Here's the next chapter, ladies and gents. Along with me remembering something.
I never mentioned what Hinata had been wearing on the moon, have I? Well, it's the Moon Clan's robes. With that cleared, Enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Show, Naruto, or any of its characters.
Fukasaku and Shima both jumped off her shoulder, eventually. Hinata was still in her happy state of mind.
When she did stop, she also turned off her Sage Mode.
''It's night, I can tell that much. But what time is it?'' she finally asks.
''It's like... 5 in the morning.'' Gamakichi looks up at the moon briefly, before answering her.
''Well, no use sleeping then. Not like I really could either way.''
She didn't believe she could do it after what had just happened. She needed to do something, so she'd do something.
''Well... we might as well have early breakfast,'' Shima says.
That something turns out to be her eating Shima's food, and subsequent attempt at not puking that out.
Great way to start a morning...
A cold one, but one that she held up well to. She still hadn't changed her clothes, and she doesn't believe she will be able to.
Worse (or better?) is that she, in fact does not feel like puking that. At all.
Hinata cannot help but wonder if she's still human for that.
But pessimistic thought aside, it was a nice change of pace for her. Still, breakfast aside, they had some business to focus on.
''You mentioned there were Zetsu's in the village?''
''Yes. Not as many as there were cocoons, but enough to the point where it would be rather problematic if they were forced out. Even then, it's not truly a wise idea to have this Kaguya be warned about our presence.''
That was a problem. Just what would happen if Kaguya learned that she was present at all?
Having the White Zetsu's chased out might just doom her in the long run.
''Then... I need to focus on awakening my Tenseigan. I can't go anywhere if I don't awaken it.''
All her training before? Practically useless.
(It wasn't. But when you had the choice between taking years that just might not be enough or trying to awaken something that can grant you so much power in what may be a short amount of time...)
She needed to focus on that.
''While I see your point, you shouldn't neglect what other skillset you have.'' Fukasaku reminds her.
''I know. But if I don't awaken those eyes... then... who knows, how long I would take to ever do anything.''
Sadly, Fukasaku has no words for her. Because Sage Mode is by all means, the most they can give that goes for power. There is more, but she doesn't think they'd be of any use if she was to learn them.
''I can't get to the village. And I have to focus on gaining more power... either I find some other place to be, or I stay here.''
But she didn't want to overstay her time here. She appreciated what they did for her, but Toneri likely will be looking for her. That, and she needed to find someplace for a new home. Another village, maybe?
Even someplace in solitude seemed fine, as of the moment.
''You can stay here,'' Shima says like it wasn't an option before.
''I really don't want to impose myself more than I already did.'' is her answer.
''We insist, Hinata-girl. If only for a few days.'' Fukasaku insists, and Hinata can't see the problem with a few more days.
''Fine. It can't really hurt to stay here for a few more days. I'll go... meditate, yes.''
Hinata might as well keep doing the entire Chakra to the eye process now and hope she can awaken it soon.
''Understood. I will go look for something.'' Fukasaku said before skipping away. Shima remained in the house while Hinata meditated.
She said that, but it was more her sitting so that she could focus her Chakra on her Byakugan. And kept it that way for a good couple of hours.
Predictably, she didn't awaken the Tenseigan. Though she did actually relax herself.
And then, Fukasaku came with a scroll.
''Hinata-girl. Do you have some time to spare?''
She nodded, more curious as to what he was doing with that scroll.
''I've come to realize we never actually had you sign a contract with us. You've trained here. You even spent time here. You can even summon us by using Sage Mode, but we never got through with a contract. I came to realize that when your name didn't appear in our records.''
Hinata looked on surprised. Because he was right. They never did actually form a contract.
''You want me to form a summoning contract, then?''
''Yes. If you don't mind.''
She didn't. And honestly, she'd learned Sage Mode from them, it would simply be bad-mannered from her if she didn't.
''Alright then. What do I have to do exactly?''
''First, you write your name with your own blood.'' he opened the scroll until they reached a blank part, ''Then, mark under that name, your fingertips with blood as well. The contract is then completed and you'll be able to summon more than just us.''
He laid the scroll down on the ground. And Hinata could see that Naruto had been the most recent summoner.
She bit on one of her fingers, before writing her name down. Then, she pressed her bloodied fingertips on the paper.
''It's done.''
She retracted her hand while looking at her bloody finger. She was going to need to wash her hand before anything else.
Meanwhile, Fukasaku grabbed the scroll and rolled it close.
