Summary: A series of violent rapes and murders targeting long, dark haired, young women have caught the attention of the Hokage. Her plan? Use a qualified, long, dark haired kunoichi as bait. The only one that fits the criteria? Hinata. NaruHina.

Warning: Rated M. Contains violence, rape, cursing, sex and murder.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything associated with it. That belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. (However I believe I have a claim to the idea I wrote about).

White Kunai

Chapter 3- Beginnings

It was starting to get dark and Hinata found herself at Naruto's house. He had recently inherited his parents old home, full with their furniture and pictures hanging on the wall. Sometimes she would find him staring at them sadly but he would always try to put on a smile. Right now he seemed upset and was uncharacteristically silent.

"Naruto-kun is anything wrong?" Hinata asked him, shutting the front door behind her. The said ninja kicked off his shoes angrily and stomped away into the living room. Hinata followed him quietly, slipping off her shoes. "Is this-is this because I fainted?"

He turned around to face her and looked at her in confusion. "What? No Hinata, no," he rubbed his eyes with his fingers and plopped down onto the couch. "I just-" he sighed and looked at her sadly. He gestured for her to sit down and she did, though a tad bit nervously. She was scared. He sighed. "Hinata, I'm not mad at you, ya know?" she bit her lip and he found himself staring at her mouth. He found himself doing that more and more often now he realized. He looked away. No. Bad Naruto. Don't treat Hinata like simple eye candy. Don't become like Jiraiya.

"What's wrong then?"

"How can you even ask that?" he exclaimed. "We're going on a mission to see if some pervert will come and rape you! I'm not sure how that makes you feel but it makes me really, really angry! I mean...I know you're a ninja and all but this whole situation just makes me feel so uncomfortable! Things always go wrong on missions. On any type of mission, whether it be delivering a message or protecting someone or whatever and this time could be no different. It could be worse! I don't know, Hinata. I'm worried!"

"It's going to be fine."

"You don't know that."

"I'm not afraid Naruto-kun," she continued, turning to face him. He looked upset, and inside she felt pleased that he cared so much. "You're going to be there and Ino won't be far off. She'll be ready to heal us in case things go wrong. It'll be fine."

"'Fine' like that mission you had like half a year ago?" Naruto frowned at the thought.

A year ago Hinata and her teammates were assigned on a mission to the very village they were heading to now. It wasn't supposed to be a very difficult mission. They were to be out of the Hidden Leaf for a week, max. It was a simple escorting mission. Sora, the Village of Ash's leader, had asked for a group of ninja to escort his daughter Mizuki and his son Yoru to and back from a distant village. From what she remembered the daughter Mizuki had beautiful, dark long hair similar to her own and the son was quite handsome too. Hinata smiled to herself fondly. They were a nice pair of siblings, sweet and helpful and not at all pampered.

"What're you thinking about?" Naruto asked, gazing at the smile adorning her face. He was bewildered that she could be happy at the thought of the things that happened.

"That mission."

"Why're you smiling then?" he asked, his grief fading and unable to hold in a small laugh.

"The mission wasn't all that bad," she said smiling. She contemplated whether or not she should say something she really wanted to say. More to see his reaction than anything. "The son was quite nice to me." Naruto stopped laughing and frowned. "The daughter was sweet too." Still, Naruto continued to frown.

"Tell me about this son," Naruto insisted, leaning towards her.

Hinata pushed him back gently, laughing softly. "I thought you knew this story."

"Only the part where you, Kiba, Akamaru, Shino, and the siblings get attacked by some…bandits was it?"

"Not bandits, no," Hinata said removing her hands from his chest. She didn't realize she left them there. The loss of heat disappointed Naruto. "Actually I guess they could be considered bandits. They wanted to kidnap Mizuki or Yoru, preferably both. They somehow knew they were the children of some rich leader."

"So what happened?" Naruto asked shifting closer to Hinata.

"We told the siblings to stay behind us but things went wrong quick when the bandits got a hold of Mizuki. Yoru was very protective of his younger sister. I think he was maybe our age and she was probably a year or two younger. But anyway a pair of bandits were trying to escape with the girl and Yoru tried to follow. Things took a dark turn right after. It was out of control. It was dark and without my byakugan, Kiba-kun's heightened senses, and Shino-kun's bugs we would have been blind. Yoru practically was in the lack of light but he felt his sisters' grip get torn from his hand and he ran blindly into the fight. I jumped in to protect him and…it was too much. I was overwhelmed. I was weak."

