It's time to see what Wolf has in store for Hinata Hatake.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto™
(Line Break)
Chapter 13: The Truth is Revealed
In the course of a month, Hinata had been on edge and devoting all of her free time to studying on Wolf, and taking on more of a roll in the village due to…rising tensions. Not to mention that everyday her scars on her arms burned more and her schedule was packed with things to do. Something seemed to be off in the Leaf Kingdom; it seems sightings of neighboring shinobi have been seen on the outskirts of the town. From what she and Kakashi had heard, the Leaf has begun to question its allies. Hinata and Kakashi knew what would happen now. They stood at border of their kingdom and watched as two carriages had made its way towards them; Hinata quickly hid back in fear that one of the Kages would see her. After sending back gifts, she was sure they would both look for her to question her. It came into question when both Kages also wrote back on how they spotted Leaf shinobi on their lands, but Tsunade denies sending anyone over. All captains were questioned and when they had no answers, all shinobi were questioned (this all was told to her by Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Naruto). There was also the issue that Wolf was nowhere to be seen.
Hinata knew that if there was anyone to blame for what was going on, it would have to be Wolf.
Hinata who these "shinobi" were; they were weaker demons. It had to be, since Hinata could sense them like she could sense people. Her arms burned whenever they were near and a lot of her senses have enhanced when she was tensed and stressed. No one noticed, but she had to avoid many of the Priests and Priestesses since they would look at her oddly. It was bad enough she was known as the "difficult Mage" but now the Priest and Priestesses whispered about her as she passed. But, she always worked alone anyway, so it didn't matter as much as she would have thought it would.
"You do know that you will need to escort them." Kakashi said bluntly as he stood beside her. Hinata huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Not to mention, everyone will be very tense." He shifted on his feet. "Two villages are on the brink of war and its looks like the Sound Kingdom is no longer on our side."
"So," Hinata glanced to him, "our two strongest allies have come here to question our loyalties and make sure that the Cloud, Grass, and Waterfall Kingdoms don't unite to kill us all?" He nodded and Hinata sighed, "This is all ridiculous," she shook her head, "Wolf is going to doing this just to watch us all burn."
"Can you prove that?" Hinata looked up to Kakashi with shock. Did he not believe her? "The only way to admit to that is to give them a motive. And," he looked at her, "you are his motive. You will be killed when they find out."
"We have other issues to deal with." Hinata stressed.
"Nothing will stop him Hinata," Kakashi looked ahead as the carriages passed through the gates. "Why risk you also being killed?" His voice suddenly portrayed sadness, "Do…do you really want to die?"
"No," Hinata looked up at him with wide eyes, "but I can't watch this village die because of me-"
"I'll protect you Hinata," he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. "And I will protect this village. I won't let you sacrifice like this. I'm going to be there for you this time. I promise."
"Sensei," Hinata whispered as she closed her eyes.
"Come on," he spoke up, "We better get to the castle."
"Yes."
(Line Break)
"Mage-baka," Sakura whispered as she sat on her thrown, with her journal on her lap and a Quil feather in her hand. She sighed lightly as she was still waiting for her mother to arrive; she knew that it was custom to first greet in the throne room and then head off to a private study. It was a mystery as to why Sakura was always the first one there; the Hokage should always be early. She looked out the grand windows of the room and watched her shinobi walk about and the clouds roll across the sky. She had tried to get another visit into the village, but her guards were against it and the Mage was nowhere to be seen. Sakura knew that her Mage was somewhere; she merely fantasized that her Mage was watching her from a distance with her bright eyes. Sakura blushed at the thought, but quickly cleared her mind of any distraction when she heard the two large double doors open. She put her book aside and sat straight as Tsunade walked in with Kakashi at her side. Her eyes quickly looked around for the other Mage.
"Oh Sakura," Tsunade smiled, "such a good princess you are." She walked up the steps, with her lovely white and red kimono trailing on the ground. Tsunade took her seat, "You will make a great Hokage."
"Thank you mother," Sakura nodded her head to her and smoothed out her own pink and white kimono. Her short hair was pulled back into a small bun with a bright floral hair pin. Sakura let out her held breath when she saw no sign of her Mage. "Have our guest arrived?" Sakura asked kindly.
"They have," Tsunade nodded to her. "I believe our other Mage is leading them in right now."
'Our?' Sakura almost wanted to scoff at the thought, but she held back. Her mother didn't need to think otherwise for the time being. Sakura was a patient girl and would do it when it is proper. She only hoped that she wasn't alone when it happened. "I see," she watched the door with a hawk like stare in hopes that her Mage would enter the room and not waiting outside the doors, or run off with the other Akatsukis. Though, she had to remember that the Mage was on the job until otherwise. Sakura opened up her fan and while fanning herself she hid a devious smirk and blush at the thought of getting her Mage after hours.
Oh…it had been a very long month for her.
Sakura had been doing nothing but studying hard, looking over reports, and trying to figure out a way to keep the countries from war. Her soldiers were ready for a battle, her three Akatsuki were already planning the attack on the other Akatsuki and, to her dismay, her two mages were more on edge than usual. The two were taking on more spying missions and the last she recalled, Kakashi and Hinata spent nights patrolling. Sakura stayed up late with her ears open for any sign that someone was being rushed to the medical wing; her nerves were on edge every time someone was brought in. Sakura almost hoped that her Mage would be put back on as one of her guards. Not to mention that she had more plays for Hinata to read to her. Sakura slowed her fanning as she heard the large doors begin to creak open. She put her fan down when she saw that only the Kazekage and Mizukage entered; no family or advisors. Sakura almost wondered why she was there. The meeting looked to be 'Hokage Only'. Sakura was pulled from her thoughts when she heard two taps on her thrown; Sasuke informed her on how many non-Leaf Akatsuki were in the room. Sakura glanced around in hopes to catch them, but they did their job well.
"I'm so glad that you were able to come on such short notice," Tsunade said as she stood and walked down to them. Being the Eldest meant she would be the one doing most of the talking. "I will happily show you to my study so that we may discuss as soon as possible."
