A Naruto Fan Fiction

“The Lady and the Tramp”

By Bloody Priestess

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Summary: Set in the heart of Victorian London, the sheltered, prim and proper young miss of the affluent Hyuuga clan, Hinata Hyuuga and the scandalously rakish Earl of Wolfeton, Naruto Uzumaki must team up. And to succeed, they must put up an ACT catch a killer amidst a sea of so-called ‘friends’...

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A quick AN (November 21, 2008): Temari (and the Sand Siblings) now have the family name, "Du Sable" which means 'of (the) sand' in French; they're supposed to be foreign (specifically, French) in this fic. :)

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Chapter Four: Something for Nothing

People, regardless of how they justify it, always want something in return. For—no body really does anything for
nothing.

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Amidst the yards upon yards of fabulous, varied, colorful and extremely expensive fabrics draped over every furniture in sight in the tastefully Parisian-styled and furnished room, Hinata managed to sit in the middle of the Lady Ino Carlyle Yamanaka, the Stratton's London mansion's drawing room in some resemblance of calm... But compared to the beautiful Sakura Haruno's infinitely serene expression, the Hyuuga Heiress was a dull imitation.

With a hesitation, Hina slanted a look to Sakura who was seated in a dark-blue brocade sofa in front of a beautifully clawed footed marble-top table with her day-dress' skirts arranged around her feet. Even the late morning sunlight that shimmered on her head, completed the serenity of her expression— Yes, she was nothing next to Sakura. Hina wondered if she could ever, even in the smallest of measure, be like Miss Haruno.

It was every young miss' wish to be like the "great" Sakura Haruno—the paragon of a well-mannered female person ever since she made her debut a year and a half ago. But alas, Sakura had to withdraw from the public eye because her birth-parents died when their vehicle overturned as they were trying to escape footpads chasing their carriage. It was customary, as well as expected to mourn one’s departed for a year.

The beloved paragon's dear parent’s death was soon after followed by the longest nine months of quiet and gradual impoverishment for the young miss. And Miss Haruno, bore the unfortunate event that — and with great composure and dignity! Even as gossip flew to any ear that would listen of how the once “great Haruno’s” only and most profitable country estate, Gifford had to be sold off to pay the solicitors who came calling almost immediately after burial ceremony. The ton feared the worst for the orphaned Sakura Haruno.

And then there was that announcement that the recently deceased Reiko Uzumaki—Sakura’s godmother and the late Chibara Haruno’s best friend— adopted her goddaughter. And so, many thanks to the kindness of the Uzumaki family — Sakura was saved, the ton thought happily! Sakura was quite content with the turn events—she had no complaints. Ever since that time on, she very well taken care of by her guardian—the Earl of Wolfeton, Naruto who only came to his title a mere months prior.

The eighth Earl of Wolfeton had provided for her like an older brother would. He had set her up in the townhouse of her own and provided her with all the requirements and luxuries that she had been accustomed to. He was considerate enough to employ the services of the finest lady’s companion, which Sakura sorely needed more than ever with the fact that he was a bachelor and she was an unmarried female; especially when she stayed in Wolfeton Manor, his family’s long-standing manor some five miles north of London.

That put to an end to the most spiteful gossip continued to circulate — that one about what happens behind closed doors with the "step-siblings".

Despite the foul repute surrounding the eighth Earl of Wolfeton, Miss Haruno was to be admired and set as an exemplary example for the way she never uttered any slur against the young nobleman. She was a lady in the truest and purest sense of the word!

A parlourmaid dressed in the livery of the Stratton's royal blue and gold came and deposited the gleaming steel trolley with the tea and tea cakes beside Hinata's side of the settee and soundlessly left to stand her spot near the door beside the butler, Mr. Willoughby.

Kurenai was assisting young blonde lady select through fabrics for new walking, day dresses and elegant ball gowns she was to have made. Now, that the stunning blonde was now coming out of her year of mourning for her older brother, Taka.

It was very essential to have Miss Yuhi's other charges present. For the economy of time, of course, the proper instructions shall be given out all at once.

"Now, if you please, Miss Hyuuga," Miss Yuhi, her (as well as Ino and Sakura's) lady's companion and chaperone said while holding out a shimmery silver-gray fabric against Ino, "practice 'elegance' whilst you pour the tea."

