Midnight Memories

I don’t own Naruto nor do I make money from it.AN: Sorry for the horrible wait. I’m so awful. I had a tremendously terrible time with this chapter. Before you say it, I am not bashing Hinata. So unless you want me to not use any additional characters from the manga don’t say anything. I needed someone in this role and I chose Hinata. I do not bash characters, I put them in situations that perhaps they would not normally be found in so no accusing me of bashing.



Warnings: blood drinking, vampires, angst, cursing, sexual content, dark theme.







Midnight Memories



Chapter Four



December 12, 1992



Itachi rubbed at the headache forming behind his eyes as he replaced the telephone on its cradle. Maggie and Paul Peterson were dead. Their car had hit a bit of ice on the road, sending them careening into a tree. Paul died instantly, but Maggie held on until the paramedics arrived. Miraculously, the five year old Naruto Uzumaki was unharmed save for a few facial lacerations.



Sighing, Itachi made his way down to the basement. The need to see his brother was potent tonight. Of course, Sasuke was still sleeping and he would continue to sleep. He would be unable to comfort his brother in this time of mourning.



Entering the well protected hidden room, Itachi watched the slow rise and fall of his brother’s chest. The pain in his own was almost unbearable. There were few humans whom Itachi considered friends. Maggie and Paul were two of those humans.



They had no knowledge of his nature but it did not stop him from considering them precious. He’d trusted them with the welfare of Naruto, who was most precious to his brother. It showed the level of trust he’d held in the two humans.



Sighing, he slumped on the bed; the motion barely moving the soft mattress. A faint layer of dust enveloped the room, coating everything but Sasuke. Itachi always found it an intriguing sight. Perhaps it was something in his blood or skin repelling the dust from his body. Whatever the case, Sasuke’s still skin shown like the finest porcelain; tiny blue veins visible in his jaw.



“Little brother, I find myself longing for your company again. We grew apart. It was my fault. I…Whatever curse has been placed on you, please let it end. Should Naruto die again, I will destroy you myself. You won’t survive it again. I won’t watch you be driven insane again.” Itachi stroked bangs back from his brother’s face, recalling the innocent brother long since tainted with despair.



Not expecting an answer, Itachi sat for what seemed like hours. He felt the rise of the sun in the east. It no longer held the pull it once had, although it didn’t prevent him from sensing its assent. Being long lived had its drawbacks. Sasuke was haunted by it, tortured nearly to the point of insanity. A lesser man would have long since taken his own life to escape the nightmare. Today, he truly felt the weight of his years. What would he do with the child, Sasuke’s beloved reborn?



He was in no way equipped to care for a young child but it was his responsibility to look after the boy until Sasuke could take him. He didn’t even want to think about if he’d died today. Itachi would have destroyed his brother while he slept. There would be no saving Sasuke this time. The madness, always but a breath away, would devour him.



As king of their kind, he held a responsibility to his subjects as well as to the humans amongst whom they lived. To release a grief maddened night walker amongst humans was asking for their secret to be exposed. Itachi was pretty sure the humans would not take kindly to the knowledge of their existence.



Lifting his hand to his own midnight tresses, he closed his suddenly very tired eyes before rising. Resetting the safeguards, he slowly made his way to the upper parts of the house. Other than the disturbing episode four years earlier, he’d avoided contact with the boy; content to watch from afar. Now, he would be forced to once again confront the cause of his brother’s madness.



The door chime rang loudly. It was a mere formality. He’d known of their arrival the moment the vehicle stopped in his drive. His brother’s doom stood behind the door. He could smell his scent. The added odor of salt from tears brought back into the forefront of his mind the reason for the boy’s presence in his home.



Opening the door slowly, Itachi stepped back as Naruto’s case worker ushered the boy inside. The tear tracks were still visible beneath dark smudged eyes; large white bandages covered each cheek making them look puffy. Fighting the urge to offer comfort to the boy, he silently escorted the two into the sitting room off from the foyer.



“Mr. Uchiha, as Naruto’s benefactor, I’m giving you the option to decide what we should do. His case is very unusual but I’d like your input.” Angela Mason, watched as the child sat quietly, his fingers running across the wooden arms of his chair. She’d become very close to him over the last five years and seeing the normally upbeat and hyper child acting so sluggish tore at her heart.



“He’ll stay with me.”



