AN: Hmm…so…some serious work on their relationship in this chappie…see what you think. Haven't written any TBTTU in a while, wanted to expand on the characters a bit…tell me if I did a good job?

Disclaimer: Couldn't own Naruto if I tried. 'Sall Masashi Kishimoto's, though I do own Tsumibitoko no Youkai, Masao Tanaka and a few others that may or may not appear later on in the grand scheme. Who the frick knows, with my runaway brain. So keep your grubby mits off.

Little something's I listened to while writing this: Saturdays by Holly Brook, Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix, Frozen Oceans by Shiny Toy Guns, Haunted by Holly Brook, Praan by Garry Schyman/Palbasha Siddique, Phenomenon by Thousand Foot Crutch, High and Low by Holly Brook, Into the Fire by Thirteen Senses.

Also, I would like to throw a big shout out to 'Oliver', an anonymous reviewer and my first for this story. Thank-you for your wonderful, constructive review that gave me something to go on and told me what you specifically liked about my story, it was seriously appreciated. The pleasure and pride you gave me with those few words is what's bringing this chapter out sooner than I thought it would. This chapter's dedicated to you my anonymous friend! Wish you had an account! *Big, big hugs*

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These Binds that Tie Us or Shatter the Preconceptions
{Chapter Four: My Head Is Bloody, But Unbowed}
arc I : hand on the gate

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PRESENT DAY (THREE WEEKS LATER)

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Fire Country, Konoha—Village Hidden in the Leaves, Training Ground 14—abandoned.

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"In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning's of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed."

—William Ernest Henley, Invictus

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Hinata uncharacteristically cursed the mission that had taken her out of Konoha for three weeks.

It felt like the world had been working against giving her a break, and considering the flat-out mess she'd been, torn away from her demon, she felt a little entitled to some melodrama. Kiba-kun, Shino-kun and Kurenai-sensei had all noticed—commented on her dazed, zoning-out, klutzy state with some concern—as they helped some builder move his business from one village to another.

Hinata had a bruised toe from where she'd been biting her lip, lost in thought and clutching a sack of bricks to her chest with hair tied back scruffily in a bandanna, jacket discarded for just her netted chainmail shirt, generally dirty and sweaty (she'd had to do light work because of her 'training injuries', so she'd been saddled with the light-for-a-ninja work till she was better, but now they were practically gone with the application of healing each day), when Akamaru had whined worriedly and nudged his cold wet nose against her calf, making her squeak and drop the sack of bricks. It had hurt, but it'd been the shock more than anything that had sent her heart thundering and cheeks flustered. Hinata felt a bit embarrassed by her poor performance on the mission, but more pressing things were on her mind at that specific moment.

She wasn't that far from the training ground—feeling a twinge of sick irritation at her father, who had once more called her into his quarters before she could escape to berate her on her general failings and how a noble husband of his and the Hyuuga councils choice would make up for her shortcomings in flowery, manipulative language that tried to hide his cold, blunt pressuring—when a brown and gold and multi-coloured and scarlet blur slammed into her front, suddenly appearing form the undergrowth before her like a rapidly blooming flower.

Warm arms crushed her to an equally heated torso, a face buried into her neck and shoulder as she was squeezed to within an inch of her life in the desperate, welcomed grip. Hinata relished in the euphoric rush of relief and pure belonging as she hugged back with equally ferocity, burying her flushed and teary face in brunette strands as her demon trembled.

Hardly the welcoming she'd been expecting, but appreciated greatly none the less. It was nice to see someone so happy to see her, who held her like she was precious and needed. Hinata crushed her face into all that rough hair—coarse like grass and ragged like torn autumn leaves but smooth like the worn bark of an ancient tree—and sucked in the scent of her demon—warm and rich with earth and smoky like charred wood and sweet like nectar—feeling every inch of tension and distracted fumbling seep from her muscles and mind. She felt home and whole once again. This dependence was almost disturbing, but it had such wonderful perks Hinata wasn't sure she'd let it go if given the option.

She wanted to see those golden eyes open and bright with emotion towards her, wanted to be able to crack her demons cold exterior, to be strong and necessary to the Youkai's existence, like a sister and a best friend. It was probably the most potent and selfish desire she'd had in a long time, aside from her bright love for Naruto-kun that laced her each waking and sleeping moment, common and familiar in her everyday routine but far from mundane. This was like being refreshed, like she was a part of this demons soul, like rediscovering a mysterious fragment of her that had been missing—a part that compensated for all she lacked, even as she returned the favour—they were vital to each other within just minutes of meeting thanks to the seal twining over her hands and wrist and fingers, hidden by her glove.

"Where did you go?" The demon girl asked, her voice raspy and weak; vulnerable and frightened in a way that made Hinata's heart ache as it was muffled by her shoulder.

