The Uchiha's Sacrifice

Indy Itachi Blog

[thevermillionillusionist]

So anyway. Hiya peeps. My original Tumblr for the indy scene was VermillionIllusionist but it turns out it wanted me to change my password which no big deal... other than gmail deleted the email associated with the account. SO here I am. with THE added to the front. Feel free to follow, interact, and do whatever. I'm an open blog chill for all. Don't have much of anything added into the blog just yet but my simple rules are just... Be a good human being. This is a safe place for all

[rivenrose]

It was the hour of the day Astaria usually kept for small rituals, private devotions to pedestrian habits that brought her a little closer to humanity. As the stairs of Last Light led up, a door yawned open to the balcony, where the vampiress laid out food for the local feline and lavished him with attention the sphynx cat believed was his due. Beyond the railing, endless night stretched itself like a ribbon of darkness.

The Shadow Cursed Forest was a strange thing, it both terrified and seduced.

Leaning into the cold air with her lips parted slightly ajar, the cat pressed its small head against her arm, purring this steady, low current that travelled through her skin. It soothed her, tempting her nerves into stillness.

That was when she noticed the fucking crow.

It sat where it had no right to be, perched on the rooftop, quiet and all-seeing. It didn’t flutter away in the sight of her presence, didn’t stop gawking either. Narrowing her eyes, Astaria briefly wondered if that was one of the shinobi’s pets.

“…Shoo.” She chanced. The crow did not so much as stir in reaction. Hardening her stare and clicking her tongue, Astaria sighed. “By the hells, what do you want?”

[thevermillionillusionist]

The bird remained in place, unmoving yet focused. Plenty of reason to believe the bird was one of the Uchiha's summons. It may also help that the said Uchiha would appear next to her with his silent steps, even though it never mattered how silent he was. This woman always knew when he was approaching. Some things the Uchiha couldn't mask, and she could sense and sniff him out. It didn't help that he knew that he was probably the last person she wanted to see right now.

He'd just be persistent right now. They were still on a mission.

"We're being told that one of our targets have been located. A step closer to freeing these lands and getting the hell out of here," he spoke out whether she may care for such information or not. Either way, he had intent on storming the location the moment he was given a signal to move in by his birds. It'll be one step closer to ending the prime target that threatened the inn along with the lands.

[rivenrose]

Astaria’s nose twitched to a stranger’s scent being brought in with the wind. Ritualistic incense mingled with cold sweat.

Someone stood outside of her tent.

One glance down at herself brought a sigh to the vampiress’ lips. Bare, except for the shinobi’s cloak hugging around her form, pooling at her naked thighs. Rubbing the sluggishness away from droopy eyelids, the vampiress made for her clothes and slipped into them.

Outside, the Moonmaiden’s veil held the shadow at arm’s length still, and the strange man stood there—pale as a ghost, eyes filmed with that unmistakable glaze of magic, lanternless. She’d seen that look before. One of Itachi’s gentjustu’s, no doubt.

Except there was no raven hair or black eyes in sight.

A sigh sagged her shoulders, and Astaria grabbed the cultist by the hand—his skin so cool and pliant—to bring him in. 

“Come…” She spoke, aware that the man was probably not listening.

The rest was ritualistic. Easing him down onto her bedroll to hover over him and let her fangs pierce through the skin. It wasn’t until the man’s pulse stuttered to a stop that she withdrew, body going heavy and stiff under her, so deliciously spent.

Seeing as a body in her tent might invite an unpleasant smell given a couple of hours, the vampiress dragged him out by the wrist and dumped him just outside of the moonmaiden’s shimmering veil. Let the shadows claim his body for all she gave a damn about it.

Back to camp, Astaria made a point to leave Itachi’s cloak neatly folded by the entrance of his own tent. She hadn’t forgiven him, no… but the thought to leave her a such a hearty meal was appreciated.

[thevermillionillusionist]

Eventually, he'd make his way out from his tent to see the cloak of his folded and laying in wait. Probably meant that she had her meal and was up which didn't surprise him too much. Picking up the cloak, he would settle with putting the item back on his person before greeting some of the others that were getting motivated for the day. With what he knew, it would require some more traveling. It would also see him finding others that are of relation to their target.

"If it is of relation to Shar, then perhaps the area to seek would have signs of the goddess...?" he thought to himself as he contemplated these options while prepping his own breakfast. There had to be a temple or something in the area, right? Luckily, he had his crows on the hunt for the morning as he prepared his meal.

[rivenrose]

The vampiress didn’t respond.