“Pardon?” Her eyes jumped back to his, surprise evident in them.



“He’ll stay with me. I’ve already taken steps to hire a live in nanny for the hours when he’s not in school. There won’t be any problem, will there?” Itachi watched the boy slide from his chair, obviously not interested in the conversation despite its direct impact on his life.



“You’ve had almost no contact with him since his birth. Why would you want to take him in now?” Angela was baffled.



“Consider it a change of heart.”



“Bullshit.”



“Watch your language around the boy. I don’t want him picking up such words if he’s to live with me.” Itachi smirked at the blush spreading across her face, still fully aware of every step Naruto made.



Sad blue eyes were scanning the room. It was filled with fancy paintings and obviously expensive vases. All utterly boring. He wanted…no needed something to do to take his mind off of Mama and Daddy. They told him they were not coming back. They acted like he was a baby.



Naruto knew full well why they were not coming back. He wasn’t stupid. They were dead. Death was the end, but some reason, it didn’t scare him.



He’d smelled the faint scent as Mama had buckled him into his booster. He’d known something would happen. His childish mind was unable to describe how he knew but he’d known that something would happen to them.



Continuing to explore the room while the adults talked, Naruto spotted something of interest. It was the beautifully designed sheath of a katana. The display called to him. He reached out a hand to take the weapon when long slender fingers grabbed his wrist, preventing him from taking the blade.



Turning, he saw the pale man looking at him thoughtfully, not angry but contemplatively. “What kind of sword is it?”



“Hn, it is a katana from the early Muromachi period in Japan.” Itachi murmured, his eyes not on the weapon but on the boy. Out of all the treasures in the room, he’d chosen that one. The sword called to its master, he supposed.



“Mr. Uchiha, if you are allowed to take the boy, you really must do something about the weapons.” Angela fretted over the boy. It was really more of a showing than actual affection. She didn’t even want to think about placing the boy. It was easy to simply leave him in the care of Itachi Uchiha than to place him in a home that would require her to make weekly or bi-weekly visits. With Uchiha, she might get by with once a month if not longer.



“Ms. Mason, why not simply say what you intend and leave. I know you want the boy to stay here. Stop pretending to care.” Itachi lifted the sword from its stand. Unsheathing the blade, he looked at the boy. Naruto’s eyes were glued to his refection in the metal as if he was seeing something only his eyes could view.



“What do you see boy?” Naruto jerked as if slapped.



“I don’t see anything.” A pink lower lip quivered, but his jaw remained firm.



“Hn.” Itachi tested the weight of the weapon. It really was an extraordinary sword. The katana originated in the Muromachi era. It was created to be quick to draw, cutting response times during battle drastically. “Ms. Mason, is there anything else I can do for you?”



“Now wait a minute, Mr. Uchiha…”



“It's ok, Ms. Mason. I don’t mind staying with him.” Naruto’s face held a serious gleam.



“Naruto…”



“I promise there will be nothing that can harm him. Tomorrow there will be a nanny to care for him when I am not around.” Itachi turned dismissively, to place the now sheathed katana on the stand with its accompanying wakizashi.



Turning to the woman, his voice purred smoothly, the compulsion he sent towards her was unmistakable to any of their kind. She would be hard pressed to fight such a powerful charm. “Angela, you will trust me with the boy. He is safe here. I will care for him. You can leave him with me.”



Blinking a few times in confusion, she stood and left silently, her back stiff. All she felt was trust in the aristocratic man. The small niggling stream of doubt blocked from her mind.



Itachi turned to the blond haired boy starting at him through eyes that looked far too old to be on a face so young. He didn’t seem the least bit shocked or surprised at the way his social worker left.



“Who are you?” Itachi’s eyes sharpened as he settled in a chair, gesturing for the boy to approach. It was strange. The boy seemed almost otherworldly one moment and the next he was the average five year old boy.



“My name is Naruto Uzumaki.” The small chest poked out in self importance.



“I didn’t ask your name.” Itachi inched his face closer, staring deep into the boy’s eyes. His own eyes having bled to red. He grabbed thin arms, his mind delving into the cloudy depths that fogged a mind so young.



Fighting the clogging tendrils of the mind, he sought out what he’d not a chance to see until now. Walking through the darkness even his eyes could not see, he became nearly lost.



“You don’t belong here.” Whirling around, he was face to face with Naruto. Not Naruto the child but Naruto the adult.



