Okay, I'm going to really try this time to get this story rolling!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto™
P.S: I know before I kind of made a big deal about these three OCs that had been brought into the story, but I am now thinking of forgetting them all together. They don't serve much purpose other than just being there. Any comment or rejections? If not, then I'm going to get rid of them.
(Line Break)
Chapter 10- Needed
Hinata sighed as she watched the two stuffed their faces with food; she picked at her bowl of rice and ate it slowly. She was more interested with the thought of going to see the Kazekage; she felt a blush sting at her cheeks as the notion went through her head. She was going to walk alone, with the greatest man in all of Sunagakure. How so many other women had tried to do what he had offered…what if Wolf caught them? What if he revealed her secret? Or…he killed the Kazekage? Hinata shook her head clear of those thoughts; Wolf knew better than to come out in the open like that. The most that he would do was come visit her as she slept and harass her. The only thing that she did have to worry about was that she kept her relationship with the Kazekage a professional one. She wasn't a Lady of high status, just a Mage that had to serve her people and kingdom first. She really should just call the whole thing off; to save her future problems.
"Hey Hinata," Kiba looked at her, "what are you thinking about?"
"Just some business that I have to take care of later tonight," she waved it off like it was nothing. "You just eat and enjoy your time that I can spend with one of my best friends." He smiled brightly and Hinata looked to Naruto with a smirk, "You can be my friend too, Priest. Just be nice."
"I'm being nice right now," he said as he shoved more ramen in his mouth.
"You have not said one word since we sat down," Kiba smirked.
"I didn't have anything nice to say," Naruto retorted with a full mouth. Hinata just shook her head and put more rice in her mouth, "And you," he swallowed and smirked, "you have to start being nice to me too. You're the one that starts issues with me." Hinata rolled her eyes and continued to eat like he had not said anything. "I'm serious Mage. I don't want to have to kick your ass, but sometimes you leave me no choice."
"I think I liked it better when he wasn't talking." Hinata smirked at him and Kiba just laughed lightly. She looked to the male who seemed to be brooding. "Come now Priest-chan," she teased, "I was only joking. Friends do stuff like that."
"Just don't become a cocky bastard like Sasuke, Mage-kun." Naruto smirked back at her.
"Did you just refer to me as a man?"
"What do you think Mage-kun? I'm sure not sitting next to a woman."
"I thought you provide enough estrogen to the party."
"It's not my fault you're womanly side has yet to show."
"I thought we just were starting to make friends," Kiba said and sighed as the two began to throw insults back at one another.
(Line Break)
Kakashi sat in his thinking tree, his eyes closed and his legs crossed. There were usually never times for him to just think; he was a man of action and looked to as if he knew everything. Nothing good came from being a Mage; life was always terrible unless someone could find another Mage. Kakashi was grateful of that one special day, when his Hokage brought a scared little girl that could barely look him in the eyes. He was so happy when he was given the permission to have her live with him too; he liked being able to wake up to a happy face. To see such bright innocence and her positive attitude to learn, like she didn't know yet. Like, over the years, she will meet people that will hate her for reasons she can't control. She'll meet a man that she will want to marry, but then find out that her life has no room for anything but fighting and obeying her Hokage. If it wasn't a mission, it was filling out paper work and training, and if those two were not an option, then it was sitting alone. Kakashi knew that fairly well. His father trained him until the day he died, and then left Kakashi to self-train since the only other Mage in the village was not allowed to teach him; Hinako Hyuga had to obey the laws of her family first, and that meant she would stay home with her husband.
Kakashi only had one friend back then, and he was the Uchiha that gave up his life for him. Obito Uchiha kept Kakashi from being killed an axe wielding thief lord. Kakashi had carried the man back and personally told the family. He was only sixteen. Then he was forced to reject the love of one of his comrade: Rin. She was heart-broken by it. Kakashi still blamed himself for her death; the others that went on the mission did mention she seemed depressed and distracted by her thoughts. He was eighteen. Kakashi kept silent and slowly began to push away his regret, guilt, and sorrow. He had other people to protect. The Leaf village was his first priority and then his own personal feelings came after. Gai and Anko weren't really friends; Gai was a self-proclaimed rival, and Anko only came because Hinata had TenTen teaching her.
