Article 19 - Interlude 3
Warnings: I do not own Naruto, it's intellectual property is owned by none other than Masashi Kishimoto. I own the OC's that I've added to the story and nothing more.
Found myself really struggling on this chapter. My shit vision was acting up alot (lately), but I powered through it so I hope everyone enjoys. This content was requested by "Killua Meatrider" and it seemed like a reasonable thing to write, so here we are.
...
The woman quietly wiped down the interior workstation with disinfectant. A sterile environment is one of the many refinements the great Tsunade decreed to medical doctrine. She hummed a playful tune while she whisked a damp cloth across the surface area of high physical contact environments after having the ill man leave that she diagnosed some half hour earlier.
A firm knock sounded against the hardwood door causing her to jolt to attention. "Who is it?" She called.
The woman was of average height and sported the classic whitewashed eyes proclaiming her as a Hyuga. A chain dangled at her neck with the set piece being a polished sapphire more wholesomely blue than the untainted azure sky. Seeing this, she quickly reached for it, tucking it back underneath her uniform.
"Tokuma Hyuga"a voice called out from behind the door.
The woman's heart fluttered in her chest. "He was here? Did he not know that there is work to be done or is he simply thinking with the wrong head again?"
She quickly paced about fidgeting her hair in place and smoothing out the creases in her clothing. She was a woman damnit, she would be presentable. She quickly fainted cabinets opened and closed to excuse her for not instantly allowing the man inside as she gained her witts while working on her presentation.
Finally satisfied, she slid over to the door and flung it open.
"What is the pleasure?" The question was posed playfully, one devoid of her standard professionalism she reserves for the rest.
At first she recognized the man she had expected, but quickly and to the woman's surprise, she spotted a small child seated in the chair behind him.
"I was wondering if you could take a look at Mina-kun's injury if you had time."
The woman's eyes fell on the child again, and she began to walk over.
The little sapling was small and vulnerable, yet remained stoic in the face of whatever debilitation she had. Looks like she's fighting for our approval… I'll make a show of faith coming down to her level.
-Bending down in front of the kid so their eyes were level, the elder woman gave an practiced, polite smile.
"Where does it hurt little one?"
"I… might have sprained my ankle while running." the child spoke.
Odd, most children would simply point to where they felt pain.
She looked the small girl over once more, finally pointing to both legs as if asking 'which one?'
The white haired girl lifted her right leg to indicate which one was injured.
The medic nin made a hand seal before activating her Byakugan.
"Tsk-Tsk," she said, turning her head to meet the familiar gaze of Tokuma. "Tear of the interior peroneal tendon," Informing the adult before turning back to the small body, ready to console and praise the girl. "It must hurt a lot. You are strong not to be crying."
"Can you please speak to me like I'm not incompetent." The girl snapped before little hands flew up covering her mouth.
Wha?
The girls head immediately dropped to the floor before adding. "-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
The full grown woman's lofty attitude over the child had been blown away with the cognitive ability and verbal challenge of the child. She briefly shot Tokuma a look of disbelief to which he shrugged, before turning her attention back on the girl again.
"You must feel belittled by adults, but I'm sure many do it because you look so precious."
A blush found its way onto the child's face before it disappeared as quickly as it arrived. The woman noted how more adorable the child seemed now that she witnessed the sour and sweet displays. She had far too much development and maturity for one so young, but it seemed even the innocents of youth is unparalleled.
"Mhm… Thank you… what is your name?" the child asked.
"Ayasha." The woman replied, this time with a smile born of joy and compassion.
"Thank you Ayasha-san."
...
.
Some nights later, she was situated on top of the lap of her lover. Both seemed lost in eachothers eyes and were short with their words. The man's face was flushed as his hands explored over Ayasha's skin causing her lips to tremor with bated breaths.
She leaned in and rested her chin on the welcoming shoulder of this man. Warmth poured out of her nose into his neck causing the hairs on his neck to rise. Despite the moment she found herself in thought of the small girl from some days ago who was already putting on a face of bravery to appease the adults around her.
If she was doing that already, when would anyone give her the opportunity to be the child. It's our duty as the elders to take responsibility to nurture and shelter the young. Those cold, empty eyes kept flashing back to her in glimpses - not able to hide the inexcusable absence of adolescence. She had been forced to grow up entirely too fast.
"Tokuma-" She whispered into his ear.
A firm hand snaked down her back onto her waist and he pulled her closer, allowing him access to her ear.
"Yeah, what's going on in that head of yours?" The line was fed soft and delicate into her ear.
"I can't help but worry for Mina-chan… Her mother is the worst and the entire clan knows it."
Tokuma's hands rose to her shoulders and pulled her back to establish eye contact again.
"You are worried about her? The same woman who scoffs at the idea of having children and retirement?" He teased playfully.
The succulent lips of the beauty pressed together into a frown but remained silent.
"I don't know… Seeing her reminded me how important being a parent can be. Surely many are unsuited for the task."
