Undisclosed Compound.

[Apple]

With a focused gaze I’d watch as he’d remove his gloves from his hands, between his words. Perhaps, for the first time in so long, he appeared to be human, his skin so clear in the vivid lights of the compound. It was.. strange, to say the least. Due to his perhaps less than human nature, I’d always depicted him as just that- a corporeal form, but at the same time.. so paranormal in his manner, so perhaps for a moment or so I was distracted merely by him revealing that small part of his skin – I wouldn’t have compared the man to a God, no. But, it was so.. unlike him to show that he was, as a matter of fact, just like anyone else upon this world. Created from the same average strand of DNA – there wasn’t much different about him except for the power that he had amounted, which in the end, separated us all, which had especially separated me from my brother. As he praised me for my drive to survive and not bow beneath the prospect of death, I took in his words appreciatively. I had too much things to do to simply fall down and die – if I was to leave this earth, who would take care of the village? There were none other as capable as myself, with the same passion. I would gladly die for the safety of my village, but with so many plans and ideas, priorities would undoubtedly shift dramatically. Gazing down at my own hands, I’d muse over this as I listened to him.

”I hope you weren't fooled by that petty excuse of a summit meeting - you know that you can't trust them, right?"

There was no need to even say it.

Even as I stood before the man now I was a little dubious of him, although my thoughts and concerns had eased quite substantially. The only other person I believed I could trust to some degree – Etsuko, Soratsu. I could hear his voice now, from this very room, chiming in my mind. Each and every one of us were out for our own gain - and I was aware that by now, I'd become as much as a weapon, a mere object to him as my brother had been, but I flourished beneath his comments. Perhaps I could understand how entrancing his entire presence was, how easily my brother had been led in by him. I hadn't anticipated for myself ever to lead the same fate as he had, but at the same time.. it simply made me work for more.

I was sure that it was inevitable that people would have wondered why he had chosen to invade the kage summit for my attention, and I expected the worst. Despite each and every thought in people’s heads, I didn’t want my involvement turning on my home- my people this soon. I was required to inspire my shinobi to become the best that I could, only to have them suffer when war inevitably came around next time? No. Whenever this- this quiet time would end, I’d make sure that Kusagakure wasn’t the one to be kicked to the side in a bloody heap as it had several times before. I couldn’t send merely children out to fight and defend the village, I had to help them- allow them to grow and become capable before such a twist of events scarred our world again. I couldn’t afford to lose the village again – not now. My loss to Akira hadn’t put me down, no. It drove me to do better. The day would come where I would tear the sword back from his grasp, and I would be the one permitting his life to continue. I had several other things I wanted to attain – but time seemed to be growing shorter by the minute, each moment passing as quickly as the last. As I rose both of my hands to cross my chest, I chose to close my eyes, allowing each little concern and worry to float away as if it was nothing. Needless to say, his previous offer had concerned me slightly, and it carried on, playing on my thoughts continuously.

"..I'll do my best.
My village may not be as populated as others but with the people I have, I'll be sure to work with them to develop each one in to capable enough shinobi."

My almost innocent blue eyes dangerously averted to his own, the playful disposition I'd previously shown replaced for one laced in seriousness.

"If you plan on keeping me safe; Keep in mind that I'm their leader and I won't back down if my home is threatened."

"As of today, your protection extends to the village as well, when necessary."

Again, my devotion knew no bounds, and again, neither did my boldness. As I spoke such words, my tone had again become gentler, but so determined. Had there not been a single person to command him- Kouketsku Uchiha, to do something for someone else, then I was the first. As I stared him down to emphasize my point, I was sure that he understood how feisty I could be. If in the near future the village would be under attack, I'd expect him not only to consider me, but instead, the entire village. Even if I was unable - even if I was dragged to another country by him, I wouldn't let them suffer. Perhaps it was a fool to think that a captain surely did go down with his ship, but if such an occasion arose, then I wasn't going to desert the place that I had worked so hard to save. He had his terms, and I had my own.

Although I doubted that whatever plan he was orchestrating would fail, in the occasion that it would and everything would backfire upon him- upon all of us involved, I'd want my shinobi ready enough to protect themselves and to protect the village on a whim if it was required, whilst at the same time minimizing the amount of deaths. Of course, I had to gauge my actions on my own limitations but I had to make them prepared. Reaching forward as he held both gloves in a single hand, I sought to take one in my own gloved grasp. At the moment I was unsure of involving my own village in his plans but I was sure- I knew that by the time that would come, we'd be ready for anything that would come our way. Quite content with the task that was given to me to some degree, I simply hoped that more opportunities would come up in the near future to distract myself with. But opportunities- "..Takigakure?" I'd speak, slightly surprised, my expression reflecting this. The last I'd heard of Takigakure, it.. it had been destroyed. Had Kouketsu been the reason why that had been revived? Or had he simply befriended its keepers?

"To some degree?" I quoted him in an inquiring tone.

"..What allies have you there?"

I held my pose with my arms crossed, eyes ravenously watching as he partially removed his mask to reveal the crimson eye, surrounded by blemish-free skin, the.. shock of that too being so strange. Had he permitted me to take ahold of one of his gloves, I'd then pull at the fingers slightly as I spoke, although by far with not enough force to break the material. However- as my thoughts returned to what he'd just said, even with so much to see, I continued to try and feed my curiosity. Just who had he contacted within Takigakure in order to gauge them as trustworthy enough to depend on? Placing the single glove on the metallic counter to my left, I'd then cross my arms again, the same smug smirk on my lips.

