Chapter XV – Revelations
Blip blip-blip
A hand moved to turn off the digital alarm clock on the nightstand.
"Morning already?" – His voice sounded sleepy and lazy.
"Yep. We should get up…" – her voice was also lazy. The girl turned to embrace him, resting her face on his chest.
"I wish we could stay like this forever…."
"Me too. It's been a long time."
"I missed you…."
"I missed you too…." – and she climbed his chest to lay a sweet kiss on his lips.
"We have to go, Sakura-chan. Granny will get mad if we are late…" – the young man said, regretting to part the kiss.
"Ok. Sasuke-kun is probably waiting for us…" - Sakura said, sitting on the bed and smiling to Naruto.
At the Administration Building gate, Naruto and Sakura found the Uchiha.
"You are late!"
"We are Kakashi sensei's pupils, aren't we!" – Naruto cheerfully smiled to his friend.
"Hi Sasuke-kun!" – Sakura gave a big hug on her friend, and he returned the embrace.
Walking together, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura arrived at the Hokage's office. Before they could enter, Sakura said:
"Listen. During your absence, the Hokage formed a new council. They are the pretty strict and tough. Make sure to impress them and give good reason for your petition. And Naruto, Tsunade was just waiting for your return to resign her position, but you must convince this council that you are worth the position of Hokage."
"Yosh! I'll surprise them!" – Naruto was grinning and making 'macho' pose.
"Like this, you are going to be Konoha's Official Clown." – Sasuke said. And Naruto showed a fist to him. Sasuke glared and seconds later sparks were coming from his eyes.
"I wonder how you two lived together this last years without killing each other…." – Sakura told.
Naruto took a deep breath and opened the door.
There was a "U" form table. Tsunade was on the middle. On the right, were sat Kakashi and Jiraya. On left, Iruka and Danzou were. And beside the Hokage were Nara Shikamaru, on right; and Hyuga Neji, on left. Those men formed the new council.
"Ha! My loved runaway shinobi! Where in hell were you two in the last two years?" – The Hokage was upright on her place, staring the two men and smiling. – "Maybe I'm getting old, but I missed your loud voice Naruto…"
"He He! I kinda missed you too, Granny…" – Naruto was rubbing the back of his head with a fox expression.
Sakura turned to leave the room, but Jiraya asked her to stay (obviously the two young men already told her all about their adventures). She sat on a chair nearby.
Naruto and Sasuke remained standing in front of the council. The first to speak was Kakashi:
"Yo…Seems you heard some bad stuff outside the Fire Country…."
"Yes, sensei. The Water Country is hiring mercenaries and other shinobi. Lots of them…" – Naruto answered.
"The Water Country is pretty large. I don't see it as a threat…" – Danzou replied.
"It might be a threat, since the shinobi villages they are contacting are Konoha's sworn enemies." – Sasuke slowly told.
"Still, it is merely a suspicion…." – Iruka was the sensible man of that council.
"There are strong evidences, Hokage-sama." – Naruto noticed that the council did not believe their story.
"Like what?" – Tsunade asked, not pretty sure if she wanted to know.
"Massive amount of explosives stocked on the Country's port towns. Several shinobi from Mist and Cloud, and also renegade shinobi walking on the towns…"
"Not enough to start a war…." – Danzou was yawning.
"And we saw Kabuto too…." – Naruto told. Now, all the council members and the Hokage were interested on the matter.
Orochimaru was always a nuisance in Konoha's life. Besides, where the Sound Leader was, Akatsuki was never far behind.
"What do you think about that, Shikamaru? Neji?" – Tsunade turned to the men at her side.
Neji shifted in his place, staring Naruto and Sasuke. Shikamaru was waiting for the Hyuga to make the first move. After two years acting together, the geniuses learned to synchronize their thoughts and strategies. That is why they were chosen as Tsunade's personal advisors, despite the young age.
"The shinobi they hire are from what villages?" – The white eyed man asked. Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other and the last one finally spoke:
"Aside Sound, there is Mist, Cloud, Thunder, and Diamond, some renegade from Grass, Star and Sand."