Hinata. The name alone made him smile and brought some sort of joy to him. He still thought back to the little girl that didn't know what seduction meant, loved to snoop through his books without permission, and always wanted to drink tea when he came back from his work. It was better back then, when it was like she was his daughter. When she still needed him to teach her and protect her from anyone that she thought harmful. He couldn't count the times while they were on their travels that she would hide in his cloak and grab his hand. The look on her face when young girls thought she was a boy since she was a late bloomer. Some days, she wouldn't wear her cloak, so she could be recognized as a girl. Or when she was still six years old, and snuck into his room. He woke to find her cuddling into him and latching onto him like her life depended on it. She whispered to him that she heard something outside her window, and came to the conclusion it was a monster. He only smiled at her and put his arms around her.
It was nice to be needed by someone so small and innocent. Kakashi wish he could turn back the clock just so he could appreciate those days a little bit longer. His breathing slowed a bit as he felt his mind fill with peace and the memories of his student. It seemed like those years passed by in a matter of minutes. She was a full blown Mage now, and, by law, she was an adult. She could move out, take on missions without Kakashi's guidance, and even start looking for another Mage to teach. It broke his heart just to think about not seeing her anymore.
"Hey sensei," Hinata said as she stood at the bottom of his tree, "you going to be okay without me?"
No. Was what he wanted to say, he didn't ever want to let her go. "I am a grown man Hinata," he spoke with a light voice and looked at the leaves of the tree. "I'll be okay."
"Okay sensei," she was smiling, that perfect smile with her cheeks probably growing a faint pink. "I'll be back later." He always was envious at her soft footsteps; she was a natural at being secretive. But it worried him at times; he wouldn't be able to hear her if she just decided to walk out one day. He would just wake up and find that she wasn't there.
"Oh Kami," he sat back against the trunk and opened his eyes, "why did she have to grow up so fast?"
(Line Break)
Hinata felt her heart beat quicken as she stood on the castle's steps with her hood up and the sun finally setting. She took in deep breaths as the night slowly consumed the kingdom and she wrung her hands in hopes that her nerves would calm. She had been a little iffy on the idea of walking alone with the Kazekage, all the rumors it would start, all the trouble she could get in if she did the wrong thing. It was almost as if she was in a political meeting and she was almost deciding to leave before anything bad could happen. Hinata placed her hands at her side and let her cloak fall closed to conceal her body.
"Lady Hatake," Gaara's voice said from the bottom of the stairs. He wore his formal robes and his hat was hiding most of his face. "I was worried that you have forgotten about our little date."
Hinata blushed as she walked down to him and was glad that the shadow was hiding her face. "Gaara-san…" she said, but trailed off since she couldn't think of anything to say. "I-I would never do something so disrespectful. You are the Kazekage after all." She bowed to him. "Would you like to start our walk?" She revealed her hand and motioned to a stone paved path that led through the small village of warriors and royals. Gaara nodded and Hinata took the lead with him standing at her side. "How…" she said but lost her train of thought. How was she supposed to talk to the ruler of the Sand Village? "How was your day?"
Gaara chuckled lightly and smirked at her. "You seem nervous Lady Hatake, do I intimidate you?"
"Only slightly," she said with a slight smile and a blush on her cheeks.
"Don't be," he tipped his hat up and smiled at her. "I have had a splendid day, and you?"
"I have had better." She glanced at him and smiled lightly. "If you don't mind me asking, why did you want to walk with me Gaara-san?"
Gaara stopped and Hinata noticed a few moments later and looked back at him. He seemed to be deep in thought and was staring up at the sky. "That is a very good question." His voice was slightly breathless and Hinata walked back to him. She looked up and saw the marvelous sight of the stars that began to form in the night sky and even the moon looked to shine a little brighter. They were standing there in silence and it was rather comforting. "I don't think I am able to answer that at the moment." He said and looked to her. Hinata slowly glanced at him and then completely looked in his direction. There was something very off in his eyes, something that she had not seen before.
