Sanctuary

Chapter 26

Life

As Hanabi opens her eyes she looks around the lavender colored room. Her sister's belongings were gone, and the dresser had a thick coat of dust. She remembered the feeling of such a deep sadness as she broke down crying. So long she had been away and in that time her sister had gone and left them both alone. Hearing the soft crying Naruto had immediately found the source doing his best to comfort the crying child. After Naruto left Hanabi curled up on Hinata's bed and fell asleep. Now as she tried to move she couldn't move, an arm held her in place. Hanabi looked around finding her captor and letting out a squeal of happiness.

"Hinata! Hinata you're back! sister wake up!" Hanabi squeaked happily as she roughly shook her sister awake.

"what? whatssa matter?" Hinata asked sleepily as she was suddenly being shaken and squeezed by her little sister.

"Hinata you're home! I was so sad, lonely and sad, but you came home, you didn't leave me, I knew you wouldn't!" the girl said happily as she began to cry. Hinata stared at the scene her sister was making wondering what to make of it.

"Hanabi." Hinata said softly as she rubbed her sister's head. "I would never ever leave you, I'll go on missions and I might be gone for quite some time, but I would never leave you, you're my sister and I love you deeply."

"Hinata? is Naruto going to not be sad anymore? I liked it when he was happy, before I left on my mission he looked really sad, and when I came back he still looked a bit sad, is he ok?" Hanabi asked as Hinata stood up from the bed.

"Yeah, he's going to be ok. I have to go to the Hyuga complex, you can come with me if you want, but if you don't you have to stay here, alright?" The older girl said as she started for the door.

"I'll come with you."

Together they walked from the Namekaze house to the Hyuga complex, as they entered the compound the atmosphere was chaotic, the two girls made their way through the compound towards the commotion, and as they further entered, the Hyuga medics could be seen and Hinata was getting nervous. Grabbing the nearest passing medic Hinata's heart skipped a beat, and her sister stared at her panic in her eyes.

"W-what?" She asked again as she began shaking. 'No, no, no, no, no this can't be happening, were finally normal together, we finally get along.'

"I said Lord Hyuga's suffered a heart atack, his condition is unstable at best. If you'll excuse me..." With that the woman hurried past the two stunned girls. Hanabi grabbed her sister's hand as they ran through the building looking for their father. He was found in his study with several medics around him. Hinata did her best to keep the sight from her sister's eyes but being stubborn Hanabi pushed her way past her sister to stop dead in her tracks. Letting out a strangled wimper she turned hiding her face in her sister's shirt before bawling her eyes out, in the process of getting to her sister Hanabi knocked over a porcelin vase, sending it to the ground with a crash.

"Hanabi, how many times have I had to replace that vase because you broke it doing something foolish?" Hiashi asked weakly with a smirk on his face. Hinata stared as Hanabi ran over to their father.

"Daddy? Daddy are you ok? You're going to be fine right? Right?" Hanabi asked frantically kneeling next to her father holding his hand in both of hers.

"Hanabi you need to leave your father be, go wait in the hall child, this is an adult's matter."

"She's fine, both my children are fine. She's a Kunoichi of Konoha that makes her an adult after all." The nurse sputtered in outrage and left the room.

"Hinata is here too yes?" Hiashi asked looking for his eldest child.

"Yes Father, i'm here." Hinata said softly as she too walked over to where he lay surrounded by medics.

"We have much to discuss, namely how the clan is to be run when I am no longer head." Hiashi said softly.

"Oh Father, that's not going to be for a while, a long long while." Hinata was doing her best not to freak out, just stay calm cool and collected. Hiashi smiled "Unfortunately my reign of head Hyuga ends today. I may live, I may die. You know my health is failing me, I want to see you care for this clan like you have for your sister. I have watched you this past year Hinata and you've blossomed into an incredible shinobi. Truly you both are your mother's children."

"Father, don't you think that there is another more worthy to rule our clan? Neji is the touted Hyuga genius! Shouldn't it be him who gets to run things?" Hiashi laughed which shocked his children, Hiashi Hyuga does not laugh.

