Alignment

by Ina-Hina

A universe where the plot takes a step back in fear before the power a gummy smile has over Hiashi. But Neji has to get that competitive streak from somewhere and if it means some sacrifices must be made, so be it. Because the greater good can only matter so much, and no one ever suspects the princess. Semi SI/OC

14. Root: Strangled

Wow look at me updating once a month like a normal human being. Much wow. I'm actually a little worried about releasing this chapter but what the hell! I'll consider it a present to myself for reaching 500 followers and over 100k words! Never thought I could be one of those people, but here I am. :D Thank you to everyone who's ever read this story, and to anyone in the future who might.

KooraX: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) And lmao the very concept of Hiyaku following Hyuuga convention. I want this story to hurry up so I can write more romance but ;(

Guest: I believe you summed up everyone's reviews well, good job.

EyeskaHurtska94: Kabuchan gets a well deserved break this chapter tbh. He needs a day off Hiyaku.

I guess there's not much else to say other than please enjoy!

---

I was making flower crowns with Itachi when it happened. We were only a ways away from the main compound; close enough that Kou and Shisui would know if something happened while they did their homework at least. I'd just managed to plant the perfect crown of pink carnations across his brow when it felt as though the estate exploded. I jumped to my feet eyes wide. Itachi glanced about also though clearly wasn't as physically affected as myself. I activated my Byakugan, forcing my vision to expand past its measly one hundred metres I was used to. I spotted Kou first, latching onto his familiar signature. He and Kou were also scrambling up and out of the house and towards us. I pushed beyond and my vision blurred but I still recognised two figures leading what seemed like a herd of shinobi.

I saw black then and yanked Itachi up by the elbow even though I couldn't see the ground beneath my feet.

"What's going on, Hiyaku-nee?"

Shisui and Kou answered us by appearing and wordlessly grabbing us by the shoulders. The world turned on its axis for a moment and then we were in front of Itachi's house. I clasped the side of my head and groaned for a good moment. My vision was hazy and it hurt behind my eyes. How did Hinata manage to look kilometres ahead and run? Even with half broken eyes however, I still caught the eyes of Uchiha Mikoto. Hers were red, and not because of her Sharingan.

"Shisui-niisan, what's going on? Who are they?" Itachi tugged on his sleeve roughly, visibly frustrated by how everyone seemed to understand the situation but him.

"'tachi-chan, why don't you go say hi to your kaasan?" I said it with a smile but something was caught in my throat.

I think it was the way the Uchiha master and mistress gazed at their son. Standing mere feet away but so cautious to approach. Fugaku's hands shook and his fingers trembled, like they were itching to reach out for him. Mikoto covered her mouth to muffle a sob when I nudged him forward and bowed.

"Welcome home, Uchiha-san, Uchiha-sama. We hope you had a safe journey." Kou and Shisui joined me, repeating the phrase.

For a genius, it took Itachi a remarkably slow time of two and a half seconds to process this before he stepped forward, equally unnerved by the audience, half of which were already buried into their loved one's arms.

"Okaa?" He inquired gingerly.

Kou clasped my hand and silently led me away when the tears began.

"It's over," I mumbled as we passed the main gate, the thought crashing into my mind like a freight train.

War was over.

---

The village was in uproar and it made me wonder how I'd not noticed before. Judging by the purposeful way Kou strode ahead, he had. We made a turn and I realised we weren't walking home like I thought.

Instead I found myself neck deep in the armoury district and breathing in an awful mixture of blood, sweat and…cinnamon?

"Kou?" I squeezed his hand and he looked back at me, Byakugan activated and smiling widely.

"Toshiie-ojisan is with someone new!" He said excitedly, fastening his pace. If he had the energy for it, I think he would have Shunshin-ed us there. He had more chakra left than me though—I was too scared to activate my Byakugan again, lest I lose my sight completely. "That must mean our family's back too, right?!"

I supposed Kou wouldn't have too many memories from then. He must have been curious as to what life was like with a thriving clan.

I didn't really have the heart to tell him "shit" so I just nodded. It's not until I'm at the door does something familiar clog my senses.

It's associated with warmth and bedtime stories and crooked smiles and I broke free from Kou to crash through the doorway and stare up at a face I'd seen every day for the past three years.

But Hiashi didn't wear a hitaite.

"Touchan!"

---

Hizashi hadn't been sure what to expect when he'd arrived back in the village. Truthfully, he hadn't been expecting to be back at all, let alone think beyond. And now he had a sling around his neck and an infant in his arms who he couldn't even look at without convulsing.

Occasionally, he wondered if anyone would notice if he threw the both of them into the river, Byakugan be damned.

Only the thought of his daughter kept his lingering looks just that; looks.

He had so many questions for her.

How tall had she grown?

Was she eating well?

Was she in the Academy?

What did she want for her birthday? (Because Hizashi had three to make up for.)

Six presents then. From himself and, and her.

He hoped she'd been treated well while he was gone. He trusted Toshiie implicitly, but some things were outside his control. . . His fists had clenched at the mere thought of those stuffy Elders dare touching his Hiyaku.

Would she even remember him? That was the scariest part of coming home; he didn't know if he even had a home left. He spent sleepless nights staring at his son the baby and wondering if he had destroyed everything by simply existing.

No, he'd say, he accomplished that all by himself.

It was still hard to call him his son—many had called him cold for that, not that he particularly cared. They didn't understand.

He had stepped through Toshiie's workshop wordlessly and fallen to his knees. As always, the man understood everything perfectly, in a way Hizashi could never hope to.

"What are you naming him?" He asked gently, when the crying was over and Hizashi could stand on his own two feet again.

"I-I don't know. It's not really been on my priority list," he muttered in reply.

"Hizashi, really, he's months old," Toshiie chided lightly. He cradled the infant for a moment, gazing at his unconscious expression. "I think Neji would be nice, don't you?" He drew circles on his cheeks, and the baby wriggled in his sleep, drawing a laugh from the man. "Yes, Neji is perfect."

"Whatever you say." He probably should have hesitated even a little, but it was a normal enough name and it was easy to say, which was probably for the best in his state.

"I recommend you stand up a little straighter, Hizashi," Toshiie remarked, propping 'Neji' up against his shoulder. "We have guests."

"How—" Though he shouldn't have been surprised; Toshiie's sensory capabilities had always been unrivalled (much to the horror of the Main House).

If Toshiie was telling him now, then he probably had a few minutes to compose himself. Yes, when they asked he'd say it was a great victory for Konoha but hard won. Many sacrifices made but when weighed against the whole blah blah blah. People tended to stop listening after "victory" anyway. He made a conscious effort not to read who was coming; he would only get anxious then, and he could be forgiven for not detecting their presence at this moment.

He was leaning purposefully casually against the counter when the door swung open with such violent force he almost struck a defensive position. Looking down, he wished it was an attack.

"Touchan!"

For the second time that day Hizashi was on his knees. Was this bright-eyed child really his baby? How long had he been gone?

She faltered when he didn't make any movement towards her and his heart ached at the confusion on her face. He opened his arms and a weight he didn't know he'd been carrying for the past three years lifted.

"You've gotten so tall, Hime," he murmured into her hair. He couldn't talk much; couldn't cry so soon in front of her. He needed her to know he was immeasurably happy to see her, to feel her nestled against him again.

The Hyuuga never taught this for all their lessons and rules.

"Touchan, I missed you," she whispered and he clutched her all the tighter.

A boy stood behind her, watching the scene play out with keen interest.

"My god, Kou-chan?" If his princess had grown, Kou had transformed. If he remembered right, he'd barely be seven now. "You're practically a man now," he added hastily when Kou began to frown. He got to his feet shakily, scooping Hiyaku up in the process. This whole reunion felt so stilted, so wrong and he knew why.

"Touchan, where's Kaachan?"

The weight came crashing back down on his neck and Hizashi didn't meet what he was sure was an incredibly hopeful gaze.

"Kaachan is… Kaachan isn't coming home for a little while. She's on a mission. A really long one."

"Oh… I hope she's in a good place then." He hadn't expected that reaction. "Did she know that I loved her a whole heap? Before she went away, I mean."

The eloquent sentence, despite being colloquial, caught Hizashi off guard. He wasn't used to her talking like this.

"I—yes, of course she did," he stammered. He cuddled her close, kissing her head. "Your Kaachan and I love you more than anything," he said, more fiercely than initially intended.

She smiled to herself for a moment, sadly and far too knowingly before pointing to Toshiie. "Who's that?" Oh, she was pointing to that.

Hizashi had been so preoccupied with simply seeing Hiyaku again he'd not even begun to rehearse how to drop these bombshells on her.

"That's…" What did Toshiie call it again? "That's… Neji." Hiyaku stared at him, intent on further explanation. "He's," he stuttered once or twice more, "He's your new brother. You wanted one, right? So Touchan brought one back for you," he was speaking so quickly and almost panickedly that he was surprised she even understood.

She held her hands out for him immediately. Toshiie chuckled and brought him to her. The girl pet his hair, smiling sweetly at him. His eyelids flickered open and Hizashi felt a rush of hysteria run through him. Not now, please. He gurgled for a moment, unsure and confused by his surroundings. Hizashi closed his eyes and winced while he waited for a cry that never came.

"Thanks Touchan!" Hiyaku exclaimed, booping the infant's nose, making him giggle. "He's perfect."

---

I'm not sure how I keep the tears in while Hizashi held me. A part of me was still giddy from meeting my little brother for the first time. I couldn't convey how strange it was to see Neji as an infant but even if I did, I doubted anyone would understand.

The Estate was a mess when we returned, myself held tightly by my father while Toshiie cradled Neji in one arm and pressed his free hand to Kou's shoulder.

I'd forgotten what it was like to see anywhere filled with such life. They did not cry as freely as some of the Uchiha, yet their movements were exaggerated, almost aimless. The Hyuuga were never without purpose, whether it was a twitch of an eyebrow or a well placed palm strike. I saw many new children as well, exploring their new surroundings with deep interest. I felt for them; I knew what it was like growing up in a warzone. Even at their age their perception of 'normal' must be distorted (even by Naruto standards). Hiashi stood at the congregation's head and I chuckled when he and Hizashi made eye contact across the courtyard. There was a long moment of silence, and I doubt either realised it, but they gazed at one another with equally hesitant expressions. Hiashi had probably already surmised that my mother was. . .

That she wasn't with us.

"Ojisan! Touchan's back!" I called, waving wildly.

This family was not going to be reunited by formalities.

A few heads turned my way, and I saw varying expressions. Some looked relieved to see me ('At least some things haven't changed,') while there were more contemptful stares ('Calling on Hiashi-sama so informally, she is not a baby anymore,').

