A/n: I'm up to 60 reviews! Never thought I'd actually get that many and over 11,000 hits. So thanks again and please let me know what you think, good or bad (hopefully good). I'm open to suggestions or anything you want. I try my best but sometimes it doesn't always work. Here's hoping this time with chapter 12…. a chapter that focuses on some of the other characters. Sasuke is still running off with Sakura but they aren't featured in this chapter. Enjoy!!

Tsunade was busy at work in her office. It was getting late. She looked pretty tired, her head buried under paperwork, a glass of tequila by her side. Suddenly, Jiraiya burst in. He looked terribly flustered and white shaggy hair was even more of a mess than usual.

"What is it, Jiraiya?" Tsunade asked.

"I've heard reports of vampires in the nearby vicinity. I heard from Naruto that they are going to be finding brides tonight. This is bad."

"Really bad! Have you pinpointed an exact location?"

"The forest."

"Jiraiya, the forest goes on for miles, you've got to be specific. As long as all the female ninjas are kept well away from that area we should be ok. I've never heard of vampires around here before. Are you positive you heard right?"

"Absolutely. I have known vampires to stray this way but not in a long, long time. Why they are mating with humans, I'll never know. But we have to take action now."

"Right!"

Tsunade just tossed the rest of her paperwork aside and headed out the door along with Jiraiya.

"This one could get pretty ugly, Tsunade, so you just stick close to me. Although I hear they only hunt for young girls."

"Oh please, Jiraiya, you're the one who's always calling me to help. And how dare you! Young? At least I've retained my looks all these years, unlike you! Age hasn't been kind to you at all."

Jiraiya stared down at Tsunade for a moment.

"I tell ya, Tsunade, you look as pretty now as you did twenty years ago. I don't know how you manage it."

"It's a secret. And Jiraiya? You can stop looking at my boobs now."

Jiraiya laughed but wasn't that embarrassed, he took every opportunity he got and it was easy with Tsunade's prominent cleavage.

oxoxoxox

Miranda stood looking out the window of her castle. The castle was on top of a hill so she could see all the villages down below, all the lights in the houses. She wondered what had happened to Sasuke. She really thought that he would be the one to lead her clan into the next generation, but it wasn't to be.

Who could she trust now?

She had no one.

Miranda heard a noise behind her and quickly turned around to see what it was. There, she saw a tall man with jet-black hair and grey skin.

"Orochimaru? What are you doing here?"

"Hello, darling, I just thought I would drop by at this difficult time."

Orochimaru approached Miranda and put his arm round her shoulder.

"Don't worry," he said. "We'll find someone else to lead the clan."

"I hope you're right. It's been too long, Orochimaru. Why did you leave the castle?"

"You know I have other duties too, but I'm back now, so all is well again."

Miranda hugged Orochimaru's waist and squeezed tightly. He leant his head down to hers as they both gazed out the window at the night sky.

oxoxooxoxoxox

"Where the hell did the guys go?" Temari asked.

Temari, TenTen, Ino and Hinata all sat around a table in a small hut on the outskirts of the forest. They were all sipping green tea and looking very wearily at the old man sitting in the corner watching them.

"I dunno." TenTen replied. "And who's that creepy old guy just watching us."

"Tsunade said he's hear to protect us." Ino said. "But if you ask me, I think we're more in danger being with him."

"Don't mind me girls, I'll just continue watching on."

Tsunade slapped the old man round the head.

"You behave yourself, Jiraiya! I'm just going out to see if I can track down any of these vampires."

"Without me?"

"Yes, without you. Naruto says he's found a lead in the forest. I'm going to follow it."

"You be careful. I wouldn't want your luscious body to be damaged in any way."

Tsunade slapped Jiraiya round the head again.

"Quiet you!"

Tsunade then left and Jiraiya was left a little sore.

"So what exactly is going on, Jiraiya?" Temari asked. "Why have we been told to stay in this stupid little hut all night?"

"Vampires."

Temari burst out laughing. "Ha! Vampires? Vampires don't really exist, you old fool. And let me guess, they want to find a human bride and since we're pretty young girls, we have to be kept safe?"

"That's right!"

"Oh please!"

"That's my job. I'm here to protect all of you. So if you just co-operate and do as I say then we'll all be ok."

"I'm not going to do what you say. Who knows what weird crazy perverted stuff you might be into."

"I think we should go out and help Tsunade. If what you say is true then she won't be able to do it on her own."

"Tsunade is a Hokage." Hinata said quietly. "She'll be all right."

"Yeah, I know she is." Temari replied. "But you think she's gone to fight a horde of vampires. Who knows how many, ten or maybe even a hundred? Even Tsunade couldn't fight all them off. I say we go."

"Well, I'm sorry," said Jiraiya. " But I'm under strict instructions to not let any of you leave this hut until it's safe and it's not safe."

Temari didn't listen to him though and headed for the door. Jiraiya though quickly sprung from his chair and grabbed her before she could leave. He grabbed her round her breasts and Temari struggled to break free.

