New Eyes
"Hinata! Hinata! Daughter?!" Hiashi knelt quickly beside his child. "Sakura!" The clan lord begged of the pink-haired girl.
"Shit!" Kakashi yelled and started running. "It's Sasuke!" He yelled over his shoulder which caused Iruka, Anko and Raido to chase after him.
"STAY!" Hiashi yelled at the Chunins as they started to follow after Kakashi but he had to bite his tongue as a sphere of sand rose above the ground.
"Dammit!" Kakashi cursed softly as he passed through the space that had recently been burned out of existence. The ground was still hot but he didn't stop, just ignored the pain and burns and kept running.
"Thanks Gaara." Shikamaru said for he'd been standing next to the Kage when Gaara's sand went into motion.
Gaara shrugged. "You were there." He passed a hand through his hair and blinked. Naruto was in trouble yet again if he wasn't mistaken. What the hell had happened now?
"I don't see anything physically wrong with her." Sakura said hurriedly as she checked over Hinata's body.
"But she covered her eyes when she screamed." Neji said as he knelt beside his uncle. He reached out and held his sister's hand. "Could something have affected her eyes?"
"Yeah, I saw that." Sakura was worried. Because the four of them had remained synched, it appeared that whatever happened to the others had happened to Hinata as well. Carefully, Sakura lifted Hinata's eyelid and her friend gasped in pain. "Sorry!" Sakura said as still out of it, Hinata turned to the only source of shade, her father's shadow. "She's sensitive to light. We should get her out of the sun!" Sakura backed off as Lord Hiashi scooped up his daughter and moved back into the tree line.
Sakura moved too and knelt to pull out a small bowl and some herbs. She emptied her canteen then held it out. "More water please!" She never looked up to see who took it but set about mixing enough medicine for four people.
~mg~
"Sasuke! Sasuke!" Kakashi yelled as he finally cleared the hot earth. The Uchiha wasn't that far away. He lay next to Naruto, both face down on the ground. Reaching both boys, he quickly turned them over so that they could breathe. He raced over to Takeshi who was several feet away and did the same for him as well as pulling him over to his brothers. "Boys! Hey! Guys!" Kakashi tapped their faces hoping for a response.
"What is it?!" Iruka asked frantically as he rounded what used to be the corner of the building. He, Anko and Raido had avoided the volcanic like earth to avoid the burns Kakashi now carried. He lifted Naruto into his lap gently. "Son? Naruto!"
"What the hell is going on?!" Anko yelled as she too knelt. Since Kakashi had Sasuke, she cupped Takeshi's cheek. "Wake up! Damn you – what did you do?!" She yelled into his face as she shook the young man's jaw.
Raido stood staring and frowning down at them. They were all under his care and he so did not want anything to happen to the Hokage's son, the last Uchiha or Jinchuriki of the Immortal Phoenix. "Kakashi do you know what's going on?" He looked up as a sphere of sand landed and the Suna Kage plus Shikamaru joined them.
"Yeah, I think I do. Anko – Stop it!" Kakashi reached over to keep her from slapping Takeshi's face yet again. "You aren't helping; in fact you could be hurting him!"
Anko blanched and froze. When Kakashi released her hand she cradled the young man against her breast. "Sorry." She said meekly and brushed his hair back from his face.
"Yeah, what?" Shikamaru asked also kneeling before his friends. They didn't look hurt, just like they were sleeping but something had made them scream out in pain and they were all unconscious.
"…Sasuke's got a new Sharingan – I think." Kakashi grimaced as they all looked at him in frustration. "Look I know some things since I've got a Sharingan. The next evolution for the Sharingan only happens when an Uchiha loses someone important to them – violently."
Shikamaru saw all the adults look at each other. No one had died on this mission but the enemy and he knew Sasuke held no love for any of them. Obviously they weren't going to say any more. He looked up at Gaara who was also frowning.
"But your eye, its evolved hasn't it?" Anko asked already knowing the truth of this. "Did you lose someone too?" Takeshi was heavy in her arms but she held him tight trying to make him comfortable to make up for hitting him earlier.
"Yes it has but then, I'm not an Uchiha and I don't have their bloodline limit. It was different for me." Kakashi said as he too looked down at Sasuke. He'd been able to hear what happened to Hinata through his radio so he restrained himself from lifting Sasuke's eyelid to see if the change had actually happened.
"So what – Takeshi and Naruto are knocked out too because of the synch?" Raido asked dubiously. There was much about this he already didn't understand and wasn't sure he ever would.
Kakashi didn't answer. "We should get them to Sakura." He proceeded to stand with Sasuke in his arms and hissed at the pain in his feet.
"Idiot! Burning your feet like that!" Anko grumbled as she noticed his sandals were gone.
Shikamaru and Gaara followed them back around to the others. Raido had relieved Anko of her burden. Shortly the four were again side by side in the shade. Sakura poured a cupful of medicine down each their throats for pain then covered their eyes with cool wet cloths. The whole time Shikamaru's brain never stopped working. Everyone was silent as they stood around their friends watching and waiting.
"What about Talon?" Shikamaru asked quickly looking to the sky. "Would he still be sy-!"
"Dammit! His synch with Naruto never ends! Talon! Talon!" Iruka ran off.
"Hey! Well find him Iruka-sensei!" Kiba jumped up onto Akamaru's back glad for something to do.
"Hold on, I'll help!" Ko stated and joined Kiba on the dog. The three of them bounded off in the direction Iruka had been headed in and were soon gone.
"He'll die if anything's happened to Talon." Iruka dropped to the grass before his son, head hanging low.
Suddenly a high whistle sounded out, once, twice then a third time. Kakashi had done it. It was he who originally trained Talon and the hawk knew this call. "If he's conscious, Talon will have heard that making it easier for Kiba to find him." He hoped that would calm Iruka's worries.
"Is it possible…they will all have a Sharingan now?" Shikamaru asked suddenly and multiple ideas and possible outcomes raced through his brain.
"No!" Lord Hiashi stated angrily then calmed. "No, the Uchiha Sharingan and our Byakugan may have had links in the past but both have since evolved separately. I believe that she and his brothers simply shared Sasuke's pain." Or so he hoped.
A moan drew all their attention. It came from Hinata. "Oh-My-God…my head…my eyes…" Hinata cringed and covered her face, rolled over onto her side and began to weep with the pain.
"Hinata, Hinata sweetie? Can you tell me what's wrong?" Sakura was there instantly stroking her sister's long hair.
"…hurts…just really hurts…Naruto?" Hinata covered her eyes with one hand and reached for her love. "Naruto?!" She desperately wanted him right now.
"Give her something for the pain. Hurry!" Neji insisted while Lord Hiashi once again pulled his daughter into his chest.
Sakura was already working on it but this time she readied a syringe to put it directly into Hinata's blood stream. "How are her eyes?" She didn't dare subject Hinata to more pain but asked of Lord Hiashi whose eyes could see without harming Hinata.
"…Dilated still. She's taking in too much light." Hiashi frowned and looked back at the tunnel then over at Naruto. "I don't want to separate them."
"Go. Naruto would want you to take care of her." Iruka urged. "I can bring him too…" But he wondered if he should break up the brothers.
"Take Hinata and we'll see what happens." Sakura said with authority. They were in uncharted territories but she had to take charge whether it was a good decision or not. Sakura told Tenten to keep cool water over Hinata's face and to call if she looked as if she needed more pain medicine. Hiashi, Neji and Ryo had already disappeared into the darkness of the tunnel.
"Sakura, why haven't they woken up yet?" Lee asked as he sat beside her. He'd been her helper all this time and she should have realized it since it was his presence that had kept her from freaking over her unconscious brothers.
She sat back, her shoulder brushing his. "I don't know. This synching thing is so new and happens only with them. Its different from the Yamanaka jutsu too so even if one of them were here, I doubt they could help. Maybe because they were together… this evolution thing hit them harder…" Sakura shrugged then turned to lay her face against his neck when he put his arm around her.
"WE GOT HIM!" Kiba's voice sounded out from the trees and soon Akamaru was racing towards them. Behind the Inuzuka, Ko had one arm around Kiba's waist the other tucked around Naruto's hawk.
