Chapter 10 - Trust

Hinata debated with herself for a few moments before deciding that she would let them know. The situation was too precarious and she needed everyone to trust her. If Izumi was found by the ANBU when they searched for Sasuke, everything could fall apart. So she bit the bullet and hoped they wouldn't ask too many questions.

"I have one more issue I need to bring up…" Hinata said slowly, and everyone turned to face her. "I've had suspicions about something happening for a while now. Ever since I heard the argument that Itachi had with his father. I didn't say anything, because I knew everyone would think I was paranoid, and I probably am. But I had Kō watch over the Uchiha compound for the past week."

"Fugaku-sama sounded really displeased with Danzō, so I thought someone might try something. I figured it would either be Fugaku-sama making a move, or Itachi on behalf of the ANBU. The look on Itachi's face when he left the building was one of calm determination. As if he had heard everything he needed too and had come to a decision about something."

Hinata sighed heavily.

"You came to that conclusion because of the tail end of an argument and the look on someone's face?" Shikaku asked incredulously. 'If this girl is telling the truth, she's pretty terrifying.'

'If only.' Hinata scoffed in her mind. "Yes. I've seen Itachi around their compound a few times, and I noticed a girl he was particularly close to. She obviously was infatuated with him. Her name is Uchiha Izumi, a genin kunoichi."

"I know of her." Hiashi said. "Good girl. She had a talent for taijutsu, it's a shame. She would have made a damn fine Kunoichi."

"She still will." Hinata said. "She's still alive. Thankfully my paranoia paid off. I figured either Itachi would hurt her or take her and run off, so I assigned Kō to specifically keep an eye on her. He noticed Itachi making a bee-line for Izumi tonight, and knocked her unconscious as she slept. Kō took her and got out of the Uchiha Compound before the massacre."

"What!?" Inoichi asked, shocked. The other clan heads all looked shocked as well.

'Yeah, this girl is scary.' Shikaku thought to himself.

"She's currently at Kō's house, tied up and unconscious. She has no idea what happened. We need to keep her safe with Sasuke as well." Hinata looked at Shibi. "Aburame-sama, if you could please keep her safe as well."

Shibi gave her a look for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

"Thank you…" Hinata sighed, a load off her mind.

"Alright girl. You and I are going to have a serious conversation about all this later." Shikaku said. "For now though, we need to get a move on. We can't waste any more time."

The clan heads immediately took action and Shikaku drafted a letter appealing to the Daimyō that everyone signed.

Aburame Shibi picked up Sasuke, and went with Kō, who had been waiting outside, to go get Izumi.

Hiashi rounded up a dozen or so Hyūga shinobi and gave them their orders. They ran off towards the different clans immediately, making sure to dodge any ANBU members on the way.

Inoichi returned to his home to set up his mind transmission technique and coordinated with everyone.

Before Hiashi left, he took Hinata to her room and sat with her on her bed.

"Hinata-chan…" He looked at her. "I haven't been a good father, thus far… But I want you to know how proud I am of you, and I'm going to do better." He pulled Hinata into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

Hinata hugged him back and held back the tears in her eyes. "That's the first time you've ever said that… I love you too dad."

Hiashi smiled. "I'll be back soon. Watch over your mother and sister for me while I'm gone. You can tell her everything that happened. Tell her I'm sorry I didn't tell her myself, but there's not enough time."

"I'll let her know. I'll go get her as soon as Kō comes back." Hinata told him. "It's really late though, she might have decided to sleep over there. Maybe she was drinking" Hinata laughed.

"She might have been." Hiashi said with a chuckle. "Find your mother and fill her in, bring back to the house and then get some sleep."

" Alright." Hinata nodded. "Good luck."

"Hah! What kind of shinobi do you think I am? I've never relied on luck before in my life!"

"Alright, alright. Stop bragging and get going old man." Hinata smiled at him and he ruffled her hair before leaving.

Hiashi took off with Chōza and Tsume, leaving Hinata alone in the house with Shikaku.

He walked over to Hinata and knelt down to look her in the eye. "What aren't you telling us Hinata-chan?" He asked her with a serious look on his face, but his eyes were very kind. "You can trust us y'know? I've been doing my job for a long time, and reading people is my specialty. I don't doubt any of the information you gave us tonight, and there's no denying you're an incredibly smart child, but I don't believe you assigned Kō to protect that girl on a hunch."

Hinata avoided his eyes and stared at the ground. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Nara-sama."

