A hasty decision?
Sasuke waited at the bottom of the staircase, speechless, as he watched Naruto descend the steps, a vision in form fitting cream coloured trousers, leather black boots, his frock coat was of dark blue, that complimented his waistcoat that was golden. He was an angel with a cloud of golden hair and eyes the colour of a midsummer sky. The frock coat opened wide, revealing the slender curve of his neck and a modest expanse of honey hued skin.
"How pretty you are, my sweet," Sasuke said. Taking Naruto’s hand in his, he pressed it to his lips.
A wave of colour washed into Naruto's cheeks as he saw the admiration in midnight coloured eyes. "You look very handsome yourself, my lord," Naruto replied, feeling suddenly shy.
Clad in tight fitting black breeches, soft black leather boots, a white shirt, and a black broadcloth coat trimmed in black satin, he looked every inch a gentleman of quality and wealth.
The word "vampire" whispered down the corridor of Naruto’s mind. Resolutely, he pushed it away. He would not think of that now.
"Do you still think this is a good idea?" Sasuke asked as he placed a cloak around his shoulders, then reached for his own cloak.
"You needn't accompany me if you'd rather not," Naruto suggested.
Sasuke gently brushed his knuckles down a tanned cheek. "I was only thinking of you, of your reputation."
"I don't care what others think, my lord," Naruto replied, "so long as I am with you."
A bit of warmth, like the touch of sunlight, settled around Sasuke’s heart. "As you wish," he said, and offered his arm.
The church, made of wood and hewn stone, was set against the hills. The light from dozens of white candles filled the room, bathing the painted faces of the wooden saints in a soft amber light.
The pews were filled with friends and family, and Naruto smiled at Kakashi and the children as he took his place among them. For a moment, he held his breath, waiting. Waiting for what? he mused. For the church to collapse? For the priest to come forward, cross in hand, and cast Sasuke out of the church?
"Relax, my sweet." Sasuke whispered. He took his hand in his and patted it reassuringly. "My presence will not cause the chapel to go up in flames. The priest will not renounce me as a spawn of Satan.”
Naruto felt his cheeks grow hot as Sasuke put his fears into words.
In spite of his mocking words, Sasuke was not as at ease as he would have had Naruto think. Time and again his gaze was drawn to the large wooden crucifix mounted on the wall behind the altar. He had not been inside a church in almost four hundred years. The last time he had entered a church had been soon after he had been made vampire.
He had taken shelter inside a small chapel to escape the light of the sun. Huddled within one of the tiny confessionals, he had begged forgiveness for the blood he had spilled, for the lives he had taken.
Now, sitting beside Naruto, he was acutely conscious of the whispers erupting behind him as the townspeople voiced their surprise at seeing him there. He rarely left the castle, except on those occasions when he went to Shushu-ya's.
"He never seems to change..."
"What do you suppose he does up in that castle?”
“...nerve, to bring him here…”
“... not natural, the way he lives..."
The whispers and speculation came to an abrupt halt as the village priest and the groom took their places at the altar. Moments later, Naruto's sister walked down the aisle.
She was a pretty girl, Sasuke mused, radiant on this, her day of days. She wore a modest ivory gown and veil and carried a bouquet of primroses and delicate ferns.
The groom was tall and rather thin, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
Sasuke slid a glance at Naruto as the priest began to speak. He didn't have to probe the blond’s mind to know what he was thinking, to know he was imagining himself standing at the altar, repeating the vows that would bind him to a person he loved. A single tear slid down his tanned cheek as his sister's new husband lifted her veil and kissed his bride.
A sharp pain pierced Sasuke's heart. Some day, Naruto would stand at a similar altar and say the words that would forever bind him to another. He could not abide the thought. The anguish of knowing Naruto belonged to another would be his undoing.
On that day, when he knew Naruto was forever lost to him, he would go out to meet the sun.
There was a party after the ceremony. The groom was the only son of a middle class family. His father was the village silversmith. The reception was held in the town hall.
