Their team is in shambles.
Rin is doing her best to keep them all from falling apart but if she can't keep herself together then what are her odds?
But Rin is of the Nohara. She's not going to give up just because things got hard. To call it quits now would be to spit upon the hard-won bonds they've built.
By the gods, she's going to get them through this whether they want her help or not.
So whenever her sensei falls too silent, brows pinched, and lost in thought, she makes sure her expression is open and earnest and gently guides him outside of his head. Rin asks him if he can help her study for med-nin tests or if he can show her the hand signs for that water jutsu she'd seen Kushina do.
And it works, most of the time, her sensei emerging from his spiraling thoughts, a shaky smile on his lips as he helps her.
Helping Kakashi is more difficult. He's hard to read at the best of times—stupid mask—but Rin takes a page out of Hinata's book and makes sure she is there. She knows she's not Hinata, whose gentle aurora could soothe even a tailed beast. Regardless, she stays at his side ready to assist, to guard, to heal when he needs it. Rin hopes it's enough, that her presence is of at least some comfort.
Rin watches Kakashi slumped form from afar, the memorial stone casting him in shadow.
She closes her eyes.
Please, Hinata, Rin prays, come back. We need you, heneeds you.
Hinata is standing outside the administration building, waiting for her teammate to finish turning in their paperwork, when he tells her.
"No," Hinata says in a horrified whisper, tears gathering in her eyes, "No, you're—you're wrong. Obito is...he can't be d—d—"
"Hinata," Hayate begins carefully.
He reaches out to her but Hinata doesn't want—can't accept the comfort he wants to give her because Obito isn't—he can't be—
Oh gods, Hinata's head spins and she staggers back, what will happen to Shisui-chan?
"I'm sorry but it's true. Asuma just told me—"
"I don't care who you heard it from!" Hinata yells, twisting out of reach. "It's not true—It's not!"
"Hinata, please," Hayate tries again, "you have to listen to me. I'm sorry but Obito is—"
"NO!" Hinata screeches. Hayate stumbles back a step, eyes wide in shock. Some people stop and stare. "Not another word, Hayate! I won't hear your—your lies ."
Hayate's face twists in hurt.
"I would never lie to you, Hinata," he says softly. "Not about this."
Hinata knows that.
But a bigger, uglier part of herself is trying so hard to convince her otherwise. Because she'd rather believe Hayate, her treasured friend, is lying to her than accept that Obito is dea—
"I know," she confesses, her whole body trembling as she backs away, "but I can't accept your truth."
They'd just gotten back from the frontlines. Four grueling months they'd spent there. Each day holding the possibility of being their last. For some that possibility had solidified into a very terrible reality.
Some like her beloved Ob—
Hinata whimpers.
Every day out there was a nightmare, her very being breathing and exhaling death. The only thing that had kept her going was Hayate and the promise of returning home to her friends and family.
Oh, she remembers how relieved she'd been when her platoon had finally received orders to head back home so the new rotation can take their places.
She was—they were going to...they agreed to...
Hayate repeats her name over and over, but it's like her whole body has been submerged underwater, her hearing muffled and body cold.
So cold.
They had plans. The three of them—Rin, her, and Obito—to go try A-won's new strawberry-honey toast.
They had so many plans. Obito, the dreamer, had the biggest plans of them all.
Obito is was going to become Hokage. He is was going to do great things, lead their village into a new era—one without war or needless suffering.
Plans that will never be realized because Obito is—
"No no no," Hinata moans and slaps at Hayate's hands, "no, stop it, please, stop."
Hinata thinks of the lone black monument near the training grounds she and Kakashi like to use.
There.
She needs to go there. She has to see for herself, she can't—won't believe Hayate until she sees his name with her own eyes.
"Hinata!" Hayate calls after her but she is already gone.
She won't believe them, any of them until she sees—
Hinata lets out a pained cry and falls to her knees when she sees it.
Uchiha Obito
She traces the freshly carved kanji with trembling fingers.
How many of her precious people will this cursed war take from her before it has its fill? It has already taken so many of her clansmen. Robbed her of sweet Suki-kun, her jounin sensei, and now her best friend.
