They don't like me, do they nee-san?"
Little Seijun scoffed, jumping from rock to rock. "So, what if they don't? I love you and so does father and Akira-san and grandpa! It doesn't matter what they think."
The brown-haired boy sulked, arms crossed over his chest as he stood and watched her play. It was a stupid game, he thought but his sister enjoyed it. Pretending the snow between the rocks was covered in lava and touching it would mean defeat.
"It matters to me." he whispered dejectedly, looking at the boys and girls no older than he was, playing a good distance away. Always out of his reach. Was he cursed? Did he have a disease he knew nothing about?
"It shouldn't and keep your chin up, Takumi! Our grandfather is the Shogun, we are above them. Do you want me to make them kneel?" Her eyes hardened, looking intimidating despite being just a nine-year-old.
She had always been the brave one from the two of them.
"Mother said kneeling means humiliation." he frowned. Sure, he wanted friends, he wanted to have somebody to play with other than his sister but not if that meant hurting people.
Seijun's eyes had narrowed in disbelief. "Humiliation?" she whispered before shaking her head, refusing to believe that. "What does she know about ruling and respecting your higher-ups anyway? Your mother is a civilian and has got it all wrong! People kneel for grandfather because they respect him and love him and he keeps them safe! Jii-sama had gone to battle many times, never hiding. He cares more about us, his people, than about his own life so don't you dare say that!"
A soft "che" sound escaped him as he stuck his hands inside his pockets. "I didn't expect you to understand. You have never been humiliated before, have you? After all, you are a princess and although we share the same father, nobody has ever addressed me as prince."
She decided she didn't like arguing any more than she liked getting dirty. Her eyes brimmed with tears. How could he think that? "You are looking at me as if that's my fault! Do you think I enjoy seeing them insult you? Because I don't, Takumi! You are my little brother and I... will make this vow to you right now." The little girl had paused, pulling out her sword. She stung her finger and winced, watching as a few drops of her blood fell on the snow, colouring it red.
"Seijun!" he had screamed shocked and panicked. A sword was for the enemy, not blood vows that they shouldn't even be thinking about doing. "Are you insane? What if you bleed out? Or your blood freezes!?"
She had waved a dismissive hand in a nonchalant manner before she wrapped her handkerchief around the wounded finger. "We will only get more of those as we grow-up. Serious and ugly and maybe beyond healing."
Takumi made a face, mumbling under his breath. "Pessimist."
She scoffed. "Hardly. The term you are looking for is realistic. I know the duty I have been born with." she placed her sword back in its place. "You would do well to remember yours." The samurai followed theirs religiously. No god was higher to them than duty, than honour.
"If you are done lecturing me, how about you say the vow?" He asked, not liking the fact she always thought she knew better than him. Also, he was hungry and the quicker they finished this charade the sooner he got to eat and become strong. People won't ignore him, won't insult him, or make fun of him then.
The blonde grew solemn all of a sudden and watching her stand tall, the mountains bearing witness and the wind blow her hair, watching her dressed in a white armour, as white as the purity of snow and angels, Takumi believed the words his sister spoke next with such fierceness and conviction. "Upon this wound, I, Seijun, granddaughter of General Mifune, blood of the Otsuka warriors, make this pledge: You will always have my respect, otouto. Even if no one gives it to you, even if the world turns against you...I shall never do. And should we ever be forced to fight, should the kindness flicker away from your eyes and the love perish from mine...know my respect is eternal. You will face no humiliation for as long as I am alive. I swear on my honour. "
Seijun had her eyes closed. That particular memory always came to mind whenever she waited for Jun to report. It haunted her, even, made her wonder whether she had done it all wrong.
When did their bond start falling apart?
Was it destined to crash from the start?
She can't remember. Doesn't want to think back and realize she could have stopped Takumi's descent into the darkness, could have, should, have known it was going to happen.
There had been signs but she had chosen to ignore them and hope that somehow, someway, she won't have to start seeing her brother more like the enemy and less like the family she had cherished and grown-up besides.
"Seijun-hime?"
She opened her eyes, jarred from her thoughts, blinking back the past and trying to re-focus onto the present. "Natsu. What is it?" she acknowledged his presence, gaze flickering away from the window only to settle on his person. Even though his hair was wild and unruly, bangs falling over his eyes, she could read the worry in them. Something must have happened.
"Ano, a messenger bird arrived. The letter has the Kazekage' seal on it."
