what is this? Me uploading without a month's break... miracles do exist. Anyways here you go and I am not sure how fast I can write the next chapter.
Chapter 11: Morality
"You know what I want for my fifteenth birthday?" Hanabi grinned.
"Tell me and I will try my best to get it for you," Hinata smiled at her little sister.
"I want to get out of here, I want to explore our country and eventually other countries. I want to cross the sea, I want to be free!" Her eyes sparkled with wonder. "I want to have thrilling adventures like those in the books you read to me, and I would like you to join me" Hinata's genuine smile started to turn into a sad one
"Now why would you put me in this position, you know we cannot leave. We have everything we need here, why would we want to leave our home?"
"You also want to leave. You are not happy here"
"I-"
"Please don't lie to me, Hinata." Hanabi interrupted Hinata before she could finish. "The elders are so harsh on you for no reason, they would give you away to a wealthy man without a second thought. This is not our home, this is just where we live"
"It's our duty Hanabi. You are too young, but you will understand. Some things are bigger than ourselves"
"That's shit! It's not fair! They can't send you away! Who will be with me?!" Hanabi turned to Hinata, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"You will have Neji and father of course" Hinata tried to smile
"But they are not you!" Hanabi shouted before storming out. Hinata let out a sigh, she wished Hanabi would understand it was all for her good.
"You shield her too much," a voice behind her commented.
"I didn't take you for an eavesdropper" she grinned
"Hinata, she isn't too young. If you would just explain it to her-"
"If I did that then she would feel guilty. She is too brash, who knows what she might do. It was my decision and mine alone there is no need for her to know" she had heard his argument before, and she knew it wouldn't work. Hanabi was too brash, too emotional, even more than herself.
"You will leave her confused," he said
"You will be with her"
"Of course I will. I will always be here for both of you" he pursued his lips, he didn't like to hear her talking like that. He didn't like to think of the time when she would leave him.
"That's all she needs"
"What about you? Have you ever thought about yourself?"
"I did and this is what would leave me most at peace." she smiled
"We care about you, how do you think we feel? Being selfless is not the valiant sacrifice you think it is. It's a coward's move and a selfish one at that. Its idiocy at its finest, it's easier to worry about others than to look into yourself and defeat your demons"
"It may be idiotic but I was never the brightest one, I believe you hold that title. And being self-centered was never the Hyuga way" she tried to lighten their conversation
"You and I both know you don't care about the Hyuga way. If you did you would follow tradition" he clearly wasn't having any of it
"You are always so harsh Neji" she pouted
"Only because I love you" he sighed defeated, there was no changing her mind.
"Are you nervous?" Kurenai asked Hinata as they walked to meet Lady Tsunade.
"A little, she was a bit intimidating yesterday. I can't tell if she likes me or not" Hinata explained
"I don't think she feels any way towards you yet" Kurenai commented
"You're right, this meeting will determine her view of me," Hinata nodded. When the pair of women arrived at their destination Kurenai excused herself before leaving the two women alone.
"It is a pleasure to meet you lady Tsunade" Hinata curtsy her with a smile
"The Hyuga princess." The woman grinned. Hinata fought the urge to cringe at her comment
"I am an Uchiha, my lady" she politely corrected her,
"Not with those eyes you are not" the older woman examined Hinata. Hinata felt her face begin to blush, Tsunade's eyes felt hot as if she was burning through her trying to get to her core. "They are breathtaking. The legends those eyes have, some say they were the eyes of the saints" she said almost whispering
"I- well thank you, my lady. I am, however, an Uchiha now."
"Are you really?" Tsunade raised her brow
"Of course I am." She said taking a sip of wine after hoping that would help her nerves. She felt like she was being watched. It was different from Itachi, Tsunade was more intense and obvious.
"Do not insult my intelligence child"
"Do not assume my feelings my lady"
"Explain them to me then" Tsunade rested her back on the chair waiting for Hinata to speak.
"Itachi… he has shown me incredible kindness more than many of the council and members of the Hyuga have. He is not a bad person, he has an idea I can get behind and he does keep me alive. I support him."
"Do you support him? Well, not many do" Tsunade looked unimpressed with Hinata.
"Itachi?" her brows furrowed in confusion
"The Uchihas aren't popular with the people, you seem like a smart girl Hinata. Have you not figured that out?" She hadn't seen the Uchiha interact with anyone outside their supporters so she wasn't aware of their public perception.