Her chakra fluctuates dangerously, a tempest whirling just below her skin.
When will it end? All this senseless killing, when will it stop? Is it even possible? Are they all destined to watch those they love perish?
Hinata bows her head, hands fisted in the grass in front of her, and her mouth falls open, a ragged scream tearing itself loose from the crumbling pieces of her heart.
So lost in her grief, she takes no notice when her tenuous control snaps.
She does not register the explosion of energy that flattens the grass around her or the billowing cloak of purple chakra that has enveloped her like a mourning veil.
Hinata notices none of this, her whole being consumed by a sorrow so deep, so profound it brought the gods to tears, rain beginning to pour from the heavens.
Hinata grieves for the Uchiha who loved to make her laugh, who was always there when she needed him, mourns his bright, happy smile that she'll never see again because he's dead.
Hinata collapses, chakra flickering blindingly bright before vanishing back inside her.
She throws her face in her hands and weeps for the boy who'd died and taken a piece of her heart with him.
When ANBU comes to investigate the mysterious spike of chakra they find no threat. Just a small girl crying in the rain.
Rin is walking back home after her review with the medical board.
While her transplant of Obito's sharingan eye to Kakashi has garnered much scrutiny and earned her the ire of most of the doujutsu-wielding clans, her shishou and the head of the hospital have deemed it as proof of her mastery of medical jutsu and she is now full-fledge medical ninja.
She wishes Obito were here to see it, she wishes Hinata was back so they can—
Rin comes to a halt suddenly.
"...Hinata?" she calls weakly, unsure if the haggard, filthy figure shuffling through the streets is really her best friend.
A head of greasy, dark hair lifts, and Rin finds herself staring into a familiar pair of pale eyes.
They're both running before they even realize it, colliding into each other's arms in a cacophony of half-formed words and muffled sobs.
Rin holds onto Hinata tightly, uncaring of her soiled uniform, and buries her face in Hinata's neck, her tears smearing the dirt there, her composure crumbling in one great sob followed by another and then another until she's full-on wailing in the middle of the street.
Hinata holds her just as fierce, hands cradling the back of her head and they cry.
They cry for a boy who they'd loved and who had loved them in turn.
Kakashi is standing before the memorial stone when he catches his first real whiff of Hinata.
He flees the area immediately, shame fueling his escape.
Hinata is back. He'd felt it deep down inside his bones. Rin confirmed it the next day, trying to get him to see her.
Kakashi makes an excuse not to and disappears in a shunshin.
He spends the next week avoiding the Hyuuga, canceling their training sessions, and ignoring any messengers she sends
(Kou makes his displeasure clear by tattling on him to Gai, which, to be frank, he deserves but still.)
The bentos on his doorstep make a reappearance.
Her scent grows stronger with each day, her misery and heartache creating a thick fog of lavenderagonygrieflavender that has his eyes watering and his wolf wailing horribly, clawing painfully at his mind.
He's so tempted to let it loose.
Because Kakashi does want to see her—needs to confirm that she's safe and—and alive.
But he can't.
If he does, he'll have to face the consequences of his failure and Kakashi is too much of a coward for that.
"It's all my fault," Kakashi mutters through ashen lips.
Obito was his responsibility and he'd gotten him killed, so desperate to avoid the same mistake (was it? was it really a mistake?) his father made that he'd ignored generations worth of instincts and abandoned his packmate in favor of their mission.
Eventually, he'd realized his mistake but by then it was too late, the ripples of his initial decision having culminated into a tsunami intent on wreaking havoc and tragedy, its strong tides pulling Obito far, far away.
It should have been him. It should be him buried in Iwa and Obito who came home. Him who has no one to come home to unlike Obito who's little cousin (brother?) haunts the village's gates in hopes of a miracle that will never happen.
Kakashi can't bring himself to stand there in front of Hinata and watch as she struggles to hold onto the shattered pieces of her heart.
He just can't so he doesn't.
Alas, he can't hide from her forever. Not from her.
"Hatake-kun…?"
Kakashi freezes like prey caught under the gaze of a predator. His whole body is a coiled spring, ready to unload and spring forward at the slightest provocation, yet he forces himself to stay, head bowed with the weight of his defeat, of his shame.
