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XXXX
Chapter 12:
Heaven
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"I know you suffer but I don't want you to hide
It's cold and loveless,
I won't let you be denied.
I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty not just the mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart."
-Undisclosed Desires by Muse
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XXXX
November
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When Ino returned, she didn't expect to see Hinata up, a yukata in her hands, a quizzical expression on her features as she inspected it.
The texture of the cloth against Hinata's fingertips was velvety, a true piece of work produced after many hours of weaving. It was done with care, a process of nurturing that required time and dedication.
To Hinata, the yukata represented commitment and sacrifice; it was fitting to wear on what she planned to do next. Out of the many tasks she wanted to conclude, meeting with her Father was one of the most important.
She needed to see –talk– to Father. They needed to discuss matters that didn't require the stealth of a kunoichi, but a clever leader with the appropriate head on her shoulders.
Meanwhile, sky blue eyes searched for a tall, dark-haired Uchiha, making sure he wasn't sinking back with the walls of the room.
Ino's actions were unnecessary; Sasuke had already vanished. There was no trace left of him but the ghost of his image glued to her mind.
"Ino," Hinata greeted and Ino had to stop herself from jumping a foot in the air at having being found.
She thought she'd be quiet when she entered, but apparently, that was not the case if the Hyuuga princess was addressing her directly.
"Yes, Hinata?" the blonde asked, her own inquiries about the Uchiha balancing menacingly on the tip of her tongue. Firmly, she swallowed them down, feeling an annoying tingle of curiosity in her mouth.
"I was wondering...where did you get this?" Again, Hinata's fingers brushed against the cream-colored cloth, tracing the hummingbirds engraved on it. "It feels lovely."
Ino flickered her bang away from her face. "Hanabi brought it for you yesterday." At the mention of her sister, Hinata's attitude changed.
The milky material of her eyes shone, and with a graceful turn, she walked to the small closet to the far left, right beside the bathroom, and opened it.
Ino watched in alarm (because Hinata had never moved so precisely before) and pleasant shock as the petite woman pulled a pair of shinobi sandals out, checked the size by measuring with her thumb and forefinger, and slid her feet into them, her back still to the Yamanaka.
"Hanabi...was here?" she finally asked.
"She didn't enter," Ino clarified. "She just gave me some of your personal items and just, you know," she winced, "left."
"I see." She didn't even say hi, Hinata thought, disappointed.
They weren't the closest of sisters, considering the unofficial forced rivalry from years back. Even to this day, a part of Hinata felt Hanabi's muted resentment. Leadership was something Hanabi had been taught to seek, and Hinata had taken it away from her by being born first. Of course, she was disowned once, only to prove herself later on as the rightful leader of the Hyuuga. And though their relationship had been mended in the past two years, there were gaps that couldn't be fulfilled.
Still, Hinata was grateful for her younger sister's consideration. "Do you know if she'll be back?"
Ino tapped her chin, trying to formulate a good response to Hinata's hopeful tone. "She comes once in a while to bring clothes and soaps." She wrinkled her nose. "Your bratty sister says my shampoo isn't good enough for you," she said indignantly, her distaste for Hanabi's opinion crystal clear.
Hinata smiled subtly. Yes, that sounded like Hanabi.
Her attention returned to Ino as the blonde cleared her throat.
"Is something the matter?" she asked, feeling the sudden rush of the blonde's uneasy chakra in the distance dividing them. Then her eyes opened wide, scandalized. "I-if Hanabi said anything else to offend you, please accept my apologies on her behalf!"
The Yamanaka's fingernails bit into her skin, leaving marks on her flesh. "That's not it! I was – I mean, I wanted to ask what –"
Don't do it.
It was unwise and uncalled for. Whatever Sasuke and Hinata had going on was their business, not hers. But her mouth wasn't synced with her mind. "What was Sasuke-kun doing here?" With you.
The last two words weren't pronounced, but she might as well have said them.
Hinata felt a weight settle on her bosom. "Uchiha-kun?" she repeated, not knowing how to continue.
Ino closed her eyes, unable to look at her despite knowing Hinata was blind. "Hinata," she decided to go to the point. "Sasuke-kun has never gone through the trouble of visiting someone in the hospital. Not for Sakura nor for Naruto. Sasuke-kun doesn't do visiting." Or so I thought. "Just what is up with you two?"
Hinata's mouth went a little dry.
What was going on between them?
It was a complex question, but it wasn't rhetoric.
How to tell Ino exactly what was going on? It was too personal. No, she couldn't tell her that Uchiha-kun was an ANBU in charge of her at night, or that he'd shown her a completely different world and was now warning her about it, telling her to be careful. How to bring up the times they talked about fears and impossibilities and trauma? It was unthinkable to even admit that his touch didn't scare her as everyone else's did.
No, she couldn't say all that. As much as she wished to for the sake of their friendship and the many things she was grateful Ino had done, she couldn't bring herself to share such...intimate experiences.
Ino sucked a breath, conflicted between wanting to know the brunette's answer or not. "Are you guys seeing one another?" she lightened her voice, making it teasing and bright.
Inwardly, she reprimanded herself. She had barely asked the question that bothered her for the past hour and she was already regretting it. She shouldn't have asked!
What if Sasuke-kun and Hinata were indeed in a secret relationship?
When Hinata finally understood Ino's implication, she almost choked on the air she was breathing. "That's not-! You think Uchiha-kun and I...!"
Ino witnessed for the first time an agitated Hinata that wasn't even blushing.
The Hyuuga had assumed Ino had asked about what Uchiha-kun had shown her in her mind, but of course, that wasn't the case. No one besides the involved parties knew about it.
