Enjoy the new chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto™

(Line Break)

Chapter 11- First Real Date

Hinata wasn't usually one to be a snoop, but she was often on the tails of the Priest. As much as she hated it, Wolf couldn't be caught. There was something wrong with her way of thinking; she was ready to protect the male she hated just to continue to be a Mage for her village. It was hard to try and keep an eye on them both when Naruto was so energetic with everything he did and Wolf looked to be around her more and more. She could always tell he was close by the markings by her arm. She could not understand why he was even near anymore. She knew that Wolf would only come near when he wanted to make a point or was sure that no one would ever notice his presences but her. She was about ready to go straight for him just to see what he was so cocky about. Though, Naruto had actually been seen going to the Library and Hinata knew that had to be a bad sign. He may actually be putting A and B together to figure out the horrible truth. She tried to start more fights with him, but he never took the bait. Hinata slowed her pace when she saw that he was going towards the library again; she groaned and slid down the walls. She pulled down her hood and ran her hand through her hair. Hinata took in a deep breath and sighed out.

"Something wrong Mage-baka?" Hinata looked up and saw that Sakura stood before her in an unusually simple red kimono. Hinata quickly got to her feet and dusted herself off; she blushed red at the embarrassment of the daughter of the Hokage finding her like this. Sakura rolled her eyes, "I can see that you are still as pathetic as you were back then." Hinata looked down at her feet and held her hands at her sides. "No, answer my question. Is something wrong?"

"Not at all, My Lady," Hinata said and then bowed to her.

Sakura looked her over once more, "Follow," she ordered and began to walk off in another direction. Hinata couldn't explain what had happened, but she was right behind the pink haired girl. Her mind was wired to follow orders. Hinata pulled up her hood as they walked and she listened to Sakura's soft clicks from her wooden sandals. Hinata shielded her eyes when she was lead out into a courtyard that had the grandest Cherry Blossom tree she had ever seen. Hinata kept from gapping at the site as she followed Sakura to a spot under the tree that had been set up with tea and food. "I had this place made when I was younger. I was tired of having to walk so far to that other tree." She spoke as she took her seat. Hinata continued to stand. "I would have brought Ino along with, but she has fallen behind in her studies." Emerald green eyes flickered to Hinata, "Sit Mage-baka." Hinata kneeled across from Sakura and placed her hands on her lap. "I do not like to be alone, so you will have to do." Hinata nodded, but she had seen the four guards that were stations about the courtyard. Sakura was certainly not alone, ever. "Pour us our drinks." Hinata lightly pushes aside her cloak and picked up the tea pot with her wrapped hands. Hinata almost began to sweat. She had no idea how to pour tea for a noble. It was bad enough that Sakura was watching patiently for her to do so. Hinata poured like Kakashi would: the others first. "And here I thought," Sakura smirked as she picked up her cup, "you could do anything."

"Very sorry My Lady." Hinata dropped her head and tried to wipe the blush off of her cheeks. She had never felt so small. She stared at her reflection in the tea; she hated ginger tea.

"Do not be rude," Sakura said with a bit of force in her voice, "drink and be merry." Hinata nodded and took a sip of the tea. She almost chocked as she tried to force down the bitter taste of ginger. "Your cloak Mage-baka, when you are before me in such an intimate manner you will not be seen in it." Hinata looked at her and was so tempted to reject such a rule. She should not even be here; she was a Mage, not Sakura's personal servant. "Now!" Sakura yelled with a glare. Hinata quickly stood and removed her cloak. She folded the cloak and set it beside her as she kneeled back down. Sakura did not look happy, but Hinata could not read the emotion on her face. She was eyeing her wrapped arms though. "Have you yet to recover from an injury?"

"A-Ah…" Hinata looked down so that her hair fell over her shoulders. "No My Lady…I have been burned. The scaring showed people my weakness."

"Odd," Sakura held her cup at her lap. "A master of all the elements and yet you were burned by fire."

"It is…rather pathetic." Hinata felt like she had been punched in the gut. It was like she never changed. Sakura did not smirk at her though; no smile or even agreeing with the Mage. Hinata almost wanted to laugh. Sakura would never agree with her, even if it was something that she said. Hinata took another drink of the tea, now being able to stand the awful taste.

