A/N: thank you so much for reading this story, and special thanks to all those who have been consistently leaving comments! I love to hear your thoughts and reactions!
Hinata told him she would have to think about his offer, so all day she laid curled up in bed, replaying her conversation with Menma over and over. The way he challenged her identity made her question all her motives and decisions up until this point.
Was she really always living her life to please others?
She was grateful Menma had stepped out, giving her some time to be alone and process her thoughts; it was hard enough to concentrate with him around. The way her body gravitated toward him, so eager for his touch, was something she never experienced before. And of course, Menma loved to take advantage of it.
Hinata found herself questioning how he even felt about her. She didn't know if his interest in her was the money from Neji, the sex, or… she didn't dare imagine he felt anything of real substance for her. Though he seemed like less of a monster each day, she still assumed that a fiendish pirate captain like Menma lacked the emotional range for something as deep as love.
But even as she thought that she couldn't help but wonder why he would let her stay on his ship. Why would he offer to take her to the places she longed to go? Why would he be empathetic to her dream when he clearly had no care for the people he stole from?
She doubted that she would ever have the courage to ask.
By the light that flooded the room when Menma returned to his quarters, Hinata assumed it was early evening. She sat up in the bed as he tossed a bag into her lap.
"What's this?" she asked as she unfolded the garment. Her pale eyes widened in surprise upon discovering it was a new dress. The corner of his mouth curved up at her reaction.
Hinata stood up and held the dress against herself with glee. It wasn't something she'd typically pick out for herself, but she was just thankful it was full length. The soft purple color was lovely and matched her eyes.
She couldn't help but wonder if that was his intent.
"Thank you so much!" Hinata beamed with genuine gratitude. "Where did you find this?"
"I bought it," Menma answered simply. But when her brows pinched together in confusion, he amended, "we've been docked for the last twelve hours."
She couldn't help when her face lit up with a renewed possibility of escape, but Menma only chuckled at her obvious shift in expression. "Before you think about running off, you might want to consider the surprise I've arranged for you."
"Surprise?" she questioned. It felt like everything he said only served to make the situation more confusing.
"C'mon, get dressed already," he clapped impatiently.
"Alright… would you mind... stepping out while I dress?" Hinata requested shyly.
A sly grin stretched across his lips. "Why? It's nothing I haven't had my mouth on before."
She abruptly turned around to hide her pinkened cheeks. Why was always so vulgar!?
After Hinata threw on her new dress, she ran her fingers through her long, indigo hair and smoothed out any tangles. Menma's hand found purchase on her waist before he guided her out the door.
She squinted as her eyes adjusted to the daylight. The deck of the ship was so much quieter than the other few times she'd seen it.
"Where is everyone?" Hinata asked.
"Most of them have ventured into town to spend their money on booze or women or other such vices," he replied with a shrug. They made their way down a ramp onto the busy dock, catching the stares of a few loitering men.
"The captain sure has been in a better mood lately," she overheard one of them mumble as they passed.
"I'd be too if I had that pretty little thing keeping my bed warm," snickered another.
Either Menma didn't hear or chose to ignore them because he continued leading her up the dock to a small oceanside village.
Pale eyes flickered this way and that, so amused and delighted by the small fishing town. The shops, the architecture, even the people seemed so different from Konoha. Menma escorted her through the bustling downtown area as Hinata remained entranced by the new atmosphere.
She was only shaken from her musings when she felt Menma's hand disappear from her waist. When Hinata looked towards him, she was shocked to find two unfamiliar, scantily clad women hanging on both his arms.
"Hey there, big guy," one of them purred. "You looking for a good time?"
Hinata's cheeks grew warm at the sultry undertone in the woman's voice and the lust swirling in her emerald green eyes.
"Yeah, the two of us are a real good time," the other added as she traced soft circles against the exposed skin of his chest.
"I don't doubt that," Menma chuckled. "But I'm busy right now, sorry ladies."
The women pouted as he shooed them away and then continued on his path, stopping only when he realized Hinata wasn't following. Menma turned around to find her glaring at him.
"Do you know those women or something? Former conquests of yours, perhaps!?" she frowned, crossing her arms over her chest.
She didn't know why she said that, but a nasty feeling churned in her gut upon seeing those women so shamelessly throw themselves at him.
A teasing grin stretched across his lips as he took a few steps towards her. "What's wrong, my little pearl? Are you feeling jealous, perhaps?!"
Hinata pouted at such a suggestion, but that only made him press further.
