Hi! I'm sorry about updating a little behind schedule but I had told you I probably would in my last update of Hinata the Vamp. I feel a lot better so thank you to all those who wished me better and now I'm ready to write. I'm not sure how long this will be since my sister will be coming over and my father will want me to spend time with her-she's the same age as me, I see no need to do that. Anyway, before she comes and spends the entire night taking up my precious time by chatting online when she could have done that at home, I will start the fic. It should not be a problem though, since I pretty much know what I want to happen in this chapter. I hope you like it… Oh! I also hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, mine sucked lol!

*Good news she didn't come so I injured myself writing over 5,350wds in one sitting for nothing.. well not nothing; you get to read.

Excuse any errors and R&R!!!

Chapter 13: Praying for Mercy

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Sasuke sat at his desk, trying to make sense of the words jumbled before him.

He was reading through reports that had been made by other ANBU and the council… reports that had been avoided and put aside, tossed away as junk because they did not comply with the accepted theories they themselves had on the way of ninja.

He was really trying to read them but he could hardly concentrate over the sounds coming from the other half of the room as Hinata prepared for bed. He did not feel the least bit tired though. In fact, he could barely sit at his desk because he was too tense. He could not stop thinking about how she tasted and the feel of her shuddering as he brought her to her climax.

His body was sorely in need of relief and only she could do it. His vision blurred and his concentration was reduced to nil as he then realized she was washing.

He could hear her too clearly; buttons being undone, the rustle of falling clothes, water splashing…

Damn it, she was painfully quiet otherwise. He tried to concentrate on his work, forcing his attention on the papers in front of him.

It was his theory that the Uchiha were produced by a Hyuuga and the Sharingan is a form of the Byakugan. He had found some evidence of this and it was all just fine until he had happened across more information revealing that the Sharingan is in fact more dominant than the Byakugan. Hiashi as well as the council were furious and dismissed the matter immediately even after asking he do the research.

To be honest, Sasuke could not care less which blood limit was more dominant. Of course, he hoped it was true that the Sharingan was overpowering since he wanted to rebuild his clan someday. But what would that have to do with the Hyuuga? What was Hiashi getting so worked up for? It was not like he had a chance at even being close to one… until now.

Water splashed behind the curtain. Where was she washing?

Images taunted him- soft, dark curls- he craved the taste of her all over again. Swallowing, he closed his eyes for a moment, and, when he reopened them he tried to focus.

It was known that there was a conflict between the Uchiha and the Hyuuga a little while before he was born and even after, ending with the murder of his clan. It was all hush hush though, and no one could really tell at outings and affairs but both clans could feel it. It was said that something terrible had happened between the leaders of both clans but no one knew what it was. Only that they had to be against the other.

What rubbish. Who cares if Hiashi and his father had some disagreement? It was not like they fought or something; probably some dispute about who was stronger of something of that nature. Maybe that was why Hiashi was so against Sasuke's research. 'Pfft, he's just a prideful idiot.'

He blinked back the image of her lying on her back on his desk and ignored the evidence of his arousal.

Hinata's presence was driving him insane. What was she doing? Her silence was maddening.

Should he speak to her? Tell her good night? Why the hell was he suddenly behaving as though he was a child with a crush? She was a Hyuuga, sure enough, but those beautiful legs had not too long ago been wrapped around his neck, while her soft whimpers had filled his ears.

Annoyed with himself, he forced his thoughts back to his reports, tapping his fingers impatiently on the desk.

The Uchiha were completely independent people, not once looking to their ancestors for help and even founded a police force as their own way to keep order. They were indeed very strong in their own right and soon they forgot about the Hyuuga, only seeing them as another clan as the Uchiha clan grew, separating themselves and distancing the blood until there was no way of knowing the relationship between the two as it was now forgotten, not even close enough to be distant relatives.

He and Hinata were related, but it was not recognized? It was as faint as can be and there was not even a word to describe what they were. That was fine by him.

Having had access to his reports, Kiba had shot down his theory point by point before the council, twisting his own arguments against him in the name of religion of the ninja; to such a degree that Sasuke found it an insult to his intelligence and a crippling blow to progress. As it was, it would not have been easy to convince them of his own thoughts, but after Kiba had finished with them and having Hiashi on his side as well, they had not even wanted to hear or read the proof that Sasuke had to offer or his hard research.