"I had a m-mission," the Hyuuga heiress murmured, taking solace from the glowing warmth of relief in her stomach as those arms tightened around her. Everything—the scent, the feel, the warmth, the sound of her demons voice—it was all a balm to her jagged nerves. She'd been twisted and completely out of it for the past two weeks, like was like having the fog lifted, blown away to reveal a bright sunny morning.

"I-I'm so sorry I d-didn't tell you, I didn't h-have the chance." Hinata's voice was soft, stroking a pale hand very tentatively over the back of her demons head, waiting for the moment she'd be shoved away and snarled at. She wasn't pushed off, so she gently and carefully threaded her fingers through the wild strands and stroked, slow and soothing. It felt like a mother calming their child after a particularly nasty nightmare.

"Don't leave again." It was an order, slightly tempered by the waver as her demons voice broke—arms crushing her tighter, nose nudging at her neck and taking in her scent and skin and presence like an addict. "It hurt."

Hinata felt her heartstrings pull sharp and tight. "I'm s-sorry," she murmured, voice thick with remorse and tears that glistened in her light eyes. "I w-wouldn't have l-left if I had a choice, I pr-promise."

This was true, Kiba-kun had been eager to get out of the village with his team on a C-class mission, said it was like old times—and Shino-kun had been after a particular species of butterfly that only occurred in that area for his collection for a while. She'd essentially been pressured, even if they hadn't done it on purpose, feeling guilty she might be holding her teammates back from something they wanted to do. Hinata hadn't seen Shino-kun like that often before—all pushing up his sunglasses as they glinted, a palpable aura of his brand of hunt-hungry excitement around his stoic form, ready to track down the butterfly—she hadn't wanted to do anything to take that away from him. Even if it had caused both her and her demon pain.

A breathless knife flickered across her lungs and heart, cradling her demon close—excuses, excuses. What had her demon said those weeks ago, after all?

"I couldn't've resisted the first time I heard your voice any more than I could've…I don't know, played with lightening? That fits. It's just…an impossible lure. Your voice, your scent, your smile, your face, your taste—it's a physical pain to not be sitting next to you right now. Like a fucking puppy following around its master. And since I'm the first bond, I'm tied in ways I'm loathe too. It'll kill me to leave, almost literally."

Hinata felt her stomach roll darkly, twisting, face paling. And I did just that.

"A-Are y-y-you hurt?" She stuttered, her tongue numb with panic, holding her demon tighter. "Y-Y-Y-You said i-i-it'd-d hurt y-y-you if-f I le-l-l-le—" Hinata swallowed; fear thick in her mouth and tight around her lungs, teeth gritting together, chest vaporizing with the worry and fright.

"I-I'm…" her demon gave a heavy sigh, weighty with exhaustion, "I'm…fine. Just…tired. Hurts. Missed you." She nuzzled closer and gave a blissfully comfortable sigh, still tucked tight into Hinata like a puppy dog, under her chin. Hinata felt a stab of panic. The odd behaviour—she said it hurt—she had to be in so much pain to be actually acting like this—

Hinata pulled back abruptly, holding her demon by her upper arms and choking in the horror that wanted to curdle her stomach as her demon whimpered and slumped in her hold, trying to squirm towards her once more.

Dark stains blackened beneath her demons eyes—once forge-bright now dulled like cooled metal, flat and lifeless discs—her cheeks were sallow and slightly hollowed with a sickness that was all emotional, she generally looked half-dead. Hinata let out a broken sob when she saw the intricate seal on her demons hand, feeling her knees shake slightly as her own seal reacted violently to her Youkai's suffering. It was inflamed and red, scrubbed scarlet and puffy with what looked like infection. The demon girls hand was limp and bony like the life had been sucked from it. Her veins leading to the seal were bulging and purple and green like they were poisoned, throbbing slightly, trailing up her arm in thick weaves like it had slowly been infecting her, climbing to her body in Hinata's absence. The whole thing looked agonizing and sore and wretched. Hinata, gasping softly for breath, reached out a trembling hand, cool fingertips just brushing a pulsing venomous vein. Her demon winced even as she tried to move closer to the cleansing touch.

"D-Did I d-d-d-o this? I—…" Hinata breathed in dismay, barely able to find the air in her lungs to speak, eyes wide.

"Distance," her demon slurred slightly. "Too much. Seal got bitchy. Hurts so bad." Then her demon let out a raw, dry, sob, head lolling back like she didn't have the strength to support it, her voice becoming a raspy slur. "Why'd you leave me?"

"I-I-I—" Hinata felt tears stream down her face as her hands shook, trying to find the energy in her muscles (that hadn't been sapped away by the fear and horror and guilt) to hold her sagging demon upright. "I-I-I'm s-s-s-sor—" she sobbed, the remorse suffocating her into a panic, "I'm so s-s-sorry, I d-d-didn't—"

"S'fine. Shut up." Her demon mumbled, drooping against Hinata with a deep sigh. "Jus' stay for a lil'…'T'll go 'way soon 'Nata…"

Hinata felt her breath hitch with her heart, warmth tightening in her chest as she cradled the half-asleep demon closer; it was a beautifully bright feeling, careful and fragile but potent and strong. Like her child had called her 'mom'.