Once they reached camp, Astaria turned for her tent and didn’t look back. Inside, she didn’t bother to dress up, sitting at the edge of her cot instead, knees drawn up and Itachi’s cloak still draped around her shoulders.

Baldur’s Gate pressed in on her thoughts, its damp alleys, the scalding heat, and all those bodies she knew how to disappear into. Men, women and anyone standing in between came to her for pleasure, only to meet their doom.

What would be left of her when all of this was done?

Astaria didn’t realise when she’d slipped into meditation. And in her dreams, Cazador made himself the protagonist, always closer to seizing her than the night before.

When Astaria stirred away, it was after having broken out in cold sweat and with a start. Outside, the sun hadn’t peaked out of the horizon yet despite the birds already singing to announce its coming. Curling her hands into fists around the edges of Itachi’s cloak, hunger gnawed at the lining of her stomach. She hadn’t eaten today yet. Hadn’t eaten the day before either.

There wasn’t exactly a feast out here in this accursed place for her.

[thevermillionillusionist]

The silence spoke volumes, and he knew it would be some time before this one would blow over... if it ever did. Instead, he would need to do something else. A gift, perhaps? He was aware of one thing about her and a need she would be having in the upcoming days. Fixing that now would be pretty simple so long as he could find someone. As others were lost in their dreams, he would disappear into the night without a sound. This land may be cursed, but there were those that walked it by the commands of the enemy. Finding a camp of cultists, he would accomplish a few things with this evening. Securing one prisoner, obtaining information from said prisoner, and having this very prisoner approach the tent of Astaria as the sun prepared to rise. A final command of the illusion he was plagued with, Itachi had plenty of time to return to his tent to relax and go over the next steps.

"The Nightsong..." he muttered to himself as he remained in the tent for the time being. Maybe a couple hours of sleep before his body forced him up. May it be due to worry or just his inability to sleep while active, he felt plenty rested regardless. The perks of being a trained soldier, more than likely. The information he was able to obtain was useful enough, but they would need to find the way toward this target of interest. Whatever this target was, he could say that it was indeed the source they needed to deal with the enemy of this land.

[rivenrose]

She didn’t like it.

Didn’t like the sound of it, or its implications—Itachi offering himself up like something expendable, martyrdom worn as quietly as a promise. Didn’t like the thought of him burning his sight away for anyone’s sake, least of all theirs.

But he was stubborn. Gods, infuriatingly so. And perhaps the only person either foolish or kind enough to stand beside her against Cazador, unless he somehow managed to rope another soul into Astaria’s own personal vendetta.

Unlikely. Kindness these days always came with a price tag attached.

Interest compounded daily.

Still, something in what the young man said lodged itself deep between her ribs, an off-key note she couldn’t bring herself to ignore. Astaria pulled away from the embrace, slow and reluctant despite herself, and looked at the raven properly this time. At the resolve etched into him. At the way he would ruin himself for everyone’s cause and write it off as natural.

She hated that the most.

Hated that he would give himself away so easily, not just to herself, but to the others as well. And under all of her irritation—sharper, uglier—was that selfish sting. The necessity to feel special, to matter more than the abstract others he carried on his back.

It was petty. Vain. Entirely on brand.

But wasn’t this simply who Astaria was?

“I see.” Stepping away from his orbit, fully now, Astaria turned her back to him with a sigh that tasted faintly of resentment. “We should return to camp. The others are waiting.”

The others. So pointed and sour, it was as if they’d personally offended her merely by existing.

[thevermillionillusionist]

He was hesitant at first as he could read the air on her. Nothing he said was able to help the matter at hand, but it may be something that time needed to solve. He had spoken his mind over the matter, and he would remain true to it. If any of them were in danger, he'd do anything to stop that danger and as quick as he could. If it was only himself? He'd see no need unless the situation called for extremes. With a nod to her comment, he would begin walking as he figured they could explore more some other time. As of now, getting back to camp and getting her clothes should be a priority.

Find the weakness of Thorm, finish off any followers of the absolute in this hand, clear the curse that plagues these lands. There was plenty to do here, and he wasn't certain of the time frame they had to work with. Not for their tadpole issue but for the sake of everyone there fighting against this curse. At some point, he felt he may need to venture off to different areas to gather what intel he could as the others prepped. At the same time, would he even be able to after what he was told?

"The others are probably sound asleep by now, thoug it's hard to tell time in a land plagued by darkness..." he commented as he followed beside the other looking on ahead. After solving the problems, here they'd move on. In his mind, there was a devil still to slay.