Pale lavender blue eyes slowly yet audaciously stole up to Miss Kurenai. That was the chaperone's diplomatic way to say that the Hyuuga heiress should begin to serve the tea for the ladies present. They all knew that the maid could have done it for the guests. However, with was proper to have young ladies learn how to aptly pour tea for when they married and become mistress (as in, feminine variation of 'master') of their husband's household it was up to them to pour tea when receiving one's guests and callers.

Realizing that there was indeed good reason behind Miss Yuhi’s sternness, Hina turn to passing a tea cup to Sakura with all the resolute she could rally while Ino pulled out a flowing water-blue fabric from white box a maid held up to her.

Suddenly, Hinata could not breathe... That color. Her pale cheeks hued themselves a lovely patch of red on their own accord. It has been almost two weeks since, what Hina privately called "The Incident", but the memory of those clear, water-blue eyes still shone vividly in her mind.

"Heavens!" The ravishing blonde gushed prettily, not seeing Hinata's reaction. "This will go nicely as a ball gown, would it not, Miss Yuhi? And grandmama's pearls will go nicely for a total Ocean themed look!"

For half a heartbeat, dark green eyes peered through coral-pink fringed lashes with a note of disdain directed at Ino.

The impassiveness that clad the Hyuuga heiress' bearing as she thought about Wolfeton flitted away. The lovely porcelain tea pot quivered in Hinata's hands, nearly spilling its contents on Sakura Haruno's pale mint-green morning dress with dark green ribbon-trimmings and narrow, long sleeves. Hinata was astonished to see The Paragon so... menacing.

"Oh, that could have been a great mess." Ino remarked half-teasing, earning herself a disapproving glance from Kurenai.

Pale blue eyes blinked hard. 'This is THE Sakura Annalen Haruno! Hinata reminded herself. The paragon was not that sort of lady! It must have been brought upon by the near-experience could have caused,' the brunette rationalized. 'I refuse to believe Sakura is capable of disdain or anything devious for that matter!'

"You must be more careful, Miss Hyuuga." Kurenai said unsmilingly. "Presence of mind is the antidote for all clumsiness."

"Yes, Miss Yuhi." That's right. Hinata told herself, seeing Sakura smilingly hold out her tea cup, I must have imagined it all... Foolish me. "Forgive me, Miss Haruno."

"Please," Sakura said pleasantly to the brunette, "do not trouble yourself with apologies, you did no harm."

"But—"

Sakura knew that this long string of apologies will never end and so she purposely changed the subject, "I'd like to have two lumps of sugar with my tea, please."

Kurenai hid a smile, she knew what Sakura did. Sakura had smoothly deflected the younger girl's uneasiness. Well done, Miss Haruno... as what one would expect from you.

Hinata, knowing that it was now inappropriate to interject, returned to the task of serving tea. She added the amount to Sakura's cup. "Would you care for some tea, my lady?"

Ino's brilliant smile fell slightly as she turned from her reflection draped in a new peach fabric on the French gold-gilded mirror to Hina. "No, thank you." She said a little too curtly. Kurenai frowned at the tone, justly poking the blonde with a pin; Ino hastily added. "Perhaps in a little while, if it still pleases you, Miss Hyuuga."

Hinata's dark cloud immediately vanished. Her smile was bashful and slow to appear… but it was genuine. "Yes, it will, Lady Stratton."

Ino smiled briefly at the brunette heiress and Kurenai nodded with approval.

"Miss Kurenai? Woul—"

"In a while, Miss Hyuuga." Kurenai snappishly cut in.

Sakura paused in the course of her tea stirring with a mildly interested expression. It was evident that she felt sorry for the girl, but she said nothing. True ladies never speak out of turn. The coral-pink haired young lady resumed stirring her tea.

Hinata's face fell, bowing her head to partially obscure her tell-tale expression. The Hyuuga Heiress routinely proceeded to pour herself some tea with much dignity she could muster.

The stunning blonde was starting to think that Miss Yuhi show favor for the meek, little debutante. Lady Ino Yamanaka, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Stratton was not completely without feeling. Honestly, she had a heart underneath that cool, slightly haughty exterior and comportment of hers. But, Ino wished their mutual chaperone to show some firmness towards the Hina. Ino was very much delighted.

