A/N: So…Here you guys go! I'm sorry for the wait but with all the other projects I have going on right now, getting to do this was hard lol. But anyways! This is a fun little chapter that has some nice Hachhina (just made that up) fluffy goodness with some family warmness. :D Hope you like!
Chapter 29- Love & Family...
Masami and the other ninja stood in horror as Shibuki finished informing them on the dire situation that they were facing during their absence. People were disappearing, never to be seen again….but how? Come to think of it the usual ninja that they would usually spot were nowhere to be found. Could they have been a part of the growing group of ninja that have disappeared?
"But….my Lord how is this possible?" Masami felt herself say.
"Apparently someone out there is luring our shinobi from their post and into the forest, only to have them never be seen again." Shibuki said softly but still held the firmness of a leader. 'Someone is luring them away….' Masami thought.
"Have you sent anybody to search the area?" Tamotsu asked with his heart starting to race.
"We have but like the others….they have disappeared as well." The air in the room quickly began to thicken. "That isn't the worse of it. The numbers are starting to increase by each month. People are starting to accuse other villages."
"You think it could be like some sort of Genjutsu?" Hachiro asked the Lord.
"That is what we're speculating though the evidence is few." Shibuki sighed. "We are all starting to lose solutions to this serious problem…..except one."
"You want us to go and look for them?" Kiyomi said confused. Shibuki nodded slowly. "But if the other people that went looking for them disappeared, wouldn't the same thing happen to us?"
Shibuki gave them a short nod. "That would be the case scenario….but…." He glanced over at Hinata and the other Hyugas. "Lady Hinata, it is true that the Byakugan could see through any Genjutsu." Hinata nodded slowly. "Well with your help and eyes, we can speculate wither it is a Genjutsu or not and might be able to find the culprit." Masami was shocked to say the least at Shibuki's solution to their problem. It was a huge risk to go and ask a clan to help them with this particular situation, knowing the consequences.
"Lord Shibuki, though we would like to help you at your time of need. This is not the purpose of our arrival." Neji said with his arms at his side. "Our purpose for coming here was only on diplomatic terms. To do this we would have to report back to the Hokage and be assigned a mission that would involve this situation."
"Yes….that is true….." Shibuki said with a heavy heart. "….I am sorry to burden you but…I cannot think of another solution. And I…don't want to let my village down." Hinata gave him a soft look and stepped in front of Neji.
"We will do it." Hinata smiled.
Neji and Hanabi stared at Hinata with awe. "L-Lady Hinata….?" Neji stuttered. "You do realize that this is something the Hokage should be informed about."
"Not if it is of the Hyuga clans personal affairs." Hinata smiled at her cousin before glancing at Shibuki. "It would be an honor to have the Hyuga Clan assist you in your time of need." This brought a bright smile to the face of young leader. He quickly stood up and bowed to Hinata.
"Thank you Lady Hinata, Takigakure will forever be in your debt." Hinata giggled and help the man back to his feet.
"R-Really there is no need for that." Shibuki blushed and nodded quickly.
"Y-Yes um you may all begin your search tomorrow." Shibuki said with energy into his body. For some reason knowing that the Hyugas were willing to help was a charge in his spirit. Hinata smiled and nodded. "Thank you once again, Am I glad that there are more ninja out there like Naruto." This surprised not just Hinata but everyone in the room.
"N-Naruto…?" Hinata stuttered.
Shibuki nodded. "Oh yes not long ago Naruto Uzumaki and his team helped this village greatly…and me…" Hachiro felt a frown grow on his face as he watched Hinata's cheeks redden. 'Is this Naruto guy everywhere I go….?!' "Are you friends with him?"
"O-Oh um yes, we were classmates during our academy days." Hinata stuttered once again. Neji glanced at Hachiro whose face fully showed his emotions and sighed in his head. 'Great…..'
"How is Naruto?" Shibuki smiled, completely oblivious to the tension between Hachiro and Hinata. Hinata blushed and looked down, which to Neji was a signal to answer for her.
"Naruto has departed with Lord Jiraiya for an unknown time, seeking training from him." Shibuki nodded.
"Well, when you do see him, whenever he comes back, give him my regards." Shibuki nodded. He looked up at the clock and sighed. "Unfortunately I have a meeting with the Elders soon so you are all dismissed for now." They all nodded and started to head out of the room, all deep within their own thoughts.
