Sanctuary
Chapter 29
Festival of lights
Love exists in many places and in many forms. It can be sweet and innocent, and it can be bitter and enduring, but one thing Hiashi learned about love was that even in it's simplest forms, love was always worth the risk.
As a young man, Hiashi excelled in his learnings like a main branch heir should, and at sixteen he was to be set up with an arranged marriage. Walking out of the meeting the fourteen yearold Hiashi sighed. What he would give to just run away from this place. Was he a brilliant heir? Undoubtedly. But did he want to rule this god forsaken place? In reality, no it sickened him with what the past heads have done and put their blood relitaves through. But to change the clan, that is what he would strive to do. Hiashi's thoughts were broken by an out cry of pain. These were his people, and he was going to have none of it. He rushed into the garden in time to see a branch member a year or so younger than him collapse onto the ground, fainting from the torturous pain from the caged bird seal.
"Kyoshi! What's the meaning of this!" Hiashi snapped crouching down to inspect the girl laying on the ground.
"Ahh, the young lord Hiashi." She said with a twisted smile. "I was merely teaching this cadet branch bug some manners."
"What was her crime? What did she do to earn this?" Hiashi asked knowing full well that the woman before him was just being cruel. A lot of the elders treated cadet branch members this way, unfortunately, Hizashi was subjected to the torture as well.
"I'm waiting for your answer Kyoshi." Hiashi said darkly now glaring at said woman.
"Oh my young lord Hiashi, do you forget that you are still below me? You may be training to be the clan head, but that's just it. You are still training. I don't have to answer to YOU , nor do you have any right to demand answers from ME." Kyoshi said with a dangerous tone in her voice. She turned and walked away, Hiashi glaring daggers at her back. He now looked back to the girl on the ground. He couldn't just leave her there, that would be wrong on many levels, but where could he bring her? Sighing Hiashi lifted the girl in his arms surprised at how light she was and carried her to his room which coincidentally was right down the hall. After placing the girl onto his bed, Hiashi sat at his desk and began sharpening and oiling his weapons. This was something Hiashi refused to let others do for him. One must know their own weapons inside and out, upside down and backwards. after a half hour or so the girl began to stir slightly. The hyuga heir took to staring at the girl. Her skin was fair and porcelin like, and her indigo hair was cut to just below her shoulders. He had to admit, she was pretty cute looking and she looked very familiar. He watched as her eyes opened slowly as she blinked in the soft afternoon light. She had the Byukugan eyes, but instead of the White eyes like many of the clans, Hiashi included, her's were violet. She moaned softly as she held her head.
"What, what happened?" She said softly to herself as she looked around. Hiashi watched as the girl suddenly stiffened as her eyes scanned the room, slowly landing on him. Her face flushed bright red as she jumped from the bed and immediately bowed.
"My apologies lord Hiashi." She said immediately. Hiashi was a bit shocked to say the least at how fast the girl lept from the bed. Standing from his chair Hiashi walked over to the girl rubbing the back of his neck looking embarressed.
"You don't have to call me that you know. It's just Hiashi. And will you please lift your head miss...?"
The girl rightened, her face still flushed red.
"My name's Hina." She said softly.
"Right, well Hina, no bowing, no calling me lord anything, im just Hiashi, alright?"
"Alright." she said softly
"Good, now that that's settled, what happened? Why did Kyoshi do that to you?" Hiashi asked curiously trying to figure out where he knew Hina from.
"Well, Kyoshi doesn't like me very much. She says I'm too weak and punishes me for it. She'll send me to find things for her, and if I can't I'm punished again. It's like some kind of sick game with her. I think she just makes up things for me to find, because one time I actually brought her what she wanted and she was so angry. The worst part is that she requests my presence specifically..."
'I can't believe that Hiashi's actually talking to me! This is like a dream come true!' Hina thought to herself. Hina's had a crush on Hiashi since they went to school together, however after only a year she was sent to the academy. The teacher didn't want to waste his talents on a branch member.
"That's it!" Hiashi said loudly making Hina jump in surprise.
"You went to school with me right? For like a year or so? Yeah, that's where I remember you from!" Hina smiled softly at least he remembered her. Together they talked until a maid walked into the room.
"Good evening young heir." She said with a bow. Righting herself she turned to Hina.
"Kyoshi is looking for you, you best run along Hina. You know she's impatient." As Hina made to walk away, Hiashi put a hand on her shoulder.
"No, you're going to stay here. As heir and next head of the main house i'm promoting you to my personal assistant, you are to answer to me and only me, understood?" Hina nodded, her face one of confusion. Hiashi turned to the maid.
"Go tell Kyoshi that MY assistant is busy and will NOT be able to assist her." He said as he pulled Hina towards his direction.
