Okay, before we continue, I know that some of the readers are confused about the boys. I have an easy trick that you can use to remember them: SKSKS.
Sasuke
Kiba
Shikamaru
Kabuto
Sai
NOT IN THAT ORDER.
I hope I didn't disappoint any of you with the boys. It's just that, I've already written a NaruHina, and there are already so many NaruHina fics out there… I just wanted to explore other couplings. Okay, I admit, SasuHina is common, but I just couldn't resist writing about a pouty, spoiled Sasuke. I've already written an emo, revenge-FTW Sasuke in Evanescent and Enduring. Also, is it so hard to have a kinder, more loving Kabuto? (I'm about to find out!)
And Sai. (Sigh.) For some reason, I can't enjoy any SaiHina fics. Idk, maybe because Sai isn't very popular with me, but I do want to see if I can write him. Plus, SaiHina is rare as a couple too.
Shikamaru, obviously, is AWESOME! That's why he's here.
And Kiba.
Kiba.
Kiba, Kiba, Kiba. I just like that he's rough and feral and wild, and it's just gonna be so cool to have him tamed (for once).
I hope you'll continue to read!
The Hand of Lady Hyuga
Chapter Nine
The Lady Yuhi was breathtakingly beautiful that evening, her red eyes softer in the lantern light and her hair tinting warm under the moon. In sooth, the Lady Hyuga may be a tad biased in that regard, but no one would dare say that the Lady Yuhi was not stunning that night. She wore a robe so red and interlaced with so many golden threads that she could have rivalled the empress herself if she were to coquettishly hide behind a rose bush, sneaking flirtatious and daring looks at every passing man – a little wink and she would have surely sent Prince Asuma into a jealous frenzy… not that it required much to send him into a murdering rage when his fiancée was so beautiful and men were always eyeing her discreetly.
(They eye her discreetly for it would be dishonourable and ill-mannered to eye openly.)
Which was why the Imperial Prince Asuma had thanked the Great Goddess the moment the Lady Hyuga had stepped into the Imperial Gardens. With the Lady Hyuga present to divert some, if not most, of the eyes from his pretty fiancé, he did not have to worry about some scoundrel sneaking close to his future bride, hoping to be her "other man" – her master (1) – after her marriage to him. Except, of course, for the Second Lord Consort Senju.
Of course.
"My beloved Lady Yuhi," Lord Jiraiya grinned, playfully lecherous. "I do say, you look simply ravishing tonight."
A few of the ladies twittered. Most of the ladies glared at the insult. There were very few who hadn't heard of Lord Jiraiya's… talents in the bedchamber, and even less had not laid witness to his stamina. He was, after all, one the Legendary Sannin. It was safe to admit that many envied the Lady Senju most heatedly and with sighs of disappointment. They would have loved to play with Lord Jiraiya all night… every night…
Even from afar, with her kekkei genkai slumbering, the Lady Hyuga could see the disgust and frustration roll off from her sensei's person like a stone disturbing the surface of a still pond. But even if that were so, the Lady Yuhi dared not to insult the man who had so caustically and ungracefully broke into her personal space, for he was the Second Lord Consort of the Senju Clan, a clan more powerful than hers.
The Imperial Prince Asuma made to break from his elder brother's side to defend his right when he caught a ghostly figure from the corner of his eye. A shimmer of the moonlight reflected from the waters and the Crown Imperial Prince Akinori held his brother by his elbow, a touch to hold still, to lie in wait… for a good show soon to come…
"You know…" Lord Jiraiya murmured most enticingly, enough to make the Lady Yuhi cringe at the alcohol on his breath, "if you ever tired of the young (and inexperienced) prince, maybe you and I could… you know…" And he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
The Lady Yuhi was so insulted that she nearly, and certainly it would be within her right to, raised her hand on the man and demand respect. But surely she would have insulted the Lady Senju. But surely she would have spoiled the Imperial soiree. But surely she would have divided the Court on the matter. But surely… but surely… The Lady Yuhi smiled at her nearing student.
But surely it did not matter because the Lady Hyuga was coming.
