I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry thank you for your patience I'm sorry! *throws new chapter at you and scuttles away*


Chapter 27 – salvation

I reload my guns as I make my way up the stairs. An elevator is too risky. The chance of an ambush is too high. Instead, I climb through the various levels of the Senju building killing everyone I encounter.

Most get a bullet to the brain.

Some get a kunai or a shuriken.

Some get the machete.

All of them fall.

I'm coated in blood like layers of paint as I make my way up, up, up through the building. It's sprayed up my nose and sticks to my eyelids, the same colour as my hair, and I smudge it out of my eyes before it can impede my vision.

I lose count of the men I kill. I've slaughtered more men than stairs I've climbed. I generally find them in small groups, having anywhere between two and five men. That is, until the Senju seem to catch on and the next floor I come upon is crawling with them.

God, finally. A fucking challenge.

The first two I take out with a machete to the throat – no point in prematurely alerting everyone to my presence. The next four I take out with a kunai flung into the brain. They're dead before they hit the floor. Three around the next corner – I take two out with the machete and the third I beat into a bloody pulp with my fists; crush his cracked skull under my boot for good measure.

The noise attracts more of them like moths to a flame. I wonder how many I can kill before I need to use my guns.

As it turns out, the magic number is thirty-seven before I need to use a single bullet. And when I'm done I've turned the hallway into a graveyard.

I hear the rasping sound of dying behind me, and turn just in time to hear, "Are you a demon?" One of the men is choking on his blood, and it's a wonder he can still form words – his leg is severed below the knee and his face is sliced half open. He must have met with my machete.

I bend down next to him, pulling out a kunai. "I'm no one," I reply, and make quick work slitting his throat. The corridors gape at me like phantoms, silence ringing in the wake of screams and bullets. I head back to the stairs and keep climbing.


It's almost noon by the time we wake up the next day. I can feel Hinata snuggled up close into my chest, her breath keeping time with my heartbeat, my arms a vice around her. I would be completely relaxed if my arm hadn't lost all circulation and gone dead.

I try to surreptitiously wiggle my fingers, and when I can't I start to ease the deadened limb out from under her.

The movement causes her to wake. If the sudden hitch in her breath hadn't alerted me then the tension radiating through her body would have.

"I didn't mean to wake you," I say, my words nervous and hasty. "My arm's gone dead."

"Oh, s-sorry," she says, almost stumbling from the bed and yawning into her palm. I look at her and her cheeks are flushed bright red, her eyes darting nervously about the room. Her fingers are twisting around themselves, and I almost laugh at her skittish behaviour.

"I-I'm going to go shower, now," she stammers, tripping over her feet as she heads to the bathroom. Her face is luminous with her blush, and I'm almost shaking with laughter. "S-sorry," she continues. "I-I'm – yes. Shower. Thank you." She slams the door behind her, and I swallow down my laughter and pull my shirt back on. Well that was certainly an interesting thing to wake up to.

Walking out of her bedroom, I immediately see Neji sitting on the couch, looking completely lost. His shoulders tense the moment I walk out, and he turns to look at me, hesitancy and wariness straining his shoulders.

"Is she awake?" he asks immediately, and looks impatient when I take more than half a second to respond.

"Yeah, she's just having a shower."

He visibly relaxes and nods. "Okay. That's… good. Did she sleep well?"

I nod. "She woke up once, but was more confused than anything, and went back to sleep pretty quickly." I head to the kitchen to get something to eat, and settle on some cereal. "Where's Tenten?"

"I'll give you one guess."

"Trying to hack into the Uchiha database?"

Neji pulls a face in the affirmative, and I keep any potential panic off my features. "How do you think she's going with that?" I ask, keeping my voice neutral.

Neji shrugs. "It changes every other minute. She gets this close" – he holds his thumb and forefinger a millimetre apart in front of his face – "about a dozen times a day, but never quite cracks it before she's thrown back to square one. It's driving her a bit mental, but she's nothing if not determined."

I respond in understanding, ignoring the clenching in my stomach. I'm on borrowed time and I have a million things to do. If they find out before the war that I'm the Demon – if they attack me and win, which they very well might – then they'll be dead in seconds when faced with Itachi. I need to pick up where I left off with Hinata – teaching her how to defend herself against Itachi. I should probably think about training Neji too. Buying them minutes versus seconds could mean the difference between Hinata living and dying, especially if I'm too dead to help them.

