Chapter 36

Eyes to Eye: Amari's Hidden Fear!

Warm light is precious in a world of bitter darkness. 'Twas like being stranded among the barren sand dunes of the Land of Wind for an eternal winter, and then, through the arctic temperatures and shadowy hills of sand, a flicker of light emerges from the chilled void. This kind soul's campfire beckoned lonely travelers to press on through the whipping sandstorms, all for the hope to fill their starving stomachs and feel warmth caress their frostbitten skin once more.

Hikari trekked across the treacherous sands of the Land of Wind, through lonely sandstorms that battered her tired body and down hazardous sand dunes, trusting only her heart to guide her down the right path. It led her to the dense forests of the Land of Fire where life was everywhere. Such a stark contrast to home. Dew covered strands of grass always in walking distance; the texture of this new life soft and cool underneath the palms of her hand and feet. So unlike the coarse and hot sands of home.

Just the other day she found a flower shop, full of the most beautiful scents and gentlest petals she ever had the opportunity to inhale and trace her fingertips across. Suna had no such scents. At least none she ever found. Their predominant fauna was cactus, and cactus hurt to touch. Sharp lances of anger protruded from the hateful plant, pricking at the fool girl who couldn't see how it despised its solitude being interrupted.

Konoha's flowers loved gentle caresses. They craved to know the kindness and love of another, a sentiment Hikari shared. She couldn't spend her entire day smelling flowers and caressing them, though, but she tried to get as many as she could while she was there, savoring their scents, memorizing their shapes and imprinting the location of the shop into her memories for the future.

No matter how much life sprouted around her, however, the world remained dark and cold, full of sharp, earsplitting noises and people who were always out of reach. The only light in her life remained but a kindled ember of hope she struggled to keep from extinguishing, returning her to cold isolation.

'Twas all she could do now. Alone in the dark, this tiny ember she desperately protected sustained the Suna native through desolate winters, urging her to keep walking on her path even when her knee throbbed terribly. 'Twas only her who could do this. 'Twas only her who possessed the sense left to stand against chaos.

The Council of Fools wholeheartedly embraced madness. Their mission they set out to complete, the objectives they sent her to destroy, it would bring nothing except dishonor, ruin and destruction upon Suna. Innocent shinobi blindly loyal to their superiors would follow their orders like good shinobi. Hikari never considered herself a good shinobi. Powerful, yes, but never good. Good shinobi obediently obeyed their superiors no matter the order, regardless of how suicidal the mission may be.

To a good shinobi, the Village came before everything and everyone else. 'Tis their duty to protect its secrets, its people, even when it meant performing a horrendous deed to do so. Good shinobi could ignore their feelings. Good shinobi could ignore facts or an alliance on a single order from a superior.

Hikari could not. 'Twas not out of spite for their treatment of her through the years. Unlike the Council of Fools, she did not let personal vendettas cloud her judgement—fortunately for them, for they would be the first to perish by her hands if she lacked self-control.

Hikari's path diverged long ago from that of a loyal Suna shinobi. Lines in the sand had been drawn. Promises of freedom became a cage.

I have my purpose. My mission. My duty. 'Tis all I need.

Suna's plan meant nothing to her. 'Twas but a date she aligned her true purpose in Konoha with. Until the day came for her embers final battle with the void, there were preparations to be made to assure the success of her mission. First was learning the layout of Konoha. Learn the civilian population congregation zones—areas where the most damage could be done and where casualties would be highest. Study the streets to maneuver through them effortlessly even in the heat of battle. As she gained further Intel, she formulated a plan to draw the fighting towards a battlefield of her choosing rather than among the chaos of war.

Every passing day increased her familiarity with Konoha. Sooner rather than later she would be fully acclimatized to the new environment. Yet, as she prepared for her mission, Hikari's thoughts often drifted to the kindest flower she ever met—Amaririsu Yūhi. She had not forgotten her kindness or the warm, silky chakra she wished to huddle close to after years of cold nothingness.

'Twas strange, she had to admit, to feel so connected to a stranger. 'Twas but a single act of kindness, a small interaction condensed to a few minutes, hardly a blink of her life really. Yet 'twas not a meaningless moment to be disregarded for time to erode as it eroded all it touched. All of Suna hated, feared or outright ignored her existence. Had her disoriented fall happened back home, no one would care. 'Twas likely they would kick her precious gourd away to spite her, scoffing another insult under their breath.

They were cacti; every single person a sharpened lance of hatred stabbing her heart as it tried to reach out into the darkness in search of kindness. As she laid there in the dirt, reaching out for her gourd, a gentle flower witness to her struggle extended its soft petals to her, returning the precious object and stating so resolutely, "That doesn't make it right for people to ignore you when you actually need help."

Hikari rubbed her thumb across the pad of her middle finger, rolling a grain of crushed sand between them, smiling fondly at the memory. I had forgotten…what happiness felt like. Kindness from Amaririsu felt like a feather caressing her heart, tickling her senses with its velvety touch, summoning a smile to her lips from a different time. Happiness wasn't a feather, nor did it tickle; happiness embraced her senses, wrapping its warm arms around her shivering frame, and whispered ever so softly, "You are not alone. I'm here."

'Twas a new flame, burning brighter than her ember, beckoning her to come sit and warm herself after such a long journey. To stop walking towards inevitability and let the silky warm threads of chakra embrace her so she didn't have to walk alone anymore. Hikari considered the choice daily, yet even when she gave in and tried to approach Amaririsu, she stopped in the shadows.

Misfortune followed her. As a Suna elder once cursed her: Hikari was a bad luck charm. A scourge they were better off leaving to die in the desert than keeping as a weapon.

