Another chapter just twenty-four hours later. WHAT! Thank you reviewers, i'll respond to your reviews in a few. Enjoy the chapter. This is not beta'd.
By mid-morning the next day, unseasonable cold temperatures had the Islanders dragging out wool pelisses and heavy coats. That the air remained dry was the day's only saving grace.
Naruto observed Lady Hinata from across his barouche. She looked good. Better than good if one admired silky skin, red lips that begged to be kissed and a figure than curved in and out in at the right places. He resented her; resented that a wave of lust all but assaulted him as soon as he laid eyes on her when he arrived to pick her up at her place of dwelling. And had yet to abate.
He could detect no yield in her spine as she sat, hands clasped tightly on her lap buried deeply in the voluminous folds of her skirts. She'd looked at him once, very briefly, and then proceeded to focus all her attention on trying not to look at him. She was certainly studying the interior with greater scrutiny than he had when he purchased it.
Naruto tapped the roof twice. The carriage immediately jolted in motion.
She looked at him, eyes wide as if startled that they were moving as conveyances often do.
"You are well?" he asked courteously.
Her mouth curved in a strained smile. "I suppose I am well given the circumstances."
He saw her chin quivered the barest little bit. Fright? Nerves? Perhaps a bit of both. Her hands had not been still since she'd taken her seat.
Lord above, he didn't want to incite fear in her. He wanted—wanted his life back to the way it was before he'd kissed her. But he wanted the memory of the kiss. He wanted to kiss her again. Hell, he wanted to do a bit more than that. But he couldn't have both.
"And you?" he looked up to see her staring at her face. For some reason she would not look him in the eyes. Her lavender pupil-less eyes were mesmerizing to him. If he hadn't known her whole clan were pupil-less, he would've thought she was blind.
Naruto wonder if she really cared or was simply being polite. He wondered how she'd react if he told her exactly where his thoughts lay. Hr decided to ignore her question and ask instead, "Lady Hinata, I imagined that if I was able to arrange things so that you could retain your reputation without us being force to wed, you would be relieved?"
Her answer should have been an immediate, But of course, my Prince. But that was not how she reacted. Her shoulders jumped and her eyes were now two enormous orbs in her sweet oval face.
She recovered quickly but had it been from shock or something else. Disappointment? He mulled over which reaction her preferred.
"But of course, my Prince." She replied.
Naruto forced a smile. Of course? Not the response a woman trapped in circumstances under which she had no control and she would gladly extricate herself from if she could.
"Although…" she continued, breaking him from his thoughts, "… I can't imagine how you would manage it. While I'm positive TenTen would never breathe a word to anyone, the councilwoman is another matter. I believe she is out to see me ruined."
She adjusted her fur coat, unbuttoning it all the way down to let out the uncomfortable hot air that rested within, completely opposite to the temperature outside. The action not missed by Naruto. "Why, have you figured a way out?" she inquired.
He shook his head negative, "No." Although he did have his god father working on something. But it would take a bit of time. Ten days to be exact.
She laughed but it was fragile and defeated. "Am I that bad of a prospect?"
Naruto swallowed hard and shifted in his seat. For a reason he couldn't fathom, he wanted to put a smile back on her perfect face. To see the same light, passion, had ignited in her eyes those moments in the garden.
"That's not it at all," he quickly corrected, "I'm sure there are more men than I could count who would be willing and proud to call you their wife." It was only after the words had left his mouth and they played within his ears that he realized his folly, well meaning though they were.
"But not you." she said, and looked up at him as if expecting an answer.
Her gaze struck him. Those eyes. Had he ever seen a colour like it? Lavender with specs of purple, no pupil visible. Beautiful. While he may not imagine seeing her as his wife, there are other position he'd enjoy seeing her in. His manhood grew hard, responding to his thoughts as if it had received a physical stroke.
"I don't know you well enough to say." His voice was graveled in large part because he couldn't control his reaction to her.
"That didn't prevent you from kissing me."
Naruto shook his head with a small chuckle, "Lady Hinata, if I was to wed every woman I kissed, I would have been a husband many times over." He would have been wed at the age of eleven or twelve, if memory serves him right.
A soft blush rose on her face and fell silent.
As passionate as her response to him had been, Naruto could clearly see she was innocent. A virgin. And virgins wanted everything proper: the courtship, the wedding and the bedding—everything in its rightful order.