"Stop touching my breasts, you freaking pervert!"

Temari screamed as loud as she could.

"I don't care, I can't let you out of here. You're not leaving."

The other girls watched on from a distance not wanting to get involved as Jiraiya picked up Temari and slung her over his shoulder. Temari screamed again and punched her fists on his back but it had no effect. Jiraiya gently caressed Temari's thigh as he carried her. It made her freak out even more. His left hand even shifted so it was touching her butt.

"I'm going to get you for this, Jiraiya."

"Jeez," said Ino. "This guy's a bit much."

"I don't think Tsunade could have picked a worse person to protect us."

"I'm scared." Hinata said.

Jiraiya tossed Temari down in a chair. She was looking most disgruntled. She couldn't believe what he had done. What nerve! Jiraiya went inside his pocket and pulled out some nylon rope.

Temari stopped screaming and paused for a moment.

"Uh, why do you have nylon rope in your pocket?"

"Well, let's just say, you never know when you'll need it."

"This isn't one of your perverted kinky games. I sure as hell hope not anyway."
"Relax. This is just because I can't trust you not to escape again."

Jiraiya held Temari still as he tied he hands behind back. The nylon rope felt soft against her skin. She was getting more and more worried by the second, it was clear the rope wasn't really supposed to be used for restraining people. Temari took every opportunity to kick Jiraiya so he tied her legs up as well. The rope had a calming effect on her though and she stopped struggling after a while.

"There, now you behave you hear, Temari?"

"Go to hell!"

"Listen, don't make a gag you as well."

Jiraiya pulled the gag out of pocket to show her.

"You're a sick man, Jiraiya."

Later that night, Jiraiya and the girls had almost drifted off to sleep when the sound of footsteps disturbed them. Jiraiya immediately jumped up. Then the window shattered as a rock flew into the hut, narrowly missing the girls. The glass shattered all around and everyone dodged out of the way except for Temari who was still tied up.

Another rock came crashing through the window completely shattering it.

"It's not safe here anymore, we have to move!"

Jiraiya ducked down and got out Ino, TenTen and Hinata out the door.

"Hey what about me, you jerks?" screamed Temari.

Jiraiya and the other girls had run too far away though. They couldn't hear her. She could see someone climbing through the window. She gasped in fear, this was it, she was going to die and there was nothing she could do about it. Temari didn't even believe vampires were real but she was starting to believe just now.

A tall man climbed through the window and entered the hut.

Temari smiled.

"Oh thank god it's you. Where the hell have you been, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru said nothing.

"Never mind. Just untie me ok. That weird old creep Jiraiya did this to me. I've gotta go and get my own back on him. You'll come too, right?"

Shikamaru was still silent.

"Jeez, what's with you today?"

Shikamaru untied Temari's bounds on her hands and on her feet as she stood up and hugged him.

"You're a real hero, Shikamaru. I know all this is probably pretty troublesome for you. But you're a good guy. Thanks."

Temari kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"You're acting weird today, Shikamaru, is everything ok? Look, we have to get out of here. Jiraiya says there are vampires around and I'm starting to believe him."

"Vampires, blood, sacrifice."

"Don't tell me you're into that creepy stuff too, Shikamaru. Let's run."

Temari tried to leave but Shikamaru grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back.

"Hey! What gives?"

Shikamaru then opened his mouth out wide and revealed his sharp white fangs, hungry for new blood.

Temari stared at him in shock, wide-eyed and completely blank.

"Shikamaru?" She paused. She couldn't collect her thoughts. "You're a vampire? Oh fuck…"

Temari couldn't utter another sound as she quivered in fright and felt weak at the knees. Her legs then gave way as she fainted into Shikamaru's arms.

Shikamaru put his left arm underneath her soft, shapely thighs and lifted Temari up with ease so she was now cradled in his arms.

"Ah, I have a bride now. Perhaps we will be the leader of the clan and together rule over the other vampires. Yes, that's the way it is meant to be. I see it now. "

Shikamaru carried the unconscious and helpless Temari back out the window and into the night sky. He was heading straight for the castle. He wanted to be first back with his sacrifice. It would make the perfect impression on Miranda.

He looked down at his sleeping bride. She looked so peaceful and cute whilst asleep, he felt like he could hold her in his arms like that forever.

This isn't troublesome at all, he thought. This is fun.

oxooxoxoxoxoxo

Jiraiya was running into the forest with TenTen, Hinata and Ino when Jiraiya suddenly stopped and looked back.

"Oh damn! We forgot Temari!"

"We have to go back!" TenTen cried.

"Forget it," Jiraiya said. "It's too risky."

Jiraiya saw shadows in the nearby bushes.

"It's definitely too late, here they come!"

Someone swooped down from above and grabbed Ino.

Ino screamed.

It was too late. Jiraiya looked up into the sky and could see Neji flying up whilst carrying a kicking and screaming Ino. It didn't take long for Ino to get dizzy from the height they were at and faint in Neji's arms.

