Midsummer Afterglow: Hello everyone! I am so sorry that it has been so long since I last updated. I have been so busy with so many things so here is a small update of my scheduel recently: First off a tragedy has occured in my life two days ago. Two of my four dogs escaped and ran away from home and though my mom and I have searched for them in the neighborhood and at pounds, they are still nowhere to be found and we both have a feeling that once they got out, they were most likely stolen; so that incident has been cause for some major heartbreak at home. Secondly, I have noticed that my attention to this story has been taking me away from some other business I have been needing to take care of and I tended to those things during the last four days as well. It consisted of working on my latest photography projects and another writing project which I had been intending to complete for a while now. If anyone is interested in reading my own original short story then tell me so in a review and I will send you a link to the page I have it posted on. Lastly I must inform you now that my senior year begins next week on September 6th and updates may begin to lag due to school work and whatnot. I will try my best to get at least one more chapter out by the end of this week because I noticed that this story is still pretty far from being completed. hehe ^_^
Any-who, I apologize if this chapter does not consist of my best work. I am a bit out of sorts after what has been happening to me recently and I am writing it late at night so if there are mistakes please nicely point them out and I will go back and fix them when I can. Please enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO
I DO OWN MY ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: ©KAZUKO, ©SEIICHI, ©EMIKO
Dusk Falls
Hiashi stood with his back facing his younger brother. A wary silence filled the four corners of the small room and so far not one of them dared to be the first to break it.
It was true that Hiashi had waited far too long before telling him of his son's mission to go to lightning country and escort the heiress to the home of the feudal lord, but Hiashi made no excuses as to why he had come so late with the news.
The elders wanted to keep the entire situation on the down low as to not raise any suspicion among the members of the Hyuga clan. It was the council's intention to keep the issue maintained until the last possible moment.
Hiashi understood the way the council operated far more than his twin ever would and because of this he would not be the one to apologize to the man. If Hizashi was seeking that from him, he would never get it. Neji was no longer the son who was by his side day and night.
The boy's life belonged to the main house and his job was to be of service to the clan's heiress as well as be at the elder's beck and call day and night. Mission's such as the one Neji had been assigned were rather common for men who served in the branch family and whether Hizashi liked it or not, Neji would not nor could he refuse the main elder in this task.
Hiashi was rather dumbstruck when his younger brother ventured to speak first, his voice, an angered whisper piercing the empty silence. "None of the elders can vouch for Neji's safety can they?"
Hiashi replied to his brother's question with a curt nod of the head. Dusk was beginning to settle upon the compounds and soon night would fall, and with it, the infamous cold wind.
"The feudal lord must want something Hiashi. Even you are not fool enough to believe that he desires a trivial meeting with the new successor of the clan." Hizashi paused and his eyes bore into his elder brother's back for answers. "It's bothering you as well, isn't it?"
Hiashi did not turn or even acknowledge his brother in any way. In his heart he knew what Hiashi said was true. From the moment the main elder had passed on the note to him, he had been not entirely sure what to make of it.
The Hyuga had dealt with lightning before and their infamous feudal lord. It was unlike him to send a note without a set of finer and more accustomed demands. Hiashi had suspected that the main elder knew as well; but for some reason the old man had stayed quiet on that issue.
Hiashi sighed and turned to face his twin. Every time he looked at Hizashi, it was as if he was staring into a life size reflection of himself except every now and then his reflection would not mirror his expression but instead a set of its own.
"Dealings with the feudal lord in the past, was always a problem for the Hyuga. I don't agree that he wants nothing more than to meet the future head of the clan. It is safe to assume that he is hoping to influence the Hyuga once more to bend to his will but this time he has decided to go about it more subtly."
Hizashi clenched his fists as Hiashi continued to speak. His tone was kept business like and under firm control. It was hard to tell that he too was worried about the future.
"I sent Hinata because in truth, she needs to experience the ninja world for herself. She has never been the prized daughter of my family but nonetheless she was the best choice for the position since Hanabi is far too young."
Hizashi glared at his brother and Hiashi knew the man was waiting to snap. His resolve did not waver nor did he turn away from Hizashi.
"So that's it? You're allowing this because you believe Hinata needs experience? What of Hanabi; why have you allowed her to go as well? Neji may be strong but having to protect two unpredictable children is not the job he signed on for!"
Hiashi had no idea why he was suddenly feeling the need to yell in response to his brother's inquiries. Did the man truly not realize why he was sending his two daughters instead of just one? It took all his will and what was left of his patience to steady his voice as he explained his reasons.
