Midnight Memories

I do not own Naruto nor do I make money from it.



Warnings: Drug use, prostitution, sex, blood drinking, smoking, cursing, a lot of violence.





Midnight Memories



Chapter Five



May 12, 1998



“Your teacher called me.”



“So?” Naruto Uzumaki mumbled as he stood before the large cherry wood desk of his guardian. He avoided those bottomless eyes like the plague. They always seemed to stare far deeper into him than he wished.



“She said you were caught smoking behind the gym.”



Naruto was silent under the piercing gaze of his guardian. What could he say? It wasn’t a lie. Some of his friends had a cigarette and offered him a puff. He’d only taken one drag before deciding the tobacco sticks were not for him.



“Aren’t you going to defend yourself?



“Why do you care?”



“Go to your room.”



“You aren’t my father.”



“I might as well be since your own father didn’t care enough to use protection when he impregnated your mother.”



Naruto’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the man whom he’d come to love as an older brother. He saw the frustration. The anger. The hurt. The absolute desperation. He felt Itachi Uchiha’s pain as if it was his own. In a small way, he felt to blame, but he wasn’t sure why.



He had dreams. Strange dreams of strange places. He dreamt of the man in the portrait. He dreamt of things no child should dream. Death, pain, and suffering seemed to tear his soul from his body, only to rocket it back in.



Most nights he would awaken with a scream on his lips, the pull of whatever he dreamt clinging desperately to him. When he was young, Itachi would come running, almost as if he was afraid something was hurting him. The fear in his eyes as he would rush to the room was akin to a wild animal desperate to save itself.



It felt nice, the comfort of those arms around him. He’d thought for a while he might have a crush on the exotic man but the thought of doing…it with Itachi turned his stomach. He was almost twelve. He knew what grown-ups did. He wasn’t as stupid as he pretended to be on occasion. He was practically a man…or at least he liked to think so.



Lately, Itachi had begun avoiding him. He would spend hour upon hour in his study, leaving Naruto to his own devices. It hurt, being ignored. It hurt feeling something missing and unable to figure out what it was. It hurt that it seemed Itachi did not want him around anymore. From that hurt stemmed anger. He wanted to hurt Itachi as much as he hurt.



“I hate you.”



“Naruto…” Itachi reached out a slender hand to his young ward.



“Don’t touch me!” He screamed the words before turning, making his way rapidly to his room.



Itachi slumped in his chair. The sound of the cries from the boy’s bedroom were loud in his ears. Naruto’s smile and cheerful nature wormed its way into his heart. Affection he thought was sleeping with his brother awoke in him as the years passed. Where once there was wariness and anger, warmth and love now resided.



The ache in his chest intensified as he stared out into the night. Sasuke’s absence was felt more acutely these last few months. He missed the brother he’d been before Naruto stepped into their lives. Naruto’s presence was both a balm and an irritant. He was afraid to care for the boy, afraid of becoming attached to a human. Sasuke’s own deteriorated mental state was evidence of what could happen.



For most of his brother’s life, he’d watched him. He’d known where he was as well as what he was doing. There was only one period of time in which Sasuke had fallen off his radar. He had come to late. Sasuke never spoke of it and he never asked. Itachi wondered if he had approached his brother, had asked what happened; would Sasuke still be awake today. Would his mind have retained just a little more of his sanity for a while longer?



Within the blinking of an eye, he stood before the door to Naruto’s room. Raising a hand, he jumped in surprise as the door swung open. Old eyes stared back. These were not the eyes of his ward. A rim of red encircled the iris as they stared a hole straight to his soul. A chill went through him. It took much to frighten one as old as him. He was frightened now, not for his life but for what the future held for his brother.



“Soon.”



He took a step back as the door closed quietly. For a long time he was frozen against the wall. What was he keeping for his brother?



IOIOIOI



May 12, 1473



Constantinople



Wild, almost feral eyes scanned the darkened alleys of the normally bustling city of Constantinople. All the good little people were safe in their homes, praying to God, Jesus, or Allah. He could smell them all, the spices in their food, and the tobacco in their lungs. The exotic flavors of the night called to him.



The thirst cried out for him to sate himself, to take one of the pitiful orphans hiding in the shadows. It cried out for him to devour them all, to save them from the pain of living. His suffering to be theirs.