A look of true shock arrived on the man's face much to the disapproval of Ayasha. She hit and squeezed at his chest trying to release a bit of the frustration that suddenly flooded over her. The man looked uncomfortable yet still laughed, taking the brunt of her assault.
"If you wanted to be a mother you could always just come clean~" He teased while playing with her hair.
The look projected at him could instil fear into the hearts of hardened warriors, his body briefly seizing as he cursed the woman's emotions that seemed to change like the wind.
…
"W-w-w-what?" Ayasha stammered in disbelief.
"Yoruichi Hyuga has taken her own life - and infront of her own child no less. We all knew she wasn't right, but who could have known she was capable of this…" The chatty gossip relayed in a informative and condescending tone.
The child had been subject to even greater struggles. Wasn't there a god that existed which watched over his children? Why did it have to be her, the young girl who had no right being subjected to the tragedy of the world yet. Someone needed to stand and be a shining beacon to show the child the radiance of what life offers.
She steeled in herself the resolve to help this child if it were at all within her power. To protect the ideal of innocence in the clans youth, to remind them that their not alone, and to give them hope for the future.
…
The days melded by into a week. Ayasha had been visiting the little girl constantly under the guise of psychological assistance and evaluation, but there was a compulsion, a deeply ingrained desire to see the child overcome the overbearing depression that hung over the girl's head like dreary storm clouds.
"You look pale, have you been getting enough sleep?" she would ask.
The child's body was being worn from the stress and lack of recovery she was experiencing. No doubt deprived of sleep - she deduced.
-But the child lies, nodding her head to indicate that she were sleeping plenty.
A blatant lie. Why must you spend all your effort putting up that front. What makes you think you need to be that strong? The grown woman wondered. The groggy reactions of the girl spoke volumes of her current state.
It pained Ayasha to have to watch this. That this girl felt like she didn't have a right to grieve. That she just charged recklessly along with no abandon for consequences. Mina's display of self-sacrifice was unnerving and her performance was fairly good for how young she was. It disturbed her deeply to think in a few years she might be good enough that no one might tell there were any underlying problems.
"The bags under your eyes missy tells a different story… are you being honest?" Ayasha scolded.
A look of realization flashed upon the child's face, quickly being replaced by grim acceptance.
She shook her head no, indicating that she hadn't been truthful.
A relieved expression briefly flashed on the adult's face. It would seem she just needed to be coaxed out of her shell and perhaps she could open up. There was still hope for the girl yet.
Ayasha watched the child get lost in thought frowning and taking on an aura of gloom. She needed to do something for the girl… be some type of assistance… but what could she do?
"... Mina-kun, are you paying attention?"
The child looks up to Ayasha and tries to put on another brave face. She eagerly smiles and nods.
It would definitely not be easy stripping her of her shell… Ayasha frowns.
…
The patriarch who was elevated over the rest of the clansmen demanded the silence of those present with petrifying glares. The matter of Mina's new guardian or caretaker needed to be quickly addressed as she was not yet able to be responsible for herself.
He asked for any volunteers - when a familiar face stood from the seat at attention.
"Sir, I would be willing to let the child stay in my home and treat her as my own." Ayasha-san said.
Whispers spread over the members but they were hushed at the sideways glance produced by the elder patriarch.
"Does anyone have any reasons to object to this?" the patriarch asked before giving the child a look as if to say 'We're not asking for your opinion though.'
The room fell silent.
"Yes, yes. It seems we have found you a home and someone to take care of you. You should feel blessed that you have such a supportive family. We are a pack and you are one of us, never forget that." He finished.
He waved everyone out of the room having concluded the processions. Mina was the only kid inside the meeting, but as she turned to leave, Ayasha-san quickly intercepted her retreat.
She flashed a quick look of annoyance before she looked around and tried to adopt a more graceful look. Ayasha was hoping that she wasn't overestimating her abilities. She wanted to be able to help Mina-chan even if she wasn't confident of her success.
"Th-thanks Ayasha-san for taking me in. I very much appreciate at it and I'm glad someone as nice as you volunteered." The child's thankfulness and praise melted any doubts that swam in her mind. There would be no mistake, she would love this child so that it could know love - starting now.
tears welled up behind Ayasha's eyes, being fought away and vanishing quickly.
"Of Course goofball. Someone has to make a proper lady out of you."
Ayasha looked the girl over, kneeling down to her eye level. She wouldn't break the stare she gave to Mina, keeping eye contact the whole time. Fear, helplessness, depression, the loss of hope… The windows to the soul showed a tragedy inside the small girl known as Mina Hyuga, already being revered as a genius.
She wrapped the girl in her arms, pulling her in close. A faint 'Eeep' noise of surprise slipped from the young girl..
"I won't let anything happen to you." Ayasha whispered.
…
The young genius had been slipping in and out of the house careful to avoid running into Ayasha. She's so set on independence and avoiding inconveniencing her new mother figure. Ayasha wished she could understand that she could rely and trust in her, but transitioning in baby steps would be important. Little by little she seems to be improving, but there is always a small underlying pain that as a replacement mother - she didn't know if she could ever fill.