For Amaririsu's safety and future, 'twas better to linger in the darkness, out of sight but in vicinity of her warmth. Better to hear the velvety voice strum harmonious chords of happiness and life while the Suna native dreamt of days lost to the endless grains of sand, smiling for once not in sorrow, but in happiness for the purity of Amaririsu's light she could feel touch her skin like the first ray of sunlight at dawn.

Perhaps one day, when she didn't bear the burden of her duty and when chaos wasn't at their doorstep, perhaps then they could meet again. Not as shinobi from separate Villages, but as Amaririsu and Hikari the individuals, not the weapons they would become in the coming days.

Hikari hoped, and with the hope a new flame fell into her hands to carry, thawing out her numb heart and limbs.

For the mission I set out on, and for the safety of Amaririsu's light, I will keep walking my path without hesitation. Hikari clicked her tongue, listened to the pop reverberate on the walls around her, then continued on her scouting mission through the Leaf, walking away from the light she found in this foreign Village. One day, Amaririsu Yūhi, I hope we can meet again.

The Next Day

The clock neared eight in the morning as Amari headed for the stairs, keen on filling her hungry belly before heading out for the day. Today, at noon, she would begin training with her uncle, learning a new Shadow Technique and, hopefully, being introduced to the mysterious other trainer meant to teach her the special jutsu Kakashi wanted her to learn.

First off, breakfast, Amari thought, padding softly down the stairs towards the kitchen. A morning wasn't complete without breakfast. Step by step, the fresh smell of eggs, bacon and toast consumed her nostrils. The aroma was glorious; had she been an unrefined slob the smell would have turned into a drooling zombie instantly.

Closer to the kitchen, the pleasant humming of her mother's humming met her ears. Before being taken in by Kurenai, this home had been relatively silent. Clean and tidy, furnished and comfortable, but her mother liked to say it always felt like it was missing something.

"I think it was you," she would usually add lovingly.

"Stop making me blush, troublesome woman," tended to be her response as she hugged or poked the woman.

As she entered the kitchen, Kurenai set two plates of food down on the dining table—the same table that hadn't gotten as much use as her mother intended. Her old, socially awkward self—because I'm totally getting better at socializing—pointed out that conclusion once. Well, she mumbled it, and immediately felt rude and started to apologize. Kurenai laughed it off, told her she was right and decided together they could give it the use it needed.

Family meals, schoolwork, conversations, together they helped the table fulfill its purpose. And, in the end, Kurenai helped Amari find her own.

"Just the smell of your food makes every Feudal Lord of our continent envious," Amari said as she moved towards her usual seat.

Her mother chuckled. "Careful. Keep flattering my cooking and I may become a shinobi chef for those Feudal Lords who are so envious of my food." Amari halted in place, horrified at what could only be described as the most dastardly threat in existence. Her mother's red eyes glinted playfully at her horror. "Then you'll be left with instant ramen for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a few years."

She loved ramen, but not that much! That was Naruto level obsessive love, and she only saved that for ice cream and cookies!

"Yo- You wouldn't!"

"Wouldn't I?" Kurenai retorted. "It could be quite the lucrative investment. It'll only be a few years of instant ramen. You wouldn't die of sodium overdose that quickly."

"Mom! That's not funny!"

"Hm," Kurenai hummed amusedly, lips twitching upwards and breaking her neutral mask. She motioned to table with a dip of her head. "Come eat, little one, before I take my trade elsewhere."

Amari dropped the argument and sat down to eat immediately.

After breakfast, the duo worked together to clean everything up, falling into the familiar rhythm. Amari removed her arm from the sling to keep the process efficient.

"How's Hinata been doing?" she asked as they worked. "I never had the chance to go visit her while I was in the hospital." Though that's because I was restricted to my bed. She didn't say it. Debating her restrictions at this point would only be troublesome for her.

"Hm." The concerned hum made Amari turn to face her mother, whose features matched her hum. "It'll take time for her to be ready for active duty again. Neji's attack to her heart requires more recovery time than a normal physical injury. If she pushes it too soon, she'll only end up hurting herself, much like you."

Two fingers assaulted her forehead. Amari frowned. "Hey, I've been good so far," she tried to argue

Kurenai cocked an eyebrow up. "So far?" The question came in that tone. The warning tone no child ever wanted to risk pushing further.

The Nara deflated. "It wasn't like I was planning anything…"

Another poke, far less scolding than the first. "Hinata is recovering well, and she's showing a positive attitude. That can be the difference maker in a recovery. You should try treating yours less like imprisonment and more like a vacation."

"It is imprisonment…" she muttered, and was rightly poked for it. Amari covered her forehead in a meager defense, opening her stomach up for her mother to assault with two well placed pokes to the middle of her belly then her side. "Hey! That's cheating!" the girl giggled brightly, flinching away from the hand.

"Mm. It's not cheating if you leave yourself open." As her hands moved to cover her stomach from another assault, the fingers prodded the center of her forehead. She placed one hand on her forehead and the other across her belly, but Kurenai outsmarted her by wrapping an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into an embrace. "Got you!" she laughed, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head before releasing her.

"I'm relieved Hinata's doing well. I was worried she was taking the loss too hard," Amari said as she lowered her arms.

Kurenai nodded. "I was too. Having you and Naruto cheer her on, coaching her on how to stand up for herself and be strong has flicked a switch on in Hinata. She wants to double her training. With Team Eight she wants all of us to stop holding back on her, and when she has the chance, she wants to join yours and Sakura's training."

Good, Amari thought. Hinata found a spark to become stronger. By training with Hinata, she could help her the same way she helped Sakura, providing their wills with the same strength people like Kurenai and Naruto had given her. The circle binding their class was growing stronger, the fires of their wills strengthening their generation for the day when they had to protect Konoha and guide the future.

