Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me
Chapter 25
Two boys. There were once two boys, young, naive, unaware of this world's darkest secrets and problems. They used to run through the green gardens of their home together, their laughs filling the air around them. Their mother would usually be seen tending to her beautiful flowers and bushes, stealing glances towards her two boys now and then with a sweet motherly smile always gracing her lips. Their father would often prefer to just sit on the wooden porch, sipping on his tea and enjoying the relaxation mornings like those had to offer. But when he would get bored he would mingle with his children in what would always turn out to be a training session that made the Uchiha patriarch's chest fill with pride for his boys.
There were once two brothers, two young boys unaware of what life would bring them, until their happy moments turned grim, and the green gardens of the Uchiha compound were covered with nothing but dead bodies and blood. And just like that, under the moon that whipped for the tragedy that had occurred, the two brothers stopped being boys once and for all. In just one night they had to grow up and face the horror others had inflicted on them. What followed were years of torment, for every time they met, they met as enemies. It took many years for them to meet as brothers again, but as the sun would set in the distance and the older brother left his last breath, tears would spill, turning the younger brother into a boy once more. A boy that would collapse, mourning for everything that had been taken away from him.
"Sasuke... Were your eyes able to see through it all?"
"Sorry Sasuke...'', there was a small smile, his last smile. ''But, this is it...''
''ITACHI!'', Shiori, shouted once more, urgently taking her child's hand, pulling him to stand behind her, as if her figure could hide the boy from the Uchiha's eyes.
But despite her efforts the boy's eyes didn't strain from the older man before him, a man that strangely looked so much like himself.
Sasuke took a step back, not even realizing how his sword had slipped from his hand or when a single tear stained his cheek. But his eyes never looked away from the boy's, not even when Shiori's men poured inside the room like mice, their swords aiming at the two strangers that had dared to enter theirs leader's private chambers and threaten her life.
But Sasuke didn't care about any of that. It was only when he felt her soft hand gripping at the fabric of his sleeve when the Uchiha finally managed to break out of his daze. Finally taking his eyes from the boy, he slowly turned around, his face paler than ever before. Hinata didn't speak, there was no need to say anything at the moment. By just looking into his eyes she could feel everything he did. She slowly raised her hands, not caring one bit about the men around them, threatening to kill them at any moment. Her slim fingers lightly brushed against his cheek, softly wiping that single tear that had stained his face.
They had been through worse those past few months to just get killed like that now. But even if they did, she now knew that she didn't care. His hand covered hers, leaning in her touch for a moment, before turning around to face Shiori once more, but this time his black eye had turned red, the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan clearly spinning in his eye, reminding to those around him who he truly was.
''Lower your weapons!'', Shiori strongly commanded, making the men exchange perplexed looks with one another.
''But, Shiori-sama-''
''I won't say it twice!'', She said, her own kekkei genkai now making its appearance, as if reminding the man to not question her orders.
The men slowly and hesitantly did as their leader said, but it was crystal clear in their eyes that they were not sure if Shiori's decision was the right one. But at that point they didn't know who to fear more: the Black Raven or Uchiha Sasuke. But there was one person in that room who didn't look at the Uchiha in fear, but curiosity.
The young child standing behind his mother looked the older Uchiha in the eye, mesmerized by the bloody-red color of his right orb. It was something he had never seen before, yet it also felt strangely familiar.
Shiori motioned for two of her men to come closer, to which the young shinobi immediately complied, waiting for her orders.
''Take Itachi back to his room'', she simply said and the two men nodded.
''No!'', the six-year-old boy argued. ''I'm not going anywhere'', he said in a way that it made him seem older than he really was. ''I'm not leaving you here alone...'', he stole another spiteful glance towards Sasuke. ''Not with those people...''
''Itachi!'', Shiori said, her voice and face seeming to be strict for a moment. But then her facial characteristics softened. She looked at him lovingly, caressing his cheek for a second. ''Go back to your room'', she said in a softer tone this time. ''Everything will be alright''.
The young boy hesitated for a moment but he soon gave up, following his two bodyguards back to his room.
''You too!'', Shiori said, regaining her strong tone once her son was out of sight. ''All of you out now! Those two are not here to kill'', she said looking between Sasuke and Hinata. ''They are just two fools seeking for answers''.
Sasuke frowned.
Her men looked at one another once more. Despite her abilities they thought it to be crazy for her to be left alone with those two.
''Have your ears suddenly stopped working?!'', she suddenly shouted, taking them aback. ''I SAID GO! LEAVE US!''
''Hai, Shiori-sama!'', the shinobi said in unison and bowed before leaving the room and closing the door behind them.