"Eat." Sakura held up a rice ball to Hinata's face, being held by her thin fingers. Hinata blushed as Sakura held it right to her mouth. "I will not repeat myself." Hinata sniffed the item, fearing that she may end up eating poison. Sakura huffed loudly and Hinata closed her eyes and took the smallest bite that she could. "All of it. I did not make all of these just to have someone just take a bite out of each one." Hinata was fairly surprised that Sakura would cook, let alone do it for someone else. Hinata took the rest into her mouth and chewed on it slowly.

"Thank you My Lady," Hinata bowed to her once more. Sakura sighed. "Yes?"

"You do not have to bow every time. I know that you will stay loyal to me and this village until the day your heart stops." Hinata was not that flattered by her words, but she just pretend that she was. "Your hair Mage-baka," Sakura changed the subject. "Is it not a bother to have so much hair? I feel that it must burden you while on your missions."

Hinata nodded, "I guess so…" she trailed off, not enjoying where the conversation was going. She lightly ran her hand through her hair again.

"Get rid of it." Sakura said bluntly and shrugged. "If it is a burden there is no point in keeping it, no?"

"I-I cannot My Lady," Hinata held her hair protectively. "I-I like my hair long-"

"I will not have you selfishly keeping that hair if you admitted it is a burden to your missions." Sakura said strongly and glared at her. "Get rid of it." Hinata didn't know what to do since she was at a cross-road. Listen to her superior, or keep her long hair that she loved so much? She stroked her hair a few more times until she finally collected it all in the back and held it together. She reached into her card pack and summoned a dagger. "Please stop being so dramatic and cut it off." Sakura was too calm as she sipped her tea. Hinata let a glare slip through and she knew that Sakura saw; she also knew that Sakura did not care. Hinata put the blade to her hair and with one large breath, she sliced through her hair. Hinata un-summoned her dagger and looked to her other hand to see all her hair. It was so sad; she had let it grow out for so long…now…it was all gone. "I think this has been lovely Mage-baka," Sakura got to her feet and dusted her kimono off.

Hinata watched as she walked away, still clutching all her long blue hair. She got up and walked to the exit from the courtyard; small tears spilled from her eyes. She refused to let go of all her hair, she even refused to hide what she had to do. Other people on the castle grounds stopped to watch her walk back to her home. She got back home and after slamming the door, she let out a chocked sob. "What did I do?" She asked loudly as she had her back against the door. "I…I was nothing but kind to her! A-And why my hair?" She looked down at her long hair that lay lifeless in her hand. Hinata felt her eyes water more. "I…I just wanted to look like you mother." Hinata wiped her eyes and took in a calming breath. "It's…It's just hair, I don't need it to be like my mother. I am like my mother." She said to reassure herself with a light smile. Hinata looked back at all her hair and then walked to the bathroom. She tossed it all in the garbage. Hinata looked at herself in the mirror and touched the jagged ends of her short hair. She pulled out a kunai that Kakashi kept under the sink and fixed up the ends, so they were smoother. Her hair now reached the base of her neck, and was fairly flat against her head. She fixed up the rest of her hair and once satisfied she put the kunai back and walked into the kitchen.

She needed better tasting tea.

(Line Break)

Sasuke lied back outside the Hokage's bedroom on the window sill. He tapped his foot against the other wall as he cut up his apple with a kunai. He sliced off another sliver of the fruit and ate it as he listened to the Hokage ruffle around at her desk. He was sure to inform her that he was right outside her closed window, with Itachi at the door. Sasuke hated doing this; it wasn't like anyone could get on the castle grounds without alerting a few damn dogs that a bunch of the shinobi kept as pets. He would have rather be on library duty like Tobi. At least he could flip through some books while guarding the Elders. This was practically torture; she was just doing paper work. Why couldn't she do that in her office? He groaned as he cut off another piece and slid it into his mouth. Itachi must be as bored as he was though; he was stuck at the front doors.

