Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or Lightened Wings, the album by Faye Wong.

A/N: In everybody's soul, there is always bitterness to balance out happiness. However, occasionally, the dark thoughts and eerie images attach itself to the heart. Do not think to yourself, 'There will be better days!' when that is so obvious. Harness the bitterness and rawness of the state of your heart. Then use it, to create something. Don't let anything go to waste, even if it's painful.

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Lightened Wings

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Is it still innocence when you've been living on it, grasping it, to keep from slipping into death?

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1

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Naruto took his watch out, glancing at the time. The orange gadget smiled cheerfully up at him, and he smiled back. Adjusting his white shirt, he leaned against the large Marble statue. He murmured to himself, "I'm not late this time! She'll be happy." The wind ruffled through his golden hair. He was at the entry of Town Square, right behind the Greeting statue of an Unknown man. His last year in High school, he was a tall, slim handsome senior at one of the best schools in the state. He had gotten there through sweat, blood and tears. He won a heavily sought Scholarship for Art. He also had a talent for writing, despite his personality. Loud, rambunctious, and immature, he had arrived when he was freshman. He was still all of the above, except he was now a lot more serious. Serious enough, anyway, to make his long-time crush become his.

"Hey! I'm sorry to keep you waiting!" Pretty pink hair fluttered around her face as she stooped to her knees, gasping. Wearing a red skirt and a white vest with complimentary turquoise beads around her neck, she jumped up, smiling at him. Naruto blushed a little bit, "I tried to arrive early to make up for last time! You're not late." Sakura pretended to be angry, a hint of mischievousness in her eyes. "You made me run all the way here for nothing? Geez, you're horrible!"

Naruto gave a start, eyes widening. "Eh?! B-b-but! Sakura-chan...! Don't be mad at me!" He began to blather nervously, and Sakura laughed. She took both of his hands into hers, and stood on her toes to kiss him on the cheek, effectively shutting him up. Naruto looked stunned, and then he grinned as he grabbed the giggling girl to his body, kissing her on the lips. Sakura tried to push him away, but in the end, she kissed him back, and smothers of laughter was in between their kisses.

When they finally separated, she grabbed his hand. "Where do you want to go, Naruto? No Ramen today, please!"

Naruto looked at her, wondering how on earth he was so lucky to get such a wonderful girlfriend. But, then again...it took him practically three years to get her to go out with him. Glancing furtively at the beautiful girl next to him, he wondered what she thought of him. "Hm…how about a movie?" She suggested.

"Yeah! Let's watch that really funny one that just came out!" He grinned at her.

Sakura nodded. "But…I was actually hoping we'd watch that new romantic movie. You know, the one with Ashley and Chris?"

"You mean that really mushy sappy documentary of their Honeymoon? Who's going to watch that?" Naruto pouted. He didn't understand what was so great about American Romance films, although Sakura seemed to be in love with them. "Chris is hot, so that already takes half of Japan's girls into a storm."

"Sakura-chan…!" Naruto whined.

Sakura sighed, "Fine, fine. Maa…what am I going to do with you, Naruto?" She smiled at him.

Naruto looked at her suggestively. "Anything you want, plus more."

Sakura rolled her eyes, and took his hand.

After watching the movie, Sakura got to choose where to eat, much to the depression of Naruto's wallet.

They both came out of the restaurant, and Sakura came out very happy. Naruto had no time to mourn over his empty wallet when Sakura suggested the unthinkable.

"Hey, hey. Have you ever heard the legend of that old place?" Sakura's emerald eyes twinkled with mischief.

Naruto looked confused. "What old place? You mean that creepy building? The one that looks like it'll fall apart at any given moment? It's really near that place where I was waiting for you, right?"

Sakura nodded. "Yeah. It's, like, a few blocks from there. Did you ever hear of the legend? You aren't from around here, right? You told me you were from America."

Naruto shook his head. "I'm from the states. What about that legend?"

Sakura beckoned him to come closer. She whispered, "There's a rumor that the house has been around for at least a hundred and fifty years."

