Sorry for the late update!
I don't own Naruto!
Hanabi was sliding her index finger through the glass' edge. She had been using that glass shard to communicate with her sister some minutes ago; now she was positively worried about Hyuuga Clan's destiny. Her nervousness made her finger press too much the glass' edge and she got cut.
"Ooouch! Damn!" – Hanabi threw the shard away and cleaned the blood on her purple tunic.
"There you are!!!" – A voice came from behind. Hanabi turned to see an angry Konohamaru glaring at her – "What were you doing here? You should be guarding the gates with Moegi!!"
"I was talking to my sister." – Hanabi was looking at the Hyuuga fields, far away.
"Uh? How?"
"Morse code and a glass shard." – She lowered her head and said – "I had to tell her that help is not coming…"
"What do you mean 'help is not coming'? Naruto-niichan told you he would help Hyuuga!!" – Konohamaru was beside her, looking at the girl's face. – "If he said he is helping then he is going to help!!!"
"Do you think we have this much time? This Sasuke guy is pretty strong, isn't he?" – Hanabi finally looked at Konohamaru and he nodded at her statement –"It will take a long time to finish Sasuke and Orochimaru. Sister can't wait. She said they are fine, but I don't believe….besides, I'm worried with my dad…"
"Look, Hanabi, let's give Naruto a chance. If he gets too messed up with Sasuke, then I'll help you!!" – Konohamaru smiled and showed his thumb up.
"You look like one of my cousin's friends……"
They heard some rushed footsteps sound and Udon showed up.
"Naruto is arguing with Tsunade-sama!! Things are pretty bad, you better come quickly, boss!!!"
The three kids went straight to Tsunade's office. From the corridor Naruto's and the Hokage's voices could be heard. Konohamaru carefully opened the door and saw his big brother punching the Hokage's desk, Kakashi was holding him, and Tsunade was pointing her finger on Naruto's face while Sakura and Jiraya were trying to hold her. Shizune and Yamato just looked at the scene, completely stunned.
"Are you nuts? Are you getting senile? How can you abandon the clans without any help?" – Naruto shouted.
"I'm not abandoning them!! I just don't have enough soldiers to deal with the clans and Orochimaru's forces inside the village! You know that!!" – The Fifth replied.
"Naruto, you know she is right. Don't make things more difficult than it already is…" – Kakashi tried to calm him down.
"It…it is not fair. I can't fight the bitchy snake man and Sasuke while thinking about the clans. About Shikamaru, Chouji, Shino, Kiba, Hinata and Neji. I…just can't!!" – And he punched the table again. – "I had no idea that things were that bad inside the clans…."
"Naruto, I'm feeling hopeless right now. I need your force, your confidence to continue this fight." – Tsunade touched Naruto's shoulders. – "Please, help me. You are the only one who can stop Sasuke."
"She is right, Naruto. Sasuke never respected anyone in Konoha. We are the only ones who can fight Sasuke and, maybe, make him change his mind. He has to listen to us…." – Sakura said.
"But…the others…maybe….with Shikamaru's help….and Kiba, Chouji….everybody…we could….we could convince him….to return to us."
"Hum…perhaps…." – Yamato told. All looked at him – "You know, we already tried to talk with Sasuke before, and he was not willing to cooperate. I personally don't think he will collaborate now. Maybe we should rescue the clans first, to add men power to this battle…"
"I agree." – Jiraya said – "Sasuke won't come nicely. If we have the clans helping us, we will have a chance."
"No. Sasuke is clearly trying to get some attention here." – Kakashi said – "He wants to attract his brother Itachi and Akatsuki. Konoha's destruction is a mere excuse to him."
"Kakashi sensei is right. If Sasuke manages to drive Akatsuki to Konoha, things will be pretty bad! Especially to you, Naruto." – Sakura said. She bit her lower lip, and continued – "You know, Sasuke is an important person to me, I want to save him as much as you do. But, if his actions are endangering the lives of the people I love, I shall be the first one to break his bones."