The Polite Society was composed of all sorts of people—most of them sadly are garbed with a pleasant exterior but a foul interior... It is imperative for one to be able to learn how to separate the truth from the lies. Ino only wanted Hinata to be prepared and schooled, so that she may not be duped and disillusioned by those nasty characters.

Kurenai watched her young blonde charge, understanding what that expression meant and smiled privately. The dark brown haired lady's companion was rarely pleased. But somehow, today was an exception. Honestly, it felt wonderful to be blessed with charges who learned what was taught them, held the lesson close to the heart and lived by them.

The lady's companion would never say this aloud... but... I worry more that what is expected... Saints preserve me.

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...

The theater. It was the best place to see and not be seen. But ever since he was made the Earl of Wolfeton after a series of odd coincidence, there has hardly been time he was out of the Ton’s sights.

Wolfeton — what Society called Naruto Uzumaki politely to his face — had a very good view of his 'sister', Ino Carlyle Yamanaka (Lady Stratton) and Miss Hinata Isabelle Hyuuga from across the grand space of the Konoha Opera House's domed ceiling as the three young ladies and their ever-present chaperone, Miss Yuhi occupied the Yamanaka's private box.

Only a few minutes into the play—Naruto already knew how it ended. He had read this play. It was that sappy tragedy about young Italian lovers where the young man took poison and the young lady stabbed herself. Damn Shakespeare. But deep down inside, he was a fool—quixotic, a romantic at heart. He damned himself as well.

He lowered his opera glasses and turned to the laughing male who just ushered yet another male and his younger brother into the Marquis of Garston's private opera box.

In the corner of his blue blue eyes, he saw the Frenchman Gaara Sebastien Du Sable and his brother, Kankuro Simeon likewise turn to the heavy curtains to see Lee come in with some newcomers. Brock "Rock" Lee, Marquis of Garston made the introductions—the newcomers were Itachi Xavier Uchiha, the Marquis of Villefort and his younger brother, Sasuke Maximilien.

Naruto studied the Uchiha siblings… but it was futile. With a reluctant sigh, he turned shifted his attention to the play on the stage. The blonde earl of Wolfeton did not know what exactly he was looking for.

It’s slowly becoming clear to Wolfeton that he was seeking out a murderer of whom he knew so little about—and his investigations lead him as far as to the Hyuuga Mansion that fateful night three weeks ago. But even then, he had been relying on Marisa’s information to bring about the next phase. Now, the girl was cold and gone. And so was the villain’s trail.

Three bloody weeks wasted! Naruto crushed his play itinerary in annoyance.

From across the great domed space, a pair of opera glasses wandered off from the stage to the horde of gentlemen in the Marquis of Garston’s opera box. It was not an isolated case, for numerous others were doing the very same thing.

Why, the box was crammed with the most eligible bachelors in the country who had come to London for the Season! Any ambitious mamas with daughters of marriageable age, commendable fortunes and a long, proud noble ancestry would have delight in and document the occurrence as God’s gift—for they were able to see and not be seen.

This was such rare sight! Most of the time, the gentlemen would remain in their clubs and politely refuse to attend balls, operas and the like... but not tonight! Unsuspectingly, they were in proud display like horseflesh in a fair.

A fan snapped closed against an elegantly gloved feminine hand.

Hinata smiled at Sakura, trying to ease the embarrassment.

Sakura was more than obliging to let the matter side and smiled back. “Don’t you just adore the theater, Miss Hyuuga?”

“Yes, it’s quite delightful. Tonight’s performance was quite thrilling.” Hinata observed.

Sakura smiled, looking absolutely radiant in her gown of pale green with white flounces that made Hina wonder if she would ever be worth anything. The paragon nodded her acquiescence, unaware of the young débutante's rather melancholic, thoughts, before directing her opera glasses back to the Shakespearean tragedy unfolding on the stage below.

Hinata did not realize how accurate her observation was, until much later that evening.

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...

The crush of people leaving the theater was... literally crushing her. She had lost the trace of a rusty orange, azure-blue, and pale green with white flounces dresses respectively belonging to Miss Yuhi, Lady Stratton and Miss Haruno in the multitudes that were leaving the theatre. Hinata resourcefully plucked her deep violet with lavender skirts trampled on by an idle gentleman talking to an acquaintance.