"So?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "So, people have been seeing weird things in the house. Flashing lights, faces appearing around the windows, moving shadows and weird sounds as well as wailing have been seen or heard around the property. I'm really not sure of the legend myself, but there is a rumor that there is one sole ghost holding all the rest of them hostage. It's pretty cool, isn't it?"

Naruto honestly felt that it was not cool at all. Those types of things freaked him out the most. He didn't seem like it, but he believed in the paranormal, and he believed it to the point where he could not handle any ghost movies. Yes, the great Uzumaki Naruto was quite afraid of anything with the word 'Ghost.'

"I guess…"

"Really?! So, so! Want to check it out?" Sakura stepped in front of him suddenly, her hands shaking with excitement.

"What?! No!" It was around nine at night. Ghosts were waking up, and beginning to wander. He did not want to bump into one. No, thank you!

Sakura put her hands on her hips, her lips forming an angry pout. "What? Are you scared?"

Naruto frowned. "No. I'm not." He wasn't afraid, but he was just…apprehensive?

"Fine. Then come with me?" Sakura pleaded.

"All right..." Naruto looked utterly defeated. They both walked closer and closer to the destination, and with each passing step, Naruto felt a sense of dread. Passing the statue he had been leaning on a few hours ago, he suddenly noticed that he had never looked at the face closely before. It was the gleaming color of onyx, and at the night, it almost seemed to be smirking at him. He also noted that it was unmarked, and that there was a slight dent on his left breast. The empty pupil-less gaze and the arrogant smile almost made it seem like it was staring at him manically.

Naruto held Sakura's hand for comfort as they walked into the spiraling streets and old homes that hadn't been reconstructed for decades. The eerie gothic trees swayed as the wind gently blew the lips around them. The sky seemed purple, and the old lamps shone a yellow against the pretty pastel color. Sakura suddenly stopped talking when they passed the statue. When they arrived, she suddenly grew very pale. Naruto looked at her in worry. Was she having second thoughts?

The large old mansion was the only true European Home, both in décor and height. The once beautiful scales of the home were slowly peeling off. The dark, dark towers on each of the four sides of the building were still intact, and the whole place was seemingly drenched with sorrow, loneliness, and disrepair, as no one bothered to take care of the large estate. Vines covered the fences and decayed plants decorated its front yard. The gate handle had already detached, and the door croaked along with the wind. A skeletal looking tree was growing rapidly, and a branch pierced one of the windows. The windows were still beautiful in its own sinister, desolate way. The intricate design of a unicorn, grazing an apple offered by a maiden decorated one. Another had a lonely mermaid waiting for her lover to arrive. Still, another, a young boy is by himself, seemingly waiting for no one. Glass roses, some chipped, as well as vines adorned the edges.

The mermaid was missing an eye. A few of her fingers were chipped off. The Unicorn's body was covered in shards, no doubt by the young boys who amused themselves by throwing rocks at the once grand window. Strangely enough, the window with the young boy remained intact. It was slowly wearing away, but it was unharmed. The last window, beside the one with the boy, was eerily empty.

The rest of the windows had broken shutters, and had no artwork whatsoever.

Naruto felt mesmerized, but repulsed. Sakura's trembling hand shook within his, and he glanced at her, whispering, "Are you okay, Sakura-chan?" The green eyes snapped at him in shock. She gave him a wary smile. "I'm suddenly really tired." Naruto was worried. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Thank you." Her eyes were dull.

"Do you want to come back another day?" Dread was filling his stomach, and ominous feelings danced around his heart. He had a feeling he shouldn't go in. But there was something drawing him to the mansion. Sakura shook her head furiously. "N-no! I want to go today. With you." She smiled at him. A weak smile.

Naruto noted that she was still shaking. When he glanced at her once more, his eyes widened as she seemed to be constricted with fear. What was going on? Sakura had dragged him into weird places like this before, but it was the first time she had completely been paralyzed by terror.

