K, so this chapter... yeah, don't trust it. it needs a lot of work, as the chapter right before the finale, it's lame. I will rewrite it with more time later, after i've finished.
oh, and if you're reading this on June 2nd, if the finale hasn't already been posted, it will be posted in about an hour or two, lol, i'm almost done.
READ. REVIEW!
...please be nice...
Running down the hill of tall grass dotted with black blossoms. The moon was full and huge in the dark sky, bright against the
starless darkness except for a ring around their mother moon, winking in and out as she breathed unsteadily, lungs burning, running, running, running, hands shaking even though she was pumping them at her sides, straining to run faster, something in the distance… always in the distance.
Struggling to drag in a breath she crumbled, felt her legs give way beneath her flinging her down onto the long grass where the black blooms were, like old blood that waved in the midnight breeze.
Sweat glided down the side of her face, flushed cheeks streaked with dirt as she reached to wipe it away, the loose earth of the moss covering near the floor sticking to her skin because of the massive heat.
She stared around in utter awe, unaccustomed to finding herself in the nowhere of the massive black sky. It was nerve wrecking. Starless and flat it loomed ready to devour her completely. She would vanish forever, never to be found again-
"Do not dwell too long on the universe. You will loose yourself in its complexity." A voice whispered in her ear, making her turn sharply, scanning the tumbling endless hills of grass and black blooms, startled.
"What-" she whispered, turning again, shivering. "Who-?"
"No questions." The breath against her neck made the goose bumps rise on her flesh, making her turn again and again, panic trickling down her throat as her eyes met the nothingness of the whispering field, moving by the breeze.
"Listen, there's a heart beat." The voice continued, she recognized it as female and vaguely familiar. She had heard it before but her memory failed her, blocked by the overpowering smell of the nightmarish black blooms swaying in the breeze around her.
"Something from the darkness comes, a shadow with bright eyes of fire and vengeful intent and a snake to coil around you and strangle the love from your flesh." The voice continued. She could feel each touch of breath against her ear making the hair on the back of her neck rise on end as she spun around and around, listening to the rapidly beating heart beat and trying to calm her own sheer panic.
"Can you feel it? Can you hear it? Can you sense it?"
This being continued to talk, the voice rolling in waves down to reach her as if the smell of the black blossoms was in fact the very voice tickling her ear, making her pant heavily as she turned and turned, finding only the same image of gently dancing long grass and black flowers.
"The first test begins." She froze, feeling the touch of someone's hand on her shoulder, they were behind her.
Gasping she turned around, struggling to find a weapon on her body and finding none, she shoved their hand away then froze, staring at… herself.
The young woman that looked back at her was nearly a mirror image, only her kimono was of a very elegant style, the kind that her mother had worn so many years ago-
Hinata froze, realization crawling over her flesh.
"Okasan-?"
"Shs. No questions." The woman seemed to retort sharply, her finger coming to rest on top of Hinata's own lips. Intent eyes fixated on her face.
"Listen. The chain that binds me has been weakened but not broken." At this she removed her hands from Hinata's own body and reached elegantly under her kimono, lifting the heavy off white material to reveal a thick chain, rusted slightly and cracked in places but still strong, wrapped tightly around her ankle.
Hinata stared, breathless, stunned by the welts and bruises that marred the girl's skin, blood had crusted on the flesh there too, once upon a time it had obviously pained her horribly.
"Eventually I require you to break it.' She forced her eyes to reach up, to look in the direction of her own face.
"Something comes, the air is tense with it. Let me out."
A crackling flash of lightening crossed the cloudless sky, ripping through the blackness and making a wave of light flash through the hills, making her flinch visibly, covering her gaze with hands.
The girl in front of her did not move but watched her simply, shadows dancing on her pale face.
Despite having the same face there was something monumentally different about her, the expression was so alien.
The wind tugged at her clothing, gusts of it throwing dark red pollen in her face, released by the black flowers around her.
"Who are you?" She gasped, staring dazedly in the direction of the girl, wishing the thundering sound of the lightening would stop, it trembled through her body, making her head throb.
"I am you." The girl smiled gently, cocking her head to her side, the smile was not at all like Hinata's own, it held something a little too different, a little nerve wrecking.
"I am Okasan, and Hanabi, Sakura, Tenten and Ino." She grinned then, the obvious power and predatory intent flickering behind her eyes as the lightening flashed, setting the world into a bright flaming glory. "I'm everything you're not."
"Let me out."
It was an order.
With a gasp Hinata flung her arms out, startling Sasu right out of her bed and onto the floor nervously to look around at the bright light of the moon hidden by the condensed blizzard passing by her window. It made the wind chimes hanging outside swing in a panicked manner, voices shaking in the strong winds.
