Chapter 12: Hibiki's Confession

Two days in on their walk to some location Sasuke was leading them to, Hibiki had not spoken to Suigetsu much. Karin talked at Sasuke, who was most likely not listening, and Hibiki and Juugo hung back, keeping their conversations private. Suigetsu grumbled at the uneven number of people. Hibiki attached herself to Juugo right away, she held onto his shirt while they walked. Juugo felt off, it was weird to have someone stand so close. He feared for her death as they walked. They stopped to rest then on the first full day of travel Hibiki had Juugo hang back from the group, just enough for them to have a private talk.

"I'm not sure how to begin, Well as you probably heard I'm Hibiki. I worked for Orochimaru for many years. I have the ability to see the future, and Orochimaru found that useful. As does Sasuke, I'm just a tag along until Sasuke no longer needs me."

Hibiki smiled as the words flew from her mouth in no order. Her smile forced and fake looking. She spoke quickly in a rush of sorts. She continued on about to how her vision worked in general and how she is blind. Most of which Juugo could not understand from her speaking so fast. After she finished, Juugo took his turn, he spoke slowly and without much detail. Their conversation was surface level and Hibiki looked uncomfortable even with this light conversation. Guilt and obligation filled her and she knew if she didn't tell Juugo soon, she would lose the confidence to do so. Kimimaro was a touchy subject for both of them.

On the third day, they stopped and stayed the night in an inn for the first time since they left the northern hideout. The inn was old and barely used, a good place to stop with Juugo still in his prison clothes. The group sat around the same table, and ate silently. Their makeshift group was no family, and this situation was far too formal for them. In the middle of eating, Hibiki closed her eyes and furrowed her brow. She opened them just as fast and turned to Sasuke who sat across from her.

"They won't have anything for him," she said. Sasuke looked at Hibiki for a moment then went on with his meal ignoring the comment.

That night when everyone else was asleep, Juugo snuck away from his bed, and sat outside on the Deck, watching the moon. A lot had changed so suddenly, he felt like he needed a moment to let everything catch up with him. The night had a soft breeze that made the leaves play their soft percussion. How long had It been Since he last saw the moon? Last saw real daylight? He couldn't remember.

During the day his bird friends joined him and sung to him, happy to see him. He forgot how much he missed these friends. Everything turned into darkness when Kimimaro died. His one hope, his best friend had died, and Juugo could do nothing for him. His hope, his smile left that day. It still isn't back. But Sasuke posed a possibility for Juugo, to live a life Kimimaro would have wanted him to have.

Soft creeks alerted Juugo of an approaching visitor. Hibiki came out onto the deck, standing for a moment, hesitant before she sat down and let her legs dangle over the edge of the deck. The breeze moved her hair in a gentle sway, Hibiki had pinned her hair back so her whole face was open to the world. The two sat for a long period of silence. She folded her hands in her lap, and squirmed with anxiety.

"I've been needing to tell you something, and I'm worried about how you will take it." Hibiki began,

"What is it?" Juugo asked not looking at her.

"It's about Kimimaro," Hibiki said, pausing for Juugo to take it in.

"Is it something he would have wanted me to know?" Juugo asked.

"Yes, most of it, but also another part that I need you to know."

"Alright," Juugo said, taking a breath and slowly exhaling. If Kimimaro wanted him to know then he would listen to whatever it was.

"It's a long story, but simply put, I knew Kimimaro pretty well. Orochimaru had me search for those who would follow him, who he could experiment on, who he could enslave. I was the one to find him, Kimimaro. I remember seeing him all alone and desperate for an answer. Orochimaru retrieved him and Kimimaro became so obedient and faithful. To him Orochimaru could do no wrong. After some time he learned about me. That I brought Orochimaru to him, He was grateful."

"We became friends, I guess. He helped me learn how to make food even though I can't see. He had objects in specific places and taught me how to and when to find and use them. It's one of the most important memories I have." Hibiki paused for a moment, settling her emotions. "He taught me a lot of things. He taught me to survive on my own."

"I guess you can say I found you too. When Orochimaru learned about you, he was going to retrieve you but Kimimaro volunteered to get you. After you first met, he came back to the hideout we both lived in and he told me all about you. He would talk about you all the time. His voice was always so kind and sweet when he spoke of you. You made him happy. Far more happy than you know." she smiled. The two sat in silence, remembering their shared friend.