"I-I'm not going a-anywhere," she whispered softly, fiercely, feeling the demons breathing even into the deep, tickling susurrus of sleep against her neck. The guilt and pain continued to simmer in her stomach. Hinata knew what a breach of ninja code and a leap of trust that was, for anyone trained to willingly succumb to exhaustion within the presence of someone potentially dangerous—particularly considering her and Hinata's past. She felt guilty for leaving, for inflicting this upon her bond, so the best course of action Hinata could see was making it up to her demon. She'd promised herself, no matter what, that she'd save her Youkai from herself and her fears, after all.

Hinata held her demon closer as she slumped against her chest, trying to hold them both up as she strained her hands for the seals—a familiar tightening ripple of chakra around them, trying to make it unobtrusive and unthreatening as it skated over her demon girl (even unconscious, trained shinobi could have adverse reactions to feeling someone's chakra expel in a jutsu so close, it was an instinctual 'I'm being attacked in my sleep!' reaction) warping in a pocket of tingling blue, feeling it ebb and relax into the surroundings as Hinata sat in the appearing field that was their designated 'usual spot'. She let out a light sigh of relief that her demon simply shifted in discomfort and agitation at the Body Flicker Jutsu, curling tighter into Hinata's lap. She must've been in a really deep sleep.

Hinata clutched at her demons knitted multicolour-striped cardigan—it was baggy and loose over her dark red t-shirt with 'You are mentally unprepared to be exposed to my degree of perversion' scrawled on it. They looked slept in, rumpled, like she simply hadn't had the strength to change them. Hinata's arrival and the demon girls resulting outburst of energy for glompage had probably taken a lot out of her, the seal on her arm constricting and twisting and slowly poisoning, sapping her energy. She seemed satisfied now though, tucked into Hinata's lap like a cat, sleeping peacefully, dead to the world, for what looked like the first time in weeks.

Hinata tried not the cry a little as she glared at the seal she cradled in her hands—trying to be gentle and soothing, but touching as much skin as possible, contact had to help right?—stroking careful, cool fingers over the more painful looking throbbing ridges, the engorged and punishing veins, under that smooth, sun-kissed skin. The seal was killing her, the seal had been killing the Youkai it had forced itself upon, all because Hinata had left, while she'd felt no more than emotional turmoil and a dark disconnection to the world.

Hinata let out a strangled noise, a tear streaking down her pale cheek, biting onto the thick fabric of her fingerless glove and yanking it off, splaying her own black-entwined fingers carefully between her demons, locking their hands together carefully. The midnight whorls and seals and dotted circles seemed to just swirl and fit together across tanned and pale skin, merging like ink running over skin, faultless and connected. Hinata felt a burst of pure belonging as their skin seemed to fuse together, heat trailing up her bones and filling her chest with that addictive love and belonging and fitting, two souls just clicking and slotting into place softly, a white glow rising from their seals, blinding and the purest thing she'd ever seen.

Hinata panted slightly for breath, squeezing her hand tighter even as she felt the energy in her muscles being sapped—given and taken like the tide, a recycling process, ebbing and flowing, astonishingly like the bond her Youkai seemed to have with the earth—tear streaks from before staining Hinata's pale cheeks as her demon let out a choked moaned and writhed slightly with a wheezing noise. Her uncontaminated hand clenching a white-knuckled fist in Hinata's jumper, the sickened veins in her arms shifting.

Hinata tried to whisper comforting words, pressing her forehead to the demons, running her fingers through wild and snarled brown hair, trying not to snag painfully on her ponytail or the knots. She kept her voice soft and soothing, stroking gently, hand refusing to let go of her demons even if she tried to tug away, because those nasty veins were retreating sluggishly from her forearm. "You're okay, you're all right, it's going away, the pain's going away, I'm here, I'm not leaving, ever again—breathe…breathe…you're sleeping…a nice…deep…sleep…breathing…in…and out…niiiiice and slow…deep…and soft…you're dreaming…calm and relaxing…" her voice was a gentle hum as she smiled softly, stroking fingers through shaggy fur-like hair.

Hinata didn't keep track of how long they were like that—even as muscles began to cramp and tire in her back and arms, even as her legs turned numb from her demons weight, even as her voice became a little rough from overuse and her chakra dipped slightly from depletion, the sun rising bit by bit in the sky. She pushed chakra to circulate her numbing and cramping muscles, loosening them up and keep them fresh, soothing her throat. It was a technique she'd picked up on stake-outs, to stop your body from tiring in case a fight broke out, to keep the weapon that was her body honed and sharp and ready for use. It was good she had such excellent precise chakra control, else she'd damage her muscles and internal organs with the soft charges of energy.