Panting heavily the girl's hands flew to her face, wiping away the sweat, shoving hair out of her way as she struggled to her feet.
Sasu mewed softly, jumping along to catch up to her, tail flicking back and forth in irritation as she ignored him. She walked past, pressing her forehead against the cold window, listening to the moan of the gusting wind and the wind chimes' shrieks of panic.
"Ne, Sasu." She whispered, glancing at the kitten as he jumped onto the window ledge, walking over to nuzzle her hand. "…what do you do when you're faced with yourself?"
The cat blinked up at her confusedly, bright green eyes glittering by the marred light of the moon hiding behind the cover of snow and sleet dancing outside.
"Yeah…" she nodded, sighing heavily before picking up the thoroughly confused feline. "I think I'm crazy too."
Quietly she headed back towards the bed, glad that Sasuke had not woken at her near silent outburst, pondering if maybe she should try having some soothing tea before trying to sleep again when a loud banging that sounded too much like thunder echoed through the house.
Flinching the kunoichi jumped to her feet, dropping Sasu in a pile on the floor with a kitty 'oomph!' of surprise.
"Ah!" she gasped, bending down to pick him up again. "Gomen!" Quickly putting the little fellow on her shoulder she stepped out into the dark hall only to bump right into Sasuke, who was pulling a shirt over his head, grumbling.
"S-sasuke- what was that?" she gasped, following as he headed down the hall towards the stairs.
"Someone at the door." He retorted, his voice thin and very obviously irritated. "They had better have one hell of a reason for knocking at one in the bloody morning…"
Wide eyed and ruffled the Hyuuga heiress tumbled down the stairs after him, pulling her sweater- actually his sweater around herself carefully.
She stopped just before the foyer, listening to Sasu's deep almost menacing growl. If he weren't so small and cute looking it might actually be of some use.
Sasuke on the other hand, being more a panther than a kitten had all the menacing tools he needed. Dark eyes narrowed, pale face glowing by the dim light he stormed towards the door and flung it open, ignoring the slap of cold air that reached to hit him, forcing his hair to dance around his face. In a voice intended to slice right through throats he stated.
"What?"
Through the flurry of wind Hinata heard a male unsteady voice gasp out in a chatter. "Sasuke-san! G-gomen no sai, we were sent by Neji-sama to-matte!" the man gasped as Sasuke moved to slam the door at the word Neji.
"What?" he asked again, more impatiently, pulling it open again just slightly. Rolling her eyes Hinata sighed, rubbing the side of her face before wondering if she should intervene.
"Neji-sama asked us to deliver this, it is for Hinata-hime." Sasuke stared out at the man standing shivering in the cold, another fellow stood behind him. They huddled in their cloaks, noses red, eyes watering from the continual slap of the cold. In his hand the first man held a scroll marked obviously in Neji's neat writing.
"…hime, hn?" he grunted, taking the scroll thoughtfully, moving to close the door without another concern. The men's faces fell slightly and they moved to leave, starting right back to the other end of town, flinching in the wind.
Hinata inside gasped as Sasuke closed the door. "Sasuke." She stated, looking at him wide eyed.
Pointedly the Uchiha master refused to look up, studying the scroll instead. Knowing full well that if he did make the mistake of looking up and seeing her innocent slightly hurt expression he would grumble and whine but he'd turn right around and let the two men in.
"Sasuke." She stated again, her voice a little smaller.
Idiotically he looked up, cursing himself the moment he did so, she looked almost near a pout.
"Damnation." He stated instead, tossing her the scroll. "Fine." He grunted, turning around and flinging the door open again to drag the two messengers back inside, ignoring their steady flow of "arigato."
Smiling in triumph Hinata crooned softly, rubbing behind Sasu's ear. "Mark one down for the Hyuuga." She murmured.
Sasu gave her a kitty look, clearly not amused, seeing as quite obviously he didn't count as Hyuuga, he was an Uchiha through and through, no doubt about it.
The men were soaking wet, the snow had dampened them to a point where it had begun to solidify into ice at the edges of their clothing, their lips blue and their fingers frozen. The moment they stepped inside Hinata scurried to make tea, calling out to them to follow and not worry about the water they dripped on the floor.
Sasuke leaned against the kitchen wall, rolling his eyes, a little irritated at the lack of sleep. "Your cousin had better have an excellent reason for this." He pointed out, making her smile slightly again, determined not to roll her eyes back at him. "I'm sure he does." She replied, shooing him off to get bedding for the two men who she insisted would sleep on the couch.
Sighing the cold avenger moved to comply, up the stairs in search of warm blankets and perhaps if he was in a 'very' good mood, some pillows.