"Then let us move," Haku, smiled lightly as he followed Tsunade, but Gaara was a bit more hesitant.
The red head felt a twitch in his shoulder when he had passed the Hatake girl, but he knew that she caught it. He watched as she shrunk back away from him and led without even speaking; Haku had tried to get her to speak, but she was silent. After taking them to the room, she walked off before anyone could try and talk to her again. Her gift that he had given her long ago sat on his desk; he was unsure of what to do with it. Gaara slowly turned and followed the other Kages out, only to send a glance to the young princess as she stared at the Mage.
Sakura looked over and watched as the three left and she glanced as Sasuke walked out from his hiding spot. "We are the only ones here," he motioned to Kakashi, as he stood off against a wall. The Akatsuki crouched down beside her throne. "Shall I see you to your studies, my Lady?" He asked with a smirk, knowing that she had blushed pink. Sasuke was around her all day; he knew exactly what the girl thought, wrote, and even dreamed about. Even a moron could figure it out. Sasuke glanced up at her as she just fanned herself and stood with a pout. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Mage Hatake," Sakura called as she walked to the doors her mother had walked through. "See to it that you keep your eyes open; the last things we need are these 'shinobi' showing up again and frightening my villagers."
"What are your orders?" Kakashi stood straight as the woman passed him.
"Two shinobi at every post," she said as she opened up her journal. "jonin ranks patrol the cities along with yourself." She looked to him and Sasuke, "I want an Anbu team, only one, and to divide the job of checking each post to be sure that no one is dead or slacking." She pushed open the doors on her own accord. "I want my people safe first, any shinobi not in Leaf Kingdom uniform is to be arrested and taken to the dungeons not in the castle." Sakura then walked out, but stopped again. "And…" she spoke without looking back at them, "I want the young Mage waiting for me wherever I may be after her guarding duties are completed."
Sasuke smirked as he watched her walk off. "My, my," he glanced to Kakashi, "how bold, no?" He chuckled and then followed after the noblewoman.
Kakashi only frowned and walked out of the room to give out the orders. His job came first.
And besides, he would be sure to find Hinata still patrolling the castle grounds as she always does.
(Line Break)
Hinata groaned as she sat outside the Hokage's study's window with her arms crossover over her chest. There was nothing more unbearable then trying to protect people that couldn't know she was there. She was taken off patrolling and put on watch. She knew Tobi was around in the room and Itachi was at the other entrance. She kept her eyes peeled for any demons that would want to cause more trouble. It was such a pain that Wolf was taking this so far; he knew that it would hurt her more to hurt everyone around her. In all truth, she was impressed that he knew her so well. She scoffed at the thought that he knew her so well, like such a good husband he promised he would be. There was also the thought that maybe he just wanted to see the world break out in war; he was a sadist to boot. There was nothing more terrible than the thought she would be the cause of this.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when there was a knock on the window. She looked back and saw that Tsunade had pulled back the curtains and all three Kages were gazing upon her. Hinata pulled her hood lower and looked away when her Hokage laughed lightly as she opened the window. "You are needed inside; it seems you have caused some tension between these two Kages." Hinata blushed as she walked into the room and stood beside her Hokage, whom had taken her seat at the desk. "Please, let us be civil about this."
"I only have a simple question to ask," Gaara said as he took hold of his tea cup. "Do you not wish to marry me?"
Hinata was very taken back at the words that lingered in the air like a bad smell. She looked to her Hokage, who was just as surprised as Hinata was. "Um…I do not understand…."
"You gave back our gifts," Haku said as he took off his hat and smiled lightly. "I can only assume that means you want nothing to do with us."
"I just…" she looked down at her feet, "I think we all know that my devotion is to my country," She bowed to them and turned away. "Anything between us will be nothing more than business. You will be protected while in this village and that will be all." She smiled lightly as she exited out the window. "If we are anything more, you would be hurt… or worse…" she closed the windows behind her, but took one last glance at the two boys that she had met before they were Kages. She then jumped down. She stood under the window as she was hidden in the shadows; she knew this was for the best. She already had a fiancé she had to kill, so any other man was not even in her second thoughts. She took her seat back on the window sill and thought it best to just keep quiet as the others went back to a very awkward meeting.
And once she was given the okay to leave, she bolted out of there and happily sat in the library with her stolen book in hand. Hinata took a spot on the second floor of the library. She made sure to sit in the back so that no one could sneak up behind her and that she had a good view of all the exits the place had. There was nothing more that she wanted but was to decipher more of the prophets that were foretold by some very wise monk. Hinata had only been able to decipher a few, but they only issue she had was that she never knew if the prophet had come true yet. She was at a grand disadvantage in this fight since if she dared to confront the demon, he would be sure to drag her down with him. Hinata had spent long nights debating whether to just fall with him; her job was to this village. When she became a Mage, she had taken an oath and even agreed to die for her Hokage. It would be the honorable way to go, but there was one factor against her.
Hinata didn't want to die.
She was afraid. It would be painful. People would be watching as she was put to death. She feared that some people might actually start to cheer for her death. Hinata would cry, beg, and plead to be let free since she was so scared. She was too young; it wasn't her fault she was some disgusting half demon. There was nothing that she could do though. She would be forced to look her executers in the eye as they ended her life.
Hinata shuddered as she took in a deep and shaky breath.
"Are you alright?" Hinata nearly jumped out of her skin as the voice whispered right in her ear. Hinata spun around and slammed the book closed as she glared at the Uchiha. "No need to be hostile Mage-mesu."
"Akatsuki-teme," she turned back and let out a sigh, "do you ever do your job?"
"I was given word to actually look for you once you had finished with your guarding duty," he smirked as he leaned up against a wall that was behind her. "Though, I am curious as to why you looked like a frightened bunny when I got here."
"I have no idea what you are talking about." She huffed as she looked around the shelves like she was trying to find another book.
