Revised: June 2020

Do not own Naruto.

XxXXx

Kisame was floating in the water, looking much too peaceful. It made him feel… Agitated. They've known each other for centuries. They even mated for at least 400 years! Generally, everybody Kisame knew, he knew as well. Demons tended to be reclusive after all.

So… When did he become friends with this human? Namely that… thing. That thing shouldn't exist. It was to… He couldn't describe it. He hated it, but he also…

That's when Kisame noticed him. The shark man was at the water's edge in moments, the water barely rippling as he emerged. His friend grinned, inhuman sharp teeth flashing. Those were the same teeth that would tear into human bone as he devoured whole cities.

Kisame was a demon born of death. Generations of primal sacrifices birthed him in a pool of blood and water. Where some demons were birthed by elements or war, he was born of blood and fear tainting water.

How could that little thing speak to Kisame?

"Itachi." Kisame spoke, tilting his head slightly as he smiled. Ah, how familiar. It was as if he hasn't been hiding a secret.

Not one to doddle, he got straight to the point. "Who is Hinata?" He watched as Kisame tensed, his thick muscles winding and sharp teeth clenching. He still kept the friendly grin, but now he looked ready to attack. Interesting. His friend of centuries was ready to fight him for a little girl? "I do not plan on killing her." He added. Kisame was still tense, but his friendliness was back. "I have also been threatened by a certain trio not to harm her. I do not care to start a war." With that, Kisame seemed to unwind.

"I forget about her other friends." The man in front of him chucked, running a hand through his blue hair. "She's a human girl, last name… Hyuga. We met…" Suddenly his eyes darkened. He paused, his eyebrows knitting together. He must be in deep thought, which was rare for Kisame. He was as carefree as they got, he flowed like the water he was born."I should not be telling you, she swore me to secrecy. But you are special, 'Tachi." Oh? This must be interesting. "I found her drowning, one night. She was dumped off the bridge by the crossroads. You know, where the water runs the fastest. It was an assassination attempt, I assumed free lunch." This was not odd. What was odd, was that he saved her. What happened to free lunch? "But you see, I felt compelled to help her. Such a small little thing, so fragile and scared, trying to fight the currents with all she had. It was painful to watch. Usually, it's fun to watch them wither, but not her." Kisame trailed off, his eyes drifting to the water.

He waited for him to start again, but the man seemed to be off in thought. "But you could not watch her die?" Itachi asked, prodding him to continue. His friend's eyes focused again, his sharp teeth flashing in an embarrassed grin.

"Ah, yeah. I pulled her to shore. She was not fazed by my looks, it was... A first. Apparently, she already seen Gaara's demonic form, so I probably was nothing compared to that. But, at the time I was amazed that she was not screaming." That is a surprise, most humans hated Kisame's beastly appearance.

"Then?" He knew Kisame was not the type to be friendly with humans. It still didn't make sense that he did not eat her, let alone become friends.

"Well, you know how I adore human food? But, since I am unable to look human, I can't to go into human towns unless I want to kill them all. Well, as a thank you she offered to do something for me, anything. I asked her to bring me some food." Ah, that sounded like Kisame. He brought food for Kisame regularly enough, but in human terms in was likely months apart, maybe years, apart. "To my surprise, she kept coming back. You know I can't deny a good meal." After he ate human food a few centuries ago, he ended up craving it more then human flesh. He became more passive after that. But not so passive to turn up a free meal of human.

"Hn." Funny, how she kept coming back. Perhaps they aren't at friendly as he thought?

But that part about seeing Gaara's demonic form… How did such a situation happen? How did she meet the trio? Other friends? Who else did she know? He had so many questions, and it was frustrating him.

But- he knew where to start.

Hyuga.

He knew that name.

Actually, he was invited to the ball hosted by them. It happened to be a few nights away.

Before, he could hardly care about his family's dealings in the human world. He never cared to attend any formalities, but now, he felt an urge to go.

It would seem the Uchiha name was useful to him in some way, and their dealing in the human world not completely useless.

He would meet this girl.

"Thank you, Kisame." With that, turned on his heel and left.

He had preparations to make.

