Empty Eyes: The Sequel

Chapter 2

A relieved sigh passed my lips when the door to the car Amegakure had sent to fetch us opened and Obito stepped out. My glee was cut only slightly short when Sasori also stepped out, but at least it wasn't Hidan. If I had to sit in a car with the silver-haired menace for three days, I might just die of annoyance.

"Hello Sakura, Ino, Cousins. It's nice to see you again." The Uchiha liaison bowed respectfully to the five of us. I gave him a smile, bowing back before turning to offer one to Sasori as well, who returned it without the slightest change of his blank expression.

"I will end your life if anything happens to my wife, Cousin. Please keep this in mind," Sai spoke with his usual smile, making his words somehow seem that much more threatening.

The man in question's face turned bright red and he nodded quickly, "U-Understood." Ino pulled her husband down to kiss him deeply.

I looked away from the couple as the driver's door opened and Deidara stepped out, long blonde hair flowing down his back as he grinned at us, "I hate to rush anyone, but the king expects us to return as quickly as possible."

I turned to face Sasuke, who pulled his deep glare off of Obito, who'd been fidgeting under his gaze, "I guess this is it..." He nodded wordlessly and I hesitated for a moment before giving in and throwing my arms around his torso with tears in my eyes.

As confident as I was trying to come off, I was truly terrified to be traveling without him. Strong arms returned my embrace and I quickly blinked back my tears so he wouldn't see them before pulling back and giving him a small smile, "I'll see you soon, okay?" He didn't respond, but watched as Sasori helped both Ino and I into the large car.

"We were told very strictly that no others were to join the ladies." Deidara's voice came and I realized he was likely speaking to Madara.

"I'm not joining them. I'll simply be traveling behind you because I have unrelated business with your king and queen." They must've accepted his response because Sasori and Obito climbed into the car and shut the door behind them, while the blonde man got back in the driver's seat.

I looked out the window at Sasuke one last time, giving him a small wave with as brave a face as possible as the car started moving. As soon as I couldn't see his face anymore, I looked down at my lap and clasped my hands together in my lap to try and hide the fact that my fingers were trembling.

"Everything will be fine. Obito, Madara, and I won't let anything happen to you."

Over the past few months, Ino's gift strengthened further and she no longer had to touch someone to speak with them via thoughts. The distance she could use her gift also greatly increased. My eyes shot up to hers as she sat across from me next to Sasori, giving her a grateful look.

"Have you had any luck finding out what happened to your mother?" Obito spoke politely about an hour into our travels.

I shook my head, glancing over at him before nervously looking back down at my lap, "Ino even tried undoing whatever orders she'd been given, but nothing's worked so far."

"What kind of vampire kidnaps a human and keeps them for so long and then releases them without just killing them?" Ino asked. My brow furrowed in confusion at her and she put her hands up in defense, "I mean, I'm glad she wasn't killed, but you have to admit it's weird."

"It is quite rare," Obito agreed, "What do you think, Sasori? You've been alive much longer than me." My eyes widened and turned to land on the redhead.

He told me during our last visit that he's been on Ame's advisory council for just over sixty years, so I'd assumed he was at least less than a hundred years old. I know that Obito is at least as old as Sasuke, so that means Sasori's over three hundred years old. It felt rude to ask vampires their age, so I'm often left guessing.