[rivenrose]

Itachi dismantling that gods-damned eye magic finally knocked the breath loose from Astaria’s lungs. It rushed out of her all at once, fast and shaky, as though she’d been holding herself together with nothing but stubbornness alone.

Whatever he said afterward never stood a chance. She was already moving.

Uncaring as for his cloak around her naked body parting open to expose her form, the woman already had her arms wrapped around Itachi’s neck, hauling him close into the coldness of her undead embrace. Face pressed gently into the warm hollow of the man’s neck, breath stuttering with how tight she was holding.

It was as though he might fade into a thin veil of smoke if she didn’t anchor him there.

“Oh, you foolish little pup...” Exhaustion was wrought into her voice, but it didn’t keep her from speaking. “I want you to promise me that you will never do that again.” Pulling back before the raven could get another word in, the temptress held his face between her palms and made him look at her. “Itachi. Look at me.” Crimsons burned, furious and pleading all at once. “Promise me you won’t do it. I refuse to stand by and watch you wither yourself away for another’s sake.”

Be selfish, at least once…

Since when did she start caring for someone else other than herself this way?

Astaria couldn’t tell, and that in itself terrified her.

“…Please.”

[thevermillionillusionist]

This embrace ... this was not expected at all. Caught off guard, he was hesitant at first to do anything as this reaction was not anything he would had planned for. This embrace was something molded out of worry, maybe out of fear? Her concerns were very much known, but he couldn't place a finger on why she was so worried. Even if blind, he would remain a capable fighter. He knew the important of sight, but he was trained to handle things without it. Even then, was such a thing just unheard of here?

"I do not intend to die, Astaria. For what that is worth, I plan on seeing this whole adventure through. But I cannot promise that I'll be able to hold back my power if it is something truly needed. To save our team, to save you, I'll burn down the hells, themselves. If it may cost me my vision, then so be it." a small pause as he lifted his hands up to grab hers from his face. Despite how this may be painful for her to heal, there still remained a line of hope in the matter.

"Worst case here is that we simply find something to mend my eyes and spirit. From what I've seen of this world, the magic should be capable if it is needed. So please. Do not worry for me, Astaria."

[rivenrose]

Onyx hues were kept pinned under the blood red moon of her eyes, so keen all pretenses were stripped right away… Poring, searching for any traces of deceit behind Itachi’s words. When Astaria found none, relief poured itself into her sigh.

Itachi wasn’t just saying that to please her. He meant it, didn’t he?

So that was only when the vampiress pried his hands away from her hips and guided them towards her breasts, pressing palms under the swell where ribcage met bosom. With interlaced fingers, the pale elf patiently showed him how it’s done, applying the right amount of pressure to invite a small ache between her legs, and let pleasure scatter across her form. Pinching her own nipples, Astaria rolled them between index and thumb, throwing her head back and letting her curls cascade down in the process… she was hoping he would pick up where she left off. Tentative at first, then firmer.

Feminine excitement pulsed between her thighs, soaking slick and insistent through the fabric of her panties, but Astaria promised patience, so she let him fall into the rhythm against her skin, map out her body into his memory… Explore the spots that made her shiver and moan.

“Most women might need a a little warmup before they're eager for the main event…” Astaria explained, leaning in to connect her lips to the crook of his neck for a kiss. Breath cold and full, scattering over his skin. “That makes it hurt less.” She elaborated, smirking. “I personally don’t mind the sting.”

[thevermillionillusionist]

To think he'd be guided in such a manner by another. The shinobi that lived his life as a tool for his village, that used his life to protect what he cherished without ever expecting to be given anything back. He was a shadow meant to be hidden, never to be seen. The hero with no name, no face. Now he laid here before this silver-haired woman as a novice to an art he never trained in nor had real experience with. To hold knowledge over the basics was one thing, but the difference remained and she seemed to have kept this all in mind. Easy enough to have taken over where she had left off, his hands exploring the other's chest. Firm hands squeezing and moving to rub and slide down to the nipples where a finger and thumb would meet to rub against skin.

"Somehow, you not minding such a thing doesn't come to a surprise to me. Still, I'd rather not bring harm to the one I care for," he stated with head moving to allow her access for her kisses-- of course finding this odd behavior of himself to offer a vampire his own neck. Helps to know there would be no blood drinking, but that was for an entirely different reason. His eyes remained on her, a soft smile in place. "But I somehow think you'd expect as much of me as well.