A movement. Sakura grabbed him by the waist, but her eyes were glued to the mansion. "Sakura-chan. Let's come back tomorrow, okay?" Sakura was beginning to scare him. He looked up into the fourth tower, and could've sworn there were eyes looking back at them. Cold shivers went up his spine. He was hallucinating. He had to be.

"No. I want to go." Sakura said. There was a horrible desperate wanting within her voice.

Naruto realized he wanted to go too. But he also wanted to run form the place. He whipped his eyes back to the towers, feeling eyes on him. What was wrong with this place? It was drawing him in, and repelling him away.

Suddenly, Sakura tore himself from his waist, and ran in, Naruto's jacket tumbling onto the ground. She slammed the gate and tore open the door, and disappeared into the dark abyss of a hallway. Naruto froze, fear eating his sides. What the hell just happened? "Sakura!" He yelled. He ran in, acting on impulse, and ignoring the signals his heart and mind was sending him. Picking up his jacket along the way, he disappeared within the halls, disappearing in the mansion.

As soon as he ran in, a cold wind blew him backwards, slamming the door loudly. Blue eyes looked behind him in terror. He saw his own expression. It was a mirror. A dusty, broken mirror, but a mirror, nevertheless. A mirror behind the front door. There was nothing more frightening to see your own expression, soaked in panic. His blue eyes showed him how terrified he was. His lower lip shook. His eyes quickly met with the floor. The dirty, littered floor.

Naruto turned slowly to face what was in front of him, his heart drumming loudly. Sakura was nowhere to be seen. He got up, his body quivering. He looked around the room. A decaying stairway beckoned him to go up the stairs. Oval and Squares, lined with black and white photos were along the broken hallways. Naruto looked at the photos with insecurity. Why were they so perfectly aligned after so many decades? There had to be someone around.

He stepped up.

He couldn't leave his girlfriend in such a place.

"S-Sakura." His voice was trembling, and quiet. What was wrong with him? Was fear eating away his voice too? Frustration built up against his throat. "Sakura!!" He yelled. The house was quiet, with the sounds of wailing coming from the wind. He ran past the photos, catching glimpses of the stale grim faces. Assuming Sakura went straight ahead, he stopped when a dead end came up. A closed door was there. Hands shaking, he braced himself against the peeling paint, and listened. Children's laughter. A mother crying.

Naruto's eyes widened. He backed away from the door. "SAKURA!!" He screamed. "Where are you?!"

A harsh whisper shook his senses. '…She's….noottt….heree…'

Did he hear that? He must be hallucinating. That's it. He faced the door again, and gulping, he opened it. A dark, cold bathroom greeted him. With its old-fashioned Bathtub and toilet, the creepy cupids around the walls, there was no one there. Naruto noticed wearily that there was a mirror. It was not cracked. Naruto walked out, feeling desperate. He didn't feel ebony eyes trailing his movement.

Naruto then went back to the hallways, and opened the first door he saw. He opened the rest of them, not pausing to look at the trinkets of books or anything intact in the house. A mirror gleamed. Sakura wasn't around. He was afraid. He was by himself. It was getting way to dark for him to see anything. Reaching into his coat pocket, he took some matches and a candlestick he had found in one of the rooms. Lighting it, he went upstairs, a feeling of dread in his heart. He had stopped trembling; his body was slowly getting adjusted to eerie silence of the large home.

Opening the first room slowly, he saw nothing but a large bed with messy covers. The room was quite large, and was the only room in the house where the pictures were faced down. Naruto took one and looked at it. A young boy, with his brother. Naruto saw his reflection in yet another mirror. Naruto tiredly noted that there had been a mirror in every room in the house. What was up with that? This mirror had to be the one of the largest ones, covering half of the wall.

He watched himself wrinkle his nose. He was tired. "Sakura…where are you?" Maybe he should come back with more people.

"If you're looking for your friend, she's…around." A deep, cool voice said.

Naruto whipped his head around. Black eyes met blue. The young man walked closer to him, while Naruto walked backwards. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"

"I've been waiting for you for a while. I'm glad you found my room." He stepped closer to him again, and Naruto stopped against the wall. His eyes flitted nervously. He noticed suddenly that the man didn't have any reflection. He suddenly felt faint, his heart pounding.

