A/N: An action/mystery/romance/drama fic to scratch my sasuhina itch. Will be multichapter. Sasuke comes out next chapter.

In this world, there are no ninjas, and an individual's value is not placed entirely on how well you fight. That has changed some character personalities and relationships.


Unwind

Cycle I


Ω

Hinata knows something isn't right when Neji turns to her one evening, during one of their scheduled walks, and nonchalantly makes a non sequitur from Hanabi's latest tantrum about her haircut to the pomegranates that are currently in season. There's a slight tremor to his voice that is entirely uncharacteristic of him, and his steps are somewhat brisker than usual. When she turns to give him a questioning look, he has a steely look in his eye that prevents her from voicing her concerns.

There are no pomegranates anywhere in this land, she wants to say. But Neji looks almost frightened and Hinata trusts her cousin enough not to question his sanity, so she keeps quiet and lets him finish his rant.

"The problem with pomegranates," Neji says, "is that they're susceptible to rotting and pests. Mold too. Last spring's severe cold snap killed many acres of pomegranate trees out by the Wave country. You understand?"

Hinata doesn't, but she plays along.

"Of course," she replies. "Mother was talking about this earlier as well. She's worried because Hanabi gets cranky without pomegranate tarts. She loves them so much."

Neji looks relieved. He continues, "How about we take a detour and see how they're doing?"

Hinata is utterly perplexed. "That's fine with me. But it's been a while since I've seen any pomegranate trees. Could you lead the way?"

The Hyuuga male forces a laugh. "You really haven't seen any? They're everywhere! If you go to the center of the market square, you'll see."

Neji grips her elbow loose enough to look amicable but tight enough to be a warning as they walk to the more crowded districts in town. Though Hinata is only twelve and her cousin thirteen, they have witnessed enough Hyuuga disputes to speak and understand meanings beyond the spoken word.

When they get to the square, Hinata sees that Neji is right. There are pomegranate trees everywhere – behind fences, between buildings, along the streets. They blend in well with the cherry blossoms and the oaks.

"You were right," Hinata breathes wonderingly. She frowns. One of her few prides is that of being a good observer. Even though she is quiet and timid, she notices things that most people usually don't. She's been to the square dozens of times before. She wouldn't ever have missed the pomegranates, no matter how seamlessly they blended into the night scene.

"Silly Hinata," says Neji, but his meaningful glance belies his scolding tone. "Like your father tells you, you ought to be more vigilant."

Her father has never expressed this to her in that way before, but Hinata nods dutifully. "I know. I'll try."

Something's not right here, Hinata thinks, but their mysterious discussion is done for the night, and they finish the walk in contemplative silence.


Ω

The day Hinata's name is drawn from the veil, her father pales, her mother weeps, and Hanabi throws another tantrum. Hinata presses the seven year old's wailing face to her shoulder in a futile effort to calm her. Hanabi cries and screams and fists Hinata's best dress until it's practically ruined – not that Hinata cares much at the moment. She's surprised too, but it doesn't hit her that she's been chosen as this year's sacrifice until that night's walk with Neji.

"I guess not even the Hyuugas can do something about violent, meaningless rituals," Neji murmurs.

Hinata looks around to make sure that he wasn't heard. "Please be careful when you say that out loud, Neji. You know how some villagers feel about their faith."

"I'm sorry," says Neji with an unapologetic shrug. Hinata looks at her slippers as she walks. She usually enjoys the warm summer breeze and the noisy cicadas, but for a moment, all of it feels pointless. She's barely lived at all. She won't be able to see Hanabi all grown-up or Kurenai-sensei's baby or Neji maybe awkwardly trying to woo Tenten.

"I'm going to miss our walks," she says, voice thick.

Neji stops. She stops too.

"Don't cry, Hinata," says Neji, but that makes Hinata cry harder.

"I – I didn't really understand until now."

Neji wraps his arms around her. He whispers in her ear, "I am going to pretend to comfort you."

Hinata startles a little, but she covers it up by feigning hiccups.

"Do you remember a few months ago when I told you to notice the pomegranates?" he asks quietly. Hinata nods.

"Whatever happens, until the end, you have to promise me you'll never stop searching."

"H – how is that relev—"

"Sometimes, there are shadows where objects don't exist. Other times, there are objects with no shadows. Do you understand?"

Hinata's head whirls.

"I – I—"

"The end is not the real end. Even the end of the end is not the real end. Look around carefully. You'll do that for me. Right?"

"I – I'll try."

Neji pulls away and ruffles her hair. His voice is at a normal volume again. "You still have a few months left. Stay strong, Hinata."

"Thank you, Neji," says Hinata, sniffling. "I feel a little better now."

Truthfully, she has no idea what's going on. All she knows is that Neji is trying to tell her something secret and important. Does he mean that she won't really die? That maybe there really is an afterlife? Or maybe the elders only pretend to make sacrifices and send the actual bodies alive outside of the country?

Whatever it is, she returns home with a tiny seed of hope in her heart.


