Chapter 24: When a bird flies
The lightning crossed the skies bathing everyone on the battlefield with a pure white light as no thunder followed.
Neji just stood there unable to fully grasp what had happened but seeing Hinata's eyes close so peacefully he felt terror creeping up his spine for once more a person close to his heart was going to depart this world; and this time it would be by his hands.
Neji quickly knelt besides Hinata's still body and quickly scanned her with the Byakugan and to his relief, her body still had chakra circulating and her heart was still beating though very weakly.
He ignited his hand with chakra and focused it on his finger tips but right before he could land them on her his arm was stopped by another with a painful grip. Looking up two red orbs were staring at him with barely constrained fury.
"Isn't that enough? She can no longer fight!" said Naruto in an almost demoniacal voice.
"You idiot! I don't want to kill her; I am trying to save her! If I unblock the chakra coils I attacked I may give her a chance to live! Now let me go, every second counts!" screamed Neji unable to get away from Naruto's grip.
Naruto didn't let go immediately but sensing no more ill will from Neji and looking at his desperate expression, unconsciously let his hand go.
Neji once more lit his fingers with chakra and began the careful process of hitting different parts of Hinata's body. Naruto on his side didn't understood well what was going on but his strikes didn't seemed to be hurting Hinata so he allowed it to continue.
Neji finally stopped his treatment and called for medics using hand signs known to all Hyuuga.
In a few moments medical teams from both sides were now by Hinata's side trying their best to keep her alive but the internal injuries produced a large blood loss and they were unable to stabilize her heart rhythm.
An infusion of blood was steadily feeding more of the precious liquid into her but her heart was far from being stable and growing weaker by the moment.
The healers went back to the gathered number of friends, family and generals "My esteemed lords and ladies, her Chakra network has been restored by Lord Neji's quick actions but unless we can stabilize her heart I am afraid she won't make it beyond the night" said one of the healers with the sad nods from the others.
"NOOO! Screamed Hanabi as Hana forced her to her chest where the smaller child wailed and cried.
Every Inuzuka dog howled painfully to the skies sharing the sadness of their masters. The most painful was from Akamaru.
The generals on their side were already having an argument about the clan's future
"What are we going to do?" asked one of them
"Shall we name Hanabi?" said another
"It doesn't seem like she is in any condition to take rein. Should we consider naming a regent for the mean time?" suggested another.
"What if Hanabi rejects the title? I mean, she will not be very understanding with Neji" spoke other general.
"Should we change royal houses?" said another rising gasps from the other generals.
"My good lords, I don't think this is the right time for such talk. Lady Hinata is not dead yet, please be mindful" said Tsume earning apologetic looks from the Hyuuga generals.
Shibi approached Tsume "But this is a problem alright. We may have avoided fighting today but losing Hinata removes any guarantee of peace for the future. The nobles have started arguing about Hinata's replacement and who knows what will be the new leader be like"
Tsume nodded and looking back at her somber looking son leaning on Akamaru while Shino placed a hand on his shoulder replied "The only good thing coming from this is that at least both sides will be willing to talk"
"A great victory for you my Lady" finished Tsume while bowing in Hinata's resting position.
xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo
A tent had been erected around Hinata's resting place and her clothes had been changed for clean dry ones while her body had been placed on a campaign bed and the interiors decorated with the banner of both armies indicating their loyalty for such gracious lady.
Healers had been trying to stabilize Hinata's heart but her weaken state stopped them from applying stronger medicines of more invasive procedures that would certainly kill her. They claimed that Senju healers would be capable but the Senju representatives had left the Hyuuga when the Council had deemed their presence unwelcomed the moment they protested over being forbidden to heal members of the Cadet branch.
All that the Hyuuga healers could do was to wait but their prognostics weren't good, it would take a miracle to fix her injured heart.
Naruto was suddenly left alone with the poor Hinata as the Healers walked outside to rest and inform on her situation to the waiting crowds that assembled outside of the small tent amidst the storm.
Naruto took a chair and sat right next to Hinata and grasped her hand.
"Heh, who would have known? You really made it. You found a path to bring peace to your people" almost whispered Naruto as he suffered seeing her pale face and winced every time Hinata's breathing became agitated.
"Look at me, and I thought of slaughtering a bunch of old men to force peace between you two. How foolish isn't it? You saw the problem that really needed to be fixed, bless your eyes Hina chan" continued as he caressed her face.
