Between the Devil and the Deep
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Chapter Nine
Echoes of the Past II

*The Age of Kings*
Madara and Hashirama

"There will be a threat to the Children of the Sea, and the balance of our world," Hina's words echoed in his mind. "And you, Madara, will have to defend against it."

That part of the prophesy had dominated his thoughts and efforts for the last five years.

"I see you've been busy," Hashirama said appreciatively, looking around Madara's map room.

"Well, to defend the Children of the Sea, we need to know where they are," Madara reasoned, not displeased with Hashirama's obvious admiration.

"Yes, but no one has ever mapped out their territories so extensively – certainly no one on land."

"Lady Hina and the Hyūga are to thank," Madara crossed his arms and leaned back against his massive desk. "The Sight was instrumental in outlining the territories of the more reclusive residents."

"Hostile, you mean," Hashirama chortled. "I doubt the kelpies wanted us to know where they hunt. What of this, then?" he pointed to the Northeast region. "That's Ōtsutsuki territory, isn't it?"

"It falls under their protection," Madara grimaced. "The Finfolk have agreed to outline the rough boundaries of their territory, but no specifics. The Hyūga have an agreement not to turn the Sight to those waters without grave reason."

"Still," Hashirama rubbed the back of his neck. "Might this not be the exception?"

"The Otsutsuki have more specifics – that was the Finfolk's condition for helping."

"I did hear that they were instrumental in communicating with the harder-to-reach clans."

"They are stubborn," Madara shook his head. "I thought Chiyo was the worst of them, but Lady Hina assures me she is one of the most reasonable."

"Then I suppose we should be grateful for whatever cooperation they offer. Come," Hashirama clapped Madara on the back. "We have just enough time for a good spar before the evening meal."

"Do you think you can still keep up?" Madara eyed him. "I thought your new bride took all of your energy."

"You have no idea!" Hashirama beamed. "Why just last night, she –"

"I don't want to know," Madara held up a hand. "Save it for the spar."

Hashirama's laughter boomed, while Madara shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips.

*Fourteen Years ago*
Sasuke

Itachi's raven returned to Sasuke the morning after it had been deployed with the promise that Itachi would follow. Sasuke shared the news with Neji, and they began compiling and organizing information to share with Itachi when he arrived. There was an unspoken agreement between them that whatever differences they had could be set aside while they tackled the problem at hand.

Three mornings after the raven returned, Lord Akimichi sought out Sasuke to tell him Itachi would be arriving later that day.

"I'm sure you will want to catch up," Chōza smiled kindly. "Since you seem comfortable in this library, I've given the word that it is to be made available to you both whenever you want it."

Sasuke gave his thanks, and it was only a few minutes after the cheerful giant's departure that Neji entered.

"What does Ko Say?"

"She is better," relief tinged Neji's aloof composure. "She slept well, and without nightmares. Lord Yamanaka is pleased with her progress." He took a seat at the table they had shared these last few days. "What do we hear from your brother?"

"He arrives today," Sasuke shoved over the tray with the pitcher of water. "We've been given the use of this room."

"Good," Neji refilled his cup. "I will be interested to hear what he has to say."

Both Sasuke and Neji felt that they should speak to Itachi before approaching their hosts (and therefore the Ino-Shika-Cho clans) with their concerns. Despite only being fifteen, he was respected for his skill and unusually keen intelligence – his word would add weight to their concerns.

When Chōza's messenger arrived to fetch Sasuke, he surprised them by requesting Neji come as well. Neji and Sasuke exchanged a glance behind the man's back, but complied.

The first thing they learned, was that Itachi had not come alone, as both he and Shisui were deep in conversation with Lord Nara. Before either could say anything, there was a curious shift in air pressure that Sasuke recognized even as the vortex appeared in the room.

"Obito, Kakashi," Chōza greeted the new arrivals. "I was hoping you would come with the others. Ah! Sasuke and Neji – come – join us!" he motioned them forward.

