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The Color of Blood	By : Rosebud Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1118 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto. Nor do I own Model, which helped inspired this fic. I make no money from writing this.

Thanks: To everyone who’s followed this story and reviewed. And to Inmyeyesforver; here’s the update that you wanted sweetie. *hugs*

The Color of Blood

Written By: Crimson2006

:Chapter Three:

One-hundred and ninety-three years ago…

The day felt heavy. Even as Uchiha Itachi stared out the window, he felt the weight of the world crush him. In retrospective, it was a feeling that he often awoke to –something coarse and tangible as it coagulated his blood– but his morning the pain seemed surprisingly surreal. Then again, maybe that was to be expected, considering the situation and all…

Glancing over to his right, the fifteen-year old spied the boy who was sleeping next to him. The small figure was snuggled against the blankets, twisted haphazardly and yet artistically arched as pale patches of flesh slipped out from between the folds of cloth. A foot hanging off the bed, an arm tucked halfway under a pillow and the simple face of a child who looked so devastatingly innocent—Itachi loved every feature about his little brother, but there was a pain to that reality to that as well.

“Otouto, wake up.” Itachi called softly, his hand reaching out to his brother as he gave his kin a soft shake. The small form groaned a couple times and then rolled over; mumbling something about not wanting to go to school and not liking burnt fishcakes.

Itachi couldn’t help but smile at his brother’s sweetness, the heaviness of the day dying for a brief second before constricting at him once more. He couldn’t save Sasuke, but he wanted to so badly. It wasn’t fair, but he wasn’t strong enough to change that. Not yet anyway…

“Forgive me,” he whispered sadly, his voice almost inaudible as he reached over and brushed a few stands of loose hair away from his kin’s face. Sasuke was his life, his everything. Even if he was sometimes cold and cruel, he still loved the boy dearly.

“Come on Otouto, you have to get up, it’s morning.” He lulled again.

This time the notes seemed to carry through and after a slight episode of disorientation and a few moments of grumbling, Sasuke finally sat up and rubbed his eyes; wiping the sleep away before glancing over to his older brother.

Sasuke had to admit that against the morning atmosphere his brother looked like a divine deity. The sun splaying rays of warm light into the room, the threads drifting down to cast honey-dipped highlights across his kin’s skin; adding to the ethereal feeling that the other naturally held. Truly, Sasuke was going to miss waking up to such a wonderful face—of seeing that simple smirk or hearing the harsh warning that curtly reminded him to get back to his own room before Fugaku found out that he wasn‘t there.

Yes, it was hard—difficult to believe—that today was the wake of a three month departure.

“Aniki…” he smiled forcefully, only to counter the measure. In less than a second his arms were reaching out, his body leaning forward, collapsing against the other as he snuggled down into the warmth of his brother’s embrace. It felt like the world was slowly slipping away. “Do you really have to leave today?”

Itachi hummed and stroked his fingers through Sasuke’s disheveled tress; the digits twisting the hair as he drew the motions out smoothly. “It’s only for the summer Sasuke. And I really want to go. You know how much I love art, and the professor that’s teaching the class is exceptionally talented.”

“I know…but what if something bad happens.”

Itachi sighed and tipped his head slightly; looking down to the dark eyes that were carefully watching his own. Sasuke was so precious, and for a moment he wondered if he shouldn’t just throw the opportunity out the window. Still, he knew better then to do that. Fugaku refused to let him study art while in regular school, so taking classes over the summer was only way to pursue his suppressed dream. Sasuke would just have to accept that, because he wasn’t going to bend this time.

“Really Otouto, you don’t need to worry so much.” He scolded. “I’ll only be two towns over and Shisui will be with me the whole time.”

Sasuke frowned and tucked his head back against Itachi. He knew that he should be happy for his kin, but it was hard. Being out in the middle of nowhere was a terrible place to dwell; especially with someone like Fugaku around and no older brother to protect you.

“It’ll be okay.” Itachi repeated tenderly; his voice reassuring his brother. Still, the sweetness had a tone that was bitter and Sasuke begrudgingly found himself shedding the tears he swore he wouldn’t cry.