Soon enough, her demon was sleeping peacefully, face slack and body a dead weight, breath soft and deep. Hinata gently pried their hands apart, palms clammy with sweat as they both were from prolonged contact. The Youkai girl's skin was once more smooth and browned, the seal dormant and satisfied as it twirled immovably over time-worn fingers and wrist.

At first, to Hinata, it had looked like the precious thing that tied her and her demon together, that kept them connected, now it looked an awful lot like jailers chains—and that didn't sit right with her, even if there was nothing to do about it.

She sighed gently, deciding to focus more on the soft light feelings of happiness, unfurling like sun-warmed wings in her chest, as she scratched her demons scalp absentmindedly. She blinked at a soft, cute rumbling sound, looking down from the blue sky (she often got distracted by it since it looked so much like Naruto-kun's eyes, blushing slightly at the thought), blinking down at her Youkai. She looked suspiciously cat-like, a small satisfied neko-kawaii smile curving her lips with eyes arched closed as she curled up in Hinata's lap, fast asleep. The Hyuuga heiress tentatively scratched again. Another little rumbling noise.

Hinata tried not to giggle too loud, eyes wide and delighted, when she realized her Youkai was…purring. Oh, that was too precious.

She flushed and bit her lip, tentatively shifting her hand behind the demons ear—pausing a moment in uncertainty—before scratching gently like one would a cat. Elfin ears twitched and the Youkai in her lap practically turned to vibrating goo beneath her fingers.

Hinata muffled her laughter till her ribs ached, eyes watering and squinted, her small smile goofy as her cheeks turned cherry red, listing to the side in her giggles as she scratched behind the Youkai's ear. Her demons tongue actually lolled out slightly, looking euphoric as she slept.

Hinata giggled till she thought her stomach would burst, wiping tears from her eyes and chuckling, smiling as she bit her lip again as more unexpectedly devious (and admittedly potentially adorable) thoughts popped up. She pressed her lips together, trying not to succumb to her humour once more, and scratched under the demon girl's chin and along under her jaw bone.

The Youkai stretched her chin up higher, arching and whining softly, purring heavily as she nudged further into Hinata's hand, nuzzling endearingly—curled up and generally looking pretty damn pleased. Hinata giggled slightly scratching under the Youkai's chin for a bit as she purred. She'd been right. It was adorable.

The Hyuuga heiress giggled, her other hand rubbing the demons stomach like one would a cat. The Youkai girl stretched out, arms over her head as she purred deeply, unbothered by her body lolling from side to side thanks to Hinata's rubbing her stomach with both hands now. The heiress tried not to laugh too much, but it was so cute. Her demon let out a satisfied sigh, licking the back of her hand drowsily like a cat, still asleep as she purred, looking blissful.

Hinata was glad, this was the least she could do—watching all those tense lines in the Youkai's face relax like they'd never been there, all those years before now that put them there fading away. The demoness looked content, happy and peaceful like a cat basking in the sun on a windowsill. It brought happiness to Hinata, that she could put that there.

It wasn't long before content golden eyes cracked open; sun-dipped lashes fluttering as she squinted. Hinata froze guiltily in her scratching her demons ribs, blushing fiercely. Admittedly, it had probably been a bit invasive and presumptuous, just because the Youkai had curled up on her didn't quite give her right to go open season on bringing out the cute kitty-cat in her. Hinata bit her lip, face a tomato as she slowly drew her hands back, realizing she was probably about to have her head bitten off figuratively. And maybe literally. Well, even if she hadn't quite lived her short life to its fullest, there had been its high points—and these last few moments had been especially informative and entertaining.

She twisted her hands nervously together, then began prodding her forefingers against one another—a childish habit she returned to occasionally, unable to help it even if it earned her a disapproving and maybe a little disgusted look from her father—blushing as she fiddled and fidgeted, eyes glued to the ground.

"U-U-U-Uhm…a-anoo…I-I—"

There was the rustle of crushed grass, weight shifting, then "…You di'n't get my back," the sleepy mumble sounded slightly muffled, and Hinata blinked, peeking up warily. Her demon was on her stomach, arms crossed and face half-buried in them, actually giving a smirk of drowsy amusement, eyebrows raised. Apparently she'd seen how much Hinata had enjoyed petting her like a cute kitty, and was deigning to indulge her instead of snapping and snarling in righteous fury. If she'd seen how adorable it was to watch a great and mighty demon—or anything humanoid—purr and act like that, she'd understand too, Hinata thought almost petulantly, pouting even as the corner of her lips wanted to twitch into a pleasantly surprised smile.

Still, her hand moved out virtually without consent, stroking down the Youkai's spine and pressing her lips together in an attempt to not laugh brightly when her demon girl's eyes glazed over and she practically drooled, arching into the touch.

"Jus' this once," the demoness attempted to sound stern, but it seemed more dazed and distracted. "I'm not some housebroken peeeeet—oh sweet merciful chaos gods, do that thing again!" Hinata giggled unabashedly at the puppy-dog-eager demand, her often shy countenance bright happy, rubbing the Youkai's upper spine between her shoulder blades and stroking down like how she would Akamaru. The puddle-of-purring-demonic-goo scenario was closing in again.

