Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did there would be a lot more swearing.

Hi everyone! I'm so sorry for updating sooooooooo late, but I was having trouble deciding what direction to go with in this chapter, and a lot of shit happened in recent events obviously...

Ok, so I wanted to explain a few things before you continue with reading this chapter.

First off, Hinata is only getting discharged from the hospital now, because if you remember from the show, she's still hurt and coughing up blood during the matches. I gathered from that information that she was in really bad condition before then if it took her a month to recover. So it made sense that she would have still been in the hospital up to that point.

Secondly, in the show, Hanabi clearly hears the conversation taking place in the arena, even though they are sitting very far away...but hey that part's canon, so...not my fault it doesn't make sense :)

Welp, that's all for now. Sorry for writing such a long author's note. Please r&r! I hope you enjoy!

"They didn't understand it, but like so many unfortunate events in life, just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it isn't so."

― Lemony Snicket

Hanabi stared at the wooden floor that drifted in and out of focus. Heart beating rapidly in her chest, she took deep breathes in order to calm herself.

"Once more, Hanabi." came the demanding voice of her father.

"The chunin exams tournament is in three days' time. I expect you to watch very carefully and observe the competitors fighting styles, one of whom happens to be Neji."

'Elder brother Neji...'

Hanabi couldn't stop the memories from that night from flashing through her mind. The night Neji harshly attacked Hinata but ended up on the floor, writhing and clutching his head in pain. It was that night that Hanabi learned the truth behind the Hyūga clan. It was that ugly truth that changed everything.

It was Hanabi's destiny to protect the Hyūga clan with that ugly truth, no matter how much it pained her. There was no choice in the matter.

She didn't think she would ever forget the words her grandfather spoke to her that night.

'What was that?'

Hanabi clutched the cloth of her skirt in her tiny trembling hands.

"You were peeking into the training hall, weren't you?" She looked up to find her grandfather looming over her.

Hanabi nodded her head.

"I see..." He went to sit beside her.

"That man was fine, then suddenly, he was in agony...And the pattern on his forehead..."

"What you saw was the Curse Mark: Caged Bird...passed down within the Hyūga."

"The Curse Mark...Caged Bird?"

"Yes. It reacts to the hidden seal placed within the main family...If it is placed on you, they can easily destroy your cranial nerves."

Hanabi thought back to when the man clutched his head in extreme agony, screaming that horrible scream.

"So back then..."

"When Neji threatened Hinata with harm, Hiashi used the power of the hidden seal to stop him."

"Why would he do such a thing?"

Grandfather sighed and looked out over the compound.

"The main family of the Hyūga clan has the solemn duty of protecting the Byakugan for eternity. For that, there are times when we must rule over the side branch families using absolute fear...in other words, 'death' to keep them in line."

"Absolute fear..." Hanabi didn't really understand all of this. What was the point? Was the protection of the Byakugan really worth the lives of others? Thinking back to the man writhing in pain, She didn't think so.

"Naturally, some in the side branch families oppose this. I speak of those who harbor resentment towards the main family. But regardless of how much we are hated, it is all for the sake of the Hyūga clan that we possess this skill."

"So that's who we are..." Hanabi was starting to understand.

"Listen well, Hanabi. All of us are born into this world bearing our own destiny. In our lifetime, that destiny never changes."

And that's when Hanabi understood. No matter what, she would be bound to her destiny.

The words she was told that day changed her. This was her fate. And she must follow it. If that meant using the Curse Mark: Caged Bird, then so be it.

'For the Hyūga. This is the right thing to do...'

Hanabi again thought of Elder brother Neji's face as he shook in agony, screaming.

'...isn't it?'

"I have already discussed with your sensei about you missing school that day." Her father informed her.

Hanabi was brought back to the present and refocused on the task at hand.

'Just one more'

Hanabi rose to her feet, once more in fighting stance. She rushed at Hiashi, who easily pushed her back with one blow due to her exhausted state. Face flushed, Hanabi panted, trying to take in as much air as possible.

"Enough. You may go. We will continue this later." As Hiashi exited, Hanabi stood up, leaning against the wall for support. Her legs felt as though they were about to give in, but one thought sustained Hanabi, making her able to continue walking towards the door.

'I get to see Elder sister Hinata today!'

It had been three weeks since Hinata's fight with Neji. Her injuries had been so bad the hospital insisted she stay a week longer to make sure she was well enough to go back home.

And Hanabi had been counting down the days until she was discharged.

The Hyūga compound was a lonely place, and even if Hinata and Hanabi didn't talk much, neither girl being of the chatterbox variety, her presence was always appreciated. Because with Hinata, Hanabi felt like she had someone standing with her when it seemed everyone else was against her.

Over the past three weeks, the cold stares from the branch family members became more suffocating with each passing day. Especially when there was no one to smile at her, except for Natsu. In fact, Natsu was the one thing holding Hanabi back from being submerged in the darkness. That, and her friends being there for her. But they couldn't be with her all the time.