[/font][/justify][/blockquote]

[NARRATOR]

His masked remained where it was, revealing nothing more than his Sharingan eye; it was as if he was frozen in time as he listened to Blanche speak, sifting through her words with profound surgical precision. It was almost as if a small war was being waged between them each and every time they spoke, with neither folding beneath the relentless pressure of their enemy. Countless lives were lost as each syllable spilled from their lips, crashing against each other with all the fervor of a battling dragons; thunder strikes, each blow, as blood was spilled and the battlefield was painted red.

Her friend, however, had hand enough of the fight. "But of course, my dear. Ensuring your safety entitles your village, as well." He was amused at her dedication to such a shoddy, burnt out husk of an establishment. While Kusagakure did have potential-- as every village did, especially those of lesser stature --it was buried beneath years and generations of decadence and decrepit ideals. Blanche was a budding flower, entirely unique when compared to all those who had come before her.

The phantom simply intended to ensure she grew fully. "That is also why I intend to help you bolster your forces. Believe me when I tell you that numbers truly mean nothing in the face of skill and resolve; I have seen things, what many of you would call miracles, occur multiple times in my lifetime." Indeed, Kusagakure's forces were incredibly scarce. However, this would lead them to fight with more determination than most. A man with his back against the wall tends to fight more violently than one with several others protecting him. "Besides, a leader is only as strong as their weakest soldier. A good leader, however, have no weak soldiers in their army."

Finally, the mask was removed and tuck into his sash.

"As for Takigakure, I recently placed two associates of mine in power there. They have their orders, and have already begun restabilizing the village and building its armed forces." Associates wasn't even the proper word. Youka and Asato were more like two stray dogs, love-bound and focused on nothing more than survival. Kouketsu was no fool, and knew that they-- or, perhaps just Asato (being as how his lover seemed to actually understand, even if only in the slightest) --would betray him at the first sign of opportunity. However, they weren't fools; only mutts looking to be put down early dare bite the hand that feeds them. If anything, the power he possessed was enough to ensure their obedience for the time being. "However, they don't know of our plans, and I intend to keep it that way. It makes things... less complicated, to say the least."

Tilting his neck, causing several pops to reverberated from beneath the flesh, Kouketsu smirked in self-reflection. This was the first time he'd revealed his face to anyone in nearly a decade; odd that it would be Blanche, of all people. Then again, was it truly? With all that they would be going through together, hiding behind a simplistic porcelain construct seemed childish. Still, her expression was intriguing. "What's wrong, Blanche? Were you expecting some deformed, mutation of a man to be hiding beneath the mask?" The distance between them seemed so small, and reaching forward, his right hand would idly toy with some of her golden, silky hair before cradling the curve of her cheek in his palm.

"Or were you expecting something a little more extravagant?" His smirk turned into a teasing grin, rolling his thumb over the smooth, milky skin. "I'd hate to have disappointed you."

[Apple]

As he revealed that he’d be able to help protect the village if required, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Whilst I did trust my shinobi to be able to defend heroically, I needed to invest my time in making them more ready for such situations. However, when the time came when I’d need some help, I was glad that I now had his support. I too was owed by Soratsu himself, but – with such a connection broken through Kouketsu’s own hands and a hazy future befalling myself due to my involvement with the man, I wasn’t sure of what he would think. But.. hadn’t he worked beside him during the second shinobi war? He’d showed himself to be a changed man to some degree over the past few meetings I’d had with him – But was this some façade? Content with the man’s reply, I’d again allow my hands to drop to my hips as I listened, although I too would cut through his own words with my commentry. "I refuse to push my shinobi towards a war that they cannot win - my people will be prepared by then. I promise." Again a reflection of my passion for the village, I couldn't let my people out to fight when they had little survival rate due to untrained skills. Even if it meant training them myself; I'd do it to assure their own development. But now- as he spoke of Takigakure and his work there, I’d nod a single time in understanding. Had I known that Takigakure had restablished itself I’d have approached it to confirm neutrality between both villages, but I assumed that it was something to keep in mind for the future. With no word of Sunagakure’s affiliation it was made clear that his days of working with my brother, Soratsu and others had ended at the brilliant dusk of the second shinobi war. With this new generation, as so to say, of conspirators, came myself and the unknown accomplices in Takigakure. I didn’t doubt that I’d have to meet them at some point. If the village was advancing as well as Kouketsu spoke, then I’d need to make my own presence known to them soon. However – as anyone else out to please, I wanted to make sure that they didn’t expand as quickly nor as efficiently as my own village. Perhaps it could be seen as simply competition, but even that was healthy in small doses.

"I don't doubt the fact that it would be best for me to visit the both of them to propose neutrality between our nations - but rest assured;

They won't be informed."

It was understandable enough. But then again, it would be better for me to visit in order to make sure that we wouldn't get in the way of each other in our struggle to ascend the ranks of our villages. However where the matter of our plans came in to line, with the terms he'd previously listed to me, I was prepared to follow them for my own sake too, although I was in understanding of why he would outline such things. Exhaling, I'd watch as he'd then move his hand further around his mask, pulling it off in its entirety, revealing skin so smooth, dangerously unparalleled to the age that he had reached. It simply led me to wonder how he could attain such an appearance, although, given the fact that he was a man of many mysteries, I should have expected it. And then such words, such playful words tinged my mind, causing me to smirk in response. I admitted to the fact that I was attracted- not to him, but the possibilities that could come from my affiliation - wealth and fame among many things but power being the most prominent. I wasn't in love, merely infatuated with the concept of supremacy. Even now as I responded as playfully as he had, my own gloved hand delicately entwining the one that had been positioned on my cheek, I felt intoxicated on ideas and concepts alone, causing my actions to reflect this.

