Hello everybody! It's Monday again...but at least that means more Defining Innocence! XD
Okay – this chapter is where things really begin to change. I can't really say more without giving things away, so...I'll keep it brief. Not shout outs, no notes...let's get to it!
~BlackRoseDragon13
*Disclaimer* I do not own, nor claim to own, any aspect of Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely a fan work, and I receive no profit.
Chapter Eight
Opening her eyes, Hinata saw that she was standing in the doorway to her old bedroom. Confused as to how she had gotten there, she stepped inside and gave the room a sweep of her eyes.
It was just like she remembered.
Toys were scattered about, though the rest of the room was tidy. The curtains were swaying in a breeze, the night sky visible over her view of the Hyuuga compound through the two windows across the room. Her desk was covered in drawings and academy homework, the drawers to her dresser all shut. And there was her bed.
Blinking, she saw it was occupied.
A tiny version of herself, no more than eight years old, was sleeping soundly under the blankets. Hinata marveled at just how small she was. Though the bed was small for a child, she barely filled it to any degree. Her chest rose and fell with her breaths, mouth open slightly. Smiling, Hinata moved forward to observe her past self a bit more closely.
Movement in the window made her spin around, reaching for a leg pack that wasn't there.
In the windowsill was a boy, around thirteen years old, crouched and grasping the side pane for balance. Red eyes glowed in the dark, their gaze upon the girl sleeping peacefully only feet away. Hinata prepared to strike at him, but he didn't give her a single glance as he made his way forward, utterly silent. She then recognized him, done up in ANBU gear, his face less aged.
Itachi.
He stood at her younger self's bedside, staring down at her. Hinata could see the wheels turning in his mind. While he stared, she looked him over. He was covered in blood, some still sluggishly crawling down his clothes and armor. His expression was tired, his eyes looking far too old for his young face.
He's just killed his clan, Hinata realized in horror. So...this is the night he tried to kill me...
Suddenly, the boy dropped into a squat beside the bed, his thumb and forefinger pinching the bridge of his nose. He began quaking, and it took Hinata a moment to realize he was crying.
"Mister?"
Looking over, Hinata saw her past self looking at the boy in concern. His head snapped up, gaze locked onto her face. Hinata could see that she was surprised, but not very scared. How she wasn't utterly terrified, the older Hinata had no idea – a blood-soaked person in her room wasn't worth being so afraid of? "Are you...a-all right?"
Itachi looked at the girl in shock, apparently just as taken aback at her lack of terror as the older female. He cleared his throat, mumbling, "Yes...I'm fine..."
"But...you're c-crying. And you look hurt."
The boy gave a tentative smile. "No, I'm all right. Just...go back to sleep, Hinata."
How did he know my name?
Silence overtook the room. Through her past self, Hinata felt that the boy didn't really mean to harm her. She was worried about the boy in her room – she could feel his sorrow, which was chilling and overwhelming. Certainly there had to be something she could do!
"Hinata, I need you to do something for me."
The girl tilted her head in curiosity, and then nodded.
"I need you to scream as loud as you can."
Confused, she asked, "But...why?"
"It's a secret. But I can tell you that it will help keep you safe. Can you do that for me?"
"Uh huh..."
"There's a good girl." Gently, Itachi reached out and petted the girl's hair. "Be safe, Hinata...I'll never forget you."
After a moment of staring into each others' eyes, Young Hinata took a deep breath and let loose a scream while Present Hinata backed away. Itachi sprang to the window, looking back into the room, Sharingan blazing. Moments later, several Hyuuga rushed into the room, gasping as they saw the red-eyed demon crouched in the girl's window before he disappeared into the night.
Panic gripped Hinata. "Wait!" she called, leaping out the window after him. To her surprise, he was merely sitting atop a roof nearby, hidden in shadow. Once the Hyuuga cleared the bedroom, he stepped into the moonlight and gazed after the younger girl. Hinata watched as he stared, tears streaming down his face.
It was not the face of a killer. It was the face of someone who had reached their breaking point, hitting rock bottom and unable to stand. Hinata could feel his pain, and she began sobbing as he bounded away, leaving her alone.