So with that being said, it was very understandable that Hanabi was itching for Hinata to be discharged from the hospital. After all, who wouldn't miss their sister after they were away from home for three weeks.

With that final thought, Hanabi looked up to find she had finally reached the hospital.

For a moment, she hesitated to pull open the door. Shaking her head, she rid herself of her doubts. Well, most of them.

As she entered, she was met with the smell that can only be described as the "hospital smell." Hanabi suppressed a shudder as she walked through the blank halls.

It wasn't so much that Hanabi had a fear of hospitals per se, just of what it meant that you were in one. So these fears were very rational. Not that Hanabi saw it that. Because anything that could be seen as a fear was a weakness. And Hanabi wasn't supposed to have any weaknesses.

It probably came as no surprise that she had only bad memories of the place. The times she had been here consisted of when she was really little and was very sick and when she was born. Nothing good ever happened when Hanabi was in hospitals. Her first time, her birth mother died, and her second time, the only thing Hanabi can remember from the experience is never-ending pain.

300...301...302...303.

This was it.

Facing the blank white door, Hanabi steeled herself for whatever she was about to see on the other side.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

The sweet familiar chime of her sister's voice calmed her erratically beating heart.

Pushing the thoughts of bruises and bandages out of her mind, she pulled open the door.

To Hanabi's relief, Hinata did not seem to be that beat up. She understood that the three weeks spent there were an extra precaution, but Hanabi couldn't help but still be worried, so she was glad her fears were unfounded.

"Hanabi," Her eyes met those of her kind sister. For a moment, Hanabi thought she was going to question her being there, and she doubted herself for coming in the first place. "I'm glad you're here."

Warmth filled Hanabi's heart, and she returned the kind smile her sister gave her.

"Well, I haven't seen you in so long, so I thought I'd walk you home."

"That's very nice of you."

Hanabi didn't know what to do with that compliment, so instead, she changed the subject.

"So...do you need help getting out of your bed, or can you do it yourself?" She asked worriedly.

"I think I can manage, but thank you for offering."

Hinata slowly pulled the covers off and stood up from the white hospital bed.

From what Hanabi could see, there didn't seem to be any remaining injuries. Though that wasn't saying much, as the effects of the Hyūga's fighting style would be mainly internal.

Hanabi pulled open the door to the room for the both of them to walk through.

"How was your time at the hospital?" Hanabi asked, trying to make conversation, though immediately regretting her choice of questions. What kind of question was that?!

"I mean, uh, you were injured so it probably wasn't fun. Of course, what kind of question was that? You probably were in pain most of the time. Sorry for asking, I shouldn't have brought it up now you're gonna think of bad memories. I don't even know why I said tha—"

"Hanabi." Hinata interrupted her babbling to herself, thankfully saving Hanabi from making herself into more of an idiot.

'I think Shrey's idiocy is rubbing off on me.' Hanabi thought despairingly.

"Sorry about that." Hanabi rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.

Hinata chuckled lightly.

"I missed you."

Hanabi stared in shock at her. Well, that was...unexpected. But definitely not unwanted. Her words made Hanabi feel warm inside. She felt lighter. Feeling brave from those words, Hanabi responded, "I missed you, too."

They shared a smile, and Hanabi felt as though she had never been happier.

Hinata wrapped an arm around her and held her tight. Hanabi, once she had recovered from the initial shock of the touch, reciprocated. It was nice, being able to lean on someone. Hanabi had missed this. She had missed Hinata's presence in her life.

In that moment, Hanabi wished they could have stayed holding each other like that forever.

But you can't always get what you want. Too soon, they had reached the Hyūga compound. When they walked inside, they were met with Hiashi sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea.

"We will continue our training once I have finished my tea, Hanabi."

He didn't even bother to spare a glance at Hinata. She was gone for three weeks, yet he acted like she wasn't in the room with them at all. Hanabi's chest tightened.

Chancing a glance at her sister, she could see hurt in her eyes that she was desperately trying to conceal.

"I'll go up to my room to rest and leave you to your training."

Hinata rushed out, leaving Hanabi and Hiashi alone in the room.

Knowing there was nothing she could do to ease her sister's pain, Hanabi headed towards the training area.

As she reached the training room, she tried to dissolve her feelings of contempt. There was no good in getting mad. Fate was fate, and there was nothing that could be done to change it. It was her fate to become the head of the Hyūga clan, while her sister was destined to be a failure. Hanabi just had to accept that fact.

Hanabi told herself that she did accept her fate. Nonetheless, her fists remained clenched at her side.

"Ugh, thank god that's finally over." Hanabi sighed, reluctantly standing up.

"What? Don't tell me you don't find the study of the chakra network fascinating?" Shrey grinned at her.

Hanabi rolled her eyes. "Of course. How could I not? My absolute favorite subject."