“Who are you? Why did you nearly destroy my brother?” Anger began to drip from him as his clawed hands swiped at the mental image of Naruto. His fingers passed through the flesh as if nothing was there.



“It’s not time.” Blue eyes drifted upward, almost as if he was scanning the unseen sky. The image flickered between that of the adult and of the child. Almost as if his mind couldn’t decide which he was.



“Naruto…”



“I’m sorry…”



Itachi gasped as he was flung forcibly from the mind. He reentered his body with such force; it felt as if the air was knocked from his lungs.



The boy was sitting quietly; his eyes began to fade, losing that otherworldly gleam. Itachi swallowed. The experience spun in his mind. It should not have happened. Rubbing his eyes, he stood slowly. “Come, I’ll show you to your room.”



IOIOIOIOIOI



February 19, 1404



“Sasuke.”



Sasuke blinked as his eyes stared out into the snow covered village. The powder dusted houses provided a picturesque image. He wasn’t really seeing it though. His mind was replaying thoughts of Naruto. The way he laughed. The way he tasted. When they were together, the rest of the world faded away.



“Sasuke.”



Why did he die? Why couldn’t he save him? He was a fucking immortal, why couldn’t he save one human life? Fingers tightened into a fist, blood dripped in a small pool at his feet.



“Sasuke!”



The younger brother jerked, turning startled eyes to his brother. Had Itachi been calling him? It was so hard to stay grounded lately. His mind felt so lost. “Itachi?”



“Didn’t you hear me calling you?” Itachi snatched the bleeding hand, drawing his tongue across the torn skin. Each swipe of his tongue healed the wound a little more until only unmarked skin remained. “You are foolish.”



“I’m sorry.” Sasuke slumped against the wall. “My mind seems to drift lately.”



“I feel like you are slipping away from me.” Itachi’s fingers ran through his brother’s hair, the short spikes bobbing at the stroking. Sasuke closed his eyes, his body relishing in the touch of his brother.



“I have an offer for you. Perhaps it is what you need. My duties keep me from joining you. How long has it been since you visited the land of our birth?” Itachi watched interest enter his brother’s eyes for the first time since Naruto’s demise.



“A long time.”



“I thought it might perk your interest. I’ve been in contact with Uncle Madara. He has agreed to allow you to stay with him on his estate outside of Kyoto. Are you interested?” Itachi saw the sparkle of life begin to twinkle in his brother’s eyes.



“I am.” Sasuke’s mind drifted back the land of his birth. The rice fields spread across the countryside. The cherry blossom trees dotting the landscape, petals floating through the air. He missed it. For the first time in a very long time, Sasuke’s mind was filled with something other than Naruto.



“I’ll arrange for your departure.” Itachi left his brother to his travel plans. This was what they both needed. Itachi had been worried for so long but now, he could relax. This trip to the land of their birth would renew Sasuke. Closing his eyes, he smiled a little. Yes, this was what he needed.



IOIOIOIOIOI



April 6, 1404



Sasuke breathed in the slightly salty air as his feet stepped from the ship into the harbor. He was home, the land of his birth. Some things had changed but some remained the same. The smell of the land was unchanged. He closed his eyes at the subtle scent of sakura mixed with the salt of the ocean to tease his senses.



Spring was such a beautiful time. His childhood had been spent playing beneath the midnight blossoms of the sakura trees. It was a time filled with laughter. His brother, already long grown, would carry him on his back as they jumped from tree to tree. His childhood was filled with much love and laughter.



“Uchiha-san?” Sasuke was brought from his revere of the past as a meek servant approached.



“Yes.” Sasuke stepped forward. It felt strange to be dressed in the fine men’s silk kimono. After so many years in western clothing, the light spring robe felt strange. The tatami sandals felt equally strange, though he would never reveal such things to the servant before him.



“Uchiha-sama has instructed me to transport you to his palace. If it pleases you, the carriage is here.” The servant bowed, awaiting Sasuke’s direction. He was well trained and as such, would never direct his master.



Sasuke nodded as he made his way to the ornate carriage. Madara was going a bit overboard. His memories of the man were vague but this seemed totally in character with him. Settling inside the horse drawn box, he closed his eyes.