"Are you?" Ino prompted cheekily, hiding her shock and dread.
Shock because Hinata's reaction definitely told her that something had been set in motion between the Uchiha and Hyuuga, and dread because...as much as she wished to be realistic with herself and admit that Sasuke would never look at her the way a man looked at a woman, she'd still hoped. It hurt to confess that she knew that would never happen but had never lost the hope that one day, he'd miraculously change his mind and see her.
Hinata, for her part, was left with her mouth open, vocal cords unable to formulate a sound.
"Come on, Hinata!" Ino encouraged her and swallowed the bitter pill down her esophagus, ignoring how it left an awful taste on its way down. "Tell me. You can trust me." You really can, she added sadly and silently.
"I...I don't know how to say it, Ino," she relented after an enlarged pause. Hinata's hands tightened into fists. "I don't really know what's happening. Uchiha-kun and I, what we have is...confusing."
Ino laughed, the perfect imitation, the perfect actress. "I thought you liked Naruto."
Hinata's face shadowed and her lips pursed.
Ino sobered instantly as she dropped the act. Gently, she ventured, "Your face makes me think that's not the case anymore."
"...Naruto-kun and I agreed that...there was nothing between us but friendship."
"You both agreed," Ino repeated slowly, scrutinized Hinata's expression until her eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Wait...don't tell me that idiot actually reject– "
"Naruto-kun is my past, Ino," Hinata recovered and offered her a tentative smile. "He'll always be in my heart, but just as one of my precious people. He and I...I would never force him to love me. I couldn't let him go, because he was never mine, but what I can do is move on." Her smile stretched a little in reassurance. "And I'm happy with that," and as she said it, she discovered that admitting it didn't hurt as much as the day she had accepted it.
Ino studied her friend and felt unwanted tears pickle at her eyes.
Even if she tried, how could she resent this woman for catching the attention of the cold Uchiha? How?
"Argh, that guy is a genuine idiot!" she growled. She turned to Hinata, fist shaking. "That Naru-baka doesn't know what he missed," she continued to rage, her nose wrinkled up as if she smelled something bad. "How dare he?"
Hinata could only stand there and chuckle at Ino's indignation on her behalf.
The blonde snarled in annoyance and demanded, "Just when did this happen?" And where the heck was I?
Hinata was thoughtful. "A few months ago...?" she said, sounding unsure.
Ino shook her head disapprovingly. "And you tell me this now? Really?" she reprimanded childishly, rubbing her temples as if to massage away a headache.
Hinata was apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ino."
"Just tell me I'm not the last one to find out," she mumbled unhappily, pouting.
"You're actually the second one." Hinata hoped this answer pleased her.
Ino's eyes flashed with a competitive glint. "Before Forehead, right?" she almost hissed. "Please tell me she wasn't the first soul you told."
Hinata denied it frantically, well aware of the still-intact rivalry the two women had for...pretty much everything in existence. "I didn't tell anyone!" And she hadn't. Neji just knew her too well.
Ino nodded, content. "Good–" She stopped. "Wait a minute, Hyuuga Hinata." For some reason, having her friend call her by her whole name gave Hinata goosebumps. "If I was second, and Forehead wasn't first, then who was?" It better be someone worthy, otherwise I'll beat her to pulp –
"N-Neji-niisan."
Never mind! Ino thought hastily. That was someone she couldn't beat.
"Um, Ino?" the brunette voiced cautiously.
Ino centered on her.
"I know this is sudden, but can I ask you a favor? You don't have to– you've done a lot of things for me already!" she rushed to add. "But I was wondering if – "
The blonde's hand on her shoulder halted her. "Hinata," she started patiently, "we've been through this; I helped you because I wanted to, not because you made me. Got that?"
Hinata nodded and released a breath. "Yeah. Thank you..."
"Don't think this conversation's over, though," she warned her good-naturally and Hinata beamed. "Now tell me, what's this favor of yours?"
Hinata's face was serious. "I need you to bring me Hyuuga Hiashi."
XXX
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The Head of the Hyuuga Clan faced the closed metal door in front of him.
The young Yamanaka exited the room and nodded for him to enter, which he did. Ino closed the door after him, staying outside.
Her peach-tanned hands were trembling in nervousness and her heart was pounding inside her chest with uneasiness. The Hyuuga patriarch's face was unapproachable and his aura was no better. What was about to conspire in that room was something she didn't want to be part of. Hinata must have realized that before Ino left the hospital in search of Hiashi because she had told her to enjoy her day and stay home and come back tomorrow.
"That is, if you want. Your family must miss you," was the reason Hinata presented, but both of them knew Hinata wanted to give her a break from the confined room and time for herself. Ino, after all, wasn't a bird in a cage; she didn't like to stay in the same place for long.
Ino, although reluctant to leave her alone lest her nightmares returned, was assured that no harm would befall the Hyuuga. Her fear of being alone seemed to have faded, and Ino could only speculate as to why.
The young dark-haired kunoichi, meanwhile, stood to bow to her Father and didn't take a seat afterwards.
"Father," she greeted him softly, yet reverently.
"Daughter," he did likewise. "What is the reason for your summon?" he eyed her with a concern she couldn't see or hear; Hiashi's voice had never been very expressive.
"Answers," Hinata replied easily, those unreal eyes Hiashi couldn't bring himself to look at currently fixated on him.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you are referring to." He averted his gaze when he saw the scars by her neck once she raised her head high.
The young woman whom he himself had trained as Clan Head was unblinking. "I think you do."