”Dissapointed? No.
Merely.."

"To see you so.. so human, without that mask..

..Is an interesting sight.”

[/b][/color][/center]
As he revealed his face further - so many desirable traits came to mind Youthfulness was something which I did my best to attain. Although, at my current age of 28, I looked as youthful as someone approaching their early twenties, at a statuesque height with perhaps the perfect hourglass figure, lithe waist, and a stunning face. I was fully aware of my appearance and it had aided several of my conquests in the past. Keeping my hand softly positioned on his own, my fingers seeking to invade any spaces in his grasp, I'd try to wonder how he could preserve his appearance. I was unsure of his true age; but he appeared as youthful as myself. As I gazed on, both eyes perhaps more highlighted when combined with his skin and not a porcelain creation, I'd see it as perhaps not a sacrifice, but a step. For years now the man surely had been hiding behind it, and I felt.. strangely honoured to be able to view the truth, although given such circumstances, I deserved it at the least. The blonde hair that he had been playing with having now been lain back down, I'd push my hair away with my free hand, shifting my feet slightly from their place.

"Perhaps you and I are not so different after all, Kouketsu."

[/size][/font][/justify][/blockquote]

[NARRATOR]

"But what else would I be?" Kouketsu's devious little smirked continued to slither across his face, extending from ear to ear now. He'd always wondered what rumors were other lurking around in the shadows since his sudden disappearance; he'd lost count after the second year. Wielding such a terrible power as his, he could completely understand how someone's overactive imagination might lead them to believing he'd become some horrific, terrible beast.

Purely rumors, of course. Powerful as he was, Kouketsu was fortunate enough to retain his standard appearance. Aside from his unique dual-colored eyes, you wouldn't be able to separate him from your average civilian. Honestly, he preferred it that way.

Sensually thumbing her plush bottom lip with full strokes, his grin turned into a toothy smile as her fingers intertwined with his own. Now, this was certainly... odd. Was Blanche trying to connect with him? Perhaps on a deeper scale already binding them together? Of course, it would make sense (considering the situation, and what was to come), but he'd be lying if he said that it wasn't interesting how her personality shifted. From a rabid bitch to a tender, beautiful goddess, all in the time it took you to blink your eye.

What a marvelous creature, indeed.

"Chakra is a truly splendid source of energy." Suddenly, but with a careful tenderness, he drew her in close. "Unfortunately for me, I came to find out that I don't... age as well as you do, my lovely Blanche. However, when I awakened my new eyes, I learned something-- I learned that, like you, I too can draw chakra from a variety of sources." The thumbing of her lips continued, albeit more sensually. "Just as you could probably pull every bit of chakra from me with but a single kiss, I can... dismantle jutsu of various sorts, regardless of their element. My body harnesses the chakra and revitalizes itself, keeping me in, what you people would call, my prime."

"Admittedly, I don't think that I've unlocked all of the power that these new eyes can bestow upon me." Two very different eyes swam in her much lighter pair, almost as if they were hungrily searching for something. The arm's worth of distance between them all but vanished with a single step forward, shrinking into negligible inches; they were so close she would be able to feel his breath, and he hers. "Who knows what I may become should I unlock their full potential."

[Apple]

His response was perhaps all-too knowingly modest, and in response to this sense of satire which leaked from his question, I smirked. I was sure that he himself knew better than any of how warped his character had become in the eyes of others through the actions during the second shinobi war. Average man turned thing of nightmares in the matter of a few years, he’d caused so much destruction across the world that he couldn’t possibly have been human, let alone have any humane qualities- and yet here he was, his thumb delicately gliding across my skin. Of course – I had seen two sides of him up until this very moment, and although I felt so.. deeply inebriated, I managed to keep ahold of myself enough to wonder if this entire display was simply a front. I had little to no clue, although I still stood, mind swinging hazardously as I gazed at his eyes, chronically submerged. I fled to the surface in search of air – anything that could allow myself further clarity in this situation, but I remained weighed down, unable to shift, and although my concerns, I was content enough to sink. As he began to speak again, the silence in the compound broken through his voice, as he brought me in, I felt suddenly overwhelmed with a craving to feed. Whilst I managed to keep myself in check the majority of the time, I blamed my thirst for power on my Akadou roots, and being so close to what was perhaps one of the finest chakra sources in the entire land was simply torturous. With such a vampiric desire I stood and did my best to listen to him, the thumping in my head growing louder and louder as I continued to imagine the feast that his chakra would produce.

"My body harnesses the chakra and revitalizes itself, keeping me in, what you people would call, my prime."

"..Had it not been a manifestation of that then I'd have asked you to show me."



"..Immortal youth is so.. desirable..

..I hope you're aware than I'm envious."