Sasuke stayed in the background, relieved that there were no mirrors in the large wooden building. He stood in a corner, comfortable in the shadows as he watched Naruto move about the room, mingling with the guests, laughing with his siblings, pausing to speak to Kakashi, helping out at the bride and groom’s table.
He was a vision, his Naruto, a vision of royalty in glamorous attire. There were other men and women present—some younger, some who possessed more generous curves, more hardened lines — but there were none more fair of face, none as vibrant and alive as Naruto.
In a room filled with living beings, his scent, his blood, stood out like a beacon shining across a midnight sea, tantalising his senses.
Naruto looked up, his gaze drawn to him like a bee to pollen. Sasuke stared back, his eyes dark and compelling. Before Naruto realised what he was doing, he was moving toward the dark lord, unaware of the people who spoke to him as he passed by.
Blue eyes blinked up at him. "My lord?"
"May I have this dance, sweet Naruto?"
"Dance?" Only then did Naruto notice that the musicians were playing, that others were dancing.
He stepped toward the dark lord, a sigh of contentment whispering past his lips as Sasuke gathered him in his arms and whirled him around the floor. Naruto had never danced with anyone who was so light on their feet, whose very touch made his whole being tingle with yearning and forbidden desires. He looked into Sasuke’s eyes, fathomless black eyes that held him spellbound, until he was aware of nothing and no one save the dark lord of Castle Uchiha.
Vampire.
The arm around his waist tensed as the word crossed his mind. Sasuke knows, he thought, knows what I'm thinking. He had told him once that he could read his mind, and Naruto had refused to believe him, but he believed it now.
Leaning back a little, he gazed into the depths of those dark eyes. Kiss me, my lord, kiss me now.
And, ever so slowly, Sasuke lowered his head and granted the request. He gloried in Sasuke’s kiss even as he contemplated what it would mean to live with a man who could divine his every thought. A man who was not a man at all.
When the dance ended, Sasuke escorted him across the hall and handed him a glass of wine, then sat beside him while he ate a piece of wedding cake.
Later, there were toasts to the bride and groom, speeches and then the bride and groom took their leave.
Shortly after that, Naruto went to bid Kakashi and his siblings good night.
"Come home with us," one of his smaller sisters urged, jumping up and down on the spot, big wide brown eyes pleading.
Naruto chuckled. "I can't. I've promised to stay with Lord Sasuke for a year."
“Well that’s an interesting agreement,” Kakashi spoke while scratching the back of his neck and glancing over at the dark lord. “What hold does he have on you?"
"I love him," Naruto said quietly. "That's the hold he has on me. He has granted me a year to be with him, only a year, and I will not leave him one day sooner."
Kakashi pinched his lips into a frown, “sounds like he has bewitched you."
Naruto bit back a smile. "I assure you Kakashi, he is neither witch nor sorcerer."
"Aw, will you come visit?” Naruto smiled down at the big brown eyes of his little sister. “Don’t worry, of course I’ll come visit.” He ruffled the little girl's brunette hair.
"You know, you can come home anytime Naruto,” Kakashi whispered. “If he ever mistreats you…”
“Thank you Kakashi, but Lord Sasuke has been kind to me, to our family. Lord Sasuke has given so much. His generosity has put food on the table, clothes on the children’s back, and helped the orphanage remain on the land it stands after Chiyo died. Please do not forget all that has come from Lord Sasuke’s generosity.” Naruto spoke in a firm whisper to the grey haired man.
"I've not forgotten," Kakashi replied in a hushed tone. "But I fear his generosity is not born of kindness, Naruto. I fear it is only a matter of time until we learn his true purpose."
Naruto shook his head at the statement. “I've got to go," he said. He shook Kakashi’s hand, kissed his siblings goodbye. "I'll see you all soon.”
.
.
.
Naruto was unusually silent in the carriage as they rode back to the castle. Sasuke regarded the blond through narrowed eyes, wondering what was bothering him. Was it the whispers of suspicion that flowed through the night?
