Prompt: Runaway

Rebel

The moment her father summoned her, Hinata knew her time had run out.

She walked down the corridor, skirting downtrodden servants and weary maids, their haggard faces turning to watch her walk to the gallows, their sad eyes full of sympathy and outrage.

She reached for the skirt of her dress with cold fingers, fighting nausea as she toyed with a stray string on the well mended fabric. It was the best gown she had to date, the others long sold to raise money or ruined during a washing.

Her faded, now lavender, empire silhouette cut gown, with its long sleeves and square neckline, was barely hanging on by a thread.

Her little black shoes had holes in places the dress, thankfully, was able to hide.

Her family's situation had been dire for a number of years.

This ill advised civil war was costly, in more ways than one.

Between the destruction, death and rampant criminal activity, it seemed as though the Land of the Hyuuga was slowly falling apart from the inside out.

Even so, her father refused to concede.

He refused to see reason and negotiate with his detractors.

He'd rather they all burn than give an inch.

Hinata couldn't understand it.

Now, she was next on the chopping block, the next lamb to be led to slaughter, and it all boiled down to the obsession of one man.

Toneri Otsutsuki.

Hinata was not a woman of hate, very rarely did one enlist anything remotely close to that word in her heart but she could say without shame or guilt that she reviled that man.

They met, once at a fund raiser hosted by her father and he'd been chasing her ever since.

He'd sent her letter after letter.

His words started off disingenuously lovey dovey, lavishing her with syrupy compliments and exaggerated declarations of affection, and with each reject she sent back to him, his messages become more disgusting, obsessive and abusive.

Threatening…

Some of his despicable threats were no longer threats, but carried out acts of violence and harassment.

In one short year, Toneri had ruined her life.

His worst grievance had finally born fruit.

Every respectable (and wealthy, father's stipulation not hers) suitor she had, he ran them off, and those that had proven stubborn, well…

She couldn't prove it, nobody could, but it was a general consensuses amongst the public that their deaths weren't accidental nor random acts of violence. Toneri had had those men killed, and as he got away with not one, not two, but three high profile assassinations, no man alive would come within a mile radius of her, effectively drying up her chances for a marriage with a man that wasn't him.

Add to that Hiashi Hyuuga's desperation for funds and no prospective moneybag to marry her to but Toneri, and voila, she got the summons she'd been dreading.

Standing before her father's study all too soon, Hinata gripped the doorknob to her downfall, fighting rising panic and swallowing bile.

She opened the door, the creak of old wood loud in her ears.

He stood before his desk, dark green coat buttoned and neatly pressed, tan pants spotless, long brown hair gathered at his nape, and a harder expression on his hard face.

As she met his eyes, Hinata knew without a doubt.

Her father planned on tying her to that monster.

She swallowed sickly, feeling faint.

She knew her father loved her, but…

…father loved his pride more.

"Sit."

Hinata snapped forward, her body so used to obeying her father's sharp commands she plopped down in the rickety chair in front of him before she could think better of it.

Twisting her fingers in her raggedy dress, Hinata struggled to breathe.

"Lord Toneri Otsutsuki petitioned for your hand a year ago, I accepted his proposal six months ago and we have finally come to amicable terms. The Count has already arrived early this morning, and insists that the wedding take place immediately. He has provided you a gown and veil to wear, go and prepare yourself, your maids have already been informed. You will be wed within the hour."

The room spun.

Father accepted his proposal six months ago…

Toneri Otsutsuki was downstairs…

She was to be married now…

She shook her head, wide eyed and horrified as she stared at her parent.

"I cannot, father!" she was just as shocked as he was that she'd raised her voice, Hinata never talked with forceful volume, let along shouted, and at her father no less, but she couldn't stop herself, she couldn't halt the flow of words flowing from her lips, "he's a monster! He killed Lord Nara and cost Neji-nii-san his leg-"

The bite of his rough hand struck her face with enough force to nearly topple her from her stool. She listed in her seat, a shaky hand cupping the spot of impact.

Her skin stung, tears burned her eyes and the taste of copper filled her mouth.

"Enough!" he roared, "your cowardice and disobedience ends now! You brought this marriage upon yourself! Had you done your duty and married Duke Senju five years ago we would not be in this current situation!"

She was fifteen at the time…

…and her would-be-husband had been pushing fifty…she just…couldn't-

"You rejected one crucial union, and think to do so again?" he bellowed, "that I would allow you to repeat that outcome in this! In a time of civil war?! This marriage will save us all and still you think only of yourself!"

It wasn't true…

"Selfish," he hissed.

What he was saying wasn't true at all, but it stung all the same.