Naruto gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. "You are not weak, Hinata." Images of her trying to shield him during the war and protect him from Pain flashed through his mind. "I'm sure you guys were tired and the chaos was enough to mess with any ninja."

Hinata gave him a weak smile and he settled her against his chest, one arm wrapped securely around her shoulders. "Thank you, Naruto-kun."

He looked down at her fondly, but she was fiddling with the fabric of his jacket. "What happened next?" he asked a bit stiffly, already knowing what occurs.

"Well one thing led to another and…well...I got wounded. A kunai made it past me and scratched poor Yoru's cheek, cutting through his right eye and up to his forehead. I'm sure it left a scar. I blame myself for it. If I didn't let myself get hit by those shuriken…"

"It all worked out in the end though."

"Akamaru had to carry me bleeding and bruised to the nearest village. Yoru was left with a scar. Mizuki cringes each time she sees him. It reminds her of the ordeal she went through. I'm sure…I'm sure by the time Kiba-kun got to her…some of the bandits had their way with her. Her clothes were ripped and there was blood where there shouldn't have been."

Naruto tightened his grip and wrapped his other arm around her, effectively pulling the Hyuga into a hug. He couldn't help but think about their upcoming mission.

"Odd thing was," she mumbled near his shoulder, "when I was struck down I had these weird visions. Visions of Yoru and Mizuki. They were younger and were playing together. He helped her tie her kimono. She was crying when she learned she had to get married to some stranger. I still have no idea what that was about." Naruto didn't know what to say so he just ran his fingers through her hair in an attempt to comfort her. "Well that's not important anymore," she said slowly wrapping her arms around him. "We have other pressing matters to deal with now. Thanks for listening to my rant Naruto-kun."

"That's the most you've said in a while," Naruto said chuckling. Hinata laughed and pulled away. "No don't!" Naruto said pleadingly. She stopped laughing and tilted her face in confusion. Naruto pouted. "Uh, well it's cold. Don't push away," Hinata blushed as he slowly extended his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. The moment was ruined when she heard his stomach rumble. Naruto groaned. Why now?

Hinata giggled and got off the couch. "What're you hungry for Naruto-kun?"

You. Naruto's eyes widened. Where the hell did that come from? "Just tea is fine Hinata, thanks!" he croaked.

"Are you getting a cold?" Hinata called as she made her way to the kitchen. "Your voice sounded hoarse just now."

"No," Naruto coughed. What is wrong with me. "I'm fine." Control yourself.

It's because you like her. Kurama said in his mind.

Naruto rolled his eyes. Well obviously. Even I'm not that dense.

Kurama chuckled.

Well not that dense anymore! Naruto defended.

Shut up kit, I'm trying to help. It's been two years. Make a move.

Actually I guess it's been…twelve, thirteen, fourteen…eighteen…oh my god, it's been seven years since I've known her.

You really are an idiot. You've known her longer than that. But forget it. Just kiss her.

I'm taking advice from a fox.

A fox that has been around for a while. Now shut up and kiss her.

I can't just kiss her!

Why not? She likes you. She loves you. And you…?

I don't want to talk about it.

You care for her.

Yes.

Suddenly he felt Kurama retreat once again in his mind. I guess that damn fox got his point across? Naruto pondered about what he said before the clinking of mugs in the kitchen drew his attention.

He walked to the table where Hinata was pouring a hot, brown liquid of something she called chai into two mugs in front of her. "Careful, it's hot," she said, watching him reach for his orange mug. She wrapped her fingers around her purple one and blew softly. Sometimes she pondered at the thought that they lived like a married couple. She never stayed the night, no, but Naruto kept a special mug just for her, which she appreciated. It made her giddy at the thought. She would cook for him on occasion. After all she couldn't have him just eat ramen all day. That's not healthy! She would come by and help him around the house. It all seemed like natural things to do.

Naruto watched her as he held the mug close to his lips. She seemed to be thinking about something. She took careful sips and sighed happily. This made the Jinchuuriki smile. Their eyes met and she beamed. "How is it?"

"How's what?" he asked, tearing his eyes away from her mouth.

"The tea," she said with a laugh.

"Too hot to tell."