''I told you, didn't I?'', Shiori said after a moment, her back turned to them. But as she spoke now, something was different from before. ''I told you to take her and leave this place. But you had to stay...''.
''I'm not leaving this place until you give me what I came here for'', Sasuke said in determination, all the while trying to push the image of the young boy out of his mind. He had come here for a reason, but instead he had found himself before a truth that he didn't know whether he could handle at the moment. Ryuichi had warned him that Shiori probably carried a lot of secrets with her and he was sure those secrets didn't only concern him. He looked at his side, momentarily catching Hinata staring at the woman with eyes filled with fear. But this time, it was not fear about dying at this place. It was fear about what this ostracized Hyuga could say next.
Shiori let out a long bitter laugh as she turned around to look at the two intruders once more.
''What you came here for...'', she said, eyeing them both through her activated byakugan. ''It is no longer here''. Her eyes turned stone cold. ''The map leading to the scroll your brother hid deep in the Land of Iron is now where it actually should be. In Hiashi's hands.''.
Hinata's eyes widened in shock, not believing what the Hyuga woman had just said. But Sasuke's reaction was completely different. In a matter of seconds he had lunged forward, grabbing the woman by the neck, his hand gripping her tightly, threatening to take her life in the most agonizing way. The woman chocked, trying to properly breathe despite the Uchiha's strong grip around her frail neck. But as seconds passed in what felt like eternity and she struggled against his hold, everything then suddenly ended.
''No!'', Hinata shouted as she pulled Sasuke away from the Hyuga woman. Shiori fell down on her knees trying to catch her breath while Hinata held onto Sasuke, trying to subsidize his rage. ''Look at me...'', she said and Sasuke turned his eyes on her, suddenly feeling his fury slowly diminishing. ''You are not going to become a murderer... not for them...not for any Hyuga or any Uchiha…'', she said in a whisper. The burden he had carried because of others all those years had been heavy on its own. She wouldn't allow him to fall into darkness once more. She just wouldn't.
She heard Shiori chuckle at the back, as she kept rubbing her sore neck.
''I was right then...'', Shiori said with a hoarse voice. ''You really are fools!''.
Hinata felt Sasuke tense under her touch.
''No!'', Hinata said again in a whisper, as she felt him about to take a step towards the woman again. ''Sasuke... don't do it...''.
''Do you think there's anything to change?'', Shiori shouted. ''There's nothing you can do anymore-''.
Hinata then moved before Sasuke could blink and in a matter of seconds she had one of her small blades touching Shiori's pale white neck.
Shiori looked at her surprised, not expecting for the Hyuga princess to act this way. But Hinata's eyes pierced her with a determination that the woman hadn't seen in years.
''That's enough'', Hinata said. ''You seem to like talking quite a lot. So now you'll have to answer my questions. Who are you? What business do you have with my father?''.
Shiori let out a bitter chuckle once more.
''Who am I?'', Shiori said, turning her eyes from the blade against her neck to Hinata. ''I thought you already knew my name Hinata. But maybe that wasn't all that correct I guess. They told you I am Shiori Hyuga and I guess it took all your strength to try and remember me but failed. Do you know why that is? It's because, in truth, I am no one''.
Hinata furrowed her eyebrows at that, not quite understanding what the older Hyuga woman was playing at.
''What do you mean?'', Hinata said calmly.
The woman didn't answer for a few seconds. Instead she simply stayed there, with a blade against her neck, looking at the Hyuga heiress in a strange way. It was as if memories were slowly creeping back from the darker corners of her mind, threatening to embrace and throw her back into deep grief and sorrow.
''I go by many names'', Shiori said, her facial expression slowly changing. The mask she had been wearing all those years in order to protect herself and her child was now slowly cracking, revealing a completely different woman. ''Some call me Raven, some dare say my real name, Shiori. For some I am just a 'runaway Hyuga' and for others I am a criminal who dared make her a village of her own. But even with all those names, I am still no one, much like I was when I was still in the Hyuga clan, serving under the main house as just a mare orphan child who had no one to take care of her''. She slowly raised her eyes, her byakugan now fading. ''Until…''
''Until?'', Hinata asked in hesitation.
''Until your mother deicided to take care of that 'non-existent' orphan from the Branch House…''.
Hinata's blade slowly dropped, as the mention of her mother alone was enough to shake her over.
''My… my mother?''
Shiori looked at her for a moment, before nodding her head in affirmation.
''I lost my parents when I was only six years old, but I was not the only one. Many children from the Branch House had been left parentless at that time.'', Shiori explained. ''You see, the main House's plans for powers had their cost, but of course, none of that ever affected Hiashi, Kitsume or anyone from the Main House at that… aside from one woman…''
''Come on…'', an old man preached, making the young kids shiver under his long strict stare. ''Walk faster and keep your heads held low…''.