Hinata smiled gently, tucking a soft inky strand behind her ear and generally allowing herself to feel happy and accepted again. A warm breeze played with her hair, sun dusting flower petals and grass and leaves in balmy afternoon rays, heating her hair to a soft warmth against her scalp. The demon's gently rumbling weight was partly on her lap, Hinata's pale hand tangling with long threads of milk chocolate and gliding over knitted multicolour.

She looked tentatively down at lazy gold eyes that were watching tanned fingers fiddling with strands of grass, once more bright eyes heavy-lidded as her demon purred onto her forearm, the cardigan sleeve slipped down over skin from where they'd been pushed up.

"…Wh-What's…what's y-your," Hinata swallowed, gathered her courage, "…name?" She finally whispered, biting her lip, canine sinking deep into soft skin as she strained against the reflex to prod her fingers together. She had to take advantage of this attitude shift in her demon while she could.

Golden eyes slid to look at her, glazed as the petting continued, yawning slightly, Hinata's pale fingers scratching blissfully behind a pointed ear. "Mmm…Tsumibitoko…" she purred lethargically, lashes fluttering closed as she hummed in a satisfied way.

Hinata's mouth bloomed into a small smile. Progress. "Ts-Tsumibitoko…?" Her smile grew, if a bit warily, feeling something warm blossom in her chest like the smile on her face, "…'S-Sinner…chi-child'…it's—"

"Fitting?" Her demo—Tsumibitoko drawled softly, sarcastic and sleepy, not at all offended.

"I w-was g-going to say…ano, u-unique," Hinata whispered shyly, her free hand tugging on a lock of her dark hair, ducking her head.

Tsumibitoko made a slow, thoughtful noise. There was a short silence, the demoness watching the grass and occasional smattering of flowers waft lethargically as her scalp was scratched, then she parted her lips slowly.

"Hey…could I ask you something?"

Hinata cocked her head slightly, stuttering a surprised yes, of course.

"Can I…be…demon…around you?" Tsumibitoko's voice was soft, vulnerable in a way Hinata couldn't pin, tired and a little weak—hopeful! That was the edge of defencelessness. Golden eyes finally fixed on hers, for some reason obviously waiting to be shut down harshly.

"O-Of course," Hinata said immediately, not even hesitating. There was a short silence as bright eyes softened slightly and a relieved sigh parted tanned lips, muscles loosening and purr deepening, like a weight had been lifted. "A-Anoo…" Hinata flushed and fidgeted slightly, "W-What e-exactly did you m-mean…'b-be demon'…?"

There was a deep, amused and exasperated, groan from the Youkai female—her face landing in the grass as her shoulders shook in silent laugher. "Don't agree to things you don't understand, god, you really are something else for a human, you know that? Don't you realize saying yes to things out of the goodness of your heart, without thinking, is how people get conned?" Her tone was entertained yet greatly long-suffering.

Hinata blushed brightly.

Tsumibitoko heaved a great sigh. "I meant…well, I've been pretending to be human of a number of millennia. The act is ingrained, it makes it easier to blend in, makes other humans more comfortable. I just…just want…even if I don't deserve, even if I'm not…proper demon…I just want to let go…I want…to be what I am, even if for only a few measly years. Will you grant me this request, Daemon Cantrix?"

Hinata bit her lip softly as the rigidly formal language, as if Tsumibitoko was trying to make up for the weakening of fierce barriers, carding fingers through all that wild hair. "U-Unreservedly…b-but as a…f-friend, and as y-your bond, n-not as…that t-title. B-Be…wh-what makes you c-comfortable."

Another deep, amused and conflicted sigh, and a darkly mumbled, "Really something else…"

Hinata didn't have anything to say to that. She didn't want to break this fragile moment of surprising and unexpected peace.

A few moments later, Tsumibitoko rose. Hinata felt a soft, dark sputtering of disappointment as she let her hands slip away and the half-weight disappeared from her lap. The demoness sat back on her haunches, eyes squinted as they watched the confused Hyuuga heiress. Then she leaned in and sniffed, like an inquisitive cat or dog, snuffling in a tickling way against Hinata's cheek and nose and nuzzling her ear, breath puffing over her skin. Hinata couldn't help the giggle; it was odd but cute and ticklish. Any normal person would jerk back and question such bizarre behaviour, but Hinata was tolerant and patient to a fault (with experience when it came to the Inuzuka Clan), besides, it was cute.

She blinked, laughter abruptly halting in shock when the warm wet lap of a tongue lashed up her cheek, soft and affectionate. Her face exploded in colour, jerking back and almost hyperventilating.

"Wha-wha-wha-wha-wha?-!" She squeaked, cupping the licked cheek. Tsumibitoko's nose twitched, head cocking as she blinked.