I admitted to this in the trance-like state that I’d been wrapped in to, my hand still enclosed over his even in this short distance, using each little part of myself that I could to stop myself from engorging on his chakra. But it was so simply to go ahead and do so – too simple. Even though it wouldn’t restore myself of the youth that I still wished for, it produced a sensation similar to a high, or at least to me it was- and whilst I was aware that consuming too much chakra could place extreme stress on the body, similar to having too little, it was exhilarating, and that’s what drew me in now in such close proximity to the man. Turning my head away from his as we now stood together, my own positioned to the side of his, I readied myself to respond to him, a soft, subtle laugh escaping my lips. From the man-made light of the compound, such rays of light shone down on the both of us, highlighting the perhaps slightly dazed appearance that had taken over me, as well as the smooth skin of the Uchiha's face. Whilst I was now partially unable to see his front, I could now, however, view the back of the room, which allowed me to freely float in my thoughts. And I had to force myself to remain my neutral pose, else I'd have attempted to drain the man of his energy minutes ago. Biting at me sharply, I curbed my natural enthusiasm to satiate myself on chakra, and instead moved my head back, to gaze back at his eyes- specifically to the one he spoke so keenly of.

"..I'm sure that you'll be able to harness them fully in due time."

"I wouldn't worry.
It's not as if you don't have enough time.
Just don't let it overwhelm you."

"Because if you do.. ..I doubt I'd be able to get you to stop."

Perhaps for the first time in our entire conversation, I spoke from the heart, breathing out my words of anxiousness as if they were little more than air. Although I was wary of the circumstances that befell the both of us and soon enough the entire shinobi world, I soon would have so much more to think about now - to be concerned about, and I couldn't afford to have him drunk on his own power beyond control. Even now I still grasped as his hand, strained from having to negate my leeching abilities from being spontaneously used, and although hypocritical in the sense that I loved the rush of chakra and the momentum that power could give oneself, in the future I didn't want to fall victim to the very eyes that reflected back in my own. Whether or not the same eyes would resurface again in years to come was beyond my knowledge - but for the time being, I urged him to pace himself, for not his own, but my sake. Repositioning my head to be placed again on the side of his, my blonde hair tumbled down behind me, entwining around his arms and hands in the closeness that enveloped us both.

..But I still craved, my hand growing slightly tighter around his own as I repressed it.
Now wasn't the time.

[/font][/justify][/blockquote]

[NARRATOR]

Fortunately for Kouketsu, his absorption methods didn't come with any addictive side-effects. While it wasn't confirmed or even truly looked into, it was always theorized that those of the Akadou clan had an unnatural... hunger, due to their absorptive nature. Potent energy sources-- or, more specifically, sources that they weren't strong enough to subdue themselves --was like strapping down a drug addict and dangling their vice a fraction of an inch away from them; just close enough for them to taste it, but not enough to get a high.

Blanche had the same glazed, ravenous look in her eyes that Uekyuuchi had. He could see the fire, the desire, burning inside of her; he could feel the need quaking in every bone inside her body. The tensing of her hand around his won simply solidified everything that he'd suspected about her from the moment he laid eyes on her pretty little blond head. It seemed that an insatiable lust for power extended well beyond her power's mentality.

"Perhaps we aren't." Flames and heat attracted each other, no matter the catalyst or ingredients used. The explosion from a jutsu and the explosive from a "note" were, admittedly, delivered quite differently but resulted in the same devouring chaos. Of course, his plans involving Blanche were intricate; more intricate and complex than he was willing to share (for the time being), but he would be lying if he said her drive, ambition, and the ferocity of her will hadn't attracted him to her. While, perhaps, a spitting image of her brother-- in more than one way --she was undoubtedly different in many others.

More over, they both had what they other wanted.

Fortunately for Blanche, on the other hand, the man she'd become quite good acquaintances with had what she needed in such vast supply. Kouketsu's level of chakra was unfathomable - much larger than Blanche's empty belly could handle, even if she ate her fill for several days, to say the least.

"You're hungry, aren't you?" The hand wrapped around her own slipped through her own, pushing forward just enough to entangle his fingers in her mess of silky gold and force her to look at him. "If we hadn't gotten so close, I might've forgotten that you were a leech like Uekyuuchi." Despite his words, they weren't delivered with any malice or intent to hurt her; it was simply what many of the people in the world called her kind. "Your heart rate-- even the blood in your veins... Are you excited, Blanche?"

Then, quite simply, he released her. Turning, he walked off, further into the compound. "I imagine it's been a while since you've had a satisifying meal, yes?" A glance over his shoulder revealed a devious smirk; it was a dark, telling smirk. "Lucky for you, I've no problem with giving you a taste of real power. Just be careful not to bite off more than you can chew... Come."

[Apple]

Having had my head lean so softly on the top of his shoulder, I could sense the chakra rushing through his body as I, cruelly, could only play the spectator to such a tantalizing display of power. Whilst I didn’t bear any particular chakra-sensing abilities through lineage, years and years of co-working with the equally ravenous blade Samehada had warped my vision, and although I couldn’t see chakra as a tangible thing as others could, I could taste it – in the air, during battle, and now so agonizingly, on the skin of the man that I embraced. From what I could read in such close proximity, it was.. beyond measure. Whilst I myself bore quite an extended pool, I.. couldn’t comprehend exactly how much was hidden beneath his secrecy. There was something so temptingly unique about it, and the longer I stayed close, my cheek now gently pressing against his own, the more I needed it. Through such close proximity to what seemed to be an endless supply of chakra, it only dangerously rekindled the hunger which I’d managed to partially suppress, allowing my craving to combust in full force, burning my entire body with its unsatisfied wrath.

"You're hungry, aren't you?"