"Hizashi, Neji is not going alone. Kazuko's son will be going as well. It was an order given by the main elder. Hanabi goes because with two women in the party, they will seem more like guests in the country of lightning and less like officials sent by the Hyuga clan to generate uneasiness."
Hiashi could see by the look in his brother's pale eyes that Hizashi was beginning to understand, but this fact did no less to sooth his impending anger.
"Kazuko's son you say? Wasn't that boy meant to remain inconspicuous among the branch family? Why is the main elder suddenly giving him permission to show his face?"
Hiashi understood and shared his brother's concern. Seiichi Hyuga; his entire past was muddled. No one knew much about him. Those who did know things were able to recognize him as Kazuko's son. To the rest of the clan he was just an orphan boy who lived among the members of the branch family.
"Kazuko has not yet revealed who the boy really is, to anyone, and I don't expect her to do so anytime soon. The woman has been bidding her time and I'm guessing she now has the resources capable of fighting her brother on equal terms so to say."
This was true. Hiashi knew it to be so but he never understood the relationship between Kazuko and the main elder. There were events buried in their pasts which neither seemed to like to admit to. At every council, they sat at odds with one another. Now that the woman was dragging her son into the private affairs of the clan, she must feel as though she were sitting on a golden throne of power, but the only thing she was really sitting on was a worn out wooden chair.
Hizashi rubbed his hands together as he thought about what to say next. Hiashi had noticed that the gesture had become a habit of his lately whenever he seemed to be lost in though. It dawned on him that Neji was a lot like his father. The boy also took his time in answering when he was spoken to.
Hizashi sighed and his hands dropped casually down to his sides. "Tell Neji to keep an eye on that boy. If he is at all like Kazuko, he may do something reckless and cause trouble for the group."
Hiashi's eyes widened. His brother's acceptance of the situation was surprising. He knew the man would not just go along with the elder's decision without expressing his opposition first but for him to give up the matter so easily meant that he was too fed up to care any longer.
Hiashi wondered now if his twin was really alright with it or if he was setting his feelings aside because he knew that he was powerless against the main family. The unease of this came to rest on Hiashi's shoulders and he shuddered at the unwelcome thought.
To be powerless was a scary thing among shinobi. It was the sole reason they tested the limits of their endurance time and time again. Though in this case, the members of the Hyuga clan could only rebuke enemy or village shinobi. To go against one's clan had never been heard of.
"I will debrief Neji on this mission tomorrow night. He is still settling in at the main compound."
Hizashi nodded and to Hiashi's luck left the issue of his son alone. Just as Hiashi sensed that he could take his leave of his brother, Hizashi voiced one last question, his eyes holding a tinge of distrust in them.
"What of the boy; who will be debriefing him?"
Hiashi should have known this was coming. It was not at all an unreasonable question and he figured sooner or later his brother would have asked it.
"The main elder is debriefing him tonight. He may have given his sister a chance to play her piece, but as is it just as well, he does not trust her to move on the board fairly when it concerns her son."
Hizashi rubbed his hands together once more and the look in his eyes changed. He suddenly appeared to be composed but Hiashi knew that he was worried.
His twin sighed and his hands fell back to his sides. His tone was serious but his voice shook with unease. "With that move Hiashi, it is safe to assume that Kazuko has already predicted the outcome of this game."
Hiashi grit his teeth. His brother was right; Kazuko was never known to act without a reason. The fact that she volunteered her son for the mission meant that she was confident from that start that her brother would let him go.
Kazuko arrived with her son at the main elder's compound. There was a bright light on inside the small building and though the night time air was chill, there was a welcoming warmth emanating from the compound.
Seiichi was silent in front of her but she could tell that he was a tad bit nervous by the way he was breathing. He may have had full control over her but the main elder would be another story entirely. Seiichi was a smart man, he knew which of his battles to pick and which were better left alone.
She entered the sliding door of the compound behind her son and took in the familiar surroundings. There was a low table situated in the middle of the room and at one side of the table sat her brother, a cup of tea in his wrinkled hands.
"Kazuko, Seiichi, come sit."
Kazuko shivered as the she shut the sliding door behind her and moved to take a seat on the floor. Her brother had a weary look on his face but his eyes were stone cold and emotionless. She hoped dearly that this would go well for Seiichi.
Seiichi took a seat next to her and he surprisingly held the elder's gaze with equal intensity. Kazuko knew that her brother was going to show a pretense of friendliness for Seiichi but she did not care as long as the result pleased her son.
"Elder-Sama, what have I been summoned here for? Is there something you require my services for?"