"I knew it!"

Shrey and Hanabi giggled together like idiots.

"Are you two slowpokes gonna hurry it up, or should we just head to lunch without 'cha?" Kiara called from across the room, her and Riku already standing by the doorway.

Not giving them any time to respond, Kiara and Riku both started walking out the door.

"Ok, ok, we're coming!"

"Hey, wait up!"

Hanabi and Shrey jogged over and caught up with them, and they all continued on to lunch outside together.

"So are you guys going to the tournament?" Shrey asked once they had finally sat down at their usual table. Kaede was already sitting there when they arrived.

"I'm not sure you're aware of this, but we have school that day, idiot," Riku stated.

"I know that!" Shrey whined, "My gramps is letting me skip." He puffed out his chest proudly.

'So Shrey lives with his grandpa...' Hanabi absorbed this new piece of information.

"Yeah, whatever," Riku rolled his eyes. "My cousin is actually participating, so I got a pass to watch."

"Yeah, my dad asked if I could have the day off to watch the competition," Hanabi added softly.

"Really?! Both of you are going? That's great! We should all sit together!" Shrey exclaimed.

"My dad wants me to sit with him and my grandfather during the competition," Hanabi muttered, sad that she wouldn't be able to enjoy the event with them.

"Oh, that's ok, I guess," Shrey smiled at her, but it wasn't as bright as before.

Hanabi bit her lip. She really was sorry. Watching the chunin exams together with her friends appealed to Hanabi as much as it did to Shrey, but clan duties came first. If father thought observing the matches would make her stronger, then Hanabi would pay close attention. And that meant no distractions. After all, it was her fate to be leader of the Hyūga clan. She needed to be prepared for when the time actually came.

"Well, I guess it'll just me and Riku then."

Riku's eyebrows rose at the prospect of spending time alone with the hyperactive ninja-in-training.

"What about you, Kaede? Are you going to watch?" Riku asked. Four pairs of eyes turned to look at the orange-haired girl who had remained quiet for the conversation thus far.

"Oh, well, um...I'm not that interested in things like that, so I didn't ask my parents if I could go." Looking down, she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"That's cool. I mean, we can't all be expected to have the same interests, right?" Kaede raised her eyes to Riku, who smiled warmly at her. She gave a grateful smile in return.

"Ugh, that means it really is just gonna be me and this idiot." Riku jabbed his thumb in Shrey's direction.

"Hey, who're you calling an idiot?!" Shrey jumped to his feet, clutching his hand over his heart, mock offended.

"If that's how you really think of me, then I don't think we can trade bentos anymore!"

Riku shared a look with the rest of their table a look as if to say: do you see what I have to deal with?

Kaede sighed while Hanabi rolled her eyes. Kiara just shook her head. Though when Riku went to grab another bite from his, or rather Shrey's, bento, it was missing.

"When did—"

"When you were busy silently communicating to our friends that I'm a handful," Shrey said, mouth full of food.

"Fine, then let me have my bento back." Riku huffed.

"Sure thing" but because he was talking with food in his mouth, it sounded more like "Ure mhing." He dropped Riku's bento in front of him

"What the—?! It's empty!" Riku's head shot towards Shrey, eyes wide in horror at how Shrey had managed to finish it all in just a matter of minutes.

He looked like a fish on land, trying but failing to find the words to express what he was feeling, which at this point, was mostly confusion.

He finally seemed to collect his thoughts, as he said, "Wait, then let me have yours back."

"Kay," Shrey gurgled, moth still full of food. He placed his bento in front of Riku.

"Hah?! This one is empty too!" Riku yelped, pointing around Shrey.

The three girls laughed at their antics, and soon, Shrey and Riku joined in. They laughed until it hurt. Until they couldn't laugh any longer. After that, for the rest of lunch, Hanabi couldn't stop smiling. She secretly hoped there would never be a time where she would have to be without her friends.

"Watch closely, Hanabi," Hiashi instructed. The first match was about to begin.

"Yes, father."

"There is no one in the Hyūga clan who has inherited such a strong Kekkei Genkai. His is stronger than your older sister's."

Hanabi sharply inhaled. "Stronger than hers?"

"Perhaps even stronger than yours."

Her eyes widened, and her breath caught. 'Stronger than mine...' Deciding she would think about that information later, she turned back to face the arena, giving the match her full attention. Her eyes lingered on the orange figure in the center of the stadium.

'What is it about this Naruto that elder sister believes in so? Just look how he's standing up to Elder brother Neji, a genius from the Hyūga. There's no way some failure can beat him.'

"I vow to win!" Naruto declared from the down below in the center of the stadium, holding his fist out in conviction.

"I can't wait to see the look of despair on your face when you learn your foolish vow is impossible to keep." Neji retorted with a smirk.

"Are we gonna stand here talking all day?" Naruto snarled.

The wind picked up around them.