I felt so.. light-headed. Alike a person who had been declined food and water for days on end and now faced with exactly what they desired most, I felt famished from having abused what only came natural to my family for so long, what had come natural to me all of those years ago. His words, soft and inquisitive provoked my silent response. As I prepared myself to siphon his body of chakra, my lips almost inadvertently touching the area of his neck that was uncovered, he’d move away so.. harshly, taking ahold of my hand and drawing my head away from his neck so that it now hungrily gazed back directly to his mismatched eyes. I felt so.. wrong, appearing so desperate before him but I was- the need tore at me and tore at me, itching for me to go forwards and take what I needed most, becoming worse each passing moment that we shared contact, the long trails of blonde hair almost fully hiding his hand, even in the vivid white glow of the compound. And then, with no response from myself bar from the expression which I’d developed, he began to speak again, this time speaking of my brother once more, and the heritage which we had both shared. I was unsure if he had shared the same need that I had, or if owning the infamous blade Samehada had simply amplified the natural needs of my family to an unhealthy extent, having been constantly fed by the sword’s supply. Exactly like the leeches that we were so judgingly named, we clung on to any living form that we could find to suck it clean of chakra; the energy within them that allowed them to keep going, and alike a leech, having found a suitable force, I wished for nothing more than to engorge myself on his vast supply of chakra until it hurt. Parasitic in nature, Kouketsu would clearly see the famine that lingered in my eyes, and pushing my blonde hair back with my free hand, I’d continue to listen to him in hopes that he allowed me to succumb to my weakness.

"I imagine it's been a while since you've had a satisifying meal, yes?"



I exhaled a "..Yes." so delicately, the air carrying my blunt answer to his ears.

And then, before we parted grasp, my own figure by then having been clinging on to his to merely sample the remnants of chakra that lingered around his form, our connection was cut and as I ceased to taste such strong chakra in the air around me. I longingly turned my eyes to face the direction that he was going, as I felt my body responding to the sudden break, pushing me forwards towards him in search of consuming the gargantuan chakra signal that it had previously been so unbearably close to. Almost unrecognizable to myself by now through such a thick, desperate haze of hunger. I could hear my heels cross the room to re approach him and I could feel my gloved fingers dancing atop the metallic tables that I passed, though no movements were truly my own, such steps now fueled by my chakra-induced starvation and the desire to satisfy it.

It wouldn't be long now.

[/font][/justify][/blockquote]

[KEITH]

+50 - Apple

[/justify][/font]

[NARRATOR]

The handful of weeks following their strange encounter, which seemed worthy enough of marking as a turning point in their "relationship," was filled to the brim with more just like it. Blanche's hunger was even more insatiable than he originally gave her credit for. She'd drank in him until she was well beyond full, greedily devouring all that he dared offer. Of course, it wouldn't have been fun had he simply given her all of what she needed; he made a game out of teasing her with it, especially when she seemed famished the most. Her vampiric nature added a unique spin on their blossoming situation, and he saw no reason to let it go to waste.

Donning his usual dark attire, the masked phantom appeared at the heart of the compound without so much as a whisper of wind. Idly, he glanced at the slew of machines lining the walls, admiring the odd shadows cast upon them from the artificial lights above; odd how such a beautiful, sunshine-esque woman like Blanche could favor a gloomy establishment like this.

Walking closer to one of the chambers, he casually drummed his gloved fingers along the glass. "How have you been?" he asked, knowing she was close enough to hear him. "I hope gorging yourself on my reserves haven't had any ill side-effects?"

He'd made sure to pay extra attention to her after each session, simply to make sure that nothing happened. Perhaps chakra was just that, but he knew better than anyone how unique he was. The last thing he needed was to poison his dear Kusakage, or overpower her with the ocean of might coddled within him. And though he hadn't noticed anything too unfortunate, spare for the aches and pains she suffered when eating far too much, he didn't see a problem with digging a little deeper.

Continuing to drum his fingers on the cylinder's glass wall, he glanced over his shoulder. "And is there any news, or progress, on the other front?"

[Apple]

"How have you been?"

[/i] of gold, unnaturally suspended behind her as she pottered about within the compound. Of course- naturally, she’d sensed his presence before she’d even turned to face him. By now, several meetings had taken place in the compound, and although unsettling at first how easy he seemed to find her, it had, across the last few weeks, become common place, and so as the masked figure made his mysterious entrance to the place, she didn’t stir, or budge in response, instead taking her time to put down a metallic object that she’d been working on, before turning. In one glorious movement she’d turn on her heel, hair flicking beautifully almost as if it had been carried so softly alongside her during her short movement. Where before such mind-consuming behaviour had been reintroduced to her, she had already stood as a beautiful woman with long golden hair and flawless skin, however, now as she gazed over at the Uchiha, one could truly bask in her heightened beauty, her body seething with not only her own chakra, but that of another. Whilst such a unique reserve had undoubtedly expanded her own power for only a temporary while, it was her appearance which had seemed to be effected most. Standing like some supernatural, golden beacon in a dark world, the woman silently exhaled her breaths, plump, shining lips accompanied by almost glowing skin. Her eyes, although clearer, brighter and bluer than ever, seemed somehow.. tired.[/ul]