Her voice was anything but cold, but her warm and melodically words could have made anyone tense.
The softer she spoke, the deadlier she sounded.
Though Hinata was gentle, she had adapted well to his teachings. In that category, he'd taught her well.
He smiled grimly.
Hinata brushed her hair back and unpinned the bobby pins that had forced her bangs to stay in place, Ino's masterpiece slowly unraveling. "I need you to explain this."
Lord Hyuuga flinched at the red kanji that was literally drawn on her once porcelain-toned forehead.
"'Hate to the Hyuugas'," she recited, her voice and gaze unwavering. "Hate to our clan, Father. Why?"
Silence.
"I have the right to know," Hinata proceeded. "I was to become Head of the Hyuuga; you owe me that much."
"...Your place as Head has been revoked."
The pit of her stomach felt heavy and breathing became a challenging task.
"I anticipated that," she tried to reply calmly, but the blood circulating through her veins ran slow and cold. She had strived so much for that title in hopes of changing her Clan, in hopes of uniting the Houses through the banishment of the Cursed Seal, in hopes of getting stronger and making her Father proud.
Now, all of that was in the past. Everything was being taken away from her in such a short span of time she didn't know how she should feel anymore.
"However," she steeled her resolve, "that's not what I wanted you to confirm. Father, what's the story behind this putrid hatred? What do you hide from me? Why haven't you come to see me? Why do you stay away? Why is this happening? Answer me."
Hiashi sighed, his shoulders falling in resignation. "Will answering these questions serve a purpose?" he demanded. "If you came to know, will it sate your curiosity? Will it give you peace?"
Hinata was unmoved, but inside, her mind was racing. She knew her own answers, but it was time to hear his. "I didn't request you to come here so you could question me. I called you so you could explain. I won't accept anything else but the truth, Father."
The stubborn attitude, the firm shoulders, the defiant stance...
You won't allow me to protect you from the truth, is that it? Hiashi sighed. The feeble girl she had been and he remembered now existed sorely in his thoughts. If she really wanted to know, even if he didn't tell her, Hiashi was sure Hinata would find a way to obtain what she was looking for one way or another.
He could either speak now or let her struggle pointlessly.
"Father?" she prompted.
Hiashi closed his eyes and hoped he was doing the right thing. "...This," he began with a strained voice, "can be traced to the time when your grandfather obtained the leadership of the clan. Your uncle and I weren't even born when this started– "
"What started?" Hinata interrupted, wanting clarification.
Hiashi sucked his teeth in. "The execution of a Clan."
Hinata froze. "W-what?" Of all the things she expected, this wasn't one of them.
"When your grandfather became Head, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was in charge of Konohagakure. At the time, Kirigakure was being built as a hidden village. Kiri's beginnings were settled on shaky foundations, therefore no one thought it surprising when they reached out to Konoha for help. A mission from Kirigakure arrived one day, specifically requesting Dojutsu wielders. Tobirama-sama was never one to trust easily, but due to the alliance established between the two daimyos, he agreed to the terms Kirigakure presented, perhaps as a sign of peace and good-will. Because Tobirama-sama wasn't very fond of the Uchiha Clan, he immediately disregarded their participation. The mission automatically fell to the Hyuuga Clan."
"What was the mission?" Hinata asked, apprehension squeezing her heart.
"It ultimately failed," Hiashi said dryly, his eyes farseeing. "But it consisted of researching the Clan the Hyuuga eventually exterminated. Kiri was surrounded by islands, thus a center of diverse cultures. Clans, lineages, and kekkei genkai were of constant abundance. You can imagine that studying the limitations of blood-limits was once the main priority in the Mist, as well as assuring the loyalty of the clans that possessed them. That's where Konoha's Dojutsus, in this case, our Byakugan, came into play; it could detect lies when service was sworn to Kiri and label the degree of power of sanguine techniques that held Kiri's interests. Kiri had countless diverse blood limits, so it was difficult to keep up with every single one.
The mission took longer than necessary since only some members of the Bokke were sent. The Main House wasn't allowed to step out of Konoha. If something were to happen, the Byakugan would be lost; therefore, those who had the Caged Bird Seal had to go, and those who didn't, had to stay. Despite the insurance the Seal provided, the stakes were too high, so my Father and Tobirama-sama took precautions. After everything was set and done for departure, the Byakugan was sent to Kiri to help, and it did, but not in the way the mission had officially required, for as I said, the real purpose was to study a particular Clan and its obscure abilities. The rest of the blood limits weren't as pressing to discern as the one Kiri – and consequentially, us, – focused on. But..." he paused. "By the time the members of the Branch House started to investigate, the Clan had its suspicious and were waiting. "
"But..." Hinata frowned. "Why was that Clan murdered? Why would Kiri suspect them?" She shook her head. "Hadn't this Clan sworn loyalty to the Mist by then?"
"The Clan was too much for Kirigakure; their power was apparently too frightening and suspicion and paranoia were not uncommon," Hiashi explained. "Blood limits were allowed because the abilities were useful to the Village Hidden in the Mist, but this Clan... It put the Water Country daimyo on edge. Their abilities were something no one had ever seen."
Hinata listened attentively, her curiosity and interest still unsatisfied. "Such as?" she urged when Hiashi hesitated.
The older Hyuuga exhaled. "They could kill without lifting a hand. They did nothing and yet, they held an uncanny power to slay, as if their mere thoughts were blades themselves. Their ability to murder was so effortless that, at times, they accidentally committed parricide."
"...Parridice?"