"Sakura-chan….but…Sasuke is the one you…." – Naruto was looking at the pink haired kunoichi – "You don't have to worry about me…"
"But I'm worried. Orochimaru is a strong foe, Akatsuki is even stronger. We can't fight both at the same time, we don't have enough power. We must stop Sasuke-kun and destroy that chakra beast as soon as possible." – Sakura held one of Naruto's hands, and her green eyes stared at his confused face – "I'm sure our friends will understand. Besides, they are strong and they will wait for our help!"
Naruto was not as convinced as Sakura, but he knew she had a point. Jiraya, Tsunade, Yamato and Kakashi were planning their strategy.
Suddenly, they heard a stomp and turned to the door to see a puzzled Konohamaru, staring at the corridor. Then, the Third's grandson shouted:
"Hanabi! Wait!!" – And he ran after the Hyuuga girl.
Naruto glared at Tsunade and Sakura and headed to the direction the kids went. He found them in the weapons' room; Konohamaru tried to comfort a crying Hanabi.
"Hey, come on, your clan is strong…they will be fine…."
"I'm worried about my dad, and my mom, my sister…." – she cleaned the tears with her wrists – "I know they are pretty strong, they are Hyuuga!! But, but…I wish I could help them more…do something….that is why I came here…."
"Hanabi" – Naruto called – "Now I can see your resemblance to Hinata."
"Uh?"
"You know, your sister is always trying to help others, even when she knows it is impossible." – He sat, crossing his legs, in front of her – "She believes she is weak, but I think she is one of the strongest person I know, stronger than Neji."
"Ha-ha, I don't think sister is stronger than cousin Neji! He is always beating her to a pulp when they spar. Ha-ha" – Hanabi smiled.
"No, she is stronger than Neji. The real strength is not based on physical power, but it comes from the heart. Your sister has a strong heart, that loves everyone, even those who forsaken her." – Naruto seemed lost in memories – "I saw that when she fought Neji, two and half years ago. Neji was mistreating, belittling her; but she talked to him with love and care. She understood his wrath and forgave him. That is strength, Hanabi."
"Yeah, that is my big sister."
"So, don't worry. She will be fine. And when I'm finished with Sasuke, I will help Hyuuga!" – Naruto smiled, stood up and turned to the door, where Sakura was (she smiled, proud of his wise words).
"Naruto…" – Hanabi said before he could leave the room – "Now I understand what my sister likes you…" – and she smirked.
"Uh? What do you mean, Hanabi?" – He asked.
"Hey, Naruto!! Let's go!" – A blushed Sakura grabbed his arm and dragged him out of that room.
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Meanwhile, in Hyuuga State, Hinata was still observing Konoha and the chakra beast. Tired of that dreadful view, she decided to go to the fourth gate, to help the soldiers. She knew from the reports that the battle was under control, but it was still going on.
Unexpectedly, she heard a small crack coming from the second gate. She looked at the gate and only the sentinels were there, nothing uncommon. Hinata continued her walk. She heard the cracking sound again and this time, she saw the second gate's large doors open and hundreds of Mist shinobis pass by it, entering Hyuuga territory and killing the sentinels. Hinata never gave a second thought; she jumped over the railing shooting her shurinkens at the invaders. Landing on the ground, she headed towards the Mist shinobi, stabbing them with her kunai and blocking their chakra points with her free hand.
There were hundreds of Mist ninja and only one Hinata; after one minute she was already surrounded. The Hyuuga lady in no way surrendered; she continued to fight. Hinata cursed her inability to use the Kaiten, but she made a good use of 64 hands of Hakke to stun her enemies.
Satoru was commanding his men from a shelter next to the fourth gate; he was the first one to notice the ruckus at the second gate. A sentinel who survived the attack came running to tell them about the invasion.
"Shit!!! Those filthy Mist shinobi deceived us with this attack just to invade our lands!!" – Hanzou screamed – "Guys, let's go get them!!"