Chuckling darkly, he moved on, hearing the sigh of relief from the hidden street scum. What would Itachi think of him now? He hadn’t seen his brother in…fifty years? Perfect Itachi. He would look down his nose at his suffering brother. At least, in Sasuke’s mind, he would. Living away from those who loved him left him in a warped state of mind. His sanity floated in and out on the tide. Some days were better than others.



He’d grown tired of his brother’s sad eyes. What did he fucking know? He wasn’t the one who lost someone. He wasn’t the one who suffered every minute of every day. Why did he pretend to understand when he couldn’t even begin to relate to his suffering?



The moon rose higher as he continued to prowl the streets. Something called to him this night. Shadowed eyes lifted to the starless sky. His mind burned with thoughts of Naruto. Each incarnation ripped at the pieces of his already ragged soul. He could feel his sanity slipping. Each day became harder. He wondered if he should simply give up. He could join his parents in their eternal slumber.



Breathing deep, he smiled. He heard the rustling of vagabonds in the shadows, eyeing him as a possible mark. His pristine teeth gleamed as he drifted along the streets. No one would dare to attack him. Even the most seasoned predator could sense the death and danger clinging to his skin as sex clung to a whore. He almost wished they would attack. At least then, he would have something to take the edge off.



Growling, a low rumble from deep within, he lifted his head to scent the air. The smell of tobacco, amongst other things, burned heavily in his nostrils. There was a club nearby. He could smell the opium mixed in the scent. It was a dangerous game the humans played with the drug from the east. It’s popularity was growing, slowly but steadily. Each day a new victim was caught in its deadly arms.



Frowning, he caught a subtle whiff of something…clean. He smelled sweat, lust, and sex; but hidden inside of all those odors was something fresh. He breathed deeply again, nearly wallowing in the soothing aroma. His eyes fluttered in ecstasy.



New determination flared through him. Eyes watched the shadows, searching for the origin of his salvation. He would find it. It was his!



It didn’t take long. Or rather, he found the general location of his prize. A whorehouse. The irony was not lost on him. He was where people came to forget their troubles, forget their lives. They paid courtesans to take them away from their troubles, if only for a while. Perhaps his troubles could be lost here, where sin ran rampant.



Most of the patrons seemed to be of the more wealthy variety. Their general states of dress were gold embroidered caftans, some even lined in fur. His own fine loose black trousers, shirt, and entari fit in well despite his lack of fine ornamentation. Perhaps it was the aura of power surrounding him. He didn’t care one way or the other. He was here for one reason, to find something of interest.



“Master, welcome. You are just in time for the nightly show. Please follow me.” The servant led him through the crowds towards a more private room. Plump pillows were strewn near a hookah. Gauze gave the illusion of privacy as he settled, blank eyes watching as a servant brought a selection of tobacco.



Sasuke chuckled at the girl’s surprised look as he selected the most potent and most expensive. Tossing a bag of gold at her feet, he settled back to watch her set up the hookah. His eyes lazily took in the curves of her body, so different from Naruto’s hard edges. Her body was oiled and perfumed so powerfully to hide the stench of sex and sweat.



He wrinkled his nose, turning his eyes away from her. She wasn’t worth his time. He could see it in her eyes though, the longing for death. Perhaps later he would give it to her. Itachi always tried to shield him from taking a life, from being drawn into that darkness.



‘Too late brother. I was drawn in the moment Naruto died in my arms.’ Sasuke took the offered pipe, breathing deep of the tobacco/opium mixture.



Almost immediately, he felt the effects. His mind opened ever so slightly. Of course, the effects were muted on him due to his less than human nature. Muted or not, it felt better than without the drug. He’d grown addicted to the imported mixture. It took the edge off the hunger, off his pain. Unlike human addiction, his body didn’t require it but his soul craved it. He craved anything to take away his suffering for just a little while.



Puffing again, he relaxed to the sound of the bubbling water. The chatter of the room eased as lamps were extinguished, leaving only the stage illuminated. A show? Ah yes, the attendant mentioned a show. Continuing to puff, he watched the stage through the haze of smoke.



Music began, first soft before fading into a pulsing beat. Drums thrummed almost in time with his heart as the curtains faded away. A few scantily clad females paraded their bodies before the smirking spectators. Their beauty was unquestioned but lacked the spark he longed for.



