Night came as it always did. The moon that hung in the sky was full and bright, bright enough that there would have been enough light even without the lamps lighting the street. The air was warm and there was a very gentle breeze. It would have appeared to be a perfect night, but it was anything but comfortable. There was a tenseness in the air, like the eerie calm before a great storm.

Hinata was still asleep in the hospital, and Naruto sat by her bed, his own hand gently placed on her own. He thought that she still looked beautiful when she was asleep, but he wanted to see her awake more, if only for a moment.

Part of him thought that if he simply kissed her pale cool lips that she would awaken. At least that is what he hoped would have happened.

It had been a day and a night and yet nothing about her condition changed, for better or worse. Her heartbeat had remained strong and steady, her breathing was unlabored and without assistance. It looked like she would wake up at any second, but seconds turned to hours. And hours in turn became a day.

Naruto had stayed right there in the room with her, not moving an inch from her side. In fact, it was looking like he could and would go days without sleep just so that he could continue to watch over her.

Tsunade had told the staff to let him stay, of course with the look on his face even if she hadn't told them it would not have mattered, it would take an ANBU team to remove Naruto from Hinata's side.

There was a knock at the door, but Naruto didn't respond. It wasn't like they'd go away if he told them to anyway. It opened and in came Hiashi.

Naruto looked up from the Hyuuga princess's sleeping form to offer Hiashi a curt nod. "I'm surprised you could come here now." Naruto said quietly, eyes returning to Hinata.

"Being a clan head does have its perks. Plus I told Tsunade-sama's assistant that I wished to speak with you."

Naruto looked back to the Hyuuga clan head. "You have an answer?"

"I may, but there is something we should discuss before I give any." Hiashi answered, taking a seat across from the whiskered blonde. He paused to look at his daughter, who looked so peaceful yet frail at the same time.

"What is there to discuss?" Naruto asked. "It is either yes or no. If all you intend to do is say no, just say it."

"My boy, if that was the case I already would have. Though something tells me, even if I say no, you wouldn't care and would just elope with my daughter."

"You're right, I wouldn't care and probably would do that. But Hinata-chan cares about your approval. And for her, I would do anything."

Hiashi gave a very small smile. "I am starting like you more and more boy. Even if you lack a certain courtesy."

"Then why aren't you saying yes?"

"I am getting to that." Hiashi reminded him. "I have been thinking over your request since you made it, and I thank you for being so patient. I'll start with the argument you are most likely expecting. The possibility of the rest of my clan opposing the marriage of you and Hinata."

"With all due respect Hyuuga-san, it's none of their business." Naruto claimed.

Hiashi quielty sighed. "Sadly Naruto, it is not that simple."

"Yes it is Hyuuga-san. It is none of their business. Me marrying Hinata doesn't affect them at all. They should be well aware that I am not Kyuubi just from seeing my chakra, and if the clan doesn't care what others say about their use of the Caged Bird Seal then why would they care about what others would say about me being with Hinata? It's okay to enslave and torture your own blood but it's not okay to have a jinchuuriki for an in-law? Unless they have something specific in mind for Hinata, like an arranged marriage she's unaware of, they have no reason to say this is their business. So, why does anyone but you deserve a say here regarding your blessing?"

Hiashi looked like he was impressed by the genin's argument. "You make a valid point Naruto, one better than I myself would have made. All I can say is the elders and a few other members will simply insist that it's their business via default."

"So why indulge them? Or even bring it up to them in the first place? Are you saying before you give me your blessing, they have to give you theirs?"

"No, I suppose in the end I do not."

"Then why bring it up at all?" Naruto inquired.

Hiashi wasn't sure what the blonde was referring to, bringing up the subject to the clan or bringing it up in this very discussion. But once he started thinking about it, he began to wonder if there was a relevance either way. If he felt the elders had no business having a say over Hinata's marriage rights, then why present it to them as if they have a vote on the subject? And if that was the point he was going with, then why did he bring it up to Naruto in the first place?

"You may be right Naruto, but the clan will not remain ignorant of an engagement forever. If they discover it as well as the fact it was kept secret from them, they will react worse than simply telling them would result in." Hiashi clarified.

"What can they actually do that wouldn't be considered a crime?" Naruto asked, then narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe the right question is, what can they do that you won't try to stop?"

Hiashi narrowed his eyes a bit in response. "Boy, are you insinuating I'm unwilling to protect my daughter?"

"No, I'm 'insinuating' that you're trying to tell me no without having Hinata-chan hate you for doing it."

