Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 4

Images of blood and the unfamiliar sensation of lips against my skin plagued my dreams to the point that I shot up from my sleep with a cry, covered in sweat and just as panicked as before.

My hands shakily felt around my neck for any blood and when I didn't feel anything there, I looked around the room, finally noticing that I was back in my own room and all alone. So, was all of that a dream after all? What happened to Sasuke? Is he angry that I got sick in front of him?

My face burnt with humiliation as I remembered the embarrassing event. Of course I'd make an absolute fool of myself in front of a gorgeous guy like him. How will I ever be able to look him in the eye after that?

Not eager to think about it, I forced myself to return to my original issue: was everything real or had I simply dreamt it up? My eyes drooped with exhaustion even though I could tell it was evening time already. I'd slept all day. All of that blood had to have been mine if I was so tired after sleeping that long. My body must be trying to heal itself.

The memory of those swirling red eyes suddenly flashed past my vision and I squeezed my eyes shut, curling into a ball on my bed as I tried not to have another panic attack.

Everyone had been right. They'd all warned me about Itachi and I didn't tell anyone about him approaching me in Sasuke's room and look what happened. He's been back for one day and I've already been attacked. That can't be a coincidence!

After calming myself down, I rolled over and sat up in front of the window, the only place that helped me gather my thoughts in this unfamiliar place. What happened to Madara, though?

I put a cold hand to my forehead and tried to stop thinking about what happened because I didn't think my body could take much more anxiety, but couldn't pull myself from my thoughts. Why didn't Madara protect me from Itachi like he said he would? Could it be that the new arrival had overpowered his uncle that easily?

The lights of the city below looked like twinkling stars or lights, bringing me a small bit of comfort. I started to fall asleep once more whilst sitting up and sluggishly climbed back under the covers, hugging a pillow to my stomach to feel more secure. I'll have to ask Madara about what happened tomorrow.

Hopefully it was just a dream after all. Even as I thought it, I knew that it wasn't true. The pain had been too real.

I slept surprisingly well for the remainder of the evening, most likely still too exhausted from blood loss to dream much. Despite my terror and confusion about what happened, I forced myself to get up and begin my chores as though it were a normal day.

Once I'd freshened up and dressed, I headed downstairs to collect any laundry from the boys that may need cleaned. The winding halls of the castle were cold and silent. I flitted past the door to Itachi's room quickly and felt my heart beating in my ears as I tried to compose myself before facing one of the two princes.

To my horror, the door to Sasuke's room opened before I could even knock. The mysterious young man towered over me with his features back in their usual brooding expression. It comforted me slightly that the hesitant look he'd had before was gone. It didn't suit his handsome face in the slightest.

His dark eyes studied my face and I averted my gaze, trying not to think about the fact that the last time he saw me I was throwing my guts up, "Good morning, Sir. Did you sleep well?"

He didn't respond and I was forced to once again meet his eyes. His gaze danced down my body and back up to my face as though he was just now seeing me for the first time. Before I could speak again, he rumbled out a short, "Yes," before heading back into his room and throwing himself casually onto his bed, leaving the door open so I could let myself in.