Hiashi sighed and gestured for us to come forward. Hizashi pinched my arm gently and gave me a warning frown. I shrugged; he clearly was not aware of the chain of command around here. I hopped down from his arms and ushered Toshiie forward with us while Kou was stolen by some aunt or another. The man tried to tell me how that was the opposite of a good idea, but I was in no mood for the Naruto equivalent of a boomer's opinion. Hiashi was going to meet Neji and he would be as welcoming as he was with me. He had to be.

"Oniisama," Hizashi bowed stiltedly and I flicked off the hand that tried to take me with him.

"Hizashi, please, I am in no shape to act on ceremony." Hiashi rubbed his brow. "There will be enough of that soon." He managed to clap his twin's shoulder awkwardly, which I personally thought was rather bold of him.

Hizashi stood upright and tilted his head to side—huh, I'd never realised that's where I got it from. "What do you mean?"

Hiashi didn't answer as his eyes darted towards Toshiie and the bundle in his arms. He already seemed to understand, and I was surprised when ill-disguised rage simmered beneath his indifferent expression. I squinted at the trio of adults, hands now firmly on hips.

"Tha's Neji, Ojisan. He's my new Otoutochan." I said it brightly but carefully, gauging his reaction.

For once, his ire was not directed my way and he pushed me to one side almost gingerly while he gripped my father's wrist. Hizashi did not meet his eyes. A cold shiver ran down my spine and I gave Toshiie a rather helpless look. No matter what world I was in, my family is always escalating from zero to a hundred on a moment's notice. No words were exchanged but in an instant I felt something shatter between the three of us.

"Do not expect me to make him heir as well," was all Hiashi hissed before stalking away.

Hizashi crumpled inwards and I pulled his hand, forcing him to look at me. "Ojii said I get to be a Hyuuga-sama when I'm older. Isn't that cool?" I grinned, squeezing his fingers. "One day I get to boss everyone around!"

It wasn't cool at all, but maybe Hizashi would think so. His head snapped up to look at Toshiie, who nodded in between hushing a now waking Neji.

"Why would he—?"

"Hiroshi-sama had to consider the possibility his sons weren't returning from the war. Hiyaku-chan is of the same blood and there was less opposition to contend with during wartime." Toshiie extended one hand to rub my shoulder comfortingly. "Of course, not everyone was happy with his decision, but Hiroshi-sama is a little too old to care about such things." My eyes narrowed at his bandage and I scowled unconsciously.

Hizashi paused for a moment and glanced down at me. It was incredibly exhausting to keep up my cheerfully ignorant façade but I wasn't sure what my father would do if I fell to pieces as well. For his and Neji's sake, I had to be strong, for a little longer.

"I… Toshiie what the fuck." Hizashi clutched his head with one hand and knelt down to hold me close with the other. I wrapped my arms around his neck, unsure as to the reason for his despair; wasn't this meant to make him happy?

Wasn't I meant to make him happy?

"We can discuss it later," the older man replied gently. "For now, I think you'd ought to have a bath before everyone else beats you to it. I don't want Hiyaku-chan's favourite kimono to be spoilt."

Hizashi took the command with a blank nod and kissed my forehead as he stood. "I'll see you soon, Hime."

I clenched my hand, preventing it from grabbing his leg. What sort of reunion was this?

I had expected Haruhi wouldn't survive but I—but I…

War changes people. Somehow, despite everything, I'd forgotten that.

I felt stares on me as I walked with Toshiie back to our rooms. Neither of us had too many people to greet, past a few aunts and uncles who remembered me far better than I remembered them. I had given Hanako-obasan a hug though, after seeing her swollen belly.

"You're gonna be a Kaachan too!" I told her enthusiastically. Her fingers trembled as she cupped my face. "Just like my Kaachan." I pointed to Neji, whining softly in Toshiie's arms. "Hanako-basan, did ya see?! Touchan brought me a new brother, just like I asked!"

"Oh, babygirl," her accent had become far more rural since last we'd spoke, "I hope I'm as good a Kaachan as yours," she said, kissing my cheeks. "Ne, I was just told the good news too. Now you're a real princess," she laughed lightly, closing her red eyes. When she gave me one final squeeze Hanako mumbled what sounded suspiciously like a prayer. I never really figured out where religion stood in Naruto. I assumed Shintoism was practised but the emphasis of yin and yang and the temple monks really messed with my bearings.

"Can I visit you and the baby? Maybe it and Neji-toutochan will be friends!"

"Of course, princess. I always have time for my favourite niece," she cooed. The smile didn't quite reach her eyes though. My stomach churned as we walked away and I glanced back to find her clutching herself almost protectively.

I really hope she wanted to have that baby.

---

"Neji-toutochan, it's Ane, no need to cry," I whispered, reaching into his cot and holding his small frame close. Well, smaller. "We don't want to wake Touchan up, do we?" I rocked him gently, his head resting on my shoulder. I suppressed a yawn. "Are you hungry, Neji-toutochan?" He whined again, his small fists flailing. A normal five year old may have felt the sting but I was too concerned by how light he was still. How would he be a prodigy if he couldn't even maintain his nutrition? "Ane will get you some food, Touto-chan, would you like that?" He didn't stop, and I sighed.

A mother at five; surely this was some sort of record.

The Estate's hallways were dimly lit, and I trotted down them with a practised ease. I'd had to make this trip a few times already this week. I couldn't remember the last time I had a full night's sleep; I didn't even sleep in my own room anymore. Hizashi couldn't hear Neji at night—or didn't want to—and I couldn't possibly bother Toshiie any more than I already did. For now, the spare bottle Hanako-obasan left in the icer would do. I pulled up a chair and stepped up, placing Neji carefully onto the counter beside me. I blew onto the nip of the bottle in a vain attempt to warm it. He was not going to like this. I cradled him with one arm, pressing the bottle to his lips with the other. Difficult work when your arms are little more than a ruler's length.

"Come on little brother, it's the same milk Auntie Hanako gives you—it's just cold!" I chattered in panicked English when his expression turned sour. He took about three more sips before spitting it out and letting out a hoarse scream. I covered his mouth but that only made him worse. I lost balance and felt myself slipping off the chair. I shoved him back onto the counter roughly before landing on the floor, leaving it to hit the ground with a clatter.

I felt the buzz of chakra activity instantly and by the time I scoop Neji into my arms and go to make my escape, there are other older Hyuuga in the room.

Pissed off, sleep deprived Hyuuga.

The eldest, who'd watched over me for the past three years, tamed the younger returning war vets and approach me. His eyes took in the mess around me and his expression contorted into a mixture of pity and resentment.

"What are you doing, Hiyaku-chan? It's very late."

"Or early," one teen grumbled.

I opened my mouth to say something—anything. Couldn't they just see what I was doing? Why did I have to spell it out for them? Neji was still crying and they were asking what I was doing? What were they doing? A sleepless week crept up on my back and I scowled at the floor, patting Neji's back.

"He's a baby. Babies are hungry." I took a step back, probably appearing both very paranoid and defensive.

"We have babies too, kid. And you're waking them up," a woman grunted at me. "These kids deserve sleep. You have no idea what my Takahiro has gone through." Her voice was fierce and I was now searching the crowd for my father or Toshiie. Even Hanako-obasan would be amazing about now.

"I can't help that he's crying!" How was I meant to do anything? Haruhi would have known what to do. She was such a good mum…

No, I shook my head. Deal with this first, then try and pencil in a time to grieve.

Truthfully, I didn't expect Hizashi to show up. He was almost comatose when he slept now in contrast to how a single cry from me used to bring him barrelling into my room at breakneck speed. Toshiie would be more likely, unless he was having one of his bad nights. The same for Hanako.

I only had one option, as always:

To fight.

"We know you can't dear," the old man gently caught my attention again. "But how about you leave this to your Otousan? This isn't your job." The last sentence swayed some of the crowd, who were now shuffling away from their more aggressive counterparts.

"Who will do it then?" I probably shouldn't have let my emotions get the best of me, granted. It was dangerous to show such a mature side so early—clans will take that part of you, chain it and use it to consume all other aspects of yourself.

But I was tired and fed up. I'd not spoken to my friends all week, barely seen Kou and my training was being affected which made Hiashi even more of an ass than usual. Sometimes, I wanted to throw my precious baby brother down a well and close the lid. I scared myself then. I'd forgotten what real anger was.

And this was it.

But damn them, I thought. A Hyuuga wins with grace and bows out with dignity.

Good thing I wasn't one.

"So, who's taking him tomorrow?" I asked, a cheerful smile plastered on my face. "He usually gets up around midnight, and then again at like…uh, what's the time now?" I pet his hair, rubbing his temple; he was still crying but at least at a more indoor volume now. "He also vomits sometimes after his bot-bot, so be careful of that too," I instructed them. "But you're all super cool shinobi right? You'll work it out." I offered him up to the crowd despite his whinging protests. When no one answered, even the old man, I hummed and readjusted him against my shoulder. He was finally starting to doze off again. "Oh, 'kay. I'll try and make less noise next time, minna-san."

I turned from them and picked up the chair with one hand. I peeked at the counter, which was now covered in cold milk. A waste, really.

"No use crying over spilt milk," I laughed aloud and began marching back to his room.

No one tried to stop me, but I knew I'd sabotaged all attempts to bond with my clan for quite a while. They probably thought I was a brat. That was okay though. I only needed Kou anyway. I fell asleep beside Neji in his cot, just fitting when I curled my legs in. Blessedly, he didn't wake again and I managed to get three hours of uninterrupted sleep.

When Hizashi asked what took me so long at breakfast, I stabbed my onigiri.

How on earth did Neji survive in canon with such a shit father?

---

The state funeral was beautiful, I'd give Hiruzen that. Flowers flooded the cemetery; the Yamanaka must have had to work overtime to produce all of this. The graves were also immacutely engraved. Whoever did this must have been passionate, I remember thinking. Hizashi had tried to hold Neji but I grew too frustrated by the lack of support to my brother's neck and demanded he hand him over.

"Ah, such a good big sister, aren't you?" He said softly, ruffling my hair I'd spent half an hour wrestling into place.

I wasn't, but at least I was trying. (Unlike some people)

Okay, maybe that was a little unfair to my father. He just wasn't equipped to deal with a baby right now and that was understandable, he'd lost his wife and many good friends to this war and maybe even part of his soul.

But that didn't mean I was any more ready.