"But you are a fool, you know? You should have told me, I may have been able to do something, stop Neji before he gave you that last strike, something…" said Naruto with regret.
"Look at me, I promised to stop tragedies but I just can't seem to be able to stop any. Maybe I am a fool for thinking it's possible, I am no good Hinata, I don't get things done and I am not helping anyone achieve peace. Ever since I left home I have known nothing but people trying to kill each other over scraps of land and old grievances. I think I should go back home and stay there, this world doesn't need a foolish Sage" said Naruto while a tear finally dropped on Hinata's face.
Naruto gently placed his face on the sheets by Hinata's side and there he cried silently unable to think on how to help this valiant girl.
"Don't die, please don't die like this. I want you to see this new clan you forged. YOU CAN'T DIE!" Naruto roared in a deep growl as the anger product of the impotence before the situation made a thin layer of red chakra flare on top o his skin.
Unconsciously Naruto removed the sheets covering Hinata's frail body and ripped Hinata's clothes uncovering her pale form. He then unplugged every line that was attached to her body and hugged her close to his body as his cloak closed around them.
A few instants passed without further sounds or movement, but as the red glow grew Hinata's eyes shot wide open and a piercing scream came out from her mouth.
Naruto didn't react to this scream an instead held Hinata closer to him as the glow intensified and Hinata began screaming even louder.
It didn't took long for the tent to be occupied by Neji and the other leaders after hearing the first scream, but seeing the strange and almost hellish spectacle before them refrained them from doing anything as they didn't wanted to harm Hinata in the process.
Neji was quick minded and activated his Byakugan; what he saw made him utter a low "Impossible" for that red intense Chakra was forcefully making its way into Hinata, overflowing her Chakra coils and moving inside her like an over flooded river.
Slowly the red Chakra started to reach Hinata's center at the heart making her screams stop for she no longer had any breath left in her.
As Hinata went silent and limp, her body was now also covered with a thin layer of the red Chakra as the monstrous Naruto place her gently on the bed not caring that she was still out.
Naruto never turned his face to the others within the tent and just took back his seat besides Hinata and lying again on his face the red Chakra surrounding him disappeared.
The moment the red Chakra faded; Neji and the others pulled Naruto to the ground and held him there with weapons, fangs, glowing hands and insects ready to smite him. But to their surprise Naruto seemed dazed and confused.
Healers scrambled into the tent and quickly got to examine Hinata and check her for any damage the Sage may have caused.
To their surprise Hinata's heart sounded strong and with constant rhythmic beats, her skin was no longer pale and she was taking long breaths. A Byakugan analysis showed though that several Chakra coils had been burned or shut down as the Red Chakra still flowed within her body but no serious damage was to be seen.
The head of the Healers dared to pull Neji at one side "My Lord, Lady Hinata is well and alive; in fact she is out of danger now. Her heart beats strongly and we can't find any other trouble with her, she is asleep at the moment for the Sage's Chakra flooding her caused some of her coils to burst and so it caused her great pain"
Neji stammered and asked "Are you certain? Is she going to be alright?"
Everyone who was submitting the still dazed Naruto turned at these words.
The healer smiled and replied "She is, she should wake up once the Sage's Chakra fades from her system"
The sour mood in the room quickly turned to one of celebration as everyone inside lifted Naruto from the ground and rewarded him with hugs, kisses and manly pats on the shoulder.
Hinata on her side turned in her now more peaceful sleep and started to mumble something with something akin to a lecherous smile
"Mmm; Naruto, you want to do it again? Alright, but I want on top…" mumbled Hinata as she turned her back to everyone.
A few seconds after those words settled in the gathered people, Naruto had replaced himself with a poorly done clone as the real one was running out from the tent.
xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo
The news from the battlefield and the amazing tale of the duel among kin reached the far corners of all of Hyuuga with great speed. In some places the news were received with enthusiasm, others with healthy skepticism and in very few places with outward rage. What everyone did share was the relief of civil war averted.
Songs were being chanted across all of Hyuuga for peace have finally settled in their lands and when they heard that a Sage had been involved in the whole process they praised him for the blessing he meant.
The travel back to Truesight had been marked by the strange spectacle of seeing both armies marching together with their leaders at the head. The reforms had been passed and Neji had approved them as a significant step in the right direction but years of vigilance would follow so old vices are not repeated.
The leaders were somewhat surprised when they heard the Council's peculiar demise for within the Hyuuga Jutsu repertoire there were very few Fire Jutsus not to mention that the flames that engulfed the Council chambers were of dark blue.
