Her Nameless Thief
The night pressed cold and unyielding around the narrow alley, rain pounding relentlessly on stone and mud. Hinata crouched in the shadows, shivering in her soaked, tattered clothes, clutching her knees close to her chest as if she could disappear into herself. Her heart beat faster with each second, every dark shape stretching her terror tighter and tighter.
Somewhere close by, footsteps rang out, slow and heavy against the rain's steady roar. A voice, slick with cruel satisfaction, cut through the darkness. "She couldn't have gotten far."
It was him. The voice that haunted her even in fleeting sleep, the voice of a man who held power he wielded like a weapon. *Galoorn.*
Galoorn had built a reputation on terror and cruelty, especially among the helpless, and Hinata knew the dark intent that gleamed in his eyes. Those eyes, hungry and merciless, had driven countless girls to despair. And now they hunted her.
His steps slowed, his muddy boots splashing through the puddles as he approached her corner. Hinata pressed herself back as far as she could, but she knew there was no escape. He stood right before her now, smiling in that twisted way that drained the blood from her face.
"There you are," he said, his voice low and predatory.
A sob caught in her throat as he reached down, rough fingers curling into her hair. He yanked her upright, her knees scraping against the wet stone as she tried to pull away. His smile only widened as she whimpered, her terror seeming to feed his satisfaction.
"You're about to learn a lesson you'll never forget," he sneered, his free hand moving lower, reaching to claim what she had guarded so desperately.
"Please," she choked, her voice barely audible, her words caught between sobs. "Please… don't…"
But he only laughed.
Then, without warning, a shadow shifted through the alley, moving with silent speed. Before she knew what was happening, his grip slackened, his arm falling to his side as he stumbled back, choking.
A figure stood before them both, backlit by the dim light of a distant lantern. The man's blond hair clung wetly to his face, but his eyes—cold, fierce—were locked on Galoorn with a predatory focus of their own.
They called him Akuma.
In Thieves' Landing, his name had become something of a myth. People knew little about him, only that he was young, ruthless, and appeared without warning. Some claimed he was a mercenary, others that he was nothing more than an outcast who'd learned to survive by becoming as dangerous as the world around him. They knew only fragments of his story—a golden-haired ghost, as silent as he was deadly. But no one dared ask him the truth.
To the land he had attained the title "Masterthief", and his name carried both fear and grudging respect. And tonight, he stood in the alley, facing down the very man who had hunted her.
Galoorn recovered himself, his face twisting with rage. "What… what the hell do you think you're doing?" he spat, clutching his neck where a thin line of blood now trickled.
Akuma's expression remained impassive, his eyes narrowing as he leaned in, his voice a dangerous murmur. "You've crossed me for the last time, Galoorn."
Galoorn's mouth twisted in a sneer, bravado forcing itself forward even in the face of fear. "You think you can scare me?" he taunted. "You're just another street rat who got lucky—"
Akuma's blade silenced him before he could finish. Swift as a shadow, the knife pressed to Galoorn's throat, biting into his skin with cold precision.
And just like that, Galoorn's defiance vanished, replaced by an all-too-brief flash of terror before he fell silent, his last breath mingling with the rain.
Hinata stared, rooted to the spot, her mind reeling. She had never seen death up close, never watched the light leave someone's eyes. For a moment, she thought she might faint, her vision swimming.
The blond-haired stranger turned to her, his gaze softening, though only slightly, as he took in her trembling form. She shrank back, fresh fear jolting through her body. She couldn't read his intentions—couldn't tell if he planned to kill her as easily as he had Galoorn.
"Get up," he commanded, his voice steady but not unkind.
Hinata shook her head, pulling her knees tighter against herself, trying to shrink away from him. "Please… just leave me alone," she whispered, every muscle tense.
Akuma's expression softened, and he crouched beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I won't hurt you," he said, his voice gentler now, as if he understood her fear. "I promise."
Hinata looked up, her tear-streaked face meeting his steady gaze, searching for any sign of deception. She found none. Instead, she saw only a strange kind of compassion, tempered with the hard steel of someone who had seen more than his share of hardship.
Slowly, shakily, she reached for his outstretched hand, feeling its warmth even as the rain poured around them.