"Neji my nephew is the perfect canidate for clan head, however, how will it be you who changes the Hyuga clan if you are not the one to rule it? I have faith in your abilities Hinata, you need to as well because starting today YOU are the leader of this clan." Hanabi stared at her sister with wide eyes, and as Hinata looked around the room so were the other people in the room.

"I promise to do what's best for our clan father, I promise." Standing up all eyes were on the usually timid Hyuga girl, however a new fire was burning in her eyes.

"You two, Meiko and Katsu, go to the Hokage's office immediately, Meiko explain the situation thoroughly to Shizune, Lady Hokage's advisor, Katsu Please bring the hokage here. Tell her that I sent you, tell her by name, not by my title. Please go immediately." The two Hyuga sped off towards the Hokags'e office. Hinata turned to a trainee Hyuga medic.

"Hanamaki, Go to the hospital and ask for the lead tending physician, which would be Sakura Haruno, to prepare for my father's arrival. He will not be staying here." With a bow the girl ran off. Hanabi watched as Hinata called people by name and sent them off to do the duties specifically requested of them by their new leader. Minutes later three Hyugas and Tsunade entered the room.

"Lady Hinata, Sakura has been informed of the transfer!" Hanamaki said slightly out of breath. Meiko immediately piped up.

"Leader, Shizune has been informed and has written up a complete report which will be upon lady hokage's desk with in the hour!"

"I" Katsu said "Have brought the Hokage as requested and informed her of the situation as we made our way back to the compound."

"Hanamaki, Meiko, Katsu, thank you, your help is very much appreciated, you are dismissed for the time being." Hinata said her soft voice assertive and strong.

"Lady Tsunade?" Hinata said as she turned towards Konoha's famed medic.

"He's currently stable, we can begin the transfer to the hospital immediately." Hinata nodded happily

"Hanamaki, gather several medics and have them bring our former leader to the hospital as soon as possible."

"Yes lady Hinata, right away." The girl ran off towards the Hyuga medical ward.

"Lady Tsunade, it would be much appreciated if our clan's medics could attend some of your medical lessons, they mostly specialize in Juken related wounds, I think it would be better for them to have all around experience." Hinata said looking at the older woman before her. Tsunade smiled, only ten minutes in and she already had the respect of her subordinates. And was making ground breaking decisions. She was a natural born leader.

"I will have Sakura, or Shizune instruct them, We'll discuss this in more detail later. Here come the medics, could you back up a bit, Hinata, Hanabi." The two girls complied and watched as their father was wheeled out of the room. Hinata slumped into the desk chair exausted from the emotional strain.

"Hinata, he's going to be alright right?" Hanabi asked looking at her sister.

"Yes, he's going to be alright, and so are we." Hinata said confidently. One of the maids entered the rom with a knock.

"Lady Hinata, word is spreading about your new position congrats." Hinata smiled. "Anything I can do or get for you?"

"Yes, now that you mention it. I would like it if you and the other maids could inform the clans members that there will be a clan meeting outside in the garden in an hour. There is much that must be discussed."

"Right away ma'am." Just as she was about to leave Hinata called out to her.

"Wait please! Could you send Neji here please?" Again the maid bowed and headed out the door. Hinata began busying herself with the contents of her new desk, making them orderly. Opening the locked drawer on the right Hinata found what she was looking for. In that drawer was a secret compartment containing the sealing scrolls and the reversal justu for the seal. As she opened the scroll and laid it upon the desk Neji entered with a bow.

"You asked to see me Lady Hinata?" He asked with a smile. Oh Neji knew how Hinata hated being adressed in a formal manor by him.

"Neji, my brother it's time for you to be free of the seal which binds you. It's time for the caged bird to fly freely once again. Are you ready for this?" Hinata watched as happiness and hope filled Neji's eyes. The usually stioc ninja smiled brightly.

"I have been ready for years Hinata." Neji said as he watched Hinata form the seals necessary before touching his forehead and whispering release. Hinata watched as the acid green seal slowly vanished to nothingness.

"Did it work?" Neji asked anxiously looking at Hinata for confirmation. They knew there was only one way to check, and that would be to activate the seal. closing their eyes tightly Hinata attempted to activate Neji's seal. The latter opened his eyes slowly and seen the look of worry on Hinata's face.