Celebrations followed for about a week and quickly the nobles disclosed the plethora of children they had hidden so they could avoid the fate of the Cadet; and also a lot of Cadet members disclosed the large number of first born they kept hidden in other homesteads. Apparently only the careless or truly dedicated still abided by the ancient tradition.
Truesight had been "blessed" for the moment the bearded but still very strong Gai met his beloved student Lee as a huge rainbow covered the entire city and for some reason a sunset light appeared though it was ten in the morning!
The nobles compelled by Hinata's strange behavior after her miraculous recovery opened their treasury vaults and quickly began works for the benefit of the entire population. Payment for Shinobi missions was deregulated and so everyone had the same wages for their dedicated efforts.
One of the strangest things to happen during the celebrations was the very odd behavior from Lady Hinata for she ordered huge festivities to be held, huge amounts of food to be prepared. Her behavior caught everyone of her friends by surprise for during the celebrations she chanted at the top of her lungs, danced dirtily with any guy that came her way, drank alcohol, ate beyond her measure and was caught several times trying to sneak into Naruto's room several times.
This odd behavior though stopped once the amount of Naruto's Chakra within her body decreased to barely perceptive levels causing her a week long state of hang over as that strange Chakra was particularly intense.
On a different note Kiba had been depressed during the whole week for Hinata was no longer a virgin, she never danced with him during the parties and Shino hanged around his mother too often for his comfort.
"Oh boy what a week!" said Hinata while she replaced the bag of ice hanging on her head.
"Can't believe I did all those things!" continued.
"What matter is that you are well and among us once more my Lady" said Hana while remembering Hinata's crazy behavior.
The reforms had passed smoothly but truth be told Hinata was still a rookie and she would need much help to guide the clan. So Neji suggested that a Council formed by younger leaders of both sides of the family be formed, to this new Council, members of the Clan less warriors and the allied clans of Hyuuga would be invited and be given vote.
Hinata agreed immediately and asked Neji to move back to Truesight but he refused saying that the lands of the Cadet branch needed him more and that he also needed to take care of issues regarding a weapons smuggler.
"Isn't Naruto here yet?" asked Hinata
"He said he needed to write a letter for his father, the previous Toad Sage" responded Hana handing over more tea for Hinata.
"Father? Wonder if he is also good looking like Naruto!" said an excited Hinata.
"My Lady!" exclaimed Hana with rose cheeks as she also considered the possibility.
"Ah! I am so sorry Hana. This damned Chakra is still messing up with me!" said Hinata in a very un lady like tone.
Just as she said this Naruto made his way into the leader's chambers where only Hinata and Hana awaited for him.
"Hey there handsome! Get over here!" screamed Hinata from the far side while waving her arm.
Naruto smiled awkwardly and went over to Hinata.
"Once again I am sorry for all this. I never expected that to happen" said Naruto feeling something embarrassed as Hinata was literally undressing him with her eyes.
"And I am sorry we only did it once darling! ...What am I saying? I am sorry Naruto!" said Hinata as she still debated between her wild personality and the more educated one.
"Hah, no worries it's kind of fun seeing you so relaxed. Anyway my Lady is there anything you want to ask from me?" said Naruto smiling more joyously than ever for his efforts had finally paid off and a miracle have spared a very noble soul.
"Yeah, the thing is that I want you to stay. You see the nobles and representatives of the new Council have asked me to start looking for suitors as they want to have heirs from my lineage! Can you believe it? Asking a young girl like me to be a mother? And while I still have this fabulous body?" casually said Hinata
Her comments left both Naruto and Hana rock solid and with shocked looks.
"So I am asking you to stay, become my husband and bang me tirelessly in order to make an adorable baby!" said a grinning Hinata.
Naruto went beet red with the rather crass request from Hinata while Hana had to grab on to something, not even her mother was this direct when it came to sex.
Hinata blinked at the two's reaction and in a few seconds mumbled something went red herself and fainted falling from her highly decorated chair.
Once the small commotion finished Hinata regained her composure and re addressed Naruto.
"The reason I summoned you is because you have plans to leave soon right?" asked Hinata.
"Yes my Lady, the path of a Sage lies on the road and according to my father's orders I must keep traveling" said Naruto.
"I was going to ask you to stay with us as an honorable member of our clan but I guess it was just me getting my hopes high" replied Hinata.
"Don't my Lady I do plan on coming back some day, besides who knows where does the road will take me?" said Naruto giving a reassuring smile.
