Shining Armor

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. While my update schedule is still a little unpredictable, I want you all to know I have no intention to abandon this story. I'm not sure how fast or slow the updates will come, but there will be an ending to this story. With that in mind, happy reading.

Chapter Notation: Boys will be boys.

Chapter 11

The next day, Hinata was heading to check on Kakashi when she hears something unexpected. Laughter and it was coming from Orochimaru's room. Curious, the young queen makes her way inside.

"I'm quite certain she would do it." Sasuke looks at Itachi and Gaara with determination. "The queen isn't anymore pleased by his behavior than we are."

Hmm. So Sasuke had some idea for how to punish Orochimaru. Well, other than his broken leg. That was certainly one punishment.

That and the fact his dastardly deeds had been found out in public. The humiliation of that alone would likely haunt him for the rest of his miserable existence.

Itachi shakes his head and smiles. "While the thought is certainly appealing, I'm afraid that I can't see our beloved queen doing something like that." Something like what?

"It would be most amusing though." Gaara smirks.

Hmm. What could possibly have the red head smirking like that? Prince Sasuke must have come up with something quite entertaining for him to be responding in such a way. Particularly when the two Uchiha Princes were essentially Gaara's competition for her hand.

It didn't matter that her heart already belong to Kakashi. Those three didn't know that yet. So for all practical purposes, they were rivals in love and yet, they seemed to be getting along just fine.

Orochimaru was glowering at them. "You three conduct yourselves as if you were all still children." Which really spoke well of their character. "Most unbefitting of your stations."

"This coming from a man who shot another to give him an advantage in a tournament." Gaara rolls his eyes as Hinata privately admits that was a very good point. "Spare us the lectures on what is proper and what is not."

Sasuke nods at that. This was amusing, but Hinata knew that she would have to steps in soon. Lest it all come to blows.

"Indeed." The younger Uchiha glares at Orochimaru. "You have no room to talk. God help you, if Kakashi's injuries had been more serious."

Itachi crosses his arms and scowls at the king. "Yes, wars have been started over much less before." That was also accurate.

It was also her cue. If she didn't act soon, the elder Uchiha prince would be proven right and a war would undoubtedly start. They were in the right and had so many witnesses, but if it came to blows Hinata knew what would happen.

The younger monarchs would win. "I think that's enough for now." The Spanish people would be outraged and war would be the result. "Though I must admit I am most curious to hear what Sasuke's plan is."

They all immediately bow to her. Well, save for Orochimaru. He was still resting in his bed and unable to do much of anything.

"I'm quite certain that he tampered with one of the horses." Sasuke smirks at Hinata. "So I should think that he deserves to lose his own and after he crosses the English Channel, he can ride to his castle on the back of an ass."

The more crude term for a donkey. Hmm. Well that would certainly be the sight to see and rather uncomfortable given that Orochimaru had broken a leg.

"That does seem a fitting punishment." She nods. "I'll have it done, but for now I shall go and check on the duke's recovery."

Orochimaru looks ready to protest, but Hinata wouldn't indulge him. He deserved some more discomfort and indignity. Kakashi would be fine as long as his injury didn't become infected, but could have easily not been the case. What if the arrow had struck his heart instead of his arm?

"Of course, Your Majesty." Itachi, Sasuke, and Gaara spoke as almost one entity as she left the room.

It was nice that they were getting along. Though it would be nicer still to speak to Kakashi again.

Orochimaru seethes as the queen leaves. Damn it. The only reason these barbarians wouldn't physically attack them was the fear of a war that might result, if they did.

"I wouldn't count on that." Itachi smiles at him. "Our empire and France's collective might would crush even Spain." He pauses for a moment. "Not to mention, the English might lend a hand in this particular battle considering you attacked one of their own."

The thought was a sobering one. As much as Orochimaru was loathed to admit it, they would certainly have the advantage when it came to numbers.

His was a mighty kingdom, but to take on two or three at once would not be ideal. Still, they wouldn't be that foolish. Itachi and Sasuke couldn't command their kingdom to attack him without their parents authorization and Gaara wouldn't want to endanger his people's lives, if he could avoid doing so.

"You'd have to sign your parents onto your foolish idea." Orochimaru smirks at the two brothers. "Something that I doubt they would do just to indulge you. I doubt they'll be willing to sacrifice people's lives to indulge your petty tantrums."

Gaara's eyes narrow. "I am a king in my own right." That was true. "I don't need anyone's permission and I have little doubt that Hinata wouldn't back France in such a fight."

Hinata was it? That was irritating. The brat had no right to call the Queen of England that.

True. He had lost the battle to be her husband, but they were all just overgrown children. "I wouldn't be so sure of that." At the very least, he hoped that she wouldn't be foolish enough to marry one of these three or even worse, Kakashi.

"I doubt the queen would approve of you using such familiarity towards her." Orochimaru couldn't suppress a snarl from forming on his lips.

Sasuke rolls his eyes at Orochimaru as if he were some sort of insignificant insect. "Perhaps not, but compared to your behavior…Gaara comes across as being rather proper." He shrugs. "Don't you agree, Itachi?"

The elder prince nods and Orochimaru clenches his fists. He had a broken leg. Otherwise he might have taken a swing at all of them, despite it being the foolish thing to do.

He'd lose the fight, but it was one that he could spin. No one would believe that he was the aggressor between the four of them. He was an increasingly elderly man and they were all young men. Everyone knew young men were prone to losing their tempers.

"Agreed." He smiles at the other two. "Come. I believe that the king needs his rest. Perhaps it will do him some good to think about what he's done." With that being said, he walks off and his 'friends' follow him.

Their friendship wouldn't last. Once Itachi and Sasuke were a bit older, they would quarrel as any two princes would and Gaara would drop them for the sake of political expediency one day.