Hiashi nodded. "Yes. They were obsessed with death, seeking it out even if it meant the destruction of their own families. The dark and sadistic stories that circled Kiri in those days were mainly related to that Clan. The vile reputation they were creating wasn't benefiting Water Country and soon trade and alliances were being lost just because of that mysterious lineage. That's why Kiri was in need of a dojutsu that could see chakra; that way, Kiri could know how the Clan worked, and therefore, how to attack it if circumstances led to a civil war. That's where the Hyuuga mainly came in."
Now she was understanding. However..."You mentioned that the mission failed. How?"
"The members of the Branch House," Hiashi replied grimly, "they were killed before they could tell Kiri of their findings."
Hinata's teeth ground together. This was starting to sound eerily familiar. "H-how many?" she asked. "How many members were there?"
Hiashi looked away before replying. "In total, eight. Seven were killed. The eight person...the eight person was never found."
Hinata's heart turned icy with fear.
The Hyuuga Lord paused to give his daughter time to think about what he had just informed her, but he didn't have to wait for too long; Hinata was once again as steady as he had seen her when he entered the room.
"What...what was this Clan called, Father?"
Hiashi looked at the ceiling, grim. "Not even its name remains in the history of the Hyuuga Clan. When it came to its extinction, the Hyuuga and Kirigakure were very though. The Hyuuga of then might have initially failed their goal, but my Father...he was outraged and chose to finish what two cells of Hyuuga shinobi couldn't. He made sure to eliminate everything...but even then, whispers of this enemy lingered in the halls of the compound after I was born. I once heard that the phrase "to walk in shadows" was close to a motto among the members. It must have been a central part of their traditions, for it was engraved in every door, window, and house they owned before Kiri burned them to the ground."
"To walk in shadows," Hinata mumbled and Hiashi's already wrinkled face saddened when the realization hit her. "To walk in shadows..." Like she was doing right now. Everywhere she turned, there was no one but darkness to receive her.
'Every member of the Hyuuga Clan found murdered was without their eyes...'
That was what Shizune-san had said.
All of her seven cousins, found without their ocular orbs.
And now her, without them. It was a repeat.
Seven kills years ago, and seven kills now. Was she the eight person?
"Our slain clansmen...were a message, weren't they?"
Hiashi didn't respond.
"Weren't they?" This time, her voice broke, and Hiashi knew that under her facade of a strong leader, Hinata was grieving. "My cousins, they were killed just to give off a message?"
The small child he had once held in his arms had turned into a weak heir for the most powerful clan of Konoha. He had expected too much of her. He had demanded it, and he never realized until it was too late that the more he screamed at her to get stronger, the weaker he made her.
But now, that pre-teen girl had become a young woman with eyes of steel and the heart of a lioness.
"...Yes," he said lowly. "That's right"
He expected her to cry, to shed tears, but she didn't.
"I see." It was hollow, the way she said it. It gave away nothing, yet everything. "This Clan was exterminated, you said. Then why is this happening?" It didn't make sense. Was there a survivor that sought vengeance? If so, why now, of all times? Why two generations later? How was it even possible?!
"I don't know," was the dejected reply.
"Are you sure this Clan and the enemy that came here are related, Father?" She had to be sure.
"You were found in Kiri, daughter. Our people were murdered in the same fashion as decades before. There is no place for coincidences. And you...you were missing for weeks. You're the current representation for the eight person..."
So her Father thought so as well. "It's been decades, Father. Why act now? It's been over half a century." Yes, more than fifty years if her Father had yet to be born. Maybe sixty...But why wait this long?
Hiashi regarded her before he spoke again. "We have yet to understand that. By all means, none of them should be up and about. But the evidence is undeniable and I...I need you to leave."
It took a moment for his words to gain meaning, but when they did, "L-Leave?" Leave where?
"Yes, leave Konoha. Plans have already been made and are being carried out at this very moment. I have your escorts ready and– "
"I apologize if I sound rude, but I can't do that," Hinata cut him off. "I won't run away from this. If he wants to come for me, then let him come! I won't run away. Where would I even go? My family's here! I won't abandon them and–!"
"You would be nothing but a burden if you stayed!" Hiashi exclaimed only to stop, cursing at his own words.
He might as well have slapped her; she looked stricken.
"I don't know...how far this enemy will go in order to hurt you, daughter," he said gently, trying to reason with her. "I don't know when he'll be back. All I know is that I have to get you somewhere safe to protect you from further harm. If you're the eight person, then we have no way to know what ill fate may befall you. Do you understand me?"
He got rid of the distance and reached for her hand. Hinata stepped away. His words had hurt her more than she had thought they would and all she wished to say ran along the lines of 'don't touch me'.
"Do you understand?" he repeated instead.
"No," she mumbled, even though she did. She knew why he was doing it, but she couldn't comprehend how he was telling her to just run. It went against everything she knew.
"Hinata– "
"You can't save me, Father. He's coming, he said it himself." That voice, the one she had come to despise because he had violated her in body and soul, it had warned her. It had. He had said he'd be back again. "He seeks to hurt everyone and nothing will change if I– "
"You don't know that," her Father interjected. "He has yet to touch Hanabi, me, or anyone else on the Clan. The members are safe now. He only wants you."
He only wants you.
"You will be leaving soon. Be prepared." With that, he turned around, evidently on his way out.
"Where are you sending me?"
Hiashi stopped, glancing at his daughter. "The Elders wished to marry you to a Lord in the West and keep you there, but ..."
She picked up on his hesitancy. "I can't marry now," she finished for him. "'For a bride shall remain pure until the day of her bows' and I-I am no longer pure."
Hiashi almost broke the knob in his hand.
