Hinata sat in her father's study, not really sure what was the topic of this meeting. It had been noticed by her lately, that her father was trying to get her more involved with the meetings with other lords. Why that was, she wasn't sure really, though she had a feeling it was to prepare her to take the lead. Though she couldn't be sure when was the last time Naruto himself had joined her in on a meeting. Since the last few times they had other guards that could protect them all and the lords seemed to have a weird feeling from her friend.

Maybe they didn't forget how he had taken down a demon that last time. How strange and different he had seemed to be at that point of time. Even now, she can still remember how he had acted and it had frightened her. Not that she would be scared of Naruto, far from it. More like, she was scared for Naruto more than anything else.

The way his eyes had looked, everyone had been hiding at the time so it made her wonder if she had been the only one to have noticed it back then. Those crimson eyes looking back at her, had it merely been a trick of her eyes? There was no way that Naruto had red eyes, his eyes were blue after all.

Yet, even now that memory wouldn't leave her. The relief that had come to her after seeing Naruto wake up, being himself again. That was more of a fear for her that if he had somehow lost himself again to… whatever that was, that Naruto would slip away from her grasp forever.

"Princess Hinata?" came a voice, causing her to look up with a frown. "If you'd please keep your attention on this meeting, that would be most advised."

"Yes, of course forgive me." Hinata said, though she had noticed the concern looks from both her father and Naruto.

"Good, now as we have been mentioning, there have been neuromas children missing. All of them having either been taken from their homes in the middle of the night, or have been taken while no one was around. Mostly in the forest." Said one of the lords. Hinata couldn't help but frown at that. There have been children going missing? Just how long was this going on for in the first place? "We don't know what the connection is, but we assume that it is a demon that believes in the old tales."

"Old tales?" asked Hinata with a frown.

"Yes, many years ago, long before any of us were born there was a tale of how demon's gain power." Said Hiashi as he leaned against his chair and sighed softly. Everyone stared at Hiashi with curiosity, it seemed that no one knew the old tales but himself. Hinata turned to stare at Naruto and… there was an odd look on his face, almost as if there was a hint of remembrance flashing in his bright blue eyes. Did he know something as well about all of this? "They say, that when a demon devours the livers or eyes of children, infants mostly but young children, among women or even those with sacred abilities, a demon's power would grow in power. It is something that has been feared by most humans for many years until the attacks like this have lowered until it never happens. It had been like that for a very long time but, if it's starting to come back then we may have trouble on our hands."

Hinata couldn't help but stare at her father with wide eyes. Demon's did that? All just to gain power? That was just… just sickening!

"How are you so sure Lord Hiashi?" asked one of the lords.

"It is information that has been passed in my family for many years. The first known lord of my family had made a pact with the King of the Demon King, or at least a Demon King and the pact was that no more demon's would devour a human in such a way just to gain power." Lord Hiashi answered with a tired sigh.

"That didn't seem to last now did it." Snarled one of the many lords. The other's agreeing with him and that just seemed to anger Hinata a little. "Why make a pact if they weren't even going to keep it in the first place."

"I am not sure. The legends that have been passed do not mention who the king was nor how old he was. Even now, that king could be long dead and a descendent could have taken over and removed that law or even just ignores it." Hiashi covered his face as he whispered "The demons have become more active in attacks around twenty years ago."

"Isn't that when your daughter's guard came into the picture?" asked a lord, giving Naruto a sneer.

"That is true, but Naruto was only a boy at the time. I highly doubt a child could do all of this danger. Not to mention, he has done everything he could to protect my daughter." Hiashi defended.

"How are you sure that this isn't a ploy?"

"He had no memory of his past, only a name and an estimate of an age." Hinata said, trying to defend her friend.

"Princess, you must learn that people aren't all what they appear to be." A Lord said with a tired sigh, staring at Hinata as if she was nothing more than a child. "For all you know, he could be plotting against us now. He is in on the meetings and could even be telling the demon's on what to do against us."

Hinata narrowed her eyes as she said "He isn't like that! I've known him almost all my life and Naruto has done nothing but protect me! He's done all he could to help me and I helped him in return!"

"What about that time he took down that Oni? He took it down with a power that no one should be able to possess!"

"That was just something he can do. It could be connected to his lost memories!" Hinata shouted, angry tears building up in her eyes. There was no way that she would allow them to belittle Naruto like this. He couldn't go against a lord, he knew that. Yet even she could tell that he was getting angry just by the energy that was starting to waft into the room. "He is a powerful man, but also a gentle one! If he wanted you all dead he would have by now!"