"So you don't want to explain why you looked to be gasping for breath?" Sasuke asked as he stood there and then took his chance to walk up closer. He was right at her side. "Or why you look like you have seen death himself." He noticed that she had stopped her searching and her hand lowered down to her side. She clutched the book tighter to her chest and kept a hard look on the book shelf in front of her.
"Are…" she spoke lightly, "are you afraid of death?" Hinata asked lightly as she glanced to the Uchiha.
"What do you mean?" He glanced at her. It must have been an odd sight to see: the Mage and Uchiha just standing there.
"Would you put your life on the line right now?" She looked up at him. "If you know that your death would save this village, would you allow me to kill you right now."
"I would," he said lightly and then he smirked, "but I know that you would never do it."
"Who says that I wouldn't?" She asked with a twinge of anger. Was he calling her a coward now?
"Because I know you better than you think," he looked down at her. "There was no way that you could just kill me at the drop of a feather. You would try to find a way around it."
Hinata scoffed with her own smirk, "Still going through my files I see."
"What can I say," He shrugged, "but back to your question," he looked back at her. "Why are you even asking something like that?"
"I was just curious," Hinata said innocently enough that he seemed to drop the subject.
"I guess I'll just go back to the reason to why I was here," Sasuke continued as he picked out a scroll and tucked it into his cloak. "Lady Sakura has requested that you see her when you have finished work." He smirked when he saw that a light pink blush bloomed on her cheeks. He chuckled, "I can almost reason why she would be so affectionate with you."
"She is not affectionate with me," Hinata said as she walked past him. Sasuke followed behind her with a smirk on his face; it was nice to see her so frazzled. "I am a Mage under her command; she must need something done." Hinata didn't know why she was being so defensive about the matter, but she still wasn't convinced that someone like the Hokage's daughter could see her as anything more than a servant. Sakura was surrounded by wealthy, powerful, and good looking men all her life, but Hinata was the one that caught her eye? Even if Sakura…found women more appealing than men… why her? Hinata used to be her target of abuse and hate. Had one day really caused her to change her mind in such a fashion? Hinata had gone out of her way to avoid the girl; she figured she was going through a phase. After the Yamanaka noble had sat her down and explained at the picnic, Hinata was sure that it could not be true. And even if there was a chance that it might be true, Hinata had no idea how to tell her that nothing of that matter could work.
It was hard enough telling to other Kages that she did not wish to be anything more than a protector, but now she had to her Hokage-to-be?
Why couldn't she have been a normal Mage?
(Line Break)
Hinata stood at the door of Sakura's chambers, but when she had knocked, no one seemed to be there. She figured that Sakura was still in her studies, and Hinata had no intentions of going and seeing her. Hinata had felt her stomach drop at the thought of why Sakura wanted to see her; she had been trying to think of ways to let the girl know that they could be nothing more than Hokage and Mage. Hinata would obey her, but she could not provide a life for her. Hinata began to chant in her head exactly what she was going to say to Sakura when they were face to face. She would be sure to keep her promise to Ino that Hinata would be gentle since this was a rather controversial situations she was about to be put in.
"There you are."
Hinata jumped as she looked over to see Sakura walking towards her.
"Open my door and then follow me in Mage-baka," she demanded as she got closer. Hinata did as she was told and was sure to close the door best she could when she entered the room. It was just like before, not that she thought that it would change much from the last time she was there. Hinata stood at the door as Sakura placed down her notebook on her desk and sat down at her dresser. "I thought I was clear that you were to seek me out when you were done with your duties."
"I figured you would be here, Lady Sakura." Hinata explained.
"Your cloak," she said while looking at her imagine in the mirror. Hinata nodded and took off the cloak and hung it on a coat rack. "And whatever happened to you as addressing me as 'my Lady'? Am I suddenly not anymore?"
"I thought that the name was inappropriate," Hinata said as kept her hands behind her back to keep from touching the ends of her growing hair.
"Well I liked it more," Sakura said as she let her hair fall down her shoulders and placed her crown on the dresser's top and glanced to the mage's imagine in the mirror. "So, refer to me as so…while we are in privet."
Hinata felt her face flush. She couldn't let this go too far. "I don't think that it would be right of me to, Lady Sakura." She was tense as Sakura stopped what she was doing and then turned in her seat to look back at her. She raised a brow and stood up. Hinata shifted on her feet, "So I must deny such a request."
"You do not have the choice to deny me, Mage," her voice was serious as she stood up. "This is not a matter to be debated-"
"But the situation that you have put me in is," Hinata said as she stood straighter and tried to hold her ground. "Lady Sakura, you will soon be my Hokage…and all you will ever be is my Hokage."
Sakura just stood there, her eyes staring into Hinata's like she was looking for a response. She was about to take a step forward, but she stopped and turned to go to her dressing area. "I am no idiot Mage; I will always be your Hokage first. I have more brains then those hormonal Kages from our allied countries." Hinata felt her cheeks flush red. Sakura walked behind her paper changing area and began to change into a more comforting kimono. "The situation I have put you in is nothing. All you must do is what you are told, like you should be doing anyway." Sakura could have guessed that Hinata had caught on to her sudden interest in her. Not to mention that she discovered that Ino had approached you about it as well. Ino was a friend, but that didn't mean that Sakura would forgive her for outing her secret to the girl that was involved.
It was hard enough for her to hide it from her own mother.
She overplayed her once affections for the Uchiha Akatsuki, and even once tried to seduce a kiss out of him. He gave it to her since he knew that she didn't mean it. Even after it was over, he could see it on her face on how much she did not enjoy it. She demanded another, and he gave it to her. For a week Sasuke would find himself cornered by her for more affection she forced upon him and herself. Then she stopped since she didn't care anymore. All she needed to do was not let her mother find out. Even if Sakura married another man; she could always have her Mage at her side.
Sakura placed the obi around her kimono robes. She was still hidden behind the paper wall and peeked around to see if the Hatake had watched her change. Sakura did try to make a show of it for her. She wanted her attention and the Hatake refused to give it to her. She huffed as she walked out to her dresser to re-fix her hair. Sakura glanced back to the Mage that was still ignoring her for the most part. She shouldn't be so surprised that she had made the girl uncomfortable. Sakura sighed lightly and grabbed her journal, "Fine," she huffed, "I will…hold back all of my…thoughts."