"I think I know a better place to watch the stars." Hinata blushed as she motioned ahead. "Come with me." She walked ahead and then looked back and smiled when he was following her. She quickly led him to another area of the garden that she remembered stumbling upon when she was little. There it was, the large Sakura tree on a small hill, with a little bench at the bottom of the hill; the grass as green as she remembered. She slowly walked up the hill and took a seat under the Sakura tree. The Kazekage seemed a bit hesitant to sit down, but he did. It was awkward to say the least, but the sound of the night was reassuring. Hinata smiled lightly and pulled her knees to her chest as she looked to the sky. "I used to remember coming to this spot. The first time I had ever seen Lady Hokage outside her castle."
Gaara took of his hat and looked at her. Even with her hood up, he could tell that she was glowing happiness. He sat with his legs stretched out before him. "I never went outside much as a kid." He looked ahead, "it was always too hot or too cold." He smiled lightly, "But I always did have a habit of staring at the moon through the window of my father's room." He glanced at her, "I have always loved the moon for some reason."
Hinata smiled at him, "I can't deny the fact that the moon is rather lovely. But," she looked to him, "I prefer something more like the sun. Where the light reveals anything that was trying to hide." She pulled down her hood and took a large breath of air. Her cheeks still a faint pink color. "It has been very long since I came here, but I did avoid this place when I could." She glanced at him and smiled. "Why do you like the moon anyway?"
"Something else I can't answer," he said with a smirk. He sighed lightly, "All I know is that whenever I look at it, I feel better." He glanced at her and smiled lightly, "Kind of…like your eyes…Lady Hatake." Hinata felt her cheeks flare up red as she continued to look ahead. She pulled her knees closer to her chest and tried to calm her beating heart. "Just something about them is all." He went back to looking at the sky. "Why do you avoid coming here?"
"I…" she tried to recover. Hinata cleared her throat. "I came here for the last time…w-when I was banished from m-my clan." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "My legs just carried me here. I should thank this place; it opened a new path for me to take."
"It led you to become a Mage, right?"
Hinata nodded and twiddled her thumbs, "Mhm…it gave me another chance to prove something of myself. Practically threw me into a new world." She laughed bitterly at the thought of Wolf, who she could just feel was watching her at the moment. She wouldn't put it past him anyway. "Just threw me in without any idea of what I was getting into."
"I can tell that you are troubled." Gaara said as he put his hand on her shoulder. Hinata felt stiff, and the area he touched began to grow hot. "Please, tell me what you are thinking."
She looked at him and saw that look in his eyes, that off the wall look that she had not seen. "It's nothing," she said with a smile, "I'm just still getting used to being a Mage."
"You're a liar," he said as he moved closer and just stared at her. "Don't lie to me Hinata, it won't help anyone."
She felt hot, she wanted to hate him for trying to pry into her life, but then again, she wanted to hold him. Hinata wanted to tell him how she shouldn't be with him, how it was unfair that the only man that will ever love her is a demon that has taken away her freedom to be a normal person. She wanted him to fight for her. To take her away from the priest that did not like her, from the warriors that would sneer as she passed, and from a princess that wanted to see her head on a pike. Hinata shook her head, "I can't…" her voice strained.
"Please"
Why was he so close to her?
"I need to know what you are thinking."
Hinata closed her eyes as his breath tickled her lips.
"I need…"
She cut him off by pressing her lips against his.
Gaara didn't understand what was going on, nor did he care. He responded back to her kiss with one of his own; almost drowning in the growing passion between the two as his eyes closed. Her taste and scent would never leave him now; he would forever be cursed with them. He couldn't bring himself to stop it since he knew it was wrong. He had no right to be so selfish, to want such a jewel to the Leaf Village. A Mage, the one of the two they had. The Sand village didn't even have one; these fighters were rare and no one knew anyone of the gene. Well, Gaara did at the moment. A political strategy to raise more Mages, but a selfish and greedy one at that; everything she was belonged to someone else. Gaara had to stop this, before he regretted what he was to do next. But luckily, or unluckily, someone else stopped it for him. A stabbing pain came from his shoulder, causing him to pull away and cry out in pain. Hinata was panicked but then his sight began to go. He just felt his back hit the grass.
