Ino was the first on scene at Kohana hospital, the first one out everyone to hold Hikari. To hold the newborn infant cuddled in her arms. She was so small, cleaned and clothed. A small tuff of brown hair, one of the many gifts from her father. From Neji. She had his facial structure. But her mother's charm. Such a small little one, wrapped in the very first blanket, a flora blanket Ino bought. It had mint green flower petals decorating them. Hikari was sleeping, peacefully. Her mother was just barely awake. Fading in and out. Birth tired May greatly, but she made sure to have enough strength to adore her child.
As Ino did the same, looking at infant. Tears mist in her eyes and roll down gently. "She's so beautiful, May." Ino's said softly so she wouldn't wake the little one.
May gives a tired smile.
Rocking Hikari slowly, Ino heart swelled like a balloon. The girl was such a treasure, just a few months ago before her birth, everyone celebrated and gave May a baby shower. Ino helped her set up before the little one came. Picked out clothes she believed would be adorable. Every time she was May's presence spoke to Hikari. It was her impatience for the little one to be here that annoyed her, but it was worth the wait.
Here she was. Alive and new. The second May's water broke, Ino was with her. It happened when they were leaving Neji's grave, heading back to the Hyuga manor. Not even a half a mile away from the gravesite it happened. May almost collapsed if Ino hadn't caught her, able to hold her up screamed for help. An ANBU near by assigned to tail May in secret by Kakashi came fast and whisked her away. Ino followed soon after, sending a message to everyone. By the time she made it to the hospital, May had already been taken for delivery. As a student of Tsunade she cleaned and got ready. Racing to assist in the delivery. It took awhile, a careful procedure, the results Hikari was born healthy and safe.
Such a precious girl, were the only thoughts going through Ino's mind. Made out of love and born from it. Her tears wouldn't stop, rolling down her cheeks a couple drop onto Hikari. Who fussed a little with a small moan.
Wiping them away softly, Ino whispers an apology with a light kiss. Whispering in Hikari's ear the words on her heart that burned. Knowing the others would each whisper or say something to Hikari, she wanted to make sure she said it first. Sealing it with a feathered kiss on Hikari's soft cheek.
"I promise."
That day, those words ignited in Ino. Those words taking form, delivering a sharp kick at the Dark Mother who just narrowly dodged. Keeping her stance firm and solid, and movement fluid and flexible. It was clear Ino would not let the woman anywhere near Hikari who remained out of action. The young girl hadn't woken up, this genjutsu was a strong one. Ino could feel it. She had to make this quick and end it fast. Hikari already seemingly trapped by it. She was fading fast, not just her mind but the rest of her.
She had to get her out. Gripping her single kunai, steadies herself, waiting to see what the Dark Mother was going to do next. This world was of her creation, so anything was possible. The ground could break right under or worse. Searching for a way to end this, Dark Mother took Ino's distraction and attacks. Driving her knife to her midsection. Reacting quick Ino drops her kunai to intercept it. Metal clashing against metal. Both their strengths evenly matched it seemed. The Dark Mother's face twisted darkly baring her hideous fang.
Hisses at Ino. "You wretched girl! How dare you intr-"
Ino headbutts her, shutting her mouth and ranting. Sending in back in slightly stun. Using that Ino delivers a hard kick to the back sending her flying hard to the ground. There was no time to break, she had to stay on the woman. Charging kunai in hand plunges it down up, a powerful swipe comes and strikes Ino under the chin. Sending her back, catching and setting herself right. Blocks Dark Mother's overhead kick with her wrist. A surprise to the woman. Pushing back Ino stands, Dark Mother flips back giving distance between. Studying Ino, who's eyes locked and stayed on each movement made. She remained standing between Hikari and her. The fire burning in Ino's eyes spoke volumes it sent a trembling fear through Dark Mother.
A fear Ino saw even if for a second. To test it, took an inch step saw the woman flinch lightly back. Smirking Ino kept her face straight. Her small victory wasn't important right now. Protecting and getting Hikari out was all that mattered.
"Hikari!" Ino squeals a bright smile spread across her face. Greeting May pushing her daughter in her stroller entering the flower shop. Ino leaves the counter and costumer there rushes to welcome both.
She hugs May first tightly of course and quickly went to Hikari, the little one only six months. Showers her with affection and kisses. Takes her out of the stroller holding her. Her head full of brown reaching just to her next, it was starting to show her mother's wavy texture. She still had her father's facial structure but her mother's charm and mother's golden eyes. Along with featureless eyes, another gift from her father. Dressed in white dress with a light green petals and light green headband. Stripped soaks on her little feet.
