Dance with the Demon CH 11

- I do not own any of the characters in this story. All belong to Kisihmoto-san -

This is categorized under drama for a reason.

Get ready.

oOo

The bubbling red chakra burned my skin, but I didn't care.

He was going to kill the man. He was being taken over by the demon and was not a rational being in this moment. I tried calling to him, begging him to stop and telling him that I was okay.

He wasn't listening.

My body moved with the resolve to stop him. I couldn't let him kill a man over something so small and I couldn't stand to see him overcome with bloodthirst.

I pressed against his back, my arms wrapping themselves up around his chest and my forehead rested on his shoulder blades.

I was engulfed in the red fire of chakra and I felt as if my skin was searing off.

I clutched tighter. I burrowed my face into the cloth and my lips trembled as I squeezed my eyes shut.

He stopped.

I felt his entire body freeze and I took that moment to remind myself to breathe.

"Please…. stop…. Gaara…" My voice was muffled in his back and my hands overlapped as I pressed closer in my embrace.

Sliding of sand and a thud was heard along with a sharp inhale of breath as the man was dropped harshly onto the floor.

I felt myself relax and a small sigh escaped my lips as I felt him shift in my hold.

The sigh turned into an explosion of breath from my lungs when a hand shoved forcefully against my ribs.

I stumbled backwards, clutching my abdomen when my eyes locked on his and widened with shock.

His lips were pulled back into a snarl, canines unnaturally elongated and looked sharp enough to shred bones.

But his eyes were what clenched my heart with fear.

They were not his.

Eyes that I had known to be light teal were now golden with black stars for pupils and the whites were an eerie black that bled seamlessly into the darkness that rimmed them. They held no light or compassion, only darkness and a deep unrecognizable hunger I had never seen before.

These are a demon's eyes.

I wheeled back and felt my ankles fumble over themselves until I was tumbling downwards.

His soulless eyes didn't leave mine as he stalked forward after me.

I crawled backwards, my palms and heels pushing me as fast as they could until I felt the wall stifle my movement.

My mouth hung open when he closed the space and planted his feet on either side of me, those terrifying golden, black filled eyes fixated on me. I felt sand begin to snake around my body and I trembled when a clawed hand came out to touch my face.

The sound that broke the silence made my body jump and restarted my panicking brain. It was a low raspy grumble that was assumed to be my name but could only be described as a demonic growl.

I had to get out of here.

"Hin...a….ta…"

I slapped the appendage away and used the clearing to pull my legs up and scramble to my feet, breaking the hold of sand as I darted for the dining hall.

I grabbed desperately for the doorway and flung myself through as my breath came out in rasps and strangers' eyes shot to me.

I have to get away from it.

I shoved aside the waiter at the entrance as he attempted to catch me, nearly crashing into the podium on my way out. I paused only to remove my heels and pounded down the street with my heart beating frantically in my ears.

The only thing my brain told me to do was run.

So I ran.

oOo

-Suna village, approximately two weeks ago-

I sighed, running my fingers through my ponytail.

The only job I could work was as a part-time waitress and it barely paid enough to afford my tiny apartment and food, let alone save anything. I had returned to the Kazekage tower to search the bulletin board nearly every day but no new jobs were posted, or I had just missed out.

I stepped into the dining area, tray of food in hand and pasted a smile on my lips. Walking towards the corner booth, I announced the dish before placing it in front of a man clad in black. He winked and shot me a wide grin with a sly "thanks doll." I bowed and turned to leave with a polite smile.

What man wears purple kabuki make-up all over his face in this day and age? I shrugged off the thought and began pacing away towards the kitchen.

He was one of my regulars and even though he was a flirt, he was polite and never really caused trouble, which is more than I could say about some of the other men I served.

I took off my apron and rubbed my shoulder, looking at the clock. Finally time to leave. I returned to the man in black's empty booth and found a ten dollar tip in cash and a piece of paper. I snatched the paper and brought it close to my face to read the nearly illegible childish writing on it.

There was a series of numbers separated by two dashes which I assumed to be a phone number and a name scribbled under it. "Kankuro."

I rolled my eyes, a small smile on my lips. I couldn't even tell if he was attractive under that hood and make-up. I chuckled and picked up my generous tip, stuffing it away and began to walk out towards my apartment.

Who knows, If I got bored I might consider calling the sweet-talker.

The next day was nothing short of a nightmare.

After my daily trip to the tower in search of listings, I walked into work, a natural disaster ensuing.

Several employees had called in sick, it was the weekend, and there was a special item promotion. The only thing that made it worse was the type of customers I had. Lots of men with respect and personal space issues.

When I wasn't getting whistled at or hit on, my hands were being touched uncomfortably upon handing out drinks or condiments.

Then my patience was tested to its utmost limit.

When turning to grab a plate of food from the tray I had set aside, I felt a rough hand run up the back of my leg and slip under my uniform.

The next thing I knew, I was in the office being shown the security tape of what had happened afterwards. I had to be shown, because I honestly couldn't remember what I had done after that point.

I watched the screen as various plates and hot -looking drinks were thrown at the man's face and chest courtesy of yours truly. I looked up at my manager, his face pulled down into a grimace as his eyes watched the video. He paused it then held my stare with his own.

"Hinata….. I understand you were defending yourself…. But I cannot allow something like this to go unpunished." He began with a sigh. I look of sympathy came over his face when his next sentence came with a long pause of hesitation.

"I'm going to have to let you go, Hinata….. I'm sorry."

