Towards the Sun
Chapter 17
Autumn had breathed its golden spell across the Hidden Leaf Village. The day of the final Chuunin Exam stage, the early morning was particularly breezy: the mischievous wind swept the clouds surreptitiously into a dark mass overhead. Branches creaked and leaves fluttered along the frequent currents that slithered through Konoha.
Hinata eyed the changing weather from the safety of her room. She walked to her wardrobe and, digging through the display of hanging garments, fished out one of her thicker kimonos, some accessories, and appropriate cotton under-kimono garments. She slipped on the open-collared top and the ankle-length skirt, then tied everything firmly around her waist. Satisfied, her attention veered to the long-sleeved dress that lay on her bed. It was the colour of tender peach blossoms.
Once she had adjusted the kimono over the white undergarments, crossing the left side over the right, she examined her reflection in the wardrobe mirror. Blooming peonies had been painted down the wide sleeves, which she ensured not to wrinkle too much. Then, humming a low tune, she fetched a floral sash that matched her attire from a drawer. After years of using her Byakugan to facilitate this part of kimono-wearing, Hinata no longer needed her enhanced eyesight to adroitly weave and secure the broad length of silk around her body.
At last, she chose a narrow, midnight-blue sash that resembled her hair colour to tighten everything into place. As she slid the door to her room open, she wondered whether she should tie up her hair as well. Shrugging, she turned on the spot and went to look for hairpins.
"You're up early, Hinata-nee-san."
The sudden sound made Hinata start and whirl around.
"Ha – Hanabi!"
Standing in the doorway, the younger of the Hyuuga sisters raised an eyebrow. She was dressed in her usual cross-collared top and long black pants. Despite her initial lighthearted tone, her expression quickly darkened.
"Never mind that… I heard from Father." A pause. "Why," she continued, crossing her arms in a very Lord-Hiashi-esque manner, "just why did you give up the clan's leadership?"
Hanabi looked her sister in the eye. The latter had a soft smile gracing her lips.
"You would make a much finer leader than me," pursued the younger sibling, intent on producing a stronger reaction from her sister.
Hinata slowly shook her head.
"Hanabi… Even if you mean well, we both know that this isn't true."
"You've already proven yourself to our family," replied Hanabi, stepping closer. "What do you mean?"
"I… I sacrificed that position. Do you…," Hinata faltered, silently debating with herself. "Do you remember – back when you completed the second part of the Chuunin Exams – I also promised you something?"
"That personal achievement?" came Hanabi's puzzled voice. A crease appeared between her sharp eyebrows. She was convinced that Hinata was trying to switch topics.
"Yes," said Hinata, facing the window. The sky had worsened in the minutes past. She looked back at her sister. "Back when I went to visit Neji-nii-san's grave, it was to announce it to him.
"In memory of Neji-nii-san, and of his parents, their names have been officially recognized as part of the Main House."
She saw all too well realization dawn on her sister's tender features.
"However, while the clan acceded my request, I had to give up my position of heiress. And so I did yesterday...
"The Hyuuga cannot have a leader whose decisions are driven purely by whims."
Hinata half-expected Hanabi to nod along. The latter remained as still as a marble statue, her milky eyes unwavering. Hinata thought she perceived some unspoken emotion stir within her sister.
Are you disappointed in me?
Suddenly, the young girl spun around and headed for the door.
"Hanabi?"
Hanabi paused on the threshold, unwilling to look back.
"You," said the younger Hyuuga. "You are indeed unfit as a leader."
Her quiet words were like glass shards scraping Hinata's eyes. Still, what she said next surprised Hinata the most.
"But you are the kindest person I know. Mother would be proud."
And with that, she ran off.
A sad smile tugged at the corners of Hinata's mouth. Sighing, she looked down at her kimono and smoothed out nonexistent creases.
She could not leave the inner quarters of the Hyuuga residence today, and relied on the faint sound of wood sliding over stone to know when her father and sister were setting out towards the arena for the Chuunin Exams. When she activated her Byakugan to watch them go, she also noticed masked members of the ANBU, the Hokage's personal shinobi guard, standing watch around the perimeter.
A prickling at the edges of her eyes forced her to let go of her enhanced vision. For the past few days, she had strained them enough while sparring with Uchiha Sasuke. Tenderly she rubbed her closed eyes in circular motions with her fingertips.