Hinata's Respite
Naruto, Naruto Naruto! Hachiro was so sick of hearing that name. What kind of name is Naruto anyway? If he was not mistaken wasn't Naruto something that has to do with Ramen? At least his name isn't as stupid as that! He looked over at the now quiet Hinata and sighed. He was truly hoping that she would have forgotten about him, that he had replaced that guy in her heart. But by the look in her eyes he knew that he still has a long way to go. At this moment they were all just simply walking around his village, informing the Hyugas on the history, the best places to shop, and other things that they thought would interest them. Hachiro gently touched Hinata's shoulder, awakening her from her thoughts.
"Hey….." Hachiro said softly.
"O-Oh Hachiro I'm sorry." Hinata blushed and wrapped her arms around his. "Is there something you need?"
"No….I was just wondering why you were staring into space like that." Hinata bit her lip and looked down.
"I was just….thinking." Hinata said, not looking at Hachiro.
"About….."
"Nothing really…." Hachiro sighed, knowing full well that it was defiantly nothing. "B-But let's not talk about that, we're going on a mission together again, aren't you e-excited." Hachiro wanted to be excited but…..how can he be excited if his girlfriend is thinking about some guy she used to but probably still does?
"Hinata….."
"Hey Hinata I have a question?" Kiyomi jumped in between the two and grinned.
Hinata stepped back. "U-Um yes?"
"Well back there you said that the Hyuga clan will handle this, what does that mean?"
Hinata giggled and continued walking. "Well, it is a written rule within the Konoha government that any clan related matter is between the clan and that Konoha cannot interfere. If I say that the Hyuga clan will personally help you it automatically makes it a matter between the Hyuga clan and Takigakure, which means that we do not need the permission of Konoha to act."
"And since Hinata is the heiress to the clan, she has the power to give the Hyuga clan's word on helping out your village." Hanabi stepped in. Kiyomi nodded and grinned.
"Wow, so guess that means Takigakure is now buddies with the Hyuga clan."
"Not necessarily." Masami said in her cool, deep tone.
"What do you mean?" Hachiro asked.
Masami stopped and turned to them. "This actually means that Takigakure has a debt with the Hyuga clan. And being that this matter is a large as it is…..This debt might last for decades…." Hachiro glanced at Hinata then back at his sensei.
"What…so we might never be able to repay it?"
"Well, I'm not saying that either, what I'm saying is that it would take Takigakure a while to repay the Hyuga clan if the Hyuga clan decides to call in on it." Hachiro nodded. "Of course Hinata would later have to have this written in order for her and her family to really provide their assistance."
Tamotsu yawned and placed his hands at the back of his head. "Blah blah blah, all this political talk is boring!" He said to them with a bored expression on his face. "I gotta go anyway before my mom starts bitching again." He said then began to turn the other direction.
"Oh I have to go too or my brother's gonna blow a fuse….again." Kiyomi giggled ran behind Tamotsu.
Masami sighed and flicked her black hair back. "I have to leave as well; I'll see you tomorrow morning 5 sharp." She said before disappearing in a cloud of smoke, Leaving only the Hyuga family and Hachiro. The dark haired boy glanced at Hinata and gently placed his hand into hers and tried to give her a gentle smile.
"Come on, I'm sure Tadao probably already has dinner ready." Hinata nodded, noticing Hachiro's attempt at a genuine smile but did not express her concern. Neji looked at the two and rolled his eyes.
"Those two….are going to be the death of me I know it." Hanabi chuckled and nodded.
"I think it's kind of cute." Hanabi said while staring at her sister and Hachiro. Neji rolled his eyes once more and crossed his arms before walking ahead of the youngest Hyuga. Hanabi shook her head and quickly followed 'Such a moron….'
Hinata's Respite
Dinner was quiet, which was odd in a since seeing as his family is not known for their quiet behavior. Hachiro looked around at the table and saw that most of their eyes would glance over at him then would return back to their food. Hachiro may not be the smartest man in the family but he could tell that the news of his recent mission must have quickly traveled to them, probably due to the fact that his father and half of the family were in the meeting that decided the mission. But usually they would joke about the mission not silently think to themselves.