If everything went as he expected it would, there would be no need for a marriage. Which meant there wouldn't be a bedding. His manhood twitched as if in protest. But if circumstances concluded they did have to wed, he wondered if she had any real comprehension as to what she is getting herself into. He was a man of healthy sexual appetites and in regard to her, his appetite had only grown. What would she say to being kept in bed for days, for that's how long it might take to sate his initial hunger for her.
"And you are quite certain you have no objection to marrying me?" He wasn't fishing for answers; more of a subtle warning.
She laughed and the sound caught him square in the gut. The word delightful came to mind.
"You ask as if you are some horrible ogre, which you are not."
Naruto sat back against the squab as a tried to decipher the puzzle that was Hinata Hyuga. She was forthright… to a point, but so naïve when it came to men. Which made her even more irresistible to him.
Had she indeed set out to trap him? He'd pondered that question all night. The part of him that wanted to shag her senseless was inclined to believe her. But the other part of him had long decided that most women couldn't be trusted.
If his god-father returned with the information Naruto needed, the plan could only work if Lady Hinata didn't sow the seeds of scandal herself. Given her recent response, he couldn't trust that she would.
What he needed was for her to find him less than desirous as a husband.
"You do realize that as your husband I will have certain rights?"
Finely and neatly arched brows met above the bridge of her nose. She appeared to puzzle over his question. Realization struck swiftly, her eyes going wide, her lips parting in a silent oh.
Naruto abandoned his seat and took the one next to her, which caused her to slide across the leather seat and practically hug the door.
"Watch that you do not tumble out the carriage," he said in mock warning, "Come closer, there is enough room for the both of us here. Remember, you would have to suffer me much closer."
Hinata eased from the door to turn her weary eyes on him. "I'm well aware of what will be required of me in marriage."
Naruto lifted a single brow at her, "Then tell me, please. I'm particularly interested as it relates to our marriage bed."
Hinata let out a gasp. A glance at him revealed even, white teeth between a crooked smile and hooded eyes. But he didn't appear the least bit amused. His direct stare demanded an answer.
"Pardon me?" she squeaked out.
"Was I faulty in my speech?"
Hinata was amazed that he could keep his expression deadpan.
"I would like you to tell me what it is you must do in the marriage bed."
His question was so beyond the realm of social acceptability when it came to conversations between an unmarried man and woman, Hinata would not be surprised if the gentleman's handbook didn't fall from the sky and smack him in the head.
"My Prince, I have no intention—"
"I hope you will not lie under me as stiff as a board," he cut her off, "I like my bed partners engaged and enthusiastic."
Hinata stared at him in mute horror. She'd admit to being only slightly aroused.
His mouth curved but it could not be considered a smile. He made a soft clicking sound with his tongue. "If I'm to be your husband, Lady Hinata, you best get accustomed to my frankness."
Before she could so much as utter a word, he closed the distance between them with a swiftness that transfixed her.
"You must also grow accustomed to my touch; to my kiss," he murmured, sharing a breath with her before he took her mouth in a kiss that stole the air out of her lungs.
Dizzying was the only way she can describe the touch of his lips on hers, the skillful way his tongue stroke hers. For several seconds she did nothing but feel while another kind of heat warmed her from the inside out.
The jacket that was unbuttoned but still held closely together was pulled apart by him, freeing him to stroke from the waist to just below her breast. Thoughts of stopping him came and then vanished on a wave of pleasure too intense to deny.
Dropping her head back against the squab, Hinata returned the kiss with a reckless abandonment that surprised her. With his facile tongue, he showed her how to use her tongue; he showed her how to use hers with the same devastating effect. She mimicked his slow thrust, their tongues entwined, sliding, stroking. He emitted a groan that sent a myriad of tremors through her body as he dragged her onto his lap.
His hand took another tortuous tour of her torso until it rested lightly beneath her aching breast. Her back bowed, her breast offered up to him like a sacrifice.
"Tell me what you want," he urged, breaking the kiss.
Even with lust fogging her senses, Hinata could not. She could never bring herself to be so bold.
At her pause, his hand traveled up to her left breast and stokes her hard nipple through the silk of her dress. Slowly pinching, and caressing it then groping her whole breast and massaging it softly.
"Yes…" she breathes out deeply, panting. The feeling was incredible. She never knew so much pleasure could be gain from just her breast.