"You think I'm trying to say no without being blamed for it?"

Naruto nodded. "All you've said since you got here is reasons why you can't say yes. And even though I've weakened all those reasons, you're still trying to justify them. Just what is it about me marrying Hinata that you hate so much?"

Hiashi sighed and hung his head, putting his hand on his forehead briefly. "You'll understand if you ever have a daughter someday. As a father, it's hard for me to accept that my daughter has become a woman."

Naruto blinked. "Why would that be hard to accept? Girls become women, it's a fact of life. Did you think Hinata would become a man or something?"

Hiashi looked up and he had to restrain himself from giving a light chuckle. "Like I said, if you ever have a daughter you'll understand. I can remember when Hinata was born, how small she was in my hands and how afraid I was that I could crush her without even trying. I can remember when she started walking and called me Dad for the first time. I can remember her asking to sleep in my room when she had a nightmare. I can remember seeing her walk into the Academy for the first time."

He smiled for a bit, but then it faded. "I can also remember when she first needed a training bra. When she had her first period. When Kurenai told me she needed the talk. And I especially remember when you both dropped the bombshell on me that you were having sex." He tried not to show it, but there was a trace of a grimace in his expression at that.

"You don't like the fact that Hinata is grown up?" Naruto asked.

"It's... hard to accept." Hiashi admitted. "I knew it was going to happen, it just feels like it happened sooner than I had expected."

Naruto leaned back. "Hyuuga-san, I asked for your blessing only out of politeness. I don't believe me or Hinata-chan actually need your permission to get married, and I know for a fact Hinata-chan will not refuse to marry me just because you didn't give your blessings. So you only really need to ask yourself one question. When you next speak to your daughter, will you tell her you told me no?"

The head of the Hyuuga clan was silent, and just looked at his sleeping daughter for a time. In his mind, he could easily see what he knew what would happen. Naruto would propose, blessing or not, and Hinata would without any doubt say yes. And it would be inevitable that she would be told that her father had not given his blessings.

"So Hyuuga-san, I'll ask you again. Do I have your blessings to marry Hinata-chan?"

Hiashi silently sighed and closed his eyes, as if he was contemplating with himself. "I do still believe that some trouble will come your way with all this... but you have defended my daughter's honor from her own family before and you have saved her life from a monster. If you do not deserve such blessings Uzumaki Naruto, no one does." He opened his eyes and smiled a bit before standing. "Whatever trouble does come your way, handle it how you always do. That's why my daughter fell in love with you in the first place."

Naruto smiled in return. "Thank you sir. Or should I start calling you father"

"Let's stick with Sir or Hiashi-sama. I think we are still a very 'long' way from you addressing me as father."

"Ah, now this is the life."

Lilith sat in a comfy chair in her old bedroom within her castle tower. She was sipping on some red wine in a crystal chalice and looking out the window at the landscape of her home. She was lounging with her legs draped over the side of the armrest. She was totally naked save for a small tight fitting silk robe that did very little to hide the sensational portions of her body. Not that she was trying to hide those.

The castle was located in a land was called The First Circle, one of the seven realms of Makai and home to many demons, including but not limited to the incubi and succubi. There was no such thing as day or night in this realm, for there was no moon or sun. The sky was always a state of twilight. The landscape was filled with mountains and valleys, and was filled with the right winds to help the sex demons fly at their leisure. A breeze was coming in through the window, as soft as a lover's caress on her skin. Though it wasn't the wind she wanted caressing her.

This castle had not always been hers, originally it had belonged to another demon that had been the original Lord of the First Circle, a hedonistic creature who let his kingdom descent into anarchy and famine with his negligence. It had gotten to where the scavengers were more at home there than the actual residents. Until Aru had risen up in rebellion with an army of incubi at his back. Conquering the land had been easy, and with Aru's work the First Circle was restored to a livable state again. As a result, no one protested when he claimed the title of Demon Lord of the First Circle for himself. With her claiming the title of Demon Queen and Lord Regent by his side.

It had been the first time that an incubus had ever held the title and Aru had intended to keep it. He had proven a good leader, but not without cost. Upon taking the throne, Aru had demanded that all the demons dwelling in the First Circle pay him homage as their liege lord, with those who refused quickly killed off. The former occupant of this castle had been one of those unlucky individuals. Claiming the castle in restitution, Aru had given it to Lilith as a gift, for her to do with it what she wished.