"He could still try to kill us all in a moment. In fact if you claim that he is from a clan why hasn't anyone come looking for him? What is this powerful clan that he is from? What could they possibly do for him in the first place? Unless they have all been wiped out and he is trying to take it out on a naïve princess who thinks that she can take over a land without a husband. You are only good to stand by your future husband's side and produce his heir. Women are nothing compared to their husbands and that is all you'll ever be good for you stupid-" He never got to finish as the lord soon found himself pinned against the wall by Naruto.

Hinata just stared in shock, how did Naruto move so fast? She couldn't even make out a blur of his form as he rushed to him. Naruto's hand was on the man's neck and held him up off of the ground. "Now, is that anyway to treat the princess?" Naruto whispered, his voice deadly, cold, and empty of the kind man that she had come to love. It made Hinata shiver.

"You dare attack a lord?!"

"Oh? I'm not attacking you sir, no… I'm just keeping you pinned to a wall is all." Naruto said, his voice remaining the same. "Now, if I really had wanted to kill you like you so claim, I could have done it years ago, or even in the night while everyone was asleep but no." Hinata saw Naruto tighten his hold, the lord gagged a little as he tried to free himself. "Now, as to why I'm doing this well, you dare to insult my princess. I won't allow it, she hasn't done anything to you to deserve such words against her honor."

Hinata trembled a little, her hands covering her mouth as tears started to stream down her cheeks. What was going on with Naruto? This was almost starting to turn into what had happened years ago during their first meeting but, what had caused him to change like this? "Hinata is able to rule over these lands, with or without a husband, if you say otherwise again I may have to… ripe your throat out." He whispered the last part with so much hate and rage that Hinata felt like the chill running through her body had grown worse.

Shaking her head, the young woman rushed to her friend and grabbed a hold of Naruto's arm. "Naruto, stop it! Just let him go alright?" Hinata pleaded with her friend, hoping that would have been enough to get him to let go. When Naruto turned his head to her, well the young woman could have sworn that all of the air had left her lungs from shock. It was Naruto staring at her, no doubt but it was his eyes. It seemed that the lord hadn't seen it as he hadn't made a comment about it. But Hinata knew those eyes, it was the eyes that had haunted her nightmares so long ago and had thought that she would never see them again. "Please Naruto, just let him go."

"He insulted you Hinata. Not just you but your honor!" Snarled Naruto, his pupils quivered for a moment before remaining their normal shape. Just what was happening to him? Did this have anything to do with his past?

"He didn't hurt me Naruto. Just please, let him go." He snarled a little, his arm trembling for a brief moment, he even bit his lip as if he was thinking otherwise. That he wanted to hurt the man before him just because he had hurt Hinata verbally. His eyes turning to the man for a brief moment, now that she thinks about it had Naruto's bangs hidden his eyes from the lord in the first place? Was that why he hadn't said anything about his eyes?

The moment his gaze returned to her, he whispered "I won't ever let anyone hurt you. Be it verbally or physically. He soon gave her a look of confusion. Whispering something so low that Hinata almost didn't hear him. "What… am I?" He whispered before letting go of the lord, and just kept his eyes on Hinata. She saw how his eyes slowly bled away and the blue returning to his orbs once again. Before Hinata could ask him what had happened, Naruto's eyes drifted closed and he fell over, Hinata quickly caught him and stared at her friend with wide eyes.

"Someone get Iruka and Kakashi, have them carry Naruto to the medical ward." Hiashi said, hoping that one of the guards that resided just outside of the room would hear him. Hinata couldn't help but stare at Naruto as he just seemed too slept. This is the first time he's really attacked someone. No, attacked was a strong word, more like he's threatened him. It brought those unwanted memories back in full force, but for now she just wanted to forget about them. Right now, Naruto needed her more than anything.

Not a moment later, Iruka and Kakashi appeared in the room with concern on their faces. They just seemed to want to ask questions, that much was obvious to Hinata, but they seemed to know better as they just made their way to Naruto and carried him off. Hinata, of course was in tow or at least she wanted to be. Her father told her that Naruto will be fine, that they still had to finish the meeting about the next course of action about those missing children.


Hinata wandered down the halls of the manor. It was, odd to say the least to walk by herself. The meeting had gotten back on course and what was said, it made her heart heavy with dread. She couldn't help but stop for a moment as she thought about the poor children that had been taken from their homes. How many of them were even still alive? Where were they even being held? No, there was a good idea of where they were hidden, the only place a demon could hide that many children was in a cave that resided somewhere in the Forest of Death.