The five children nodded, holding their hands together in front of their lap, having no choice but to obey the elder before them. The man then turned around in order to lead the children towards the kitchen where they were supposed to serve the Main House for the rest of their lives. The matriarch called this a blessing, as, in her words, this was a way the Main House was taking care of the orphans in their clan, a way to take care of the children whose parents had given their life for the mighty Hyuga clan.
But not everyone thought that to be a blessing.
A small cry and small sniffing noises made the elder to stop in his tracks right then and there.
''Who is making that noise?'', the old man hissed, turning around. He easily spotted her, the little six-year-old girl crying in the back. He stared at her for a moment, before walking towards her.
''You!'', he strictly said, making the small girl tremble. ''What is your name?''
The girl just held her head low, trying to avoid the man's stern eyes, which at that moment, in her naïve young mind, seemed like the devil's.
''S-Shiori H-Hyuga… M-My name is S-Shiori Hyuga, m-my lord'', she said, still too afraid to look at him. ''My parents were-''.
''It doesn't matter'', the old man said and raised his hand, as in a sign to let her know that she didn't need to say anything else. ''What matters now is that the Main House has decided to take care of you. Don't you know how much of a disrespect it is from your part, young lady, to be crying inside the house of those who so kindly took you in?''
''I-I'm s-sorry m-my lord'', the girl said as she tried to hide the tears that just couldn't stop staining her face. That only made the old man even more furious though.
''Didn't I say to stop crying?!'', he said, raising his voice. He moved closer, roughly taking her hand. He shook her, making her look directly at his face. ''You insolent little-''
''What is going on here?'', a gentle yet worried voice came from behind. Shiori didn't recognize it, but she watched as the old man immediately let go of her and turned around to greet the woman who had previously talked.
''Hikari-sama'', the old man said with a respectful bow. ''Everything is under control here. Just some poor orphans from the Branch House, who, our generous Kitsume-sama, so wholeheartedly took under her protection. They are going to work here my lady''.
Shiori raised her eyes, looking at the beautiful young woman the old man had previously called Hikari. She was beautiful in her long white yukata, her dark blue hair falling around her shoulders like a waterfall.
Suddenly Hikari's soft moonstone-like eyes landed on her, making Shiori look at the ground once more.
''My lady, I would suggest you go back to your room and rest'', The old man continued, but Hikari just kept looking at the children. ''You shouldn't strain yourself in your condition-''.
Hikari simply ignored him though. With one hand resting gently upon her round belly, she walked past him and towards the children. Despite her being only a few weeks away from giving birth to her firstborn child, Hikari knelt down before the crying girl the old man had previously scolded.
''What is your name?'', she gently asked, but Shiori's hands trembled. It was the same question the old man had asked her yet it sounded so different than before.
Hikari took Shiori's tiny hands gently in her own, and the girl raised her head at once, looking straight at the woman smiling gently at her.
''Shiori'', she said, not stattering even once. ''My name is Shiori, my lady''.
Hikari smiled.
''Shiori'', she repeated. ''What a beautiful name you have. I am sure your parents loved you dearly, to choose such a name for their beautiful daughter'', Hikari said as she whipped away some of the young girl's tears. ''There's nothing to be afraid of anymore… Everything is going to be ok...'', she said as she looked at all the children around her. ''I promise…''.
''She knew we were sent there to serve her…'', Shiori continued. ''Yet instead of ordering us around, she treated us like the mother we had all lost…''.
Hinata's hand loosened completely from around the handle of her small blade.
''I saw your birth…'', Shiori said. ''I was there when your mother first held you in her arms…''
''My lady!'', one of the midwives urgently said. ''You have to be strong my lady, for your child!''
Women rushed in and out of the large bedroom as Hikari's screams filled the air around them.
Shiori was standing behind the half-closed doors of the room, peaking inside, both afraid and anxious as to why her lovely lady was in so much pain.
''Shiori!'', one of the woman called. She was one of Hikari's maid that usually helped in the kitchen. But as the clan leader's wife was now about to give birth to Hiashi's firstborn child and heir, everyone had left their posts to help Hikari. ''What are you doing here, child? You shouldn't be here now!''
''Um- I… I'', Shiori tried to say but as Hikari screamed again, her eyes immediately looked through the opening, watching her exhausted face filled with sweat. ''Is Hikari-sama ok? It-It's already been too many hours…''.
The older woman smiled, trying to conceal her own anxiousness.
''Life is coming my child. A new life. And it comes with pain. But that pain is sweet, unlike anything else'', The older woman said with a reassuring smile. She was about to say something more when another woman called her and she rushed inside.