"It worked...I'm free... Hinata you did it!" The boy hugged his cousin happily.

"Thank you, I will follow you and only you. My loyalty is yours." Hinata smiled as they broke apart.

"Didn't I promise to change this place Neji? I will because I never go back on my word." The maid from before knocked on the office door.

"Lady Hinata, the clansmen and women have been informed of the meeting, it's almost the designated time as well." Hinata nodded in thanks and walked from the office, Neji and Hinata following her. The garden was packed with Hyugas of all ages and classes. Hinata took notice of how main and cadet branches sat separated from each other. Hinata walked to the front of the crowd and stood upon the boulder to gain the group's attention.

"My fellow clansmen and clanswomen, Today we will celebrate the winds of change that have finally arrived upon the Hyuga clan. We are the Hyuga clan, the strongest clan in Konoha, yet we separate ourselves and segregate each other as if we were separate creatures, not siblings, cousins and family. From this day on ward there will be no separation of houses, there will be no main branch and cadet branch. We will be untied and join together as one family! Along with the abolition of houses, there will be freedom for those who have suffered at those who felt superior. No longer will there be a caged bird seal! There will be a new seal invisible to the human eye. It's only job will be to seal off the Byakugan after death of the wielder. This seal is un changable and can not be used as a punishment. Every member of this clan will recieve the new seal, even myself. As many know the clan elders have been arrested and taken into custody, save for one, Makoto Hyuga who followed his duties and acted appropriately. The current band of elders have been discharged, and will not be returning. Because of the treasonous acts they have committed on one of their own fellow leaf ninja, they are going to be incarcerated for a very long time. Lord Hiashi Hyuga our former leader has stepped down from his duty as the head of the clan due to his failing health. I will do my utmost best to lead this clan with the strength and will of fire blessed upon us as Konoha citizens and shinobi. Starting tomorrow our medics will be meeting two of Lady Hokage's top students and learning at their feet. Learn well and train your hardest to save lives. Those with seals will have theirs altered immediately, and those with out seals will get theirs in due time. They will be placed in alphabetical order by family, you will get a message the day before you receive a seal and you will form a single file line outside my office. Today we become a clan of one, this unity is far over due. The meeting is officially over, please those with the caged bird seal meet Neji and I outside the dojo. Thank you."

Hinata jumped down from her makeshift stand aka the boulder and was immediately mobbed by joyful clan members who were cheering her on. Slowly but surely they made their way to the dojo on the otherside of the compound and after teaching Neji the hand signs the two began altering the seals of their fellow Hyugas, freeing them of their cages. With in three days every clan member however reluctant they were were sealed with the new seal including even Hinata and Hanabi. The only thing the new seals could do was seal access to the Byakugan after the carrier's death. No longer was there a mark upon the foreheads of the individuals. The atmosphere of the Hyuga compound became calm warm and airy in a matter of months. To Hiashi's delight Hinata proved to be an exceptional clan head, though the most unusual. Hinata did not live on the Hyuga compound btu stayed at the Namekaze residence with her sister and Naruto. The paperwork was done at a record pace and for the first time in years there was no hostility in the complex. It was a truly beautiful sight. Hinata smiled at what she had accomplished in only five months. A knock came on her door and Hinata was greeted with a familiar blinding smile of a happy go lucky blonde.

"Hey gorgeous, got time for a lunch break?" Naruto said happily leaning over her desk. Hinata too smiled as she stood from her chair.

"Actually I was just thinking about a lunch break... Ichirakus?" Hinata was stunned by Naruto's answer.

"Nah, not today, were gonna do something special today." His smile was infectious, but Hinata couldn't help but wonder what was so special about today. She had been so busy running her clan that she hadn't much time for everything else.

Together they walked through the garden, getting smiles and waves and greetings from the clan members. They walked from the compound after Hinata put Neji in charge for the time being. They walked down the road and towards the park. Summer was on it's way as the birds flew through the skies chirping their songs. Suddenly Hinata remembered, actually it hit her like a train, it was their one year anniversary. Today was the anniversary of their first date.