"Hey, Hanzou! We can't abandon the other gates!! Let's split our men!" – Tayoh suggested.
"AHHHHGGGG!!! Crap! Thousand times crap!!" – Hanzou was furious; making him looks uglier than usual –"What is the situation there?" – He asked the sentinel.
"Not good. There are at least two hundred men….and Lady Hinata is facing them…alone….er…I came here to tell…." – the truth was that he and some of his fellow sentinels fled from the situation leaving Hinata alone. He was the only one who survived, though.
"The Leader is alone? Oh, shit!!!" – Hanzou hand picked some of his finest warriors and ran to the second gate.
Tayoh divided his unit, leaving some to guard the fourth gate and taking the others to the battle ground. Satoru decided to stay close to the fourth gate, just in case something bad happens….(coward).
Neji never waited for the orders; as soon as he heard Hinata was in danger he went to the second gate. He saw the Mist ninja surrounding his cousin.
Hinata was struggling to break free from the ninjas surrounding her, but it was almost impossible. Suddenly, she heard a zuimmm sound coming from her right, but when she turned, the only thing she saw was Neji's hand pierced by a needle.
"N-Neji-niisan!! Is it poisoned? Let me see!!"
"Pay attention. It is not poisoned; it was aimed to your ear." – He said in a calm tone, like having your hand pierced by a needle was something normal. – "You would lose your balance if it had pierced your tympanum. Be more careful next time."
"Oh…well….won't have a next time…." – she said, already leaning her back against his back in a way they could protect each other. – "What do we do now?"
"What a stupid question….we fight." – And he also performed the Hands of Hakke.
It was quite a view: the two cousins fighting together, his back against her back, two pairs of pale hands glowing and gesturing a beautiful yet deadly dance. Hinata had a serious expression, concentrated on her moves. Neji smirked all the time (those ninja were far bellow his level); his hands had the precision of a surgeon, mortal and fast.
Hanzou and his troops arrived; their first action was closing the second gate to avoid any more intruders. Then, they fought the enemies from the rear, while Tayoh and his men (after going round the Manor) surprised the Mist shinobi from the opposite side.
"Satoru!! Do something!! Bring some help! Tell the Head Counselor!!" – Hanzou shouted.
Satoru never moved from his place; he sent a shinobi to call the Branch troops. After some minutes, Soijiro and his men (about a hundred souls) arrived at the battle ground. The battle was finally even; the two sides were fighting equally. It would take a long time….
Hinata stared at the midday sun and to the Manor. I must protect the Hyuuga people at any cost. I can't wait for help! I must do it my way!!
Kensuke appeared on the second floor balcony, watching the battle terrified. Hinata looked at the old man and then she had an idea. She called a young Branch soldier and gave him an order. Waited until the young soldier returned and shouted:
"Hyuuga!! Pull back!! To the second gate walls!!"
Hanzou, Neji and Tayoh glared at the Leader. Soijiro nodded and gestured to his men to follow him. Hinata looked at the Main House soldiers impatiently and shouted again:
"Pull back! Retreat!!"
Neji asked silently to her: Why? She only waved her head and said in the same silent way: Fast! The whole clan gathered at the second gate's walls. Tayoh grabbed Hinata's shoulders and asked:
"Are you trying to kill us? We have no escape here!!!"
"No! I have an idea! Please, wait!" – She was trembling, but didn't lose her courage.
Soijiro and Neji were beside her; Hinata called them and said something that the other captains couldn't hear.
Mist shinobi noticed the confusion among the Hyuuga and excited by the battle heat, ran towards the fugitive clan, leaving the Manor behind. Big mistake. Hinata threw up a kunai with an explosive tag; that was the signal. Archer women appeared on the Manor's second and third floor's balconies. They fired their arrows killing and wounding the pursuers. Hanzou and Tayoh ordered their troops to throw their shurinkens at the ninjas; Soijiro and Neji moved the Branch troops in order to make a piercing attack, surrounding the enemy. Hyuuga forces slaughtered the Mist invaders.
