Dance with the Demon CH 13
- I do not own any of the characters in this story. All belong to Kisihmoto-san -
oOo
Here I stood immersed in the shadows of a tall building, watching her standing in the moonlight.
My eyes trailed along her slender silhouette as the moon's rays bounced off her pale skin, making it glitter against the darkness. I almost began to take a step towards her when I was suddenly frozen.
Her shoulders were lightly jerking and she had shut her eyes tightly.
She…. she was crying?
My heart clenched tightly in my chest as I watched her face contort into a pained expression.
Why? Did I scare her that badly?
I stepped back further into the shadows, my mind beginning to doubt my resolve.
A voice cackled in my ears with demeaning taunts that made my heart sink.
She hates me.
She fears me.
She doesn't want me.
My frown deepened when she stepped from the alley and turned her face up to the sky, tears pricking the corners of her beautiful pale eyes.
I reached out a hand to her with a silent plea.
Forgive me.
Please.
Just as my fingertips broke from the shadows to become visible, her attention was drawn to the side, eyes focused on something in the distance.
I watched in agony as she walked away, but strode in confidence as I followed. I was utterly torn between my guilt for hurting her and my own longing to be near her. But being a stubborn man, I gave in to my own desires.
Stalking through the shadows, I watched as she entered a tavern and disappeared into it.
I slipped through the door without so much as a squeak and vanished out of sight as I watched her from afar.
My eyes followed as she approached someone, a man, and narrowed as they began to talk.
I didn't like the way he looked at her. His eyes ran over her curves and slowed on her chest in an infuriating way.
A flash of memory came to my mind of the last man that lusted for her and I could feel my hands clench into fists.
Thoughts of ripping the man apart came to my mind and I had to bite back a growl that started to form in my throat.
No, I scolded myself.
That would only push her away. I needed to calm down.
The demon mocked me again with hateful taunts inside my mind but I tried to ignore them, shaking my head in attempt to clear it.
Digging my nails into my palms, I exhaled a deep breath and began to stand slowly. I took several small steps towards her when my eyes widened in astonishment as they focused on her companion.
She was talking to Kankuro.
I wasn't sure if that made me feel better or worse about the fact that it was his eyes that lingered over her far longer than they should, but I decided to interrupt this contact either way.
I smirked to myself in thought.
I would make him see she was mine. I would make everyone see who she belonged to in time.
"Brother."
The smile immediately dropped from his lips at my voice and his head craned up to look into my steeled expression. I noticed Hinata stiffen at my presence but tried to ignore the impulse to reach out to her in favor of scolding my brother.
"G-Gaara. Hey, what're you doing here?"
His eyes closed into tiny U's and he bore his trademark grin, rubbing a hand against the back of his neck in a gesture I knew was to try to hide his uneasiness. He often rubbed his neck when in close proximity to me and I couldn't say I blamed him after all the things he's personally seen me do.
"No, what are you doing here, brother? Shouldn't you be revising paperwork." My eyes narrowed as the latter part came out in a raspy demand more than a question.
He let out a forced chuckle and turned back to the bar to grab his mug of alcohol, forsaking my question in favor of drowning his nervousness in the amber liquid.
After boring into his back, my glace shot sideways to the silent woman to my left, sliding over her to make sure she was still conscious.
My heart sunk as I realized her eyes were fixated on her lap, her hands tangled together there with her thumbs circling each other.
Right. I came here to fix this. I need to stop being forceful and find a way to apologize to her…
I mentally flinched at the thought of begging for forgiveness… How do I even do that? It's honest to say that I've never done this before, and I was certain I would mess it up somehow. I decided to try anyways.
"Hinata…."
She physically flinched when I spoke and I willed my face to soften as her eyes came up to rest on it. I felt a pang of hurt when I saw that sadness that swirled in her eyes, but that only motivated me further into what I was trying to do.
"I'm….. "
Sorry.
"...heading back to the tower. "
Damn it.
I bit back a frustrated growl at myself when my stubborn mouth decided to skip the word.
"...Are you coming?"
Her only answer was a wide-eyed stare and I shifted uncomfortably in my own anticipation. I felt my brows droop slightly in silent plea for her to understand how hard I was trying for this to be an apology.
I held her gaze in mine for what seemed like hours until I saw her lips part slightly. Just as quickly as they opened, they shut tightly and her brows crinkled together dramatically.
I felt myself grow impatient and my temper began to flare despite my own resolve to apologize to the woman.
Didn't she realize how embarrassing this was for me? To stand inches from my brother and not outright demand she return? He knew me too well as a man of dominance and composure and would surely double over in a bout of hysterics if I suddenly fell to my knees and begged this woman to forgive me. And she was my maid of all things. The fact that I was even asking like she had a choice in the matter was making me look weak in my rational.