He kissed that so sensitive place where her neck joined her shoulder. His lips went to explore her jaw, her chin, and her cheeks until he reached her bottom lip where he took her mouth in one last deep drugging kiss. Slowly, as if trying not to startle her, he set her from his lap, straightened her jacket and dress and took his place on the seat facing her.
"We have arrived." He said in a way of explanation, completely unaffected by the short bout of passion they just shared. Or at least outwardly he was.
Hinata immediately pushed aside the curtain of the window closest and saw they had arrived back at her residence. She couldn't even remember if they'd actually gone to the park. But yet, here they were.
Naruto did not deal well with thwarted desires. But as he hadn't been about to take Hinata in the carriage, that was precisely the state he found himself in when they returned to the house. A footman met them at the door. In silence, they followed the footman into the foyer.
He turned to her. She had taken an inordinate interest in the marble floors, unable or unwilling—he wasn't sure which—to meet his gaze. A hasty goodbye and mumbled excuses trailed in her wake as she escaped up the stairs, hands trembling, skirts flying.
She was shaken; completely unnerved by the intensity of their passion. She should be. The very same thing had given him reason to question whether he wanted out. The desire between them crackled and hissed like a fire that threatened to blaze out of control unless they fought to control and keep it contained.
But, did he want it contained? He was even less certain he wanted all that passion unleashed on another man.
Another man? Was that how he viewed her potential suitors in the span of only one day of actually meeting her?
"Prince Naruto, may I have a word with you before you leave?"
Ready to make his departure, Naruto halted and turned to see who had called after him. A glance behind him, revealed TenTen Hyuga, Neji's wife and Hinata's cousin-in-law. She was a beautiful woman to him when he first saw her years ago. Even with having two kids, she was even lovelier, tall and slim with those expressive eyes only a woman of her nature could have. At the moment they appeared concerned.
"Lady TenTen," he said with a small bow and made his way towards her.
"I pray you had a pleasant drive?" she asked when he reached her side.
He nodded. "I did."
"And things are well between you and Hinata?" A subtle, ladylike probe into his private affairs.
He gave a rueful smile. Her concern for her cousin in all but blood was noted. No doubt Hinata must've sought counsel from her about the situation and she, her husband. "I wager we will muddle through this well enough." One way or another.
She smiled, "You are a true gentleman. Thank you." TenTen gave his upper arm an affectionate squeeze of gratitude. "Things have not been easy for Lady Hitome Hyuga these past several years. That's Hinata's mother. I don't know how she would handle a scandal like this."
Naruto stilled. Not only had he heard of that name but he'd had cause to go to Konoha and deal with this particular woman and her husband—well his parents had and he just went along because he had to. The bank draft had been made out to Mr. Hiashi Hyuga, a clan head of a very influential man in Konoha and a father of two. He knew only the youngest—the calamity had given him good cause to never forget it—Hanabi.
"Hinata's father, what is his name?" He strived to keep the urgency from his voice.
The mother shot him a surprise look. She was caught off guard by the seriousness of his voice. The Prince didn't seem the sort to stand on ceremony and was a man who would never judge another by his station or at least that's what her husband told her. "Lord Hiashi Hyuga."
For several seconds Naruto remained silent, schooling his features as he endeavoured not to give any indication of how great an impact what she had just revealed had on him.
Now the older sister had him on the hooks and thought to reel him in with the ease of an accomplished fisherman. She told him she'd be ruined if he did not marry her, her family name would be dragged through the gutter that was ton's gossip mill.
Ruined. For a kiss.
By god, if she was to be ruined, it shouldn't be over a paltry kiss. No, he'd show her the true meaning of ruin.
The following day, when Prince Naruto asked her if she'd like to visit the famous Uzumaki's garden and whirlpool over watch, Hinata was surprised. Flowers, trees and acres upon acres of lush greenery were not the sort of things she'd thought would interest him. But upon their arrival, Sasuke and Sakura in tow, she'd immediately understood why the Prince had chosen that particular venue.
This was the sort of public place that offered privacy in the midst of Island city like Uzushiogakure. It made one think of the countryside.
Large elm and oaks surrounded a picturesque flower garden directly in front of the museum/palace where a few hundred people strolled and enjoyed the sights. Men, woman and children were dressed to complement the slightly chilled weather. No doubt winter was just weeks away.