Hinata ordered to imprison any survivors, but the Mist ninja alive after the battle committed suicide before any Hyuuga could stop them.
Tired and wounded, Hinata walked to the Manor. The captains and Main Family soldiers followed her. Satoru ordered the Branch Family members to get rid of the corpses, while he and his rested soldiers walked to the Manor.
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Neji was sat in the kitchen, trying to bandage his wounded right hand. It was a hard task doing that with only one hand, the left hand. He was thinking about Hinata and how clever was her plan to trap the Mist shinobi. He didn't see his cousin after the battle; she had a meeting with the Council and the Captains. He looked at the clumsily bandaged hand and sighed.
"It w-won't work. Y-you used too much ointment…the b-bandages are slipping…" – said a timid voice from the kitchen's door.
Neji didn't turn to see the voice's owner; he knew Hinata's voice pretty well. Ignoring her comment, he continued trying to bandage his hand.
"I c-can help you." – She said, already seating on the chair on the opposite side of the table – "May I?" – She stretched her hands to him. Neji never said a word, but gave up and placed his wounded hand on the table, between her hands.
Hinata used a tissue to remove the excess of ointment and then, carefully wrapped his hand in new bandages.
"Want some tea, Neji-niisan?"
"Ok." – He pulled the notebook she brought and started to read it. – "Making a report?"
"Hu-hum. Kensuke-sama asked me." – She said while washing two mugs (Kensuke ordered that dishes would remain dirty and only be cleaned when needed). Hinata used the water stored in one of the buckets.
"By the way, great idea you had. Using the women as archers was pretty smart." – It was a compliment, but didn't sound like one. Hinata nodded and placed the mugs on the table.
"Can you h-help me…with the d-details…" – she grabbed the pencil and started to write down some notes.
"AHHRRGGG! I'm so tired! I need good sake!!" – Hanzou said while entering the kitchen. The cousins stared at the older man and he blinked a few times, a little ashamed – "Oh, Hinata-sama! Genius! You here?" – And he smirked evilly– "Am I interrupting something?"
"N-n-no!! N-n-no!!" – Hinata blushed. Neji grunted.
"Just kidding! I know you guys are just buddies." – Hanzou sat beside Neji. The three reviewed together the notes Hinata wrote.
"I can't sleep. Today's battle was too much for my old bones." – Kensuke said to Tayoh as they walked inside the kitchen – "Hu? Hinata-sama? Can't you sleep too?"
"Nah, we're just helping the Leader with her report!" – Said Hanzou tapping Neji's shoulders – "Right, Genie?"
Neji glared furiously at his superior, Hinata noticed and pushed the notebook to him.
"Please, c-check my entries…."
Neji impatiently grabbed the notebook and the pencil, reading and making some adjustments. Meanwhile, the captains and Kensuke talked about the morning's battle. Few minutes later, Kanoe and Sayaka also entered the kitchen to get a water bucket and saw the bunch gathered at the Leader's table. The ladies decided to have some milk and sat on the table too.
Hinata was paying attention to the elders' conversation while rolling the pencil on the table. Neji pretended to be reading the notebook but was listening to the others; he picked the pencil from Hinata's hands. After writing something on the notebook, it was his turn to play with the pencil.
"If those Mist shinobi decide to invade Hyuuga State like this, we will be in trouble" – Tayoh said.
"Can't we do something?" – Sayaka asked.
"No. We have to fight. Konoha's help won't some soon as we expected." – Kensuke said – "Right, Hinata-sama?"
"Uh? O-oh, that is what Hanabi said…" – she was distracted. Her index finger touched the pencil and pushed it to Neji's finger, who pushed it back to her. Unnoticed, they had been playing like this for some minutes.
"I think we should make a change in our forces…" – Hanzou said – "Give me a paper…" – he tore a sheet and picked the pencil.