Hinata must see this—she knows him so well—and begins to retreat.
"I'm sorry. I'll go. I…I can come back later—"
"No," Kakashi interrupts, voice raspy from disuse—how long has he been here?—and turns slowly to face her, "you...you can stay."
Please, he begs silently, a whine catching in his throat at the sight of her.
On the surface, she looks as she always does: standard chuunin vest and blues. The only thing setting her apart from any other Konoha shinob is the med-kit strapped to her hip and the Hyuuga emblem stitched onto her shoulder.
However, a Hatake always looks underneath the underneath and what he sees has his wolf howling.
The healthy flush in her cheeks is absent, the dark bags under her eyes accentuating her sickly complexion, and there are bandages peeking out of her collar and sleeves.
Kakashi swallows, hands opening and closing nervously.
He doesn't know what to say, what to do; if he should even do anything.
Ever merciful, Hinata, as she always does, takes that first step. He doesn't move as Hinata comes to a stop beside him.
"Thank you."
Kakashi wants to throw up.
She shouldn't—he's the last person she should be thanking! In fact, she should be cursing him so why this? Why is she thanking him? Hinata should be angry, furious even. He's the one who decided to leave Rin behind as if her worth was less than that of the mission. He's why Obito is dead.
Alas, Hinata isn't one for anger.
(Kakashi doesn't think he's ever seen her angry, not really)
Kakashi's lips tremble when she turns to look up at him, her eyes glowing with gentle moonlight.
No, Hinata isn't one for anger. She is much too compassionate and forgiving for such turbulent emotions.
(The day she unleashes her wrath upon the earth will be one whispered reverently by its survivors for years to come.)
As one they turn to face the memorial stone. They do not have to search long to find the name they came for.
Uchiha Obito.
Hinata bows and puts her hands together, closing her eyes in prayer. She straightens once she's done.
Kakashi takes in a deep breath and Hinata's familiar scent wafts in, settling something deep inside him.
He takes in another breath.
And another.
And another and another.
Kakashi doesn't know how or when but he finds himself on his knees, his whole body shaking hard enough to rattle his teeth, nails digging into the soft flesh of palms. The scent of fresh blood makes him tremble harder.
Suddenly there are hands on him, grasping his shoulders. Kakashi bucks against their hold.
"Kakashi, p—please, it's me! You need to calm down, you're—you're hurting yourself." Kakashi shakes his head, a dry sob ripping free from his throat because he deserves this. This and so much more because—
"It isn't your fault, Kakashi, please believe me when I say it isn't your fault. Please."
And then Hinata is all he can smell. He can smell the salt on her skin, the grief that sticks to her like a second skin, the floral scent of the shampoo she favors when in-village.
Lavenderpackhurtlavendersweetpacklavender
Kakashi's hands scramble for purchase on her back and he presses forwards until his nose is flush against the warm skin of her neck. He breathes in harshly, one breath after another until her scent is the only thing occupying his mind, all other thoughts unwanted and thus expelled from his mind.
Lavenderpackhurtlavendersweetpacklavender
Slowly, his breathing returns to normal, and he comes back to himself. Hinata is holding him, one hand petting his hair and the other holding him up against her. Kakashi sighs and it's a weary thing. He turns his head a little so his cheek is resting on her shoulder, his masked mouth pressed tight against the pale column of her neck.
Packpackmatepack
A low rumbling sound starts up in Kakashi's throat before ending deep inside his chest. Hinata pauses for a second before resuming her petting. Kakashi allows his single eye to shut close.
Kakashi had promised Obito he'd take care of Hinata but here she is taking care of him.
Kakashi huffs in amusement.
Typical Hinata.
Obito's death has changed him. But Hinata, for all the tragedies that have befallen her, is still the same caring, compassionate individual he'd first befriended all those years ago.
And for that he's thankful.
Kakashi exhales harshly against her.
So very thankful despite knowing he is not worthy of such compassion.
I won't fail, he thinks vehemently, I won't—I can't fail. I'll protect her—both of them—with everything I have. I promise, Obito.
But this vow is not only to honor Obito last wish.
(Obito who had loved Rin and Hinata as purely as any boy can love a girl.)
