It's getting hard writing a character that can be in multiple places at the same time. Naruto and Sasuke are basically gods in this universe. So this will not be exempt from plot holes.
I feel like I should put a warning. This is a long and depressing chapter. To make it less so, listen to Ever the Same by Rob Thomas.
When you can, leave a review for me? Much appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
CHAPTER 7
Naruto had to believe it worked. That the genjutsu had granted her a relief from the pain. Because the alternative is too dreadful to even contemplate. But their ordeal is far from over. Hinata has shown no signs of recovery within the forty-eight hours since then. She is still lying there, in a hospital bed on a foreign land, ever so still and ghostly pale. Although the bleeding stopped, it took a lot in its wake. Her skin looked sallow and she looked altogether insubstantial. But the faint rise and fall of her chest indicated that she is still alive.
The events after that incident are a flurry of activities all aimed at one thing, figuring out the mysterious affliction that torments the Hyuuga princess. All the best medics from the Mizukage's court are brought forth and sent to work but that yielded nothing. Naruto then sought the help of the greatest medic alive, Senju Tsunade. She spent a whole day trying all possible recourses to futile results. In all her years in medical practice, she never encountered anything of this kind.
Everyone was completely stumped about her ailment. They can only conclude that something is draining her life-force but nothing they can identify. Her chakra levels remained scarcely sustainable and she's rejecting all infusions. Naruto provided an account of the strange chakra he felt within Hinata. But that was barely useless information given that none of them could sense anything. She was just fading away. It was never stated out loud but it was on everyone's mind except Naruto.
All through the long hours he kept watch, acute to any development and only leaving her side when absolutely necessary. In silence he stayed by her bedside, holding her hand like he can share his life-force with her. Other times, he would be murmuring pleas, willing her to wake up. The mayhem of emotions gradually turned into numbness as he let himself calm down enough to think.
And then every waking hour is consumed by thoughts of her condition. Hinata's system seems to be rejecting all chakra it comes into contact with except his. Which means that special factor is something only he had. Sage energy. He is one of three people alive who wields it. After that assessment, he sent a shadow clone to Mount Myoboku, Land of the Toads. But even that was a useless effort. The elder toads did not know of anything that can be helpful.
Another consideration is Hinata's chakra itself. Six months ago, she came into contact with one of the oldest known Otsutsuki. Hamura Otsutsuki. The brother of Hagoromo Otsutsuki who gave him and Sasuke the sun and moon seals that sealed Kaguya. Hinata mentioned something about him giving her chakra. They always thought it was only a temporary boost because it never manifested again after she used it that time. This is the most likely cause of it all. But how can something given with only good intents be fatal to her now?
There were just so many questions that no one can answer. Someone who can possibly shed some light on the matter is the only living Otsutsuki. Toneri. And he is literally a world away. He lives alone on the moon and there is no known way of reaching him. The passageway that once connected the moon to Earth had collapsed and vanished after Toneri lost the powers of the Tenseigan.
His gaze landed on her hand and he noticed the dirt on her fingers. It was dried blood. She's been through so many tests in the past hours that cleaning her hands must have been overlooked. A shot of irritation went through him. He took a small cloth from the bedside table and doused it lightly with water. Then he started gently wiping her hand with it.
Perhaps it was denial, or dogged hope. But the only thing clear to him right now is there is absolutely no way she's dying.
PAGE BREAK
A portentous hush came with the dusk and shrouded the area, and Shikamaru's mind with it, in a thick cloud of mist. He felt like he was handed a ticking time bomb. His talk with Sena the day before had become so frighteningly true. Hinata's life is in peril with no solutions in sight. Although he understood the danger of revealing what he knew, he had to tell someone about it.
Naruto is probably not a wise option at the moment. He is completely occupied with his own worries and nothing else. And he can't tell for certain how he would take this information. After excessive pondering, he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
He stood up from the bench and started walking slowly through the hallway. Hinata's room is located in an exclusive wing of the hospital where special and confidential patients are treated. Deep in thought, he almost didn't notice someone walking in stride with him to the same direction. It was Uchiha Sasuke. He must have just returned from his task of reporting their situation to the Hokage and informing Hinata's family. Although he looked like his usual stoic self, the air of exhaustion that seems to engulf everyone is also around him.
"Sasuke. It's good that you're here." He greeted.
The Uchiha made no discernible response.
"What did the Rokudaime say?" He pressed.
"Nothing helpful. The Hokage asked us to have this contained. Keep them updated." He answered simply.
Shikamaru recognized the standard response. He really didn't feel like he lost anything by choosing not to report something so inciting without further investigation. He also noticed that no one was accompanying Sasuke on his return. "And?"