Seijun narrowed her eyebrows in disbelief. What could Sabaku no Gaara possibly want? She didn't have the slightest idea but she ought not to keep him waiting for a response. "Tell a servant to feed the bird. Poor thing." There was quite a distance between Sunagakure and The Land of Iron. "Also, hand me the letter please. "
Natsu did so, bowed then walked away to obey her other command.
Only once she reached her chambers, did she open the letter. The blonde needed the privacy and the quiet of her study for this matter.
Haikei General Otsuka Seijun,
I hope this letter finds you well. You have my sincere condolences for General Mifune. The world lost a good shogun and perhaps even a better man.
You will have to excuse my lack of gallantry for I do not wish to have somebody else write for me and would rather do it myself. That being said, I will be as forward and brief as possible. Five years will have passed since the events that have unfolded in The Fourth Shinobi World War two weeks from today, 29th September. I believe the people, as well as ourselves, need to celebrate. My friend, the Hokage, had insisted it is I who shall be the host despite the bigger role that he had played in winning the war. I could have not disagreed with him, even if I tried.
Neither I, nor the other Kage have forgotten your grandfather's role and yours in the war. As Former Commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces and as leader of the Hidden Sand, you'd do me a great honour in attending this celebration. Take your most trusted people. There is a seat at my table for everyone.
I look forward to hearing your response.
Keigu,
Sabaku no Gaara
The general rubbed her temples, letting go of the letter and staring at it doubtfully. The Kazekage's wish should have been easy to fulfil and yet, why was she hesitating?
The answer was crystal clear in her head and no matter how much she tried denying it, it wouldn't change the reality of it. At the moment, her title hangs onto a thin rope. Leaving the Land of Iron would mean leaving the country in the hands of her brother because who wouldn't take such an opportunity? People would oppose him and that's exactly what worried Seijun.
Takumi, in his desire to be Shogun, would enslave or maybe even kill the people that she has sworn to protect with soul and limb.
But if she didn't leave, if she refused an invitation from the Kazekage himself...how would that look like to the Sand, to the other Shinobi Nations? It'd be an insult. In her desperation to defend the country from her brother's wrath...she'd be attracting the shinobi's fury.
Is there no middle the ground?
A knock at the door of her chambers interrupted her musings. Seijun sighed, closing her eyes. "You may enter."
The sound of firm footsteps, more specifically the sound of one of her warriors' boots echoed in the quiet room, making the blonde open her eyes reluctantly. She couldn't allow the struggles she has to show.
"Seijun-sama." Hanabusa bowed and waited for the signal her hand made to rise. Then he continued. "You have locked yourself indoors for hours. Pardon my intruding but it's past dinner time and..."
She silenced him with an understanding nod. "My apologies for making you worry. I have been caught up in political matters and forgot the notion of time. You may tell the kitchen to prepare me something, if it isn't too much of me to ask."
"Right away, Shogun." his response was curt and brief as he turned to walk out the door.
She didn't want to be alone with her thoughts yet. Was that selfish? "Hanabusa." she called and as if it dawned on him that he hadn't waited to be dismissed, he fell at her feet, similar to the way he had done the day Seijun had named him samurai. "Rise please, I have no intention of punishing you or reprimanding you."
"My behaviour was disrespectful." he intoned but obeyed her demand nevertheless.
"Truth be told, I am not feeling like the worthiest of respect leader right now." she retorted, then looked down at the Kazekage's letter on the desk.
She had made her choice.
"I have been invited to Sunagakure in two weeks' time and decided to go. It is an important assembly but considering past incidents, I cannot leave without worrying." she confessed, forehead creased into a frown.
"We shall protect you with our lives, Seijun-sama." he replied in kind.
She gently shook her head. "You will not accompany me this time. Send Natsu, Kazuma, Hak and Yatorishino here." and though her voice had been firm and her decision known to be holy, to be respected and not questioned...he did something that shocked her into silence.
He had never looked her in the eyes before. Not until tonight and the raw emotion in his own startled her. "Have I wronged you? In any way?" he frowned, determination creasing his features. "If so, then allow me to take my own life because I'd sooner..."
Seijun didn't let him finish and what she did next shocked them both. A leader shouldn't have slapped her own warrior. It had been impulse...or rather pent up anger and frustration. "You...are not allowed to die. You wronged me the moment these words left your mouth. I do not want to hear you say that again or Kami forbid, take action and do it." she paused, trying to subdue her sea of emotions.