"What? You said I could be demon." Golden eyes flickered, dimming in uncertainty. "Or were you lying?"

"N-N-No! I w-w-w-wasn't l-l-l-lying at all, buh-buh-but I j-j-just wasn't e-e-e-expecting tha-that…" Hinata flustered, knotting her hands together over and over.

"Oh," Tsumibitoko's gaze lightened and she sniffed, nose twitching again like an animal as she scuffed at her pointed ear. So…this animalistic behaviour was 'demon'. "I was greeting you. It's supposed to be polite, ya know?" She thumbed her nose slightly, glancing up at Hinata and back at the ground repeatedly, shifting nervously. The Hyuuga heiress was strongly reminded of a shy animal or an anxious Naruto-kun. Very much so.

"I know that stuff makes humans uncomfortable but you said I could be demon so I was just being demon, I suppose you telling me I could be what would make me comfortable kinda resulted in an outpouring of suppressed instincts 'cause fuck it man, I really wanna chase that butterfly over there like a spastic dog." Tsumibitoko's eyes were riveted on the fluttering insect as it danced from flower to flower, nose twitching occasionally as she perched on her heels, looking like she was on a straining leash. Hinata tried not to laugh bewilderedly, because this was almost surreal in its rambling quality. She loved it, but it was bizarre.

"G-Go ahead…Ts-Tsumi…bitoko-…san…I-I won't judge," Hinata murmured, looking hopeful. If she did chase the butterfly, it'd be really cute.

Tsumibitoko wavered for split seconds, vibrating as she tried to hold herself back from long curbed instincts, before letting out an actual excited yip and charging on all fours after the butterfly. Hinata watched, blinking dazedly and wondering whether she should laugh delightedly, smack herself to see if this was real, faint, or check herself into a clinic.

So much like Akamaru, was all she could dazedly think as she watched Tsumibitoko charge back and forth after the butterfly that was attempting to escape, tongue nearly lolling out as she scampered on all fours. Tsumibitoko slipped at one point and faceplanted the ground with a sharp yelp—Hinata pausing, trying to stop laughing and wondering whether she should provide aid, but then Tsumibitoko was up again and zooming off. It seemed stubborn pride and arrogance took a backseat in the face of this challenging chase in the primal world of demons.

A demon. I'm watching a demon. Chase a butterfly. Like a puppy, Hinata thought once more, hardly able to fully convey the ridiculousness of her past month or so.

The Hyuuga heiress wondered what exactly had spurred this abrupt outburst of suppressed instincts; what had encouraged Tsumibitoko into apparently deciding it was okay to bear this part of her she'd hidden around humans to Hinata. Not that it wasn't a wonderful step forwards. Perhaps it was the whole 'distance makes the heart grow fonder' thing? Hinata decided not to question it, and just sat, watching in bewildered amusement.

It wasn't long before Tsumibitoko was bounding back, bouncing in a sloppy, excited crouch before Hinata's neat, polite kneel. "I caught it, I caught it!" Tsumibitoko was actually flushed, eyes bright with excitement and hair more mussed than usual, her ponytail a streak trailing over her shoulder, cardigan hanging halfway down one arm. She was cupping the butterfly in the hollow of her hands, hidden behind the lattice of her slightly clawed fingers. A bang of hair was caught on her lower lip pulled into an exhilarated grin but ignored, canines sharp and bared in her enthusiasm.

Hinata could imagine and superimpose the fiercely wagging dog tail and perked ears, it was startlingly easy.

The Hyuuga heiress smiled, lips pressed together to contain her bright laughter; Tsumibitoko was hovering, eyes wide with the hope for praise. Such a puppy, even though she'd probably sulk or explode if Hinata said that aloud.

"Ano…g-good job," Hinata smiled, very tentatively patting Tsumibitoko's head and scratching behind her ear. The demon girl said she didn't want to be treated like a housebroken pet, but what else was Hinata supposed to do? Besides, the way she preened at the approval and licked excitedly at Hinata's wrist was too adorable.

"Can I eat it?"

Hinata choked at the excited question. "N-N-No!" She chastised without thinking. Tsumibitoko pouted—good lord this was odd—and scowled, looking down at the madly fluttering insect trapped by her hands. "But I caught it," she grumped.

"N-No," Hinata said softly, gently prying Tsumibitoko's fingers open, touch soft. The pretty butterfly fluttered free. "Ev-Everything deserves chances to l-live and be free…a-acts of k-kindness are r-rewarding t-to the soul," she smiled as the butterfly flittered up and perched on Tsumibitoko's nose, feelers probing her sun-soaked skin gently as golden eyes widened and mouth fell open in the surprised 'o', wings slowly folding open and closed as if in thanks and curiosity, before flittering off, riding invisible waves over the flowers and grass. Hinata's smile widened shyly and she prodded her forefingers together. "See? D-Doesn't th-that f-feel…uhm…nicer?"