"Her father isn't home. And her sister is not allowed to leave. Some bullshit." He said coldly.
Shikamaru did not miss his foul mood. Everyone is on edge today. And here I thought I found a mediator or something.
"Sasuke. We have to talk. Naruto too." He said in a serious tone.
"Well then. Let's see if he's up for a chat shall we?"
They made it to Hinata's room where they found Naruto on the same spot where they left him. He did not even shift an inch in their presence. An ominous atmosphere has fallen upon the room and Shikamaru almost recoiled.
"Naruto. Can we talk outside for a minute? This is important." He asked carefully.
Naruto cast him a blank glance. He looked halfway to death himself. His face was lacking color and his sleep deprived eyes were heavy and dark. He made a weary motion with his hand and a shadow clone materialized with the same vacant expression as the original. The clone started walking out of the room in silence and the two men followed. They made it to the end of the hallway and stopped.
"What is it? Do you have news?" Naruto asked in a low voice.
"No. I have a suspicion though. What I'm about to tell you is purely conjecture. So please take it all calmly." He answered.
Sasuke made a frown but Naruto remained impassive.
"Serizawa Sena came to me the other day. She was asking for protection. She discovered that her father was pressured to make the proposal to you Naruto. He only went through with it when he was assured that Hinata won't be a problem soon." Shikamaru recounted concisely.
Sasuke was still silent. But Naruto's expressionless face slowly contorted into a humorless scowl. Shikamaru watched with unease as his eyes flared red.
"They did this to her?" He asked in a deceptively calm tone.
"Naruto. We have no actual proof. We have to-"
No sooner did he finish his sentence than Naruto vanished faster than the eye can see.
"Shit." Sasuke cursed. He immediately activated his Rinnegan and traced Naruto's chakra. His location was not far away. He quickly made a portal connecting to that point and went after him. Shikamaru automatically followed.
A hall of impressive size met them on the other side. Shikamaru recognized it as the Serizawa manor. Six guards stationed outside one huge room were already knocked unconscious. They ran inside just in time to see Naruto lift a man by the collar with one hand and slam him against the wall. A young girl was screaming hysterically on a corner. Sasuke flashed a look at her and she slumped limply on the floor. Shikamaru looked on in fright as he identified the daimyo. He was a dignified man of large build, taller than Naruto. But right now he looked diminutive lifted and shaken like a rag doll in the younger man's choke hold.
"You know why I'm here. Start talking." He said in a voice devoid of expression.
"What are you doing? What did you do to my daughter?" The horrified man asked in return.
Naruto slammed him again to the wall so hard that Shikamaru was afraid he'd killed the man. He watched with bated breath as he groaned in pain and struggled out of Naruto's harsh grip.
"Tell me what you know or I'll break your neck." Naruto said again in that cold voice. His bloodshot eyes were bereft of emotion but that made him look all the more crazed. He looked so unbothered with what he just did that Shikamaru found himself fearing his friend. He just realized that he had frozen on the spot, completely clueless on how to proceed. He swears he had considered every possible scenario in his head. But nothing could have prepared him for the unfamiliar and sheer savagery in Naruto's aura.
Sasuke watched the happenings with rapt interest. He thought he had already seen the extent of Naruto's anger. It was so powerful that the tailed beast inside of him was able to leak through the seal containing it. That was raging fire, wild and destructive. This is different. Even with that deadened tone, Naruto exuded such menace that Sasuke had never seen before. This is vengeful hate, deliberate and cruel. It was a completely uncharacteristic trait for Naruto. And for that, it was even more frightening.
Morbid fascination gave way to concern and he decided to interfere. As much as he wanted an answer himself, the consequences would be dire for such a gamble. He walked over and held Naruto's arm to get his attention. "Naruto. That's enough. You'll kill him."
"Maybe that's the point." Naruto said indifferently.
"You're not thinking straight right now. You need sleep." Sasuke reasoned calmly.
"I don't need sleep! I need answers!" Naruto's taut restraint snapped and he threw the poor man on the floor as he rounded on him. "You were there! You saw what she went through Sasuke! You saw how she is right now! I need answers!"
All of his repressed emotions surfaced and Sasuke saw it. Beyond the anger are fear and desperation. "I know that. Listen. If there's a lead here, I promise I'll find it. Let me do this. I want answers as much as you do. And my methods are foolproof." He said to pacify him.
Naruto refused to be mollified. He paced and huffed angrily as he glared at him fiercely. Sasuke met his look with unwavering eyes. "Trust me. I'll handle this. Stay with her."