A touch of melancholy because his sister seemed happily wed? Or was he trying to find a way to tell him he had changed his mind about spending a year in the company of a vampire?
"Naruto?"
He turned toward him, his face in shadow. "Yes, my lord?"
"What troubles you?"
Naruto released a sigh. "Kakashi, my siblings... They think that there's some nefarious reason why you're being so kind to me and my family."
"And what do you think?"
"I think I shall die if you don't kiss me."
"Ah, Naruto…”
"Are we never to make love, my lord?"
"Would you marry me, Naruto?"
"Marry you?" Naruto gasped.
"Is the thought so repugnant?"
"No, but…”
"Only for what is left of our year, Naruto. For what remains of the time you promised me, I should like you to be mine."
"And then?"
"And then I shall free you from your vows.”
Sasuke’s proposal left him speechless. Marry him?
"I shall make it worth your while, my sweet." He took Naruto’s hands in his, delighting in the warmth of his skin. "I want you, Naruto, more than I have ever wanted anything. More than I yearn to see the sun again."
"You need not marry me, my lord," Naruto said softly. "I should think I've made it quite clear that I want you, as well."
"Ah, Naruto, to my surprise, I find that there lingers within me a scrap of conscience. I would not take nor steal your innocence, without the benefit of marriage." He planted soft kisses in the palm of Naruto’s hand, his tongue stroking the sensitive flesh, sending shivers of delight racing through tanned skin.
"Say yes, sweet Naruto."
Naruto could not see Sasuke’s face in the darkness, but he could feel dark eyes on him—deep black eyes that glowed with a fierce inner fire.
Vampire.
"I will not hurt you, Naruto Uzumaki."
"I know." He looked at his hands, enfolded with Sasuke’s. Strong hands, yet Sasuke had ever been gentle with him.
Lord Sasuke is a man driven by dark appetites. Iruka's words, spoken earnestly, warning him to be careful.
But I fear his generosity is not born of kindness, Naruto. He heard Kakashi's voice echo in the back of his mind.
He searched Sasuke's eyes and knew the dark lord was aware of his thoughts, his doubts.
"Naruto…”
"I will marry you, my lord, whenever you say."
"Tomorrow night.”
Naruto suppressed a gasp of surprise. "So soon? I had hoped..."
"What had you hoped, my sweet?"
"To be married in a church, in find clothes, with my family beside me.”
"You shall have it."
"By tomorrow night, my lord? I think not." Naruto scoffed. Did Sasuke really think such a request could be completed in less than a day?
"Arrange for the wedding you have always dreamed of, Naruto," he said. "All I ask is that you don't make me wait too long, and that you agree to have the ceremony performed in the chapel here, in the castle."
"There's a chapel here?"
Sasuke nodded. "How much time do you need?"
"Two weeks should be time enough, my lord."
======================================================
Iruka was astonished at the news. Naruto's siblings were speechless. Hyuuga was stunned.
Sitting across from Sasuke at Shushu-ya's several nights later, Neji shook his head in disbelief.
"Naruto agreed to marry you?"
Sasuke nodded. He could sense the jealousy radiating from the other man, the anger, see it in the way Hyuuga's fist clenched around the mug in his hand. "I never thought... I never thought you would get married."
"Nor I," Sasuke replied. He glanced around the hall, nodded at the two men, who were involved in a never-ending card game.
“I suppose you’ll keep him locked up in that blasted castle,” Neji said, his voice tight. “Damn it, Sasuke, you can't make a prisoner of him!" Sasuke didn't move, didn't change his expression, yet Hyuuga knew he had gone too far.
Neji cleared his throat. "I just meant that he deserves better than that."
"Naruto will not be a prisoner," Sasuke said. "He will be my wife and partner. As such, he will be free to come and go as he pleases."
Neji nodded again. He didn't miss the warning in Sasuke's eyes, or the fine edge in his voice, and he knew it would be wise to change the subject.