"Gomen, Hinata-hime." One of the men stated as he struggled into a chair in the kitchen, flinching at seeing her yawn slightly. "Please, go back to sleep, we only needed a moment to gather our wits about us before heading back out-"
"N-nonsense." Hinata replied simply, turning around and pouring the warm tea out into their cups. "Would you like some jam and bread?" she added, proud of herself for stuttering minimally in front of two strange men.
They stared at her, at her cheery but obviously tired face and huge lavender eyes.
"…h-hai, Hinata-hime, arigato."
Hinata started slightly, hearing the word for the third time, her hands in the fridge to pull out the jam.
"Hime?" she murmured, turning to look at them confusedly. "Demo…" she continued slowly. "I'm not."
They stared at her for a moment, looking puzzled by her words.
The conversation would have continued if one of them had not sneezed loudly, flinging his hands over his face in an effort to be polite.
Forgetting the topic in a second Hinata stood up, smiling slightly. "I should have some herbs to make that cold fade faster." She mumbled, turning to a cabinet and beginning to rummage inside. "Crush them in your tea and you'll be fine in a few days." She pulled out the green powder and put it on the table.
"Excuse me." She added, turning around and leaving them there, blinking after her in surprise.
Down the hall she met up with Sasuke who was carrying and armful of heavy blankets, muttering under his breath.
"You're still brooding." She sighed, teasing gently, following along as he dumped them on the living room couch.
"Hn." He retorted, watching her begin to spread the blankets out, smiling slightly.
"…ne… they're clothes are very wet…and…ano…"
"Oh bother." He retorted, pinching the bridge of his nose. "My clothes? I mean… my clothes? Really?"
"…well.." Hinata continued, knowing full well he was just moody from being woken up so randomly. "I suppose they can sleep without any clothes-"
"Tch!" Sasuke grunted, heading back up to his room, noting with some feeble satisfaction that even though she was teasing him she was the one blushing slightly at having said it.
Hinata smirked slightly, ignoring the heat flaming on her cheeks. "Mm." She added to Sasu who was sitting comfortably on the arm of one of the couches. "Let's have a look at that scroll? He must have found out something to do with the elders if he's sent it in such a hurry."
Mewing softly Sasu climbed up her leg and sat on her shoulder happily, looking over it at the paper as she walked towards the stairs to find Sasuke, frowning down at the words meeting her eyes.
Bits and pieces flickered with importance, slowly but surely strangling her, the invisible loop around her throat tightening, making her face drain of color.
…have changed the terms…
…engagement…
…tomorrow…
…Gomen.
Hinata looked up to see Sasuke, standing at the foot of the stairs, an armful of clothing in his hands, frowning at her, eyes worried.
"Hinata? What's the matter?" he whispered, moving forward rapidly as she swayed, leaning against the wall for support, her hands shaking as they handed him the scroll, lips lined by a blue tinge.
The Uchiha stared, supporting her slightly as he began to scan the scroll, color beginning to drain from his own face at the words.
Hinata closed her eyes, feeling the slight panic and tears begin to fill her eyes in frustration and odd shock.
Something comes, the air is tense with it…
Let me out.
The rookie nine had never looked quite as pale as they did when Sakura stated what the problem was. For a moment there was utter silence, a major achievement considering they had Ino amongst them.
The group sat in the café that Sakura, Ino and Hinata had been visiting for over a year, inside where the fires were burning and the smell of warm drinks filled their noses. They were clothes heavily with winter garb, scarves, gloves and hats making their cheeks flush with the heat.
Until she spoke, until she told them about their friend.
"N-nani?" Ino whimpered, struggling to move, to stand and do something but her legs wouldn't respond.
"Engaged? They've forced her into an engagement?" she stared, looking at Sakura like she had gone mad. "How? She's not even a Hyu-"
"Stop. It's not official yet. The elders have given the word though." Sakura cut in thinly, her voice as whisper small as if she were ready to slay someone. "Whoever wins the battle must marry, that is the case."
"But Hanabi- Hanabi is hardly old enough to-" Kiba began and then swallowed, knowing that Hinata was thinking of the very same thing. "…and whoever looses?" Shino enquired softly, hands clenched under his long sleeves, trying to calm the swarm of festering insects within him, furious because of his own raging fury.
"If it is Hinata she will be exiled for life." Sakura whispered. "Her contact with Hanabi, and Neji will be non existent." The others flinched. "If she wins she will marry the idiot they have chosen for her." She sighed, lowering herself into her chair even further, as if melting into it.
"…and Sasuke?" Naruto murmured slowly, staring at the med nin with narrowed blue eyes.
Sakura flinched, making everyone's hearts sink a few meters. "I don't know. He says nothing."
"Where are they?" Ino stated suddenly, moving to stand again, only to be dragged down by Shikamaru, shaking his head, frowning.