[rivenrose]

Did she hear him correctly? Blindness… offered so casually it was as if Itachi meant to pay taxes and return by the day’s end. For her, no less. For wrongs that weren’t his to shoulder. There were others before, lovers who had fallen for what was on the outside without a care as to what could be found within. Men swearing themselves to her with the same ease as breathing. And they always meant it too… Until they stopped breathing, that is.

Dead men could hold no promises.

This was different though. Worse. There was no showing off, no performance when one truly meant what they said. And the worst of all was: Itachi stood to gain nothing from it. That unsettled her the most.

“I…” Speechless. Why would he keep those eyes if they would cost him this? Why would he risk losing them at all for her sake?

The thought sharpened suddenly, cutting clean through the rest. She didn’t want this. Didn’t want him paying in pieces of himself for her sake. Didn’t want to be the reason something precious was taken from him, never to be returned. Even less so over some petty devil playing tricks.

“What in the hells do you think you are doing?” Anxiety crept into her voice before she could tame it. “No, don’t! Make it go away.” Seizing Itachi’s shoulders, she shook them, urgency breaking through disbelief. “I don’t want to be the reason you go blind for. Stop that right this instant!”

[thevermillionillusionist]

To say he hadn't expected that would be an understatement. The amount of care she suddenly showed after learning a truth on some of his power. May it be rooted by her heart or by anyone just doing anything for her with such risks, he wouldn't know. It didn't matter to him as he saw it as a part of his life. If he must, he'd do what he would have to do even if it cost him his sight. Though, he couldn't argue with her right now. Not with the way she was looking at him with such concern... and grabbing him with the demand.

"The form of the eyes, alone, will not harm me. Merely the abilities that come from them. I'll be fine with them active, but I'll revert them for now," he spoke with his eyes indeed returning back to the onyx hue. He doubted his sharingan was needed right now, anyways. With his eyes looking over to her, he wasn't too sure what to say after that. What could he do to ease her worries? "Even if I was to go blind from my techniques, I believe this world has the ability to mend what I loss. Even without it, I'd go through any lengths to protect you and remove any threat that stands in our way. I'm confident I can remove that devil from this world even before my eyes would go blurry.." but that would be another story for another time.

[rivenrose]

Astaria preferred kissing with her eyes closed, breath crowded, and a small, private smile tugging at the corner of those wine-red lips. It afforded her to listen… to breath, to tension, to the way their bodies negotiated space. The ease with which she shifted once they fell spoke volumes of her experience, settling herself astride him with palms coming up to frame his jaw so she could keep him right where she wanted. Guide him if need be.

It wasn’t until the initial urgency of that kiss passed that she remembered her promise to him, and slowed down a little. Enough to let Itachi recalibrate, to stretch the moment instead of severing it. Upon pulling back, it was only far enough so she could press her forehead against his, breaths mingling.

“How are you feeling?”

That promise wasn’t lost on her… that she would treat him with kindness. Take it slow for his sake. Yet part of her wondered, albeit briefly, how come his heart could withstand the heat of battle but struggled to beat in tune with intimacy’s tempo. She doubted this was going to be his undoing, but…

A promise was a promise.

After planting one last kiss to his lips, she willed herself away to sit up on top of him. Fingers hooked around the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Bunching the fabric in her hold, Astaria discarded it while leaning over with one hand planted to Itachi’s chest to connect those lips to a jutting tendon along the stretch of his neck which simply begged for a little bite… Then, a trail of kisses were dragged all the way up to the hollow beneath his ear.

“Do you want me to stop?” She whispered close to it, tender and sweet, letting her crowded breath spill and scatter where it landed.

[thevermillionillusionist]

She was considerate as promised even if he hadn't expected that in the state she was in. As time moved on, he felt himself grow better each day. Even then, he knew he needed far more healing than what time could offer. Something he would need to investigate later on. For now? His stamina did seem stable, and he hadn't done anything reckless just yet. For the time, he simply enjoyed the feel of her lips caressing and tasting bits of his skin-- Probably a dangerous thing with what she was, but having tainted blood did save him from... quite a bit of problems. His eyes did open with onyx hues taking in the sight of Astaria as she was prepping herself, no doubt. This could be something she'd had preferred to have been the 'first' before that devil pulled his stunt.

"I'll be fine, Astaria. Continue on. I should be quite well enough to take on what you shall bring," he spoke rather bold words, but he wouldn't back down. Not now. Not again. If time was not on their side, then there was only so much he could do. If they escaped this? Then they had a future together. If they didn't? Then their feelings could be known here and now.

[rivenrose]

With all that going on at her front, Itachi chose to overanalyse her back instead.

Typical.

