Chapter XVII – The Caged Bird

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Konoha woke up in a cloudy day the morning following the attacks. Smoke and fog mixed, creating a depressing and dreadful landscape. Vultures and crows flew all over the area, delighting with the feast that battle provided them.

Unrecognizable corpses were everywhere. Wounded to death shinobi screamed asking for help, their last attempt to be saved. Medic nin were running in the streets, removing the deadly wounded.

Still could be heard some random battle noises on the corners.

Tsunade was dashing through the streets with Shizune, fighting any enemy on her way. Where have I failed, Sarutobi-sensei? I couldn't prevent this….

Shikamaru, her tactician, told her things could be worse. Their strategy avoided a massive bloodshed among the shinobi ranks and civilians. But the sneak attack into the Mountain's Hideout was a huge blow they weren't expecting. Many lost their lives in that episode; Ino was on critical condition and Iruka was too depressed to fight again.

It also affected the morale of Shikamaru and Chouji, two valuable pieces on that chess game.

Besides, Konohamaru's genin team informed the Hokage that Team 7 was pursuing Orochimaru's unit – alone! Tsunade's only option was send Jiraya as reinforcement, hoping that they would be able to survive until another Team arrives.

Before leaving her office that morning, the Hokage received messages from Hyuga Hiashi confirming his early return to Konoha. Good, with Hiashi-kun back, I can call Hinata to the battlefield and Neji will have his full time to help in the fight. I will put those two leading a squad. Hiashi will take care of the Hyuga army.

Akimichi Choza also sent a message. He managed to convince the Kazekage: Sabaku no Gaara and his siblings were coming to help Konoha. Even if the Kazekage had longer the power of his One Tailed Beast, he was a might warrior.

Those were good news, but Tsunade was worried that Aburame Shibi hasn't send any news yet….

Neji woke up before the break of morning's first lights. He got up, carefully to not wake up Hinata; dressed up and left the attic. He saw Hokuto and Hikaru still sleeping in Misa's arms. He moved to the stairs.

Suddenly a hand touched his shoulder.

Hinata.

"A-Are you l-leaving, already?" – She asked. Wrapped in a blanket, she didn't bother to dress up.

"Yes."

"……C-Can't you stay a little l-longer?" – She was staring the floor beneath her feet.

"You know I can't."

"………"

Since she had no more words, Neji turned his back and started to go down the stairs. But Hinata called him again:

"Neji…..C-Can I ask you o-one t-thing?" – She was hesitating, crumpling up the blanket. He looked at her and waited: that was his sign allowing her to make the question.

"D-Do you…." – she gasped, blushed – "D-Do you l-love me?"

"What is the meaning of this question, Hinata-sama?" – He was annoyed by such silliness in a time like these.

"I…n-need to know…." – she stared his angry face, afraid of her question's effect – "Please, t-tell me. I k-know you didn't love me w-when we got m-married. You had all the reasons to h-hate me. But I…but I love you, and I want to know if you feel the same…." – somehow declare her feelings for her husband seemed more difficult than her declaration to Naruto.

"If I love you or not isn't important right now…." – he turned to the stairs again.

"Y-You said in your t-testament that I meant to you…."

"You do. I'm grateful for this life together. I learned a lot from this marriage and from you. I must go now….."

"Neji! Please, I n-need to know! You…y-you may not return from t-this battle…I can't live with this d-doubt….." – She had tears on her eyes. Why was so painful to express her feelings? Why his attitudes make it so hard?

"Why do you love me, Hinata-sama?" – He finally spoke after a long cold silence.

"B-Because…..I……I" – she was confused, rather startled.

"I will answer for you: because the Main Family said you to do so." – His tone was cold and words cut like a knife.

"T-That is not it….." – Her eyes were widened. Hinata waved her head in denial, moving her long indigo hair.

"Yes, it is. You loved Naruto when we married. You even declared your feelings to him during our marriage. You still love him. When you accepted this marriage, you promised to be a good wife for me and, to make it real, you have been convincing yourself that you have to love me. But you don't."

Hinata cried, muttering a soundless 'no' to each of his words. But he continued:

"I abandoned our childhood friendship. I despised you for a long time. I almost killed you. Believe me, Hinata-sama, I was going to kill you that time if weren't for the jounins' intervention. I betrayed you during our marriage, kissing other woman. I trained you to become a jounin for my own selfish purposes. When you told me about the pregnancy, I denied my responsibility for a long time." – He spoke, looking at her wet eyes – "Why would you love me? Or you are a sanctified forgiving person, or you are completely stupid! I gave you no reason for love me during the last 16 years. On the contrary, you should hate me."