Iruka and Sakura were on their feet running to meet them. "Thanks! Thanks for finding him. Tal…Talon?" Iruka took the large hawk.
"Into the shade!" Sakura urged and they moved back towards Naruto then she looked the hawk over.
"He fought me at first." Ko told them. "He'd just made a kill I think when whatever happened happened. Talon was on the ground, wings flapping weakly and whimpering, if a bird can whimper. Anyway, he sounded to be in pain." Ko looked around for his family then listened when Choji filled him in.
"Akamaru had to talk to him before he would let Ko pick him up." Kiba told them as the Hyuga took off towards the tunnel. "Isn't it weird that Talon's conscious?"
The hawk's eyes were closed and he kept turning his head at the voices around him. He shivered in Iruka's hands and squawked softly. Iruka talked to him quietly as Sakura filled a dropper with the same medicine she'd given the boys. "Don't bite her Talon, its only medicine. That's it; it'll ease your pain." He was relieved that Talon listened to him and when Sakura was done he soothed Talon's ruffled feathers then placed the hawk next to Naruto's head.
The hawk knew where he was then. Talon stretched his wings then folded them again and shuffled about Naruto's hair which was loose. Talon got close; covering himself with the blond strands, sighed then hid his head under his wing and slept.
"So we just wait I guess." Kankuro said with a sigh. He sat, pulled out a kunai and started to clean his nails.
"It will be night soon; we should get some fires going." Raido informed the group as he stood stretching.
"Yeah and get the food cooking, they're going to be starved when they wake up." Iruka said as he cut up some squirrel meat for Talon. The poor thing hadn't got to eat his kill so he wanted the hawk to have something when he woke.
Sakura kept a close watch on all of them but there didn't seem to be anything wrong that she could fix. Instead of heading back to the village, they decided to stay put until they were all conscious again. After a while, Sakura too gave in and slept. It had been a highly emotional day and she just couldn't keep her eyes open despite her worry.
Raido confiscated the radios from everyone but Kakashi, Anko, Iruka and Lord Hiashi. Over the course of the afternoon, the parents had discussed possible outcomes. Anko wanted to forbid them from ever synching again. As far as she was concerned it caused too many problems and you never knew exactly who you were dealing with when they were synched. The others couldn't dispute this fact but knew that forbidding them was an impossibility.
Iruka was mostly concerned about Sasuke's evolution - would Naruto, Takeshi and Hinata's eyes change as well as Sasuke's? And if it did, how? Would it improve their vision or make it worse?
Lord Hiashi had kept a vigil over his daughter's eyes looking for any…deformity. He thought a lot of Sasuke these days but still he wanted Hinata's eyes to remain the legacy of the Hyuga clan not…something else. Though her eyes looked fine, he worried for her eyesight. Perhaps the trauma had affected her eyes beyond repair and fear was building in his heart that his daughter just might be blind.
Kakashi had all these fears but was also somewhat excited. Sasuke had bypassed the rule for Uchihas to gain the Mangekyo. He was looking forward to finding out what sort of powers he had gained with his new eyes. Kakashi had learned much after getting Obito's eye and knew that each Mangekyo could manifest differently. He wanted to see what Sasuke could do and what the two of them could learn together.
Still it was all speculation and they could do nothing as they waited for their children to wake up. As the sun went down, Hiashi dared to bring Hinata out of the damp tunnel. She didn't react at all but breathed deeply of the fresh air. Hiashi debated for a moment then laid Hinata at Naruto's side. Everyone smiled.
Naruto's arm came around her and she wrapped one arm over his chest. Talon who'd made a nest in Naruto's hair shifted ever so slightly so that his claws pulled her hair about him as well. Naruto and family.
~mg~
They met in their dreams and at Naruto's apartment no less. Suddenly he was standing there scratching his head and wondering what the hell was going on.
"Hinata? Sweetheart?" Naruto stuck his head in the bathroom but it was empty. Frowning he went to the bed and opened a window. "Talon!" Naruto whistled and waited. "Where are they? Weren't we…together? And what about Takeshi and Sasuke? Wha – WHOA!"
"NARUTO! WHAT THE HELL?!" Sasuke suddenly appeared. He stared at Naruto who fell back on the bed at his appearance then grinned. "Idiot."
Naruto's lips twitched. "Jerk. Where'd you come from Sasuke? A new jutsu?" He sat properly on the bed and watched his brother glance around then shrug and go sit at the kitchen table.
"Uh - no! Weren't we…somewhere else? Where's – SHIT!" Sasuke jumped in his chair and almost fell over. He threw a kunai at Naruto who was busting a gut laughing at him.
Takeshi blinked and saw Naruto duck and the kunai get stuck in a picture Naruto and Talon. "Hinata's going to kill you for that." He said calmly then looked around. "What's going?"
"Oh shut up!" Sasuke yelled when Naruto continued to laugh. Sasuke tried to keep from laughing too but failed. "Have a seat and maybe we can figure it out while the idiot laughs himself stupid! As if he wasn't already." Sasuke smirked.
Takeshi was smiling and chuckling as he took a seat. "How'd we get here? Weren't we…on a mission?" He asked but couldn't resist teasing his brother. "Seriously Sasuke, Hinata's going to kick your ass for messing up that picture." He laughed as Sasuke frowned and got up to remove the kunai.
"It's not that bad. I'll have a copy made. Hey Naruto don't you have another picture I can put up here?" Sasuke had lost his laughter and sounded worried now.
"She's still going to notice." Naruto got up to rummage in a drawer for another picture and helped Sasuke switch the photos in the frame. "When are you going to get you a woman so she can curb that violent streak of yours?" Naruto's smile was huge as he blocked Sasuke's punches. "Go ahead break something else! Hinata's going to stomp all over you!" He laughed some more as Sasuke stopped abruptly and returned to the table.
"I think Hinata will have him in line soon enough and save some poor girl the trouble!" Takeshi was prepared to duck but all Sasuke did was turn angry eyes at him. "…Eyes…" All three of them froze. "Something about eyes…"
"Yeah but how'd we get here?" Naruto looked around. For some reason he preferred dealing with this first than some mission about eyes. He saw his bed and frowned, it was hospital neat then looked again at the picture on the wall. It was him and Talon – the photo was back and it was fine. "Wait a minute…" He went to the door and jerked it open. There was nothing outside. Naruto stood staring as he heard his brothers jump up to look out the window where they could clearly see Konoha then appear behind him where just outside the door there was nothing but grayness.
Sasuke started breathing heavily. "…What the hell is going on? Are we…dead?" He whispered. Sasuke gripped Naruto's shoulder and thought absently that his brother was solid, they all were.
"Nope! Well that's one question answered anyway." Naruto said calmly and shut the door again. He went to the fridge and found some sodas inside. He got some for all of them then sat back down on the bed. "But where's Hinata and Talon?" Naruto frowned as he sipped at his soda.
"Good question. If I'm not mistaken, we were altogether and synched. They should be here." Takeshi didn't open his soda but spun it around on the table before him.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he looked from one brother to the other. "WHAT DO… you know that I don't?" He started off yelling but quickly stopped knowing it was useless. If these two weren't worried then he shouldn't be either. If nothing else, he trusted them implicitly.
Takeshi and Naruto shared a look. Mindscapes were nothing new to them, of course this particular one was and the fact they were together but they'd never really tried explaining what a mindscape was to Sasuke. Naruto tilted his soda at his eldest brother.
"Gee thanks." Takeshi said wearily seeing that Naruto was going to leave the explaining up to him. "Have a seat and a drink – you may need it." As secrets went, this was a biggie.
Sasuke blinked at him several times. "…huh?" He shook his head then looked over at Naruto who just nodded. Sasuke sighed then took a drink of his soda. "…Okay, umm you talk to the Nine-Tails and the Phoenix in these mindscapes – like the real world but not. And you think that's where we are now?" Sasuke looked from one to the other and both nodded. "Alright, if that's true – then whose mind are we in now? You said this happens in your own minds, then how in the hell are we here?!" He sighed when they both shrugged. Sasuke just took another swallow of soda then brought the can down to look at it. According to his brothers, none of this was real but it felt and tasted real. "You two are FREAKS!" He yelled angry but not sure at who or what.
