Hey guys. Sorry for the ridiculous time between updates. I swear I will try to be quicker with future updates, promise. Anyway here is chapter 10, a bit wordy after all the action of their first big mission but I hope you enjoy it none the less.
Update: Just fixed some minor spelling and grammar errors.
Chapter 10: Diagnosis and Dialogue
He looked like a corpse. If it wasn't for the slow, shallow rise of his chest Hanabi would have had to use her Byakugan to detect any signs of life in Hamaki. The few parts of his body not covered in bandages were deathly pale. Hanabi merely stood there in near shock as she let the emotions flow over her. He had survived. She hadn't sent him to his death.
Vaguely she could hear Shizune rattling off a list of his injuries; severe blood loss, 3rd degree burns to 20% of his body, 2nd degree burns to the left side of his face, a fractured left arm and trace amounts of some kind of toxin in his blood. With every item on the list Moegi and Udon seemed to tear up all over again and Futan was clenching his fists so hard Hanabi suspected he had cut off blood flow to his fingers. She stood behind them with Kai and Iruka-sensei while Konohamaru stood next to Moegi as she cried into his shoulder. This brought a pang of irritation to Hanabi but she put that confusing thought aside as she forced herself to pay attention to the Hokage's protege.
She had barely been able to sleep last night, the thought of Hamaki dying because she couldn't formulate a better plan, because she failed to live up to her own expectations gnawed at her. She began to wonder if this is what leadership was really like; harsh decisions and cold calculation. If so she was less disappointed with losing her position to Hinata. Yet another thought plagued her though, she knew that such decisions would have an even heavier toll on her gentle sister. The weight of clan leadership would crush her spirit, especially if she was forced to endure them alongside clan restrictions on who she could wed. Hanabi suppressed a sigh as she realised just how unprepared for leadership her father's indecision had made both his daughters.
At that moment the door to the hospital room in which they were assembled opened and a tall thin Chunin walked in and bowed to Shizune.
"My apologies Shizune-sama, but the Hokage requests the presence of Teams 13 and 14," he said, turning to Iruka for a reply.
"What for? We already gave our mission report to the Hokage!" Konohamaru whined.
"She wishes to discuss some new developments in the investigation with you," the chunin answered, ignoring Konohamaru's lack of manners.
"Very well, we will head over immediately," Iruka answered, causing the Chunin to nod in his direction before flickering out of sight. At Iruka's urging the six Genin marched out of the room solemnly as he said his thanks to Shizune and followed suit.
Within the Hokage's office there was a heavy air. Moegi and Udon had managed to pull themselves together however Moegi remained a little too close to Konohamaru than seemed appropriate to Hanabi. But yet again this feeling was pushed aside as Tsunade cleared her throat and passed the scroll she had been working on to Sakura, who had taken up Shizune's place in the office while the older apprentice was treating Hamaki.
"Well," she began, "First I wish to know how Hamaki is doing" she was trying to lighten the mood.
When none of Hamaki's own students offered up an answer Iruka began by listing the same injuries that Shizune had read to them earlier. As he spoke she could see Udon tense slightly, straining against the urge to weep before the Hokage, while Moegi loosely grabbed the end of Konohamaru's ridiculously long scarf. Tsunade herself did an admirable job of hiding her shock at the severity of his condition, Hanabi was the only one to spot the slight widening of her eyes.
"I am sorry to hear that," the Sanin finally uttered after Iruka had finished his report.
"Lady Tsunade…" Hanabi said, interrupting her superior's train of thought, "It was my plan and I take full responsibility for Hamaki's fate," Iruka began to frown, not angry but disappointed, while Konohamaru openly gawked at her. The others made no reaction save Moegi tightening the grip on Konohamaru's scarf.
"What a load of bullshit!" Konohamaru shouted, gaining him the ire of Tsunade.
"Quiet down Konohamaru!" she yelled, either unaware or uncaring of the hypocrisy.
"But it is," he continued, "It was Hanabi's plan, but Hamaki volunteered, and he outranked us all. If anyone is to blame for his injuries it's those bandit guys who forced us into that position,"
"I agree," Tsunade added, with a glare towards the young Sarutobi to encourage future silence, "It was Hamaki's call and the fact that an experienced Jonin chose to implement your plan speaks of nothing but praise for you," at this Hanabi felt a heavy weight had been lifted from her; it wasn't her fault. She still felt uneasy about the prospect of future leadership but at least her immediate fears were sated. She glanced across at Konohamaru only to be surprised that he was still looking at her, a mixture of concern and admiration splashed across his face, and next to him Moegi was also staring, though now her eyes seemed less abrasive and distant than they had on the caravan trip home.