He closed his eyes and turned again to the stairs.

"I rather be stupid and love you, than be wise and hate you." – She touched his arms – "Why wouldn't I love the only person who treated me normally in this clan? Why wouldn't I love the one who told me the truth, even though it was hard and painful? All my friends never cared to tell me about my weakness like you did; my father simply ignored my existence without tell me the reason openly. I tried all my best to be a good wife to you not because I had to keep the mask to the others, but because I learned to love you during these four years. The man you've become, the father you are, the skilled shinobi I admire"

Now it was he who waved the head in denial. But Hinata had more to say:

"I realized how much I loved you when you almost died. The very idea of being without you drove me to despair. All my life you have been the only real thing I know. And you call this stupidity?"

"You are really stupid."

"Let me love you! Y-You don't even have to love me back! J-Just stay by m-my side and I w-will be h-happy! I d-don't care if you have affairs outside, if you k-kiss somebody else….Just stay w-with me and l-let me love you, please." – Her white eyes, wet by the tears, showed innocence and sincerity. Her love was pure, altruistic, a promise to set free a caged soul.

"I do not deserve this feeling" – His hand moved to his cheek, to clean a fugitive tear.

"Yes, you do!"

"That is not what I mean" - he closed his eyes, and more tears came, which he didn't bother to clean – "I don't deserve the feeling I have for you. I'm not worth of loving you the way I do, Hinata. You are kind, forgiving and innocent. I feel like a bastard every time I remember all the things I did and do to you, and the way you still kiss me, smile to me, make love to me…I'm not worth to love you at all."

"So…you do love me…"

"…….yes" – he spoke very low, blushing. Hinata smiled and jumped to embrace him strongly.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, niisan! I'm so happy!" – She said wrapping her arms around his neck. Of course, the blanket slid from her back…

"Watch out!" – Neji held the blanket, covering her with it again – "You are acting like a teenager…."

"I am a teenager! I'm still nineteen!" – She was giggling – "Teenager, stupid and in love!"

"You are behaving like Naruto again….." – He smiled and kissed her. She returned the kiss. – "I really have to go. Take care!"

"You too. Come back to me, my love."

"I will, sweetheart."

One last kiss and he returned to the battle ground.

Hinata got back to the attic and dressed up. Konoha was in the middle of a war and she was walking in the air, daydreaming. He is right! I may be a teenager, but I'm the Hyuga Heiress and a mother! I have to behave….

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The Hokage messenger arrived a few hours later bringing the news of Hiashi's imminent return, the Mountain's hideout massacre and some other details of the battle.

A particular detail caught her attention: the enemy was heading in the Hyuga compound direction. Hinata decided that she would have to tell that ominous news to her people. With the help of Misa, Natsume, Sanae and some other cousins from the Main Family, Hinata summoned all Hyuga Family.

The Hyuga Library was a pagoda like building, with a circular form and an opening in the center of each floor.

Hinata moved a table so it could be right in the center of the first floor. All Hyuga members, from Branch to Main House were leaned on the floors' railings, staring at the Heiress and waiting for her speech. She wasn't used to have such attention (considering that she tried to be invisible most of her life….) and started to feel sick and nervous. But, from somewhere in the third floor, she saw her grandfather's mocking face, and that made her climbs the table and starts her talking:

"H-Hyuga brothers and sisters. I r-received this morning the c-confirmation of my F-Father and our L-Leader's return. He is a-arriving today at night." – Several Hyuga people applauded, most from the Main Family and some from Branch.

Hinata made a sign, asking for silence and continued:

"But, before his arrival, there are u-urgent matters that call our a-attention. Konoha's forces m-managed to corner the enemy armies. Unfortunately, the enemy's dead end is exactly the Hyuga compound area. So t-this mean we h-have to protect our walls and impede their entrance in our territory". – She took a deep breath.

Somebody asked:

"What about the jounin and chunnin? Can't they do something?"

"Yeah! Our shinobi are already fighting! Here we only have old, women and children!" – Another shouted.

Hinata felt a hole in her stomach. That was true: they had no more than a handful of Academy students, sentinels and patrollers. Aside her, who was a jounin, nobody else could fight such battle. Then, she gazed upon Hideo's face again, he was smiling. Not only he, but other councilmen were making displeasure expressions. They doubted her, laugh at her….