Sensing the tugging motion on his feet, he said. “I beg your pardon, miss.” The gentleman hastily lifted his foot off the hem of her skirts, thus allowing her to move forward.

They must have thought that I was to leave with Neji. Well, that was the initial arrangement… But Cousin Neji cannot be here. Hina thought, as she gripped her cousin's letter telling her his apologies that he could not come and fetch her. Business, it said shall detain him for the rest of the night.

“Wait!” her mind shouted after them, knowing fully that it was unheard of to be shouting in public. And if were to leave on my own… Why! Neji would simply be furious! Craning her neck for a moment, her pale blue eyes settled on the sparkling sapphire hairpiece on a lustrous mane of curling pale-gold ingots of hair a distance ahead of the crowd. There they are. Hina noted, identifying Ino’s hair and hairpiece.

Realizing that she could reach the trio faster if she cut though the massive pillars lining the sides of the foyer where the idling people were sparse. The Hyuuga heiress turned sharply and made her way more quickly… But not quickly enough, for they three ladies were already walking out into the lamp-lit streets.

An elegant, black lacquered open carriage with the Stratton crest halted before them. One by one, the ladies disappeared into the shadows of the vehicle.

Hinata ran on ahead, convinced that by staying the street lane she was quite safe. She decided to hail the Stratton carriage away from all these departing people, where it would have a better chance of seeing her. With her dark cloak secured about her, rendering her anonymous from the nosy stares as she made her way. Barely through the shadows where the lamplight did not penetrate had she felt a presence…

“What’s ye ’urry, little lady?” a sinister voice asked from behind.

Hina barely turned to saw a burly man dressed in a shabby overcoat and hat pulled low over his face pounce on her from the darkness. Before she could rebuke, a foul smelling cloth has been overpoweringly brought to her nose and mouth.

Hina reacted instantly to the danger. She brought her the back of her hand hard against the man face. Something that she recently learned to be effective when dealing from an assault coming from behind.

As she intended the gem on her ring wounded her assailant thus causing him to slacken his brutish hold and drop the fetid cloth dosed with chloroform. Jerking her face away from his bulky hands she was able to inhale fresh, clean air and let out a sharp, loud cry. “HELP! Someone pl—”

The brute’s left cheek was bleeding from the gash she caused. He then, gathered her wrists together in a pitiless grip with one hand and pulled her forward a nondescript closed-carriage that came to a jarring stop before them.

She was intelligent enough to recognize that she was losing the struggle, for her physical strength was nothing compared to his. But she was not going to simply admit defeat. Using her wits to overcome her opponent was something she daresay she had in abundance!

Hinata sharply turned her head over her attackers shoulder as if she recognized somebody. Her eyes positively glowed with triumph and relief at the nonexistent person behind him. With the brute distracted, she kicked his shins. Just as Hina wretched her wrists free and started to scurry away, a deafening thunder of a pistol going off sounded from the carriage interior.

The door burst open and a bleeding man fell to the pavement while a second figure loomed at the threshold of the dark vehicle. A man inched out of the open carriage with a smoking pistol in his right gloved hand, his features shadowed by his slightly tilted head and his face further obscured by the upturned collar of his billowing black cloak.

A second pistol was leisurely extracted from the folds of the second man's greatcoat, its gleaming end pointed straight at Hinata. “Cease, woman!”

Hinata barely managed to drag air to her lungs as she stopped in her tracks.

And the heavyset brute chuckled nastily to her ear. “T'would be best ye cooperate, girly.”

The man unhurriedly stepped out of the carriage to the hard pavement, still trailing his gun at the heiress.

And then, she saw blue, blue eyes peer through the shadows on the gunman’s face to her.

She could have sworn they twinkled with mischief. As if this was a game rather than a life-or-death situation! The after effects of foul cloth brought to her were making her slightly a tad bid dizzy and her vision darken a tad bit. That was the inspiration she needed!

Hina brought a gloved hand to her forehead. She closed her eyes, and with poise sank in a feign swoon at the brute's feet. “Ohh!”

“You bloody bastard what have you done to her?” And the second man shouted to the brute as the young woman landed on the pavement.

The larger man clearly panicked, raising his arms when the gun pointed to him instead, “I did nuthin’, governor. Swear on my blessed wife's bones, I dain’t!” Then, comprehension dawned in the brute’s bloodshot eyes. He drew his own pistol and pointed them to the owner of those blue, blue eyes. “Whut ‘ave ye dun to the governor, boy?!”

