Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

This chapter is messy. Filthy in a smutty way, but honestly my writing is not that strong in this one. I did my best to keep Hinata in character, but Kumo Hinata has been unleashed, and I hope you enjoy reading.

Also, for the dance section, I recommend listening to "Waiting Game" by BANKS and similar sexy slow dance music.

It's her second night in Kumogakure, and she already has a man between her legs.

This was not how she expected things to go. During the long travel on foot and boat to the Hidden Cloud, Hinata thought long and hard about what Kiba said, and what he meant.

He wanted her, but he wished for her to work through her mix of feelings and hormones regarding her post break-up status with Naruto. And that implied having a rebound relationship with someone during her trip to the Cloud.

But having sex with a stranger terrified her. The only man she had ever slept with was Naruto, who she had known and trusted since childhood. How on earth would she feel comfortable exposing her body to someone she didn't care about or even know?

Apparently comfortable enough, as the man below her (yes, below her), urged her with his hands to ride his face harder. Hinata's head felt dizzy in this position. This was overwhelming. And so fucking hot. She felt like she was in an extra filthy erotic novel. She knew in theory that she could sleep with someone in Kumo, but the reality of it, and the context of this particular interaction, it was too much.

The cohort of Hyugas on the trip to Cloud consisted of Hinata, Hanabi, Haishi, some clan elders, and some branch members as their security detail. Upon arriving, they were greeted by the Raikage, his second-in-command Darui, and some other prominent ninja.

They were treated like royalty. The Raikage personally escorted them to their lodgings, which was a luxurious hot springs resort in the village, and they were invited to a formal dinner in the resort's restaurant. Father insisted they dress in their traditional clothes, so Hanabi and Hinata had some rare sisterly bonding by helping each other get ready.

It was actually quite fun, doing each other's hair and makeup for what felt like a family vacation. Father had been in a surprisingly light and happy mood during travels, and the lack of pressure he usually put upon his daughters was worth celebrating. Although Hinata and Hanabi had similar eyes, their hair was quite different in color and texture. Hinata threaded Hanabi's chocolate locks into a loose braid, while her sister pinned her slippery indigo strands into some sort of fancy updo.

Knowing that this formal dinner was with the most important nin and elders in Kumogakure, Hinata understood no one in this room could possibly be appropriate for a casual hookup. She made polite conversation with everyone, although more so with Darui who was seated next to her. But Hinata mostly enjoyed the lavish food and drink with her sister.

She had been so caught up in Naruto for so long, she forgot the joys of spending time with Hanabi when both of them put in the work to truly be present in each other's company.

The night ended with the Raikage loudly demanding that Darui show the Hyuga daughters the night life of the Cloud, "Show them a good time!"

Then he somehow felt the need to land his fist heavily on the table and grunt, as if he dared anyone to dispute his authority on this silly notion. Both Hinata and Hanabi gave each other a knowing look and took a sip of their drinks.

Darui pulled at the collar of his black yukata that he didn't seem to enjoy wearing, "Boss, they just got here today. Let them enjoy the hot springs tonight."

Hinata and Hanabi couldn't help but smile at each other at the thought of going to the hot springs while it was snowing. Winter felt magical in this village. And both Hyuga sisters were happily buzzed, as a surprising consequence of their father's consistent command at the server's to make sure his daughter's cups were always full.

"Then invite them out for tomorrow night!" The Raikage yelled. Hinata and Hanabi had created a drinking game to take a sip every time Ay yelled something that could have simply been said in at a regular volume. Both girls giggled as they drank.

Sighing, the yelled-at nin turned to Hinata, "Sorry to interrupt you, but would you and your sister like to see more of Kumogakure tomorrow evening?"

Hanabi, the spit-fire she grew up to be, "And what exactly does Kumo have to offer, Darui-kun?"

Hinata swatted at her sister for being too familiar with the war general.

"It might be dull for you, but there's a cafe where Cloud nin go drinking and dancing," Hinata didn't understand how he made such a fun sounding club seem so dull.

Remembering etiquette when speaking to the upcoming Raikage, Hinata spoke on behalf of her and her sister, "We would be honored, Darui-sama."

Feeling eyes on her, Hinata turned her head to see their father beaming at them. Beaming. The look was so unfamiliar and alien, it quickly sobered up Hinata.