"Send some Branch people to secure the gates!" – A Main family lady said.

"Why us, bitch? Aren't you the might brand of Hyuga pure blood? Go fight!" – A Branch youth answered.

Several arguments started to pop out here and there. Branch against Main. If weren't for the different floors, they would be punching each other. A Main Family elder moved his hands to perform the famous Cursed Seal. Watching in terror, Hinata recovered her spirit and threw a shurinken at the elder's hand.

All presents stared the Heiress, who still was in throwing stance. She calmed and said:

"If you want to die, t-that is the right p-path to follow. The h-hatred path. But if you want to survive, help me and protect our walls. Those who can fight come with me and show our enemies the power and might of the Noble Hyuga Clan. Those who are afraid remain trembling in your seats and praying for your lives. Nobody will be punished. The decision is yours." – She closed her eyes. No noise could be heard on the library. Hinata felt that nobody moved from its place. She failed.

Suddenly, a thug in her pants made her open the eyes and see old men and women, academy students, adults from both Houses staring her, surrounding the table. A man from the Branch said:

"My Lady, yours is our arms and legs. We are following your orders, even going to hell if necessary. These elders still remember their days of glory among Konoha's ranks. The adults may not be fit to become great warriors, but they can use Gentle Fist. Some of those who are not gifted with the bloodline limit can use weapons. The children want a chance to fight alongside you Lady Hinata. Give your orders!"

Hinata exulted in joy! They heard her! They believed her! Staring her grandfather, she smiled.

"OK! Our priority is protecting the Hyuga compound. Academy students and elder women shall guard this library. The others follow me to the Main gate!"

Adjustments were made and Hinata sent a messenger bird to the Hokage office, informing the providences she took in the Hyuga territory.

During that whole morning, she was in the middle area – between the library and the gate – deploying orders, setting units, pacifying quarrels among the Houses.

Most of council members approved Hinata's action. The little sparrow became an eagle, one elder lady said pleased. With Hiashi's arrival on that evening, things would calm down. That war wouldn't take long now that the enemy was cornered. Hideo and his partners also approved Hinata's decision, but insisted on wait for Hiashi.

Hideo was particularly restless. He checked on Misa and the children lots of times during that morning. But Sanae and Natsume were there all the time.

In one of his visits, Hideo heard a noise in the attic. A messenger bird was there. He received the letter. It was Neji's handwriting, informing Hinata that Hiashi's caravan was attacked in the way. Hanabi's team was sent to help along with some jounins. The Leader wouldn't arrive so soon. But the battle was ending and there was no more danger. He told her to inform the Hyuga and hang in there.

Hideo torn up the last part of the note and asked a servant to give it to Hinata.

Hinata received her grandfather's message. So the battle was ending! She rested just to know Neji and her father would be home soon.

All Hyuga people started to leave the library building. But none returned to their homes; Hinata asked them to camp near the Manor, just in case something bad happens.

In the beginning of that night, an ANBU landed on the Manor's garden. Hinata was informed of his presence.

"Hinata." – The masked man spoke. Hinata knew who the ANBU was before he could show his face.

"Shino-kun!" – She smiled.

"Your help is needed at the hospital."

"What happened?" – Her heart started to pound faster.

"My father's caravan didn't send any notice, so Hunter nin were deployed to search for him."

"And…?"

"They had been attacked. When the Hunter nin arrived, some hidden enemies surrounded them and a terrible battle occurred…" – Hinata was shocked to hear Shino use an adjective like terrible. – "Kiba is severely wounded and there is no skilled medic nin available!"

"Oh my! I'm going to see him!" – Hinata turned to get her equipment, but froze – "What…w-what about your father, Shino-kun?"

"He is dead." – And the Aburame man lowered his head.

"I I'm s-sorry…."

"We must go. Kiba's life is in danger."

"Let me just tell the elders. My father is arriving soon, so there is no problem!"

With the elders' blessing, Hinata left the Hyuga compound with Shino.

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The Hospital was in a chaotic situation. Wounded people lay on the corridors, crying for help. Some were on stretchers receiving medical care in a precarious way. Others were already dead and nobody noticed. The whole place smelled blood, dirty, and putrefied material.

Shino lead the way through the corridors, avoiding the injured hands claiming for help. In an emergency room, with only two medic apprentices, Kiba was fighting for his life.