"Incoming," Kakashi said lazily, and there was a flash of golden light. Sasuke was still blinking away his surprise when Neji sucked in his breath.

"Father..! Lord Minato – what… it is good to see you," he bowed politely, decorum overtaking his shock.

"I apologize for the sudden arrival," Lord Minato rubbed the back of his neck with a smile, "but after Itachi contacted us, this was the quickest way to get myself and your father here. Your Uncle sends his regards, and his thanks, by the way."

"Thanks?" Neji blinked.

"Yes," Hizashi's smile was small but proud. "To both you and Sasuke for your quick thinking and care for Lady Hinata."

Both boys offered the appropriate responses, their confusion shifting to curiosity.

"Well then," Lord Akimichi clapped a hand on Kakashi, making him stagger forward. "Let's take a seat, shall we? The others will be here in Oh!" he blinked. "Lady Hinata," his smile was warm. "I didn't think we'd see you so soon."

Sasuke turned in his seat, startled to see Hinata was sitting in a high-backed wheeled chair – the sort that must be pushed by someone. She looked wan and small with the blankets tucked about her, and he was certain she had her legs curled up, otherwise they'd be dangling far above the footrests.

"Our young Lady insisted," Inoichi said lightly. "I agreed as long as she promises not to over-tire herself."

"Lady Hinata," Hizashi approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder, his magic sliding across her skin as the corners of his mouth pulled down in worry. "You should be resting."

"I am alright, Uncle," she looked up to him with pleading eyes, and a dusting of pink on her too-pale cheeks. "I… I wish to stay."

"Alright," he relented. "But if at any moment it is too taxing for you-"

"-I shall take her to her room immediately, my Lord," Ko interjected.

Hizashi gave a nod, and she put her hand on his.

"Alright then," he relented. "Sit between Neji and Sasuke. If you need to depart," he looked to both Ko and Hinata, "do not stand on ceremony."

With that, he moved to take his seat while Neji and Sasuke made room for her. Assured she was comfortable, Ko made stepped back into the surroundings, content to be barely seen, and rarely heard.

Sasuke leaned in to Hinata while Neji adjusted his chair.

"You ok?"

"Much better."

That was all they had time to say before everyone quieted expectantly. Sasuke flicked quick glance over them all; he and Neji had not expected to involve the adults until they had spoken with Itachi, but he never imagined they would be involving them.

Itachi and Shisui both caught his eye in turn, and his brother gave him a reassuring nod while Shisui gave him a quick wink. Something in his chest unclenched with the realization his brother and cousin had come to help him as much as they'd come for whatever this gathering might entail.

"Now," Chōza folded his hands on the table. "Inoichi? Shikaku? Would you care to fill everyone in – with help from Lady Hinata, of course?"

Hinata wound her fingers together, but she gave a determined nod.

"Lady Hinata has already given us a good bit of information," Shikaku said, motioning to an Akimichi that stood in the corner who quickly came forward to give them each a scroll. "This is what Inoichi and I have pieced together from her vision."

The room was hushed as they read. Hinata kept her eyes on fingers with the occasional darted glance at Neji's scroll. Sasuke paused reading to pour her a glass of water, offering her a smallish smile at her thanks.

Reading what she had seen – even broken down as officially as Lords Inoichi and Nara could manage – was still disturbing.

Finally, Lord Hizashi sighed.

"This is similar to intelligence we've gathered. Obito?"

"Us as well."

"Lord Minato?"

"There have been some refugees that made it to us," Lord Minato allowed, "but not many."

"I suspect," Hizashi glanced to the others, "that we will need to expand our resources. Has King Fugaku made his wishes known?"

"His Majesty is in agreeance," Obito nodded. "He releases Kakashi, Itachi, Shisui, and myself to accompany you. It is a shame I cannot simply transport you directly."

