Sanctuary
Chapter 25
Like salt in the snow
'What happened? Why do I hurt so bad? Wait it had something to do with that guy...Gin maybe his name was?' Hanabi was exhausted as her head rested on Anko's shoulder. The Jonin had been piggy-backing her charge all the way back to Konoha to meet Tsunade. Tired eyes opened and the young girl took in her surroundings. They had been in a mountain village but now she could see familiar forest.
"Sensei?" Hanabi said softly silently praying that she hadn't been captured by the enemy. As the familliar voice of her sensei responded, Hanabi relaxed letting out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.
"What happened? Where are we going?" Anko continued walking as she answered the girl.
"Well, you did what you normally do when you're obviously outclassed, you put up one hell of a fight, royally got your ass handed to you and then called for me. Your life is more important than your pride Hanabi. Besides you've only been a genin for three months, it's ok to run from the battle field. If you know you're in trouble then call for help, run, avoid fighting! So-"
"I'm sorry..." Anko was surprised with Hanabi's apology, it was something she had not been expecting, how ever the girl wasn't done yet.
"I knew he was stronger than I was, He was also much faster than I imagined. Everything that happened to me was because of my stubbornness, It isn't your fault, hell with my superiority complex about my skills it's like i'm asking for a ticket to heaven." Anko smiled slightly as she continued walking, at least she had admitted that she knew her problems in battle, and oddly that gave the older kunoichi some peace of mind.
Give me wings, give me peace
These are the things that I need
I'm tormented, broken and chained
Are you listening? Are you listening?
Two lone figures sat around a small fire, their comrades lives in their hands while they sleep peacefully for the time being. Hinata's pale skin was slightly illuminated by the glow of the burning embers. She watched as the orange streaks snaked their way through the burning long. Naruto had been silent for some time now, almost an hour and frankly Hinata was uncomfortable. The blond ninja just sat there going over everything in his mind.
Flash back~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group had finally set up camp for the night the majority of the group instantly falling asleep after a scarce dinner of ration bars. Naruto had offered to take the second before final watch, with Hinata having the final watch. He watched the indigo haired beauty step from her tent as he prodded the flames licking at the fresh pieces of wood, burning the dry bark with crackling pops. Hinata was uncomfortable, that much was certain. His cerulean eyes followed her lavender ones as they graced the ground with their beauty, occasionally straying from her staring match with the grass to meet his gaze. So much did Hinata want to talk to him, but when she opened her mouth the words wouldn't come out. Several times she opened her mouth to speak, with the result being that she looked like a fish out of water. Hinata looked absolutely miserable and shivered slightly at the gust of wind. Naruto stood from his seat and walked past Hinata disapearing into his tent.
'I couldn't say anything, no matter how hard I tried. He hates me I knew it!' Hinata let out a shuddering breath as tears threatened to pour from her eyes. Suddenly something warm was placed over her shoulders, Naruto's jacket. He walked past the fire to get his stick before sitting next to Hinata.
"Thank you." She said softly looking to her left staring at the boy next to her who simply smiled. However as many people he fooled with that smile, Naruto could not fool Hinata. Behind that smile was pain, hurt and sadness. Though it was an almost perfect mask, her Byakugan was not needed to see through his facade.
"Naruto, I'm so so sorry. I should have told you, I should have trusted you enough to tell you and I it's-" Naruto put his hand up to stop her talking. The frantic sound to her voice made his heart clench tightly.
"Please, calm down, take a breath and talk to me." Naruto said softly watching as the tears cascaded down her cheeks.
"If you could start from the beginning that would be great." He added watching as Hinata wiped her tears with a sleeve. So much did Naruto want to tuck her hair behind her ear, wipe the tears away and promise that all was forgiven and forgotten. He loved her with all his heart and written across it was Hinata's name, but as much as he loved her, Naruto wanted to know was the big question, why.
"Alright, from the beginning. It started when you first accepted us into your home. It was a dream to be away from the confines of the complex, away from the demoralization, the abuse, the fear. Well Hanabi went to the market with me about a month later and we seen quite a few of the branch members in horrible shape. You can tell when the seal has been activated, their sluggish weak, tired... They were in the worst shape I had ever seen them. That was when I realized it, although I had escaped, they were still living their lives with death hanging over thier heads, at any moment in a blind rage, someone could lose a mother, a daughter, a father ,a son, a brother or a sister. My clansmen and clanswomen needed me, and I simply cast them aside so I could be happy, yes I was in danger and not for a moment do I ever regret removing my sister from that hell hole, but me leaving changed nothing for them. Just because I left doesn't mean that they stopped hurting, I just stopped seeing it. I've been trying to find out ways to help them, but there is nothing I can do with out being part of the clan. I should have told you what I was about to do, for not doing so I am ashamed. There were several Hyuga elders walking around the plaza that day. That's why I did it there, in front of so many people...in front of them. So they would see and report back what had happened. If I had returned while still being with you they would have threatened you to control me, they would have used your naive innocent nature to take advantage of you and in the end we would have hurt each other. I would like nothing more than to have your forgiveness and your love again, I know that's a lot to ask for, considering how I acted and handled the situation. I'm so so sorry."