He clenched his jaw in frustration and conceded grudgingly. He made the dispel sign and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sasuke made a relieved sigh and regarded the man at his feet. He was still conscious but very much dazed. Groaning and croaking, the daimyo turned to him. "You damn brutes! Why are you doing this? What happened to my daughter?"
"She's alive." He answered dully.
Shikamaru regained his bearings right at that moment. He ran to the entrance and checked the condition of the guards. To his relief, they were all alive. He used his shadow jutsu and pulled them into the room as he shut the giant doors.
Shikamaru nodded in agreement. But he felt himself unable to look at Sena lying unconscious on the corner. Guilt welled in his gut and he walked over to her. He eased her into a more comfortable position and covered her sleeping form with fabric from a nearby table.
Sasuke turned to the daimyo. "See. We're not all bad."
"Bastard! You'll pay for this!" He spat.
"Don't test me. It will end very badly for you. Tell me everything I need to know. Hyuuga Hinata. What do you know about what's happening to her?" He asked coldly.
"I don't know what you're talking about. You'll get nothing from me." Serizawa answered angrily.
"Nothing? Even for her sake?" Sasuke asked as he gestured toward the sleeping girl.
"No. You wouldn't." The daimyo is now visibly shaken as he tried to crawl towards his daughter. But he was moving in such a pained manner Shikamaru suspected he must have broken a bone from earlier.
"Equivalent exchange. A life for a life."
"I have never even heard of that name until today! Mercy. Whatever happened to her, we had nothing to do with it." He pleaded this time, all traces of defiance gone.
"That's not good enough."
Shikamaru stood mute on the side. Sasuke is speaking in a similar way to that cold and detached tone that Naruto was using earlier. But his had a shade of mockery in it that Shikamaru did not appreciate. Although he understood the purpose of this interrogation, even he couldn't gauge if the Uchiha is bluffing or not.
Sasuke reached Sena before her father did. As he stood beside the unconscious girl, he drew his sword and pointed it at her neck. The sleek steel shone a wicked gleam as it hovered precariously close to delicate flesh.
"No! Stop! Please I know nothing I swear!" Terror became animate in Serizawa's eyes as he watched the blade aimed directly at his daughter.
Shikamaru knew this is wrong. Things have suddenly taken a crazy turn and he couldn't tell what Sasuke is capable of doing now. "Sasuke. Stop this." He found himself calling out. Incredibly, he realized he couldn't move.
His plea fell on deaf ears. Sasuke lifted his hand and turned to the daimyo. "If you can't give me anything, then her life would have to suffice."
The sharp metal descended in a precise swing, tearing through skin and flesh with no resistance at all. Blood gushed out the cut in great bursts, pooling on the marbled surface. Sasuke withdrew his tainted sword and watched as Serizawa's shock turned to unbridled grief. His wordless cries filled the chamber as he pounded his fists on the floor. Extreme distress finally claimed his last strength and he fainted.
Shikamaru felt his knees give way and he fell on the floor. How did it get this screwed up? He saw a flash of light and he was jerked awake. Looking around, he realized that none of that horror show happened. It was a genjutsu. But real or not, it had taken a great deal from the daimyo. He was actually unconscious this time.
"Sasuke. What's your plan?" Shikamaru asked tiredly.
"Genjutsu. I'll put a lot of confusing scenes in their latest memories everything will feel like a dream when they wake up." Sasuke answered.
"Was that really necessary though?" He asked, all too aware of his racing pulse.
"It's a genjutsu not limited to a single person but to every conscious mind around. I figured you should see it too." Sasuke explained.
"You were punishing him. Did you have to go that far?"
"We got our non-answer. He doesn't know anything. Someone tampered with his mind even before I did." Sasuke answered in a voice unmoved and remorseless. His face had turned grim and Shikamaru chose not to push his point further. He might just prove dangerous an ally no less than a foe.
PAGE BREAK
Naruto felt the typical sense of a clone disappearing as all the memories it acquired in its passing existence started flowing into him. The new information arrived with a rush that slammed into him all at once. The numbness from a while ago was rapidly replaced with a flood of emotions that left him shaking. Feelings of fear, bewilderment, and guilt crashed and clung to him so strongly. The most dominant is the rage. His breath hitched in his throat and he felt his chest squeeze painfully. He reluctantly let go of Hinata's hand, lest he crushes it with his clenching fist.
Physical fatigue and emotional turmoil sapped his strength and he was overcome. His vision spun and he leaned his head on the edge of her bed. He gripped at the sheets for some semblance of control as he tried to stabilize his breathing with slow intakes.