"Okay if no one is going to say it I will!" Akihiko slammed his fist onto the table and glared at his father. "What the hell were you thinking of sending Hachiro out on this mission?!" His father glanced at him before staring back at his food. "Don't you realize how freaking dangerous this thing is, He might not freaking come back!" This was defiantly strange for Hachiro. To see his brother Akihiko, who is known as a thrill seeker, was shouting at their father for agreeing to send his son on such a dangerous mission. Fumiko was just as surprised and tried to calm down her furious brother.
"Akihiko, Chibi is a grown boy and-."
"And you, you were the one that suggested the freaking idea in the first place!" Fumiko narrowed her eyes at her brother and stood up.
"Hey I suggested that the Hyugas help out not that Chibi and his team should go with them!" Fumiko shouted back. "And I don't really like that tone you gave me!"
Akihiko stepped his foot on the table. "Well then you gonna do something about it?!" Akihiko glared. Fumiko was just about to respond when their father came into the picture.
"Enough!" Their father stopped their arguing with his booming voice. "Do you not see that we have guest?!" Fumiko and Akihiko glanced at the Hyuga before returning their gazes to each other and sitting down. "Now…we all decided that, being that Hachiro and his team have history with the Hyugas, that it would be the best choice to have them team together with Hachiro's team than with ninja who the Hyuga do not personally know. It was a decision of the council so we mustn't fight it." Hachiro was surprised to see his father actually in a since defending him, in a since.
"Thank you Father…." Hachiro spoke softly.
"Do not thank me Hachiro; it was not my vote that made your team the chosen team to carry out this mission." Hachiro frowned at his father's harsh words and looked down at his now empty plate. Hinata noticed his change of mood and gently touched his hand, comforting him silently. Hachiro looked up at Hinata and gave her a small smile before looking back at his father.
"I won't fail…." Hachiro said with confidence in his eyes. His father nodded and stood up.
"Well words mean nothing without action." He turned. "I have some work to attend." He said before walking out of the room, leaving his family to themselves. Hachiro sighed and leaned back in his seat.
"Well, let's hope little Chibi doesn't go and screw this mission up." Toshio chuckled with a smirk on his face.
Hachiro narrowed his eyes at his brother. "Shut up Toshio!" Hachiro stuck his tongue out and turned to glance at Hinata. Hinata smiled at him and gently pressed her lips to his then pulled back. Hachiro grinned with a small blush on his face until he heard snickers from Akiko and Aimi.
"Awww you two are so cute!" Aimi giggled. Hachiro lowered his body in his chair with a blush on his face.
"Oh now look what you did! You made him embarrassed!" Akiko shouted at her twin sister.
"Oh I did not!"
"Yeah you did!"
"Did not!"
"Did!"
"Not!"
"Did!"
"Not!"
Fumiko slammed her hand on the table. "SHUT UP!" The twin turned to their older sister with fear in their eyes and sat back down, having a stare off while doing the deed. "Now, enough about Chibi and his girlfriend's kissing goodness, It's time we talk about something serious." Everyone quickly gave her their full attention. "Now….Hachiro…..this is not an easy mission. Many of our comrades…our friends…have disappeared in those forests." The room's light energy quickly changed into a more tense energy.
"We did not want to wish you or your friends to do this mission." Hideo said with concern in his voice. "To lose a friend is one thing but a brother…." Hachiro saw the concern in his family's eyes and couldn't help the small smile grow on his face.
"Just be careful little bro." Akiko said while trying to look somewhere else besides Hachiro.
"Like it would so tragic if like we get a report that….." Aimi stopped herself from speaking it into the air.
Hachiro grinned at his family. "Awww you guys do have hearts after all." He chuckled. Akihiko shook his head and ran over to wrap his arm around his brother's shoulders.
"We don't have to worry about him; He is My Brother after all. The blood of a true hero runs through him." Tadao chuckled softly and nodded.
"I agree; Hachiro is going to be fine." He stood up and started to collect their plates. "Hachiro is not a child anymore, I'm sure that he's able to handle himself." Akihiko chuckled.
"Exactly Tadao!" Hachiro watched his brothers with a grin on his face. Hinata couldn't help but smile at the sweet scene before her. Seeing Hachiro with the smile before him…..was just so beautiful to her. She gently placed her hand onto his and kissed him on the cheek.
