If Tomorrow Never Comes
By Revelias
Author's Note:
I do not own Naruto or anything there in. I am only borrowing them for a sort time so please don't sue me.
Thanks for all the great feedback so far. You guys are the best.
Sorry that this chapter took a bit longer to get out but as always comments, critiques, complaints or anything else of the kind are always welcome. It's because of them that I'm inspired to continue writing.
0o0o0
At every step one has to wrestle for truth; one has to surrender for it almost everything to which the heart, to which our love, our trust in life, cling otherwise. That requires greatness of soul: the service of truth is the hardest service. What does it mean, after all, to have integrity in matters of the spirit? That one is severe against one's heart...that one makes of every Yes and No a matter of conscience.
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Chapter 10: Trials and Accusations
"During ones lifetime there are images that often burn themselves into the mind of the observer. Whether those images are joyous or tragic depends wholly upon the circumstances under which they were observed." Shikamaru said as the image before him burned itself into the slackers mind.
The word had spread across the village like wildfire. Every shinobi, regardless of affiliation, political or personal alliances, had answered the Hokage's call. Genin, chunin, jonin, root, and anbu stood side by side waiting and wondering.
"Do you think this is about what's been happening along the boarder Shikamaru?" Choji asked is life long friend as he uncommonly offered to share his snack with the slacker.
"Who knows for sure. But, chances are good that it does." The young chunin replied.
Choji didn't bother asking anything further as he could tell by the expression Shikamaru wore that he truly didn't know anymore than anyone else. The build up of Madara's forces was no secret to anyone who had gone on a mission within the past few months. Most if not all of the Leaf shinobi knew that there was only one purpose for a force that size, invasion. The only question that remained was when.
Tsunade stood in the shadow of the hall watching and listening to the murmured conversations of various ninja. She could hear the subtle fear from each of their voices. Fear that she readily understood. Fear that she herself, one of the five shadows, shared with the men and women of the Leaf. After all in the face of certain death who wouldn't hold some degree of fear.
Making her way to stand before the gathered strength of the Leaf, the Fifth gave nothing away. As Hokage the shinobi of the village looked to her for inspiration, leadership, strength, and hope. She was the beacon in the night that guided their way. The unseen hand that lead them along the shadowed path of integrity and honor. Taking her place before the assembled shinobi the entire focus of the room quickly turned towards the Hokage.
"My fellow shinobi. As many of you know for the past several months a large force as been gathering on the southern border of Fire Country. They have but one goal, the complete and total destruction of Konohagakure." Tsunade began determined not to hold any information back from her troops.
"I'm sure that many of you had already come to this conclusion on you own. However, for those of you who hadn't, now you know. With that out of the way I'll get to the reasons I have called you all here. I'm going to share with you what information I have and a possible plan I have devised to save the village.
To begin, members of Anbu have determine that the enemy forces are under the command of Madara Uchiha. This is the same man who fought with and was defeated by the First Hokage. It was believed that he died after the conflict with the First, however, we now know that to be incorrect.
Second, I have sent word to our allies in an effort to garner support against Madara's pending invasion. Our allies have pledged troops to our cause and the first of them should be arriving in Konoha within the next two weeks. Unfortunately, even with the influx of reinforcements we still will be at a disadvantage.
However, we still a little time to prepare. Last night I received a message from Uchiha confirming most of what the Anbu had already reported to me. Within the message Uchiha stated his intentions of destroying the village and the fact that he was aware of certain actions I had already taken in regards to this matter. He went on to say that he does not intend to invade the Leaf for another two months or more precisely not until December 22. He is doing this because as he states it 'he wants us at our very best.' He doesn't want there to be any question that the Village Hidden in the Leaves fell to his superior strength.
To that end we have until December to prepare. Are there any questions?" Tsunade finished as she continued to look out over the gathered shinobi.
"You said you had a plan to save the village." A masked chunin asked.