"They're at the compound right now." Sakura began slowly, knowing she had to deal with the next part of the situation carefully. "…the elders… also moved the battle date to today…"
Even Shikamaru couldn't keep the blonde from jumping to her feet, everyone stared dazedly at Sakura, frozen in their chairs.
"Today?" Naruto struggled, slowly pushing himself to his feet. "Demo-" he began, glancing out at the blizzard outside they had all braved to reach the café and speak to one another.
They wouldn't have done it if Sakura hadn't said it was a matter of one of their friends' future.
"It is outside." Sakura nodded slowly, looking like she was going to cry. "Hinata told me her only worry was that her sister would be sick from the cold." She whimpered, rubbing her eyes. "… she looked…like she wasn't actually there."
Kiba buried his face in his hands, looking down in silence.
"…we have to do something." Tenten whispered, lips pressed thinly. "We have to inform the Hokage-"
"She's off at the Sand." Sakura laughed, lacking in all amusement. "I went to her first. Why do you think the elders came in such a hurry. They must have heard that she was gone and snatched their chance to force the hokage's own apprentice into doing something she didn't actually want to-"
"Enough." Shino snapped suddenly, making everyone flinch and turn to look at him, visibly irritated, the bugs that usually walked along on his fingers moving at a frenzied angry speed.
"There must be something we can do, rules must have been put in place for such conduct, it's only a matter of finding them, and if all else fails, we need to buy her more time to figure a way to avoid the situation." He looked over at Shikamaru who was nodding slowly.
"The short length of time is the reason that their plan is so hard to work against. If we could get more time, even to just have the Hokage return. Even the Hyuuga elders would be forced to accept her opinion on the matter, and she would not be happy to have Hinata married off to some distant cousin of hers."
"Fine." Sakura nodded. "We'll do that."
"Someone has to be with her too.." Ino began slowly. "…she must be so scared."
"I'll go." Tenten stated suddenly, moving to stand. 'I'm more likely to be allowed into the compound and I'm no use in a situation like this."
The others didn't complain, but watched as she left, forcing her way through the snow in the direction of the Hyuuga estate.
"Kiba, can you and Shino find a way to send a message to the Hokage?" Shikamaru stated, moving to stand as did everyone else.
The two nodded. "Get it to her before midday." He muttered. "With enough luck she will be able to reply by the evening, which is when the battle is being held, yes?" he turned to Sakura who nodded as well. "Right now she is being evaluated by the elders… I believe Tsunade-sama is on her way back, but that's still more than two days away, she's in no hurry either."
"Hai." Kiba and Shino stated, turning to head out as well, readying a message in their minds.
"Naruto, Sakura… we do need to buy Hinata time." Shikamaru continued, playing it out in his mind. He frowned slightly. "I need you two to ask for an audience with the elders in protest…. It's useless I know, but if they have someone stubborn enough-" he began, smirking as Naruto glanced over at Sakura, who blushed. "They could argue for a few hours if need be."
"Before you do that though." He added. "Choji Ino and I need to find you material with which to fight them, legalities and so on." He glanced at Ino who looked more unnerved than usual. "We're going to the library."
Ino only flinched.
Wasted energy was something she couldn't afford, but somehow it felt like if she didn't fight, if she didn't move and do something the energy would turn against her and kill her, ripping out of her own body to devour her.
Her fists impacted with the training post on the Hyuuga compound's garden, splinters flying up in the cold air as she knocked a few inches of wood from the surface.
The slush gripped at her feet as she spun, nailing it sharply with a round kick that sent ribbons of flame up her shins in pain, and she stopped, panting heavily, the same dead expression on her face, only breathless.
The garden was empty. She had yet to see the elders, who she had been told were busy having their breakfast. She didn't understand why then they had dragged her to the compound so early in the morning, seven to be exact.
They had sent an armed guard and everything, though it had been an insult. Only four.
Sasuke had explained that it was to make sure she didn't run away and she had replied gently that if they knew anything about her, if she had wanted to run away they should have sent more.
Sasuke's hand on her shoulder had nearly made her burst into frenzied tears, the realization of what they were trying to force on her ...a new more frustrating situation than she had ever faced.
They hadn't spoken much, after reading the letter, and for that reason she hadn't known what she was supposed to do. For some strange reason… she had hoped Sasuke would tell her, command her to do something.
Or… if only he had asked her to stay…
But that was silly, there was no fighting the Hyuuga Clan, they had more power than she liked to admit. If they ran, they would be hunted, partly because of Sasuke's past, but also by her own people. It was a useless idea. They could not run forever.
And she didn't quite know if he would want to risk such a thing…
Gasping she turned again, throwing her elbow into the target, more pain drilling down to her finger tips, making her flinch and want to burst into tears.