"You remember everything don't you Naruto?" Hinata said with a smile as she squeezed his hand. He took her to a meadow filled with wild flowers. There a picnic basket and blanket was neatly placed on the top of a hill. Together they shared a lunch of sandwiches and iced tea. Content they sat in silence letting the warm sun shine down upon them. After a while Hinata opened her eyes as a shadow hovered over her.

"What are you so smiley for?" she asked suspiciously as he simply smiled at her. Then came the devestating attack only Naruto would think to do. Hinata laughed as she gasped for breath.

"Stop! hahaha You know I'm ticklish! He he stop it! Naruto!" Hinata squealed squirming away from his tickling fingers before pinning him to the ground as she sat on top of him.

"Oooh gotta love a woman who's in charge, sexy!" Naruto said with a wink catching Hinata completely off guard as she blushed a deep shade of red. Naruto laughed, if there was any one skill he possessed it was the ability to make Hinata switch shades of red.

"Ready to head back Hinata?" He asked with a grin.

"Yeah, there's still lots I have to get done." Hinata said softly looking down at the blue eyed boy she had wrestled to the ground.

"Well if were gonna go you have to get off me." Again Hinata blushed and as she mumbled an apology pulling him up from the grass. Naruto smirked as he helped Hinata clean up the remnants of the picnic. Finally they returned to the Hyuga complex. Naruto took her hands in his own, Their relationship had been one the Hyuga clan was completely aware of, mainly Hiashi. The aging man supported the deciscion of Hinata and Naruto being together and wasn't surprised when Naruto began dropping by to visit him while Hinata was buisly working on clan matters. Today was one of those days.

"Hey old man!" Naruto said with a smirk and a wave. Hiashi simply looked up from his paper. After realizing that Naruto's greeting was not ment to be insulting Hiashi soon accepted the casual atmosphere that Naruto brought with him on his visits.

"Good afternoon Naruto, I take it that your picnic with my daughter went well?"

"Yeah, it went great. It's nice to get her away from all this work every once and a while." The blonde said sitting down on the rather large comfy chair in the Hyuga sitting room as he stared off into space.

"What's on your mind boy?" Hiashi asked going straight to the point. Naruto snapped from his daze at the sound of the older Hyuga's voice.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine, it's nothing I'm just...thinking oddly." Naruto said with a smile, though his features were serious. Hiashi didn't look convinced.

"Obvoiusly if you're thinking with such concentration it isn't 'nothing'." At these words Naruto smiled.

"I see where Hinata get's her perception, she sees right through me as well. I'm just worried is all, the Akatsuki went so boldly into sand and took down the kazekage to take his Biju from him. Although he had precious people, I don't think Gaara had somebody like how I have Hinata. I don't want her to get hurt from being with me, I don't want anything to happen to her that could be avoided." Naruto's thoughts particularly went back to Itachi's genjutsu.

"They know about her, They know how much I love Hinata." Hiashi listened as Naruto voiced his fears outloud.

"Naruto you are strong, this I know. You have already saved my daughter more than once. Now tell me. What are you going to do If any threat were to come to Hinata?" Hiashi asked staring intently at the blonde.

"It wouldn't. I won't let anything happen to Hinata." Hiashi smiled as Naruto stared curiously.

"I once said the same exact thing. 'I will let nothing happen to my daughter' and what happened? Everything." Naruto listened intently as Hiashi spoke. Hearing things from Hinata was one thing, but hearing information like this from Hiashi was a rarity and should be treated as such.

"Hinata as you know is my first born, at that time she was the sunshine of my life. Like any father I showed off my prescoius jewel to the world. Me and Hina were so happy with Hinata. She was beautiful, nothing could go wrong with our lives. As Hinata grew she was a happy though quite shy child. Unlike many three year olds she was a proper heiress in training. On her third birthday there was a large celebration in the village. Leaf and Cloud had finally come to an alliance and the cloud ninja were there to sign an alliance treaty of peace. Cloud had always been infatuated with the Hyuga's eyes and jutsu, so naturally we were weary of them and avoided the festival. That night Hina came to me with unease lingering in her heart."