"I'm afraid it would be quite impossible," Hizashi gave a small, wry smile. "I would prefer if we had more time to prepare, or at the very least, send a small delegation first, but I fear that time is not on our side. We must travel to The Harbor as soon as we are able."

"The Harbor?" the words tumbled out as Sasuke looked between Obito and Hizashi, but it was Itachi who answered.

"A delegation has been formed," he explained, his voice even and clear. "We are accompanying Lord Hizashi on the journey, and the three of you," he nodded to them, "will be going with us."

Neji flicked a glance at Sasuke and Hinata before asking, "Going where?"

Hizashi met his son's eyes. "To the Otsutsuki Palace."

"And," Hinata's voice was small as she gestured between her friends and herself, "you need us?"

"We do," he said firmly. "There is a longstanding tradition of the Hyūga and Uchiha working together to protect the Children of the Sea. Additionally," he cleared his throat, "they asked to see the children that intercepted the message at the shrine. Specifically, you, Lady Hinata."

"But Neji and Sasuke didn't receive the message," she twisted her fingers in her blanket. "It was my fault that they-"

"We will go with her," Neji interrupted. "Both of us."

Hizashi looked between them, and then gave a nod.

"I can transport you to the Harbor," Minato offered.

"Then Kakashi and I shall go ahead to prepare," Obito tucked his scroll away. "Itachi? Shisui?"

"We will travel with Lord Hizashi and his party," Shisui smiled.

"Then we shall see you this evening."

Soon after the meeting was over, and Ko went to gather Hinata's things while the boys took her to the kitchens where Chōza said they had a small meal waiting.

"Everything is happening so quickly," Hinata mused, eyes distant.

"It takes time to travel to the Otsutsuki Palace," Neji assured her. "It is best we go sooner rather than later."

"I'm sorry I got you two into this," she looked to them both.

"You didn't get us into anything," Sasuke scoffed.

"He's right, for once," Neji steered her chair to the table that had been set for them. "Allow him to have this."

Sasuke made some noncommittal grunt, and Hinata gave a light laugh. Once Neji had poured her a glass of water, she waited for them to have their own.

"To our mission," she toasted.

"To our mission," they repeated, both silently swearing to be at her side every step of the way.

*Fourteen Years ago*
Tenten

Any good sailor would tell you Selkies were a curious breed of creature.

"Not like the Finfolk," the old man spat, squinting his good eye at the fish he was freeing from his hook before he tossed it into a bucket next to him. "Nothing friendly about that lot, but Selkies are alright."

"And they can change shape?" a small girl asked, eyes wide.

"Aye. From seal to human and back again."

"All the time?" a boy asked, skeptically.

"Depends who you ask," he grunted. "Some say they can change but once a year – and they come on the shore at Midsummer's night eve to shed their skins and dance. Others say every ninth night – some say every seventh stream," he shrugged. "No way to know."

"Grandma said people try to take the skins," the girl whispered. "To keep the women here."

"That's how y'go about it," he cast out his line. "If you're fool enough to try."

"Doesn't sound real," the boy scoffed.

"What doesn't sound real?"

"Tenten!" the girl beamed, scrambling to her feet. "The Captain was telling us about Selkies!"

"Oh?" she smiled, casting her eye over the local man known to all as simply 'The Captain.'

"Yeah, but I don't believe him," the boy dusted himself off. "Sounds like a lot of nonsense."

"Well," Tenten idly tucked the little girl's hair behind her ear. "They say there is some truth in every story. Come on," she shifted the large basket to hang further in the crook of her arm as she held her hand out to the children. "We have to get back. What do you say to The Captain?"

The children chorused their goodbyes, (and the Captain gave a noncommittal grunt, which was downright affectionate for him) and then followed Tenten back to the town, and the small orphanage therein.