Her expression softened.
"I do not want you accompanying me because I need someone who respects me and loves me to stay here. I have never doubted your devotion or sincerity, nor your rational mind and swordsmanship skills. It is for these reasons, that I'm naming you my regent." Seijun placed her hand on the cheek she had wounded with regret.
He leaned into her palm, looking into her eyes as if it were the first and last time he did it. "If it is your wish, how could I refuse?"
"It is. Be my regent, Hanabusa." she demanded before retracting her hand away from his cheek. She had known of his feelings for her for some time now but tonight only confirmed it. She could tolerate them, accept them but never return them.
Not when her mind was somewhere else. Her country came first. And especially not when her heart was somewhere else too.
Somewhere full of warmth and leaves and orange.
"You are dismissed." she told him, returning to her seat at the study.
"Hai, Shogun."
It was the first and last time Hanabusa looked her in the eyes.
It was also the first time Seijun admitted, to herself, that what she felt for Uzumaki Naruto went deeper than respect.
The realization should have scared her more than it did but somehow, as she picked up her pen and begun writing in response to the Kazekage, the only thing she felt was longing...and a weird sense of excitement that hadn't been in her heart since childhood.
Haikei Kazekage Sabaku no Gaara,
I hope you and your siblings are in good health. I wish to congratulate Temari-san on her engagement.
You will also have to excuse my lack of feminine charm, I write my letters myself. The Fourth Shinobi World War left scars, visible and invisible upon most of us. As such, I must admit your idea is delightful...
Wind stirred up the wispy sand and the sun's never-ending rays beat down on her mercilessly. Her clothing was overwhelmingly hot, despite not wearing her traditional armour but rather an attire fit for Suna's harsh climate. The stiff, dry desert breeze blew sand in her face from time to time even, to test her patience, perhaps.
Seijun was already missing the raging snow storms and the fierce cold of her home country. She had forgotten how Sunagakure felt like and she couldn't say without lying that the climate won't be giving her a hard time these days.
Natsu complained most of all on the road. Kazuma was much too prideful to do so while Hak had kept his remarks to a bare minimum. Yatorishino never said a word but that didn't mean she enjoyed their surroundings any more than her male warriors did.
"How long until we arrive?"
"Quiet, Natsu. You are giving our Shogun a headache."
"Hak, you are on my side, right?"
"If the hime decides to leave you on our way to Suna, I won't be." he glared.
"I'm not even gonna bother asking Yatorishino." Natsu whined dramatically.
Kazuma smirked. "Because you know it would take you to an early grave."
"WHY YOU-!"
"Beats me how she hadn't struck her swords up your..."
He groaned in pain, sporting an injured elbow.
From behind him, a red-haired samurai withdrew her blade. "Have some decency, Lieutenant Hak."
"I was not going to curse in front of our Shogun, Yatori." he argued.
"I think he would have!" Natsu and Kazuma replied in sync.
Hak threw them a dirty look.
Seijun rose a hand to silence them. Not because she didn't find their bickering entertaining or a breath of fresh air from their usual, stiff, and formal behaviour but they were not going to walk past Sunagakure's gates acting like five-year-olds. "We have arrived."
Ahead, the white buildings were rectangular and protruded proudly from the desert sands, a clear sign that they have reached the Hidden Sand's territory.
"Finally!" Natsu couldn't help but exclaim.
Silently, she agreed with him. The journey had been uneventful but long nevertheless.
As they reached the gates, Seijun paled at the sight that awaited her. There was the Kazekage and his siblings, as expected but there was also...
"Sei-chan!"
Ambushed by a familiar sight of bright blue hair made her partially recover from the initial shock she had just gotten. The blonde looked down at her pupil, giving her a stern look. "Ayano." she chided but made no further attempt to scold her.
When will she ever learn?
She couldn't help wondering though.
"Oi, Sugimoto. Take your hands off our general."
"Kazuma! She is my shishou. We have a close bond." Ayano detached herself, protesting vehemently. A smirk creased her lips. "Not that I'd expect you to understand."
"If I have to hear you two bicker every two minutes again I will..." Hak threatened.
"You will do nothing but show your respect towards the two kage in front of us." Yatorishino intervened, then fell in a respectful bow, prompting the others to follow her example.