A part of me was excited for today though, I'd get to see my friends again. I was even missing Kabuto's stupid four eyed face at this point. And I could introduce Neji to them, which would be fun because he'd decided to be in a good mood today. He was currently giggling and playing with my hair as we walked along the main road to the ceremony. As a Noble Clan, we were afforded a front seat, alongside other privileged guests. I spotted the Uchiha and craned my head to find Itachi or Shisui. I jumped when an arm came around me but relaxed quickly when I felt his chakra signal.

"Kou-nii," I murmured in greeting. The hug was tighter. "How are you?"

He withdrew and gazed at me, tears welling in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he sobbed.

If it were anyone else, maybe I'd be annoyed at having to play therapist yet again. But as it was, I'd gouge out an eye before hurting my favourite brother. I glanced guiltily at Neji; guess I couldn't say that anymore.

"Why are you sorry, dummy?" I booped his nose and smiled.

"Bu-But your Kaachan—Haruhi-obachan!" I'd forgotten that Haruhi was more than my mother to most. To Kou, she was that aunt who'd sneak him sweets when the elders told him he shouldn't have been born and invite for sleepovers when the Main House was too lonely. "I saw her name on one of those stones," he said softly. "People on the stones don't come back. That's what Ume-senpai said."

My inability to deal with my own emotions kicked in so really, all I could think to reply with was a snarky 'you'd think so.' I held my tongue instead. Luckily, the service seemed to start then and we drowned in a wistful silence. The Sandaime walked slowly down the aisle, each step burdened with a heavier weight than the last. Trailing behind him were several jounin, including Minato, Orochimaru, Jiraiya and—

What is his name again?

The blue haired gentleman who held Tsunade's hand when he thought no one was looking should definitely not have been there.

Actually, neither should Tsunade. What the fuck?

I wasn't sure why I was surprised still by this point. After all, Orochimaru had a son and that son was fucking Yama-Ten-Mitsuki. Why wouldn't Tsunade's dead lover be walking amongst the living? Neji grumbled quietly as if to agree. I supposed I shouldn't dwell on it; nothing to be done about this fucked up world anyway.

The party stood behind the Hokage, shoulders stiff and expressions solemn.

I will be very honest, I don't remember too much about what Hiruzen said that day. I stopped listening after he promised to make every sacrifice count; to remember the fallen. I scoffed to myself and lost myself in taking in my surroundings instead. Fugaku was just across the aisle, and I assumed Itachi was squashed between himself and Mikoto. We met eyes and I smiled. He must have felt someone looking at him—I still find myself amazed at what shinobi are capable.

Or maybe he was still incredibly paranoid from three years of not knowing who may be behind you at any time.

He blinked and I tilted my head to the side. He was asking what I was doing, so I returned the question. The Uchiha's eyes rested on Neji's form for a long moment before he snapped attention back to the now rather drawn out speech on war, peace and the pointless beaurocacies that would inevitable draw us into another global struggle.

My gaze slid further over and behind the Uchiha were the Aburame. I found no one of interest there, aside from one toddler who had an unusually wide berth given to him, aside from Aburame Shibi himself.

Too bad I hated bugs, I thought.

Behind the Hyuuga were the Akimichi, rounding out the Four Noble Clans. Yosuke huddled closely with his mother, confusion and fear written across his features.

That's right, not everyone I know is a genius, crazy or both. Every now and then, this world produces a sweet, normal kid. And right now, that kid was cowering because his mother was crying and he didn't have any clue how to handle that. What if he had been in my place with an infant to care for?

I resisted the urge to squeeze Neji until he imploded.

I've only had Neji for two weeks and one day but if anything were to happen to him I would kill everyone in this village and then myself.

Kou slipped an arm around my shoulders when they began laying down the first flowers. Whatever Hiruzen had said, it clearly moved him. Clan heads came forward to offer respects to both their own fallen and those slain in other clans. Inuzuka Tsume had to shake off a sniffling Hana before approaching the tombstones, kissing her head and quietly ordering her to stay put. I respected her for that; Tsume had looked like a hardass in the anime but she did dance to her own tune. She was a female clan head—the first of her kind since the village's foundation, I learned—and the fact that my grandfather deigned to bow his head as she stood beside him was testament enough to her strength.

"Let us come together now, to not only reflect on what has been done, but what we will now accomplish in the future thanks to the bravery of these proud, true Konoha shinobi."

Those currently serving saluted while the rest of us let our eyes drift to the dirt beneath our feet. I did not deal well with the minute of silence back home, so I was not shocked to feel the urge to laugh. I imagined I was not the only one, given the collective walking diagnoses of PTSD surrounding me. I forced myself to hum softly instead, probably just as annoying but at least it was a little quieter.

The service was 'officially' over then. Many dispersed immediately—those were the ones who needed to grieve privately. I considered joining them until I spotted Itachi walking towards Orochimaru out of the corner of my eye. A memory I'd neglected for a long while surfaced and for an even longer moment the image of Itachi throwing himself off a cliff circled my mind.

"Kou, take Neji to Hanako-obasan." I transferred him over gently but hastily, marching off without further explanation. Kou didn't mind too much; he loved to hang out with Neji and he was one of three people I trusted to take care of him. Reminded him of me, he said once. I thought he was silly; I had never been as lovely a child as my brother.

Itachi had been staring up at the Snake Sanin for half a minute by the time I tapped on his shoulder. Orochimaru only looked down then, tearing his eyes away from the grave.

"'tachi-chan, your Okaasan was looking for you." I smiled and he brightened up. It was nice to see no affection had been lost between his family. He went to leave but lingered, grasping my hand.

"Hiyaku…" Most interpretations of Itachi as a child I'd seen had always pegged him as an aloof genius, insensitive to emotions and feelings. I couldn't resolve that Itachi and the boy now gazing into my soul like it were his own.

"Tell Uchiha-obaasan that I'll be visiting soon," I said confidently, clasping my free hand on top of his. "I have someone I want you to meet." I winked and sent him on his way with a nudge. He very clearly did not believe my cheer in the least.

Orochimaru watched our interaction with a small grin and knelt to my level when the Uchiha heir was out of earshot. "Did you need something, Hyuuga-chan?"

I took a moment to assess the man; I had been up close to the Snake Sannin once, a time I could hardly remember now. I do remember his chakra now, and upon closer inspection (and perhaps my own changed prejudice) I found it not… not awful, but simply distorted. I couldn't quite explain how, but there were small pieces of other in his chakra stream. Almost as if they were small voices vying for control of a larger host.

I was so engrossed in my psychoanalysis of his chakra, I didn't even realise my Byakugan was activated until he chuckled.

"Didn't your mother teach you manners in that wretched household of yours?"

"She's dead," I replied flatly. It was the first time I'd had to say it. In this life anyway. I withdrew my Byakugan carefully, keeping my expression placid. I did not want to get on his bad side—I'd not even approached to converse, only to keep him from doing so with Itachi.

Well, when life gives you lemons.

"Everyone's an orphan eventually," he said, shrugging. "My Okaasan died when I was your age."

And you're telling me this why?

"Oh," I said lamely. "So Mitsuki-kun is gunn' be an orphan too?" His eye twitched. "Do you remember me, Sannin-sama?"

Because I was a little curious if he remembered the toddler he saved back then. When he indicated the affirmative, I let myself smile again.

"Then I wanted ta say thank you. For saving me and my boys."

He laughed lowly. "Such innocence." He pet my hair. "I wonder when you will lose it."

I think I just did.

He faced the grave again. For half a second, I could have sworn he looked haunted. "Tell me child, what do you think is the meaning of life?"

That was what Itachi asked him in canon, I realised belatedly. I hummed for a bit and took my time in answering. He didn't seem to care that I examined the tombstone either. I blinked; it was blank.

"For the Nanashi." He placed a palm against its smooth surface, so new it had not even been touched by the elements. "For the shinobi who gave everything for nothing."

"They wouldn't have done it for nothing though," I countered. "What if no one remembers them because they were all friends? And—And, they stayed together because that's what friends do, right?" I was all worked up now thanks to this blasted snake. "I-I dunno the meaning of life," I then admitted quietly. And I had lived two now. "But I don't think you do either, so I don't feel too bad about it." His golden eyes narrowed but he just clasped his knees and stood.

"Perceptive child. I wonder what else you can psychoanalyse out of me."

I blinked, honestly not understanding what I was sure was an important part of the sentence. Maybe it was time to do some more reading; I'd been resting on my laurels for too long in that department.

"Orochimaru, why are you terrorising our nation's youth?"

In a strange moment of déjà vu, Jiraiya threw his arm around the other man's shoulders, pulling him against him. Jiraiya appeared rather jovial considering the occasion, but I also think we are alike in that respect—grieving was for people with healthy coping mechanisms. The Toad Sage gave me a once over before letting his smile soften.

"You're Hizashi-kun's girl, aren't you?"

I nodded and bowed. "Hyuuga Hiyaku, Orochimaru-sama, Jiraiya-sama."

Orochimaru snorted; the lack of pleasantries in our conversation did not go unnoticed then.

"Let me know if Orochimaru here was bothering you, I'll teach him a lesson." Orochimaru huffed derisively as Jiraiya completely ruined his villainous demeanour by pinching his cheek, yet remained still.

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama."

"Anything for such a cutie—ahh kya! Mercy, mercy!" The white haired man was pulled from his companion and crouched under a harsh ear twisting. "Tsu Tsu, not in front of the child," he gasped. If it had been anyone else, I would have thought he was joking.

But Senju Tsunade was probably the most frightening kunoichi I had ever had the pleasure of meeting.

"Honestly, I can't leave you alone for five minutes, you bastard!" She made a disgusted noise and released him with a grunt. She leant down to me and beamed. "Sorry you had to see that sweetie. Sometimes men just act silly and we ladies have to put them back in their place." I nodded, though that was probably a terrible lesson to teach a pre-schooler.

"Tsunade, I think you'll give her a worse scare at this rate." The same blue haired man from before placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She tucked one hand on her hip but brought the other up to squeeze his. "Bet it's not everyday you meet the Legendary Sannin, hey?" He joked in reference to my stunned silence.

He was half-right. I was in awe of being in front of the strongest shinobi alive while they bickered like children. The other half was in mild fear because I was now remembering Dan's 'special ability.' Someone like him could potentially see right through me, given the chance. Someone who could see souls… No wonder he thought I was frightened.

I was.

"It-It's a, an honour to meet the Sannin," I stammered. "I-I hope to be half as good a shinobi as you when I grow up!" I bowed again, palms clasped together.

Tsunade cooed and wrapped her arms around my head, pulling me into her bosom. "Dan, can we keep her?" I muffled something along the lines 'help' and Orochimaru plucked me from her grasp.

"We do not kidnap children in this household."