A scoff audibly sounded from her lips, and her shoulders grew slack. Pale fingers curled around the edges of his cloak… how pleasantly it held his scent, warm, clean and disciplined had her basking in it for a second. A pity she wouldn’t get to keep the thing.

“Yes. Cazador called it a poem. But I was reading a book recently and stumbled upon similar symbols in infernal and simply chalked it up to that. I’ve been meaning to ask one of the tieflings about it, but I suppose the devil will do.”

Something caught the vampiress’ attention. Narrowing her eyes, Astaria drew near and reached over to gently cradle the underside of Itachi’s jaw, coaxing him to turn his head her way. A familiar gesture by now, though her hand stilled when she caught the change in his eyes. She’d seen the Sharingan before; this wasn’t it.

“Your eyes… what happened to them?” She brought herself a little closer, studying the new pattern. “It looks like one of those little star blades you throw. Shuriken, wasn’t it?” While Astaria may not have known the meaning behind Magenkyou, it wasn’t too difficult to put two and two together as to what may have caused it.

Itachi wasn’t just angry at Raphael had done. He was furious.

This might have been the first time she’s seen him lose composure like that…

“Does it bother you? What the devil’s done, I mean.” Astaria herself was far too used to men undressing her to complain.

A minor inconvenience was all she treated this as.

[thevermillionillusionist]

A poem etched into one's own flesh? He knew tattoos were a thing, but this was scarification. This was something far more cruel than what was led on, but she wasn't phased by it. Rather odd but there must be a reason. Something he had to figure out later, possibly. It seemed she was learning as she went. He had no knowledge based on those markings, himself. He could recognize design and guess it was a ritual or summoning type, but that's all he could guess right now.

"It remains as my Sharingan, but this form of it is the Mangekyou. An eye that awakened by witnessing the death of my best friend," he spoke as he felt that memory come as he spoke. It was true. He witnessed his friend fall from a great height and into the water before. "This version of the Sharingan is stronger and holds a few techniques for dangerous foes, but it comes at the price of the user's sight." And even with that, he was more than ready to send that bastard back to hell one way or another. Even if it exhausted him or cost him his vision, he'd see to it. He knew well enough that he needed to keep himself healthy and not strain his eyes at least until they managed to free themselves. A shame there were plenty of powerful foes.

"Bother me...? I do not take kindly to those that oppose their will on another so freely. He may not have hurt you, but I've seen countless times where the strong attacked without warning, without reason. I've lost several before my own eyes as I was powerless to stop it. Allies, friends? ... That fool reminded me of my past regrets, and the next time I see him shall see him burn away to ash." he stated, his voice still rather calm but stern as well. He was serious with his threats, and his eyes remained active for a few more moments before they reverted back to his onyx color. He needed to calm down..

"I will not fail in protecting those I care for. Not again.."

[rivenrose]

Astaria expected plenty. Itachi shying away, dissolving into a murder of crows and vanishing, or maybe even gently prying her off him by the shoulders. But reciprocation didn’t rank among the things she expected at all.

Far from it.

When the young man caught her wrist and drew her hand from his mouth, the vampiress had already braced herself for denial when, instead of drawing back, he stepped in—closing the distance so cleanly she barely even had time to draw breath.

In quiet, startled sound, Astaria’s lips parted. Just in time for him to connect their mouths into a kiss.

There was no hesitation, no soft retreat either. With the press of his mouth against hers, warm and sweet and nothing she could have predicted, Astaria was certain that if she still had a heartbeat, it would have been thundering in her ribcage right about now.

Oh, how easy it was to melt into the moment… letting her eyelids fall shut to match him. It was a gentle start, almost candid and so unlike anything she was used to doing. Their first kiss was about acquaintance, about learning the shape of his mouth, tasting him in ways no other would have. Not that he could recall at least.

When Itachi parted, she chased him without thinking—half-mast eyes, unsteady breaths—to claim his lips again before doubt could have a chance to return. Tearing her wrist from his grip, the pale elf looped her arms around his neck.

Their second kiss landed deeper, hungrier, enough to push him off kilter.

When they fell together, a moss bed beneath them cushioned the landing, but her mouth was still on his, so touch-starved… so hungry for his lips, and never quite expecting the day this young man would finally stop running.

Astaria loved to tease, but never did she expect it would one day land.

[thevermillionillusionist]

He had intent on pulling away to see and figure just ... well, just to figure out what even was going on now. Her reaction to this was something a little more than expected. Maybe he was reading too much into this, but this kiss was something he felt she needed. Something she desired more than anything in this world. He was certain she had tasted plenty of others on her lips throughout her immortal life, so why was his taste so peculiar to her? Why did she crave it? Was it due to how stubborn he had been? or maybe it was something far more. Something that had been born through this odd relationship they had.