Tsumibitoko stared intently at her, before abruptly burrowing into Hinata's soft stomach, arms wrapped around her torso. The Hyuuga heiress had had experience with dog-like people (e.g. Kiba-kun and the Inuzuka clan) so she knew how friendly and touchy-feely they could be, even if the affectionate contact oft times made her blush up a storm. This level of animalistic behaviour was different, but not unexpected for all her experience. Besides, she didn't mind, the contact was comforting and euphoric—it told her that, despite how hard she'd expected it to be, her demon was warming up to her.

Tsumibitoko's voice was muffled slightly by the thick fabric of Hinata's lilac and white jacket. "All I've ever really known is survival of the fittest, the circle of life and nature…it's nice not killing what I catch…I mean, I like animals…we're connected through the earth…" she mumbled, sounding almost embarrassed to reveal this but stubbornly trucking through.

Hinata abruptly understood with the blinding white flash of clarity. Tsumibitoko was relaying these titbits about herself in repayment for 'letting her be demon'. The Hyuuga heiress had seen how she—or maybe it was a demon thing—had problems with being in 'debt' and repaying people, this was a part of that. Hinata felt the warm trickle of fond affection.

She smiled again and carefully stroked a hand through wild brown strands. Hinata struggled for something to say—'you should be proud' would probably make Tsumibitoko insulted by insinuating she wasn't, 'that's special' sounded patronizing and silly, because there were other earth demons, right? "…Th-That…m-must be nice," Hinata bit her lip at the lame words. "M-My t-teammate's a-an I-Inuzuka…h-he has a dog c-called Akamaru, h-he's as m-much a part o-of the t-team as the rest of us…" she offered in a gentle attempt to relate.

Tsumibitoko detached herself from Hinata's front, sitting back criss-cross-apple-sauce and nodding in awkward gratitude. She paused almost thoughtfully, before sticking a hand into the pocket of her ragged cut offs, rummaging in the easy silence. She tugged free a crumpled pack of cigarettes, only a few left rattling around, and a crummy plastic lighter. Tsumibitoko tapped free a cigarette and caught it between her lips, cupping and lighting it with a few sparking clicks. There was an art in the way people smoked, Hinata thought; the practiced, subconscious movements ingrained into habit, the way the cherry reflected in and set golden irises alight, the twirling tuck of the lighter away into a palm, thumb holding it there as tanned fingers on either side of the cigarette pulled it free to let out a smooth sigh of grey mist, the squint of luminous eyes and flutter of light lashes. It was an ugly, dangerous habit, but she found she didn't quite mind it on Tsumibitoko. There was a subconscious grace to it, the way the demon girl found peace and contemplation in the smooth familiarity of the movements, the way she grinned knowingly up through her lashes when she caught Hinata looking, the cigarette caught to the side between her teeth, ash burnt and crumbling at the end as it glowed.

"Did you want one?"

Hinata shook her head fiercely, trying to reject the offer tactfully, "N-No…b-being a ninja…h-has i-it's d-dangers enough…"

Tsumibitoko just shrugged, sighing, licking her lips and scrubbing dishevelled bangs form her eyes. "Fair enough. It's not a habit for everyone, I guess."

"…Wh—" Hinata licked her own lips, the acrid scent of smoke light in the air. "Why did y-you take it up?" She hoped it wasn't too personal or close to home. Tsumibitoko tended to shut down something fierce when it came to things like that. Hinata just wanted to know more about the demon in front of her.

Tsumibitoko shrugged looking down at the cigarette in her fingers, twirling in slightly as she leaned her cheek onto her fist, elbow on her knee. "I don't know. I'd already ruined any chance I had of returning to demon society and seeing open arms. I was at a club, someone offered; I was feeling bitter and 'fuck it all'. Just figured I may as well go the whole nine yards by that point." More information as 'repayment', no doubt.

Hinata bit her lip, trying not to smile, faltering when her pure gaze easily glimpsed the dark flash of something sad in Tsumibitoko's eyes. It punched a breathless fist of pain in the heiress's chest and she sucked in a sharp, silent breath through her nose, eyebrows crinkling. "Wh…You…d-d-demon so-society?" She all but whispered the last two words, not wanting to start a fight but wanting to help and know.

Tsumibitoko just shrugged again, her smile light but tight, barricading her face—eyes already guarded and shut down. She fell back on the grass, tucking her free hand behind her head and taking a drag. "Story for another day, my friend," she announced sarcastically, blowing a long stream of smoke into the afternoon air.

Hinata pouted slightly, brow puckering. Dang mysterious demons.

She prodded her fingers together, tucking her knees up under her chin and winding her arms around her calves and squeezing. She had to ask, while she felt she could. "Wh-Wh…Why…" Hinata swallowed. Licked her lips. Sighed. Chewed on her lower lip. Closed her eyes. Sucked in a steadying breath, so deep and slow her lungs protested. "Why d-don't you…h-hate me today?" She whispered, mumbling into her ninja slacks and peeking through her dark bangs like a wary, chastised puppy. Once bitten, twice shy, and Tsumibitoko had proven to be volatile and unpredictable when it came to her temper.