"Seems that everyone believes in you….." Hinata giggled. Hachiro was shocked that all his brothers and sister showed him something that they have never showed him before….concern. When he usually went off on missions they would just tell him to watch his ass or something in a teasing matter but just by the looks in their eyes he knew that they were not teasing, they were truly wishing him the best of luck. This was both a huge relief….and a slight worry. Was this mission why more than he thought it would be? Hachiro was actually started to get nervous, which was the opposite of what they wanted. Hinata noticed Hachiro's change in emotion and gently tightened her hold on his hand. "It's gonna be fine Hachiro, we'll both be there for each other….." Hachiro gazed into Hinata's eyes and felt the worried feeling in his stomach vanish into thin air. It still amazed him how just by her gaze Hinata could defeat any negative feeling he has inside and replace it with a warm fuzzy feeling, like a soft breeze.
"Thanks Hinata….." Hachiro said softly. The look in Hachiro's eyes made Hinata's heart skip a beat. It was so warm and loving.
"Aw that's so cute!" Aimi squealed, breaking the loving moment the two were sharing.
"I think that maybe we should all call it a day, after all Hachiro and the others need their rest for tomorrow." Hideo stood up and grabbed Aimi.
"But I want to tease them more!" Aimi struggled. "You're like no fun!" She pouted.
Hinata's Respite
Hinata sighed looking up at the night sky. For some reason this sky was different….more peaceful than Konoha's. She didn't know if it was the pure air around the village or the peaceful flow of the water but something about this place brought a peaceful calm to her.
"It's nice isn't it….?" Hinata looked back and smiled as Hachiro walked over in his night clothes, which consisted of a plain white shirt and black shorts. Hinata nodded and turned her gaze back to the sky.
"I don't know why but….I feel at ease right now…." Hachiro wrapped his arm around her shoulder and nodded.
"You're a water nature right?" Hinata looked up at him with a confused look before nodding.
"Yes….why….?"
"Well…." Hachiro began. "There's a legend here that the waterfall calls to water nature shinobi. That those with the gift of water could hear its calming call, which eases their minds of any bad omen or warns them of one." Hinata saw the downcast look in his eyes and frowned slightly.
"Hachiro you've been acting strange lately…." Hachiro looked over at Hinata and tried to give her a gentle smile but failed. "….You know that you can tell me-."
"It's about what Lord Shibuki said….about Naruto…." Hinata's mouth opened slightly in realization. Hachiro saw that Hinata was not going to speak so he continued. "….I don't know why but…whenever some mentions him…I see this look in your eyes and….I feel…"
"Hachiro…." Hinata gently pressed her hands onto his.
"I don't you know….I don't want to have to compete with him all the time, I haven't even met the guy and I already feel like he's winning…that he's winning your heart…." Hinata gasped at his words.
"Hachiro I….."
Hachiro turned away from Hinata. "It's just….everywhere I go it's Naruto this and Naruto that and I start to feel like I'm just replacing him….that when I leave and he returns….you'll forget about me…" Hachiro hated to feel like this but he couldn't help it. Every time Naruto is mentioned he can see this look in Hinata's eyes, a look mixed with sadness, longing…..love….She would get this look that would make him seethe with anger. He wanted to be the only man in her sights. He wanted to be Hinata's only love but….he knew that he wasn't. Wither he liked it or not Naruto would always be her first love….That why he hated to think about leaving her. He knew that once he was gone and that Naruto returned….he would be nothing but a faded memory. An old picture put away into the dresser….never to be seen again.
He was surprised however to see the angered look on his girlfriend's face. "Hachiro, don't ever think like that." She said to him in a calm yet furious voice. "Yes there was a time where I…where I truly thought that I could only love him….that I could only care about him but….Not anymore. Sure there will always be a place for Naruto…he was my first love….." Hachiro looked away as she said those words, like bullet penetrating his heart. "….but you are my only love." Hinata said with a smile on her face. Hachiro turned towards Hinata with widened eyes and a blush on his face. "….Now…the only person that I can imagine my future with is you. I no longer dream of a world where Naruto and I are together….All I see is your face….your smile….All I see is you…." Just as Hinata said that she felt Hachiro's arms wrapped around her.
"Hinata I….." Hachiro had no idea what to say….all those times that he thought of her leaving him….forgetting him faded to the back of his mind as a pure feeling of love and joy rose to his chest. "….I'm sorry I….I…."
"Hachiro…the only person that I could ever love will always be you…" Hinata said softly, causing Hachiro's grip on her to tighten.