"We are." Takeshi said quietly wondering if Sasuke would pull back from them because of it. He glanced over at Naruto who'd dropped his chin to his chest. "Too freaky for you?" Takeshi sat back in his chair withdrawing physically and emotionally, just in case.
Sasuke had a smart retort on his lips but when he looked up and saw Takeshi's shuttered expression then over at Naruto who wouldn't even look at him, he cursed. "I did it again didn't I? I say stupid stuff that hurts. I didn't mean it how it came out! But dammit, what do you expect?! You never told me about this before - remind me to kick your asses later! It's weird! You're still my brothers no matter how damn freaky you are!" Sasuke got up and began to pace.
Naruto sighed with relief, he had been worried and there was no denying it. Sasuke didn't respond well to things he didn't have some foreknowledge of. "Sorry Sasuke, I was planning on telling you soon especially because of our synching but there hasn't…been…been…time…" He'd first addressed Sasuke but then Naruto sat up looking around an expectant look on his face.
"What is it?" Takeshi asked quickly standing. He wondered if he was about to be introduced to a fox with nine tails. He didn't know what to expect from this mindscape.
Sasuke didn't know what to do but he edged closer to Takeshi as Naruto stood up abruptly.
"Talon!" Naruto grinned as his feathered boy appeared. The hawk screeched loudly then flew about the room curiously. "Yeah it's the apartment, home – well sort of. Where's your mama?" Naruto was happy to see Talon but now knew that Hinata should be there with them unless something had happened. "Tal, talk to me!" His voice firmed and Talon heeding the unspoken command landed on the arm Naruto held out.
Again it was the hawk that held the answers for them. None of them could believe that they'd forgotten it all. Danzo, the eyes, the torture, their pain, confusion and fear then finally the ceremony for the Uchiha eyes leading up to where they were now. The things they'd done and experienced had been so bad that obviously didn't want to remember it and had simply forgot everything for a short time.
Each of them sat down heavily as it all came back. Naruto watched as Talon hopped off his arm and onto the bed. "But what happened to Hinata? She wasn't with us but she was in the synch. Shouldn't she be here since we're all asleep?" Though Talon had kept his eyes closed, he knew that it was Sakura who had helped him. She'd given him something so he would sleep. Naruto was scared and unconsciously covered his heart.
Sasuke and Takeshi looked at each other not knowing what to say. Even though they were speaking out loud they didn't really have to. The synch encompassed every thought and emotion if they allowed it to and Naruto was too upset to hold anything back.
"Hinata's strong." Sasuke got up to sit beside Naruto on the bed. He laid a hand on Naruto's head. "I'm sure…I didn't really hurt her…" But he wasn't and they all knew it.
"The Mangekyo…and you were supposed to kill your best friend in order to get it?" Takeshi asked moving to stare out the window at a perfect Konoha. He was worried but thought they should get as many answers as possible while they were there.
"Yeah or so Itachi said. Guess there was another way." Sasuke held Naruto as he spoke. Talon hopped back up onto Naruto's lap. "She's okay, she has to be. I'll never forgive myself…" He didn't finish but it was obvious Sasuke had never wanted to hurt Hinata. They didn't say anything for a while just letting their thoughts and worries race around the mindscape.
"Maybe the fox or the phoenix knows something. Can you guys talk to them now?" Sasuke finally asked but he wondered if meeting a Bijuu was a good idea. Even though he'd just gained a power he'd been wanting for a long time he couldn't feel excited about it since he was so worried about his sister. The pictures on the wall smiled and laughed at him and Sasuke just prayed the real Hinata would still do those things. "Or can't you guys wake us up? That way we can find Hinata and find out what's really going on!" He was starting to feel claustrophobic.
"I don't know. Calm down Sasuke – you're making us feel like the walls are closing in!" Takeshi told him and took several breaths.
Naruto looked up from Talon who sat in his lap staring up at him. "No he's not. I don't feel that." Naruto said quietly. Hinata occupied his thoughts but he was paying attention to what they were saying as well.
Takeshi blinked. "You don't?" He thought a moment then nodded. "Sasuke are you cold?" Takeshi thought of how it was to fly first thing in the morning. The air was cold and it stole your breath. Even before Sasuke answered, he could see his brother shiver and gooseflesh appear on his arms. "Naruto?" Both of them turned to the baby.
Naruto shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Talon is too." The hawk went up to Naruto's shoulder then on top of his head. "What does that mean? And how come you guys didn't know Talon was coming?" Naruto stroked his furred chin glad for something else to think about.
Sasuke was clueless but Takeshi had an idea. "We're in your mind Naruto or somehow you're in control of this – joint mindscape. Makes sense, this is your apartment and you were here first. And though we can make changes to the space, it doesn't affect you and your perception of it. This is fascinating." He grinned but lost it instantly. "But still it doesn't explain everything like why this is even happening." Takeshi sighed.
"Is this all there is in your mind?" Sasuke joked weakly and wasn't surprised when he didn't get an answer. More silence surrounded them as Sasuke started pacing again, Takeshi continued to stare outside and Naruto sat worriedly on the bed.
It bothered him a lot. Hinata loved him. He had a sister in her, something he didn't have when his family was alive. She babied him, teased him and taught him about himself. Sasuke couldn't stand the thought that the Mangekyo could have hurt her. "Maybe…her eyes…Hinata has a kekkei genkai too. It could have hurt her worse than you guys, I mean my eyes changed! Do you think hers did too?" He whispered with fear.
"Sasuke - your eyes are black right now." Takeshi straightened up suddenly and went to him grasping his shoulders. Why hadn't he noticed? "Shouldn't they be red? And what does a Mangekyo Sharingan look like?"
Sasuke broke away to run into the bathroom and sure enough, his eyes were black. Normally in order to maintain the synch, he needed his Sharingan. What the hell was going on?!
"We're brothers now. Blood brothers." Naruto said calmly. He didn't see their surprised expressions as he stroked the pillow he shared with Hinata.
"Our blood – we mixed it. But that shouldn't change anything! It was a matter of chakra not blood that let us synch!" Takeshi was the one to pace now.
"He could be right though. We were tired, you guys had used chakra from your Bijuu and I still had my Sharingan activated – there was chakra and blood. We mixed it all up." Sasuke was a little staggered at the implications of it all. There was no telling how different they were now or maybe it wouldn't affect them but their children… "…damn…" His back hit the wall and he slid down to the floor.
"What did I do?" Takeshi asked. Granted there could be some wonderful effects of this but there could be also be possible defects and deformities too. He felt sick at the thought of his nieces and nephews being hurt because of his selfish actions.
Suddenly there was a flutter of wings as Talon got out of the way. Naruto gasped then laughed gratefully. There was a delighted scream. Horror was forgotten and neither thought too much about it but suddenly all four of them were crowded on the small bed and Hinata was hugged and kissed by all.
~mg~
Hinata had screamed in delight to find herself on top of Naruto. She hadn't known why, hadn't cared and went to kissing him when suddenly Takeshi was there almost on her back then he was pushed off to be replaced by Sasuke! When Sasuke finally got off her Talon landed on her head and he pulled affectionately on her ear before getting on the bed next to her face so that she could kiss him.
She didn't know how she'd come to be there or why they were at home and especially why everyone was so glad to see her but Hinata enjoyed the attention. Once Hinata had hugged and kissed all of them several times, they all settled down on the bed to explain things to her. Takeshi was at the foot of the bed, Hinata and Naruto in the middle with Sasuke at the head. Talon made the rounds going from lap to lap and head to head. The solemn silence came back as they considered what may or may not have happened to them.
"But your eyes are fine now right sweetheart?" Hinata took her chin to look into her lavender orbs. "You can see me? Our jackass brother Sasuke?"
Hinata's hands came up to capture his hand. She smiled and kissed each calloused digit. Hinata leaned over to see Sasuke scowling at Naruto and laughed. "Yes I see you my handsome fiancé and our jackass brother!" She knew Naruto was trying not worry about what her condition would be in the real world.