Menma reached up and caressed her rosy cheek. "You want me all to yourself and yet you won't even accept my offer?"
Her face heated with embarrassment as she turned her head away, refusing to validate such a ridiculous claim with a response.
Menma laughed, "those women were standing outside of a whorehouse."
Hinata jerked her head back to gape at him. "Wait, what?"
"They were prostitutes."
"Oh…"
Somehow she felt even more embarrassed by that revelation.
With a hand on her waist, Menma pulled her body against his, his nose touching hers. "I must say I'm flattered by your sudden possessiveness," he husked. The intensity swirling behind his ocean blue gaze made her heart flutter nervously. Her breath hitched in surprise when he brushed his lips against hers in a soft kiss. "I can assure you the feeling is mutual."
Hinata bit her lip, fighting back the tingling sensation radiating throughout her body that urged her to kiss him again and again. His heated presence and possessive touch were consuming all her thoughts.
Menma backed away and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. "Shall we go?"
Her mind was still too hazy to form words, so she nodded, and then they were off again down the street. They stopped by a store that sold various alcoholic beverages and Menma purchased a bottle of wine. When the shopkeeper turned around to retrieve his order, Hinata thought to make a joke about him just stealing it, but thought better of it.
With a bottle of red wine in one hand and Hinata in the other, Menma ventured to the outskirts of town on the west side of the small island. The further they drifted from downtown the quieter the evening grew.
"About those women…" Hinata began as Menma led her off the road onto a dirt path.
"Are you still on about that?" he laughed as they meandered through a few tall rocks and emerged onto a secluded beach.
He was making her feel silly again, but he should know that she definitely wasn't jealous!
"It's just… How was I supposed to know they were prostitutes?! We don't have… those sorts of establishments in Konoha!"
Menma shot her an incredulous look over his shoulder. "There are most certainly brothels in Konoha, you probably just don't hang out in the bad side of town."
"Oh yeah?! How would you know?!" Hinata pouted as she trailed behind him, lifting her skirt as they marched through the warm, white sand.
"Because I grew up in Konoha on the bad side of town," he shot back with a humorous snicker.
"Wait… what?!" Her sudden shock made her stumble, but for a moment she was distracted by the beautiful sight before her.
The sun was sinking below the horizon, painting the sky in pastel hues of orange and purple. The ocean waves crashed against the rocky shore, creating a calming rhythmic melody.
"It's nothing to get your panties in a twist about," Menma continued. "Prostitution is the world's oldest profession, every city has them."
"No, no, not that!" Hinata shook her head, returning her focus to their conversation. "You grew up in Konoha?!"
"Oh yeah, well at least for a little bit. It was actually outside of a Konoha whorehouse that I met Captain Jiraiya." Menma seemed to chuckle at the memory before fondly mumbling, "that horny fucking bastard."
"What were you doing outside of a…" An amused smile spread across his lips at the way Hinata lowered her voice, seemingly embarrassed by the word. "...whorehouse? Where were your parents?!"
He settled down in the sand, laying back with his weight resting on his elbows as he popped open the bottle of wine. "I never knew my parents. I was dirt poor and all alone until I met that pervy pirate and for some crazy reason he took pity on me, bought me dinner, and invited me to join his crew."
Hinata sat beside him, watching curiously as he sipped at their wine and stared at the ocean waves lapping against the shore. She never imagined Menma would be so open about his past, so she dared to ask, "how old were you when you joined Captain Jiraiya's crew?"
"Mmm, probably thirteen or so," he hummed and handed the bottle to her. Hinata took a swig. The rich, earthy taste was much more palatable than the liquor she tried on his ship.
"When I was that age, I used to stare out at the ocean, endlessly wondering what was beyond the horizon; so not only did he take me in, he offered me a way to sate that curiosity."
"Where is Captain Jiraiya now?"
She immediately regretted the question at the way his jaw tensed. Menma hesitated a moment and Hinata quickly deduced the answer.
"Dead. At the bottom of the ocean somewhere."
Her heart broke remembering how fondly Menma had described his former captain in the journal she read. In addition to his story, it sounded like Jiraiya was like the father he never had. Her lips parted ready to offer her condolences, but he was quick to cut her off.
"Let's talk about something else," he said as he grabbed the wine from her hand and took a few hardy gulps.
"Umm…" Pale eyes flickered around the beach, searching for a question to relieve the tension. "Did you like Konoha?"
Menma tilted his head, seemingly giving the question some thought.