Then she looked at Darui, the general of the first division from the Fourth Great Shinobi War, next in line to be the fifth Raikage, which her father had mentioned to her several times on the trip here, who was assigned a seat right next to her. Oh.

Her eyes then roamed to his left hand to see no sign up traditional marriage jewelry. She felt his eyes on hers, and met them with a question. He shrugged nonchalantly and lifted his sake cup to her in mock cheers. She drank her whole cup in one go to process this realization: This was a setup. This whole trip was a setup. Fuck.

She held Hanabi's hand to excuse themselves, "Thank you for this wonderful evening and your generous hospitality," her sister took the hint as they both bowed to the Raikage.

The men at the table stood and bowed back as Ay spoke, not yelling, "It is our privilege to host you. May this be the start of a newfound relationship between the Hyuga family and the Cloud! Darui will escort you both back to your quarters."

I'm going to faint, Hinata successfully nodded and pulled Hanabi to the exit.

Once the door to the private dining area slid close, the last thing she saw was Hanabi's worried face as Hinata lost conscious into the arms of her suitor.

Fingers were kneading into her shoulders as she came to. Maybe it was all a dream. Maybe she was in Kiba's arms in Konoha, waking from a dream, and he would feed her his poorly cooked breakfasts and she would kiss him and all would be as it should.

Alas, Hinata registered Hanabi's chocolate hair messily covering her face as she grinned at her sister. Then she registered the long fingers soothing the tension in her shoulders were many shades darker than Kiba's fingers. She looked up and behind her to see the face of the man she was possibly going to marry.

Her shoulders bunched up and then were forced back down by his powerful hands, "Sorry, princess."

Sorry for what? So many men have given me empty apologies lately. And the one I want...

"Please excuse us, Darui-sama," Hinata's direction for him to leave came out in a tone colder than expected.

The suitor didn't seem too bothered. He let go of her shoulders, and kneeled in front of her, "Sorry, Hinata. I take it the idea of us getting married doesn't appeal to you?"

Hanabi gasped. Hinata was taken aback not just by how upfront he was about their situation, but by how he said it in such a deadpan manner. Like the whole topic bored him.

Not sure how to respond, she nodded with a skeptical look on her face.

He sighed, "I'd tell you not to worry about it, but I don't think that will help. Marriage doesn't interest me, and by the time your visit is over, I assure you that your father will take you back to the Leaf not the father-in-law of the next Raikage, while Boss yells at me for screwing up this arrangement. Sound OK?"

Both Hyuga sisters blinked at the all-too-casual man. The room was silent.

Unaffected, Darui nodded, "Cool. You ladies enjoy the hot springs. I'll pick you up tomorrow night for drinks and dancing. Excuse me."

With a well practiced humble bow, he put his hands in his pockets and left their quarters.

After a few beats of uncertain silence, "What the fuck?" was Hanabi's response. Hinata nodded in agreement.

The next day, the Hyuga family was scheduled to go on a tour to see the historic sites in Kumo. Both Hinata and Hanabi had been on diplomatic missions before to create or sustain relationships with important people and places, and this trip to the Cloud so far seemed to be designed to sell them on what a wonderful place it was.

The docent had no problem talking for extended periods of time, so Hinata spent almost the whole time lost in a mess of thoughts. They drifted from the arranged marriage, to Kiba, to the idea that they were spending a whole month here, she missed Kiba, but Darui didn't seem interested in marriage, so she had no idea how he or she or they would handle it, she needed to figure out how to hookup with someone to do the whole rebound thing, which honestly seemed inconsequential now compared to the arranged marriage idea, oh fuck, how was Kiba going to react when he came to Kumo in a month for a celebration?

Before she knew it, the tour, lunch, a guided trip a history museum, and dinner were all over. That meant her uninterested suitor would be here soon to pick her and her sister up for drinks and dancing.

Looking through her wardrobe of mostly modest clothes, Hinata chose a dress she had only worn once before. The dark purple long sleeved dress went to her thighs, and hugged her figure in a flattering manner. It was the dress she wore on her first date with Naruto, and hadn't worn since. It was time to give this dress a new memory.

Hanabi also seemed to want to dress to be noticed. Her younger sister wore a strapless velvet blue dress.