"We all have to get stronger. To protect our dreams. To protect each other and keep injuries like this from happening to one another. We're the next generation; that means the future of the village will one day be in our hands. It'll be our duty to protect it and nurture the next generation of shinobi. To guide the future of the village as a Jōnin Sensei, that's my dream."

One person at a time. This was what she could do right now. Even if it was only her friends, she could start small and help her generation become what her mother, Kakashi, Asuma, Guy and so many others were to them. Protectors, teachers, guides through the darkness, warmth, comfort. For what they had done for her, she could help jumpstart her generation to become even greater so they could one day take their places and be the same light that had helped a sobbing, lonely little girl who lost everything become strong.

"I think Hinata needed to hear people she admired tell her everything we did," Amari said thoughtfully. "You've done so much for her as her tutor and now as her sensei, but…Well, you know her father better than I do. Whatever he said to her or did is a scar that hasn't healed. It's stunted her in ways I probably don't even know." Her lips pulled into a tight frown. "Because of him, she thinks of herself as a failure. When you think you're a failure, you start seeing every tiny mistake as a reinforcement of your belief. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy I went through too. I felt completely useless after what Kasai said to me. I was never going to be strong enough to be a shinobi. I was just a pathetic waste of Ryu's life."

Her mother shut the water off and looked down at her. "It was because of you I stopped thinking that way. I…I don't think I've ever said this, and I should have sooner, but I admire you so much. Your strength, your skill, your confidence, your compassion, you're…you're everything I hope to be when I grow up, as a teacher, as a shinobi and as a human being."

Kurenai's eyes widened at the sudden confession. "Little one…"

"Back when I saw myself as nothing, you never stopped trying to get me to see my worth. Even when I cried so much and tried to quit, you refused to give up on me. You kept pushing me to stand back up, no matter how much it hurt. You helped me find worth in myself, and because of that I was able to find strength." Amari's face softened. "I…I can never thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I once thought I could repay everything I would ever owe you. I still have a mental record of everything I've ever cost you, but I know now that even given a hundred lives, I can never repay you for the love you've given me. I was just some orphan, not even your child, your responsibility or your problem, and you took me in on a hunch. I owe you everything."

Her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a warm hug. Lips pressed against the top of her head. "And I would do it all over again for the same hunch. I told you then and I will tell you now: You don't have to repay anything, Amari. Being your guardian and adopting you were the best decisions I've ever made." Amari shut her eyes against her tears. "You will never need to thank me, little one. Never. You are my child and I love you."

Amari embraced Kurenai fully, taking in every ounce of warmth and love this woman provided by such profound words. "I love you too, Mom. Thank you…Thank you so much for everything you've ever done for me and for what you still do."

One day I'll find a way to repay you.

When they finished with the dishes, the pair moved to leave for their intended destinations. Her mother was scheduled to train with Shino for the finals while Amari planned to kill time as she waited for noon to roll around. Amari pulled her bandana down over her left eye at the door and placed her arm back in the cloth sling hanging around her neck. It was a drag, but it was better than permanently losing the strength in her entire arm.

"What do you plan on doing?" her mother asked curiously.

"I'm going to check on Hinata and Lee. If they aren't taking visitors, I may check in on Sakura, Shika and Naruto before heading to Uncle Shikaku's."

Kurenai nodded. "Okay." They shared one last hug. "Be safe, little one."

"I will."

With that they went their separate ways. Along the trip to the hospital Amari stopped when a ball, kicked by playing children, got wedged between a restaurant sign and the building itself. Deciding to lend a hand, she hopped up, grabbed it and returned it to the children with a quick reminder to be careful.

By the time she reached the hospital it was a quarter past nine. A kind nurse informed her Lee and Hinata were both accepting visitors, but due to Lee's severe injuries she had to keep her visit short so he could get the rest he needed. After guiding her to Hinata's room and then giving her directions on how to find Lee's room, the nurse left the ninja to visit the Hyūga privately.

I don't think I've been on this side of visiting a hospital. One look at her knee brace and arm sling showed which side she was used to being on. Though, to be honest, I'd rather none of us be here. Critical injuries were a real drag.

Amari slid the door open to reveal Hinata sitting up on the bed. Her legs were covered by the light sheet and her eyes were directed at the novel in her hands, fully absorbed in the story it was telling. On the counter next to Hinata's bed, her sweater laid folded up, leaving her in a navy blue shirt.

"Hey Hinata," she greeted pleasantly.

Hinata's eyes snapped up from her book, the solid lavender full of surprise at her presence. As always, Hinata's eyes gave her mixed feelings of affection and sadness. Affection for this shy and kind girl she cared for. Sadness for the kind and caring boy who had cared so much for her, he sacrificed himself in her place.

I would do the same for Hinata.

"Am- Amari?" The quiet and shy voice snapped her awake from her brief lapse.

She didn't call me Amaririsu. Enormous disappointment hit her. She…she admittedly liked Hinata calling her by Amaririsu, all for the sake of being able to tease her and coax adorable embarrassment out of the Hyūga.

"Wha- what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be training?" Her eyes took in the sling and brace. The sight of the injuries made her features fall. "Your arm and leg…"

"They'll heal," Amari reassured, waving her concern off. "Doctor's ordered me to keep these on for a week, and Mom is holding me to it. I'll be training with my Uncle Shikaku today. Before I did, though, I wanted to come check on you and Lee. If you don't mind having me for company."

"I don't mind. Please, sit." Amari sat on the side of the bed, her left leg crossed underneath her right, letting her right leg hang off the edge. Hinata's eyes lingered on the two injured limbs. "I- I heard about your fight. It sounded amazing, and frightening. I can't imagine what Kurenai-sensei was feeling when you were poisoned."