"Call me Shikaku, and try me." He said, smirking.

'Can I trust him? Probably. In the show he was always level-headed and easy going. He's also a genius and I'd rather him not be an enemy if I can avoid it. He's offering an olive branch right now and if I take it I'll earn his trust, while refusing will make him suspicious. I doubt he'd act on it, but he'd definitely keep his eye on me, and I'd have to be more careful in the future. I think the potential rewards of having him as an ally outweigh the risks here. I can also mix a few lies in with the truth, make it easier for him to accept."

"What are you thinking about so seriously? Is it really that big of a secret?" Shikaku asked.

"Mhm…" Hinata nodded looking apprehensive.

"Hmm.. Then you can keep it to yourself. You did good work tonight at any rate. I'll trust you." Shikaku said, and pat her on the shoulder before turning to leave.

"Wait… Nar-Shikaku-sama." She called out to him. "I've decided to trust you too."

"Oh?" He turned around with genuine surprise on his face.

"If… If you can promise to keep this between us. I don't want anyone else knowing. At least not until I'm strong enough to protect myself." Hinata looked him in the eye, as if searching for any hint of deception.

"Of course." He closed the door and put up a sound-proof barrier. "No one else can hear anything now."

Hinata took a deep breath. "I remember my infancy. I was born with and active consciousness, already knowing the language, knowing who the people were in the clinic's room that I was born in. I knew my father was Hyūga Hiashi, and I was Hyūga Hinata, before anyone had said any names." She told him, trying to read his reaction. He looked shocked, but she couldn't see any hints of disbelief. If he didn't believe her, he was hiding it well.

"Is what you say true?" Shikaku asked her.

"Mhm. That's not all though." She took a deep breath. "I was born with certain images in my head. Like… an innate knowing of events that were to come to pass. Only certain events, Big things that would affect a lot of people. I knew things no baby should have a right to know. I still know things. Secrets that people would kill me over. Or torture me to find out what I know." She said, looking at the ground.

Shikaku was stunned. The only thing in his mind right now was. 'I knew my instinct about her was spot on. If she's correct, she is terrifying.'

Shikaku shook his head. "I'm not saying I don't believe you, but this is huge if it's true. Can you prove it?"

"How do you want me to prove it? Will a secret there's no way of me knowing work? I can tell you of future events, but there's no way of proving they aren't just vivid dreams of a child." She said, shaking her head.

" A secret would do. Preferably one that I know about, and can judge if what you said is correct or not." He replied.

"Let me think for a moment then." Hinata closed her mind and searched for memories for something Shikaku would know about.

"Ah!" She said suddenly with a wry smile on her face. "I know that in your room you have hidden away a wooden box containing yo-"

"Alright! Alright!" Shikaku interrupted her blushing. "Ahhh man…" He rubbed the back of his head. "How do you even know about that…"

"It's because you died..." Hinata said quietly.

"Huh?" Shikaku hadn't known what she was going to say, but he didn't expect that.

"In the upcoming 4th Shinobi World war. You die with Inoichi-sama when the headquarters is attacked by a tailed beast. You had Inoichi-sama let you talk to Shikamaru right before the attack landed. You told him to get rid of the box before his mother found it." She said quietly.

"I...see…" Shikaku said. "Do… we win the war?"

"That's the first question you ask?" Hinata laughed. "Yeah… we win, but the losses are huge."

"Mm. Then I don't die in vain." He said resolutely.

"Well I've changed the future pretty heavily so far…" Hinata said almost bitterly. "Some good changes, some bad."

She almost whispered what she said next. "I was the one that was supposed to be kidnapped on my third birthday, not oniisan." She had tears in her eyes. "The head Kumo-nin was supposed to sneak into my room and kidnap me as I slept. Otousan would then hunt him down and kill him, to get me back. Kumo would demand justice and ask for my dad's head, but Ojisan would go to die in his stead, causing Neji to hate and resent the main branch."

She was nearly weeping at this point, but managed to still speak while Shikaku quietly listened.

"I thought that if I could avoid being kidnapped, then everything would be ok. So I asked to sleep in my parents room that night." She said. "That damned Kumo-nin took Neji instead. It's my fault…"

Shikaku kneeled once more in front of her. "Shhh now. It's not your fault. You couldn't have known the outcome and you tried your best, with the knowledge you had on hand. You were 3 at the time and it was likely no one would believe what you had to say if you tried to warn them. I know Hiashi pretty well, he's a stubborn old fox. He would probably have brushed you off, and then when your words came true, he'd press you to know how you knew what you did. He's softened up a lot recently though." He added that last part quickly.