Hinata peeked up at the Prince. They'd separated from Sakura and Sasuke a minute ago and he'd been excessively quiet, not that she knew him well enough to make the observation, but she somehow just knew.
"Are you, by some chance, trying to read me, Lady Hinata?" he asked softly enough to soothe a child to sleep or quite contrarily cause a woman to abandon every last one of her inhibitions to hear him speak to her again and again.
She did not have the luxury of abandoning anything. With her reputation on the teetering on the precipice of respectability, mistakes would not be afforded her. Lady Homura had seen to that.
"You have been awfully quiet. I was pondering at the cause." She could afford to be frank about this.
The white of his teeth glinted like a pearl catching the ray of the sun as a smile tugged the corners of his mouth upward.
Handsome
Hinata was immediately short of breath. She wanted to remove the gloves she wore today because of the increasing cold. It had grown overly warm in the past minute.
"And I was pondering the exact same thought about you." He was right in that.
"So tell me, Lady Hinata," he continued, "How is your mother and father? Neji and TenTen spared a few details, but I'm curious to hear from you." Hinata slowed one step behind him, pondering.
Personal question, as inevitable as her next shaky breath, but how forthcoming can she be without him guessing the truth? This was a minefield she had to cross with pinpoint accuracy.
One wrong step…
"They are well. Ummm…" she paused before continuing, "Well, my mother isn't faring well these days but I'm sure she will be back to a hundred percent in no time at all." She smiled hopefully. He nodded his head.
They walked slowly, barely walking at all, up a hill at the side of the museum. The wide path meandered through towering Hawthorns and horse-chestnut trees. They were couples and children's giggles and excited cries in the distance where they left, all in their own world.
"Ah, I'm sorry to hear. But, I'm sure with my godmother's help; she would be fit and well in no time." He reassured. Hinata almost gasp in surprise. She had totally forgot that her mentor, Tsunade, and the Prince were related. They were distant cousins or something like that.
He didn't expound after that and Hinata didn't say anything, fearing further discussion on the subject would lead them down a far more dangerous path than the one they traversed today, Hinata was content to leave it at that.
"So tell me, Lady Hinata, why did you allow me to kiss you if you were hoping to secure yourself a good marriage?" Hinata didn't gasp this time, but she did falter in her step, the action amusing the Prince. Whether it was from a small stone or his question, he hadn't the faintest clue.
He asked it oh so casually, as insouciantly as if society hadn't been founded on certain moral codes and forms of address. She should have been offended. And she didn't know he hadn't meant to offend. There was something different about him today, in his piercing gaze, as if he was measuring her like a tailor did his clients, knowledgeable enough in the subject to accordingly guess the breath, width and length to cut.
Had he meant to catch her off guard? Fray her with his candor?
Hinata straightened herself and tried to recover what she could of her dignity she might've dropped in her last two steps. "I'm certain you know the answer to that? Have you chance upon a mirror of late? Has no woman before succumbed to your looks and charms? I certainly can't be the first and I very much doubt I shall be the last. Although, I won't tolerate an unfaithful husband."
Such impertinence. But it was best she laid her expectations of marriage bare for him to ponder. Like he had said, she was frank.
His golden brows rose slowly. He stopped right there in the middle of the path and observed her as if she was a puzzle he was trying to solve or better yet, unravel. A gust of cold wind flew through their surrounding and ruffled the trees and her clothing. A shiver ran down her body and it wasn't from the wind.
The intensity of his stare, dear lord above, he looked at her in such a way that it caused every nerve in her body to quiver as if touched.
It was very difficult not to be aware of him in that very visceral, basic way, but with his penetrating stare, that awareness was ratcheted up several notches. She was cinched in her outfit, her jacket riffled as she walked. But for all the fine muslin and silk that she wore, she felt bare and naked under his stare—wholly exposed.
"At first glance, I'd never imagine you'd be so… frank." He spoke softly, looking at her with his right brow lift high. "Hmmm, I wonder, are you this frank about everything."
It wasn't precisely a question, but the way he regarded her indicated he expected an answer.
"I suppose I am." She stated with a curt nod. Her voice did sound a bit timid at the end, or was it because she was only being half truthful.
"And fastidiously honest?" He directed to her.
Had he shot her with an arrow, the question would've pierced her more. But she soldiered on. There would come the right time for the particular confession. Here and now was neither the time nor the place.