Seijun couldn't have been more thankful for the iron discipline the gods have gifted at least one of her samurai with.
With her back straight and her chin up, trying to look as dignified as possible, considering all the ways the journey had affected her, she stepped in front.
"Welcome to Sunagakure, General Seijun. The Sand and myself thank you for honouring us with your presence." Gaara greeted her, taking her hand, and pressing a chaste kiss on it, as custom deemed it.
"The honour is mine to attend, Lord Kazekage. Tetsu no Kuni(A/N: the japanese name for The Land of Iron) and I sincerely thank you for the invitation." Then she nodded in his siblings' direction, formally presented herself and shook hands with both.
When she reached Naruto, however, her stomach clenched for reasons she didn't want to think about. His smile was bright enough to blind her for eternity and his eyes shined, in the similar way that a child's does.
His words didn't match his appearance though.
"General Seijun. I hope your journey went well."
It was a normal, formal greeting from one leader to another. There was nothing wrong with it and yet why...
Why do I feel disappointed?
She shook the thought away, refusing to dwell on it. She was better than this. She had to be. "Yes, it did. Thank you for asking, Hokage-sama."
Her response was the one she would have given no matter the circumstances, no matter what words had he used prior.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Then her eyes fell onto the woman standing to his left. She was of average height, sporting long, dark-blue hair as well as the feared Byakugan eyes. There was elegance in her posture and she seemed kind, patient, understanding. Meek, even. She was mature in all the ways Seijun wasn't, though. The picture of a perfect housewife.
She would have bowed, had the blonde allowed it.
How can I?
Seijun was above such things. This wasn't a competition of any sort. Grasping the woman's shoulders slightly so she'd keep her head high and chin up, she shook her head negatively as she released her. "There is no need for that, Hyuga-sama." she paused, lips curling up into a small smile. More of a grimace than the real deal though but she was feeling too dizzy to smile properly.
"Please, call me Hinata. My father is the clanhead."
Seijun nodded absently, feeling worse by the second. "Hinata-san, then." she paused, adding politely. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Once all the pleasantries have been exchanged, the Kazekage addressed her. "You must be tired after your journey. Kankuro will personally lead the way to your and your warriors' chambers."
"Afterwards, we wish you'd join us for dinner." Temari added after sharing a look with her brother, to see if he approved of her idea.
"Of course. I'd be honoured to." her answer had come out weaker than intended. Seijun placed a hand on top of her forehead as if that would ensure the earth stopped spinning. Her vision was getting blurry too and a strong feeling of nausea hit her, though she managed to push it away, barely so. Weird, she mused, blinking slowly. I haven't eaten anything that could have caused that. And this heat...
"Shogun!"
"General Seijun!"
"Sei-chan! Quick, she is slipping out of consciousness!
The voices were getting farther away, along with her eye sight...or is this just my imagination?
The last thing she was aware of before fainting was the feeling of somebody's else body pressed against hers.
Someone had caught her.
Thank you, whomever you are.
Seijun thought in a daze, letting the darkness come and sweep her away.
A/N: And there it is! Another chapter... sadly coming much later than I had intended. I apologize for the late update and I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
The reason why Seijun had fainted was not because of Hinata and will be explained in the next chapter. I want to make this clear before people jump to conclusions. It might seem that way, maybe it had speed up the process but she wasn't the cause. Let's see if you can guess! It's actually easy but I had to do some research first for the details and such.
Also, what do you think of Seijun's childhood memories, her background and character in general?
What about her samurai guard? (I made them as a... tribute to some of my favourite characters from different anime as you must have already guessed from their names.)
One more question: Does all this formality bother you? Just wondering, because different tastes exist and yeah. There are some good reasons why there is plenty of it in my story. Number one reason is that from what I've read, of the samurai...they were very polite, stiff, almost to a painful point. As such, I wanted to make a contrast between them...and our favourite shinobi.
Number two, Seijun in particular is very set on it. Not only because of her origins or her title but also because of some psychological aspects that will be revealed at some point in the story. Her character will grow as she learns to let go of this habit. Not completely, because it's such a strong part of who she is...but a little. I bet you know who will help her with that *wink* *wink*.
Thank you once more for reading this story and for leaving favourites, follows, and reviews! I really hope I did not disappoint now.
Also, I'm sorry for the rant! I just got carried away, I guess? I must learn how to stop doing that.
Until next time mina!