Moegi followed Konohamaru's eyes to join him in staring at the Hyuga second daughter. She wasn't sure why but the idea that Hamaki, her sensei, had given Hanabi a form of praise seemed to have made the girl less repulsive, yet she would not loose to her, Konohamaru was hers. She studied the girls face, looking for even a hint of emotion and yet, nothing as if the girl was carved from alabaster. Then she turned to face them and Moegi could have sworn she saw the very smallest of smiles upon the Hyuga girl's lips as she looked at Konohamaru. "I suppose anyone who likes Konohamaru can't be all bad," she thought, perhaps this girl could be a worthy rival.
"Now, as to why I called you here," Tsunade began, bringing everyone back on topic, "I had the two prisoners you brought back interrogated by Ibiki and Inoichi. They believe that the bandits you fought in the first attack were not shinobi at all, but rather mind controlled civilians with some basic training."
"So we were fighting civilians?" Udon questioned, worry in his guilt.
"Yes, it would seem so," Tsunade answered, "It would seem the men's memories have been near completely demolished and replaced by some form of jutsu, Inoichi is trying to piece together what is left in order to identify the jutsu or the ninja responsible, but there is little to go on," she refrained from mentioning the possibility of Yamanaka involvement, no point muddying their reputation before there is hard evidence of a traitor.
"So they were brainwashed slaves, forced into service by a cruel ninja," Iruka spat, a mixture of horror and rage giving the words added impact.
"That's horrible," Sakura gasped from behind her master's chair.
"We believe so yes. We believe the skill displayed by the second group far outstretches the training found implanted in the prisoners, so either they were higher ups in this new organisation, or the mind jutsu ninja has improved substantially since creating the first batch," Tsunade added, "I asked you here to see if any of you noticed anything about the second attack group that might tell us if they were also mind controlled,"
"I'm afraid not," Iruka sighed, "We could not tell that the first group was mind controlled, so I don't believe we are aware of what to look out for. Also we never got a chance to see the second group; their movements were to fast,"
"I see, even for your Byakugan, Hanabi?" Tsunade asked turning to the mousy haired girl.
"I'm afraid so, as I said yesterday all I saw was a slight fickler before the attack started. All I can tell you is that it was not a genjutsu,"
"Very well, I may need to call your father in to discuss this, a technique capable of bypassing the Byakugan may pose a serious threat to our village; we rely heavily on the Hyuga for surveillance," The Hokage said, "You are dismissed,"
As the two genin teams and Jonin instructor filed out of her office, Tsunade began to wander how she was supposed to defeat such a slippery opponent. It wasn't until the door shut that she noticed the paper crane placed upon the corner of her desk.
Outside the Hokage's tower Iruka offered to take everyone to Ichiraku's to take their minds of the recent events. Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi jumped at the chance for to dine at their favourite restaurant while Futan simply looked excited by the idea of food. Kai said nothing but followed Iruka, leaving a lazy trail of paper cranes in his wake. Hanabi was the only one to refuse his offer stating she was tired and wished to rest at home.
As Hanabi approached the Hyuga compound the guard at the gate smiled at her and offered a warm greeting. "Good evening Hanabi-sama," he called. She stopped in front of him, causing him to tense thinking he had erred in some way and was about to be reprimanded.
"You no longer have to address me so reverently, Batora. I am no longer of the main branch, we are equals," this took Batora by surprise, the young Chunin replied with a meek "Of course Hanabi-sam…I mean Hanabi"
As she ventured toward the centre of the compound where her own family lived she was relieved to learn from another guard that Hinata was out on another mission with her squad. While she dearly loved her sister, Hanabi did not want to suffer another awkward silence tonight. However her thought were interrupted by the approaching footsteps of her cousin behind her.
"Neji, good evening," Hanabi said turning around to face the older genin.
"Good evening Hanabi," he replied. "I trust Hamaki-sama is recovering well,"
"Not as well as we would like, Shizune-sama says he should be back to full duty in a couple of months though,"
"Good." Neji finished, seemingly relieved to be done with the formalities, "Your father has requested your presence, he awaits you in the great hall," as he said this his usually hard eyes softened, as if in sympathy.