Hinata watched with horror as the spike pulled itself out of Gaara's shoulder, blood staining his clothes and the grass. "Oh my," she stiffened as someone crouched beside her, "look at that." The voice sounded satisfied with what had happened. "Blood red like the color of your little lover's hair or, the Kazekage's to be more exact." He watched as she quickly went to healing him, and crying as she worked. "Oh, my poor little baby." He stroked her hair as she sobbed and tried to stop the bleeding. "See what happens when you push me? I don't take jealousy well my mate, and the next time…" he leaned close to her ear and whispered. "I'll hit his heart instead."
"I-I'll be good!" She yelled as she cried and sobbed. "I-I won't do it again…I-I'll never do it again! Don't let him die! Please," she begged louder, "Please don't let him die Wolf!" He smirked and put his hands over hers and pushed a bright white light into the wound. The bleeding slowed and Gaara looked to be in less pain. Her sobbing slowly dwindled away, but tears still burned her eyes. She closed her eyes tight, "I-I won't ever do it again. I'm sorry. I'll be good now." She seemed to be chanting over and over again. Wolf only smirked and walked away from the two, happy that things went the way they did. Hinata slowly opened her eyes again and moved her hand; the hole was practically gone, only a wound had remained. She looked around to find that she was alone, but that is what scared her. She couldn't tell anyone what happened, even though the Kazekage was almost killed. She sniffled and touched his face, staining his pale skin with his blood that had gotten on her hands. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again, okay?" She saddened, "I-I'll keep away from you." Hinata reached to the back of her belt and pulled out one of her many cards. She summoned shizu to the card and threw it into the air, causing it to explode like a flare.
She had watched medics and other warriors run at the, worrying only about the Kazekage. Naruto was with them, since they had all sensed the demon, who Hinata had blamed for the whole ordeal. Naruto demanded what it was demon, but Hinata only ignored him and stayed in the same spot she was in. The blonde only frowned when she refused to talk. He looked back and watched as Gaara was carried off to a medical ward, and the two were left alone. He crouched down at her side; she was so pale and silent. "What did you see?"
"I…" she said but soon stopped herself. She looked at him with tear filled eyes, "I almost saw him die Naruto-chan." Naruto felt something twist his heart as she looked so defeated and heart broken. "A-And it's a-all my fault! This stupid walk!"
"You…It's not your fault Hinata-kun." He patted her shoulder. "Come on, I'll walk you home-"
"No," she slowly got to her feet. "Y-You have to find the d-demon, right?" She pulled up her hood and began to walk down the hill. "I-I can get home."
Naruto stood and watched as she walked away. He was left there alone; he was left there under the Sakura tree. A tree that was honored for when its leaves fell and the tree died for the winter. A tree that was celebrated for its death. He leaned back against the tree and sighed deeply; he always hated these trees.
(Line Break)
Hinata walked into her home with heavy feet and her eyes still red from crying. She kicked off her shoes and went straight for the book shelf and began to read. She remembered as a kid that she was never allowed to read any of the books without Kakashi's supervision. She always had a knack for finding books that were full of 'adult content'. There was a time where this used to be fun, reading without Kakashi over her shoulder, but now, it just pissed her off. She wasn't a kid anymore, she was a warrior under the Hokage, and the Hokage's words were law. No matter what Hinata felt inside, she had to follow her Hokage first.
But now, she was allowing Wolf to slowly take over her life. First her demon arms that gave her the shizu to control all the elements, then he kept her away from any male he could, but now, he was actually doing a good job at keeping them away. Maybe she had pushed him too far; she never thought that he would actually try to kill someone. But, wasn't it her job to seek him out and protect this village? She could, she could just tell her Hokage and watch the priest kill him right before her eyes. But to do that, she would have to reveal why he had tried to kill the Kazekage: she was his soon to be mate. She was turning into a demon every second of the day and the by their laws, she was to be killed as well.