No, it's because Kakashi is a Hatake and the clan protects their own with fang and claw. Hinata and Rin are his; his packmates and he's not going to let go of them anytime soon. Not even for the Hokage himself.
Hinata lets loose a high-pitched squeak as Kakashi pulls her close, dragging her into his lap so that their chests are mashed against each other.
He pays little attention when she voices his confusion, instead rearranging her so they're both comfortable. He rumbles appreciatively when Hinata allows it, letting herself be positioned so she's covered almost entirely by him. Kakashi hooks his head around so his chin is covering the back of her neck, her face turned towards his neck to better acquaint herself with his scent.
He huffs tiredly and closes his eyes.
They stay that way for a long time.
Kakashi growls and snaps whenever a concerned party comes too close.
("He bit me!" Genma gasps, cradling his hand to his chest, "he bit me, guys."
"I'm so sorry, Shiranui-san, I'm sure he didn't m—mean it."
"No apologies needed!" Gai exclaims, "Such fervor in guarding one's precious comrades should be admired."
"Speak for yourself," Genma mumbles.
Ebisu pushes his glasses up with a sigh before dragging the two away.)
It's not until Kou comes looking for Hinata that Kakashi finally lets go. And the only reason he does so is because he knows Kou, like him, will give his life if it means Hinata's safety.
Hinata is just as reluctant as he is to go. But Kakashi forces himself to be strong. His packmate has her own den to return to. A heavily guarded one, at that.
As for his other packmate...there is work to be done.
Kakashi prowls the area around Rin's home, rubbing his sweaty palms against the trees and fences and buildings around her clan's property.
A passing Inuzuka and their ninken stop and sniff. She nods at Kakashi and the duo goes on their way.
Kakashi grunts as he looks over his work.
It'll do for now. He'll ask alpha Kushina for some tips on civilian-friendly security seals later.
When Hayate next sees his teammate she immediately drops to the floor, forehead pressed to the dirt road.
"Hayate, please, m—my words and actions the other day were harsh and cruel." Her melodic voice cracks and Hayate's heart with it. "I beg your forgiveness."
Anko props her elbow on the dango booth and raises a single eyebrow, a lecherous gleam in her eye.
"Hey, hey, no, Hinata," Hayate gently pulls his teammate to her feet, nervous sweat dripping down his back from all the stares they've garnered. "There's no need for that."
Hinata looks up at him with watery eyes, face twisted in anguish.
"But I hurt you."
Hayate huffs, "I'll live."
But Hinata? With her heart in pieces, the shards burrowing deeper with each day?
His expression softens. He cradles Hinata's face in his calloused palms. In the background he can hear Anko shooing away their audience.
"Nothing to see here, you nosy bastards so beat it!" she yells. "I said scram!"
Hayate sighs and wipes Hinata's tears.
His teammate has to be the single most annoying selfless person in the world with Gai as a close runner-up.
Hayate pulls her into a hug and his teammate goes easily into his arms.
"I'm sorry about Obito," he murmurs into her sloppily cut hair. "I know he meant a lot to you."
"He did, so so m—much." Hinata gasps against his chest, her hands gripping the sides of his chuunin vest tightly. She looks at him and Hayate's breath cuts short at the utter anguish he sees in her eyes. "He meant the world to me," she confesses and starts crying again.
Hayate buries his fingers in the back of her hair and pulls her closer.
"I know, I know," he speaks over her sobs, "I'm so sorry, Hinata."
He glances at Anko over Hinata's shoulder. She looks back at him solemnly before something catches her attention and her face twists in a scowl. Anko stomps past Hayate and Hinata, a sneer in her voice.
"What do you think you're looking at, bug eyes?"
Hayate looks over and immediately shifts his body so Hinata is out of sight.
But it's too little too late. The Hyuuga, a jounin going by their uniform, crosses his arms and stares at the visible outline of Hinata.
"Nothing, apparently," he replies with disdain before leaving.
Hinata shudders and hiccups in Hayate's arms.
It takes a second for the insult to sink in but when it does Anko is livid.
"What did you just say about Hinata-chan, you pasty-skinned bitch!?" She yells at his back, startling the few people around them.