"…What are you?" He asked. He didn't answer. "Where's Sakura?" His blue eyes, quivering a few seconds ago, powered up considerably at the thought of his girlfriend.

The taller of the two leaned forward, and Naruto noticed how beautiful he was. Black-hair framed his pretty face. The dark eyes were unnerving. 'Wow…'

"Why are you so quiet suddenly? Dobe." A hand caressed his whiskered cheek. Naruto shivered at the coldness. Then he slapped his hand away. "What are you doing?! Where's Sakura?"

Suddenly, he began to feel frantic. Here was a guy, who had no shadow, but he could feel him, so he couldn't be a ghost. He was solid. So he could touch and move things. "What did you do to her, you bastard?" He glared at him when he didn't reply. "Hey, I'm talking to you! Say something!"

Did he do…bad things to Sakura? "Who are you?" Naruto looked at him tensely.

This place was abandoned. But it was so clean and well-kept. As well-kept as it could be, anyway. This guy was probably living here. His eyes glanced at the mirror. His reflection was nonexistent. Maybe he was hallucinating. He saw himself look back at him, backed against the wall. But there was no one in front of him. He looked ahead, and saw cold ebony eyes looking back at him. He didn't exist in the mirror. But he was there, in front of his eyes. What was he?

"…Uchiha Sasuke." His voice had a creamy cold texture to it.

Goodness Gracious! He spoke to him, so he couldn't be a delusion! Naruto looked up. "What?"

"My name, dobe. It's Uchiha Sasuke."

"I'm not a dobe!"

Sasuke just looked at him. He was a dobe. He was his dobe.

Naruto frowned, but decided the best way to get out was to get his help.

"Hey, I'm sorry for intruding on your property, but I was just wondering where Sakura-chan, my girlfriend-I mean, she ran into your home, so I was just looking for her. Have you seen her? It's impossible not to see her, but…" Naruto frowned. Sasuke didn't seem to care.

Sasuke closed his eyes, listening to the vibrant voice. It had been so long since he last heard him. "What the hell are you doing?" Sasuke opened his eyes to give him a lazy look. He brushed his fingers against Naruto's warmth, and blue eyes looked at him nervously. Maybe he was a crazy murderer? Why was he touching him? Slim paler-then-death fingers stroked his whiskers.

Sasuke murmured under his breath, "It is you."

"What's me? Why are you touching me, man?!" Maybe he was a rapist! 'But…he's so pretty. He would have the talent to pick up girls.'

Sasuke's eyes flickered. Cupping his cheek, he locked gazes with the blond. Naruto smacked his hand away. As soon as he did that, Sasuke backed his body against his, slamming Naruto to the wall. He grabbed him and kissed his lips. Naruto shuddered as cold lips touched his warm ones, and shivered when a cool tongue swiped at his lips. Blushing, he pushed the taller away.

"What the fuck are you doing?!"

Sasuke didn't answer as he grabbed the offending hands and pulled them above his head. He met lips with him once more. Naruto gasped at the coldness. Slipping his tongue within the small space provided, he sucked at the other's tongue. Naruto twisted and struggled. What the hell was this guy doing? Sasuke savored the simmering feeling of warmth from his beloved. "…nn…Nunn…" Naruto tried not to enjoy it, but as cold as his lips were, he was a really, really good kisser. He turned his head, trying to escape him. Sasuke pursued, kissing him from a different angle.

Sasuke felt tingles around his body. This was his Naruto. Sweet, tasty, and musky. He was always the same. His Naruto. His.

Naruto could not escape his grip. He could not escape his kisses. He closed his eyes, letting the bizarre guy do what he wanted. As long as he wasn't reacting, it was fine. He wasn't cheating on Sakura with a guy. He wasn't enjoying this. Sasuke nudged at his tongue and ran his cold one over his. Naruto trembled. He wasn't enjoying this. Not at all. He didn't notice when his hands were gently put by his sides, and when he was free. He didn't notice when his hands automatically wrapped around his shoulders. He hadn't noticed Sasuke's arms around his waist. He most definitely did not notice when he started to kiss him back.