"This conversation, it still lacks answers...Father. We're not through yet."
"You will have your answers soon, to everything else. But I'm not the right person to ask. She will meet with you; she will tell you then, and you will know."
She?
His tone of finality gave her no chance to ask any more questions, so she said nothing.
"I'm sorry, Hinata-hime," he whispered as he closed the door behind him, leaving her alone like he always did.
Hinata's tears finally slid down her cheeks.
He hadn't called her princess since she was five.
And again, just like when she was a princess living in a fairy tale that had quickly become a nightmare, she was left behind to fend for herself.
"...I'm sorry too, papa."
XXX
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His eyes observed the reflected light of the dying sun on the indigo crystal held tightly in his palm.
The delicate and thin metallic chain was secured around his hand, the pendant encased in silver scrutinized by stormy blue orbs.
The necklace had drawn his attention the second he saw it at the Iwa civilian market. He remembered talking to the candidate for the title of Yondaime Tsuchikage, Kurotsuchi, granddaughter of Onoki, and having her snap him out of the trance the piece of jewelry had thrown him into.
Naruto remembered thinking, Indigo.
That was Hinata's hair color.
The necklace had made him think of her during that trip to Iwa, back in October, a time in which things weren't as complicated as they were now. It was a gift he had wanted to give her upon his return, the reason he searched for her all over Konoha.
He was starting to think the recipient was never going to have it.
From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the tall building ahead of the park bench he was sitting at. The grip on the stone tightened, his knuckles whitening.
The hospital. She was there, hidden in its dark depths.
Sasuke had refused to yield Hinata's information and Tsunade-baachan had been no better than the bastard himself. Both of them were determined to keep silent. Not even his stubbornness managed to unmute them.
The Uzumaki had then cussed like never before but hadn't given up. It wasn't in him to do nothing, so he went to the people who would give him what he wanted: the remaining integrands of Team Eight.
Just as he'd hoped, Kiba had told him everything, going against his Hokage's orders, because he believed that Naruto could help.
And the blond Jinchuuriki would.
Hinata had been taken by an unknown shinobi, Kiba had said, his dark slitted eyes beastly and full of a wrath Naruto understood completely. It was the fury of someone who had failed a promise, a promise of protection, and saw the consequences.
"I'll protect you, Hinata!" Kiba had proclaimed countless times throughout the years. It was a brotherly urge that caused Kiba to say that in the beginning, but that urge had amplified as time passed them by, despite knowing Hinata could take care of herself just fine.
She was strong. He had faith in her abilities as a kunoichi and he was loyal to that belief.
But then he had failed to keep the gem that shone brightly in Team Kurenai safe, and his and Shino's source of balance had been crushed right before their very eyes without mercy.
As for the Aburame heir, he'd kept quiet throughout the conversation. Not once had he interrupted Kiba's storytelling, which came as unusual to the Uzumaki; he wasn't as smart as Shikamaru or Sasuke, but he was somewhat familiar with Shino's quirks.
When he was silent as a rock, he was pissed or highly troubled.
Naruto was sure it was both.
It wasn't until the end that he finally conceded his remarks.
Teams had been sent out until Hinata was brought back...unconscious, without her Byakugan, scarred, and tortured, the bug-user had said, his steady voice a bucket of icy water down the blond's back.
He could count the times he ever felt so outraged his blood boiled to an unreachable point in a single hand. But this...this had culminated to a very dangerous level of fury.
Even Kurama's low growls had resounded in his mind.
The Kyuubi no Kitsune had shared his host's sentiments and was infuriated.
"Naruto?"
But then one day, Hinata was no longer in her hospital room, the Inuzuka had added hushedly, so somber Naruto could have passed him in the street and not recognize him. We don't know where she is anymore.
The most notorious trackers of Konoha were having trouble finding their female teammate. They hadn't seen her in weeks, and by the deep bags under the brunet's eyes and Shino's aura, Hinata's unknown whereabouts were taking their toll on the men. Not to add how poor Akamaru had looked. The gigantic white dog had whined mournfully as Kiba's hand patted his big head in comfort.
"Hey, Naruto...?"
The blond blinked when someone tapped his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Eyes shades lighter than his own watched him quizzically as Ino straightened up, a scarf draped over her bent arm, a backpack on her back. "You okay?" she asked, but just by looking at his haunted face, she knew the answer to her question. "...Why don't you come with me? Let's take a walk."
XXX
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When he sneaked in for a visit not even two days later, Sasuke found the Hyuuga wandering through the corridors of the subterranean floors of the hospital.
He was told to remain away, but staying put at home like a punished pup hadn't settled well with him, so in a whim, he'd headed to see her.
Sasuke knew he was pushing it; Tsunade was eventually going to go through with her threats and hang his head somewhere at the entrance of the village for everyone to see.
Let her try, was the notion that came to mind.
The doll's hair was down and draped to her hips, the robe she usually donned replaced by a long-sleeved mesh shirt that hugged her figure, long black shinobi sweats, and lavender sandals.
Her back was to him, her forehead resting against the surface of a wall, her hands palm down as if she couldn't carry her own weight and was seeking support.
"What are you doing."
Her sharp intake of breath told him she hadn't expected him to be there.
Well, he could say the same about her. "You should be in your room," he continued, cursing the ANBU in charge of her for their incompetence. Were they even aware that she was out of her room? And what about the Yamanaka? Just where was she when he needed her?
"Uchiha-kun," she acknowledged with surprise. "W-What are you doing here? I thought-"
"Yes, well. Never mind that for now. Why are you wandering around like a lost kid?"