"You shame me in every way a daughter can. I curse the fate that saw Hanabi born my younger daughter rather than my eldest. She shirk no duty brought before her! If Hanabi were of age, if he wanted her instead of you, I'd send her to do what must be done!"

Gripping her upper arm tight enough to halt circulation, he ripped her from the stool and onto her feet.

"For once in your life, be worthy of the name Hyuuga!" he thundered.

He yanked her to the door, dragging her across the rugs.

He was forcing her through the gates of Hell, condemning her to a painful, horrendous existence beneath the merciless thumb of Toneri Otsutsuki…

"No!" she cried, digging her heels in and tugging at her arm.

Jarred to a stop, Hiashi turned and gave her a glimpse of pure wrath. His face was contorted into that of a demon, eyes burning with malice.

He grabbed her hair…

…and drew back his fist.

…and everything after that happened so fast…

Her body moved on instinct, ducking the blow, crouching into the defensive stance of the Gentle Fist, and propelling her into an all too familiar motion of combat. By the time her furious strikes ended, her father lay slumped against the wall, his wide milky depths staring back at her as though he'd never seen her before in his life.

He was holding his chest, blood seeping from his mouth.

She stood stunned as well.

Heaving as though she'd run miles, sick and horrified that she'd disgraced herself and him by using what he'd taught her against him, Hinata bolted.

She wasn't going to marry Toneri Otsutsuki…

This wasn't the way she had planned to escape from this awful fate, but she no longer had a choice.

She had to go now.

"Stop her!"

Her father's roar pushed her to run harder, faster!

Pumping her arms, Hinata tore down the hall.

Maids and servants alike dove out of her way, while others, those loyal to her father, reached out for her. She ducked and dodged, stumbled past others and burst through the French doors leading to the gardens behind the great castle that had once been her home.

xxXXxx

Naruto reached into his pocket and flicked open the beat-up golden clock on a shinny chain.

He glanced at the time, watching the hand tick a few seconds before pocketing it once more.

Show time couldn't come soon enough.

He tugged at his fancy clothes, grimacing as he adjusted at his stiff collar for millionth time.

He didn't understand how the Hyuuga servants could stand wearing this crap for longer than a second let alone all day every day. It uncomfortable as fuck, hot as fuck and if he had to yank the britches outta his crotch area one more time he was gonna rip em' off. He understood this disguise was the best way to get close enough to Hiashi's daughter before the wedding took place, but if he was too damn chaffed and sore to kidnap the girl, the whole mission would be a bust anyways!

The shirt was made of linen, and was fine by itself, but with the brown coat thrown over it, the unyielding neck collar pressed into his skin. The chocolate colored trousers were fitted, something he wasn't too fond of, and clung to a place he was most fond of.

Whoever made them had have had an eunuch in mind because there wasn't enough room in here for him!

He took a breath, reminding himself that this was a small price to pay for everlasting freedom from greedy rich families and tyrannical rule.

This was important, he couldn't afford to fuck this up.

He had to focus.

Completing this mission was vital to their campaign.

If Hinata Hyuuga was allowed to marry Count Otsutsuki, their cause was effectively lost.

They'd only gained the upper hand because Hiashi had run out of funds and the King refused to send the vassal funds or military might, commanding the bullheaded Hyuuga Lord to 'sort out his house' on his own.

Naruto snorted, amused all over again by the missive.

As long as Hiashi stayed broke, the rebel forces stood a chance.

It was imperative that Hinata Hyuuga not be allowed to marry any man with money enough to revitalize the Hyuuga coffers, especially that filthy rich fuck Toneri Otsutsuki.

Capturing her would not only ensure it never happened, it'd also provide them much needed leverage.

With his eldest daughter in their custody, Hiashi would have little choice but to negotiate or even, outright agree to their terms, and provide a fair way of living to his subjects for the first time in the hundred plus years his family had held these lands.

This war was a long time coming, and now that it was, they were determined to win it!

Re-centered by his internal pep-talk, Naruto adjusted his coat once more, slick backed his blonde locks and continued his way down the side alley that would take him to a small hole within the crumbling walls of the Hyuuga castle gardens.

He'd gotten no more than a quarter through when the sound of pounding footsteps sped towards him.

He froze, hand moving to the concealed gun beneath his coat as he peered into the shadows.

They were in the later hours of the afternoon, but with high buildings bracketing this stone passage, it was harder to see than it was in a place of full sunlight.

He took his hand from his weapon as he recognized the silhouette of a fleeing female.

Brows creased at the panicked look on her face, the tears in her eyes, the bruise on her cheek, he moved towards her, opening his mouth to ask if she needed help as they drew near.

He got out only 'Hey lady' before she swung on him.

Instincts kicked in.