From her sprawled position on the pavement, Hina's heart hammered with fear for her rescuer's safety. She knew she was being silly... after all, Mr. Blue, blue eyes seemed very cool and capable under the circumstance... It was the fact that he was in this because he came to her aid that made her mindful and clearheaded about the dangerous situation they were in.

She sought of a way to help HIM. On her pose on the ground, she had a good view of the back of the brute's legs. Inspiration struck once again! Hinata lashed her feet together to the back of the heavyset man's knees, causing the much larger man to fall and in the flurry of movement, his pistol accidentally firing into the night...

In an instant, Mr. Blue, Blue Eyes leaped from the carriage and bashed the brute with the back of his pistol before the brute could stand, rendering the latter to unconsciousness.

Wolfeton, shoving his second pistol to the band of his trousers, grabbed her shoulders and gave her a hard shake. "Are you hurt, Hinata?!"

Hina gazed dazedly to the huge, unconscious man on the ground beside her... she tried not to think of the bleeding man called the 'governor'. "I'm fine, my lord."

The coachman leaped from the vehicle. Reacting immediately to the perceived danger, Hina pulled the pistol from Wolfeton's waistband and fired at the coachman.

Kakashi dropped to the ground as the bullet destroyed a lamp where his head was a heartbeat earlier. "Blast it, girl!"

Naruto grinned down at her. Firmly, extracting the smoking firearm from her hands he said to his tutor and tonight's accomplice. "She already did, Hatake."

"Blast you too, Uzumaki." The silver-blond haired man cussed, gripping the brute by his legs and pulling the heavyset man towards the vehicle. "Help me load this monstrosity into the damn carriage, will you? You can make goo-goo eyes with the girl later."

The earl chuckled and helped his tutor. Both men then loaded the bleeding 'governor' after binding their hands and legs together like a couple hogs captured in a hunt.

"What about the 'governor's' wound?" The heiress asked, eying the steady flow of blood on the smaller man stuffed into the vehicle.

A blond eyebrow rose at her statement. "You're worrying after that son of a bitch?"

She realized that her pity was not appreciated by her rescuer for her assailant. She thought of saying something to appease the former... something that was "expected"... But she could not. Hinata would not! Purposely, ignoring society's mandate. She said, "Of course, one would not have him dying before one could investigate him, now would we?"

The earl grinned, apparently enjoying the edge of vemon in her words and the hint of wickedness in the manner her mind works.

Then she added, sarcastically. Clearly stating that her vemon was for the circumstance of her assailant and NOT for the person per se. "Because that is all he's worth. He's only good is the information he holds. 'Oh', you're suggesting, 'he does not deserve humane treatment... because he's NOT human but a mere well of information!'... Is he not, essentially, a human person? Regardless of the path he has pursued?"

Wolfeton sighed. "And here I was, beginning to enjoying the way your wicked mind works."

"Wicked?!" Hina repeated incredulously. "Why you hypocritical..." She threw a glance at her attackers and continued, "... heartless..."

A carriage lumbered and turned in the northwestern corner of the lane. It reminded them that they were still in a public street. Wolfeton took out his gold watch and waved in the air to the other end of the lonesome street that was shrouded in the evening mist and shadows casted by the trees that bordered the park of the next block. The timepiece caught a fleeting ray of moonlight and flashed thrice as the earl continued to wave it.

A few moments later, a fine yet nondescript black lacquered closed carriage dashed from dark end to them. The coachman ginned and then, greeted the earl. "Good evening, m'lord. Fine evening we're having..." He greeted with a thick Irish brogue.

Wolfeton was all business-like now. "Mr. Hatake, see to these men. I shall meet you in your townhouse as soon as I escort Miss Hyuuga home." Without preamble, he took Hinata's elbow and purposefully guided the young miss up the steps of a fine carriage. "To the Hyuuga Manor, McKinley."

Hina would have protested and resisted but the manner that the earl's jaw was set, warned that it was best to let him have his "peace".

"Aye, m'lord." The coachman McKinley replied.

McKinley smartly whipped the reins and the pair of well-matched foursome of black horses with silver-gray harness toddled into the night.

...