Orochimaru had seen such friendships form countless times. They weren't worth the paper that they were printed on.

A short while later, Kakashi smiles as he sees Hinata enter his room. It was kind of her to visit him and he was going to take advantage of that kindness.

"You came." He smiles at her warmly. "Who would have ever thought that a poor sinner such as me would be blessed with a guardian angel?"

Hinata laughs softly as she swiftly makes her way to his bed. "You've already used that line before." Yes, that was true. Though Kakashi did hope that it would still be an effective one.

If not, well he'd just have to come up with something else to ensnare Hinata's attention. He did have a few ideas, but most of them would have scandalized the prim and proper English population.

Well at least, they pretended to be prim and proper. Kakashi knew the truth though. Most indulged far more than they would ever admit in public.

"It's still true though." He smiles. "I wasn't aware the truth had a limit."

Hinata laughs again as she sits on the edge of his bed. "You are a charmer." Indeed. He did try his best to be, but was it enough?

The ring was still heavy in his pocket. There were kings and princes who were vying for her hand. True, he was titled and he had plenty of land. It was still a hard sell to make.

The way she laughed though gave him strength. "My Queen, there is something that I would very much like to ask you." He leans closer to her and places a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I know that a wretch like me shouldn't, but as you said I do fancy myself to be a charmer."

Hinata giggles at that and nods. "You may ask whatever you wish." It was such an innocent sound.

How he had ever gotten so lucky to hear it, Kakshi would never know. He must have been a saint in a previous life or something of that nature.

"I would like for you to marry me." He smiles and displays the beautiful ring that was styled so much like a rose. "You have many suitors, but I am the one who loves you most and if you should like, I shall prove it to you on this very night."

Hinata gasps as she stares at the ring. Of course, that would be her reaction though. He had just suddenly proposed to her!

"How would you prove it to me?" She looks at him shyly.

Those eyes were so trusting. So innocent and so damn erotic to him that Kakashi couldn't resist.

"In whatever way you like." He glances at the door. "You did lock it and the walls are thick. You need not worry about anyone wandering in on us and can stop me at any time you like."

Hinata tilts her head at that. "Alright." It was likely that she had only the slightest inkling what he meant by that.

That was really all the permission he needed as he captures her lips with his own. She was such an innocent thing that it would be all too easy to distract her. To show her what he was capable of giving her.

Warning Lime

Hinata moans softly into the kiss as she wraps her arms around his neck. There was no denying that Kakashi was a wondrous kisser. His skill was the stuff of fairytales and some decidedly less innocent tales.

"I do love you." She barely registers his words as Kakashi breaks the kiss and slides one hand underneath the top of her gown. "Let me show you how much."

The action causes her to blush. "I l-love you too." Though she didn't dare stop him.

Not even when his hand slid under her undergarments to caress her bare skin. His perfectly warm and rough hands that left her gasping and almost begging for more. She bites her tongue though. Not yet. She didn't want him to view her as wanton.

Kakashi smiles at that as he caresses the soft and warm skin of her beautifully shaped cleavage. Her bosom would have inspired sonnets, he was sure. If anyone else had the privilege of seeing it.

"Good." He slips another hand underneath the bottom of her gown. "Just relax and allow yourself to be lavished with my affection."

Which if he had his way, no one else would. Well, save for their children and some healers. One did have to be reasonable.

"Y-Yes." Hinata nods shyly at him.

Her cheeks were burning crimson red, but Kakashi smiles all the same as he finds some fragile lace concealing her from his wandering hand and tugs it off of her. It wouldn't keep her from him.

"Relax." He captures her lips in his own as he caresses her breasts and her hidden jewel.

Hinata gasps and moans as she arches against him. Suddenly, she felt almost unbearably hot. It was a wonderful heat though and she could feel herself beginning to grow wet with desire.

"K-Kakashi!" There was no hiding her wantonness now.

Not when his hands were so skillfully teasing her breasts and the hidden place between her thighs. Making her see stars with every seductive touch.

She'd never wanted anyone this much and that feeling only increases as he slides a finger inside her. "Oh God!" This had to be sinful. There was no way that something should feel this good, but it did.

"Beautiful." He smiles at her between kisses.

Kakashi watches as her eyes glaze over with undisguised passion. Her every reaction was so honest. From the pretty blush on her face to how wet his fingers were growing as he slides a second one inside her and continues teasing her.

The way her hips would buck against him was magical. Judging from how quick her breathing was becoming, it wouldn't be long now.

"I want to hear you scream for me." He bestows several soft kisses along her neck while toying with one of her nipples.

Hinata didn't have any problem doing exactly that. She screams in an exquisite ecstasy as she succumbs to his seduction.

So amazing was the feeling, that Hinata was barely aware of what happened next. That Kakashi was attempting to make them look presentable once more, but he did.

End of Lime

Kakashi smiles at her as if all was right with the world. "When you have collected yourself, I feel as though I should send you back to your bedchambers." What? "Otherwise, you won't have your innocence on our wedding night. I assume that you have decided to accept my proposal."

The arrogance of the man would have been galling, had Hinata not just witnessed the fact that he had every reason to be smug.

"You expect me to t-think properly after all that?" She blinks at him as though he had gone mad.

Surely, he had. How could Hinata think about such a proposal rationally when her very blood was singing with primal satisfaction?

He chuckles and nods. "I suppose that I should give you more time to consider the matter." Kakashi smiles at her. "I've waited my entire life for you, I don't imagine a few more days will harm me all that much."

Hinata desperately wanted to be crossed with him, but she couldn't. Every time he acted like a rogue, he just had to go and say something sweet like that.

"You're lucky that I love you." She shakes her head. "Otherwise, I wouldn't indulge your roguish ways." Honestly, what was she going to do with him?