To apologise for the long wait (and because I was excited) the next chapter was written in a day. On a side note, I really should stop using hyphens - at least stop using them as much. Edited by Tamani 29/4/2015
Reunion
Hinata didn't know what to think anymore. Everything was becoming a blur as she raced through the trees: her thoughts, feelings, even the images that she was seeing. Even though the Byakugan was supposed to be the all seeing eye, she felt like she was blind.
How much time had passed already? How many days, months, years? Certainly a couple of years had passed since she'd last seen her sister. Before the massacre. Before the great and proud Hyuuga name was tarnished by her own hands.
And because Hinata no longer knew what she was supposed to feel… she no longer felt anything at all. Was that good? Bad? She didn't know. Everything blurred together, so she felt nothing.
Nothing other than a sensory overload, that is - after all, she was controlling two bodies with one brain. She could only be glad that her Byakugan couldn't be used with a vessel body, as it was a blood limit. Then she would've had two pairs of all seeing eyes, and that couldn't bode well for anybody.
In fact, her range was large enough that she could track her own vessel body moving. Not for long, however - Hinata was nearing the edge of her range.
Which was too bad, really. Now she'd have to wait here until the Konoha Team arrived… so much for the showy exit she performed in front of Itachi. In all honesty, she had wanted to get away from him at the time: his eyes were so searching, it was almost as if they could excavate all of the secrets she hid. She had almost given way; surrendered. And that was something that she definitely couldn't allow.
Wallowing in her own thoughts, Hinata could do nothing but wait for the enemy to arrive.
The enemy? Was that what they were now? Had she really converted to being an Akatsuki - to being the foe to her birth place? She didn't know. Who were her enemies? Her allies? Did she have allies at all? And where - if anywhere - did Itachi fit into all of this? She simply did not know anymore.
But there was nothing she could do anymore, she decided - nothing she could do but fight. Hinata Hyuuga had already dug herself into a hole, a hole so deep she could no longer abscond... she may as well play the role that she had created. But was it a role? Was she acting? No; she couldn't tell anymore. It was all too blurry, and she couldn't see anything.
It turned out that she didn't have to wait long - the Konohan team arrived after a mere fifteen minutes of waiting (albeit from a slightly different direction then where she wanted them to arrive from). There were four of them; one was excruciatingly familiar.
Hinata estimated that it would take her approximately five minutes to ambush them - and like always, her ability to calculate distances was meticulously accurate.
Hanabi was the first to sense her - well, see her would be the more precise terminology for this occasion - so she stopped her Team in their tracks. Hinata appreciated the gesture - at least they weren't running away. They thought themselves to be fully prepared to face an Akatsuki. They were either fully underestimating her or the Akatsuki, and she couldn't tell which, but would bet on the former. Hinata wouldn't correct them; she was curious to see the outcome of the battle herself.
But as she approached, Hanabi wasn't the first to address her.
"It's you," the words were so venomous, that even Hinata was a bit surprised. She didn't think that the large strange looking man with equally large strange looking eyebrows was capable of such hatred. But then a memory surfaced from the depths of her mind - this was Neji's team. This was Neji's squad captain.
Of course he hated her.
The girl with the two buns at the side of her head (should Hinata mention that that looked just a tad ridiculous for a kunoichi?) began to speak when the female Akatsuki stayed silent. "I'm going to kill you! How could you? How could you kill Neji?" Hinata thought the girl would break down crying, and almost applauded her when she didn't. She always did have a bit of a crush on her late cousin, after all. But she didn't really wish to think of Neji in particular - while she would always regret killing him, they never did have the strongest bond, and (in a moment of weakness... or was it weakness?) when she had wished to spare him, he had stuck to his beliefs and to his family. But why wouldn't he? What other option did he have? To side with her? He had hated her, after all.
Hinata never really blamed him.
"No, Tenten!" So that was her name. "We can't kill her - we're better than that! Better than her! But for Neji's sake, I will capture her!" The boy who looked like a younger version of his squad leader spoke boldly and confidently. Hinata wanted to laugh - did her really think that he could 'capture' her? She wanted to laugh, but she settled for a smile instead.