Now that they were flat together, this second kiss dug far deeper than he would had thought, but he managed to hold on despite having been unprepared. His lips kept pressed to hers, his arms finding their way around her waist. No words were needed in the heat of this moment. He had a feeling he understood, and he would return this kiss of hers as he felt himself trying to really learn on the spot here. A picture-perfect shinobi capable of pulling off any mission... Kissing was not in his base knowledge.

[rivenrose]

“Candlelight and dinner?” A soft gasp punctuated the pale elf’s amusement. “What are you, a romantic?”

A thrill warmed her ribs. Gods, Astaria’s all but nearly forgotten what it felt like to be courted properly. Not that she’d be eating anything on the menu… unless someone was generous enough to offer a vein. Preferably not Itachi himself, as the sickness in his blood sat in her mind like a warning siren. To her, it might as well have been poison.

Still, the thought of being invited anywhere that wasn’t a crypt, ruin, or battlefield scratched pleasantly at something she didn’t acknowledge often.

“Careful now...” She lilted, stepping around a patch of dead grass. “I’ll hold you to that once we reach Baldur’s Gate.” A joke mostly, as the young man had already made boundaries clear. 

Just as they neared the grotto, the air around them shifted. Sulfur, heat, and a faint sting at the back of her throat—it was Raphael’s calling card. The world blinked, and he was simply there, looking fancy and smug and interrupting her conversation as always. He offered his quest. She offered her annoyance. It might’ve ended there, but the itch between her shoulder blades pushed her mouth ahead of her mind.

Astaria seized this opportunity to know more about the scars on her back. At the first sign of confusion on Itachi’s part, Raphael called her out on not having taken off her clothes yet… called it unusual, and with a simple snap of his fingers, he rid her of her clothes entirely when just the top would have sufficed.

For a heartbeat, only the cold air touched her. She didn’t cover herself. Shock barely registered; she’d lived too long, survived far too much to waste dignity on modesty. There was, however, a hint of annoyance at the click of her tongue as if the cambion had knocked a glass off the table instead of stripping her bare. And with her body now exposed, so were her scars: spiraled carvings, etched deep, a script she didn’t know how to read but still felt the pain of as if it had been fresh. Raphael studied her like he was cataloguing a relic, ignoring any protests coming from her companion.

Then, in a puff of smoke and self-satisfaction, he was gone.

Astaria exhaled, long and frayed and so utterly exhausted.

“This isn’t exactly how I pictured you seeing me bare for the first time, but…” A snort echoed, and Astaria sighed. “So, we are going to kill this Orthon, aren’t we?”

[thevermillionillusionist]

What was that...? Somehow, it seemed oddly familiar but he couldn't place a finger on it. Without a warning, another had appeared, a devil from how it looked. Staring for a moment, it did seem Astaria knew this one and had plenty to ask. Itachi had remained quiet for the time being but his sharingan would not lose focus. Seemed like rather than give anything, Raphael pulled a stunt that did not settle with Itachi in the slightest. Eyes widen from the action, the red hue would turn to look back toward the demon. He had given a warning to restore what he took, but it went without contest. Something that caused the Uchiha's eyes to morph from the three tomoe and into the three point Mangekyou Sharingan. He was ready to strike, but the man was gone before he had a chance for anything.

"Orthon ... and anyone that dares to mess with either of us..." a rather cold threat from the usually calm male. He would glance back over to the naked figure of Astaria and .... yeah, she was indeed without clothes, and she was not even phased by it in the slightest. Only disappointed in the fact it wasn't a good time. Closing his eyes, he would take in a calming breath before removing his cloak. Walking over behind her, he would open his eyes and drape the cloak over her nude figure. At least she wouldn't be in the cold-- Could vampires even be affected by the cold? Too late now.

"Those scars on your back... I'm guessing a ritual from how they appear. This from your master?" he would ask. For someone that had just witnessed a woman of her looks without anything on, he was probably surprisingly calm. It may help that an anger had been embedded in him. The disrespect toward a friend... and how non-nonchalant Raphael was about it? Itachi would take a bit to fully calm himself. The proof being in the eyes that he had yet to really reveal to anyone, yet.

[rivenrose]

They were fantasising now? How… unusual. Astaria smothered the grin threatening to bloom along her lips and sneaked her way out from where they’d come, boots thudding quietly over the aged floodboards. Outside, the air cut colder than the bar’s gloom—sharp enough to bite into the skin, not enough to invite snow. Itachi’s willingness to entertain whatever this was filled her stomach with butterflies.

