Funnily enough, the moment I was reminded that today's Naruto's birthday... well, I found myself pretty motivated to finish up this chapter. So here it is. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own the show, Naruto. I don't own the character Hinata, and I just about own nothing but the plot...
Toneri didn't waste time. The very next day, he had brought her to one of the sections of the Castle she wasn't allowed to go to.
''We will hold the marriage here,'' Toneri explained to her while she gazed at the room.
A church, of sorts.
''Then, we will enter the Room of Rebirth. And fall into a deep slumber until the Earth's environment stabilizes after its destruction.''
So that was how Toneri planned it. No wonder he was so confident about it.
''But then, how exactly will we keep living? The moon will be gone too.''
''Don't worry, this castle is protected by a strong chakra,'' he answered her vaguely.
''By strong Chakra, do you mean the Tenseigan?'' it was the only thing that actually fit the criteria.
''Yes, honed from the suffering of my clan, the Tenseigan that powers this entire castle along with the marionettes is strong enough to do what is required'' he turned around to leave. And Hinata followed.
When they stepped outside, Hinata took a risk.
''I've been meaning to ask, but where even is it?''
He stopped short in his steps. And Hinata feared she'd taken a step too far somewhere.
He turned to look at her.
''I will show you where it resides, the day we marry. How about it?''
That genuinely surprised Hinata. She'd expected him to say outright no. But that? They were actually going somewhere.
''That's fine by me.''
Except she could not wait for that day. No, she had to do it before or all would be lost.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
''Ah, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while now, but didn't dare ask you. Before I brought you here, you were making a scarf, yes?''
She didn't like being reminded of that day. But by now, even with all the sadness she felt, she was able to temporarily ignore it.
''Yes. Why ask?''
''Would you mind making a scarf for me?'' he asks. And Hinata, for some reason, answers ''Yes.''
She genuinely enjoyed her little time of knitting.
Toneri had brought an array of colors for her to use. Her first time, she'd used red. Here, she uses Cyan.
She'd begun knitting while they were in their now, usual tea time. Toneri was well focused on how she was knitting. Apparently, genuinely interested in it.
She was remembering, while knitting, what happened yesterday.
Hinata's attempt ends in failure. At least, she assumed so.
The puppet just... doesn't seem to really react.
No one seems to notice. So she just retreats in her room dejectedly.
She wishes it would have worked, but unless the puppet suddenly just barged in-
As if she'd been asking for it, a marionette barged in her room.
She can't help but stare at it, for a moment panicking she has been spotted. But it just... doesn't move.
Would it actually close the door?
And like it was answering her, it closed the door.
Hinata suddenly realized exactly, what was going on.
It worked!
Though... the moment she thought of an action, like when it-
The Marionette proceeded to burst through the door again, this time to get out.
-did that...
It was not going to be as easy as she thought, was it?
Still, it was rather funny, thinking about it now.
But then, while she was remembering the previous day, a marionette showed up. One that was somewhat sentient, whispering something to Toneri's ear.
His eye widened before he turned to look at Hinata, ''I will need to leave. Return to your chambers if you wish.''
He rushed out along with the marionette, and Hinata was left confused. What had happened?
She was midway knitting through the scarf when she realizes that this, might be her golden opportunity.
It was all or nothing by now. So, she summons a Clone.
She gives the scarf she was knitting a long look, before leaving it in her pocket. Big enough to fit it in.
She leaves the Clone behind to gather Nature Energy, which is considerably harder to do from such a distance, before leaving. Also, to act as a decoy just in case.
The puppets don't follow her. And she makes the Marionette she has under her control do what it's required to do.
She makes her way towards where her Byakugan cannot see. And what luck, that the rocks floating around the Palace are hard enough to not collapse down from her weight.
She makes it to where her Vision is blinded and goes inside. Running and running.
Going down. Through a red-lit corridor. And then...
''This is it.''
She couldn't stop looking at it. Gigantic in size, but unmistakable. The symbol in the middle was that of the Tenseigan.
''That's the Tenseigan that powers everything here.''
Then, all of a sudden, her Clone is attacked. And Hinata knows that she's got a limited amount of time.
The Nature energy is enough, so she proceeds by turning her Sage Mode on. Also summoning Fukasaku and Shima to her side.
''The plan started?''
''Yes. I... don't really know if it worked. So... I hope the rest is done, just in case.'' she says as she turns behind her, seeing the marionettes already there.
''It is,'' Shima confirms.
Hinata smiles, ''Good.'' and one jumps at her. She dodges and kicks it on the back. Her Byakugan now activated as well, she could see another one coming at her. But she ducked under it to dodge as it crashed into the ground.
And it's truly now she realizes how many puppets there were. They were literally circling around her. And right at the entrance, stood Toneri.
''I suspected you had something planned with the Tenseigan. But this? This really does manage to surprise me. What are you trying to do?''
Fukasaku wanted to suggest they should run away now, while they still could.
''Hinata-girl. I believe now would be-''
But Hinata was already talking.