She decided it was time to confess her motive for tonight to her sister, "Hanabi, I'd like to..." seduce, take home, fuck, what word do I use? "M-m-meet?" She looked up at the ceiling while her sister likely looked at her with skepticism, "someone tonight. Could you do my hair and makeup?" She dared a looked at the twin ivory orbs.

Hanabi looked at her sister like she didn't recognize her, "Darui?"

Hinata sighed. Although her suitor was handsome and made her feel at ease last night, she was sure sleeping with him would send mixed messages. But he did declare he wasn't interested in marriage. And she had to admit he was attractive. But not as adorable as Kiba. But those broad shoulders... She didn't know, "Possibly?"

Hanabi grinned at her, "Well, I'm also using tonight to meet a guy. Can't let you have all the dramatic fun on this trip!"

When their eyes were lined with black liner, their lips were coated with clear gloss, and both had their hair were tied in matching high ponytails, they looked into the mirror, "Damn, us Hyuga girls look fine. We should go out in Konoha like this sometime!"

But all Hinata could think was how disappointed she was that it wasn't Kiba who would be picking her up soon for drinking and dancing, that it wasn't Kiba would see this glamorous look, that it wasn't Kiba she would go home with.

"What's wrong?" Hanabi asked.

Slipping on her more formal winter cloak, Hinata chose to tell a partial truth, "This dress was from my first date with N-Naruto," she heard her sister make a noise of understanding as Hinata continued, "I want to use this month as a transition from our breakup. I want a serious relationship soon, but I," she took a breath, "need to have a c-c-casual rebound first," she tried to sound committed to the idea.

Hanabi looked surprisingly against the idea, "You need a rebound? I personally think the concept of a rebound is unnecessary, and gives men an excuse to casually sleep with women who just got their hearts broken."

Her words gave Hinata pause. Although there may be some hard hitting truth behind Hanabi's wise words, Hinata didn't feel quite comfortable telling her about her desperate need for Kiba's body, and how a rebound affair was the most logical stepping stone to prepare for the romance he promised her. How could she rationalize out-loud that she was delaying a once-in-a-lifetime romance just to focus on her own pleasure in a very self-involved way first?

A romance that sounded so wonderful, that she was willing to try out casual sex with strangers to take the edge off her high sex drive, This is a logical plan. This is what people do, right?

Even her thoughts had a skeptical tone.

There was a knock at the door. Hanabi answered it while Hinata felt herself get into a mental state to meet some men, thinking of her favorite naughty scene from her steamy books. When she greeted Darui, her eyes were on his truly magnificent shoulders before his face, "Hey princess," he greeted her smugly.

She continued to take in the older man's appearance. He was wearing a high collared sleeveless shirt, showing his famous tattoo. His powerful build matched the ones she read about in erotic books, and the idea of sleeping with him didn't seem so preposterous anymore.

The style of dance was unfamiliar, but it was easy to learn as a follow, and it was hot as hell. Darui's friend Omoi taught her and Hanabi how to press their backs into the hands on their partner's to create a rubber band effect, and then just move to the music. He also told them the safety rules, how dancers enjoyed dancing while respecting each other's space, and it was OK to decline dances for any reason.

Darui lead her in her second dance after Omoi, where he taught her how to be spun and dipped. It was quite fun, "Have fun," he whispered into her ear his nonchalant manner as he left her on the floor.

She was about to panic for lack of a dance partner, when a stranger asked her to dance. Hinata noticed others on the dance floor asking new partners to dance, and learned this was the culture.

A mix of both civilians and nin asked both Hyuga sisters to dance one after the other, or to even have the next dance in a waitlist style. They were the exotic out of town visitors, with their notorious family name and famous white eyes. Dance after dance, Hinata felt herself get lost in the attention of all the different dancers.

It was a very sensual style of dance. She was often pressed against the chest of other men, with one of their hands splayed on her back, the other entwined in her hand, and sometimes her leg drifted up their's when the dance called for it. It was like she had an intimate moment with all of these men, without any explicit sexual innuendos.

Hinata wanted more from one of these encounters, but every dance ended with a respectful and platonic "thank you."

After an extra steamy dance with a gorgeous man with his hair in long braids, Hinata wanted to make a bold move, "W-want to get a d-drink?" she offered.

He looked to the bar, and then back to her, "It's been a pleasure dancing with you, but I have to decline."