Hinata didn't want to die though, even though someone almost did. She was so torn, she was so selfish to live and prove to her family that she wasn't worthless. If she was discovered to be a demon, the Hyuga elders would claim they knew from the start that she would be; they would scold the Hokage for allowing her to live on these grounds. The Hyuga would win with her down fall. She rather be Sakura's slave than let the Hyugas get that glory. Hinata groaned loudly and tossed the book across the room when it wasn't able to take her mind off of all the inner turmoil that made her cringe. It wasn't fair! Why couldn't she just be a simple Mage, none of this would have happened if she hadn't of walked off from Kakashi for a swim. If she had stayed by him, none of this would have happened.
"Hinata," Kakashi spoke lightly as he walked out of his room, "What are you doing? I thought you were walking with the Kazekage-"
"Stop talking!" Hinata quickly cut him off and threw another book, but more aimed at him.
Kakashi was still as the book hit the wall beside him and he walked over to her. "I told you this before Hinata; I don't like it when you go through my books and then throw them." He knelt down and grabbed her wrists when she went to hit him. "What happened, Hinata?" He watched as she glared at him as she tried to pry out of her grip and hit him again. He saw the rage in her eyes, and he wasn't sure that she was so mad that her eyes began to tear up or that she was growing sadder.
She was growing sadder.
"The Kazekage almost died because of me, okay?" She yelled at him with tears spilling once more. She stopped trying to fight him and let her head drop in shame as she cried and sobbed. "I-I couldn't do anything! I was so selfish and stupid to think that Wolf wouldn't follow me again. I put his life on the line for something as stupid as some make-believe date." Kakashi slowly released his hold around her wrist and pulled her into an embrace as she wept in sorrow. It killed him inside. "H-how could I do it sensei? After all my training and studying, I did something so stupid."
"You're just a fifteen year old girl Hinata," he stroked her back and spoke in a soothing voice. "It's hard. I know that it is so hard to have to grow up before you are ready. But it is something that we must do, our village comes first." He sighed when she only held on to him tighter and buried her head in his shoulder. "You learned from this, and I know that you have learned."
"I can't do this anymore sensei," she sobbed and Kakashi almost didn't understand since it was muffled by his shoulder. "I-I thought that after becoming a Mage, everything would be easier, but now, I can see that this is only going to get worse." She pulled back and looked up at him with large and watery eyes. "I need you to help me. Please sensei, I can't do this alone."
Kakashi didn't know how to feel. She needed him. Hinata had to face Kages and a demon, along with her fellow peers. But, it made him happy; she still needed him and he wouldn't have to worry about losing her…yet. He still had the issue of Wolf, the one true threat of taking her away. He was going to fix this. Kakashi was going to be there for her this time.
And this time, he wasn't going to fail to protect her from him.
(Line Break)
The Kazekage lied in the Castle' Medical wing; in one of the rooms that was left for sick and injured royalty. He was out cold; his family had checked up on him. The doctors did all they could. The Hokage quickly mobilized her Priest and Priestess. The nurses came in and out every couple of hours. But, for the most part, he was left alone. There was something about the medical wing that even made the toughest of shinobi hesitate to enter. The thought that death was so close was not a pleasing thought and many avoided the idea. Doctors and nurses lived with the torment of watching men, woman, and even children dying before them and could do nothing more than try to save the next. They always thought that doctors were heartless monsters, but shinobi knew better. Moving on was the best people could do.
Wolf, on the other hand, was more comfortable with death than most demons. He didn't watch people die, but he watched his earth die. He watched as humankind cut down his forest, took advantage of his lakes and rivers, and ate the creatures that roamed the land before them. By now, he couldn't give a damn about death. It came and in its place something else was born. Wolf smirked as he stood at the window of the hospital and watched as the young man was close to his end; which meant a new beginning with Hinata. But, even if the Kazekage didn't die in his sleep, Wolf was sure that the girl had learned her lesson. He stepped down to the floor and walked over to his bed-side. It was almost too easy just to kill him now, but he didn't want to push the girl too far. She may do something stupid, which could get them both killed. There was an eerie silence in the air and he just wanted to ring the man's neck.