"I didn't want to believe them," her younger sister finally spoke up. Was it really her? Her voice sounded so quiet - so sad - so wise - and too adult for her age. She was only supposed to be ten years old. "I didn't, but now I do. But… you're not my sister. You're an impostor. My sister is dead."
At this point, the whole team had gone silent. But not for long - when it was obvious that Hinata wasn't going to reply, Tenten decided to step in. "Are you too heartless to reply to the sister you haven't seen in years? No, that was a dumb question. What can I expect from a monster!"
"Tenten. Stop provoking her. We don't know what she's capable of." Finally, a more sensible thought. Or it would've been, if they were provoking her. To be honest, they were just wasting their breath. Hinata was already fully aware of everything they were saying.
She studied her younger sister - the last of her family. Even though she was currently sad, she seemed so comfortable with the people around her - she seemed happy in Konoha. As happy as she once was.
Hinata wasn't planning to change that. No, if Konoha was treating her well, she had no reason to tell her of the Hyuuga's (failed) coup(s). Nor of their harsh politics and mistreatment to her (dead, murdered, killed… by her) family. She had no reason to pop the bubble she enjoyed being in.
And if in that bubble, Hinata was an evil being without roots, then she planned to stay that way. She'd been a villain for so long already - would it hurt to act a little more? Furthermore, was she even acting? But... if it made her sister happy, then that was the least she could do. And how exactly would an evil being without roots react in this situation?
"I am not here to talk. I am here to fight." Even as she was saying it, her hands began to form different signs - she hadn't had to do this in awhile. But in the vessel body, she only had around a tenth of the chakra she normally did. Hand signs were necessary if she wanted to execute a particularly challenging jutsu.
And this particular jutsu summoned the rain, taught by her loving leader: Pein. He very grudgingly showed her the technique once (in Itachi's presence) months ago - and after it was added to Itachi's vast repertoire, he consequently taught her (it didn't take her a long time to learn. It was very similar to summoning normal water).
So here she was, trying to use it now - but of course, the leader of the group tried to interrupt her.
He was fast. Definitely faster than her, which could be a problem. In light of that, she created a few clones in order to confuse him. She only needed a few seconds, anyway (even though she was using hand signs, she had also trained to reach Itachi's ridiculous speed).
And once those few seconds passed, it started raining. Observing their confusion, Hinata wondered whether to make it poisoned (her very own technique was mixed with the current one). Yes - a light poison - she was 'evil', right?
They wouldn't start feeling the effect right away, which was nice. Instead, the weak poison would begin to slow them down - almost like acid rain. And that's exactly what she would name it: the Acid Rain jutsu.
"Konoha Lotus!" Yelled the squad leader and he suddenly disappeared, reappearing underneath one of her clones. She couldn't believe that a Jonin level ninja didn't know about her switching positions with one of her clones - it was possibly the oldest trick in the metaphorical ninja book.
She took note of the technique: it used a lot of power and muscle strength. If she was in her clone's position, her bones might have shattered from the impact. But in the meantime, she focused on creating a poisoned sword - she hated not having a weapon (besides, it was easier since she had rain all around her in the first place).
But immediately after the leader's attack had finished, the bun haired girl (Tenten, Hinata reminded herself) shouted, "It's my turn now, Gai, sir! Please, let me attack Neji's killer!"
So his name was Gai. Hinata didn't doubt that it suited him - but currently, she had no time to ponder upon the suitability of names. Tenten got out a large scroll, and began to twirl in the air with it. "Twin Dragon Jutsu!" She yelled, before a variety of weapons started appearing, all aimed at her.
How boring. All of the weapons were deflected with her sword - she didn't even need her Byakugan for this. But why not have that attack aimed right back at her? Using the rain, she extended the raindrops to create a gargantuan amount of poisoned needles - and with a swing of her hand, they were all aimed toward Tenten.
Momentarily, the smaller copy of the Gai teacher (who Hinata thought she very vaguely recognised as Rock Lee - Neji's 'eternal' rival) rushed to save Tenten from her vulnerable position in the air (she wasn't able to dodge). He was quick, but her weapons were quicker - and without meaning to, Hinata hit two birds with one stone. Or two ninja with a whole lot of needles.