Hinata looked to the bar to see Darui. She was about to tell her dance partner than she wasn't here with Darui, but he was already gone. Pouting, she respectfully declined the next dance to go sit at the bar next to her confusing suitor. She stood next to him for a moment, staring at a smudge on the bar with focus to work up the courage to disregard basic conversational etiquette and bark at someone the way Kiba did.

Eventually, in a voice much more quiet than she hoped, "Is our supposed," she took a breath, inhale for three counts, exhale for six counts, "m-m-marital arrangement common knowledge?"

Darui sighed, as he always did, and ordered two drinks from the bartender, "Technically, no," she felt her eyebrows scrunched up, still now rubbing at the smudge with the sleeve of her dress, "But it's assumed. The Raikage hasn't hid his excitement at the possibility of having the Hyuga bloodline in Kumo. And people saw us arrive together. So..."

He avoided finishing his sentence as two cloudy white drinks appeared on the bar. He offered one to her.

So, my chances of a hookup have drastically decreased. No one wants to casually sleep with the alleged future wife of their next Raikage. Of course.

She closed her eyes and held the cold drink to her forehead to calm herself. If she was being honest with herself, she would identify the feeling of relief washing through her. The thought of sleeping with a stranger with no prior relationship nor any understanding of his background terrified her.

Then she felt a similar sensation at the nape of her neck. Hinata opened her eyes to observe Darui holding her long ponytail out of the way, while he held his drink to her back, "Sorry about all of this. It'll be over in a month. I'll find a way to do something that makes your father rethink the arrangement, give you an easy excuse to say no, and I'll take the heat."

"Thank you," Hinata found herself saying, with genuine gratitude. Well, now she had a reason not to have this rebound sex with a random person. Although she acknowledged her relief, her sex-driven side inwardly wept it disappointment.

It was crude and filthy and out of character, but part of Hinata still wanted to bone a real dick and not just a sex toy.

She removed her glass from her forehead to hold it up for a cheers, and he removed his from her neck to meet her glass. The drink was a lovely mix of sweet and tart, and was gloriously alcoholic.

His other hand was still touching her hair. She gave him a look. He grinned and let go, "Sorry. I know I said I didn't want to marry you. But it's hard to not flirt with such a lovely lady."

Biting her lip, she reconsidered the man in front of her. Darui made her feel comfortable and safe, and he was a reputable man of honor. Possibly ten years older than her, which indicated he had all sorts of experience with women. He likely knew how to treat one in the bedroom. Obviously not interested in a serious relationship, but still flirting with her. Kami, she was confused about her carnal desires.

Blushing, she took a risk, "I-I don't m-mind."

He accepted her implied invitation and resumed twisted her shiny locks between his dextrous fingers.

She felt the tension between them intensify, and rested her elbows on the bar to steady herself.

She heard him place his drink down, and felt his body heat enter her personal space, "Would you like to dance?"

Exhaling, she finished her drink, and allowed him to guide her onto the dance floor with his hand in hers and his other on the small of her back. The music began with a slow vocal beat. Very dramatic for building suspense, she snorted inwardly at the irony of the music and situation.

Darui wrapped his arm around her back, using his forearm to press against her and guide her movements. The other hand moved her expecting hand to place it around his neck, then he gently touched her waist. He held her closer than other partners had, bending his knees to lower himself closer to her height.

As the vocalist starting singing, the older nin moved her body in very subtle small motions. As the drama of the music built, the movements grew in speed and size. He prompted her hips to rotate more, then he loosened his grip to indicate for her to arch her back all the way, and then snap back to him with an intense breath at the beat. His hands glided up to hold her close and grip her other hand, never leaving her skin.

Darui's style in this dance was very different from their first educational dance. This one lead them to touching each other more intimately than she had with other partners. Caressing each other's neck, arms, hips.

Then the music added a chord and his feet were moving a back and forth pattern. Somehow, Hinata just knew how her feet should react such that they moved as one across the floor. It was a fusion of waltz and blues and dirty dancing. It was incredible.

At one point, Hinata dared to drag her leg up his, higher than she had with other dancers. He responded by boldly taking her thigh, and using it to lift her whole body up and against him as he spun them to the music, their groins dangerously close. As the music changed, he let her go back to earth by having her slide down his hard body. Oh Kami, he was hard there too.