"Well save the village might be an overstatement. The plan I have is to use the escape routs we have built into the village in order to save as many lives as possible. It's my hope that these survivors might be able to find refuge with our allies and someday with luck restore the Leaf. It's not prefect and the chance of it working is small. But with all things considered it's the best shot we have of ensuring the continued survival of the ideals and principles of the Leaf." Tsunade explained.
"Hokage-sama, you mentioned that our enemies where aware of certain actions you have taken concerning their pending invasion. May I ask what those actions were?" Hiashi Hyuga asked from somewhere in the crowded room.
Tsunade considered for moment whether it would be wise to reveal everything to the assembled shinobi. However, considering the circumstances and the simple fact that her initial plan had failed there would be little harm in revealing the truth.
"Nearly three years ago this village was crippled by the efforts of one man. Pein was the most formidable enemy we had every faced and for a time it did not look as though any of us would survive that dreadful day. Like myself, those of you who fought him understand what incredible power he had and exactly how close the end truly was for the Leaf. However, the icy hand of death was held at bay by the efforts of two of our own. One who challenged and eventually over came Pein's dark intent and another who would not let the first walk through hell alone.
Yet despite his efforts on behalf of this village Naruto Uzumaki is still looked down upon by many of its' people. He came to me shortly after that fateful battle and asked to be allowed to leave the place he had for so long tried to protect. When I asked him why he simple said that he could no longer tolerate the intolerance that he had been shown his entire life. I understood his pain and although it saddened me to do so I granted his request. He left us in search of something better, somewhere he would be accepted. However, he did not go alone.
I said that there were two who saved this village from Pein. Most of you know of Naruto's deeds that day. But what went unnoticed except by those closes to the battle was that if not for the efforts of another Naruto would have died that day. With little thought to herself, and in truth with little expectation that she might survive the battle, Hinata Hyuga put herself between Naruto and Pein. You might ask why and I'll tell you because I doubt it will make much difference when all is said is done. Hinata was one of the first to truly accept Naruto. The truth is aside from his parents she was probably the first to truly love him. Love him so deeply that she followed him into the unknown simply so he wouldn't be alone." Tsunade explained to the shinobi of the Leaf as her looked out into the crowd daring anyone too look as though they had something negative to say.
"But that doesn't really answer Lord Hyuga's question, now does it. When I learned who was in control of that army I realized that even if we somehow managed to meet the enemy with equal numbers and strength that we could never hope to withstand a direct assault from Madara himself. He holds the power of at least seven tailed beast.
Our only hope to match that kind of power would be to have equal power on our side. But that's where things get a little complicated. When Naruto left I gave him a mission. He is not to return to the village until such time that he has completed that mission. However, when Hinata followed him I gave her a different mission, one which was dependent upon either the completion of Naruto's or a direct order to return to the Leaf. Nearly a year and a half ago I sent out four teams with identical orders. They were to locate Hinata Hyuga and deliver my order to return. It was my hope that Naruto would return with her and thus put us on near equal footing with Madara. However, that hope is no longer a possibility." The Fifth said as momentary look of hopelessness filled her eyes.
"Then there's still hope. If Madara isn't going to attack until the twenty-second then Naruto and Hinata have over eight weeks to make it back." Ino loudly spoke as the Hokage's once neutral expression slipped into one of remorse.
"I'm sorry but that's not the case. The orders I sent were two-fold. They contain an automatic cutoff date. If the teams had found Naruto and Hinata by that date then they would be close to if not already in the village. The fact that they aren't here and that none of our outermost outpost haven't sent word of their approach can only mean that none of the teams reached them by the cutoff." Tsunade explained.
"Lady Hokage." Kakashi spoke out.
"May I ask what were the second-fold orders?"
Tsunade considered ignoring the copy ninja's question but in the end decided that this too would ultimately hold little baring upon the coming battle.
"What the hell." Tsunade mumbled to herself.
"In the event that the none of the teams made it by the cutoff the focus of my final orders shifted to Naruto. I instructed him to locate any survivors, find refuge with one of our allies and when enough time had past begin the rebuilding of the Leaf. He is too seek out and forge alliances to strengthen his position as he sees fit and under no circumstances attempt to retaliate against Madara. If it is the fate of this village to fall because of it own short sightedness then so be it. But I will not meet Kami with unnecessary blood on my hands by ordering the last of us to throw away their lives in an attack that will almost certainly fail." Tsunade explained.