Sasuke looked around the land around the castle. He did have to admit that the view was breathtaking. He could see both manors, and then the land that shinobi occupied. He looked past all that land and into the village; it went further back than it did in the front of the caste. It was said that the first Hokage designed it so that his village was hidden by his castle so that it would be better protected. Invaders would have to get through his forces before he got to his people. Sasuke smirked; he thought it was a terrible idea. The castle would fall and then the rest of the village was left with nothing. He let his eyes wander away from the village and there was something that caught his eyes. He smirked as he watched the cloaked figure that hastily made their way to the castle. He was about to jump down and bother the girl for a while, but he stopped when he heard Tsunade groan. He huffed and sat back in the window-sill; he took a bite of the apple and groaned.

He crouched down as he continued to watch Hinata walk into the back way of the castle. She looked to be more suspicious than usual; he sneered when he thought that she was back to stalking the blonde haired moron priest. It made him wonder why there was something so interesting about the priest; especially when those two seemed to hate one another. Not to mention that it was very hard to get her attention at all; unless they had fire red hair. Something about that also concerned him. It seemed odd that Gaara would be attacked by a demon. He wanted to assume that there was something that the demon wanted from either Gaara or Hinata. Hinata was a powerful mage, so there was why a demon would want her. But why would they attack The Kazekage. The demon should have taken out Hinata, she was the fighter. He rolled his eyes and tossed his core to the ground, hoping it would hit someone he hated.

"Sasuke!" Sasuke almost lost his balance as Tsunade opened the windows and glared at him. The windows were pulled open and the drapes blew back in the breeze with such elegance. He wasn't too pleased to see the anger on his Hokage's face. "Did you even hear me calling you?"

"I suppose not," he said dully.

"What if I had been calling you because I was being attacked?" She glared at him as he only continued to toss his kunai into the air and catch it.

"There is no way that I would let anyone in, nor would Itachi." He answered back, only to get a smack in the head with a fan. He growled a bit, but tried to keep down his temper. "Why did you do that Lady Hokage?" He seethed out.

"You answer when I call, or be demoted." She said and motioned for him to enter. "I need you to run some things over to Tobi. He should be in the library." She handed him and wooden box that was filled with books, documents, and scrolls. "Try not to get distracted and report right back to me."

"I'm your guard, not your servant." Sasuke muttered under his breath as he walked out of the room. He sneered as Itachi chuckled a bit. "Not funny."

"I find it quit humorous," Itachi said with a smirk. "I'll be sure to cover for you when you go off in search of the Mage."

Sasuke scoffed, "And what makes you think that I am going to do that."

"I just know you little brother." Itachi answered and then closed the door after him as he went back into hiding. Sasuke rolled his eyes and walked down the large and barren halls of the castle. He took the shortest route that he could since if he was going to the library, he was sure to run into the Mage. Maybe Itachi was right, but Sasuke did not have to agree with him. Not to mention that if Hinata was there, Naruto had to be there too. He did not want to have to deal with that boy while he was having a moment. Sasuke nodded as Shikamaru held the door open for Sasuke as he left the library, allowing Sasuke to go in. He looked around for Tobi and found him on the top floor. Sasuke jumped up onto the railing since he did not want to follow after some old man.

"Please Sasuke," he looked up and saw that Hinata faced him while he was crouched on the railing. "Have a little class and just use the stairs." Sasuke smirked since he was amused by her scolding and the look of irritation, but he noticed something else was off about her. Her cloak was pushed back so that he could see her outfit underneath, and she carried about two books under her left arm while the right was on her hip. Her arms were wrapped up in white bandages, with a tight black t-shirt that came down to under her bottom; she also wore fitting blue pants with hunting boots coming up to her knee.

"Your hair," Sasuke reached up and ran his hand down the back of her head, until he reached the end, "you cut it."

Hinata blushed red as she slapped his hand away and sighed in frustration. "Do you not have other duties that you need to be doing?" She stepped back as he stepped down from the railing. She turned her head so she didn't need to look at him. "I have no time for your antics."

"I was just wondering what happened to all your hair." He said with a shrug as he set down the box on the table. He looked back at her and smirked, "I thought you looked really good with the long hair."