"Mm, I can," Amari frowned. The tight hug, the following hard poke to the forehead and reprimanding she received on waking up transmitted every peak and valley her emotions galloped up and down. "And I wouldn't call my overall performance amazing. If that were a real battle, Hisashi and I would both be dead. He may have conceded, and I may be in the finals, but the real war ended as a draw. An enemy isn't going to give me an antidote and there's no guarantee a medic-nin will be nearby to help me. I have to get better so that doesn't happen."

Hinata concealed a giggle behind her hand then turned a fond smile her way. "You never stop, do you?"

Amari tilted her head in confusion. "Never stop what?"

"Looking for ways to improve yourself. Even when you do really well, you focus on the mistakes you made and do everything you can to fix them. You're…" Hinata's cheeks tinted pink as she gave her a closed eyed smile. "You're an inspiration, Amaririsu."

Amari felt her cheeks heat up. Her eye darted away shyly for a moment, but a smirk tugged onto her lips. "How many times, Hinata?" she asked quietly.

The smile on Hinata's face was replaced by the most adorable look of horror ever to exist. "I- I'm sorry, Amari!" As always, Hinata's embarrassed reaction—tomato red face and hasty apology—was as sweet as ice cream.

"You're too adorable, Hinata," Amari giggled. She took a breath, urging her blush to leave—and failing spectacularly—as she smiled at her friend. "You know, you inspire me too. You put everything you had into your fight against Neji. Even when he cut off your chakra, you still fought to make every drop of blood, sweat and tears you once shed worth it, proving to him and to us that you aren't just some weak girl. You're Hinata Hyūga of the Hidden Leaf, a strong and determined kunoichi no one is allowed to underestimate."

"I…" Hinata bowed her head. "Thank you, Amari. For believing in me and your kind words."

Amari reached forward and poked her affectionately in the forehead. Hinata lifted her head to see a closed eyed smile. "Anytime, Hinata."

She blushed and smiled shyly, but then her features shifted to grave seriousness. "I…I know it may be hard, but…but please don't hate Neji for what he did to me." The smile slipped from Amari's lips, steadily turning into a frown. "There's…There's a lot you and the others don't know about what happened between our fathers. Neji hasn't always been this way."

"Hinata…" Amari shut her eyes and took a breath, killing the first heated words she wanted to expel like a Fire Style Jutsu. Don't hate Neji? How could she not hate that bastard for trying to kill one of her precious people? Even if he used to be different, that didn't excuse his actions in the present. Nor did the problems between their respective fathers give him a reason to verbally and physically abuse Hinata.

"Please, don't excuse his actions, Hinata," Amari said slowly. "You…you could have died. He tried to kill you. You are the kindest person I know, and I cherish that about you, but please, don't…don't speak like he had a legitimate reason to kill you. I don't care if he used to be kind. He had no reason to strike your heart with lethal blows."

"You're wrong."

"Hinata—"

"The matches were unsanctioned. Just as Hisashi fought you as he would a real shinobi, going so far as to poison you, Neji fought me the same way." The firmness behind Hinata's voice gave her pause. Hinata wasn't speaking as her shy friend; she was speaking as a kunoichi of the Leaf who didn't want to be coddled. "For the first time, Neji treated me as an equal. Even though his words were unkind, even though he tried to play mind games with me, when our fight truly began and we traded blows, he didn't hesitate or hold back. He may not see me as an equal, but he fought me as he would have fought any of you." Her eyes drifted away. "That's…that's all I can ask from him at this point."

Arguments formed in her mind, legitimate arguments about how he only treated her that way to take his hatred out on her, but Amari kept them inside. She sighed deeply through her nose. "I can't promise I'll ever forgive him. But, for you, I'll leave the door open for him to earn it."

Not that Amari believed he ever would.

"Thank you." After a few beats of silence Hinata began twiddling her fingers. "I- I was wondering…is- is it possible…I mean I- I was hoping I could…"

"Train with Sakura and I when you aren't injured or busy with Mom or your team?" she asked for her friend. Hinata continued to twiddle her fingers silently then nodded quickly. "Of course. I would be happy to help in any way I can."

"Thank you. There's…there's also something I want to tell you." Amari nodded silently for her to continue. Hinata gulped. "As you know, Kurenai-sensei has tutored me since before I graduated from the Academy. During that time I…I learned about a secret of yours without either of you knowing, but I didn't tell anyone, I promise!"

Amari's eye widened. There was only one secret Hinata could have learned for her to be this frantic. "How?" she asked curiously. "Out of everyone we know, only Shika ever assumed I had another eye, but he never could have guessed what it really was. I hid everything from him, Naruto, even my team. Shika didn't even learn about my heritage until the Forest of Death."

Another moment when her secret inadvertently came out.

Hinata glanced away, bashful of the words about to spill from her lips. "I…I used my Byakugan to see under your bandana at the Academy." Amari's visible eyebrow arced high. Slowly her lips tugged into an amused smile, furthering the embarrassment of her fellow kunoichi. Hinata quickly tried to defend herself. "It was only once, and I never told anyone! Not even Kiba or Shino! I wanted…I wanted to know why you hid that side of your face. Kids were…making up mean stories about you, so I thought I could…" Hinata's voice and eyes fell in what appeared to be disappointment or shame.

"Learn the truth then tell them they were wrong because I showed you?" Amari finished her sentence for her.

Hinata perked up. "Ye- yes! I didn't know you had…" The Byakugan went unspoken. "I talked to Kurenai-sensei about what I learned when we were alone. She told me the truth about how you received it and told me I couldn't tell anyone in my Clan. I haven't and I won't because the circumstances you gained it in…I'm- I'm really sorry for what you went through." She started to twiddle her fingers again. "I heard during your fight your bandana fell off in front of everyone and they all saw it. I…I don't know what Neji will do, even with the warning Kurenai-sensei said Kakashi-sensei gave. But I wanted you to know…if my father or the Elders learn, I will support you. I- I don't know if it will do anything. I'm not—"

Hinata stopped when Amari rested her hand on her twiddling fingers. The earnest and humble features on her face kept the Hyūga from speaking further. "Hinata, thank you. Even if the worst happens, knowing you support me is enough."