Is Hinata in danger because of me? Why? How? Who would do this? This is my fault? What do I do? What the hell should I do?
Did I just kill someone?
Then he felt it. It was soft, light and almost hesitant. But it was the most comforting thing in the whole world. It was a touch he craved for the past nightmarish hours. Very slowly as if not daring to hope, he raised his head and saw it in the dim light. Her small hand laying on his. Her grasp was weak that her palm was just on top of his closed one. He instantly clasped it with both hands as his gaze flew to her face. She was looking at his direction although she couldn't meet his eyes.
"Naruto-kun. What's going on? Are you okay?" She asked in a thin voice raspy from disuse.
He couldn't answer immediately. Instead, he lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips. His eyes were tear-filled and his throat was parched and incapable of speech. There were just so many rampaging emotions he couldn't possibly feel any more. Her gaze softened and although it took a lot out of her measly strength, she brought her other hand over and lightly tapped on the bed. While his eyes wouldn't look away from her face, he did not miss what she was trying to say.
Very carefully, he maneuvered through the wires attached to her vital points. He lied down beside her, not letting go of her hand. She was now turned to her side and he brought his face on level to hers. While their eyes met, he was gazing deeply into hers but she couldn't do the same.
"Naruto-kun. Please say something. I can't see you right now."
That whispered plea was his undoing. The lump in his throat dissolved into tears and he let it. "I know this is a stupid question but are you okay? How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?"
"I don't feel particularly awful right now." She said feebly.
"You're going to be fine. I'll make sure of it."
He wrestled with the idea of telling her all that he just discovered but decided against it. He didn't know why he and he was too tired to think of a reason. He wiped his tears away and forced himself to retain composure. "I am so sorry. About all of this."
Her brows creased with confusion as she gave him a firm look. "No. You shouldn't beat yourself up over this. This isn't your fault."
Maybe it isn't. But I might be the cause of it all.
"How long was I out?"
"Two days. We're in Kiri Hospital right now and it's nighttime. Granny Tsunade said it would be stressful for you to travel so we stayed here." He explained briefly. "I should go tell her you're awake."
Before he could get up, she held on to him. It was a weak grip but it was enough to hold him down. "No. Stay. She can look me over tomorrow. And how long have you been up Naruto-kun?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"I can hear how tired you are. You should sleep too."
"I'm not letting you out of my sight again," he said resolutely. And then more gently he asked, "Hinata. Do you wanna talk about it?"
That horrific scene crossed his mind again and he flinched. He felt her go tense at the mention of it and he quickly withdrew. "Only if you want to. When you're ready."
"No. Not right now." She said softly. "Go on. Close your eyes."
"Hinata I-"
"You need this. You know I'm right."
"Listen to me first. You have to hear this, please. You'll get through this. You're gonna be okay." He said firmly.
He did not know what he expected as a response but he felt anxious when she just stayed silent. He was about to speak again when she moved close so that her face was lightly nuzzling his chest.
"Our problems will still be here tomorrow. Right now, we rest."
What she said was optimistic enough on her part which is more than he needed. And his stubbornness was no match to the lull of her voice. He put an arm around her and pulled her even closer, his worries taking a temporary respite. For now, he could only be grateful for this warmth. Exhaustion finally overpowered his reluctance and he slept.
PAGE BREAK
It came as a flash of light in her hazy consciousness. A glow of white light amidst the total darkness, like staring at a single star on a midnight sky. She stirred awake and opened her eyes to check her surroundings. Everything was pitch-black and she understood that her sight still hasn't returned. She just hoped what she saw was a sign that her eyes are healing.
She could feel and hear Naruto fast asleep beside her. His steady breathing is a comforting sound and she nestled closer to his warmth. But now sleep eluded her as much as she tried to reclaim it. She stayed awake listening to the indistinct sounds of the hospital, anything that can take her mind off her current situation. She did not want to think about that. She would do anything to forget about that.
After what must have been several minutes, she saw it again. This time it was stronger. More curiously, it felt like it was summoning her, like a homing beacon. Unable to ignore it any longer, she struggled to sit up as furtively as possible. She carefully detached the wires connected to her and moved to the edge of the bed. She brought her feet down on the floor and tried to stand up. Apparently, she overestimated her strength. Her weakened muscles failed to support her weight and she fell sprawling on the floor.
She stifled a cry at the pain that shot up her body. Even as she closed her eyes, she can still see that light. Beckoning to her. Daring her. Almost like it was mocking her frailty.