"But there is also a massive amount of mercenaries, from no particular Shinobi Village…"
"How far are they from our borders?" – Neji asked again.
"Traveling four days you can find some camps…"
"Where?"
"Some to south, three to north, ahnnn…., help me Sasuke…"
"The majority is near the Water Capital, on east, from there they can travel only two days and reach Konoha. West has some spies, not a battle squad."
Neji exchanged a concerned look to Shikamaru, who closed his eyes and said:
"We are surrounded."
"What? Explain yourself, boy!" – The Hokage demanded. All the council members were quite apprehensive.
"Sound, Mist, Cloud, Star and Sand know Konoha pretty well. They already have lots of information about our village, about our shinobi and even ANBU. Orochimaru and Kabuto managed to break into our defenses once; they might be able to do a second time."
"As for the position of the camps and spies, it is clear that they are planning this assault from a long time. The northern border is near impossible to break in because of the mountains, but from there you can have a complete vision of Konoha. Although the Inuzuka compound lies there, if the camps are on the top of the mountains, the Hunters and dog nin can't feel their scent. To south lies the lands occupied by minor clans and some villagers; no one that could notice their camps. But from west lies the danger: Hyuga and Aburame States are there. All these clans can track and fight the enemy, which is why their massive force is hiding on the Capital on east and leaving only spies there."
"Aaaa. So we are trapped indeed." – Jiraya sounded relaxed, but those who knew the Legendary Sanin could feel his restlessness.
"Easy. Let's dispatch ANBU and Root forces and slaughter those bastards before they can make their move!" – Danzou slammed his fist on the table.
"It would be bloodshed inside Konoha's walls. Besides, we have to think in our civilians." – Iruka replied.
'That is true….We are in a big trouble…." – Tsunade closed her eyes, resting her chin on her hand.
"We must warn our allies." – Neji told.
"Stupid kid! This would tell the enemy that we already know about their presence!" – Danzou sent a furious glare towards Neji, who returned him a despised one.
"Neji is right. If they are aware of our knowledge, they will have to rethink their strategy. It would buy us time to organize our forces, evacuate the civilians and gain more power from our allies…." – Shikamaru said – "We need time…."
"I agree. Kakashi! Jiraya! Go to our allied villages and tell them about this!" – The Hokage ordered and the two men nodded disappearing in a puff of smoke.
" Danzou! I want all Root members patrolling the borders! They have my permission to kill any unidentified personal!" – As Tsunade spoke, Danzou grinned and also vanished in the air.
"Iruka! Prepare evacuation plans for the civilians! Inform all the clan leaders and citizens about this threat! I don't want panic or unnecessary chaos. Just make sure everyone is ready for a battle inside Konoha!" – Iruka nodded and vanished.
"Hyuga Neji, when Hiashi-kun will be back from Wind Country?"
"Today's night, Hokage-sama."
"Then, I want you to resume your position as captain in your ANBU squad."
"Yes." – And Neji also disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Nara Shikamaru! Better start your strategy….."
"How troublesome….Everything was so peaceful….Always you Naruto, always you…." – he said tapping Naruto's shoulder as left the office (he didn't bother to waste chakra in puffs of smoke).
"Good to see you again, Shikamaru!" – Naruto replied.
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Hiashi returned that evening as Neji predicted. They spent more than three hours with the council, Hinata and Hanabi as Neji explained the situation.
"I heard rumors of this in the Wind Country. I never imagined that they could be so close…" – the Hyuga Leader said.
"That explains why some of our sentinels reported strange noises near the lake…" – an elder spoke.
"Water is going to blow Fire from inside, destroying Konoha first…very clever…" – another elder lady said.
"Even in this situation, I still want you nearby Neji." – The Leader told, looking at the young man.
"Hiashi-sama. I received direct orders from the Hokage to return to my ANBU squad. Besides, my primary duty is protect the Heiress and her children; and I can do that staying with the ANBU".
"I see. I'll remain here, preparing the Hyuga army." – replied the Hyuga Leader.