"But my Lady. Uzumaki can not carry out those orders. Forging alliances and building a village are the responsibility of the ..." An jonin angrily began before he was interrupted by Tsunade.
"My last order to Naruto was given with the full acknowledgment of the ninja council who until now have been sworn to secrecy. However, there is no longer a need to keep that secret. As of today Naruto Uzumaki has been invested with all the power and responsibility befitting his position as..."
0o0o0
"What do you want Rokurou?" Hanabi asked from her silent watch.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry." The young man spoke trying to keep his voice low enough so that only Hanabi might hear him.
"What do you have to be sorry about. Is there some wrong doing you want to confess?" The girl asked turning for the first time to actually look at her team mate.
"No, I don't have anything to confess but at the same time I do apologize for what I said about our target. I didn't realize that she was your sister." Rokurou began.
"And how exactly did you learn that she is my sister?" Hanabi asked as she jumped from her tree perch to stand before Rokurou.
"I overheard you and Emi- Sensei speaking the other day." Rokurou quickly answered to the satisfaction if not annoyance you the young Hyuga.
" I won't say that I understand what you're going through because I don't. I suppose no one really can know exactly what you're feelings are. But, I know what it is to be controlled by the traditions of ones clan. You might not believe this but from what you told Sensei your clan traditions are rather forgiving compared to those of mine."
"I don't believe you. You are only saying these things in some pathetic attempt to make me feel better. However, I have neither asked for or require your sympathy or pity." Hanabi spat as she turned to reclaim her perch.
"Believe what you want Hyuga. But what I said is the truth. If your sister had been a member of my clan then she would have never had the opportunity to chase after someone she obviously cares about. In my clan births are kept within the clan. Our children are judged from the day they are born until their second year. If at anytime during that judgment they are considered to be too weak to serve the clan or are in some way deformed then death is immediate. There is no room for debate, no repeal, no consideration. The judgment is final. Your sister may be forced to live her life as the clans whore but at least she will live. My sister never had that luxury." Rokurou angrily returned before giving the speechless girl a final hate filled glare before retreating into the darkness of the forest.
"It had to be very hard for him to say that to you Hanabi."
"Sensei. What he said, was it true or was..." Hanabi asked Emi as the elder woman came from the shadows to stand beside her.
"I afraid it was all true. The Gin clan believes that any and all weakness must be rooted out. Over the years the village elders have tried repeatedly to convince them to change their ways but as you know the traditions of a clan are not subject to laws and traditions of the village." Emi explained before she relived Hanabi of her watch and allowed the young woman to rest and reflect on all she had been told.
0o0o0
Moving through the early morning hustle and bustle of the village Tsunade silently cursed herself for giving out more information then she had intended. Still what was done was done and there was little that could be done about it at this juncture. Her only consolidation was that there was very little that could be done to overturn the decision of herself and the council. However, even that hollow victory was not enough to left her spirits in the face of all the problems her little unintentional tirade was bound to cause her.
"Lady Tsunade, may I speak with you for moment."
"And so it begins." Grumbled to herself as she turned to face the person who had spoken to her.
"Of course Lord Hyuga. I was about to return to my office, join me and we can speak over a cup of tea."
Hiashi needed no further motivation as he bowed and fell in beside the Fifth.
Tsunade carefully watched the man before her as Miyoko quickly served the village leaders and moved respectfully out of the room. Despite his appearance of demure calmness she knew that underneath the Hyuga elder was beyond pissed.
"Alright Hiashi, enough pussyfooting around, out with it." Tsunade jumped right to the point as she took a sip of tea.
The subtle mask that he wore shattered in an instance as the head of the Hyuga clan allowed all of the anger he had been carrying for most of the morning to finally erupt.