The midday sun was sapping what little energy he had. He would be glad when they reached Madara’s palace. Sasuke had grown unused to the sun after Naruto’s death. There was really no need to remain in it. He had no interest in humans anyway, other than food and even that had become a chore foisted on him by Itachi in his worry.



The jarring of the carriage jerked Sasuke from his drowsy state. “What is going on?”



“Please forgive me, Uchiha-san. The wheel has broken. Please wait here, I shall go to the palace and another carriage shall be sent post haste.” The servant vanished before Sasuke could debate the issue.



Frowning, he stepped from the vehicle. There was no point in him sitting there. His legs worked fine. He would begin making his way towards Madara’s home. The sky did not promise to remain docile. Perhaps luck would be with him.



About an hour into his journey, the skies opened up, the over cast horizon now releasing its fury on the land below. No, it appeared luck was deserting him as well. Arching his brow, a little annoyed, his energy was so low, partially from the sun and partially from his own lack of proper feeding. He could just hear Itachi’s voice in his head, berating him for his failure to feed properly.



“I’ll feed tonight.” he promised himself as he looked for somewhere to take shelter.



A small, attractive house near a babbling creek drew his attention. Perhaps it was impolite to intrude but he really didn’t want to stay in the rain. Approaching the wooden door, Sasuke knocked politely.



It was several moments before a young Japanese woman, dressed in a light pink kimono answered his knock. Her long black hair hung attractively around her dainty face. Lavender colored eyes stared into obsidian. Strange. He’d never realized such eyes existed in the world.



“Forgive me; I was traveling to my uncle’s home when the rains began. Might I trouble you to sit under the awning until my carriage arrives?” Bowing politely to the woman as she took in his drenched visage.



“P-Please come inside,” She answered, her eyes compassionate for his plight. Sasuke hoped it would not be a trait she would regret to possess. “I’ll get m-my husband.”



Sasuke shed his shoes, careful to keep his dripping clothes from the finely shined floor, choosing to remain in the entryway. The cold didn’t really bother him but that didn’t mean he liked standing about wet. He could already feel his body adjusting to the loss of heat.



The cold might not bother him, but the hunger did. The hunger gnawed at his soul, the smell of the human blood coursing through the woman‘s veins was especially appetizing. He would have to take care tonight as he fed; he had not felt a hunger this strong since Naruto died.



The ache in his chest intensified. He’d tried to keep him from his thoughts. He’d thought he’d come to terms with the death of his beloved. It appeared such was not the case. It had been growing progressively worse over the years.



Taking a slow breath, he rubbed the area over his heart. Water dripped from his bangs to splatter on the floor. His eyes focused on that, he needed something, anything, to keep him in the now. He doubted the occupants of the house would appreciate him being lost in the past.



“Good afternoon.” Sasuke’s eyes flew open, face whipping around to see…him.



“I’m Uzumaki Naruto and this is my wife, Hinata.” The smiling blue eyes shone as both bowed politely.



No. Nononononono. His face remained impassive while his mind screamed at the injustice. He was his. He’d always been his. Stumbling a little, partially from shock as well as hunger. Naruto belonged to someone else. He loved someone else.



“Sir?” Naruto caught the dark haired stranger as he collapsed, sooty lashes lay stark against pale cheeks. Naruto was stunned by the abject beauty of the man. Hiding his response, he lifted the stranger, surprised at his slender frame hidden beneath the finely spun kimono.



“Hinata, roll out a futon.” Naruto followed his wife into the room, laying the slender man on the soft futon.



“Is he s-sick?” Hinata hovered nervously nearby.



“It’s probably the cold. The rain still has a lot of chill.” Naruto felt the cool skin, worried about the lack of warmth coming from him.



Removing the wet material from his frame, he fought the gasp at the sight before him. Taunt muscle covered in porcelain skin appeared as the material was tugged away. Not a single blemish marred the beauty. He could think of no person, male or female possessing of such beauty.



“Husband…here is t-the blanket.” Hinata carried in several blankets, her soft steps barely noticeable on the wooden flooring.



“Hinata, go make some tea. He’s too cold. I need to warm him quickly.” Naruto stripped his light yukata from his frame before pulling the limp body into his arms. He was freezing. Worry began to worm its way into Naruto’s mind. His hands began vigorously rubbing any bit of skin accessible, attempting to increase the circulation.



The milky white skin was soft and smooth, his sword calloused hands seemed rough as they ran over the pale chest. He shouldn’t have been attracted to the man. He had a wife. It was a dishonorable response but his body had a mind of its own.