"Come on There's some important stuff I need your help to accomplish." With that he led her from the hallway and to the empty Hyuga library.
"So, what is it that you need my help for?" Hina asked, her voice soft. Hiashi's face was confused for a moment before he grinned.
"Oh, there's nothing actually, you said that Kyoshi doesn't treat you well, so now that you're my assistant, she will be unable to use you for her services." Hina's eyes were wide with shock. She hadn't expected that he would simply help her so easily. It appeared that not all Hyuga main branch family members were agreeing to the horrid ways of the elders.
"Thank you very much for your help." Hina was blushing again.
"Huh? No problem. Hey, there's this festival coming up, if you're interested we could go together." Hiashi said as he looked away scratching his cheek with a finger. Hina blushed deeper still.
"Hey, are you ok? You're awfully red." Hiashi said as he leaned towards her face. Opening her mouth to speak, Hina promptly fainted. Grabbing her before Hina hit the floor, Hiashi sat her on the chairs.
'Hmm, maybe it's another side effect of the caged bird seal? I kind of like this girl, she seems so innocent and kind. It's a welcome change from all the other Hyugas.'
"Mom fainted!" Hinata said laughing at the thought of her and her mother sharing that particurlar trait. Hiashi was smiling as well.
"Yep, fainted dead away, she scared me to death and then some. Now as I was saying, The festival was that weekend so I had about 4 days to prepare. Then finally the day came."
Hiashi stood in front of the gates of the compound looking rather nervous.
"What's to be nervous of? We're just going as friends, There's nothing to be afraid of." But when he looked up, his eyes landed on the most beautiful girl walking towards him. She wore a violet Kimono with a silver dragon embroidered on it with a shimmering silver obi, her hair held up with a silver dragon clip at the nape of her neck. She was absolutely beautiful.
"Hello Hiashi." Hina said softly, a smile adorning her lips. Hiashi couldn't help but smile as well. Together they walked to the festival. As they approached, the loud music could be heard, the sparkling lights could be seen off in the distance and the aroma of festival foods filled the air. As they entered the festival, the pair was given a paper lantern and a small candle each to send floating down the river. Each lantern and candle was to represent a loved one lost. The festival of lights was named thusly. Hiashi watched as Hina lit the candle and said a quiet prayer before placing her softly glowing lantern on the water. The gentle current took the lantern from Hina's hands and pulled it down the river, following the procession of others before it. Hiashi pretended not to notice as Hina hurriedly wiped a tear from her eyes. He too said a quick prayer, but for his sick mother and hoping for her get well soon. He smiled as it too followed the others down stream.
"So, who was your lantern for? Mine was for my Dad, he was a very kind man he died when I was six, but I remember him though." Hina said softly smiling.
"Mine was for my mother... she's very sick so I asked grandmother to make her well again. I don't know how but she was always able to do that... make her feel better. But enough about the gloomy stuff, after all, we're at a festival you know." Hiashi said with a grin. Hina smiled at her long time crush, how could she not?
"Hey, let's play some games!" She said pointing to the various booths ahead of them. The more games they played, the more Hiashi was impressed by the girl with him. Hina dominated at the games giving most other people a run for their money. But what impressed Hiashi the most was her giving nature, Hina played not to win but to enjoy the game. Every prize she won herself was handed off to the next child she saw. Hiashi had collected quite a few things as trophies: A glass turtle, an amethyst and jade pair of doves, a coy fish in a bag, an emerald and blue fan, and a slider whistle. An unimpressive haul compared to Hina's : 8 teddy bears, 3 masks: a dog , a raven and a dragon, 4 rabbits, 2 kissing pandas, 5 whistles, and 9 finger traps. They continued walking and laughing until bright neon signs and a tall man jumped in front of the pair.
"Hello, and Hello my little beautie! Care to try my slots? They can turn your puny pocket change into big big cash! First one's on the house, wanna try?" He said with a wink to Hina. The pair glanced from each other and back to the man before them.
"One won't hurt right?" Hina asked Hiashi who stared back.
"I don't see why not, but I think just once. We're low on money anyways and we haven't eaten yet. Plus you don't want to end up like Tsunade the Sannin. She's so addicted to these games that she earned the name the legendary loser because she loses so much." Hina nodded as she took out one of her last ryos and placed it into the machine.
"So I just pull the handle down and that's it?"
"That's it." The man replied. Hina pulled the handle and watched as the pictures on the machine began spinning as loud music began blaring. She watched as the words 'Jack Pot' appeared three times as alarms and flashing lights appeared. The booth manager stared in shock as a rather large group watched as the machine began spewing money from the bottom. Hiashi took several cups from the table and began filling them up with the cash from the machine, handing each full one to Hina who kept laughing in surprise. Finally the machine stopped and in her arms were seven filled cups of ryo, Hiashi carried the remaning seven.