End Flashback~~~~~~~~~~
Give me shelter from the storm
I know it's a lot to ask for considering how recent
I've piled the dirt on your name
are you listening? Are you listening?
Are you listening?
I've heard that winter's cold
will give way to summer's warmth
oh, no like salt in the snow
I'm melted and left all alone
on the side of the road
Naruto stared at Hinata, she had been silent well over an hour awaiting his response to her explanation. His mind was racing, so much had happened that lead to where they are.
"I wish that you would have told me you were hurting, that you were worried for your clan, I would have supported anything you've done, and I still will."
'What is going on? I feel like I'm in a daze, it feels like a dream to be talking again. I wish she had trusted me more, together we could have figured this out. Together we will, for her sake I will.'
Is this where I am for your sake?
Stuck between sleep and awake?
My mind is dreaming of things...
are you listening? Are you listening?
"Naruto I'm sorry. I thought I knew how to handle this, I took you for granted and I'm a horrible person for that, I-"
"No, not horrible, just dense don't do this again, I'm not strong enough to go through that again." Hinata took Naruto's hand with her own and nodded her head smiling.
"I promise, I will try never to hurt you like that again. I swear upon my life. And I'll tell you if anything comes up with the elders. "
Naruto smiled at her, his true smile shining through, he was coming back he was becoming himself again and to Hinata that was a beautiful sight to see.
I took you for granted again
and drew you aside and pretended
for one minute that I had control of my life
and direction it seemed to be in
I was wrong again...I was wrong again
Are you listening?
I've heard that winter's cold
will give way to summer's warmth
oh, no like salt in the snow
I'm melted and left all alone
on the side of the road
Anko finally reached the village and ran through the gate heading towards the Hokage tower. The light glowed softly through the curtains, at that sight Anko sighed, Tsunade was still there. Had it not been for Hanabi sleeping on her back, Anko would have simply jumped through the window like she normally did, however she acted like a sane ninja and used the door for the first time in years.
Tsunade sat at her desk finishing up the last piece of paperwork. She glanced at the open window expecting Anko to burst through it at any moment, however she did not expect the knock that came from her office door. with a yawn and a stretch she walked over and opened it shocked to see not the kunoichi in question, but to see her at the door, and for her having knocked as well! Anko walked in and lowered her sleeping student into one of the office chairs.
"Tsunade, we need to talk about something, but she needs some medical attention first." Anko said standing next to the chair. As Tsunade walked over Anko began nudging her student.
"Wakey wakey poptart!" Tsunade stared at the jonin weirdly, Anko answered the questioning stare with a laugh.
"She did it to me first, I think it's funny." Tsunade rolled her eyes and turned back to Hanabi who's eyes were opening.
"mmmfhh five more minutes please." she whined as she sat upright sleepily.
"Sorry kiddo, no can do. Besides how can Tsunade make sure you're ok if you're asleep?" Anko said placing her hand on Hanabi's head. After examening Hanabi and healing her wounds Tsunade became all business as she began speaking with Anko about what had happened and what their enemy had told her.
"Well, that is an extremely likely thing the Hyugas would do...However if you don't have any proof to back this up it will only be taken into account as second party speculation with an included bias. It's no secret that you aren't a fan of the Hyuga clan, especially being close with Hinata and Hanabi." Anko smiled at Tsunade's words.
"Aaahhh, but that is exactly what I thought you'd say which is exactly why I did bring evidence." Anko said as she pulled a scroll from her pocket holding in front of the Hokage.
"In here is the hired Kidnapper, and he's alive, just temporarily paralyzed. I figured that you'd want a first hand confession of what he told me." Tsunade smiled The Hyuga's messed up big time. Knowing Anko's violent streak they had probably expected her to kill the man, but now that they had proof that corroborated with her evidence they could nail the elders to the walls. What they had done was illegal. Sending somebody to retrieve a clan member is no crime, no matter what fashion in which it was done, but ever since Hanabi broke free using the Clan Council Act she wan no longer under the jurisdiction of the Hyuga, but of the Hokage. Tsunade and Anko shared a knowing smile. The Hyuga elders were going to finally get what was coming to them, and they'd be lucky if they made it out of the interrogation room alive.
