Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Notes: Its here. Next chapter the aftermath. Maybe even the Hyuuga incident.

You are lovely, readers.

December 27th – Part 4

The guests leave.

Most of the Hyuuga, branch and main, retire and dwell within the shadows of the compound. Their forms scurry hurriedly in the darkening sky to abandon and forget this fateful hour. Regret fills the open air as it constricts and sticks to everyone lungs and hearts.

The elders, Hiashi, Hitomi, Hizashi, Neji and I stay behind in the landscape wet by melted snow and frozen from low temperatures. Night begins to descend and cloak the sky in its darkness as the sun escapes the horrid event that will begin in mere minutes. The wind carries itself ominously with a somber tone as it harshly flows across dead land.

A heavy silence falls upon the remaining few standing in the middle of the compound with rigid forms, even Hiashi. A man who exuded pride mere moments ago seems reluctant with accepted regret as his stares at the closed gates of the Hyuuga compound. Except for the elders who stand with a knowing pride. Hunched and wrinkled from age, they stand surrounding their younger blood with bright eyes that stare relentlessly into our forms that begin darkening with the rising moon.

Heavy breathing comes from the fated child as the dense silence seems to begin whispering with a black ooze of dark hatred and fear. The boy's long hair that is usually pristine is now sticky with sweat and ruffled by quivering hands that seek refuge in brown tresses. His body is slightly hunched from fear with arms crossed, roughly gripping his sides. Blunt nails dig deeply into the silk covered sides of his torso as his eyes dull with fear and the struggle to accept with shaken strength.

Neji's father bleeds unmasked anger and hatred as he squeezes his son's quivering shoulder. His grip is tight and bruising on the boy's shoulders as his eyes glare brightly against the night. Hizashi's lips are marred with a frown as rage billows from his mouth, seen and seething in the freezing air.

His rage is repaid with unsuspecting pain as a female elder mockingly forms the sign to activate one of the seals powers. A grotesque smirk widens aged skin as the younger man withers in pain on the muddy and frozen ground. The father's child closes his eyes as tears well up in the corners of his eyes from the sight. The man's grunted screams break the silence surrounding the lifeless courtyard on this dire night. The elder does not let up as glee rapidly spreads across her aged bones.

Distantly I wonder how much the woman holds value to me, how useful she is to me, and how quickly I could kill her without any evidence that could incriminate me. I wonder how skilled I must be to pull off her assassination, the time it would take to reach that level as well as the chaos that would definitely unfold should she pass.

It's a shame that all evidence suggests that she is of value and use to me. As well as factoring in the time it will take to hone and expand the skill set needed to achieve her death.

She is a kunoichi that flaunts her power.

" Enough, Chiyo-san. Hiashi has had enough and undoubtedly learned his lesson." A raspy voice wrings out beside her as the other elder, Noboru, apathetically speaks.

His eyes hold a prideful apathy as he disinterestedly gazes at the withering male on the ground before him.

A scoff resounds in the air as Chiyo glumly breaks her hold on the victim. Her aged face looks as if someone had taken her favorite toy as she turns with surprising agility to her companion.

"Tch, why?" A spoiled whine escapes her as she glares in a tantrum at the disinterested male.

"Just because screams irritate you, as it 'is a noise that you find utterly useless,' does not mean you should ruins someone else's fun." The whine seems to turn into a shriek as bony fingers creakily make quotation marks in they air as she quotes the elderly man.

Noboru's neck creaks in irritation as he slowly turns to the banshee of a woman, "Screams and banshee shrieks are annoying and useless. Too loud for my tastes. So shut up, you vile thing, so we can begin this long process. I would like to go to bed at a decent time tonight." His voice holds boredom as he casual insults and makes demands to his female companion.

A shriek reaches a high crescendo that pierces the night as she moves with deadly intent to her next victim. A dull kunai with flecks of dried blood glints as the rising moons hits it. Chip and weathered like its master rests perfectly in a hand with too thin skin. She moves with malicious glee as she passes her first victim without a thought.

The ignored man barely moves as violently twitches of the seals aftermath wracks his body. The sound of metal scraping metal sings in the cold night as Hitomi, who is comforting the boy, gently sits on the heel of her feet while her knees still press against the air. Gently she holds Hizashi's hand in defiance and comfort. Emotions of tenderness, affection, and kindness enter her eyes as she stares into the man's pained eyes. Seconds that seem like eternity, she breaks her gaze to stare at her husband. No love was found in narrowed eyes as she conveys more than I can interpret to Hiashi. Anger, regret, and unrequited love dwells within the male's eyes as he takes in the scene before him. Anger and sadness become pronounced as he stares at the boy filled fear and breaking strength that clings to his wife.

A long close of tiring eyes squeeze out any vulnerability left from the effects of a broken family before he opens with his signature coldness. The third elder that makes the trio, Hisahito, watches with alert and stern eyes. Arms are held behind his slightly hunched back as he stands still like a statue. Disgust seems to war within him as he watches both scenes before him. Disgust for the emotions and vulnerability fills the air, not the clear statement that echos boldly by a woman, clad in red. Slowly he locks eyes unto the only one who does not seem to court chaos and disobey the rule of 'logic comes before emotion.'