''Now that's done, I can progress to something else. But first, do you plan on cutting your hair?''
That question actually makes Hinata pay attention to her hair. Usually, it was shoulder length, just like she liked it. But now, it had passed her waist and actually reached her hips.
''I should. I don't mind long hair, but this is too long. Either that or I braid it.'' which would be pretty hard by herself, actually. Didn't mean she couldn't try but still.
''Why bring that up?'' she ended up asking.
''Because Jiraiya-boy had a Jutsu that worked due to his long hair. It was called... um...'' Fukasaku seemed to struggle with the name for a moment before it came, ''Ah, yes. Hair Needle Senbon. It was the fastest Jutsu in his arsenal as well.''
Ah, she could now see why he was bringing that up. That Jutsu would fit in rather well with her.
''And you can teach me that?''
''I can... somewhat. I know how it works, but I never performed it myself, minus the times where he used a Sage Art variant of it.''
That was actually better than nothing. She could practice this herself later on when she needed practice.
''Well, I have the time. And you might as well tell me how the Sage Art Variant works as well, while you're at it.''
He nodded.
A full day later, Hinata was pretty confident she had it under control. Didn't mean she could perform it flawlessly in a day, but she more or less had it. Bit more practice, and it would be all good.
Still, Hinata was planning on leaving the next day. She really didn't want to overstay her welcome and she had things to do. Like finding somewhere else to live for one before... well, thinking further ahead.
She knows that she has to grab a few things from Konoha, if she wants to go anywhere. Like doing what she did with the puppet. Now that she knew how it worked, she just needed to use it for herself. Then, well, life might just be easier.
Still, another day passed where she did the usual awakening attempt of the Tenseigan.
It didn't awaken that day either.
The day has arrived. After yet another insectid breakfast, Shima headed off to the pond. Heading to Konoha's outskirts.
Fukasaku and Hinata are both still sitting close to the dining table. Waiting. That was until Fukasaku remembered something.
''Hinata-girl. You should find a set of winter clothes when you can. Winter has arrived in Konoha, and it is rather cold.''
She nods at his words. She'd do exactly that and change from her robes. She'd much rather have something else than this.
And then, they wait. And wait, and wait...
Half an hour passed, and nearly turned into a full hour before Shima came back in. Not summoning Hinata, but actually walk back here.
That completely surprised Hinata. And then, she saw how... pale Shima seemed to be. That worried her.
''Something wrong?''
That felt like an obvious question, but she asked nonetheless.
''There seems to be... something wrong with the pond.'' at Shima's words, Fukasaku looked at her.
''Something wrong? What do you mean by that, Ma?''
''That's exactly what I mean. I went through just fine. But I... didn't see Konoha. Maybe winter and the snow is having a bad effect on my vision, but where I thought Konoha would be... was just a plain filled with snow.''
It took a couple of seconds for Hinata to fully comprehend what Shima meant.
''Where... Konoha is supposed to be...'' she repeated out loud, ''there is... only snow?''
But that... that made no sense. What even... what even was going on?
Both elder toads seemed just as confused as she was.
''You don't mean to tell me Konoha is buried in snow, Ma?'' Fukasaku asked, not fully believed what he was asking.
''Not possible Pa. I looked around myself. Didn't find the monuments, the Walls, or anything. And yet, the pond is exactly where it should be, even with the snow.''
Shima's answer only unsettled Hinata more. Because they had no answer. No idea what was going on. Or if there was even a who behind that.
''Maybe... we should look around harder?'' Hinata suggested hesitantly. She didn't doubt Shima, but outside of that, what could they do?
Shima seemed to begrudgingly agree with that.
''Alright. I'm heading back there. Come with me, Pa.''
Both silently left out. And Hinata waited.
This time, and much faster, she felt herself being pulled away from where she was. And then landed on the cold snow.
The sudden change of lighting and color made her briefly flinch, but when her eyes got accustomed, she noticed where they were standing.
The sky was clouded. Completely White as it lightly snowed. And it didn't seem like it was going to stop anytime soon.
Hinata then looked around to see they weren't alone. A few other toads were also here to help. And they were standing in the middle of... a plain of snow. She could see in the distance a mountain's cliff. And the rest, father but slightly visible without Byakugan enhancements, snow-covered tree's.
She could already scratch the village having been covered by snow bit. So did everyone else.
''This is weird... altitude and everything is exactly the same. The Village should be standing right here.''
Gamabunta, another toad that Hinata recognizes as one of the 3 gigantic toads that fought with Naruto during Pain's invasion, said to everyone.