Shiori stayed there, despite knowing that she should have already left. Something kept her there, the need to rush in and help however she could the woman who had made her smile again.
A few more minutes passed, minutes filled with tears and screams, but then a small crying and tearful laughs was all that could be heard.
Shiori smiled brightly, her red cheeks radiating her own happiness as she watched a baby lifted in the air before it could be given to her mother.
''It's a girl!'', one of the midwives said with a wide smile. ''Congratulations my lady!''.
Hikari laughed again through her tears, as she caressed her child.
A life.
A new life.
Shiori only blinked as a tall well-built figure clad in expensive white fabrics passed right through the doors, completely ignoring her presence there.
''Hikari!'', he exclaimed, looking at her in a way that no one else had ever witnessed before. It was a look only destined for her and her alone.
''My lord!'', another midwife said in surprise. ''You shouldn't be here, my lord. We haven't had the time to clean Hikari-sama yet-''
But the 29-year-old man paid her no mind. Instead he walked towards his wife.
''Hiashi'', she said, looking lovingly into his eyes. ''Meet our daughter…''
''Our daughter…'', he whispered with a smile before taking the baby in his own arms. ''Our Hinata…''
''Your father…'', Shiori said, her eyes never leaving Hinata's. ''He was not always that cold or cruel… At some point he had feelings, feelings he would express freely, especially when it came to your mother and you…'', she said. ''But power changes everyone. And with a mother like Kitsume, Hiashi had no chance of escaping that fate…''.
Hinata brought a hand to her temples that had now started to hurt.
''Don't listen to her'', Sasuke said, not planning to take any of this bullshit anymore.
Hinata looked at him for a moment. That's what she wanted to do. She wanted to listen no more, because something deep inside her told her that what Shiori would say next, she wouldn't be able to handle.
She wanted to just ask where the scroll Itachi had left was and leave right then and there. She wanted to believe everything that woman had to say was a lie, but the stories that slipped from her lips sounded too true not to believe. There was a way she spoke about everything, there was this deep pain glazing her every word that Hinata couldn't simply ignore.
''I already warned you, Uchiha!'', Shiori shouted, her eyes filled with regret. ''I told you to leave. I told you to escape the truth once and for all…''.
''The truth…'', Hinata repeated, her attention turning once more on the Hyuga woman. ''What truth…''.
''You found the map leading towards the scroll Itachi hid somewhere in the Land of Iron'', Shiori said. ''After stealing the map from you that night, I had some of my men track down your moves now and then. They reported back to me that you met with that old man Ryuichi, Kitsume's brother. So I am sure he has already told you-''.
''About the power the scroll contains'', Sasuke cut in. ''Yes, that old man has already explained how it was a power that would help the Hyugas awaken both the Byakugan and the Sharingan''.
Shiori smirked.
''Not only the Hyugas, though'', she said. ''It was a very dangerous technique, but both the Hyuga and Uchiha clan were more than willing to take the risk. No one really knew how the power they sought would awaken. Some believed the users could awaken both kekkei genkai while others hoped for a completely new and powerful Bloodline limit, one that would combine the powers of both the Sharingan and the Byakugan'', Shiori exclaimed. ''Kitsume was obsessed with finding that damn scroll. She thought it to be a way for the Hyuga clan to be great again. And that same obsession, she made sure to engrave into Hiashi's mind as well. From the moment he became a leader, he made it his sole purpose to find it, and to be the leader that would raise the clan to its previous greatness. But there was always his wife to keep his sanity in place. Hikari was always there for him, reminding Hiashi that his people's wellbeing mattered more than the pursuing of a silly scroll. But as years passed, even she couldn't do anything to keep Hiashi from listening to his mother. Kitsume's influence was in the end stronger and more poisonous that anyone had ever expected''.
Hinata looked intently at her, waiting for the woman to continue.
''No matter how much Hiashi searched though, he couldn't find the scroll. And as the Uchiha clan's leader made his presence clear in the village, Hiashi's started to believe that Fugaku Uchiha's power and influence derived from something else. He believed that the Uchiha patriarch had already found the scroll of power and that was what had given Fugaku so much confidence in the first place'', her eyes shifted to look at Sasuke. ''That's when Hiashi decided to do something else. He made a secret alliance with the Uchiha clan''.
''The place we found the map'', Sasuke said as everything slowly clicked together now. ''There were the emblems of both clans engraved in stone…''
Shiori nodded.
''They used to meet there in secret'', Shiori explained. ''After all Hiashi and Fugaku were planning to commit treason. Something like that could not happen in broad daylight.''