"Emotion itself is not frowned upon, it is the varying range of emotions that are. Such as rage and vulnerability. Emotion cannot be completely culled out of a human, for it will always find a way to show itself. Whether one knows it or not. No, emotion is something that cannot be vanished, but it can be controlled. The controlling factor is logic and, of course, discipline." Hiashi's father speaks with a cold yet vehement belief . His food barley touched as he deems the need to educate his grandchild and heir.

"Logic will always come before emotion." Hisahito said before he breaks his speech to fill his empty stomach.

Loud laughter and drunk joy fills the air as both the main family clansmen and non-Hyuuga converse around a large table and room. The branch family imprints the wooden floors as they serve guests and those who held more station above them by having unmarked foreheads. The Guards blend in the shadows and corners, still and alert, as the party continues without a care. Guards that consist of both main and branch family.

Hitomi moves with the branch family in defiance as she pours and serves. Only ever did she stop so she could converse animatedly with Masami. Familiarity and fondness finds its way onto both of the women's faces as their attire brightly clashes and beckons onlookers. The scarlet woman was as soft as the emerald woman was sharp and both of their laughs ring like bells among the rabble. Though one singed with joy as the other sung with a mischievous amusement.

Despite my accompaniment, they were ignored.

Especially Hitomi.

I was at the head of the long table surrounded by the trio of elders and the head of the family. Each spoke of lessons, experience, and the wisdom they have gained over the years to their recognized heir. Each piece of information fed to me was memorized whether I believe or care for it. Later it would come in handy, even if it was just to keep them on my side. I listen in interest with every word spoken.

"Emotion is not disregarded as a complete determinant, or even something that should be avoided and outcast, but it is agreed upon by your founding ancestors that it must be controlled." The previous head with a filled stomach speaks, pride dripping out of every word.

I take in everything with almost no emotion. I watch the interactions before me with logic, followed by a sound mind. This is a side of me that comes and goes when needed. This side comes slithering and coils around me as it takes control. Constricting emotions and a chaotic broken mind. A side that use to breathe with each step I took, only loosening its coils in privacy or rare moments.

The moments which hold resemblances of my childhood that stray in my path.

Of course now, this side of me, like my control, sways to and fro along an ocean. Floating on top of a deep blue sea, controlled by the wind and waves. They do not adhere to my call any longer as the soak up the salty water and bright sun.

Ever since my death.

A command from the clan head's mouth slices through the thick air, "Stop your childish antics at once, Chiyo-san and Noboru-san, it is time."

A stilled silence forces its way back as his words were uttered. The fighting elders close to a stop as their respective kunai dig into thin skin. One weathered and chip kunai digs deep with barely any blood flowing from the wound it created. The other sharp and polished digs just as deep with a small river of blood flowing steadily, staining the woman's gray kimono.

Neither seemed fazed as one of them bleeds freely from a new wound. If anything, the woman smiles in jubilation before she falls just a bit more into the kunai as she twists her own into her opponents skin. The man apathetically lets all of this play out with eyes that tell this has happened more than once. A hum suddenly escapes the aged woman as she euphorically moves her free hand to the bleeding wound. A soft green light encases the palm of her hand as she dizzily takes a step back. Her humming has no steady or recognizable rhythm as she rocks back and froth in her spot.

Noboru lazily lets his kunai disappear into the sleeve of his kimono before his long and bony fingers glide across short white hair in what seems a habitually gesture. Slowly he strides over to gain the distance he lost in the sudden battle with Chiyo. Just as he reached an arms length distance away from us, chiyo appears right by his side. The wound on her neck gone, the only evidence of it would be the fresh blood left forgotten on her neck.

A question forms as I gaze at her healed neck, slowly I move questioning eyes at the sadistic and masochistic elder. The humming stops as she catches my gaze. A maniacal smile widens at me with a wink as she mouths "You will know soon little-one." I nod at the woman as we all await for the Hiashi's next order.

She has knowledge. Hopefully I can learn or, at least have my own knowledge translated from hers. As long as I have the bare basics I can freely research it in my own time.

Because I cannot shake the want to end her. Unlike the others, she seems too invested in the boy's sealing.

Besides she can be a liability to me with how unhinged she seems.

Not a breath later and Hiashi gives his order. Slowly we trek a path back to wooden steps and outside walkways. The entire time Hizashi, covered in mud, lingers in the back of the group, slowed by muscles stiff from pain with Hitomi beside the him. While Neji is stationed in the middle between the elders, and his otou-san holding back an urge to flee and burrow himself within his father's muddy clothes and stomach for a sense of safety. Each step the child tries to form and cling to an ounce of courage. Trying to withhold the building fear and anxiety that threatens to consume him again.

Unconsciously I find myself beside the boy with an open and welcoming hand. Without hesitance Neji's grips my hand with a sweaty palm. All his strength seems to pour into his grip, squeezing tightly in reassurance, comfort, and safety. My action seems to let the fated child gather enough strength to battle against justified fears. Never once did the boy let go of my hand.

Until he had no choice.

Until we reached a room which screams with agony and fear.

Until he too screamed in agony and fear.

Until he walked out with fresh bandages covering his small forehead.