"Yeah… That's when I decided I needed to get stronger. It's why I train so hard." She explained, wiping the tears from her eyes and composing herself. "The knowledge I hold can change the order of this world." She looked at him. "I hope I can really trust you Shikaku-sama… I just… I don't know what I'm supposed to do with most of the information I have. There's only so much I can do alone by pulling strings in the background."

Shikaku looked at the girl in front of him with a heavy heart. That knowledge would come with a massive weight. The pressure he would feel if he knew every major event in the future… "It's a rough lot in life kid, but you don't have to go through it alone. Opening up to me is a start." He looked her in the eye. "I won't betray your trust. I promise."

She sighed. "I had to sacrifice the Uchihas… I knew what Danzō was gonna do, and I let it happen. I sacrificed them like chess pieces because I needed the proof and the genocide in order to spurn the clans into action against Danzō and to turn the Daimyō against him."

She avoided Shikaku's eyes as she spoke. "Danzō is too big of a threat. He's a cancer inside Konohagakure and I needed to excise it, so I wielded you all like a scalpel."

"I know I'm a horrible person bu-" Shikaku interrupted her mid speech by giving her a hug. 'An 8 year old should not have to make these decisions. If it was Shikamaru instead…' He shivered at the thought of what his son would feel like if he had this weight on his chest. Hell Shikaku didn't know what he himself would do if he had this information. Would he, could he, sacrifice an entire clan to save the village? Probably, if he was an 8 year old with no proof other than a vision of the future that others would kill to have. He'd probably make the same choice.

"Sometimes there are no good options. In the end, even if you knew something bad was going to happen, it wasn't you that did it." Shikaku sighed. He didn't realize asking the girl to tell him how she knew about Izumi would open this big of a can of worms.

"Alright, why don't you get some rest. Tell me where she is and I'll go get her and explain everything." Shikaku patted the girl on the head as she cried into his chest.

Hinata nodded and told him. "It… It should be 5 houses down, on the left side of the street."

"Ok, try to get some sleep. I have a feeling we're going to have a busy couple of days ahead of us."

"Mm…" Hinata nodded again. "I need a bath first though… I smell pretty horrible...:"

"I wasn't going to say anything… but… yes, you do." Shikaku teased her.

Hinata snorted and pushed him away from her jokingly. "Mean." She said and walked off towards the bathroom.

Shikaku watched her walk away and sighed. "What have I gotten myself into… Still kid.. I'll do right by you. You trusted me after all." He turned and walked away to go get Haru and Hanabi.

Hinata dragged herself to the bathroom before stripping and getting under a shower to clean herself before getting into the bath.

"I really need to burn these clothes" she muttered to herself as she peeled them off and kicked them into a corner. "They still smell like the Uchiha compound." She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Hinata, scrubbed herself until she was a bright shade of pink, trying to get any remaining smell off of her. She then got into the bath and rested her head in her arms on the side of the tub. It wasn't too long before she fell asleep, still in the hot water. A weight had been lifted off her shoulders after talking to Shikaku, and she really was completely exhausted.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

When Hinata woke up, she was lying in her bed, wrapped in a bathrobe. Her hair was a complete mess having fallen asleep without drying it. She sat up in a daze and wiped the dirt from her eyes.

Hinata stretched and let out a big yawn. 'Okaasan must have put me to bed… I'll have to thank her later. I wonder how long I've been asleep.' She felt well rested for the first time in quite a while. Hopping out of bed, she quickly got dressed in shorts and a shirt, and left her room.

Hinata stepped out of her room and as she was walking down the hall she heard little footsteps running towards her.

"Oneeesaannnn!" Hanabi yelled and took a running jump into Hinata's arms.

"Hey, Hanabi-chan." Hinata smiled and picked her up. "Where's okaasan?"

"In the main room. You slept for a while."

"How long was I asleep for?"

"Hmmm, it's 4pm now."

'So I slept for over 12 hours…' Hinata thought as she walked down the hall.

She found her mom sitting on the couch talking to Shikaku when she walked in.

"Ah, Hinata-chan. Back to the land of the living I see. Shikaku-san told me everything that happened last night." Haru said and walked over to hug her. "I'm sorry about what happened… You shouldn't have had to go through that…"

"It's alright okaasan. Sasuke and I both lived... " Hinata shuddered at the memory of the children and elderly that were cut apart by Itachi's sword. "I'll… We'll be alright."