The stilling of the music drew all eyes to the stage as a lithe dancer took center stage. His slim muscles contracted as he leapt across. In such places, women were usually the center of attention, however this boy kept every eye riveted on him. His grace and beauty more stunning than all of the women joining him on the stage.



Sasuke wanted him. He wanted that slim body wrapped around him. He wanted to hear cries of pleasure as he took him again and again. He wanted his hidden face revealed for him alone. He would be his. Only his.



Motioning for his servant girl, he never took his eyes from the stage. “I want him.”



“He comes with a heavy price, effendi. Perhaps one of the girls…” she whispered, nervously glancing towards one of the gauzy rooms.



“Hn, I’ll pay whatever the cost. As soon as he leaves the stage, I want him here.” Sasuke continued to puff on the hookah, allowing the opium rich smoke to flow through him.



The floating feeling increased as he saturated his blood with the narcotic. Each thump of the drums drew him deeper and deeper. His body burned as he watched the swaying of the dancer. His desire increased with every second until he was nearly on fire with lust. Never had he felt this powerful of desire. Not for anyone other than Naruto.



The music ended but the pulsing in his blood remained. He saw the servant approach the young man. If he tried, he could probably understand what was being said but the concentration such an endeavor would entail wasn’t worth it. Instead, he sat calmly puffing his hookah. His eyes never left the stunning creature.



His wait was short. Within minutes after the performance ended, his prize approached him. The haze of the drug dulled his senses only slightly. He could hear the rustle of fabric as the other approached.



The other knelt before him, bells attached to his jelick chimed softly. His caramel colored skin shifted beautifully over lean muscles. The smell…his smell, it pushed aside all others. This was the scent he’d been chasing. This was what he’d been looking for.



“What is your pleasure, effendi?” Sasuke frowned. That voice… His fingers lifted, tugging away the veil to reveal his most desperate desire as well as his most terrifying nightmare. Naruto.



“If my scars displease you, I can leave you to choose another.” Naruto stood to leave when a pale hand latched onto his wrist.



“Where do you think you are going?”



Blue eyes blinked with confused innocence. Sasuke only smirked, drawing him closer until his nose was buried in golden curls. Perhaps it was the opium making this meeting of souls seem dream like.



“You belong to me…and I don’t share.” he growled into a pierced ear, his teeth nipping at the shell.



Lust burned brightly. Lust for Naruto’s blood. Lust for his body. Lust for his very soul. He would have him now. He was too far gone. His hands stripped the jelick from his body, bearing his chest completely. The small vest fell unnoticed to the ground.



Perhaps it was the opium or perhaps it was the heat radiating from the thrumming blood just beneath the surface, calling him. If this was a dream induced from breathing too much opium, he hoped he would never awake. To find it all a dream would be the nightmare.



“Are you real?” he whispered into blond hair, inhaling the surprisingly clean scent coupled with the faint spice of cinnamon.



“I’m whatever you wish, effendi.”



Growling in frustration, he ripped the head back. An erratic pulse thrummed in the bared neck as his lips tasted the sweaty skin. It made it all the harder, him not truly remembering the past. Any memories for Naruto were only the faded dreams long since forgotten as the mind awoke fully. Never would he know the suffering Sasuke had been through. He had it easy. All he had to do was die.



Closing his eyes, he could feel them burning with something almost akin to hate. He wasn’t sure who he hated or if it was simply an emotion he was most comfortable with. Hate made it easier to give into the dark desire whispering through his mind, telling him to kill; to drain the world.



His nails lengthened, digging bloody furrows into Naruto’s hips. His partner cried out in pain. The smell of blood awakened his lust. It was as if smelling fine wine before tasting. Fangs erupted from his mouth as he lowered his lips to the bleeding scratches.



“Stop, you’re hurting me.” whimpered his prize, fear tinting his voice.



Sasuke jerked, his eyes darkened immediately to their natural obsidian as they met fearful blue. He was afraid. Never before had he feared him. The crystalline tears glistened on kohl-lined lashes. He didn’t like the fear leaking from him. It soured his stomach, draining any pleasure from the act.



Releasing his claws from the ripped flesh, he leaned in to kiss the quivering lips. The drug took his self-control. The amount he’d smoked would have probably have put a human into a coma. He wasn’t human, after all.



