Empty Eyes: The Sequel

Chapter 3

Eventually, I found my room and broke down in tears as soon as the door was firmly closed behind me. The run in with Madara was more terrifying than being fed on by the king and queen.

I thought that since he vowed to protect Ino and I, he'd silently keep his distance and only step in if the situation was dire. That was my expectation and what I wanted, honestly. The enraged expression on his face when I shoved him away, though, was identical to the one he'd given me the day he pulled me into his room and attacked me, stating he wanted very badly to murder me.

My arms wrapped around my body as I looked around the big room with a frown, tears still falling steadily down my cheeks. I wish Sasuke was here. If he held me for just a few seconds, I know I'd feel so much better.

A knock came at my door and I hesitantly approached it, wiping at my face frantically, "Who is it?"

"Obito." Relief washed over me and I opened the door to see him offering me a sad look, "Hey, I heard what happened. Are you alright?"

I nodded, deciding not to speak because I'd surely start crying again if I did. He stepped into the room and I shut the door to face him. He, for once, wasn't blushing as he addressed me, "I know it won't help at all, but I wanted to come warn you. They just announced to the advisors that you're free to feed on starting tomorrow as long as no one kills you."

My vision blurred over as I cried, reaching up to wipe at them frantically as I nodded, "I know."

His voice was full of pity when he spoke again, "I'm warning you because they have regeneration medicine."

I recalled being given that by Kabuto. It speeds up the body's blood production. That meant that they likely wouldn't have to take very long breaks.

"This is really going to suck, okay? I know I'm not helping, but you're not going to die. You just have to grin and bear it until your sister gets back." He apologized maybe a dozen times before leaving with a look of heavy guilt on his face.

When I told myself all those times that being fed on wasn't that scary anymore, I'd been so very wrong. It only wasn't as scary when Sasuke or Madara did it because I'm so used to it with them.

It was almost impossible to fall asleep. More than I was worried about how terrible the next few days were going to be, I was concerned about Ino. If the inhabitants of that hideout were even slightly akin to those that were at the one in Oto, she'll be in very real danger if she gets caught.

It's not as though I think she's not capable. It's that even Sasuke couldn't overcome a group of them and while he doesn't have Tanaka blood empowering him, he does have hundreds of years of fighting experience more than her. Not only that, but Obito and Madara both weren't able to accompany her because they're needed here at the castle.

She was completely alone.

At some point, my exhaustion took over and I fell asleep, only to be woken up by someone placing a hand over my mouth. A scream shook through me, but was muffled by Hidan as he grinned down at me in the dark room, "Hello, sleepyhead!"

I slapped his arm and he pulled his hand back slightly so I could talk, but kept it close enough that he could quickly muffle me again if I tried to scream. "Y-You aren't allowed to feed on me until morning!"

He sucked his teeth at me, "Ah, but Konan's exact words were 'No one is to feed on her until tomorrow"and if my calculations are correct, midnight has passed."

Tears rose to my eyes and my body trembled in fright, but I swallowed nervously and nodded, "Okay, fine. Can we not do this on the bed, though? I don't want blood to get on everything."