If the comparison offended her, she didn't make it known. Instead, she said, "I'm looking...for a way out."
He frowned slightly, not exactly liking where this was going. "Why?"
He wasn't one for interrogation, but he knew as well as she did that she couldn't go outside. There was a reason why she was thrown into a sealed room, after all.
"I'm tired of staying inside, Uchiha-kun." He heard her sigh softly, and the change in honorific caught his attention.
'Kun'? What happened to the '-san'?
"I need to get out of here. Just for a bit."
"You can't," Sasuke reminded her firmly. "It's too risky."
She chewed on the inside of her cheek. "I know but..." I can't breathe here anymore.
"Then why are you insisting on–"
"I need to train." Slowly, she turned around to face him. "I-I may be blind, but I'm still a kunoichi." The set of her full, tempting lips and the way she held herself was the evidence he needed to realize she would carry on with her plan whether he was there to help her or not.
However... "No."
If there was something she wasn't counting on, it was Uchiha-kun picking her up without qualms and tossing her up like a sack of potatoes on his muscled shoulder.
"W-Wait," she protested, startled. "What are you doing? Let me down!" she squeaked when he began to walk leisurely in the direction of her room.
Sasuke merely tsk-ed. "No," he deadpanned. "Honestly, Hinata, are you always this reckless?"
Her struggling halted, eyes wide. "U-Uchiha-kun?"
"Hn?"
"You...You just said my name."
Shit, he thought but didn't stop. "What of it?" he said, feigning nonchalance.
He felt the doll's head shake meekly. "N-nothing. It just...surprised me, that's all."
"Hmm."
"Ano, can Uchiha-kun let me down now?"
No, he thought of saying. The indigo-haired woman barely weighted anything, and he liked the warmth of her body against his.
"Please," she added.
Sasuke pursed his lips. Could he really say no that plea?
"Your rib hasn't healed yet. I don't want to hurt you, so..."
As if to side with her, a throb of pain made itself known just below his arm. Sasuke ground his teeth together. "Fine. Just don't run off."
He despised his lack of self-control when it came to her. And his unnecessary injury.
"..."
Sasuke made the mistake of letting her down. The moment her feet touched solid ground, she ran.
It took a moment for him to react.
The little Hyuuga had actually gone against his orders!
With no further due, he went after her.
The chase didn't last long and it wasn't much of a hassle since the hallway was narrow and the Uchiha was fast.
"Where do you think you are going, Hyuuga?" he growled as he trapped her on the small corner leading to another hall.
"I'm going out," she replied.
"Hyuuga..." Sasuke rubbed the tip of his nose in exasperation. "Stop playing games."
"You, of all people, should understand what it means to want to test how far one can go. I can't tell for sure how much my fighting style has been affected. I haven't...I haven't trained at all in my condition. I-I just," her already soft voice lowered, "I want to go outside and try... Please, it won't take long."
Sasuke onyx gaze didn't move away from her face as Hinata waited for his verdict. "Even if I say no, you'll go on your own and cause problems, won't you," he presumed, knowing the answer.
The tilt of her chin was sufficient proof of her stubbornness.
"Hn," Sasuke smirked. Well...he wasn't entirely against an adventure. Everything in Konoha was boring these days anyway and he was confident in his ability to protect her. "Go grab your coat, Hyuuga. We're going for a flight."
XXX
.
When Uchiha Sasuke said something, he meant it.
When he said he was taking you for a flight...
"Don't let go. Understood?"
"Um, yes!"
...then he was literally taking you for one.
"Another thing, Hyuuga."
"What is it?"
"Don't scream."
He'd barely finished when his Summoning Hawk set off in the air.
Hinata swallowed her voice and tightened her arms around Sasuke's waist.
"Relax," she heard him say, and her muscles, once coiled under her skin, loosened lightly.
Her center of gravity had shifted once she was aboard and it was taking her a while to get used to the sensation of her visceral organs being thrown askew.
Slowly, she peeked from behind the Uchiha's back, the cold wind slapping her face.
For the first time in months, Hinata filled her chest with clean, fresh air. She had missed it, being outside, being free. It was an amazing sensation, that one of finally emerging from the cage.
She loved it.
It was...like touching Heaven.
The higher they went, the more she began to believe that they would eventually touch the sky.
There, she felt as if she could fly.
Weightless, strong, divine.
Nothing was impossible.
She knew it was silly, but it was unavoidable to think otherwise.
From his peripheral, Sasuke observed the porcelain doll that kept a loose yet firm hold around his torso. Her expression was thoughtful, her eyes heavy-lidded as she contemplated something no one but she knew.
He huffed, glancing away and down below. He needed to find a good spot for them to land.
When he did find one, he directed his Summon, Hinata's arms hugging him once more.
Once on the ground, Sasuke stood and aided her on her way down, his arms lingering on her back.
"We're here," he said, releasing his Hawk; it dissipated in a wisp of smoke.
Hinata nodded. "Arigato, Uchiha-kun."
Sasuke sighed, not wanting her gratitude; he wanted something else and he wouldn't let her go unless she promised him something. "Oi, Hyuuga."
Hinata waited for him to resume.
"...Don't push yourself too hard." Some of her injuries might re-open, he thought.
Hinata smiled. "I'll try."
That wasn't good enough. "Hinata..." he warned.
A hot flush invaded her face. The first time he said her name, the shock had overpowered embarrassment.
But now...
Ino's words from yesterday came back to haunt her, and Hinata's blush could only darken.
"Are you listening?" Unaware of her thinking, Sasuke was starting to think about sending her back to her room in retaliation.
"Y-yes!" she replied hastily.