At the first touch, he knew he never wanted to kiss any other lips. In the last five hundred years, he’d taken others to ease the lust of his inner demon but never had he kissed another. Such a sacred touch was meant only for one. The body housing Naruto’s soul was the only lips he could bear to touch, to taste, to devour.



Lifting his hand, he stroked sweat-matted locks as his lips continued to devour. His conquering mouth gave no quarter, taking first the lips before venturing after the slick muscle inside.



“I’ll make it feel better.”



Kissing down the bronzed neck, he purred against the pulse. Soon. Soon, he would taste the essence of Naruto. It would sustain him like no other. It took all his strength not to bury his fangs deep, drinking until he was saturated in Naruto right then. Only his willpower, such that it was, prevented it.



The lower he drifted, the thicker the fragrance of blood. Even in the smoky room, he could see the crimson liquid dripping clearly from deep gashes. For a moment, he felt remorse over harming his precious.



Lapping gently at the torn skin, he reveled in the taste washing across his tongue. The dark lust flared wildly. The painful hiss from his partner was ignored as he tended to the wounds, his saliva healing them. Each lap coated his tongue with the essence while healing Naruto.



He was uncertain when the pain filled grunts turned to pleasured groans. The others body fell limp as his tongue healed one side before nipping his way across the flat plane of muscled abdomen towards the other bleeding scratches. The body beneath him arched in abandon as his tongue continued to lap. Sasuke couldn’t help but smirk at the heavy erection he felt through the other’s low riding trousers.



“I told you I would make it better.” he purred, his hand pressing heavily on the arousal.



Naruto screeched in pleasure. His body bucked wildly as cum dampened the thin material of his trousers.



“So soon?” chuckled Sasuke, giving one last lick on the newly healed skin before lifting his body to half pin the panting man.



He watched with pleasure as a blush stole across the scarred cheeks. Yes, that was what he liked. He remembered that blush, that beautiful darkening of skin. It told of lust and excitement. His body remembered, even if his mind did not. Sasuke would accept that…for now.



“I-I’m sorry, effendi. I don’t usually…I mean…” Naruto seemed to stutter, his blush darkening in embarrassment.



“I like it when you can’t hold out. It makes me want you even more.” Sasuke’s hands stroked downward, taking the soiled trousers with them.



Naruto hissed as the material scraped his still sensitive cock head. The sound heated Sasuke’s blood. He wanted more. His thin thread on control was tentative at best. He could feel the drug hazy eyes on them. The thin gauze provided only minimum privacy.



He would need to refrain from biting. His inner demons screamed in malcontent at such a thought. He might have sunk low, but he still respected the laws of his people. They kept their kind safe for thousands of years. He would respect them, if only in the most basic of contents.



“Turn over.”



Naruto obeyed instantly, pleasing and frustrating Sasuke at the same time. His anger boiled at the thought of others taking him. He wasn’t deluded into believing Naruto to be innocent. His movements, his scent, his way of speaking; it all told him of the jaded life he’d led. Others had touched what was his, taken what was his. No more. No other individual would come near his precious one. From now on, Naruto was his. He would defy fate. Naruto would not be lost this time.



“Mine.” he growled, as he dipped his fingers in scented oil left by the servant.



“Yes, effendi.” panted Naruto, his eyes rolling back as slender fingers stretched him.



His body was tight. Despite having been used before, it was tight. He mustn’t have been in this business long if he retained such tightness. That discovery pleased him immensely.



Grabbing the still tender skin of newly restored hips, Sasuke slid his erection along the crevice. His body demanded he take him hard and fast. It wanted to mark him, claim him. His more primal nature battling for dominance. Only the harsh biting of his inner jaw allowed some semblance of control.



Slowly, his body was engulfed in heat. It was as he imagined. He could feel the clenching of muscles as they adjusted to his girth. It was pain and pleasure rolled up in one moment of heat and desire. He would forever remember this one moment of completion.



Alas, his more primal consciousness was pushed to the forefront. No longer could he revel in the simple pleasure of finally being inside of his beloved. Lust exploded inside him as he withdrew, only to careen forward once more.



Hips slapped against hips as his harsh rhythm had his partner crying out in both pain and pleasure. He wanted to slow down, to savor but it was a lost cause. It had been too long. He’d been deprived of this intense feeling of completion. His body would not be denied.