“But, I’m going to miss you…” he sobbed; tiny finger squeezing Itachi’s night shirt. “In the middle of the night when I get scared, who am I going to turn to? And when I get sick, who’ll take care of me? And when I fall and hurt myself—”

“Sasuke….stop,” Itachi hushed, pulling his brother’s chin up slightly. Leaning down, he pressed their foreheads together. “Look, when I get back, I’ll teach you how to paint. I know I’ve been putting it off, but I‘ll be serious about it this time,” he compromised, knowing that Sasuke had been interested in the skill for quite some time, but unable to explore it due to their father‘s rules.

Of course, the fact that he had neglected the issue to begin with had been a problem as well. But Itachi just hadn’t viewed Sasuke as being ready. There was an art to painting. It wasn’t just about pictures and scenery; it was about expression and depth. Maybe the time spent away this summer would help Sasuke come to understand that though. “So what do you say?”

“What do I say?” The youth questioned in disbelief, his tears hindered as he wiped them away with the back of his hand; the mundane expression melting into a smile. He couldn’t believe it. He was so lucky to have a brother like Itachi. The elder could paint with such fluency that it seemed second-natured. Portraits, landscapes, abstract and contemporary—Itachi did it all and the style was amazing. Each picture was like looking at a part of yourself. It moved you, reached inside of you and then took something away—you couldn‘t forget it, even if you tried. “Of course I want to, but you have to cross your heart and hope to die, and no take backs.”

Itachi watched his brother‘s smiling visage and reciprocated the expression. “I promise," he whispered, lifting his hand to remove a tear that Sasuke had missed. “To teach you an artist’s morale…Cross my heart and hope to die…”

……

Current day...

Naruto had barely taken a step forward when he found himself stumbling back; his ass hitting the floor in a manner that sent a deep wave of pain up his spine. For a moment his senses were jarred, his mind fumbling in a tragic daze –as if his perception of the world had suddenly been altered. And then, just as quickly as that outlook was delivered, did the layers of perplexity lift. His mind viscously snapping back to reality as blue eyes widened with surprise. There standing before him –not a few yards away, but mere inches– was the man that he'd sworn he'd seen drop to the floor.

"A-ah…" With a deep sense of bewilderment the blonde questioned his sanity, wondering if perhaps he'd drank too much or taken some bad ecstasy. Those notions however, were heedlessly tossed out the window when his blue orbs looked up—that never ending red defining his vision, allowing him to see past those cold layers and into the depths of something far greater. Despite the fact that the stranger was standing so close and was holding such a firm posture, the blonde found that he could not ignore the fair traces of exhaustion being reflected. No. He was sure that the stranger had at least lost his balance. Though how the distance was between them was severed so quickly was a little bit harder to configure. Perhaps… it was just one of those things?

Realizing that neither of them had yet to say anything, Naruto opened his mouth and parted a few words; each note clotting in his throat by unnecessary reasons. It felt strange, but it was almost as if the stranger had sucked up all the air in the room; leaving him to die by some terrible means. "Um…a-are you okay?" Naruto finally questioned hoarsely, earning a raised brow and a look of pure amusement. It seemed as if he had said the wrong thing. Then again, given the circumstances he soon understood why.

"Really now, shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

Naruto's heartbeat quivered as the man's voice stroked the air; each fluent sound pulled from depths far too divine for a mortal to behold. Deep and light—silky but tinged heavily with seduction. The blonde had never heard something so intoxicating, and his mind swayed dangerously as he found himself lost within such a simple-minded question.

When had he ever felt this overcome? When had be ever teetered this close to the edge?

"I-I'm fine," he replied slowly, trying to catch his voice –the notes fluttering away as if they were not his own. In one sense, the tone didn't even sound like it belonged to him. And yet in another, that realization only confused him more. Why was he acting so indecisively? Why was he feeling so weak and helpless—overcome by fear and yet tempted to indulge in the moment further. None of it made sense. But it didn't have to. Not as long as the raven haired man stayed within his vision.

Interrupted in thought, Naruto nearly jumped when the man spoke again.

"Should I help you?"