Hinata sighed and turned away from him, "I rather not talk about it." She walked off without another word, but Sasuke knew when to follow a woman and when to keep his distance. He glanced over to find Tobi doing his duties. He left the box near him and went off to follow Hinata. Surely, Hinata would not try and attack him; he was too good of a friend. He took a seat on the book shelf as she went through other books. "I thought that you would take the hint that I am not interested in talking to you."

"No one cuts their hair without a reason."

"It was a bother," she said with a sigh as she looked up at him. "My hair got in the way. I got rid of it before it got me killed." He watched her as she put the two books away and began to look for others. "Can you go back to your work now?"

"Why are you here?"

"I think I should be asking you that." Hinata said with a smirk as she took of her cloak and left it on a nearby chair. "I have business to do."

"Do you know why the priest in in here?" Sasuke asked as he crossed his arms over his chest and landed beside her. He watched her body language.

Hinata was completely calm as she looked over at him. "Since when does Naruto-chan read?" She smiled lightly and went back to her searching. "He may just be on a run for Jiraiya."

"I've seen him come in here a lot," Sasuke played along. "Something about a demon going after the Kazekage and his little whore." He smirked as Hinata twitched a bit and glared ahead. "But I'm sure you already knew all about that, no?" He only became more amused when she had him pushed up against the book shelf. "Very arousing Hinata," he purred out. She just continued to glare at him.

"Two things teme," she spoke in a threatening voice. "Number one, I am not to be referred to as a 'whore' or any other form of the word. And Number two, what I know is classified under the law that I can and will kill you if you even think about getting in my way. Believe it or not, I have the right to write in for your demotion to Anbu, or even jonin if I please." Sasuke lost his smirk and she let him go. "You are on thin ice teme, do not try and push me."

"Alright then mesu," he said back as he walked away from her. "I'll keep my distance, but I am still higher up in ranking than you, and I am a much better fighter."

"The last part is debatable," she answered back. He looked back, but she was already in another isle of books and he was mad enough. "Stupid Uchiha," she muttered under her breath as she moved closer to the blonde that studied right under her feet. She had other things to worry about and other people to be watching.

(Line Break)

The lone man in royal garb walked through the castle gate with a smirk on his face. Two stoned faced guards followed at his sides with spears in their hands. He had long white haired that was held back in a little hair tie and lightly tanned skin. He was taller than the average male his age and his eyes were a charcoal black; they never left the steps of the castle. He chuckled as the shinobi whispered about him and watched him with big and innocent eyes; he wanted to gauge each eye out. Only one woman was allowed to gaze upon him with such eyes. His guards opened the doors for him so he would not have to stop his stride.

"Why hello," Sakura happened to be passing by with a book in her hands and her hair held up in a neat bun with a jeweled pin. She stopped and watched as the male came to a stop before her. "I am Lady Sakura of the Leaf village, who may you be sir?" She spoke in her political voice as her eyes gave the male another look over. He was very handsome indeed.

"I am merely known as Lord Akuma," he said with a smirk and a wicked look in his eyes.

Sakura blushed a bit as she looked away. "Why should I allow a demon as you to come onto my lands?"

"Please, my fair Lady," he smirked, "My name is known far and wide among these nations; I came here since I heard so many good things about this place." Sakura only nodded and waited for more information. "I have been traveling for days and I need to stay for a night or two before I can head out again."

"Very well my Lord," Sakura turned and motioned for him to follow. "I will take you to the office of Lady Hokage to see about your situation."

"Perfect."

(Line Break)

"Don't you dare say anything," Hinata seethed out as she sat in the kitchen with the other shinobi with her bowl of hot ramen. She was angered as she broke apart her chopsticks and ate, even though she knew that they were all were staring at her. Hinata did not know that someone could eat and be angry, but she got the point across with her angered slurping of her noodles. Hinata finally slammed her hands on the table as she stood up and glared at everyone. "I got a haircut! Okay? Am I not allowed to change the way I look? I can? Thank you!" She was so mad that everyone was noticing this; she wanted to forget it and she couldn't with them all staring. Hinata just pulled up her head and with a wave of her hand, the bowl threw itself at the wall and shattered.