Lilith called this place her 'Palace of Pleasure', or her vacation home if she wished to be more discreet. In her care over the years the castle had been the sight of numerous debauched, depraved, and deviant orgies whose description would have made pages from the Kama Sutra look like amateur hour for virgins. When she had returned from her 100 year absence the place had been just as she had left it, albeit a little more dusty then she remembered.

The first night of her return she had a huge 'Welcome Back' party, everyone had been invited and everyone had shown up to pay homage to the Queen of the Succubi. Everyone except for her mate and children.

'Any time now, Aru will show up and I'll get what Hinata so rudely denied me.' She thought, frowning a bit. She had expected her beloved to be waiting for her the moment she had returned the First Circle, but instead he had been notably absent. The next morning she had flown to his fortress in the high mountains of the realm only to discover that he was not there either.

Lilith had fumed over the absence of her lover, however she reminded herself that Aru would not stay away from her long. Like a moth to a flame he would be drawn back to her. Of course, she would make him work for it when he finally did show up, as punishment for making her wait. So for now, she was content with her wine and lounging, and plotting her vengeance against Hyuuga Hinata. She didn't want the girl dead, she liked her too much for that. No, she just wanted her to suffer. Was that so wrong?

'I still can't believe that girl. I mean, yeah to a point I guess I should have seen it coming, but letting me have sex with Aru a couple of times would have solved our little chakra problem and I could have left without any trouble to either of us. Hinata would have gotten over it eventually, and it would have been just sex on her end anyway. But no, she had to hold onto her morals.'

She could never understand humans. They fought and killed each other over the most mindless and pointless things imaginable with no issues and yet when it came to sex and the normal desires and passions of the flesh they were so uptight.

Still, a part of her would miss the Hyuuga girl and her boy toy Naruto. Oh yeah, she'd miss the impression he left on her.

'Mmm... that blonde had the stamina of a demon.' She thought, licking her lips. 'If only he had some horns and fangs, then he would have fit right in here.' It was indeed a shame they couldn't have all gotten along.

Mentally sighing, Lilith put down the chalice. 'Reminds me of Rimona.' Thoughts of one of her daughters made Lilith remember the rest of her children. Even though her body did not hint at it, Lilith had birthed thirteen children in all, seven daughters and six sons. 'I want to see them all badly too, but honestly I hope they don't get here before their father. Once Aru gets here, that's my only priority, and I'd rather not tell my children to go home as soon as we reunite.' She tapped her finger for a moment. 'Will Rimona show up at all? I know that the others will, with Kamo, Mihito, and Ginma showing up first. They always do. But what about her and the others?'

She loved each and every one of her children with all of her heart, but she would admit that she did not have the best relationship with all of them, Rimona especially. Of course Rimona had always been somewhat of the black sheep of the family. The amount of morals and restraint Rimona had shown had always been too… human, for Lilith's liking. It was as if Rimona was a human trapped in a succubi's body.

While none of her children had shown up to the Welcome Back orgy, since even succubi and incubi would be uncomfortable being in orgies with their parents, they had sent her messages telling her they would arrive in a few days. The better for her to get any sexual appetite sated before they arrived. But Rimona had sent no reply at all. In fact, like her father, no one seemed to know where Rimona was. Not too concerning since succubi often came and went as they pleased. But still, now that Lilith was back she wanted to make sure she knew the whereabouts of all her offspring. Even the black sheep.

She looked out the window again, seeing some demonic birds flying by.

'Maybe I should go look for her. But how do I find her? Wait, Aru can. He found me when I was trapped in Hinata. Hell, he probably already knows where Rimona is and can get her here anytime he wants.'

This made Lilith smile for a moment, but at the same time this made her remember she had no idea where her demonic lover was or when he would return to her. He was not in the First Circle, she knew that for certain. The only other place that Aru could have been was on Earth, but she did not know why.

'Most likely nursing his pride. He did allow a human to get the better of him. A human with Kyuubi-kun in him, but a human nonetheless.' It was an understandable humiliation, it had taken Lilith herself nearly a decade trapped in that crystal to get over the fact that she had let herself get imprisoned by that mad-eyed bastard Madara.

Oh how she had fantasized about gouging out those eyes of his. But at the time more pressing matters needed addressing. She could find and desecrate the corpse of her captor at some other point.

Lilith sat up in her chair and with her free hand she gently tapped her chest repeatedly. "Who do I send to find my wayward daughter until Aru comes back?" She twirled her wine in its glass. "Who can I send to bring her home to her mother's loving embrace?"