"Hinata. Stop." She froze, his voice reaching her ears so softly most people wouldn't have heard the panic and order in his voice. He was startled by her fury.
"You're bleeding." He muttered, his hands were there, taking hers, beginning to unwrap the bloodied bandages.
She didn't look up at him as he worked, unwrapping her fists until it revealed the bruised flesh, broken because of the solid impact to the training post.
They stood in silence, Sasuke's fingers moving with knowledge as he undid the bandages, frowning slightly at the sight of the blood. In a few seconds the frown was wiped away by an impassive stare as he let go.
"We should find a servant to get you some water and bandages to clean that wound before you go into the evaluation."
Hinata looked at him, at his expressionless face and the solid set of his jaw.
Her chest hurt. Swallowing forcefully she whispered. "Sasuke…"
Slowly his eyes rose to meet hers, shadowed forcefully. There was no point in attempting to read the expression, he was being careful, there would be nothing there for her to see. It hurt worse than a blade going through her.
The silence was heavy, weighed by the awkwardness hanging between them. A blush like she hadn't experienced in a long time came back to haunt her, startled by the knotting feeling she looked away, the heat rushing up her neck into her cheeks.
"…n-never mind, g-gomen no sai- I-I…"
"Hn." Sasuke grunted, turning away to head back into the house, the muscles in his back tightening sharply when he felt her eyes watching him as he stepped back into the shadows of the household.
He ignored it, ignored everything, held it an arm's length away.
But holding something far away didn't stop his thoughts from running ahead of him, torturing him with their whispers.
She's leaving… she's leaving you forever, there is no chance now… engaged- she's as good as engaged right now…
He swallowed, closing the door behind himself as he stepped into the Hyuuga's hallway. They had been told to wait in that general area of the house with a servant standing just outside of the little sitting room to wait on them. He headed in that direction. Ignoring the sound of Hinata's soft grunt followed by another thump as she attacked the training post again.
His body trembled only slightly, too little for anyone to see it but enough for him to feel it. Clearing his throat slightly he flung open the door, startling the servant standing outside in a doze.
"We need warm water, clean bandages and healing ointment." He stated, voice monotone, eyes cold, making the servant girl shrink, looking at him like she might die at any moment, hands clenched in front of her and shaking.
Little did he know that rumors had spread about the Uchiha who had trained the new heiress.
Rumors about how only his near fatal training regiment had drilled the useless heiress-to-be into something worthwhile.
"H-hai- Uchiha-san!" she gasped, turning around and scrambling down the hall to the kitchen to fetch the required items.
Sasuke slammed the door closed as she left turning around and freezing at the sight of Hinata standing there, massaging one of her wrists, looking at the ground, a frown on her face he hadn't seen there for a long time.
"…S-sasuke…" she began, eyes intent on her wrist as she undid the bandages. "…I c-can't… I can't do it…" her voice broke, tears beginning to spill down her cheeks. "…I'm s-stuck…" her hands reached up to her face, wiping away the tears with unsteady fingers, moving roughly against the rushing liquid. "…H-hanabi is…c-counting on me, demo, demo…" her whole body trembled, a noose beginning to tighten around her throat making her unable to speak.
A part of him began to retreat, hiding within him, struggling to close the door to her, to see nothing. He couldn't think about that now, he had promised her something, he had promised her that he would get her the heiress title, he had promised it to Tsunade, to her father Hiashi…and silently to her sister.
Hinata was the last hope of the family, he had promised.
Sighing, just slightly he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her, biting his lip at the feel of her tears on his neck. Shaking slightly he leaned down, reaching for that steady voice he had always managed to find even when he had wanted to scream out in agony or frustration.
"…you need to win this." He breathed in, that scent of lavender and softness, the texture of her smooth skin against his fingers as he traced her neck gently, memorizing the sensation.
"…you need to concentrate on this. Win the fight, earn the title. We'll deal with the rest afterwards."
It amazed him that he sounded so steady and certain when his heartbeat was going at a million miles per second, and a soft voice inside his head was laughing nervously, knowing full well there was no way to deal with it afterwards.
No way in sight, at least.
She didn't stop crying, but she didn't reply in negative, her soft whimpers slowly subsiding as time passed…
She clenched her eyes closed, running his words over inside her mind, the order was there, though weakened slightly by an almost undetectable shake to his voice.
Hinata… Go.
She would do it.
"Hinata." The word was odd in the elder's mouth, lacking in some teeth and all amusement. The eyes of the old woman were not friendly, they were spiteful and carefully analyzing every move of her body.
To her surprise, however, there was nothing really to complain about. When one is so broken they can hardly function they have nothing much to do but face the cause of their pain and with emotionless eyes stare at them.
