Hinata sat curled up in the corner of her cell, wondering what she did wrong, if anything. She tried to speak to the guards but they refused to answer the simplest of questions, even how long she had been here. Hinata knew it had to be no more than five hours but it still bugged her to know that she was stuck here when Naruto was out, free, with his friends. Lavender eyes found the stone floor. She should despise him. He lied to her and treated her worse than he ever had before. Was he even going to return?
The slamming of a metal door was heard and Hinata listened as both guards ceased their chatter of some sort festival and turned to attention. Their weapons clattered and Hinata jumped to her feet, afraid. "Who's there?" She asked quietly from her corner.
She was ignored as the two demons apologized profusely to "My prince,". Hinata felt hope. Naruto came back. Maybe he wasn't as bad as she thought. The guards stepped out of the way and the door unlocked. Naruto was the only one with a key. He didn't trust the guards with it. The navy-haired woman smiled as the door opened but hope disappeared when a stranger was in the prince's place instead. "Who are you?" She asked from her corner, fearful as he closed the door.
He bowed and introduced himself. "My name is Kiyoshi. I'm Naruto's older brother."
"Older...brother?" Hinata repeated when he sat down in the corner opposite from her to make her more comfortable. "I thought he was an only child."
Kiyoshi shrugged. "He doesn't like to talk about me much. I've surmised it's because he's jealous."
The human girl studied him from a distance. He had the same blood, red eyes as every other fox demon she had encountered. His hair was black and, unlike Naruto's, was unkempt and shaggy. He was very attractive for someone of his...kind. But then again, Naruto was attractive as well. "I've noticed he doesn't like to share much." She informed him of her observations. "Why have you come to see me? You've never even met-"
"To save you." Kiyoshi told the shinobi. "Today is the festival and with our festival comes a ceremony. Normally we sacrifice the best animal within the forest but…"
"But why? And what's this ceremony for? Why do you have it?"
The demon prince frowned. "It's a tradition. I've been told it's a celebration of our creation. It's special to us and Kurama, my grandfather, started it. Anyway," he stopped her from asking more questions, specifically ones about Kurama. "You're a human and considered a delicacy."
"So," Hinata swallowed the lump in her throat. "You're going to eat me?"
"That's why I've come to you. I want to make sure you're not devoured by friends and family."
"What are you offering?" She asked as she stepped closer. Kiyoshi climbed to his feet, looking anxious.
"My blood. It's stronger than Naruto's. It will protect you. You'll give off a scent that lets them know you can't be touched." He informed, sounding promising. "I know what I'm doing, trust me. I don't fuck up like my brother."
Hinata stared at his bare arm. He was ready when she was. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"I don't want everyone to think my brother is the fuck up he is so I help as much as possible. I want to fix this and...I don't want to see you die. You shouldn't even be here."
The young woman's eyes shot to his and he smiled. "I'll be okay?" She didn't want to go through that again.
"I won't let anything happen to you." He answered before biting into his arm.
Hinata watched the blood drip to the stone, dark and malicious like the eyes of a fox demon. She felt scared. What if he was lying? "How can I trust you? How do I know you're not just saying I'm the sacrifice to-"
Kiyoshi looked at the guards outside the door. "Guards," He began, bringing them to attention. "What is this human's purpose in the festival tonight?"
For a second neither spoke. "She's to be sacrificed, sir, as a celebratory offering, thanking Kurama for our creation." The one on the right informed.
Still, Hinata stayed skeptical. Probably because it sounded ridiculous and unbelievable, something she needed to believe. Her life was on the line. "It just sounds so incredible. I've never heard of something so...crazy. But, if I want to survive and not be fed to a bunch of demons, I need to do this, right?" Hinata wondered aloud as she took Kiyoshi's arm, staring at the blood.
"All it takes is a drop." The prince told her.
Before she was able to, there was a ruckus down the hall, someone calling Hinata's name. "Hinata! Whatever it is, don't do it!" It was Naruto. He came to the door, trying to rip it open.
"I thought you had a key." A woman reminded from behind the blonde. "Or did you leave it behind in your pant's pocket?"
Naruto went to curse but stopped upon seeing the couple's position in the cell. "Hinata, get away from him."
"Why? He's been a lot kinder to me than you have."
"He's fucking psycho-"
"This is what I'm talking about." Kiyoshi interrupted and dropped his arm, pulling down his sleeve. "He's never satisfied nor happy. He's jealous that I'm actually trying to do good."
"You've never done good for anyone!" Naruto yelled. He looked at Hinata urgently. "I know I wasn't the nicest person and I apologize but right now, you need to get away from that monster."