"Damn it Tsunade, you could have said something. You've known this whole time where Hinata has been and you set there like a statue watching me go out of mind with worry. I thought that we were closer then that. Seriously do you think so little of me as to not trust me with information about my own child? But, hell that's not even the worst of it. Knowing that I'm climbing the walls over Hinata's disappearance you then send Hanabi out on what can best be called a fool's errand. Do you honestly think that any of those teams will find the two of them? Did you think for a moment what having both of my daughters taken from me would do to me after losing Hatori?
Then after everything you had the audacity to ask for my support with the council. If for a moment I had suspected that you were keeping information about Hinata from me I never would have supported you. But, thinking about it, that's probably why you remained silent." Hiashi vented towards the silent Hokage.
Tsunade only watched the man before her, holding back the budding backlash that stirred within her. She knew that he was hurting and the last thing she wanted to do was force more pain upon him but the more he ranted the more her own anger grew.
"Yet still you call yourself a friend but friends like you I can do without. Didn't you for a moment think that I might be open to the situation if you took to the time to explain it to me. Wasn't my trust in you enough to warrant your trust in me? Damn it, you never even gave me the chance to tell my little girl goodbye." Hiashi continued to rant until he pushed past the last barrier of Tsunade's restraint and the Fifth arose from her seat slamming her fit into her desk to finally silencing the Hyuga clan head.
"That's quite enough Lord High and Mighty! Who the hell do you think you are to come into my office and try to blame all the crap in your life on me? True I didn't tell you about Hinata, but I had good reason. Did I ask you for support with the council? Yes, I came to you as your Hokage and asked for your support. Support that as a loyal shinobi I shouldn't have had to ask for in the first place. And then you set there after I have humbled myself enough to ask for you help only to have you wonder how I had the audacity to do so.
Here's how in case you missed the last few years. I am the Hokage of the Leaf you pompous ass. I'm not some servant that has to come and report to you when ever a decision has to to be made. You and the rest of the fools in this village need pull the sticks out your collective asses and get that fact through your fat heads." Tsunade screamed before she was finally able to regain a small bit of control.
Although she had not intended to do so, Tsunade knew that she had only caused Hiashi more pain when he was already carrying more then his fair share.
"Listen, I'm sorry Hiashi. I never thought that events would progress this far. I never imagined that when I became Hokage that the village would come under attack by forces as daunting as those we've faced over the past few years. The Akatsuki, Pein, and now Madara. It's as if Kami herself is punishing us for some horrible sin we've committed.
But, at the same time you need to understand that the problems between you and Hinata are of your own making not mine." Tsunade stated as calmly to the still seething Hyuga only invoking a response at the mention of his daughter. However, before he could interject the Fifth continued to explain her side of the situation.
"I know it's been hard for you since Hatori's death but as hard as it's been for you didn't you think for a moment that it might have been just as hard for Hinata."
"She was just a child. She could not possibly remember Hatori well enough to..." The Hyuga lord tried to force his belief upon Tsunade.
"She doesn't have to remember her!" Tsunade's voice rose forcing Hiashi once more into silence. "Hiashi, you might be able to see every minute detail of everything around you from miles away but you're blind to what's right in front of you.
Before she left I forced Hinata to tell me why she wanted to follow Naruto. Part of her reason was because she loves him and as hard as that might be for you to believe that it's true. However, there was more to it then just wanted to be with him. She told me that despite the fact that by right she should be the heir to you position in the clan she will be passed over in favor of Hanabi.
However, before you get it into your head that that was the reason she left I'm here to tell you that it wasn't. Hinata has no ambition to take your place. She left because for whatever reason you favor Hanabi over her. She knows that in your own way you love her but you have apparently never bothered to impress that fact upon her and your clan has followed your example.
Hinata told me that you and the clan have always looked upon her as a failure. That you go out of your way to remind her of that fact. She said that you thought so little that when she showed no inherent talent for the Gentle Fist you passed her off on Kurenai without a second thought. But worst of all, Hiashi, is that even now after pushing herself hard to improve you still refuse to see her as anything but a failure.