“Huh…oh, um…“ Naruto looked at the hand folded out; realizing that the stranger was trying to help him up. He didn't know why, but the hand seemed important—more then what helping someone off the floor should have represented. Still, despite the warring trepidation, Naruto accepted the offer. "T-Thanks…"

"It's alright. I was the one that startled you, wasn't I?"

"Yeah…you're pretty quick on your feet."

An awkward silence fell between them and Itachi cleared his throat, unbothered the by the weird vibes in the air. "Naruto-Kun, isn't it? You're not like the rest of them…are you?"

Those words were solicitous, but it was not the tone that had caught the blonde's attention. Rather, it was the content spoken. Absentmindedly, Naruto wondered at what point he had told the man his name, only to remember that he hadn’t. Moreover, what did the stranger mean by ‘the rest of them'?

Opening his mouth to make his inquires known; Naruto was silenced when a pale finger was placed softly against his lips, the lukewarm flesh brushing over the delicate texture, sending more chills down the younger man's spine. "Wha—"

"Shhhhh. My question was rhetorical—don't speak unless I say so." Itachi scolded.

Naruto nodded slightly and stood dumbfound. His legs trembling with anticipation as the single finger twisted against his mouth; the hand then splaying open and drawing back as the full set of fingers stroked his cheek. Firmly, the raven's pale hand trailed further back, coiling around the nape of Naruto's neck as it pulled their bodies closer together—sealing the distance as if they were two forces of attraction being drawn together.

Not knowing what to do, Naruto simply remained silent; his eyes drinking up the sight before him. Diverge to his perplexity was the contradiction as to what was being directed towards him –those red orbs bearing down on him like the scorn of hell’s wrath within the hour of its first wake. It was terrifying but he continued to look on; that force sucking the life out of his body, devouring his soul with spellbinding ease.

“Do you feel it?” The stranger spoke, and Naruto nodded, not sure what ‘it’ was, but knowing that there was something supernatural about the man. He was entranced. Even if he’d held the capability to – he would not have looked away. "Good. Tell me then Naruto-Kun, what is your desire? Because I‘m willing to make you an offer that no mortal has ever heard pass my lips.”

The feeling of warm air rushed over his skin and Naruto felt his heart skip a beat as the stranger leaned into whisper in his ear. He didn't know why, but he felt incredibly turned on by their lack of distance. More then what he should have been given the situation.

Ignoring the question posed, Naruto drew back with words that unwillingly escaped his lips; his voice drifting with an inquiry that he didn’t even realize he was asking. "W-what are you?"

"I’m your desire," came the quick, smooth reply.

Surprisingly, Naruto did not find the response odd. Rather he only wanted to sate the feeling of curiosity that rose with such words. "My… desire?" he repeated with uncertainty, his blue eyes looking deeply into red. He wanted to find more words, but there was none to be had. Looking into those pools of blood was like looking into the eye of death—it was a never ending fate that remained enviable, something that you could see clearly, though you would eventually lose yourself to.

Feeling the stranger's hand –the one was placed against his neck– slide down; Naruto's mind fluttered away from his thoughts as he lavished in the delicate touch. Oddly, he wasn't afraid of what the man might do to him. But instead, his eyes stayed fixed on the strangers with endearment. The raven’s nimble fingers working smoothly across his skin, circling down to trace his collarbone before trailing back up again—the finial portrayed as a single digit snagged the top of the fishnet shirt, tearing the material over his left shoulder and exposing the flesh.

Expectantly, red eyes narrowed and Naruto realized then, that instead of answering, he'd simply been holding his breath. "Ah…uh, I-I don't know?" he whispered. His tone an open book to his uncertainty—though the expected fear stimulated by Itachi's actions did not show through.

In truth, the vampire found this latter indication to be odd –he could normally scare the shit out of anyone. But Itachi chose to overlook the matter for the time being. Even if he couldn't pinpoint what it was now, there was no changing the fact that the blonde stood out against the majority of mortals. And it wasn't just Naruto's dauntlessness that evoked that charge, or the boy's exceptionally pure aura. No. It was deeper than that—something special that Itachi wanted to savor and then crush. "You don't know what you want? Isn't that a feeble answer?" he drawled, his fingers now tracing small circles over the blondes shoulder, touching the conjunction where the lateral muscle connected to the neck. Currently it was taking all his strength not to bite the mortal, but he wanted to hold out a little bit longer. His hunts were never this amusing. And despite the fact that he could barely find the strength to stay on his own two feet, he would not let that weakness show.