He caught her wrist and threw her hand away, barely able to lift his arm in time to block her next strike. For a moment he though his cover blown, that he'd been unmasked before he'd begun his mission, but he recognized the face before him.

He'd know his target anywhere!

"Countess Hyuuga!" he shouted, dancing out of range of her palms aiming for his midsection.

She was using Gentle Fist, a martial arts style he was thankfully familiar with facing, though this little royal lady was quick as fuck!

"Please stand aside!" she replied, "I don't wish to hurt you, but I'll not go back to the castle! I will not wed Count Otsutsuki!"

"Woah! Wait a minute!" he hollered, catching her flying palm once more, "I'm not here to take you back, 'ttebayo!"

"Y-you're not?"

"No! I didn't even know you were to be married, m'lady," he lied.

Wide lilac depth peered into his, searching for truth in his oceanic depths. He gave her his most earnest expression, thinking harmless thoughts in an effort to ease any deceitful indicator on his face.

It wasn't hard to think about anything other than his plan to kidnap the woman before him.

She was devastatingly gorgeous.

From her creamy skin, to her stirringly plum form, to her pouty fully lips and hypnotic milky depths, Countess Hinata Hyuuga had never been less than beautiful at any age. No matter how many times he saw her roaming amongst the common folk or standing next to her father, she always took his breath away, from the time he'd been a young child.

He'd watched her grow from a pretty, shy little wall flower to a demure, elegant vixen.

"I'm not sure what's going on, m'lady, but if you need a place, I know a somewhere you can hide away from your pursuers."

She gave him an assessing look, her gaze cautious.

Smart woman.

He gave her his most disarming grin, "no tricks, I promise, dattebayo. Besides, the way you fight, I'm more afraid of you than you probably are of me."

She was silent a beat, turning to look at the castle then at him.

"You'd truly…give me shelter?" she grew worried, "the perusers I'm fleeing are my father's men, and if he find out that you aided me-"

"To be completely honest, m'lady, and with all due respect, us common folk aren't too happy with your old man right now, even those in his employ. Personally, I don't give a shit about upsetting Lord Hiashi. I'm more than happy to assist you, even better if it'd piss your father off."

Shouting alerted them both.

She threw a panicked look over her shoulder than back at him, her answer screaming in her wide eyes.

He shrugged off his coat and tossed it over her head, then grabbed her hand and ran.

He took her to his one bedroom, one bathroom apartment on the edge of town. He was sure his place could fit in her closet ten times over but she never once commented on his meager living quarters, nor made any outward expression.

Though, it sort of fit with her public image.

While Hiashi's reputation amongst his people was lower than the ninth ring of Hell, Hinata's was beyond the pearly gates.

She was known for her kind nature and charitable ventures back before they went broke.

Her servants glowed when speaking of her and quite a few had threatened him and the rebel force should a single violet hair be harmed on her pretty little head. They were just as invested in seeing Hiashi brought to his knees, and willing to spy and coordinate rebel attacks from the inside, but they drew a hard line at their beloved Countess being hurt in the process

Naruto was of the same mind.

Countess Hyuuga was a gentlewoman and didn't deserve to be brutalized…

His eyes traced her swollen cheek, a coil of anger filling his stomach.

…not by anyone.

He opened his mouth, about to offer the blue blood angel a cold compress for her cheek when three distinct knocks touched his door.

Laser focused on the portal, Naruto motioned her to his small closet, then strode to the door as she closed herself in.

He knocked twice…

…and got four knocks back.

Ally.

He opened the door.

"We got a problem, dobe."

Sasuke pushed his way in, and Naruto shut the door.

"What pro-"

"Lord Hiashi is dead."

Time ground to a halt.

"How?"

"He hasn't been examined yet, they're waiting for the physician to arrive, but word is that he succumb to trauma of the chest-"

A hard thump startled them both.

Sasuke drew his pistol, dark eyes fused to the closet.

"Shit," Naruto muttered, jogging to the tiny space.

Hinata was slumped over inside, no doubt the news hitting her hard. He reached for her, swinging her light limp body up and into his arms.

"Dobe…" Sasuke began, peering at the woman in his arms, "why in the hell is Countess Hyuuga in your closet?"

xxXXxx

This was fun to write! :P

I know what you're thinking about Hiashi's death but…was it really Hinata's attack that did him in?

Hmmmmm…

I was given this idea by KawaiiHinaHime08, I hope this was to your liking! Runaway Countess! I could add so much more to this, lol, and I might, probably will in the future. This 'Imma come back' list is getting long af.

Hope you all enjoyed!

Tomorrow is another prompt I loved writing! Some nice smut and lore, and it's also a two story chapter. I'm planning on writing for both prompts!

Laters

Sessakag~