"I am my own person," she muttered under her breath as she left the kitchen, with everyone staring at her. No wonder no one really talked to her; she seemed to be in an injuring kind of mood. It was one of the reasons that Mage's were never well liked; they worked alone and expressed themselves as they pleased. She must have been the most expressive. Mage's were known for being calm and collected and there she went, throwing plates at walls. Hinata touched the back of her head again and gave out a shaky breath.

"I think it looks nice." Hinata stopped and looked over to see Shikamaru leaning against one of the pillars while chewing on a senbon. If Hinata wasn't so angry, she would have thought he looked rather cool with his hands deep in his pants pockets and calm look on his face. "I can see why you got rid of it." He smirked and pulled at the end of his own ponytail; "If I didn't want to flatter my father's side of the family, I would have lopped off this thing a long time ago." Hinata tried to stay angry; she wanted to be alone and mad. "Come on Mage," he lightly pushed off the pillar and smiled at her, "that was rather funny. All I want is a smile."

Hinata turned away and put her nose in the air as she crossed her arms over her chest. "No…" she tried to hold back her smile, "I am angered I will stay angered."

"And I thought that the royals were a pain," he walked up so that he stood next to her. Shikamaru was quick to notice her disgust when he said royal. "Wait…let me guess what happened." He looked at her as she sent him a glance. "Lady Sakura made you do this, right?" Hinata flinched a bit and looked up at him with a bit of surprise. "I'm right, am I not?" Hinata just nodded and Shikamaru just sighed. "I should have known; she seemed rather off about something."

"Do you know why that she would make me do something like that?" She wanted her answer so she could just get this over with.

"Lady Sakura is almost testing her waters." Shikamaru said as he put his hands behind his head and motioned for her to follow beside him. "She is almost to the age where she will be able to take the throne. It's like she needs to make sure that she is able to use her power." Hinata looked at him and watched his facial expressions. "You should have seen the other things that she has been other people do for her." Hinata cocked a brow and he smirked. "I had to sit in her room and do my work while she practiced her harp." Hinata couldn't help but smile a bit but Shikamaru just smirked. "Something about her not wanting to be alone."

"How odd," Hinata stopped and he also stopped and looked back at her. She crossed her arms over her chest, "Lady Sakura said the same thing to me." Hinata looked to him and he seemed to be thinking over the same thing. "We must be over thinking this." Hinata waved it off. "It is foolish to be worked up over the loss of my hair or your change in workspace. It is not like figuring it out would grow my hair back." Hinata continued to walk on, but Shikamaru did not follow. "Nice talking to you Shinobi, I hope that we may do it more often." She didn't break her stride as she turned around a corner and gave a final wave. Shikamaru would not let such an issue go…it had to be something.

Hinata found her way back to the library, only to be shocked by the sight before her. There stood Sakura in a much more elegant kimono and beside her were two rather large and intimidating guards, with a man between them. The man though, was what caused her to almost step back; she knew it was Wolf. They two had basically the same aura. She quickly hid in the bookcases and waited for them to take their leave. She walked cautiously behind the two and kept her eyes not only on Wolf, but on a red cheeked Sakura. Even though Hinata had her opinions, if something happened to Sakura, she would never forgive herself. She began to fidget when her arms began to itch and burn when she got too close. He was trying to find her and then give chase. Too bad that he was too distracted by the tour that he was getting from Sakura to even notice her presence; Hinata almost wanted to laugh at how humorous it looked to see him nod like he was interested. Or maybe…? Hinata blinked in surprise; he actually looked to be enjoying the tour. Hinata smiled a bit and as ascended the stairs to the second floor. She walked to the back and lied back on the floor with a large smile. He could have her. With both of them gone, she would live a whole lot easier. Hinata closed her eyes and sighed in relief. The only real issue is that if they did fall in love, Hinata was going to have to kill the man if he tried to take her. Sure, she might not be able to rid of the noble, but she would have a good reason to watch the demon burn on a pike.