The reports he had in front of him by ninja before him gave evidence that the Uchiha had developed on their own. But with that theory, he had committed a professional sin. He had dared to question the strength of both blood limits and had come up with the fact that because the Uchiha were more determined, so were their genes.

It seemed incredible to Sasuke that proof such as this was dismissed in favor of that given by someone like Kiba. Even though Kiba's evidence was not as strong as his own, it was he who had gotten grants and favor because he chose the side of the council, supporting the accepted theory of it all.

Sasuke sure as hell did not mind being wrong in this case. He had proven to himself out of the countless theories. But he damned well did not like being told that he was wrong even before he had set out to do his job by men who considered themselves as elite.

Sasuke put away the reports and took up another set.

The curtain opened without warning.

Hinata stood there, dressed in her tattered nightgown and somehow still managed to look the part of heir. Despite his mood, the sight of her brought a smile to his lips and she smiled back. He was leaning wearily on his desk, chin to his hand staring at his papers with that provoked look he usually reserved for her.

"What are you looking at?" asked Hinata, resisting the urge to go and peek over his shoulder. He didn't seem to appreciate her curiosity or interest, but she just wanted to know.

"Work," he said simply. He continued to smile at her and Hinata felt her cheeks flare. He had been far more receptive to her since their encounter that afternoon- a positive change- but Hinata could not quite enjoy it. She did not understand this sudden shyness that had come over her in his presence. She could not even seem to glance his way without blushing, and the more care he took to put her at ease, the more embarrassed she became.

Uchiha Sasuke had seen far more of her than any other man had the right to, and her behavior was shameful. Her thought muddled. Something so beautiful could not have possibly been wrong… and yet she was technically still engaged to Kiba- at least until she faced him. She hadn't any right to indulge in such things with anyone at all.

And yet, though her cheeks burned, she could not regret what she had done. The very sight of Sasuke made her heart clench. He set down his papers and gave her his full attention. Hinata smiled shyly at him and approached the desk under the pretense of looking at Kiba's picture. Lifting it up, she smiled contentedly at her handiwork and then put it back down, tapping it thoughtfully before she glanced at Sasuke.

He was watching her intently, secretly amused be something. About what, Hinata had no idea.

His brows lifted. "You can't wait to see him?"

"Iie, I really can't," she admitted, and it was the truth. She couldn't wait to read him his own filthy words and then fling the ring in his face. Let him give it to one of his little Suna girls.

"It shows," he said, peering at her. Uncomfortable under his scrutiny, Hinata made an attempt to appear serene. She wasn't prepared for explanations yet. Somehow it made her feel like a failure.

He father had sometimes cautioned her not to show her true nature, because he was certain Hinata would never keep a man. She was too shy, her interests were too scattered, and she had liked to keep her hair cut. She reached up and pulled the ribbon from her hair that she held up when she was washing, letting the strands fall free. She had spent a lot of time trying to make it look a little presentable but why even try now that she had no man to try to please.

She played with the ribbon, wrapping it around her thumb of her hand. "What are you working on?" she asked again, hoping that her question would turn the attention from her.

Sasuke was looking at her far too knowingly and it was making her nervous. "You really want to know?"

"Hai."

"I was reading reports," Sasuke told her.

"What kind of reports?" Hinata asked.

"All sorts. Clan business, politics, whatever."

"I see," she said. Hungry for more than his answer, Hinata looked longingly at the stack of reports Sasuke had guarded so much.

"Would you like to read them?"

Hinata blinked at his question and tried to gauge his expression. Was he serious? Or was he merely messing with her? "Really?"

He nodded and she gasped in surprise. "You really don't mind?"

He smiled at her, and pushed a stack towards her. "I won't let you read everything I have here of course. Just a little bit. But you have to promise to take them straight to bed and read them there… nowhere else."

Hinata broke into a wide grin.

"And no lanterns within five feet."

Hinata laughed, although she wanted to take offence. She couldn't, though. If she were Sasuke, she doubted she'd let herself anywhere near them.

"And no water, no ink, and when you are done you are to put them back in my drawer in a tidy pile."

"Kami!" Hinata wanted to laugh out loud. "I am not usually so clumsy," she told him.

His brows lifted and his smile widened as well to her delight for her rarely smiled to begin with. "I don't believe you."