"Naruto wants to be married in church with his family beside him," Sasuke remarked. He took a deep breath, and his nostrils filled with the odour of strong whiskey and cigar smoke and overall, the warm thick scent of blood.
Hyuuga sat back in his chair. He took a deep breath, striving to compose himself. "You can hardly blame him for that."
"He has asked his two oldest siblings to stand up with him." Sasuke then cleared his throat and glanced around the room. In four centuries, he had never asked a favour of another man.
With a sigh, he looked at Hyuuga again. "I have no friends to speak of," he said tonelessly. "But I would consider it an honour if you would stand up with me."
Neji blinked at him, obviously at a loss for words, and then he nodded.
"I should be most pleased, my lord," Hyuuga replied soberly, though he wondered how he could bear to be present while Naruto pledged his heart to another. "When is the marriage to take place?"
"In ten days."
Ten days, Hyuuga thought, and wondered if there was anything he could say to change Naruto's mind before it was too late.
================================
During the next week, Castle Uchiha enjoyed more company than it had known in over four hundred years. Naruto's siblings came often to help with preparing Naruto's wedding attire and to plan the wedding dinner.
It should have been a happy occasion, Naruto mused. There should have been smiles and laughter as they sat in the solarium preparing for the day, but anyone looking at his sibling’s faces would have thought they were preparing for a wake. Akuri muttered repeatedly that no good would come from this marriage, that there was something amiss within the castle, that Lord Sasuke was not the nobleman he seemed. Naruto did his best to ignore though sometimes, when he was alone, he wondered what good could come of marrying a vampire.
Vampire.
The younger children thought it romantic that Naruto was marrying the mysterious dark lord of the castle.
They oohed and aahed when Naruto showed the little ones around, marvelling at the tapestries that hung on ancient walls, at the huge fireplaces in the main hall, at the heavy swords crossed over the hearth.
They ran through the gardens; they were enchanted by the maze.
Iruka, on the other hand, was curious about Kakashi. Every other day Kakashi would attend with his siblings. Iruka made any number of excuses to enter the solarium when Kakashi was there, pausing in the doorway whenever he passed by, stopping to inquire if they wished refreshments.
Kakashi was not so bashful of course. He winked, made silly comments when Iruka came around, that had Iruka blushing heatedly at times that left Naruto giggling.
At dusk, Naruto's siblings took their leave. Naruto had invited them to stay for dinner each night, but Akari, the second eldest had always refused.
She had made any number of excuses, but Naruto knew the truth, knew that Akari was afraid to be in the castle after dark. There were too many stories of strange goings on at Castle Uchiha, too many rumours of ghosts and ghouls prowling the grounds. Each night before she left, Akari made the sign of the cross on Naruto's brow and admonished him to say his prayers and keep his rosary close at hand.
Tonight was no different. Naruto stood at the door, the touch of Akari's calloused thumb lingering on his brow before he watched their carriage drive away.
With a sigh, Naruto closed the door and made his way into the dining room. He sat down at his usual place, smiling at Iruka as he set a plate before him.
Moments later, Sasuke entered the room. He planted a soft kiss on his forehead, then took his customary seat across from him. A moment later, Iruka placed a decanter and goblet in front of the dark lord.
Naruto glanced at the decanter, at the dark red liquid that shimmered within the crystal. He looked away as Iruka filled the goblet and handed it to Sasuke.
Sheep's blood and wine. How had Sasuke existed on such a thing for over four hundred years?
Naruto stared at his plate, at the mutton and potatoes and freshly baked bread, and tried to imagine what it would be like if he could never eat solid food again, if he were forced to drink the blood of people or animals to survive.
He thought of all the things he loved—bread and cheese and chocolate. Sunshine, and grass wet with dew. Swimming in the lake on a hot summer day. Working in the gardens with the sun on his back and the scent of freshly dug earth filling his nostrils. Watching children at play... things forever lost to the dark haired man sitting across from him.