I giggled as he held me roughly by the collar, though found his statement hilariously ironic. "I don't mind though," I added cheekily. "You just gotta take my totouchan too, you hear?" Thoughts of Neji instantly sobered me. This was the most normal I had felt in a fortnight and it was surrounded by the Sannin at a state funeral.

"It's a deal then!" This Tsunade was much more energetic than the one I had seen on TV and hardly noticed the dark cloud now hovering over me. "Dan, we need to get Nowaki-chan to build an extra room immediately—no, no, a growing lady needs her space—two rooms!" She staggered and I notice a pink blush creeping across her cheeks. Everything suddenly made much more sense.

She was absolutely car parked. At a service. I must have been so used to one dimensional, exaggerated personalities, I just took her enthusiasm in my stride.

…and maybe I wouldn't have minded if someone did want to adopt me.

"You're all incorrigible," Orochimaru groaned. He reached behind him with his free hand and plucked a brunet teen from thin air. "Mitsuki, while I am very impressed with your stealth skills, I believe this is both an incredibly dangerous and idiotic place and time to practice." Mitsuki (because for the sake of my sanity, this is how I would refer to him now) was not deterred and reached out both arms to hug his father around the waist. "You've already used that trick, Mitsuki. Not again."

I intensely disliked how sensible a parent Orochimaru was compared to everyone else in this darn tootin world.

I waved to the boy who cheerfully returned my greeting as he detached himself from his father. "Sorry Otousan! I'll remember that for next time. Hey, who's she?" He released me from Orochimaru's grip and set me down. "She's cute, Otousan. Can I have a sister?"

The other adults sniggered and Orochimaru rubbed his temple. "I can't even express how you have all ruined the atmosphere here. Go be drunkards elsewhere," he hissed. Tsunade was too buzzed to take offence. "Mitsuki, ask sensible questions if you want sensible answers." Mitsuki frowned up at him. "No."

The boy whined and turned to the other grown ups. "Jiraiya-oji, make him say yes!"

Jiraiya chortled and ruffled his hair. "I think you're the only one who can make your Otousan do anything he doesn't want to."

Orochimaru pinched his ear and the white-haired man exclaimed his displeasure. "Lies," he hissed, mostly to me, as if Mitsuki hadn't already completely shattered his cool and aloof demeanour.

Mitsuki giggled raucously and turned his attention back to me. "I'm Mitsuki! Don't worry about Otousan, he's not really scary when you get to know him," he informed me. "And this is my Jiraiya-oji, Tsunade-oba and Dan-oji."

Yes, I did not know that. Thank you so much Mitsuki.

That being said, I was surprised to find Mitsuki so enthusiastic. I'd assumed a child raised by Orochimaru would have the strictest sense of discipline imaginable. Instead I found a boy with boundless energy and a sunny disposition so vivid it could rival Naruto's own. I smiled and for the first time, relaxed. Even if he turned out to be a shit person in every other aspect, at least Orochimaru was a good dad. And good father figures were sadly my kryptonite.

Speaking of…

"Ano, thank you for speaking with me." I bowed, suddenly feeling self conscious amid all these close friends. I wasn't used to being the outsider looking in anymore, though judging by the attitude of my clan right now I had ought to get used to it. "My Touchan is probably looking for me."

He wasn't.

"Ah yes, we do not want the Hyuuga thinking we have stolen their heiress." Jiraiya grinned and offered his hand. "I'll take you back, Hiyaku-chan." I took it and squeaked when I was whisked up onto his hip. "Oops, sorry. Shoulda warned you."

"Jiraiya, you bastard, don't do anything or I'll—" Tsunade hiccuped and I wondered how she'd even held it together during the ceremony.

"I think with that it is time to make a hasty retreat."

"Goodbye," I said cheerfully, waving to the group from my perch. I wanted their good favour if I ever needed anything in the future.

"Otousan, can she be my friend?" I heard Mitsuki ask as I was carried away.

"So long as you promise to not do anything that warrants retribution from the Hyuuga, do what you will."

Mitsuki did not agree immediately, much to both my worry and excitement.

The cemetery was now much quieter, and many had already left to privately mourn. Pockets of people and clans remained, intermingling in their shared grief. Jiraiya's head snapped to the right and he stopped in place, as if unsure where to turn.

"Do you mind if we make a detour?"

I shook my head—detours always lead to special quest events.

And I was proven right when a blond head of hair comes into view. Minato looked much older than when we last met. Older and tireder. Beside him was Kakashi, stoic as always, and Obito, who he appeared to be desperately trying to garner a response out of as he knelt on the ground.

I swallowed; maybe I needed to level up before fighting this battle.

Jiraiya let me down from his arms but kept a tight grip of my wrist. I wondered why until we got closer. The Killing Intent radiating off Obito was so great I had to start my breathing exercises. Jiraiya noticed my obvious discomfort and tried to smother it with his Positive Intent but it was only muffled. I would survive though. I always did.

"Sensei, you're here," Minato's voice erred on pure relief.

Kakashi's interest is piqued and I marvelled at how he's grown. Our eyes met and I saw some form of recognition flash across his face. He chose to ignore me in favour of the Sannin however (as most would) and bowed. Jiraiya waved off the formalities and took us forward to where Obito sat. He detected the new presence and flipped around to glare at us with red eyes. My chest tightened but I swallowed the bile building at the back of my throat to beam and wave.

"Hello, Obito-oniisan! It's been a really long time! Do ya remember me? Your Obaasan and I have tea together a lot." I tried to tug myself forward in an attempt to give him a hug. "Okaeri!" In hindsight it was a shitass idea but I was too used to my gummy smile act working.

I wasn't fast enough to dodge his lunge but Kakashi was. In an instant he had me in his arms and had planted a kick to Obito's stomach, throwing him across the grassy plain, leaving me with only a mild graze on my nose. Kakashi looked at it and tsked.

"Effing Sharingan."

The boy landed on his back and gave a growl. I clung to Kakashi then, frozen. Out of everyone on Team 7, I had considered myself closest to Obito. We saw each other multiple times a week, and Uchiha-obaasan had always considered us so cute together. He was the one who both let me put flower crowns in his hair and played pranks on Bakashi with me. To see him look at me with such hate…it was more than frightening.

"O-Obito-oniisan…"

"Are you out of your mind? Do you want your clan to be strung and quartered by the Hyuuga?" The silver haired teen hissed.

Minato had gone pale and was halfway between the two boys. He didn't want to lay a hand on Obito, but he couldn't very well let him attack either.

"It's your fault, you know!" He shouted. "She went back for your stupid picture! We were almost there, but she just had to—"

"And what, you think she made Rin do that?" Kakashi scoffed. "Get off your fucking high horse." I flinched at the venomous swear despite it being said in my defence.

Obito yowled and launched forward again. Minato grabbed him by his shoulders and when finding further resistance, pressed him to the ground. "Obito, please," he implored. "This isn't helping anyone, least of all Rin." The Uchiha boy stilled, expression freezing in place. "Now, I'm going to let you up, and you're going to apologise to Hyuuga-chan." A modicum of understanding settled across his features.

I didn't want apologies though. I wanted escape.

He got to his feet unsteadily and walked towards us with lagging steps. I instinctively buried myself against Kakashi further.

"I-I'm…" He reached out a hand but I recoiled, and a heavy guilt flattened his chest. "I, I don't know why I—God, I'm so sorry." The feral rage from before had all but dissipated. "Tadaima," he whispered.

He was so earnest, so remorseful. I wanted to extend my arms and pinch his cheeks and tell him that he could never hurt me even if he tried.

But truthfully, even as he shakily smiled as me, I felt Killing Intent bubbling beneath his veins, contained by a thin wave of nostalgia and a crumbling wall of morals.

No, Obito could and would hurt someone. I knew that. I had just never guessed the someone would be me.

I exchanged a glance with Jiraiya which confirmed he already knew.

"What happened to Rin-neechan?" I asked when the Sannin decided that he would most definitely pick a better time to call upon the Yellow Flash. Kakashi had all but thrown me back at the older man and stalked away with hands in pockets. Jiraiya seemed to be the only one not emotionally tied to the situation, so he seemed best to ask.

"Eh, well…" He trailed off. "She came home a little sick, that's all. But don't worry, Tsu Tsu is on the case, so she'll be better super soon." He lifted me onto his shoulders and I cheered hollowly.

At least Rin was alive for now.

"Was…it my fault, Jiraiya-sama? Is Obito-oniisan right?" I whispered, not really wanting an answer. Jiraya shook his mane of hair defiantly.

"Don't ever think that anything that happened is this war is your fault. You're the reason we fought."

I knew he meant it both figuratively and collectively, but it made me feel better anyway.

---

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Nohara Ren clacked his nails against his makeshift desk in the corner of the small room. Akito told him that writing it out would help. He didn't clarify help with what though. Ren needed a lot of help with a lot of things so what was this piece of scrap meant to do? All he used it for were medical notes and the occasional doodle of a bloody kunai sticking out of an Iwanin's skull. The door clicked and then slid open and Ren watched from his corner to see who was daring to intrude.

"You didn't come to the service," Akito stated blandly, shutting the door behind him.

"Well I don't have anyone to mourn, do I?" He snapped.

"No, you don't," the other man replied softly. There was no emphasis put on 'you' but Ren felt it anyway and winced. Akito pulled up a seat beside him and nestled against him. "You're getting better at those," he murmured, pointing to one where the woman's legs were hanging off her by a thread.

Ren glared hard at the picture. She was the one who dared try and steal Akito's eyes. He raised a hand to cup his cheek, rubbing his thumb across the scarred skin under his left eye. Akito took the chance to shut the journal then and chuckled.

"If you do that, you're going to find all my wrinkles." He clasped it with his own all the same though, carefully drawing lines across where two fingers used to be. Comfortable silence fell over them and Ren turned in his seat to face him, opened his mouth and promptly shut it once more. "Yes?"

"N-Nothing, I just," the man's cheeks flushed as brightly as his tattoos.

Akito drew him close with his free arm. "You're so annoying when you think I'm telepathic. One of these days I'll have Inoichi-senpai finish all those sentences of yours."

"Please don't."

Akito moved to peck his forehead. "Nah, I'm just kidding. I always know what you're thinking."

And that's what worries you. Ren pulled the Uchiha into him, pressing their lips together forcefully. He probably tasted shit but bless him, Akito let him stay for a good ten seconds before parting, still close enough to knock foreheads.

"See, knew you'd do that too." Ren swat him playfully, only to be caught in another embrace.