"But Naruto…you know things here are not the same as out there." Takeshi said quietly taking one of Hinata's hands. "When we're in our mindscapes, we're healthy and whole but in the real world we could have sustained some serious wounds. I've gone to my mindscape to rest as my body heals – haven't you?" Takeshi felt real dread in his soul and he held Hinata's hand as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
Naruto blinked rapidly to hold back tears of fear. What his brother said was true enough. Kyuubi would heal his body as he lay unconscious but Hinata didn't have anyone to heal her. He wrapped an arm around Hinata's shoulder and pressed his lips to her temple.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Hinata! I didn't know! Your eyes!" Sasuke leaned forward feeling physically sick.
"Oh stop it!" Hinata yelled out startling them all. "What happened to you guys? I know none of you are weak men so stop acting like you are!" Suddenly she was angry and pulled away from them. Hinata went to the kitchen to prepare tea and some food. Hinata stopped for a minute to look around in wonder. None of this was real but at the same time it all felt real. She shook her head with a smile. "This is so neat."
Sasuke frowned. "We're not weak, we're worried!" He got up and went to spin her around looking deep into her lavender eyes. "What if – you're blind? Because of me?" He whispered.
Hinata sighed and hugged him tight then leaned up on her toes to speak into his ear. "Then I'm blind. No! Listen to me!" She cut him off and held him tighter. "I was with you because I wanted to be. You gained a gift from the loss of your family and I'm happy about that. Also we don't know that anything is wrong! We passed out from the pain and ended up here – together and I love being with my boys." Hinata kissed his cheek and smiled over at her future husband and Takeshi. "Besides even if I am blind, I can see here, in this mindscape! I'll never be truly blind with you all as my eyes." Hinata stroked Sasuke's back as he squeezed her close.
"But I want you to see for real, not just in here." Naruto said getting up and filling the kettle with water. "Hinata, we were here a long time before you showed up – we don't know why. Something could be seriously wrong." He knew what kind of tea she liked and found it in the cabinet. Naruto was on automatic as he tried to communicate his fears to her.
Hinata kissed Sasuke's cheek once more then pulled away. "I know and understand that but what is worrying going to get us? Why don't we just rest? Like you said, you come here to heal. Let's do that." She started opening cabinets to find something to eat. "I know this stuff isn't real but I'm starved! That's a good sign isn't?" She felt Naruto hug her from behind. "It's going to be okay Naruto – it is!" She promised as she leaned back into his embrace. "Sasuke tell us what you know of the Mangekyo." Hinata and Naruto started to prepare food as one body with four arms as their brothers sat at the table. She was glad they'd stopped arguing with her for it really was useless until they knew for sure. Hinata just wanted to spend this time as happily as possible.
A hissing sound had them all glancing around. Several snakes slithered from under the bed and Talon attacked them with glee. Apparently Talon was hungry too and had provided himself a meal. For some reason they all found that funny and laughed.
It was as they laughed at Talon and worked as a family to prepare a meal that Naruto smelled cooking meat, not only that but a fire and grass and damp earth. Shortly they could all smell it. They were waking up.
"She moved – no they all moved! Look!" Neji said excitedly and as everyone gathered around, the unconscious began to stir, yawn and stretch - they were trying to wake up.
"It's about damn time, the jerks!" Sakura said happily. "They always like to worry me; I've got to break them from that!" She held tight to Lee's hand as she hoped they were all fine.
"Give them some room. They're bound to be disoriented." Iruka said but he was very close only allowing a foot of space to separate him from his son. Lord Hiashi was at his side.
"Listen, we don't know how Sasuke's eyes are going to look so don't freak out." Kakashi said squatting as the boy yawned.
Talon shook his body, shifted then lifted his head, eyes still closed. His wings flared out and he squawked plaintively.
"Talon?" Iruka questioned hesitantly as the hawk turned towards his voice. His head tilted from side to side then he chirruped at them softly before bumping his head against Naruto and Hinata's.
"We're awake Talon. Sasuke? Takeshi?" Naruto asked as he lifted one hand to stroke Talon. "Come here boy." Gently he gave Talon a push out of his hair. Awkwardly, Naruto sat up, his arm still around Hinata, the other bringing Talon to his lap.
"Yeah…" Sasuke couldn't help his yawn as he slowly sat up.
"Hmm…I feel good. Takeshi said as he sat up. "Seems we rested well." He breathed deeply of the night air.
"Naruto?"
"Hinata?"
"Sasuke?"
"Takeshi?"
Iruka, Lord Hiashi, Anko and Kakashi asked almost at once. But Sakura had a different question.
"Can't you open your eyes?" She crawled up between them leaning over them and checking their bodies, especially their eyes.
"Sakura…tell us what happened." Naruto requested as his face turned to her but still he didn't look or answer her question.
Sakura looked to Iruka who nodded and she told them what happened since they all passed out. She moved to Hinata's side as she spoke and though she checked several times, Sakura didn't find anything wrong with the girl's eyes.
"Do you suspect a problem Naruto, with your eyes?" Hiashi brought up what they all were thinking.
"We don't know." Takeshi answered solemnly. "Shall we find out?" He got his feet under him and stood the weight of the blood pact and its consequences on his shoulders. Sasuke too stood avoiding helping hands, not wanting to be helped for fear of what he may have done to Hinata and reached for his brother.
Talon hopped onto Naruto's shoulder when Naruto lifted him up. Together, Hinata and Naruto helped each other up. They groped blindly for the others until they stood in a circle holding hands.
Hiashi came up behind his daughter and kissed the top of her head. "You will be fine – no matter what."
Iruka stood behind Naruto. "You're strong, remember that."
Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke's head. "Trust that it will all be fine Sasuke. We're here for you." He said as Anko joined him.
Sakura held Takeshi around the waist and laid her forehead on his back. "If something is wrong – I'll fix it. I promise you I'll find a way to fix it!" She swore.
It was circles within circles. No one stood alone as they gathered close to watch. Naruto and the others questioned their ability to see and in moments they would find out.
"On three." Takeshi told them. "One, two, three!"
They gasped at the pain. It was night but still the firelight and the moonlight seemed overly bright. Each closed their eyes again tightly.
"Slowly!" Hiashi cautioned.
"I have to know!" Sasuke said. With his head hanging low he tried again to open his eyes. It took a few minutes of squinting and blinking but Sasuke could see the grass and their feet. It wasn't that he was unsure of his own sight but of Hinata's. He raised black eyes. "Hinata…"
Hinata, eyes still closed, smiled at him. "Good. Now Takeshi and Naruto. Talon – go ahead." She wanted to know their fate first. They were her boys and she needed to know that they were fine.
Naruto opened his mouth to protest then closed it again. He opened his eyes. Sasuke stared back at him then he met Takeshi's gaze. Next was Talon and he took off happily flying in circles around them. Naruto gave a slight smile before turning to his fiancée. "We can see." Naruto leaned down to kiss her delicate eyelids.
Hinata took a deep breath then reached up for Naruto's face. Her hand stroked his jaw then she pulled him close for a more intimate kiss. "It's time I guess." She whispered to him. Hinata brushed her face against Naruto's. Naruto took Hinata's hands as Takeshi and Sasuke crowded close. There were tears in their eyes already.
Hinata took her time and after several minutes opened watery lavender eyes to Naruto. She gave a sad smile. "…no…" There was a sob in her throat as Naruto crushed her to him.
"DAMMIT!!!!!" Sasuke screamed to the heavens, turned away and kicked a tree, uprooted it and sent it crashing to the ground. Sasuke then gave in to the guilt and fell to the ground curling in on himself.
Hiashi tried to get to her but Naruto wouldn't, couldn't let her go. Soon they too knelt on the ground sobbing in each others' arms. Iruka covered his mouth as he cried. Anko and Kakashi did what they could for Sasuke and Takeshi turned to take Sakura in his arms feeling utterly helpless.
Shikamaru punched a tree. "We should take them home." He said over their crying. "With Lady Tsunade's help…Hinata may see again." Blood covered his fist and Temari cursed him as she began to bandage it but she was shaking and avoiding looking at the crying couple.
Gaara closed his eyes, turned and walked away. It was just too sad to watch. Others followed his example whispering quietly trying to figure out what happened. How and why had Hinata had lost her sight from merely watching a building be destroyed? Also, could she still be a ninja without her sight and Sasuke, why was he so upset?