The music began the next song, but neither nin made motions to find new partners. Darui repositioned his hold on Hinata, and then danced again to the new song. And the next. And the next.

With every dance, Darui somehow found an innovative way to hold her closer to him, and Hinata discovered how she could sensually touch a man outside of the bedroom. And she liked touching him. The nape of his neck, the curve of his shoulders, the shadow of his bicep, the indentation of his hip bone, the skin on the inside of his forearm.

The fourth song ended with another lift. Both of his hands supported her weight under her armpits. Hinata recognized her clothing must have been particularly damp in that area, but the way he looked up at her, it seemed there were more important notions to consider. Hinata couldn't help but rub her thighs together, and then blush.

Darui smirked, let her go mid-air, and caught her bridal style in a flash. A rush of adrenaline and lust shot through Hinata and clouded her mind.

"Sorry, Princess. I know I led some heated dances-"

"Take me to your place?" Hinata cut him off. She blinked at herself in shock, Did I really just imply we should hookup?!

But his dances with her had exhilarated the young woman in a way no other man ever had. She felt greedy for more of him. More of his body. More of this feeling. With a nod to herself, she decided she was OK with hooking up with Darui.

His let her legs go gently, keeping his other arm wrapped securely around her, and his hand found her hair again as his eyes met her with sincerity, "Are you sure?"

She smiled in excitement and nodded her head. This was the first time she ever felt turned on with mostly physical sensations. And she felt excited. Not romantic, nor yearning, nor trying to prove herself. No, Hinata felt turned on, greedy, unleashed.

He smiled back, "I want to kiss you now, but if I did, the Raikage will think I'm already sabotaging his plan by being inappropriate."

"Oh," she felt a rare tinge of mischief bloom inside her as she trailed her hands up his chest, In that case...

Hinata grabbed his collar and pulled her suitor's lips down to hers in a heated kiss that was absolutely inappropriate for a public place. It would seem that Hinata was indeed going to meet her goal of casual sex in Kumo.

And that's how, on only her second night in the Hidden Cloud, she found herself with a hookup. Not just with any random Cloud nin, but with the future Raikage. What was it with me?! The only times I've had sex have been with war hero future leaders.

Hinata was brought back to the moment when Darui did something with his teeth against her clit and she felt that particular sensation build from her core, "Darui, oh Kami, Darui!"

She's gripped his headboard as his strong hands urged her to grind against his face even harder. It was too much, but there was no going back. She felt her overstimulated body spasm as a reaction to his ministrations as an orgasm tore through her. His tongue lapped her up until his grip loosened, and she fell off him.

"Damn, princess," Darui praised with a triumphant smile, his face wet from her juices.

All she could do was breathe heavily as she looked downward towards his exposed hard cock. That's what she really wanted. The feeling of a man pounding into her heat, making her feel desired. Needed. Wanted.

The image of Kiba's face as she rubbed against him that one morning came to her mind, but she shook it away to stay present. They would be together in due time. She wove her fingers through Darui's platinum blonde locks and made eye contact, "Darui..."

Fuck me, she wanted to say, but even this new variation of promiscuous Hinata couldn't voice quite everything out loud. So she imitated her best version of bedroom eyes, as she had read about in books. She then licked her lips and bit them. That usually sent a clear message to the leading romantic interests.

She'd never felt so filthy in her life. It was unfamiliar, these exhilarating and empowering feelings that came with shamelessly expressing her desires.

Her lover of the night licked his lips, snaked his arm around her waist, and pressed her naked body against his as he kissed her.

She place her hand between her legs to make it wet, then rubbed up and down the length of that dick she wanted too much. He groaned into her mouth.

Suddenly, she felt her head being tugged back. He grabbed her ponytail and was gazing into her eyes, pupils dilated with lust, "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she said without reservation. She didn't allow her brain to think of anything else but how badly she wanted his cock in her.

He pulled her on top of him and nodded his head to the nightstand, "Condoms and lube are in there."

Hinata had never put on a condom on a man before. He showed no signs of moving as he watched her rip the packaging open and roll it onto his thick length and applied lube as he moved his hands up and down her thighs.

"Ride me, Hinata," he breathed with anticipation.