Sasuke smirked in the kiss. Naruto was going to run out of breath soon. Just like the one he had before. They were both the same, after all.

Shuddering, and in between gasps, Naruto pulled away. "Look…you got what you wanted…Can you please…tell me where Sakura-chan is?"

Sasuke gave him an empty stare.

"Naruto!"

Naruto gave a start. Sakura's voice!

She came stumbling in the room. Her necklace was gone, and her vest had dirt all over. Her hair was in disarray. Her wrists were red and raw, and her ankles were swelling. She was holding a thick piece of rope, which she dropped.

"S-Sakura! What happened to you wrists?" He shoved past Sasuke, and inspected her arms. "Where were you? I was so worried!" She hugged him. Naruto noticed tear stains on her cheeks.

Sasuke watched them sideways, not bothering to turn fully around. They were both genuine. The one from the past, and this Naruto. Naruto was genuinely caring of someone like her.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. Still.

Sakura smiled at Naruto. Sasuke's eyes narrowed. She seemed genuine, but she wasn't before. He didn't trust her. He could see that Naruto loved her dearly, but she obviously didn't feel as much as he did for her.

But…she was able to escape.

Sakura noticed his look and glared back. "Naruto…who is this?" She asked. "He tied me and left me downstairs in the basement to die. He told me himself."

Naruto looked at him in shock. Then he grew furious. "What is WRONG with you?! I doubtlessly asked you to help me, and it turns out you fucking…!" His fist curled as he threw a punch at him. Sasuke caught his wrist and held it tightly.

"Poor stance. Poor Balance. You will not be able to strike me that way."

Sasuke smirked. "However, I will take advantage of this time to…" He yanked Naruto's wrist, propelling his face to meet with his. Naruto yelped, before he was kissed once more by the taller.

Sakura was about to rush to help him, but she completely stopped when her boyfriend was kissed.

Sasuke flung him backwards, and Sakura caught him. "I'm guessing you won't let us go." She hissed.

Sasuke looked at her with indifference. "I will let you go. Naruto will stay with me."

Naruto, who had been rubbing his bottom, gaped at Sasuke. "What?! Like HELL I'll stay with you, you crazy, perverted, murdering bastard!"

Sakura glared at him, her green eyes flashing. "I'm sorry, but he's already taken."

Sasuke coldly stared at her. "He'll never be yours." To Naruto, he said, "She'll never be yours. This happens, because I will never die." They both looked at him, confused.

He bared his teeth, showing two, sharp, pearly fangs. "I am a Vampire."

Naruto stared at the fangs in fascination and fright. Sakura paled.

Staring at Sakura, he calmly asked, "Do you remember? How you destroyed him? How you destroyed me?"

Naruto looked at Sakura, who replied, "I've never seen you in my life." She gave him a frightened look. "Did you plan to suck my blood while I was a captive?"

Naruto stared at the fangs, feeling the same feelings he felt before when he was right outside the old home. Repulsed, but he was mesmerized.

Sasuke said violently, "Don't flatter yourself. I will never even touch your blood, much less drink it."

Naruto snarled at him. "Don't you dare talk to Sakura-chan like that! What if I refuse to stay with you?! What if we both leave?!"

Sasuke gave him a sad look. "You won't be able to." Something about that look made him feel horrible, but he couldn't worry over it. "Watch us!" He yelled. Grabbing Sakura, they both ran out of the room, down the stairs, and to the front door. Only to find it locked. Naruto glared at the mirror, and frustration was evident in both green and blue eyes. "Damn it! I won't give up!"

Naruto twirled Sakura around and almost screamed when he saw Sasuke standing right behind them.

"I'm getting tired of this foolishness, Naruto. I'll kill her. Now. Unless…you're willing to stay with me."