....

"Bloody hell, woman." Naruto growled like the fierce beast he was called as he settled back to the luxurious silver-gray and black velvet squabs of the carriage. The Earl of Wolfeton tried to concentrate on some other thing than the searing pain on the upper part of his left arm where she had poured a liberal amount of whiskey.

"Oh! You must have been positively crushed when I worried for my assailant than you —my savior." She said, rolling her almost-translucent eyes at him whilst she capped the bottle of spirits she used to prevent the wound from getting infected and thus, also duly stop the immediate and continual bleeding.

"Practically, crushed into fine dust particles." He said dryly but a bold smile was tugging the sides of his mouth at the sight of her leaning down to retrieve a hem of her down, where the low square-neckline of her evening gown's bodice tighten and exaggerated the exposed swells of the top of her breasts.

Naruto wanted to attribute the sudden increase of his body's temperature to the liquor... Dammit, if he only took a swing at the bottle INSTEAD the unknowing display of female flesh. He knew that some supreme, heaven-dwelling being was adding a tally to his already-long list of transgressions.

"Silly man," she said, biting on a hem of her delicate deep violet and pale lavender gown with her teeth. Once the tear was pronounced, she ripped the delicate material into strips and deftly attended to the Wolfeton's bullet-pierced shoulder. "I did not know you were hurt! After all, you did not react whatsoever... I presumed that the brute's last bullet extracted to some aimless spot. "

"Now, I AM aimless?" His blue, blue eyes mockingly sorrowful... like a little hapless pup.

She had the sudden urge to whack the back of his blonde head at his deliberate obtuseness. Hinata checked the impulse, he was only trying to be funny. She thought of the pain he must be in... Yes, that must be reason... he needed to get his mind off that pain. She rationalized. Hinata decided to indulge him by taking his statement seriously... "Now... why would you say that, my lord?"

"...you would not want to know."

"That wicked, huh?" She quired, lifting a femininely arched dark eyebrow at his jest. She tut-tuted her disappointment prettily as she took her original seat on the vehicle opposite to his. It was apparent that, regardless if she consciously... or unconsciously did that in supposition that the physical distance between them would help reinforce her sense of security from him.

A smart and perceptive chit, Naruto thought. The truth be told, he was feeling especially predatory. Wolfeton leaned deeper back to the soft squabs and tried to behave himself.

But when he saw the upturned curve on the corners of her lips and look that as an invitation. He saw that as sign that did NOT really mean what she said. Honestly, he was willing to use any excuse to justify his next move.

Extending his uninjured arm, he yanked her off her seat to the space beside his seat. Abruptly, Naruto grabbed the lovely mass of dark hair behind her head and dragged it to his face. He slanted his mouth hungrily over hers. His bold advance was met with firm opposition— her firmly closed mouth.

Shame on you if you fool me once. Shame on me if you fool me twice. Hina thought. She was not going allow him to take liberties with her without a fight. I will not let you think of me as the "fast" sort! Once, I daresay is enough. She was her parent’s daughter. She was her esteem ancestors' descendant. It was their proud and illustrious blood that flows in her. And if that was not enough— she was also Miss Yuhi's pupil! She was a sensible and astute girl — she was NOT raised to be such a fool.

Realizing that he had to coax her participation only added to the thrill and his resolve to have her where he wanted her. Knowing he had to change tactics... His mouth immediately softened against hers—lazily shaping, lightly probing, and lingeringly maddening. And with this exquisite gentleness, she was stunned to stillness.

She recalled the way he looked in that moonlit balcony when he talked about reputations lost— but somehow, all that struck Hina was how lost and very sorry he was when faced with the prospect of subjecting HER reputation to Hades as well. She felt an ache in her heart for him. Hina could empathize with his plight of that moment! She knew what it was like to be forced by circumstance to do what was necessary rather that adhere to the dictates of personal conscience.

And from the stillness, came a rush of sensations that Hina could not identify... nor does she care to examine any further, as of the moment. She tried to drag air to her lungs, but only accomplished a shaky breath. And from that tiniest of breaks, he seized the opportunity and breached her defenses. Ah, victory is sweet... He thought when she finally yielded her mouth to his seeking tongue.