There was a doubtful "Hn," from Sasuke she chose to disregard.
Tentatively, she stepped forward, carefully starting the process of familiarizing herself with her surroundings, arms stretched out in front of her. "Are these...the training grounds?" she asked.
"That's right," Sasuke asserted.
Hinata sniffed the air, head cocked to the side. "I can smell the grass and moist soil. We...can't be far from the river," she commented casually.
Sasuke opted for watching in silence as the doll walked around, forming a pattern around herself.
When she finished, she returned to the center. Taking a deep breath, her eyes slid shut, and her stance changed to that of the Hyuuga style of taijutsu.
...Wait, Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his crimson Sharingan making an appearance. That wasn't the Hyuuga's style...or was it? It looked different and Sasuke couldn't pinpoint exactly why at first. Then it occurred to him that while the original design was steadfast and slightly hardened, this one was bent and light.
She must have done some alterations to it, he concluded.
Releasing a breath, Hinata's eyes remained shut.
One second, she was doing nothing, and the next, the trees fifteen feet away were blown into pieces, the powerful air that had been emitted from her palm rooting the Uchiha to the spot, red eyes as wide as they could go.
If not for his blood limit, he would have completely missed the Hyuuga moving her palm forward and the chakra emitted.
She hadn't even made a sound, no flash of hand signs, nothing.
What kind of jutsu was that?
But the Hyuuga was in succession and showing no indication of stopping to explain any of her actions.
Soon, Sasuke had moved out of the way to give her space (lets he became a victim of her ferocious power) and the entire circumference was in ruins. As all of that occurred, Hyuuga Hinata was sporting not a drop of sweat.
That was the moment Uchiha Sasuke received the grim reminder that Hyuugas were capable and that his doll could be deadly.
Hinata, for her part, was too focused on what she was doing to gain knowledge of Sasuke's thoughts.
She had once felt how it was to be torn to diminutive pieces. Now she had grabbed thread and needle and was mending herself with the courage and support her precious people gave her. They were her source of tenacity, and with an enemy in her midst, she had a bigger reason to stand tall and unbowed.
She had been humiliated.
She had been cursed.
She had been sent into a world of madness.
It was time to crawl out of it, and keep on walking, one foot in front of the other.
Her pace fastened, and her attacks increased, the katas she'd bee drilled since childhood mere instinct by now.
For a moment, she was back to training with her Father with no breaks looming on the horizon. The memories of the hot summer in Fire Country and endless sparring matches against all sorts of opponents had her blood boiling, her sweat coming, and her mind buzzing.
That moment of remembrance was fatal. Unconsciously, the word, "Byakugan!" left her lips with disastrous consequences. Hinata realized her dojutsu was no longer with her a second too late.
Her head, her face, and her eyes had by then exploded with pain.
The ground rushed to meet her, a scream ripped from her throat.
Her hands flew to her eyes as needles were inserted in every pore of her skin.
She distantly heard Uchiha-kun curse before his arms wrapped around her shoulders, sitting her up.
Hot, thick liquid poured from her eyes and ran down her delicate cheeks. The coppery flavor of blood touched her lips.
Sasuke's own mouth turned into an extended grimace.
"Uchiha-kun–"
"I'm taking you back," he told her firmly as he wiped away the tears of blood staining her white pallor.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, a heavy pressure planted on her chest. "I-I'm sorry. I forgot- I forgot I didn't have it."
Her dojutsu, Sasuke thought grimly, his frown deep. "Don't. Don't say anything right now. I'm taking you to Tsunade. We need to make sure you're fine." Biting his thumb and pressing it to the soil, the brown giant bird was summoned back sooner than planned.
Her tiny fingers curled around his thick dark shirt as he lifted her in his arms and pressed her to him tightly.
Her aching nerves surrounding her implanted eyes forced them to stay shut, but even though she couldn't see, she knew Uchiha-kun and her were once again in the sky.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to activate the Byakugan." A Byakugan she no longer had.
Her mumbled apologies didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke. "Stop it. You don't need to apologize."
He'd known the consequences of bringing the Hyuuga out. If Tsunade entered in a rage, he didn't care as long as she stopped the bleeding.
"Why is it...that every time I feel I can touch Heaven, I fall?"
The question wasn't meant for him, and he knew it, but even so, he had no answer; the only thing he could do was hold her closer.
XXX
.
The night fell over the southwest region of the Fire Country like a shadow of eternal darkness.
Slowly, and one by one, the town's lights began to turn on, lampposts coming alive with dim, yellowed glows.
Behind a mask, intense white marbles peered through the eye-holes.
Hyuuga Neji stood with his Team facing the oncoming destination, his long chestnut hair grabbed into a high ponytail.
He was almost there. The place his Uncle had sent him to was close. Just three more towns away.
The Land of the Rivers was near. It wouldn't be long now.
A place in which Hinata-sama can be safe.
That was his goal, and, according to his Uncle, the Land of Rivers between Konoha and Suna could provide that.
The water spray carried in the air moistened his porcelain mask and he felt its chilly temperature on the places where his ANBU gear didn't provide protection.
Winter was approaching.
The cold winds were beginning to return from the northern Arctic. Despite being opposite to North, the Southern territory was already experiencing the dawn of low temperatures. It was late November, and the cold bit at his exposed skin, making its presence known and obvious as if saying, 'I'm coming.'
Neji ignored it without qualms. With a nod and a dismissing wave of his hand, his Team dispersed. Gathering information was top priority, and though his mission was special, it didn't replace the normal protocol. The more he knew about the sites he went, the better.
