Chapter 8

Sakura gazed at her reflection through her dresser's mirror, not recognising the girl behind the rippling glass. A serious and solemn Sakura gazed back at her, paler porcelain skin and faintly glowing emerald eyes, taller, leaner, different. Her eyes were solemn, but Sakura saw happiness there too, as she ran her thumb along the sharp point of her canines and felt the skin split and tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth. They weren't fangs, but they were too sharp and too long to be considered human and Sakura couldn't seem to look away from them. Who is this Sakura?

"You're beautiful, Sakura," Hinata said softly, sincerely, watching Sakura from the corner of the large bed with Tenten beside her. Her silver eyes shone through the darkness of the unlit room and Sakura forced herself to smile and, seeming to read Sakura's thoughts, Tenten smirked. "She's you, Sakura. You're still you, you know."

Sakura sighed and gazed at her hand as she flexed her fingers with an unconvinced expression. "I'm not even sure if that's true anymore. What if," she looked up at them with large and worried eyes. "What if I can't find myself again?"

"There's no need. You aren't lost."

The three girls quickly turned their heads to the window behind Sakura, where Sasuke was sitting with one leg propped up and the other hanging over the ledge, watching Sakura with dark and thoughtful eyes.

"Been there long, Sasuke?" Tenten asked dryly with a raised eyebrow and Hinata giggled. The way he was looking at her made Sakura remember how they had kissed earlier on the training grounds, and her hand subconsciously moved up to touch her tingling lips. She blushed when she saw Tenten wink at her and Hinata smile knowingly.

Sasuke moved agilely as he slid through the window and stood beside Sakura so that she could see both their reflections through the mirror. Two impossibly beautiful figures.

"Your eyes and mine are not the same," he murmured and Sakura could see it. His were like Gaara's, too solemn, too grave, too wise, too closed and too serious for a seventeen year old. She looked behind them, at the two vampires watching them from her bed and saw that their eyes were the same as Sasuke's, only softer and slightly more open. Sakura gazed at her own eyes and immediately recognized the difference. Despite sharing the same seriousness and solemnity of the vampires, Sakura's eyes were open, trusting, perhaps even naïve, and they lacked the wisdom that could only come from being immortal.

"The eyes of a human, Sakura," he said quietly, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear affectionately. "Your humanity may have been altered, but it hasn't been lost."

"You're Sakura," Tenten finished with a toothy grin, making Sakura grin back as warmth and relief spread through her as though a heavy weight had just been lifted from her shoulders. The brunette stood and dragged Sakura away from the mirror, to her ornate wardrobe. She raised her eyebrow at Sasuke. "Why are you still here?" He blinked.
"What?"
Sakura watched in confused silence as Tenten placed her hands over her hips and pointed with her thumb over her shoulder at Sakura behind her. "She needs to change for the Council tonight," the brunette snapped before smirking and raising her eyebrow suggestively, making Sasuke frown. "Unless you want to help her change, Sasuke." Sakura blushed furiously, unable to make any sound, and saw Sasuke go rigid before muttering, "Hn," and disappearing back through the window. Sakura was certain she had seen a blush on his cheeks too.

"I don't see the point in me going to this Council thing," Sakura complained, standing in only her underwear as Tenten nodded at her slim figure with approval and pulled a beautiful, pale cream ball gown from the wardrobe and tossed it to her. "I'm not even a vampire."

"Exactly," Tenten replied as she helped Sakura into the gown and fastening the all the clasps and buttons with slender, nimble fingers. "You're the first human to know about us since the Twentieth Century. It's important that our allied Kage meet you face to face, if you're going to help us fight this war." Sakura didn't reply but merely nodded her head in defeat at the brunette laced up the corset around her waist tightly and Hinata curled and did her hair with gentle and slender hands.

The two vampires stepped back to admire their work after half an hour and gave Sakura the opportunity to finally see her reflection. She could only gape at the mirror, unable to recognise the girl gaping back at her. The girl in the mirror looked older, beautiful, every bit as much of a vampire as Tenten or Hinata, perhaps not as pale, and it took Sakura a moment to realise that the girl was in fact her. The gown was cream lace, fitting around her waist and then flowing outwards in delicate lacy curtains from her hips to her feet, almost making her pale skin glow faintly. The sleeves only wound around beneath her shoulders.