Once she was sure the children had been handed over to one of the house mothers, Tenten took the basket of food back to the kitchens. The cook – Maruboshi Kosuke – greeted her with a smile, and she set about helping him prepare the ingredients for dinner. She was only eleven, but she handled the kitchen knives with a speed and efficiency even the house mothers couldn't match, making her one of the only children allowed to work without direct supervision.

When she arrived at the orphanage, Kosuke and Ibiki were the first to be introduced to her. She still didn't talk much then, but she'd felt more at home in the kitchen and at the forge than anywhere else. Kosuke had been the first to coax her to speak, although what he truly did was chat normally to her, and listen.

Even now, their conversation was sparse as the air filled with the rapid tattoo of the knife on the cutting board, and the smell of frying fish.

"You can bring that to Ibiki," he nodded to the basket set to the side. "He won't be ready to eat yet, but it will be there for him when he is."

She nodded, tucking the basket on her arm and listening to the clink of the glassware inside.

"See he gets his water," Kosuke called after her. "You know how he is!"

The sounds from the forge rang in the air, making her smile. Ibiki nodded to her as she held up the basket, jerking his head to the side. There was a small root cellar just out side of the forge, and she slipped inside to place the basket on the rough hewn table where Ibiki would sit to eat. She removed one of the glass bottles of water and filled Ibiki's tankard to bring with her. The cool air of the root cellar lingered on her skin until the waves of hot air pouring out of the forge entrance chased it away.

Tenten held up the tankard for Ibiki to see, and he rolled his eyes, but nodded. She placed it carefully to the side, draping a small cloth over the top before donning her apron and gloves. He would have her come over and look at something soon enough – he'd explain some technique, or show her common mistakes other smiths might make, and how to avoid them. Until then, she was content to sit in her chair and watch him work.

He reminded her of Papa.

She absently rubbed the inside of her wrist as she allowed her mind to wander beyond the flying sparks and burning air.

Papa had been a craftsman in another sea-side village, and she had loved to watch him work at his forge, or with the weapons he crafted. When she wasn't with Papa, she loved being with Mama, and learning the songs that no one here seemed to know. She'd gotten strange looks when she sang those songs, quickly becoming too self-conscious to sing within earshot of another person. Instead, she sang her mother's songs to herself as she worked, or as she gathered food for the others at the orphanage, or when she had a moment alone on the starlit beach.

It had been so strange when she first came here, that Gai had let her sleep on her father's boat provided he was onboard. There, rocked by the water, she was able to find peace in this so familiar and yet not home of a village.

How long had she been here? Two years? Three?

Her memories of what happened that night her world changed were jumbled and unsure. She only knew that her parents had taken her to the Old Woman, entrusting her to take their daughter away from the screams and the terror, and the sky too awash in a blaze of orange and red for any star to be seen.

She had some recollection of the woman telling her goodbye, but it could just as easily have been a dream.

All she really knew for sure was Gai and Lee.

They had been her family since she'd woken up in their care, more so than anyone they introduced her to at the orphanage, or in the village.

"Ah, good. Ibiki – Tenten. You're both here."

"Genma," Ibiki flicked a glance to him, but continued his work. "What brings you here?"

"I got word from Gai. We be leaving tonight. As soon as he gets back."

"Tonight?" he frowned. "Why?"

"Another village was destroyed," he grimaced. "It is close enough that we might be able to find something out this time. If we do," he removed his long toothpick and studied it, "we will pursue."

"What if there are survivors?"

"Gai has decided Tenten and Lee will transport any survivors," his eyes met hers, and her heart leaped, even as Ibiki's frown deepened. "Don't get too excited," Genma held up his hands. "This is a one-time thing, and only because we know you will be safe on your Father's boat. We will evacuate any survivors to you, and you are to go immediately to the Sanctuary."

"But I can help," she protested. "I can- "

"This is helping," he cut her off, not unkindly. "This is a rare chance, and we can't miss it. We are relying on you," he put his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look up at him.

"Do you think," she ventured carefully, "that there will be any …. Others?"