XxXxx A few nights later XXxxx

He was a demon of darkness and fire. Yet, here he was, dressed in a fancy formal suit, just to see some human girl. What was he thinking? He stared at himself in the mirror. The tailcoat coat was made of black silk, and red lining. It was finely made, but he couldn't help but feel it was unnecessary.

The whole situation was unnecessary.

But, so was stalking the girl the last two days. He knew her well now.

She was nobility, the heiress of the Hyuga clan. She was relentlessly trained in the formal arts of sword play, as by the clans Tradition. It was unnatural for a woman to know, but it seemed the Clan Leader was unable to produce a male heir due to the fact his wife died during childbirth. Pity, he refused to take another wife. Now he was forever stuck with two daughters.

Another thing, he found out, was that her father, and clan, hated her. They generally ignored her, but when she was noticed, she was hit. She was almost always covered in bruises. She quietly took the abuse, not fighting it. Both her and the sister were hit, but Hinata seemed to be targeted more.

It was not abnormal for woman to be mistreated, as per customs of the human world.

In the demon world, woman tended to be treated rather well, if not admired. After all, a female demon was rather rare. Female and male demons could mate and produce powerful offspring. But due to the shortage of human woman, it was rare.

Some other things he noticed, was that she cared a lot for people. She would go out of her way to learn techniques, like medicine. Sometimes, she would spend her times out in the forest collecting medical plants to make healing balms, and then hand them out to the poor. She would even regularly volunteer her time to teach them how to make it themselves.

She was in high praise with the common folk.

Why would someone try assassinate her?

It hardly made sense. The common folk adored her, the poor loved her, and the other nobility somewhat tolerated her. Although, there was often talk of her inability to wed her off due to impurity. When he inquired, the other highborn said she was attacked during courtship by a well-known prince, and because of that her clan was unable to find someone to wed her.

After that, her father tossed her to the side and focused on Hanabi, getting the tutors for her, and a female companion to teach her feminine ways. Hinata was ignored. A ghost in the house, doing whatever she pleased. Sometimes it was helping in the kitchen, other times it was gardening. Most of the time, she left the place unaccompanied. Which was not appropriate according to courtship rules. But no one batted an eye.

The maids loved her, but they were unable to show affection due to the strict rules. But sometimes he would watch as they would cover for her, or warn her of certain people's moods, and who to stay clear of.

And that said prince? It was said he had gotten off without incident, because her family was unable to battle them in power. So, they had to resign and accept the fact that everyone knew, but they could do nothing about it.

Her private life was very undesirable, but she still kept her compassion, and her will to help.

And that said Prince?

Well, he already sent an assassin.

A woman was not meant to be bedded unwillingly, his mother had taught them the proper way to treat a woman, the demon way.

And this Hinata, he felt a need to protect her.

His interest was even starting to form into something akin to fondness.

After three days, he felt he knew enough about her to speak to her.

Tonight, at the ball, he would approach her.

Like Kisame, perhaps he could kindle friendship with her.

XxxxxXXxxx Hinata Xxxxxxx

She sat still as the maids worked around her, making her up and dressing her. They were all chattering happily, but she on the other hand couldn't help but feel nervous.

For the last few days, she noticed a certain presence following her. It was the gentleman from the forest, who wore darkness as his shroud.

Deidara, Sasori, and Gaara all said it was fine, but she still felt rather unnerved with his presence. The only saving grace, was when he left her be in her bed chambers. She knew he couldn't be a bad man, but the stalking was rather odd. None of her other demonic friends felt a need to follow her day to day activities.

Next time she felt his presence, she should call out to him. Despite his questionable behavior, she couldn't find herself to disregard him. After all, there had to be a reason.

The demons were rather hospitable, after all.

With a harsh yank of her hair, she was brought back to reality.

Tonight was the annual Hyuga ball, a dreaded event for her.

She hated formalities.

She hated the dresses they put her in, and the lewd male gazes.

As a woman who was tainted, she was not able to wed. Because of it, she was treated as a Harlot. High society was such a fowl place. She much rather be in the fields gathering herbs, or helping the common folk. At least they did not treat her as a whore.

One night. She could handle it for one night. Then she could go visit her friends.