The Second Lord Consort Senju was taken aback by the Lady Yuhi's smirk and cool expression, as if she was about to get the better of him. Sensing something amiss, for all the other ladies and lords had gone silent, their eyes soft and glowing, sharp with anticipation, and Lord Jiraiya took a tentative step back from the Imperial Prince's fiancée. And it was strange, he noted, how Prince Asuma wasn't suddenly at his side, threatening to gut him. It was strange indeed…
Lord Jiraiya shrugged it off, and boasted, "Come, Lady Yuhi, let me show you the true secrets of the night… Let me… kiss you good night…"
He leaned in.
The Lady Yuhi raised an amused brow.
He smirked.
"Lord Jiraiya," the Lady Hyuga's voice sounded like ringing wind chimes in the night, a soft tinkling that had the effect of the Imperial gong in midst of all this tension and expectation.
The Imperial Garden was not disappointed in the least, especially entertained when the Second Lord Consort Senju jumped back from the Lady Yuhi as if he had been caught on fire. In many ways, he had been caught… caught red-handed in an action most dishonourable and demeaning, and certainly insulting to both the Yuhi Clan and the Senju. And all the Second Lord Consort Senju could do, was blink owlishly at the white figure coming to settle peaceably by the Lady Yuhi's side, feather-like and steel-strength.
"It is exceptionally pleasant to see you in such high spirits tonight," the Lady Hyuga smoothed over Lord Jiraiya's offense with that kind tone of hers, gentle… and reprimanding to a Hellish degree. "How is the Lady Senju? I have yet to see her all evening."
She had yet to see the Lady Senju because the Lady Senju was currently occupied in the corner reserved for gambling. They all knew it, but the Second Lord Consort Senju was hesitant to say so. Gambling was an uncouth and unsuitable hobby to partake in, and Lord Jiraiya was momentarily thrown from his normally charismatic persona. It had been, after all, years since he had last laid eyes on the now Lady Hyuga, and he marvelled at the difference. In those years she had certainly blossomed, and certainly made him speechless with that wisdom and knowing in her eyes. Truth be told, he did respect her for her strength and her role in the Ten Years War.
The Second Lord Consort Senju knew when he was beat.
And he was beat.
He chuckled, running a roughshod hand through his unruly white hair. He admitted defeat in that one gesture, a sign of his retreat. "My Lady Hyuga, you do tease me so. Whatever happened to that young girl so shy and bashful?"
Hinata smiled, eyes carefully concealed and words well thought out. "She had to grow up."
And so they all had to, and Lord Jiraiya was surprised by her honesty, by her unmasked answer, by the wisdom in her words. Other women would have felt the need to tease him, to trick him, to divert his attention elsewhere, but the Lady Hyuga did not. She did not bother to conceal herself, did not bother to lie, did not bother to make herself something less than what she was. She was truthful and honourable, characteristics so hard to find in young women nowadays that he had forgotten what a true Lady was.
She could be the empress if she so wanted. It was a shocking revelation.
Suddenly very sober and sombre, the Second Lord Consort Senju acknowledged the Lady Hyuga, impressed by her decency. War made them grow up. War hardened the last generation. War gave them armour and a mask to wear. War made the Lady Hyuga hardier and better than her peers, than those before her, and the Second Lord Consort Senju acknowledged, and respected, that – her.
"Perhaps…" the Second Lord Consort Senju suddenly spoke, suddenly remembering, "you would like to meet my godson?"
The Hyuga Triple Threat tensed, a move unnoticed to all eyes save for their mistress and the Second Lord Consort Senju.
"Oh?" the Lady Hyuga sounded politely curious.
The Lady Yuhi frowned most visibly, and Lord Jiraiya almost laughed. The Yuhi hoped to thwart him, and he found it most amusing.
"Yes," the Second Lord Consort Senju answered the Lady Hyuga with a nod. "He is the heir of the Uzumaki Clan, Lord Naruto. He is a powerful jinchiruki – the Kyubi, and an accomplished… jonin." His eyes sparkled in a way that suggested that his godson was perhaps more than just a jonin. "He remains the Uzumaki heir until he… marries. He would be an asset to any clan, seeing as his father, the Lord Consort Uzumaki, hails from our clan, the Senju."