Her hair was pinned up messily, delicately, and decorated with moonstones and small white flowers, with a few loose ringlets hanging down and framing her delicate face. Tenten was dressed in dark crimson and Hinata in black, both looking like beautiful priestesses of some dark goddess.

"Are you ready to go, Sakura?" Tenten winked and pointed to where Sasuke, Neji, Kiba, Shikamaru and Choji were waiting outside the Uchiha compound, all dressed impeccably, and Sakura nodded.

xxxxxxx

The Summit Hall was enormous and completely crowded with strangers. Beautiful girls and women looked at Sakura curiously as she walked passed and equally beautiful boys and men did the same as Sasuke led the group to where Tsunade had instructed them to wait. Sakura looked around for anyone that looked like they didn't come from the Leaf but found none. Hinata watched her curiously. "What are you looking for, Sakura?" she asked softly and Sakura shrugged with a sheepish smile. "Just looking to see if the other Kage are here yet."

"They will arrive shortly," Neji said from over his shoulder and Sakura nodded.

"Where are Ino and Karin?" Tenten asked Kiba and he shrugged. "I guess they just didn't decide to pitch tonight. But I'm glad you did," he winked at Sakura and she laughed.

Tsunade was waiting for them, dressed in a fitting black gown, very similar to Hinata's, and she looked Sakura over before nodding in approval. "Good." She grabbed Sakura's arm. "You are to stand beside me when the Kage arrive, Sakura. It is important that you look proper at all times tonight."

"Okay," Sakura squeaked as she was pulled roughly away from the others, turning back to see Sasuke one last time before he was swallowed by the crowd, he smiled at her reassuringly before he was lost from view.

A messenger whispered in the Hokage's ear and Tsunade's voice boomed powerfully over the room, causing everyone to fall silent as they watched her with their utmost attention. "The Water and Wind Kage have arrived. Kindly clear a path for their entrance." The guests parted to form a linear path from the great double doors to where Sakura and Tsunade stood; the doors opened.

A very tall and slender woman, more beautiful than Tsunade and any woman Sakura had ever seen, dressed in a rich blue silk with long brown hair that reached down to the backs of her knees, walked imperiously and gracefully up the aisle to stand beside Tsunade. "The Mizukage of the Village Hidden in the Mist," Tsunade introduced her and the guests bowed. The Mizukage bowed in return, but without saying a word. She looked at Sakura with her bright green eyes and smiled, flashing her fangs and Sakura felt her stomach twist because the smile wasn't a kind one.

"And the Kazekage of the Village Hidden in the Sand," Tsunade called and Sakura went rigid with astonishment when Gaara walked through the doors and down the aisle, pale-blue eyes fixed on her.

xxxxxxx

"This is Sakura Haruno? The human?" The Mizukage asked in a deep and rich feminine voice and Tsunade nodded. "Yes." Sakura could only vaguely hear what the two women were saying, but her attention was fixed on Gaara, dressed in maroon robes and leather. The four of them were alone in a private room situated above the Summit Hall.

"You didn't tell me you were a Kage," she whispered so that only he would hear her. Gaara regarded her silently before he shrugged. "I doubted that you knew of the existence of the Hidden Villages at that stage so I didn't believe it to be important."

"But you're almost like royalty," she hissed and he raised a non-existent eyebrow. "Hardly, Sakura. The five Kage are nothing like royalty."

"Speak for yourself, Kazekage," the Mizukage drawled and chuckled when he frowned in response. More an adult than a teenager, Sakura thought as she watched him and Tsunade cleared her throat to gain their attention. The two women continued their conversation as they sipped their drinks. It was some sort of animal's blood but Sakura wasn't sure which; her own drink was a simple glass of water flavoured with lemon and honey.

