Naruto as much orange as they could find. Then Suigetsu might have to rethink his statement that Naruto wasn't an eyesore.

*

Naruto was awoken by a gentle hand on his shoulder. Before he opened his eyes he sent out a silent prayer that it was all just a nightmare.

"Naruto? Wake up, it's breakfast time."

He cracked an eye open to find Sasuke's face very close to his. Dark eyes watched as Naruto stared in surprise at the Uchiha. As Sasuke straightened Naruto took in what he was wearing; a tank top with net sleeves and, Naruto gulped, tight leather trousers.

"What are you staring at?" asked Sasuke innocently, leaning closer and batting long dark lashes.

Naruto coughed looking away from the alluring sight. "Nothing."

"Sure," drawled Sasuke disbelievingly. "Your new clothes are on the sofa."

Naruto looked to the foot of his bed to find several large bags from shops he had never even dared to set foot in. He leapt out of bed so quickly Sasuke had to jump back to avoid a collision.

"Wow! Are these all for me?" said Naruto excitedly pulling several items from their bags. Then his face fell a little, he knew how expensive some of these shops were. "But these must have cost a lot..."

"You think the club upstairs is only for show? It's a very profitable business and the source of our funding," said Sasuke with a sly smile. "Go on, try them on, bet they look good on you!"

Naruto blushed a little at Sasuke's strange comment but nodded anyway. He picked out a long sleeved orange top with black straps and buckles attached, then some black ripped jeans.

He turned to Sasuke, "Er... mind giving me some privacy?"

"Do I have to?"

"What?!" Naruto gave Sasuke a shocked look.

Something was different about Sasuke. True, Naruto didn't really know him yet but he was sure the Sasuke from yesterday wouldn't have said something so forward.

"Okay then, since you're so shy, I'll just put away the rest of the clothes."

Naruto waited until Sasuke had his back turned and was hanging up his new clothes in the wardrobe. Then he slipped off his old clothes and worn out converse and changed into the brand new clothes. Now Naruto understood why Sasuke had asked his favourite colour. He must have guessed his size right too since the clothes fitted perfectly.

He was just pulling the orange top over his head when he felt Sasuke move behind him. He jumped a little when slender fingers helped him pull the top down, grazing the tanned skin of his hips as they did so.

"I can dress myself you know," Naruto's voice hitched involuntarily as he spoke.

He felt those cool fingers brush his skin again. As Sasuke ran his hands over Naruto's abdomen he rested his head between Naruto's shoulder blades.

"I know that," he said softly.

Naruto couldn't help the shiver that ran through his body at the feel of Sasuke pressed so close to him. His warmth was intoxicating and that low voice speaking into the crook of his neck was clouding his mind. Suddenly something occurred to him.

"Weren't you a bit taller than me yesterday?"

"I'm not wearing my boots right now," he could almost hear the pout in Sasuke's voice.

"I'm taller than you?" Naruto asked grinning stupidly.

"Don't rub it in," Sasuke said just as the door opened.

Naruto looked up and his jaw dropped. He had thought he was crazy before but now it seemed he was seeing things. In the doorway stood Sasuke who was looking equally surprised as his calculating eyes flickered from Naruto to eyes the same as his which watched him over Naruto's shoulder. A slight blush adorned the new Sasuke's pale cheeks as he saw where his doppelgänger's hands were. Behind Naruto's back the first Sasuke smirked at the new arrival.

"Naruto," said the second Sasuke to a panicked looking blond. "Get away from her."

"Her? Who are you talking-"

"He's referring to me," said a female voice behind him.

Naruto jumped, spinning around to face the short woman behind him.

"What the hell?!" he shouted in confusion backing away from her.

"Since when do I wear leather trousers?" Sasuke asked her sternly.

"Well there was that one time..."

"Shut up."

"Hello people?! I'd like an explanation, right now!"

"Naruto, this is Karin, she's a shape-shifter," then he raised his voice. "Suigetsu, you can show yourself too!"

Next second Naruto saw the same person he had glimpsed this morning walk straight through his wall. Naruto again gaped. This was the weirdest morning he'd ever had... or was it evening?

"You owe me 2000 Yen," Karin said triumphantly pointing at Suigetsu.

"Yeah yeah," said Suigetsu counting out the money as he turned to Naruto. "Somehow I just didn't think you were gay."

"What?! I'm not gay!" burst Naruto.

"You are, you were loving me as Sasuke!" shouted Karin.

Naruto felt his face burn and knew Sasuke was looking at him, "Well I'm not totally gay."

"You're bi?" asked Suigetsu.

"Yeah."

"Close enough," said Karin. "Pay up Suigetsu."

"Get lost! You bet he was gay, therefore you were wrong! You should be paying me!"

"Like hell I lost!" shouted Karin.

As the both of them started arguing Sasuke pushed between them. He snatched the money from Suigetsu's hand and gave it to Naruto.

"Since you were betting at Naruto's expense and you both lost he can have the money." As Suigetsu opened his mouth to argue and Karin began to laugh at him Sasuke held his hand out to Karin. "And I'll take your loss since you used my form in such a distasteful way."

There was much moaning before Karin finally handed over the cash and they both left. Sasuke and Naruto were left in an awkward silence.

"Well I came to wake you up but I see someone already did that for me," said Sasuke to break the silence.

"She sure did. Is everyone here as crazy as those two?"

"Not really. Those two were orphans and both had behavioural problems from a young age which they never really grew out of."

"Right... So does the whole 'Hunt' live here?"

"No, it's mainly the younger ones. A lot of the older Hunters live within the city, working along side mortals and going about their duties at night. There are similar safe-houses like this one for Hunter's in other cities."

Naruto thought this over for a minute. He supposed it made sense, or as much sense as any of this could make. Sasuke, it seemed, had finally decided to give him answers to his questions, perhaps because he knew Naruto wasn't going anywhere. He chanced a glance at Sasuke, who thankfully wasn't looking at him. He was looking at the clothes Sakura and Ino had brought. Then Naruto noticed them, a pair of heavy black boots on the floor by the sofa. They were just like Sasuke's except that these had red and yellow flames adorning the toes. Naruto stared at them, they were so cool!

Sasuke must have noticed him staring because he spoke with a smirk in his voice. "Why don't you try them on?"

"Hell yeah I will!"

It took him a while to figure out the many buckles and clips but once he did he laced them up properly and stood. He looked down at the flame patterns, then over at his reflection in the wardrobe mirror. He looked so different in these clothes, but he liked it. He gave an experimental jump in the boots; they were heavy and sturdy. With the metal bits on the toes Naruto could imagine it would hurt a lot if he were to kick someone with these on.

"It's cold underground so I told Sakura and Ino to find you a coat. If you put it on we can go for breakfast."

A bit more rummaging revealed a black long coat. As Naruto held it up it unfolded to reveal a pattern of orange flames along the bottom.

"Wow I really need to thank those girls," said Naruto as he threw the coat on, it fitted perfectly just like everything else had. "They're really good shoppers."

"They jumped at the chance."

Naruto grinned at Sasuke who turned away without another word to lead the way to the food hall. Naruto rolled his eyes. Sasuke may have decided to give him answers now but he was still a cold bastard and Naruto found he preferred it that way. "Overly-friendly-Sasuke may have been totally hot but it was still a little creepy.'