"I- no. I support him. Itachi is good, people respect him. He is kind his intentions-"
"Itachi is popular enough but he isn't the head of Uchiha. One person does not represent a house, especially when they are not even the leader. There are talks about a third party entering the war, you know." She tried to not appear surprised by any of the information she was receiving.
"The Uchiha will win. They have the advantage right now" she said
"Do you believe so? This war will not stay as small for long. People are tired of both Uchiha and Hyuga alike." Tsunade finally brought the cup of wine to her lips
"Why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you let Fugaku know?" Hinata asked
"I have. That man has one approach to everything and that is brute force."
"That is opposite of what is needed right now" It was bad and it all started to make sense. The uprising in the cities, the negative public perception of the war. The people did not have stakes in this war, it was a war of two houses and the people happened to be in the middle of it. She had no idea people saw the Hyuga like that. She had no idea what anyone outside the Hyuga walls thought until now.
"Yes indeed. I am just letting you know what you are entering Hinata. You wanted to build connections, did you not? I doubt you wanted to sip wine and talk about the pretty patterns on your dress. You have that option of course, but from what I've seen you don't want to take that. I understand, I also refused that option. But if you want to play with the men, you should learn to be more vicious but keep that pretty face and soft voice of yours, they love that" Hinata smiled.
"I appreciate your advice, my lady. I will talk it over with Itachi, perhaps he might think of a better way to approach this situation" Tsunade's facial expression visibly changed when she mentioned Itachi.
"You seem very confident in Itachi, perhaps I'm wrong about you and you are nothing but his dog"
"I am no dog, I am simply aware that he is my best chance of survival" she explained
"Never place your fate in the hands of another person"
"Thank you for that advice my lady"
"I will not be attending today's lunch. I hope you understand" Itachi told Sasuke, who instantly turned to face his brother with an annoyed expression.
"And why not?" he asked
"Why do you care? Will you miss me?" Itachi teased with a grin
"If I have to listen to that fat fuck talk so should you," Sasuke said
"Hn, yes he is rather unpleasant. I will be visiting an orphanage with Hinata"
"Does she disgust so much you can't carry out your duties"
"It has nothing to do with that, Hinata is quite attractive wouldn't you agree?" Itachi said in a teasing manner but carefully examined his brother's response. Sasuke was quite hostile towards Hinata, more so than he usually was with anyone who he disliked. He had a feeling it was something more.
"Anything with two legs and a cunt is attractive to you" Sasuke scoffed
"Don't hurt me like that, I do have standards" Itachi laughed. "This is serious though, it is important for the people to have a positive view of the Uchiha. The support from the public is not the best at the moment" Itachi said, his face now as serious as it could be.
"Of course you would visit an orphanage to better public perception" Sasuke chuckled. That was his genius brother, the type of person who would visit an orphanage to better his image. He wasn't wrong; those actions would better their image but it always amazed Sasuke how his brother could do such things and still think himself so righteous.
"You are always such a pessimist. One can do two things at once, better public perception and help orphans"
"Any more stunts you have planned for this first stop?" he asked
"You'll find out soon enough"
"I'll go with you to the orphanage," Sasuke said. His main reason for going was to skip on that damn lunch however he also acknowledged how it would help their image to be there. He did not care, not truly at least but it wouldn't hurt them for the people to like them. He could, however, think of someone who would not be fond of Itachi's approach.
"That's great." Itachi smiled
"You know if you keep diverting like this father will get upset."
"Yes, I am aware. Everything seems to get him upset these days, more so than usual. Old age is really playing her tricks on him"
"He isn't that old"
"But he is sick"
"W-what?"
"Father is ill" confused was an understatement, he could not even process his brother's words. His father being ill. It was impossible, that could not happen.
"How? He hasn't said anything?"
"You think father would be the one to admit he is ill, to admit to a weakness?" it was true his father had an image he would die to protect and was probably the only thing he cared for aside from power. It was probably because of that image that Sasuke could not process the fact that his father was ill. When he thought about his father many images came to mind one that had never come to mind was illness. Uchihas were not ill, they were strong. He was strong.
"No. But he didn't tell me anything" He knew he wasn't important to his father but he was still his son.
"I bribed his doctor for the information," Itachi admitted. He did not know why but that made him angry, who the hell did Itachi think he was to intrude in the lives of others like that.
"Why would you do that?"