The Lady Hyuga smiled civilly and knew that she could not avoid meeting this… Lord Naruto if it were a direct request from the Second Lord Consort Senju himself. She would not do the Senju discourtesy by refusing to meet one of their kin, and would not insult the Uzumaki by ignoring their heir. She almost sighed at this well-devised scheme. She had just brushed aside dozens of Clan leaders and their marriageable sons, hoping to have a moment with her sensei… only to be cornered by a lecherous man and his godson.
The considerate smile remained on her face as she acquiesced to the Second Lord Consort Senju's idea, who smiled, liking her courage and impeccable manners. She would remember her manners even at the most direst of times, even at the most ill-timed of times, even at moments where she wanted to flee instead. He admired her self-control and discipline.
"I'll just go find him them, shall I?" Lord Jiraiya enquired, but it wasn't really a question.
"I will be waiting, Lord Jiraiya," the Lady Hyuga affirmed with a kind nod.
The Second Lord Consort Senju bowed, suddenly remembering what chivalry was, and then forged ahead in search of his godson. It wasn't until he was firmly gone did the Lady Yuhi take the Lady Hyuga by the arm and lead her forward to admire the pond. It was a subtle gesture, a well-timed gesture, that took them both (including the ever-watchful and vigilant Triple Threat) away from the crowd, but certainly not from prying eyes.
"You look lovely tonight," Kurenai told her student, a little rough at the edge due to their earlier encountered, a little disgruntled at the thought that the lecherous old man was to return… with his godson of all people!
Hinata blushed. She suddenly felt like that little girl again when beside her most lovely and most beautiful sensei. She could hardly be anything warm when her sensei was by her side, reassuring, comforting, encouraging. She smiled and spoke softly, "I am not nearly as lovely as you tonight, sensei."
Kurenai's eyes twinkled like red stars, patting Hinata's hand affectionately; the Triple Threat and the Lady Yuhi's Imperial maids falling a few respectful steps behind the two beautiful women. But that was not true. By their eyes, and the eyes of the whispering observers watching them from afar, one was a beautiful woman, in full bloom, and the other a young, budding girl… so lovely, so promising… so illuminating that she would surely steal their souls once she was to reach true womanhood.
The pair paused on a bridge overseeing the Koi in the pond, the lotuses and lily pads bobbing from the motions of the fish and wind. With the moon and lanterns, the Koi appeared like silver gems sliding through the water, and Hinata admired them, her gaze yielding and luminescent. The admiring sighs of their audience did not go unnoticed by Kurenai, or the Triple Threat – Neji almost glaring at the barbaric men who dared to stare so blatantly at his mistress. Clearly they were without manners!
"Hinata," Kurenai spoke quietly, so miniscule and so unobtrusive that her lips barely moved.
No one was to hear them. No one was to read their lips. No one was to be privy to their thoughts.
"Hai, sensei," Hinata responded, her mouth remaining a firm flat line, her attention seemingly still on the Koi.
"You mustn't grow fond of the Uzumaki heir," Kurenai counselled.
"I understand, sensei." And she did. She understood more than Kurenai could ever know.
Balance rested on the Hyuga now.
It rested on her now.
She straightened when she heard footsteps drawing near, two sets of them. One set she recognized as the Second Lord Consort Senju's, and the second was of someone more rash and energetic – a certain enthusiastic skip to their heels. Lord Jiraiya did not mask himself, nor should he in midst of the Imperial Court and wanting the approval of the Lady Hyuga, and neither did the one following him, not even to restrain the noise of his boots and the laughter in his toes.
With care and a gracefulness many women and men envied and admired at equal terms, the Lady Hyuga turned with the Lady Yuhi to face the men, two beautiful flowers – one a full rose and the other a peony bud – that nearly stopped the men in their places. Indeed, there was a slight twitch to the Second Lord Consort Senju's hand upon meeting, first, the red eyes and then, second, the white ones.
They were a force to be reckoned with.
An impenetrable wall if the empress were to be at their side.
"Lady Hyuga." The Second Lord Consort Senju bowed, calm and refined, such a contrast to his day-to-day self that many ladies hid their surprise behind their pretty, pretty fans. "Lady Yuhi." He bowed again. "May I introduce my godson, heir of the Uzumaki Clan, Naruto Uzumaki."