"Good afternoon Shikaku-san." Hinata greeted the man. "Did you get any rest last night?"

"No time. I've been coordinating troop placement with Inoichi. We've deployed over 100 various clansmen in key locations to keep watch over ANBU movements. We also had to move Sasuke-kun twice. They also check the Hyūga compound 3 times as well." Shikaku said wearily. "They're intent on finding Sasuke, and they're trying desperately to find Hiashi-san as well. They think he's hiding him." Shikaku said with a smirk.

"The Hokage put out an order for him to appear. He won't do anything too rash in such a short amount of time, but he may be starting to expect something." Shikaku rubbed his chin. "Your father and the others should be back in the village late tomorrow, assuming the Daimyō doesn't delay making his decision."

"What are the chances he delays?" Hinata asked, sitting down on the couch with Hanabi in her lap.

"Not very high." Shikaku said. "He's rather easy to sway when it comes to important decisions, and he won't risk a civil war. It's like you said last night, he won't side with men that should have retired a long time ago."

"Anything we need to do today? Besides delaying as long as possible." Hinata asked.

"We were just talking about that." Haru answered her. "We're just trying to stay as low-key as possible right now. In the wake of the masacre, the academy has been closed temporarily, so you don't have to worry about classes for a few days, at least."

"Has Sasuke woken up yet?" Hinata looked at Shikaku.

"He has." He stated. " So has Izumi-chan. We explained the situation to both of them, telling them the truth of the matter. Sasuke… He doesn't know what to make of it, bouncing between hatred of his brother and hatred of the Hokage and the council. Izumi is in shock. She didn't believe Itachi could do such a thing at first, but Sasuke corroborated our story. She's currently not speaking to anyone."

Shikaku looked at Hinata. "Sasuke has asked to see you. He seems worried about you."

"I want to see him too, but it's too dangerous right now." Hinata said, biting her lip. "We can't be sure they aren't watching me, and we can't risk leading them to him."

"That was my thought on the matter as well." Shikaku said. "Sasuke understands as well. He did send a message though, he just said "Thank you"."

Hinata smiled and took the cup of tea her mom just poured for her.

'I guess there isn't much I can do now except wait…'

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Tsume, Hiashi, and Chōza had been traveling non-stop for almost an entire day. They eventually reached the property of the Daimyō and came to walk.

As they approached the house, two ANBU appeared in front of them.

"What's your business here?" One of the masked men asked.

"We are here to speak with the Daimyō about matters related to Konohagakure. It's important that we see him as soon as possible." Hiashi said, walking out in front of the other two.

"We will tell the Daimyō of your arrival, but when and if he sees you is his decision, not yours." The ANBU stated. "You may enter and wait in the lobby."

The three clan heads followed them inside and found a place to rest. They were served tea by maids while they waited for an audience with the Daimyō.

Tsume was getting impatient while they waited, pacing back and forth. Hiashi and Chōza both decided to rest their eyes while they patiently sat around the tea table. It took three hours before meeting with the man, and it was well after nightfall at this point.

They entered into his chambers and saw the Daimyō seated, with a beautiful woman in each arm. They entered with a bow and approached with heads lowered respectfully. After walking halfway to him, they got down on one knee.

"What is the meaning of interrupting my evening? What can be so important that you did not send word of your arrival before coming here?" The Daimyō sounded annoyed.

"Respected Daimyō. This one is Hyūga Hiashi, clan head of the Hyūga clan. This is Inuzuka Tsume, clan head of the Inuzuka clan, and this is Akimichi Chōza, clan head of the Akimichi clan. We are here representing the 6 major clans of Konohagakure. We have a missive for you, signed and sealed by all 6 clan heads." Hiashi explained in a respectful tone.

"6 clans? I was under the impression there were 4 noble clans, and 3… other clans… for a total of 7 great clans?" The Daimyō questioned.

Tsume balled her hands into fists. She'd always been unhappy at the fact that the Inuzuka clan was not recognized as one of the noble clans.

"The Uchiha clan is no more." Hiashi said.

"What!?" The Daimyō shouted. "The Uchiha clan is one of the foundations of my Hi no Kuni! What happened!?"

"This missive will explain everything, honorable Daimyō." Hiashi said, and handed it over to an attendant.