"And you say she has drunk the Vampire Blood?" The Mizukage watched Sakura with sharp eyes and Gaara froze and blinked in astonishment. He looked at Sakura closely. Realisation dawned on him.

Sakura felt his immediate anger radiate from him in waves as his stance and tone changed. "You gave her Vampire Blood?" He hissed, furious, pale eyes narrowed at Tsunade. "So soon after learning the truth about our kind? Did she even have a choice in the matter?"

The Mizukage frowned when Tsunade didn't reply and remained silent. "The human is the Hokage's responsibility not yours, Kazekage." Her tone was condescending and Gaara snarled in response. "'The 'human' has a name." Sakura blinked. He's defending me?

"Was Sakura aware of the pain that proceeds after drinking it? And the effect that it would have on her body and personality?" he demanded harshly and Tsunade nodded and replied quietly, "Yes." The Mizukage rolled her eyes. Sakura could remember the pain clearly and the thought of it made her skin crawl and she shuddered. The Hokage noticed.

Sakura was shocked at how guilty Tsunade looked and swallowed nervously when Gaara turned to her, his features softening. "Were you forced to drink it, Sakura?" he asked gently and Sakura, stunned, shook her head quickly. "No. I chose to drink it on my own." Gaara frowned and searched her for any signs of deception and after finding none, looked away from her.

"There you have it, Kazekage," The Mizukage snapped, "This just shows that you're making a big deal over nothing." Gaara growled and Tsunade composed herself. "That's enough," she hissed, glaring at them both. "We are allies in this war. It's time we start acting like it."

"Agreed," the Mizukage said imperiously and Gaara scowled but didn't object. "Good," Tsunade said seriously, "Then let us begin with our new battle strategy."

xxxxxxx

Ino watched the three Kage and Sakura from the trees surrounding the Summit Hall; The hood of her cloak masked her face in shadows and Karin, dressed similarly, stood beside her. Two, dark figures appeared beside them; crimson-red clouds fastened their cloaks at the neck.

"Identify yourselves," Ino commanded and the two figures removed their hoods. Itachi and the golden-eyed redhead, Sasori. "You are aware of your instructions, correct?" Karin demanded. They couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Not tonight. The two boys nodded and Ino pointed out directions. "Take your positions and remember to wait until Sasuke has been acquired before following out instructions."

"Hn." They were gone, leaving Ino and Karin alone again.

It wasn't long before Sasuke appeared amongst the trees, catching a breath of fresh air, just as the two girls had known he would do. They had planned for this moment. Karin ignited her hands with pale blue glowing light and nimbly dropped from the branch, landing beside him, not giving him a chance to react before she struck him in the sides. Ino watched his efforts become slower and weaker as Karin's powers took effect. Sasuke sank to his knees, no longer able to move; Karin held his arms behind his back tightly and Ino landed lightly in front of him. He snarled at her, baring his fangs. "What are you doing, Ino?" Ino felt thrills run through her at the sight of him at her mercy and smiled nastily. "That's hardly more exciting than what you'll be doing for me later, Sasuke."

She knelt in front of him and placed her fingers lightly over his temple. His dark eyes widened with realisation and a deep growl escaped him, giving Ino goose bumps. "Give your mind to me, Sasuke," she purred as he tensed, her fingertips glowing darkly.

"You won't get away with this," he snarled through clenched teeth and Karin sniggered from behind him as she released his arms; they fell limply to his sides. She moved to prepare the Circle.

"Oh, Sasuke," Ino giggled as his eyes rolled back and he fell forward heavily into her arms. She watched his peaceful, sleeping face, brushing his fringe aside and whispered. "I already have."

Sasuke has been acquired.

xxxxxxx

"You didn't need to get so angry, you know," Sakura teased as Gaara waltzed with her gracefully across the room amongst the other guests. His expression darkened. "If your will wasn't so strong, Sakura," he said in low voice, "The pain would have driven you insane."

"What?" Sakura felt herself go cold and felt a pang through her chest at the thought of her friends betraying her. Would they have taken that risk? Perhaps they never knew, she reasoned with herself, but Tenten's reaction had confirmed her suspicions. They lied to me. Sasuke lied to me.