"Let's get going. Show me what you've got."

"Alright. Now let the first match begin." The proctor stated.

Hanabi watched on in interest, not only because she was told to pay close attention, but also because she wanted to see how this Naruto that Hinata was so interested in would fare against Elder brother Neji. Naruto and Neji launched continuous attacks on each other, both of them barely evading the other's attacks. Then Naruto made more of himself appear. Hanabi had no idea how he did that, and she resolved to ask Natsu about it later. Now the multitude of Naruto's came at Neji in separate attacks. Though Neji was too good for them, fending off and evading each attack effortlessly. Then he began to destroy the Naruto's one by one until they were nothing more than a puff of smoke that blew away into the wind.

Naruto then made many more Naruto's. So many that Hanabi could no longer count them all in her head. Neji ran through the crowd of Naruto's until he reached his target and struck Naruto in the chest. The other Naruto's started disappearing one after the other.

"You thought I'd be too much of a chicken to attack you myself. Well, think again!" Naruto exclaimed. Two Naruto's jumped from the shadows toward Neji.

A sphere of rotating chakra surrounded Neji as he spun in a circle, making Naruto fly backward. Hiashi's eyes narrowed.

"But that's..." Hiashi clutched his knee tightly, slightly shaking "rotation."

"But I thought...only father could—"

"It's a secret ninja art. For generations, reserved only for the main household of the Hyūga clan. But Neji has somehow discovered it on his own, incredible as it may seem. He's come far."

Neji started explaining how his father was killed. When the ninja from the lightning village tried to steal Hinata, and Hiashi killed him without seeing his face. Once discovered it was the lighting ninja, the lightning village demanded compensation for their murder. The only thing they would accept as retribution, they said, would be a death for a death.

"The leaf village accepted their terms." Neji continued.

'But father...' Hanabi turned to look at him. 'Then how—?'

Neji continued explaining. He explained how his father was made to stand in for Hiashi. This was the role he had to play as a branch family member. This was his fate and he could not change it.

Neji's eyes were full of hatred for the Hyūga clan and the curse mark jutsu he bore on his forehead that was now being displayed openly.

Hanabi understood that everything that had happened to Neji's father was meant to happen because it was their fate, but that didn't change the fact that that fate was quite grim.

Hanabi felt like she was gonna be sick. Had they really spared no thought to Hizashi's life?

She forced herself to remember what grandfather told her about the true nature of the Hyūga clan.

'It's all part of our destiny. It was meant to happen. The branch family serves the main household. That is how things are.'

As much as she tried to tell herself that, when she turned again to look at her father, she didn't know if it was actually a monster staring back at her.

Hanabi turned back to the match and watched as Neji mercilessly struck Naruto over and over again until he could barely stand.

"He has been overwhelmed. All his chakra points have been blocked and he cannot even infuse chakra now." Grandfather stated.

'I knew it.'

"It's your destiny to lose to me, and that is that."

"Oh yeah? Well, we won't know that until you beat me, will we?"

Neji strikes down Naruto. "You're a failure."

Even though Hanabi can tell from where she's sitting that it pains him, Naruto gets back up. "I don't quit, and I don't go back on my word, that's my nindo, my ninja way. You and your stupid destiny, if you believe it why are you the one walking away? I will not lose."

Then something happened that shocked Hanabi. An energy started circling Naruto. Hanabi could feel its power. Was it chakra? But Hanabi had never seen any chakra like that before.

"It may be the Hyūga way to cave into destiny, it's not mine. If you think it's futile to fight then don't. I'll change the way of the Hyūga clan after I become Hokage."

Their clash created an explosion of dust and smoke covering the stadium. Finally, the smoke cleared, leaving two piles of dirt. It was impossible to tell who was who. A moment passed before Neji crawled out of one of the holes. He stood over Naruto tauntingly. That's when Naruto popped out of the ground and punched Neji, with everything he had left in him, knocking him down.

Naruto beat Neji.

"That kid won against a Hyūga, seriously?"

'How could this happen?'

The shocking turn of events left Hanabi in a whirlwind of confusion, trying to sort out her thoughts on what this meant. Everything Hanabi believed about fate was being questioned.

"Excuse me." Hiashi said, bringing Hanabi out of her storming thoughts and back to the present, as he got up from his seat. Hanabi noticed that he wasn't heading in the direction of the bathrooms. If he wasn't going to the bathroom, then where was he going?

No better way to find out than by following him. Hanabi knew this probably wasn't the best idea, but it was the only one she had at the moment, so she decided to throw caution to the wind.

"Can I go to the bathroom? I'll be right back." Her grandfather peered back at, giving a slight nod in affirmation. His eyes gave away nothing of what he was thinking, so Hanabi didn't know if she was in the clear. Hopefully, he hadn't seen through her lie. Oh well, it was too late to go back now anyway.