''I am doing what your ancestor told me to do. Stop you.'' that seemed to catch Toneri off guard, ''I have either the option of stopping you by destroying the Tenseigan right behind me or maybe, you will listen to me?''
And now, for the first time, Hinata actually was able to see that Toneri was angry. His facial expression didn't change into a snarl or anything, but she could see the cold gaze he's giving her.
''What, are you implying?''
And his cold tone also made it obvious at how mad he was.
''Did you never think that maybe, the celestial decree left behind was wrong? Maybe, time twisted it. Or the Branch Family simply misunderstood it?''
Hinata had expected him to deny it, maybe get angrier. What he does however, surprises her.
''And what of it?''
It catches her off guard. So are Fukasaku and Shima, for that matter.
''What if it's wrong?'' he asks again. His anger subdues, much to her shock.
''The decree is wrong? Very well. But that doesn't change anything. I will not stop what I have in mind, even if the Celestial decree now says otherwise. For my mind has gone beyond the decree.''
And Hinata could not help but gawk at Toneri. He'd always made it sound like the decree was his sole reason. But, would you truly be so focused on a goal, if it were because of someone else, and not your own?
In hindsight, it made sense there was more to this. He had to have formed his own biased views eventually. The false decree had worked well with him, but now that it was proved false, didn't mean he would stop.
And yet, this also is bad news. Because Hinata now knows that words are unlikely to work against him.
''I see...'' her eyes briefly flash towards Fukasaku and Shima. There is no need for words, since they both know what she wants to do.
''Toneri. I honestly did enjoy my time here.'' she admits, ''But now, I have to leave.''
He audibly scoffs at this.
''And pray tell, how? The only way out is blocked and-'' but almost like he finally notices them, he looks at the elder toads.
''How did they get in here?''
''Well, you'll see now.'' is all Hinata says. And then, almost on command, Hinata was engulfed in smoke.
''After her!'' Toneri orders the marionettes, but all they find is fading smoke.
Hinata was gone.
Unknown to Toneri, something else was going on.
A Marionette laid down a scroll, in an abandoned building. Never to be found by anyone but it.
On Mount Myoboku, the summoning back was a success.
Hinata, Fukasaku, and Shima appeared in a puff of smoke. The toad who had summoned back was yet again Gamakichi.
''You all in one piece?''
''Yes. Alls good and well on our side.'' Shima answers as the smoke clears.
It's only now Hinata notices it's night.
Or that she missed this place, for that matter.
Or that it's cold. Likely because Winter was coming.
She stared up, not paying attention at what else was going on.
Hinata could see the Night sky. The real night sky.
She was back on earth. She'd successfully escaped.
She couldn't help but cheer out loud, while Fukasaku and Shima smiled at her. Happy they were also out.
The moon shined down on them. On the entire world.
The moon shined down on what was once a battlefield. Now, with one titanic tree.
The God Tree was something of a magnificent sight. A tree of such life and death, towering over anything any world could likely give.
At the very top of it, was a fruit. Still in need of blooming, but maturing at a slow but acceptable pace.
But this wasn't what they were focused on. No. Lower from the tree, standing on top of a neatly formed root, stood a palace.
Its guards were of course White Zetsu's. Why guarding when there was no one else? Well, because they were expecting Intruders, after all.
Not anytime soon, but eventually... they would show up. And she wished to be ready.
It was why, Kaguya Otsutsuki, mother of all Chakra, was standing in a messy room. Messy because of the content in the room. The content she was currently watching closely.
Ninja Scrolls. All of them with knowledge ripe for her taking.
From her left sleeve, Black Zetsu observed as she learned.
And that's the end of it. Hinata is out. Toneri isn't planning on stopping his plan even though he's straight up told the celestial decree he knew was wrong and Kaguya... Kaguya is doing something. All that's sure, is that she doesn't seem to be wasting time.
Honestly, regardless of if Toneri believed her (like he does here) or not (like he does during Canon), it wouldn't have changed a thing here. By now, Toneri has his own goals. He's had a year to get accustomed to the Tenseigan. He's seen Humanity's extinction. All he wants, is to destroy earth, and start anew. By all mean's, he's trying to become the remains (which might form a new planet) Sage of Six Paths. He's gone beyond his clan.
Hinata's own reason is going to be expanded on, gradually now. By moral alone, she can't allow Earth to be destroyed considering it's her home and she isn't quite alone as she thought she was at first. However, there is going to be a bit more to this. And I sure hope you will all like where I lead this.
Anyway, onto the comments!
Papaleta: Hinata and Toneri are going to... clash, and a lot, in more ways than one. Can't say more because it will actually spoil what I have in mind. But I think you'll be looking forward to what I have planned for Toneri, in the future.
LB Cat: Heh, were you surprised with this own chapter? Not gonna be the last of it, since there is more. I don't think anyone is going to expect what the chapter after this will show... huh, I wonder if I'll be able to keep the surprises going. Honestly though, the only reason why they wouldn't get married even if she got that line of thinking, is because Hinata doesn't know Toneri enough to know if she'd be romantically interested in him or not. Something Toneri, actually tried to correct during that month's time.
Guest: Hehe, thanks!