With a gasp, the Hyuuga girl sat up atop her bed. Rain was pounding against the glass of her window, thunder exploding and lightning flashing across the sky.
It was her memory! It finally had all returned to her! Running a frenzied hand through her hair, she felt her mind racing. She had known something about Itachi didn't fit. If he truly was a cold-hearted killer, he never would have spared her.
"It has been almost eight years, so I can't help but be unsurprised at your lack of memory of me. After all...you were only eight when I snuck into your bedroom to try and kill you."
"After I had killed my clan, it was my plan to bring chaos to the Hyuuga by killing their heiress. But you screamed and brought about your clan before I could act."
"And now, I've returned to you...after eight years."
He had been lying. For some reason, he denied telling her to foil his plans to kill her. Why would he try to hide something like that? It would ruin his image of being a murderer...but...he killed his clan! Why spare me? And why do I feel that he is innocent when there is no denying what he did to his family? Something wasn't adding up. He had killed his family, but refused to kill her. What made her different? Sasuke had also been spared despite being present at the end of the slaughter. Maybe he lost his nerve...but...how could killing two more be so difficult after killing so many?
She paused. Unless...he never wanted to kill to begin with!
Suddenly inspired, Hinata glanced at her clock. It was nearly noon! Bolting from her room, she raced toward the dining room where her father and sister were eating lunch.
"Hinata, I must ask you stop all of this running about. It isn't fit for a Hyuuga to -"
"Father, what can you tell me about the Uchiha clan?"
Hiashi hesitated. "The Uchiha? Why?"
"I need to know anything you can tell me about them!"
Putting down his utensils, Hiashi regarded his daughter with a suspicious expression. "Why?"
"Never mind why!" she yelled, surprising everyone present. "I need you to tell me anything you can remember about them that may have stuck out!"
Shocked at her sudden determination, Hiashi replied, "They were sly, and underhanded. Everyone knew that they sought power where it should not be found."
"What do you mean?"
"After Konoha was founded, they were suspected of treason when Madara fought Hashirama for power. No one ever put much faith in them after that, certain that they were nothing but power-hungry jackals."
So why did Itachi turn on them? "And Uchiha Itachi...was he like the rest of them?"
Hiashi furrowed his brow. "I never knew much of him, though I saw him often during clan meetings and negotiations. He seemed quiet, well-mannered and cunning. But I can only imagine that as their heir, he was just as untrustworthy as the rest."
Hinata bit down a retort, asking, "But did he ever act like them? Did he ever give you a reason to believe he was like them?"
"No...I suppose not."
Then maybe... "I have to go." She spun around to leave, but paused when her father called her name.
"Hinata! What on earth has gotten into you? Why these questions, and why your change in behavior? It's as though you've been possessed!"
Turning to face him, she stared at Hiashi determinedly. "He is innocent," she said quietly before running out the door into the rain.
Leaping across rooftops, she did her best to keep her grip with chakra on the slick tiles and shingles barefoot, too desperate to take time to put on shoes. Panic gripped her heart as she raced forward. A group of clouds beyond the village gate was swirling slightly, lightning crackling rapidly. That has to be them, she reasoned, adding chakra to her legs to increase her speed. I have to get there in time!
Ignoring the chuunins' call for her to stop, Hinata raced past them through the gate and into the forest, bare feet bleeding as they pushed off of the rough bark of branches. She was completely soaked, though the trees above her now shielded her partly from the rain. Reaching out her sight with her Byakugan, she spotted them half a mile away. Faster! she thought, her muscles straining to keep up with her demand.
Finally, she burst into a clearing, several hundred feet in each direction. She gasped as she saw fallen trees, huge craters, and burnt foliage everywhere. The devastation was huge, attesting to the raw strength of each of the Uchiha brothers.
Scanning the area with her Byakugan, she saw Sasuke perched atop a large rock formation. His hand was raised to the sky, lightning reaching down and licking at his fingertips. Itachi was down below, kneeling, taking deep breaths and staring up at his brother. With her Kekke Genkai, Hinata could see that he was injured, finally able to capture him in her gaze.