Hinata was doing just that. Bland lavender eyes stared back at each and every elder after bowing, as if memorizing their faces.
They will be in my nightmares, one day… she realized, staring at the wrinkled faces with new found disgust. I will slay them there.
"You have come to challenge the title of heiress of the Hyuuga Clan and everything that comes attached to such a title, yes?" the elder continued.
Hinata didn't respond for a moment, looking around at the brightly lit room. The skylight above making her seem as though she were standing in a spotlight. The elders sat high on their raised seats in the shadows, looming over her, it seemed. People who didn't feel they had a strong grip on their power often did such things. She had read that once, in a book of manipulation and spy tactic.
"…the title is by all rights mine." She replied after a short moment of silence, too tired of them and of the situation to pretend to be polite. Her eyes turned back to them, narrowed slightly.
"I am only asking that it be given back."
There was a moment of unnerving silence as the elders stared back at her, their irritation mounting, she could see it in the way their chakra changed flow, rapid and angry in it's movement.
"You were disowned for improper conduct." The elder snapped back, sitting up straighter in her chair. Hinata almost smirked in sarcastic amusement. She was trying to build herself up, more height, more status, more power.
Not with her.
"It wasn't held as a fair trial, there was no proof, and there isn't any proof still." Hinata sighed, as if bored with the conversation, though inside there was a part of her that was staring, gaping at her own words.
Whatever had possessed her to speak that way was amazing, frightening and amazing…
"You truly are an obnoxious troubling naïve child." The elder smirked, all tension loosening as if suddenly she had found a new more interesting toy than usual.
"You think we will simply hand over such a title? After publicly disowning you and forcing you out of the Hyuuga Household for over a year?"
She laughed, the chuckles and smirks of amusement that followed her statement from the other elders lending to the mounting vexation sitting on Hinata's shoulders. A year ago she would have been near tears already, her heart beat going so fast she would have had trouble listening to them over the sound of the drumming rhythm.
"No, I expect no such thing from a family as stubborn as my own." Hinata whispered back, making them almost choke on their laughter, the elder only slowed and smirked at her.
"Cheeky, indeed. This is not what Hiashi had stated we would face."
"Oto-san knows little of me." Hinata added to her comment, narrowed dangerous eyes lifting to her face, uncaring of any disrespect possibly found in her honest gaze. "He is not a fair judge."
"Indeed." Another elder grunted, his eyes so wrinkled he could hardly see through the folds of skin. "In comparison to the child he pushed at us the night before, you are proving to be a much more interesting subject. Hyuuga Hanabi is just a child… an unhealthy one at that, I could see her chakra, it was in the process of recovering from some recent trauma."
Hinata flinched. "Hanabi is one of the Hyuuga's assets." She snapped, making them frown. "If the family doesn't strangle her she will bring honor and glory to the Hyuuga name."
"Watch your tongue." The elder replied coolly, resting her chin on her hand. "You are no Hyuuga, and can say nothing."
The heiress complied slowly, her expression masked, though her eyes were not. Mocking amusement was there for all of them to see, and no one could tell her she could not think disrespectful thoughts.
"That is enough, I should think." The elder at the far corner muttered. The others nodded slowly, glancing to the right at the door where a servant stood. Silently he bowed in respect to them and opened the door, beckoning someone inside.
Hinata started at the sight of Sakura, Naruto and Tenten, all three looking more irritated than usual, their glares rolling over every face before stopping at Hinata and breaking out into mixed smiles and worried frowns. "Hinata-chan!"
"Silence, you have not been asked to speak." The elder snapped, making Sakura flinch visibly, stopping from walking over to her friend who stood in the middle of the room.
"…Sakura-chan…" Hinata began slowly. "Nani-?"
"It appears that your bothersome friends have asked for an audience. As it so happens we do not think anything they have to say should affect the way we are dealing with this situation." The elder woman grunted, eyeing the other three as if they were a particularly annoying trio of cockroaches near her feet.
"We've politely asked for an audience- there's no need for you to refuse us-!" Sakura began, sounding less than polite.
The elder lifted a hand, stopping her mid sentence. "Your opinions hold no value." She smirked. "I figured you would all want to know that I let your 'friend' see what we were doing. No hidden agendas in which we denied having not wanted to speak with you."
Hinata ground her teeth, watching as the three were roughly escorted back, the two servants in their ways blocking their sight of Hinata.
"Hinata- don't let them force you!" Sakura shouted suddenly. "Tsunade-sama- she-"
The door slammed.
The stillness in the room was thick enough to touch. It crawled over her skin, sliding down her back in awkward disgusting rolls like sweat, only it was too cold to be sweating. Frowning slightly the pale eyed heiress looked up at the skylight and the snow that was falling over it, sliding down the sides of it's glass pyramid.
