Author: I loved the responses I got from the last chapter. It really inspired me to write more. XD I'm setting things up for the GaaraHinata lemon. It'll be soon. And i'm hoping it will be my best one yet. By the way, i'm a huge fan of KibaxHinata, but they won't be getting together in this fic. Sorry. I may write them a oneshot later.

Pale eyes flickered behind closed lids, sweat shining on the Hyuuga's face as she stirred in her sleep. "Gaara," She whimpered, rolling onto her side as images flashed befor her eyes.

She saw rain pouring from the sky, onto the roof of the vampire's castle. The two Uchihas stood opposite Gaara, Sasuke right before the redhead. She heard their words, standing both next to them and above them at the same time. "I've told you, I love her. I won't let either of you take her." Gaara's voice shouted above the roaring wind.

It was Itachi who answered. "I have no interest in the girl. But if Sasuke wants her, you must yeild. You failed to claim her as your own. It's too late now, Gaara. Surrender to us."

The man lifted his chin in defiance, fingers curling into fists. Sasuke approached him. "This is your last chance, Gaara." The younger Uchiha hissed. "Will you yeild?" He drew his sword and held it loosely at his side.

The redhead smiled bitterly. "Bite me, Sasuke." He said calmly. The Uchiha snarled and thrust the sword forward directly towards the other man.

There was a flash of lightning and Hinata let out a small cry, sitting upright. She was breathing heavily, and her entire body was drenched in sweat. Tears filled her eyes and she clutched at her shirt, sobs racking her fragile body. She drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, burying her face in the fabric of her pants. She hadn't changed since leaving the castle. But she felt, somehow, that she had seen Gaara die. She felt like she had been there, seen it through his eyes, and had been helpless to stop it. He couldn't leave her. She didn't want him to.

The sobs grew more frequent, and she was vaguely aware of someone entering the tent. She wrapped her arms more tightly around her knees, and felt someone sit on the cot next to her. A pair of strong arms encircled her shoulders and pulled her against them. She knew it was Kiba. "Hey, it's all right." He said quietly. He rested one calloused hand on the back of her head, pressing her head against his chest. He stroked her hair gently, and she felt his clawlike nails brushing her scalp lightly.

His gentle touch made her cry even more, and she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, then up against his back. They stayed that way for a long time, then slowly Hinata's sobs died away and her tears dried. "You...You were watching me during the war council." She whispered, sniffing lightly.

Kiba didn't reply i mmediately. "Gaara and I have been comrades for a long time. He has saved my life and I have saved his. He asked me to watch over you, and I intend to do just that. You looked upset during the council." He explained. The Hyuuga took a deep breath and pulled away.

"Was there a reason you came here?" She asksed. Kiba nodded.

"The werewolves will be marching to battle tonight. The full moon is three days away, and tonight is the prelimary fight. The vampires insist upon it. You and Tenten will not come with us-" He paused at the furious look on her face, and spoke gently. "Not this time, but in the main seige, I want you leading the fight at my side." Hinata smiled slightly, nodding. "I want to see the extent of your abilities." He told her, and stood, pulling away.

"Here," He reached outside the flap of the tent and his hand reappeared holding a bundle of clothes. He took Hinata's hand gently and led her outside. She followed at his side, stopping just outside and taking a deep breath. The early morning air was crisp, and the faintest tinges of orange had crept into the sky. Then she trotted forward a few steps to catch up to Kiba. There were hundreds of tents on either side, and they walked down the center aisle, the camp entirely still. Everyone was sleeping. "You'll have the washroom to yourself this early, i'll wait outside." He told her, then pointed to the tent next to it. "Weapons are inside there."

He pulled aside the sliding door to the room and stepped aside. Hinata smiled faintly and walked in, closing the door behind her. She knew Kiba wouldn't peek on her. She didn't know why, but had a feeling he wouldn't do anything to hurt her. She stripped away her old clothes and moved to a basin on the wall, filled with clear fresh water. It was cool to the touch, and she used a clean rag on the wall to clean herself, watching the excess water drain away through a small hole in the floor. As she removed water from the basin, more streamed in from a small faucet.

When she finished, she dried herself with a second towel. Then she examined the clothes. The pants were of a sturdy material, and the tunic was made of a soft cotton, although neither piece was delicate. She slid the clothes on, but when she unfolded the shirt a few more itens fell to the floor. There were leather grieves for her hands and a leather corset, which she tied around her chest, as well as worn shin plates. All made out of the same kind of leather, tanned to almost black and clearly used; Although they seemed in perfect shape.