Hinata took his papers before he could change his mind, lifting the heavy stack to her chest, hugging them. There was really nothing she could say in her defense, but she could certainly prove it by putting them neatly back into his desk when she was done.

"Arigatou, Sasuke," she said blushing.

He nodded, staring at her still, and his smile suddenly seemed wistful. "Goodnight, Hana," he said.

Hinata's heart leaped from his endearment. She met his gaze, swallowing. It was the second time he'd said that to her and it made her blush even more. Flower.

Although they were standing about six feet away from each other, the mere memory of the first time made her body instantly warm, and the look in his eyes made her breath catch. "Goodnight, Sasuke," she said in a rush and practically ran to her bed, drawing the curtains shut behind her.

Sasuke sat watching the curtains long after they were closed. As crazy as the notion was, he envied the makeshift curtains, a gift of the lanterns she had lit on the far side of the room. She was curled up in her hammock reading. He could not help but watch her as he put up his own hammock and readied himself for bed… and thinking. Did Kiba know what a girl he had?

He was pretty sure she was not snooping for Kiba, and if she was, he doubted she would find anything in those reports that Kiba would find interesting. The man's mind was closed and there was nothing to be lost in letting her read them, and his views were not any secret either. But he didn't want to believe that she was spying for her fiancé.

She was stubborn and without a doubt, the most troublesome woman he had ever laid eyes on, making him wonder if she was only that way with him.

Her expression when he had called her flower told him that she understood where his thoughts had been… and more, that her own thoughts hovered near. Her reaction had amused him. Her eyes had flashed in comprehension and she had just stared wide-eyed for an instant before she ran away to her side of the room.

But she had not gone far enough. He tried his hardest to forget there was only a measly sheet separating them. He turned out his lights and climbed into his hammock, thinking about the fact that he was not gentleman enough to turn the other way so that he could not see her. The fact was, he was no kind of gentleman whatsoever and he never claimed to be so he lay there watching her without the least bit of guilt.

He was certain it wasn't the most moral thing to do, just lying there and watching her, but then she had asked to share his room, not the other way around. If she didn't like it she could just leave.

Though he guessed that before she would consider returning to her damaged room, she would have to be aware of the fact that he could see everything she was doing, every movement behind the curtain, every time she flipped a page, or brushed the hair from her face; every breath she took.

Her breasts lifted as she sighed. Of course he could not really tell her because he knew it would embarrass her, so maybe he was being nice after all. What she didn't know could not really hurt her in this case. But it sure left Sasuke in pain.

His body hardened as he watched her and his blood simmered. This was going to be hurting him more for sure and was probably the most dishonorable thing he has done… or not.

There had been a girl he'd met whose brother had been his guide. The man had offered him a bed the night before they set out into the forests. Her father had been asleep in the same room, oblivious to his daughter's intentions. Karin had been her name. Sasuke would never forget her.

That was also the first time he had ever fooled around in a hammock- tricky but he knew now that it could be done and he'd give anything to do it again with Hinata.

He blinked, staring as the shadow curled deeper into the hammock, knees bent to support the papers she was reading. Was she getting sleepy? Just trying to get comfortable? Were her thoughts on the reports she was reading or… something else?

He could not stop thinking about her. Could not stop thinking about how she tasted. He adjusted himself, he had to. His body was in too much pain, and his pants were far too tight. For her sake, he slept at least partly dressed and made sure to wake before her so that she would not see him shirtless without having to. But this instant, he needed to be naked, and needed her to be naked with him. Needed to feel her skin against his and smell her scent as he touched her.

Kami! He was going crazy with lust!

It was a poor substitute but he cupped himself, needing to feel the pressure. His skin was burning. Sweat beaded his forehead and his mouth was as dry as cardboard. The silhouette's head fell backward, spilling over the hammock. One hand fell over the side and he heard her sigh again.

Desire clawed at his arousal, making him burn a little hotter. And then, while he watched, she set the papers down and lay still, staring at the ceiling for the longest time, her breasts rising and falling with every breath.

Her movements were exaggerated by the curtains, her breasts full and pert for his lips to suckle. Kami, he wanted his mouth on that sensitive flesh and know what it felt like to feel her nipples harden against his tongue, he wanted to suck gently and tease them between his teeth.

Never before had he wanted someone so badly. Never had he fought so hard to restrain himself.