At least she seemed to be winding down from her demon-instinct high.

Tsumibitoko looked at her, golden eyes rolled down and two fingers frozen around her cigarette, laid back as she was, one leg propped up. Her stomach rose and fell softly, wind brushing unruly hair across her forehead. She sighed, biting down on the cigarette hard, then scrunching up her nose in distaste. Tsumibitoko plucked the cigarette from her mouth, thumb wiping across her lower lip. She tapped off the ash into the grass on her left with a finger. Her voice was roughened and weary. "Too tired to hate. Takes up too much energy. Seal missed you too much for me to honestly despise any form of your presence right now. I'm just relieved I'm alive." She smirked slightly and cocked an eyebrow, "I can try again tomorrow if you want?"

Hinata blinked a bit; surprised by the flash-flood of warm affection she felt rushing and filling the insides of her ribcage like a torrent of bright water. She twitched a slow, shy smile and ducked her head. "N-No…I-I r-really like…b-being able to t-talk to you…l-like this…" She twisted her fingers abashedly in the hem of her ninja pants, the toe of one of her sandals rubbing against the dirt and grass, toes scrunching. "Uhm…ano…u-unless…b-being…uhm, h-hating me m-makes you more comfortable…" her voice was soft with acceptance and gloominess.

The Hyuuga heiress blinked when cigarette ash was flicked in her lap. "Man up, woman!" Hinata almost smiled, even as she brushed ash from her knee, at the incongruences in that grumpy snip, the irritated defence against Hinata subtly putting herself down. There was a deep, terse sigh, filled with agitation and confliction. "I don't know, all right? Stop…being you. You make me confused dammit." Tsumibitoko puffed at her cigarette in a frustrated way, frowning up at the blue ether.

"…I-If…th-that would make you m-more com—"

"Shut up! Just shut up! Stop saying that!" Tsumibitoko had darted into sitting upright, eyes blazing with fury, hands in fists as she leaned to the left and snarled in Hinata's personal space. She looked incensed. "It's pathetic and submissive! Don't you have any pride?-! Pisses me off!" Tsumibitoko slammed a fist into the grass, growling and snapping her teeth. "I don't fukin' know what to do about your ridiculous inferiority shit! Do you need gentle pushes or a goddamn kick in the ass?-! Because fuck all, it's stupid and pointless! You're dragging yourself down and holding yourself back! Those Hyuuga cold-ass bastards might've started the cycle, but you're not doing yourself any favours by continuing it! You're letting them win!" She bared her teeth viciously again, grinding them together in frustration.

"You're my bond dammit—no matter how much I wish I didn't have one—and I won't stand for this pussyfooting bullshit! I realize you're trying to make me feel better about all this—and it's appreciated all right—but for god's sakes, this is a partnership! You're not a servant! We need each other! This is equal! I see that much now thanks to this fuckery—" she held up her seal in an irate, jerking movement, "—and I see that while bowing and scraping may be what you're used to having to do to maintain some sort of safely coexisting understanding thanks to those ice-cube-jerks, it won't fly. With. Me. Got it?" She clipped off her words and glared, upper lip peeled back and trembling in a snarl, before huffing angrily and turning sharply, flopping furiously back down, now on her side with her back facing Hinata. Tsumibitoko propped her head up on her hand, elbow on the grass and sucking furiously at her cigarette, grinding it down between her teeth and muttering a continuous stream of darkly irritated words.

Hinata felt heat stinging and swimming in her eyes, the pressure building, but she wasn't sure if they were good tears or bad tears.

She sniffled, reaching out and gently tugging on Tsumibitoko's sleeve. The Hyuuga heiress was met with slitted golden eyes and an irate slash in place of a mouth glaring slightly over her shoulder, voice cutting and curt like the stab of a kunai, a single word ground out furiously like a whetstone. "What?"

"Uhm…" Hinata had decided they were good tears as she kept her eyes fixed on her lap. "Th-Thank-you…Tsumibitoko-san."

The Youkai girl paused for a few long, long seconds, then she shifted upwards and licked Hinata's cheek affectionately again, the sensation incredibly soft, her voice impassive despite her fond actions. "That's Tsumibitoko—or any horrific and apparently cute shortening you can create—to you, human."

Then she was on her bare and dirty feet, hand tucked in her pocket, cigarette between her lips and hand scuffing up her bangs in an action of deep, vexing thought as she walked away. "Same place, same time, tomorrow." Then she was gone, disappearing, the earth shifting slightly where she'd been.

Hinata felt abruptly and greatly bereft, despite the confused, happy glow around her heart.

Good grief, I use a lot of commas when I write. Maybe it's just me.
Shorter chapter this time, only 14 pages! W00t!