In this dark, forsaken city, where cruelty reigned and hope was little more than a fantasy, a nameless thief had come to her aid. And though she didn't know why, for the first time in a long time, she felt the faint stirrings of hope.
Hinata's thoughts raced as she looked up at her rescuer, trying to gauge the emotion in his eyes. She was scared, yes—but scared of him? She couldn't say.
After those warm, reassuring words, he straightened with a grunt, his cobalt eyes sweeping the dark alley as his face remained unreadable. The blond man had an intensity about him that was hard to decipher; it was like he was looking for something only he could see.
Then, to her horror, he flipped Galoorn's lifeless body over with a sharp kick, sending it sprawling into the murky puddle of blood. Hinata gasped, her hands tightening around her knees as she pressed herself back into the shadows.
The man's gaze turned to her, the flicker of curiosity crossing his face as he took in her trembling form. With a sigh, he crouched by Galoorn's corpse, rifling through the dead man's pockets. His search finally ended as his fingers closed around an object—a battered, empty rum bottle.
"Hey," he called, popping the cap off the bottle and peering inside. A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Y-Yes?" Hinata stammered, her voice barely audible through her chattering teeth.
"Where do you live?" he asked, his attention still on the bottle as he pulled a rolled piece of paper from inside.
"I-I… I d-don't live here," she replied, her gaze dropping to the ground, hoping he'd lose interest in her and leave.
Another sigh, heavier this time, escaped him. Then, unexpectedly, he moved closer and draped his cloak over her. It was damp and smelled strongly of rum and leather, but its warmth seeped into her, bringing an odd sense of comfort and safety. The gesture felt strangely nostalgic, almost familiar.
"Come with me," he said, jolting her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see him turning, already starting toward the road she'd fled from.
A part of her wanted to follow, but another part hesitated, rooted to the ground. I can't trust him; they're all the same. She watched him move away, her heart caught between fear and something unnameable.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning split the sky, its thunderous crack echoing through the narrow alley. She flinched, hugging her knees tighter as tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I just… want to go home," she whispered, clutching the cloak around her, the faint smell grounding her even as her thoughts scattered.
"Fine," his voice cut through the rain. She looked up, startled to see that he was no longer on the road. Before she could register, he was behind her, his breath warm against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Sorry…"
After she slipped into unconsciousness, he gently lifted her into his arms. She relaxed into his hold, her features softening as her muscles finally let go of their tension. He shook his head, positioning her over his shoulder as he surveyed their surroundings.
Clink.
The faint sound of metal reached his ears, and his attention sharpened. Silver? He carefully set her down against the wet wall, adjusting the cloak around her to shield her from the cold. A grin played across his lips as he searched the muddy ground, his fingers scouring for the glint he'd heard.
His patience wore thin—darkness made visibility near impossible, and the mud was freezing. Where is it?
Finally, after a frustrating search, he spotted his prize: a pendant, gleaming faintly in the rain. His eyes widened as he inspected it, his heartbeat quickening at the realization.
Hyuga Clan. The girl was a noble?
Glancing back at her unconscious form, his throat went dry. How did a Hyuga end up here?
He pressed the pendant to his forehead, overwhelmed. After a moment of contemplation, he slipped it into his pocket, resolving to take her to his place for the night. Gently, he lifted her again, his grip more careful than before.
He had questions—many of them—and he needed answers.
"What was he like, big sister?"
The memory played in Hinata's mind, a glimmer of warmth in the dark. She remembered the joy in her sister's eyes. "He saved me from the bullies and stood up to them!" she'd said, her heart swelling with pride at the memory of the whiskered boy's bravery.
"Wow! I want to meet him," her little sister Hanabi had said, bouncing on the bed with excitement.
"Maybe you will, Hanabi," she had smiled, the thought filling her with hope.
Hey, wake up.
The voice pulled her from her dream, jarring her back to the present. She felt the warmth of a blanket slip away, replaced by the cool morning air.
Her eyes snapped open, and a wave of realization hit her as she took in her surroundings. She was lying on an unfamiliar bed, and the smell—musky, like leather and sweat—told her it was a stranger's room.
A shadow leaned over her, and she reacted instinctively, her arm lashing out.