"Vampire's always win, girlie."

"Stay back you two!" Jiraiya shouted. "They're going to surround us."

He looked up again and Neji was almost out of site. There was nothing he could do to stop him getting away with Ino. Out of the shadows then came Rock Lee and Chouji. TenTen, Hinata and Jiraiya all looked at each other in surprise. Jiraiya thought that three against two were good odds in his favour.

Lee and Chouji immediately revealed their fangs to show they were vampires and TenTen and Hinata backed off but Jiraiya took the opportunity to attack. He tried punching Lee but he was too quick and easily dodged out of the way. Chouji then clobbered Jiraiya from behind using all his weight to send him crashing to the ground.

Then just as Lee was about to deliver a finishing blow, Tsunade and Naruto came running up.

"Stop right there, Lee!" said Tsunade. "I know you're a vampire but I can help you. I can cure you. Just listen to me."

Lee stomped on Jiraiya.

"Don't you dare hurt, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya tried to get up but was too badly injured.

"Tsunade, get out of here" Jiraiya said, his voice straining.

"We've come for some brides." Chouji said. "I'm hungry and now I like blood. I need lots of it."

"Well you won't find any here, we're not for sale. Come on, Naruto, let's get them."

Tsunade went over to Naruto but he was motionless.

"Hey, Naruto, come on, we have to help them."

Naruto then grabbed Tsunade by the wrist. She tried to wriggle free but to her amazement, she couldn't. Naruto grasped her wrist tighter and pulled her towards him. Tsunade couldn't believe it. How could little Naruto be stronger than her? She knew he was growing up strong but surely she had more power.

"How can I not beat you?" she asked, wincing in pain from the tightness of Naruto's grip.

She then saw the fangs in his mouth and the blank expression on his face. He was a vampire. She gasped and tried to focus her chakra, just enough to break free from his hold. It was useless though, she couldn't concentrate it at all. Was Naruto draining her power too?

Tsunade looked into Naruto's eyes. His eyes were hypnotic, changing colour to a dark red.

"Don't fight it, Tsunade, just relax. You feel sleepy, right? Just relax and let it all drift away and when you awake everything will be fine."

Tsunade had to fight it though. With Jiraiya down, there was no one left to protect TenTen and Hinata or anyone else who they might abduct. She tried to summon any chakra she could to fight off Naruto. Then, out of the corner of her eye she saw Orochimaru standing behind him. What's he doing here? She thought.

At that moment, Tsunade lost control of her chakra and lost consciousness too as she fainted in Naruto's arms. Naruto bent down and picked up Tsunade, bridal style. He tried hard to get her weight balanced, as they were practically the same size, but after a bit of fidgeting and wobbling, he managed to get her balanced.

"Are you sure you can handle her, Naruto?" Chouji asked, laughing.

"Of course I can, I'm more man than you are, and I'm stronger too."

Orochimaru looked at Naruto and then at the unconscious Tsunade in his arms. He stuck his long tongue out and licked his lips. He could see the new leader of the clan right there. She would be perfect.

"Let's go, you two, stop messing around." Orochimaru said.

Hinata was still frozen in shock. She couldn't run away, her muscles just seemed to seize up on her. Chouji and Lee then advanced on her. Then from behind, TenTen came down form a tree throwing six kunai at him but he blocked each one. Lee looked at her, at her youthful exuberance and her beauty and knew that he had to have her. He felt an urge for her blood rush through him. He had no time to waste.

TenTen swung at him again but missed. She always thought herself just as strong as Lee and always wanted to prove herself. Well, this was her chance. No way was she going to become his or anyone else's vampire bride.

"Get a hold of yourself, Lee!"

Lee was stronger than usual though and he easily overpowered her. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into him.

"Sweet dreams, TenTen. We're going to a better life."

TenTen couldn't comprehend what he was saying but didn't have any time to think about it either. Lee wasn't in the mood for messing about with her and he simply pushed a pressure point on her neck. TenTen swooned and Lee scooped her up.

"I got ya now," he said. "I've been waiting for this for years."

Hinata saw TenTen defeated and realised she had no chance. As Chouji advanced on her, she fainted. Chouji was annoyed, he wanted some fun but at least his work was done.

"Excellent," said Orochimaru. "We shall bring them to the castle and our vampire clan can be reborn with new blood. This is truly a new dawning for all of us."

Jiraiya then tried to get up again to stop him but Orochimaru sent an energy bolt than hit Jiraiya with the force of a juggernaut. He then turned away and headed back to the castle with Naruto carrying Tsunade, Lee carrying TenTen and Chouji carrying Hinata, all now captured as vampire brides and completely helpless against their fate.

Orochimaru looked down at Tsunade again as they were walking. He stroked her blonde hair and blew her a kiss. He knew the time had come.

Jiraiya tried to get up. His face was badly bruised. He watched them leave with the girls in their arms. He couldn't stop them. As they got further into the distance his vision began to fade and fade.

"I failed." He said as he blacked out.