Diverge to the enchaining qualities that were associated with being a member of the undead, were the unspoken flaws as well. With vampires it namely dealt with the consumption of blood—a measure that proved to be tedious to someone like Itachi, because not only was the raven picky when it came to his food sources, but in this modern day and age, he couldn't go around killing people as freely as he had in previous years. Thus, more often then he liked, he allowed his body to wither down to its breaking point.

As a result, this was not the first time that he'd almost passed out in front of someone. It was however, the only instance when he hadn't instantly beheaded his prey via that scenario.

"Isn't there something that you'd like?"Itachi's voice suddenly coaxed, drawing fourth the conversation. At first he had thought of this hunt as being a kind of game –as he always did– but the longer that he was captured by blue eyes and blonde hair, the more he liked the idea of purging the situation into a prolonged contract.

In regards to making deals, vampires were keen on keeping their word. It was a matter of order and loyalty—of honor and commitment, even thought the nature of the undead didn't typically abide by those laws otherwise. In accords to this, there were obvious exceptions –for Itachi, it mostly dwelled in the concept of using humans as scouts and getting something out of them. However there were no boundaries to what could be negotiated to and Naruto seemed like a good catch. Easy on the eyes and blood that was pure—so innocent and devout that it lingered against Itachi's senses like something forbidden. He would be stupid to let something like this pass him by and Itachi was no fool. "Yes, something that seems unreachable, that no one else can give you…" he finished slowly, because a contract with a vampire was a give and take measure. He had to give Naruto something, in order to take the boy completely.

"Well, yeah, of course there is…" Naruto replied dumbfound. He didn't know why, but he felt at odds with the situation. He couldn't help but think that the whole thing was a bit peculiar—this stranger, those words; the way he wanted so badly to answer the question as his mind swayed dangerously in the reflection of opaque orbs. "But…"

As if reading the blonde's weary contemplation Itachi smirked slightly, his lips drawing up at the corners. Purposely, he let his fangs slip out, testing Naruto's reaction. "I'm good at making desires into reality…as most of my reality is something purged from desire. So why don't you just tell me what you want," he informed, his nail digging into the blonde's shoulder, tearing the skin open and making it bleed. Naruto winced in pain but didn't pull away. Instead, he only seemed to fall deeper into the sensations that he was trying to avoid; his hands reaching up to clutch the raven's shirt in an effort to find his balance.

"Wha—what are you…" Naruto's voice quivered but fell silent; the weak protest interjected by a stronger voice.

"What do you think I am?" Itachi lulled, leaning down to lick the blood drawn away from Naruto's shoulder.

Naruto's heartbeat quickened and his eyes grew slightly wide at the indication of those words. That surreal aura, the timeless visage and the way those red orbs had practically devoured his soul and imprisoned his mind. That, along with a sharp pair of teeth that he'd seen only a glimpse of, but knew were not human—the concept behind it was irrational and yet it seemed to be the only answer.

Still, could the man really be a vampire?

Consequently there was a lot of folklore around that part of the woods. Superstitious talk, spawned by people that spoke jargon in regards to odd occurrences. Perhaps though, it was more than just random chatter. A lot of unexplained deaths were held to the area. Moreover, local history mandated that some ancient creature had passed through the town, spawning a great calamity had that had supposedly transpired over two hundred years ago. In regards to Naruto he had never been a big believer in those sorts of things –not until he'd meant his ex-boyfriend anyway, who was still in fact, a cult guru – but the answer seemed apparently clear in this kind of situation. This man was a vampire. But if that was the case, then…

Blue eyes narrowed and he decided test his theory. "Isn't it wrong to mock the faith like that?" he beseeched suddenly, his voice soft as one of his hands loosened away from the stranger's attire; pushing Itachi back a little and fumbling with the cross that was adorned around the owner's pale neck.

"Isn't god a hypocrite—doesn't he deserve to be mocked?" came the smooth and overly cocky reply. It was the obvious response to what Naruto was asking him.