Kazuko held her breath. Seiichi was being very forward with her brother. Perhaps he had picked it up from her. She clenched one fist into a tight ball and a drop of cold sweat trickled down the back of her neck. The air in the room felt heavy and seemed to be weighing her down. She wondered briefly if she would have preferred the cold.
"The clan is in need of a strong shinobi to take on a classified mission for them Seiichi. I know of your achievements as a shinobi and I want to ask that you agree to carry out this job for the Elders."
It was subtle but Kazuko caught it; the small sly smile that appeared on her sons face. Seiichi would be more than happy to take this job from the Elder. She did not know why Seiichi had wanted it but she had guessed that he intended to prove to the elders that he was worthy of their respect.
She had no idea if this trip would heal him but she was glad that Hiashi's daughter would be able to now spend more time around her son. She had seen the girl approach him during the night of the ceremony and for the first time, in a very long time, she had seen Seiichi genuinely smile.
"I would be honored Elder-Sama. What does the mission consist of?"
The elder smiled and set his cup back on the table gently as his fingers shook in the process. He was getting older everyday and yet he still managed the clan without losing any of his natural authority. Kazuko had to be honest with her own self and acknowledge that there was no one else in the clan who could do half as a good a job as her brother did every time he sat at the head of the council. Even Hiashi, who took on the position as head of the clan, could not do what her brother did with such confidence and control.
Seiichi came from the same blood, and that was why, no matter how far apart they were, she would always be on his side. Her son had the potential to become one of the most respected in the Hyuga clan and he deserved it more than anyone else did. Listening to the conversation between her brother and her son had first made her feel uneasy but now she felt a motherly confidence in Seiichi and she knew that she needed to believe in him.
"I need you to accompany Hinata-Sama and her sister Hanabi to the lightning country along with Hinata-Sama's protector Neji. The feudal lord is awaiting the arrival of the clan's successor and I believe that you will be an asset to the mission Seiichi."
Seiichi nodded his head, accepting the elder's mission. "I will not give you any reason to be disappointed in me Elder-Sama. Consider the clan's heiress's safety no longer something to be worried about. I will protect Hinata-Sama with my life."
Kazuko smiled and her brother did as well, though she knew that as siblings, they were smiling for opposite reasons; it had always been in their nature to contradict each other. She did not fret for Seiichi though because she knew that he was perfectly confident in what he was doing, but then again, he always had been.
"Neji will be there to protect Hinata-Sama Seiichi. You will be there to be his back up. I expect you to do your part without fail."
Seiichi shifted in his seat and he smiled at the elder's blunt choice of words.
"I will do whatever it is the clan asks of me Elder-Sama, without any chance of failing."
Kazuko took the chance to speak up then. The peace was being firmly kept on both sides but Seiichi, having the same unpredictable nature as her brother, might just take the chance to snap if her brother pestered him any more than he needed to.
"Elder-Sama, has Hiashi informed Neji of Seiichi's part in this or is the boy still unaware?"
This was the wrong question to ask for her brother snapped at her then. His voice resounded in the room and the echo made her flinch slightly.
"Neji is none of your concern Kazuko, if you are so interested in playing your trivial games here, then get out! Seiichi can meet with you later if he so chooses."
Kazuko sighed and rested her hands gracefully on the table before her. She knew her brother well and it seemed that he was in no mood to give her anymore then he already had.
"Seiichi can send me away if he chooses Elder-Sama but you may not."
Kazuko smiled in her son's direction but the boy had his eyes respectfully on the elder's stoic face. As usual he ignored her to the very end. Seiichi was always honest, it was one of his best traits but it was also his worst because it was his honesty that cut her down time and time again.
"I think the boy has made his choice Kazuko. Your work here is done. Goodnight."
Kazuko stood defeated. She quietly got up from her seat on the floor and whispered a goodnight to both her brother and her son as she made her way over to the sliding door and back out into the pitch black cold. She was not angry, not even disappointed. Her brother never gave her more than she deserved and her son was becoming just like him.
Seiichi heard the sliding door close behind his mother's retreating figure. He was not surprised that she had left without a fight. She was placing her trust in him and in return he had given her none of his.
"Seiichi, Kazuko may be on the council of the elders but I prefer if you keep any information I tell you between us for the time being. My sister has ever been a master player of games she herself creates. You should be careful around her."
Seiichi smiled. The elder's concern was touching, even if it meant nothing at all to him personally. He had been waiting for this moment, to be alone with the real head of the Hyuga clan.