A Tear Hibiki rarely willingly allowed to fall did so, only a few ran down her face before she claimed herself again. Tears would only make others pity her. Kimimaro taught her this too. To be strong in the shinobi world.

"After Orochimaru knew Sasuke was coming, He asked me about the best course of action. I told him it was very likely he would be stopped if left alone. I gave him the names of those who could get him. All but one. When I got away from Orochimaru that night, I ran straight to Kimimaro. I told him the truth, the future he faced. I told him of his death, how he will die if he goes. I was still searching for a cure, it was hard to find but I know it was there somewhere. He would live if he stayed, if he let me search some more. He asked me how important he was to the mission. I tried to lie. I told him so many lies doing my best to make him think staying was the best choice. But he saw through me of coarse." Hibiki giggled. "He knew me so well, I couldn't lie to him even if I wanted to. He made me tell him the truth. If he didn't go, the mission would fail, and Sasuke would end up returning to Konohagakure. I told Orochimaru of the highly likely death of all those who went to get Sasuke. Neither he, or Kimimaro cared. Kimimaro would die for Orochimaru, and Orochimaru would kill anyone to get what he wants."

The two sat in silence, Juugo took Hibiki's hand and held it tight. He could feel how upset she was getting, talking about Kimimaro. He was unsure at first, but knowing these few things made Juugo believe Hibiki was, ultimately, a good person. A good friend to Kimimaro, and would be a good friend to him as well. This little connection was the first he felt since Kimimaro died. He didn't want this connection die.

"I begged him to stay, to choose any path but this one. I reminded him of you, how much you mattered to him. But His mind was set. He gave me a hug and asked for a favor. He wanted to see, what it would be like if he lived. He told me to pick the best outcome, no matter how unlikely. And I showed him, I let him live it for as long as I could. But it's hard to show others what I see, Especially for long periods. I let him stay until I couldn't stand. He brought me back to my room, and thanked me. He told me to do what I could to give you the best outcome I could. He ordered me to make sure you lived on. It's the only thing he's ever wanted. After he closed my door, I never heard him again. It was hard, when Sasuke got his old room. I buried the memories, the feelings as best I could, but I always hoped that after I knocked, I would hear HIS voice."

Hibiki stopped, she had to keep the sob from coming out. They sat together in silence, a long silence….

Suigetsu woke up to find both Juugo and Sasuke gone. Their Futons empty, against his bodies wishes to return to sleep, Suigetsu stood and went looking for the two. Sasuke was strong but if anyone got to kill, Suigetsu wanted to do it. Down through the halls, Suigetsu came upon a common room, inside He found Sasuke Hiding in the shadows by an open door.

"Hey Sasuke.." Suigetsu started to say but stopped as Sasuke's finger flew to his mouth. Ordering silence. Suigetsu crept in and stood near Sasuke, looking out onto the deck where Juugo was sitting. It took awhile for Suigetsu to find Hibiki behind his figure, sitting next to him. A pin stuck him in his chest. They spend three days talking and now their best friends? Or… Suigetsu banished the thought before he could think it. He needed a better look. He snuck around to the other side and peaked out from a door that was closest to Hibiki.

From where he looked he could see she had tear marks on her cheek, her eyes sad, guilty, and lonely, Suigetsu didn't like it. He began to think about what would make Hibiki cry and could only think of that night at the inn before they got Juugo. The night she screamed in pain and fear. The night Suigetsu had to face an unfamiliar side of himself. Even worse, Juugo's monster sized hand had Hibiki's swallowed. The two turned to each other, he spoke a few words. She nodded and she stood up, her hand was released. A soft sigh of relief from Suigetsu was stopped by her next action. While standing she was more evenly sized, her head a little taller that Juugo's sitting self. She took her hands and placed them on either side of his face, slowly she closed her eyes and furrowed her brow, she leaned in and pressed her forehead to his. He too closed his eyes. They stood like this for some time, maybe 3 minutes. Each second causing Suigetsu to grow continuously more upset.

The two pulled back and stared at each other. It was over, a blush and smile appearing on her face. Did Hibiki blush like that? Suigetsu had never seen it.

Why wasn't he the one to make her look that way?

Stiffly Suigetsu left the room and got himself outside and plunged his head into the nearest puddle of water.