"No way of knowing," he sighed. "But if there is any chance, we have to take it now."

Tenten nodded, something caught in her throat. There was a chance no one had survived – it could be just her and Lee returning home. But, there was also a chance…

She stood a little straighter and swallowed her memories.

"I'll go get ready."

Genma patted her shoulder and stepped back. "I've added to your weaponry on board. I trust you will take care of your personal arsenal?"

"Of course," she scoffed, and he had to smile.

"Go on, then," he shooed her out, and watched as she hurried away.

Ibiki's eyes followed her as he tightened his jaw.

"I don't like this," he muttered.

"Can't say I'm very happy about it either," Genma said easily. "But Gai insisted, so he must have his reasons. Might as well go clean up and eat whatever Kosuke sent. It will be a long night.

Ibiki sighed and nodded, leaving Genma to go make sure everything was ready for the mission.

*Fourteen Years ago*
Sasuke

It could take weeks to travel to the Harbor from the Akimichi fortress, yet Lord Minato had done it in moments. Before the sun dipped below the ocean, a ship was being readied for the next day, and their luggage had been re-packed. Hizashi had taken Hinata down to the sea with Neji, and she came back looking more refreshed than she had in quite some time. Queen Mikoto had insisted that all three of them go to bed immediately, as the morning would come swiftly, and they could do naught but obey.

The next morning Sasuke waited impatiently on the deck of the ship for any sign of Hinata. He and Neji had been separated from her, and even her chair had been brought aboard just in case, but there was no sign of Hinata.

Imagine his surprise, then, when he saw his mother walking arm in arm with the girl, who was smiling up at her with an open happiness that took his breath away.

He knew his friend was pretty – any idiot could see that – but ten-year-old Sasuke had never quite realized she could be beautiful.

Something strange twisted in his chest – an odd mix of pride and not wanting others to see and bafflement with sprinklings for which he had no name.

Mikoto hugged Hinata goodbye and pressed a kiss to her forehead before stepping back to say farewell to her own sons and nephew. It was not long before the shoreline was disappearing behind them, and the ocean stretched empty before them.

The wind filled their sails and pulled at their clothes even as a breeze drifted to his ear.

"Take care of her, Sasuke," Mikoto's voice was warm and kind. "We've worked on your Wind Whispering, so be sure to contact me when you are able."

"I will, Mother," he replied quietly. "I…I love you."

"And I, you, my son."

The way Itachi's head cocked to the side a moment later, Sasuke guessed he was also speaking with their mother. It gave him no small sense of pride that she had contacted him first and that he could contact her back in a way Itachi could not.

That had been over a week ago, and his Mother was still in communication with him at least once a day. Hinata's chair had not been needed, and Hizashi occasionally took both she and Neji into the ocean where they would swim alongside the ship and scout the area.

"It's partly training," Neji confided in him one night from his bunk. "It's also Father's way of monitoring her health and familiarizing us both with the area."

"You think you'll need to know this route?"

"I hope not," he gave an inelegant snort. "I've met some of our 'cousins' before, and I would not be in a hurry to seek them out. Especially Toneri."

"Toneri?"

"The leader's son. He is … insufferable."

"Makes sense," Sasuke shrugged. "He's your cousin."

"Distant cousin," Neji frowned. "And he is Lady Hinata's as well."

"Now that doesn't add up," Sasuke tsked. "Then again, Hinata isn't typical of your family, is she?"

"In the best way possible," Neji gave a dry chuckle.

"So, what makes this Toneri any different?"

Something sparked in Neji's eyes before he gave a nonchalant shrug. "Guess you'll have to see for yourself."

Thank you for returning, friends! This chapter was much longer, but I split it to make it flow better. This particular story has been obstinate about how it wants to be told, and I think after many months of key smashing and rearranging, it is finally laid out as it needs to be. I hope.

I appreciate you coming on this journey!

With a heart full of gratitude,

Giada