She stood up from her seat and made her way across the row of people until she reached the aisle. Just in time, as she saw her father duck inside a door off to the side.

Approaching the small building that her father entered, Hanabi noticed a tiny window on the left side.

Now, Hanabi wasn't one for spying on people, but what else could she do? Her father just got up and now had entered this building off to the side. Hanabi was dying to know what it was all about.

As Hanabi rounded the corner of the building, she found a giant pile of what looked like clutter someone shoved into the side so as to make room for all the people here for the tournament while still avoiding actually cleaning anything. Undestandable, as cleaning was one of the most tedious tasks you could be asked to do. besides hiding a dead body, of course. Not that Hanabi had any experience with that.

Thinking quickly, Hanabi pulled over a relatively large box that was laying near the edge of the pile to right beneath the window. She gathered a few more boxes of varying sizes and stacked them on top of each other. As her final touch, Hanabi placed a bucket on top.

The tower wobbled slightly, but Hanabi paid it no mind. She was sure it would be fine...hopefully.

Climbing the structure, Hanabi made sure to be careful so she didn't knock it over and ruin all her hard work.

A triumphant grin spread across her face when she, at last, reached the top of the bucket in victory. Mission: complete.

But when she stopped inwardly celebrating her quick thinking, Hanabi noticed a possible set back to her plan. The window only reached her forehead. Hanabi groaned.

'Why am I so short?!'

Being much too lazy to climb back down and add more levels to her structure, Hanabi settled for grasping the windowsill with her fingers while standing on her tippy toes.

There, now she could at least see slightly into what looked to be a small room. Her father was on the opposite side of the room, talking to someone Hanabi couldn't see.

'Let's change that.'

She turned her head as much as possible until she could make out the figure. It was...Neji Hyūga?!

'What is father doing talking to him?!'

Hanabi's mind spun with endless possibilities she thought of.

Leaning in a bit closer, Hanabi strained her ears trying to hear what they were saying. She could almost make out their words.

"—Neji, I've come to tell you the truth about what happened."

"What are you saying?"

"That day I was fully prepared to die."

"What are you talking about?!—"

Hanabi struggled to hear the rest of what Neji was saying, and then she saw Hiashi place something down next to him, though she couldn't see what it was from where she was standing.

"—that writing!"

The words were fading in and out. Now, if she could just lean forward a little more...

"And what do you think you're doing?"

This time, the words came from behind her, and Hanabi was so startled that she tipped over, knocking the entire tower down with her.

She landed hard on her butt, and the bucket landed hard over her head, obscuring her vision.

"Ouch," the sound echoed inside the bucket.

She slowly lifted the bucket out of her face, scared at what she was going to find, though she already knew the answer.

Looming over her, her grandfather was giving her a grave look of disapproval. Hanabi's cheeks felt as though they were on fire. She was never going to live this down.

"You still haven't answered my question." Her grandfathers face remained like stone. Hard and cold.

"I, uh, well, I—I mean...haha...I—" Hanabi sputtered, trying, but spectacularly failing, to form a cohesive sentence.

Grandfather just sighed, as if too tired for her childish antics. He was too old for this. To Hanabi's relief, he left it at that, swiftly turning so that his robes swished behind him. Hanabi scrambled to get up from her spot on the floor so that she could follow him back to their seats.

Hanabi prayed that he would be kind enough to spare her father the story of her blunder. She'd rather hate the long lecture she would be sure to get after if he ever found out.

The rest of the matches continued as Hanabi watched on mindlessly. Though she did note that Shikamaru Nara was the cousin Riku had spoken of, making sure to pay a little more attention to that particular match so she could discuss it with Riku the next day at school.

They were finally on the most awaited match of the day if the fanatic cheers from the crowd were anything to go by. Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara of the sand village.

Hanabi remembered learning about the Uchiha massacre from Natsu, being too young at the time to remember it when it happened.

As the match continued, Hanabi looked on, only semi-interested in it. Soon, she felt her eyelids droop, too heavy to fully open again. Her vision blurred, and the sounds of the crowd faded into nothing. She could faintly make out the words "release" being spoken, but she couldn't bother to think about that now. No, she was too tired for that. It felt as though there were hundreds of pillow-soft feathers caressing her body into the lull of sleep. The likes of which she could not escape from. Giving up on fighting the insistent pull, Hanabi let her head fall to her chest as her eyes finally closed to welcome in the blackness. And then, there was nothing.

"Release"

Hanabi's eyes slowly opened to find her grandfather standing over her protectively in a defensive stance.

As her mind came back to her, she looked around hurriedly to try and understand the situation better.

Almost everyone looked to be asleep. Once she finished scanning behind her, she turned her head back to her own seating area. That's when she realized her father was missing from his seat.

Hanabi's eyes widened in fear, but before she could dwell any longer on thoughts of what had happened to him, her attention was drawn to the loud banging noises. She whipped her head to the right.

'There!'