Either that or she was just hungry.

“And what place did you have in mind for our first date?” There was a little pep to her step, even in all of this darkness… “A balcony over the sea?” Her tenor leaned into a teasing cadence, curious. “Or something warmer, perhaps? Indoors… Candlelight, crackling hearth, wine glasses, just you and me.”

Shamelessness came as naturally to her as staging breath. And Astaria carried it in the way she walked, in how warm she sounded despite being a creature of the night, cold and undead… not too unlike those zombies back in the bar.

Unlike the zombies, however, vampires were designed to seduce.

[thevermillionillusionist]

"What place?" now that was a question he wasn't quite sure on how to answer right away. He had to think of what he knew right now, what he enjoyed. If his memory wasn't so scattered, this would be easy. Luckily, he did have a few ideas in mind, some ideas given by what she had said.

"A balcony over the sea, moonlight and candles lighting our own personal dinner that I've prepped, myself" he stated one idea before one thought came to mind. He'd have to somehow get her type of wine. "The sound of waves crashing as we enjoy dinner along with each other's company. There's also simply enjoying each other's company. May it be random conversation, or other things." Which he didn't need to explain. He figured he'd know where things would lead on that date. Of course, he didn't know how he'd react until that chance came.

"It'll be a far more lively scene than what we have right now, anyway..." Between the coldness in the air and the eerie undead atmosphere around them, he was almost tempted to purge everything here. He did question if leaving the zombies as they were would be good. Though, he didn't know if anyone else would come by and put themselves in danger. Safety was key for not just them but for other lives as well. "I will say my options of ideas are limited here. I feel this world may be missing some things in comparison to my world. Which makes me wonder how you'd fair at my home."

[rivenrose]

“Oh, I know…” She responded in a single breath, cold enough to sting where it landed and scattered over his mouth. Iron still permeated her exhales—fresh, metallic, and so unapologetically vampiric.

With her lips barely ghosting over his, Astaria allowed a small smile to take hold.

“Is this what you want though?” Whispered strawberry sweet and apricot tender despite the inevitable drawl from her inebriated state. Then a hand came up to his jaw, palm cool against the heat of his skin, thumbing over the swell of his bottom lip, nudging it to the side in a gentle little push. “…To give yourself to me.”

[thevermillionillusionist]

"Perhaps it is...We've known each other long enough, and even if I barely know myself... I do know what I feel now," he spoke as he would actually do something for a change of pace. A hand moved to take her hand away from his lips and finish up closing the distance in this teasing dance of lips and air. A first kiss? As far as he knew, yes. He decided to take it upon himself to take control of things, even if this wouldn't last long. He was a complete novice in this, but he at least wasn't clueless. May he be caving in from her closeness, the alcohol on her, or just the fact that fate was uncertain... He'd play things by what he knew now rather than what he doesn't know.

[multlfarlous]

. ———— мѕнαяυησ

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ⌠⦾⌡—— She's not at her best, her mood is sour and then this. Annoying guys knew not of the danger of a pink haired kunoichi, that she wasn't just some pretty woman with flighty light hair-- If nothing she thought perhaps the bags under her eyes would scare people off alone in an ideal world. She'd just wanted to get back to the village, yet..

‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ She listened to the ANBU and somehow froze a little, his voice rang in familiarity in the deep tone it offered and only now she was wondering if ANBU often traversed outside solo - perhaps for a mission? Yet he'd stopped to help too. It's not unusual per say - just not how someone would handle this. She felt ungrateful for that moment of doubt searching where the familiarity pulled from, a tired nod as she listened along and half paid attention as she felt the heaviness in her body.

‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ❝ I.. ❞ She began and realised her throat itched as she pushed through the heaviness of her body to stand straight, tired fern eyes looking to the ANBU with obvious curiosity through her tired expression, sweat lining her brow. ❝ Just.. Feeling under the weather. To the point you even sound like-- ❞ She cut off, a shake of her head and her gloved hand pushing against her forehead to wipe away the sweat. ❝ Perhaps it's ill of me to say you sound like someone who should be dead-- Ah! Not as in you should die! ❞ Her tired voice rambles out is the delirium messing with her better judgement? Most likely.

‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ❝ You just reminded me.. Your voice at least, of someone who is dead. ❞

[thevermillionillusionist]

It may had been some time, but it wasn't enough for her to have forgotten his voice. Rather, she did seem to recognize it but was in denial of hearing it. There was something else to this as well. The eyes of the masked Uchiha was watching her carefully. From what he knew of her history and her profession, he could understand how she could be tired. At the same time, this felt like a different level of tired. Something was wrong, but he wouldn't pressure it right away.