And I could feel it all- the mass of chakra that currently swam around freely in my body. I felt almost hypnotized by its presence alone, but despite the gentle warmth that radiated from my core and the feeling of comfort that followed it, it diminished all too soon. Allowing my arms to drop to either side, I slowly approached the form, drawn by the tantalizing aura that surrounded him like a fish to water, although – narrowing my eyes slightly, I’d suppress my desire so agonizingly and ground myself where I was, dropping my hands to my hips. As he questioned me, with the same drained expression I looked over at him, unable to contain it for much longer. ”..Please..” I murmured, almost gritting my teeth as I spoke, the chakra within me instantly pooling to my hands as I subconsciously prepared myself to feed. It had only been.. a few days since I’d last leeched all that I could from him, but although even now, my body writhing with a foreign and more potent chakra, I could feel it slowly diminishing, and although not a physical pain, it tortured me, as did its owner. I felt so … pitiful to be asking, to be begging, but I needed it as much as I required air right now, exhausted from recent sickness. However, as quickly as this moment of weakness had overcome me, I chose to do my best at ignoring the chakra that so tentatively circulated around his body and the nagging, prodding feeling that came with it, although, as beautiful and radiant I felt from such leeching, it couldn’t balance out the devastating low that came with the crash. Anxiousness set in and I had too much to think about right now. Currently on such a period and coupled with the illness I’d contacted, I desperately sought the only thing that promised me at least a few day’s worth of euphoric bliss. I could feel the hunger beginning to surface in me again, and each moment of its wrath was raw and painful.

"And is there any news, or progress, on the other front?"



"..I'm fine.
I'm fine, Kouketsu.

I feel fine."

I spoke softly, so determined to convince myself.

Allowing my form to glide closer to him, each and every footstep accompanied by a golden blaze of hair swaying behind me, I then crossed my arms, blue eyes now perhaps slightly more.. sturdily reflecting in his own.

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[NARRATOR]

The phantom chuckled. "You give yourself too much credit. You're far less fine than you think, Blanche. Even I can see that." Turning fully to face her, the mask dipped off to the side as his head tilted. "It's taking a lot out of you; I doubt you'd be able to even walk right now if I didn't feed you as constantly as I do." Indeed, the illness was taking its toll, whether she wanted to admit it or not. It wouldn't be too much longer before her closest shinobi started asking questions, of which the two of them would need to assemble believable answers. They were both quite lucky, honestly.

Stepping closer, the glove on his right hand was removed. "These are probably the most important times, Blanche. They will set everything else in to motion. This is where you need to be the most careful; excessive work, especially work that you can pawn off on others, shouldn't be done. We don't need to be taking unnecessary risks." Lovingly, he cradled her face in his palm, stroking her cheek. "If you're tired, then rest."

He noticed something else in her eyes, though. That same, ravenous hunger. "But, at the same time, I can't afford to deny you... Can I?" Another sly chuckle slipped from beneath the mask, all the while his hand shifted. Gliding the pad of his index finger over her lips, he eased the digit into her mouth, resting against the bed of her tongue. "Go ahead, dear. You haven't been fed today, and I know grumpy you can be when you're hungry."

Unfortunately for Blanche, she wouldn't be gorging herself as per usual. He was simply giving her enough to erase the tiredness from her expression; he hated seeing her like that. It was pathetic. The sweet taste of his chakra would drowned her senses for several moments before he would remove his finger, once again covering shielding the hand with its glove. Undoubtedly glancing at the Blanche he'd come to admire, radiant and glowing like one of God's finest angels, he'd nod.

"I'm surprised you haven't developed a handful of techniques involving your magnificent hair, Blanche." Collecting several coils, he lightly rolled and adjusted the silken lengths. "I imagine they'd be rather deadly, especially in your hands."

[Apple]

As he admitted to the truth that I simply didn’t have the courage to submit to, my eyes flickered downwards towards the tiled floor for merely a minute, before moving back up towards his masked countenance. Even now as I deeply felt the requirement to siphon his chakra again to rid of me of these .. feelings, I felt somewhat hurt, however, that he thought that I was so weak. Usually, his chakra gave me a good few days worth of elation, but given that I'd been worrying, it had been cut painfully short. I was exhausted, to say the least, but it didn’t mean that I was incapable of walking, I could do so much more than that but he’d simply caught me at my worst. Through what momentary anger, or annoyance I’d previously felt, my senses perked up slightly as he too approached me in turn, peeling away the black fabric from his hand and revealing his unscarred skin, as my heart began to beat faster and faster with each slow, time-consuming step that he took. With my increasing rush of adrenaline came too a moment of heightened emotion, my thoughts expressed fully as he began to speak once more, lecturing me on my own actions, prompting my expression to change to that of clear irritation in the blink of en eye.

"These are probably the most important times, Blanche. They will set everything else in to motion ... .... ....We don't need to be taking unnecessary risks."



”-DON'T YOU THINK I ALREADY KNOW THAT?!”

I snapped such words to him in a fiery, emotional tone, my words stripped down to the raw foundation. As I raised my voice, the delicate curls of the golden hair which fell from my crown seemed to stand on end, emphasizing my burst of emotion greatly with its gallant display. His words brought back things that I had rather not acknowledge at this point in time, and merely the way that he spoke of risks terrified me to the very core, fear very much visible on my expression as I shouted. To say the least, he didn't understand, at all. He'd been informed, to .. soften the blow if the worst occurred, but even then, through him not understanding I felt guilt over having shouted at him - I was right. He didn't understand, but at the same time, I couldn't expect for him to. I could have cried merely recollecting at this stage but keeping myself as composed as I could, as I knew that he would give in to my hunger soon and all this would be gone.. for the time being. As his own flesh collided with my own in a gentle embrace, cupping my face as he always did, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to relax, my soft breath soon hitting his skin as I exhaled.

"..I'm sorry.."

Gliding the pad of his index finger of her lips, he eased the digit into her mouth, resting against the bed of her tongue.