I sat on the steps outside the diner, legs pulled up to my chest and face pressed into my knees.

What am I going to do now?

I had checked for jobs every chance I could and I have no one to depend on here, no one who could help me. I've never felt so alone and helpless.

I wouldn't be able to keep paying my rent not to mention feed myself….

I shifted and the crinkling of paper caught my attention. I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out the frumpled paper, smoothing it until it was legible.

Kankuro.

Roughly ten minutes later I heard a rumble of an engine and the soft shutting of a door.

I peered up over my knees to see the familiar toothy grin and facepaint approach my position.

"Hey doll, I came as soon as I read the text. What's up? Wanna go out to dinner?"

His eyebrows wiggled with his words but then they stopped to droop down.

"Hey, are you alright?"

He sat down next to me, eyeing me with visible caution and concern. He was the only one I could possibly turn to in this town. He was a complete stranger, but I was desperate.

"Kankuro…." I let my knees fall and crossed my legs as I turned to face him.

He gave a questioning look and I took it as a que to continue.

"M-my name is Hinata…."

He smiled with a small snort. "I know, doll."

I let a smile grace my lips at the retort. At least he knew my name.

"Anno…. I didn't have anyone else to call… I don't know anyone in this town…. I-I lost my job…"

His eyes widened and he gave me a sympathetic look before placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry doll," he began, his smile fading slowly as he patted my shoulder.

"I really need to work…. I can't afford not to. I-I'm here alone…. Do… Do you know of anyone that could help me?"

His eyes lit up before dimming, his face pulling down into a grimace.

"Actually doll, I do know of a position that needs filling….." He trailed off, his eyes not looking into mine anymore.

I felt myself smiling and I grabbed his hand in both of mine. "You do?! Oh please, please help me get it! I'll do anything!"

I was overcome with glee. Nothing could be worse than the night I had just had and the terrible wages I was paid.

He sat in silence, seeming to be caught in his thoughts until I couldn't take it anymore.

"Please Kankuro! I need a job badly!" My plead almost turned into a whimper when he continued to sit silently, but his eyes slowly slid over to mine and I could tell my puppy-dog look was working.

"Alright, I will try to get you an interview-"

I was hugging him before I realized I had even moved, squealing with delight.

"And it actually pays quite a lot-"

I could almost kiss his purple face I was so happy!

"But there is a catch."

I pulled back to look at his face, a mixture of grinning -probably from my embrace- and regret from whatever he was thinking about this job he was offering me.

I couldn't care less, a chance at a job AND he just said it pays well, I'm sold!

I waited silently for him to continue, my grin easily reaching from one ear to another.

"You….. you would be expected to be the servant of….. of someone potentially… dangerous…. and unsociable at the least…."

My eyebrows pulled up in surprise. Dangerous?

"How….. How much does it pay, exactly? C-could I… die?"

He shook his head, scratching his hood with a finger.

"No, I wouldn't go as far to say you would...die…. ahem…" He cleared his throat nervously.

"But it pays…" He leaned in to whisper a number in my ear and I had suddenly thought my hearing had gone bad. My eyes widened as he pulled back, a smile on his face from my expression.

"R-really? That much? You're kidding, right?..."

He shook his head, placing a hand back on my shoulder with a grin.

"So? Want me to try to get you in?"

A took only a moment to decide before quickly coming to a conclusion.

I had to do this, for Neji.

"Yes, please, Kankuro."

oOo

What…. What is this feeling?

I squinted my eyes, trying to focus on where I was and who was in front of me. A man. I blinked to see my hands wrapped around his throat and was suddenly fully aware there was someone pressed against my back. I froze completely. My hands unclenched, sand fell to the ground, and the man in front of me began gasping for air.

Hot breath pooled against my back and arms clenched tighter around me. I felt my body jerk and the arms began to loosen from my chest. Anger and confusion combined and I turned my body and shoved the heat away from me.

Hinata.

Her eyes were fixated on me, the pale orbs wide with fright and astonishment. She tripped and fell back onto her hands as I stepped towards her. Why was she so afraid? She hit the wall and I sped to catch up to her, stepping over to reach her.

I stared at her face, it was wrenched in terror and her mouth was agape as she stared up at me.

She's afraid.

I reached out slowly wanting to touch her. My breath caught in my throat when I noticed the hand that touched her face was distorted and strained with sharp claws at the ends of the fingertips. Was that….

A felt as she pushed it away and started to run. I held out both hands and examined them slowly before looking over to see her retreating form.

She was terrified of me. Terrified because I truly am a monster.

I sat in the street still staring at my now fully human hands.

What had I done?

I was just trying to protect her…

How did this happen?

I clutched my head in my hands and pulled against my hair until it hurt.

She was gone. She hated me. She fears me.

Something wet dripped onto my lap and a let go of my hair to reach down and touch it. I looked up to she sky for rain and froze when I felt the breeze against my cheeks.

They were wet.

I touched them and brought my fingers to my eyes. They widened in astonishment.

Why…..

I wiped my arm across my eyes when I realized the source of the liquid.

I looked into the empty streets, hoping to find the answer in the darkness.

My mind was clouded over with a range of emotions that I couldn't understand. They made me despair and I couldn't decide if I wanted to destroy something or simply disappear into the wind. I clutched at the fabric that covered my heart and curled inward on myself, one question firing through my head over and over.

Would I ever see her again?

oOo

Ummm, don't hate me? :D

-CH 11 Fin-