Again, Hinata was taken aback. She had never been on top during sex before. As much as she wanted the sensations that were soon to come, this recent sequence of her being on top and in control didn't exactly a turn her on. Pondering for a moment while admiring his abs, she understood that if she wasn't into it mentally, this sex would be like it was with Naruto. And that wouldn't do.

What turns me on... Kiba's shirtless form under her on the couch popped into her head. She realized fantasizing about another man during sex wasn't very respectful, but her body was reacting and she felt carnal need pulse from her core, "Sit up against the pillows," she commanded.

She crawled up with him as he adjusted, and she positioned her sex on his. Not to penetrate, but to rub. With her hands on his shoulders, she closed her eyes and imagined she was on the couch with Kiba.

"Oh," she whimpered. The lack of clothes made the slippery friction all the more glorious. She felt hands tighten on her hips, and she rubbed harder. She imagined Kiba gritting his teeth as he watched her slide up and down his cock against his hard abs.

She needed more. It was then that she gripped Kiba's length at her entrance, and he slowly entered her body. Hinata cried out at the immediate pleasure felt at the point where their bodies intersected. Instinct had her grinding against Kiba as she ran her hands up and down his muscles.

The friction between her clit, his cock, their rubbing hair, the hardness of his abs, "Hah," she cried out as the most wonderful sensation coursed through her body, from her core to her brain. It wasn't like her other times, when her body spasmed as a reaction to intense stimulation, like with her vibrator or with the tongue.

This was heavenly. As she came down from her orgasm, she felt her body slow on its own as she focused on the place between her legs.

All too soon, the sensation left her, and she opened her eyes to smile at Kiba.

But it wasn't Kiba. It was Darui, "You back on earth, princess?"

Forcing a weak smile, she nodded. Not wanting her face to betray her disappointment that it was not Kiba she was with right now, she buried her face in the crook of his shoulder.

Gripping her hips again, he held her tight as he slid down the bed so he could lay flat, as he was earlier, "Please ride me until I cum."

Although Hinata was surprised he wanted to spend the entire sexual experience on his back, she nodded. Sitting all the way up straight, she found he entered even deeper inside her. Gasping, she writhed on top of him to experiment with the sensation. It wasn't exactly the same pleasure she felt when they first started, but it was an intriguing feeling.

His hands traveled up to her breasts and groped them with an eager touch. His eyes roamed from one nipple to the other in fascination.

Hinata noticed he was quiet during sex, and his face only gave the most subtle indications of his pleasure. She felt motivated to use her body to make an impression on the war general, and allowed him to fondle her large breasts more for his pleasure than her own.

Feeling a light coating of sweat on her, she rocked on him, carefully searching for any indication that he enjoyed one movement more than another. When she leaned forward and worked her body such that she was moving up and down his cock, breasts dragging against his chest, his hands suddenly gripped her ass as he thrust up into her in erratic waves.

The intense power of him made her gasp. She didn't feel any signs of another orgasm, but that was fine. The way his fingers tightly held her cheeks, the way he was slamming up and into her with desperation, the way his eyebrows creased with primitive need. Was is romantic and passionate? No. Was it exhilarating and scandalous? Yes. Hinata was shocked to find herself smiling with pride and power.

He clenched his eyes closed and breathed heavily as he came into her, his grip on her loosening.

Grinning in satisfaction that she figured out how to make him cum, she gently lifted herself off him.

Was this with the man she truly wanted? No. But did she have erotic sex like the characters did in her filthy novels? Yes! And did she meet the quota for meaningless rebound sex? Yes, but it was with a problematic political figure.

Hinata stared at the ceiling and hummed a pondering note as Darui got off the bed to go to his bathroom.

She was still staring at the ceiling when she felt eyes on her. Large white eyes met hooded black ones, "You are quite stunning," he praised.

Hinata felt her cheeks warm as used the sheet to cover up her naked form. She understood he had seen her body in graphic detail, but the way his eyes were roaming her body and face, it made her seek out a shield of any sort.

His hand came to massage his jaw as he stared at her with a serious consideration that she hadn't seen before.

"Can I get you anything? Tea?"

Hinata nodded in gratitude as Darui made for the kitchen. Not feeling completely relaxed stark naked, she used the bathroom and put her clothes back on, Well now this dress has seen two first dates, assuming tonight counted as a date.