"Ahhg!" The man stumbled back, clutching his face as he swore under his breath, giving her a chance to bolt from the room. She rushed into the hallway, noticing she was wearing an oversized shirt and trousers that weren't hers.
He changed my clothes! Panic rose in her chest. He's seen me!
Her heart pounded as she sprinted down the cramped hallway, desperately searching for the exit. Footsteps sounded close behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder to see him in pursuit, his expression somewhere between annoyed and amused.
"Hey! You punched me!" he yelled, rubbing his jaw as he limped into the kitchen after stubbing his knee on a cupboard. "Crazy girl…"
Without thinking, Hinata grabbed a kitchen knife, holding it in both hands with a look of sheer determination. She pointed it toward him, her grip trembling.
He took a cautious step back, sizing her up with a smirk. "You're gonna throw that?"
"Stay back!" she stammered, her voice wavering despite her attempt at confidence.
His smirk grew. "Go ahead. Throw it and see what happens."
With a surge of frustration, she threw the knife. It missed him by inches, embedding itself with a thud in the cupboard behind him. For a second, she stared in shock at her aim.
Before she could process what she'd done, he lunged forward, grabbing her wrists and twisting her arms behind her back in one swift motion. She yelped as he locked her in place.
"Listen," he said, his voice low as he held her firmly. "I'm not going to hurt you, so stop squirming."
"You're hurting me now!" she shot back, gasping as his grip tightened.
With a sigh, he let her go, stepping back with his hands raised in mock surrender. "Can we talk like normal people? I saved your life and brought you to my home, and this is how you repay my hospitality?"
Glaring, she rubbed her sore wrists, refusing to meet his gaze. "Hinata," she said finally, voice wavering but steady. "Hinata Hyuga."
The blond man seemed taken aback, but he quickly masked it, crossing his arms over his chest. "Naruto," he replied, his tone neutral.
"Naruto… ?" she repeated, her brow furrowing. "Are you… a thief?"
"I'm whatever you want me to be" he sarcastically replied.
Moments after their scuffle, the blond man and Hinata sat across from each other in an uneasy silence, each nursing a mug of tea at his small, round table. Despite the warmth of the tea, neither could quite shake the tension lingering in the air. They exchanged nervous glances, both struggling to find words. Hinata's gaze drifted over the tiny apartment—cups scattered here and there, loose coins and duffel bags littering the floor, clothes in disarray. And yet, despite the mess, there was something strangely cozy about it.
Sip.
"Hmm," he murmured.
"Finally relaxed?" he asked, his tone laced with sarcasm as he took another gulp from his mug.
"I've got some questions."
Questions? But before she could respond, he hit her with one that made her choke, nearly spitting out her tea in shock.
"Are you a prostitute?" he asked, his smirk barely hidden behind his mug.
"WHAT?!" Hinata exploded, her shyness and restraint forgotten in an instant. The man flinched, shutting his eyes as he waved his hands in mock defense.
"Didn't think so," he replied, clearly amused. "Now, let's relax. Mind telling me who you are?"
He reached into his pocket, shuffling through his dark trousers. The soft clink of trinkets sounded until he pulled out a familiar object—her silver pendant, its delicate design catching the dim light.
The Hyuga pendant!
Hinata's instincts took over as she shot to her feet, reaching for the pendant. She launched herself at him, her hand outstretched, but he anticipated her move and held it just out of reach, his height giving him the advantage.
"G-Give it back!" she stammered, frustration coloring her cheeks. "It's mine!"
"I'll give it back, I promise," he replied, looking down at her with a bemused smile. "But only if you tell me who you really are."
Oh no...
After a few more futile attempts to retrieve her pendant, she let out a defeated sigh and sank back into her chair with a huff, like a child pouting over a lost toy.
"My name is Hinata Hyuga, and… I'm-. A member of the Hyuga clan—or, at least, I was, until I was taken away," she said, her voice wavering as she bit her lip, struggling to keep her composure.
The man nodded, signaling her to continue.
"I was granted permission to leave the palace for a trip I'd been hoping to take. I left with guards in a carriage, but soon the carriage came to a sudden stop." Her voice fell to a fearful whisper, her fists clenching until her knuckles turned white. "I heard swords clashing, men shouting… and then I saw him. Galoorn. He was one of the men who took me."