Feeling indignant, she stared at the light as she tried to get up again. She managed to get to a sitting position but this time her legs were stiff and uncooperative. Not pausing to reconsider, she started heaving herself forward, dragging her useless feet on the floor as she did. Before long, she was breathing heavily. Her anger fueled her drive and she pushed on.
"What are you doing?"
Naruto's disoriented voice cut through the silence and the spell was broken. The light she was following faded into complete blackness so suddenly that she wondered if she was just imagining it. She heard a slight rustle and then he was beside her.
He put a hand on her shoulder as he looked her over. Unbeknownst to her, she was huffing and glaring resentfully to her front which was coincidentally the bathroom.
At her silence, he asked again. "Hinata. Did you want to go the bathroom?"
She laughed. And it wasn't the kind he remembers. It was a short and sharp sound and so incongruous on her.
Ignoring his surprise, he tried to understand her difficulty. This must be uncomfortable for her. "I can go ask someone else to help. A lady nurse. Tell me what you need. Please. Let me help you."
She snapped. "Might as well. Wherever would I be without someone's help?"
This time, he was completely taken aback at the bitterness in her voice. The stinging retort stilled his movements and he withdrew his hand. At a loss, he waited for her.
Not long after, the hard look on her face crumpled to shame and regret. "I'm sorry. That was unfair. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to."
"It's okay."
"No it's not okay. You're here and helping me and I'm acting out. Please don't be mad at me." She looked down, shamefaced at her outburst.
"Hey, it's really okay. I'm not mad. Come on. Let's get you off the floor first it's cold."
He gathered her in his arms and lifted her off the floor. It shocked him how thin and light she felt comparing to a few weeks ago. She wrapped both arms around him and buried her face onto his shoulder as a quiet sob wracked her body.
"I got you. It's alright. You're okay." He went on soothingly. He walked over to the bed and gently put her down. The brief loss of contact was too much for her. He sat on the edge of the bed facing her as she immediately reached for him again. She almost leapt forward to embrace him and he felt his heart break.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand what's happening to me." She whimpered into him.
"It's okay. We'll figure it out. I promise." He responded at once. It was a bold statement but one he will make sure to do.
She burrowed even closer, wanting to disappear inside of him and shut everything else out. He knew she was holding him with all her strength. So it was all the more devastating how weak it was. He hugged her as tightly as he dared, fearing it would actually crush her. He stroked her hair and back, offering any sort of comfort. She was trembling and it was a while before she could ease her hold on him even the tiniest bit. Naruto realized she wasn't crying. She was having a panic attack. He held on to her until her breathing slowly evened out.
Eventually, her anxiety started to subside. But she didn't let go just yet. She wanted to stay forever in his arms, locked within the relief and security of his existence. Naruto is here. She's safe as long as he's with her. He'll make everything alright. He'll never let anything hurt her again.
For a moment, she let herself believe that. Until she realized the absurdity and unfairness of that expectation. A strange calm took over her when she acknowledged that. Her body went slack as she lost herself to a hopeless resignation.
Naruto felt her settle down and he slowly released her. He held her hand as he faced her although she couldn't see him. With her eyes wide and shimmering from unshed tears, it was impossible not to see her quiet anguish.
"Hinata. You can say it. Whatever it is. You can tell me anything." He implored her, his voice coming out in hushed tones.
She barely reacted. "It's nothing. It won't change anything. It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does. It matters. Maybe it can help you feel better."
"But I don't want you to know. I don't want you to see me like this. I hate it."
Feeling beaten and useless, he could only plead despairingly. "I want to be here. Please don't shut me out."
Despite her resolve, her eyes misted once again to the prelude of tears. "I'm dying, aren't I?" She said so casually he was the one astonished by it. "I'm not supposed to be this person anymore. I thought I've changed. I should be worth it. But I'm not."
"Of course you're worth it."
"No. You don't understand."
"Then tell me. Explain it to me until I do."
And just like earlier, she resisted the urge to pour it all out. But her heavy heart was more yielding and it gave in. With a voice that wavered and shook, she laid bare something kept within her guarded self. "I never told you about it. But when we were kids, I saw something that scared me for a long time. Neji-niisan and I were sparring and he was beating me. My father stepped in and used the curse seal to punish him. I saw him, crying in pure agony. It was horrifying. He lived with that fear for most of his life. And yet he chose to die for me."
"So I can't die. Not just yet. I'm supposed to live. I owe it to a lot of people. But that pain. It was the worst thing I've ever felt. I wanted to die right then. And I am so terrified at the thought of going through that again. I don't know if I can survive that. I don't know if I'd even want to. I'm a quitter and a coward and everything is a mistake."