Naruto's tears dried up after a while as did Hinata's but he still held her close. "Let's go home." He said quietly keeping his eyes closed as he stroked his chin against her hair. "But Tal's hungry. Umm we all are. You cooked?" Finally he glanced over at his father.
"Yes! Yes, we cooked and we got some squirrels for Talon. Here Tal!" Iruka said quickly wiping away his tears as he found the meat he'd cut up for the hawk.
Talon had been silently watching his human mom and dad from a tree branch. Almost silently he glided down to Iruka, rubbed against his hand before slowly eating the meat.
You guys should eat something. Takeshi, come on. Sasuke. Naruto's eyes were immensely sad and full of regret. When Lord Hiashi approached him again Naruto just shook his head. "I can't – I can't let go of her yet."
Lord Hiashi understood and saw that Hinata was utterly weak against him. His daughter didn't want to be parted from Naruto either. "Here, sit by the fire." He cleared his throat several times. "Akamaru found us plenty of rabbits. There's berries too and fresh water." Hiashi looked at his beloved daughter and wondered about her future.
Naruto nodded sat and put Hinata on his lap then began to feed her and himself. Hinata looked and felt a little shell-shocked. She ate dutifully from Naruto's hand and drank the water that was given her and it helped. Naruto could feel it. They'd been weak from lack of food but now with food in their stomachs, at least one thing was better than it was.
"Dammit Sasuke get up!" Naruto yelled scaring many of them; it had been silent so long. Takeshi too had eaten several of the rabbits finding himself almost ravenous. Only Sasuke had yet to eat and he sat away from them cursing himself and ignoring Kakashi and Anko who tried to talk to him. "If you don't come here and eat – I'll ram it down your damn throat!" Naruto roared. Though his belly was filling, he could feel the emptiness of Sasuke's and the damn guilt his brother wallowing in.
Hinata lay against his shoulder. She put a light hand on his chest. "Sasuke, come eat. Now." She'd been brave in the mindscape not allowing herself or them to fear what was to come. The truth had been a blow to her but Hinata knew she would find her way. Naruto would never leave her; Takeshi was devoted to her as was Sasuke. Her family would also be a source of strength. I will be fine Sasuke now stop acting like a two year old and come over here!
Kakashi watched as Sasuke stopped cold. He then looked warily over at his brothers and sister who were still eating but who were impatiently waiting for him. He blinked as Sasuke stood quickly then with achingly slow steps joined his family.
"I am sorry." He whispered as he squatted next to Naruto. "I'm really sorry." Sasuke reached out to cup Hinata's cheek.
"Are you flirting with my woman?" Naruto asked gruffly. "I'll kick your ass." He reached out and cupped Sasuke's neck. "Stop apologizing. Jerk!" He pushed Sasuke over with a smile.
Hinata laughed. "Don't worry he's not my type!" She kissed Naruto's lips without missing. "But I do love you Sasuke. Now you better grab some of this before your brothers eat it all!" Again her hand found one of the spitted rabbits and handed it to Sasuke as if she could see what she was doing.
Sasuke felt warmed by her words but there was guilt still inside him so he didn't notice Hinata's actions. Taking the rabbit, he bit into it chewed and immediately took another bite. Sasuke hadn't realized how hungry he was.
Naruto and Takeshi were clueless as well, trying to reconcile the fact that Hinata was blind and how life would be from now on but Lord Hiashi noticed. Iruka noticed. Kakashi noticed, as did Sakura but they all kept silent. Each was hopeful. Hinata wasn't acting like a blind person. They watched her as Talon finished eating then went to her and she began to groom him removing strands of hers and Naruto's hair from his feathers. Shikamaru, ever watchful had noticed something else as well – Sasuke's eyes were black but he was sure they were synched. That was new.
~mg~
Naruto and Hinata emerged from the brush after relieving themselves. They'd also groomed themselves as best as they could. "Hey guys, I'm sorry. Is everyone okay? Sakura did you get some sleep? We rely on you a lot and worried you, sorry." Naruto addressed his friends and sister as they got closer to the tunnel.
"Yes, please forgive us Sakura. I'm supposed to help you not give you more work." Hinata held out a hand for Sakura and hugged the girl when Sakura took it. Sensing a quiet but intense stare, Hinata turned in that direction. "Gaara? I can't believe we've kept you from your home for so long! A Kage should be with his people and we're sorry for that. Although I'm glad you're here. You've helped us so much; we couldn't have done this without you." Hinata smiled at him though she couldn't see his answering nod.
"Umm, no problem. Anything for Naruto." Gaara spoke realizing his nod wouldn't be enough for Hinata anymore.
"Temari kiss Shikamaru or something!" Naruto said with humor. It pleased Naruto that Shikamaru had someone to worry about him. "He worries too much about things he has no control over." He saw his friend frowning and looking frustrated.
Naruto looked away from Shikamaru's comical scowl to see a somber-faced Sai. With Hinata in tow, Naruto approached him and his burden. "Sai, you okay with that? Has the seal disappeared?" Naruto's eyes hardened as he looked at the stained sheet hiding its decaying property. "I promise you he suffered. It wasn't as long as you or Seiko suffered but his death…was not easy." The stench of rotting flesh reached Naruto's nose and he coughed slightly.
"Naruto, Hinata – yes. The curse seal is gone. Even though I can speak about him now, I have no desire to do so. As for the head…I'd rather it had disappeared like the building did but once we see it and know in our hearts that the man who controlled us is dead – then we will know we are free. It's just that we feared him for so long. It's a weird feeling freedom." Sai looked down at the sheet which he'd yet to open. "Thank you." Sai said meaning it as he bowed deeply.
"You're welcome Sai." Hinata reached out for his hand. "Things are going to be so much better from now on. You're your own man and you have the freedom to make your own decisions!" She focused on the positive. "Now if we can just get you a sense of humor. Shame on you Naruto! Make him laugh already." Hinata lightly slapped Naruto's arm. Sai had a whole new world and Hinata wanted him to enjoy it.
Naruto hugged her shoulders. "I don't know if he has a sense of humor! We may just have to tickle him. What do you say Sai? Are you ticklish?" Naruto grinned at the young man who just blinked at them unsure how to act.
"I do not know. You wish to see me laugh?" Sai asked and received many loud yeses to which he blushed.
"How can you be so upbeat?!" Kiba said forcefully, angrily as everyone ignored the obvious. "SHE'S BLIND! HINATA CAN'T SEE!" He jerked away when Shino caught his sleeve. "You were crying before but now you act like nothing's wrong!" Kiba went over and stabbed finger in Naruto's chest.
"So you want her to weep, get all depressed and withdraw from the world?" Takeshi stepped in front of Naruto and Hinata. Just that quickly his smile disappeared and he was hard as stone, spoiling for a fight. "My sister isn't that girl anymore! Hinata's strong, stronger than all three of us put together! Back the hell off Kiba." Takeshi took a step forward towering over the Inuzuka.
"Takeshi." Sasuke said putting a hand on his brother's chest. "Kiba just…forgot, that's all. He knows how strong Hinata is. Right Kiba?" He stood with his back to Kiba barely keeping himself from attacking, his eyes on Hinata as she stood serenely with her eyes closed, her hand enfolded in Naruto's and him shielding her with his body. He wouldn't rip Kiba a new one for Hinata's sake.
Kiba huffed. He didn't know how to act. There were things going on that they weren't being told and Hinata had gone blind from Sasuke had apparently done. Then she'd, hell all of them had, fallen apart because she couldn't see and now everything was fine! It was incomprehensible! "Whatever." He crossed his arms and stomped away.
"Alright enough of that, everybody into the tunnel. It's time to go." Raido said after this little altercation. "Choji, Shino and Kiba, you're in charge of the prisoners. We'll put them on the middle railcar." Maybe if I give Kiba something to do he'll stay out of trouble. Raido turned around to look at the scorched earth, ripped up trees and blood-soaked earth. The bodies were gone, the buildings destroyed. Nature would soon reclaim what was its own and they would try to forget what happened here but then Raido looked at Hinata knowing that some things couldn't be forgot. Hinata stood with her eyes closed as a person who was blind did.