“Ahh…please…effendi…oh!” panted out Naruto, his voice rising as the rhythm increased.



“Sasuke…my name is Sasuke…say it!” His voice sounded harsh in his own ears as his hips continued to pound into the moist cave.



“Ah…Sa…suke…harder…oh god!” Naruto screamed loudly, his body quivering on the edge of completion.



Pulling back, he sat back on his haunches. The quivering of every muscle before him brought him to the edge. The wild clenching and releasing was driving him insane with pleasure.



Lifting Naruto’s torso to press against his chest, his teeth grazed the throbbing pulse. He was so close. The taste of him was mere millimeters from him. He could almost see the vein swelling in anticipation.



With a cry, he retracted his teeth. Biting down hard with his dulled incisors, he screamed into the sweat coated skin. He could feel, smell, and taste the pleasure shooting through Naruto as the body convulsed almost painfully. Cum shot from his dusky colored erection to pool on the pillows. Only when he felt his lover go limp did he allow his own orgasm to wash over him, a low almost pained moan escaped from him as lights danced before his eyes.



For several moments, his mind wavered between oblivion and consciousness. It took the smell of lust and anger to bring him from his stupor. His face lifted from its resting place on a tan shoulder blade. Even through the haze of the smoke and gauze, he could see angry eyes staring at him.



A possessive smirk passed over his face as his hand stroked down a smooth flank, taunting the onlooker. Let him look at what he lost. Let him see what he will never have for he had claimed Naruto as his own. No other could have him.



Dark eyes narrowed as they gazed upon the two satiated lovers. With an angry glare, the other man whirled away. The air grew considerably lighter with his exit. Sasuke was sure he had not seen the last of him. It was more than lust from the other. It was possessiveness. He assumed Naruto was his.



Sasuke would never allow that. Now that he had his claws in him, he would never release him. Already, his presence lightened the dark void developing in his soul. He would destroy any who threatened his bond with Naruto, be they human or nightwalker.



Stroking his hand across the tan temple, he sent his most precious person to sleep. Tossing another bag of gold to the servant, he lifted the slender body into his arms. To Sasuke, he was light as a feather.



Once out of the den of pleasure, he appeared to flicker before disappearing. The movement was unseen by the naked eye. His speed was beyond what humans could comprehend. Dawn was approaching. He wanted Naruto in his lair before it broke the horizon.



His sleep was strong. He’d tasted his blood. That alone gave him added persuasion over the blond. He would sleep until dusk, awaking only when Sasuke allowed it.



Entering his small home, he sealed the door with powerful spells. No one would enter, their death would be swift at hand should they attempt it. No one would for the same reason they never attacked or attempted to rob him.



As the sun peaked over the mountainous horizon, he smiled at his sleeping prize. All his. Every inch of Naruto belonged to him. He’d been in that dark place for far too long, his eyes almost hurt to look upon his wayward love.



“I will protect you this time. Nothing will happen. I will find a way to keep us together always.” he murmured against baby soft hair.



There was no response. He did not expect one. The sleep was deep. It would rejuvenate them both. Never again would he lose sight of what he wanted. Though the hunger seemed to beat at him, sleep was the higher priority. He could feed when he rose at dusk.



His eyes grew heavy as they stared at the sleeping beauty in his bed. His. The sleep of his people pulled him deeper as his thoughts roamed through memories long passed. With Naruto near, they seemed like just that…memories. The nightmares no longer plagued his dreams. Curled in the body of Naruto, he slept.



The scent of cinnamon was heavy in his nose as he rose with the moon. The hunger burned deep within. His eyes flared crimson as he watched the thrumming pulse tick against the skin of Naruto’s neck. His fangs lengthened, pearly white against blush colored lips.



“My Naruto.” he purred as he ran his tongue up the neck of his sleeping companion.



He tasted of salt and sated lust. Running his fangs along the vein, Sasuke closed his eyes as his teeth sank deep. Immediately following the bite, blood rushed across his tongue. It was the nectar of the gods. He moaned, pulling Naruto’s legs around his waist. The answering moan sent shivers of delight through him.



With each drag on the punctured skin, his strength returned along with his sanity. Or perhaps he lost more of his sanity. That line was quite hazy.