“Naruto-kun” He glanced up to see Hinata carrying a tray with tea.



Sitting up, he gestured for her bring it. A knocking towards the front of the house drew her from the room once more. Stealing a few more moments with the man in his arms, he pulled away. The feeling of loss was almost a tangible thing. He felt as if he was losing a lover or dear friend. This man was a stranger.



“Wake up. I have some tea.” Sooty lashes lifted to reveal tired eyes, the hidden pain ripped through Naruto. This man knew loss; very deep loss.



Sasuke masked his face as the memories poured back. The fates were indeed cruel. Sitting up slowly, he took the cup from his host. Lifting the fine porcelain to his face, he breathed in the warmth. In his state, there was no way he could ingest it, however, the warmth and smell were enough.



“Aren’t you going to drink it?” Naruto’s lips turned up as the stranger seemed to be making love to the tea, the sight making heat flow in the wrong direction.



“I’m savoring it. Some people do that instead of gobbling things down.” Sasuke smirked before breathing in the scent again.



Hinata shuffled to the door. “Naruto-kun, you s-should come. There are s-strangers here.”



Naruto frowned but stood, leaving Sasuke to continue making love to his tea. Entering the entryway, his eyes widened. Uchiha Madara, lord of much of this area of Japan stood in his home. Bowing low, he and Hinata showed their respects. “Uchiha-sama, it is an honor for you to enter my home.”



“Forgive the intrusion. It has come to my attention that my nephew may have taken refuge in your home. Uchiha Sasuke.” The elegant voice rumbled through the room, power evident in its tone.



“A man did take refuge here, but I have no knowledge if he is who you speak of. He collapsed not long after coming from the rain. Follow me.” Shock coursed through him. His beautiful guest was the nephew of Uchiha-sama. Leading the lord into the small guestroom, he saw the dark haired stranger just as he’d left him.



Sasuke glanced up at Naruto’s return, surprise on his features at the presence of his uncle. “Uncle Madara?”



“You don’t look well.” Madara’s sharp eyes took in the pale, almost gaunt face of his nephew. When Itachi had written him, he had not believed it was this bad. It was obvious he had not been resting nor feeding appropriately.



“I’m fine.” Sasuke’s spine stiffened at the concerned tone.



“No, you aren’t. My thanks Uzumaki-san. I’m in your debt.” Madara bowed slightly before approaching his nephew. Strong arms lifted the man as if he were nothing. Naruto stood wide eyed. He would never have thought Madara would lower himself to caring for someone else when there were plenty servants around.



“Goodbye, Uchiha-san.” Naruto bowed as Sasuke was carried from the house towards the waiting carriage. Their eyes locked. For a split moment, the world faded away leaving just the two of them.



The spell was broken as the carriage pulled away, leaving Naruto confused. Turning to his wife, he plastered on a false smile before making his way back inside.



IOIOIOIOIOIOI



“Sasuke…I can smell your hunger.” Madara fingers drummed lightly on his thigh.



“I can bear it.”



“You are as foolish as your brother claims. Why do you fight what you are?”



“I don’t fight what I am.”



Madara sighed, Itachi warned him that Sasuke was stubborn. He’d very briefly touched on the subject of Sasuke’s lost love. Madara was grateful he’d been spared such loss. To love a human was to play with fire. It was inevitable, one would be burned. From the look of Sasuke, it was a very severe one.



“When we reach the palace, I will send food to your rooms.”



“I can feed myself.” Sasuke’s hackles rose, already his heart felt heavy. He’d found Naruto again, only to lose him to another. At least he lived, Sasuke would take what comfort he would in that truth.



“I’ll give you until dawn to feed. After that, you will take what I offer you.”



The conversation ended with that. He felt like a child again, being led around, drinking from his parents. It was annoying to be treated as such again. He could care for himself just fine.



As the carriage slowed to a stop before the ornate palace, Sasuke shrugged off the assisting hands. Some of his energy had returned.



“Sasuke.”



Sasuke turned at his name, his uncle looking concerned. Dark eyes met, a silent exchange, before Madara nodded. “I will trust you to care for yourself. But if you weaken anymore, I will take matters into my own hands. I promised your brother I would care for you.”