Ω

Despite Hanabi's occasional tantrum, she is often praised for being a genius like her cousin Neji. Hinata is proud of her and spoils her when Father and Mother try to discipline her. Sometimes, when the expectations get too high, Hanabi seeks her sister's presence and lets Hinata brush her hair or massage her shoulders. Though Hanabi doesn't show it, she is extremely thankful for her sister for softening the Hyuuga estate in a way not even Mother can do.

So naturally, when Hinata's name is drawn from the veil, Hanabi throws a tantrum. And when she's finished raging, she seeks a solution. She knows Father has tried pleading with the council, and to no avail. She knows Mother has tried petitioning the village to stop the rituals, though the strongest of the faithful shut down the petition immediately.

There has to be something else she can do. Hanabi thinks and thinks, paces her room every night after her lessons are over, pores over tribunals and historical records in the library, and eventually, she notices a few inconsistencies.

There were three years in the past when the village didn't perform any rituals. Once eighty-three years ago, the second fifty-six years ago, and the third twelve years ago. There were no clear reasons why – all the archives mentioned were vague circumstances in which the gods had sent a sign that no rituals were necessary. A certain pattern in the crops, a mysterious disappearance of a herd of sheep, that kind of thing.

What if, Hanabi thinks, what if they could forge a sign? Pretend that the gods, if they exist, are happy enough and Hinata won't have to be sacrificed?

Hanabi is deliriously excited and brings it up that night at dinner.

Father and Mother exchange troubled looks.

"I'm afraid that won't work anymore, sweetie," Mother tries to break it to her gently.

Hanabi scowls. "Why not?"

"Bring us the records first," says Father bitterly. "Then, we'll talk."

The next day, when Hanabi tries to make some copies, she can't find the right tribunals anymore. She returns home glumly and tries again, "Shouldn't it still work, even if there's no evidence anymore? Can't you guys trust me?"

Father looks stern, and Hanabi apologizes reluctantly.

Mother sighs. "Even if it did before, it won't anymore."

"Why not?" Hanabi demands. "Hinata, what do you think?"

Hinata shares a look with Neji – what is it with all the unspoken words in this family? – and offers a sad smile. "I really appreciate that you're trying, Hana, but I think it's better if we all accepted my fate."

"So you're just giving up? Just like that?"

"I'm sorry, Hana."

"No – no – what's wrong with all of you!" Hanabi is on the verge of a tantrum again.

Neji stands up abruptly. "Hanabi, please follow me. I have some holy beads that will help calm you down."

"I don't need your stupid holy beads!"

"Hanabi, listen to your cousin," Father orders. "It's time you grow up."

Reluctantly, she follows.

In his room, Neji scribbles a message on a piece of paper, rolls it up into a scroll, and wraps a string of round wooden beads around it.

"What do I do with this," says Hanabi dully.

"Stay quiet," says Neji. "I've written a prayer for you. Please read it now and calm down."

"Fine. Whatever." Hanabi snatches the paper and the beads. When she opens the scroll, she scans the first few sentences and bites her lip.

Hanabi, it reads. This is not a prayer. Do not read this out loud. They are listening to us always. Your mother, father, Hinata, and I do not know who they are. There are some things off with this world. Reality is being rewritten every second. You must be careful of what you say. Your mother and father might have been about to go with the plan you suggested, but when you said it out loud, whoever's out there heard and altered reality. Hinata will be fine. I have a few theories on what's going to happen to her. But you must remain calm.

Hanabi breathes slowly, deeply.

"Thank you, cousin. I feel much better now."

"I find prayer and meditation to be very helpful as well."

"I've memorized what you've written. Thank you for sharing that with me. I feel absolved now."

"Anytime." Neji takes a match and lights the paper on fire. "If you wish, we could pray together one day. It could help with your tantrums."

Hanabi's pride twinges, but she forces a smile. "That'd be great. I'll need your help."


Ω

It is the day of the autumnal equinox. While everyone else is at the festivities, Hinata is getting ready with the Hyuuga servants. The village elders make her take a long bath and pour sweet-fragranced oil in her hair. Then, she is dressed like a bride. Her eyes are lined with kohl, her skin is administered with powder, and her lips are tinged red. Her life is out of her hands now, Hinata realizes. But she has said all her goodbyes and looks forward to the future.

At dusk, the entire village stands in the square, among the cherry blossoms and pomegranates and oaks, and watches as Hinata is led, blindfolded, out to the balcony in the main traditional building of the council. One of the council members holds a thin sleek knife.

The wind suddenly picks up. Hanabi reaches for her mother's hand. The sky is darkening rapidly; even with previous sacrifices, they have never seen the clouds gather so quickly.

"Gods," he bellows as the wind picks up, "I beseech you to give our village another year of prosperity! My townspeople, let us all pray together!"

There is a moment of silence except for the whistling wind and the beginning whisper of raindrops. Most people have their eyes closed, Hanabi notices. Even Neji, Father, and Mother. Some disobedient children look around curiously. For many of them, it's the first ritual they're allowed to witness.

"And now, the sacrifice!"

The council member plunges the knife into Hinata's heart. Some of the kids start crying. Hanabi squeezes her eyes close. All she can hear now are her sister's screams.


chapter one fin