The Lady Hyuga politely slid her gaze to the bright and beautiful blonde at the Second Lord Consort Senju's side, and nearly faltered at the blue in his eyes and the spark in his wide, open grin. Something within her chimed at the sight of his thick, unruly golden locks and the rich, tanned complexion of his face – of the whimsical and delightful whiskers marked along his cheeks. She had seen taller men, but his height mattered not for he seemed to tower the garden with his warmth and candidness alone. He was not stocky either, but rather muscled and ripe. He was just seasoned enough to pluck, just firm enough to touch, just sweet enough to taste…
The Lady Hyuga closed her eyes from the sight, slow and controlled.
He was magnificent, but she recognized her error at once.
This was lust.
When at last she opened her eyes again, her… disturbing stirrings set aside as efficiently and effectively as Airi, the Main House housekeeper, would snuff out the last candle, the Lady Hyuga was once again impeccable and composed. She ignored Lord Jiraiya's knowing look, that teasing and pleased glint in his leering gaze, and directed a careful and restricted smile to Lord Naruto.
"Lord Naruto," the Lady Hyuga acknowledged benevolently. "The sun shines bright."
Silence.
Complete silence.
The whole Imperial Gardens stood stock still as Lord Naruto stood, equally, stock still. The Lady Hyuga was momentarily perplexed by his silence and his lack of greeting, even more puzzled (as were the Triple Threat) by the shock so apparent on the faces of those observing their party. She could have sworn she could have heard a cricket in the far distance, could have sworn that this blonde and fit man would be quite loud. His footsteps had told of his barely restrained energy.
"Wow…" Lord Naruto gaped, his blue eyes turning to glittering sapphires, a beautiful spectacle where Hinata had to blink again to avoid from falling or reaching out to him. "WOW!"
The Lady Hyuga nearly startled at his sudden burst of enthusiasm; Neji certainly frowned at the horrible display of self-control.
"You're the Lady Hyuga!" Lord Naruto sounded both enthusiastically and loudly… very loudly.
Hinata was just about to acknowledge his observation when he was sudden in front of her, his nose nearly touching hers and eyes so close that she felt herself beginning to drown. His breath, warm and full, brushed against her cheeks and she could feel herself warm and grow weak.
Neji gurgled, visibly, in the background.
"You're beautiful!" Lord Naruto announced, almost breathless and falling himself.
"Naruto!" Lord Jiraiya exclaimed, pulling his godson back by the collar of his orange and sun-yellow kimono.
Hinata felt her breath come back to her once the Uzumaki was a few steps back from her presence. She hadn't even seen him move. Either he was fast, or she had been too distracted. And she was ashamed to admit that there was certainly… a lot to be distracted by.
"Discipline, Naruto," Lord Jiraiya whispered loudly, upset by his godson's lack of decorum.
He truly wished for the Lady Hyuga's approval of Lord Naruto, Hinata realized, truly wished for the Hyuga to approve of Lord Naruto. She noted this, and nearly blushed when Lord Jiraiya raised a knowing brow in her direction. He understood the Lady Hyuga's sudden acceleration of heartbeat, and no doubt others would notice this as well.
She took a long, even breath, strict and restricting, and forced her body to level back to the calm Hyuga she was. She had to remind herself.
He was courting Lady Sakura.
Only an improper man would dare court any woman.
"Lord Naruto." The Lady Yuhi felt right to interrupt then. "It is wonderful to see you in such high spirits."
"Are you kidding me?" Naruto exclaimed excitedly. "It's the Lady Hyuga!"
Hinata would have certainly let her cheeks stain red at his eagerness and interest, but she had become sensible once again. He, like she, was only eager and interested because they did not know each other well save for appearances. He was a lovely creature of the male kind, and she knew that she had everything a man of any stature would want: status, riches untold and a name that could fell mountains at the slightest slip of the tongue.
Beauty was of little consequence, for Hinata knew that she was not beautiful like the rest of her kin.
At best, she was passing.
Straightening her spine, lowering her shoulders and lifting her chin, Hinata conjured the Hyuga mask of infinite patience and ever-enduring politeness, of the unending strength of a single blade of grass bending in the fierce wind, and prepared herself for small talk.
Small talk.