Mina-chan was sneaking downstairs in the morning on her toes. Ayasha-san had made a new rule that her training equipment be kept in cubbies next to the door so she couldn't just sneak out the window in the mornings anymore.
It needed to be established this was more than just her residence, from now on this was her home.
Ayasha-san often worried and wanted to know where her little girl was to make sure that if she was needed she could be there for her. She had been more lenient, but things needed to change gradually so that the young girl can come to accept her place in the family. That she now had someone who wanted the best for her and could come to rely on rather than having to face the world all alone.
"It's nice to see you this morning." Ayasha said having snuck up behind the girl silently.
The girl nearly leapt from her skin making an audible gulp.
she turned around to see an irritated Ayasha. The woman's face could say it all. "So your trying to give me the slip again are you?"
"N..Nice to see you too Ayasha-san! I didn't want to wake you so that you could get your sleep."
Honestly… this girl… The more she fights me off the harder It makes me want to pull her in close.
…
The clan's gardens was well kept and sported the second most diverse collection behind the Yamanaka's. The sun was retreating behind the horizon caking the world in a crimson and golden aura. Ayasha and Tokuma walked with their hands folded together interlocking, the man pulling her along for something he only faintly described as 'A matter of grave importance.'
There was a hedge which was cut in a very peculiar way, definitely odd. Portions of the inner 'fluff' were removed causing light to bleed through. The shadows stretched long across the ground… Her heart soared and her free hand instinctively shot up to cover her mouth which by now was hanging open in a gasp.
Tokuma smiled so warm, crows feet appearing next to his eyes as they squeezed shut. He got onto a knee and reached behind him pulling out… he's pulling out a ring!
OH-MY-GOD OH-MY-GOD-OH-MY-GOOD "EEEP EEEP!"
She was freaking out, the reality of the situation sweeping over her like her dreams, or the stories of fairy tales.
On the ground, the light that bled through the hedge formed script which said "The love of my life, Ayasha Hyuga, Please marry me."
She was flustered, her whole face turning cherry red. She couldn't believe this was actually happening. She had to fan herself off or she was afraid she'd overheat and pass out.
She looked back to the man who had lead her here and shrieked- "Yes! Yes, a thousand times yes!"
She held her hand out expectantly and he took a hold of it like a delicate work of art, sliding the ring onto her bony finger and she glomped him. They giggled between the breaks when their mouths separated from their passionate kisses.
This night made her the happiest woman alive, she was sure. She hoped it would never end.
...
After the meal, Mina quickly scrambled to grab her belongings, heading out for her daily training. The door flung open, but before Ayasha let her dart outside, she shrieked out in blissful joy "I LOOOOVE YOU!"
She had hoped her feeling could get through to her. A smile spread across her face and she sent out silent praise to the heavens for blessing her so fully.
Mina spun around noticing Ayasha's arms extended - expecting a hug. Mina responded with a half grin and instead waved bye. "Cya later!" she spit out through her smile before slipping out the door.
Ayasha watched as the figure of the girl grew smaller in the distance. Her own personal family was coming together, outside just the familiar ties of the clan. A true home, It was everything Ayasha could want.
A Hyuga messenger quickly appeared with a paper in hand much to her surprise.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Hashinshin-san is currently under the weather due to eating something spoiled. Their calling it food poisoning and we need a clansmen to send as a replacement for typical external patrols.
"I am needed?" She asked hoping for clarification.
"-Sorry for the inconvenience Ayasha-san."
She gave a solemn nod, still beaming from her excellent mood. This unexpected news wouldn't ruin it, so she stepped back inside, quickly changing before setting out.
…
Byakugan active, she walked along the section of road between two main outposts. All was quiet and serene. The tranquility of the nature only served to lift her spirits further.
When I get home, Tokuma will likely have already started moving some of his possessions into their home… the home that would be now shared with three people. Her heart soared and she felt like singing.
Pain shot out from her chest.
A hard raspy cough escaped her lips pushing blood out her mouth.
She fell to her knees, twisting her neck, and seeing a large extended sword that had been hidden in her blind spot… stretching a massive distance - skewering through her chest. She saw the putrid chakra and figure of the missing nin, the abomination, Orochimaru.
"Heeheheeheh!" He exclaimed with his long slender tongue hanging out of his mouth… where the blade extended from.
The blade retracted, and her wound bled profusely. Her heart had been hit… everything was getting fuzzy… No! Everything was finally going her way, you cant.
"God wh-y?" she coughed along with more blood. She needed to hang on for her new husband, and for her little girl. Someone still needed to protect her…
The world turned black as night… and her lungs expelled her final breath.
"Mina…" She said clenching her hand over afew blades of grass.
...
Authors Notes: Zemptai-sama again~
Let me know how I'm doing, your predictions for the future, any plot holes you may think you see, and I'll gladly message you back addressing them. Thanks so much for sticking with my story this far! It means a lot to me. SERIOUSLY! I appreciate every reader and expect a much more smooth, polished story when I finally get to revisions!
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