Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 35

My fractures healed as a few more weeks passed and before I knew it, my body was good as new. I spent most of my time afterward giving either Ino or Tenten and hand with whatever they were working on.

Madara completely left me alone, to my surprise. After it became clear that Sasuke and I weren't going to talk to him, or anyone, about what Orochimaru had done to us, he backed off and didn't even approach me during the sparse moments when I was completely alone.

Normally he'd at least shoot me teasing smirks during dinner when no one else was looking, but he wasn't even doing that anymore. Gone was his mischievous personality and instead he seemed distracted as though his mind was constantly preoccupied.

Ino told me that the older vampire almost acted more worried about our disappearance than Mikoto. I wondered what caused the change in him, but I wasn't about to seek him out to ask. Knowing my luck, asking would snap him out of whatever daze he's been in.

The Subaku's visited, as well, and finally mended their relationship with the Uchiha royal family. Gaara himself apologized to both me and Sasuke. Before they left, Kankuro pulled me aside to sneakily inform me that Matsuri had finally confessed her feelings for the Sunagakure King. The redheaded vampire seemed genuinely interested in courting the pretty brunette with whom I'd become friends.

Despite being happy for her, I hoped he wouldn't make any of the mistakes he'd made with me. After asking me to run away with him in a half-joking manner and receiving a serious rejection, Kankuro left the castle with his brother.

Temari was officially staying in the Uchiha castle while her and Itachi's wedding was being planned. The foreign beauty may try to mask her emotions, but there were moments when I could tell that she at least kind of cared about her fiance. The eldest prince seemed content in her presence, so I silently rooted for the couple without sticking my nose in their business.

Once it became clear that I was no longer at risk of dying from my injuries, Obito bid us farewell. Even if Madara was behaving for the moment, I couldn't blame him for feeling uneasy under the same roof. The halfling promised to write to me in his free time and I promised to visit his home in Amegakure when I got the chance.

According to Sasuke, his cousin was trying to become an advisor to the royal family there so he could act as a liaison between our cities. Amegakure was one of the only cities within a week's traveling distance from Konoha that didn't have any trading or legal contracts with the Uchihas, a fact Fugaku wanted to change. Apparently Ame has notoriously high end water crops like celery, leeks, and rice.

Kakashi also left once he considered Ino's transition complete with barely a goodbye to even the king who'd turned him. I was informed by the twin princes that he was a true nomad who didn't feel comfortable staying in one place for long. He seemed really nice, regardless, and I hoped to see him again at some point.

Ino, just as she'd explained to me in the family room, started developing impressive talents. She started being able to read other people's minds if she was able to touch them. The way she explained it, it started out as just a hint of a whisper, but the more time she spent as a vampire, the stronger her ability became.

She was also slightly stronger and faster than the others. Before leaving, Kakashi oversaw a small spar between her and my new brother-in-law and she somehow came out victorious. I'd had to bite the side of my cheek to stop myself from laughing out loud at the bewildered look on Sai's face when he realized his petite wife had bested him.

No one said anything, except for Ino, but I could tell the rest of the Uchihas were wondering if I, too, would choose to be turned. Sasuke and I had never even tried to have that conversation and now that the time had come to start thinking about the future, he was too obsessed with finding Orochimaru and Kabuto to address the situation.