The last car was now the first. Raido in command of all the different squads sat up front and he was the only adult to do so. Everyone else spread out among the other cars expect for the last one – that one was full of family. Most of the Hyugas were on it, Naruto, his father and siblings, plus Kakashi and Anko. Again it was a mostly silent ride as their voices were drowned out by the sounds of the rails.
Naruto began to hum with Hinata under his arm, at his side. It was a song from one of the anime shows he liked to watch when he had time. It was the opening theme song to an anime about a red-headed wandering samurai who refused to kill. The song didn't mean anything, at least not about the situation they were in but it soothed him. It was familiar and reminded him of better times. Hinata smiled at this for she too had watched the anime once she found out that Naruto liked it. She familiarized herself with the words found from Naruto's mind and began to sing them. Takeshi blinked and cocked his head at them. He hadn't watched much anime but was intrigued at the way it made his brother and sister feel. So Takeshi also listened then began to sing and tap his feet to the music. Sasuke was still feeling guilt and worry but he too knew this show and had also watched it from time to time, it had been fun and exciting. He shrugged and joined in.
The adults were bemused as fragments of their singing could be heard. In the dim light they watched as they smiled at each other and laugh at either the lyrics or maybe when one of them missed a word. It was admirable how in the face of what seemed a hopeless situation that they were acting so normally. Hinata and her condition had totally eclipsed what had happened with Danzo. Doubtfully he was forgotten or how they'd felt when they killed him in that way but Hinata took precedence and as long as it involved Hinata, it appeared they were going to be as strong as mountains for her. The singing took them half way home before they gave in to the rhythmic sounds and movement of the rails and drifted off to sleep.
A carrier pigeon landed on Tsunade's windowsill with a chirrup to get the Hokage's attention. "They're home!" A tremulous smile crossed her face as Tsunade stood up, paperwork forgotten.
Jiraiya woke from his nap. "Then let's go! Hey Shizune – we're gone!" Jiraiya raced over to Tsuande, grabbed her hand and they jumped out of the window.
When they hit the street, they weren't alone, four Anbu were with them and ran flanking the Sannin. There was still some unrest in the village and the Anbu insisted on protecting their Hokage even if was only from cold stares but what the villagers didn't know, the protection was for their sakes as well. Lady Tsunade wasn't taking any flack these days from anyone. All knew that with one punch, a person would either be permanently maimed or permanently dead.
Izumo and Kotetsu had been watching or rather listening for the railcars and at the first hint of sound, had sent the pigeon to alert her. She and Jiraiya made it to the skating rink in record time. Raido was just coming out of the hole when the Hokage burst in.
"Raido! …How did it go?" Her anticipation of seeing her son waned just a bit at the careful expression on the Jonin's face. "Any losses?" Tsunade assumed her rank by letting go of Jiraiya's hand and stuffing her damp palms in the pockets of her jacket.
"No my lady. All are home safely. The mission was a success." Raido told her as Gaara came up out of the ground on a wave of sand. His brother, sister and Shikamaru were right behind him.
"Kazekage – welcome back to Konoha. You are well?" Tsunade asked politely. "I want to thank you for assisting my shinobi, I'm sure your help was invaluable." She gave a slight bow.
"Thank you. We fared well enough but truly Naruto did not need our help. But he will need yours." Gaara answered just as politely with a bow then added his warning.
Tsunade looked to Jiraiya who frowned mightily. The two of them stood closer together and waited for the blond they wanted to see and hold. She watched the Chunins enter the rink and noticed that many wouldn't meet her gaze directly as if they didn't want to give something away that they shouldn't. Tsunade's mouth dropped open when she saw Choji and Kiba arrive with men over their shoulders. There weren't supposed to be any prisoners! Before she could ask, Sai appeared with a sheet-wrapped bundle; Tsunade immediately guessed what it was from Sai's loathsome expression and the putrid scent. She gestured for the Anbu to take charge of it and the unexpected prisoners. Impatiently Tsunade continued to wait when Kakashi and Anko came out together.
"My lady." Kakashi said with a sigh. "A lot has happened. I suggest we give you our reports after you've…talked with Naruto and Hinata." Kakashi's look told her to prepare herself. He nodded at Jiraiya then pulled Anko off to one side.
Hiashi was next. It was different seeing him with stained clothing and there were new wrinkles about his eyes but he seemed calm enough when he stepped forward and took Tsunade's hands. "Be calm. All is not what it seems." He whispered in her ear then kissed her cheek. Hiashi then repeated the words to Jiraiya as he shook the Sannin's hand.
Next was Iruka and Talon. Naruto's father didn't hesitate but walked right up to Tsunade and hugged her tight. "Tsunade…a lot happened – a lot. Danzo's death…was traumatic for them but there's more. Hinata…well I think – we think she will be fine! Just tread carefully." He had one hand on her soft cheek as he stared into her eyes willing her to listen.
Talon had come out and headed straight for Jiraiya. "Hey little ninja!" Jiraiya greeted the hawk. He held out one arm and Talon landed on it. "Been a while huh? You taking care of things?" His smile slipped as Talon shifted restlessly on his arm. The feathered head looked back at the tunnel then at Jiraiya then at Tsunade. Talon squawked at them. It didn't take being synched with the hawk to know that Talon wanted them to help those still in the tunnel.
"Give him to me. Come on Tal, I'll get you some water." Iruka said then shifted his head as the hawk landed on his shoulder. "Don't go off half cocked old man. Be easy with them or there could be some fireworks." Iruka warned under his breath. Jiraiya was known overreact sometimes or rather say something he shouldn't.
"Hey!" Jiraiya complained. All these warnings were really starting to scare him. "What in the hell happened out there?" He asked of Iruka's back.
"Lady Tsunade." Sakura greeted the Hokage but wouldn't meet her eyes. "Umm, most everyone is fine. You should probably have a look a Lee, he had a run-in with a bear but most of the wounds I've healed or they will be healed shortly." Sakura bowed then made her way to Lee.
Tsunade blinked. Yes Sakura was always respectful but it was as if she were scared or wary of how she would be treated. Tsunade was tough on her but only because she knew that Sakura could possibly succeed her one day as the next great medical nin. Her head swung back around as Sasuke and Takeshi finally exited the tunnel.
"Lady Tsunade." They spoke as one and bowed to her before turning back to await their brother and sister. Just seconds more and Naruto was finally before her. In his arms he carried Hinata.
"…Mama." Naruto said. For one split second he looked into her eyes then no more. "Danzo is dead as are his men except for those two." Naruto nodded at the prisoners then spoke to the Anbu. "They need to be interrogated only by Ibiki. Their information is highly classified. Get them the hell out of my rink!" His anger returned to him as he stared at the men.
"Naruto." Hinata said softly as she placed a warm hand on his collarbone. He, Sasuke and Takeshi each took a deep healing breath from her touch.
"Do it." Tsunade nodded and watched as Kiba and Choji handed the men over. When she turned back to Naruto he was heading for the kitchen area.
"I can walk Naruto." Hinata told him but she did enjoy being held by him.
"I know but I like having you this close. I just want to take you home and hold you all night long. We haven't had much time to ourselves lately and I want to be alone with you." Naruto whispered for her ears only.
"Yes, let's hide ourselves away for a few days. We've much…to discuss." Hinata frowned slightly at the decisions they would have to make now because of her…handicap but then she just hugged Naruto's neck as she thought about endless hours alone with him, loving him. "I've missed you." Her lips found the pulse point beneath his ear.
"Not now sweetheart…too many people around." Naruto's voice got husky as her lips and tongue stirred desire in him. He bounced her in his arms so that she would stop her lovely teasing.
Hinata's giggle sounded throughout the room and she blushed as she realized people must be watching her. "Can we go now?"
"No you may not!" Lady Tsunade said as she approached them though she had to push Sasuke and Takeshi out of the way. "What's wrong with Hinata?!" She asked angrily but her hands were gentle as swept back the girl's long hair. "Put her down Naruto."
"Tea sweetheart? For real this time!" Naruto joked as he put Hinata on her feet. "There's a chair just behind you." His hand hovered at her waist but he smiled as Hinata found the chair easily then sat carefully.
"Yes please." A laugh escaped her as she remembered the tea they'd shared in the mindscape. "Sasuke you should find it in the second cabinet." Hinata heard the cabinet door open and nodded. She turned her face to the Hokage who she could feel standing over her. "I'm fine Mama Tsunade. I just can't see anymore – I'm blind." Hinata said perfectly calm.