To those words no verbal response followed. Instead the blonde stepped back a little, his blue eyes meeting those endless red once again. For a while he just stood there like that –looking into what was soulless—to what was timeless– before he lost his grip on the cross, letting his hand drop to the side. "I want to paint you."

"Really, an artist’s morale is it? Don't you suppose that's rather petty? You could have so much more, and yet you ask for so little."

"Look, you asked me what I desired and I'm telling you; I want to paint you. Except, it's more than that, I-I…want my work to be flawless, I want to express you with the pretense of having a soul."

"That's impossible…" Itachi quipped. "You can't possibly portray that. The dead draw what is dead—even if it's from the living that they find inspiration. Likewise, the living can't truly grasp the idea of what is soulless as it goes against the nature of what they can comprehend."

Even though that did make sense Naruto shook his head slowly, his eyes never wavering away from that deep color of blood. He would not be deterred via a few words. Never had he wanted something so badly, so he would not simply give in because the odds were against him. "Even if you say that, even if I know it's true as well—that doesn't matter. I'm still going to do it."

"Really and what if you can't?"

"What does that matter to you? This is just a game to you right? …Because, if you really wanted to, you would have already sucked me dry and been off to find your next victim.”

Itachi clucked his tongue and looked at the other amusingly. Not that his visage revealed that; his expression was as impassive as ever.

In earnest, Itachi had lost count of how long it had been since a human had stood up to him—since he had taken interest in someone so dauntless and beautiful. Naruto really was a combination of that balance too. The blonde had something special about him; a certain quality that Itachi desired to squeeze and crush. Sasuke was practically broken; so wasn't it only suitable that he found someone else entertaining? And Naruto clearly met the criteria.

"Alright; paint me." He agreed. "Paint me to your heart’s content. Paint me until your finger rot away and your life becomes unless—until the end of days fall, and the world withers away in agony. Paint me until you've looked so deeply into my eyes, trying to find remnants of my soul; that you can no longer see your own with clarity. I'll give you that gift—my precious time. But you do it via my request; under my conditions and in my house. Can you do that Naruto? Can you so willingly cast your soul aside, for a dream that you will never obtain?"

"If I said no, would you just let me walk away?" the blonde challenged.

Against the silence Naruto saw his answered reflected in the other's enigmatic visage and looked away.

"I thought not. Anyway, it doesn't matter, I accept. But…" he informed, his hand reaching out to grab the cross once again. This time he pulled on the chain, snapping it free. "…I get to keep this until our agreement comes to an end. You don't deserve to mock what you can't possibly understand."

The raven's eyes narrowed dangerously and he pushed Naruto back against the wall. The cross slipping from the mortal's finger as it clamored to the floor. Leaning in Itachi gripped Naruto face with brute force; keeping those blue eyes lock on him. "Know that if the day comes where we part, and your arrogance exceeds you; I'll gouge your eyes out with that cross and show you the true meaning of mockery. Your just a human, you can't possibly understand my judgment towards a god that forsook me, or a world that desired nothing more than to use me," the raven snarled.

Hearing that, the blonde wondered if the vampire had forgotten the truth—that once, at some point, he had been human too. Of course Naruto wasn't foolish enough to say something like that out loud. No. Instead, he just watched with a saddened expression; his hand reaching up to touch the man's pale visage.

Even now, with those angry words and furrowed brows, there was nothing. Nothing but a deep, never ending abyss that stretched across the expanse of time—a force that flowed heavily amid those red eyes, reflecting sparks of a dying ember that bore an ostensible image of heat. Perhaps the man was right. Maybe he didn't know the source of that pain and why it existed. Nor the tragedy or coldness in regards to how it was displayed. But in order to paint the raven's soul, Naruto understood that the answers had to be unlocked. Because the man was right in that sense—how could he express what he didn't know? The answer was simple. He couldn't. The image would just become jumbled. It would reflect, but not with genuine perspective and that wasn't going to settle well. Not with him, or the stranger he speculated.

With that perspective in mind, Naruto let out an exasperated sigh, closing in eyes swiftly only to turn around and open them again. "Will you tell me your name?"