Hinata kneeled next to her friend and activating her byakugan, analyzed his condition. Bad, really bad.

She gave orders to the apprentices and asked Shino to get some herbs and ointments. A long and tiring surgery started.

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It was almost eight o' clock in the night and no sign of the Leader. Some elders started to get nervous, fearing something bad happened. Hideo was quiet and calm.

Nine o' clock, when all Hyuga people were inside the tents and bedrooms, he sent three messengers: one to see Hiashi's situation, one to track Neji and other to see Hinata.

The three arrived few hours later. Hiashi's caravan managed to get rid of the enemy. The leader and his younger daughter would arrive in six hours. The Hyuga prodigy was helping Tsunade and Team 7 in their battle against Orochimaru's last forces. Hinata was performing a surgery to save her best friend, but with so few medics it was taking longer than expected and Kiba's life was in the edge.

Good. I have time….

Hideo summoned his six companions plus Misa.

"Misa, bring the girl."

"Yes, My Lord."

Misa held the sleeping Hokuto, careful to not wake her brother. She left the bedroom and followed the seven councilmen through the forest path. Hikaru woke up just few moments after Misa's departure. Without finding his sister, the boy activated his byakugan and saw the shadow figures moving to the forest.

Unsure of what to do, he sat in the Manor's veranda and waited to see if they were coming back with Hokuto.

Hideo decided to perform the Marking Ceremony on his great-grandchildren that night, on the forgotten shrine of the Hyuga.

"Hideo-sama, the girl is too young to receive the Cursed Seal, she might not survive…"

"If she dies, there is no problem. We can't have two candidates to the Leader position. One has to be eliminated".

"What if the Leader, Neji or Hinata-sama arrives sooner than expected?"

"If we keep talking they will surely arrive! Move!"

The group rushed to the forest border, but a single shadow waited for them there.

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Kiba's condition was getting worse. Hinata's efforts were only avoiding the inevitable.

But she would never give up: that was her ninja way! Shino remained in the room the whole time. Hinata wondered if he was too depressed to fight again or he didn't want to lose another important person to him.

"Shino-kun, I'm running out of chakra…Can you search for another medic to take over me….."

"Sure".

He searched in the corridors, there were no medic available. The Hokage was away, Shizune was with her. Sakura was on the battle field too. Nobody could help. Kiba was going to die.

Shino returned to the emergency room, and his defeated expression told Hinata the news she didn't want to hear.

"Hinata, what can I do to help you?" – He said kneeling at her side.

"T-This might h-hurt a little….but give your chakra to me, please…."

"Tell me what to do"

"Put your hands on my temples and move all your chakra to the hands. I'll open my tenketsu to drain the chakra."

"Hyuga can drain chakra?"

"Only in an emergency. It is painful to the donator and to the receiver, but there is no other option. I must stabilize Kiba's condition!"

Without further questions, Shino did as told. Hinata focused all her mind in opening that particular tenketsu and steal her friend's chakra. His bugs moved from his hands to her shoulders and hands. From there, they move to Kiba's body, covering it.

Chakra began to glow from the bugs' armor. Hinata heard Shino groan in pain, but he didn't release his hands. She was also feeling like thousands of daggers were stabbing her body. Hinata never told Shino that the donator and the receiver's power had to be equal. If the donator was stronger than the receiver, the last one would sustain a massive damage in its internal organs.

Hinata decided that damage was an unimportant thing compared to her friend's life.

Moments later, Kiba's breath was returning to normal and his eyelids were trembling, signalizing that life was returning to his body.

Hinata ordered the apprentices to take over and continue the surgery, while Shino and her rested a bit.

"You are a great medic nin, Hinata!"

"Thank you, my friend. I just wish I could have saved you father too…." – and she fainted, leaning in Shino's shoulders.

"You ask too much of yourself, Hinata. You already changed a lot. Different from the shy and withdraw girl I used to know."

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Forest Border, inside Hyuga compound.

"What are you going to do with Hokuto-chan, Hideo?" – The person near the forest border asked.

"He…you. What do you think I'm going to do?"

"Continue the legacy of hate and sorrow of this Family. Leave her alone."

"I will not! She is the second born and has to be removed to the Branch Family."

"Who said she is the second? Neji and Hinata never told who born first and who born last. Who gave you this idea?"

"Misa, over there, spied them for the last two years. She found out that the girl is the second."