After a moment, she smiled and drank from the glass. Who better to find her daughter then one of her own siblings, and she had twelve to pick from. Rimona would not be gone for long.

It was nearly 3 in the morning, dawn just a few hours away, and Naruto was still by Hinata's side.

The blonde had a ragged look to him, his eyes were starting to develop lines under them and his hair had a matted look to it. His body cried out for a shower, meal, and sleep, but Naruto ignored them. He needed to be here for Hinata, he wanted to see her beautiful eyes open and she wanted to see her smile when she saw him sitting here for her. That is if he could stay awake.

After staying awake for almost two days with no food, not even ramen, it was tough to keep himself going. He had almost nodded off several times, but a few smacks to the face had kept him going, at least it had but now the effect was no longer working.

Naruto reached into the pockets of his pockets and withdrew a few coins. He counted them and figured it would be enough to get him a can of coffee from the vending machine. He wasn't a fan of the beverage, but the caffeine would keep him up a bit longer. He placed his hand on Hinata's and whispered into her ear. "I will be right back."

He slowly got up and left the room, closing the door behind him gently out of habit.

However, the very moment that the door clicked closed, there was a tapping at the window. It was too dark to see what was tapping but after a moment it stopped.

As quickly as the tapping came and stopped, smoke the color of ink started to seep through the windows into the room. It flowed down the wall like it was alive, and pooled onto the floor. But instead of spreading out it formed together and started building up until it started to take on a humanoid shape. It slowly became more defined, until the smoke receded and gave way to flesh.

Where the cloud of smoke had once been was now a beautiful young woman. Her golden wheat hair was tied back with a single black ribbon, otherwise it was perfectly straight with not a single strand out of place. Her odd eyes, one blue and the other green, seemed to glow in the darkness like an owl. Her short body was devoid of any clothing, her breasts roughly a large A cup and her thighs somewhat thick.

Without making a single sound the woman waked over to Hinata's bed and stood beside it, gazing down at the sleeping Hyuuga. She then held out her hand and lowered it towards Hinata, stopping just a fraction from her skin, and then she ran her hand up and down Hinata's body, never actually touching her.

'Her chakra is out of balance. It was mixed with Lilith's and she used it as if it were her own. And it looks like Lilith left by force, not by choice or ability. So now that she is gone, this girl's body has become too weak to sustain itself. It's like if she lost too much blood or a whole organ yet not enough to actually kill her. She'll need a chakra transfusion repeatedly until her body regains its internal balance, or else she'll never awaken from this sleep.'

The woman looked up towards the door, her face a blank mask without even the tiniest hint of emotion. Then she looked back down at Hinata.

"STUPID THING!" Naruto said as he kicked the vending machine harshly. The thing had taken his money but had refused to surrender a can of coffee in return. He kicked the thing several times venting his pent up rage and anger before he fell back against a wall and slowly sank to the floor.

"What do I do?" He asked, running his hand through his matted hair. "The woman I love is lying in a coma and I can't do anything about it." He sighed and looked up at the ceiling, gazing at the white ceiling light that buzzed softly but audibly.

"Please… please Kami-sama, I don't know if you are listening or if you ever have listened to me before... but if you are... please help. Please, let Hinata-chan wake up. I just... I want to hear her voice again. Please… if you can hear me… give me some sign."

A moment later the vending machine rumbled loudly and spat out a can of coffee. For a moment Naruto's mood brightened, but when he withdrew the can he saw that it was not the one he asked for. He had wanted a Muyo Mocha but instead he got a Tsuuki Black Coffee. Given the choice he preferred sweet coffee over plain black, which made him gag.

"Well it is something." He said as he popped open the can and drank the contents quickly so he did not taste anything. His empty stomach seemed to give a sigh of relief as the lukewarm contents of the can filled its empty space. When he had drained the last of the liquid from the can he crunched the thin metal in his hand and threw it at a wastebasket. It bounced off the edge and then fell into the basket after looking like it was about to fall over the side.

Naruto smiled a bit at that and then he turned and headed back to Hinata's room. When he got there he slowly opened the door, and froze when he saw a complete stranger in there with her, standing over her.

"Who are you?" He asked, immediately on guard.

The woman looked to him, her expression difficult for the whiskered blonde to label. "If you want this girl to recover, you will let me do what I came here for."

"That's not what I asked. Who are you?"

She leaned away from Hinata. "My name is Rimona, and I'm the only one who can wake this girl up."