Claws burst from his fingers as he cradled the lolling head. Biting his lip, he watched as a few drops of his own blood dripped onto the punctures. Naruto was now marked. No other would touch him without his knowledge. No other would hurt him without facing retribution from him.



Lapping gently at the marks, he watched as each swipe of his tongue healed them until nothing was left but a dark bruise. He smiled as he rocked against the hardness pressing against him. Only with Naruto did he feel lust from feeding.



Sliding down the body sprawled out before him, he pulled the hard erection from its confines. Naruto was perfectly formed. Not too big and not too small. His taste was the perfect combination of salty and bitter. Releasing his sleep compulsion at the same moment he swallowed the entire length, the other awoke with a start, shooting his load hard into his mouth with a scream of pleasure.



“Delicious.” he murmured, smacking his lips in pleasure.



“Effendi! It’s my job to pleasure you.” Naruto gasped out, his heart speeding wildly in his chest.



“It gives me pleasure to taste you.”



His own cravings sated, he grinned with feral glee as Naruto’s own stomach rumbled in hunger. The attractive blush spreading across tan cheeks pleased him greatly. Standing, he walked to his closet, throwing gold embroidered dark blue trousers with a matching shirt to Naruto.



“Get dressed. I don’t have food here.” Sasuke settled in a chair, watching the play of muscles along Naruto’s back as he dressed.



The clothes were a bit loose on him but they would do until he could have him fitted with more appropriate garments. He would be the one to provide for Naruto now. No longer would he frequent that den of smoke and lust.



“Where are we going?” Naruto asked, frowning at the slight dizziness. He felt as if he hadn’t eaten in days.



“First for food. Then, for your clothes.” Sasuke tucked several bags of gold on his waist before exiting, followed shortly by Naruto.



“Why don’t you have food?”



“Because I don’t eat.”



Naruto frowned at the comment. “Huh?”



“All I need is you to survive.”



Naruto let it go for now. Concluding that he was joking, Naruto smiled happily. He’d been hoping someone would take him exclusively. It was beginning to seem as if Lord Hakan was going to be that person. For the last week, he’d paid for his services until last night. Last night, Sasuke had taken him.



His brows furrowed as he thought about the previous night. It was the best sex he’d ever had. His body felt used and cherished at the same time. With all other clients, he felt completely used.



“Effendi, what shall I call you?”



“I thought we discussed this last night. My name is Sasuke. You may call me it. I wonder if rebirth interferes with your ability to think?” he commented.



“Did you just insult me?” growled Naruto. “I don’t have to stay with you. Lord Hakan would probably…”



Sasuke was on him in a moment’s notice. “Never even think about leaving me. You belong to me.”



Naruto’s eyes widened. Red piercing orbs gazed into his very soul. He was startled but not frightened. Some part of him knew these blazing eyes. He knew he would never hurt him. He didn’t know how, he just did.



Just as quickly as they flared, the eyes darkened to a color blacker than midnight. “Come, I know a place you can eat.”



Sasuke led the way through the streets and back alleys. Naruto looked on frightened as they passed some very questionable men. None made the slightest movement towards them. The fear in their eyes burned brightly. Why were they afraid? Every one of them was larger than Sasuke by at least fifty pounds.



“Sasuke…”



“Yes?”



“Is it safe to walk these roads?”



“For me, yes.”



“Why don’t they attack you?”



“If they did, it would be the last thing they did in this life. I’m dangerous and they can smell it.” Sasuke smirked darkly, hinting at something Naruto was afraid even to allow to linger in his mind.



“Would you hurt me?”



He paused before turning his eyes back towards his destination. “Never.”



Naruto smiled happily. Fate must have been shining on him when she sent Sasuke into the pleasure house. A hand grabbed his free one bringing a cry to his lips. “Let go!”



“You can’t run from your fate, just as he cannot hide from his.” The words poured from wrinkled lips as an ancient woman stepped from the shadows.



A roar erupted from Sasuke as he pinned the wrinkled woman to the wall. “You can’t have him. He’s mine.”



She merely cackled in what seemed like delight before fading into the shadows. Naruto gaped at the spot where the woman had stood. She vanished into nothing. “Sasuke…”



Sasuke’s mind burned. They would be hard pressed to take Naruto from him again. He would be diligent in his protection. No murderer would dare come near his Naruto. “Forget what you saw. Come.”



