High Stakes

A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. This has been a few busy weeks. Hope you enjoy this!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Naruto sat quietly in the passenger’s side of Sasuke’s rather lavish vehicle. The inside was black leather, the console had a marble looking finish, and the windows were tinted so dark there was no way it could pass inspection. Naruto shifted, and the leather squeaked under him. He noticed Sasuke’s sideways glance at him, and he pulled Sasuke’s jacket tighter against his body.

“I can’t believe he shredded all of my clothes. Thanks again for the jacket.”

Sasuke’s foul mood only seemed to get worse. Naruto sighed, ever since he had stepped out of the shower and saw Sasuke staring at the drawings, Sasuke had seemed to be really pissed off. It was grating on Naruto’s nerves. If anyone had a right to be bitchy right now, it was him. But instead, all his attentions were focused on trying to snap Sasuke out of his mood.

“I’ll wash it before I return it to you. It’s okay to wash leather, isn’t it?”

Sasuke growled and roughly jerked the car over to the side of the road and parked it.

“Umm…” Naruto squirmed uncomfortably, “Something wrong with the car?”

“You think too loudly.”

Naruto blinked a few times. He had been called a loud mouth by about everyone he knew, but he had never been accused of THINKING too loudly, “What?”

“It’s making my head hurt.”

Naruto huffed, “You’re not making any sense.”

Sasuke sighed and reclined his head on his seat. “You’re upset.”

“Well yeah, you just accused me of thinking too loudly. I mean, of all the things to complain about…”

“I’m talking about what happened yesterday and tonight.”

“Oh. Well none of my stuff was that important. I’ll just go to the Salvation Army and buy some cheap clothes.”

“Who’s the guy?”

Naruto looked around outside as a few people passed by, “Which one?”

“Naruto.” Sasuke growled warningly.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Then quit thinking about it.”

“Fine.”

Sasuke nodded and started up the car again.

Naruto mentally stuck his tongue out at Sasuke. //What a freaking jerk. Telling me I think too loudly. What does that even mean? I can think as loudly as I want. It’s not like thinking has a volume. And he keeps asking about Sai. I guess it did seem a little weird. God, I hate those pictures. I wish he hadn’t been there, I would have burned them all. But then if he didn’t show up, I would still be tied to that chair. And my skin would have chaffed. That would have been a shame. I have such soft skin. I think I have the softest skin out of everyone I know. Well, maybe Sasuke has soft skin. I mean it’s so freaking pale, it’s got to be soft. I don’t know what coloring has to do with softness, but I still bet his is soft. Maybe we could have a contest. Oh, and then after that a food eating contest. Maybe ramen. I would definitely win that. I’m hungry. I wonder where I can find some ramen. I bet Sasuke thinks he’s too rich to keep a stock of ramen around.//

“Shut up!”

Naruto blinked a few times, “I didn’t say anything!”

Sasuke was quiet for a few minutes, “So tell me about Sai. I take it this isn’t the first time he’s come after you.”

Naruto’s mouth dropped open. He knew he hadn’t said Sai’s name out loud. He gasped, “You’ve been reading my mind.”

“Not by choice.”

“Well…stay out! That’s personal invasion you know.”

“Aren’t you more concerned with the fact that I even can?”

//Purple spider monkeys like to eat oranges.//

“What?”

“Ha. I told you to stop. Well that’s what you get. I’ll just think really random stuff and…”

“Your thoughts are random even when you aren’t trying.”

“Oh yeah…well your thoughts are um…weird.”

“Weird?”

“It’s not a thought really. It’s a feeling. This empty painful feeling. It’s cold and windy, and loud. And I don’t like it.”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Naruto could feel his lack of a soul?

“It’s confusing too. Your feeling is different than Gaara’s. I can feel it in him too, but it’s not as painful. It’s just…it feels familiar.”

“Just stop talking.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sasuke tried to keep his hand steady as he reached out and grabbed his wine glass of blood.

Temari sat in front of him, frowning. “I get tired of teaching you everything. You don’t deserve to be the leader of our clan. It would be best if you just stepped down and…”

“Just shut up and tell me.”

Temari crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, “I don’t know a whole lot more than you do. Only one Beloved exists for each vampire through out all of time. The fact that you even know yours is just…well lucky. I guess you can thank me for that. If you really want to know, you should go ask Sakura. She knows all the vampire folklore.”

“I won’t go visit the harem.” He muttered coldly.

“They are your responsibility. And if you would get to know them, you’d learn that there are some pretty good girls down there. And you’ve completely ignored them since you’ve taken over. Which I hear about on a consistent basis, by the way. They all think I’m taking you away. Maybe I should just tell them that I’m not getting any sex from you either. You’ve got to be the most asexual vampire I have ever met.”

“I’m in no mood for a lecture. I’ve got to go to my meeting tonight.”

Temari’s eyes lit up, “You’re going to start a war with this stupid idea of your’s.” With that Temari got up and headed towards the door.