''Treason'', Hinata tested the word in her mouth.
''Fugaku had already been tired of seeing his clan being patronized by the elders of Konoha. He wanted power and Hiashi promised him that. The two of them made it their goal to find the scroll of power and use it to take control of the village at first and then the Land of Fire as a whole. They had agreed to share power and even merge the two clans into one. Fugaku had even suggested they marry their children as a symbol of their alliance in the future''.
''You mean-'', Hinata tried to say.
''Yes'', Shiori said. ''As they gave hands they promised to marry you to Sasuke when you got older. A symbol of union, they called it. But Hiashi had no plans of letting you marry with an Uchiha''.
Sasuke smirked.
Oh the irony, he thought. To know that that the two of them would end up sharing the feelings they did.
Sasuke and Hinata exchanged a look of understanding. Life knew quite well to play the strangest of games.
Shiori's last words suddenly echoed in Hinata's mind. Hiashi had no plans of letting you marry with an Uchiha…
That's when it suddenly dawned on her, the atrocity her father could have commited. Her father never planned to share power. If not for him, Kitsume and the elders would never agree to co-ruling the Land of Fire with the Uchihas. Both the clans were too strong and prideful to share and accept such a thing.
''No…'', she whispered under her breath.
''What's wrong?'', Sasuke said, but Shiori had already understood.
Hinata looked at him, through eyes filled with horror. He couldn't have… Hiashi couldn't have done such a thing. After all, it was Itachi who had betrayed Fugaku's, his father's plans for a coup d'état to the elders of Konoha, not Hiashi.
Her eyes shifted to look at Shiori, now desperate for a negative answer from her.
Shiori shook her head, deeply exhaling. It was hard for her, that much was clear now. Speaking about all this was no small deal.
''As time passed Fugaku grew both restless and reckless'', Shiori said. ''He secretly sent out Itachi to search the scroll of power in the midst of his missions. After all he too didn't trust Hiashi all that much, but he needed him. He planned to find that scroll first so that he could later on bargain with Hiashi as he pleased. But as Fugaku's patience was running thin with everything considering his clan's relationship with Konoha, Hiashi found a way to get rid of the Uchiha clan the best way possible''.
Hinata brought her hands to her lips, her eyes widened in both horror and shock. Her father… her father had…
''Your mother found out everything'', Shiori said. ''No matter how much Kitsume wanted to keep Hikari out of her business, your mother was too clever and kind hearted for her own good. Hizashi told her everything. He was probably the only Hyuga from the Branch House to ever be allowed even at the most confidential and secret meeting Hiashi ever had with both the Hyuga elders and the Uchiha clan. I guess no matter how blinded with his mother's goal Hiashi had become, he still trusted his twin brother that much. But Hizashi didn't agree with any of this. He told Hikari about everything, even about how Hiashi planned to betray and expose the Uchiha clan so that the Hyugas alone could rise above everyone else. And as Hiashi and Kitsume waited for the right time to do that, Hikari and Hizashi organized a rebellion…''
''Hikari-sama'', a ten-year-old Shiori said as she rushed towards her lady. ''What is wrong? Are you not feeling alright?''.
Hikari brushed away her tears, her eyes now swollen and red. It had all been too much for her to handle lately. All those lies, all those secrets… She had immersed herself in a dangerous and ruthless game, a game which put too many lives at stake.
She took a deep breath, as she held her hand over her flat stomach. For the past two years she was soundly fighting against her own husband, a man she had loved and still loved, the same man who had turned into someone she could hardly recognize anymore.
'He is not like that. Hiashi is not like that'. She had shouted that right into Hizashi's face, shocked with herself of how she had lost her temper at that moment. But no matter how she tried to deny it, she couldn't avert from looking at how her life had changed.
A ruthless game… that's what it all was. She looked down, at her hand protectively touching her belly that had not yet showed.
''Hikari-sama?'', Shiori asked again, filled with worry.
''It's nothing my dear Shiori'', Hikari said, a melancholic smile gracing her lips. ''In fact… I have good news and you are the first one to hear. I am with child…''.
Shiori beamed, smiling brighter than she had in a while. Not thinking before acting, she run forward, hugging Hikari. The Hyuga matriarch immediately held the child tightly in her arms.
But then Shiori suddenly broke their embrace, remembering how strictly Kitsume's maids had reprimanded her about how it was not her place to have such a close relationship with Hikari.
''I'm sorry, Hikari-sama'', Shiori awkwardly said. ''I acted without thinking. It's just I was so happy, Hikari-sama''.
Hikari smiled sweetly at her, understanding how the young girl might have suffered under Kitsume's orders because of the way she always treated her.