Sasuke nodded, following the servant towards his quarters. It was long past midday and what little energy remained was quickly waning. He would have to rest until night fall. Slumping on the soft futon, he allowed the oblivion to take him.



His sleep was haunted, not with dreams but with memories. Unlike human sleep, the sleep of the nightwalker is so deep, all that remains is fragmented memories; recollections of a long past. For the last four hundred years, Sasuke has been haunted by those memories. Things he could not change. Pain so deep, his sanity was being chipped away. Each death he witnessed forced him into the darkness of despair.



As the sun sank beneath the horizon, crimson eyes shot open. The hunger had him nearly mad with thirst. He could hear the thump of each human moving about the complex. He could almost taste their blood on his lips. As tempting as the thought of feasting on the servants of his uncle’s home, his entire being was drawn to another. Another, whose blood called to him over the miles. Another who was determined to follow him through time.



His fangs lengthened at the thought of Naruto’s blood flowing smoothly down his throat. His breath panted out. It was more than blood lust. It was the connection he wanted to protect. The bond formed so many years ago in the cold regions of Normandy. Naruto was his, no matter what the fates deemed appropriate.



“Naruto…” The name rolled across his tongue like fine wine. The need for blood shot through him again. Not just the need for blood, but the need for Naruto’s blood. Only his blood would satisfy. Only his blood would ease the ache in his soul.



In a flash, running on mostly instinct; Sasuke disappeared through the window. The song of the wind chimes the only evidence of his passing.



IOIOIOIOIOI



Naruto smiled brightly to his wife as she made her way to the bedroom. For a long time he sat staring at the slowly dying flames in the sunken fireplace. His thoughts kept returning to the pale man. He judged him to be around nineteen or twenty. His body at least seemed to be around twenty. His eyes told a different story.



Until today, he’d never seen someone with eyes so tired. Sasuke…that was his name. Sasuke looked as if he’d lived for many lifetimes. With eyes blacker than night and skin reminiscent of a geisha, he seemed to be more than he was.



“Who are you, Sasuke? Why do I find myself longing for your company?” He sighed deeply, before standing. There was no use lingering on such thoughts. He might not love his wife, but he promised to be loyal to her. To save her from an arranged marriage, he’d petitioned her father for marriage.



Rubbing his eyes, he made his way to the bedroom. Hinata lay peaceful on her own futon, the small lamp leaving just enough light for him to make it to his. Perhaps rest was what he needed. His mind would be clearer in the morning.



A flash of…something from the small koi garden drew his attention. Frowning, he took his katana from its stand before sliding the door open as quietly as possible. Even the moon was hidden beneath the clouds. The darkness seemed a living thing, breathing on his neck. The tiny hairs on his arms stood up but surprisingly, he wasn’t afraid. Nervous, yes. Uncertain, absolutely. Frightened, no.



“Naruto.” The blond swung around at the whisper in his ear.



A pale skinned demon stood before him. Red eyes blazed brightly in the near pitch blackness of the garden. The tiny sliver of moonlight caught across the pristine skin, making him seem paler than a spirit. Sasuke.



Naruto found himself pressed against the lone sakura tree, the rough bark scraping his skin through the thin yukata. His katana dropped from limp fingers. Why couldn’t he fight? Why wasn‘t he afraid?



He felt the cold fingers that pulled heat from his body, devouring it. Those pale appendages caressed his skin as they tilted his head. He was blindsided by the burning of lips on his neck, sending shivers down his body to pool in his loins. Any words he wished to speak were lost in his throat, only garbled sound.



Never in his life had he experienced such desire, such need. Hinata, his wife, failed to illicit such a response. Their few and far between sexual encounters leaving them both disappointed. This was different. This was something else.



“Mine.” That was the only word spoken before teeth sunk into the skin of his neck.



If he’d thought he was aroused then, nothing prepared him for the rush of lush that spiraled through him as those lips sucked at his neck. Each drawing on the liquid leaking from him sent such desire, such arousal through him; he nearly passed out from the sensation.



“Ah…Sasuke.” Naruto arched his hips, he wanted to cum. He was so close.



He moaned as the sucking ceased. He was so close. Why did he stop? “Please…”



Sasuke’s teeth flashed white in the dark as his tapered fingers loosened the obi, slipping inside to brush his abdomen. The feeling of lightheadedness crashed over him, all his blood continuing to pool low in his body. He opened his mouth to scream out his frustration but the only sound to escape was a low moan as a pale finger trailed up his arousal.