And knowing how devious and excited Lord Jiraiya was at his godson's keenness in her and her earlier shameful lapse of composure at the sight of him, he was going to cause much grief (in particular for Neji), mischief (much to Tenten's amusement) and embarrassment (to Lee's horror and sympathy).
By the end of the evening, Lady Kurenai would make it her life's mission to smite the Second Lord Consort Senju upon her crowning of becoming an Imperial Princess.
Lord Jiraiya would not be cowed.
xxx
Kiba took a long, deep breath of the night's air, letting the summer's breeze fill his lungs and stomach to the brim before exhaling in a short, vindictive huff, disappointed and spiteful. Even the air in the Capital was uncooperative; he wanted the biting chill of the country to sharpen his senses and bring him to attention. He had drunken too much sake and vodka that night, and no doubt that he would drink even more for the rest of it. He knew he would regret it in the morning.
But tonight.
Tonight…
It had seemed like the right thing to do, what with those women creeping so damn near him and watching him so damn close. Once or twice, a well-manicured hand had brushed against his arm, thigh … and even lower and more intimate than he cared to recall. So he had drunk to distract himself, to hide himself, to make it seem like he was more preoccupied than he really was…
Too preoccupied to be pulled into anyone's bed.
He rolled the port in his hand, the dark and full poison scenting sharp and deadly in the small glass. He paid it no heed, leaning against the banister and looking out into the secluded pond, the weeping willows sighing in the wind. It was fortunate that he had found the opportunity to slip away from the party, stalking off into a quieter and more private courtyard, darker and calmer and safer.
For the most part, he had kept to Shino. Shino was always reliable and they had grown up together, a sort of childhood friends that strained over the years due to Shino being so prim and proper, and Kiba being so… wild and… loose.
Kiba tsked at his thoughts and sighed, a linger of shame warming his cheeks.
During his teens, Kiba had been a tad… promiscuous. He had never been a small boy, all muscle from his training, and all stamina from his breeding. He, like the rest of the Inuzuka Clan, was untameable – feral and daring and challenging. Many ladies – young and old – had found him irresistible, and him, being so young and untried and so very, very eager, had not refused any of them (except for those who were butt fugly and old). They welcomed him into their beds, and he gladly (and so unsophisticated like an unborn pup) devilled into their arms of dark allure and heady seduction.
He had spent years in such play of twisted sheets and bloody kisses, and needless to say, he had come out worn, tired and empty. His mother and sister had said nothing, but they knew of his mating from the mixed scents on his skin, and the delirium in his eyes after a long night out. And he hadn't thought there was anything wrong in it, until Shino…
Shino.
Kiba took a sip of the port, shuddering at the bitter alcohol rolling down his throat. It felt good – made him alive.
It had been Shino who told him that he must stop. Not only had he been neglecting his friends, but he had also neglected his training. With the Ten Years War, many women and men had found convenient beds to stave off the darkness and the deaths, and Kiba had been no different, only that he enjoyed it a lot more at the beginning, and then found it cold and bitter in the end.
Shino had told him that he must no longer be a boy, but a man, no longer play, but be serious, for they had to mature a lot quicker than their predecessors in order to survive and protect those they loved. The threat of a Kumo victory had been startling real at the time, and he hadn't understood it until that night…
Akamaru touched his cold nose to Kiba's elbow when he felt his master's dejection. Kiba smiled ruefully and patted his partner on the head, his memories spinning back to that night.
That night…
When he had been out tussling with a woman, he hadn't known that he Kumo spies would attack the Inuzuka Compound. Many of his clan had been slain that night and sister had been injured enough to send her into a coma. It had been such a startling wakeup call that morning when he had returned to find his home in shambles, and his family torn – his sister near her deathbed.
He should have been home instead of trysting with a young maid. He should have been with his family when they had been attacked. His mother should have skinned him for being out instead of being relieved to see him unharmed… for if his sister had died, there must still be an heir.
He could have been the Inuzuka heir.
And when Shino had found him later, raw and choking, Kiba had confessed that he felt so helpless. They knew, as boys, that a part of their helplessness was because they were, undoubtedly, boys. Boys were quicker to cave to their vices, quicker to weaken at the sight of a pale thigh and red lips, quicker to fall because they were not yet strong enough to control their tempers and bodies.