"Thank you for the warning Elder-Sama but you'll find that it is useless as I hardly ever spend time around my mother. She keeps herself busy with her scheming and I with mine."
The elder wrapped a shaky hand around his tea cup and tilt his head in question to Seiichi's confession. With Kazuko gone, it was easier for the boy to speak freely.
"I mean no offense by saying that Elder-Sama but you see I too have my reasons for accepting this job so willingly. Though you need not worry for my intention will not get in the way of my duty."
The elder licked his thin lips, the same lips he shared with his sister Kazuko. It gave Seiichi a faint memory of his childhood which he had hoped to forget.
"You are young Seiichi. Do not fall into the same web Kazuko had been tangled in all these years. I see in you a spark that I have not yet seen in any of the Shinobi in the clan. You are blood of my blood and every time I see your face, I see my father and my own reflected in it."
Seiichi grit his teeth in frustration. He had not come here to talk about the past or about himself. He wanted to know the details of the mission and that would be enough to satisfy him.
"I beg your pardon Elder-Sama but what does this have to do with the mission to lightning country. Are you implying perhaps that the feudal lord will recognize my face?"
The elder glared at Seiichi and he could tell that the old man was holding back the anger which was building up inside him. Seiichi smiled inside and knew that he had hit home. He waited patiently for the elder to admit the truth to him.
"I have no doubt that he will recognize your face. You are a replica of me in my youth and the feudal lord is as old as I am. Do not take him lightly Seiichi. You are a Hyuga not a conniving tool for him to use."
Seiichi had already known that the Hyuga had been in business with lightning years ago but the treaties cease to exist once the main elder took over his father's position. If lightning was calling for a meeting this soon, it was because they wanted to get their hands on the new generation and begin to plant their influence in whomever they could.
"I don't think Hiashi is aware of why you decided to allow me to go Elder-Sama. It is because I share your features that you relented at my mother's suggestion isn't that right?"
The elder sighed and although his hand was still gripping the sides of his cup, he had yet to take a sip of its contents. Beads of sweat trickled down the elder's temples and Seiichi also felt his body perspiring underneath his thin black shirt. The room was a lot warmer than was necessary but then again the elder was old and the elderly tended to catch cold easily when the weather was not as fair.
"You must understand Seiichi. The feudal lord has been waiting for an opportunity to set his hands upon our clan once more. Sending you was the only choice I had in making him think twice about what actions he intends to take."
The elder sighed and set his cup down. It seemed he was very worried underneath the composed mask he always wore. His voice was cold as he continued.
"Hinata-Sama is a woman and not a very capable one at that. Neji is nothing but a member of the branch family and though you are too, the feudal lord will not be expecting another shinobi to go along. Your presence could be the exact thing that could either brew trouble or instigate peace."
Seiichi smiled. Despite his effort to remain a stranger to this man, his uncle, he was beginning to like him. He knew what the elder was saying made sense and yet it was hard to believe that he was making such a reckless decision.
"So you are taking a risk by sending me in hopes that the sight of my face will be the downfall of the feudal lord's plan? Would you not have had a better chance at retaining peace by sending Hiashi instead? His face is widely known in lightning where as I am just a figment of the past."
The elder reached out towards Seiichi and unexpectedly places a warm hand on his shoulder. Seiichi did not flinch away but the gesture unnerved him greatly. To be too close was dangerous.
"That you are Seiichi. Yet sometimes the past is more haunting than the present."
The air in the room became dense and uncomfortable and Seiichi felt as if he needed to go outside just to breath properly. He would not let his unease show on his face but inside he was seething with unsettled anger and mixed emotions.
"That's where I must disagree with you Elder-Sama. For some your theory may take precedence but for other's it will remain just that, a theory. The past is long gone, it is the present that instills the most fear in people, it is the present that dictates who will sink and drown in their past and who will grow wings and fly away from their past."
The elder let his hand linger on his nephews shoulder and he smiled; his eyes shining like two iridescent full moons. Seiichi held his uncle's gaze and though he was confident in his own beliefs, he was unsure if his uncle was in his own. The elder's final words struck him like a kunai to the heart.
"I will not hold your present against you Seiichi but your past will always give me cause to worry."
Authors Note: Please review if you can readers. I really need the courage to continue this story as it stands right now and I did my best to make this chapter longer than my previous ones since I have been MIA for a while now. The next Chapter will have NejixHina action so if you want it to come faster then I'll need a little push in order to get it started asap and finished asap. :D
Thanks to any new readers who have added this story to their favorites or alerts and thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter! :D