They cried out in pain - the girl especially. And as they fell downwards into the ground, their leader was there to catch them. He laid them on the ground gently, and Hinata could see tears pooling from the corners of his eyes.
She felt nothing. No sympathy, no disgust, no sadness, no joy. It was almost like they were in a chess game and she was a rook that had simply taken two pawns without remorse. Maybe Hanabi was right; maybe she was a monster.
"If you leave them like that, they will be dead in eight hours," she was actually surprised at how lenient she was being with the potency of the poison. Must be because they were ninja from Konoha - when would that ever stop being her weakness? "I do not even know if there's a cure for that poison. If there is, I have yet to see one."
Hinata watched Gai's face become panicked. And maybe if she looked, she would've seen the panic on her sister's face, too - but she must've retained a semblance of her cowardice, because she didn't dare glance.
At any rate, her job was done. Even if she was defeated now, the main leader would rush off to find a cure for her poison - and it wasn't exactly like Hanabi could continue the mission herself.
It was ironic - the girl with the buns had promised her certain death, but in the end, she ended up being the weak link. Hinata wondered if she should tell her. No, she decided - in the end, it was the fault of the leader for underestimating her and not ordering his team mate's retreat.
"I-it h-hurts," the brown haired girl whimpered - and she probably couldn't even see through the rain. "It h-hurts, Gai sir."
The black haired male bit into his thumb, and smeared it into the ground. "Summoning jutsu!"
A tortoise appeared where the blood used to be. That reminded Hinata - she really should badger Itachi for his raven scroll. That way, she'd also be able to have her own animal to summon; she supposed it would also be a good animal for communication. Certainly better than a tortoise.
"Take them somewhere safe," he muttered gravely to his summoned animal. The tortoise saluted in understanding, and disappeared with a poof.
"Will they be okay?" Hanabi asked, her voice sounding more frightened than Hinata had ever heard it. But she had no time to get distracted - not like how Gai had gotten distracted as he swerved his head away from Hinata to answer Hanabi's question. He was too emotionally unstable; he created a big enough opening for Hinata to instantly creep in and hit the pressure point in his neck.
He wouldn't be out for very long, she knew. But it would be long enough.
"Come, Hanabi. Have you improved at all since I have seen you last?" It would be long enough to give Hanabi an idea of the Hyuuga style that Hinata so hated doing. She wasn't even very good at it - she hadn't practiced in a long time (never mind the fact that this body didn't even contain the Byakugan) - but it would be enough to give Hanabi an idea of the style she should strive to develop. Hanabi had always had more talent for it than Hinata ever had.
However, instead of utilising it, she blindly attacked Hinata (who had even relinquished her use of clones). The elder sister frowned.
"Is this all they taught you? Hanabi, I am quite disappointed." She was easily able to stop Hanabi midway through her attack by grabbing onto her hand (with which she held her kunai). Hinata also decided that it was time to stop the rain, too - Hanabi seemed tired enough as it was.
And when it did stop raining, Hinata noticed that Hanabi was crying. "D-don't kill me! D-don't kill me like you killed them! P-please!"
Hinata's frown grew deeper. She had almost forgotten Hanabi's age - but was now sorely reminded. How on earth could Konoha let a ten year old participate in an S classed mission? If that was how it was going to be, Hanabi needed better training and it seemed like Hinata would have to be the motivating factor.
"Lesson number one: you are weak." Hanabi was weak, so she needed to get stronger. Hinata hoped that that was the message she put across. "Lesson number two," Hinata's hand reached for Hanabi's face and easily flicked away one of the stray tears that was shamelessly cascading down. "Never let your emotions affect your battle."
And with that, she let go of Hanabi's hand and furiously concentrated on her Byakugan (in her real body, of course). For the life of her, she couldn't make out her chakra points - but she could faintly remember their positioning.
She hit the one on her hand clumsily, and felt rather pleased when she saw it go limp. With that, she let Hanabi go, and walked a couple of steps away.
"I am not going to kill you, of course," what would Itachi have said to Sasuke in this kind of situation? Oh yes - she was evil. She had to remember that. But then again - she didn't want to make Hanabi obsessed with hunting her down… she didn't want to make another Sasuke.