So you'll excuse me if I don't shed a tear for you, if I don't regret keeping the truth behind Hinata's departure from you. In my reckoning that girl deserves a whole lot better then what you have given her. She deserves some happiness and if she can fine that with Naruto then so be it. Now, if you will excuse my Lord Hyuga I have bigger things to worry about then your wounded pride." Tsunade angrily finished turning away from the clan leader.
" Miyoko!" Tsunade called to her assistant who promptly enter the Hokage's office.
"Please escort Lord Hyuga out and send in my next appointment."
"Right away Lady Tsunade." Miyoko quickly said as she moved to guide Hiashi out of the office only to have the nobleman pause and turn once more to the Fifth.
"Hokage-sama I... I thought that I was doing to the right thing by my children. I see now that I was wrong. Please forgive my foolishness." Hiashi humbly said as he bowed and left the office without any form of acknowledgment from Tsunade.
0o0o0
Standing before Yukiko Hinata allowed herself a hesitant moment of relief. Their search was finally over and at last Naruto would be able to fulfill his promise to Kyūbi.
"You're Kyūbi's mate. You're the reason that were here. Kyūbi asked that Naruto and I find you." Hinata offered to the being before her.
"If you know who I am then you will stand aside and allow me to claim what is mine. What is left you may do with as you like." Yukiko stated as she stalked towards Naruto before Hinata rushed into her path.
"What do you mean by what is left?" Hinata demanded grasping a kunia from her pouch as any hope that the her battle with the spirit was over quickly vanished.
"My mate is seal within that human husk. I intend on ripping it open and freeing him. What becomes of what remains afterwards is non of my concern." The spirit callously told the lavender eyed girl as she once more moved closer to Naruto.
Yukiko's deceleration froze Hinata and for moment remained motionless as the white fox moved closer to Naruto. Withing infinite moments between heart beats Hinata's minds raced. She knew that every odd was against her. In a fight between herself and Yukiko she simply had no chance of overcoming the spirits raw power. However, she could not abandon Naruto, no, she would not abandon him.
"I... I will... I will not allow you too hurt Naruto, I will not allow you too take away my heart." Hinata softly spoke barely drawing the attention of the ancient spirit.
"And how do you intend on stopping me chi..." Yukiko begin to speak before she found herself being slammed into tree.
Yukiko had not seen what had struck her. Common sense said it had to be the girl, who despite her appearance displayed strength that rivaled her own. Still this was a trial to determine the girls worth not a sparing match. Simply landing a single blow was far from enough to satisfy Yukiko's standards.
"You surprised me girl. I did not think you had that much power in you. Still, I will claim what is rightfully mine." Yukiko growled as she stood and lunged towards Hinata.
"I will not allow you to take him away from me." Hinata spoke as she dodge the spirit's strike in order to counter with a punch to Yukiko's left side.
The blow however did little to slow the ancient spirit as she quickly retaliated by using her tail to unbalance Hinata and drop her to the ground.
"If this is your best then you should give up now. You have no chance of defeating and preventing me from claiming what is rightfully mine." Yukiko mocked as she once more begin to stalk towards the still motionless Naruto.
In her mind Hinata knew the spirits words were true. Despite how far she had progressed her own strength was no match for Yukiko's. However, her mind was not in charge of the current situation. At that moment her heart was the only thing Hinata could hear and its' message was clear.
"I will die before I allow you to harm Naruto!" Hinata whispered as she glared towards the spirit and began to sign through a long series of signs.
Moving closer to her supposed pray Yukiko hoped that the girl was not just about to give up. Despite her disadvantage she had shown unrivaled determination to protect her beloved. A quality which Yukiko deeply respected.
"So it seems that you have taken the wiser path child. As a token of my generosity I will make sure that the boy survives long enough for you to say your goodbyes." Yukiko coldly stated as she came to stand over Naruto.
Yukiko silently sighed at Hinata's inaction. The girl had shown such promise but know it seemed that she had simply given up on protecting the one she claimed to love.