She stepped outside and saw Kiba standing a few feet away, back dutifully turned towards the wash house. Hinata smiled faintly. Then she slid into the weapons tent he had indicated. She was stunned. There was a vast array of weaponry on the walls, but her eyes only saught one. Her longsword. She took it eagerly from the wall and swung it's sheath and strap over her back. It's weight felt right, settled against her shoulders. She pulled her hair from her face with a leather chord, then decided she was ready.

"So, you wanted to test me?" Hinata asked, returning to where Kiba stood. He turned around and grinned.

"Yeah, the training ground is that way-" Without warning, Hinata whipped her sword from it's sheath and whirled around, swinging it's blade towards his neck. The werewolf's grin widened and he spun, twisting and catching the blade between his palms. He wrenched the sword down and grasped one of Hinata's arms, pulling her body close to his. "You're fast. But the element of surprise does nothing when compared to werewolves. You have to beat us using force; skill. Anything else is useless. The same goes for vampires." He pushed Hinata back, leaping several yards back and crouching.

"Again!" He shouted, and sprang towards her. Hinata braced herself for the attack and smiled.


"Please Neji, don't go tonight." Tenten whispered. The two of them lay together in the grass, Neji's arms wrapped around her with one hand trailing through her hair. "At least turn me, so I can go with you."

Neji sat up, frowning at her. In order for a vampire to turn a mortal, the vampire would cut their wrist, and the mortal would do the same. Then they would both drink each other's blood. It was the only way to be turned into a member of the living dead. Werewolves were much simpler. A deliberate bite was all that was needed. "I can't do that, Tenten." He murmured to her. "I can't condem you to an immortal life, watching everyone else die around you."

Tenten sat up with Neji, mirroring his frown. "But if you go...You won't come back to me." She whispered, tears filling her eyes. Her gaze dropped to the grass, and Neji places his hands on either side of her face, turning it up to look at him. He kissed her deeply, then pulled away.

"I love you, Tenten."


Tenten sat at Hinata's side, arms wrapped around her knees. The werewolves and a few vampires; Neji amongst them, had gone off to the battlefield. They could hear the beating of a wardrum and the stomping of a thousand feet on the earth. "They see it as a game." Tenten whispered. Hinata looked at her, puzzled. Tenten wasn't looking at her, but rather, looked up at the nearly full moon. "Werewolves see battle, fighting, as one giant game. Vampires see it as an art, a constant ceremony." A single tear trailed down the brunette's cheek.

"Neji won't be coming back to us, Hinata." She bowed her head, and Hinata frowned deeply. The drumming had stopped, and a great roar erupted from the battlefield. The fight had begun. She stood, sword comforting on her back, but felt lost that she couldn't draw it. It would be pointless. She heard a small whimper from by her feet, and reached down, pulling Tenten to her feet.

"It will be all right, Tenten." She told her, although she had no idea if that was true. All they could do was wait.

After precisely five hours, the sounds of battle died down, and Hinata straightened. There was stirring in the trees, and the werewolves were returning. They walked solemnly, in a steady stream of soldiers. Some wounded, but most walking tall. Hinata waited for Kiba, and for a heartbeat, thought he had been killed. But he was at the back, leading the procession of werewolves who were carrying planks of wood, each held a warrior who had fallen. Kiba paused when he reached Hinata and Tenten, although the procession continued.

He held Hinata's gaze for only a second, then turned to Tenten. "I am sorry." He said quietly. One pair of werewolves stopped, laying a plank of wood at Tenten's feet. The body was covered in a coarse cotton cloth, although there was no doubt who was beneath it.

Tenten did not cry, did not scream or shout. She merely knelt by Neji's side. Hinata and Kiba watched her for several moments, and neither saw the knife in her hand until she had pushed it between her ribs.


Werewolves do not bury the bodies of their dead. They consider it an insult to be covered in dirt and allow insects to feast upon the flesh of ones they once held dear. Instead, thirty funeral pyres were set up on a barren stretch of land southeast of the camp. Hinata stood beside the one that held Tenten and Neji's bodies. It seemed fitting for them to be burned together. Kiba appeared at her side, one hand on her shoulder. His fingers gripped her shirt gently, but Hinata found she didn't need comfort.

She would avenge Tenten and her cousin. It was that simple. She knew neither would want her sobbing over their deaths, and her eyes were quite dry. "It's all right, Kiba." She said softly. "They will not have died in vain."

He looked at her, face calm. "We have a visitor."

She blinked, glancing up at him in puzzlement. "Gaara?" She asked.

He nodded.