As long as she had any say, no other Hyūga's would ever learn the truth.

The two girls talked about anything and everything that came to mind after that—Hinata's book, training, the finals, etc.—until eventually Amari stood to leave. Ten-thirty was but a few minutes away and she still wanted to check in on Lee before leaving. "Come by and join us for training when you're fully healed. I'll be glad to help out with what I can, and I'm sure I'll be able to learn a thing or two from you."

"I- I will. Thank you for coming to visit, Amari."

She smiled. "You're welcome. I'll try to visit when I can so your stay here isn't too dull. I know how boring it can get, trust me. The hospital is a total drag." Hinata giggled at her abhorrence for the building she spent so much time in. "Well, see you later Hinata. I hope you get better soon."

"I hope your training goes well, Amari. If…If you see Nar- Naruto, tell him I-…that I-…that he—"

"I'll let him know you are rooting him on and can't wait to see him win. He'll be happy to hear it." Hinata blushed but nodded in thanks. "Take care, Hinata."

The door slid open as Amari reached for it. Her hand hung in the open space for a moment as her eyes scaled the tall man with long black hair in front of her, finally landing on the lavender eyes colder than Neji's. Behind him was a shorter girl with long, dark brown hair and lavender eyes. By height and facial features she was a younger than Amari and Hinata, though the man of the pair was far older than all three of them.

It took a millisecond under his gaze for the gears in the Nara's brain to shift into full sprint. Half of her willpower went into shoving the irritated snarl back down her throat.

Him.

Hinata's father. How nice of you to actually show up, she wanted to drawl venomously. Here I thought she wasn't worthy of the almighty Hyūga Clan Head's time. After all, that's why you shoved your daughter onto my mom as if she had some sort of disease, right? You pathetic excuse of a parent.

Amari didn't speak those words. She wanted to, though. Instead she kept her features passive and her mouth shut while Hinata's father regarded her carefully, an emotionless frown creasing his features.

Probably got stuck that way when he was a kid.

He wore very traditional loose robes with a brown long-sleeved haori. His hair reached the middle of his back and his posture was straighter than a pillar. His eyes revealed more of the man. She could see his superior arrogance as well as the overbearing strictness that berated Hinata and caused her to doubt herself time and again.

Jerk.

The girl could only be Hinata's sister. She wore a blue V-neck shirt with mesh armor underneath and blue shorts and sandals. Her hair reached the middle of her back with parted bangs in the front. She seemed nice enough. Not nearly as arrogant or cold as her father. Quiet, but not from the shyness that afflicted her sister, more out of respect to not speak out of turn.

The other half of Amari's willpower was spent keeping her calm. This was the man she never wanted to meet. The Clan Head of the influential Hyūga Clan—Hiashi Hyūga. The man she feared learning her secret. The man who would pluck her eye out if he knew she—a half Nara and Uchiha—wielded his Clan's precious dōjutsu.

He's going to take your eye, her mind whispered, panicked. He'll use his Byakugan to see underneath your bandana and then no one will be able to save you. No Crows will burst into the hospital to fend him off. Mom isn't even here. You. Are. Alone.

She could feel her panic attack crawling across her skin like Shino's insects. Not right now. Not right now. A panic attack would create suspicion. Instigating him by hurling venomous insults was also off limits. This man had more political ties than she could ever hope to hold. One wrong move and he could make her shinobi career a living hell.

Amari bowed respectfully. "Sir." She despised bending her head to him. Even if he was an elder, he lost all of her respect when he pushed Hinata aside.

"You must be Kurenai's adopted daughter. Amaririsu Yūhi, correct?" It sounded so much like a question, yet it was a statement. He knew her already. The question was just a pleasantry.

"I am." The air grew thick with stress concocted between Hinata and Amari. Hinata could tell her father was blocking the exit on purpose. This opportunity to speak to Amari may not happen again for quite some time. The orphan child's sudden emergence in the Leaf was surrounded by enough fog to keep his eyes obscured. No amount of political pull created a clearer picture.

What had a handful of Jōnin and the Hokage so interested in her? What secrets were being kept from him? Hiashi hoped he may wrench even a fragment of information from the source.

Amari could feel Hiashi's overbearing curiosity. He, of course, showed nothing physically; his political games gave him the appearance of a neutral country, but his eyes couldn't lie to her. He wasn't a neutral country. He was an enemy nation lingering outside of her Village. The assault was coming. Anxiety sent her heart haywire. This wouldn't be a physical battle; it would be a battle of words and willpower, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Remember Kakashi-sensei's training. Remember to measure every word and see through his deceptions.

Just like Hiashi, Amari appeared no different than normal. Neither moved. If you listened closely enough, though, you could hear them unsheathing their blades and the boots of their soldiers moving themselves into position. It made her glad Hiashi was a Hyūga and not an Inuzuka. If he had been an Inuzuka, he'd undoubtedly hear the sound of her heart cracking her ribs with thunderous blows.

He's going to learn your secret.

"I am Hiashi Hyūga. This is my daughter Hanabi Hyūga," he introduced.

Pieces were in motion.

"Greetings," Hanabi chirped happily.

Amari smiled to her and gave a small wave. "Pleasure to meet you both." Well…one of you. The Nara wasn't about to waste an opening to steer this conversation and the battle by taking the first move. Her defenders launched their attack first. "Hinata had an incredible fight against Neji. Although it didn't end in her favor, and left her here, her courage, her ferocity and will was one of the most impressive parts of the prelims."