"He's trying to save me!"
"Save you? Kiyoshi-"
"Today is that festival and I'm supposed to be sacrificed. I am not about to become food for your grandfather-"
"You told her about Kurama? Why?"
"That doesn't matter. What does is my survival and I can't trust you again." Hinata answered.
Naruto growled, baring his fangs at his brother as he fought with the door. "You really think this will work? You're-"
"Yes. It's illegal if she's thought to be royalty," Hinata questioned this and he added, "The scent is special since my blood is royal. Naruto's would have that effect on you should he have done it normally."
The blonde prince looked at the vixen behind him. "Chika..." He whispered.
"You know she'll be okay. It won't last forever."
Knowing that, the lavender-eyed woman felt better. Kiyoshi was still offering to help and she still needed it. "Thank you, Kiyoshi. I don't know what to say." She thanked as she beckoned for his arm.
"It's not a problem. I'm always glad to help out a friend." Kiyoshi responded as he rolled up his sleeve and handed the shinobi his arm. It had yet to heal, his body responding more slowly to his own bite than it would another's.
Hinata knew she still had a lot to learn about this world but she had to trust this man. As far as she knew, he was her only way to survive. She lifted his arm to her lips, her body tingling at the scent. It smelled like him: strong and fiery, mysterious and beautiful. There were other things but she could not pinpoint exactly what they were, only that they, too, filled her nose with an amazing aroma. What would it taste like? She needed to find out. The young woman felt odd sucking blood from another being but now she knew: Kiyoshi tasted just as he smelled and it was thrilling.
"I think that's enough." Kiyoshi told Hinata, pulling away gently. "Like I said, you didn't need much."
Hinata brushed her hair back, her cheeks on fire from embarrassment. "Sorry..." She apologized. The tilting back of her head startled her, making her peer into Kiyoshi's eyes.
"That's alright." The demon held her face and leaned closer, his eyes studying her face. "May I?"
"I-"
"Hinata, stop! He's trying to-"
"Why should I believe you?"
"Then believe me." Chika spoke up. "Kiyoshi is trying to mate with you."
Hinata gasped and looked back at the older brother. "Mate...with me? Why?"
"I don't know but that's what he's trying to do. He's a-" Naruto started.
Kiyoshi laughed, shutting them all up. "I'm trying to mate with her but you don't know why? And you have no proof. Are you really that unhappy with yourself that you have to scare other people?" He wondered, upset.
Hinata looked the man up and down, her eyes lingering on his arm. "I'm so thankful for your help." She grabbed his hands and stepped toe-to-toe with him. "You've given me protection and, a kiss, I suppose, is one way to thank you." She was naive in this culture. She didn't know who was telling the truth but a kiss did not sound like some sort of mating thing. How did these creatures of darkness show any sort of physical emotion towards one another? Hinata leaned up, standing on her toes to match her lips with his. It was short and delicate, his lips leaving much quicker than Hinata would have expected.
"I apologize." He bowed, asking for forgiveness. "It's been some time since I've felt the lips of a vixen on my own."
"It's nothing to be worried about." Hinata replied, making him stand.
"I'll see to it you're released. You won't have to worry about anything ever again." He grinned and went to metal door, pulling it open.
Hinata raised a brow, confused. How was he able to exit so easily when Naruto and Chika could not even make it budge? She felt Naruto watching her like a hawk and she shivered. "What?"
"You reek."
"Naruto, don't say that." Chika said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Don't deny it: You're disgusted by the smell too. She smells like him: rotting flesh."
"He does not-" Hinata began.
"Yes, he does!" Naruto yelled. "You smelled what you wanted to because you trusted him!"
"Naruto, stop it!" Chika grabbed the blonde and shoved him against the cell door. "What she's done is her fault. We warned her but she wouldn't believe us. If you're that upset with her, if you can't stand her anymore, then leave her alone. There isn't anything you can do."
It was a long time before a word was spoken. "The king and queen would like to have a word with you." A messenger approached the silent prince. Chika released Naruto and stayed behind a moment longer to speak to the human. "I've known him for a long time and him flipping out like that means he cares about you - a lot. Next time, if ever again, listen."
"Chika," Hinata kept the vixen from continuing on. "Are you two…together?"
"As of today, yes, but now- I love him. A lot. Naruto said he loves me and he's acted like he does but he acts the same with you." She looked away. "Maybe he lied to me. Maybe he doesn't love me." She laughed. "Is it possible…to love two people at one time?" The red-eyed demon wondered before leaving Hinata to wonder the same.