Akito was rarely this physically affectionate; Ren wondered what he'd left him to face at the funeral. He faintly knew someone from his family had passed, but he couldn't remember if it was his mother or his brother or someone else. A part of him felt guilty—the part of him that would walk through hellfire for Akito and only mildly complain—but the rest of him made Ren squirm away from his partner and stumble towards the bed where Rin laid, journal in hand.

"Sorry, thanks for coming. I just, I have so much work to do." He hovered over the girl's body, counting each tube and following its path back to the appropriate drip. The bandages around her stomach were already dirty again and her eyepatch probably needed to be changed too. "Go home, Akito. It'll just be boring if you stay here."

He didn't notice the way the Uchiha's body slumped, or the way his eyes closed so he could take a breath. When he composed himself, he stood and walked to the door. He took one step outside before looking back.

"It was Eri-chan. She and the other genin were targeted by several jounin Kirinin. Two hundred casualities."

He slid his eyes to the side, eyes flickering between onyx and red.

"Too bad there wasn't a medic nin on hand to help."

The door was shut with the same tenderness it'd been opened, but Ren wished he'd slammed it against in his face instead.

---

Not even twenty four hours and I was being roughly shaken from sleep by a furrowed brow Hiashi at a time far too early to call itself 'morning'.

"You are not in your room."

"Mm, you'll wake up Neji-toutochan," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. He'd been quiet last night aside from the one night feed. He fell back asleep as soon as he'd had his fill though, and I'd collapsed with him, leaving the half empty bottle on the corner table.

"Why do you sleep here?"

I blinked, feeling a twinge of irritation twitch in my eye. "I just said, shh." I rolled to one side and stood in one fluid motion, stretching my arms out wide. "Why's we up anyways?"

"You did not answer my question."

I rolled my eyes. "Ojisan you're so silly sometimes. I'm here to help Neji-toutochan of course." I clambered up the cot, smiling when I saw he was still asleep. When I actually had the time to just sit back and look at him, I thought him to be the cutest baby that ever lived. "So," I tilted my head towards him. "Why're am I awake?"

Every muscle on Hiashi's body tensed then and he coiled in on himself. He grit his teeth and stared with a hardness too manufactured to ever be genuine.

"You were named heiress. It is time for your family to pay their dues."

I was still so groggy, I didn't understand. "Are we having a party?"

"Some of us, little one."

He brought me out to the main living room where my father and Hanako waited. Hanako pressed one hand to her stomach and the other to my forehead, kissing it tenderly. She'd really tried to step up as a maternal figure these past few weeks and even if she fumbled occasionally, I could never repay her for her kindness. Hizashi pulled me into his arms, stroking my hair. He seemed incredibly happy—ecstatic even. He was hardly anything anymore so I welcomed the change, wrapping my arms around his neck to burrow deeper into the hug. A sharp cry made me withdraw with a jerk and I whipped my head around.

"Neji-toutochan! I better go get him—" Hiashi held me in place, hand around my wrist. "Neji-toutochan is crying!" I restated as panic began to bubble in my chest.

What would he do without me there?

He was all alone. What if he was choking? Fallen over and hit his head?

I'd so scarcely been without him these past weeks that I was the one now suffering separation anxiety. I let out the breath I'd been holding in protest when Toshiie walked in, infant in arms. I was still stuck by my uncle's side but I could relax now. Toshiie would take good care of Neji if I couldn't be with him today.

Sensing the end of my fit, Hiashi handed me back to Hizashi and Hanako with an almost rough push.

"Prepare her for the ceremony," he said plainly, but venom seeped into his voice when he continued, "and do try and participate Otouto. She'll start needing labels to tell us apart soon."

Hizashi recoiled like he'd been struck. I clutched his hand; unwilling to say anything but still feeling a strong urge to defend my father in some way. I loved Hizashi, even if he was acting a little strange right now. But who was he to lecture him? He didn't fight in a gruelling, three year war.

"What're we doing, Touchan?" I questioned as Hiashi stalked away. Toshiie dared to approach then, rocking Neji gently from side to side. "What ceremony are we doin'?"

Hanako's smile strained. Hizashi's grew wider.

"We missed your third birthday, Hime. The whole clan needs to celebrate it, you know?"

I smacked my hand against my forehead, a cold sweat running along its edges. I thought about the way my half of the family—parents fearful and children resentful.

The sacred night may have been postponed, but the show would go on.

---

I was dressed in a new kimono. It was pure white with its only decoration being the clan emblem stitched into its back and was probably the comfiest robe I'd ever worn. Hanako drew my hair back into a loose but neat braid, leaving it hanging on my side. Feeling it to be an ill omen, I shrugged it off and left it to curl at my back. Hizashi fixed my kimono and painted my lips a soft pink to match the blush on my cheeks. At this point, I was nothing more than a doll. When we were finally ready (because somehow, no matter how hard I tried, my lip colour would smudge right off as soon as I yawned), the sun was just rising and the call was put out to the Branch family to rise. I was to arrive with the Main Family but unfortunately my father nor Hanako could accompany me. For the few minutes I was alone in a sea of pale eyes and blank faces I was a stranger in my own home. Then Kou caught me by the arm and gushed about how cute I looked. He was in his own matching hakama, though his emblem was stitched along one of his sleeves rather than displayed at the back. The cynic in me considered it a reference to his bastard child status and eyed it distastefully.

"Ne, Hiashi-sama told me we're celebrating you being the princess!"

I didn't answer but nodded. At least Kou would be safe. All because he was lucky enough to be born to the right mother. Even if she was a shitass mother.

Hiashi and Hiroshi emerged from the group, and the former held out an arm. I reluctantly left Kou and joined him, enveloped by his sleeve. Accusatory whispers echoed around me but Hiashi stood firm against me. As much as he liked to complain and shove me around as his 'troublesome' niece, he was protective of me. From others, at least. When the procession started, I was escorted to the front, just behind my grandfather, whose steps seemed erred between drudging and skipping.

He was guilty for feeling relieved, I realised.

The Branch Family met us in the courtyard dressed in their grey and khaki robes. They stared at me intensely and I fingered the fabric of my silken kimono self consciously. Was I selfish to accept these gifts? To accept being an heiress?

Hizashi stood in the Branch's own front row, Hanako and Toshiie either side of him. The latter held Neji, who cooed happily up at his godfather.

An unbranded Neji.

He hadn't been born when I turned three, so he was safe. Would that continue even after Hinata was born, or would my status be revoked and the both of us scarred? I bunched my kimono with my fists, trying to calm my quickening breath. Hiashi frowned down at me but did not make a move to comfort me. It was my time to assert myself as the future clan head; I couldn't possibly be seen to show weakness.

"We know why we are gathered here today," Hiroshi said plainly. "I will not keep pretenses at a time where we have lost so much; we will rebuild." He gestured to Hiashi. "With the help of our new leader. Hyuuga Hiashi will lead us out of these troubling times and into a new era of peace and stability. Allow his strength to be your rock." He ushered my uncle forward and Hiashi looked beyond unprepared. Maybe it was because he was looking into a mirror and ordering it to bow at his feet.

"Hyuuga-sama gives me much credit. I can only hope I live up to your expectations. However, we know the true purpose of our gathering. Our heir is past three, and as such it is time to perform our sacred ritual on her future guardians. Hyuuga Hiyaku, step forward."

I did as told, if only because I felt like I would be jumped if I didn't.

"I understand that to some of you," a pointed gaze flew in pointed directions, "that this situation seems unusual. I assue you that this has been considered carefully by Hyuuga-sama and the Elders and in the current," he clicked his tongue as I bit a laugh back, "circumstances," his virginity more like, "we have made the best choice for the clan." He sighed and placed one hand on my shoulder. "Those of you who will today be taken under my wing, please step forward."

I stilled as men, women and children all emerged from the herd, many with their heads bent down. I gasped when I saw Hanako was one of them. I hadn't realised she was that much younger than my father. Her hitaite always hid where her brand would be. I was frozen in place as they lined up in a neat row not two feet away from me.

"This is your duty," Hiashi recited to them. "You will fall if you fly too high."

"And our duty, your burden. Please, clip our wings."

This is the sort of cultic bullshit I wanted nothing to do with. My mind checked out then and there but when my body tried to do the same I was held in place by a cold stare. As we walked towards the compound's shrine I wondered if drowning in the well myself would give Kou too much trauma. I wondered if I really cared at this stage. The toddlers processed along happily with their parents, others sobbing because their parents were screaming from the sidelines and they had no clue why. My hands twitched and when one girl fell I dashed forward, catching her before her head hit the ground.

"Hey, you're okay Imoutochan," I said to the sniffling young Hyuuga. She hesitated and nodded after a moment, as if confirming that that was in fact an accurate statement.

"T'ank you, Nee," she chirped cheerfully.

My smile strained and I was pulled away from her to keep my place beside Hiashi.

The shrine was an eerily stunning marvel of architecture. To me, it seemed a microsized version of the Ginkakuji, but knowing the subtle tackiness of the Hyuuga, the silver was probably partially fake. Inside a single candle had been lit at the altar, a pot of chakra infused ink by its side and when I was sat before it, I gulped. I shook my head at Hiashi, pleading him not to go through with this. He frowned, as if puzzled as to why I would be uncomfortable.

"Step forward," he commanded to the first in line. It was the teen who had mocked me some nights before. The cockiness had drained from his eyes and a dead resignation hung from his shoulders. "Hyuuga Jin, you will now accept your duty to protect and serve the Hyuuga. Be proud of your contribution today." His gaze shifted to me. "Your heiress will now administer your mark, as is her own buren."

I shook as we were now eye level and Jin's lips were set in a grim line.

It's your fault, his eyes whispered.

"Hiashi-oji, I don't want to do this," I stammered. I'd told myself I would watch it for Neji's sake—to condone it was enough, but this? The toddler I'd helped before tilted her head to one side and smiled my way. I folded my arms and looked away. "I won't do it," I announced calmly.

Our audience stood frozen. They hadn't been expecting that. Hiashi jutted out his jaw though and scowled at me.

"Must you make everything so difficult?"

And then he grabbed my wrist and dipped my fingers in the pot. I struggled against him, recoiling against its touch. The chakra was foreign and awful and it made my hand feel like it was choking—could hands choke?—and then it was on Jin's forehead. With firm guidance (or force, as I liked to put it) I traced familiar markings across the boy's skin. I yowled, using my other hand to try and release myself from his grip. Hiashi simply pressed two fingers to my forearm and I watched as it fell limp beside me. I tried to smudge the lines, anything to ruin his perfect design. All I got for my efforts were more blocked limbs. Now my index finger was the only one still functioning and I laughed bitterly to myself. In a previous life, this had been the nightmare scenario for me; the very idea of people purposefully inducing sleep paralysis alarmed me. I now knew my fears were entirely wellfounded because I was screaming and still everything but my accursed finger was moving. I mouthed a worthless apology to Jin as my arm was dropped and Hiashi put his hands together in a sign.

