Vitals teetered just a bit, but mostly remained stable. Which was good. Just to be sure, Ino checks again for the forth time around, marking it off. She then checks the Lady Kazekage breathing. It was there, she could feel steady and weak. But it was there. Checking the blood flow, she was receiving. Specially mixed, for her. Nothing was wrong. She checks that off. Everything seem fine, May was healing well. Her operation went well. They barely managed to pull it off, from the damage she received. Jump starting her healing was the hardest part. She did just have a baby and her body needed to recover. And often took time, with the attack it was uncertain if she could heal herself again. Tsunade worked day and night, with Ino, Sakura and Shizune. Along with a couple of others. To ensure her surival. Ino put her heart and soul to make sure, May wouldn't slip away.
Back on the hospital table, just like she was years ago. Clinging to her life, after she nearly sacrificed herself for the sake of the others. To make sure none of them would have to suffer, the evil brought to this world from her own. With the little bit of will and conscience she had left, from the control she was under. Ino could still remember that horrible day and memory. May had managed to activate everyone's charm before she unleashed her power to destroy Tigerclaw and all around her. The fearless look in her eyes, she wasn't afraid to die, if it meant they would all live. Ino screamed at her, pleading for her to reconsider. But her screams fell on deaf ears.
The sacrifice May did was noble but ended in vain. Luckily, she was saved at the last minute by Kakashi. But the damage was done, her biology having been tampered with and the changes filled with poison in her body. Made her likely to die. If Tsunade hadn't managed to separate the toxin in her system. It took long hours and days, but she did. Ino was there the whole step of the way. praying for May to make. Promising all the things they would do, once she awoke. Apologizing to her over and over again for putting her in this state. Now understanding what she was truly trying to do. Begging for the world to let her live. She would better to May. Become more than just a friend.
A promise she kept since that day, looking down at her unconscious friend. All the wires attached to her, to keep her stable. A breathing mask to help her. She hadn't woken up since the operation. Her body would go into an induced coma. Depending on how much injury she has stained. And begin to heal the body itself. It started off slow. But would slowly improve. Tsunade had a monitor for that too. To measure the progress.
Ino checks that too. Though tired, she didn't stop. Reminding herself she would never again. She had to make sure to bring May back, back to everyone. Her loved ones, friends, people of her village and most importantly her family. Her family. Thinking about them Ino couldn't even imagine the depths of their feelings right now. Her husband, Gaara she remembered his horrific grief-stricken face. When he saw his wife, right there she saw his heart break. The man nearly feel pieces if not for Naruto. Who did his best to assure Gaara Konoha would everything in its power to make sure May lived. But it was the fact his whole family was taken away from him. His children. His three youngest, where nowhere to be found at the scene. Nothing but the broken crayons belonging to his son and the broken baby seats.
The search team was still going on, lead by Kiba. Nothing still had yet to be found. Ino could feel the rising emotions of others. Mostly from Natsuki, the young woman was the most emotional of everyone. Lashing out from her own pain of not being able to do anything. Ino knew her well enough to know she was hurting and scared. Using anger to express it. She couldn't be upset at her, but just wished there was a way to comfort her. If not for Kaito who managed to calm her down, Ino was sure Natsuki would have erupted. The two of them joined Kiba's team, determine to find something. Anything and should they, Ino knew Natsuki would hit first then ask question later or most like kill. Which ever crossed her mind first in her current state.
Looking back down to May, if May could just wake up right now. She could mend it all. Ease Natsuki, assure Kaito all was well. Embrace her husband and relieve him of his own anxiety. And most importantly, for her daughter. For Hikari. Bring her back from the shambles she was in. Be her guiding light. Her eldest child, Ino saw was broken and horrified. Her daughter's eyes where hollow and empty. All she did was lay there, lost,broken and dishearten. There was no drive, no life Ino could see. Even when she went to try and talk with her. It was like nothing, no one was there. She touched the girl, to find her cold. It scared her, seeing Hikari in this state. The complete opposite of what use to be.
"Come here, Hikari."Ino smiles sweetly at the one year old. Her arms wide open, Hikari looks to her and waddles over to her arms. Making it, Ino wraps her arms around hugging the girl. Smiling and laughing, from Hikari's laughter. While May watched them.
"Take my hand, Hikari."Ino tells her, taking Hikari's hand as the two of them walk through the streets of Konoha when the little girl was two. Ino held her hand tightly and gently. Smiling at her, Hikari looks up to her and smiles back too."You're such a good girl. Hikari."
Moments Ino remembered, sweet and loving memories she had with her. Since the first day Hikari was born, Ino knew just how precious she was not just to her, but to her mother. May held her most precious treasure in her arms. Everyone was there to see the beaming love and happiness, Hikari brought her mother when she came into the world. It nearly looked like May was going to produce a tear. That same day, it seem as if the sun shined a bit brighter. Illuminating the room. A name fitting for Hikari. There was not one day, May wasn't happy with her daughter and Hikari was with her mother. Everyone knew when the two of them would be coming. Hearing their laughter and screams of joy. Mostly from Hikari. The little girl's eyes would light up whenever she saw her mother. Back then, May was Hikari's world and always was. Now, there was now world in Hikari's bright eyes that became dull.