How could such a pitiful human such as this, the Kazekage, get something as rare and precious as Hinata Hatake? Just a mere moral pushed into a position that he had to obey the people below him or be overthrown and killed. He wasn't really powerful, just rich and put at the top of the hierarchy. He was still controlled by the people around him…forced to play by the pull of the strings. Wolf, on the other hand, had wealth and power. Wolf was a great demon, praised by some villages and feared by them all. He could buy out any country he pleased and rule over it without anyone to deny him what he wants. He was overall a perfect provider and mate. Hinata should be ecstatic that he wanted her; that he gave her such a gift to make her almost as strong as him. Wolf was literally and figuratively an animal and his kind obeyed certain rules. He ruled the forests, it was his domain and any demon must ask his for his permission before entering even if it just to pass through. Any female demon must be with her mate if she wants to avoid injury, or be one hell of a fighter. The most important rule was that no demon –male or female- is to touch the mate of another. Or they better prepare for a blood bath. Especially if they dare come near Hinata; Wolf was taught by his father that you either fight, or watch your mate be taken away.
And like hell he was going to let some humans keep Hinata from him.
"Can you hear me you disgusting piece of trash?" He sneered down at him and growled low in his throat. "I want to be sure that you get the message loud and clear." He leaned down and smirked at the sleeping male. "Get near my mate again, and you can watch your village and family die." He reached over to Gaara's injured shoulder and applied pressure to cause more pain. He chuckled as Gaara groaned and winced in his sleep. Wolf just pulled away and then stood back up straight, "If you want to keep your family and village safe, I would leave this place and never come back." Wolf walked back to the window but stopped when he looked down at the village and caught the site of the almost full moon. He smirked, "Once the full moon hits…you're going to have one hell of a day my mate."
(Line Break)
Hinata was still in her bed; it was almost noon and she had yet to get out. Hinata had not been sleeping; she was just lying on the bed with a blank look in her eyes and a frown. There was no reason for her to get out of bed and to interact with people. To keep safe she was better off never leaving her home again. Kakashi didn't come to get her and guards had yet to kick down on door and force her to work. So, he either told Tsunade everything and she was letting her have the day off…or no one cared that she wasn't there.
"I deserve this…" she groaned out and pulled her blanket over her face and sighed loudly. "I should just give up on everything and die in the bed."
"So that's why you have yet to report." Hinata groaned when she pushed the blanket away and glared at the strategist that sat on her window sill. "Some kind of depression?"
"Wouldn't you know? You know every good damn thing on this earth." She said with sarcasm and waved her hands around. Her arms fell back to the bed and she went back to looking at the ceiling. "Why are you not working?"
"I am." Shikamaru said as he pulled out a scroll and tossed it from hand to hand. "I was report writing and given about two hours to finish." He shrugged, "I finished a bit early." He set the scroll on one of her bookshelves and walked into her room. "The real question is why are you not working?"
"Did Lady Hokage send you to come and drag me out of here?" Hinata curled up on her side so that she still faced him.
"No," he said with a smirk, "I just missed seeing you run back and forth down the halls." Hinata smiled a bit and looked back at her bed. "How about I escort you to seeing off the Mizukage and Kazekage?"
"They are leaving?" Hinata sat up and looked at Shikamaru. He nodded. "I must have come home at the end of their stay here."
"You did," he shoved his hands into his pockets, "but I'm sure they'll be back next month." Hinata nodded and he began to walk to her door. "So, make yourself decent and try to hurry." Hinata pouted, but he had already walked out the door and shut it behind him. Hinata just changed into her regular attire, her belt around her hips and her cloak to hide her clothes that she had bought from other countries. Hinata checked her bandaged arms and made sure that they were wrapped tight. Hinata walked out while she put on her shoes and looked to see that Shikamaru was going through Kakashi's books. "I am very surprised on what you study Mage-san." He said as he looked up at her and closed the book, "I never thought you all would be so keen to what is going on with demons."