And with that one, quick movement my Akadou heritage rerouted itself and pooled at my mouth, beginning to drain the man of his chakra. Whilst usually incapable of draining much, due to his own being in perhaps all too generous a supply, it seemed to be leeched much easier- and more in quantity than it would an average shinobi. My eyes closed and heart and head still rushing and rushing to keep up with the chakra that was being seeped in to my already overflowing supply, such a moment would cease as I felt his finger soon leave my mouth. I struggled to keep ahold of myself for a moment or so after the procedure, my hand reaching out to press against his shoulder to keep my balance as I nearly stumbled, not resembling an overfed leech in any sense as far as my appearance was concerned, but it reflected in my actions. I felt dizzy - and so.. peaceful, the relieved, satisfied smile returning to my face as he began to toy with my hair, the expression of tiredness now almost alien to my face, as I retained slightly more of a glow to my complexion. I silently thanked him, my own right hand rising to entwine within the almost endless threads of golden hair, whilst the left curled around his own hand.

"..I'd.. contemplated it a while ago.."

I whispered this as if he was the only one to hear.

I had my ways of being able to make people seem like they were the only ones in my eyes the very moment I began to speak to them - and now wasn't an exception, although I inadvertently displayed my talents as I so warmly gazed on at him, my stance somewhat unstable.

"..I figured that it would prove as a useful defense - and offense, although I don't doubt it would take months - years to perfect."

"I may attempt it when I have time.

I'm so busy these days."

[/right]

Although the situation that I spoke of was true, partially to blame for the state I'd been in merely minutes ago, I spoke in such a playful, almost flirtatious tone, much unlike the paranoid and concerned one I'd relentlessly shouted at him with. I had so many things to arrange between the other villages any myself, and having had several teams begin to develop in the village as I'd hoped from the very start, it gave me more things to do; more paperwork to fill out, and more nights to do overtime. Whilst I didn't have a guided time to work with being Kage, I had a timetable that I almost religiously stuck to, however with much more of a workload with this growing trade and life within the village, I had more on my plate to deal with than I had previously. However - it wasn't anything that I couldn't handle, and I simply hoped that Kouketsu was more than aware of that. Fatigue was simply.. a minor drawback that I had to deal with.

Why did he insist that I wasn't fine? I failed to relate.

..I felt perfect.

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[NARRATOR]

Though she couldn't see it, her was smirking. Blanche's outburst hadn't even startled him, let alone hurt his feelings. Beyond her circumstance, she was a woman; their emotions were rather fickle, and just as they could be utterly happy in one moment... They could, on the drop of a dime, be distraught and filled with rage in the next. While he didn't favor that kind of behavior, he didn't mind it; he'd learned to simply shrug ordeals such as that off quite casually. "There's no need to apologize, Blanche. But, I forgive you."

Releasing the golden coils from his fingers, the hand that once tampered with her hair snaked around to the small of her back. The other hand, wrapped firmly with her own, extended out to the side as he put their bodies in motion. "I don't mean to lecture or pester you, and I don't seek to undermine your abilities or strength. I know, better than anyone else, that you are far beyond capable." Dancing to the soundless rhythm, his eyes searched hers. "But, I have a habit of worrying. I have seen how troublesome it can be. And, I can't say it enough-- you are invaluable; irreplaceable."

Holding her close to his robed body, their curves and definition melding into a single seam of perfection, he continued to glide her across the compound's tile floor. "So, there's no need to take it as an insult. We are beyond that, aren't we? I'd imagine so, after all we've been through thus far. I have no interest in belittling you or your skills, Blanche." His eyes lit up with the smile his mask obscured. "And in exchange, I will mind how I speak to you."

Glancing over her shoulder, he envied her hair once more, remembering what she'd said. "I highly encourage you to do just that," he cooed. "I'm sure that you could think of some rather devious techniques, yes? I've heard of some shinobi possessing this ability, though they are rare and few between. I'll try and find some records of their techniques later today, to give you a rough idea of what you'll need to do." Finding them wouldn't be that difficult. "What do you have on your agenda for the rest of the day, after our lovely waltz?"

[Apple]

As his hand lingered beneath mine, I felt almost drunk on the addition that I’d been gifted only moment ago, and from this feeling of intoxication came some feeling of dizziness, although not enough to turn my stomach or place myself in the daze. It allowed me to feel as if I hung somewhere between reality and a different, spectral plane, my movements quite coordinated, but at the same time, a mystery to even myself at times. I felt him touch the bottom of my spine as the entire compound around me then began to twist and turn as she began to move, my own spare hand ever so naturally untangling itself from my hair, and then carefully landing near the back of the man’s neck, steadying myself as both of our figures began to revolve around the cleared floor of the room, his own form guiding mine, which was understandable enough seeing as even now I felt my head beginning to spin even faster than it already had done, my pulse not erratic, but definitely faster, although, it was partially to blame from the chakra that I had been so insistent to gain. Looking back now.. I couldn’t remember much of how I had felt, my mind now hazed over with so much.. Stifling a strange, unexpected laugh, I’d continue to spin, allowing my lithe form to grow close to his. Nonetheless with this close proximity, my feet moved seamlessly to match his own.

"But, I have a habit of worrying. I have seen how troublesome it can be. And, I can't say it enough-- you are invaluable; irreplaceable."

"..Kouketsu.."

I whispered so softly to him, cooing a gentle shh to his ears, almost in some attempt to ease his concerns.

"I expect you to worry."



"..Because I do, too."