The group was almost to Konoha, and Naruto and Hinata were the farthest behind, both longed to stay where they were, hand in hand, with their arms around each other. As they rounded the bend the walls of the village could be seen, two hearts sank. Naruto put his arms around Hinata and pulled her in a tight embrace before planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Good luck and keep me posted." He said before sprinting to the village like he usually would.
And I will wait for you to come again
And I can't pretend I'm confident
And I can't pretend like it makes much sense
When it doesn't
I've heard that winter's cold
will give way to summer's warmth
oh, no like salt in the snow
I'm melted and left all alone
on the side of the road
on the side of the road(x4)
I've heard that winter's cold
will give way to summer's warmth
oh, no like salt in the snow
I'm melted and left all alone
on the side of the road
Hinata passed through the gates of the village 15 minutes after Naruto did and headed towards the Hokage tower with the rest of the group, not including team seven who decided to keep up with Naruto. As they arrived the teams passed in the Hokage lobby, Naruto and Hinata not even exchanging a glance. After they relayed their mission report to the Hokage Hinata was asked to stay behind.
"Hinata, I have some very important and most likely shocking news for you." Tsunade said as she stared intently at the Hyuga girl.
"As the heir of the Hyuga clan I must inform you that the noble elders of your clan have been arrested for conspiracy to kidnap a Konoha shinobi, premeditated Kidnapping of a ninja out of the clan jurisdiction, attempted kidnapping of a leaf genin, and the kidnapping of the Leaf Shinobi Hanabi Hyuga." Hinata's heart almost burst through her chest as her eyes grew wide. To hell with the Hyuga decorum.
"Where is my sister!" Hinata asked standing up immediately staring intently at the village leader.
'I go on one mission and they kidnap my sister?'
"Hanabi is safe and sound currently under guard in her room at the Namikaze house. You have permission to go to the house, the owner of the home has no problem with you going to visit your sister. He said to walk right in." Tsunade said with a smile. She knew that they missed each other horribly, and with the elders currently under arrest with out bail they could spend some time together with out fear. Hinata bowed to the Hokage before rushing from the office.
Running through the town Hinata's feet took her where they needed to be, they took her to her home, where she felt true happiness, where she felt loved and loved in return, where she was safe and secure, they took her to her sanctuary. Hinata stopped outside the gate and hesitantly nudged it open. The gate swung wide as if welcoming her back to where she truly belonged. As she walked up the walkway a half year's worth of memories flowed back to her. Hinata smiled as she touched the cool brass knob of the front door. Opening it it too swung wide as if in a welcoming gesture. Happy tears came from the girls eyes, nothing had changed, it even smelled the same.
"I'm home..." Hinata whispered happily wiping her eyes. She ran up the staircase and headed towards the door with the Yellow plaque bearing Hanabi's name. Opening it her kid sister was nowhere to be found. Hinata ran through the house searching for anybody. Finally she opened the door to her room and smiled, Hanabi was fast asleep on Hinata's bed holding her favorite stuffed bunny. Closing the door gently behind her Hinata crawled into the bed with her little sister as she stiffeled a yawn, a nap sounded like a perfect thing right now.
Else where in a secret location in Konoha
"So, we have 10 Hyuga clan members were getting information out of huh?" Ibiki said as he leaned back in his chair putting his feet up on his desk.
"Yep, and I'll give you my bonuses from my next three A ranked missions if you give me some time under the radar with them." Ibiki smirked as he looked over at the woman leaning against the wall in his office.
"I'll do you one better, you do the interrogation, just remember to keep them alive, Tsunade'll have my ass if any more people die here this month." Ibiki got up from his desk and headed towards the door.
"By the way, what did they do to piss you off so bad?" he asked as the door to the first interrogation room opened, she stopped before turning to face the scarred man.
"They put my student's life in danger, and they tried to kidnap her. Nobody fucks with MY kid!" She growled. Ibiki only smirked
"Have fun Anko." Moments later the screams began.
Thanks for reading ! Hope you liked the chapter, and thanks for the reviews! the song through the story is called salt in the snow by The Classic Crime. It's legit about snow, but I honestly think it has a much deeper meaning, and I don't know why but I find the song to be beautiful. Well, until next chapter!