Compliment the daughter he put down. Give him no choice but to show his true colors and then use it to her advantage.

"You need not try to appease to me," Hiashi stated.

The deflection of her first attack opened him up for her real attack.

"Appease?" The scoff escaped her lips before she could reel it in. It was meant to be innocent confusion; an attack based on finesse, not brute force. The finesse was gone and there was no turning back. "If you believe I mean to appease you then you are mistaken."

Why was her mouth being so troublesome? This was Hiashi Hyūga she was talking back to. A legitimate threat to her eye. Unfortunately, she couldn't stop her stupid mouth.

"Any Leaf Genin and Jōnin who witnessed her fight will tell you the same thing: Hinata was incredible, inspiring too. Neji is a genius, a prodigy, and yet despite that she still stood her ground as a proud Leaf shinobi. She didn't cave or forfeit or beg for mercy. Hinata fought to prove herself to everyone. Even when she was cut off from her chakra and her heart—the muscle itself—was failing her, she stood up to keep fighting."

Hanabi's eyes flitted to her sister in surprise. Hiashi's continued to stare directly at her in their silent duel of wills. Their forces were clashing blades as he tried to pierce through to the keep of her fortress.

"Some might call what you see as bravery, foolish," he said.

Behind her, she could feel Hinata shrink at the disapproval. The insult incensed her fighter spirit, as well as the spirits of the defenders of her fortress. His true enemy colors were displayed proudly. She planned to burn them all down in a single move. "Then I guess I'm a proud fool," she said. "If you ask me, those who call her bravery foolish are the real fools."

The pointed strike took down lieutenants of his assault team and weakened his overall fighting force. Hiashi's eyes narrowed. She was almost certain she could hear Hinata's panicked thoughts begging her to stop. She wouldn't. This man had walked over his daughter without someone having the guts to say anything for too long. Foolishly brave or bravely foolish, Amari would be the one to take a stand.

"Sometimes, even at the risk of forgoing old rules, placing the possibility of scrutiny and shame on ourselves, we must retreat to save the lives of our comrades. There are also times where we must put our own lives at stake to save them, ignoring our own pain to protect them, no matter the physical cost to our own bodies." The personal tone of those words actually drew Hiashi's eyes and Hanabi's to her injuries. "Other times one of us must make a final stand to save as many lives as possible, or simply one precious life we hold dear."

Like you did for me, Ryu.

"I learned from Lord Third of Lord Second's final stand. He, the leader of our Village and the person we look to for strength, gave his life so Lord Third and the rest of his squad could escape. It was that day he named Lord Third to be the next Hokage. Despite the insistence of his subordinates to take his place, Lord Second sacrificed himself so they could escape." Amari met his stern eyes with unwavering will. "Should we consider Lord Second a fool then? He no doubt pushed himself past his limits. He must have been beaten and broken at the hands of the enemy, yet he still kept standing up as many times as he could for the sake of others.

"While it's true Hinata didn't have the weight of other's lives on her shoulders, her willingness to keep standing up to fight proves her strength. It earned her the respect of her peers, and if Neji had any sense, he would respect her too. Because I have no doubt Hinata would fight the toughest battle of her life for the sake of a comrade. That's what Leaf shinobi do."

Hiashi regarded her for a quiet moment. "You speak well, child," he said at length.

His assault forces took heavy casualties, but the fight wasn't over yet.

"I speak truth, Sir. Your daughter puts her heart into everything she does, and for that reason she'll become a powerful kunoichi of the Leaf. Once she's better she'll pick up right where she left off, because she never goes back on her word and doesn't back down, no matter what others tell her." Amari glanced over her right shoulder. "Right, Hinata?"

"Ri- right!" she squeaked.

The Nara smiled and nodded. "Get better soon, Hinata. I look forward to training alongside you and learning from you."

She turned back to face Hiashi, her features neutral but guarded and her internal fortress still absent of invaders. "I do not wish to intrude on your visit with your daughter. I'll take my leave." Politeness was her Escape Jutsu. If he tried to press her further, it would force him to bring his true intentions to light, whatever they might be. Hiashi wouldn't risk it. He was too intelligent to let himself fall into such a simple trap, in the end leaving him no choice but to let her escape. Amari bowed. "It was nice to meet you both."

With a curt nod he dismissed her and allowed her passage through the doorway back into the hall. Yet the way his eyes lingered on her, Amari knew this war wasn't over. Even if it took weeks, months or years, he would come back to assault her fortress in search of secrets.

Run! The order of her heart and mind was incredibly difficult to ignore. She couldn't run off, not yet. His eyes followed her retreating form, lavender eyes resolute to see through the shadows casted around her and penetrate the walls protecting her secrets. The chill of his icy stare refused to stop prodding around for weaknesses. Only when she turned a corner and moved out of sight did it stop.

His gaze no longer on her, Amari's pace quickened. A sheen of sweat began to form under her mesh long sleeve and fuchsia top as the anxiety she held in a containment cell started to thrash around and break its restraints. Her unconscious mind went into autopilot to guide her feet in the direction the nurse told her while her conscious mind began to tremble.

He could have walked in or overheard us talking about my Byakugan. All it would have taken was a decision to visit his daughter earlier and the secret would be out. What would they do to an outsider in possession of their dōjutsu? Would they even care about the circumstances she received it in? Would they demand to take it from her or subjugate her however they did with the Side Branch?

Many disturbing thoughts and images flashed through her mind. Her feet carried her faster through the halls. Get away. Get away. Get away. She couldn't breathe. Those cold eyes refused to leave her mind. The thought of him reaching out and plucking the eye from her eye socket, just as Orochimaru planned to do…

"Your Sharingan eye is so perceptive. Perhaps I should take it as a trophy."