''There's nothing you need to be sorry for Shiori. We should never be ashamed of showing how we feel'', Hikari said. She knew thought that such a way of living was unheard of in this compound. Hyugas were born and raised like soldiers in a military camp. Openly showing one's feelings was nothing easily acceptable.
Suddenly the door opened, and a young 4-year-old girl ran inside, her short dark blue hair framing her face like a dark halo.
''Okaa-san!'', the girl giggled and as she reached her mother, Hikari quickly picked her up.
''Hinata!'', Hikari said, her cheeks turning red from the happiness her child had given her with just one smile. ''My child!''
''Okaa-san!'', little Hinata said again, all the while enjoying how her mother brushed her hair with her fingers, giving her a kiss on her forehead now and then. ''You seem very happy today!''.
''I am!'', she said, trying to hide the sadness she was previously feeling. ''In fact I have to tell you something wonderful…'', she took her daughter's tiny hands into her own, planting a kiss on them, before smiling again. ''You are going to be a big sister soon. Okaa-san has a baby in her belly…''.
Hinata's big eyes sparkled with joy and enthusiasm.
''Really?'', She said her eyes falling on her mother's abdomen at once. ''In here?'', she said touching Hikari's still flat abdomen.
Hikari nodded, enjoying how enthusiastic and energetic her firstborn was at that moment.
''Hello little baby!'', Hinata said with a giggle. ''I am you big sister, Hinata!''.
Shiori giggled as she watched the young girl talk nonstop to her mother's belly. But as Hikari looked at her child, brushing her bangs out of her face now and then, the thoughts from earlier returned. As she brushed her Hinata's hair with her fingers, her eyes momentarily stayed on the young girl's forehead.
A new baby was truly a joy, but how could she truly be happy when she knew one of her children would grow up only to be marked by the Hyuga cursed seal? How could she watch one of her children grow up to be slaves?
Her eyes then fell on Shiori, and on the mark she knew was deeply engraved on the tender skin of her forehead under her bandages. It was not only her children she worried about. How could she keep on living in silence, watching the Hyuga children be treated as slaves in their own house, marked like horses meant for slaughter?
Shiori took off the dark red headband that covered her forehead.
''She didn't just want to stop Kitsume's plans. She didn't just want to have her husband back as he once was'', Shiori explained, watching as two tears ran down Hinata's cheeks. ''She wanted to change the Hyuga clan once and for all…''.
Hinata fell on her knees in front of Shiori, her eyes wide. Sasuke took a step forward, worried, but then restrained himself. No matter what he felt at that moment, no matter how worried he was for her, he had to let her deal with her emotions at that moment.
Hinara extended her hand as if wanting to touch the mark, or what it was left of it, on Shiori's forehead. They were nothing but feign lines now, reminders of what was once the mark of a prisoner.
''This…'', Hinata said, her voice trembling. ''How? How is this possible?'', she looked right at Shiori, her eyes the mirrors of her very soul. ''Did she? My mother? Did she…".
Shiori smiled.
''I told you before. She was an amazing woman, your mother'', she said. ''She found a way to dissolve the caged bird seals. Do you know what that meant?'', Shiori asked. ''Freedom. A new era for the Hyuga clan. Hizashi was ecstatic. His son, Neji -your cousin- was already marked, but there was still hope. Hizashi would be the first one to try it out. But things didn't quite go as planned''.
Hinata lowered her head, as the memory of her cousin and uncle haunted her.
''He died'', Hinata said. ''And Neji was left alone…''
''Yes'', Shiori said, her voice then suddenly turning colder. ''Your grandma, Kitsume, made sure of that. I now know what she had done to her brother in the past in order to become the leader instead of him, but who could believe, that for the shake of power, this woman would sacrifice her own son''.
''Uncle Hizashi died because of me'', Hinata said, as if trying to remind Shiori of something. ''I was abducted by Kumo Ninjas, the Head of whom my father killed in an attempt to save me. Kumogakure demanded my father's body as compensation, but uncle Hizashi went instead, in order to protect both my father and the clan…''
''Yes, that's what Hizashi thought he was doing. Even Hiashi had believed this truly had to do with the Kumo village demanding blood as pay back. Hiashi had even tried to stop him. But I remember you mother finding out the truth. It was a few months after Hizashi's death. Hikari was heavily pregnant with your sister, Hanabi. She had heard them…'', Shiori explained. ''She had heard Kitsume admitting to Hiashi that it was all her plan. That she had found out how Hizashi was about to destroy their plans, so she decided to end everything once and for all… I saw your mother collapse right before my eyes…''.
Hinata gripped the fabric of her pants, in an attempt to stop her hands from trembling so widely. She was trying to comprehend everything, but it was way too hard.