When she got up to leave, Sasuke thought about commanding her back, but decided it would be better if he didn’t. He had more important things to worry about than a pissy wife. Slowly, he stood up and headed towards his bedroom. He almost hoped Naruto was asleep. As he stepped into the room, his hopes were dashed. Naruto was on the ground, shirtless, doing sit ups. He had on a pair of Sasuke’s boxers, which were a little tight on him.

“Why are you still awake?”

Naruto looked over at Sasuke and grinned, “Couldn’t sleep.”

“He can’t get to you here.”

Naruto chewed on his lower lip. The tiny movement was new to Sasuke, but he knew immediately that it was a worry fidget.

“What is it?”

“It’s just…ah, I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Sasuke rubbed his temples. It took everything he had to try not and pry into Naruto’s mind to figure out what the hell was going on. But he couldn’t worry about it. “I’ve got to go out for a little while. Remember, nobody is getting through my guard, so try to get some sleep. I know you didn’t sleep any last night.”

Naruto continued doing sit-ups, “Yeah.” He muttered.

Sasuke snickered, he knew Naruto had no plan to take his advice. “Stay in the room at least.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sasuke looked around the table. The five other vampire clan leaders all sat around the table, and behind them of course was a few choice guards. Sasuke raised an eyebrow as he saw that one of Neji’s guards happened to be a young looking woman. She was the only female in the place. Neji happened to be the only other vampire that looked as young as him, but Neji had been trained for years to lead his clan. Sasuke hadn’t had that luxury.

“Do you understand the consequence of your actions?”

Sasuke looked over at the eldest clan leader, Sarutobi, and mentally slapped himself for not paying attention. But it didn’t matter. Sasuke always had a plan. “It’s quite simple. Humans are people, not livestock. You may have gotten away with it in the past, but this is a new time. Information flies farther, more technology creates answers. There is already a group of vampire hunters in the area, and it’s because all of you don’t know how to hide your tracks.”

Orochimaru snickered, “Vampire hunters are still human. We can kill them all.”

Sasuke was prepared to argue again, but was interrupted by Neji, who had been eerily watching Sasuke the entire time. “Yes, but regardless of all our strength, it does us no good while we’re resting during the day. We need blood to survive, but Sasuke has proven with his clan, that we can survive on blood from pouches.”

“But what about the thrill of the hunt? That sensation when you first sink your fangs into that all too delicate flesh. The ability for just a moment to know your prey’s entire life, to know every memory, every fear, every pleasure, and that ability to feel their pleasure as you give them one last orgasm before they die?”

The table all grew silent, most envisioning Orochimaru’s overly informative argument. Even Sasuke had stopped to wonder what it would be like to actually feed off of a person. He had refused to do so.

Neji cleared his throat, “Times change, Orochimaru. I’m tired of being hunted. I side with the Uchiha.”

Jiraiya tapped his fingers on the table, “Have you seen the leader of the Vampire Hunters? She’s amazing. She has these huge boobs…now that’s something I’d like to sink my fangs into.”

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, “You should try it. I’ll enjoy seeing her stake you in the heart. For a vampire who’s supposed to have the natural ability of sexual lure, you still get turned down more than a human would.”

Jiraiya stood up, “Just for that, I’ll side with Neji and the new kid too.”

Orochimaru stood up, “I will not change my ways.”

Kisame stood up as well, “I speak for the leader of my clan when I say that we too, will not give up our way of life. We are stronger than humans, they should consider it an honor to be used as our food. And for you to even suggest it, kid…” He hissed the last word with disdain, “Is an insult to vampires everywhere.”

Orochimaru nodded towards Kisame and they headed towards the door, “If you all decide to change, then I no longer see the need in collaborating with you. You’re all weak.”

The two men walked out of the door, their body guards following behind.

Sarutobi sighed, “This is the outcome I warned you about. You might have just started a vampire war.”

Sasuke shrugged, “Its only two clans against our four.”

He saw all the other leaders exchange looks, and suddenly he knew things weren’t as simple as they appeared, “What is it?”

“There are some very old fashioned vampires within our clans as well. They will soon change sides. And…we’ve heard rumors that your brother has joined Kisame’s clan.”

Jiraiya sat back down and sighed, “It can’t be helped. Kisame’s clan has never followed the ring’s rules anyway. I mean, this is a leader meeting, but whoever is leading Kisame’s clan won’t even show his face, so he sends subordinates instead. He’s gotten too cocky. And Orochimaru…that bastard should have died a long time ago. Well, I guess I better go tell my clan. Maybe I’ll run into that vampire hunter babe along the way.” Jiraiya walked out of the room, merrily, as if no war had just begun.

Sarutobi nodded to the two remaining clan leaders and left quietly.

After the other body guards left, Sasuke was left alone with the eerie eyed Neji. Neji locked eyes with Sasuke’s bodyguards, “Leave.” Everyone besides Sasuke quickly vacated the room.

Sasuke scowled, “I don’t appreciate you ordering my men around.”

“If you were more of a leader, they wouldn’t listen to others orders.”