"And who will be charge of this Clan when you two are out battling?" – An elder asked.
"Hinata." – Hiashi answered. – "Although she is a jounin, Hinata is the Heiress and has to remain protected inside Hyuga walls. Besides, it will be a good opportunity to test her abilities as a Leader."
"Father, I want to help! I'm a medic nin! I can be of some help at the battlefield!" – Hinata protested.
"Do so, then. But before you go to the battlefield, you must appoint you successor." – Hideo said, smirking at Hinata and Neji. Several council members approved his suggestion. – "Just in case you die…."
Hinata gulped and stared Neji with eyes wide open. She talked too much, and risked their secret. Hideo was still looking at her, waiting for an answer. Hiashi was silent but a little irritation sign could be seen in his white eyes. They were hiding that secret for a very long time; the council was impatient and so was her father. Deadline was near….
"If I may speak, Hyuga-sama, as the Heiress protector and consort I disagree with her participation on the battlefield. She is a strong shinobi and a skilled medic nin, but Hyuga lineage has to be preserved and Hinata-sama must remain in the Hyuga compound." – Neji made his speech and glared at Hinata. She could see his anger and frustration on that glare; as always she screwed up again.
Hinata bowed her head and fisted her hands on the side. After all that training, all effort, she managed to change herself, gain self confidence, to be stronger…for nothing. Hinata would always be the pampered Heiress, protected by everyone, discredited in her own family.
"The choice is yours, Hinata." – Her father spoke.
"I…I will accept my husband's advice….." – She whispered as got up and left the meeting room.
On her garden, she saw her children playing with Misa, their nanny.
"Mommy! Look! Isn't it a pretty flower?" – Hokuto came towards her with Mr. Sunflower hanged on her elbow and a daisy on one hand.
"It is really pretty, my baby!" – Hinata was not sure if she was admiring the flower or her daughter.
"I like this cactus better! They have these awesome needles!" – said Hikaru touching the cactus' thorns.
"Hikaru-sama, these are not needles, these are thorns!" – corrected Misa.
"Thorns? Well they are cool anyway!" – The boy continued to touch the thorns and, before Hinata or Misa could say to be careful; he had already pierced his finger.
Hinata rushed to her son and cleaned his tears with her thumb, smiling to him.
"There, there. It is nothing my brave warrior can't bear." – She kissed the injured finger – "This kiss will cure the wound."
Hikaru was still crying on her lap. Hokuto was hitting the cactus with Mr. Sunflower saying:
"Bad cactus! Bad! You hurt my brother!"
Neji was watching that scene from the garden's fence, amused by his children behavior.
Misa was going to get some ointments on the House, but Neji stopped her:
"Don't bother. They are just sleepy." – And walking inside the garden, he picked up Hokuto- "Hinata-sama, let's go home. The brave warriors need a hot bath, warm milk and some sleep."
Carrying the children, they walked to the apartment.
"Will you return to ANBU?" – She asked, positioning Hikaru better on her arms.
"Yes. I'm needed there."
"What if …I m-mean….the l-last time I was so scared…." – Hinata felt tears form in her eyes.
"It happens. We are shinobi, you should be already prepared for that."
"I am, I think…It is that I'm worried with our children. You heard grandfather today; he is forcing us to reveal who is our first child…"
"That bastard has pressured me for the last months and I said that I would only discuss this matter after they guarantee your nomination as Leader" – Being inside the clan politics allowed Neji to learn that Hinata's position as the next Leader was not secured. Hiashi never made a formal nomination to the Council. There were elders who were favorable to Hanabi; others wanted Hiashi to stay until Hinata's first child full legal age; the traditional ones (Hideo included) wanted Hinata as the Leader, but allowing full power to the council; and there were those who wanted to break the tradition and nominate Neji as the next Leader. With a war threat so close, the Succession issue would re-start inside the Hyuga clan.
"You did! What Father said about this?"
"Nothing. It is a game of chess. Unfortunately for them, I'm learning with the best player in Konoha". – Neji smirked and opened the apartment door.