"We both know our father isn't the most stable or reasonable person. It is important to keep an eye on him" of course he would twist his actions to make them appear just, that was Itachi after all.
"Do you keep an eye on me too?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"No. I see no reason for it" that answer somehow made him even angrier
"Because I am not good enough to be a threat"
"No. Because you are my brother and I trust you"
"Yes we are not very popular due to some actions that my father has taken, but that is why I'm here and why I need your help" Itachi answered. Hinata nodded, this was proving to be more complicated than she thought.
"My help?"
"I am going to repair the Uchiha name, strengthen our ties with our allies and most importantly with the country. For that, I need people's trust, a good image, a good wife. You will be the perfect wife, perhaps even sell the idea that you do truly believe the Uchiha are superior. I don't believe we are, but it's necessary for people to believe"
"I have a role," she whispered. She was beginning to understand, Itachi was planning for his rule, for his perfect kingdom. But he wasn't the leader, not yet at least his father was still in charge and he was the complete opposite of Itachi.
"I guess you can say that'' he chuckled. "Hinata, I would never force myself upon you, however. You should know that at the end of all this an Uchiha heir is needed." She understood her place better now, she had an idea of the game board, now it was time to make her move.
Her actions shocked him. He felt her finger pulling his face closer, and felt her lips on his. He responded out of habit and began kissing her with his hands finding their way to her slim waist. It didn't last long as he pulled himself off her and rested his head on the crook of her neck.
"You know I didn't mean right now, Hinata" he decided to clarify in case she had gotten the wrong idea that he was asking for a baby now.
"I know" he heard her reply. "But w-we are married right", another surprise. What was she playing at?
"Yes, we are. But do you really want to do this?"
"You d-don't?"
"I do, I just don't want you to feel pressure" as he laid on her, he made sure to feel her body react, was her breathing accelerated, was her heart beating too fast, was she lying?
"I-I don't feel pressure. Do you?" she asked in a whisper
"Of course not" he chuckled at the idea of him being pressured into anything much less him being pressured to be with a beautiful woman.
"Of course you are not. We should get ready to visit the orphanage," she said softly. He sat up and smiled at her.
"Ah yes, Sasuke said he wanted to come"
"Oh" her face changed slightly
"You don't like him?" he asked already knowing the answer
"He can be a bit much sometimes. When did he decide he wanted to come" that was a nice way to say his brother was a dick
"Earlier today"
"You are both so different" she commented
"Are you similar to your siblings?" he asked
"No," she answered. "But we did act a certain way" she added
"The Hyuga way"
"Yes, the Hyuga way." she giggled
"And what would that be? Can you show me?" he grinned
"You do not smile, you do not laugh, you are always poised, you are always calm," she said changing her posture and facial expression. Itachi watched as her warm smile faded, the corners of her mouth flattened and her stare turned cold. She certainly looked different but she still looked soft.
"I see" he laughed, "I don't think I like it"
"I don't either but the Hyuga don't care to be liked, they cared to be respected," she said
"If people like you they respect you" he pointed out
"Is that why you try to be liked"
"Yes, that is certainly part of it."
"Are you trying right now?"
"You are a human being and every single human deserves decency. I do try but I also don't believe in mistreating people'' of course he evaded her question.
"That's a lot of words to avoid a yes or no question"
"Not everything can be answered in one word"
She walked around the garden waiting for the time to arrive so they could head to the orphanage, Itachi was asked to have a meeting last minute involving some of the city officials. As she walked around she found a tree, but most importantly she found someone under it.
"Hello," she approached the person with a smile.
"Hinata, long time no see" he greeted her back
"Y-yes I imagine you have been quite busy getting ready for the first parade"
"Yes, it has been quite unpleasant. Would you like to join me?'' he patted the ground beside him. Hinata sat down beside him. An awkward silence settled in as she debated on how to phrase her next question. "Something seems to be bothering you," the man said behind his mask.
"Well... i-I.."
"You don't have to say anything I was just making an observation"
"I was thinking about something you said" she finally said
"Oh, were you know? You probably shouldn't I myself don't put much thought into that" he said as he flipped the page
"You were right though. We are all disconnected from the people's suffering"
"Seems like you've met people who challenged your views"
"I wouldn't say challenged, they brought my attention to issues I was neglecting" Talking with Tsunade, sitting during that dinner, talking to Itachi it all gave her a better picture of what was going on. She did not question her loyalty to her family but she did question her ethics. She knew she would do anything for her family but what did anything include. Would she have to kill? Would she have to betray people? Turn a blind eye to suffering? How bad of a person was she?