"You claimed to love him. You said that you would not allow me to harm him. Yet here we are. You frozen there weak and afraid and I about to..." Yukiko began before finding herself being choked by a tightening chakra whip around the neck.
Hinata was prepared to die. If it meant that Naruto would live then she would happily give up her life. She had never expected to actually use the jutsu Kyūbi had taught her. As he had explained although simply to perform it required precise control and large quantities of chakra. One she had the other she did not.
Expending what little chakra she had left to form the chakra whip was dangerous but if her plan succeeded then she and Naruto would be safe and if it failed then at least Naruto would survive. One way or the other this battle was about to come to its' conclusion.
0o0o0
"Hey Kyūbi, when exactly did you teach Hinata how to give chakra a tangible form?" Naruto interrupted as he stared blankly out the mental window.
"What are you babbling about..." The Nine-tails questioned as he followed Naruto's line of sight.
In his long life the Nine-tails had seen many things, some that were beyond beautiful, others so disturbing that even he struggled to forget them. However, the sight that greeted him as he looked out into the waking world was one he could not explain nor fathom. All he could do was say the first thing that popped in his mind.
"Shit!"
"So I take it you didn't teach her that?" Naruto asked as a nervous chuckle slipped out.
"I taught her the chakra whip jutsu. It takes a great deal of chakra to maintain but is simple to perform. This however is far beyond that jutsu. She has enhanced the chakra with combination of water and lighting elements to create something truly powerful and beautiful. Unfortunately, she doesn't have enough chakra to properly maintain it. In truth I'm surprised that she has maintained it this long." Replied an amazed Nine-tails as he watched Hinata's whip sparkle from the interaction of water and electricity.
0o0o0
Yukiko roared out in pain as the enhanced jutsu lashed itself around her neck and body. She had been careless by foolishly underestimating the woman before her. A mistake she would not make again.
"Just a little more. I just need a little more chakra and a few seconds to get close enough. Then I'll be able to..." Hinata planed as she struggled to reach her target only to realized to late that Yukiko had shortened the distance between them causing the whips tightness to slacken and release.
"No!" Hinata gasped as her best chance to stop the spirit slipped away.
Moving quickly Yukiko ruthlessly slashed Hinata's arms tearing through flesh and bone forcing the young kunoichi too release her jutsu completely before dropping to the ground broken and beaten.
Yukiko took no chances as she paced around Hinata's motionless form. Twice now the girl had pleasantly surprised the ancient being and in doing so prolonged their battle. However, now there seemed little doubt that the fight was over.
"I'm impressed human. Your level of chakra control is much better then I would have expected of one so young. It is not just anyone who could have created a jutsu such as that with your level of chakra. Another time, a different opponent and you might have won this battle but against me you simply had no chance." Yukiko backhandedly belittled her rival as she once more moved to claim Naruto.
"I will take what's mine now girl."
However true Yukiko's words might be Hinata did not want to accept them. Yet here and now she had no choice but to accept the reality of her situation. She had failed to defeat Kyūbi's mate. She had failed to protect Naruto.
"Ple...plea...please, Lady Yukiko. Before you take him, allow me a final request." Hinata pleaded in a voice just barely a whisper.
Halting her trek Yukiko turned back to the beaten girl for a moment as she considered Hinata's action to be another deception.
"You fought well so I will listen to your request but I make no promise that I will grant it."
Acknowledging the spirits benevolence Hinata forced her pain riddled body to kneel before the amused snow fox. Determined not to show any weakness before the ancient being Hinata prepared to make her final plea.
"Lady Yuki...ko, although I haven't the r...ight I beseech you. If you must take his life, then allow me to die with him. He is my heart, my soul, my life. Without him I am no...thing. Please if we must be parted in life th...en allow us to... be united in the hereafter." Hinata asked as the last of her strength gave way and her body slumped to the ground to await Yukiko's decision.
0o0o0
Naruto had watch the entire battle between Hinata and Yukiko and was now boiling with rage. For almost the entire duration of the fight he had been able to hold himself in check. However, watching his beloved being injured had pushed him to the edge.