"Are you sure?"

"Even if I wasn't sure, I would choose the girl because she is weak just like her mother. The boy has the courage required for a leader."

"In the end, it doesn't matter who came first or not, what matters is the one you decide is more fit to the be the leader."

"I have to secure our pure bloodline."

"Funny, Hiashi is the leader, but Hizashi's son is the strongest Hyuga alive. Neji has the most pure Hyuga blood flowing in his veins. Thanks to your decision, Hizashi's offspring belongs to the Branch House…."

"Indeed, I regret that decision. Your Grandson would be the perfect leader if he wasn't from Branch".

"Mine? Our grandson, Hideo! Neji is your grandson as much as he is mine! You never saw Hizashi or Neji as part of your family!"

"Sanae, you are getting emotional with age. In the past you were cold and merciless. One of the best warriors Hyuga provided Konoha, and also a magnificent medic nin. Did you forget your pride, the honor of being a Hyuga?"

"I lost those feelings the day you decided to reduce the Main Family members and marked with the seal all your distant relatives….."

"Main Family has to be preserved. It holds the founder bloodline. You know that, my cousin."

"If you recognize me as your cousin, then why do you deny any relation with Hizashi and Neji?"

"Because I know you belonged to the Main Family, before the massive marking ceremony of fifth years ago. Hizashi and Neji were always Branch House members."

"Nonsense! That is labeling people! The real bloodline lies within those gifted with it, no matter if they are from Branch or Main House! Maybe Hokuto has a strong blood, just like her father! If you mark her now, you will never have a chance to see that! It will be just like my Neji, a talent wasted."

"Hyuga has laws. Hyuga has traditions. We must obey these laws and traditions in order to keep this clan alive and powerful!" – Hideo was nervous and shaking.

"Laws and Traditions are guidelines to direct our conduct. They are not to be followed blindly. Your son, Hiashi, already saw this. He regretted his past actions towards my grandson and son-in-law before it was too late."

"Hiashi only saw benefits in the boy's talent, and decided to use them for the wealth of Hyuga."

"Hyuga people have marvelous eyes; however some of them are so blind. You are one of the blind, Hideo." – saying that Sanae dropped her cane and dashed towards Hideo.

The former leader of the Hyuga was startled by Sanae's action and received her blow right in the chest. He fell on the ground. The other six councilmen activated their byakugan and protected Hideo. If Sanae was worried, she didn't show.

Using all the agility she had, Sanae appeared behind Misa.

"Give the girl to me and I shall not harm you."

Misa would never expect such power from that old woman. But she had a task to accomplish and faster than the light speed, Misa used Gentle Fist on Sanae, throwing the old lady away.

"You….you are a skilled fighter, not an ordinary nanny!" – The old lady was cleaning the blood from her mouth.

"Silly woman, when I chose Misa to this mission, I picked the best female warrior the Branch House had. She is a jounin, in case you want to know." – Hideo grinned, removing the sleeping Hokuto from Misa's arms. – "Finish her, Misa."

Misa cracked her knuckles and moved to Sanae's direction. Sanae was still lying on the ground, incapable of movement. She remembered one single jutsu that could stop the girl: the cursed seal.

She was a member of the Main Family once; she learned how to use that thing against insubordinate Branch servants. Oh Gods, how many times she used that seal to punish! How many times it was used on her years later. Sanae would do it, one more time, to save her great granddaughter.

Her hands moved forming the seal. Misa felt her forehead burn and fell on her knees. Sanae intensified the seal; the girl screamed in pain.

Suddenly, it was Sanae's forehead which was burning. Hideo also performed the seal.

Sanae saw that man staring her, angry.

"You could have been of great help, my cousin. You could have married me when I asked. I could have saved you from the Caged Bird Seal …."

"I'm grateful I didn't marry you, bastard! My Branch House husband was the most adorable and good natured person I've ever known! I loved him, even though he wasn't a skilled warrior!"

"Your skills would be welcomed in the Main House that time…."- he forced the seal.

"My skills were used to help people, not hurt like you do…" – she was barely having control over her body.

"At least, your grandson married into the Main House. We will control his talents!"

"You will never control Neji. He may look like a caged bird, but he is smart enough to open his cage and break free! Hinata will help him!"

"NEVER!" – Hideo applied more power in the seal.