As if on cue, Hinata exits her room, her face flushing the moment her eyes contact mine, and she looks away almost too quickly to talk to Neji.

I hear Neji ask her about her night, not-so-subtly asking to see if I had crossed any boundaries, and is eventually convinced of my innocence.

"I was hoping you could continue to teach me that form of defence from a few days ago," Hinata says to me in a quiet voice as Neji starts to make her some sandwiches. I blink in surprise for a moment, glad that she both remembers it and that I'm spared the awkwardness of trying to bring it back up again.

"Sure," I reply, putting my now-empty bowl of cereal in the sink. "I'll shower while you have some food and we'll meet in the training room."


Itachi's fighting style is a near-unpredictable amalgamation of nearly a dozen different forms of fighting. Trying to teach someone how to defend themselves against it is halfway to impossible, especially when logically none of it should work and yet somehow it manages to.

Trying to explain how I could possibly know it is even more difficult.

"But why on earth would anyone punch like that when their body is twisted like this? No one fights like that, Gaara," Hinata complains, almost losing her balance as she tries to defend against one of my example attacks. I look to Neji and see suspicion in his eyes, and can tell immediately that he's just as curious.

"Hinata this isn't – traditional," I say, thinking quickly. "It's more like – like street fighting, I guess. I would imagine that a large portion of Uchiha fighters are thugs and gang members. It's not traditional, it doesn't always make sense, but they stick with it because it works. I know that your aikido gives you an advantage, but traditional fighting won't necessarily give you leverage when your opponent is playing dirty. I'm teaching you this so that you can be prepared. With any luck you won't fight at all, but preparing for the worst can't hurt."

Hinata huffs in irritation before getting back into her stance, and the action reminds me so vividly of Matsuri I have to shake myself before mirroring her.

Matsuri had struggled with fighting too, initially. Matsuri had struggled with just about everything, initially. Violence didn't come naturally to her, and while that's not what ended up killing her, it certainly didn't help.

At least Hinata has no qualms about punching me in the nose if the opportunity presents itself.

We go back through the motions and stances, slowly at first, so that Hinata can get used to the rhythm, and then more quickly as she picks it up. We manage maybe another half hour before Hinata's frustration cracks through again.

"I just don't see how learning this could possibly be beneficial!" she exclaims, breaking formation. "It's like someone blind folded a monkey and copied its movements. I could defend against this with my aikido without thinking. I get that you're trying to help, Gaara, but I honestly think you're placing far more importance on this style of fighting than it deserves. Wouldn't it be more practical for me to perfect my throwing knives?"

"I have to agree," says Neji, speaking up from the benches. "This style of fighting is… strange. Or at least what I've seen of it so far. I get where you're coming from – I do. But wasting our time on a style of fighting that we may not even encounter just… seems like a waste of time. Especially when our style of fighting is more practical."

I close my eyes and card my hand through my hair, forcing myself to not yell at them. If they suspected – even for a minute – the real reason why I'm so adamant that they learn, I'd be taken into questioning faster than I could say Aikido.

"Fine," I grit out, forcing myself to calm down. "I'll make you a deal. You fight me with your aikido, and I'll fight you in this style. If you win, we'll drop it and work more on throwing knives. If I win, however, I keep teaching you this and I don't hear any more about how useless it is, alright?"

Hinata's eyes shine with her eagerness. "Deal," she agrees in a rush of excited breath.

"Good. Best of three?"

Hinata nods and gets into position while I do the same. We stand still a moment, determination shining in her eyes, before she attacks.

I counter, my movements quick and unpredictable – evading her punches and breaking through her defences faster than she can get them up, and I have her flat on her back within a few seconds, her wrists held firm in my hands above her head and her legs locked with my own. It takes me a moment to realise just how close we are – her chest heaving against mine, her hips trying to wriggle free, and I quickly disentangle myself before my body can have half a hope of reacting.

Hinata looks up at the ceiling, stunned and panting, and I think I may have winded her just a little. "What," she huffs, moving her hands to clutch her ribs, "was that?"