Hinata could only get a hint from his words: he was testing the council and her father, pointing their own flaws to gain territory. Indeed, a dangerous game.
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Misa-san came early in the morning to take the children to the Hyuga Manor. Hiashi was a long time away from home and wanted to spend some time with his grandchildren. Obviously, spent some time for the Hyuga meant training Juken.
Hinata was sleeping when her children left.
She woke up few hours later, took a shower and walked to the kitchen to have a quick breakfast.
From the counter, she could see Neji's back. He was sat in the living room couch, in meditation stance, probably utilizing the silence and loneliness that the children's absence created in that apartment.
Meditation had been his hobby since he was twelve. At that time, the practice didn't help much to clear his mind, only to control his emotions.
Hinata was wondering how much she knew about that man.
They were best friends in childhood, but destiny torn them apart. His heart was filled with sorrow, anger and bitterness back then. It took a long time to heal that wounded heart, as much time it took to heal the injuries he inflicted her on their fight at the Chunnin Exam. Deep inside, Hinata believed she deserved those wounds; acting as a sacrificial goat to expire all the Main Family's sins.
Slowly he began to change, speak to her, help on her trainings. Both were afraid to re-start that old friendship and get hurt by the clan again.
Nothing like before, but they were in good terms when the Council decided their arranged marriage.
Neji reacted to that decision and was severely punished.
Hinata humbly accepted the decision and punished herself later.
Both wanted to die on that fateful day.
But they didn't. Thanks to their friends.
He denied as much as he could the bond the Main Family imposed him. Although Neji never bothered to fully explain that kiss on Tenten, Hinata knew it was his way to ratify his control over his life.
They survived through the arrangement, choosing their own way to live; talking through that unexplainable body language they developed during their twisted existence as relatives and as a couple. He respected her position in the clan, as long as she accepted his position in that little family. Freedom of Heart. Freedom of Will.
Then the pregnancy came. Unexpected and unwanted by both. Once again, he denied the bond. But when they learned about the twins, he decided to take up the cross, protecting her and the children.
Hinata never told to him, but that was the second time she thought about suicide. If he wasn't by her side all time, she would have probably attempted against her (and the babies) life once again.
It was only after their children's birth that their relationship became stable. Diapers, chickenpox, flu, sleepless nights, the first tooth, the fear of the Cursed Seal on their daughter's forehead – it all united them, forming a strong bond.
Hinata questioned her feelings for her husband several time during their marriage. There was a time, not long ago, when she was almost sure about her love for Naruto. She dared to say to the Uzumaki boy her feelings.
She dared to tell Neji about that confession, expecting his blazing rage.
The only thing Hinata got was his sympathy and comprehension. And she thought he was the twisted one….
Hinata realized her feelings for her cousin during his near fatal experience. The end of his existence in her life drove the Hyuga heiress into despair. She loved him as a childhood friend, as her cousin, as her sempai, as her counselor, as the father of her beloved children, and most of all, as the man who shared her bed every night – her lover. Yes, the single though of not feeling again his touch, his kisses, his adorable long hair, his well built body, his husky voice and his scent drove her to insanity.
Neji had been a constant in her life. For bad or good, he had always been there.
From his testament, Hinata knew that she 'meant' to him. But she didn't know how much. He never said he loved her (not that she expected this from Hyuga Neji, the almighty prince of hidden emotions).
"Does he loves me or I'm still a duty to him?"
Hinata walked to the living room, close to where he was meditating. She leaned on the wall, analyzing his face – peaceful and yet worried. Handsome.
She wanted to touch his hair, tell him that everything would be OK. The council was not making his role as Regent any easier, always refusing his plans and actions. The only thing that prevented the activation of his cursed seal was a law Hiashi proclaimed stating that any action against the Regent would be considered high treason against the Royal Family, punished with death.
"Does he know I'm here? Of course he does, Hinata! He is the Hyuga Prodigy! But...can he feel my apprehension?"
Hinata slowly moved to the couch and silently sat beside Neji. Tenderly staring him, she whispered on his ears:
"My kingdom for your thoughts."