Lying atop her tidy bed, she listened in to the rattling wind and the rustling trees. Until the Exams were over, she would be confined to this limited area, worry eating at the corners of her mind.
Will Hanabi be alright?
Will the others too?
The arena would be heavily patrolled, as a matter of fact. Hinata visualized her sister fighting a faceless opponent, exchanging kicks and blows, only to stop dead before a sudden grumbling of the earth and scattered explosions along the arena.
Hinata was gripping her hair in fistfuls at this point.
She failed to notice that droplets had begun splattering the clear window pane.
What she definitely remarked, however, were the rising shouts and cries outside her door.
Jerking upright, she felt the sides of her eyes pulse and bulge. As she scrambled for the door, her enhanced eyesight zeroed in on the commotion beyond her room.
Her hand froze on the wooden frame.
The man who had assaulted her back in the Forest of Death – he was right on the opposite side.
He was not alone.
Her arm hanging in mid-air trembled as she watched the door slide at an excruciatingly slow pace to the left.
Looking up, she saw a pale face, a pair of malicious green eyes. He said something but she could not hear.
The deafening pounding of heart resounded in her ears.
Behind him were people she recognized. People she knew were not supposed to be here. They should be at the arena, fighting for the rank of Chuunin.
There was Akio, but his cheerful smile was gone. There were the twins from his team too. And a masked shinobi with short violet hair.
The further her gaze went, the less she wanted to see. Mauled bodies stood upright behind the gang of intruders.
The repulsive smell of blood and rotting flesh suddenly permeated the air about her.
"You –" she croaked out, her throat suddenly dry.
"What a pleasant surprise, Lady Hinata," said Tora.
Her mind whirred for an escape plan. They were blocking the doorway. She only had the window behind her.
Her Byakugan told her many more were in and around the residence.
She tried to retreat, but felt a firm grip on her wrist.
"Ah – ah – not so fast."
A cold sensation washed over her. It numbed her fear yet heightened her sense of danger to an unprecedented level.
Chakra channeled to her palm in a painful torrent. She twisted and turned her restrained wrist, feeling her tendon revolt and throb, and released the accumulated chakra from the tips of her index and middle fingers.
She did not wait and see the reaction on Tora's face.
The previous days of training had improved her physique. With a swift, chakra-imbued leap, she kicked him in the sternum and, with the acquired momentum, spun into the Revolving Heaven jutsu, and lunged for the window. She heard the weakened ceiling collapse in her wake.
That should suffice to delay them.
The distance between Hinata and the window closed almost immediately. With a strike of her palm, the thin glass shattered into millions of glistening shards.
Hinata dared not look back.
With her Byakugan, she pinpointed the arena's location and adjusted her path. The majority of the ANBU would be there – they would pose a fair match against her assailants.
I have to reach there before they catch me.
Amidst a cacophony of howling wind and female voices cheering for him, Sasuke eyed his knocked-out, burnt-to-a-crisp opponent with a raised eyebrow.
Is that all?
Had he seriously won? That was what the referee had just announced. Sasuke watched the latter crouch down and confirm that the other examinee was still breathing.
The duel had been too short to Sasuke's liking.
Naruto, who had been in the first battle, had already won his fight as well.
Sasuke looked around, where a half dozen of his arrows protruded each from a tree trunk around the circular field. He had used their metal tips to produce an electric ring, which he had then activated by throwing a shuriken at his opponent and getting out of the way before the lightning struck.
Grunting, he now walked up towards the middle of the field, where lay his long wooden bow, and picked it up. He had let it fall as a diversion to carry out his strategy, after feigning to miss every time he shot an arrow at his adversary.
His only issue had been the rising gales. They stirred up the dust and knocked any projectiles out of their way. But all that was past.
He had won – the end.
Totaling his and Naruto's duels, merely ten minutes had passed.
Hanabi was next.
As Sasuke made his way back inside, he felt cool raindrops dampen his hair and clothes. Once he retrieved his belongings in his waiting room and changed into fresh clothes – same old black shirt and black pants – he headed for the stairs leading to the bleachers. The incessant drumming of the rain echoed along the stone walls, drowning any announcement made by the officials.