Hinata blushed red as the girl passed her, "Thanks?"
Sakura smirked as she looked back at her as she stood in the doorway, "But since we are both clear on the situation at hand, you are to address me as My Love while we are alone." She then turned away, "Come now Mage-baka, I am late for my music lesson." Hinata flushed at the thought. She thought she had gotten over this, looking and acting like a knight thing back when she was a kid, but it seems that her body frame wasn't as feminine as she would have pleased.
It was going to be a long day.
(Line Break)
It was late, very late at in the evening. Hinata was seat on the roof-top of her home, waiting for Kakashi to return home safely from a sudden mission. She had heard that the shinobi were back, and by the way some of the jonin described it, they were un-humanly fast. Hinata knew it had to be the demons. They were closing in on Konoha and Hinata didn't want to take her chances; she knew who was behind it and it frightened her. She may be able to fight off a demon, but there was no way that she could admit she could. The second someone found out she was a partial demon; they would all turn on her. And there was no way the Hokage would stand by her; she would lose all respect if her people found out that she had allowed Hinata to live this long. No, Hinata would stand alone and die alone. She hoped that something else would stop Wolf; he had to have something to fear, the idea that if he did this, the wrath of god would smite him.
But Hinata had nothing.
Nothing could stop him.
She could hold him off, maybe even capture him, but in the end, it would be a win-lose deal for her. She would save her people, and then die by their hands.
"Haven't you been moody," Wolf smirked as he sat outside the wall with his tails swaying back and forth. He smirked as his onyx eyes watched her. "You know Hinata none of this would be happening if you had just been a good little wife." Hinata turned away from him and hugged her knees tighter to her chest. "What," he smirked, "no comeback? I figured this is when you would mouth off and I would have to break your hands." He chuckled darkly, but it faded when he saw that she continued to disregard him and buried her head in her knees. This was new to Wolf. He had never come across a crying woman; not like this anyway. He would listen to people sob and cry to live, but it looked like that Hinata was crying out of sadness. He might have actually broken her. Maybe he had finally down what he had wished. This whole thing could blow over and she would join him. "My little flower," he said softly with a smile, "do you want this all to stop?"
She nodded.
"How can I do that for you," he smiled darkly as she lifted up her head and looked up at him with her dark lavender eyes. "Tell me what I have to do. Should I take you away? Maybe with you gone, I'll grow bored of the kingdom and just leave them alone. Would that be best?"
Hinata shook her head.
"Oh," Wolf was growing rather amused, but irritated. She should have just agreed. "Then what?"
"Drop dead," she said. Hinata stood up and jumped down from the roof and walked back inside.
"You dirty whore!" Wolf yelled as he stood and glared at her. "I will destroy this kingdom! Do you hear me?! I will kill every last thing that lives while you watch, like the pathetic little wench you are!"
Hinata stood in the kitchen as she listened and then looked back out to see that he left. Hinata closed and locked the doors. She began to make tea and allowed the tears to fall down her cheeks.
She would have to fight him. Hinata would face the demon Wolf head on.
And then die.
(Line Break)
Wolf could smell it in the air. He had left for about two weeks, just watching Hinata go about her day with his little demons and her other whore-ish problems (how he sees it anyway). To was time though. Konoha, Suna, and Kiri have had their limits pushed on their trust and all the other villages have come to go against this big three. It was just such perfect timing. Hinata thinks that he has forgotten all about her and that he was planning to attack her village. Please, if he had wanted to attack, he would have done that long before he met her. No, this was much more personal and so much more entering than that. He stood outside the castle gates and smirked as he watched the young mage outside in the courtyard doing her meditations.
"Oh yes," he said smugly, "let's just see who they hate more, me…or you." He laughed as he jumped down and gladly made his presence known as multiple tags along the castle gates began to go off and people began to run and scream. "Bring out your worst!" With a wave of his hand, he ripped trees from the ground and threw then into nearby houses. Shinobi tried to fight back, but with another wave, a large gust of wind knocked them off their feet. He jumped down and with a big breath of air, blew out a burst of fire. Nothing got close to him, until he was suddenly surrounded by two jonin and the eldest Mage. "Kakashi," he smirked as the male glared at him, "or should I say…father-in-" he was cut off as he dodged a bolt of lightning that was shot at him. "How dishonorable of you," he mocked, "striking the man that is to marry your daughter."
"What the hell is he talking about Hatake?!" Anko yelled as she stood her ground.
"You do not have a daughter," Gai yelled.
"You stay away from her!" Kakashi ignored the two and kept his eyes on Wolf. "I will not let you touch her!"
"Try to stop me," he winked and with that he disappeared.
"What is going on," Anko asked as she ran up to Kakashi. "What was that demon talking about?" But she frowned when she was again ignored by the mail and then took off into the chaos; he had to find Hinata before he could. "Kakashi!" She yelled after him and looked over to Gai.
"Wait," Gai put his hand on her shoulder when she tried to run after him. "Kakashi does have a daughter," Anko looked at him with shock. "A little girl who was kicked out at the age of five and become his only student; the closet thing that Kakashi has ever had to family; she even took on his name."
"Oh my god," Anko said. She grabbed his shoulders with concern, "Hinata!" And without another word, they went after their friend to help him. Not even questioning, or maybe not caring, that a demon had claimed her as his wife.
Hinata stood before the castle with a glare on her face as she stood off against the man of her nightmares. She had to be sure that he didn't get into the castle, where all the nobles were hiding. She growled lightly as he took a few steps forward, but was sure to jump back when she began to shoot arrows at him. He always hated that deck of cards. Sometimes he feared she was a little too powerful. He sighed lovingly as he looked her over, "My lovely wife to be," he smirked as she tossed away her empty quiver and the bow. "You seem tense. Are you not happy to see me?"
"Leave," she ordered harshly as she summoned a katana from her cards, "If you want a battle I will give you one, but I will not put these people at risk."