Itachi's face shifted to something neutral, watching the boy carefully before speaking his accord. He found the sudden topic change to be odd, but it didn't really put him off as much as he'd expected. "It's Uchiha Itachi…"

"Okay then Itachi…" the smiled that graced Naruto's lips was one that he hadn't been able to draw out in a long time. The level of warmth behind it, flowing as deeply as the torment that Itachi had shown him. "Won't you help me understand?"

"Tsk. You really are a stupid human," Itachi muttered, his hand moving away from the other's face, smacking Naruto's fingers away. Without any other warning the vampire reversed his wrist back; long nails snagging the torn collar of the fishnet shirt to pull the boy closer.

Surprised, Naruto mouth swung open in protest; but no sound protruded the threshold as Itachi's lips sealed down against his, the raven's tongue violating his mouth with a lack of digression as it explored the area with raw animation. The kiss was not light or delicate, but rather harsh and animalistic. Naruto could feel the anger that Itachi was still harboring towards him, that sensation doubling when his lower lip was pinched; the metallic flavoring of blood, filling his mouth.

A cold realization washed over him and the blonde panicked for the first time as the essence of his life was sucked away. He had foolishly assumed that Itachi would bite him on the neck—because weren't all vampires supposed to do that? But in such a conclusion he had only set himself up. There'd been no warning, no moment to prepare himself for the attack. And now he only felt terrified by the outcome of what would transpire. Itachi was faster, smarter and stronger than him; the raven could drink him dry in a matter of minutes and then toss him aside as if he were nothing. Even now, the man showed no signs of stopping—that long tongue ravaging his mouth, those pale lips sucking on his; swallowing his blood and stealing his life away…

Feeling the strength dwindle from his body, Naruto's hands reached out, clutching onto the raven's vest with desperation. He'd admit it now, it had been rather stupid of him to provoke Itachi's wrath. But he didn't want to die like this. Not ever like this, or by this man who wasn't even a man, but the devil in human flesh.

'I'm so sorry,' Naruto thought, the feeling of Itachi's tongue grazing over his own; sloshing the mixture of saliva and blood around. He felt so sick. Furthermore, his vision was now blessed with black spots, his legs trembling as he struggled to stand. The ringing in his ears –which had started out faint–, was now making his head pound. The tune sharp and defined; speaking volumes to his tragedy and yet still he struggled on.

Finally, when Naruto didn't think he could take anymore, he felt Itachi's lips part from his; the raven's body also retracting, taking in the support that the blonde needed to stand.

Desperately, Naruto's lungs sought air. His legs collapsing as his knees hit the floor hard, landing directly in front of the raven.

"I'll give you seven days."

Those notes barely sounded like words, and Naruto struggled to reciprocate the fact that he did not understand them. "S-seven days… t-to do what…?"

Moving to his haunches, Itachi ignored the question for the time being and picked up the discarded cross. His fingers fiddling with the clasp as he worked the chain around Naruto's neck, fixing it there. "Seven days to collect what you need for our deal and reassess your attitude. You'd do well to remember your place Naruto." Itachi replied; shifting his weight to stand erect before the distressed blonde. "Though if you should ever forget, then just remember where you are now. On your hands and knees and at my feet, no different than a worthless dog…"

Smirking sadistically, Itachi pivoted smoothly, his boots squeaking against the tile as he stood and made his way across the bathroom. Naruto watched and listened with a hazy assessment as the sound of the door opening and closing could be heard; the visual loss of the raven following the latter. For a moment, all the blonde could do was thank god that he was still alive, his weak mind then questioning if going through all this was really worth the cause.

In short, the answer to that was yes. He knew that he'd never forgive himself if he walked away from this opportunity now. It was a once in a lifetime chance, and so what was a little blood loss in compensation to that?

With that resolve in mind, Naruto finally allowed his body to completely collapse to the floor, his cheek hitting the tile as a watered amount of blood oozed from his mouth. He was exhausted, but there was something contradicting that; a sensation that filled his tired body with renewed life. He had found the challenge he needed; now he just had to survive the results.

"Itachi…" he whispered, closing his eyes. “Itachi…" That name was so beautiful and yet so deadly. In his mind Naruto repeated the name over and over again; until his fatigue became too strong and he simply passed out.

~TBC
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The Color of Blood