Dance with the Demon CH 12

- I do not own any of the characters in this story. All belong to Kisihmoto-san -

oOo

I ran as hard as I had back then.

The familiar rasp of my throat and ache in my legs only fueled my instincts to keep going. I had no idea where I had ended up or where I was headed, I only knew that I needed distance.

Gaara, no, that thing looked ready to rip me to shreds with the expression it had on its face, so I ran, in fear of the unknown.

I had never thought he would turn on me. I thought we were past that…

I rounded a corner and stopped in an alley to catch my breath, resting my back against a building. I bit my lip as I felt a sob well up inside my throat.

I finally realized why it hurt so much.

I had trusted him.
I knew there was a demon inside him but…. After what we'd been through… I thought… I thought we were getting closer. I thought….. No.

I shook my head and shut my eyes against the tears that were forming.

No.

He didn't trust Me. That's why he turned on me.

How could I been so foolish? Why would he trust me, he barely even knew me.

Why did I wish he did?

Pushing off the wall, I started to pace through the empty streets, wrapping my arms around myself. I needed to find somewhere to go… Should I… should I go back to the tower? To my room? Is it safe?

I glanced around myself, suddenly feeling very vulnerable outside and alone.

I wish I had my phone on me… I had the urge to call Kankuro and beg him to help me again. I was so lost, mentally and literally.

Looking up into the starred sky, I sent a silent plea to the heavens.

Kami, tell me what I should do.

oOo

The sound of laughter startled me from my thoughts.

I pulled my wide shoulders up, uncurling from my ball of emotions to glare at the intrusion with icy teal eyes.

A man and a woman whose fingers were laced together strolled down the street towards me, laughing and smiling into each other's eyes. I felt my teeth grit together and glared at the happy pair in my own world of misery and….. jealousy?

I stood quickly, catching their attention and they stopped to stare, their smilies slowly fading.

I eyed them carefully, my glare lingering on their clasped hands in silent fury.

Why was it so easy for other people to be happy?

I began walking straight in between them, forcing their interlocked hands apart as I pushed through their startled expressions.

My legs stretched into long strides and I continued down the dark road in between closing shops and alleyways.

I ignored the small voice in my head that was telling me exactly where I was going, trying to focus on each step I made and glaring at the hard ground.

Weather I acknowledged it or not, my mind was determined to end this night with one accomplishment.

I had to find her and fix this.

I want her to look at me with that warm smile again.

Hell, at this point, I'd be willing to let her touch my face like she wanted, just to see the strange, calming expression it held.

My legs locked when my mind suddenly found the solution I was searching for. The sand. Yes, how could I have forgotten.

I felt a smirk tug at the corner of my lips when I sensed the minute sensation of my chakra calling out to me. Vanishing into the air, began to wonder about what I could say or do when I met her.

I realized I'd do almost anything to have her by my side again.

oOo

Before I could shut my pale eyes in silent plea to the heavens, something caught my attention.

The sign I was looking for.

I turned to stare at the flickering lights down the street and took a step towards it.

I had asked for a sign, but who knew I'd be so… literal.

The neon light of the bar flickered in and out in shades of red as I neared it. I breathed in deeply, wondering for a quick moment if this was actually what I was asking for before pulling the handle and stepping in.

I froze when my eyes met the back of the head of a man sitting at the bar on a tall stool, his hair spiked in an all-too-familiar way.

My heartbeat returned to normal when I realized the hair was a brown color and not burgandy like my mind demanded it was. I small sigh left my mouth as I began to slowly approach the bar, aiming for the stool near the man. Maybe he could tell me where I was at least.

A loud chuckle from the corner of the room caught my attention and I turned to stare when a familiar voice brought my attention straight back to the bar.

"Hey doll."

My head snapped forward to lock eyes with the now visible face of the man it had come from.

With one eye closed and his lips pulled back into a huge toothy grin, he spun to face me fully.

My eyes widened on his sharply clad figure and scanned his face with distrust. There was no make-up, no pointy-eared hood, and no way to hide the slight blush and astonishment from my face. My heart lurched when I made a sudden connection in his appearance -he bore a striking resemblance to Gaara.

His hair style, his face structure, even his eye shape was breathtakingly similar to the man I had come to know. Needless to say, he was quite attractive without those thick distracting purple markings hiding his features.

If this man was paler, redheaded, and slightly thinner with teal eyes, I would be running for the doors.

His smile turned into a frown when he studied my reaction and his head cocked to the side slightly.

"Come have a seat Hinata. I'm not sure why you're here or all dressed up-"

His eyes broke mine to skim up and down my figure.

"But I'd be more than happy if you'd accompany me."

His lips curled up when I began to step forward and he turned back to the bar when I took the seat next to him.

"So, how have you been, doll?"

I folded my arms and leaned against the bar, turning my head slightly to face him while I answered.

"Anno…. I've been… okay." I tried to lighten my tone and gave a hasty smile.

"How about you?"

He cocked an eyebrow slightly and held my gaze before answering.

"Oh, same ol' same ol. I haven't seen you around lately," his lips pulled back into a smirk at that statement for a reason I couldn't comprehend.

"I-I've been working the job you got me…"

"That's what I mean." He said with a small chuckle.

My eyes widened in confusion and my brows furrowed.

I opened my lips to ask but he answered before I could.

"I haven't seen you around the kazekage tower. I hope he hasn't locked you up and is holding you prisoner."

I turned to face him directly and my eyes squinted angrily.

"Y-You work there? In the tower?"

He spun on his stool to mirror my action and his eyebrows wiggled as he answered.

"I live there."

My eyebrows shot up in astonishment and questions fired immediately.

"Wh-"

I was silenced with a sudden growl and I felt a presence loom over me.

"Brother."

oOo

-Current day, Hyuga complex-

Damn it!

Slamming my pale fist down onto my desk, I grit my teeth together harshly.

I squeezed my pale eyes shut, stepping back to start pacing through my room, clasping my hands behind my back in my long sleeves.

It has been two months.

Two months and only one message from her to go by.

I had sent several animals out with her scent to find her, but none of them had returned. I suspected interference from her father and attempted murderer, Hiashi Hyuga. I just know he's planning something. He wouldn't stop so easily, even with her leaving the village. I can only pray that she is okay wherever she is.

Deciding that pacing my room wasn't helping, I sat down on my bed to stare out of my large rounded window at the starred sky.

I knew I needed to rest soon, having a mission to leave the village at dawn. I accepted the mission in an attempt to search for Hinata and also to leave the compound, which I had forsaken as soon as I realized Hiashi's plan to murder her.

I would find her. I would make sure she was alright and we could deal with this together.

I wanted nothing more than to see her alive and be with her. I would surely leave this wretched place and start a life in a foreign land just to be by her side.

I clutched at the fabric over my heart, feeling its strong beating under my fingers.

"I will save her."

oOo

Didn't see that one coming, eh?

If somehow you missed the clues, that last part was Neji's point of view :3

I'm excited to integrate him into this story as well.

Hope you enjoyed!

-CH 12 Fin-