Men, too, were quicker to fall than women. Boys were quicker than that.
So Kiba had to become a man, even if he were not to be heir. He had to become stronger and responsible. He had to have more control and power. He had to know his weaknesses and cut them out.
He had to be someone befitting the Inuzuka name.
Which was why he had slipped away from the party so early, away from the numbing alcohol and coquet fluttering eyes of the passing noble ladies. He had to leave from Shino's side, for although Shino and his kikaichu were quite effective in fending off the ladies from him, he could not possibly submit Shino to such plays as flirtatious winks and pinching ass cheeks.
For although Kiba had strived to be a man over the years, he was still… a little bit of him… a boy.
He still sighed when Ino kissed him, and still groaned when Anko bit him.
He still felt empty in the morning.
"Damn," he whispered, the harshness he wanted to inject into his curse faded halfway from shame alone.
Shame.
Shame that he was still as lost as the first night he lost his virginity.
Was there no woman who could truly tame him?
"Why, hello, Kiba." A slippery female slithered out from the eaves and into the pale moonlight, her violet eyes glittering like sharp amethysts. "I was looking for you, boy."
Kiba's body shuddered at her suggestive purr, and he downed the port for courage. He could resist her, but not for long, not with her hypnotic abilities and her oh-so-delightful hands, hands that knew no boundaries and knew how to hurt so exquisitely that it became pure and unadulterated pleasure.
Akamaru stepped behind Kiba, a low growl in his throat. He, too, disliked the female, but he could not attack her when his master went so willingly to her so many times and so quietly without protest. One of these days, he waited, his master would not go.
Kiba stood from the banister and turned his body to face her, calm and composed. He must resist her tonight, for he had still yet to give his pleasantries to the Lady Hyuga. His mother and Lord Shibi planned for the Tracking Alliance to meet at the end of the soiree, in front of the whole Imperial Court as a symbolic gesture to solidify their relationship and to end the night with a resonance.
He would be an idiot to mar his mother's plans.
She had so few of them to begin with.
Kiba smirked at his own little joke.
"Happy to see me?" the woman asked, moving forward.
The high slit in her kimono showed her pale, smooth thigh and Kiba swallowed uncomfortably.
"No," he said, his tone holding even and strong. "Anko. Leave me alone."
"Oh?" The Lady Mitarashi perked a playful brow. "You don't want to visit me tonight."
Kiba scowled, feeling his determination waver when one side of her kimono slipped and revealed an alluring shoulder. Usually, he was quite good at exerting his clan's authority over her and pushing her away, but… blasted alcohol! He should not have finished the port.
"No," Kiba repeated, more firmly, even as she raised her slender fingers to his cheeks.
He shivered at her touch.
Damn port!
"L-Let g-go," Kiba stumbled, feeling heat rise in his body. "D-Don't touch me."
"You don't mean that, Kiba…" Anko hummed, lips drawn to a wicked and seductive smile.
Kiba tried to look away. Truly he tried. He turned his face from her and accidentally caught her eyes in the pond's reflection. He feared that perhaps her genjutsu would catch him through the waters and tensed, only for her to press his face toward hers again. He hadn't a moment to think how idiotic he was, for a genjutsu could not be activated through a reflection, before he felt her viper-like chakra pull him in.
"St-Stop," he protested feebly.
"Come, Kiba," she breathed against his lips.
Her expert hands slithered down his chest, his breath heaving all at once, and he felt his resolve begin to break-
"Oh!" an elegant feminine gasp broke the spell, a sophisticated and innocent surprise that reminded Kiba that he must be a man and resist.
Immediately, he shoved Anko away from him, and looked to the newcomer.
He hoped she would not report this farce to his mother-
Akamaru whined and bowed his head.
Kiba felt all the blood drain from his body.
Even Anko stumbled at the sight of her.
"Did I interrupt something?" the Lady Hyuga enquired in that polite and endearing way of hers.
His mother was going to kill him.
For sure, this time.
xxx
(1) I wrote "master" because a man has a "mistress." So if the other woman is a "mistress," then I figured that the other man is a "master." I don't know if that would be the best sophisticated term for "boy toy," so if any of you have a better word, please provide!
the point