The Daimyō waved away the serving girls that were at his side and opened the missive to read it. His hand gripped the scroll tighter as he read, knuckles turning white in rage.

"Absolute foolishness!" He roared, throwing the missive. "Before I give you an answer, I need to speak to my advisers. Return to the guest rooms we have prepared for you. I'll give you an answer soon."

"As you say, honorable Daimyō." Hiashi and the other two bowed once more as they backed out of the room.

Walking down one of the halls in the massive estate, they discussed the meeting.

"His reaction seemed to indicate a positive outcome for us." Chōza said.

"He should recognize that fact that by destroying the Uchiha clan, the Hokage and the council have crippled one of Konohagakure's arms. This will put Hi no Kuni in a weakened state, reducing the Daimyō's overall strength." Hiashi stated.

Tsume sighed. "All we can do now is wait, and hope his advisers make the correct decision."

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Sarutobi Hiruzen was currently sitting at his desk with his hand in his hands. Just once he'd like some good news.

"You're telling me, that only can you find Uchiha Sasuke, but you also do not know the current whereabouts of not one but three clan heads?" Hiruzen asked the ANBU currently standing in the room with him.

"That is correct Hokage-sama." The ANBU sighed. "Mahh, They'll turn up soon though. There's only so many places they could be after all."

The Hokage looked up at the man wearing a porcelain mask with the features of a dog painted onto it.

"Hound, it is imperative that you at least find the child. The future safety of our village literally depends on his well-being." The Hokage stated. "And what is this I'm now hearing about a second Uchiha being unaccounted for?"

"Uchiha Izumi." The NABU named Hound said. "She is a genin. 13 years old, and was known to be in love with Uchiha Itachi. Her body was not found in their compound and there has been no news of her since before the… incident. She was not assigned any missions, so we currently have two working theories."

"Which are?" Hiruzen asked in a tired voice. He hadn't slept since this whole ordeal, when Danzō betrayed his trust and went behind his back to order a clan's destruction. It was currently the morning of the second day since the massacre.

"Either Uchiha Itachi took her with him when he made his escape, or Uchiha Izumi noticed what was happening and ran. If she left the Village, she may still come back before too long when she calms down. If she doesn't return… We will have to treat her as a missing-nin." Hound said plainly.

Hiruzen sighed and took another drink from his tea. He rubbed his temples and gathered his thoughts.

"What have the clan heads whose whereabouts you actually know of been up to?" He asked Hound.

"Yamanaka Inoichi has been going about his days normally, however has been taking more breaks recently, sealing himself in a room. We currently do not know what he is up to in there. Aburame Shibi has shown no signs of anything being out of the ordinary. Nara Shikaku is currently visiting with Hyūga Haru and her daughter Hyūga Hinata. He has been staying there since the night of the incident." Hound dutifully reported.

"The girl… Hinata, was it? What do we know about her?" Hiruzen asked. He had heard reports that she was Sasuke's friend and trained with him after the academy let out, often going with him to his house for dinner.

"Hyūga Hinata, 125cm, 23kg, Black hair, blue tint. Currently 8 years old and has been trained since she was 2, by her father Hyūga Hiashi. She is the current Hyūga heiress. She's been reported by her teachers to be a smart child with a good temper and friendly demeanor. She excels in taijutsu and genjutsu, and is currently being trained by her shishou Gekkō Hayate, who took her on as his official apprentice right before she joined the academy. She… apparently idolizes Gekkō Hayate, often stating him to be the strongest kenjutsu master in Hi no Kuni."

Hound spoke out in an almost mechanical tone of voice, as if reading from a report. "She has currently not been seen leaving her house at all the past day. It's likely her parents found out about the incident and forbade her from leaving the house for the time being."

Hiruzen chuckled to himself despite the circumstances. "So in other words, she's a normal girl that loves her shishou and will one day make a fine kunoichi. What are the odds she was at the scene when Itachi attacked the Uchiha clan?"

"Highly likely. It is our belief that she either knows where Sasuke is hiding, or hid him herself. It's probable that she entrusted Sasuke to someone she trusts, most likely her father, whos location is currently unknown."

Hiruzen sighed. "Then put word out. Hyūga Hiashi is to report to me by the end of the day today, or he will be treated as a missing-nin."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Hound said as he bowed before disappearing out the window.

"Hiashi… what are you up to..?" Hiruzen stood up and walked over to his window to look out at the village. "This has all been too messy…"