Get away! Get away! Get away!

When she reached the hall where Lee's room was, she slammed her back against a wall and brought her hand to her chest, clenching the fabric in her fingers as she struggled to breathe. Her heart felt like a group of raging bulls stampeding through her body.

"Hey Ama—"

The friendly voice might as well have been Orochimaru's. Amari's onyx eye snapped up and her trembling body nearly fell over as she tried to back away from the source. The frightened, doe eyed look silenced Mimi and caused her, as well as Tenten, to pause on their approach.

Help. Me.

Her eye must have transmitted her thought. Concern swarmed Mimi's features before she rushed over.

"Tenten, grab that chair. She needs to sit."

"Right."

Mimi grabbed Amari's left arm and slung it around the back of her neck to support the weight of the girl a calm breeze could knock over. What the hell happened to her? She half carried, half dragged Amari towards the chair Tenten was rushing back with.

"She's having another anxiety attack." Aoko sniffed the air. "I do not smell an enemy presence, but keep your senses open, Mimi. This could be Orochimaru's doing."

"I sure hope not," she muttered. They had enough problems to fix without the rogue shinobi getting involved. The Inuzuka glanced to her friend. Her breathing was short and uneven, the look in her eye showing she was closer to being in the Land of Lightning than she was in the Land of Fire. Her body was warm at the touch, sweat lightly formed on her fair skin.

"Did you see a ghost or something, Amari?" The light jest didn't do any miracle medical wonders. Mimi helped her to sit then placed her hands on her shoulders, leaning herself into Amari's personal bubble so her face dominated her line of sight. "Hey, Amari, you've got to breathe. Look at me. Breathe. In." The command reached through the anxiety just as it had with Kurenai. "Out. In. Out. Nice and easy. In and out. Inhale. Exhale. Deeper breaths. Don't rush it."

It took time, but her breathing began to even out. Her hand returned to her chest and curled into the fabric over her heart. Physical scars are nothing to psychological ones, Mimi thought as she watched the frightened girl. Medical Ninjutsu could heal most wounds, but psychological damage wasn't so cut and dry. It couldn't wipe away someone's PTSD or give them back the limb or the person they lost.

Although they didn't know what brought this recent anxiety attack on, Mimi knew enough about Amari now to know she carried deeper psychological scars than most of their peers. Mimi couldn't heal her. She couldn't take away the pain she experienced or wipe away the scars to leave her heart and skin without imperfections, just as no one could take away the scars she carried. The most she could do was support Amari the same way her family and Team Guy had supported her.

I'm not much of a hugger… Mimi reached out and took Amari's hand into her own, holding it gently to give her some kind of anchor to reality. Hopefully this will be enough.

"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere," Mimi said softly.

Amari's hand slowly curled around her own. "…Thank you." The quiet, vulnerable gratitude was all she needed to hear to know she made the right move.

No other words were spoken for minutes. The Inuzuka simply held the Nara's hand, patiently waiting for her to settle down and feel comfortable again.

"Is there an enemy nearby?" she asked when Amari appeared better.

"No," Amari shook her head.

"Well, that's a relief," Tenten said while relaxing visibly.

Mimi agreed. The tension in her body dissipated exponentially at the reassurance. Yet if it wasn't Orochimaru's doing, what then catalyzed her anxiety attack?

"What's got you so spooked? You look like you've been stuck in a room with Lord Hiashi Hyūga," Mimi chuckled.

Amari's eye bulged and her hand shot to cover Mimi's mouth. "Shhh!" At first Mimi suspected the action to be a joke, but then she noticed the Nara frantically searching the area around them.

Ah, crap. Now she felt guilty.

"Poor girl." Aoko hopped off her companion's head into Amari's lap to snuggle up to her.

Tenten whistled quietly. "Talk about bad timing, Mimi."

Mimi grimaced. "Sorry about that. The odds of that happening normally are really low." And with the Byakugan she wields, it's no wonder she's having an anxiety attack.

Having Aoko cuddling against her helped calm Amari back down after unintentionally stoking her fear again. Mimi was going to be kicking herself in the ass for that one for a while.

"Are you going to be okay, Amari?" Tenten asked caringly.

She gave a small nod. "I think so…As long as I don't have a repeat incident any time soon."

For her sake, Mimi hoped Hiashi Hyūga had his curiosity sated permanently or found her boring. When it came to persistent people, the Hyūga Head stood as king of the hill when a subject interested him. "You manage to hold it together in front of him?" Mimi asked. If she even showed a slightest hint of this, it wouldn't be good.

"Yeah. As soon as I got out of sight, it all came swarming up. I thought…" she trailed off.

It was clear what she thought. For good reason, too. The Main Branch and Hiashi Hyūga weren't known for their leniency. If she knew the exact details of what the Main Branch does to the Side Branch…You know what, it's better if she never finds out. It'd turn her into a skittish deer if she knew the truth, freezing up at the sight of Hyūga members within the Village before bolting off suspiciously.

As long as Sir Superiority keeps his damn mouth shut. Neji hadn't spoken a word to her since, but she could see an incredible growth to his hatred ever since learning the truth. Kakashi-sensei might have you report directly to the Hokage, but I swear if you tell your Clan, I'll make you regret it, Neji. You're already squarely on the top of my ass kicking list for hurting Hinata. Don't subject an innocent person to the crap the Main Branch did to you. You'll lose all of my sympathy and respect if you do.

"Did you come to visit Lee?" An easy diversion with an obvious answer. It was highly unlikely Amari ended up here by sheer coincidence.

"Lee and Hinata," Amari nodded. "You two can go ahead and visit him. I just…I just need another minute to calm down."