She nodded again, this time slower, "I would like to consider myself so." She told him, which was not a lie. Up until this point in her life, she had been fastidiously honest. An omission wasn't precisely an untruth. Right?
He resumed walking, his long legs encased in fine navy wool, carried him easily and steadily down the path. The infinitesimal pause in his stride she presumed was for her benefit, so she could catch up with him, which she did without thought.
With his attention focused in front, he offered her his profile. If she was a painter, she'd like nothing better than to paint him for he had one of those faces. His nose was perfectly shaped for his squared-jawed face; not too large not too small. And dare she even look at his mouth too long, her center would ache, the pulling sort that compelled a body to do something to either satisfy it or make it cease at once.
And those whiskers-like marks. Oh gosh.
She was staring at him rather boldly now. There was nothing not to like about his face. Nothing at all.
Aware he was being intently observed, he angled a glance down at her, his brow raised as if he knew her thoughts and was thusly amused by them.
"Like what you see?" A question only the most arrogant man could ask of a lady.
Hinata had to use all her will no not blush at being caught. "If I said that I do, would you think me too forward?" An innocent question she asked shyly.
The path they were on came to an end with a large tree and forest upon forest behind it. The hill stretched for some way and had a ledge all the way that was barred for obvious reason. The view one would get from this vantage point would've definitely made it in their one-of-the-most-beautiful-sight moments.
Beautiful forestry and civilization blended together like the night sky and the stars—leaving a beautiful sight for all who came up here. But that wasn't the most impressive sight. No, the most impressive sight lay beyond the village of Uzushiogakure and was out at sea.
It was the beautiful and majestic whirlpools.
Like almost every other village in the elemental nations, Uzushiogakure had a natural defense for its village against enemy invaders; in the form of massive whirlpools that were all around the island village. Unless you had specific permission from the rulers of this village, you could not pass and if you tried to get pass the whirlpools, your departure from the world would be swift and brutal.
Hinata did not seem to acknowledge the phenomenon that can only be seen here, too caught up in wanting an answer from the Prince. He didn't speak until they'd crested the top. The sun dappled the leaves with brilliant light and skittered across his head making his yellow hair take on a golden sheen, giving a new meaning to the phrase, sun-kissed.
"Are you this frank with all men you meet, Lady Hinata or am I the exception? Should we marry, I would hate to think that my wife can be so easily led by a handsome face, some whispered words and she'd be fair taking for one and all." He said, turning to her and coming to a stop under a particular tree.
Hinata came to a halt a few feet away from him with the jarring suddenness of hitting a wall that just appeared in her vision. Her mouth sagged and an assaulted breath expulsed from her mouth. Although, he posed a question, there was no mistake it had been a warning. She took her time forming her response in her mind before speaking them aloud.
"By the same token, my Prince, I do hope you aren't so easily led. Speaking for myself, I know I've only kissed one man… ever. And I have met my share of handsome gentlemen. Can you say the same? Should we marry—and it would appear you have some question that we shall—do I need to worry about you taking the liberties in the gardens with every woman who strikes your fancy?"
Hinata had worked herself into a righteous indignation that had her chest rising and fall rapidly.
The winds came again and ruffle the leaves of the tree causing a few to fall and some to be blown away but doing nothing to the silence that was about. This time she did shiver because of the cold. How could the sun be out and the place still be this cold she wondered.
The Prince chuckled softly then smirked, "Touché. And if it will put your mind at ease, I don't normally kiss women I don't know. And I've never done so at a ball—at least not since I was much younger. You mightn't think it, but I'm overly cautious in regarding my personal affairs." Just in the case of her, he had thrown cautiousness out the window.
And like that her anger had subsided. "And yet, you kissed me?"
He nodded, "I kissed you." And to emphasize his point, his half-mast eyes focused on where he had kissed—her mouth.
She swallowed hard. No, she couldn't permit him another one. This was her seduction, not his. And by the look on his face, his would be carnal lust, scorching kisses and unadulterated passion. The nature of those very emotions which would incinerate everything; pull the focus from where it ought to be—which was getting to know each other.
"So tell me, my Prince," she started, trying to change the conversation, "what are your interests? Are you a hunter? A philanthropist?" She oh so hope he wasn't a hunter. She quite despised it as a sport, the shooting of helpless animals.