He smiled toothily at me and then turned to Hiashi. "Fuck you," he spat. Even when Hiashi slammed his hand against his forehead and black lines turned green, he grinned. "You think you can scare us? After what we've seen?" Hiashi activated the seal (because Killing Intent was completely unwarranted in this situation). "This is nothing." He drew up his sleeve to reveal a deep gouge only just beginning to scar. "I show you mine, you show me yours?" He let the hem drop, moving his hand to clutch his forehead. "Oh wait…you have none, do ya?" He stepped forward, gravity pulling him inch by inch. I willed myself to move anything. As if I could somehow prevent this, stop whatever this was.

Hiashi was unfazed.

"Are you finished playing revolutionary, Jin-kun?" He asked softly, almost paternally. "I think you need some time to rest."

"Why, I ain't getting no rest ever again!" His forehead began bleeding and I bit my lip. My Byakugan now activated, I saw the true horror of the Caged Bird Seal.

The Main Family was inserting their own chakra into these seals. Inside the systems of the Branch, they were granted a mind and instinct of their own and took ahold of whatever space they could in the chakra pathways. When conditions did not suit them, they changed them and when things were running smoothly they lay dormant. Like a…

"A parasite." I breathed the word out so gently I don't think anyone noticed amidst the commotion.

The Hyuuga weren't sealing the prowess of the Branch Family, they were waging biological warfare against them. Those pretty lines on their forehead were simply an entry point for the host to be manipulated.

I had stopped screaming because no one was coming, but I felt as if I should again if only on principle. Hiashi still had his hand held in place, eyes boring into Jin's skull. The teen only continued to laugh and I think that was when Hiashi snapped. He strode forward and planted his free palm deep into his abdomen.

"This is fucked up and you know it!" Jin clapped both hands over his eyes and fell on one knee. I was amazed he was still standing (I later found out Jin had been a Jounin since he was fourteen). "It's okay though, I guess." His demeanour changed suddenly, now shrugging nonchalantly. "I was told there's one in every generation." He removed his hands and trails of thick blood pooled under his eyes. "I'm happy to be a statistic if it means you finally learn what it means to have blood on your own fucking hands."

"It is a shame. You were talented, Hyuuga Jin." And Hiashi sounded so very genuinely sorrowful.

He clenched his fist and Hyuuga Jin finally screamed.

"Ah well, you know." He shrugged again and winked my way. I shuddered. "Vive la résistance, Monsieur."

And then before I could even scream Oui Hiashi had activated his Byakugan and he's dead and cold. His blood drained into the shrine's wooden floorboards as if they'd been designed for that very purpose.

I wouldn't put it past them.

"Move him," Hiashi ordered and two more teens, openly weeping, gently pushed him to one side. His eye sockets were empty and they were hesitantly shut. "Hyuuga Jin was right about one thing." He ushered the next forward, the sweet cherub who had called me 'Nee'. She trembled and shook but did as told, biting her lip fully so she didn't make a squeak. "There is only ever one in a generation."

I tried to fall on my side but he simply kept one hand on my neck and the other on my wrist. I couldn't cry yet, since that would only make her do so as well.

"What's your name?" I hummed as we finished, using my one working finger to brush back a stray curl.

"Rei, Nee," she answered uneasily, but I considered coaxing her into speaing at all a victory.

"You're a brave girl, Rei-chan," I told her. "Close your eyes now, it'll be funner that way."

It wasn't.

---

"You have nice eyes Oniisan," I hummed to Pein. Or Nagato. Whatever. "They're sorta like mine."

As soon as my limbs had recovered enough to walk, I'd run from the compound. I had collected Neji and a spare bottle (which I suspected would be my last bottle from Hanako judging by how she sobbed in her room when she thought no one would hear her) and simply vanished. I was mildly surprised I had not been followed though perhaps they did not know I was even gone. If they could simply forget my existence, then it would be a blessing. I wanted to burn the entire Estate to the ground. I wanted to walk on Hiashi's ashes and make sure they were buried in some rotting roadkill's carcass. I couldn't even bear to talk to my father-why had he been so excited for this? Was war really so much worse than what happened in there?

But most troubling, why did Jin know French? No, no, how did he know?

I wanted to crouch down and sob but now there were even more developments and why couldn't I have been born in a canon Naruto universe?! I'd only wanted to speak with Kushina because she seemed so disconnected to everything else despite her essential contribution to plot. If I went to Uchiha-obaasan then I would run into Obito and though in contrast to the rage I felt towards my clan currently it was a mere flicker of irritation, I couldn't let my guard down again so easily. I needed to gather more information—another bonus of visiting Kushina.

Nagato introducing himself as an Uzumaki was new but not unprecedented in the Naruto fandom and it was probably the least strangest theory to have cropped up so far. I smiled up at Kushina, despite really wanting to vomit.

"Ne, Kushina-san, is he your cousin?" I scrutinised her for a moment. "Youse got different eyes though," I remarked innocently.

Kushina did not fall for the bait like I'd hoped and instead ushered the both of us inside with the promise of tea and snacks. Of course, she scooped up Neji and proclaimed him the cutest baby that had ever lived and herself his new godmother as he grabbed bits of her hair and giggled.

"I don't think he has a godmother," I admitted thoughtfully.

I doubted Hanako would be leaping for the role now that I had ruined her chances at becoming a mother either. The image of her gasping, holding her stomach on the floor flashed through my mind and I excused myself to the bathroom quickly. I knew where it was of course; Kushina and I had kept up our afternoon teas, even when her real godchildren couldn't attend. We were both lonely, I think.

When I returned from wretching into the bowl, Nagato was sat stiffly across from Kushina and I slipped in beside the latter to cement that he was the outsider here. As interesting as it was to meet the holder of the Rinnegan and yada yada, he did kill Jiraiya and Kakashi (even if momentarily) and like Kabuto, it was hard to give him too much of the benefit of the doubt. At least Nagato had a sobstory, I reasoned.

"I-I'm sorry to barge into your home like this," he started, wringing his wrists. Kushina stared evenly at him and under the dining room table I felt her put her free hand on mine, the other still cradling Neji. I kept one eye on my brother, suppressing the possessive urge to snatch him back.

No, better he be held by someone less disgusting than me.

"But, I-I have nowhere else to go and—my mother always told me to stay close to family."

How ironic.

Kushina still did not respond but her expression said it all: quit the small talk.

"That is to say, I have only been recently made aware of my heritage—I grew up in Amegakure." He couldn't meet her eyes. "I-I've been displaced by this war, you see. And my..abilities," he paused uncomfortably, "are becoming more apparent. I need," he stopped again, as if checking he knew what he was saying, "I need guidance, Uzumaki-san. And I have heard of your prowess." He bowed, putting his head to the table. "Please, teach me Uzumaki techniques. I swear to not get in your way."

Kushina clicked her tongue and leaned forward on one hand.

"Maa, Nagato-chan, that's a long winded way of saying you want to freeload, ttebane!"

"N-No that's not—"

Kushina laughed heartily and Neji giggled with her. "Don't worry Nagato-chan! We'll take good care of you." She squeezed his hand and winked.

"We?"

"Honey, I'm home," Minato's hoarse voice still managed to sound excited as he walked into the kitchen. He blinked at Nagato, Neji and myself before drawing his gaze to Kushina. To his credit, he took it in his stride. "Ah, Hiyaku-chan what brings you here? And more guests?" He casually strolled to stand behind Kushina, one hand on her shoulder. He was trying his hardest to not let it affect me, but he was exerting pressure on the stranger.

I reached for Neji and Kushina giggled, patting my head. "You're such a good big sister, Hiyaku-chan," she said as she handed him over to me. He didn't appear particularly troubled by the quick changeover and booped my nose. He was smiling.

My chest heaved and I brought him close for an eskimo kiss. He returned the gesture, babbling gleefully.

"Speaking of, Minato," Kushina rose from her chair and in an instant was behind Nagato, wrapping her arms around him. "Meet my little brother, Nagato-chan!"

"L-Little brother?" Minato sputtered. He looked to me as if I would somehow confirm the story.

"He's Kushina-san's cousin, Namikaze-san."

"No!" Kushina pouted. "Hiyaku-chan gets an adorable little brother so I get one too!" Nagato's lips quirked upwards. He was enjoying the attention, clearly. "Wait, what is your precious Otouto's name anyway?"

"Neji, Kushina-san." I curled my hand around his. "He is precious," I agreed.

So precious that maybe I could survive this if it meant he would never be borne host to that satanic ritual. I was by no means religious but I was certain I'd witnessed the seventh circle of Hell. Even so, there was no room to deal with that right now. The wielder of the Rinnegan was right in front of me and not trying to kill me. I had to take advantage.

Speaking of Rinnegan, it appeared that Minato had finally found his purple irises underneath Nagato's mop of red hair judging by the way he leapt forward and held the man by the collar. I blinked.

"Stop that, Minato!" Kushina scolded like he was in trouble for kicking dirt in Nagato's eyes and not because he was one twitch away from killing him.

"But Kushina, do you know what he could do—"

"Yes! Who doesn't?" This time she wrenched Minato away forcefully, putting herself inbetween the pair. Her arms crossed across her chest and she frowned, tapping her finger against the crook of her shoulder. "But he wouldn't be in the village without someone else knowing, right?" She craned her neck to look a quivering Nagato in the eye. "Someone does know, right?"

He nodded shakily. "Y-Yes, Orochimaru-sama facilitated my coming here," he stuttered.

Much of Minato's wariness dropped instantly. Kushina clapped her hands together. "See? If Orochimaru-sama knows, then we ain't got nothing to fear, ttebane!"

Every word of that sentence made my head hurt.

On another day, I would have held onto every word of this conversation; would have piped up every now and then and cemented my new role as Nagato's quirky little friend. As it was, the only thing I remember from then is Kushina pulling Nagato into the hallway to give him the 'grand tour' of the small flat. Minato pulled up a chair beside me and hesitated for a moment before outstretching his arms. I go to give him Neji because fuck it, may as well. He was in better hands with them anyway. My lips parted in a small 'o' when he shook his head and lifted me up and placed me in his lap.

"Namikaze-san?" I questioned.

"You know," he started, cupping his hands under my elbows to take the pressure off holding my brother, "I used to babysit you when you were little. Do you remember?"

I did, all too vividly. "Why do you remember me?" It had been on my mind since the funeral. Why did he and Kakashi recall a midget of a toddler making them flower crowns? Surely I was not their only babysitting gig?