What...what is that?
A black sludge seemed to be overtaking the man's inner organs, and Hinata gasped when she realized it was a sickness. How...how is he still alive? she thought in horror, a hand raising to her lips.
Lightning was gathering in abundance, and Hinata's eyes widened as she saw a great creature, made entirely out of the sparking element, roaring above their heads. He won't be able to get away in time! Instinct took her over, and she raced to cover the two hundred feet.
Sasuke saw the girl run forward, but she was too late. There wasn't enough time to even begin to dodge his Kirin. He didn't care if someone else got caught in the crossfire – his moment had finally arrived. Finally, his clan would be avenged, his brother smothered under his power.
"It lasts for only one second, but makes that second grow into three. With it, you can stretch that window three hundred percent."
"Stop doubting yourself for a moment."
"As long as you do that, you cannot fail."
The lightning creature was nearly upon them, Hinata a mere five paces from Itachi. Moving her hands, she cried, "Nagai shunkan no jutsu!"
Without missing a beat, she grabbed the man by his shirt front, tossing him over her shoulder as time bent to her will. Her body was screaming at her in pain as she pushed it to its limits, demanding more speed as her time ticked down.
Three...
Her feet flew over the ground, dodging craters and tongues of a mysterious black flame.
Two...
She leapt over fallen trees, hair streaming out behind her.
One...!
She passed through into the trees across the clearing, the monster inches from the ground. Time reverted back to normal with a crash, the beast of lightning impacting the earth and shaking everything. With a cry, Hinata fell to the ground, Itachi rolling a few feet away. Neither moved for several moments, only their breath betraying their facade of death.
With a groan, Hinata lifted her head to gaze at Itachi. His breath was ragged, blood soaking his pant leg over a wound. She knew, however, that they were far from safe.
"Caw!"
In a flurry of feathers, the raven landed near Hinata, pecking at her jacket sleeve as if to say, "Get up!"
"You're still here..." she murmured, working her way to all fours. "You have to get help..." she added with a small cry of pain. "Please...anyone...someone...from Konoha..."
The bird took again to the air, abandoning her as she crawled to Itachi. Sasuke was no doubt looking for them, furious at her interference. "Itachi...please, wake up...we have to move." Gently, she moved him into a sitting position, one arm holding him up as the other hand cupped his face.
"Hinata...?" he rasped, rainwater falling as he opened his eyes. "What...are you doing?"
Giving him a crooked smile, she replied, "Saving you..."
"...why?"
"Because I know the truth."
He froze, eyes widening slightly. "You...what?"
"I couldn't get it out of my head...my m-memory was foggy after so long...but...I finally remembered. You spared me on purpose. You didn't want to kill me...just like you d-didn't want to kill your family."
Itachi just stared. "How...no one knows..."
"I just sort of g-guessed," she admitted. "I asked my father, and he spoke of your clan being unhappy and unruly. But...I came to know that you are loyal, and caring...and that it wasn't your way. I don't know everything, but...I just know in my h-heart you didn't kill them out of spite, or anger...but because for some reason, you had to...like you had to try to kill me. But...you spared me. You let me go." Smiling again, she said, "'I need you to scream as loud as you can...'"
A small defeated smile overtook Itachi's face. "I see..."
"There you are..."
Both shinobi turned to see Sasuke standing not far away. His shirt was gone, his chest scratched and bleeding, rising and falling with rushed breath. Anger contorted his face.
"Sasuke san!" Hinata cried, clutching Itachi to her chest in an attempt to shield him. "You h-have to listen to me!"
"Shut up!" he bellowed. "I'm not going to let you stand in my way. I've waited more than eight years for this moment, and you're not going to take it from me!"
Tears mixing with the rain, Hinata tried again. "Sasuke san, your brother is innocent! Please, just listen -"
"I said shut up," Sasuke said again, much quieter. "He is going to die. I am going to kill him. Now move, or I'll kill you too."
Hinata didn't even flinch, keeping the man held tightly to her bosom. "I can't let you kill an innocent man."