And then she did something unspeakably erotic and he nearly fell out of his hammock in shock. She lifted a tentative hand to her breast. At first a light touch and then with an open hand as though she were listening to the beat of her heart through her fingers.

His own heart hammering against his ribs, he lay back in his hammock, his body tense in anticipation and rigid. It seemed an eternity that her hand lay so still on her breast. Long enough for Sasuke to feel a pang of guilt for wanting it to slide down and close over the mound of flesh he craved so much to touch for himself. He willed her hand to move, wanting it to explore.

And then when he though she was asleep, her hand did move… closing softly on her breast.

Sasuke's heart nearly flipped in his chest. His breath caught and he realized in that instant that his hand was still wrapped about his erection. It pulsed between his fingers, and he tightened his grip, pulling his hips back a little to deny himself.

As he watched, her hand lifted again and began to cares the tip of her breast, moving gently back and forth.

Sasuke held his breath watching. Kami help him, he was almost beyond the point of reason. Some part of him urged him to speak out, to tell her that he was awake and that he could see more than he should, but the words died in his throat and nothing came out. Her head turned to one side then, and her hand moved to her other breast, caressing it and Sasuke thought he would explode with desire. He could not have spoken to her so she could stop not even he his life depended on it.

He would be insane to pleasure himself in her presence, but he was far beyond thinking…

A gentle ocean rocked her hammock, begging Hinata to go to sleep. Outside the cabin, waves were singing but other than that, it was most silent.

Sasuke had left the shutters open to the night, and the air was warm as it blew in, kissing her skin and tangling like fingers in her hair.

Goodnight, Hana.

She could not keep the voice out of her head as she lay down and Hinata closed her eyes, trying to forget, but her body ached with the memory of his touches. Her skin was on fire and she instinctively knew why. That morning Sasuke had shown her the heights of pleasure that she had never known before and no amount of denial could keep he reminders away.

His scent surrounded her, speaking to her body like a lover's whisper. That's it, flower… open for me…

She shuddered at the sound of his voice in her ear, imagined though it was. His hands had touched her so knowingly, as though he understood her body, and knew what it cried out for. His words had seduced her so that she had felt no shame, while his touch had brought out pleasure so intense she had thought she would die.

She could not imagine Kiba ever touching her so. She didn't even want to think of it and never dreamed any man would do the things to her that she had allowed Sasuke to do, and never wanted to share the experience with anyone else- not ever. It was Sasuke she wanted… Sasuke she was falling in love with.

The revelation squeezed her heart just a little. She was falling in love with Sasuke.

She couldn't seem to help herself, couldn't imagine not being with him. She had not felt that way about Kiba, not even at first. Kiba had never stolen her breath with only a glance or make her body quiver with the sound of his voice. He had never made her heart beat so fast in his presence.

It was different with Sasuke.

Everything was different with Sasuke.

Her body ached to feel him again and her mind wandered; thoughts that she would have never dreamed of before. She closed her eyes and desire shuddered through her. She wanted to kiss him the way he had kissed her, wanted to pleasure him the way he had pleasured her…

She wanted to taste him too. She wondered what he would do if she did. Would he be shocked to find her lips there? Alarmed? Would it bring him the same excitement it had brought her? Would he allow it? For that matter, what did it even look like?

Her brows knit at the thought. She had never seen a man without clothes before or even let her mind go that far. She had not even seen Neji that way. And if she did, they were children at the time.

But Sasuke had tasted her and he seemed to enjoy it, leaving her burning. Her breath caught at the very thought of it and she dared to lift her hand to her breast, cupping it. She needed him to hold her, touch her, and caress her.

Could she? Dare she do what her body wanted her to do?

No one would ever know. It was late and Sasuke had not made a sound for quite a while now. She rubbed her breast with her palm, thinking about her scandalous thoughts. Her body ached for something she knew only Sasuke could give her, but her curiosity burned as well.

There was nothing to stop her, nothing except her conscience. Reaching down, she took hold of the hem o her nightgown, lifting it up to her thighs. She slid her hands between her legs and froze, unable to touch herself where she needed most to be touched.

Silence screeched at her.

Her heart beat so fast and so hard that she swore it could be heard all over the ship. She knew it would wake him, because it thumped so loud in her ears that she could hardly hear anything else. She held her breath, straining to hear if Sasuke was awake.