Hiashi was fighting off two ninja who were relentlessly attacking him.

'Who are those ninja?!'

Hanabi was about to try and get a better look at their headbands to figure out what village they were from when more clanging noises sounded from the opposite side on the lower left.

It was an old man fighting off five enemy ninja. Five?! And he was winning! Hanabi couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Hanabi."

She turned away from the fighting scene before her to stare up at her grandfather who was still standing over her.

"Are you fully awake yet?"

"Y-yes, grandfather. But what's going on?!"

Hanabi was so confused. So many things were happening at once, and she couldn't catch her breath.

"I can't explain right no—"

Hanabi ducked as three different kunai were sent their way. Her grandfather seamlessly deflected them with his chakra shield.

"Just stay down until I tell you otherwise." Her grandfather commanded.

Hanabi nodded and slipped off her seat into the ground in a huddled position.

The clanging continued for who knows how long. Then, the clanging abruptly stopped. Hanabi stayed glued to the floor. She didn't look up to check what was happening for fear that the battle was still being continued. She would wait for her grandfather's say-so. Only then would she come out of her hiding spot.

"You can come out, Hanabi." Came her grandfather's voice after a few minutes of silence.

Hanabi rose to see the opposing ninja lying passed out on the floor, while her father and the older man stood over them with barely any visible injuries. Now that she could see him better, Hanabi did a quick once-over of the old man. His light grey hair was short and ragged, his face devoid of any facial hair. Wrinkles covered his entire face, but he still managed to give off the sense of being younger than he actually was. That's when the tip of what looked to be a huge scar caught Hanabi's attention as it started right under his cheekbone and ran down his neck, disappearing into his clothes neckline.

"We need to get her somewhere safe." The old man stated.

"My duties lie with protecting the leaf village in this time of crisis. Takeda, can I trust you to safely hide my daughter?" Hiashi replied.

"Of course. I can guarantee no harm will come to her. The only thing I ask is that you let me take the kids with me." He jerked his thumb to a couple of seats behind him.

From there, Hanabi could see two kids huddled together, only slightly visible.

Hiashi sighed. "Do as you please. As long as you protect my child, then I don't care who you hide with her. Just make sure she gets somewhere safe." He stressed the final word as though there was a hidden meaning to it.

The old man, Takeda, nodded in understanding.

"Ok, guys, you can come on out now." He bellowed.

the two kids uncurled themselves and rose to their feet. Hanabi's eyes widened in shock. Before her stood Riku and Shrey. How had she not noticed them sitting that close to her throughout the tournament?

"Follow Takeda, Hanabi. He will keep you safe." Hiashi directed at her.

Hanabi gave a slight nod in promise. She could barely wrap her head around everything that was happening.

"Ok, let's get going. C'mon now." Takeda led them away from the arena.

As they hurried down the empty stairwell, Hanabi glanced over at Shrey and Riku. Shrey returned her look, and Hanabi took comfort in seeing that she wasn't the only one confused and scared. Everything was happening so fast, and Hanabi was having trouble keeping up. To someone who didn't know him well, Riku seemed to be doing well. But Hanabi knew better. His worried scrunched brow gave it all away.

As if sensing their fear, Takeda spoke up. "There's nothing to worry about. I promise I will keep you all safe. And I never go back on a promise." He winked cheerfully at Hanabi as if there wasn't an attack being launched on the Hidden Leaf Village as they spoke.

Maybe it was his reassuring smile. Or maybe it was the way his voice didn't waver even the slightest bit. Whatever it was, it helped calm her down a bit. It would be okay. They would be okay. Everything would be okay. She held onto that thought as they continued their evacuation.

They finally reached the exit of the arena, and they all broke out into a run, following Takeda's lead.

"I should probably introduce you guys. This here is Shrey, and the other one is—"

"Gramps," Shrey interrupted, slightly exasperated. "we already know each other."

"...oh. Well, then, my bad." He gave a deep throaty chuckle. "I guess I should be the one doing the introducing then. I'm Takeda. It's nice to meet you."

Hanabi thought he was quite strange. They were in the middle of a battle, yet he seemed to be prioritizing meeting each other rather than fighting the enemy. What was going on?

"Oh, uh, it's nice to meet you too." Hanabi responded.

By now, the were at the far end of the village near the Hokage stone faces. When they finally reached the rock wall, Takdea turned around, making sure there were no enemy ninja following them. Finding no one, he moved aside the boulder in front of them to reveal a dimly lit tunnel. He quickly ushered them inside before putting the boulder back in place, trapping them inside.

They made haste, running down the hallway which led to a flight of stairs that mysteriously disappeared high above into the darkness. Once they reached the top, Takeda led them down another hallway. Though now, instead of silence, Hanabi could hear a soft buzzing of some sort...possibly people whispering?

'Could it be enemy ninja?!'

Hanabi's pulse quickened and her hand clenched at her side, ready to throw a punch if needed.