“Ahh…”



“Mine.”



Sasuke’s hands seemed warmer, though still chilled. The cool digits clenched on his hips as the lips that lapped at the bite on his neck, healing the skin until only a dark bruise remained.



Those lips, leaving fire in their wake, trailed down his chest pausing to suck gently on each nipple. Naruto knew he was going to expire. No amount of experience in his twenty years of life could compare to this. His blood flared with heat, a dark and untapped desire burning his soul. This was wrong. He should stop but the words were lost as teeth and tongue teased his navel, a particularly sensitive spot.



Beads of pre-cum pearled on the tip of his arousal before tracking down to be lost in the thick curls encircling the base. Just the thought of Sasuke’s lips on him nearly sent him over the edge.



His mind felt hazy, almost as if this was a dream. Why did he feel like that? His body reacted almost with a will of its own. Fighting a little, Naruto choked out a whispered ‘no’. This demon wasn’t Sasuke. This demon was something else, feeding on him.



“I…can’t.”



Crimson eyes lifted to gaze into the rare blue of Naruto’s. His breath panted on the tip of Naruto, threatening even the strength of his control. He wanted this so bad. He wanted this connection. He did not know him, yet he did. The need that radiated from the other was so alluring. To be needed.



Naruto slid down the tree at that look. It was a look of utter need and devotion. No one, not even Hinata, had ever shown such devotion when looking at him. It tore barriers from his soul he didn’t even know he had. “Sasuke…”



The red blood lust faded from his eyes, leaving the natural obsidian. The utter pain in those eyes was something no one should ever have to experience. As he relinquished his post above Naruto’s erection, that beautiful pale face was before his own in an instant.



Their breath mingled. Sasuke leaned in to barely rub his lips along Naruto’s. Shock went through both bodies as Sasuke sucked first the top lip and then, the bottom. So engrossed in each other, neither saw the pale eyes staring at them. Neither felt the dark jealousy pouring from a short distance away.



Sasuke’s hands caressed the smooth skin of Naruto’s cheeks before forcing sleep on him. He felt the human go limp, the compulsion strong. Holding him, he sat beneath the tree. For a moment, he thought he might take Naruto, force him. Lust and hunger mingled so deeply, at times it was hard to distinguish between the two. He truly was a monster if he was willing to compel the keeper of his heart into sex.



In those long moments, he came to a decision. He would stay in Japan for the duration of Naruto’s life. He would not interfere any longer. He only wanted Naruto’s happiness even if it was without him. Maybe the fates would be kind to his beloved blond. Maybe they would allow him a chance, even if only for a while, to be happy.



Carrying Naruto to his futon, he glanced darkly at the woman curled in her own. That she had taken him from him sent jealousy curling through him before it was overwhelmed by the pain in his heart. A single blood red tear trickled down his cheek to splash unseen on the bedding.



On silent feet, he fled the house. His pain was so great, the agony so intense, he soon found himself in a clearing surrounded by trees. Falling to his knees, he screamed out the injustice of it. Why bring him back just to have he be with someone else? What was the point?



As dawn crept across the horizon, Sasuke collapsed on his bed. Madara looked him over. He hadn’t fed well but it was adequate for now. The streaks of pink lining his cheeks worried him greatly. Itachi had spoken of Sasuke’s loss and these were evidence of it. Humans, worthless. Only good for food. Why Sasuke allowed himself to lose his heart to one was beyond him.



IOIOIOIOI



Hinata sat silently watching her husband finish the meal. He had spoken little to her since that night. She had dubbed it ‘that night’ because it was the night her husband was stolen from her. Her anger was towards the man who made Naruto moan and cry out in ways she never had. Her anger had built over the last week. She knew that man was on his thoughts and it sickened her.



Why had he betrayed their marriage? It was true the marriage had been of convenience but she was sure Naruto loved her. He was so kind to her. She loved him. She had loved him before he offered to wed her and now that love was threatened by a stranger with piercing dark eyes.



“I saw you.”



“Hinata-chan?”



“I saw you with him. In the garden. I saw him touch you. Why Naruto? I thought, perhaps you were growing to love me.” Hinata watched as tear drops splattered on her hands clenched in her lap.



“Hinata-chan. I do care for you…”



“But not love me. Do you love him?”