Hinata held back a gasp as she jumped to the top of a book case and down to the other side as the group of nobles walked through. She pushed herself back against the other bookshelf, only to hit something warm. "Mage-kun-" Hinata spun around and placed her hand on his mouth.

"Priest-chan," she growled in a low voice and put a finger to her lips. "Stay quiet for once." She should have known that he was going to be here and screw up everything.

Naruto pulled her hand off. "I am here on important business."

"Can you talk any louder?" Hinata glared and tried to force him out.

"How about this?" He spoke louder as he smirked down at her. He was pleased to see her red cheeks and the glare on her face; totally worth it. She pushed him back. "Now…Now you are asking for it." He lunged at her, but Hinata was a bit of a better fighter. She smiled when he spun around to see her holding the book that he was about to grab. "Give it here."

"Make me," she smirked and ran to another part of the library. The farther away she got, the better; the last thing she needed was for the Priest to be hurt because of her. She just needed enough time to get him away and then get back to the group before they knew anything that happened. She was so distracted by her thoughts that when she jumped over the railing, a mass collided with her when she reached the bottom. Hinata grunted and let the book fly out of her hands. She was on her stomach and Naruto was on top of her. "Get off you moron." Hinata pushed him off and made her way to the book. She was about to grab it, but then spun around with a kunai in hand to stop the kunai from hitting her in the back. "Were you going to kill me?" She asked with a bit of shock.

"I have no need for that." He smiled and began to reach for the book. Hinata smirked and used her other hand to grab his wrist to keep him from getting the book. "I do not have time for your games Mage-kun."

"But I do," she stuck out her tongue and looked back to the book. "I'll let you get the book if you leave right after."

"And why would I follow your order?"

"I would not want your Hokage to know about this little engagement going on in her library." The two suddenly froze and looked over to see that Sakura and her guest stood there. Hinata felt herself pale as she pushed the male off and grabbed the book. "Stop Mage-baka." Sakura said with a glare and her face red in embarrassment. Hinata pulled her hood up and kept her head low. "Care to explain why the guest to our village and I have found you both like this?"

Hinata looked around for some sort of excuse and then down to the book. "I wanted this book."

"What?" Sakura and Naruto both asked.

Hinata blushed a bit, but was glad that no one could see it. "I had asked for the book, but the Priest has too much of a vendetta against me that he refused to let me have it. So, I took it and ran."

"That is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard." Sakura shook her head. "I thought after your induction as a proper mage you would be competent." She looked over to the three men. "I am very sorry that you had to witness such a crude site. I can assure you that this has never happened before."

"Thanks a lot." Naruto muttered to her as he snatched the book out of her hands.

"Now Lady Sakura," the male smiled a bit, but Hinata could see past it. "I see nothing so wrong with such a thing." He looked to Hinata and smirked, "She does look like a rather…feisty mage, no?"

"I have no need for such a thing." Sakura said with a glare in Hinata's direction. "The Mage is meant to protect this village, not repopulate it." Hinata dropped her head lower. "If she wants to be feisty, she may go and work on the village streets for all I care. I will not tolerate that in my castle. First she takes the Kazekage out alone and nearly got him killed. I can only hope that nothing happens to my Priest."

"I would not mind such a thing," he chuckled a bit. "I hope to see you again, little Mage." The group turned away and left the two standing there.

"Why did you have to bring me-" Naruto was cut off from his ranting when he saw Hinata's shoulder seem to give a little shake. "Mage-kun?" He asked with a bit of worry and reached out to touch her shoulder. Hinata pulled away from him, but made no move to leave. "Is something wrong?"

"Am…Am I really a bad omen?" She glanced up at him. She studied his features and waited for some kind of response. He seemed to be studying her as well, but he could not see her face.

"I mean…no you are not…but…" he trailed off and rubbed the back of her head. "Look," he gave a bit of a smile, "It would not even matter. You work alone right? So, you really cannot be a bad omen if no one is there."