"Damn it Fox, you said she wouldn't be hurt! Let me out of here she needs me." Naruto screamed as he lashed out with his chakra trying to break away from Kyūbi's domain.
Although the Nine-tails understood his hosts' feelings he could not simply allow Naruto to interfere with the trial. This was the only chance that he and Yukiko had for happiness and he would not allow it to be wasted.
"Naruto, stop and listen to me for a moment. I know how it seems but trust me Yukiko knows what she's doing. She will not allow the trial to go farther then it has too."
"Farther then it has too! Hinata's out there wounded and begging for death! Exactly how much father could it go?" The blond replied as his chakra continued to lash out.
"She alive, wounded yes, but alive. If Yukiko had wanted her dead then she wouldn't have survived the first attack. This trial is to determine her worthiness, no wait, that not true. This trial has nothing to do with whether Hinata would make a suitable host for Yukiko. This is a judgment of Hinata's heart." Kyūbi spoke hoping to reason with his host.
"That's what this is about! You want Hinata to become host to Yukiko...NEVER! I would never allow it!" Naruto screamed in the face of the demon king.
"It isn't your choice boy. It's true that you and I had no choice in being bond to one another however, that is not the case with the girl. It will be her choice to be bond to my mate should she pass this trial." Kyūbi responded.
"I said no! I won't allow her to suffer the way I did!" Came Naruto's retort.
"So you would force your will upon Hinata, substitute your wants for hers? Will she have any will of her own or will she simply be your slave awaiting your every instruction for the rest of her life?" Questioned the Nine-tails.
In a rare moment Naruto was silenced by the demons accusation.
"No, but..."
"This was never about her becoming Yukiko's host. This has always been about the strength of her heart and whether or not she will be strong enough to truly walk by your side." Kyūbi began.
"You know as well as I that we are forever bond. Soon the boundaries that separate us will fade and when that happens we will cease to be Naruto and Kyūbi. We will become someone new with all the attachments of the old. You will be as much Yukiko's mate as I and when that happens Hinata will mean nothing to you unless she becomes your mate, unless she joins with Yukiko."
0o0o0
Hinata knew that regardless of what the creature before her decided that she was going to die. Whether it was from her injuries or from a finishing blow from Yukiko her life would be over soon. Yet even in the face of certain death her heart still turned to the man who had so recently claimed her for his own.
"I refuse your request." The spirit smoothly said.
"Please... I love him. I don't wish to be parted from him." Hinata shamelessly begged the Snow Fox.
"I see now that I was wrong about you girl. I thought the person that I fought was someone I could respect as both a woman and a warrior. But now I see that I was wrong. You claimed to love the boy. Declared that you would die in order to protect him and yet instead you beg for death. You who claim to love so deeply would rather roll over and die then to continue fighting. I pity you. No, I pity the boy because he actually believes in you, he actually loves you.
You do not deserve his love. But do not worry in death he shall not know the kind of person you truly are. He shall stand before Kami bathed in the knowledge that the woman who vowed to love him truly loved him. You however, have to live with the knowledge that in the end you rather then fight for him you chose to give up and put his fate in the hands of another." Yukiko admonished as her admiration for the the Hyuga begin to fade.
The spirits words were like razor sharp kunia slicing into Hinata's heart serving only to galvanize her conviction and re-energize her spirit. After all, who was this being to question her heart? Who was this female to question her devotion to Naruto?
"How dare you? How dare you belittle my feelings for Naruto. You know nothing of my love for him. You know nothing of what I would sacrifice for him." Hinata voice crackled with tension as she forced herself to stand once more.
"You have no right to judge me. Maybe what you share with Kyūbi is something deeper then my feelings for Naruto but that doesn't make them any less genuine. I would die to protect him, I nearly did die to protect him! You think I asked for death as some sort of escape? I would rather be with him in death then without him in this or any life.