No one ever goes in there because of the name. Everyone that goes in has always died but, there had to be a way to go in there without risking their lives.

She couldn't help but want to grit her teeth at that, the very idea that they wouldn't even try to save those children? It sickened her to no end. There had to be something that she could do to help those kids. "Unless…" She whispered softly. It was an idea, though she would have to be careful regardless.

Making her way to the door, Hinata hoped and prayed that Naruto was awake. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for the worst. What could the worst be? That he somehow work up and those crimson eyes were staring at her again? Yeah, but she knew that couldn't be the case since he had reverted back to normal before passing out like he had. So, that had to mean something right?

Opening the door slowly, Hinata walked in and she saw that Iruka, and Kakashi were sitting in chairs, one on the other side of the bed having been talking to Naruto who was, now, wide awake. How long had he even been awake for anyway? All three men looked up at her, Iruka waved, Kakashi saluted her lazily and Naruto just smiled at her. "Hey Hinata." Said Naruto with a small sad smile on his face. "So, how did the meeting go after I… um… blacked out?"

"We won't send people into a death trap. We'll have to think of another way to save them but for now we just can't take the chance of us risking out lives."

"They won't send anyone in to save them. The only cave nearby that would have allowed the demon to grab those kids would be in The Forest of Death and no one is willing to go in there." Hinata said with a sigh. "But, I have an idea on what we can do." Hinata added with a small smile.

Naruto frowned a little at her, not sure what it was that would be going on in her head. Though the look in his eyes almost made her think that he was starting to get an idea on what it was that she wanted to do. "Hinata, what are you trying to say here?" Naruto asked, his frown marring his face as he tried to see through his friend. Hinata knew him well enough to know what it was that he himself, wanted to say against her. Though there was no way that she would stop herself when she had this idea.

"I think we can go and save them. Think about it Naruto, you are a powerful guy and an amazing fighter. I've been trained to fight as well and I think if we both work together that we can easily save the children!" Hinata said with a smile on her face.

Yet the look on Naruto's? Well, he was anything but happy. Hinata saw that the look in his eyes were worry, fear, concern, anything really but happy or joyful at the idea of saving those poor innocent children. He turned away from her, no longer able to look at her as if he was trying to hide away his own feelings about the whole thing. His hands trembled on his lap as if he was trying to stop himself from moving to grab Hinata and most likely, shake some kind of sense into her. "We can't do that Hinata." Naruto whispered softly.

"Why not?" asked the princess.

"Because that would put your life at risk!" Naruto answered.

"Now Naruto, Hinata is a trained warrior much like yourself. I'm sure that she can handle herself in a fight." Iruka said with a frown.

"She shouldn't have to dirty her hands with the blood of demons or anyone for that matter!" Shouted Naruto, when he had turned to stare at the brown haired man, Hinata could have sworn that she saw his eyes flash red for a brief moment only to revert back to a blue.

"That may be true Naruto, but still to let her skills go to waste is a shame." Kakashi pointed out, he was lazily leaning against his chair as he just stared at the blonde haired man in the bed.

"I don't care! I won't let her soil her hands in blood. I don't want Hinata tainting her pure heart and soul with blood, no matter if the demon needs to be destroyed or not!" Naruto snarled, his eyes flashing quickly from red back to blue. It worried Hinata why his eyes was doing this, Naruto was breathing deeply as if he was in a great deal of pain. Some kind of turmoil or something along those lines but she knew that she had to do something. Yet, what could she do for him in this kind of situation?

"Calm down Naruto, getting yourself worked up isn't helping you in your… situation." Kakashi said, though the pause there was what made Hinata frown a little. What kind of situation was he talking about that made Naruto's eyes change colour? Yet, the snarl that Naruto sent to the silvery grey haired man didn't seem to phase Kakashi in the least. "Calm down, or I'll have to restrain you again." Wait he's had to restrain Naruto? What the hell?

"Sorry…" Naruto whispered, taking a deep breath as he looked up at Hinata and gave her a stern look. "Promise me that you won't go and save those kids alone Hinata. We'll think of something that doesn't involve risking your life."

"But…"

"Promise me Hinata!" Shouted Naruto.

"I… I promise." She sighed softly, already not liking this in the least, though she knew that she had to do something. But what could she do? There was no way that she would get to those in need before there would be more lives lost. Who knew how many had already died because no one had gone to get them sooner. It scared her, frightened her that those poor kids were scared for their lives and had no idea on what she should or could do… wait.