"I think that it is so cute that you care for them so much," he smirked as he lifted his hand up to the sky. Hinata tensed as the electricity began to make her clothes stick to her and her hair stand on end. "I hope to see that kind of kindness out of you in the future." He brought his hand down and Hinata barley avoided a stick of lightning to her body. The perfect stone was now scorched but she had little time to think of what to do when another struck near here. Hinata kept jumping away as Wolf laughed. "You know that myth of lightning never striking the same place twice?" He called as he watched her try to avoid his hits. "Well that is nothing but a lie."
Hinata fell to the ground as the stone seemed to catch and wrap around her foot. She tried to use her own chakra manipulation to break it, but there was none of that happening. She desperately tried to free herself as Wolf came up to her. She began of thinking just to cut off her own foot. Before Hinata could even utter a curse, Wolf was struck by a bolt of lightning. They both looked to see Kakashi standing there; he was panting and his clothes looked to be clawed out by a beast. "K-Kakashi-sensei!" Hinata yelled, "Go…save the others-"
"Stand down," Kakashi ignored her pleads and kept eye contact with Wolf, who was glaring at him with a light twitch in his eye. "I let you get to her once…I won't let it happen again."
"I was hoping the bear demon would have been more useful to me," Wolf sighed lightly as he released Hinata's hold but was quick to grab her by the neck and keep her in her place. "I guess that I have to do everything." He smirked and held a claw to her chest, right over her heart. "I went to so much trouble to get you to like me Hinata," he said to her with faked sadness, "I brought you gifts, showered you with my love and affection, and then I made sure you knew who your mate was." He seethed at her as she flinched but could not move away. "The last thing I thought you would be is a dirty wench; showing such affection to all those others when it belonged to me." He chuckled as she whimpered and Kakashi looked to be out of options. "But, then I thought, I should not punish of lovely mate. I mean," he smirked, "it was the work of these humans you seem to care for." He looked to the castle grounds and saw that people were catching up with him. "Tell me Mage," Wolf yelled down to him, "Who knows of my work?"
"You can burn in an eternal hell!" Anko yelled up at him. "All I know is that I will fight for my Kingdom and all those who inhabit it!" Some others agreed as they readied to take on a demon. Hinata felt her stomach drop at the thought of why he was taking so long to kill her or take her away. He was waiting for a crowd.
Wolf…was going to make a big scene.
That included her.
"No," Hinata choked out as she looked to him, "You can't do this to me. You can't take this life away from me!"
"I am truly sorry my little wench," he sneered at her, "but I took it away the night I met you on the lake." He went down a few steps, dragging her along, and watching the others tense. He looked back to the castle to se Anbu and three Akatsuki watching out from the top. He was even surprised to see nobles trying to look out and see what was going on. "Dear people of Konohagakure!" He yelled with a mocking smile and Hinata still in his grip. "I have destroyed most of your kingdoms ground, have brought war upon you and your neighbors, and killed a few of you for one reason." He pulled off Hinata's cloak and threw her to the ground. "I nearly killed the Kazekage and try to steal your Princess; and just for this Mage that you have trusted!" He smirked as he stomped his foot down on her back and watched her groan in pain; he was even delighted to see the tears pool in her eyes as she muttered for forgiveness. He looked out to the confused mass of shinobi that looked at one another for some sort of explanation. "Among you is a traitor; a traitor that I have made to aid me into starting the downfall of these Kingdoms!" He smirked as he bet down and pulled off the tape from around Hinata's arms. "I give you your traitor!"
Hinata kept her head low in shame as he grabbed her hair and forced her to sit on her knees to show the curse marks that ran up her arms. She then tried to cover her bound chest when he ripped her shirt off to show them all how the curses centered on her heart and was nearly covering her whole upper body. She cowered as the others began to gasp at the sight of her. Hinata glanced to see that Kakashi was being held back from running over to her. She looked back to see Anbu and Akatsuki looking down at her while nobles looked away as if they were disgusted.
"She is to blame for what I have and will do." He laughed as he threw her back to the ground. "She is the reason why this is all happening. And why it will continue to happen." He crouched down and spoke just to Hinata, "Maybe in the next life, you will be more obedient." He snickered as she tried to glare at him.
"So," her voice was weak, "you did all this….to kill me?"
"How do I put this…." he smirked at her, "if I can't have you…no one can. And this was the best way to ensure it." He pattered her head mockingly, "And like I mentioned, I'm still young and powerful, I am sure to happen by you in your next life." He laughed as he stood and with a wave of his hand, he was gone. Hinata tried to get to her hands and knees but she felt a katana at her throat and she was quick to stop moving. Then a tag was placed on her back that pulsed chakra through her body that caused her to writhe in pain as she curled up on the ground.
"Hinata!" Kakashi yelled as he broke free from Gai's hold and ran over to her, but he was cut off by Anbu guards. "You can't take her! Please, don't take her!"
"Stay back Mage," one Anbu in an eagle mask said. "I have reason enough to lock you up as well, but we take care of this demon spawn first."
"She has served this village without question, even after being orphaned and ridiculed by the people of this kingdom!" Kakashi yelled. Gai tried to pull him away, but he was sure to punch him away and then went back to the Anbu. "You have no right to listen to that demon over me!"
"I can see the curse Kakashi," the eagle masked Anbu finally yelled at him. "She must be kept back before she has the chance to kill us all." And with that, the Anbu kept back Kakashi as three priests, one of them being a blonde, took her away with an Akatsuki trailing behind them.
(Line Break)
Hinata was chained up in a cell deep beneath the castle. She was on her knees as her arms were opened and she was only being held up by the chains on the wall. The room was only lit by two torches on the wall and in a cell across from her. An old man was in there, just minding his own business like they were not being held in the most secure dungeon. She spat out some blood that had collected in her mouth as a man paced before her. Ibiki was the best interrogator in the Kingdom and was trying to get Hinata to admit to anything that she might have done. Like let the demon into the village. He was an emotionless man, but beating on a girl her age, with her story, hell, he could see why Wolf had targeted her. She was a perfect target to pray upon. But, he was given a task and still had questioned that had yet to be answered.