Nodding before trailing along behind his master, Naruto made sure not to tarry. He didn’t want to be left behind in the darkened alley. They walked for several more minutes until finally they stood before a large ornate building. Neither noticed the hate filled eyes following them.



“Lord Sasuke!” gasped an attendant, bowing low. “Please follow me.”



The establishment was similar to the den visited the previous night only of a higher class. They were led through ornate hallways until arriving in a private room filled with pillows, a table, and several low burning lamps.



“How may we serve you tonight?”



“Some food for Naruto and wine for me.” Sasuke reclined on his pillow, watching Naruto with the eyes of a hawk.



“Yes, effendi.”



Turning to Naruto, he smirked. “Dance for me.”



“But there is no music.”



“You don’t need music. Dance.”



The servant left the room, trotting quickly to fill the order. It was only minutes until he returned, carrying a tray filled with food and wine. A bejeweled hand stopped him before he could approach the door. “How much to buy your service?”



IOIOIOI



Sasuke barely acknowledged the entrance of the servant as he placed heapings of food on the small table. His eyes were locking the swaying of Naruto’s hips. His loins ached as he watched the blond dance in slow swirls. The flash of skin as his shirt rose up sent ribbons of desire drifting through him.



“That is enough. Eat.” Sasuke gestured to the food, he could feel Naruto’s hunger beating at him.



Sasuke accepted the cup of wine, setting it aside as he watched the other eat. His cheeks puffed endearingly as he stuffed as much in his mouth as he could. “Slow down, you will choke.”



“Sorry.” gulped Naruto, swallowing the food. “I’ve never had food this good. I usually use some of my take to help feed the older ones who don’t get many clients.”



“Honorable as ever.” smirked Sasuke.



“Can I have a some of your wine. He didn’t bring me anything to drink.” Naruto pouted prettily, probably a trained response.



“Hn.” Sasuke offered the untouched cup to him.



Naruto’s smile lit up the room as he nearly drained the cup. “That tastes off.”



“It’s probably a higher quality than you are used to.” chuckled Sasuke, taking the empty cup from the other.



“I suppose.”



“You are finished?”



“Yes.”



“Come here.” Naruto willingly curled his body against Sasuke.



His stomach felt odd, probably due to all the food. Smiling happily, he laid his head on Sasuke’s chest. He listened happily to the constant thrumming of his heart. It lulled him into a state of comfort and peace.



“I’m sleepy.” The words were slurred as his head lolled on the warm chest.



Sasuke closed his eyes. He didn’t need to press his ear to Naruto’s chest to hear his heart. The steady beat comforted him. He wasn’t tired in the least but he supposed allowing Naruto a few minutes to nap wouldn’t hurt. The place he would go to dress him was always open for him.



For several minutes he was content. It was the slight fluttering in the previously constant beat causing a break in his pleasure. Frowning, he sat up to look at Naruto. He appeared to be sleeping.



“Naruto, it’s time to leave.”



No response. Frowning again, he repeated the words; even going so far as to add a shake to the curved shoulder. Still no response. Not pleased, Sasuke patted the scarred cheeks. “Naruto, you need to wake up.”



The heart. The core of a person’s being. His people held the heart dear. It was the part of a body pumping the blood. Blood was precious, as was the heart pumping it. Naruto’s heart was slowing. Every second his heart seemed to slow its beats.



Panic now set in. How? Why? He was healthy. Looking around the room, his eyes zeroed in on the empty wine cup. Snatching it from its resting place, he brought his nose to the tiny bit of liquid. Poison!



“Naruto, fight it! You can’t let them win. I can’t lose you again.” Sasuke watched in horror as Naruto’s breath became ragged. His eyes never opened as he breathed his last breath, death coming gently.



As he lay still, body growing cold, Sasuke threw back his head. The scream echoed through the establishment, sending servants and patrons alike scrambling for the exit. Eyes bled red as the small barely healed pieces of his sanity crumbled to dust. He wanted blood. The blood of those who killed his Naruto.



Snarling like the animal he now was, he ripped through the building. The only thought on his mind was finding the servant. His death would not be swift. Oh no, he would skin him alive before gorging on his blood.