“I’m…drawn to him. I think of him constantly.”



Hinata closed her eyes. It was the final weight tipping the scale. Her world felt to be crashing down. She became lost in her anger. Slapping her hand across his cheek.



“Hinata…please.” Naruto reached for her, his eyes relayed a sadness that she refused to acknowledge.



“No! Don’t touch me.” she screamed, throwing his hands from her.



Her shove caused Naruto to stumble backwards, falling to the ground. His head cracked on the edge of the low table, knocking over a lantern. Blood leaked from the wound on his head as the flame touched the straw mats, catching almost immediately. Hinata screamed, rushing from the house for help, guilt eating away at her soul.



IOIOIOIOI



Dusk swept across the land as Sasuke roused from sleep. His body felt brittle. His uncle would be force feeding him soon. He laughed hoarsely, he would be surprised if his body even kept it down. Naruto’s seemed to be the only blood capable of sustaining him.



Creeping from the palace, he felt a chill rush down his spine as a spindled hand gripped his. The sensation of such a grip teased the edge of his mind. He saw the toothless grin of an old woman, her skin hanging off her bones. “Are you sure you wish to witness that which you have already seen?”



“What do you mean, old woman?”



“A price must be paid. Nothing is free. Can you withstand it? Already your mind cracks and your body withers.” Her eyes turned serious. “Is he worth it? The pain. The emptiness.”



“Yes.” he hissed, his fangs bared for her to see. “He’s mine.”



“We shall see.” She released Sasuke, her wrinkled hand drawn once more into the long sleeves of her kimono as she wandered away.



Collapsing against the wall, he shuddered violently. What was that? His mind felt as if it was under water. He was drowning in darkness. Sliding slowly to the dirt, he could barely move. Naruto. A cold hand clenched over his heart. Something was keeping him away.



Fighting with a viciousness bordering on madness, he forced his body to his will. It was slow, each step taking all of his strength. He frowned as he neared Naruto’s home. Something wasn’t right.



The smell of smoke was heavy in the air. The weeping of a woman echoed loudly. Naruto.



The small house was aflame. Pain ripped through and he screamed. The sound like that of a dying animal echoed through the night. Not again. Not so soon. They had barely touched; small taste, a few words spoken. What was this? Shards of his sanity drifted through him, crumbling in the recesses of his mind.



Her! Red, demon like eyes zeroed in on the young wife of his beloved. All he could sense was guilt. Her odor was steeped in it. She murdered him! In the confusion of the townspeople attempting to control the flames, Sasuke grabbed the woman. “You took what was mine.”



Hinata gagged as fingers tightened like a vise around her throat. Red eyes filled with anguish and heartbreak looked deeply into pale lavender. Her memories.



The truth. The guilt and regret poured from her. “I should kill you. You murdered him. You took him from this world. You took him from me.”



Later it would shock Sasuke how little he felt in those moments. If not for the gentle hands prying his fingers from her neck, he would have snapped it with little remorse. He felt cold. His insides were like a frozen wasteland. He wanted nothing more than to drain the life from her body. A gentle touch infiltrated his mind…then, nothing.



He was vaguely aware of gentle hands caressing his hair and as his eyes drifted open, the emptiness seemed to overwhelm his very soul. No one was there. Sitting up slowly, he listened to muffled voices.



“I fear for his sanity.” Madara murmured, his eyes closing wearily.



“I’m glad I came when I did. How does that fucking soul do it? It follows him, determined to drive him mad.” Itachi snarled.



“Itachi?” Sasuke mumbled, stumbling from the bed.



“Sasuke, you should rest.” Itachi jumped to his brother’s aid.



“He left me again. I barely saw him.” Sasuke’s voice took on a monotonous tone, causing Itachi to wince.



“Sasuke…”



Malnutrition and grief took their toll on Sasuke. He slumped unconscious in his brother’s arms. Cradling him close, Itachi scooped his brother into his arms.



“Itachi, this was left for him with one of the servants.” Madara stepped forward to show the beautifully carved sheath of Naruto’s katana.



“Destroy it.”



“No.” whispered Sasuke his pale hand reaching for the blade.



“Sasuke…”



“No.”



“As you wish.” Itachi carried his brother to the bed. As soon as he restored his brother’s strength, they would leave. He was once again forced into the role of piecing together his brother’s sanity.



To be continued~