"So, wanna go get dinner Hiashi? My treat!" Hina said with a laugh. Hiashi nodded as they continued walking. Hina it seemed was a very popular target for the merchants, be it for her incredible beauty or the arm fulls of cash, they never knew. Every booth they passed, Hina bought something. Mostly it was something ninja related, like new kunai and shuriken, a new thigh holster, a new cloth for her forehead protector and new sandles. She even bought a few new outfits.
"Hiashi, is something wrong? Why aren't you getting anything with your share?" Hina asked staring at the boy next to her.
"What?" Hiashi asked dumbly.
"Your share of the money we won, are you saving it?" She asked innocently staring at him with curiosity.
'My share? We won? What?'
"I didn't know half of it was mine... but why?"
Hina sighed as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. " We made the deciscion together, we both agreed, it was half your idea, half mine. So you get half of course." She said giving him a 'duh' look. Hiashi simply nodded as he too updated his well worn equipment and old clothes. Together they they walked over to the food stands just in time to see the conclusion of the ramen eating contest. The final two were neck and neck, A young girl with long red hair and a boy with bright blonde hair. Hiashi and Hina smiled at the sight of their friend.
"Wow, that girl's got quite an appetite to keep up with Minato in a ramen eating contest." Hiashi laughed.
"Well, Kushina's no push over when it comes to ramen either, she once got into a contest with an Akamichi and both ended up at the hospital to get their stomaches pumped. I just hope they don't go too far with this." Hina said looking at the numbers above their heads. Kushina and Minato both had 29 bowls already. The crowd watched as both compeditors grabbed their bowls and drained the broth slamming them down and glaring at each other.
"You gonna keep goin blondie? You'll only lose." Kushina said with a smirk as she was handed another bowl. Minato simply smiled as he began devouring his own, talking between bites.
"You know...those who talk big...only do so...because they know...their going to lose!" He smiled as Kushina took the bait. Hina face palmed.
'That girl was always so quick to anger and it never does her any good.'
'Minato's trying to psych her out...hmm he's looking pretty sick." Hiashi thought as they continued watching.
"Do not ever underestimate me Blondie, It'll be your biggest mistake ever." Kushina growled as she downed another bowl with shaking hands. Both looked sick, but neither wanted to accept defeat.
"Don't overestimate yourself Habenero!" Minato snipped back. Suddenly he gagged as he clasped a hand ofer his mouth. Kushina howled in laughter when suddenly she gagged covering her own mouth. Both ran from the tables to the nearest trashcan. Though the contest was over and called as a tie, now it was just a battle of wills between the two compeditors. Each Hyuga went to their friend. Hina held Kushina's hair as the poor girl emptied her stomach.
"Hina I feel siiick." Kushina whined slumped over the can.
"Kushina, you just ate 34 bowls of ramen, If you still feel sick next week I wouldn't be surprised.
"I am never...*hurk*...Ever doing that again ever..."Minato said sounding particurlarly miserable.
"Well why did you? Besides you ate like 34 bowls of ramen, If you ever eat ramen again it probably would be too soon huh?" Hiashi asked standing near his friend.
"It would be way too soon... I feel like crap..."
"So what ya doing with Hizashi? You two on a date or somethin?" Kushina asked glancing over towards the Hyuga male.
"Huh? No, that's not Hizashi, that's Hiashi, their identitical twins so people mix them up all the time, and I don't think we're on a date, we're just here as friends."
"So, who's your date Hiashi? She's really cute, wanna introduce us?" Minato asked with a smirk as Hiashi glared at him. Calm cool and brilliant was Minato, but when it came to pushing Hiashi's buttons, there was nothing the blonde enjoyed more.
"What about you? Is this really how you treat your dates Minato? Get them sick and run away to puke while their miserable themselves?" Minato simply raised an eyebrow.
"Touche"
"Yeah, it's always as friends then next thing you know you're puking in a trash can because you ate too much ramen and he doesn't even so much as see if you're ok..." Kushina growled glaring daggers at Minato's head.
"How ya feeling Habenero?" Minato called from his can.
"Bite me Blondie!" Kushina snapped retching once again.
"Don't tempt me." he mumbled back.
"Hina, you're gonna be a great mom some day, you're always good at stuff like this." Kushina said as she rightened herself holding on to Hina a bit for balance as she mumbled angrily to herself.
"He giving you trouble again?" Hina asked sounding nonchalant, but secretly worried for her best friend.
"Yeah, he's being a bigger pain in the neck than Minato. I think I'll be alright now Hina, thanks." Kushina said with a smile. Together they walked over to where the boys stood, Minato looking a bit queazy.