She glanced at Gai, who was still situated on the ground - it was prime time for him to regain consciousness. Hinata knew that he would do so in a couple of seconds.
"W-why - why aren't you attacking me? Why haven't you killed me? I should be dead! Dead, with the rest of my family!" Hanabi let out a sob, cradling the hand which hung limp from Hinata's attack.
"Because-" but Hinata couldn't finish her sentence, because Gai woke up and immediately punched her into the ground. That was the last thing she could see - his hair that defied gravity coupled with his strangely red figure - before her connection was cut and her vision was lost.
Immediately, Hinata retracted her Byakugan, her shoulders slumping. She opened her eyes blearily - she hadn't felt so exhausted in a long time. Overusing her chakra the way she did hadn't been a smart idea. And yet, she had been too preoccupied with Hanabi, and if anything, she couldn't say she regretted it.
"You're finally fucking back, huh? About fucking time - your Romeo over there was shitting his pants with worry!" If Hinata didn't feel so exhausted, she would have argued - scratch that, there was absolutely no point in arguing with Hidan. He was just that brainless.
Thankfully, Itachi didn't grace Hidan with a retort either. Hinata was somewhat pleased that their train of thought synchronised - even if it was for a moment.
"Is that some jealousy I sense, un?"
"What fucking jealousy? Don't you know I'm already fucking taken by Lord Jashin, asshole? Don't be too disappointed, you shitty blonde."
Hinata tuned out the sound of their argument, instead choosing to focus on the One Tail in front of her. One Tail - he was no longer the One Tail. He was no longer a Jinchuuriki. Instead, he was just Gaara of the Desert - just like how he always wanted to be. It was fittingly ironic: his wish would be fulfilled in death.
But he could no longer be Gaara of the Desert, because he was almost dead. Hinata had taken part in killing him. She had taken part in killing someone who used to be her ally - who used to be her family's ally.
It was no longer a maybe. She was a monster.
"Enough!" Pein commanded, his voice demanding respect. "We have successfully sealed the One Tail."
And he was right. Finally (or was it dreadfully?), the first eye of the monster opened, and the red headed body laid limp on the floor, his voice silenced forever. Hinata could finally stop pouring her chakra into the thing - instead, she tried her best not to collapse.
"Dismissed," the leader - or more precisely, his hologram - uttered. The holograms disappeared - all but his. "Deidara, Sasori: take the body outside the cave. Konoha is still searching for it; let them find it. Itachi, Hinata: restore your chakra."
And with that, the leader with the ringed eyes himself, disappeared. That left three Akatsuki members other than herself in the room. And most importantly, Hidan was gone - Hinata could've kissed the ground in relief. Jashin he was so annoying.
In silence, Sasori and Deidara took the body away and left the room. Hinata was thankful for it - she didn't think that she could stand staring at Gaara any longer.
Feeling herself falling, she tried to stop her descent - or at least cushion it - but there was no need. Itachi was instantly at her side, catching her before she fell.
"Are you alright?" Those words sounded so childlike, especially the way he said them - but it showed his worry (so Hidan wasn't completely lying, after all) and for that, Hinata did her best not to feel touched.
Should she lie? Should see insist she was fine, even though she wasn't? But Itachi was smarter than that - he could certainly see right through her lies. There was little to no point saying anything of the sort. "Tired," she settled for, instead. Tired as in exhausted. Tired as in drained. Drained of emotions, drained of battle. Drained of everything that had happened these past two weeks.
"Me too," he said, and he sounded so understanding that Hinata would've felt like crying if she didn't feel so dead inside. Dead - she wasn't even numb anymore.
"I saw my sister," Hinata tried to explain, her head beginning to lower. "I saw my sister," she said more softly, as if the news was starting to sink in. And maybe it was. Maybe the battle she had was only just beginning to register.
"You'll be okay. It's not the end of the world." He soothed - he was incredibly bad at it, Hinata noticed. But it wasn't like she noticed it for the first time.
"I'm tired, Itachi." She felt like a child. She was sure she sounded like a child. What happened to not being able to trust him anymore?
"Don't worry. I'll carry you."
Thank you everyone so much for all the support shown so far. Reviews?
Aurora.