You go on about how I can never understand what it means to be mated to another. That it is some kind of undeniable bond and yet when your mate was sealed away what did you do? Were you there for him? Were you by his side fighting for him, risking your life for him? Because when they taught us about Kyūbi's attack on the village there was never any mention of you." Hinata casually mocked striking a nerve with the Snow Fox as her body slipped into a fighting stance.
"But your right. I never should have asked to die. I should have kept fighting. That was a mistake I now intend too rectify. I withdraw my request Yukiko! One way or the other this fight is about to end. Only the outcome remains unclear." Hinata retorted with complete certainty that she was about to die.
"Very well girl, you have made your choice." Yukiko answered as her chakra flared and she lunged towards the Hyuga heir.
Everything slowed as Yukiko's strike neared Hinata's unsteady form. Despite her bravado Hinata had nothing left to pit against the spirit. Having spent nearly all her chakra during the preceding battle the fact that she had been able to stand was nothing less then a minor miracle and she knew it. Regardless, It would all be over soon. She would leave this world and soon after Naruto would join her.
Naruto, her Naruto would join her in death and they would be together forever. Together forever, just as she had always dreamed. She would be by the side of her beloved, to walk with him, to talk with him, to...
But no it wouldn't be like she had dreamed. Throughout all the years she had dreamed of being with Naruto she had never dreamed that death would be the force that eternally bond them. No, regardless of what form her dreams took she and Naruto were always alive. Alive to live, to grow, to share and to love. She dreamed of a life with Naruto not a death with him even though death was all that awaited her at the end of the day.
Then again just because she was destined to die didn't mean that he had to join her,
"Naruto, I'm going on ahead. I'll see your later." Hinata's whispered as she forced the very last of her life's energy into one final strike aimed directly towards Yukiko's heart. If she was about to die then she would do her best to take Yukiko with her.
"ENOUGH!" Naruto enhanced voice roared out as powerful tails of chakra forcefully restrained Hinata and Yukiko inches from the other.
"This trial is over!" The blond sternly spoke as he lowered the spirit cautiously to the ground before focusing his full attention upon Hinata..
"Do you understand me Yukiko?"
"As you wish my Lord." Yukiko softly responded as she lowered herself to rest near Naruto.
Regarding Yukiko for only moment Naruto shifted into what Sakura had jokingly dubbed medic mode.
Since the third great ninja war it had been the practice of the Leaf to assign at least one medically trained shinobi to each team. However, given the uncertainty of battle it was required that every shinobi learn at least basic first aid in the event that the teams' medic was injured or killed.
In Naruto's case he had the added advantage of years of training under Jiraiya and being teamed with Sakura. He might not have been a traditionally trained medic but he knew more then his fair share of first aid and field medicine.
Quickly and cautiously he checked Hinata's vitals in order to ensure that she was stable enough for him to move on to addressing her more serious injuries only to halt his examination to look upon the spirit beside him.
"How..." Naruto began to question the spirit beside him.
"This was a trial to judge the girls heart. The only thing that was real during the trial were the actions and motivations of the girl. Everything was designed to test her, to determine the strength of her conviction to you. It was to..."
"And none of this had anything to do with your own desire to be with Kyūbi?" Naruto sternly asked.
"It would be a lie to tell you that those desires did not carry some weight during the trial." Yukiko quickly responded.
It was obvious that Naruto was still dubious to the spirits motives but whatever misgivings he night have had quickly faded as looked into Yukiko's eyes and knew that she spoke the truth. Regardless of her own desires she truly wanted what was best for him and her mate and if that meant that he would find love with another then so be it.
"The girl will awake by morning. Although she was not harmed she did expended nearly all of her chakra. However, if you wish it I can awaken her now by giving her a small amount of my own chakra." Yukiko explained as she continue to watch Naruto tend to the sleeping Hinata.
"No, I think it would better for her to sleep. Before this began she had been training and then with the trial and all she has to be exhausted.
You should get some rest too, you might posses an almost inexhaustible supply of chakra but doesn't mean you never get tired. We can talk about everything in the morning." Naruto returned as he lifted Hinata and carried her to their shared tent with Yukiko following close behind.
To Be Continued