Hina felt her heart hammer in her chest, and his hand glide up and tighten into the first inch of her nape's hairline... before, sensually glide back down the point where her neck and shoulders meet. She leaned against him, sliding her hands up to the hard muscles of his chest, over his shoulders, arching her body as she brought his body closer to her... Ever so slowly, he gently pushed her back to the silver-gray seat and straddled her. It was like her body wanted to meet, mold and forge with his. Then, suddenly his kissing became hard, urgent... irresistibly primitive. His hands shifted, at first to slide at the sides of her breast... now, started to caress them.

Some part of her mind cried out a warning, but she was already too far out at sea by these sweeping sensations that she could not possibly make it back to shore. No! She walled her hands over his chest and at the slightest pressure Naruto leaped back and broke the contact.

She finally regained her wits and her voice. She said, a tad bit too dazedly... a tab bit too breathless. "It occurs to me... that was meant to prevent my person from probing an answer from you, my lord."

Naruto mentally shook his head free of the 'pervy twist' he added to her words. The earl grimaced, he could just see that supreme, heaven-dwelling being adding more, more, and more strokes to the tally of his transgressions. "A human person than a fountain of information. Did or did you not say?"

Hinata busied righting her disheveled hair, her rounched (and purposely) up skirts. "Touché." Her mouth reluctantly twisting to a side on her face.

He never saw her smile that way before. "May I query what brought that smile about?"

"I was quite flattered that his lordship actually listened to something I said. Bluntly, nobody truly cared to (or at least!) listen to and of the things that escaped the filter of drummed-into-ones-head propriety and courtesy that has escaped my lips..." Until you. She silently added, for some reason... she could not confidently confide that latter addition to him.

Suddenly—for some reason, she could not trust herself to act a certain way with him. Hina caught her lower lip as the realization struck her— she never acted a certain way with him at all.

She was completely herself! In the balcony, when she openly admired the way the moonlight made him look like an angel with water-blue eyes... when she practically shrilled like a fish-monger's wife as she defended Ino and Temari from his sharp tongue... when she purposely 'slapped' him with her skirts as she left him after he helped her escape the "scene of the crime"...

Hina slipped on her gloves as thoughtfully as she could, buying her time as she tried to put her thoughts to some sort of order. She could not have him sensing that something was vexing her thoughts. It was not her intention to lie to him— all she wanted was to be the best that she can be... And the "best she can be" was if she was to become what the ton wanted from a young lady with connections, lineage and money like her.

I just realized... I am nothing like what they want me to be.

"What is on your mind?"

Despite her efforts, she could not perfect Sakura's innocently bewildered expression.

Hina saw that way that he frowned down at her when she attempted to copy The Paragon.

"It is nothing of importance, my lord." She said, interjecting some of the Lady Stratton's confidence.

"Nothing of importance." Naruto repeated, quite offhandedly. But something in his tone made Hina fully grasp the reality that he did not believe her, and this was his way of telling her of his stand.

Hina knew that she'll never be as perfect as Sakura or as confident as Ino—although Miss Yuhi told her over and over again that she was special too, Hinata could not help but feel... disappointingly average and plain. Somehow, when he said that—the lie almost seemed to be the truth.

I have failed to be what the Ton has demanded me to be... I am a failure, your lordship. What do you need a Failure for?

What does he truly want from me? Hina wondered, casting a fleeting look at the blonde earl’s handsome, shrouded profile as he gazed out the window. This “need” as he put it, cannot be bore out of nothing.

...

End of Chapter Four

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AN: It's 2:38 am!!! Whoa, this chapter is finally done! Gotta head off to bed. But first— before I completely doze off...

Hello there. Here are some clarifications—as you can see, Ino's of noble lineage, thus, she has to be called, 'Lady Stratton', 'my lady' by her peerage. But since Hina and Sakura are a little bit more than acquaintances and a little less than friends (what I mean to say is, the three girls are not close friends), they get to call her by her given name (Ino) but in this chappie I had them address each other formally (they were practicing 'polite conversation', you see.). I also added a 2nd name to the characters just to make them seem a bit more 'at home' in England in the late 18th century... Please be guided. :)

This chapter (esp. the later parts!!!) could not have been done without "Until You" by Judith McNaught! I was really stuck and reading the book really helped heaps!

Do review! Where did I go wrong? Corrections you think I need to tackle (please, point out)?

Thank you very much for your continued support!

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