Chapter 13 - Izumi

It had been two days since Hinata had visited her mother. They held a funeral yesterday and had a feast in her honor. It was an extremely nice affair with friends and family, but it didn't do much to stop the ache in her heart, she just needed more time to grieve.

Currently Hinata was walking down a hell in the hospital. She left Hanabi with her father after hearing that Kō had finally woken up, so she was going to visit him.

"Hinata-hime!" She heard as she entered the room. "Thank goodness you're alright! They wouldn't tell me what happened after I fainted."

"Hey Kō." Hinata gave a small smile. "I'm glad you're ok too. Thank you… for protecting me."

"It's my duty, Hinata-hime. One I'm happy to perform." Kō said, relaxing back into his bed. "Were you able to escape then? The last I saw was you running out of the house with Hanabi-chan."

"No… they caught up to me, and I was taken to Danzō before otousan and the others rescued me." Hinata's hands clenched in balls. "They killed okaasan. The coward somehow got behind her as she killed the man she was fighting."

"Haru-sama… is dead..?" Kō looked dumbfounded. "Hinata-hime… I'm so sorry! It's my fault for not being stronger! If I hadn't lost, this wouldn't be the case! Please punish me." He tried to struggle onto his knees to bow deeply before Hinata stopped him from moving.

"Kō it's not your fault, stop it." Hinata said, pushing him back down. "No one could expect a chūnin to win against a jōnin. Please… just, stop…"

Kō grit his teeth but relented and laid back down. "Hinata-hime… they say I need to refrain from physical activity for a week, but I can leave the hospital tomorrow."

"That's good then!" Hinata smiled. "You'll be back on your feet in no time!"

"Hinata-hime… I can't remain in your service… Not like this. I am not strong enough to protect you. I realize this now." Kō said, staring down at his bed, not daring to look at Hinata's face. "I don't mean permanently… I'm just.. Requesting time off. So that once I'm fully healed I can begin my training again in earnest to become a jōnin as fast as possible. Please allow me to do this!" He looked up, and Hinata could see the look of determination on his face.

"Kō…" Hinata put her hand on his head and rubbed his hair. "Kō, you should know that I place loyalty over strength, but I won't ever stop you from following your heart. If you feel like you need to do this, then of course I'll agree to it. I'll let my otousan know when I get back home."

"Thank you, Hinata-hime! I won't let you down!"

"I know you won't Kō."

Hinata and Kō spent over 2 hours just chatting about various things and making small talk. She also filled him in on everything that happened and let him know about the festival that was happening in four days. Kō would be up and moving around by then and promised to go with her. When they finished talking, Hinata gave him a hug before taking her leave.

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

It had been a week since the massacre, and Sasuke and Izumi had been shuffled around from location to location multiple times, constantly under the watch of Aburame clansmen. He had finally been released from protective custody and was a free man once more.

He was currently sitting in his old bedroom in his now quiet house. It was only him and Izumi in the Uchiha compound. Izumi had decided to move in with Sasuke and was currently in the kitchen cooking dinner for them.

Sasuke was waiting for a visit from Hinata who was apparently coming after she got done visiting Kō at the hospital. Izumi had started to process what had happened and wanted to meet the girl that saved her life.

Sasuke still didn't know what to feel. He was angry with his brother for what he did, but he wouldn't call it hate. How could he hate the person that sacrificed everything just to keep his little brother safe? He wanted to hate the village, but the person that ordered it was dead, and the others responsible were removed from power. He felt like he had no way to vent his pent up frustration and anger.

He had been informed that the bodies had already been buried so he wasn't able to hold a funeral, and Itachi was still missing so he couldn't confront him. He really wasn't sure what he should be doing right now.

Sasuke had also heard about what happened to Hinata's mother and knew that she was probably feeling much the same way he was, but he couldn't stop a small part of himself from being bitter. She only lost one parent, he lost everything.

He knew it was wrong to think that and it made him feel horrible for having those feelings. He should be grateful that Izumi had been saved, but how had she known to send Kō to rescue her? Did she know about the attack ahead of time? And if she did, why didn't she tell anyone? They could have stopped it. He was confused and wanted to get to the answers.

As Sasuke thought about the questions he was going to ask, he heard a knock on his front door. "I'll get it." He called out to Izumi. "It's probably Hinata."

He walked to his door and opined it. *Whoomph* Hinata barreled into his chest and gave him a big hug. "I'm so sorry about everything.." Hinata said into his chest.