When Sasuke finally found Naruto among the spectators, the latter, his eyebrows disappearing under his hair, informed him that Hanabi's opponent had not yet arrived.
That was weird.
Sasuke dropped his backpack, empty quiver and bow at his feet and took the empty seat next to Naruto, then directed his attention to the duel area below.
A puzzled Hanabi was standing next to the referee; both were drenched to the skin and seemed to be shivering under the gloomy weather. Were her opponent not to show up within a quarter hour, Hanabi would be declared winner by default.
"It's that guy we met in the Forest," said Naruto. "The one with the pale eyes, do you think he – woah! Did you see that?"
Sasuke had indeed seen that. Everybody in the stadium had without doubt witnessed the blinding, zigzagging streak of light that rippled above across the dark mass of clouds. It was shortly followed by the unforgiving crash of thunder. Gasps and terrorized shouts emanated all around.
Sasuke saw Hanabi duck for cover as a second lightning rod pierced the air. It descended into the arena and split a nearby tree in half with an explosive clap.
The ensuing silence washed over the entire stadium. No one dared utter a word. Eyes were fixed on the looming storm.
One voice rang strong and clear.
"Hanabi!"
Someone had arrived from the southern entrance. Every spectator got to their feet to see who the newcomer was. Among them, on the opposite side of the stadium, Sasuke spotted Lord Hiashi gripping the railing that ran along the edge of the tier.
He did not have to look at the shock on the father's face to know what was happening.
He had known, from the moment Hinata shouted her sister's name.
At the heart of the arena Hinata pulled Hanabi towards her, and they huddled together.
"Naruto," hissed Sasuke, already reaching for his weapon pouch and clipping it at his waist. "Come with me."
As soon as the two landed in the fighting area, shrouded figures appeared in all directions. Three of them stood before Naruto and Sasuke, obstructing their way, and seized and dragged them to the shadows of the trees. The blond shinobi was about to throw a punch, but was intercepted by his comrade who signaled him for quiet.
One of the strangers cast away her cloak, and the others followed suit.
Before Naruto and Sasuke were the latter's old teammates – Team Taka's Karin, Suigetsu and Juugo.
"Just what –," began Naruto.
"They're a group of missing nin," interrupted Karin, "who seek special abilities for various reasons."
"And just now," added Suigetsu in a jovial tone, "they found out we're traitors and will kill us too –"
The conversation was cut short as one of the other cloaked figures charged at them. The five of them scattered across the field.
Sasuke's eyes burned with the colour of his Mangekyou Sharingan. Without losing time, he pulled out several kunai and, inducing chakra in each, cast them with lightning speed at the remaining intruders' heads.
"Amaterasu," he said, and watched silently as they stripped off their shrouds caught in black flames. Underneath, they all wore light armour over dark clothing.
"You," spat a man with a crumbling feline mask, whirling around to face Sasuke.
"The name's Uchiha Sasuke. Yours?"
The man clicked his tongue, and reached for his mask. He removed the kunai and let the cracked porcelain crash to the ground.
"You've just ruined my marriage prospect," he said as he moved his hand away. "I am Tora, of the Byakko clan."
Tora's green eyes scanned the environs. Soon, two new individuals joined the arena: the Fifth Hokage and Lord Hiashi.
"A kid?" thundered Lady Tsunade, measuring Tora's youthful features. She crossed her arms beneath her chest and looked at the other unmasked assailants, all hardly young adults. "All this trouble because of kids."
Above, shinobi were busy evacuating the spectators. Under Sasuke's command, Team Taka (with a whining Suigetsu) jumped to higher ground and began helping as well.
"Lady Tsunade, Lord Hiashi," said Tora cordially. "I'd like to stay longer, but I fear I have duties calling."
With that, he bit his thumb. His hands then moved in blurred motions; he crouched and slammed them onto the muddy ground.
There was a moment of confusion as a giant cloud of smoke invaded the vicinity.
It was followed by screams, and a roar that shook the earth. As the air cleared, Sasuke and the others saw a colossal, saber-toothed white tiger emerge. One of its huge front fangs was broken.
"Say hello to Byakko!"
Atop the tiger's head were Tora and a violet-haired woman holding the unconscious Hyuuga sisters. But what caught Sasuke's attention – and made the others gasp – were her scarlet eyes.
She had the Sharingan.