A frown formed on the Inuzuka's lips. Granted, she understood her silent reasons. In her sandals, Mimi would want to handle this without an audience too, but being left alone after a harrowing experience wasn't medically recommended by anyone. At least if Hiashi came looking for her Mimi could field off his interrogation, playing bodyguard against the Hyūga Head. She had a few specific words for how the Main Branch treated the Side Branch.

Aunty Tsume will pummel me for causing a political incident, but she'd get over it. She hates their rules as much as I do.

"Are you sure?" Tenten asked.

"You're still looking a little wobbly even in the seat," Mimi agreed.

Amari gave a tired nod neither kunoichi believed.

"Go visit Lee, Mimi. I will keep her company until she is ready to move."

As good of a compromise as she could hope for. "Okay. Aoko will stay and keep you company. Come on, Tenten," Mimi said then stood up to her full height.

Before entering the room, she glanced back one last time and saw Amari already slumping down. Aoko shooed her away with her paw.

"Go, Mimi. I'll bite Lord Hiashi's ankles if he tries to return."

For the first time in days, Mimi snorted and grinned genuinely. What a sight that'd be!

Amari leaned forward and rested her face into her left hand as soon as Mimi and Tenten slid the door close. She exhaled a deep breath. Then a soft, disbelieving chuckle escaped her lips. "I talked back to Hiashi Hyūga. What the hell was I thinking?" Amari groaned. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. Shika's right, I really am too troublesome for my own good."

Aoko's warm and wet tongue dragged across her cheek, tickling her and making her giggle. The ninken wagged her tail happily, dark eyes glinting humorously at her. "Don't tell Shika I said he was right. He'd never let me forget it." The ninken yipped and nodded. "All right, let's go see Lee."

Inside the room, Mimi and Tenten stood quietly next to Lee's bed, where he slept soundly. A bandage was attached to his cheek while the rest of his body was covered by his sheet.

Amari frowned. "I guess I won't be talking him into rock-paper-scissors." She hoped to keep his spirits up by challenging him to the simple game, fueling their rivalry he wanted to have with her. I guess I'll have to try again later.

"He's been up recently. Sakura and Ino's scent along with a nurse are mostly fresh. I can smell his scent outside, too." Mimi lifted her chin towards the open window. "He was disobeying doctors' orders, probably trying to do some minor training."

"Can you blame him?" Amari asked.

Mimi shook her head. "No, I can't. I'd be doing the same if I was in his position. I…I just need more time to figure out how to fix this. I hope he can be patient enough to give me it." Her gloved hands curled into fists and her jaw clenched tightly. "That Gaara bastard has no idea what being a shinobi means to Lee. He's stealing Lee's life from him. But I'm gonna make him understand every ounce of pain Lee has experienced if it's the last thing I do. I'll finish what he started!"

"Mimi…" Tenten tried to find words to say, only to come up short.

That was okay. Amari closed the distance between them. "Aoko, make sure she trains hard. I don't want to wipe the floor with her in front of a bunch of people. It'd be really embarrassing for you." Aoko gave a bark of agreement. She set the ninken down on the bed then met Mimi's hardened sapphire eyes. "I won't act like I haven't fallen into my own hatred and preach to you about not being so angry. I get it. I do. Just…Just don't forget who you are or about the people who care about you, all right?

"Hatred blinds all. Even people with enhanced senses like us. We have to fight it. If we don't, if we just let it consume us, we'll become the darkness we harbor and do things we wouldn't otherwise." Like threatening to kill Neji, hitting him with waves of dark killing intent to make him tremble in fear. "I don't know your dream or your nindo, but stay true to them, Mimi. It's what the people who care about you want most."

Mimi looked away sharply, conflicted features pulling onto her face, and kept silent. Amari took it as a sign to drop the subject. "Good luck with your training, Mimi. I'm really looking forward to our fight. If Lee wakes up while you're here, tell him I wish him a speedy recovery and I look forward to our next contest. See you two later."

She couldn't blame Mimi for her silence or the mindset she was in. Amari understood it really well. I just hope she doesn't lose herself…and that I'm ready for whatever our match entails.

It was time to start training.

"Hinata, Hanabi."

"Father?"

"Ye- yes, Father?"

"Do not take the words of Amaririsu Yūhi lightly." Hiashi Hyūga crossed his arms over his chest and looked out at the Village from his daughter's hospital room window. "She may be young, but she holds within her the wisdom of a shinobi twice her age." Such was the way with the Nara Clan. They were all old souls in young bodies. More, the child had gained the wisdom only loss and the subsequent pain it brought could give. He didn't need to know her history to see it; that pain lingered in her singular onyx eye as a dark shadow she could not escape.

It was a feeling he empathized with.

"Sh- she's always been that way," Hinata said. Hiashi used the reflection of the window to look at his eldest daughter, noticing the fond smile on her face as she stared down at her lap. "Amari has been an inspiration for our class since becoming the number one rookie. Sh- she's one of the truest friends I've had."

He nodded. He was happy his eldest daughter found a friend as loyal and wise as Kurenai's adopted daughter. "Amaririsu understands what it means to be a Leaf shinobi," Hiashi said out loud. "Heed her lessons, Hinata. You can learn much from her."

"I- I will, Father."

"Mm."

"Other times one of us must make a final stand to save as many lives as possible, or simply one precious life we hold dear."

Hiashi looked back out to the Village. Those words held personal meaning to her, as they did to him as well. He hadn't gleaned nearly enough information about her mysterious appearance from their talk, she had done quite well to dictate the conversation, but Amaririsu Yūhi now had his attention. That eye of hers, it called back a memory of a man he once knew.

Could she really be his daughter, though?

Hiashi planned to find out.