"When did you become marked?" He asked.
"Don't remember-" Hinata was cut off by another kick to the gut. She wheezed as she tried to get the air back in her lungs. After a coughing fit, she licked her lips.
"How about now?" He asked lightly. He really wished she wouldn't do this to herself. He would have thought that she had known better.
"Why does it matter," she looked up at him. "I'm dead no matter what I say and nothing will change that." She let her head hang in shame. She never thought it would be like this; that she would be questioned and tortured while Wolf was running off having a laugh about it. She wanted to be dead. She also wanted to live, but that would mean putting her sensei and even Hokage at risk. She knew about it the whole time; if they found that out, they would riot and surely kill her. "I don't deserve this."
"Answer the question," he said again, seeming to have ignored everything she had said.
"When I was around twelve maybe," she said and then coughed up more blood.
"Why were you marked?"
"To be his mate," she shot back at him with a glare. "And why he wanted me, I have no idea. I was just a Mage in training who looked too much like a boy and was stupid enough to walk away from her teacher thinking that that I could take care of myself." She licked her lips once more and shifted on her knees. "All I know is that was the day I should have died. But I was given something much worse."
"Who knew?" He asked as he crouched down.
"Just me," Hinata looked up at him so they were eye to eye. "My sensei thought it strange that I was learning to control more than two elements, but he later assumed that it must have been my mother and father's genes that made it so."
"How could your sensei not know you were attacked?"
"Wolf took me farther away and muffled my screams," she explained. "By the time my sensei found me, I was passed out in the grass. When he asked me what happened, I told him I used too much of my shizu." They continued to stare at one another and then he finally stood back up and walked away. "No more?"
"Just one," he said as he stood in the doorway to leave her cell. "Did you ever love Wolf?"
"Never," she responded back. "And I never will." Ibiki just nodded and then walked away with nothing more to say and shut the door closed behind him. Another guard came and locked it. Hinata let out a deep breath as she went limp in hopes to find some rest. She had lost track of the time and it seemed like days ago that she had been locked up…or was it hours…maybe weeks. Not to mention she was slowly losing it when she spent what she thought were hours in silence. No one had come to see her other than Ibiki, but she assumed that no one was allowed to see her anyway. Maybe no one wanted to see her; she was a monster.
"Mage-baka," Hinata's head shot up as she looked to see Sakura standing there in her pretty green and gold Kimono with a red obi around her waist. She was shocked to see the noble woman standing there. Maybe she was there to tell her something gruesome. "I should have known better. It explains why you tried to keep the demon away from me. You knew he wasn't there for me…but for you." She folded her hands so that they hid in her sleeves. "Not to mention why you tried to keep that hideous cloak on," she looked over her upper body that was bare except to the wrappings around her chest. The marks were an inky black color and looked to be scaring her perfect complexion. "I know that this is wrong of me to say…" she felt her cheeks turn a light pink, "but I rather like seeing you chained up; I wouldn't like the blood, but more of you being bound in one place."
Hinata didn't know what came over her, but she started laughing. Sakura was even a little taken back at the blue haired woman laughed at her. Hinata looked up at her and tried to calm her laughers, "You…you really don't have any decency, do you?" She continued to laugh as Sakura turned a light pink. "Here I am…bound and beaten, and all you notice is how arousing it is to you." She slowly calmed to light chuckles. "What kind of a Lady are you?"
"Not a very good one," she confessed as she shifted on her feet. "How I could have feelings for someone as idiotic as you are is beyond my belief and no matter how hard I try," she paused lightly, "I can't find any way to save you." Hinata looked back at her. Sakura smiled lightly as tears began to form in her eyes. "If I think about anything else other than how arousing this is, I am caught up in an utter depression of how…of how that I won't ever get to be with you like I wanted. I am overwhelmed with feelings that I won't be able to look to you gazing out my window, listening to me play my harp, or acting my favorite plays with such a passion that it makes me weak." She wiped her eyes as the tears continued to fall. "A-And it angers me that you a-are not as scared as I am…" She took in a sharp breath and laughed lightly, "I-I just don't know w-what to do now. Th-This is the f-first in a-a long time that I…I actually let tears fall from someone."
"Lady Sakura-" she started but Sakura was quick to cut her off.
"No!" she looked to her with such sadness and anger in her eyes. "I am your Fair Lady. Please," she begged as he head bowed and she gripped the bars of her cell. "Do not call me anything else. Just…" she sobbed lightly as he shoulders began to shake, "just let me pretend that you love me…please…"
Hinata saddened at the sight of her. She had never thought she would see this woman break down and all because of her? Hinata never had someone that held such feeling for her. Maybe other than Kakashi, but he was her sensei. Well, Hinata thought more of him; she always thought him as her father with the way he treated her. Hinata had never known her real father other than when they were training together. Before she left her manor, she was cared for by aunts and uncles and then trained by her father, who held no real love for her. To him, she was a failure.
But to Kakashi…
Hinata almost felt like she had made him so proud. She looked back up to the shaking noblewoman and shifted on her knees. "My Fair Lady…" she spoke lightly as Sakura looked up at her with puffy red eyes. "Can…can you please tell Kakashi-sensei that I'm sorry?" She asked lightly with a smile. "I was supposed to take his place as the head Mage, and now he must go through the trouble of finding another student."
Sakura nodded as she wiped her eyes. "I will do that for you."
"And, My Fair Lady," she said again, "do not cry for me." She smiled lightly as Sakura looked to her with light shock. "You will another who can take care of you better than I could. Someone that will play music with you and read to you every morning before you must leave for meeting. And once you are ruling this Kingdom, be sure you make sure your people know that you are there for them. I bet your betrothed would be honored to walk you through the kingdom."
Sakura covered her mouth in hopes to hold back her sobs and hiccups. "I want you to take me though…" she felt more tears well up as Hinata just shook her head and then began to cough up blood that she had been trying to hold back when Sakura had come; she was so close to. Hinata was slouched forward as the blood dripped down to the hard floors and stained the ground. "I-I can't d-do this." Sakura shook her head, "I won't let them." Sakura than ran off without another word and left Hinata there to lick her lips and get the rest of the blood out of her mouth.