He lifted his gaze from her mouth and his lips curved the barest little as he looked into her eyes. He knew she intentionally changed the subject and he planned on continuing later. For now, he'll acquiesce. He gaze shifted to his right, out into the open ocean and smiled softly, inhaling deeply.
"No, I'm not a hunter. I'm not one for killing animals and my mom would play pin the tail on the hunter with something sharp and life-threatening if she found anyone of our clan partaking of the act." He said, chuckling softly as if remembering a fond memory, which indeed, he was.
Hinata had heard tales of his mother. She was the matriarch of both the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans as well as one of the most powerful and influential woman in the whole elemental nations. Like most member of her clan, her hair was bright red and straight. But what many knew was that her temper was just as hot—if not more—as the colour of her hair.
"No," he said, breaking her from her thoughts, "I'd rather work with my hands." She searched his expression for sighs of mockery but found none.
"I like trees; I like nature. So I garden at my leisure." He elaborated quickly.
Now this intrigued her. A man who was good with his hands in other ways.
Lady Hinata was good. Very good. If her sister had half her… charms, it was no wonder his adoptive brother had become so smitten with her. But with foresight came the ability to guard oneself against whatever spell she was hoping to cast over him. Her interest in him was hardly genuine. Or so he told himself. She was playing a role the way she was no doubt instructed to play.
And why'd he even tell her about the hobby he taken up as a boy, he didn't know. So very few of his friends knew about his love for gardening.
"What sort of plants do you have in your garden?" she asked in genuine interest. He looked at her from his sea gazing and saw her eyes intently on him, big and inquisitive. Damn she was good…
"This and that," he said cryptically, "Bonsai, sunflowers and some others that can't be found on this island."
She smiled at that, a tiny dimple appearing at the corner of her mouth. He idly wondered what it was be like to kiss her there, taste the soft concave skin with his tongue. He could feel himself hardening, which annoyed him more than a little bit.
"Where else do you get the seeds from?" she asked. He looked at her for a few seconds, debating whether to answer her or not.
"Sunagakure, Nami no kuni…"
"Oh, but wouldn't it be hard to grow plants here, especially from Sunagakure?"
Since she was making such a good show of it, he'll indulge her a little longer. "Well, in the case of Sunagakure, who have two seasons all year round and us four, that would be true. But you see, we have special…conditions in place to sustain any and all plant life on this island. It's the reason we can survive without any foreign interferences. Both economical and political." He finished. Uzushiogakure was the epitome of what a self-sustaining island should be or strive for.
She seems genuinely pleased by the information as if digesting something of great value. "And are you very good?"
The breeze tangled with her dress again, sending it rippling languidly. She settled it with her glove hands. Somehow, he seems unaffected by the cold breeze that periodically blew through the area.
"Remember the gardens that we visited yesterday on our drive around?" he asked. She tilted her head trying to remember that particular sight, only for her mind to divert to the kiss and short passion they had. Flashes of colourful flowers appeared in her mind. Although the kiss and what happened after took her most of her memory of yesterday, she did recall seeing roses, lilacs and other different types of beautiful flowers and trees.
"I recall a few glances, but I've seen it in the brochure that was given to us on entrance to your village." She now looked suitably impressed.
"Well I'm not that good."
When she let out a burst of laughter, Naruto realized how much he'd wanted to hear that sound. He loved the slight throatiness of her voice, the way her eyes danced and her shoulders shook. And her smile… captivated him.
"I would love to see your garden one day." She said meekly. Her hand came up to hold firm the purple cotton scarf that was loosely hung around her shoulders. But she wasn't fast enough to secure it and it flew off her shoulders and out her hands. Fortunately for her, the prince saw the action and caught it before it could be carried away by the wind.
"Would you like some help with this?" he asked, motioning to the scarf in his grasp.
She pondered his question a moment too long. He wrapped the scarf around her neck and then once more to secure it; his hands still on both ends of the scarf. She looked up at him, her eyes wide watching him.
Her mouth looked plush and pink and meant to be kissed. His manhood stirred urging him to do just that and reminding him of his arousal.
Panicked flared briefly in her eyes as he lowered his head. She quickly dropped her head and took two steps back, relinquishing her scarf of his hands.
"Thank you," she said. Her voice breathless, her face flushed and cheeks rosy.
"You want me to kiss you." He stated. Not about to pretend that hadn't been his intent.