I look nervously over at Neji, and he's tense as a viper, ready to come to Hinata's defence as quickly as she needs.

"That is what I've been trying to teach you for the last hour and a half," I reply evenly, offering her a hand to get back on her feet. She accepts and I gently pull her up.

"Okay," she says, testing her side and wincing just a little. She sends a smile of reassurance to Neji, and I see him relax marginally from my peripherals. "Now that I have an idea… let's go again. Best of three, right?"

"Best of three," I confirm, and wait for her to get ready before moving into my stance.

The second round goes much the same way, though it takes me a couple more seconds to get her on the ground. She doesn't complain when she stands back up, instead brushes down her pants, making a show of getting any non-existent dust off of them.

"Did you want to go one more round or…?" I hesitate to ask, hoping that I've managed to convince her in those two rounds.

"I don't think that'll be necessary," she says calmly and raises her head to look me in the eye. "I see what you mean."

I sigh in relief and nod. "Good. Okay, hold your arms how I showed you. Legs wider – you'll need to lean back on your left leg to keep your balance."

I spend the next hour and a half going through the most common forms and their counter-attacks with Hinata, and thankfully receive no more complaints from her or Neji.

We don't stop until Tenten walks into the room, frustration straining in the set of her shoulders, and demands to do some shooting practice with Hinata.

I assume that her continued attempts to hack the database have proven fruitless, and have to work to hide the glee from my face. I walk towards Neji, conceding my place as Hinata's teacher for the day to avoid having my head bitten off, and sit beside him.

"So where in the hell did you learn that style of fighting, exactly?" Neji questions through a tense jaw, his eyes never straying from where Hinata and Tenten are pulling out the firearms.

"I thought I made it pretty clear that I picked it up on the streets," I reply casually, leaning back.

"I didn't realise you lived out on the streets," he counters.

"I didn't. But I was a messed-up kid and got involved with people I shouldn't have. It didn't last long – I learned what I needed and moved on. Is there a problem?"

"Only that the numerous reports regarding Itachi Uchiha's fighting style resembles very heavily what I saw when you and Hinata sparred."

I swallow down any trepidation. "Weren't you listening when I said that the Uchiha likely hire thugs and gangs? Is it really so impossible that Itachi saw their style of fighting and decided to incorporate it into his own? Honestly, if this helps give Hinata an edge over Itachi then that can only be a good thing, don't you think?"

Neji grunts his concession, and I can almost hear my words playing over in his mind. He mustn't be able to find anything suspicious about them, however, because after a minute he relents. "If that's the case, then I'm going to need you to teach it to me as well. Knowing it could mean the difference between life and death."

"We'll start sometime in the next few days, then."

"Good."

We watch Tenten and Hinata practice their shooting in silence, before hunger drives us all to the kitchen. Tenten immediately starts pulling out ingredients while Neji and I make our way to the living room and Hinata hangs over the counter, watching eagerly.

"Can I help?" she asks suddenly, and Neji tenses.

"I wouldn't recommend it," he calls out, stopping Tenten from agreeing. "Unless you want another stint in hospital, that is."

Hinata shoots him a dirty look before turning pleading eyes back to Tenten. "Please? Neji's just jealous that all he can make are sandwiches and tea."

Tenten rolls her eyes at Neji. "I'm sure she's not that bad. Sure, you can help."

I quickly turn to Neji. "So how about some sandwiches? I hear they're good in a non-poisonous kind of way."

"Gaara can help," Hinata says loudly, interrupting Neji's enthusiastic agreement. "Gaara loves cooking."

"What gave it away? My love of cereal or the fact that I otherwise avoid the kitchen?"

"The fact that you ate my soup."

I snort, shuddering at the memory. "You mean that time you threatened me into eating your cold sludge and I almost died?"

"Stop being so dramatic, Gaara. I wouldn't call it sludge – it definitely looked more like stew."

Neji laughs. "Stew would imply that it was edible, Hinata. Whatever that was, it wasn't edible."

"Only because the two of you are weak."

"We have common sense, you mean?"

"Hinata, could you dice some chicken for me, please?" Tenten raises her voice over our bickering and Hinata turns wide eyes back to her.

"Dice? Do we have dice?"