Sanae felt her brain burn; eyes' blaze; her whole body move in convulsion. And finally, her senses started to fade, her body felt numb. As a medic nin, she knew Death.

"Hyuga….has changed….already. You will…see……………bastard!" – Those were Hyuga Sanae's last words.

Hideo stared the body of the woman he once loved. The woman that denied his love, making him take drastic measures. The woman who taught Tsunade-hime the medicine.

He kneeled next to her body and closed her eyes.

"She had green eyes".

He stood up and said to his companions.

"We have to hurry. Somebody might find her corpse and we will be in trouble!"

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Hyuga Natsume woke up in the middle of the night and saw that her mother wasn't sleeping in the tent they shared. Curious of her mother's whereabouts, Natsume walked to the Manor.

Looking for Sanae, Natsume found her grandson sat in the veranda, shaking from the cold wind.

"Hikaru? What are you doing here?"

"I'm waiting for Hokuto, grandma!" – said the boy, embracing himself.

"Why? Where has she gone?"

"Misa-chan and some other people took her to that direction. I though they would come back to get me, but it has been a while and nobody returned….." – He said looking to the direction he last saw his sister.

Natsume felt her legs lose force; she leaned on a pillar and placed a hand on her heart, as if it reduces its nervous beatings.

"You said Misa took Hokuto? Where have they gone, Hikaru?"

"Yes, I saw Misa-chan. There were more people, but I don't know who they were, grandma."

Natsume kneeled next to her grandson, held his shoulders and asked:

"You must remember the direction they took, dear. Please tell me!" – her lips were trembling.

"Ouch! Your hands are cold grandma!" – Natsume released his shoulders – "I only saw they go to that direction." – and he pointed to the forest.

"Oh Gods. The forest. Oh Gods! My grandchild, my poor grandchild!" – Natsume felt like her whole world crumbled. Her mind only showed incoherent thoughts; her body was shaking, moving back and forward in despair.

"Grandma? You are scaring me….Where is my sister? Where is my mommy? And my daddy?" – Hikaru felt his grandmother's anxiety and became insecure.

Natsume saw a sentinel passing nearby. She stood up, grabbed the guy's shoulders and asked, almost shouting:

"Has Hiashi-sama returned?"

"N-No! Not yet!" – the scared sentinel answered.

"And Hinata-sama or Neji?"

"None is here."

Natsume was holding her head with both hands, walking in circles. Hikaru was crying low, still sat in the veranda.

"Ok. Listen to me, Hikaru. Do you know how to get to the Hospital?"

"I think I do, grandma. Why?"

"You must go there and bring your mother here, immediately!"

"Hokuto is in danger? My sister is going to die?" – he was desperate too.

"I….I don't know, dear. But we must find Hokuto. I need your mother here! Can you go to the Hospital, Hikaru?"

"I can." – he wasn't exactly sure.

"Go to the Heroes' Monument then turn left and walk straight to the end. You will find the Hospital. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes! Which one is left, grandma?"

"The hand you don't use for writing, son." – he analyzed both hands and looking at his grandmother, he nodded – "Go. Don't stop, don't talk to strangers, and don't get distracted! Your sister's safety depends on this! I trust you Hikaru! You are a genius, just like your father!"

"Okay, grandma!"

Hikaru ran out the Hyuga compound. Natsume remained watching until the boy was out of sigh. Then, she turned to the forest.

"Let's see if remember how to use this…..Byakugan!" – Veins popped in her temples. It took a while to adjust her eyesight unused to the bloodline limit.

She ran as fast as she could to the forest border.

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Hikaru was scared of all those corpses and vultures he found in Konoha's streets. For one moment, he decided to retreat and return to his home.

But his grandmother's worried face made him believe that the situation was serious. He reached the Heroes' Monument few minutes after. Hikaru stopped and looked again to his hands, just to confirm which one was left.

"The hand I don't use for writing….so it this one" – he stretched his left arm and turned his body to that direction.

After some more minutes, he found the Hospital.

The already busy nurses stared the Hyuga kid. They knew he was Hinata's child.

"Hikaru-chan? What are you doing here this hour?"

"Mom! I have to see my mom!"

"She is busy, working!"

"I have to see her! My sister disappeared!"

The nurses exchanged a worried look and guided the boy to where Hinata was.

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Ta-Da! And the climax of this story is coming! What will happen to Hokuto? Will Natsume arrive in time to save her granddaughter? Will Hokuto receive the cursed seal?

Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Review, please!