Chapter #10
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, it all belongs to Masashi Kishimoto
"There is a defiance in being a dreamer"
― V.E. Schwab, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
The fire flickered before her, flames dancing their waltz as sparks flitted off the fireplace, landing on the rug a bit off.
She gazed intently into it, her vision blurred with tears. They were all she had now, at this moment, in this foreign place where sheets were made of rich linen, their colors rich and dark, decorated with gold trimmings worth her soul, all she had, were tears.
She pulled on the sleeves of her gray shirt, three times her size that had been distributed from the lost and found on her tenth birthday. The cloth buried her in its warmth, yet her arm hairs stood in alert, her blood cold with fear and loss.
A sharp knock startled her and she kept her eyes down, the heavy door pulled open and a sea of black hair peered through, his eyes searching till they lay on her frame, before the fire, knees to her chest. Silence passed between them for a moment as he studied her face, his own void of feelings as he spake, "Dinner is ready."
She nodded curtly, fingers wringing around the shirt sleeve. His eyes darted to the folded fabrics, cleaner and richer than what she had on, Uchiha insignia proudly blazed and untouched, he stepped away, the door gently sounding behind him.
She had stared at them since she arrived but couldn't bring herself to touch them - let alone wear them.
Hours ticked by and she remained in her position on the floor, her stomach growls the only was she tracked time
Finally conceding, she brushed through her blue locs with her fingers though she was sure no one would be up at this time. Opening the door, she tiptoed with caution, her feet as quick as a cat's from years of practice in the orphanage. At the intersection, she scanned the living/kitchen section - clear of either brothers, she proceeded, her stomach letting out a tiny growl,
"Ahem," jumping at the sound, sharp and unexpected, Hinata turned, clutching her chest
"I-I-," her face drained, white with fear and embarrassment
A small smile lined Itachi's lips as he walked past her, careful to leave a gap between them as to startle her no further. His moves were smooth and calm as he turned the corner, pulling up the food cover, signaling to her as he turned to start the tea.
Red-faced and awkward, she shifted her weight uncomfortably till seated at the table, whispering her thanks, began to dig in. The food itself was nothing to write home about but was still good, as she dug in, her stomach in charge of her head,
Itachi kept his back to her the whole time the water boiled, a look of amusement dancing in his eyes as he watched her inhale the plate through the steel kettle. The whistle of the kettle sang through the atmosphere, as he sat it before them, his eyes openly dancing still as he sat before her, cross legged,
"How is it?" he asked, soft and melodic and she nodded in response. "I'm glad you approve," a teasing tone, light and airy threaded through
A sharp giggle of awkwardness slipped her at his tone. Now full, the events of the day hit her with a distaste like no other. Her eyes fell, "Uchiha-san,"
"Hm?"
"When do we return to Yuki?"
~.~.~.~
"You are empty handed." a chilling voice sparked from the room, his silhouette hazy and foggy, the darkness obstructing him from sight
"Sasuke Uchiha was not on board." Kisame snided as he dropped his sword on the table, the smaller ninja following behind him, walked past to his master on the right,
"What about you, Zabuza?" the voice inquired irritatedly
"Kumogakure has agreed to our terms on the basis that we annihilate the next powerful bloodline in Konohagakure and present their eyes as gifts."
"Tch," the voice sneered, fingers drumming on the arm of the chair, considering the terms before nodding, a mischievous play in their eyes
"Perfect. Time is of the essence, are you ready?" he turned to the figure on his left, a sadistic smile etching its way on his features
"Hai."
~.~.~.~
"You wish to return so soon?" Itachi was caught off guard, not expecting such an answer
"Hai,"
"Why, if I may?" his demeanor calm and open,
"Tch, because the Hyuga was an ass to her," a half naked Sasuke entered the room, his hair dripping over his shoulder, shirt hanging lazily on his shoulders. "He's an ass to everyone."
Embarrassment quickly turned to panic as she cast her eyes down, uncomfortable to look up. "Neji Hyuga isn't particularly known for his friendliness," Sasuke droned, gulping down Itachi's tea without hesitation, before pouring himself another. Itachi's brows caved in in concentration, his eyes trained on a spot on the table, quiet in thought before responding,
"You can't return. At least not now."
Alarm set in her eyes as she stared at him. Her heart palpitated in quick relentless bursts, thoughts racing, "W-why?" her voice quivered, she was suddenly aware of sweat dripping in her arms as her breath turned shallow.
"Hey, breathe." Itachi smiled reassuringly, his fingers covering hers comfortingly, waiting for her panicked breaths to subside with time. He could feel his little brother stare in silence, shirt now on, brow arched, patiently studying Hinata. He must be confused...
Once she had gotten her balance, he realized just how tired she looked and how stressful the whole situation must have been. But she had to know. It may send her into another spiral but he feared it'd be worse if he sent her to bed without an explanation. A recipe for disillusions.
"Hinata," she studied his fingers on hers as they squeezed hers like old friends. "Yukigakure is not safe at the moment." her moon like pearls shot up in confusion, studying his coal like eyes before turning to his brother, then back again
"You are a Hyuga of Yuki. And as Mona told you, you need to restore your clan."
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke questioned, now turning to his older brother, confusion settling in
"She's the heir to Yuki."
Two pairs of eyes stared back in disbelief.
~.~.~.~
"Mona, how much more time do we have?" the Uchiha head asked solemnly as he dawned on his cloak.
"She turns 18 on December 27th."
"Ten months...eleven till the war begins," dark eyes stared into purple orbs before stepping out into the cool night air. The cold air blew past, Fugaku tightening the material around his face, his breath forming dusty clouds of chill.
They made their way across the town, feet quick on the coal ground, pebbles dancing off their steps. "I forget sometimes that you are human," Fugaku sent a small chilling smirk Mona's way before picking up his pace,
"As you always say," she laughed ruefully, picking up her pace as well
They were headed to Chouko Baa-sama, each step leading them closer and closer to the tiny house along the walls of Yuki. The moon light followed them, spotlighting each step they took to her home.
The closer they got, the colder it got. A sense of unease and restlessness sank in as their steps hastened simultaneously without communication. A shadow in front of the hut alerted them, as the split into two, Fugaku headed for the front, Mona the back.
They scouted the area, looking everywhere but there was no one.
Fugaku put his ear to the door, sharingan on but he couldn't see any chakra signs. Nodding, he opened the door, Mona a few feet behind.
"Chouko?" Mona called out but was met with silence, sharing an anxious look with Fugaku she walked past, turning around the kitchen counter,
"Chouko…" her voice trailed, eyes hardening before stepping in front of the older woman, shaking her still vessel
"Chouko?" she started slapping the older woman's face gently, she had to be alive. There were no signs of altercation, Fugaku exited the room to scout the area as she turned the older woman this way and that,
Then she saw it, by the faint moonlight that streamed through, two dot bite marks lightly dripping red on Chouko's left angle. Mona's fingers grazed the sanguine liquid, eyes hardening as she lay Chouko down and left the room.