"How could I forget? Before you, I'd never seen Kakashi-kun play with anyone." I flushed and he laughed lightly. "Though maybe that was because you liked shogi so much." He ruffled my hair playfully. I made a half hearted attempt at shoving him off and leant back into him. He continued regardless, but I don't think he was even looking for an answer. "Maa, you were definitely the smartest kiddo we had. Couldn't get away with anything." He brushed my hair back and took an even breath.

"Is something wrong, Namikaze-san?"

He laughed again. "Ah, that was the whole point, Hiyaku-chan." I shifted in place to glance up at him beaming down at me. "It's Minato okay? Mi-na-to," he pronounced slowly and a wave of déjà vu rushed over me.

"Minato-san," I murmured.

"Yeah, that's right!" He lifted me up once more but this time planted my feet firmly on the ground. He examined me and sighed, sliding his eyes to the side. "You've grown so tall."

I hadn't but I think I got what he meant. I wanted to press on what had become of Rin but couldn't quite bring myself to ruin the contented smile surfacing on his lips as he listened to Kushina sing out a list of house rules. Most of them consisted of listening to 'Onee-sensei.' Every now and then there was a quiet noise of affirmation and a roaring reply of ttebane dayo!

Outside, the sun was beginning to set. The day had gone by unbearably slowly and with night creeping in, so were the events of today. I gripped Neji and whispered fervent lullabies to him as he yawned. He hadn't complained for food in a while, so I assumed this would only be a short nap. I only had a small amount of milk left.

But I wouldn't go back yet.

"Minato-san, thank you for having me." I bowed. "You and Kushina-san are…really nice people."

Really nice people who could drop dead within a year. My eyes blinked back a growing wetness. The worst part was I didn't even know anymore.

Had Hyuuga Jin known? Could we have even communicated? I knew a handful of sentences in French and half of them described the weather. Had he even been aware he was in Naruto? Surely if he had he would have sought me out since I was very decidedly not canon. Yet at this stage, that only seemed to let me fit in more in this patchworked timeline.

"Aw, Hiyaku-chan is so cute ttebane!" Kushina squealed from the doorway, Nagato shuffling beside her. "Hey," she addressed the other redhead sharply, "what do we do now?"

He jumped to attention. "O-Oh right!" He punched the air, giving his best serious face. "Yes she is Onee-sensei, dattebane!"

If I could have comically sweatdropped, I would have. Instead, I howled with laughter. Neji woke up and whined at the harsh sound, but I couldn't help it. The visual of one of the fiercest shinobi to ever walk this earth kowtowing to…well, one of the other fiercest shinobi to walk this earth—

My foggy mind wondered where exactly I had been going with that thread of thought. It unravelled until all I could focus on how funny it was. Hysterical really. So chuckle-inducing that tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

"I-Is she alright?" Nagato whispered badly.

"Dattebane," I repeated, wheezing. Neji tried copying the sounds, mouth wide open. "We're so fucked, little brother."

---

It was past dusk when Mikoto noticed a small figure approaching their household. She cautiously strode outside her home to meet it, only to find a pair of lavender—no two pairs!—staring at her intently.

"I'm sorry, Mikoto-sama," she started, bowing lowly. "I-I just wanted to visit Itachi-kun."

At this hour? By herself? –no, not quite, she reminded herself.

But as if summoned by name alone, out her son ran. It'd been so very long since she'd seen the unlikely pair interact and despite a thousand questions running along her tongue, she held them. Itachi tugged at her elbow and she smiled brightly at him, holding out the mewling infant in her arms. He frowned but took his time inspecting the boy. Gradually, his features became soft and he was tracing circles on his small palm. He nodded at the Hyuuga girl and vanished for what seemed an eternity, leaving Mikoto to stand awkwardly before their unexpected guest. He returned quickly, with one of his mother's prized fabrics no less! She made to scold him but could only watch as he lifted up the tiny Hyuuga and handed the girl her precious stitching. She stared at the object in confusion and he quite literally took matters into his own hands as he wound it around her neck and shoulders. A small divet was made at her chest and it was here he deposited the infant.

Mikoto's eyes widened; a sling?

The Hyuuga girl's own eyes shone and she squeezed her son's hand with such force Mikoto was worried it may break. Itachi nodded again, no more than a small smile still present on his face. He led her by this same hand to the door and finally addressed his mother.

"Okaasan, can Hiyaku stay for dinner?"

They'd had dinner half an hour ago, he knew. Even so, she clapped her hands together.

"Of course, Itachi. I'm always happy for you to have friends over." They walk in hand in hand still, and Mikoto sighed sweetly.

Some people didn't need words.

She sat her down at the dinner table and thankfully the evidence of their previous meal had already been cleaned up. Now perched so close and without Itachi as a human shield, Mikoto could finally fully take in the heiress' appearance (and she knew that because Itachi had been so excited to tell her all about his Ane being a princess). Her kimono was disheveled, though one could probably blame the baby on that. Her undereyes were dark, contrasting sharply against her light iris. But Mikoto had to hold her breath when the girl's sleeves shifted, and minuscule but angry red welts traced her palms, wrists and forearms.

Fugaku walked in, brow furrowed and stubborn confusion jutting out from every one of his limbs. He stood behind the Hyuuga children, gesturing from them to herself with an adorable sort of exasperation. It almost took the edge off of the boiling rage flowing through her veins.

"Ah, Fugaku-sama! Follow me, I must have your opinion on dinner."

Fugaku hadn't been married for six years only to ignore a command from his superior officer. He patted Itachi on the head and thanked him for collecting him and trailed after his wife, arms folded as soon as they crossed the kitchen's threshold.

"What are we doing, Mikoto?"

Mikoto hummed, fetching out a pot and rummaging through the icebox to pull out a handful of vegetables. "We are making dinner, Fugaku-sama."

He grunted. "Don't play with me wom—"

His wife's hands were trembling. "We're…we're making her dinner, Fugaku."

He dropped his arms and closed the gap between himself and Mikoto. He grasped her wrists gently, preventing her from cutting straight through her index finger. She stilled.

"Why are we making her dinner, Mikoto?" He asked again, pressing a kiss to the side of her head.

"Because," she stole the living room a look, where Itachi and Hiyaku huddled together, playing a strange game with their hands.

She gazed up at Fugaku, onyx eyes wide and burdened by a mother's instincts.

"we can't do anything else."

---

Omake: Alternate (Or the one where Hiyaku wants six parents and ends up with none)

New York was a war zone, civilians were dying and there were multiple aliens out for his blood and all Tony Stark could wonder was who on earth was footing the bill for this. He dodged to the right and crushed a particularly ugly goon's mug. He shook his hand; gross.

"Eyes up top, tinman." Steve's voice cut through the coms just in time for him to jet upwards, narrowly missing a large green mass barrelling through the streets.

"You good buddy?" Clint chuckled.

"Keep that talk up and I'll never let you borrow this suit," he warned.

Natasha snorted, so Tony knew she was beginning to tire. "Why have a metal suit when we could just hitch a ride on an Asgardian?"

A bolt of lightning hit to his left. Another traffic light fell. Tony sighed as Jarvis updated the collateral damage figures.

He needed a burger.

.

..

…

Everything in Thor's life had seemed so easy compared to the scene that awaited him when he scaled Stark Tower.

"And this little brother of yours, you love him?" That was Loki's voice, clear as day. What Thor hadn't expected was the melancholic undertone.

"He's my everything," or a higher pitched, much younger response. "Your brother probably feels the same way, you know?"

In a sadistically comical moment, Thor was actually torn as to whether or not interrupt them even as a Chitari invasion raged around them. He couldn't very well leave what was presumably a fragile human child with a megalomaniac god, but their exchange was remarkably civil so far.

"I sincerely doubt it, after all of this." Thor imagined he was throwing his arms about in that melodramatic way of his. "I doubt anyone could."

"Well, that's why you're the little brother." She laughed. "The universe tends to make us big brothers and sisters the more forgiving types."

"Will your little brother forgive you if you die here?"

Thor stepped out then, hammer raised. "Loki!"

His companion was a small child, as he had suspected. She sat beside him calmly as he threatened her life and Thor marveled at her courage. On closer inspection, he found her eyes to be almost clear; she was blind.

"Ah, Thor, speak of the devil," the God of Mischief said easily. "We were just talking about how mad you would be if I threw this little one off this building, but," he sighed, rubbing his chin as he looked down on her. "She has not seemed to take them seriously in the least."

Thor rushed forward with a growl, weapon raised to pin his brother but found empty air where Loki once was. "What?"

The girl and Loki were now sitting ten feet away, the latter looking quite dazed.

So, he hadn't been the one to dodge..?

"I just feel like we could really talk this out, you know?" She stood and dusted off her strange looking clothes and Thor found that for a blind human child, she had a good grasp on her surroundings. "Don't look at me like that, he was just going to stab you if you got close." She huffed derisively. Her eyes then became distorted, and Thor watched perturbed as the veins on the sides of her head pulsed. She reached back without a further glance and with a mighty heave plucked Loki from the ledge and threw him back inbetween them. "You know though," which Thor observed she'd been saying a lot amidst his marvelling, "I think we could be friends, Loki-san."

Thor registered she was speaking a different dialect of Midgardian language. Loki was not fazed.

"Friends?" He gave a short bark of laughter. "You're just a child! How could you claim to be equal with a god—"

He was cut off as she punched the cement beside his head, leaving a perfectly rounded hole. Loki sealed his mouth shut, and his attempt to grab his sceptor was intercepted by Thor, who wanted to feel useful and not like he had just let a youngling take on an immortal being. She grinned up at him once he'd knocked Loki into semi-unconsciousness.

"Where I am from, we breed godkillers."

Thor decided that he liked this tiny human, strange eyes and all.

..

…

"No." Steve wasn't sure what he was saying no to, specifically, but simply knew that this was a no sort of situation. He took a vicious bite of his shawarma.

"I do not see the problem, Human Steve!" Thor boomed. "I thought our troupe was to perform good deeds such as this." He patted the head of the girl shuffling awkwardly behind him.

"Look buddy, I know this is how you got your brother and all but on Earth we don't take randoms' kids because we think they're cool." Clint clicked his tongue and shook his head but smiled down at the girl. "And you do seem very cool."

She smiled but it did not reach her eyes. Her eyes…

"Thor, is she blind?"

"She's not," Natasha interjected from her seat. "She's been eyeing off your plate for about ten minutes, Barton." She moved her seat to one side and called the chef for another order. "C'mere kid, you can have mine if you're that hungry." She was stuffing her face instantly and Steve swallowed the urge to chuckle.