Without moving or changing his expression at all, he said:
"My thoughts don't worth your kingdom, Hinata-sama."
"To me they do."- She whispered again, this time adding a peek on his cheek.
Neji opened his eyes with an annoyed expression.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing at all. I-It is j-just that it h-has been a l-long time s-since we have b-been alone in t-this h-house…." – she felt his look and couldn't refrain the stuttering and the poking fingers movement.
"So we better make good use of this opportunity." – That was a clear 'end the cheap talk' statement.
Hinata moved a strand of his long hair, staring his cursed mark.
"They are giving you a hard time, ne Niisan?" – She had a sad expression.
"hm…" – he made, diverting his eyesight to a faraway spot.
"I wish I could do something…." – Hinata said, regretting when his expression shifted to the 'caged bird mode'. She could read this one: you should have done it before. Now is too late. During their marriage, Hinata learned to hate that damned Seal.
Neji started to get up, but Hinata held his wrists and pulled him back to the couch. He was not pleased and opened his mouth to protest, but she kissed him first. It was long before he could return the kiss.
Hinata deepened the action, adding her tongue to the kiss, tasting him. She climbed onto his chest, letting her hands explore his body by opening his yukata. He was moving his hands through her hair and back.
Neji opened his mouth to give her a fierce kiss, claiming her delicate lips to his own. His yukata was completely open, revealing his muscled abdomen. Her hands rested on his nape, massaging it or grasping his hair. He opened her yukata too; lifting her up so he could kiss the valley between her breasts.
Hinata moaned in pleasure as she felt a sting from his bite on one of her nipples. She continued caressing and messing his hair as he kissed and licked her. His mouth moved to her jaw, leaving some butterfly kisses there; and then touched her neck, biting it until the pale skin became red, marking it. Marking Hinata as his property.
Hinata felt his hands travel down her back to the bottom, and touch her skin below the cloth. His right hand touched up and down her left thigh, feeling her silk skin. That hand moved to reach her underwear, testing its elastic like an arrow. Hinata stared him, first a little puzzled and then giggled when she saw the mischievous smirk on his face. Neji simply pulled it until burst the elastic and torn apart the cloth, letting it hanged on Hinata's right thigh. Both laughed at this. As he was releasing her from the destroyed underwear, she was kissing his jaw and neck. Neji simply threw the cloth on the floor.
Hinata continued go down on his body, kissing. She stopped right below his navel, staring at him, unsure if he would approve. He had a surprised expression, and holding her head up, he said:
"I don't think it is proper…you are the Heiress….you don't have to if you don't want…" – was a little strange to see the clan heiress in that position.
"I do want, Neji" – and saying that, without further announcement, she touched his manhood kissing it, sliding her lips and her tongue before take its full length on her mouth. That made him shivers with pleasure. Her hands explored his hips and stomach as her mouth slid on his intimacy. He held her head close to his inner parts, to make sure she wouldn't stop her action. The feeling of him on her wet mouth was driving Neji crazy; he was close to heaven.
And they heard the door knob turn.
They shared scared looks. And both stared the door, that opened with a slam and Hokuto passed by them and ran to her room, crying.
Hinata blushed from toe to hair. Neji regained conscience faster and closed his yukata and hers. And it was a fraction of seconds before Hikaru burst into the living room calling his sister.
"Open the door! Hokuto-chan! I didn't mean to say those things!"
Neji placed himself into a more fitted position. Hinata was still motionless, blushing and staring the door. He pinched her on the leg to call her attention. She let out a squeak and sat beside him, red on her face.
Hikaru noticed his parents on the living room and walked to them.
Hinata opened her mouth as she noticed the torn underwear on the floor, but due to the shock her only action was point the object. Neji followed her pointing finger to see the underwear far from their reach.
Hikaru was coming closer. They could hear his footsteps on the corridor.
Neji stretched his leg and kicked the underwear under the couch. Hinata was still pointing at the empty spot. Neji slapped her hands. She woke up from the shock, closed her mouth, bowed her hear (to let the long hair hide her blush) and closed very tightly her legs.