Sasuke awkwardly had his arms raised in the air since he didn't know what to do with them. I forgot…' He thought to himself. 'She's a big hugger…'

"Ah.. It's not your fault.. It's ok." He said awkwardly, patting her back with one hand.

'Wait.. Why am I the one comforting her?' Sasuke had a lost expression on his face.

"Come on in Hinata. Izumi-san is almost done with dinner." He peeled her off him and closed the door as she stepped inside, taking off her shoes and putting on a pair of slippers.

Hinata followed him into the kitchen where Izumi was cooking. She looked Izumi up and down. 'She's so pretty!' Hinata thought to herself. 'Itachi is a fucking idiot giving her up.'

Hinata bowed politely. "It's nice to meet you Izumi-san, I'm Hyūga-Hinata."

"I know who you are, Hinata-chan." Izumi gave her a small smile. "Sasuke wouldn't stop talking about you when we were holed up together."

Sasuke blushed slightly and turned his head away, scratching at his cheek. "I was just telling you what you wanted to know, Izumi-san."

"Hoh..? I don't remember asking whether or not she smelled like lavend-"

"Izumi!" Sasuke hissed, interrupting her.

"Ino and Sakura's hearts would be breaking right now. In fact, I think I can hear the sound of shattering in the distance..' Hinata thought, trying not to laugh as Sasuke's obvious discomfort at the direction this conversation was going.

*Ahem*, Sasuke cleared his throat. "I'll help prep the table." He said, changing the subject quickly.

"So Hinata-chan, I wanted to tell you thank you for sending someone to rescue me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you…" She tried to smile, but Hinata could see the hurt in her eyes. Itachi had broken her heart.

"I wonder though… I don't remember us ever meeting… Why did you save me?" She asked, pausing her movements of putting food on plates to look at Hinata.

"Ah… You may think it's stupid, but I couldn't bear to see a girl be killed by the person they loved. I know it's a dumb motive, but…" Hinata said awkwardly. 'Shit, I was prepared for the awkward questions, but it's still rough.' Hinata thought to herself, secretly lamenting her situation.

"So… You knew? What Itachi was going to do..?" Sasuke asked, looking at her with narrowed eyes, daring her to lie.

The atmosphere in the kitchen suddenly became really tense.

"Would.. you have believed me if I told you?" Hinata asked, staring at her feet.

Sasuke and Izumi both mulled over the question. No they wouldn't have believed her. They both had loved and looked up to Itachi. Sasuke probably wouldn't have forgiven her if she suggested something like Itachi betraying the clan and committing such a crime.

"But, how did you know?" Sasuke asked, pressing for more information. Her question confirmed his suspicions. She had known about the upcoming attack.

"It started one day when I was headed to your house. I overheard your father arguing with Itachi…" She proceeded to tell him the same lie that she told the clan heads. The events leading up to it had actually happened. Sasuke had been pulled to the side by a neighbor who was teasing him, and Hinata had continued to the house, but there was never any argument that she overheard.

"So… It was all because of a faint suspicion?" Sasuke asked, half disbelieving. 'It makes sense though, no matter how improbable. There's no way she could have known about an ANBU mission that not even the Hokage was aware of at the time.' He reasoned to himself.

"Mhm… It was just the look in his eyes…" Hinata felt bad lying, but she couldn't risk him knowing the truth. There was still a chance of him betraying the village after all. She didn't think he would, not with Izumi here now, but she couldn't risk him knowing either way. Even if he didn't betray the village, she wasn't prepared for anyone else to know. Telling Shikaku had been an impulse decision, and she wasn't sure if she regretted it yet. She hadn't had a chance to talk to him about it again yet.

"Well, whatever your reasons were, you saved my life. Thank you Hinata-chan." Izumi gave her a more relaxed smile this time, trying to change the mood to a happier one. "I'd also like to visit the man that.. Er.. took me away. I'd like to thank him."

"Ah, that would be Hyūga Kō. He's currently in the hospital from an injury he got fighting a jōnin ANBU traitor that was serving Danzō. He'd be delighted by your visit though! He gets out sometime tomorrow, but if you go to see him in the morning, he'll probably still be there." Hinata told her, smiling.

"Mm! I'll go see him then. Maybe I should bake something to bring him..?" She trailed off thinking out loud.

Hinata giggled quietly and sat down at the table. "Are you two planning on going to the festival Friday? Kō and I are going together, you two should join us!"

"I'm not go-" Sasuke tried to speak, before Izumi cut in. "We'd love to go! We'll definitely be there!" Izumi was happy for the distraction of a festival. She needed to take her mind off things.