"Anyway, Naruto you'll need to rest before you'll be released. I'll look after Hinata for you until have rested." Kakashi said with a sigh. Hinata frowned a little, she had told the man to listen to Iruka until she had given the man her trust. Though, now that she thought about it, she did need a new guard until Naruto had recovered but a new plan was starting to swirl around in her mind.

"Fine, just keep her safe." Naruto whispered with a grumble before laying back down. His arm draped over his eyes as he tried to get himself to relax.

"Yes of course, come along Hinata, Iruka." Kakashi said before pushing himself up from his chair and started to walk out of the room. Hinata and Iruka quickly followed as they closed the door behind them. Yet, Hinata had paused for a moment as she stared at Naruto with a soft frown. She knew that if this plan of hers worked, she would save those kids but at the same time not break her promise to Naruto. He'll be mad at her no doubt but this had to be done.

Once the door was shut, and they had gained some distance Hinata knew that this was her chance. "Kakashi." The man stopped dead in his tracks and turned to stare at the princess. Yet, he said nothing, it was as if he already knew what she was going to say before she even said it. "I want you to come with me so we can save those poor kids."

"But Princess, you promised Naruto that you wouldn't go." Iruka said with a frown.

"I promised I wouldn't go alone but, I am asking Kakashi to come with me." Hinata said with a serious expression. "I can't leave them to die Iruka. If I did, what kind of future ruler would I be? I would be no better than those demons who are just killing those poor kids. I don't know what started this war with demons but I want it to end. I don't want to kill anyone, but if it comes down to it I'll stop it." Hinata said as she covered her face. Everything was just draining and she just wanted it all to stop. Just wanted it all to end so they could live peacefully. Yet, at this rate there was no way of knowing what would happen or how long this war would last.

"Alright, I'll do it." Kakashi said with a sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Iruka, you keep an eye on Naruto and make sure that he doesn't do anything stupid. He should be fine again by tomorrow but just in case, make sure that he doesn't learn of Hinata's whereabouts."

Iruka sighed softly, it was obvious that he wasn't keen on the idea of their princess going out and of course, in a way breaking her promise but really just finding a loop hole in said promise. But, it was what Naruto would do after he got word of Hinata's location. No matter if he found out after she had returned or while she was gone. The very thought of it well, it was something that he wasn't looking forward to in the first place. It still bothered him to keep things like this from Naruto but now? Well, there was no telling what the blonde haired man would do in the long run.

Looking up at the princess and Kakashi, Iruka nodded his head as he said "Alright, I'll try to keep him from learning about what it is that you two are doing. But I can't promise that he won't learn about when or if he finds out about what is really going on alright?"

"That's all I can ask of you Iruka." Hinata said with a soft smile before turning to look up at Kakashi. "So, how much of fighting demons do you know?" asked Hinata.

"A lot honestly." Why did he grimace at that? Interesting, was he hiding something else from her or was it something that he had experienced in the past? This was going to be a rather interesting night, that's for sure though right now Hinata knew that she would have to prepare herself for the battle at hand. First, she'd need a weapon that would better handle a demon though so far the only person that she knew that had such a weapon was Naruto and well, he'd notice if his sword went missing.

More so since it was specially designed to only work for him, so that option was out.

Letting out a soft sigh, the young woman looked over at Kakashi as she said "We may as well get ready for the mission at hand. The faster we get to the cave, the quicker we can return and Naruto won't learn about our little escapade." Kakashi could only nod his head before he started to walk on ahead. Hinata of course, bowed to Iruka before she took off to catch up with the temporary guard. Well, at least she can now prove her worth as a warrior. Though she just hoped that the task at hand would go smoothly.


okay, I'm giving Hinata a chance at being a true warrior, she'll get her much deserved battle at long last. Now, as for her going around Naruto's promise well I thought of it because of what my mom did years ago. Long story short, brother was in the hospital, he called mom and he made her promise not to go see him at the hospital (we lived about over an hours drive at the time) so mom promised that she wouldn't, after that call she called my brother's dad (mom's first husband) and told him to go see him. I did something similar with my step dad (mom's current husband) when he was sick, he told me not to call mom, I didn't she had already called me so I told her, he told me not to call her again and I didn't, I texted her to call me, again later, told me not to text her to call me, so I told her over text, one more time and I didn't call her, didn't tell her to call me or tell her over text... so what did I do? facebooked her because at the time she was allowed to do that haha anyway, Hinata will get her moment because originally the chapter was gonna have her go to the cave but nah, I wanna build up suspence here. Now, as for Naruto's state it all connects to his past and that seal on his stomach. Hope you enjoyed this chapter because I wrote over 3000 words tonight. later!