''I left the clan a few months later…'', Shiori then said. ''After your mother's death, it was clear that there was no hope left… there was nothing we could do to change how things were…''.
Hinata nodded her head, but then a strange thought pierced her mind.
''Wait…'', Hinata said, looking at Shiori suspiciously. ''How did you leave the clan? You must have been eleven or twelve years old back when my mother died. How did you manage to leave the clan, with your cursed seal dissolved and no Hyugas chasing after you? My father and the rest of the elders would never risk having the secrets of the byakugan exposed to the world because of a small girl from the Branch House…''.
Shiori stayed silent for a few moments, trying to find the right way to put her thoughts and memories into words.
''Let me ask you something else then…'', Shiori said taking one step closer to Hinata. ''How do you think your mother died?''
Hinata's face grew pale.
''She was sick'', she said, with all the strength she had left at that moment. ''She died some time after Hanabi's birth… she was just sick…''.
That's what they had told her, and right now that was all she wanted to believe.
''Do you remember your mother ever being sick?'', Shiori said, pressuring her.
Hinata's silence expressed what she believed at that moment. No, she didn't ever remember her mother being sick, but she always thought this was because she was still too young back then to remember everything.
''She was sick…'', Hinata said again, finding it hard to breath already. But Shiori knew, that even Hinata didn't believe in what she was saying.
''Your mother was murdered in cold blood, Hinata''
''NO!'', Hinata shouted, tears of frustration staining her face.
''That's enough!'', Sasuke said, looking angrily at Shiori. ''That's enough already!"
Shiori stole a glance at Sasuke. Yes, it was too much, but she couldn't stop now. She didn't know whether she would ever have the chance to ever speak of such things again.
She turned her eyes on Hinata again.
''Hinata-'', Shiori pleadingly said.
''No!'', Hinata said, taking a step back, but Shiori walked closer, her hands cupping the younger girl's face.
''Hinata!'', Shiori said louder. ''You were there that night! You saw everything! You have to remember!''.
Shiori's byakugan activated, and as she looked deep into Hinata's eyes, she helped her see, everything her mind had so masterfully hidden from her all those years.
''We have to get you out of here, my lady!'', Shiori urgently said as she threw a few more things in a backpack. ''Some shinobi from the Branch House that are loyal to you will try to win us some time, but we have to hurry! They are coming for you!''.
Hikari stayed silent though, hovering over the wooden crib by her bed, watching as her younger daughter Hanabi silently slept. She was still so tiny, so fragile… How could she leave her alone like that?
She leaned forward, taking the small baby in her arms, and holding it close.
''My lady…'', Shiori said, her voice cracking.
Hikari brought Hanabi closer, inhaling her unique baby scent for what could be the last time. She then planted a small kiss on her forehead.
''May you be blessed my child…'', she said, tearing gathering in her eyes. Hanabi moved her baby hands, letting out a small whining sound in her sleep as she felt her mother putting her back on her bed.
''My lady…'', Shiori said again. ''We have to go, now!''
Hikari nodded her head, but it was when Shiori took a hold of her hand that she felt her legs finally move.
''Wait, Shiori!'', Hikari said as the small girl pulled her through the semi-dark corridor. ''I have to see Hinata one last time, I have to say goodbye!''.
Hikari stopped in her tracks, making Shiori panic as she started to quickly walk towards Hinata's room.
''My lady! No!'', Shiori said. She reached out, grabbing Hikari's hand once more. ''We can't lose any more time. If they catch you here, trying to escape, they are surely going to kill you, my lady!''.
''I have to see my daughter, Shiori'', Hikari said. ''I have to say how much I love her one last time!''.
''This doesn't have to be the last time'', Shiori tried to reason, as the seconds ticked away. ''If you get away safely, you will be able to come back again, and take your daughters with you…''
Hikari stayed silent for a moment, until another voice interrupted her thoughts.
''M-mommy?''
Hikari turned around at once, her eyes wide.
''Hinata!'', She rushed towards the small girl, who was still trying rubbing her sleeping eyes. ''Why are you up so late, my dear? Did you have a nightmare?''
The five-year-old girl nodded her head.
''I-I saw that you suddenly disappeared. You were hugging me, but then you became white smoke and I couldn't catch you…'', Hinata explained as her mother brushed her small bangs out of her face.
''My child I-''
''Lady Hikari!'', Shiori warningly said. ''They are close!''.
Hikari activated her byakugan, watching as her husband quickly walked towards them, with five other shinobi right behind him. Without saying another word, she quickly picked up Hinata and started running with Shiori leading the way.
''M-mommy?'', Hinata said, starting to feel quite anxious now. ''Where are we going?''