But she was not an Uchiha. Sasuke's suspicions were ascertained as he checked her chakra signature.
"She stole those eyes," he muttered under his breath.
"The young lady here, named Ai, got those beautiful eyes from my personal collection," said Tora, flashing a brilliant smile at his audience below. "And I shall add those pretty Hyuuga eyes to my collection as well."
"Not so fast!" shouted the Hokage at the same time as a loud "RASENGAN!" boomed from the other side of the beast.
Sasuke shielded his face with his left arm at the impact. Byakko stumbled to the side, its claws sinking deep into the mud for support; the ground squelched and depressed under its weight. A whip of its immense tail uprooted several trees and sent them flying directly at Naruto. He collapsed against the stone wall of the building.
From the corner of his eye, Sasuke saw a team of medics rush out of the western gate. Among them was Sakura, who immediately dashed towards Naruto's side.
Sasuke thought of the scroll nestled in his pouch.
Should he…?
The beast, furious from the previous attack, was turning towards the two by the wall. It opened its great mouth and in its midst, from a small gyrating orb, grew a crackling sphere of energy – the tiger aimed at the two horror-struck shinobi –
Tch.
Sasuke threw a kunai at the tiger's head, momentarily breaking its focus. Seizing the opportunity, Sakura grabbed Naruto by the waist and dove out of harm's way. The lightning bolt collided against the wall, breaking it to bits. Byakko opened its jaws once again for a new strike.
Sasuke pulled the scroll out of his pouch and bit his thumb. He smeared blood over all five fingertips and, unfurling the stretch of silk to its full length, he pressed his hand in the blank space under his name. The scroll disappeared into a puff of smoke.
Faster than light, Sasuke performed the summoning requirements and slammed his palm on the ground.
From thin air, golden and vermilion feathers burst forth. Great wings spread and spanned to either side of the arena.
"Suzaku," said Sasuke, standing at the base of the beast's nape. He applied chakra to his feet so he would not fall over. "Let's go."
The majestic bird stretched its elegant neck towards the heavens and emitted a clear, ringing cry. With a flap of its wings, it took off and darted straight across the field towards Byakko. In a swift movement, Suzaku released a fireball from its hooked beak. The strike sent the white beast staggering backwards and dispersing the energy accumulated in its second attack.
The bird then swerved upwards. It charged and launched another, greater fireball at the thundercloud. It bore a gaping hole in the dark mass. The rain evaporated, replaced by warm shafts from the midday sun.
Below, Sasuke saw that the Fifth and Lord Hiashi had engaged the twins, Kira and Kai, in battle.
"Where – how did you get that?" exclaimed an outraged Tora at Suzaku's summoner.
"A small gift from me."
Sasuke had not had time to speak. The soft reply had come from Ai as she placed Hanabi down. Still holding Hinata, she sidestepped an oncoming pale hand targeted at her throat and kicked Tora square in the ribs.
"Consider it a change of plans," she added, "since you refused to fix your methods."
From his vantage point, Sasuke saw the violet-haired kunoichi jump off the beast – she joined her hands in several hand signs – within seconds, the entire stadium was engulfed in a dark sphere. Sasuke looked around, his guard up, alert to any movement.
Nothing but darkness was in sight.
His mount had disappeared beneath his feet, leaving his body suspended in mid-air.
"What –"
The cool fingers of dread gripped the corners of his mind. This was an illusion, he reasoned, using his Sharingan in search of a weak point.
More darkness stared back at him.
Clenching his teeth in frustration, he grabbed a shuriken and threw it straight ahead.
Hardly seconds later, there was a sharp whistling from right behind him. He ducked and watched, wide-eyed, as the metal star spiraled past where his head had been. It disappeared once again into the void. The following time it came around, Sasuke dodged and deftly snatched it back to his weapon pouch.
He had to try something else.
Sasuke concentrated and channeled his chakra to his left hand. His palm glowed with the crackling power of his elemental affinity.
The cry of a thousand birds reverberated in this quiet realm.
Yet, like an omniscient entity, the realm absorbed his chakra and plunged Sasuke into deeper abyss.
"You won't get out," said a disembodied voice. It echoed in the distance, yet its source remained unknown. Its next words felt like a frosted breath on Sasuke's ears.
"Not until I've retrieved your eyes."