With how she was acting now, though...

"I understand what you mean. I may sound like someone you recognize, but it may be from this mask. We, as ANBU, cannot be so easily recognized due to our position." It wasn't a lie, but he wasn't doing a good job at keeping that as a truth considering she already almost knew who he was. If it wasn't for this denial and whatever condition she was in, he'd be in trouble. Which he may further risk it as he couldn't let her go in this condition.

"You are unwell, Miss Haruno. Have you been working too hard?" he would ask as he removed a glove from his hand to feel her forehead with the back of his hand. "Your movements are sluggish, and we don't even need to talk about your speech. You barely have it together right now." he pointed out as he would end up sighing. This was indeed dangerous, but he couldn't let her go like this. Not yet.

[rivenrose]

The way blood rushed over to Itachi’s features, blooming heat under his skin, sent a giddy spark through her. If not for that troublesome illness of his, she could already imagine the taste of his blood coating viscous and thick over her tongue. A touch of iron, yes, but softened like a young red left out just long enough to breathe.

“Yes…” Astaria’s tenor drawled and dipped, amused… Hungry. “Aren’t good boys supposed to be rewarded?” She eased in, bosoms pressing flush against his chest, lips hovering so close she could count his breaths. “I’ve spent centuries rewarding the wrong sort of men.” Astaria whispered softly against his mouth, the shape of her smile barely ghosting over his skin. “Time I tried something different, don’t you agree?”

Tentatively, the vampiress cold, undead lips connected to the shinobi’s cheek.

“Now is perfect.” Canting her head, she stared right into those dark, obsidian eyes, lifting a finger to follow the seam of his lips. “Have you ever even kissed anyone before?”

[thevermillionillusionist]

He wasn't too sure how he needed to feel right now. It wasn't too often that he was caught off guard by any means, but he was barely prepared to handle her like this. Sure, he was use to the flirting and some things here and there. He was not use to her being not only this close but actually pressing up on him. He could feel far more than he was use to, and this was concerning only due to the state she was currently in. With this and her comment of rewarding a different type of man? ... Damn, was it hard to think of anything right now.

The touch of her fingers to his lips along with that question did make him wonder that same thing. Somehow, he doubted it. "The answer to that may be surprising, or it may not. If your desires see you press this further, then you shall be my first, Astaria." With those words, he also didn't show any signs of fighting back or even resisting compared to how he may with just his words. This time, he figured ... what's the harm? She was someone he knew he had to protect... That meant something deep to him.

[rivenrose]

Letting her hand settle over his on top of the railing, light enough so Itachi could even pretend it wasn’t there if he wanted to, a small smile found her lips.

“If we’re ever to go down that path together, I’d prefer you enjoyed it too.” A sigh, and she pulled her hand away from his. “But you’ve made your thoughts clear already… a shame, honestly. I think I’m starting to like you.” Perhaps even in a way she’s never fancied anyone before.

Turning on her heel, Astaria neared one of the zombies and snapped a finger right in front of its unseeing eyes. It didn’t seem to react.

“Good. Then we avoid that thing down there entirely and continue on our merry reconnaissance.” Almost as if they’d heard her, the creature below gurgled a strange, drowning sound. “I think that’s our cue to go.”

[thevermillionillusionist]

Starting to like him? That was indeed a bit of a compliment from her. For him to be able to capture a heart? It wasn't the first time, and he couldn't tell if it'd be the last. Until he knew his heart, he didn't think it wise... but there was the thought that existed, what she had brought up before. Time really wasn't on their side. Maybe he would think more about it. Despite everything, she wasn't bad. She had her moments, but she kept things interesting.

"If I am to truly capture your heart, I must be doing something right. I know what I said, but... I may just need time to think it over. I may be just bad at this kind of thing," and he doubted he needed his memories to know that to be true. His heart was a weird thing, but he didn't really understand the idea either. His life... it felt like he never had a chance to experience such things.

Even with all of this? He did take note of her hand placement, but he chose not to do anything. It did show how delicate she could be. Maybe she wouldn't kill him in bed--

With her comment and the call to go, he would give a nod and begin his way. His steps always remained silent with the sharingan still keeping active. He still felt uneasy, but he also wasn't in a good area. How often was one surrounded by the undead? "I will say. If we do ever become a thing, I'll see to it I pick more... lively places to spend our time together." At least he could still joke.