The blond man's expression darkened. "Galoorn," he repeated with obvious distaste. "Do you remember the others?"
"N-no. They smelled horrible… and they started talking about… taking turns," she said, her voice trailing off as the memories came flooding back, her eyes filling with tears.
He hesitated, watching her carefully. "Did they… you know, hurt you?"
Hinata shook her head vigorously, her gaze meeting his with a fierce, determined look. "N-No."
The blond man placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she reacted by clutching his shirt, burying her face in his chest as she sobbed, letting the tears she'd been holding back finally fall.
I'm sorry you had to go through that.
After a few moments, he gently patted her head, a subtle signal that their embrace had lasted long enough. She pulled back with a sniff, wiping her tears away on his sleeve, her face flushed red. "S-Sorry," she murmured with a small, bashful smile.
"You never answered my question," he reminded her, straightening his shirt.
"Huh?" she mumbled, momentarily confused.
"Who were you in the palace? I don't think a simple family member would be escorted by guards," he pressed, his gaze sharp as he tried to read the truth in her eyes.
Hinata visibly tensed, her eyes flickering away before meeting his again, a mixture of worry and hesitation in her pale lavender gaze. "I… I'm the Princess of the Hyuga clan," she admitted in a small voice, her eyes shutting tightly as if bracing for a reaction.
"…You're royalty?!" he burst out, jumping up in surprise.
"Y-Yes," she replied softly, fighting back a fresh wave of tears.
What am I getting myself into? He wondered, silently staring at her.
She looked up at him with a hopeful, almost fearful gaze. "So… will you help me get back to the palace?"
He sighed, weighing the implications. "Fine. But let's be clear—this isn't charity. I have my reasons, and they happen to align with yours," he replied nonchalantly, quickly dispelling any notions of kindness.
Her eyes narrowed at his bluntness, and she turned away, pouting slightly.
"So," he continued, "what do you say? Getting out of here isn't exactly a walk in the park."
"I-I could just find a guard to take me back," she countered, still avoiding his gaze.
He chuckled, amused by her naivety. "Guards from the capital don't come anywhere near this place," he replied with a smirk.
"H-How do you know that?"
"I know this place better than anyone. It's called Thieves' Landing for a reason."
Hinata hesitated, then looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of sincerity. "How can I trust you?"
He moved closer, leaning down until his face was inches from hers. Her cheeks flushed, her wide eyes fixed on his as he met her gaze steadily. "Hinata Hyuga," he said softly, "you have my word that I'll get you back." His tone was sincere, his eyes unwavering.
Her lips parted slightly, her expression softening as she held his gaze. "I… I trust you," she whispered, blinking away the fresh tears that threatened to spill.
Not again, he thought, panicking as he saw her tears beginning to form.
"Hey! No tears, alright?" he said quickly.
She nodded, wiping her eyes and smiling timidly. "Okay," she murmured, her voice a bit steadier now.
"Good," he replied, a hint of relief in his voice. "We're leaving tomorrow morning. Shower, pack, and get some sleep. It's a long journey."
Why am I looking forward to this? He wondered, feeling a flicker of excitement he couldn't quite explain.
"W-Where will I…?" she began, trailing off.
"You'll sleep in my bed. I have some business to take care of tonight," he replied, standing up and heading toward the door. "Be ready by eight. Now, go get some rest."
"Wh-Where are you going?" she asked, a touch of concern in her voice.
"You need to take a shower and get some sleep myself," he replied dismissively. "You need it. You smell."
Her face flushed with indignation as she clenched her fists, her brows knitting together. "You're so rude!" she muttered.
Sigh.
The capital. He had sworn he'd never return, but it seemed fate had other plans. This girl might be the one excuse he needed to leave this place, and if she didn't recognize him, all the better. He wasn't about to risk her remembering.
Stepping out of the apartment, he looked up at the dark sky, rubbing his cheeks. Slowly, the golden dust he used to hide his facial whisker marks fell away, revealing the faint scars underneath.
If she sees this, it could mean trouble. Hinata Hyuga… why are you here? And why now?
He clenched his fists, steeling himself. He'd have to find more of that cosmetic powder the women here used so freely.
"But first, I need to see Master Jiraiya," he muttered to himself, shaking his head in frustration as he set off into the night.
.