Anko makes to go after him but Hayate quickly sticks his foot out to stop her. She hisses at him, ready to rip into him for daring to halt her crusade, but Hayate simply shakes his head and looks pointedly at Hinata.
Anko huffs and reluctantly backs down.
"Stuck up bitches, all of them." she glances at Hinata who blinks at her from where she's tucked into Hayate. "'cept for you, Hinata. You're alright."
"Ah," Hinata stutters, visibly confused but pleased. "...thank you."
"Anytime, Hinata," Anko replies and hops onto one of the booth stools. She pats the seat next to her in invitation. "C'mon, guys, I don't know about you but I always like something sweet after a good cry."
Hayate looks down at Hinata. She gives him a small nod.
"Sure," he replies and guides Hinata to the middle seat so she's flanked on either side by him and Anko.
"Yo!" Anko bangs her fist against the counter and holds up four fingers. "Four orders of your bestest, sweetest dango!"
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you loud and clear, brat." The stall owner rolls her eyes, already used to the girl's antics, and jots down the order. "Four orders of azukian. Got it."
Anko nods and turns to Hayate and Hinata.
"What do you guys want?"
There's a beat of silence where Hinata just stares at the girl.
"What?" Anko asks. "Their azukian is delicious."
"The best in all the Elemental Nations." The stall owner adds with a smug grin. Hinata must be a really sorry sight becuase she adds, "I'll give you a freebie so you can judge for yourself."
"Yes!" Anko cheers.
"Not you!" The lady swats at Anko. "You can pay."
"Awww, c'mon, no fair, baa-san!"
She swats again at Anko. "I told you to stop calling me that, you imp! I'm only thirty-two!"
"What are you talking about? That's old. Like really old."
"Why you—!"
Anko shrieks and topples off the stool when a dango stick goes flying and sinks into the counter where she was previously sat.
"Hey! What're you doing!? I'm a paying customer!"
"Not if you had it your way, you little cheapskate."
Hayate shakes his head as the two continue exchanging barbs but smiles when Hinata begins giggling.
"You are not to associate with Hatake Kakashi. I humored you once but not again."
"But, Father—"
Hinata has only defied him once and here she is doing it again.
(For the same boy, he grouses)
Pride fills him for a moment before Hiashi forcefully snuffs it.
"This is not a discussion. Heed my words, daughter, I speak to you as your clan head."
The elders are on the cusp of a rebellion, Hinata's progress falling short of their, frankly, absurd expectations. Hiashi himself would have been hard-pressed to meet them. Why, when he was her age he was still a genin.
Normally Hiashi is perfectly capable of handling them but united as they are now? It's become an uphill battle, the council clamoring that something be done before the Hatake snatches the byakugan too.
His daughter's expression shifts, her mouth settling into a thin line as she folds her hands inside her kimono. Hiashi marvels at the sudden change. Where his timid daughter once stood is now a refined lady of nobility.
"Then allow me to speak to you as your heiress."
Hiashi doesn't let his surprise show at her brazen address.
He's never been prouder.
Because here is his daughter, obviously terrified going by the visible tremble in her hands that she tries to hide. But instead of bowing her head and meekly agreeing like he's come to expect of her, she's gone and done the complete opposite, donning her title as heiress like armor to meet him in a battle.
Curious to see how far her bravery extends he responds, "Then speak, my heiress."
His daughter takes in a shaky breath.
"As you well know Hatake-san is heir to the Hatake clan...one of the few remaining noble clans from the Founding era with direct ties to the Senju."
"A noble clan who has fallen into dishonor." Hiashi counters.
Hinata's eyes harden and Hiashi delights in it all. If only the elders could see what he is seeing right now. Surely then they'd stop their petitions and recognize that Hinata is indeed worthy of her birthright.
"—honor that was restored when Hatake Sakumo committed seppuku."
"That is correct, however, I see nothing to gain from a dying noble clan. Even one with their shared blood with the Senju."
Hinata dips her head in acknowledgment. "True, their clan may be...in decline, but their sister clan is not."
Hiashi's eyes narrow in interest.
"The Inuzuka have flourished under Konoha's branches. The clan is plentiful and as you and I know, there is power in numbers."