Hinata sniffled and bit and looked at him. She pulled down her hood so that she could see him clearly. Hinata saw his goofy grin and how he rubbed the back of his neck since he was so nervous. Sure, they really did not like to get along, but when they did, it was so great. Hinata let a smile slip through and she began to smile brightly and laughing. He finally looked at her and watched as she laughed so much that she began to cry again. Naruto only assumed that it was from how happy she was. He laughed a bit with her. "Y-You're right Priest-chan," she wiped her eyes and smiled, "I work alone, since, unlike you, I am strong enough to do so."

"Glad to see that you are back to normal," Naruto said with a bit of a chuckle. "Now," he put his hand on her head, "let me get back to my job." Hinata nodded and they went their separate ways. What she did not see was that Naruto shot her one last look of his shoulder.

(Line Break)

Hinata glared as she saw the group of four again. Wasn't the castle big enough that she didn't have to see them again? She continued walking towards the location of the Hokage's study, last she heard that Kakashi was in their doing some sealing and book organizing. She had to tell him before he found out on his own. She was only worried that Wolf would come after her sensei; she would kill the demon if he even thought about it. Hinata was about to get past them, but she felt his stare and suddenly had to stop. She had to keep herself from scratching at her arms and making it obvious that she was in discomfort.

"Little Mage," the Lord purred out as he walked up to her. "Did you seek me out? I knew you would want to see me again."

"Very sorry, Lord." Hinata forced out while gritting her teeth. She was lucky that she had kept her hood up. "I am only on my way to get more work done." She began to move again, but he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. "Wolf…" she growled out.

"I have no idea what you speak of, Hinata-chan." He whispered back in her ear and the grip on her shoulder became tighter. "Keep your night clear, since I'm going to finally court my mate."

"You can go rot in a ditch." She said back in hopes that Sakura could not hear as she approached the two. "Lady Sakura is not to be harmed. Understood?"

"Only if you wait for me at the village gates," he said a bit quicker. "Or I will be sure to leave her corpse on a pike outside your home."

"Bastard."

"Mage-baka," Sakura interrupted the two and looked to them with no emotion on her face. "I hope you are treating my guest as you would your other Lords and Ladies."

"Of course Lady Sakura," Hinata bowed to her and then to Wolf. "Have a good day." Hinata turned away from the group but someone caught her cloak and pulled her back. Hinata choked a bit as she pulled back and fell on her bottom. She looked back and since her hood was still up she glared at the culprit. "Dear Lord, do you need something?"

"Walk with me Mage," he said with a smirk. Hinata got to her feet and the Lord looked to Sakura and his guards, "Please walk Lady Sakura back to her room and be sure she is safe. I will not need your services at the moment." Hinata paled as she watched the guards walk away with a displeased Sakura and left her alone with the one man she wanted dead. "Finally alone Hinata-chan," he smirked as he appeared right beside her. "I would love to show you my bed chambers." He said in a sultry voice. Hinata pulled away from him and began to rub one of her arms out of instinct. He smirked, "I can see that my little mark is making good progress. Soon it will be around your little human heart."

"I thought you wanted to meet with you at night." Hinata ignored him for the most part; she still had to kill him.

"I love you too much to wait that long." He said with a smile and Hinata just scoffed and turned away. "Let us begin our walk." Hinata walked ahead, but he was able to keep up with ease. "I saw the Kazekage off, what a poor man for being so…pathetic." He smirked as Hinata growled under her breath. "He should have known his place. He is a Kage, you are a Mage. Something between you two would have never worked." He mused aloud and only caused Hinata to fall deeper into her sorrow of the night before. "Not to mention, once he would have seen the curse on your arms. You would have been dead."

"Curse?" She looked at him, "I thought this was a spell!" She yelled, but then looked around to be sure that no one was around to hear them.

"Please Hinata-chan," he lifted up her chin so that she was looking into his eyes. "I'm a demon, I curse humans."

"I should turn us both in. Just so I can watch you being captured."

"We'd share a cell Hinata-chan," he smiled mockingly as he took hold of her hand. "Or I would be sure to escape so I could burry your body properly. Then, in the next life, we will reunite and I would take much better care of you then." Hinata tried to pull out of his grip but he had such a grip that with another squeeze, she heard a rather loud crack of bones. She winced. "Oh my," he faked his concern and looked to her hand. "How, silly of me." He began to heal her hand. "I must have lost my temper."