"Relax. That's our allies you hear." Takeda reassured them.

Sure enough, when they neared the part of the tunnel where the sound was coming from, there was loads of villagers huddled together. Hanabi sighed a breath of relief. This was where they were going to hide, and it looked like everyone was here and safe from the attack.

"We're not quite there yet. Just a little further." Takeda clarified. How was it that he always seemed to read Hanabi's mind before she ever spoke a word? But also, what did he mean that they weren't there yet. Wasn't this where everyone was hiding? Why were they going to a different spot?

"Riku?!" A voice shouted from behind them. Hanabi spun around to see a woman pulling Riku into what looked to be a suffocating hug.

"Mom, I can't breathe" Riku wheezed out.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just so worried! We had no idea what happened to you, or if you were safe!" Riku's mother cried hysterically.

"Well, I'm okay, so there's no reason to worry any more."

"Yes, thank god." She pulled him in for another death lock—hug. She pulled him in for another hug.

"Seeing as you've found your mother, Shrey, Hanabi, and I will keep moving."

Riku nodded and shot Shrey and Hanabi a look that said: goodbye for now. See you guys soon. Stay safe until then.

"Okay, let's keep moving." Takeda urged them further down the hallway. They ran for a bit until the whispers faded back into complete silence.

"Gramps, why do we have to hide in a separate spot from everyone else?" Shrey asked, voicing the question Hanabi had been thinking.

"Because you're an heir...ess" His eyes glanced over at Hanabi, "to a powerful clan, and enemy ninja are likely to kidnap you to get their hands on the secret jutsu." He directed the first part to Hanabi, as she was the heiress to the Hyūga clan, though she was a little suspicious of why he hesitated before tagging on the "ess" to the end of it. Takeda and Shrey shared a knowing glance, but Hanabi couldn't understand what they were silently communicating to each other. Ugh, if only she had the ability to read minds.

But her mind-reading thoughts slipped away as they neared the end of the hallway, which had two giant steele doors at the end of it.

'Don't tell me this is where we'll be hiding?'

It practically oozed the "Fortress of Doom" feel. And Hanabi was not excited to spend however long stuck in there until the battle was over.

"Takeda, we need you to come with us! It's time for phase three of the plan." A ninja called from behind them.

Takeda nodded before leaning down and grasping Shrey's shoulder, looking him right in the eye.

"I'm gonna go fight off some enemy ninja, okay? Promise me you'll stay safe until I get back?"

Slightly averting his gaze, Hanabi saw Shrey's cheeks redden at the attention.

"Yeah, I promise, old man." He muttered. "And the same goes to you, okay?" He looked back into Takeda's eyes, and Hanabi saw how much he cared for him.

"Of course, kid. I'll be back before you know it." He turned around ready to leave, but not before looking over his shoulder to wink at them.

"Keep him safe, Hanabi, alright?" A sly grin covered his face before he sprinted away towards the action, leaving the two of them standing there watching his back retreat into the distance.

"I don't need protection, idiot..." Shrey mumbled under his breath.

Hanabi smiled. They made an odd pair: energetic ninja-in-training and strong old veteran ninja. But somehow, at the same time, they fit together perfectly. She could tell how much they depended on each other. It was like everything she had ever wanted from her father...

"Come this way now" The leaf ninja standing by them led them toward the giant thick doors. It creaked loudly when he pulled it open for them, motioning for them to go inside.

Once they were both in the room, which was void of any objects or furniture, but for some reason still reasonably large, and had neither windows or a light so that they could see, the leaf ninja turned to them.

"Stay here until we get you."

And then the door shut in their faces, the distinct sound of it locking could be heard, leaving Shrey and Hanabi in the darkness with each other.

'It's not like we can leave on our own anyways.' Hanabi thought to herself, annoyed at being patronized for the umpteenth time that day. She may be young, but she wasn't that dense, ya know?

"So...what do you want to do while we wait?" Shrey asked to break the weighted silence.

"Well, we might as well get comfortable. We may be here a while." Hanabi settled into the far end of the room, leaning her back against the wall. It wasn't by any means a comfortable position, but she supposed it was better than standing for who knows how long. Shrey followed her lead and sat down beside her.

Hanabi leaned her head back against the wall. She took in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Her heart was beating at an irrational speed. The thumping coursed throughout her entire body. Shutting her eyes tightly, she tried to will herself away from what was actually happening.

Everything before had been going so fast she couldn't even process what was going on. But now that they were away from the action, her mind was starting to catch up to her surroundings.

She thought back to the start of the attack, when she and the rest of the stadium had been put under some kind of trance.

'Genjutsu' Hanabi realized.

And then after that, she split up from her father and grandfather to get to the hiding spot she was now in.

'Father and grandfather!'

Oh no! She had completely forgot about them in the chaos of evacuating the stadium.

'Where are they now? Are they safe?!'