Hiashi doesn't sigh but it's a close thing. She's right. It hasn't mattered much in recent years, Sakumo having never involved himself in politics before his death, but if there is a chance his heir might reclaim the Hatake seat, he cannot afford to let it slip by him. Because whatever path the last Hatake chooses the Inuzuka clan is bound to follow, the Abrurames not far behind.
"Very well. I rescind my previous order in favor of a potential alliance with the Hatake-Inuzuka-Aburame. May you bring honor to the clan "
Hinata bows, "I thank you for this opportunity, chichiue-sama, I...I will not fail."
Hiashi's voice is grave, "See that you do not, daughter, the consequences will be most...undesirable."
The elders will be appeased with the promise of such an alliance, but if it falls through and the Hatake garners more scrutiny...well, Hiashi will do all he can to mitigate the fallout. He will not allow his daughter—his precious daughter—to be branded like his brother and all those who fail to meet their clan's high demands.
Hinata lowers her head, "I understand."
Hiashi dismisses her and Hinata bows respectfully before taking her leave.
It's only when the door slides shut that Hiashi drops his head into his hands. He rubs his temples and sighs.
At sixteen, holding his newborn daughter in arms for the first time, Hiashi knew Hinata would bring about a great change. What kind of change she will bring, of that he's still unsure of, but whatever it is the world will never be the same.
That, he is sure of.
Hinata exits Hiashi-sama's office. Kou follows behind Lady Hinata like the dutiful shadow he is.
He hesitates briefly before remembering his mistress is kind and won't scold him for speaking even if it is out of turn.
"Hinata-sama," he begins as she's stepping into her quarters. His mistress stops and turns to face him, opalescent eyes patient and curious.
"Yes, Kou-kun?"
"Is the Hatake heir…" he lowers his head humbly, "...is he truly worth all this trouble?"
Kou swallows hard when her face goes blank. He hides a wince at the reprimand he knows is coming.
Except there is none.
"Yes," she answers his question. Kou blinks at the steel lining her voice and lifts his gaze. Her eyes are as hard as marble, her stutter absent.
Kou can't—not that he wants to—stop the awe that overtakes him.
Because here, standing before him, back firm and conviction radiating every pore, is the thirty-seventh head of the Hyuuga clan.
"Yes," Lady Hinata repeats without hesitation, voice unyielding like the diamond core of a star, "he is."
Kou bows his head as deeply as he can.
"Understood, Hinata-sama. My apologies if this servant has offended you."
"You didn't, Kou-kun, so you can stop, ah, bowing now." His mistress titters.
Kou hesitantly comes out of his bow. Lady Hinata's face softens into something more familiar but no less opulent. His breath catches at the sheer compassion and benevolence she all but radiates.
"It's your job to p—protect me and to do that you have to understand why...I do as I do."
Kou is brimming with gratitude. The gods have truly blessed him with such a venerable and understanding mistress.
"Hai," Kou says, dipping his head once more, "I will endeavor to be worthy of the position awaiting me. Thank you."
His mistress's answering smile is radiant, moonlight glimmering down on him. Kou closes his eyes and basks in her light, his admiration for her soaring and he prays she can feel it from the heavens she resides on.
And Kou swears, if the Hatake ever hurts his mistress again, well... favored by her or not, he will ensure the end of the Hatake line with his own hands.
"These two. They're in the way." Danzo mutters angrily and slaps the manilla folder on his desk, scattering some of its contents. The Root agent kneeling before him doesn't flinch.
Danzo casts his sharp gaze upon the masked agent.
"Kinoto," he intones, "I want these two taken care of."
Kinoto bows his head, "Consider it done, my lord."
Danzo nods and, sensing his dismissal, Kinoto gathers the papers containing the information on his new targets. Among the papers are two single photos.
One is of a Hyuuga. She shares the aristocratic features commonly found in her clan, the only thing setting her apart from the others of her blood is the unique coloring of her hair.
Kinoto looks at the other photo. A young girl smiles up at him, completely average save for the clan markings on her cheeks.
Hyuuga Hinata
Nohara Rin
Kinoto commits the names to memory.