Hikaru arrived in the living room positioning himself in front of his parents – at the same spot the underwear was seconds before.
"I can't believe on my sister! She is such a cry baby!"
"What happened?" – Neji asked with his stoic face, like the previous heat moment had never occurred.
"We were training with grandfather on the dojo and she made wrong a lot of katas. I told she was a bad fighter."
"And she started to cry because of that?" – Neji asked, praying that he could take a cold shower soon.
"No. Grandpa also called her attention, and then I…..mommy are you all right?" – Hikaru stopped his speech when noticed Hinata's scarlet face.
Neji glared his wife desiring to kill her for that stupid behavior. She was doing everything that irritated him: blush, poke her fingers, bite her lower lip and shake her knees.
"She is fine. Continue your story, son." – Neji tried to divert Hikaru's attention from Hinata's dull behavior.
"And then I said Hokuto would never be a shinobi and Hokuto became red, red and started to cry……." – Hikaru was looking at Hinata again – "Has mommy cried?"
"No. Finish this story, Hikaru."
But he didn't. Hikaru sat on the couch, near his mom. He climbed her lap to see better her face. Hinata tightened more her legs, afraid her son could notice the missing underwear.
"You don't look like you cried mommy…" – he was cupping her face with his tiny hands. – "It is a different red……"
"Hikaru. Go apologize to your sister." – Neji felt Hinata's heavy pants and hyperventilation. Moments before faint….Great! How he would explain that to his three year old child?
"I know!" – Hikaru shouted, smiling, and still cupping his mom's face – "It is the same red when you kiss her daddy!" – and looked triumphantly to Neji.
Hinata close her eyes and felt her body numb. Neji slapped his forehead in absolute disbelief.
But the Gods liked that couple, and Misa-san came inside the apartment that moment:
"There you are! Hiashi-sama is calling you and Hokuto-sama back!"
"Ok! Sister! Grandpa wants to see you!" – Hikaru shouted, jumping from Hinata's lap.
Hokuto left her room with puffy eyes and a sad face. She walked to be near Neji, clearly afraid to return to the dojo.
Neji adored his daughter. He spoiled that girl a lot. He lifted her and sat her on his lap.
"Hime-chan, go talk to your grandfather. Apologize for your behavior. Tomorrow, mommy and I will teach you Juken." – And he kissed her chubby face.
"Okay, daddy…" – she really was sad. Hokuto was so sensitive.
Misa excused for her intromission and took the children back to the Manor.
"You can breathe now. They are gone." – Neji said in a ironic tone.
Hinata slowly opened her eyes and took a deep breath.
Neji got up and walked to the door, to lock it up.
"I'm going to take a cold shower." – he looked at her – "Unless you want to come too"
She smiled and got up. They were almost at the bathroom door when she suddenly returned to the living room.
Ducking, she retrieved the torn underwear from below the couch.
"Better hide the proof of our crime….." – She said innocently smiling. And Neji laughed; a rare sight.
"Like he said…you are unique…"
"Who said that, niisan?"
"Never mind. Come in…"
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At night on the woods, seven cloaked figures were whispering.
"Have you found out?"
"Not yet, sir. But I'm almost sure that is how I told the last time."
"We need to be sure." – another voice said.
"What are we going to do when we discover?"
"We are going to follow the rules."
"They will never accept this. Not without a fight…"
"If they decide to fight, we are going to kill the second one."
"So we are not going to give any choice…"
"Right."
"I still think we should consider his influence in the council and with the Leader."
"I agree. He is strong by nature, and his physical power is increasing day after day. He also has the Hokage's trust."
"That is right. He might be a problem in the future."
"He won't. He may act like a noble but is nothing more than a cockroach. He is in our hands…"
"Sir, you should reconsider this…"
"Let's focus on our primary task."
"So we must figure out who is in the succession line"
"Once we have the rightful heir, the other will be removed from the House or…"
"Or….?"
"Used as a trade object for the Clan safety, if the war really comes…"