Naruto saw as she fought to keep the tears at bay. Her confession is causing her shame, but a part of her is willfully holding on to her dignity. For one so full of light, Hinata is harboring darkness in her that is now being illuminated. He did not pretend to misunderstand what she meant. It was a painful memory they share.
"He loved you Hinata. He wanted you to live. So it will never be a mistake. If he's here, he'll tell you the same. It's okay to be scared. I am too. And I did something terrible because of it. I'll tell you about it sometime." He cupped her cheek with his hand and lifted her face.
"Hey. Listen to me. You're not a quitter or a coward. You will survive this."
"You don't know that."
"Maybe I don't. But I choose to hope. Because it's all we have right now."
"I can't." She said distraughtly.
"Yes you can. You can fight this. I know you can." He swore.
"How can you say that?"
With a shuddering sigh, he summoned his confident and reassuring voice. "Because it's what we do. Because we live in a world where even the impossible can happen."
Without being aware of it, she squeezed his hand consolingly. "You've always been so brave Naruto-kun. And there's nothing more I'd want than to be brave for you too. But I don't know if I can do that."
Now he was the one to reach for her, holding her to him protectively. From what, he couldn't quite tell. He just needed to ease that terrible fear creeping into his heart. Fear that she is slipping away and he can't do anything to stop it. He is not enough this time.
"It wasn't just me. The times when I survived from the pits of despair and complete hopelessness, it wasn't just me. The ghost of my parents actually showed up to save me. You were there to pull me up. People came to help me. And you have that too. You have people who will do anything to help you. You have people worth living for."
"Your family is waiting for you to come home. Your students no doubt miss you very much. Our friends are definitely worried sick right now if they knew. At this time, Sasuke is out there trying to find anything."
And then more softly and full of sadness, he swept on. "And me. I'm here. Asking you. Begging you to fight for it. And I'll never let go. So neither should you."
"If your will is not enough, take mine. Take ours. There must be something here that fills you with strength. Hold on to that one thing that can keep you fighting."
Hinata heard his voice break and realized that she was hurting him. Hurting him with her doubts. She returned his embrace with the same care as the tears finally escaped her lids. His sorrow was subtler than hers. Comforting her was his priority, alternating from stroking her hair to kissing her head.
Bit by bit, her mind drifted off to what he said. She found not one thing. She found a medley of things abstracted by a single thought.
"Home." A weary smile finally found its way to her tear-stained face. She lifted her head and wiped her tears away. "Let's go home Naruto-kun. Will you take me home?"
Naruto felt a weight lifted from him with that smile. It was a heartening and much-needed sight after the long torturous hours where very little made sense. He took a moment to wonder and draw strength from it. He knew their battle had barely begun. But now hope is lit anew.
No matter the situation, when Hinata smiles, it's bound to make him smile too. "Of course."
PAGE BREAK
When an unfixable part of a whole brings more damage than its utility, the last solution would be to remove it. It was the only remaining option presented to them the following morning. Tsunade was very straightforward about it. It's a shot in the dark if nothing else. She felt disappointed at herself at not being to do anything else.
Since all the trouble started with Hinata's eyes, they had to be taken out. It wouldn't have been too dreadful considering Naruto can literally create eyeballs out of nothing. But her system is still resistant to any chakra it comes into contact with. There is a very high possibility that won't work on her. Also, the operation has to be done the traditional way, without the use of chakra. These are the risks they would have to take.
Hinata took the details calmly. She only requested that the operation be done in Konoha and she be given a day to be with her family. A kindness Tsunade allowed sparingly.
As they were prepping her for transport, Naruto, Sasuke and Shikamaru stood waiting in the hallway. The tension was palpable as each one tried to make out how to say their thoughts out loud. Naruto looked glum, Shikamaru looked anxious and Sasuke looked wary.
The awkwardness annoyed Sasuke and he spoke first, looking directly at Naruto. "I got nothing. Serizawa was a tool. Someone was using him. I should stay and try to find out more."
Naruto looked up. "I owe you. I'll be helping once she's okay."
Another long silence ensued. Shikamaru took that moment to speak, looking guilty doing so. "Naruto, I don't mean to be insensitive but something came up. I just thought you should know. We are still in the middle of an important conference. I got an urgent notice this morning. We are required to attend a presentation today. You are specifically expected. Apparently, an important person is presenting something big."
"I'm sorry Shikamaru. I can't be there. You're gonna have to go without me. Even if I send a shadow clone, I can't promise it will stay." Naruto responded quietly.
"Then the real you would have to be there."
All heads turned to the voice and they saw Hinata sitting on a wheelchair on the doorway. Tsunade was standing behind her.