"They never told me that," she murmured numbly and Gaara continued. "Humans in the past lost their minds to the pain, became monsters, lost their humanity completely. They attacked other humans for their blood, despite not fully being vampires themselves." He paused. "Do not cry, Sakura." Sakura looked up in surprise and realised that there were, in fact, tears running down her cheeks and dripping from her chin into the fabric her dress. They came to a stop and Sakura hastily wiped the tears away. "Sorry, I don't know what came over me I-"

Gaara slid his fingertips under her chin and lifted her face to his. She was too surprised to move, even when he leaned toward her and she realized, belatedly, what he was doing and shut her eyes reflexively as his lips brushed gently over hers, sending shivers through her.

Sakura felt a sudden and fierce longing to be held and kissed in a way that would make her forget everything else surge through her body and she twined her arms around his neck, to steady herself and to draw him closer. His hair tickled her fingertips as his fingers traced her cheeks and the line of her jaw, his touch was gentle. Gaara's hands moved to cup the back of her neck.

Sakura suddenly felt her skin prickle painfully, like millions of tiny needles and she went numb with an icy shock of wrongness. Something was wrong, very wrong. What were the malevolent presences approaching so quickly? Gaara must have felt it too, because he pulled away and pulled Sakura to the ground just as the first bomb exploded.

"Art is an explosion, yeah!"

The ground shook and bits of ceiling rained down on them as Gaara pulled her to her feet. "The Akatsuki," he snarled his eyes scanning the room, "And the Hidden Rock and Cloud." The Hall was in chaos, vampires fought viciously around them, like snarling dogs, both men and women alike, and Sakura could feel the shockwaves of more bombs going off within the huge building while a masculine voice cackled with cruel and passionate amusement.

"Gaara, you have to get back to Suna!" Sakura shouted over the noise, nimbly dodging a piece of ceiling. Gaara looked at her with astonishment, "They're here for you, Sakura," he snarled and Sakura felt her stomach twist again but remained adamant. "You're village needs you and my friends need me. I have to go find them," Sakura began to move away but Gaara caught her arm, his face was conflicted. "Find your friends and return to Suna immediately. You need to be put into protective custody. You already know where it is." Sakura nodded with understanding and smiled. "The abandoned train tracks."

Gaara kissed her cheek softly and released her arm. "I will wait for you, Sakura," he murmured before he vanished.

I need to find Sasuke. Sakura scanned the room but saw no sign of him. Outside. Sakura bolted for the door with all the speed she could muster but was blocked by a foreign vampire from another village. "Human," he hissed and charged. Sakura was immediately reminded of training and ran forward, dropping onto her back and sliding underneath him before flipping up and striking him from behind. The blow hit his neck and Sakura heard it snap before he crumpled to the ground like a ragdoll. She gaped at the limp body in front of her in shock, feeling adrenaline run through her veins. I killed a man. I just killed someone. I-I killed someone... But he wasn't human.

She didn't have the time to linger on it.

Sakura shot out of the door. There were battles outside too but it was less chaotic than inside the crumbling hall, and Sakura ran toward an area of clustered trees, deciding that that was where Sasuke was more than likely to be.

Instead of finding Sasuke, she found Ino and Karin clearing away the remains of what looked like a circle? They looked up at her with disinterest and Sakura spoke frantically. "The Cloud and Rock are attacking." They looked at her condescendingly, like she was a stupid child. "We know," Ino shrugged and Karin sniggered. Something's wrong.

"What's going on?" Sakura asked uneasily, her new instincts warning her that danger was coming, the prickling sensation returning stronger than it had been inside the Hall. Ino smiled triumphantly while Karin sneered. The look in the blonde's eyes made Sakura go cold.

"They're the enemy..."

"Why don't you ask Sasuke?"

Sakura felt herself go hollow when she heard deep growling from above her head and Sasuke dropped nimbly from the branches above her, sharingan activated and trained on her.

His eyes, she thought, her body going numb from horror. They're the ones from my dream.