"WHAT?!" Tsunade yelled. She stood in shock for a moment then knelt to check the girl over.
Jiraiya spun Naruto around who was busy helping to prepare the tea. "Why is your woman blind?! What happened out there? Naruto!" He'd begun to shake Naruto when a sharp shove had him releasing Naruto.
"Leave him be! It's my fault she's blind." Sasuke said gruffly as he pushed on the Sannin's chest. "Be angry with me!" He hit Jiraiya hard enough to force him backwards several feet. Sasuke wanted to provoke him into attacking.
"Sasuke!" The three of them spoke, Takeshi wrapping a long arm around Sasuke's neck, brought him back to Naruto's side. "It is not Sasuke's fault." Hinata, Naruto and Takeshi told everyone.
There was silence after that and Jiraiya scratched his head and looked to Iruka and Hiashi who had warned him. He sighed then raised his hands in surrender. Forcing out the truth out of them wasn't going to work so he'd have to wait until they were ready. Jiraiya went to Hinata and kissed her on top of her head. "Welcome back Hinata. Don't you worry; Tsunade's going to fix you right up!" His complete faith in Tsunade's skill was conveyed in his voice. But she quickly disabused that.
"I would…but I can't find anything wrong with her." Tsunade said confused. She stood and passed a hand over the girl's eyes but there was no reaction whatsoever. "How'd this happen?" She asked of Naruto who put down two cups of tea, wrapping one of Hinata's hands around a cup.
"Lady Tsunade, I think the rest of us should head home." Raido said suddenly. He was aware that the Hokage wouldn't get the whole story with everyone there listening. Sasuke had every right to keep the secret of the Sharingan eyes.
Tsunade's frown wouldn't seem to leave her face. What had happened on the mission? "Alright, you're all excused. Get some rest and be aware that there is tension in the village right now. Many are not taking the deaths of Homura and Koharu well." She stared to say more when Naruto cursed vividly, stomped away then punched the wall denting it. "Naruto?"
"They – are – dead?" Naruto didn't look at his mother. He punched the wall again putting his fist through it. "Dammit! THEY WERE MINE TO KILL!" Naruto's shoulders heaved as he tried to control his anger.
Hinata got up but tripped over the chair leg almost falling in her hurry to reach him. "Naruto!" Just that quickly she was in his arms. "Oh baby – it should have been you. Just like Sasuke – you should have been given the chance to get your vengeance. I'm so sorry you didn't but it's done. It's over now. Naruto…" Her hands threaded into his hair holding him to her shoulder. He'd been through enough and killing those bastards wouldn't take away what they'd done. Hinata wanted him to get beyond that pain. She'd rather he'd forget again but that was impossible.
"They didn't die easily Naruto. Maybe we should have waited but…we know what happened to you. Inoichi showed us. We had to kill them." Jiraiya was there next to them a hand on Naruto's shoulder. It surprised and scared him when Naruto grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him to his toes. "WHY?! DAMN YOU! YOU DIDN'T NEED TO KNOW THAT STUFF! FUCK!!!" He pushed so hard, Jiraiya fell backwards, broke the table and most of his red vest was in Naruto's hand.
"THAT IS ENOUGH! STOP IT NARUTO!" Tsunade yelled at him but when her son just growled angrily, his body tensing for a fight she slapped him with all her strength.
"Naruto!" Hinata gasped reaching blindly for him when she heard him grunt then abruptly release her.
"He's okay!" Takeshi rushed forward taking Hinata's hand and pulling her out of the way. But that wasn't necessarily true for they could feel Naruto's red-hot anger. He was close, very close to releasing the fox.
"Go! Get out of here!" Kakashi told the others. "NOW!" He said with force and was glad to see Raido herding them out. Gaara of course didn't move. Neither did Temari or Kankuro nor Shikamaru. Kakashi sighed knowing he had no authority over the Kage or his people. As for Shikamaru, the genius would probably figure it out on his own anyway. Kakashi just shrugged and looked back to the action.
Naruto was on the floor. There was blood on his lip and he wiped it away. "You have no right to my memories. THEY'RE MINE!" Naruto jumped to his feet and got in Tsunade's face.
She got it then. Yes Naruto probably wanted to kill his tormentors himself but it was the fact that they knew exactly what happened to him, how he'd felt as it was happening to him that bothered Naruto the most. He was shamed and embarrassed more than truly angry. Tsunade looked into his blue eyes feeling his hot breath on her face. Carefully she raised one hand to the cheek she'd slapped and felt guilt for that one hit. "I'm sorry." Tsunade leaned even closer and kissed the now healed lip. "I'm sorry." Her other hand came up to smooth back his hair. "I'm so sorry baby." Her hands felt his tight shoulders and she pulled on him. At first it was like trying to move a mountain but then Naruto allowed himself to be held. Tsunade clasped him to her breasts and gasped as the strength in Naruto's arms stole her breath.
Tears slipped from Hinata's closed eyes as she lay against Takeshi's chest. Naruto was so upset and she ached to hold him but he needed his mother right now.
Iruka helped Jiraiya up, questions burning on his tongue. "You okay? I want to know too! Tell me!" He demanded before the Sannin could answer.
Jiraiya shook his head as he dusted himself off. "Trust me – you don't." He looked down at his dusty and torn clothing. "Damn strong kid!" Jiraiya looked back at Iruka. "Besides there's no one left to take your anger out on. That kind of knowledge – will make you want to kill." They stared at each other for a long time before Iruka sighed nodding.
Naruto cried into his mother's warm curves. How was he ever going look at her or Jiraiya again? It had been enough to relieve that in his own mind but to have them know how he'd cried and whimpered and ran from the pain – the humiliation of it all. It was his to suffer through and try to make peace with but now they knew and would forever see that weak child. He pulled away abruptly.
"We're leaving!" Naruto wiped his face on his dirty jacket. He stalked over to Hinata and picked her up. "I'll see you guys later." He looked into black and golden eyes seeing sympathy and love. Naruto turned to leave and found his way blocked by Iruka, Kakashi and Hiashi. "Just…move. Please…" Naruto begged. He was dog-tired, worried and simply exhausted by it all.
"Naruto, listen." Iruka couldn't stand to see his son this way but this was important. "Hinata…" He looked over at Hiashi.
Hiashi nodded. "Daughter – we don't think you're blind." His smile and the tone of his voice said he was sure of it.
"I knew it!" Shikamaru said suddenly then grinned when Gaara blinked at him. "She doesn't act blind or hardly acts blind. Hinata should be stumbling all over the place and be unsure of herself." He looked at all of them wondering why that didn't make perfect sense.
"What about their synch? Hinata could be 'seeing' because of them." Temari added as she walked up behind Shikamaru. She questioned him because she was a little miffed that she hadn't caught on to what was happening with Hinata.
"Yeah I thought of that but its more. Hinata hasn't lost her grace. They're guys and Hinata, though a ninja has always had a certain dancer's grace about her movements. I doubt she could still be that graceful seeing through the eyes of three guys. And there's something else, look at Sasuke's eyes." He pointed with a smirk on his face because no one but him had noticed.
Everybody focused on the Uchiha and noted that except for his disheveled appearance, there wasn't anything different about him. It was the same old Sasuke - black eyes and all. Just as Tsunade was going to ask Shikamaru to explain, Kakashi got it.
"You can only synch when you're using your Sharingan! But…you're synched now aren't you? How?" Kakashi approached the teen looking deeply into the boy's eyes to be sure the Sharingan wasn't activated or that he wasn't using his new Sharingan.
"Your blood I'm guessing - when you mixed it back there at Ishita to become blood brothers. Somehow that made you able to synch without using your Sharingan." Shikamaru continued to explain for everybody.
Takeshi nodded. "We came to that same conclusion." The young man said but did not look happy about it. He was still bothered about other possible consequences of that. Takeshi knew he'd have to talk to Lady Tsunade about that soon. "But never mind that – what about Hinata's eyes?" Curiosity and hope flared within him.
"Yeah – why do you think she can see when she can't?" Sasuke walked around Kakashi and went to Hinata. "You can't right?" It would be a horrible joke if Hinata really could see.