Hinata shook her head as she made her way outside on the balcony. The brisk cold air was a welcome sensation. She breathed in the frigid air through her nose, and out warm air through her mouth such that her released air turned momentarily foggy. It all of a sudden occurred to Hinata the weight of her actions tonight.

The physical symptoms of her anxiety struck. The tightness in the chest, the slight difficulty breathing, the mind-numbing frustration of not being in control of the neurological process.

She put out her hand in front to trace as she breathed. Up one finger, inhale. Down one finger, exhale. She repeated the process until she did all fingers on both hands.

She heard Darui open the balcony door before she saw him. He set the tea down on the outdoor table to wrap a blanket around Hinata, He is quite the gentleman. Remember Hinata, you chose to do this because you felt safe and comfortable around him, he is a good person. It's ok to feel anxious, but it'll be OK.

Although she had mentally come to terms with her choice, and she now had a hot cup of tea in her hands, that didn't stop the pang of pain at what she truly wanted in this moment. She didn't want this nice nin of status making her tea after scandalous sex.

Sipping her tea, she bit the rim of the mug. No, she wanted Kiba holding her with the blanket wrapped around both of them, with Akamaru's fur against their legs.

"Regretting me already, Princess?" Darui leaned over the balcony railing, holding his tea but not sipping it.

Hinata sipped her tea to stall for time. She didn't know what to say. There was so much she could say. But to say her truth out loud was too personal and sensitive.

Do I regret my actions tonight? She fiddled with the tea cup and looked up at the clouds, "No. No, I don't regret being with y-you."

He made a mildly surprised hum, "To be honest, Princess, I was going to be an aloof asshole to you during your stay in Kumo this month," she looked up at him as he scratched his head, "My original strategy was to be so unlikable that both you and your family would want to back out of the arranged marriage," He paused to take a sip of tea, "But you are a lovely person, Hinata, inside and out. It's very hard to mistreat you."

Hinata wrapped the blanket around herself tighter, not knowing how to respond to this confession.

"So, what I'm trying to say, is that we need a new plan for sabotaging this arrangement," he sighed, as if sounding exhausted already.

Alarm creeped up Hinata's neck, "A n-new p-p-plan?!"

Darui downed the rest of his tea, or at least Hinata assumed it was tea, it was at least served in a tea cup. But one doesn't shoot tea in that manner, "My strategies in battle tend to be more fluid than my strategies for challenging social situations. We obviously don't make each other miserable, which was my first plan. Now, we need a second plan."

He didn't seem too worried as he stared out into the distance. That was the opposite of how Hinata felt. So she downed her tea in a similar manner, or at least tried it, sputtering before after drinking a third of it. That was enough of tonight for her, "Could you give me directions on how to get back to our lodging?"

He walked to the door to slide it open for her, "I'll walk you back, Princess."

They were just outside the perimeter of the hot springs resort when Darui stopped them, "How do you feel about me acting like I'm coming on too strong and inappropriately sleazy?" he dead-panned in his usual unenthusiastic tone.

Hinata gave him a sharp, taken aback look. He nodded, "Yeah, that would be pretty uncomfortable. Sorry I suggested it."

They continued walking side-by-side, both with their hands in their pockets. If Hinata had to pick her favorite parts of the night, it would be the sensual dancing, and pretending she was in bed with Kiba.

If she had to pick her least favorite parts, it would be every time with Darui came up with a cliche and vulgar sabotage plan, It's a shock how I know two ridiculously immature future kages. Naruto is so sweet and Darui is such a gentleman, yet they are so offensively stupid when it comes to dealing with how to end a relationship with me.

"Should I offer to sleep with your sister?"

She had slapped him before she even realized it. Not just any slap, but a Hyuga style attack that would have his jaw unable to function for a few hours.

Hinata felt tears coming on. Maybe she did regret sleeping with Darui after all.

Without a departing word, Hinata ran back to her room.

A/N Ya know, I think my writing of Hinata of this chapter felt so out of character because I was trying to capture that feeling of not only experiencing sexual yearning for the first time, but the short term greed associated with it. I've been building it up in the last few chapters, and in this one, it kind of took Hinata to a different level of interaction. And Hinata isn't a greedy or self-indulgent character. But sexual awakenings do weird things to everyone, and she is still a human with needs.

I have some vague ideas of where this story will go. It was so clear when I started writing this, but now it's going in a different direction. Any requests for what you wanna read?