"Mages like to be ready for whatever comes our way." Hinata defended as she stood up straight. "I thought you wanted to hurry." Shikamaru nodded and they both left the home, side by side. Hinata kept her distance from the male and her eye out for a certain demon. She was still shaken up about yesterday, even though the lazy male had taken her mind off of it for the time being. She didn't want anyone else to be hurt because of her; especially her friends. Hinata had always had good senses, but she wasn't made to react with quickness, she was trained to react when needed. It was one of the things that she failed when training with the shinobi. She was too calm that if someone came at her with a kunai to her throat, she would be still and then react to the situation at hand. But, she wasn't a person to do hand to hand combat, she was more of an ambusher.
"Tell me Mage," Shikamaru looked to her as they walked towards the castle, "The Priest told me that you were with the Kazekage," Hinata felt her shoulders stiffen, "and Lady Sabaku told me that the Kazekage was on a date with you." He smirked when he saw the blush build on her cheeks. "Are either of those true?"
"I…" she thought over her answer, "I was with the Kazekage."
"A date?"
"No," she answered quickly with a huff. "Just a walk-"
"At night and without his Akatsuki?"
"My business is none of your concern," she answered with a huff and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Oh, but if it was not a date, then I will just read about it in the report of your whereabouts, and the details of the transaction between you and the Kazekage." Shikamaru had a smirk on his face and he knew that he had won the battle between the two. There was no way for her to talk her way out of the mess she started with him. No one could ever lie to him. He was fairly interested about the Mages, and since Kakashi was too fast for him to catch, she was the only one he could study. He had been around long enough to hear about all the stories and rumors about this Mage when it came to the Kages of the Sand and Mist Villages. He was almost in shock that she had caught the eye of two such powerful men. Not to forget that the Akatsuki wannabe Uchiha had enough information to keep him coming back. There was no one else he could go to; Sasuke always could get any information he needed. In fact, he was surprised that he hadn't confronted her already. Shikamaru glanced back at her and watched her poker face even though he knew she was breaking down on the inside.
"You seem to forget Nara," Hinata smirked at him and he was a bit shocked. "As a Mage of this village, all activities only need to be known by the Hokage herself. No public records need to be recorded."
He smirked back, "We'll see how long you can hide it from me Mage."
"A very long time Shinobi," she said as she pulled up her hood and walked off into the shadows before they reached the castle. He only scoffed and walked to stand beside the other shinobi. Hinata on the other hand snuck up to the top of the stops and took her place besides Kakashi. He glanced at her. She glanced back, "Why did you not wake me for this?"
"I think you know why." He said back and went back to looking ahead. Hinata had to admit as she looked on ahead; she would have not come if Kakashi had woken her for it. It was her fault he had to leave. Why they both should leave before she hurt them worse. They had to be there for their countries and she could not get in the way of that. She watched as her Hokage said goodbye to the two men of such great power and then to the company they had brought. She watched Chojuro and Sasori stand behind their leaders. She tried to spot the others, but they were nowhere to be seen. The Hokage then said goodbye to Lord Orochimaru with Sakura giving Karin more of a mocking goodbye. Hinata watched as they all went to their own rides of transportation; Kakashi gave a nod and the two followed. It was their job to make sure they left the village safely; Hinata was hesitant, but she tried to keep right behind Kakashi. Hinata went through the trees and Kakashi ran from the ground. She looked ahead and saw the exit, she was going to actually say goodbye.
Kakashi jumped up to her and stopped here from going ahead. "We are done now."
"They have yet to leave the Leaf Village."
"They are leaving Hinata. They have their guards and will return home safely."
"What if Wolf get to him before he is truly safe?" She asked as she watched the carriages and horses ride off into the distance. "How am I supposed to live with myself then?"
"I know that this is a terrible thing to say. But," he put his hand on her shoulder. "Let him think you are only his. You cannot have him as an enemy Hinata, so an alley would be better for you and this village." She looked at him but he did not look at her. "I will not let him have you but I do not want him to cause you anymore pain." He turned her around and they both jumped down to the ground. "Let's just go home and get back to our lives."