Flashback~~~~~

"Hiashi..." The soft vioce said as she stared at the head of the Hyuga clan, seeing not a clan leader, but her husband.

"Something doesn't feel right about today, I have the worst feeling in my chest, something bad's going to happen I know it." Hiashi stared at his wife with a comforting smile.

"Hina, no harm will come of Hinata, I will let nothing happen to our daughter. I promise." Hina simply nodded, not convinced. Though his words should have settled her fears, if anything they made Hina felt less at ease, it was as if they were cursing themselves. Night fell and Hina's fears only grew. She lie in bed next to her husband listening to his heartbeat her eyes closed as she tried to sleep.

Thump...Thump...Thump...Thump

Hina jolted up, that last thump was not the beat of her husband's heart, she felt her own pounding a mile a minute. This had happened several times during the night, and each time Hina jumped up and raced to her daughter's room only to find her sleeping soundly in her bed, safe and sound. Taking a calming breath Hina put on her slippers and covered her nightgown with her bathrobe before walking the familiar path to her daughter's room.

'Everything's fine, it's just my imagination acting up.' She thought as she gently pried the door open yet again. The door glided open as Hina peeked into the room. Her heart froze as her knees went weak, the bed was empty and the usually closed window was wide open, the screen pushed in. Hina let out a heart wrenching scream of horror, her baby was gone. The sound of a shriek awoke Hiashi from his sleep with a quickness, he knew the sound of his wife from anywhere. Quickly he headed towards the sound, having a sinking feeling about where she would be. As he sprinted down the hall Hiashi almost collided with his twin brother Hizashi.

"Hiashi what happened?"

"I don't know." They continued towards the frantic sobbing until they reached Hinata's room. Hiashi only had seconds to register the empty bed and open window before his trembling wife threw herself into his arms.

"Hinata's gone! They took her, they took my baby! My baby's gone!" Hizashi gave Hiashi a look that plainly said' I've got this, go get your daughter.'

Passing his wife to Hizashi Hiashi jumped out the window activating his Byakugan. Immediately he headed north east and as he sped forward the sounds of his hysterical child could be heard. Hinata was awakened by the frantic screaming of her mother, and like any three year old who woke up afraid and scared she began crying for her parents, loudly. As Hiashi charged through the forest, he entered a small clearing just in time to see Hinata's kidnapper slap the crying child cold heartedly across the face making her squeal in pain and fear. Hiashi was pissed as he bound across the clearing sending a full powered chakra strike to the man's heart from behind. Snatching the trembling child from the kidnapper's grasp before he fell, Hiashi held her tight.

End flashback~~~~~

"I promised that nothing bad would happen, but sometimes things just don't go as planned." Hiashi said softly. As he was about to continue a knock came from the door interrupting Hiashi's story to the blonde who was rapt with attention.

"Enter." Naruto scowled as a maid entered the room. Right in the middle of the story and they get interrupted for what? Tea?

"Lord Hiashi, Lady Hinata has requested your audience regarding a recent submission of a particular piece of paperwork. Are you currently able to assist?" The maid asked while still holding her bow to the former Hyuga head.

"Raise yourself, there's no need to show me such undue respect, yes I'm able to assist my daughter. Naruto, I'm afraid our story will have to wait until next time, it seems as if i'm needed." Bowing his head to the blonde Hiashi walked from the room. Walking down the hall, Hiashi smiled to himself. He knew why Hinata was calling him to her office, this was all part of the 'perfect plan' created by Konoha's number one knucklehead ninja. Hiashi just hoped she would fall for it. He knocked on the office door and opened it knowing his daughter was waiting for him.

"You called Hinata?"

"Yes father...well, I think there's some kind of mistake on this paper." Hinata said softly staring at her father.

"Please elaborate Hinata."

"Well, this is a betrothal contract...with my name on it..."

Bwahahaha, a simple cliff hanger yes, but still one none the less. With the flashback i figured that i'd try to show a bit of Hinata's mom and how she delt with Hinata's kidnapping. It's a horrifying experience to have a child go missing, especially your own. Unfortunately I know somebody who was affected by something like this.

Until next time my loyal readers and reviewers! Thanks for the Reads & Reviews!