"You need to return her to her parents," he ordered the Thunder God instead, who looked exasperated at this point.

"They're dead," she said, muffled by the shawarma.

Steve didn't understand a word she said and Bruce shared his clueless expression. Clint and Natasha sighed, while Thor nodded solemnly. The girl watched Steve's reaction and after a moment, swallowed and made an 'o' with her lips.

"They are dead," she repeated, only in heavily accented English. When Steve began to say his condolences she stopped him. "Everyone's an orphan eventually."

Tony stopped behind her, closing his mouth. Everyone stared for a long moment, as if he would have any idea how to respond?

"Well, kid, I know this must be fun, being around heroes and all," and she twisted herself around to face him and the way she beamed, "uh, how about we discuss this after shawarma? You look like you haven't eaten in hours," he joked.

"A week," she corrected casually.

Steve bit into his shawarma once more, sinking in his chair.

.

..

…

Her name was Hiyaku and she was terrifying, Clint decided. She took the destruction of New York in her stride when he'd volunteered to 'give her the tour' because while she was a monster her puppy eyes were also adorable. She'd stopped in her tracks and activated what she insisted was the Byakugan.

'What it is, is bullschnit,' he'd told her.

She threw herself at a crumbling skyscraper, clawing at the dirt. He asked her what was the matter and she was only said he needed to dig. Clint dropped to his knees and joined her. The further they went, the more Clint cottoned on to what exactly they were looking for. It made his knees feel weak when Hiyaku pulled out a screaming toddler, surely no more than eighteen months.

"It's okay, it's okay, big sister is here," she murmured as she rocked him. Her hands then encased themselves in a shimmering green light and Clint reluctantly let her press them against the small boy. He hiccuped and continued to scream but she was remarkably nonplussed until she'd finished…whatever it was she was doing. "No inside damage." She hefted him on her hip, brushing the dirt away from his face. "Worried about lungs though. He needs medic."

Clint nodded and together they brought him to one of the many first aid centres erected throughout the city. When the infant was in good care, he finally asked,

"What was that?"

She frowned and replied with her own question. "How good at Japanese are you?"

Clint knew he was fluent but still hesitated when he nodded. "Hai, Hiyaku-chan." He grinned at her, mock bowing.

"It's medical ninjutsu." She brought her hands up for him to observe the same green energy covering them. "I'm not very good at it, but I can do diagnostics and simple injuries so I'm good enough for most battles. My friend on other hand, he can remove poison by infusing his chakra with his patient with water as a solution to dilute the two." A nostalgic smile crossed her face. "He can do anything."

Clint spent several minutes processing her explanation before gripping her shoulder. "How old are you?" He questioned in Japanese, just so he knew she would speak correctly.

"Eh? Twelve, Clint-ojisan."

He wasn't sure why he'd thought she was older. Maybe it was because of her wide vocabulary, or the way she took careful notes on Tony and Banner's labwork as if she had years of practice. It also could have been the empathetic glaze in her eyes when Steve told her a war story and the easiness with which she took to cleaning their base like it was her own home. The kitchen spices were meticulously racked and each lounge cushion held its own place.

And there was the fact that Thor had boasted she'd thrown Loki around like a ragdoll.

Clint's thoughts flew to Laura and Lila. Lila was half her age but the thought of her being thrown headfirst onto the battlefield hurt more than any of Loki's mindgames.

"Wow, you're…young," was all he could say in the end.

She laughed, and he thought it was almost bitter. "Not the youngest."

Twelve my ass, Clint grumbled later when she split his arrows in half with those accursed senbon of hers.

.

..

…

"Finished homework already kid?" Tony leant against the doorframe, smirking at the girl transfixed at the laptop screen. Swedish yelling could be heard through her headphones and she let herself giggle once more before pausing and responding.

"I's boring," she said simply.

Tony's smirk cracked. "I dunno how things work where you're from but you need to finish schoolwork before you can waste your life away staring at a screen." He folded his arms, feeling rather paternal and accomplished with himself when she rolled around to face him and held a most unamused expression.

"Where I'm from, we stop school at nine at wartime." Tony's stomach dropped—her and her stupid guilt card. She spoke about where she was from often, yet still it was hard to imagine the world she described outside of fiction. Tony had managed to pull enough strings with Fury to let her stay at Avengers HQ for the time being, reasoning that an anomaly like her would be best surrounded by irregulars anyway. Steve and Natasha weren't sold on the decision, but Thor and Clint were head over heels for her. Banner didn't seem to mind her presence and said that she often spoke to Hulk when he was feeling frustrated.

Truthfully, she had told him she would have run if they had tried to palm her off onto the system anyway. And they'd never catch me, she'd said so confidently Tony felt a smidgen of respect for it.

"I know everything on that stupid sheet anyway."

"Oh really?" He picked up the blank question paper on her bed and sat next to her. "Okay, riddle me this Jimmy Proton—"

"Neutron," she interjected with no small amount of irritation.

"James Atom," he drawled. "In 1804, Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was fatally shot and wounded in Weehawken, New Jersey. Who pulled the trigger?—Jeez, this is some heavy stuff for sixth graders, is Hill sending me through the right class?"

"Aaron Burr. Hamilton pissed him off in the election of 1800 and then talked shit about him at some dinner party. He challenged him to a duel and won."

Tony blinked.

"Okay first off, language." He flicked her forehead and she whined a complaint. "And secondly," he chuckled and ruffled her hair, "you're off the hook. C'mon, I came to get you; Pepper's here. Your weird Swedish men can wait."

Hiyaku gasped excitedly but then frowned. "His name is Felix and one day he'll be big. Invest wisely," she said.

Tony snorted and nudged her off the bed. "Whatever kid."

He watched as she ran to 'Pepper-obasan' and began chattering about how Tony was incredibly stupid for not knowing who Jimmy Neutron was. Pepper shared an amused smile with Tony before letting her attention being drawn away by the brunette.

Tony had made her a promise two months ago; that he'd try and send her home. She'd given him a deadline of six months. He didn't know what happened at the end of that but maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she stayed… Maybe.

Tony hit delete before a confused Bruce Banner later that day.

"Tony, what you're doing—it's wrong."

"I know." But she'd told so many horrifying stories, admitted so much about her world that scared her and left her with night terrors.

The adults did know best after all.

.

..

…

Steve had been incredibly heistant to spar with a girl when she'd first asked. He did not want to hurt her after all. It was only after much pleading on her part and goading on Clint and Tony's did he give in and perform exercises with her. Her agility rivalled Nat's in the way she ducked and weaved her way around his strikes and still she had the energy to mouth off all the while.

He beat her everytime but there were still laughs about just how long it took him to keep a hold of her.

Then she introduced her Byakugan. Steve had suggested it of course, after she commented she was worried that without training her ability was going to rust away. And Steve did not want to be the cause of that.

Thor warned him of the Byakugan not quite being what it seemed and Steve rolled his eyes. So far it had just seemed an extra reserve of energy to give her a second wind in a fight. It was harder than before to touch her and even when he angled himself behind her she somehow knew where he was aiming.

"How do you do that?" He asked the first time they came to an impasse, three months into their arrangement.

She paused, deliberating between quipping and being serious. "In my world, this is normal," her hands glowed blue, "but my eyes aren't. And they're not normal because we don't let them be. Byakugan lets you see everything and everyone." Slowly, her eyes relaxed and returned to their normal selves. "I'm weaker now," she said softly.

Steve wasn't sure if he was meant to be offended or not. She noticed and giggled.

"You're stronger than me, Captain." A shuriken flew past him, sticking itself into the wall. "My training is…practical."

.

..

…

No one ever quite wrangled the details of her life like Natasha did. The woman understood in a way no one else quite could. Both were thrown into a world of death and carnage under the guise of camaraderie. Natasha respected her for her desire to change things and Hiyaku admired her for surviving them.

"Do you want to go back?" She asked her, four months in. Hiyaku looked up from her book and nodded wordlessly. "Why?" Hiyaku expressed a plainness with Natasha she'd never settled with around the men.

"My brothers."

"How are you getting back?"

"I am."

And it was as simple as that. She was never considering here home. Natasha smiled.

Another thing they had in common.

.

..

…

Six months passed. Tony looked her in the eye and apologised for not finding a solution but offered a permanent home with them. She accepted but asked for some time alone to come to terms. Of course, they all acquiesced. Thor took her quiet sadness the hardest, having just returned from yet another adventure in Asgard and was already amidst mourning his brother.

The very same brother who sat beside her atop Stark Tower, eyebrow quirked. Their feet dangled off the edge and she peered down into the city below. The streets were still rather empty.

"Think he will still forgive me?" The God of Mischief asked uncharacterically softly.

Hiyaku laughed, though most of it was lost to the wind. "Always." She reached out a hand to him, only to pull away. "If you were really here, I'd give you a hug, you know?"

"I would push you off this building myself should you dare, peasant."

She smiled goodnaturedly. "Yes, well that's the plan."

Loki's expression was thoughtful, then regretful. "You think this is the only way? That you could never find anything else to live for here?" He chortled. "Some Aseop's Fable that is."

"I'm going back the way I came," she replied gently. "You know, I can't leave him alone. No one deserves that." She eyed him. "You don't have to either."

"Maybe." He crossed his legs, smoothing down his 'Midgardian attire'. "We'll see in a few hundred years. I'll be bored of Asgard by then."

She hummed and nodded. "Thank you. I'll miss you." She stood and took a deep breath.

Halfway through exhaling she was pulled into his side. He kept a hand on her shoulder, purposefully refusing to meet her eyes.

"The least I can do is join you until my stop." One foot off the ledge he held out his hand. "Shall we?" She took it and then they plummeted downwards. "To your eternal youth," he whispered as his hands faded and she closed her eyes.

Somewhere, in a faraway village coated in mist, a baby cried.

---

*Nanashi, meaning the nameless.
**Okaeri and Tadaima, meaning welcome home and I'm home, respectively.

Look y'all gotta apologise for the Omake there. It was meant to be a short, 500 special yet turned into a oneshot in its own right haha. Hope it was enjoyable enough to read anyway!

There's so many things to say about this chapter and how I agonised on whether to change certain aspects to it or not, but I think, in the end, this is probably for the best. Hiyaku's life as a Hyuuga could never truly be easy, or else what would be her motivation in trying to change anything? But like, baby Neji? Love him even though he's such a nuisance to write right now because all he can do is sit upright and drink milk. Smh get a job you dole bludger. Mitsuki though? Would kill Wooloo for him and then myself.

Please tell me what you think of this chapter, good or bad! If you like what you're reading smash that subscribe button and hit that notification bell :D

Till next time!