It took a ridiculously short time to find the man, huddled in the kitchen. Most of the other servants having left in fear, but this man remained. Did he feel remorse for taking such a beautiful soul from this world? If he did not, he would before this night was through.



“Your death will be slow and painful.” purred Sasuke, the long nails of his claws tapping teasingly on the marble.



“Please…effendi…I only served it…the other…he…you were supposed to drink it.” The servant continued to stutter and plead for his life. Sasuke had no mercy.



“Who is this person.”



“I know…him…only by reputation. Lord Hakan. Please…have mercy.”



Sasuke ran the claws of one hand swiftly over the throat, stopping all words as blood spilled darkly. The sickening gurgles coming from the flopping body brought only a wrinkle of disgust from him. The dark liquid of life pulsed out, spreading across the floor. What a waste of a meal, he thought as he left the body for whomever would find it.



He knew where to go. Lord Hakan. He didn’t know the man but he suspected he knew where to find him. Using his powerful legs, he lunged to the roofs. Leaping from flat stone roof to flat stone roof, he raced towards his destination. The den of prostitutes and opium stood quietly. He could hear the faint sound of conversation and music. He could smell the scent of tobacco and opium.



Dropping silently to the ground, he approached the attendant. “Effendi, we are pleased to have you with us…ahh!”



Sasuke snarled his eyes nearly mad. Pressing the attendant against the entrance door, he hissed his orders lowly in his ear. “Take me to Hakan or die here as I find him myself.”



“Y-Yes, effendi.” stuttered the attendant as he stumbled towards the central room.



“T-There.” He pointed a shaking finger towards a laughing man, the gold on his caftan gleaming in the lamp light.



“I would suggest you leave,” murmured Sasuke before strolling calmly into the pillow strewn room.



“Hakan.” He rolled the name across his tongue, savoring the sound like fine wine.



“Wha…?” he gaped at the sight of the slender man stalking towards him with deliberate slowness.



“All my planning…all my hopes…crushed by an act of jealousy. You have wealth. You could have any concubine you desire…yet you wanted him. You sought to kill me, yet now you will die. I will take you blood. I will relish in your screams as you feel my nightmare. Die.” Sasuke moved forward with the speed of his kind.



In the blink of an eye, his fangs were buried deeply in the soft skin of his prey’s neck. The poor fool screamed out as his jugular was pierced, rich hot blood pouring rapidly down Sasuke’s throat. His claws carved deep scratches into the man’s sides as he felt the struggles waning. The darkness consumed him as he dropped the body to the blood spattered pillows.



It wasn’t enough, he smirked darkly. Grabbing a screaming prostitute, he buried his fangs deep. She was dropped unceremoniously to the floor as well. The darkness consumed him as he feasted, his body ready to pop with the feeling of power. It was no longer about revenge for Naruto’s death. It was simply about the rush of adrenaline, the explosion of power he got.



The night was his to rule. This apex of a city was his alone. Perhaps had he kept his kills less public, the king would have paid them no mind. The viciousness of the murders only drew attention to their kind.



Itachi found him dirty, mostly mad. “Sasuke…what have you done?”



“What have I done? I’ve become what the fates wanted me to be. I’m a monster of their creation. Aren’t you happy brother…I’m feeding well.” Sasuke cackled wildly.



Itachi pulled him to his feet before slamming him into the wall. “I want my brother back.”



“And I want Naruto back…but we can’t have what we want.” That earned him a fist in his jaw, the sound of bone breaking sounded in the silence.



Sasuke screamed as pain shot through his face. His brother stood over him, a dark king suffering at how far his beloved brother had fallen.



“Sasuke, I’m taking you away from this place. Sleep now.” Sasuke slumped immediately to the ground.



“Sasuke, don’t make me destroy you.” he whispered, already knowing the elders would call for his death. He would not give them his brother. He was the most powerful of his kind. Sasuke would live. He would heal him, body and soul. If it took every breath in his body, he would save his brother from this curse of torture. “I promise you, Sasuke. You will live. I will do everything in my power to make sure you are happy.”



Within hours, Itachi and Sasuke were on a boat; sailing away from Constantinople. The killings stopped but not the memory. The memory of his deeds would haunt Sasuke far longer than one lifetime. It was added to his suffering. His only sane thought for many years was finding Naruto. Naruto was his salvation. Naruto was his hope.



To be continued