"That's settled then!" Hinata said happily. "Izumi-chan! Oh, can I call you Izumi-chan? We definitely should go shopping for cute yukatas for the festival! Almost all my clothes were destroyed along with our house, and I haven't had a chance to replace them yet."

"Izumi-chan is fine." She giggled. "Let's do it then! We'll go tomorrow after I finish at the hospital."

"Great!" Hinata cheered. "You're not invited though." She looked at Sasuke. "Girls only."

"I didn't want to go." Sasuke said plainly.

The mood had lightened significantly as they ate their food and talked about the upcoming festival. Hinata really enjoyed Izumi's company and realized they had a lot in common when it came to clothes. Much to Sasuke's dismay, he had to listen to the girls chatter away happily about what they were going to wear, their favorite styles, and what shampoos they used to care for their hair. Funny enough, Hinata actually did use a lavender scented shampoo.

After the meal, Hinata took her leave and left the two Uchihas, promising to meet Izumi at the market square the next day at noon. Sasuke still wasn't sure how to feel after talking to Hinata about the events of the massacre, but he decided that he wouldn't put the blame on her, at the very least.

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

Kō was laying in his hospital bed early in the morning, waiting for the nurse to give him a final check up before his release. He had taken a blow to the head, and his arm had been almost severed. It was a miracle they had managed to save it. He squeezed his and flexed his arm, feeling the stiffness of the new skin and muscle.

Kō was lost in his thought when he heard a knock at the door to his room. 'Who is that? The nurses only knock once before entering, and Hinata-hime I don't think has ever knocked on a door in her life. Do I smell cookies?'

"Come in." Kō called.

The door opened and Kō was shocked speechless. It was the Uchiha girl he abducted the night of the massacre, carrying a basket full of cookies and dressed in a purple sundress.

"Umm.. It's Kō-san right..?" Izumi said, walking into the room. 'Hinata-chan didn't tell me he was cute!'

"Ye-yes.. You're Izumi-san correct? I'm glad you're ok." Kō stuttered. 'What's happening. Why is she here? Why did she bring cookies?'

"Mm! That's all thanks to you. I admit I was surprised and scared when you burst in through my window, but they told me what happened later... " Izumi said, her smile faltering a bit, remembering the betrayal.

"I'm sorry… I know how hurt you must be." Kō didn't know how to deal with this sudden situation. So he tried to comfort her, he figured he must be somewhat good at comforting people, considering what a cry-baby his little hime was, and how often he had to comfort her.

Izumi pulled over a chair and sat next to his bed. "I was.. still am.. upset." Izumi shook her head slightly. "But I've had a few days to think over things and come to terms with what happened. Nothing will ever make the pain go away completely, but I decided that I need to move on. For both Sasuke's and my own sake."

"You're very strong then." Kō said. "I'm not sure I'd be able to do that… I admire you." Kō wasn't lying. If, say, against all odds, Hinata betrayed him, he didn't know if he would ever be able to move on. He'd probably never trust anyone again.

"I hope you never have to find out if you could do it or not, Kō-san." Izumi gave a small smile. "But enough about this depressing topic. I brought you cookies as a thank you!" She changed the topic and handed over the basket to him.

'She's mature for her age.' Kō found himself thinking. He hadn't been sure about what to think of her at first. She was almost 14, a little over 2 years younger than Kō, but she had earned his respect with how she was handling everything that happened.

"Hinata-chan said you were injured trying to protect her. She said you were fighting a jōnin… Does the wound still hurt?" Izumi asked him, looking at his arm.

"It's a little stiff, but it doesn't hurt anymore. I should be able to use it normally soon."

"That's good then. Hinata-chan also said you were going to the festival with her. She invited me and Sasuke along as well, I accepted her invitation. I hope that's ok."

"If Hinata-hime wants you to join us, then of course it's fine." Kō said, giving her a smile.

"You really care about her don't you. Hinata-chan, that is." Izumi stated. "She's lucky to have you."

Kō looked up the ceiling, thinking of what to say. "I was assigned to be her body-guard when I was 13 and had just become a chūnin. At first I resented it, having to take care of a 'brat' all day, but as a member of the side branch, it was my duty to not question the order of the main branch. Other's outside the Hyūga may not understand, but we're extremely traditional when it comes to hierarchy. The main branch's orders are absolute."

Izumi just listened quietly to his story.