She took in a few ragged breaths as she tried to guess what rib had broken. As Hinata looked back up, she saw Shikamaru and Sasuke standing there. The three were completely silent and Sasuke was the first to whisper something to Shikamaru. He only shook his head and then sighed. "Did they send Ibiki?"
"Yes," she nodded as she moved her wrist since they were getting sore.
"He asked his questions and left?"
"Yes."
"We don't have much time then," Sasuke said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I need to head back to find Sakura; I don't think she is taking this very well."
"I can confirm that," Hinata added. "I would be sure that she doesn't do anything rash on my behalf."
"So," Sasuke smirked, "you've come to terms that you like woman?"
"I've come to terms with that she has feelings for me, what I feel for her is none of your concern nor is it relevant to the matter at hand," Hinata said bluntly and then spat out more blood that was collecting in her mouth. "All that matters now is that this village stays protected. Wolf can only wait for so long before he becomes bored and attacks for the joy of it." She looked back at them. "And no matter what happens," she gave them a stone look, "do not let him know where I lay to rest."
"Understood," Shikamaru nodded and then motioned to Sasuke, "Come on," he began to walk away, "they'll start to question us if we don't hurry."
And Hinata was left there, hoping that someone else would keep her company. In hopes that someone else had cared enough for her to come see her one more time; she hoped that one of them would miss her. Hinata let sleep take over her as she thought back and lived in her memories as if she had never been cursed. How wonderful it would have been to live a normal life with her sensei and the others of the kingdom.
The next time she woke up, she groggily looked up to see that TenTen and Lee had stood there with tears in their eyes. Hinata smiled lightly as she took a few short breaths. "H-Hello….s-senseis…" she laughed lightly and the two just smiled.
"Hey there," TenTen wiped her eyes, "I never thought I would hear that title again."
"It is a nice title to hear again though," Lee smiled as his tears fell freely. "I can still recall the days when I had to carry you back to your sensei's home since you could not move your legs," he laughed lightly as he looked at her. "Or when I would take you into the castle to see the medically wing; I always forget that you were not as fast as I was."
"I did suffer a few hard blows," she nodded.
"I remembered how you could never keep track of all your weapons," TenTen laughed lightly between her tears. "L-Like I would call out for a naginata, and you would summon a large shurikan. O-Or when I had you make those bombs to attack to kunai a-and you nearly destroyed the gardens," she laughed and cried at the same time. "I-I never thought….that I would have to see you go before me," she wiped her eyes as her laughing turned back to crying. She gripped the bars and trembled. "You aren't supposed to die…a-a sensei always goes before their students." She looked at her with her brown eyes bright with tears, "You're my student Hinata…I-I would r-rather die th-than see you like this."
"TenTen…" she said lightly.
"She is right Hinata," Lee said as he allowed TenTen to hold him and cry into his chest. "We were to take care of you. We had since you were young and trained you the best we could for our age." He tried to keep so strong. "I never even got that rematch with you," he smiled lightly but he was soon nothing but tears. "Th-This is not how it should go…"
"No more…" she shook her head. "No more crying for me. I lied and was selfish to think that if I kept hiding my fate that it would just go away and I would get what I wanted." She didn't look at them and just let her head hang in shame. "Tears should not be wasted on me as such."
"Hinata," Lee said lightly as he grabbed a bar.
"Just go," she said lightly as her own tears began to well a bit. "Before we say something we regret."
"Go on," Hinata's head shot up when she heard Kakashi. He stood there, still in uniform, and motioned to the two to leave. "I must have a word in private with Hinata." The two nodded and walked off before anything else could be said. He slowly pulled out a key and walked into the cell. Hinata was taken back as he came up to her and embraced her tightly. "You have nothing to be sorry about." He said lightly as he held her close. "You have made me so proud and I do not regret anything that I did. I would protect you any way I can and I thank you for trying to protect me from this." His words were calm and strong, but Hinata felt something wet it her bare shoulders. "You are the greatest student I will ever have, and no one could replace what you mean to me Hinata. I know I am just supposed to be your sensei, but in all truth," he paused lightly and took in a shaky breath, "I've always seen you as my own child." He pulled back and held her shoulders as he looked to her. "You were so young when you came to me, I never thought I would have to deal with such a young student," he smiled from behind his mask as tears came from his eyes. "I never thought I would be so happy to see someone waiting for me at home with such a bright smile and littered with questions because she read books she wasn't supposed to." Hinata smiled lightly and he wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "They were right," he held her face; "a sensei goes before their student." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'll find a way to protect you Hinata."
"Don't do anything stupid," she said with a light smile and sniffed. "I don't want my Otou-san to get hurt because of me." Kakashi just embraced her one last time and then set down her cloak, Mage necklace, and Mage cards with all her summons.
"You keep your honor with you Hinata," he said as he stood up. "Remember that you vowed to protect this Kingdom. You will always be their protector."
"Of course," she nodded and he walked out with his hood pulled up to hid his face.
Hinata looked to her things and let her eyes take in the image of her necklace, the one she got the day when she was an official Mage of Konohagakure. It was still a bright silver; the symbol of the Kingdom still so brilliant and stunning to look upon. She wore it every day that she nearly forgot about it, it was a part of her. She really hoped that they would allow her to keep it into the afterlife.
Hinata took one last look at it and then went into a dreamless sleep.
(Line Break)
"Wake up."
Hinata nearly yelped from the surprise wake-up call and coughed since she was cut off in mid breath. She blinked a few times and looked up to see that two Anbu were standing in front of her. Their arms were at their sides and Hinata saw that one of them pulled out a scroll and looked over it. Hinata felt something drop in her stomach when the Anbu cleared his throat. "Hinata of Konohagakure, under the decisions of the council of this Kingdom, you are accused and guilty of attempted treachery, the act of perjury, and have been condemned to death by burning at the stake. Due to your nature of being turned into a half-demon, the council also finds you guilty of sins against your own people. By the demand of the Council, you will burn at the stake with the use of a holy fire and not be allowed to rest within this Kingdom. By the laws of this Kingdom and your right, you are allowed one final request before death." He looked to her and they both waited for her answer.