"I couldn't help but overhear. Naruto-kun, you can go. Tsunade-sama said the operation can be done tomorrow. We still have time." Hinata said pointedly.
"But Hinata, I'm taking you home today."
"This is also important."
Naruto went silent as he thought of how to argue himself out of staying. Shikamaru started cursing his role as the messenger in the whole picture. It felt more like being a harbinger of doom. He turned to the former Hokage.
"Godaime-sama. Someone noticed that you were here and they are also asking you to come. The letter said there is a case to be presented that requires your medical expertise. And it really must be important to be able to push it to the agenda this easily."
Tsunade raised a brow. "Do you know who this person is? Must be a big shot to be able to make demands like that."
"Yeah. He's a representative from the Earth Country. The daimyo's son. Moriko Kisei."
At the drop of that name, Naruto immediately looked at Hinata and noticed how she went rigid. Her lips were in a tight line and she started fidgeting with her hands. He walked over to her and took the handles of her wheelchair.
"Guys. Give us a minute please."
Naruto started wheeling her out of the hallway and into the open. The fresh air and early morning sunlight hit her pleasantly and despite everything else, she relaxed a little bit. He went on his haunches in front of her and held her hands.
"Hinata. What's on your mind?" He asked softly.
"You know, a while back I wanted you to go to that meeting. I thought you should. I did pry you off from something important." She said uncertainly.
"And now?"
"And now, I truly want you to go. I don't know why I never told you this before but I felt there's something off about Moriko-san. With everything that's happening, I just can't believe this is a coincidence. His involvement with Hanabi, his attitude towards you and me, and now this."
"But you need me." Naruto argued.
"I also need assurance that my sister is not marrying a dangerous person. Naruto-kun please. Please do this for me. We both know there's a chance I won't make it out of this. Please promise me you'll look after Hanabi." She said with renewed strength, her hands clenching his pleadingly.
He heard the resolve in her voice and he knew there was no talking her out of this. He sighed resignedly. "I'll only be gone for a few hours. Three hours max. At the first sign of trouble, send for me. Promise me that."
She relaxed her hold on him in relief. "I promise."
Then she lifted her hand in front of her, searching for his face. She found his cheek and cupped it with her palm. "Thank you. For getting me through this. Thank you for everything."
"I love you Hinata. I know you don't always believe it. But there's nothing I won't do for you."
Her breath caught in her throat but she quickly recovered. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss where she reached him, his forehead. "I love you too. And I'll see you very soon."
He stood up and saw the others approaching. As soon as they got close, Sasuke spoke first. "I can take her home."
A few minutes later, Naruto was staring after a figure moving off into the distance. A while ago, it was big enough to block the sun over a great area. Now it's a barely visible form high in the sky. The better part of him is grateful. Then he realized how their roles switched so inadvertently. And the gnawing in his gut hinted of much less desirable sentiments.
PAGE BREAK
Sasuke did not start questioning the sense of suggesting he take her home until much later. Hinata was still seated in a wheelchair and he was standing to her side. He was keen on watching her while simultaneously maneuvering the Susano'o on the right track. That was when she started going tense again. She was doing it so inconspicuously, probably to keep her discomfort to herself. But her twitching hands, anxious eyes and pursed lips did not slip past his watchful eyes.
"Are you hurting? You need to tell me these things." He finally spoke up.
She turned to his direction. "I'm all right Sasuke-kun. No pain at the moment. It's my eyes."
"What about them?"
"I think I'm seeing something. A spot of light. I saw the same thing last night but I thought it was just my imagination."
"Are you still seeing it now?"
"Yes. Do you think it might be a sign that my eyes are healing?' She asked hesitantly.
"I don't know." He answered not unkindly.
She lapsed into silence after.
"What is it?" He pressed, sensing her hesitance.
"Sasuke-kun. I am so grateful for your help in bringing me home. But if I could be so forward as to ask you another favor…"
"Tell me."
"I don't know if I can explain this but I'll try. My Byakugan gives me an almost 360 degree vision and close to 30 kilometers range. Right now I feel like it's activated even though it's not. I am in total darkness but I can only see one thing. That light. And just like when I'm using my eyes, I can tell exactly where it is. 2 o'clock 16 kilometers away."
He immediately understood what she wanted. "You want me to bring you there?"
"It's worth checking out, don't you think so?"
Sasuke knew she was right. Still it took him long to answer. "Okay. It's your call."
"Thank you."