Neji and Hinata didn't fell the pencil's absence; it had been long forgotten as they started to touch each others index fingers. Again, none realized what they were doing; they were too entertained by the conversation.
"So, do you think we should try a direct attack? How come? Did you forget about the endurance jutsu?" – Kanoe asked.
"I'm not talking about this! Pay attention, those guys are nervous!! They are rushing things…"
"I don't agree. This morning's attack was well planned…"
"If it weren't for Lady Hinata's plan, I think we would still be fighting…." – Kensuke said, looking at the girl.
"Ah…i-it was n-nothing…e-everybody helped…." – Hinata blushed.
Her fingers were almost entangled with Neji's fingers. Her index was caressing his calloused hand. The elders continued their conversation; none seemed to notice the cousins' 'finger dance'. No one, except for Kanoe. Neji's and Hinata's hands were entangled now; they were listening to the conversation, making comments, but never parting the hands. Kanoe had been observing them and stretching her hand, touched Neji's hand:
"Shouldn't you be guarding the gates, Neji-kun?"
Kanoe's cold touch woke him up. Hinata also realized their entangled hands, and blushing, she removed her hand from his. Neji stared at Kanoe, shivering; his hand was still on the table, fisted.
"You are right, Kanoe-sama. I must go. Excuse me." – He stood up.
The others shifted their eyes from Kanoe to Neji, quizzically. Hinata was still red like a tomato, hiding her hands below the table. Kensuke stood up and said:
"It is late. Let's rest a bit. Tomorrow will be a long day…."
All of sudden, the kitchen's lights switched off. Hyuuga compound was engulfed by darkness. Screams of the scared women could be heard; small children cry; shinobi who were resting grabbed their weapons and positioned in front of the Manor.
Soijiro and some soldiers came to the Manor to inform the situation.
"Get all the Branch families and lodge them inside the Manor's empty rooms." – Kensuke ordered.
Hinata, Neji and the elders went to the second floor balcony. They looked at Konoha: the village still had lights. Only Hyuuga State had a blackout.
"First was our water, now our electricity. They are pretty serious…." – Hanzou said.
Kensuke sighed and touching Kanoe's shoulder, he said:
"Help me with the Branch families. Sayaka-sama, stay with Hiashi-sama. Hanzou will accompany you. Tayoh, contact Satoru and reinforce our defenses. Hinata-sama, go to your bedroom and wait for new orders. Neji, protect our leader."
"Uh…Kensuke-sama, I think Neji's talents may be useful somewhere else…." – Kanoe glared at the boy as she said these words – "Hinata-sama can take care of herself."
"No. Neji is her protector. He stays with her." – Kensuke answered and left the balcony, followed by the others.
Kanoe stopped beside Neji and whispered in his ears:
"Be a smart boy and don't touch the girl. You are only a pig and she is Main Family's jewel."
"Old hag, why don't you take care of your own life?" – Neji grinned to Kanoe – "Or are you interested in Hinata-sama?"
"What? Insolent boy!!" – Kanoe shouted. But before she could use the Cursed Seal, Hinata came closer.
"Is there something wrong, Kanoe-sama?" – And looking at Neji- "Is there, Neji-niisan?"
"No. Kanoe-sama is only giving me some instructions…" – Neji pushed Hinata through the corridor –"Let's go."
"O-ok, niisan…"
"Niisan….hunghf….his feelings are not even closer to brotherly affection…." – Kanoe whispered – "I wonder about her feelings…."
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Hinata was lain down on her bed, staring at the ceiling and embracing her pillow. She couldn't sleep. Neji was sat on the windowsill, looking at the Hyuuga walls. Since they entered the bedroom none talked. Silence and fear were crashing their spirits, and even though they wanted to embrace each other and say that everything would be fine, they couldn't. There was an invisible barrier between them, a barrier made of anxiety, shame and regret.