"Then let me thank you for your efforts on my entire people's behalf. You presence allowed me to fight back for my clan's future and now we have a bright future ahead of us. Gods only know what would have happened, have you never met me back at Farsight" said Hinata while taking a deep bow before Naruto.
"Heh, you give me too much credit, I barely did anything (literally)" said an embarrassed Naruto
"You opened my eyes to my clan's situation and the rest will now be told in history. Take pride in the knowledge that you accomplished your role as a Sage" replied a smiling Hinata.
"Besides, your arts saved my life, right when I thought I would be seeing my ancestors" said Hinata standing up and walking to Naruto.
"Right, my Sage arts …" thought Naruto remembering that particular moment. How it happened was beyond his knowledge and the after effects on Hinata were also a question. Something told him that those weren't Sage arts but something else, for during his training he never learned anything close to such thing, and as far as he knew Chakra healing required great control, clear mind and anatomic knowledge; things he didn't had back at the moment.
"And to the hero his reward" said Hinata as she grabbed the distracted Sage and lowered him to her shorter stature to give him a soft peck on the lips.
Naruto was surprised but quickly reciprocated Hinata's rather bold reward; soon enough both were making out in the middle of the room until a loud coughing from Hana forced them to depart.
"Heh, sorry I got carried away" said Hinata.
"No problem! Responded Naruto.
"Well my Lady it's time for me to leave. Please be well and keep that love for your people strong, the world needs people like you to inspire it" said Naruto while bowing deeply before Hinata.
Hinata nodded accepting Naruto's farewell words but before he could leave, she asked "Where are you going?"
"To the Sarutobi lands, I am almost done travelling through Fire and they may need a hand too" replied Naruto looking over his shoulder.
Hinata then offered a last advice "If you go to that land, beware of a man named Danzo, he used to scare me a lot when I was little. But do send my regards to Hiruzen Sarutobi if you manage to greet him, he always seemed like a kind grandfather to me"
"Will do Hina chan!" happily replied Naruto as he left the chambers.
Turning Hinata to Hana she asked "Why you didn't ask him?"
"I couldn't have it would have been very awkward!" replied a blushing Hana.
"I thought your clan needed breeding material for future packs, I don't mind sharing you know?" asked Hinata with a grin.
"Lady Hinata!" said Hana in outrage.
Hinata went back to normal and said "Sorry! Stupid Sages Chakra!"
AN: Done!
Now before you raise your pitchforks and torches over the sudden change in tone and the outcome of the battle let me say my reasons for it.
First, my story started as a light hearted adventurous journey and I will try to steer it back to that settling.
Second, this arc though well written and highly praised spiraled out of control and ended up being something very different from previous arcs. As a writer, there are some rules one must follow and when I turned my story it into a drama painted with such a grim subject such as civil war, I broke the rule of consistency and ended up with a very different product.
Three, the big question; why is Hinata alive? Well if Pain couldn't kill her by beating the crap out of her and stabbing her and all it took was a hand wave from Sakura to get her back to her feet and celebrating Naruto's victory a few pages later. Then I can save her too, the reason? I never liked character dead, particularly of those better developed, and frankly Hinata doesn't deserve something like that, at least not in my story.
Fourth, for those who think that my usage of the Fox's Chakra was wrong or against a Bijuu's nature, remember that the Kyubi is not fully woken within Naruto. The day of his rising is getting closer but not just yet. So his Chakra pool is free for use at this moment and so I have a justification to use it as I please, that will change later though.
Fifth, and perhaps the most important reason which EVERY READER MUST take into account. Though I enjoy the praise and criticism from you people, this story is ultimately mine to do as I please. For some it might sound arrogant but that's just the way it is and those enjoying the story must abide by that fact.
Writing takes time, takes creativity, takes erasing entire pages some times because the story came wrong and in my particular case, it takes constant grammar, spelling and quick searches in the dictionary since my native language is not English and though I speak it since I have memory, I still make mistakes which you kindly have overlooked in sake of enjoying the story.
The next arc will be the Sarutobi where he will end travelling through the land of Fire and also meet the rest of Konoha's characters. That arc will also have some small drama and suspense but not to the level and somberness of the Hyuuga arc, after all succession issues are less of a trouble as civil war. Hopefully you will stay with me but if you felt disappointed at some level and decide to stop reading I won't hold it against your for you are free to do as you wish.
Read, enjoy and review.