Besides, he needed to know if the people here were aware of the place he was heading to, and if so, exactly how much and what.
Following his own route, the west, the prodigy scanned the area he was going to set camp in and found the coast clear. The veins pulsing with energy like tree roots slowed in its rapid circulation and gave way to smooth, pale cheekbones, residing in their swelling as Neji began to set 'camp'.
Unlike jonins and chunnins, ANBUs didn't sleep in tents; it was too noticeable. Instead, they slept in sleeping bags, if the circumstances allowed it, or sat on a branch, their backs against the rough tree barks to act in a moment's notice if something – or someone – attacked suddenly.
It wasn't the most comfortable of positions, the bag or the tree, but Neji was fine with either.
He wasn't one for luxury, anyway.
Besides, having someone like Gai-sensei as instructor had left him with little longing when it came to sleeping inside a tent.
Snap out of those unimportant thoughts and concentrate, he chided himself, the memories of his exuberant teacher vaporizing.
His Team had traveled for long hours, and he was sure they could still keep going. They were strong; if needed to be, they could arrive at their destination no later than four in the morning the next day. Albeit he couldn't chance them getting tired. He needed each member to their full capacity. If something were to occur, they needed every drop of energy they could acquire. Even his Uncle had ordered him to rest enough on the way there.
Eventually, and one by one, his Team of three came back.
Neji felt the tension of his shoulders ease when he heard the reports. The people here knew nothing about the safe house he was after. Good.
The night progressed quickly, and it wasn't until his turn to keep watch arrived that he noticed something was off.
His Byakugan instantly became alive with chakra –
But there was nothing abnormal in his surroundings.
Unable to shake the odd sensation, he descended from his place on his perch, the sole of his heavy boots making the dead leaves crush beneath his weight.
Looking around without his blood limit, he began to walk into the woods. The only noises that entered his ears were caused by distant nocturnal animals, so he paid them no mind as he made his way through the evergreens. He followed his instinct, because most of the time, it tended to carry more importance than logic, despite his title of genius.
But again, nothing.
His brow furrowed. His wandering wasn't paying off.
Until he heard it.
Light footsteps, the murmur of the winds carrying a childish voice.
Neji stopped where he was, staring through the holes of his mask with a narrowed gaze.
In an instant, he was gone, the only proof of his existence the leaves his teleportation jutsu was known to leave behind.
"You shouldn't be here."
The young boy he had suddenly talked to gasped, the basket hooked in his arm falling to the ground and spilling its contents.
Neji watched with unsympathetic eyes as the child recovered and started to pick what he'd dropped with efficient hands, though his breath came in ragged sips, probably from the scare he had just received.
"What are you doing in a place like this?" Neji asked, his tone unfriendly. He had known his instincts had warned him of something, but he had to admit that the last thing he expected was a boy collecting...flowers?
A chocolate-colored eyebrow was lifted from behind his mask.
A set of green jewels looked up at him and immediately down, his mop of light blond hair bowed as he placed the last of the blue-tinted flowers away with shaking fingers. "N-nothing, sir," he answered, his eyes darting to the sides in a sign of nervousness, his caped figure getting smaller as if he wished to disappear.
Neji crossed his arms over his chest. "Nothing," he repeated and the blond boy that couldn't be older than eight years nodded frantically. "This doesn't look like nothing."
The boy froze and the Hyuuga caught the subtle gulp that ran down his throat.
"They're just flowers," he said as an explanation and hugged the basket close to his chest. "F-for my mistress. She's very sick." He said the last part with a hint of pain.
Neji, aware that he was behaving like an insensitive jerk but with that lingering feeling of anxiety still alerting his senses, sighed. "Are you done, then?"
He wanted the child out as soon as possible in case his inclination of danger was right. Like every Hyuuga, Neji had learned to unconsciously search for chakra in living beings, and by the nonexistent signal that the boy emitted, he was most likely a civilian with no shinobi abilities and thus needed to stay away from threatening places. Especially in such a night. The sun wouldn't begin to appear for another hour and a half, and the small visible peak of the moon brought little to no light to the already gloomy setting.
The younger male gave a hesitant, "Yes," that Neji barely heard. The boy really spoke quietly. It reminded him of Hinata as a child. "Then be on your way. Next time don't venture so deep into the forest," he warned him.
The blond didn't wait for Neji to tell him again and all but fled the scene with the blue flowers clutched to his heart as if the bucket was the most important thing in the world.
"Hawk-san," a member of his Team, Bear, called him suddenly, and if not for his training, Neji would have reacted in some way.
As it was, his only brisk reply consisted of, "What is it?"
"Dawn is an hour and forty minutes away. Should we set out?"
Neji shook the clawing goosebumps invading his body and nodded curtly. "Let's go."
XXXX
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A/N: Thank you: Scarlette Winter, In Memory of Yesterday, Holy Sheet, L, Guest, FireGladiator, Kia-B, NicoleLee1, NewSkiea,Yazie567, iivogelchen, anlmoon, 372259, RikuDai, DelicatelyPlaced, umnia, Hyuuchiha Hikari, Shipooliver, Tenzin, Guest, Guest, Aurora0914, Fiona, pamianime, Duchess23, alwaysNaruHina, Lovey12, 21me21, LIZA, TAIRA18, & YukiTenVianey Team.
P.S: THE 1st FANART was made for this story. Please, go and support the kind & awesome artist, I-Love-Naruto-Fanfiction (aka, Vianey from YukiTenVianey Team). Here's the link for the work on /post/92172778252/ i-love-naruto-fanfiction-fher43
-7.26.14
Revised 5.24.20