She focused on it's softness, the gentle movement of it's flakes, straining to regain that sense of calm and tranquility before turning to face the elders again.
"…what else do you wish to ask of me?' she enquired very softly, flinching at the sound of her voice cracking. Her jaw clenched and she looked down, straining again to regain her sense of control.
The elders did not react, though quietly they all seemed thoroughly amused by how easily she was affected at the sight of her friends.
Perhaps she was the heiress they needed, strong in appearance… weak in reality.
But then again, Hanabi was said to have a certain air about her while fighting.
"Nothing else." The elder in the far corner grunted, the age of his voice making the sound crackle through the room. "The battle will begin shortly. However, your opponent has requested an audience with you."
Hinata froze, looking at them, unable to shield the shock and relief flowing over her face.
Again the servant in the corner moved to open the door, allowing the small shivering form of Hanabi to step inside, straining not to flinch at the sight of the elders and their careful hawk-like eyes.
Swallowing forcefully the small girl bowed low to Hinata, making her sister start, scrambling to bow back respectfully, looking up as she did so at the little thing she would have to face in a few minutes.
Hanabi's hair was stringy, she had not slept well, the circles under her eyes were there again, despite all the food that Hinata had been sneaking into the house. Her lips were pale and cracked, all sense of color had faded, making her look instead, half bleached, as her tan melted off her skin.
And her eyes, large and doe-like, much like her own sister's were full of tears. Struggling forcefully she blinked them back, scrambling to wipe one of the tars away as it escaped her grasp and rolled down her cheek.
"…Hanabi…" Hinata whispered, unaware of the wobbly tone of her voice.
The younger Hyuuga smiled weakly, rubbing fiercely at her cheek. "Hello, Hinata-san." She flinched, the words, so polite and formal, almost like a slap.
Hinata's own expression softened slightly, and she shook her head. "D-don't do this to yourself… Hanabi-"
"Gomen!" The girl cried suddenly, making the elders narrow their eyes, straining to hear the whispered conversation in front of them.
"I'm s-sorry… Onee-chan-" she buried her face in her hands for a moment, taking a deep breath. "I-I c-c-can't marry… please, I'm s-sorry, I c-can't-"
In two quick strides Hinata took the girl by the shoulders, ignoring the two servants jumping up, hands flinging to the kunai strapped to their thighs. The elders however raised their hands to stop them from moving as Hinata stared down at her little sister, meeting her eyes forcefully.
"Look at me, Hanabi." She whispered, forcing the girl's tear filled gaze up by taking her little chin in her own hand. "We'll fight for this, do you hear? Give it all you've got, everything. I can take it. Show them you're not a child, and I'll show them I'm no puppet."
Hanabi stared at her a moment, lip trembling. "…hai?"
Hinata nodded, giving her a more courageous smile than she thought she'd ever be able to muster. "Fight me fairly, no holding back, don't insult me."
The younger of the two flinched, nodding slowly. "…d-demo…Onee-chan-"
"Enough!" the elder snapped suddenly, nodding to the guards to pull them apart. Quickly Hinata made as if to kiss her little sister's cheek, pulling back slowly, whispering. "Fight me."
The younger Hyuuga stared at her worriedly, but her jaw was clenched, a passing look of determination beginning to flow over her face.
Hinata smiled at her again, allowing the guards to take her by the elbows and start to pull her back towards the training court in which they would fight.
She knew that look…
It wasn't even about herself anymore. If Hanabi didn't prove to be worthy of the Hyuuga name as well she would be used badly, Hinata knew that.
There was no choice but to show them just how powerful the two heiresses really were, but Hinata still had to prove to be the superior. She had to save her little sister.
Sakura threw her fist into the marble wall of the Hyuuga foyer, watching with bitter satisfaction as twisting spider web cracks spread from under her fist. Tenten jumped to her feet, dragging her backwards, hissing under her breath. "Do you want to be arrested? That's more expensive than anything you've ever owned!"
"I don't bloody care- I could sue them for how they've treated us all-"
"I don't think so." Another voice stated, making all three of the irritable shinobi turn to look over their shoulders at the door leading into the mansion. Neji slipped inside, sliding the door closed behind him, frowning at Sakura plainly. "You'll have to leave before they realize you did that."
"To hell with all you Hyuugas!" Sakura shouted suddenly, tears streaming down her cheeks as she squirmed out of Tenten and Naruto's grasp. "They didn't even let me talk to her- they didn't even let me tell her Tsunade-sama was on her way." She whispered, burying her face in her hands in an attempt to keep calm. "She'll accept the terms thinking that she has to and-"
"There is nothing else for her to do- Hanabi-sama is in equal danger." Neji snapped suddenly, taking a dangerous step forward in his frustration.