"So you feel guilty now? Is that it?" he asked
"I-... maybe".
"Do you feel guilty because you don't care?"
"No! Of course, I care"
"But there is something you care more about isn't there?"
"Y-you... how?" it was as if her thoughts were written down in that book of his and he was just reading them calmly.
"I am an old man, remember? I already had my morality crisis. Whatever question your brain is just beginning to float now already sunk ages ago in mine" he grinned under his mask, young people could be so entertaining sometimes.
"I feel conflicted"
"Don't we all?"
"You feel conflicted?"
"Yes of course I do. This morning I spent an awfully long amount of time choosing which book to read and if I am being honest I'm not sure I made the right decision" she pouted at his dry humor, it really wasn't what she needed at the moment.
"Your books are odd" she crossed her arms.
"You think so?"
"Who even writes such things?"
"He is actually quite the renowned scholar, you should really have an open mind"
"You're either mad or wise" she sighed
"Wise? Wow you really do make me feel old"
"You make me feel like a senseless child"
"Do I? How?"
"You bring up things I hadn't thought about and make them appear so obvious"
"Well it's never my intention"
"Of course it isn't"
"Have you met new friends?" he asked
"Pardon me?" she asked confused
"Have you met new friends? I am very well aware of what this friendship is to you Hinata, you want to learn more. Don't you?" he asked calmly. She needed to be careful with what she said, she couldn't slip up and reveal too much
"I... I met with lady Tsunade earlier"
"And how did that go?"
"She gave me advice"
"She did?" he sounded surprised.
"A-am I a pawn for you people?" she asked. "Do you talk to me to accomplish something?" She knew it was a possibility but asking him made her feel disappointed.
"I genuinely like talking to you, but is that what you feel?" he asked
"I don't know" she answered, he might be lying but she felt better
"I am not setting a trap for you if that is what worries you. I however can only speak for myself"
"Of course if you were you wouldn't admit it"
"If I were I wouldn't even bring it up"
"Good point"
"We are leaving" he announced to the group of men who stared at him dumbfounded.
"My lord we-"
"We are leaving. The wheel is fixed so we are leaving right now. Not one more second will be wasted here" Naruto said before walking up to Kisame. "And you will not leave my side, we will sleep together if it comes down to that. Do you understand?"
"Of course my lord, I'm here to protect you" Kisame grinned
"I sent a letter yesterday, we will be heading to the last stop of the Uchihas military parade" he informed his group, he was well aware there was not enough food for the trip and it was a rather long one but they could deal with that on the way right now he needed to know what the fuck was going on.
"B-but my lord we-"
"Again I am not asking, I am telling you guys what we are doing. We will go to the last stop the Uchiha will make, we should arrive there around the same time if no further delays appear"
"Yes my lord"
Sasuke watched the two interact with the children, they were natural at that sort of thing. They smiled at them and humored the little brats, they even held some in their arms. Sasuke on the other hand just watched silently, the children did not appear to be interested in him and he honestly did not care and preferred it if they were to keep their dirty little hands to themselves.
"You should make more of an effort," Itachi laughed as he watched his younger brother being as stiff as a board. "Here hold him" Itachi pushed a child into his arms and left to play with other children. Sasuke examined the kid. He was little, not a newborn but still small. He did not know much about kids but if he had to guess he would say the brat was about two years old. Big brown eyes stared at Sasuke's every move, he felt a bit creeped out by it. He was not experienced with children, hell he couldn't remember the last time he had interacted with one. He never had a reason to interact with such creatures, they were small, useless, loud, and unpredictable. They could easily be lost and could create a mess in seconds. He felt how tiny fingers began to touch his face exploring his features, from his nose to his ears. It was gross who knew if the kid had washed its hands. He would poke Sasuke and laugh at the expression of disapproval Sasuke gave him. What odd creatures children were. The kid eventually found his hair, he began pulling it at first but then decided it would be better if he ate it. Gross.
"Stop that," Sasuke said firmly. Apparently, the kid did not like it and soon his face began to wrinkle like a prune before it began to cry. He looked for Itachi but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a pair of pale arms reached for the kid and took the crying brat off him. Leaving him feeling rather odd without the warmth the kid was radiating before. He watched as the Hyuga soothed the kid and how she gently took the hair out of its grubby hands whenever it decided it wanted to taste it. After it was calm, it turned back towards Sasuke and put his arms up in his direction. He squinted his eyes at the child and watched how the kid would wiggle his arm towards him.