"Why are you doing this to me?" Hinata asked in a soft voice as her head hung. She tried to keep back her tears. "Why can't you find some other mate and leave me the hell out of this?"

"Why look for perfection when I can simply make one?" He smirked as he pulled her along. "You have the beauty and the heart that I desire, but what you like is the lineage of a demon. It would be easier for me to make you demon, then look for a demon with your beauty and heart."

"I don't want to be with you though." She stopped and winced when he gave her arm a hard tug. "I rather be dead then be with you." She looked up at him with a full glare and her shizu energy burning in her eyes. "I will not let you run my life anymore Wolf!" Hinata let the lightning run through her body and Wolf just stood there with a smirk as the hair on his head began to rise up from the current. She was so sick of him; she was going to end this.

"I bet your family was right to let go of such a pitiful heir." He let go of her hand and used a force of earth to knock her back about twenty feet. "I made you the powerful mage you are!"

"And I don't want it!" Hinata slammed her hands against the ground and sent a shockwave through the earth. Wolf jumped up to a nearby wall and soon began to morph into a more demonic form. "Now you either fight me, or fight Priest-chan."

"Ah yes, the idiot that was on top of you today." He recalled back to the image that was burned into his brain with the feeling of hate attached to it. "You really just know how to push me. I should just murder this whole country to keep you inline." Hinata watched as the sky began to darken and she was sure that he was going to make it rain; there always something about him and rain. "Stop being so selfish and just admit that you love me. We can go back to the ways things should be. You obey me and one day I will make you a beautiful princess of the earth."

"How about I kick your ass and mount your head in the castle's throne room?" She smirked as she felt the rain fall hard and drench her in water. She wasn't at the same level as Wolf, but she did have most of his powers. So anything that she threw at him was something she knew. Hinata pulled out one of her cards and summoned a spear. She pointed it at him and got down into a more offensive position. "Your choice, Wolf-kun." She said mockingly as he growled. He lunged at her and Hinata took it as her chance to slash at him. She missed entirely and quickly jumped away as a bolt of lightning struck where she once stood. Hinata took in a deep breath and with a new heat in her chest, blew out a large ball of fire. She tried to follow his movements as she burned everything in her path. Once she was out of breath she flipped back into a part of the garden that she avoided. She looked around and waited for a sign of her most hated stalker.

"Look up!" Hinata whipped her head up and jumped away as ice needles rained on her. She kept running and summoned a shield from her cards to block the needles. She finally made it to perfect place to fight. She skidded to a stop at the base of the small hill. Pink petals were ripped from the tree branches and harshly thrown in the wind. She got in a wider stance and with another deep breath, started launches pieces of earth at the male. She smirked upon seeing one hit him in the chest. He easily walked it off as he shot bolts of lightning at her. She blocked some of the shots with walls of earth, but she suddenly was shot with a bolt when pain shot through her arms. She crumpled up on the ground with bolts coming off her body.

"Poor baby," Wolf picked her up by her throat and held her with a tight grip. "I just want to rip out the part of you that makes you so disobedient." He gave her another look over. "You look disgusting with short hair. No wonder the pink haired bitch made you do it."

"D-Do not speak of her l-like that!" Hinata choked out each word as she tried to summon more of her power, but her arms still burned badly. Wolf was about to say something more, but he suddenly let go and Hinata was caught by someone else. She looked up and went wide eyed. "Priest-chan?"

"And I thought I was the dumb one." He smiled at her as she still looked at him in shock. "You really think I couldn't sense the demon in my village?"

"Y-You saved me."

"Duh," he said as he carried her to the infirmary. "It's my job."

"But I got you in trouble. And I made fun of you."

"You are making it really hard to want to help you." He said and she quickly closed her mouth and allowed him to carry her. "Just thank me later, okay?"

"Okay."

(End)

Looks to me that Wolf isn't as romantic as I thought he would be. Looks like this story has a more official villain; tune in next chapter to see how Hinata is going to deal with this and be sure that no one finds out about her either.