Tenten jumped in his way, drawing his gaze down to her. "Look at me."
Naruto had unconsciously stepped in front of Sakura slightly, biting his lip, just as frustrated as they all were, but being surprisingly calm for someone so easily agitated.
His expression was defeated… this sort of situation couldn't be solved through sheer brawn like most things he dealt with. He was useless.
"W-what are they doing now?" Sakura whimpered, as if unaware that Neji had almost moved to slap her. Slowly she rubbed her tears away, trying not to focus too much on the idea of Hinata forced into a marriage she didn't want.
Of all the people to deserve such a thing, that girl was that last…
"Hanabi-sama just went in to speak with her sister." Neji murmured slowly, lowering himself into a seat. "I was dismissed… they won't allow anyone to watch except for the elders and her father."
Naruto frowned, staring at him. "…where's Sasuke?"
It had never occurred to him that he might not be allowed to see the battle itself. Somehow he had always assumed he would be there, it was a relief when Hiashi himself informed him that as Hinata's official trainer he was allowed to attend.
Sasuke hadn't replied with any soft 'arigatos' but only a very demeaning stare. Hiashi had replied with his own impassive gaze, an exchange of unsaid words and irritations flowing between the two men before Sasuke turned and headed back towards the training court where he had been told the fight would be held.
It annoyed him that it was out in the open, with the temperature dropping as the day grew later still, and the blizzard slowing just enough that a steady shower of thick snowflakes fell, covering the rough cobble stone that was the ground in a layer of ice.
Letting out a breath the Uchiha scooped up some of the fluffy white material, studying the rough ground with dislike. It would hurt to fall, even on a knee on such jagged footing, and being shoved would be worse, the very skin would be ripped from your flesh.
He stood, shoving hair out of the way, watching suddenly as a long train of robed elderly shinobi began to pour into the cold arena, servants bearing torches followed, streaming out and dividing to light the lamps hanging from pillars that stood in a circle.
The whole of the room was as dark and as uncomfortable as it could be. They had made it so, he knew it from the expression of the elders as they subtly tested the ground, scratching at it with their booted feet to see just how rough the terrain really was.
Feeling his hot tempered Uchiha blood boil within him Sasuke turned away as their eyes landed on him, refusing to bow.
Bastards.
"Uchiha Sasuke." Hiashi stated suddenly, coming up behind him from the very door he had used to enter. He nodded towards the elders. "I believe he trained the outcast."
Sasuke turned to look at him, onyx eyes ink black, stating quietly his anger. Hiashi refused to look back at him, turning his own pale gaze instead towards the last two people to enter the arena.
Hinata had two men standing on either side of her, making her seem smaller than usual, petite in comparison to their broad shouldered mass. But she moved with grace, dark panther elegance, each muscle rippling as though liquid steel. Her gaze ran over the room, testing the ground as she walked towards the other side of the arena, eyes landing suddenly on Sasuke, relief flooding them openly.
He looked back at her calmly for a moment, despite his heart going so fast it hurt, resisting the urge to kiss her and tell her it was all right.
On the other side stopped Hanabi… smaller even than her petite sister, clothed in a large cloak which she moved to remove, hands trembling in the cold.
"You have fifteen minutes." the elder woman stated, moving forward to stand in the middle of the two girls, letting the snow settling upon her without a care, holding herself with as much regal character as Hinata who stood on her right, refusing to shiver despite the rushing cold.
"…whoever wins agrees to the terms and regulations of the heiress title of the Hyuuga Main house." Her eyes slowed and traveled towards Hinata, then over her shoulder slowly, focusing on him.
Uchiha Sasuke.
The young man looked back at her calmly, arms crossed, onyx eyes fixated on the hag's face.
...damned old hag…
"Ready?"
Hinata's body fought against her, allowing a shiver to pass through her. Swallowing heavily she lowered herself down into fighting stance, looking over at her sister, who followed her example, the stance of the gentle fist looking more natural on both their bodies than the elders had supposed.
"…Fight!"
The whisper behind her was all she needed to hear, slamming her mind into the right setting, the chain in the field of dark flowers shattering so forcefully that metal spun out of control, rusted and blood stained, a dark power inside of her springing out.
"Hinata. Go."
((sobs)) this is the second to last chapter. The finale is coming up…
man oh man…
guys, it's over.
It's OVER.
How weird is that?
Anyway, I must apologize for it's uckyness, there's a ton of stuff that I don't like in this chapter, but that's cuz I wrote it, and then my computer ate it so I had to rewrite it on the other compy and it's never as good as the first time.
But, it's something, ne?
Please leave a message!
Read. Review!
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