"No! I swear Sasuke – I don't see anything!" Hinata struggled in Naruto's arms until he put her down. "Father? Why do you think I'm not blind?" Hinata put a hand over heart, excited and scared at the same time.
"Wait – mixed blood, blood brothers? What does Sasuke have to do with why Hinata's blind? Did you know any of this?" Tsunade scowled as she looked at the kids then back at Jiraiya. He must know what happened because he was there!
"Oh yeah." He chuckled weakly. "I kinda forgot about that. Well it was busy around here!" Jiraiya inched behind Iruka seeing the anger in her eyes. "Hush and let Shikamaru finish!" Why does she only blame me? Half the shinobi corps knew it too!
"Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked permission and when his friend shrugged, the genius continued. "Sasuke's Sharingan has changed to a Mangekyo – whatever that is. It was a surprise to everybody and painful for all of them since they all passed out." He waved at hand at the synched four. "When they finally woke up, everyone could see but Hinata but here comes the tricky part. Because you guys mixed and shared your blood – there just may be something different about your eyes as well." Shikamaru paused as Iruka and Jiraiya interrupted to ask Naruto and Takeshi if their eyes were okay but their questions were ignored.
Naruto waved them away. "We'll deal with that later! So how come Hinata's eyes were affected when she hasn't mixed her blood with ours?" With Hinata beside him, they moved until they were before Shikamaru.
"Her Byakugan was activated. That Mangekyo must be powerful since it caused so much pain. I think that it's more than likely, that Hinata just suffered a great shock. Her sight should come back soon…I think. I mean, neither Sakura nor Lady Tsunade found anything wrong with her eyes. They're completely normal right?" Shikamaru looked over at Tsunade.
"They are. I have no medical explanation as to why you're blind Hinata, except that it's possibly all in your mind – you believed yourself to blind and so you are. Though Shikamaru could be right as well, your sight could come back in time." Tsunade was hopeful that was the truth.
"How about right now daughter?" Hiashi moved over to her and took her hands. "I think that you could see right now if you would only try." He kissed each closed eye.
"H-how?" Hinata didn't know how to react to all of this. She was shivering and clutched at her father's hands.
"Activate your kekkei genkai but sever your synch first! Let's not have a repeat of the last time." Hiashi nodded at the boys.
Naruto nodded and even stepped back from Hinata though he hated to do so. He gasped when he could no longer feel her mind. He felt lonely. Beside him, he felt Sasuke shiver and Takeshi twitch. They'd been synched for so long, it felt weird not to be connected to her anymore. "Come here Talon." Naruto stared into the hawk's eyes and guided him out of the synch with Hinata. He briefly touched her mind through Talon. We love you. Naruto said before she stood alone before her father.
"Oh!" Hinata shook her head disconcerted. "Naruto – I miss you, all of you." She took a deep breath. "And I love you too. Wish me luck."
"Good luck." The brothers said instantly for they remained synched. Temari and Shikamaru added theirs too. Tsunade stroked her head and told her she loved her and that she was there if Hinata needed her.
"Open your eyes Hinata." Hiashi said firmly. "Now activate your kekkei genkai and look at me. Look at me!" He yelled.
She'd opened her eyes and seen nothing but at her father's direction she used the Byakugan. Hinata jerked when her father yelled at her and she strained hoping, praying that she would see again.
"Come on Hinata…do it! Do it for me! Do it for us! DO IT FOR YOURSELF! SEE HINATA!" Naruto urged squeezing his hands into fists almost bouncing on his toes to keep from going to her.
Hinata gasped with the effort and just as she'd dropped her head ready to give up there was a sharp pain. "Oww! Oh it hurts! Father…" There were more tears but something caught her attention. Hinata began to laugh. It was blurry but she could see the swirl patter on the floor. She saw her father's sandals. She saw his stained clothes then finally his face. "FATHER I CAN SEE!" She jumped into his arms laughing and crying.
Hiashi laughed heartily and swung his baby girl around before setting her on her feet. "Hinata look at me – use your eyes. Tell me what you see." He was excited for he believed that Sasuke's evolution provided a way for Hinata's eyes to change too. "Hinata look deeply and tell me what you see!" He was bent down so he could look into her lavender eyes then stepped back a few feet.
What does he want? Maybe to test my kekkei genkai to see if my sight really has deteriorated? Hinata frowned and blinked then looked deeper. Muscles, veins, nervous system, the chakra network – she could see them all. But then she saw something more – brightly highlighted points within the chakra system.. Hinata covered her mouth but couldn't hide her giggles. "I see them. I see them. I CAN SEE THEM! THE CHAKRA POINTS – HA, I CAN SEE THEM!" Hinata bounced then once again hopped into Hiashi's arms both of them laughing joyously.
Naruto turned to Sasuke and hugged him. Takeshi hugged them both. Anko cheered then kissed Kakashi, Iruka and Jiraiya who enjoyed it a little too much and tried to cup her ass but Kakashi was in a good mood so he only sent Jiraiya to his knees with a well-aimed punch.
Sighing happily and grinning, Naruto lifted his head then cupped Sasuke's face and planted him one on the kisser. "Still feel guilty?" He laughed his head off as Sasuke pushed him away then scrubbed his mouth but the scrubbing couldn't take away his grin. Talon was performing aerial acrobatics he was so happy.
"Hell no! I feel like one of Talon's feathers. I just might fly!" Sasuke exclaimed and did the opposite and fell backwards to the floor. "Thank God she's okay." He covered his eyes and just lay there.
"You want to fly little brother – I'll gladly take you. Ah damn – I could use a drink! Lady Tsunade we need some sake!" Takeshi laughed and took the hug she gave him.
"Naruto!" Hinata immediately turned around when her father put her down. A huge smile greeted her, one she'd always loved, her future husband's. Hinata took a running jump and was not only caught while she was in the air but somehow Naruto spun them around making her lightheaded before they came down again. She didn't even close her eyes when she kissed him, not wanting to miss a freckle.
It was as Hinata was staring at Naruto's face and touching it and kissing him then gave huge hugs to Takeshi and Sasuke that Shikamaru spoke up again. "So Sasuke when do we get to see the evolution of the Sharingan?" He stood with his arm around Temari's waist. "It's safe to use now." Shikamaru just laughed as Sasuke glared at him. "Yeah, I figured you were never going to use it or try not to anyway out of guilt." He stopped when Hinata gasped in surprise.
"You wouldn't have used it?" Hinata punched him in the arm hard making him wince. "No you wouldn't have. Stupid Sasuke." She faced him then hugged him again. "What you lost back there a gift was given to you in return and as a member of your new family, no matter what happened to me – I'd want you to use that precious gift. Understand me?" Hinata looked deeply into his black eyes, so happy that she could look at him and see him. When he nodded sheepishly at her, Hinata cupped his chin. "So let's see these new eyes of yours. We're not exactly a matching set but we're eyes above the rest!" Hinata just couldn't contain her happiness.
"Yeah, come on Uchiha – dazzle us!" Takeshi popped him on the back of the head grinning. His sister could see. Sasuke could forget his guilt and Naruto was smiling again.
"You're going to be second best in this family. My woman comes first!" Naruto told him as they crowded together in front of him. He wrapped a loving arm around Hinata.
"I got no problem with that, none at all." Sasuke told him sincerely. Everything was all good again. "Okay, here goes." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes and concentrated feeling power flow through him. Sasuke's popped open again a few seconds later. "So what do you think?" He waited anxiously as they studied him and wished he had a mirror.
In fact they were awed. Sasuke retained his black eyes but now there was a red design in them – ellipses that were interlocking. Naruto looked over at Takeshi and they grinned wickedly before looking back at Sasuke grinning from ear to ear. Time for a little payback.
"Craziest shit we've ever seen! Who's the freak now?!" Laughter erupted from them as they saw Sasuke's mouth drop open then changed to a wicked smile before he reached out to choke them. They took off running from Sasuke. Unwilling to be left out, Hinata joined them. She could see again. Hinata did a several cartwheels that landed her before all of them. She yelled at them to catch her if they could then ran off, her hair streaming out behind her. Their happy taunts and laughter echoed throughout the skating rink.