Neji and I burst out laughing while Tenten rolls her eyes at us and starts showing Hinata how to cut the chicken breast into small squares. Neji shoots me a surreptitious look, and we both immediately agree to spectate.

It doesn't take long for things to fall apart.

Tenten decides to make butter chicken, and while Hinata is certainly enthusiastic, she hasn't exactly improved from her previous attempts in the kitchen.

After managing to nearly burn the chicken, Tenten suggests that she handle the rice instead. This works fine – until Hinata somehow manages to melt the rice and a thick layer of goop sits on top of the boiling water.

"Hinata, I think next time you should just leave the cooking to Tenten," Neji suggests gently as Hinata violently stirs the rice-water.

"Practice makes perfect, Neji," Hinata declares, sweat dripping down her brow.

I snort at her. "Hinata, you've somehow managed to break physics. I don't know how much more you should push your luck. Next time you'll probably set the kitchen on fire."

"I absolutely will not! Just you wait, the rice will be fine, I can save it."

I watch as Tenten cringes from her vigil at Hinata's shoulder. "Hinata, I'm sorry, but I don't think there's much rice left. It's just… goop."

"It'll be fine, Tenten."

Neji turns to me, amused panic in his eyes. "So, sandwiches?"

Hinata huffs in irritation. "No. Tenten and I are making butter chicken, and that's what you'll be having too."

"Sandwiches sounds great," I reply, ignoring Hinata.

Tenten looks at us through narrowed eyes, but says nothing. I almost detect a hint of jealousy and regret in her glare, but ignore it and instead follow Neji around the girls to make some sandwiches.

Five minutes later, Neji and I are happily eating our dinner and Tenten is re-making the rice, Hinata having been banished from the kitchen. She sulks and watches Tenten from the bench, shooting us the occasional murderous glance. I give her my widest grin whenever I catch her, and Neji rolls his eyes.

I desperately ignore the smoky number 26 wafting above their heads. Today has been a good day. We've all slept through the night. Hinata has started learning how to defend herself against Itachi. I'll start teaching Neji soon. Sometime within the next week I'll suggest to Neji and Tenten that we fortify Hinata's floor, and consider an emergency exit so that Hinata doesn't get stuck. I'm aware that I can't suggest too many new things at once – it could draw suspicion, make them question whether I know something I shouldn't. I swallow the last bit of food heavily and join Neji where he has commandeered the television.

Hours later, when Hinata decides to go to bed, she silently picks up my hand and tugs me in her wake. Neji watches the gesture with tension in his jaw, but says nothing other than, "Good night, Hinata." He nods his head at me, and I give him a shrug, closing her door behind me.

When we crawl into her bed a few minutes later, Hinata's apparent shyness from that morning has melted away, and she snuggles against my chest. I hold her tight, the now familiar scent of lavender and rosemary against my nose. "Thank you for teaching me today," she sighs, resting her head against my chest.

I take a moment to think of my reply. "I hope it comes in handy one day," I manage, threading her midnight hair through my fingers. It's soft as silk and I marvel at the texture.

"I'm sure it will," she yawns. "You're a good teacher."

I continue playing with her hair. "I do my best."

She shifts just as I get comfortable, and with only a moment of hesitation presses her lips against mine.

I forget to breathe for a moment, my heart stopping in my chest before thudding double-time. She tastes like toothpaste and tea, and I deepen the kiss before she can move away. Her mouth is soft and hesitant against mine, and I force myself to hold back. Kissing her is like nothing I've ever known before. Like flying and falling; like breathing and like coming home. If this is a sin, then what's one more added to my list? She's so fucking beautiful, and I kiss her like her lips promise salvation. Like for a moment she's just a girl, and I'm just a guy, and there's nothing more important in the world than her mouth against mine.


Fun fact – I myself have managed to melt rice. If I knew how, I would tell you.

I won't waste your time with excuses. I just – yeah. Life, and all that. Thank you so so so much to everyone who read and reviewed last chapter, I can't express my gratitude enough. Hopefully this chapter somewhat conveys it. I'm not sure when I'll get out another chapter, but I'll really try for soon. Thank you so much for sticking with me.

Reviews are always welcome, wanted and appreciated.

All my love,

Alia xoxo