"I really didn't care for it much growing up, but once you leave, you can get a better appreciation for a place," he replied before taking another sip of wine from the bottle and passing it back to her.
"I can't really go back there often though, I have too many guys — and one particularly vexing old woman — who want me dead."
"An old woman?!" she asked with an incredulous eyebrow raised.
Blue eyes glanced at her. "Yeah, you don't happen to know Granny Tsunade, do you?"
Hinata nearly choked on her sip of wine. "You mean, Doctor Tsunade Senju?!"
"That's the one." He let out a genuinely amused laugh and her heart fluttered at the sound.
Menma could tell she had more questions on the matter but he just gave her a dismissive wave. "It's kind of a long story, let's just say she doesn't take too kindly to getting hustled."
Hinata giggled softly to herself as the wine slowly began to warm her cheeks. It was so fascinating learning more about Menma, she felt as though she could listen for hours. From the pages of his journal she sneakily read, she knew he was an exceptional storyteller, and from the number of journals, she knew he had a lot of stories to tell.
Would Menma share them with her if she asked?
Would he write about her if she stayed?
The idea of Menma writing about her made her stomach fill with unexpected butterflies. He had so vividly detailed the scenery, she couldn't help but wonder how he might describe her.
They fell into a companionable silence for several minutes, both absorbed in their own thoughts as they sat there enjoying the last few moments of the sunset. As the sun disappeared below the horizon, the sky grew dark and dozens of twinkling stars emerged soon after.
Menma was the first to speak again. "How is Konoha these days?"
Hinata sighed, searching for a word that adequately captured her perception of her hometown.
"Boring," she finally admitted. "I mean, it's a perfectly nice city, but it just feels like every day is exactly the same."
He let out an amused chuckle. "You'll learn to appreciate it for what it is once you leave."
Hinata turned her head to stare at him with a slight furrow in her brow. "I haven't decided if I'm coming with you yet."
Menma glanced at her from the corner of his eyes as a knowing smirk tugged at his lips. "Oh, but you will."
"How can you be so sure?"
His blue gaze slid upward toward the star-speckled night sky. "Whether you come with me now or I come back for you in a month or two, I know you'll eventually come with me because that hunger that you feel deep in your belly, it never dulls and it never goes away," Menma stated matter of factly. "If anything, it'll just morph into regret and resentment for those who stood in your way."
Hinata knew exactly what he meant because for years she'd been waiting for herself to grow out of this desire. She hoped and prayed that one day she might just wake up and be content with her life, but it never happened.
But beyond his ability to seemingly peer into her deepest thoughts, one detail of what Menma said struck her.
"… you'd come back for me?" Hinata asked softly. "Why?"
He turned towards her, allowing his serious blue eyes to meet curious lavender. "Because I know you want me to save you from your mundane life."
Her brows rose slightly, surprised by his response. "Save me? I thought you were a big bad pirate, not anybody's hero."
"I am a big, bad pirate," he frowned as he returned his gaze back to the ocean waves. She bit her lip to hold back a giggle as Menma's cheeks colored pink.
"I'm starting to think you might secretly be a big, old softie," she mumbled teasingly.
Hinata's breath hitched when Menma suddenly tackled her into the sand, grabbing her wrists and pinning her hands down above her head as he hovered over her. The darkened look in his blue eyes made her heart rate accelerate.
He leaned in close, his lips just a breath away from her own. "You sound like you need a reminder of just how rough and mean I can be," he growled. His husky voice was laced with salacious promise and Hinata felt her skin prickle with excitement.
"Do your worst, Captain," she challenged in an uncharacteristic wave of boldness.
A momentary grin spread across his face before he crashed his lips to hers in a needy, passionate kiss. Pale eyes fluttered closed as Hinata surrendered to him, meeting each caress of his lips with equal fervor.
She could feel him nudging her knees with his own, encouraging them to spread wider. Her heart beat faster as Menma settled in the space between her thighs, knowing full well where this was headed.
Hinata exhaled a moan against his lips at the feeling of his hardened length grinding against her center. He took advantage of her parted lips and slipped his tongue into her mouth to deepen their kiss. He tasted like red wine and all her darkest desires.
Menma continued rolling his hips against hers, and that delicious friction was driving her mad. Her body shuddered with frustration, desperate to remove the last layers that separated them. She whimpered when his lips pulled away.
"Mmm, always so impatient, my little pearl," he breathed.