"HE KILLED MY CLAN!"
"BECAUSE HE HAD TO!" she screamed, finally losing her temper. For the first time, Hinata was yelling at the top of her lungs. "Something was going to happen, something bad, if he didn't act! Just let him explain!"
"Hinata..." Itachi murmured.
Still crying, she shook her head. "No! I'm not letting you lie anymore!" Looking down at him, she whispered, "This time, I'm going to save you..."
"Fine," Sasuke hissed. "Both of you it is, then." Lightning crackled around his fist, and he leapt forward with a yell.
Too tired to move, Hinata tucked her face into the crook of Itachi's neck, whispering, "I'm sorry..."
Energy, raw and powerful, flowed past her like a gust of wind, her hair whipping around her head. Gasping, she lifted her head an inch, and then turned it to look around.
Red chakra surrounded them, taking the form of a large man bearing a sword and shield, a jar held in a third hand. Armor covered it as it waited in a defensive stance.
"What...what is this?" Hinata murmured.
"Susanoo," Itachi replied. "My final defense..." A violent cough wracked his frame, blood dribbling onto his chin.
Gasping in fear, she took his chin in her hand, wiping away the blood. "It's hurting you, isn't it?" she demanded. "Stop!"
"I...must..." he replied, nodding forward.
Looking, Hinata saw a monstrous sight. A giant, eight-headed snake was writhing before them, Sasuke barely visible beneath it. "Oh no..."
The snake struck at the giant figure, which blocked with its shield. Suddenly, one mouth opened, revealing someone Hinata did not expect to see.
"Orochimaru?"
With a mighty swing of its sword, Susanoo struck its blade through the man and the snake's head. The entire being trembled, suddenly being drawn into the jar. Once it disappeared completely, the sword was sheathed within it, sealing the lip of the pot shut.
Slowly, the ethereal being faded into nothing. Hinata gazed up in wonder, watching it dissipate. Itachi suddenly became heavy, and she snapped to attention.
"Itachi? Itachi?"
The man coughed, more blood coating his lips. "Hinata..."
"Please, hang on Itachi!" she cried, tears running down her face. Wiping away the blood in vain, she murmured, "Don't leave me..."
"Hinata!"
Looking up, Hinata saw Naruto, Sakura and Tsunade. The Hokage landed near her, shaking the ground. "What the hell is going on?"
"Tsunade sama, please!" Hinata's eyes were wide with emotion. "You have to save him!"
Looking at the man in the girl's arms, Tsunade gasped. "This is -"
"I know!" Hinata replied, cutting her off. "I'll explain later, but please, you have to keep him alive!"
Tsunade's face was grave. "Hinata...you do know what this man has done?"
"And I know why," Hinata retorted. "Just do it!"
"Sasuke!" Naruto cried, grabbing the black-haired boy's shoulders. He was unconscious. "Sasuke, wake up!"
"Naruto, be careful!" Sakura said, immediately placing healing hands on the boy's chest. "Don't move him!"
"You have a lot to explain, Hinata," Tsunade muttered. "But I'll do what I can."
"Thank you," Hinata murmured. Seeing Tsunade begin to help him, Hinata's fatigue finally caught up with her. Vision spotted with black, she fell back away from Itachi, descending into sweet oblivion.
Itachi...please...don't leave me. I promised I would save you, like you saved me...you have to keep fighting...fight the sickness, fight the darkness...
Don't leave me...
Ohhhh boy. Well, the battle between the brothers is over...but what will happen to them now? I know it's a crappy place to stop, and this chapter was shorter, but...please believe that this is where it had to end! *dodges thrown objects*
I have a little surprise for you all this weekend, so I hope that it will make up for this shorter chapter. Things change quite a bit from here on out, but I pray you'll be indulgent as to where I take the plot next. Fanfiction is about changing some things, so...I hope you will all continue to read and enjoy.
Reviews are always appreciated – I love hearing from you and talking a bit in reply! ;)
Well, with that, I'll see you all on Friday!
~BlackRoseDragon13