She frowned and it wasn't because of the chai. "We leave tomorrow. Ino and I finished shopping for some clothes today and we really won't be needing much."

"This is one of the only times I'm not happy to be sent out on a mission."

"You don't have to come," Hinata said, looking at him. "I'm sure Tsunade would assign someone else to the team. Kiba-kun or Shino-kun or maybe even Shika-"

"You know that's not what I mean Hinata." The young woman was silent. "I don't want you to go. Or Ino for that matter. But…I really especially don't want you to be put in that situation." He looked away, brows furrowed, millions of different situations that could occur played out in his head, each worse than the one before. He knew she was strong but he couldn't help worrying.

Hinata reached out and placed her hand over his gently. He looked at her. She was smiling a big smile, eyes crinkled.

It was fake.

She was scared too.

If ninjas stronger than her couldn't do it, how could she?

Different plan, she understood, but she still doubted herself.

What if something went wrong?

Naruto turned his hand and gripped hers tight.

Her smile vanished but happy thoughts filled her head. Feeling his hand in her own reminded her of the first time he held her hand during the war.

He placed his tea down on the counter and removed hers from her grip too.

He pulled her closer to him and gently cupped her face, her hair shifting and softly caressing his fingers.

"Hinata, I don't want to lose you," he whispered.

Hinata smiled a genuine smile, a soft pink enhancing her cheeks. "Thank you, Naruto-kun." She looked down but, using his other hand, he gently lifted her head by placing a finger under her chin.

"No, thank you, Hinata."

Then he leaned down and kissed her.

Memories flooded through his mind. Proud failure. He kissed her gently. Her confession. He held her softly as though she would disappear. Her attempt to shield him with her own body. His hands trailed down her back and he pressed against her tightly. Her literally slapping sense into him. He smiled against the kisses.

Hinata was in shock at first but easily melted into the kisses. She had waited for this for so long. Her arms automatically wrapped around his neck. She was nervous and inexperienced but she felt comfortable and safe as she felt his body press against hers. She flushed. His kisses were soft and tender and she felt him smile. This made her smile.

They pulled away, breathing heavily and grinning broadly. She was sure they looked like idiots. She let out a weak laugh and he chuckled, brushing hair away from her face. "I waited long enough didn't I?" he asked jokingly.

"Maybe," she said teasingly.

"Better make up for it," he said before engulfing her lips with his again.

The once tender kisses became desperate. Thoughts of the dreadful mission found ways to invade his mind. He saw Hinata in the hands of some white clothed man. Naruto had pushed Hinata against the wall. He saw her fighting but failing against the attacker. Naruto pressed himself against her like a second skin. He saw the attacker ripping apart her clothes. Naruto gripped her waist tightly. He heard her scream in pain. Hinata gasped as Naruto moved his lips to her neck. He saw her cry. Naruto tore his lips away and buried his face in her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her.

"Hinata," he said with a shuddering breath. "I don't want to lose you," he muttered. "I can't lose you."

Hinata didn't question the change of events. She allowed him to whisper his fears in her ear as she gently rubbed his back. "You won't lose me," she murmured, kissing his cheek softly. "You won't lose me."

He walked her to the Hyuga Compound later that night. He was acting more protective than normal and she blushed at the thought of their…kissing. He was holding her hand and as they reached her house he gave her a soft, fleeting kiss.

"Sorry about before," he said in shame.

"Don't be," Hinata assured him. "I'm happy."

He smiled and watched her walk into the compound, leaving when he knew she was safe.

Both had trouble sleeping that night.

Well I had to throw in some NaruHina but this isn't just a fluff chapter, promise. I don't think I moved them too quick into this relationship considering it's already been two years after the war and they have spent time together before, off-screen (in this case off-story), but feel free to tell me what you think. The White Kunai Killer will make an appearance in the next chapter.

Thanks!

-Magma E.

Shoutout to anonymous reviewer jess for that amazing deduction! It made me smile, thank you so much!

Answering the question for the anonymous reviewer Guest: I didn't make her wear contacts in case it would be an anachronism. I know people wear glasses in the show/manga but I don't think I remember them ever mentioning contacts.

Up Next: Preparations

"She felt a sharp pain and her back arched up as she felt something fill her. His groans were muffled and she felt spurts of pleasure and that made it worse. She wanted to scream and yell and tell him to stop but her body was spent."