"Sasuke," she whispered, and she wasn't certain whether it was a plea for help or if she only wanted to know if he were somehow still awake watching. It suddenly occurred to her that he might be but she was not bold enough to use her Byakugan to see. She felt nearly certain he was sleeping.

For the longest instant, Sasuke was uncertain how to respond. Should he pretend to be asleep or should he answer? He opened his mouth and tried to reply, but nothing came out.

"Sasuke?" she called again, slightly higher than last time as though making sure that if he was awake- which he was- he would hear her.

He willed his heart and breathing to slow down and cleared his throat softly so that she couldn't hear, but he could not say anything to save his soul.

"Sasuke" Hinata persisted. "Are you asleep?"

He thought about the question and was highly amused by it but he squashed the urge to reply smartly. If he knew he was awake the entire time, he knew she would feel ashamed- whether he could see her or not and obviously, if he were sleeping, he couldn't answer, now could he?

Apparently, she decided he was sleeping and Sasuke felt a pang of guilt for deceiving her.

Sighing softly, she settled back into the hammock, clasping her hands together as though forcing then to behave. He did the same, mentally checking himself. Without much success, he tried to shut out the images that had tormented him… her hand on her breast, caressing and he was forced to readjust again. He was much too aroused. Damn.

She was so close and yet so far. She was right there across the room, but she was not his. He had no right to seduce her- or even try. But he wanted to, in fact, he needed to. His own two hands could bring him sweet relief, but not satisfaction, and he rejected the thought where only moments before he had considered it. He wanted Hinata, not a few moments of pleasure.

He wanted to bury himself in her body, wanted to know what it felt like to be inside her, pulsing, giving and taking.

A shudder went through him as the silhouette moved again. A sigh escaped her, and her body arched, and Sasuke entire body went rigid with anticipation. He recognized that sound, knew what she needed, and knew she would be driven to seek it.

He wanted to give it to her, but he didn't dare move. Keeping him stilled was the simple fact that she belonged to someone else and he cared enough not to confuse her with his wants. But he could not stand the thought of Kiba touching her, or any other man for that matter.

Her hand lifted to her breast, fondling it no longer gently; her fingers embraced it and she moaned softly. His own body pulsed in response. He watched with bated breath as she lifted up her nightgown and slid her hand between her legs and he remembered what it was like to be between then, taking in everything she had to offer and her scent.

She moaned again and he envied those long fingers and the dance they were now performing. He sat up in his hammock, drawn despite his resolve to remain quiet. In shadow, her body lifted, her breasts arching higher. The image had him stunned as she began to whimper softly, and it took every once of his will to keep from going to her. He closed his eyes and told himself it was only a dream, a heavy dream but when he opened his eyes his heart gave a jolt.

Kami! He could take it anymore. He just could not.

He warned her.

The curtain was so near, Hinata's shadow appearing larger than life, her writhing so sensual. Never in his life had he seen such a beautiful sight and never had he experienced something so incredibly erotic.

He reached out to touch nothing but air, his hand seeking the fullness of her breasts. His body thrummed with the desire so intense it was almost painful. She tried to be quiet, but her soft gasps filled his ears and hardened him to the point where he thought it would snap.

She found release at last, crying out softly, her body shuddering visibly and Sasuke could only sit there while watching and listening as she sighed and fell back into the hammock. Long after her body had stilled and her breathing had evened out, he still sat there, unable to move and barely able to breath.

His body was in pain, but he refused to relieve himself after seeing what Hinata was capable of. He wanted her and nothing else would do.

But he could not have her, and he knew it as he finally lay back in his hammock. He wanted to burn Kiba to a crisp and throttle him and he focused on that… having his hand around Kiba's throat, but instead he imagined the soft skin beneath Hinata's nightgown.

Growling in frustration, he ran his hand through his hair, tugging until it was almost painful, and prayed for mercy.

"Kami," he whispered. "Put me out of my misery."

Well folks, I just wrote this in a single sitting and everywhere hurt. My fingers, wrists, shoulders neck, back, the works. I'm now going to relax and read some fics. I hope you liked the chapter though, it was fun torturing Sasuke.

If you have not read Hinata the Vamp or Hina hime please do.

Until next update…

Ja ne!

Please review, I love it when you do!