One hand remained holding her wrists while the other trailed down the length of her body with teasingly soft touches that made her nipples grow taut. Hinata exhaled a breathless little sigh as he captured one of her tender breasts in his palm, watching her reactions with hungry, half-lidded eyes as he groped her soft flesh over her clothes.
She found herself wishing she was bare underneath him, that way she could feel his heated skin against her own. Never in her life had Hinata wished to rip her clothes off except in the presence of this enigmatic man that played her body like an instrument, producing sultry sounds from her lips she hardly knew she was capable of.
The tingling sensation between her legs was growing unbearable, she needed him to touch her there and push her over that blissful edge. "Please, Captain~" she mewled. "No more teasing."
A devilish smirk spread across his lips as his wandering fingers drifted down to the hem of her dress. Her breathing grew shallow in anticipation as Menma skated over her inner thigh, inching closer and closer to her treasure.
"Oooh~" Hinata sighed as he traced steady circles over her sensitive clit through the thin fabric of her bloomers.
"You're already so wet for me," he husked against her ear. His warm breath sent chills through her body as her back arched against him, yearning for more of his sinful touch.
Menma finally released her wrists in favor of pulling down her damp panties. She barely had a moment to think before he dove between her thighs. Hinata tossed her head back into the soft sand as he lapped at her pussy with his hot tongue, humming like he loved the taste of her heady juices.
Her fingers instinctively tangled into his blonde hair as her eager hips rocked up to meet his probing tongue. She panted out harsh breaths as pleasure coursed through her trembling body.
His fingertips pressed into the pale flesh of her thighs, keeping her quivering legs spread wide as he continued his assault on her swollen clit. Every swirl of his hot tongue made the tension in her core grow tighter and tighter.
"Oh god, Menma!~" she cried as the mounting tension exploded into waves of pulsing pleasure. She unconsciously pulled his hair, moaning and mewling as he continued his deliciously torturous ministrations until her orgasm subsided and she melted into the sand beneath her.
Exhausted pale eyes fluttered open as she felt Menma climb over her. The way he looked down at her with darkened blue eyes made her heart skip. Never in her life had she felt so desired.
That feeling sparked a fresh wave of arousal deep in her core that begged him to fill her with his hard cock and fuck her until her voice was hoarse.
Menma reached up and gingerly brushed a few stray dark hairs from her face before leaning down and melding his lips to hers in a tender kiss that slowly evolved to something more urgent. Their tongues met quicker this time, sliding over each other in a sensual dance.
Hinata could feel him smiling against her lips as her impatient hands slipped between them to undo his pants. Menma laughed at her struggle before he sat up to assist, pulling down his pants to free his throbbing cock.
She watched with heightened anticipation as he stroked his firm length a few times in preparation. He leaned back over her with a mischievous look in his ocean blue eyes. Her breath hitched and her hands gripped his shoulders as he dragged the head of his cock between her damp folds, coating himself in her silky arousal. Her legs unconsciously spread wider, welcoming the intrusion.
"You know what I want to hear," he whispered against her panting lips.
Her nails bit into his skin as he continued teasing her. Her mind was so hazy with lust, Hinata could barely form a coherent sentence.
"P-Please, Captain!~" she sputtered out as her brow furrowed from the pleasure.
Hinata inhaled a sharp gasp as he dipped inside her tight warmth, before immediately retreating.
"What is it that you want?" Menma asked with an evil grin.
Her leg hooked around his hip, trying to pull him closer to her needy center. The star-speckled sky reflected in her pleading gaze as she stared up and him and breathlessly begged, "I want you to fuck me, please Menma."
She barely got his name out before her plea was interrupted by a wanton moan as Menma slammed into her wet heat in one swift thrust. Her moist folds hugged his cock so blissfully tight, the breath left his lungs the moment he plunged inside her.
"You feel so good," he groaned as he buried his face against her neck. His warm breath fanned against her sensitive skin, sending a tingle up her spine.
Hinata swiveled her hips against his as her body adjusted to the pleasant stretch of his thick cock. Menma already filled her to her limit and yet she still craved more of him.
As her hips rocked against his impatiently, he seemed to receive the message. Menma slowly pulled out and pushed back in, finding a steady rhythm as his lips kissed and sucked on her racing pulse.
Her hands traveled up his shoulders and dove into the blonde hair at his nape, gripping it tight as he plowed into her wet pussy again and again. She loved being able to touch him, to hear and feel his response as she scratched at his scalp or moaned in his ear.
Menma's breath grew heavy as his pace grew faster and more rough, causing her sighs of pleasure to grow louder.