"Are you two going to be alright together? I don't have to get a jonin to walk you guys home now do?" Hina asked glancing between the blonde and red head.
"No thanks, we're fine, I'll walk Kushina home and head home myself." Minato said with a smile. After saying their good byes The two pairs parted and went their separate ways. Hina and Hiashi laughed and joked about times with their friends as they headed towards the food booths. There they were met with the usual festival foods, dango, shishkebabs, and tons of junk food. Each picking their own favorites they slowly began walking home with their food and prizes in hand.
"I had a lot of fun with you tonight...Maybe we could do this again?" Hiashi asked nervously waiting for a response from the girl next to him. Hina was glowing as she smiled at Hiashi.
"I'd like that very much." They approached the gates to the Hyuga home each feeling the weight of their lives returning. Outside they were free, free from their clans, and free from their destinies. Where they are separated and segregated, one practically royalty, the other, simply a servant to be used and discarded. Hiashi watched as Hina turned, heading to the cadet branch quarters.
"Hina..."
"Yes?"
"Here." He said as he held out an Amethyst crystal dove.
"They're a pair, one of purple, one of green. I'll keep the green one, You keep the purple one, Doves are a symbol of friendship, With these, we'll always be friends no matter what, ok?" Hina smiled as she took the crystaline dove in her hands.
"Thank you, I'll cherish our friendship always." She said with a smile.
"Good night Hiashi."
"Good night Hina." Each turned and walked their separate ways praying to meet again.
Hinata listened enthralled to the tale of her parent's first date. It reminded her so much of her date with Naruto. Suddenly Hinata felt a pang of guilt, aside from their anniversary date they hadn't really done much together. With Naruto getting his missions, and Hinata running the clan it left little "together time". And the times they did get more than a moment together their little spark of passion was doused with the accidental presence of Hanabi or just being blantedly inturrupted. The first time it happened Hinata could barely show her face to her sister out of embarassment that they had been caught. But the worst one of all time was when Jiraiya "accidentaly" found them together after Naruto returned from his mission to the Tenchi bridge in hidden grass country.
She had been less than lady like the way she basically jumped him kissing her Naruto passionately knocking him to the ground. As things got more heated, they rolled down the hall knocking quite a few things over in the process. Granted the hallway was by far the worst place to ambush him, but that lesson was learned the hard way. Jiraiya being Jiraiya had simply popped right in to the house through Naruto's window, expecting his charge to be in his room. Curiously he looked around for Naruto, heading downstairs. As he did so the toad sage ended up getting a clear view of Hinata's bra through her under shirt as she sat on Naruto pinning him to the ground, his t-shirt stuck on his head . But the sage's presence was not what gave him away, as he stared at the scene his nose started to gush.
"C-clevage, so much clevage..."
The pair immediately looked up as Hinata's face flooded and became beet red as she shrieked. Naruto's face was as red as Hinata's as he flailed his arms around.
"Pervy sage what the hell! Knock next time damn it!" Each attempted to righten themselves as quickly as possible, and the first thing Hinata did was fling a shurikin towards the toad sage. Hinata was seen chasing the toad sannin through the village for the better part of the day. The whole time he was screaming "it was worth it!". She smiled at the thought as a knock came from the door.
"Lady Hinata, Lord Hiashi, I'm sorry to disrupt. However an emergency meeting of the clan heads is being assembled as we speak. Lady Hinata you must head to the Hokage's meeting chambers immediately."
"Thank you Shizu, Is that all?" Hinata asked as she stood from her seat.
"Yes ma'am."
"Very well, you're dismissed." Bowing the maid left the room. Hinata turned to face her father, Bowing and with a wave she left the room heading towards the office. After gathering her things she headed towards the Hokage's office, her mind drifting towards a particurlar blonde on a far off mountain.
Okie dokie! First off let me say, wow, you guys are awesome! 200 plus reviews for my story not counting this chapter, EPIC! Many thanks to my constant reviewers:
Echo Uchiha, Riku Uzumaki, Kibble kin slider, Hinata FTW, Oceanmoon
rose tiger and rangednogood! Thanks everybody who reviews as well.
And while i'm on this topic of reviews, I do enjoy your thoughts on my story, by all means tell me what you'd like to see happen, and I'll work with it, but when you go into a hissy fit because I throw in an OC it gets pretty sad. Everything I do to my story has a reason, particurlar events, even random people. 'Oh you ruined a great story with a random oc' blah blah blah. YOU know exactly who you are, so let me just say, my story is my story. It is not burger king, while I will do my best to appeal to my audience you will not get everything your way. So if you don't like it, nobody's making you read it. Well enough of my ranting about this, And sorry to the people who enjoy my story for taking the time to nag about it. Again thanks for letting me reach the big 200 with reviews guys! ^-^