"We are done now, m'lady." The maids curtsied before leaving. She turned to look in the large mirror, assessing the outfit. The fabric was a rich red, the corset decorated with black embroidered nouveau. From her waist, the dress sprouted out as if she was a rose in bloom. The petticoat was far too large for her small body, she hoped she wouldn't bump into anyone.

Such vibrant colors… She always thought bright colors didn't match her, but she never had a choice in what she wore.

If she could, she would wear something with natural colors, or something softer on the eyes.

Ah, her makeup. It was… Also vibrant.

Her makeup was… Well, her skin was paler then normal, lips red as her dress, and eyes lined in charcoal. Roses were pinned decoratively in the gathering of curls that was supposedly her hair.

In some ways, it was nice. She could see the appeal. She merely felt such a dress was not meant for her.

A nock on the door alerted her it was time to go.

XXXxxX Itachi XXxxX

He searched the crowed for the girl, wondering if she arrived earlier than he. Which would have been odd, as he was timely.

Whispers from the crowd alerted him his presence at the ball was rather alarming. After all, Itachi Uchiha was rather solitary.

"Hinata Hyuuga." He looked up as she was announced. There she stood at the top of the steps, gaze lowered as she curtsied. The crowed went silent, watching as she descended the steps.

Oh.

She was… Oddly alluring. The harsh red of the dress made her seem more pale then normal, and the charcoal around her eyes made the bags seem more obvious. After all, she hardly slept.

She was as vibrant as a rose.

But he felt she had more serene beauty as a lily, or an orchid.

The person who dressed her did not know what they were doing.

God, when did he become a critic?

Hmph.

She blended into the crowd, who had begun to chatter again.

It was time to make his move.

He searched the crowd, looking for the vibrant red of her dress.

"Excuse me, sir." The soft voice… He turned around, his heart squeezing in his chest. It was her. In front of him, in all her vibrant red beauty. How the hell did she get to him so fast? And she approached him first? Ah, formalities. She curtsied, introducing herself.

He should have expected that. "I am Hinata Hyuuga, please to meet you." She paused for a moment. "Face to face." She added.

Ah, so she knew he was following her. Of course she knew. Just like that first night, how she somehow managed to know in which general direction he was.

But to pick him out in the crowd? He did let her see him once, but to remember him? And to approach him without being introduced? It was considered rude to talk to another noble family without introduction. Even more when I came to females.

Right, after her attack, they no longer cared for her presence. That meant no female relative to watch over her, and no introduction. She was tossed to the side.

Interesting. But he dare play along.

"I am Itachi Uchiha, My Lady." He bowed to her, returning her formality. The chatter increased, some words reaching his ears.

"Why is the Hyuga whore speaking to Uchiha Itachi?"

"How dare she approach a man? Harlot!"

"First Itachi Uchiha shows up, then she dare speak to him without a chaperone? Harlot!"

He glowered.

Pathetic humans.

"It's okay." She said barely above a whisper, but he somehow managed to hear her. It was like her soft voice was a jungle in the noisy jungle of the ball. "You can ignore it, I am used to it."

"Harlot."

"Harlot."

"Harlot."

"Harlot."

He growled. How dare they disrespect her so? How could he ignore it? She was far better than they could ever be!

But they could not see that. They could only see her as a whore for being raped.

Fuck them.

He looked down at the girl in front of him. Her face was quite composed despite such rude accusations. This woman… This woman…

He admired her strong will, and her calm serenity.

Yes, he wanted to be a part of her life.

Just like the demonic Trio.

Just like Kisame.

So, he would protect her, just like them.

"I do wish to speak to you." She asked, averting her eyes. Her eyes widened, before she quickly pulled out her fan and hid her face. He looked to see what caused her such distress.

It was her father.

He was fuming.

Ah, so he did still care for some formality.

Surprising, seeing as he threw out the courtship rituals already.

"We will, at a more appropriate time." He whispered as he bowed to her. She nodded, a very light blush showing through the powder on her cheeks.

Ah, such a creature should not exist. Such innocence, such serenity, and such beauty should not be combined so perfectly.

But it did.

And now, he would protect it. Even if it meant using the dreaded human ties of the Uchiha name.