Sakura gasped as Naruto slid his hand away from hers. "Fine." Then it dawned to her. This wasn't a dream. She…Naruto was going to…She began to cry. Sasuke glared at her. "Why are you crying? Get out."

It was all her fault. There was something about this house that…just did something to her. "Take me instead!" She sobbed. It was all her fault. Damn! Her heart dropped as reality crashed down.

"Why would I want filth in my home?"

"Don't talk to her like that, you asshole! I'm going with you, so you should just shut the fuck up!" He softened his gaze with Sakura.

"Naruto, I'm so sorry. This is my entire entire fault. I…"

Naruto stepped forward and kissed her on the lips, and hugged her close, his fingers gently brushing into her hair. He could feel the man behind him tense. "Shh. Don't cry. It's not your fault. The last thing I want to see is such a pretty girl cry, remember?" He flicked her forehead playfully.

Sakura sobbed. Naruto gently detached her from his body, and glared at Sasuke. "Release her." He commanded.

Sasuke did nothing.

"I said…Releas-" His voice was low, threatening.

"Check the door." Sasuke's voice was calm and cold.

Naruto opened the door, and he noticed it was almost dawn. "Be careful, okay? I'll come back soon." Naruto said, smiling at her. Sakura stepped out, kissing him again before turning. She whispered, "Ill save you. I'll come back to get you, I promise!" She ran away from the large building.

Naruto attempted to run after her, and away from the mansion. As soon as he tried to run away, a hand grabbed him by the neck and slammed him against the hallway. A picture fell, falling on the ground with a loud clank.

"Now…To wash her disgusting lips from yours…" Sasuke hissed. He brushed his lips against Naruto's, and nibbled his warm red lips. He sucked and nipped at the blond's lips, and Naruto shoved him off, wiping his lips before yelling, "Don't touch me, you bastard!" He backed away from him, and ran upstairs. Jumping into the first room he saw, he slammed the door shut. He grabbed a chair and he shoved it under the door's knob. He had to be by himself now.

He turned around, and saw what seemed like the most modern room in the house. There was a lamp on a sleepy white table. The bed on the white wood was black. The pillows were black. The bed had soft-looking covers and there were fuzzy pillows. The floor was full with lush white carpet. The ceiling was a mirror. The wall facing the bed was a mirror. Then there was a bookshelf and a closet.

"Do you like it?"

Naruto gasped and turned around. Sasuke looked at him expectantly. "I like my comfort." He explained. "This is my room, and the only room I have made personal reconstruction. The room before was the room I slept in as a child."

How the hell did he get into the room? And his reflection still wasn't in the mirrors.

"I have full control over this home. I've been here for…a while."

Sasuke advanced towards him. "Do you like it?"

Naruto walked backwards. "I like it, I like it. Now leave." Sasuke could tell he was afraid.

"When are you releasing me?" Naruto asked. Sasuke looked at his lowered head. Hm. He was avoiding his gaze.

"Never." Sasuke answered. Naruto thought as much.

"You aren't going to get away with this, you know." He sat on the bed. He stared at his refection. Sasuke was still not there.

"On the contrary, I will. The whole town will forget about you." Sasuke said calmly. "They will. Would you like to see?"

Naruto glared at him.

Sasuke looked at him coldly. "Look into the mirror."

Naruto did what he was told. Suddenly, the town where he lived was there. "Life will carry on without you."

His apartment number did not exist. 307 didn't exist. Somebody was sitting in his seat at school. Sakura was laughing with somebody else. His class picture was the same, but he was completely erased from there. He did not exist anymore.

"It hasn't happened yet. But it has begun."

Naruto didn't believe him. "That's impossible."

Sasuke didn't bother to reply. He got up, and stepped out from the room. Naruto shivered. He was scared, but he was going to escape. As if reading his thoughts, Sasuke said, "Don't try to break out. You'll only get hurt. This house is part of me, after all…" The voice rang around the room. Naruto put his face in his hands, hunching forward on the bed.

He did not notice that his reflection did not mirror his action. It instead, he looked at him sadly.

Because, a long time ago, he had been held captive as well…

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