"It's funny… Hinata-hime wasn't happy with the arrangement at first either. She didn't like that her parents didn't trust her to be by herself, but she never openly complained." Kō snorted to himself as he continued. "She has no idea just how many potential kidnappings I stopped when she first started visiting the village. That silly girl never paid attention to her surroundings, just wandering from alley to alley, exploring the village."

Izumi laughed. "We talked for a while last night, she does seem like she might do something like that. But maybe she just trusted you to protect her?"

"Perhaps... " Kō said. "But overtime I came to realize that even if she didn't want me around, she never treated me any different. She would give me orders, make me carry her bags around when she was shopping, and get annoyed when I forced her to go back home when it got late, but she always called me Kō, and treated me like any other person."

'Why am I telling this person everything? She's essentially a stranger. Why do I feel comfortable around her?' Ko thought to himself.

"As time passed, I saw how hard working she was. Even on her days off she spent more than half the day training, desperately trying to become stronger. She earned my respect through her sheer determination and her kindness. Eventually, I found myself calling her Hinata-hime because I wanted to serve and protect her, not just because it was expected of me."

"She's like your little sister." Izumi giggled.

"Hmm.. I suppose she is." Kō said, as if realizing that himself for the first time.

"Tell me about yourself Izumi-san. I don't know much about you honestly, Hinata-hime just told me to make sure you got away safely. I was just following orders when I saved you." Kō looked at her.

"Hmm, ok. But you have to try a cookie first! I made them myself!"

Kō picked a cookie up and nibbled it.

"It's not poisoned! Promise!" Izumi laughed, watching him nibble the cookie. 'He's so awkward, it's adorable.'

"Fine, fine." Kō put the whole cookie in his mouth as if to make a point. "Happy?" He asked, through a mouth full of cookie.

Izumi snorted as she laughed. "Happy."

"Okay… Where do I start…" She put a finger up to her chin, thinking. "My okaasan was an Uchiha, but she fell in love with someone outside of the clan. She moved out of the Uchiha compound and I lived the first 5 or so years of my life with the two of them in the village." She started telling him her story.

"Cookie." Izumi suddenly said.

"Hm?" Kō cocked his head to the side.

"Eat another cookie and I'll continue." Izumi smiled.

Kō rolled his eyes and picked up another cookie.

"Good. So as I was saying, we lived in the village." She bit her lip. "When I was 5, the Kyūbi attacked the village, and my otousan died protecting me. We moved back to the Uchiha compound after his funeral."

She was gripping her dress in her hands as she spoke. "I blamed myself for his death you know? If only I was stronger, he wouldn't have had to protect me... My sharingan were awakened the night he died in front of me. I resolved myself to get stronger afterwards and joined the academy to become a kunoichi."

'She's a lot like Hinata-hime. Blaming herself for things that aren't her fault. Trying to get stronger in order to protect the people she loves.' Kō thought to himself.

"Itachi was the same age as me and joined the academy the same time I did. He was always so much stronger than everyone else in our year. Like every other girl in our class, I developed a huge crush on… He never acknowledged me though… That is, until he realized I had the sharingan, that he hadn't gotten yet."

She paused and pointed at the basket again, waiting for him to oblige her and pick up another cookie.

"I should have realized then… He never cared about me. He was just interested in my sharingan and the potential strength I would have one day… But I was so excited you know? The boy I liked suddenly talking to me. Looking back I realize it was dumb of me to be so infatuated with him.. But I never expected that he'd…"

She broke off her line of thought, tears coming out of her eyes. She wiped off her tears but looked up suddenly when she felt him gripping her hand in his.

"It's alright to cry, you know?" Kō said. "You don't have to be strong all the time."

Izumi broke down, she'd been shocked, appalled, and felt betrayed. She'd spent the past several days trying to come to terms with what happened, feeling depressed and confused. But this was the first time she'd cried, and now she couldn't stop the tears anymore.

Kō patiently waited for her, holding her hand, as she cried her heart out. 'She really is like Hinata-hime.' He thought to himself again.

Eventually she calmed down some, wiping her eyes and feeling embarrassed. 'Ahhh, I just cried for half an hour in front of a guy I just met! Stupid Izumi!'

"I'm sorry." She said, face turning red. "Ah, the time! I'm sorry to cry on you and leave, Kō-san. But I have to go meet Hinata-chan. We're going shopping today."

"That's alright, I understand. And don't worry about the crying thing, I'm used to it."

'He's used to it? What does that mean?' Izumi was confused for a moment before deciding not to ask him about it. 'Maybe he's actually the really sensitive type?' Izumi thought to herself, misunderstanding him.