Despite my words being poignant and even with a slight tinge of sadness to them, a small smile crept on to my face as I finished, my eyes gazing almost touchingly in to his own. The soft breeze created caressing the only visible portion of my skin, perhaps it was merely the chakra which had already begun to numb my mind with its cloying shape which resulted in such bittersweet words, or simply that I didn't want to admit it to the finest of details. Either way, I closed my eyes and allowed his own movements to guide mine as I now blindly traversed the room, shining, lengthly blonde hair flicking about in the soft wind formed. He'd have known up to now just how gentle I could be, and the words I'd just murmured to him were no exception, my tone as sweet and supple as honey itself, drizzling over his ears. The smile still on my face I opened my eyes to him again after a few endless moments of dancing, preparing to respond to the second part of his chosen words, doing my best to keep my balance in our whirlwind embrace.

Where my hair was concerned - he spoke of later so carefully, although at the moment, I simply wanted to stay here, forever locked in this time and space with little to no change. Everything just felt so harmonious, the lights of the atrium now dulled as I moved, proving soft and comforting to my eyes, and my mind- my thoughts so brief and uncomplicated. I chose to close in on him, making our waltz slightly more difficult as I chose to lean my golden head on his shoulder, my own heeled feet slowing our parallel action down considerably, but managed not to ruin the peace that had enveloped this entire moment. Calm. As moments of silence passed, as I clearly stood overwhelmed by it all, I soon grasped my senses again, and chose to reply to him with a nod of my head. "..I appreciate it." I told him, my choice of words still slim, but nonetheless meaningful. Continuing to cling my thin figure to him, my arm still outstretched, I breathed in the faint trace of his chakra, which it itself kept me in my current place, despite my body already exceeding my limits to the extent where it hurt. It didn't stop me, however. But as I moved in this overfed state, lethargy hit and frankly, I had no energy to further satiate myself - the hunger was gone for now. It had rendered me somewhat sleepy if anything, my mind still dazed as I collected my words.

"What do you have on your agenda for the rest of the day, after our lovely waltz?"

"How chivalrous of you to interest yourself in my schedule."

The same playful tone of voice could be clearly be heard as I introduced the topic once more, tilting my head slightly as I watched the entire compound slowly become more and more clear to my ever-adjusting eyes.

"..I have a few meetings to go to; Today, mainly village appearance. Horticulture and so on, a few errands to run. ..Paperwork..

..Nothing out of the ordinary, you'd be pleased to know."

My head releasing itself from his shoulder, permitting me to share my gaze with his own, the copious amount of additional chakra in my body proved enough to draw me away from him momentarily.

"..Hey."

Pause.

"..Am I truly that irreplaceable?"

To say the least, it was somewhat unexpected.

I spoke honestly, albeit playfully, my mind still tranquilized. I .. simply wondered sometimes, and although I knew, even now in my placid state, that he'd reply with a yes or some inclination that I was. Such brilliant, baby blue eyes kept ahold of the gaze I'd fixed on him, this time hungry not for the chakra that he had and which I had readily been all too content to consume, but instead- the answer I sought.

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[NARRATOR]

Even as their dance slowed, becoming seemingly more stagnant with each passing moment, the pair never once lost their rhythm. To and fro, ebb and flow, their steps were perfectly synchronized; it was as if some invisible pair of hands were guiding the two, gliding them across the Compound's smooth floor as if they were floating. For some reason, he held her close; closer than he should have, considering their arrangement. Perhaps, even if he didn't want to admit it, she was more important than even he realized -- his unbreakable love for Ue was unrelenting, but in the face of his sister, it had changed.

Changed into something more potent; changed for the better.

But was she really as irreplaceable as he so willingly said she was? Honestly, he'd never truly thought on the matter. More often than not, words simply spilled from his mouth, leaking from beneath the mask like a venomous mist. However, the phantom found himself contemplating his statements before delivering them; he found himself genuinely appreciating Blanche's talents, from her adamant will to survive to her headstrong personality that had spear-headed Kusagkaure's rise to power. She was more impressive than even he was willing to fully admit, but he would not neglect a compliment when it was due.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, Blanche. You should know me better than that, by now." The truth? She was that special -- that irreplaceable. While he could have quite easily carried out the more intricate details of his plan with a number of people, he'd chosen her; no, something had chose her for him. Like a moth to the flame, it seemed as though any other option paled in comparison to the potential lying so peacefully dormant inside of her. It was a potential that he planned to harvest in full, and then usher into the world in a glorious adisplay.

His eyes, for the first time, were soft. "If we're being honest, Blanche, despite our situation being... rather unique, and unconventional, I don't think there is another woman on the planet who could stomach the raw truth." Then hand he'd placed so delicately at the small of her back appeared once again, cradling the woman's gorgeous face as it had done so many times before that moment. "I am quite lucky to have found you, and quite honored for you to have chosen to aid me in this conquest."

He leaned in closer, so that the mask gently slide against her cheek as he moved to her ear. There, he whispered, "And I don't imagine any woman being able to handle me as adeptly as you do, either." A devious chuckled escaped him, and their dance came to a halt.

A sudden seriousness, albeit light, flowed into his voice then. "But beyond that, I know that you'll do right even when I'm gone; you'll protect our investment, and ensure that it blossoms properly. You have, how shall I say this? Just the right touch -- there's something about you, Blanche, but I have absolute faith in you. Hopefully, I will figure it out for myself before it's too late."

Indeed, walking this path -- living this life had only one ending. He saw no reason to state it explicitly; Blanche was more than capable of reading between the lines. Besides, he didn't want to ruin the mood - it wasn't every day he was able to hold her so closely, to where he could taste her honey sweet breath and feel the warmth of her flesh.