With the speed they were going, they were close to the location she gave after just a few minutes. The Susano'o landed on the ground and dissipated. It was a cold and desolate place that no life forms were within sight. Jagged peaks the color of coal jutted from the ground forming a barricade around a much imposing mountain.
"Is this the place?" Sasuke asked. "There's nothing but rock formations around. And there's a huge mountain in front of us."
"No. I sense at least another kilometer directly in front. And the light is getting stronger." She answered with subtle impatience.
"Okay." Without warning, he made a giant fist with his Susano'o and punched the wall of rock in front of them. The stones gave way to a hollow space inside, like a cave.
The rumble startled her and she immediately stood up from her wheelchair. To their surprise, she did not topple to the ground.
"I actually feel a bit stronger." She chuckled softly.
"That's good." He said eyeing her carefully.
"What happened?" She asked.
"The wall gave in. There's a tunnel going inside."
"Okay. Lead the way please." She said determinedly as she held out her hand to him.
She felt him take her hand but she did not anticipate him lifting her off the ground and carrying her fully. Then he started walking forward. But not before activating his Susano'o. It was much smaller this time. Just enough to enclose them both protectively and serve as a light source.
"Uhm. Sasuke-kun. I can walk now..." She said questioningly.
"Yes you can. But you can't see. So you'll trip." He answered simply.
She did not argue further, silently thankful.
"You lead the way." He urged.
"It's straight in front of us."
Sasuke picked up his steps and soon even he can see a faint radiance in the distance. Not long after, they were standing beside a glowing pool under a hugely hollowed cavern. The still surface shone a pure white light similar to diamonds.
"It's beautiful." She said breathlessly as she slowly disengaged from his hold.
"Wait. You can see?" He asked as he looked around warily.
"I can see a lake of light, nothing else. It's almost the same to that time we went to the moon." She recalled. "This is a passage to somewhere."
"Let's see." He said as he formed a fist with his chakra. When he moved to touch the pool, an invisible barrier repelled his hand. He did the same with a Chidori but it died out completely upon contact. Using his Rinnegan, he tried to get a read on what's beneath the lake but he couldn't see anything. The surface remained perfectly undisturbed.
"I can't get through."
Hinata moved almost spellbound and knelt beside the pool. She dipped her hand in and felt a gossamer substance drift through her fingers.
"I can." She said softly.
The unspoken words rang louder and he heard it.
"You're not suggesting I let you go alone, are you?" He asked in disbelief.
"I have a feeling that this is something I should do. Why do you think I was brought here?"
"That's insane. We don't know what's out there."
"Exactly. Not until I go see for myself."
"Don't use rhetoric on me." He said aggravated. "You're blind. And we have a plan."
"Yes. One that hinges upon Naruto-kun's ability to heal me. Which we've seen is not possible. I'm dying. And nothing seems to be working. Do you know what it's like not being able to save the person you love? I can't… I won't do that to him." She said softly.
"How is this any different?" He did not even realize he was raising his voice. "You figured if you'd die in some unknown place he'd feel better about it?"
"I don't want to die Sasuke-kun. That's why I'm going. If there's even the slightest chance that this can save me, I'm taking it."
In reality, he was torn on what to do. She was making a rational case for herself. But the uncertainties are too much for him. How could he possibly let her go alone in an unknown location in her current state, blind and frail? In a last-ditch effort, he pleaded to her most vulnerable.
"Hinata. You can't do this to him. It'll destroy him."
She took a deep breath and turned to him fully. "I'm fighting for my life. I'm fighting for a chance of a life with him. It's all I ever wanted."
That was when he noticed her teary eyes and heavy breathing. Of course she was struggling with this decision. And then he saw it. He was her a long time ago. Only his was in pursuit of revenge and hers something decidedly less contemptible. And he realized that no matter the intention, whether to escape or strive for survival. It wasn't his decision to make. He felt like a hypocrite. A very fearful one. In an unprompted act of sincerity, he walked over to her. After taking his coat off, he draped it around her shoulders.
"Just don't die." He said tersely.
She smiled, surprised at the gesture. She reached forward and pulled him in a hug, grateful for his presence. They were pressed close enough he could feel the rapid drumming of her heart.
"I know I'm out of favors to ask of you. I don't even know how I could deserve your kindness. Sasuke-kun, will you please give him a message from me?"
Some whispered words and she turned away, walking briskly and resolutely towards the pool. With just a few steps, she was fully submerged. In that one infinitesimal moment before she went completely out of sight, his hand lifted on its own. It was a reflexive move, the purpose unclear. But his hand was only met with cold air and his vision with a sudden fall of darkness. It was however fairer than the one stirring within him. The question of whether he brought her to her salvation or her end.