A look Ino told herself mirrored the girl's mother well. That look she had back during her capture, Ino remembered seeing it when they venture through the darkest part of the May's mind. When everyone went to bring her back. It was horrible to see, how she was chained up like an animal. Chained to the wall, her eyes lost their radiance, but not its hope. May still had enough strength to keep herself alive. She always managed to do that, despite the odds.
May managed to hold some sense of light. And smile. Not like Hikari. Who Ino remembered called her mother out on it. Once calling her mother disillusioned for her smiling all the time. Her mother was in nothing but a fantasy in Hikari's eyes. The way she belittled her mother once and Ino happened to over hear it. During Hikari's stay in the village, visiting her family. She was going to say something, but Naruto did. He didn't go into detail with her about May, but made sure Hikari would be care with what she said next time. About her mother.
Finishing up her notes, Ino walks over to the bed. Rest a gentle hand on May's head. Stroking it tenderly. Tears formed in her eyes. As they fall on her face."..."
"What makes my mother so SPECIAL!?"Hikari yells."She lives in nothing but her perfect world! A world where all she sees is sunshine and never the truth! She is selfish and disillusioned!"
Mother, I'm so sorry. Hikira thinks about those cruel words she had once said. Two years ago. Words that never reached her mother, but branded itself now in her heart and mind. Those words where out of anger for her, for the hurt she felt but refused to express it. So she used her words to cut her mother down and didn't care. That is until Naruto came and hushed her quickly. He came to his mother's defense like a knight. Even her aunt Hinata.
Back then Hikari didn't understand their words. Blinded by her own selfish emotions. Driven by another force. Blocked out their words, words she now wished, she understood the meaning to. She needed some explanation. Who could she go to? Who could tell her? Who would kind enough to tell her?
Standing before her father's grave, hoping he would have the answer, but nothing came. She heard nothing. He was upset at her too. He had every right to be. Tears came and fell. Falling to her knees uncertain on what to do. Feeling weaker than ever. Bowing her head on his grave, curling upon it, searching for comfort. Shutting her eyes tight, to open them finding herself no longer before her father's grave. But instead in a bed. Not a hospital bed, but a normal bed. She sits up and gets a whiff of something smelling delicious. She wasn't sure what it was, but it did smell good.
"You're up. Good."Hinata said smiling, Hikari turns surprised finding her standing there at the door. With a tray of food. She walks in and sits on the edge of the bed. Placing the tray across her niece's lap."Well? Why don't you eat? It looks like you haven't in quite some time."She hands Hikari some chopsticks.
Reluctant at first. Hikari takes it, quietly thanking her. Slowly and meekly begins to eat. Little by little. Hinata watched her, it was a sad."Everyone hates me."Hikari laments."They have every right to hate me. For what I did. Yet, they love my mother."
"I wouldn't say they hate you."Hinata tries to make it sound less."You just made, you just made..."
"I made an unforgivable choice."Hikari begins to cry."One that I cannot undo...I didn't know what..."She beings to bite her lip."I-I didn't this to happen...I swear. I didn't think this...this would..."Her tears drop onto her food."I-I don't know what to do. I really don't"she shakes her head."I don't know which way to go."Gripping the chopsticks, she nearly cracks them.
Anger and frustration Hinata saw building up on her her niece beat herself up over and over again. Everything she felt came to the surface."Hika-"
She lightly smacks her hand away, but that didn't stop Hinata. She embraces her anyway. Holding her tightly. Allowing her to cry out her pain. She would do whatever she could for her Hikari. It was what she promised Neji. And to see his daughter in pain, suffering. Hinata knew it was hard for her learn a lesson, she wished would have come in a different form. But it didn't. All the words Hikari spoke, rang truth. Though not the hate part. Disappointed yes. But never hate. Yet, Hikari felt they all did. Holding her close.
"I'm so sorry. Hikari."She comforts the girl. While blue eyes watch the two of them.
After letting Hikari shed her tear. The young Hyuga ate her food quietly, with Hinata still there. There was nothing really to be said. That is until, until Hikari spoke.
"My mother."she stops eating. Hinata looks directly at her."P-Please tell me about my mother.
In the dead of night, guards standing post at the entrance of Konoha, in the shadows a figure moves through. Carefully watching the guards. Timing needed to be perfect. When one of the guards turn their back, within that second. The shadow comes out and strikes them in their points. Nothing too vital. Then strikes the other one. They fall over incapacitated. The figure doesn't look back, with the entrance clear, waste no time and leave.
They race down the road, putting as much distance between themselves and the village before anyone noticed. Their legs would carry them as far as they needed to go. And if they tired they would just push them further. Their eyes set and determine to complete this. Their vendetta. Their cloak concealed them. Or at least so they thought.
Using the shadows as cover soon backfired. They sudden felt themselves unable to move. There was something that prevented them. No matter how much they struggled.
"You've got to be the most stupid person I know."Said a familiar lazy yet irritated voice.
Looking around not seeing anyone. Until they made themselves know. Shikadai steps out of the shadows along with Boruto and the rest of his friends. Sadara, Metal, Inojin and even Chococo. Snacking on chips. All of them surround the cloaked figure. Who just sighs.
"Just do you think your doing?"Boruto walks over to them and snatches off their hood. Exposing them."Hikari?"