This was how it would be when they were married, Naruto thought. They would never share a meal, or walk hand in hand in the gardens in the morning when the dew sparkled on the ground. He would never know the wonder of being a parent.
He would change his life to conform to Sasuke. The moon would become his sun, the night his day.
Naruto was suddenly aware of the silence in the room. He could feel Sasuke’s gaze burning into him. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to meet dark eyes.
Pain. Stark, unrelenting pain. And beneath it all, the loneliness of four hundred years. How did Sasuke bear it?
Sasuke said nothing, only stared at him, and Naruto knew that Sasuke had divined his every thought, that he had felt the revulsion and pity. He could feel the rage that bubbled beneath the surface of those dark eyes, the anger, the bitterness.
His heart skipped a beat as Sasuke lurched to his feet. For a moment, he stared down at him, and then, with his cloak whipping around his ankles, he left the room. A moment later, he heard the slam of a door and knew Sasuke had left the castle to prowl the gardens, knew that, sooner or later, he would go to the maze. He would sit in the shadow of the wolf and the raven and stare into the darkness that was a part of him. How did anyone survive centuries of darkness?
Naruto sat there a moment and then, slowly, rose to his feet to follow.
"I wouldn't, young master."
"Iruka, I didn't see you."
"Let him be, Master Naruto."
"I can't. He's hurting..."
Iruka nodded. "Aye, but he's used to it long since..."
Naruto stared at Iruka as if seeing him for the first time. "All this time, you've known what he is and never told me." And then a new thought occurred to him. "Are you one, too?" Even as he asked the question, he knew it was impossible. "Does he…" Naruto tried to find a way to phrase it delicately, and found none.
"He has drunk from me in the past, young master, when there was no one and nothing else available."
"Your loyalty runs very deep."
"He saved my life. Could I do less?"
Naruto glanced at the window. He could see nothing but darkness beyond. Sasuke was out there, alone and lonely, and it was his fault. He had driven the dark lord away, into the night. "I must go to him." He was heading for the door as he spoke. "Is he in the maze?"
"No, young master."
"No?" He stopped and turned around. "Has he left the grounds?"
"No, young master."
"Iruka!"
"I'm sorry, Master Naruto." Iruka shook his head, a sad look upon his face, but still he gave no solid answer.
"Then I'll find him on my own," Naruto exclaimed, and stormed out of the castle.
Outside, he stood shivering in the darkness. And then, suddenly, he knew where Sasuke was.
It took him twenty minutes to find his way to the gate in the north wall. He was shivering from the cold by then, but he had come too far to go back for a cloak. A chill mist dampened his hair.
The gate opened on well oiled hinges, and Naruto closed it carefully behind him. The damp grass muffled his footsteps and soaked his shoes. And then he saw them, a small flock of sheep huddled against a rock. They didn't spare him a glance as he approached. Blue eyes peered into the darkness, trying to see what held their attention.
At first he saw nothing, and then he saw a bit of white against the dew-damp grass, and above the body of the sheep she saw a pair of eyes. Dark eyes that littered with an unearthly red glow.
And then a dark shape rose up from behind the carcass.
The wolf had black hair. Blood dripped from its fangs. A low growl rumbled deep in its throat, sending a frisson of terror running down Naruto’s spine.
Go away! Sasuke's voice echoed in his mind.
Go!
Slowly, Naruto took a step backward, and then another, and another until, driven by a nameless horror, he turned and ran for the safety of the castle.
Iruka was waiting for him at the door. He asked no questions, simply wrapped a warm woollen blanket around his shoulders and led him up to his room. As if Naruto were a child, Iruka helped him out of his clothes and into his nightshirt. He then brought a cup of hot tea and sat beside him while he drank it. When the cup was empty, Iruka took it from his hands, then tucked him into bed.
Rising, he extinguished all the candles save one, and then, sitting down in the chair beside the bed, Iruka sat quietly, watching the blond and settled back to wait out the night.