Hanabi' s mind raced through the terrible possibilities of what could have happened to them. Realizing this wasn't good for her health, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to help calm herself down. Clearly, it was too much to think of that right now.

Though still on thoughts of her father, her mind wandered to what she had discovered earlier before the attack when she was spying on them through the window.

When she got back to her seat with grandfather, she was so embarrassed at being caught she couldn't think of much else, never mind the implications of father's words to Neji.

"I came to tell you the truth of what happened...that day I was fully prepared to die."

'So he didn't sacrifice his brother? Then how did Elder brother Neji's father end up dying in his place? It makes no sense. Did he sacrifice himself for the main branch family? But doesn't the side branch family hate the main branch family?'

All of it didn't make too much sense to Hanabi, but she reasoned that what her father had said was the truth because though she knew him to be cold and strict, he was also honest. Or at least, he wouldn't lie about something like that.

'Maybe not as much of a monster as I thought.'

The thought soothed Hanabi, because as much as she hated the way he treated Hinata and resented him for it, she still was reluctant to think of her own father in such a way. No matter how strained their relationship was.

Hanabi let her mind wander to earlier when Takeda had been telling them the reason for their separate hiding space and had hesitated with his words. And then there was that mysterious look he and Shrey shared. All of it was a little too suspicious for Hanabi's liking. Either that, or she was horribly overthinking everything like always and making a big deal out of nothing. She hoped it wasn't the latter. She didn't need another embarrassment to add to her fast-growing list.

Now that she was thinking about it, what about that dream about the Takashima's? She hadn't been able to ask Shrey about it, never being able to find the right time or the confidence to straight out ask him of his relations.

To be honest, Hanabi was scared of his response. Before, when talking about family, it seemed to be a touchy subject for Shrey. Hanabi remembered when she and Riku were joking about their own parents but Shrey sounded much more bitter when talking about his.

Plus, the dream might not have anything to do with him. Sure, it mentioned the Takashima's, but that wasn't to say Shrey knew everything going on in his own clan.

It could be totally pointless to ask. At least, these were Hanabi's thoughts on the matter for the past three weeks.

Hanabi sighed. She knew she was only making excuses for herself. She should just muster up the courage to ask. They were finally alone, so no one could interrupt them, and it's not like Shrey could run away from it as they were quite literally trapped.

Hanabi' s eyes popped open to peek over at Shrey who was busy staring into space. Sensing her eyes on him, he turned to face her.

"What is it?" He tilted his head to the side.

Hanabi panicked. "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about when this will all be over."

'C'mon just ask.'

"Yeah, we've been here a while now. I hope the old man is okay."

He tried to hide it, but Hanabi could tell it was deeply troubling him. Had he been worrying about him the whole time?

"He'll be okay. I'm sure of it." Hanabi wasn't just saying this to make Shrey feel better. She remembered Takeda taking on five enemy ninja and not even breaking a sweat. He would be fine.

"But what if he does something stupid? It's just—I can't lose him, Hanabi. He's the only family I have." Shrey's voice cracked, and Hanabi saw tears pricking at the corners of his eyes.

She thought back to the time when she was in his situation, and Shrey had been the one to comfort her. Now it was her turn to help out her friend.

Taking hold of his hand, she squeezed it tight and said, "Shrey. Look at me. We'll get through this together, okay? I'm here for you. And I'm not going anywhere." Shrey nodded, his face now streaked with tears.

Shrey continued to clutch her hand tightly, as if it was a lifeboat in a storm of darkness. Hanabi didn't let go either. They held tight to one another, until Shrey's sobs quieted to sniffles.

"Thank you for helping me through this." He smiled through his tears. It was a wobbly smile, but still genuine. How he manageable to do that in his state was a wonder to Hanabi.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like this." Hanabi shook her head vehemently.

"You don't need to apologize. You were there for me when I needed it. I'm just returning the favor." They both shared a small smile.

"Anyways," Shrey cleared his throat, drying his tears with his sleeve, "what have you been thinking about? We've been stuck here for a while now."

This was it. This was her chance to ask him about the dream.

'Should I ask him? Is it too soon? What if he resents me for asking because it's too personal. No. I should just go for it. What's the worst that could happen?'

With that, Hanabi steeled herself to ask him the thing she had been wondering since she remembered her dream. Although, that wasn't to say she wasn't still nervous of Shrey's reaction to her admittedly blunt question.

"I was just wondering if you—" The rest of her sentence was drowned out by the loud creaking of the metal door. Both their heads shot towards the area, which was now spilling light into the black room.

A leaf ninja peeked his head in.

"It's safe to come out now. The enemy has been neutralized."

Shrey and Hanabi shared a look, and Shrey smiled at her, and Hanabi felt safe.

'We're fine. Everyone's safe now.' Hanabi thought, relieved. 'It's all finally over.'

Shrey and Hanabi stepped out into the light.