"Thank you, I will go at once," Hanabi replied, silently thanking him for his sympathy.
The Hyuga grand hall was an ornate room at the back of the main branch's house, used for formal court between the elders and the head of the clan and the receiving of honoured guests. As Hanabi entered she could not help but remember the countless hours she had spent in this room watching her father hold court, learning to lead as he did. Nor could she forget the pain of the last time she had entered this place, the searing pain in her forehead, the shame she felt for her own tears of agony and the sadness she had felt as she saw how utterly unmoved her father had been as they did it. At the far end of the room, on the slightly raised platform reserved for the main branch, sat Hiashi Hyuga. Those same emotionless eyes staring at her as she made her way to bow before him.
"Good Evening Hiashi-sama," Hanabi stated formally as she rose from her bow.
"That is not required of you daughter," Hiashi intoned, a softer edge than normal in his voice, "They may have forced me to choose, and they may have forced me to place that mark on your head, but they cannot take away the fact that you are my daughter, father will do." Hanabi was surprised that her father would go so far as to ignore proper etiquette and allow her to address him familiarly. This coupled with his willingness to train Neji gave her hope; perhaps her father had a heart after all.
"Thank you father. You wanted to see me?" At this he regained his formal tone.
"Yes I wished to inquire as to the success of your last mission,"
"We were partially successful; we protected the caravan, and captured two bandits. However the ones we apprehended appear to have been mind controlled innocents, and the true threat evaded us. What's more it appears they have a means of evading the sight of our Byakugan," As she stated the later he seemed to grow rigid and his eyes widened ever so slightly.
"I trust you reported this to the Hokage,"
"Yes father,"
"Good, I suspect I shall be summoned to discuss this issue. How about Hamaki-San, I hear he was injured rather severely,"
"I'm afraid the news is true, he volunteered to occupy our pursuers while we escaped with the prisoners. His injuries are serious, but Shizune-Sama is treating him so I have every confidence he will fully recover given time,"
"That is good to hear, I served with him once, he is a credit to the village and I believe your faith is well placed in a student of Tsunade-sama," The sound of her father calling anyone else 'sama' caught her by surprise.
"That is all I have to report father,"
"Very good. I also wish to hear about your team, I've heard that the Third's grandson is developing some skill,"
"He always had skill father, what he lacked was discipline," even Hanabi was surprised by her compliment of the Sarutobi loudmouth.
"I see, I suppose associating with the Uzumaki brat would erode anyone's discipline. It seems his prolonged training with Master Jaraiya is good for more than just my headaches then," He had almost smiled at that last bit; an attempt at humour. Hanabi had found it slightly funny but decided not to react, if only to defend Naruto in her sister's absence.
"If that is all father I am in need of supper and a bath," Hanabi stated, now wishing she had simply gone to get ramen with her teammates.
"One last question Hanabi. Do you believe the boy has the potential to match his grandfather?" What a curious question, and seemingly without motive.
"I do father, I believe if he works at it he is capable of surpassing the Third Hokage's prowess," This time she was not surprised to by the compliment she gave him, she had always thought he had potential, she just thought he mostly wasted it.
"I see. That is all, you may leave," Hiashi began to rise himself; however he was interrupted by his daughters voice.
"Father, why are you so interested in Konohamaru?" The stern Hyuga turned to his daughter and with a tone as if to say that he was speaking the obvious replied
"He is a possible suitor for Hinata, as the Third's Grandson he is one of the few of social standing high enough to consider for her spouse," Hanabi didn't know why but this revelation that Konohamaru was being considered as a possible husband for her sister did not sit well with her at all. Hiashi continued, "The only other possibilities are the Akamichi heir and the Aburame boy in her squad. However the Akamichi are reluctant to marry into the Hyuga line as they dislike our traditions…" Hanabi found herself liking Choji a bit more , "… and the Aburame are twice as off putting when you can see the insects inside them," Her father then left, his final, dreadful attempt at a formal joke hanging in the air as Hanabi began to think over the ramifications of her reaction to this information.
So there you go. What do you think? Who's the mysterious Mind jutsu user? Will Konohamaru figure out he's in the middle of a love triangle? Will Hiashi manage to engage him to Hinata? Tune in next time for the answer to none of these questions quite yet and more!