Before I could control my temper, my hand shot out and encircled her small wrist, tugging until she stood dangerously close, almost pressed against me as my sand swirled around us in a careful vortex.
Apologizing wasn't my strong suit.
oOo
My body froze nearly solid at the familiar husky voice.
His presence seeming to loom over me as the spice and musk of his scent bellowed out to fill my senses.
No, no, no! I wasn't mentally prepared to see him so soon! I lowered my eyes to glare into my lap, hands squeezing together to keep them from trembling. I wanted to run, I wanted to pretend I didn't notice him but that was impossible from how close he stood.
My mind suddenly reeled when I focused on what he was saying. Brother? No wonder he reminded me so much of Gaara…
My eyes shifted up to see Kankuro downing his beer before returning back to my lap. So, Kankuro is Gaara's brother. The one who got me the job of the personal maid of his younger brother and host of the one tailed demon. Kankuro, being the only one in this town I called a friend, just confessed that he's been looking for me inside the tower in which he lives. And I've been having some pretty intimate sessions with his younger brother, under the roof of his home.
I silently swallowed the lump I hadn't realized formed in my throat. My mind straying from the main predicament in this new sudden revelation.
Oh kami, how much does Kankuro know about the time Gaara and I have spent together? This could get embarrassing real fast.
"Hinata."
His voice startled me from my thoughts and I felt myself visibly wince. My gaze slid up as they carefully took in his expression -it was softer than I expected and almost… concerned?
I felt my eyes droop as I stared into the swirling turquoise orbs that stared back into mine. I could almost feel the emotions that melted together to create such a look. Concern, worry, sadness.
I sat silently as the question stumbled from his lips, almost seeming like he threw them together at the last minute.
Am I going to return to the tower with him?
My mind froze momentarily at the question even I had asked myself earlier. Was I?
Here he stood in front of me, as if the monster I had seen in the hallway was all a hallucination my mind had dreamt up, because this composed, concerned man staring into my eyes was a far cry from a demon.
That's it.
My mouth nearly fell open in the connection my mind had made. Why hadn't I seen it sooner?
I had found the answer I was searching for in the doors to his soul. He did care for me.
Earlier, that wasn't him. That was the demon inside of him slipping out.
I wanted to ask him. I wanted to confirm my new theory from the only source that would comfort me.
Gaara, how do you feel about me?
My lips opened to ask the question, but I abruptly shut them. I bit back the urge to hide my face behind my hands.
Who am I kidding?! I can not just ask him about his feelings, definitely not in a bar right next to his brother!
I bit down on my tongue, scolding myself for almost making this situation even more uncomfortable than it already was.
I watched as his hairless brows scruntched down into an irritated glare and held in a relieved smile.
There was the Gaara I knew, impatient and scowling, but forever watching.
Actions speak louder than words, and soon enough he became tired of the silence, his strong hand grabbing my wrist and yanking me to him.
I felt a warmth rush over me at the familiar sensation of being pulled close to him and sand wrapping around our bodies as we vanished from the groggy bar.
I had to admit, it sure was hard to continue thinking when your pulse is beating in your ears.
oOo
I mentally groaned we appeared inside of my dark room, only the moonlight through the window illuminating the space.
I had acted impulsively, and probably frightened her again.
My grip loosened and her soft skin slid through my fingers before falling back down to her side.
I was almost afraid to look into her face, but I willed myself to anyways. What would it hold?
My gaze rolled up from her wrist and I was shocked to find no form of expression held other than simple anticipation of my next move.
Her eyes already held mine and before I could react, her voice came.
"G-Gaara I-"
"I'm sorry."
The pale orbs slowly widened until it seemed they couldn't any further without injury.
Her mouth hung open, but it pulled in just enough to form her next word.
"What?!"
I squared my shoulders and shook away my nervousness, deciding to face her directly and fix this mess once and for all. No more cowering.
I squinted my eyes at her shocked expression and decided to focus on my words instead.
As long as she didn't run or say she hates me, I decided I was going to move forward with my resolve. I had told myself I'd do anything for her to forgive me, and if that meant exposing my vulnerability to her, than so be it. I wasn't afraid of her, only my own fear of losing control.
With one last inhale of breath, I locked my gaze with hers, steeling my expression to one of complete concentration.
This was one hurdle I needed to conquer before I could move forward.
"Hinata, touch me."
oOo
Gaara is a man of his word! He said he would even let her touch him if it meant she would be happy ;D
Stay tuned for the next chapter to see what happens, hehe!
~Hope you enjoyed~
-CH 13 Fin-