Sasuke coolly tapped his fingers on the table, “Why did you want me in private? I have my hands full with a human right now, so I really can’t play vampire mates with you.”

Neji smirked, “You’re absolutely right, if we were mates you certainly wouldn’t have any energy left for a human…which you’re doing what with, exactly?”

“My business is no concern of yours.”

Neji licked his lips, “Being soulless is painful. But watching a Beloved die is even worse.”

Sasuke’s ability to control his emotions momentarily dissipated. He stood up, “Unless that’s a threat, I have better things to do with my time.”

Neji shrugged, “Merely a warning.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Naruto had tried to sleep, but it hadn’t worked. With every creak on the floor, with every unknown sound, he envisioned Sai coming out of the shadows. Naruto growled and sat up. He hated letting any fear get to him, but he just couldn’t bring himself to fight off Sai. He knew that Sai was capable of being a decent human. He was just confused.

Sai had been emotionally shut off from the world thanks to his upbringing, so when the first person showed him any compassion, Sai had latched on very strongly. He had even called the man Brother, and truly thought that he was. The man had been a painter, so Sai had invested all his time into art as well. But when the man died, Sai had a mental break down. Naruto had been there the night Sai’s ‘brother’ died in the hospital. He had only wanted to help, but things turned weird when Sai began drugging Naruto’s drinks and tying him up in his sleep. And when Naruto woke up he was always tied up in some weird position, and Sai was always nearby with sketch paper and charcoal pencils. Sai’s obsession with bondage art only got worse. But Naruto had stayed, because he knew it was Sai’s way of coping. But then Sai’s interests got more violent.

Naruto shook his head, forgetting Sai’s sob story. “I need to take a walk.” He jumped up and walked towards the door, but paused before opening it. Sasuke had told him not to leave the room. He shrugged and opened the door anyway. He wasn’t going to be ordered around by anyone again. Especially some freaky guy who could read his mind.

When he stepped outside, he was surprised to see that the guards had seemed to triple. Everyone in the hallway had stopped to look at him. He noticed the one closest to him with his nose flared up, like he was sniffing the air around Naruto. Naruto casually made a quick smell of himself, but didn’t think he stank. But as he continued to walk, more men were sniffing the air. By the time he had gotten into the foyer area he was irritated with everyone and just wanted to get out. But as he got closer to the front door, he saw several guards, and they didn’t look too happy.

“Guess no outside stroll for me.” He dejectedly turned back around when he heard a lot of giggling and laughter behind one of the foyer doors. Curiosity got the best of him, and he stepped over and went inside.

A group of about seven girls stopped their talking and stared at the blonde intruder.

Naruto nervously scratched the back of his head and smiled cheesily, “Uh…I thought maybe there was a party or something going on.”

A blonde girl, dressed in clothes that reminded Naruto of a Renaissance fair, smiled. “Human.”

A pink haired girl, who was dressed in a Victorian dress, simply rolled her eyes, “He’s not nearly as attractive as Master.”

The blonde girl huffed, “Well, of course not. But when was the last time Master came in to see us?”

A few other girls mumbled.

The blonde girl stepped closer to Naruto, “I’m Lady Ino.” She put her hand on Naruto’s chest, “It’s been such a long time since we’ve had a fresh meal.”

Naruto didn’t quite catch the meaning of it, but from the fire in her eyes, the exploratory hand, and Naruto’s warning bells going off at full alarm, he knew he was not safe. “Uh, I should probably get back…”

The pink haired girl stood up too, “He smells like Master Sasuke. Maybe if I close my eyes…” She stepped over to Naruto’s other side, “I’m Sakura, by the way.” She ran her hand down Naruto’s back.

Naruto tried to move, but for some reason, found himself paralyzed in place.
A fiery red haired girl stood up, “You aren’t the only two who get to eat.”

Ino glared at her, “Tayuya, we are your elders; therefore, we make the rules.”

Tayuya snickered and came over to Naruto and directly grabbed Naruto in the crotch. “Fuck that rule.”

Naruto jumped slightly and grunted. He couldn’t understand why he couldn’t move, or why girls were molesting him.

“Uh…do you think you girls could let me…ahh.” All three girls had began tearing off his clothes, kissing, licking, and groping. There was so much stimulation, that Naruto couldn’t even really tell who was doing what to where.

But suddenly the pleasurable feelings disappeared, as he felt teeth sink into his skin. Someone was biting his stomach, one his shoulder, and the other his wrist. Naruto screamed, but was unable to jerk away.

Just then the double doors flew open, and Sasuke stormed in. “Cease this immediately!”

All three girls jumped back. Naruto staggered backwards a few steps, glad he could finally move, but found himself feeling drained. Just as he felt he might fall, an arm wrapped around his waist. He looked down at the arm, and recognized the pale whiteness of it. He also noticed the smeared blood on his stomach and wrist. He could hear Sasuke yelling at the girls, but he couldn’t make out the words. All he could think about is vampires. And suddenly everything made sense. The attack in the morgue, never seeing Temari during the day, walking in on Sasuke and thinking he was dead.

“I think I’m gonna be sick.”