Hinata stayed close to Kiyoshi, wary and fearful of the guards lines against the walls. "They won't bother you." The prince informed without looking at her. "You've got my blood." She moved back a few feet, feeling relieved. "Why didn't you want to stay with Chika? She's harmless and afraid of me- for reasons we won't discuss."
The human slowed. "She loves Naruto."
"I know. How does that affect you?"
"I…love him."
Kiyoshi turned around, surprised and amused. "That's a surprise."
"It- It is?" Hinata questioned, confused.
"For several reasons." He glanced around at the soldiers, knowing they were listening. He took the human's hand and began pulling her down the hallway. "It's better if we talk in private." Hinata managed to keep up, his pace quickening with excitement. His back stayed turned to her and, curious, she tried to move beside him just to fall behind again. Was he smiling with excitement too?
The woman didn't have much time to think about it. They had arrived at a black, wooden door. The demon pulled a key from his pocket and turned the lock, unlocking it. He stepped away and allowed for Hinata to enter first and followed suite, shutting the door behind him. "This is your room- temporary, I hope." Kiyoshi stated as Hinata wandered around the white-washed room, examining it. "About you," She faced him. "Loving Naruto," The human sat down, curious and in suspense. "I think it's best we keep it between ourselves."
"I know." Hinata looked crestfallen.
"No, you don't know. He could be killed if anyone, especially Kurama, found out."
She jumped up. "That's ridiculous! If anyone should die, it's me. I love him."
The fox smiled. "Then I suggest you keep your mouth shut." He turned to leave but the woman grabbed onto him.
"You won't let him get hurt, will you?" She begged.
He thought for a moment before turning around with a frown. "I can't make any promises after what he's done but I'll try my best."
"What does that mean?"
"Exactly as I said: Why should I invest my time protecting a spiteful creature when I could be doing something that actually means something?"
"And this means nothing?"
Kiyoshi put his hands on his hips. "You're sounding really ungrateful."
"No, I-" Hinata put her hands out in defense when he stepped closer.
He grinned and leaned back, putting her off. "I'm joking. Instead of demanding promises from me, you should be granting me my demands. After all, I did save you."
She frowned and crossed her arms. "What kind of demands?"
"Sit with me at dinner."
"Sit with you? That's easy enough-" The ex-shinobi started.
"Is it? You'll be at the head table with my parents, and I assume Naruto will join as he's expected to regardless of his situation, and don't forget dear, ole' grandfather."
Hinata slowly took a seat. "Any other demands?" She hadn't wavered in her resolve.
"I just really want to know what you think of me." Kiyoshi answered as he leaned against the burning fireplace. "I, for one, don't believe you're that naïve where you'd trust me solely based on my word-"
"But you helped me."
"Did I?" The fox demon questioned with a smile. "I could have said those and done those things for my own advantage."
She stayed quiet, staring into the fire. "I'm not stupid enough to trust a stranger's word and even more, to drink their blood." Her eyes shot up to his. "I know what kind of man you really are."
"A man? Is that what I am? I don't seem to recall-" Kiyoshi began to joke.
"If you're that deceptive, conniving brother I think you are, then tell me: what is your purpose with me? Why did you take me from that cell?"
The demon was lost with this question. At first, it was just to play around and toy with Naruto but then, after she was released, he really had no purpose. He had to think of something or else he'd look like a fool. What was one thing Naruto had worried about most pertaining to his little girlfriend? Mating, but Kiyoshi wasn't interested. It wouldn't piss his parents off. Sacrifice? A smile grew on his face and he couldn't help but laugh. Was he really going to give her to the dogs after he just saved her? No, he would have to think of something. Something that would piss his parents off and make Naruto hate him even more. "I'll leave you to figure that out for yourself." She began to protest but he started again. "When you're ready, let the guards know and I'll come fetch you."
"Fetch me? I am not-" She stood back up, starting over to him.
"You have 3 hours." Hinata stopped at this answer, a yard away.
"Couldn't I-"
"No!" Kiyoshi knew exactly what Hinata was going to ask and he couldn't let her. Maybe he was trying to protect her but how else was his deed to be fulfilled? The streets would be empty, everyone having flocked to the forest for a hunt but the blood lust that filled the air would only bring the human woman in danger. It was stronger than his blood. "It's too dangerous for you."
"Why does everyone keep belittling me and my strength?!" She exclaimed angrily. "I think I can-"
"We're not belittling you, we're protecting you." Kiyoshi answered in return. "You proved you don't need it in some situations when you played me to get out of that cell and out of staying with Chika but right now, there's a bloodlust in the air and if you go out there, not even my blood will protect you. They'll smell you," he grabbed her and pushed her against the wall of the fireplace, his face close to make her uncomfortable. By the way she avoided looking at him, it was working. "You smell different to almost everyone. To me," the demon brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "You're like a delicate flower. To most everyone else…" Kiyoshi lifted her chin to make eye contact. "What did Naruto say I'm like?" When fear and sadness entered Hinata's eyes, he released her. "I'll come back for you in 3 hours."