Hachiro had never felt this before, this strange feeling like a warm and cool breeze flow through his body, like he was free of every negative thought he had ever had. "….Hinata….I love you…." Hinata giggled and smiled up at him.
"And I love you, I will always love you." Hinata pecked him on his lips. "So, please stop thinking about Naruto and what I felt for him back then." Hachiro nodded slowly.
"Okay…" Hachiro muttered. Hachiro knew deep in his heart that would be impossible. No matter how much he wanted to forget it….he will always wonder about her and Naruto, about her feelings for the man that once had her heart. But he also knew that in the end, Hinata would always choose him. That Hinata and him were meant for each other, that fate brought them together and that nothing, not even Naruto, would be able to break them apart.
"So now that we've settled that, I think we should probably head to bed." Hachiro frowned and refused to let her go. "Come on Hachiro, we have to wake up early tomorrow."
"But I want to spend more time with you…..this is like the only time we've been alone this whole trip."
"I know but we need to be at our top condition tomorrow." Hachiro pouted and looked down. Hinata giggled at his childish behavior and pecked him on the cheek. "I/m sorry…"
He looked up and sighed. "It's fine…I guess when the mission is over we can have some alone time." Hinata blushed as she saw the look in his eyes.
"U-Um…." She jumped when she saw him chuckling.
"I was just kidding….but if you want…" He stopped seeing the look in her eyes. "I-I um…Oh look at the time! Guess we do have to head off to bed." Hachiro chuckled nervously while pulling Hinata back inside his home. The last thing Hachiro needed before he sleeps and goes on this mission is a sore body.
Hinata's Respite
"You nervous…?" Hachiro turned around and saw Toshio with his arms crossed as he leaned on the wall of his room.
Hachiro smirked and crossed his arms as well. Him and Toshio never truly got along, being that Toshio thought of himself as being better at most things than Hachiro and Hachiro trying hard to prove him wrong. Hachiro honestly could not remember a time when he and his brother actually had a decent conversation that did not end in either throwing insults at each other or fist. So to see him in his room was not something Hachiro considered a good thing.
"What are you doing in my room?" Hachiro asked.
Toshio chuckled and walked over to sit on Hachiro's bed. "You haven't answered my question."
The dark haired boy rolled his eyes and sighed. "No I'm not nervous. Now answer my question."
Toshio shrugged. "I don't know, I felt like it."
"That's not a good excuse." Hachiro chuckled.
"Good enough for me." Toshio smirked at his brother. Eventually a silence fell over the two, not an uncomfortable silence….just a silence. "Yo Hachiro….you better not die on this mission."
This surprised Hachiro greatly. Never has Toshio ever wished him well on any mission. He was always cheering for him to fail. Yet here he saying that he better not die on this mission. "What….?"
"I said you better not die on this mission." Toshio repeated. "It would be a shame if you'd up dead before I got to show you once again at I am stronger than you." Hachiro rolled his eyes.
"Yeah right! I'll have you know that during my travels I've ten times stronger than before!"
"Ha..!" Toshio stood up and chuckled. "We'll just see about that when you come back." Hachiro smirked and nodded.
"Yeah and then you'll see how weak you are against me."
"Poor Chibi; living in a dream world." He said as he walked to the door. Hachiro glanced behind him to see his brother smirking back at him. "Till then…." He said then exited the room. That was surprising, very surprising. Not also did his brother wish him luck on this mission but that the argument that they just had…..it had no animosity, no hate….it was weird to see his brother actually act human towards him, to act like he was at the same level as him. Usually his brother couldn't care less what happens to him on a mission. Yet something on this mission has gotten Toshio worried enough to actually tell Hachiro to be careful. There was something that they were not informing him on and Hachiro was starting to fear that this is more than what they have told him. But what could be so big on this mission? What is out there that is causing everyone in his family to worry over him? Hachiro looked outside his window, staring out into the stars. Whatever they were not telling him….he was sure to find out tomorrow. Hachiro sighed and walked into his bathroom to prepare for the night.
After a few moments Hachiro finally walked out and jumped into his bed, staring at his window. This mission was defiantly more important than he first assumed. Sure missing shinobi was a serious problem but Hachiro was starting to feel that maybe there was more to the story than they were letting on. He slowly started to close his eyes. Tomorrow was defiantly going to be something.
A/N: Hi hi hi hi so yeah that was it. I hope you liked and stay tuned for the next chapter! Thanks and come again! XD