The colour of her face darkened, spreading to wash the gentle jut of her collar bones and down to sweep over the expanse of creamy skin exposed by her square-shaped neckline. "I don't think that would be a good idea. We are in a public place." He wasn't hearing a, no.
He looked around briefly; they were the only ones up here. "No one is about." He pointed out.
She buried her hands in the skirts of her dress and he saw her fingers moving restlessly over the maroon wool material.
"What scares you most, Lady Hinata, that I won't stop or that you won't want me to?"
Her head jerked sharply up and he saw the truth there in her wide eyes.
"I would never force myself on a woman."
If Prince Naruto had meant to reassure her, she remained anything but. He was correct; she had no fear of him. It was the emotions he stirred in her with so little effort that she was afraid of.
Hinata blinked and shook her head in denial. "I never said any such thing."
The prince smiled, "Then I have my answer."
Before she could even comprehend what he meant, he moved with the swiftness of a snake striking, his hand firmly palming the nape of her neck and tipping her head up for his kiss in one clean motion. His mouth settled on hers gently coaxing, rubbing. Her lips parted instantly, her response as natural as breathing. His tongue plunged in the wet, warm caverns of her mouth with the single-minded purpose to conquer, possess and plunder.
All tenderness was gone and in its place were greed and the most basic sexual desire. Like the whirlpools surrounding this island, she felt it pulling her under buffeted by her needs and her own wants.
But she couldn't let this happen—not again. It was this same sort of reckless desire that had women wringing their hands in heartsick despair after the men took their fill and walked away without a glance—promises broken—leaving the woman's left hand bereft of a ring. It had happened to Hanabi and if she wasn't careful, it could happen to her.
She broke the kiss with the inexorable press of her hands against his shoulders. He allowed her to push him away for it was the only way she could have managed it. For a moment he looked as if he was about to protest. He narrowed his gaze down at her.
Slowly, like a cat, as if fearing any sudden movement on is part would cause her to bolt, he her arm in his and lifted it up for inspection. Hinata had no idea what he was looking for but she permitted him to turn it gently in his hand. There was a length of pale flesh to peruse and touch.
"So soft," he whispered, lazily stroking her forearm with his index finger. "Whoever thought something this slim and fragile in appearance would have so much strength." He mused, his mouth twisted. And he wasn't talking about physical strength.
Not yet recovered from the sheer intensity of the kiss, Hinata's arm tingled every place he touched. She wasn't slim per-se, at least not in the traditional sense. She had muscles on her biceps that most females wouldn't care to get. No enough to distract from her feminine beauty, but enough to tell someone that she did some form of exercise or physical training.
"Do you train… to fight, Lady Hinata?" he asked curiously.
She nodded her head slowly in response to his question. It seems no matter how much time passed, her arousal wouldn't abate unless he let go of her. He totally forgot that her clan was revered as one of the best—if not best—hand to hand combatants in the elemental nations.
He hummed in thought and looked into her eyes, "I would love to have a session with you, sparring, that is. Would very much love to see what you got." He said softly at the end, biting his lip. His interest and arousal for her hand shot up a few notches. She was like a beautiful rose—pleasing to the eyes but try to touch her and her thorns would definitely make you regret it.
He smiled, banked irony glinting in his beautiful eyes. Lifting her left arm that he was inspecting, he watched her steadily as he placed a soft kiss on the vulnerable skin just above her wrist. Her chest rose on a swift inhale of startled breath. And then the heat swept in like an invading army making a mockery of all her good intentions.
No sane person fell in love in the span of a single day. But she could feel herself taking a headlong plunge into some foreign feelings more heartfelt than a girlhood crush, leaving her vulnerable in a way she'd never been.
He released her with the same languid speed. He smiled but it wasn't a smile that reassured a woman intent on retaining her virginity until she was securely wed.
"Shall we find Sasuke and Sakura?" he proffered his arm, his expression cryptic; his manners exquisite.
As Hinata took his arm—still aroused and reeling from the kiss—she had the distinct feeling she'd just relinquished more of herself to him than just her hand.
X X X X
This is the unedited version. The reviews made me want to post this faster than intended, so I did. Thanks again guys and girls. BTW, I have story finished an sitting on my laptop but it isn't edited as yet. Oh well, no harm done no foul play. Next Chapter, a lemon... maybe. Please review, i might post the next chapter just as fast.