"I think that is going to be a little hard."
(Line Break)
Kakashi and Hinata walked back to the castle's steps and entered with their heads held high. No one was around anymore and they were left without nobles to walk around and only minor missions to get down. Hinata was going to work on some filing and tried her best to keep out of site. She wanted to keep inside in hopes that she could avoid Wolf. She had rarely ever seen him come indoors, so it was her best bet to stay inside. Kakashi went off to the mission room while Hinata walked to the large library that the scribes, priest, and few nobles used. She waved to the elderly man that watched over the library; the library was always quiet and a mess. It was pretty perfect for her situation and she was quick to start cleaning up and putting things away. Without any interruptions, she was able to think of a plan to get rid of the thorn in her side.
There was nothing she could really do, since leaving him was impossible. She was sure that Wolf would not even bother to acknowledge that she was unhappy and that she wanted the 'relationship' to end. She could rat him out, get him to come to her and then watch him burn at the stake; but she knew him better. He would kill every last person just to put her in her place. She was sure that she could keep him in place long enough for the others to take him down. Hinata sighed as she put away more books and kept a few out for herself.
"Mage-san," Hinata looked over as she heard the elderly man. "Keep silent and stay to the shadows." Hinata was slightly confused but she saw what she meant when Jiraiya and Naruto walk in. Hinata backed up into the shadows and climbed up with silence to on top of the book shelf. "Good morning Priests. How may I help you?"
"No need Book Keeper," Jiraiya said with a slight smile and a wave. "The boy and I know where we are going." He patted Naruto's shoulder. Naruto wasn't as happy as his master; the thought of books was something he rather hated. The Elderly man nodded to them and went back to his business. Once they were out of ear shot Jiraiya spoke quietly, "Now, tell me what you have learned."
"It was right here." Naruto said as he walked a bit faster and pulled out a book from a shelf. Hinata stood opposite to them. "I couldn't believe that I actually would find anything, but after what Hinata-kun said to me…"
"It's Mage-san," Jiraiya said as he shook his head. "Try not to make friends with them." Hinata frowned. "The Mages are only known to look out for one thing, the good of the village. As long as the village is safe, their job is done. They are only sent on missions alone since they can't be trusted to bring back team members alive." She glared at him and felt a pain in her heart. "Any Mage, from any nation, can tell you that they have gone on missions with others and came back with less people."
"I do not think that Hinata-kun would do that." Naruto said with a slight frown. Hinata couldn't help but blush.
"Just get back to this demon you were talking about."
"Alright," Naruto opened up the book and opened it to the marked page. "I saw that there is only one demon that can actually heal. The Kazekage, by his story, was stabbed through the shoulder, yet there was no hole." Hinata's eyes widened as she saw the drawing of the demon. "His name is Wolf a demon of nature." Hinata had to keep from gasping when they had found out about him. "It's odd though, since only a few people have actually seen him and most of those nations loved him."
"Then why is he here?" Jiraiya rubbed his chin and looked at the picture.
"I do not know," Naruto shook his head and put the book back. "All I know is that if he's here, no one is going to be safe from him."
"I'll keep up a tighter control on the North side, you on the South." Jiraiya said and turned on his heel. "We will catch this demon before he hurts anyone else."
"Wait," Naruto called and went after him. "Master, I have a question." Hinata quietly jumped down and walked after them. "Can…Can a demon fall in love with a mortal?"
"They could, but I doubt such a thing like that."
"Alright." Naruto said and the two left without another word. Hinata clutched the fabric over her chest and took deep breaths. What was she going to do?
The idiot Priest might figure it out.
"Oh no"
(End)
Sorry! It has been so long. So let me just explain myself.
It's Novel month so I am doing that. I have other things for school like college applications and papers. I like to hang out with my friends once in awhile that it takes me away from you, my lovely readers. Not to mention that I am reading a really good Manga and I can't put it down. Anyway, I will try to be updating faster and more often. Thank you with sticking through with me and I hope that I still have my readers!
BuhBye~