"Look at my pretty niece." Ino presses her cheek against Hikari's gently. Laughing. "What brings you here to see me? Huh?"
May couldn't help but smile sweetly at the two. Ino truly loved her daughter. "We were just taking a stroll through the village and decided to come by and see you."
Honored Ino kisses Hikari. "You did? Well, what a surprise." Lightly touching Hikari's nose. "I have just the flower for you, come on let's look."
May let Ino take her daughter, noticed the costumer still at the counter. Who was clearly upset the wrinkled on brows was clear. Sighing, May pushes her stroller over and takes over for Ino.
Walking through the flowers stopping a few Ino picks up a few for Hikari to look, smell, and touch. Being careful not to get any that might be too much for her, Hikari's eyes locked onto the bright colors in awe. Trying to reach out and touch it. Ino let her touch just a few, the others she just brushed against her nose. A few sneezes came, but nothing harmful. Shifting her to her other arm Ino continued their walk through flowers. Stopping at the roses, cast her eyes back to May who was still working the counter.
"Ah, here it is." Ino finds the flower. Picks it up. "I found your flower. This one is just for you." Bobs Hikari's nose making her smile.
Ino ducked and came up with hard elbow clocking Dark Mother under the chin. Stunning and angering the woman, stumbling back keeps her stance. Lunges at Ino who steps aside with a hard knee in the torso. Knocking Dark Mother back. Holding her stomach Dark Mother rises glaring fiercely, Ino returns the look twice as hard.
"Why are you protecting her?" Dark Mother screams demanding. Pointing violently at Hikari. "She hated her life. She hated everything. She was alone. Nothing around her. So why protect her? When all she felt was misery."
Ino said nothing. Angering the woman more. "Well?" She shrieks.
Ignoring the bit of pain from her side, Ino's mind would allow her to reach Hikari. No matter what Dark Mother said. The words bounced off even if they stung with truth, sunken in guilt. It was true. All of what the woman said, with Hikari. The past years, there was a change in the girl. A change everyone slowly emerging. Overtime.
Biting back her own feelings of guilt, Ino kept her mind on right now. Seeing through what Dark Mother was trying to do. "Enough." She said, ice in her voice.
Silenced the woman. Ino's eyes warn her to choose her next words carefully. A amused gleam tinkled in Dark Mother's eye. A delicious smirk cracked on her lips. "Or what?"
Lee stood over Ino making sure everything was alright. Kiba stood before the tank at Hikari. Pain tinged in his eyes, and nose flared in anger. Clenching his fist he wanted to break the tank with all his might, but held back.
Cursing his frustrations in his mind. Did this girl not realize, realize what she had done? What she was doing? What her mother went through...everything? He didn't hate her, he was just disappointed. He was mixture of emotions right now. Some flaring from the past, years ago that he thought were gone. But pushed back up right now.
Kiba stared at the infant Hikari, such a small one she was. Her father's structure and eyes, but her mother's looks and eye color. So, this was the result of Neji and May's relationship. He was glad, but stung with pain. There was nothing that could change time for him, right now he had to be happy. The infant was a part of May, sticking a finger out towards the little one lightly touches her nose with his sharp nail. Being careful not to scratch her. It was so soft and...adorable. His heart melted from the coo Hikari spewed.
"She's...she's..."he chokes on his words.
Inhaling her scent, locked it away. Unsure who this wild man was Hikari eyes rest on the markings on his cheeks. So red. So bright. May watches the interaction between the two. Seeing Kiba taken by her instantly. It was like he marked her. He kept poking her nose over and over again. Hoping to get another coo, which came. His smile spread further with a soft laugh.
He couldn't love May, than, he came to his conclusion, he'd love her child and protect her.
"Hikari..."he mumbles. Suddenly picks up an extra scent. Growling whips his head around. "Lee!"
Lee stood ready. Both men eyes on the entrance, Akumaru's hair stand up baring his teeth like his master. In a few seconds a cloaked figure enters pleased to see them.
"Hello, it's been some time."
Their voice made their skin crawl, made Kiba realize something about that voice. He's heard it before, years ago seeing it in May's memories. Meeting it face to face, his eyes widen. Color vanished off his face.
A single bit of sweat trickled off. "L-Lee." He swallows, warning his friend. "Shit."