"He wants to be with you," the Hyuga finally said.
"I'm not blind, I can clearly see that" he finally reached for the kid who giggled with excitement. He heard the Hyuga say something under her breath. "What was that?"
"Huh?" She turned toward him, he hated when she acted dumb and played innocent. Well, he hated her overall but especially when she played innocent.
"You mumbled. If you are to say something why don't speak up"
"Oh. I am simply surprised, I didn't take you for a children person"
"Don't assume things about me Hyuga" he sneered at her before turning the other way.
"Does this money come at a cost?" the woman asked him.
"Of course not. We have done enough harm as it is, I know I could never bring back the people we have taken away and this money can not be enough to compensate even one of the people who lost a loved one. I am very sorry for that but please take his money, it might help things run more smoothly" Itachi said head down in shame. It was pathetic, he was pathetic, what good was the position and so-called power he held if he could not help people who suffered.
"Thank you the community appreciates your help" the woman's tone softened
"Don't thank me while I send people to die. Tell me what do you think of the city leader and officials, be honest please" he asked
"He has taken a lot of money away from the people. Most of it goes to his estate rather than the community. His officials are corrupt, they are no better than him. Just last week a young woman was murdered, she was the mistress of one of the officials. She wanted to stop the affair and he didn't, so they killed her, my granddaughter. She was just a child, she didn't any better, she was fifteen" the woman began to tear up
"I am sorry for your loss. I will fix that. Don't worry about that"
"Thank you, Itachi. Please end this war"
"Of course. I will do it, you have my word" that's why he fought for, that's why he planned for years. It was for the people of his country, for his brother, for peace.
Sasuke hated when Itachi made him wait, he hated it even more when he made him wait with the Hyuga whore. To add to that he had apparently made them wait outside, what a genius he was. He felt the looks the people gave him, he could feel their filthy eyes on him.
"Itachi said he would meet us here," she reassured him.
"Hn. I don't see why he told you and not me" his tone was nothing short than accusatory
"I'm not lying" she defended herself
"Your words hold no meaning to me"
"You've made that clear" she sighed
"Watch your tongue" he warned
"Of course, I apologize," she said. The silence between them settled once again before it was disrupted this time by a different voice.
"Uchiha!" Sasuke instantly turned to see who it was. His face instantly wrinkled when he saw a drunken man tripping his way to him.
"What the hell," he cursed under his breath
"Ahhh! So you are Uchiha. You damn bastards! Shameless fuckers dare to set foot here when you and those shitty eye people destroy our country" the man began shouting
"Let's go back inside," he said to Hinata, as much as he would love to leave her to fend for herself he was sure Itachi would not be happy with it.
"You fucking cowards I'm not done with you!" the man reached out for Sasuke as soon as he saw them ready to leave
"How dare touch me you filth" Sasuke sneered at the man and pushed him away
"You damn cuck sucking Uchiha! You have hurt us! You need to fucki-"
"I shall not lend my ears to such atrocities, peasants do not deserve my time" he grabbed the Hyuga as she was stupidly standing there and began pulling her away.
"Where the fuck are going!?" The drunken man got back up and grabbed her dress's skirt, not letting Hinata go.
"Sasuke wait, my dress" she stopped. This was just great, this was exactly what he needed for the dumb bitch to be fucking stupid. Would Itachi really be that mad if he were to leave her here?
"That's right. You damn Uchihas! I should rape you right here to teach you a lesson!" The man began laughing and pulled the skirt harshly causing it to tear and Hinata to stumble. Yes, Itachi would be furious.
"I have had about enough of you filth" Sasuke's sword kissed the man's neck. The man instantly stopped laughing and let go of her skirt. "That's what I thought, learn your place and don't forget it" he hissed. He took his sword away and harshly yanked her away.
"Don't be such a fucking idiot. Although you probably can't help it, you are a Hyuga after all" he said annoyed
"Thank you," she said softly
"Shut up, you are an inconvenience" he sneered. The way he saw it, Itachi owed him.
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Alright so that is the end of that chapter, I have so many ideas for the next but I am not of what route everything will take. Feedback is very much appreciated.