The clock on the wall ticked on: tic-tac tic-tac….tic-tac
That boring noise was getting on Neji's nerves. He stood up, walked to the clock and grabbed its pointers, pulling them until breaking the clock. The ticking sound stopped. Hinata observed his angered action quietly.
"W-We should do s-something…." – she finally said.
"You are the Leader! Why are you laying there?" – He answered in an angry tone, walked to the window and sat back at the windowsill.
"I know what to do, b-but n-nobody wants to h-help me. They t-think my idea is silly and dangerous…"
"You are their Leader. Make them obey you." – He said nonchalantly.
"You make it sound so simple…." – Hinata was getting a little annoyed by the conversation.
"It is simple. You are the problem!" – He said, still staring at the outside landscape – "You are too indecisive and insecure. That is why nobody obeys you."
"T-that is funny…because only Hyuuga people think like this." – Hinata sat up – "I h-have been the leader on several missions and everybody followed my orders!!"
"By everybody you mean Shino and the dog boy, isn't it?" – Neji chuckled and looked at her.
"No! Other ninjas!! Why my own clan diminishes me?" – She was kneeled on the bed, glaring at him – "Especially you! You, of all, should know how much I changed in these years!! Can't you do something to help me?"
"Oh, there you are again: asking for help!! That is why nobody trusts you!!" – He jumped from the windowsill, positioning in front of her – "Can't you do something without asking for help? If you want to execute your plan, do it! Don't wait for the Council approval because they will never approve your idea!"
"I can't save this clan alone! I'm not r-responsible for e-everybody's lives!!" – Hinata stood up on the bed.
"Do you believe your plan will work?" – From below, he glared at her.
"Yes! I'm sure it will work!" – She had her hands fisted at the sides of her body.
"Then, do it! Don't wait. Things can't get any worse, can they?" – Neji smirked, taunting her.
"Ar…I…will…do it, but…."
"But???"
"But I need m-more people….the captains will never agree…." – she was poking her fingers and diverting her sight from him.
"Soijiro-sama and the Branch Families said they would only follow the Leader…." – he said in a monotonous tone.
"T-That is true….do you t-think they will help me…."
"No, they won't help." – He angrily answered. Hinata stiffened, and he said – "They will obey you."
"Oh…of course…."
There was silence again; Hinata was still upright on her bed, poking her fingers, and Neji was looking at her, with his arms crossed on his chest. It was so funny to see how he dominated her, even from a lower position. Or it was the contrary? Maybe it was her fragileness that inspired the warrior in him. Out of the blue, they realized the comical situation they were and started to laugh.
Hinata fell on her bed, giggling. Neji smiled and waved his head.
"At least, this time I didn't try to kill you." – He chuckled – "I must be getting soft…."
"Oh, I think you are becoming a sweet person…" – Hinata smiled – "Probably is due to Lee-san's company…."
"Oh! Go to hell!!" – He grabbed the pillow and tossed to her.
Hinata dodged it and threw a cushion to him. Neji kneeled on the bed and with the cushion (that he caught), started a pillow fight. It was like when they were children; they forgot the war outside, the Council, the Mist threat, the grudges from the close past.
Minutes later, they were panting and laughing. The pillow and the cushion were destroyed on the floor. Hinata cleaned the plums from her hair and her bed. Neji was sat on the edge of the bed, smiling.
"We should rest…" – he said.
"Right….oh wait!" – She removed a plum from his hair – "There!"
Their faces were so close that their noses were almost touching. Their hearts beating fast; their eyes asked: Should we do this?
Hinata closed her eyes and decided to accept the feeling. Neji stared at her red lips, wanting to kiss them; his eyes danced through her pretty face, wanting her. But his rational mind worked and his hand touched her lips, tenderly pushing her face far from him. She opened her eyes and stared at him, puzzled:
"No. We shouldn't do this. Never."
"But…."
"Never." – He stood up and opened the door – "I'll ask another ninja to be your bodyguard tonight."
Hinata looked at the door being closed and sighed.
Day two was over…………………………..