''And yet, there's nothing here at all. Even the location where the Hokage Monuments are, just seem... gone.''
Another toad remarked. And Hinata gave it a good look.
''It almost looks like someone pressed on the mountain with something to flatten it.''
Someone else mentioned. And that caught Hinata's attention. Then, she activated her Byakugan.
She gasped. Chokes on the cold air to everyone's surprise.
''Hinata-girl. What's wrong?''
But she doesn't say anything, because her surprise overshadows anything else she might do.
Eventually, through her shock, she finally utters a word.
''U-Under... Underground...''
''What do you mean, Underground?'' Shima probes while Gamabunta looks under his feet.
Then, he stomped on the ground once, before stabbing his blade in the ground. When he sheathes the blade, he can see it.
The branches. Exact same ones that had once held people.
Gamabunta understands what shocks her.
''We're standing on a destroyed Konoha.''
What do you expect to see, when you return to your home?
A standing village. Bustling with life. Working and going, even if maybe, advanced due to time.
Hinata knew she'd never get the bustling life back anymore. Or even the village advancing without she herself putting the effort.
But she expected it to still be standing. Void of life, but still there.
But instead, she found a sight she never thought she'd see again. But simply worse.
Where Konoha had once stood. Where it was now covered in snow, as if the village had never existed, was a gigantic hole. It was even worse than pain's back when he assaulted Konoha.
The Walls were gone and then some. The Hokage Monument had been caught in the blast, the cliff's edge not having been spared. And the depth of the hole was... chilling.
And the roots of the tree that had sprouted... covering the entirety of that hole like it were nothing. Letting the snow build up so that there would be no sign of anything existing here.
Her legs gave up on her as she fell on her knees. Touching the cold snow that did not matter.
Nothing was left. Nothing at all.
Every memory. What remained of an old era Hinata had kept to heart... was now gone.
Tears fell down her eyes, touching the snow and then, she cried. Loud and clear for all to hear.
Both elder toads were just as shocked about what had happened. Not too long ago, there was a Village here.
Now, it was like it never had existed to begin with.
She doesn't know how long she remained that way. But eventually, she stood up.
''I'm going.''
It was a stupid, brash decision. But Hinata didn't want to remain here anymore.
The tears that were frozen due to the cold were completely ignored.
''Hey, Girl.'' Gamabunta exclaimed in surprise, ''That's really not a good idea. There's a snowstorm forming, and I don't think it's a good idea heading out now.''
She didn't care. She just wanted... to get away from here. As far away from this place as possible.
''I'll be fine. Trust me.'''
The toads had been all right, of course.
A snowstorm war forming, and a bad one at that. And without shelter... well, she might die sooner than she'd ever wished.
But Hinata didn't care. Getting away from Konoha was her priority. She couldn't stand seeing what was- What had been there once.
Except she found one problem. There was no shelter.
In her right state of mind, she would have stayed with the Toads in Mount Myoboku for a few more days to wait for this storm to pass.
But in this state of mind, she'd walked away. Not anything the toads said deterred her from that.
And now, she was stuck in the middle of a snowstorm that was only getting worse.
And finding a shelter was hard to find. Making a fire wouldn't be hard, but without a shelter, it was useless.
So, she kept on going and going.
The storm only got worse, and no place for shelter.
She eventually got frostbite and so much more. And just when she'd just about given up on shelter, she noticed a cave entrance.
''F-Fi-F-''
She was so frozen she couldn't even utter the word 'finally' or anything. And then, she collapsed into the snow.
Her life should have ended there. Her decision, made due to her emotions, should have made her meet her doom.
And yet, it didn't.
For a figure was walking into this heavy snowstorm like it were nothing. Where he had come from, Hinata didn't know and couldn't care to know.
He stopped right in front of her snow-covered figure. Hinata was barely holding on to consciousness, and all she saw was some kind of shadow.
''What do we have here?''
She didn't hear it. And she didn't feel how she was grabbed by the figure's hands.
Then, she passed out. Her fate now in the hands of this stranger.
Hinata grows rash in her emotional state and goes on to do something stupid. But, she meets someone... now who could that be, I wonder?
The summoning contract is something I realized I never even had Hinata do, simply because I'd always assumed Sage Mode actually was enough due to the merging. Considering she learned Sage Mode from them and everything, it made sense that she'd sign the contract with them eventually. And who knows, maybe it'll have further uses later on.
No comments to answer this chapter. So, I'll be seeing you all next chapter!