Hinata spoke in a cracking voice, "Let me die i-in my uniform," she looked to the cloak, necklace, and cards.
"Your wish is to be fulfilled." He nodded and then rolled up the scroll. The other put the necklace around her neck, placed the deck of cards, and once he released her from the shekels, he draped the cloak around her shoulders. Hinata closed the little sun and moon clasp and when she tried to put her hood up, the Anbu stopped her. "Your crime is against this Kingdom," he said as the other placed cuffs around her wrist attacked to a rope that he held on to, "and in turn they are allowed to see you in your shame." The other opened the cell door and Hinata was dragged out. She didn't make a sound as they pulled harshly and walked at a pace that was too slow for her. Hinata wanted this to be done and over with and they were dragging it.
"There she goes,"
Hinata looked to see that the halls were lined with people watching her make her final walk.
"The demons whore"
"It's no wonder she was so powerful"
"I heard she had tried to turn a few of the other shinobi"
"Today we will show the power of Konohagakure"
Hinata let her head hang and tried to drown them out with her own thoughts, she wished she had seen someone that wasn't angry with her. Where were Kakashi, Lee, and TenTen? Hinata then thought that it would be best if they didn't see her. So they wouldn't have such an awful final image of her being cooked alive. Hinata cringed as she was led out the main castle doors and was hit by the bright light of the sun. She tried to cover her eyes, but her arms were being pulled in only one direction. She was led to the castle gates, more people were watching and as she went through, she saw the stake she was to burn at. She never knew how many people would come out to see her death. Hinata figured the whole village was there other than the children; at least, she hoped that no child watched her death. Hinata was pulled up to the stake and another man took off her cuffs and tied her to the long wooden pole. She looked up and out into the crowd. They all stood there and Hinata could hear nothing but their whispers. She took in a few shaky breaths as two priests, Jiraiya and Naruto, began to pour holy oils on the pile of wood that she stood on.
Naruto looked up at her and placed his bottle down before walking up to her. He leaned in close and, to Hinata's surprise; he began to whisper a prayer to her. It was a soft prayer that she remembered learning as a child. She felt tears fall down her cheeks as he continued with such soft and kind words to her. He leaned back and then left after his once teacher. Hinata wished she could hold her necklace tight in her hands. A hush came over the crowd and Hinata looked over to see the council and her Hokage sitting there like it was a kingdom parade. Hinata glanced over to Sakura, who hid most of her face behind a fan. The eldest man in the council stood and spoke as clear as he could. "We are gathered to rid of the danger to not only our village, but to our kind as humans." He was sure to address the crowd. "It has been a long time since Konohagakure had to take part in such an act, but we show no mercy to those that don't deserve it." He nodded and then motioned to Hinata, "Today, Hinata of Konohagakure will perish. I pray that you are given mercy by a higher power." And once he sat back down, Hinata snapped her head over to a man that lit a torch. "Your final words?"
Hinata looked to him and then looked back to the people that stood before her. "I love my Kingdom! I will never stop loving my Kingdom! I will always be a Mage of Konohagakure!"
And with her final words, the pile of wood she stood on was set ablaze.
"Hinata!" Sakura yelled as she stood to run over, but Tsunade was quick to stand and hold her back. Sakura began to cry and sob as she tried to break free of her mother's hold. Hinata didn't look at her; she kept her eyes closed as she began to sweat from the heat. She screamed in surprise when the flames burst high that they hid her whole being but they didn't come near her. Hinata listened as woman screamed and everyone seemed to be panicked. Then someone just appeared in front of her, dressed in all black and only their eyes showed. The ropes were cut and he grabbed her and jumped away before anyone noticed.
Hinata gasped as she got over the shock and looked around to see her in a forest. "W-What!?" Hinata looked around and fell out of her captors grip. "What did you do!?" She glared at him. "I am to be dead!"
"A thank you," Hinata was wide eyed as the person ripped off their mask, "would work." Sasuke smirked at her as he tossed the mask away. "I knew you were rude, but this is ridiculous."
"How…" Hinata shook her head, unable to believe what was going on.
"Mage Hatake took care of the fire; a bit too showy," he shrugged as he took off the pack he wore and tossed it to you. "As far as Konohagakure is concerned, Hinata of Konohagakure is dead and there is a burnt corpse and kingdom necklace there to prove it."
"Why?" She asked as she just stood there confused.
"Shikamaru knows everyone here, better than they know themselves," he explained as he looked to her. "And if anyone was to purposely betray their kingdom, you aren't even on that list. Hinata, as odd as it may seem, you are our companion and there is no way that someone like you would work with that demon." He smirked as she smiled lightly. "Now, you keep heading north," he pointed, "you'll end up in the Kusagakure. No one will know you and you stay there." He ordered and she nodded. "We'll find a way to bring you back."
"I'll be back before that," Hinata said as she pulled up her hood. "Wolf will be back to our kingdom soon enough. And I will be there to stop him."
"Then keep training so that you can keep up with the rest of us," he was about to walk away, but Hinata grabbed his arm. "Miss me already?"
"No," she smiled lightly and held out her necklace to him. "I think this would give me away rather quick." He took it. "Make sure Kakashi gets it, okay?"
"Of course," he nodded and then they parted ways. "Sakura will be a pain to deal with, without you," he mused allowed for her to hear.
"She'll get over it." Hinata answered back, "I'm nothing special."
"hm," Sasuke smirked and spoke lightly once they were out of hearing range, "I don't think that…no one does…"
(End)
Well, what do you guys think? Like I said, this story is going to come to an end and I'm guessing it's going to be soon. It'll be nice to close out the story since this would be the first completed story I will have. Neat huh?
Leave your reviews and I hope you all have some happy holidays.