"Oooh, yes! yes!~" she whined as Hinata wrapped her other leg around his waist, allowing him to hit her at a different angle and deepen their pleasure. His hands were all over her, groping her curves and making her mewl with each sinful touch.
The vigorous pace of his thrusting hips coupled with the wine she drank seemed to lower her inhibitions because Hinata let herself cry out unrestrained as he relentlessly slammed into her tight core again and again.
She knew in the back of her mind that they were outside, and normally, Hinata would be feeling exceptionally shy or embarrassed at the wanton noises spilling from her lips, and yet the mind-numbing pleasure he provided made her concerns fade to the background.
Even if they were to be caught out there, nobody in this village knew who she was and that anonymity was thrilling.
It made her want to be even louder.
The tension building in her core grew more intense with each thrust of his hips, and Hinata was struggling to catch her breath. She could feel Menma growling against the side of her neck as her nails clawed down his back, searching for something to keep her anchored as she drowned in overwhelming pleasure.
"Menma~" Hinata moaned as she felt her walls flutter around his length, warning of her impending orgasm, but he continued to work her tender pussy until she was writhing, breathlessly beneath him.
Her lips parted in a silent scream as orgasm crashed over her like a tidal wave, sending pleasant tremors throughout her body. She could feel Menma's body tense above her as her climax sparked his own. With a throaty moan and few final thrusts, he spilled his release inside her.
They remained still for several moments as they came down from their post-coital high. The only sounds to be heard were that of labored breath and crashing waves. Wordlessly, Menma rolled off of her but it was only a moment before he pulled her body against his. Her leg wrapped around his and her head snuggled against his chest, listening as his heart returned to a normal rhythm.
The smell of the salty sea air and the warmth of Menma's strong arms wrapped around her made for a serene moment that Hinata found herself wishing would never end.
Bleary opal eyes fluttered open to find Menma observing her flushed cheeks and satisfied little smile. His fingers reached up to gently brush her sweat-slicked hair out of her face as the corner of his mouth curved up.
She couldn't help but notice how handsome Menma looked as the pale moonlight softly illuminating his sharp features. She could feel a fondness for him take root in her heart, and Hinata wasn't sure how to feel about it.
His head tilted back to gaze up at the night sky and her eyes followed his line of sight. "It's not as many stars as out on the water, but was this romantic enough for you, my little pearl?"
A soft smile tugged at her lips, to think he would create this scenario just because he thought that's what she wanted. "My fantasy wasn't actually to make love under the stars… it was to do it on the beach…"
Menma picked up a handful of sand, allowing it to slip through his fingers. "Holy shit! A beach!"
She couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips, and he cupped her cheek and guided her lips to his for a few tender kisses.
"Why?" she dared to ask.
"Why what?"
"Why do this for me?" Hinata clarified with a slight furrow in her brow.
"Maybe I just felt like it," Menma shrugged as he returned his gaze to the dark ocean lapping at the shore. She remained silent, clearly not believing the answer was so simple.
He sighed but continued staring out at the waves. "Maybe I just think you're interesting."
Hinata continued to observe him, her pale eyes full of honest curiosity. Menma turned, allowing his dark blue gaze to meet hers, and finally confessed, "maybe I want you to stay with me."
A/N: I don't always explain my intent in my fics, hoping that it comes across while reading but I thought I would explain a little bit of what I was going for since many expressed concerns about Menma's feelings for Hinata.
Do I think he loves her? Not necessarily, but if he did fall in love with her after just two weeks, I think it would be incongruent with his character who is described as ruthless and likely purposefully doesn't build attachments because his nomadic lifestyle rarely has him staying in the same place for long. What I instead tried to show is that he treats her differently than anyone else.
As a pirate, Menma takes whatever he wants from anyone, but beyond her initial kidnapping he doesn't take anything from Hinata. Instead, he wants her to want him, both sexually and in her decision to stay with him. He could've easily r*ped her or take her away without giving her a choice, which makes it all the more ironic that it is her loved ones, like Neji, that rob her of decision. Hinata reflects on the fact that she has been put into this box of being the perfect "lady" and conditioned to dismiss her own dreams to fit the expectations of others.
While well-intentioned, Neji's love for Hinata is very protective and stems from a desire to shelter her from harm as if she is precious and vulnerable, while Menma's is more supportive and encourages her to be her truest self and stems from a personal understanding of her dreams.
I'm not trying to imply one is right or wrong, but just different. I hope that makes sense!
As always, I'd love to hear from you, so please leave a comment!