Hikari looked at her for a moment, as the now ran through the back gardens, and out of the Hyuga compound. Where were they going really? Shiori and some other members of the Branch House had granted her safe passage through the woods outside Konoha. There was a village right at the borders between the land of Earth and the Land of Fire where she would be able to hide for a while before seeking another safe shelter. But that plan didn't include dragging Hinata in all this danger. What was she supposed to do?
''Hikari-sama!'', Shiori shouted. ''Quickly, quickly, we have to catch the carriage before they find us!''
They were running through the forest now, their breaths forming like icy clouds in front of their lips.
Hikari looked back, watching as Hiashi came closer now.
They wouldn't make it out alive.
Hikari stopped at once.
''Hikari-sama! We can't stop now!'', Shiori said.
''No, you can't'', Hikari said. ''But I can…''. She let Hinata down and ripping a piece of her kimono, she quickly tied it around Shiori's forehead, so as to cover the seal that no longer existed on her soft skin.
''Shiori…'', Hikari said. ''You have to go. Take Hinata with you. Save her from this hell. And please, don't let anyone know about the seal. Protect yourself. Be free. And please, protect my child…''.
Shiori's eyes filled with tears and her lower lip started to tremble.
''Hikari-sama… n-no…'', Shiori said. ''You have to come with us… you have to…''
''M-momma?'', Hinata said, her small hand cupping her mother's cheeks. Hikari turned her head, letting her lips plant a kiss in Hinata's palm.
''Hinata'', Hikari said. ''Mommy has something to do, ok? You have to go with Shiori for now. I will come and meet you soon…''.
''N-NO!'', Hinata shouted, but Hikari had no more time to lose. ''Mommy I don't want to go!''.
Hikari looked at Shiori.
''Shiori'', she said. ''Take her…and go, now!''.
Shiori nodded her head, whipping her tears away. She then grabbed Hinata's hand and immediately started running with her.
Hikari looked at their retreating backs, mourning.
Hinata run forward, her small legs barely managing to catch up but then she suddenly stopped. Pulling her hand out of Shiori's she started running back to where she had left her mother not long ago. She heard Shiori shouting her name in the distance, but she couldn't stop now. She couldn't leave her mother alone.
She ran faster, knowing quite well that Shiori was right behind her, trying to stop her.
In a matter of minutes she was back at the clearing, but what she saw made her stay hidden in the bushes instead.
Her mother was standing next to a Sakura tree, her eyes piercing the ones of Hiashi who was standing a few meters away from her, his men right behind him. He was holding a bow in his hands, and before Hinata could blink, the Hyuga leader had an arrow aiming at his wife.
Hikari said something, but the words never reached Hinata's ears, as if the wind decided to take those last words away. And then, right before her horrified young eyes, the arrow flew across the air, piercing her mother right through her heart.
Hinata watched her body fall on the ground, her blood staining the fallen Sakura leaves.
''Hinata…'', she heard her father's voice then, but soon everything turned into darkness, disappearing like a nightmare that was never supposed to be true in the first place.
''Hinata!'', Sasuke shouted as he shook her, trying to bring her out of her daze. ''Hinata!''
She opened her eyes, feeling her breath stop in her throat. She barely saw his worried face, before backing away.
She momentarily looked around, feeling as if her memories and reality were now merging into a distorted image that would haunt her forever.
Her legs acted before she could think. They moved on their own, as if trying to take her away from everything and everyone. She had to go, that was all she could think about. She had to get away from the blood… the horror… the sadness…
She ran outside, feeling the cold rain drops now piercing her body like millions of icy needles. She only managed to take a few steps farther before collapsing on her knees.
Suddenly there were voices, so many voices, calling her name, each one more hauntingly than before.
…Hinata…
…Hinata…
…Hinata…
She brought her hands to cover her ears, as if that could stop them, as if that could erase everything. And then she shouted and cried. She cried more than before, mourning for everything and everyone she had lost…
Her hand formed into a fist upon her chest. It hurt… It hurt so much that she thought her heart would stop. But then it would probably be better. If her heart stopped now, maybe the pain would go away.
She felt two strong hands tightly embrace her under the heavy rain. And she cried and cried, and Sasuke said nothing. He just held her close, he embraced her pain with all he had, until he felt her collapse in his arms, her body completely exhausted to keep on crying.
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope this chapter was worth the waiting and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it!
This has to be my favorite chapter to write as of yet, and it was also the longest one. It took almost 18 pages to complete and I hope the revelations were shocking enough! And we are yet not done!
So, what do you think? I can't wait to read your reviews! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love you've shown to this story!
I'll see you all soon!
Bye!