"Well then, I'll take my leave. It was good to meet you Kō-san. Thank You again for saving me, I'm glad you'll be better soon." Izumi bowed.

Kō waved it off. "Don't worry about it, it was nice meeting you as well Izumi-san. I'm glad I was able to get you out in time."

Izumi gave him one last smile before turning around and leaving the room.

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

Izumi rushed towards the market square where she was supposed to be meeting Hinata. She found her a few minutes later, waiting on one of the benches.

"Hinata-chan!" Izumi called, running over to her.

"Oh, Izumi-chan, hey!" Hinata smiled, looking at her new friend. "How was Kō?"

"Ah, he seemed well. He's a really nice guy isn't he?" Izumi said, perking up.

'Oh? What do we have here?' Hinata grinned, "He's cute too huh?"

"Huh? I-I mean h-he's very handsome, yes." Izumi said, ears turning red.

'Oh-ho. Kō, my dear, I underestimated you.' Hinata thought to herself, still grinning at Izumi who was purposefully not meeting Hinata's eyes.

"Well that's good he's doing well." Hinata said, deciding not to torment her. "Come on, I know of a few stores that sell yukatas. We'll go to those first. Ah, don't worry about the cost, I'll get everything."

"I definitely can't allow you to do that!" Izumi said, shaking her head.

"Don't worry about it, what's the use of being the Hyūga heiress if I don't make use of the perks that come with it. I don't even look at prices anymore." Hinata laughed.

Somewhere far away, Hiashi sneezed suddenly, getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Erm.. Alright then…" Izumi gave in. She really didn't have much money at the moment, having to take care of herself and Sasuke now. The Uchiha clan's assets had been seized for now until they worked everything out, and Sasuke had no money at the moment.

"Good! Let's go!" Hinata grabbed her hand and ran off towards the first store.

The two walked around traveling from store to store, Hinata doing most of the shopping. She had a whole wardrobe she had to replace after all.

They talked as they walked and looked at clothes, chatting about this and that. Hinata spent some time teasing her about Kō, but when Izumi tried to turn it around and tease her about Sasuke, Izumi was dismayed to find out it didn't rattle the girl at all. 'Maybe she's too young?' Izumi thought to herself.

As they were walking, Izumi saw Hinata look off into the crowd suddenly. She saw an evil gleam in Hinata's eyes that confused her for a moment.

"Kiba-kun!" Hinata called out, grabbing Izumi's hand and dragging her off into the crowd. Izumi could swear she heard Hinata chuckle darkly under her breath.

"Hinata-chan?" Kiba said, looking away from the display he was currently looking at. "Arf?" Akamaru yipped out, poking his head out of Kiba's jacket.

"Hey Kiba-kun, Akamaru!" Hinata walked up, dragging Izumi behind her. "Kiba-kun, this is Uchiha Izumi. Izumi-san, this is Inuzuka Kiba." Hinata introduced them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Kiba-kun." Izumi said politely.

"Ah, same." Kiba said. "What's up Hinata-chan?"

"Oh, Just shopping. You want to come with us? We haven't hung out much." Hinata said, doing her best to hide her bags behind her back.

"I don't know.." Kiba looked at her and then to Izumi, scratching his cheek. "Arf! Arf!" Akamaru barked out.

"See, Akamaru wants to come!" Hinata said, reaching over to pet the puppy.

"Hah… Fine, I guess. Where are we going?" Kiba gave in.

"Oh just a few places. We need to buy yukatas for the festival Friday. You can help us pick them out." Hinata said, grinning widely. "You're lucky y'know? Not everyone gets to escort two ladies as beautiful as us around."

Kiba saw the look in her eyes and shivered. For some reason he felt like he'd regret agreeing to go.

Kiba soon realized how right he was. 'Traitor.' He thought, glaring down at Akamaru, as he carried around two armfuls of bags as the girls went from shop to shop buying clothing. He was lamenting his life choices, trying to figure how he came to this point in his life.

They shopped for over 4 hours before making their way back to the Hyūga compound. Kiba finally got to put the bags down, having lost feeling in both of his arms.

"Thank you for the help Kiba-kun!" Hinata said, while Izumi hid a grin with her hand.

Kiba gave her an evil look before practically running away. 'Never again.' He thought to himself as he left.

The girls went inside the house to prepare dinner and put away Hinata's new clothes. Hinata felt a little bad about what she did to Kiba, but only a little.