Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
CHAPTER 5
The mud was slippery, and she had to really focus on each footstep to keep from falling and ruining all the laundry in her arms. Repeating the exhausting process was not an appealing thought when her small hands were already raw from the scrubbing and handling of the harsh soap, but she never complained. She never talked much at all these days.
Balancing the heavy basket of damp linens on a rock, Hinata paused to watch the steam dance through the chilly air as it rose from the freshly washed white robes. The moisture twisted hypnotically, seeming to taunt her as it easily caught the breeze and flew away over the walls of the yard. Free.
Hinata sighed and bent to grab the top piece of clothing. So pathetic, I'm even envious of the laundry now. Get a grip Hinata. You have to be strong like Kaa-san. She wouldn't want you to crack so quickly.
The days since she had learned the truth of Kaa-san's departure and death seemed to blur together. Her mind struggled every morning to remember where she was and why she wasn't in her own bed. But every morning she had been greeted by the warm face of her Tou-san. He would kiss her hair and tell her how proud he was of her, how happy he was that she was here. Every morning she struggled with feelings of guilt over the joy she felt by being near him, because this wouldn't be happening if her mother were still alive. Hinata had so many tumultuous emotions running through her mind, she could hardly breathe at times for the weight of it all. It felt like she was drowning, pulled under by a boulder chained to her heart. It was so easy sometimes, to simply allow herself to sink, shutting down all of her emotions for fear of the tsunami of tears that might sweep her away. So she did what Hyuga did best, she ignored her feelings and wore a mask.
Part of her mask meant, of course, that Hinata continued to address Hizashi as Oji-san in public. If there was one thing that living amongst the Hyuga had taught her, it was that keeping a secret safe was keeping your head on your shoulders. Even Neji-niisan was unaware of her newest treasured piece of knowledge. She trusted her Niisan with her life, but he thrived within the rules and traditions of the Hyuga. He had found notoriety among the Branch and even the Main side of the family as an upstart prodigy of sorts, and she hesitated to do anything to ruin that for him. Neji-niisan worshipped his father, and strove to garner his approval above all others, even over the Elders or Hiashi himself. Tarnishing his view of his father, his hero, for nothing but her own fulfillment, would be cruel and pointless. Hizashi openly showered his son with praise, all of it undeniably deserved. While she felt sure that Neji-niisan could eventually forgive his father for such an affair, her fragile heart feared potentially becoming an object of scorn in Neji's view, as a physical reminder of his father's transgression. She did not have the strength to take the risk, she was already too broken. So she locked this all away. One more weight she carried.
Shaking out another robe Hinata climbed a small wooden stool to hang the wet clothing on the line to dry in the weak sunlight. Spring had started its struggle to breakthrough the blanket of winter. The snow had melted and mud reined supreme as man's newest tormentor. She carefully secured the robe with the pins from her pocket, ensuring the wind wouldn't drag all her hard work away.
From her slightly elevated position on the step stool, Hinata could see the latticed fence of her mother's dormant herb garden across the way. Her mother had frequently taken the young girl with her to tend her precious plants. Patiently explaining the purpose and care of each one as they worked their way row by row, pulling weeds and removing greedy caterpillars. Often as a young girl Hinata would fall asleep in the warm sunshine to the sound of Hitomi's soothing voice as she switched between her narration and her favorite melodies. Even now, if she closed her eyes, she could hear her humming a lullaby, smell the grass and earth, feel the cool breeze tickle the hairs across her unblemished forehead. Bliss. Ignorant, beautiful, naive, bliss.
Hinata was lost in her own memories, nearly forgetting about Hiro-san, who had carried out another larger basket of freshly washed sheets. The dear woman had been keeping Hinata close by her side in the days following her abrupt inauguration into the Branch side of life. Always making sure she was eating, had a task to distract her, and a tin of salve to soothe her cracked hands. Her presence gave Hinata a kind of comfort reminiscent of a cozy blanket on a rainy day. Hiro-san couldn't stop the storm, but she could make you feel tucked in and safe, at least momentarily. Whenever the turmoil of her thoughts started to sweep her away, Hinata had been able to turn to the doting woman knowing she would always have a quick smile and a diversion to help ease her mind. The troubled girl found the woman's warm presence to be quite calming, that was until the her shrill screech pierced the air.
"KAMI SAVE US!" All the birds in a five mile radius fled with the ear-splitting shriek.
Abruptly startling out of her daze, Hinata completely lost her balance, her body toppling one way and her stool another. Unwilling to grab onto the clean hanging laundry and risk dirtying it to save herself, she braced for the wet impact of the cold mud. But it never came. Instead warm arms wrapped around her from behind, her head gently thumping against a hollow chest.
"Gotcha! That was close!" the loud familiar voice rang in her ear. "Whatcha doin' Hinata? Are you busy? You wanna come play with me for a bit? I found these two sticks that are perfect for fishing, so I thought maybe we could go down to the river? Have you ever fished before? It doesn't matter if you haven't, I can teach you...hey, Hinata?" The string of rapid babbling ceased as Naruto got a good look at the featherlight girl in his arms who was rapidly turning red as a tomato. He squinted at her closely and placed a warm hand on her forehead.
"You're really red again Hinata. Are you sure you're not sick or something? What was it that guy called it? Shy? Are sick with The Shy, Hinata?" The blond poked her cheek with a single finger the way one would jab an interesting toad. "Does The Shy make you not breathe too? How come you're not breathing? Hinaataaaaa!"
The innocent contact to her face had Hinata squeaking and jumping out of the blond's arms, panting and burying her blazing cheeks in her apron. Unwilling to abandon his ill friend Naruto leaned forward and continued to scrutinize her with a scrunched up face that made it seem as though thinking hard was slightly painful for him. As oxygen slowly returned to her brain Hinata couldn't help but start to giggle at his constipated expression.
"She is not sick with The Shy, foolish child. Being shy means that she is nervous and blushes easily," huffed Hiro as she emerged from behind the sheet she had nearly ripped from the line when the boy scared the bajeesus out her by dropping out of nowhere onto the rock where her basket sat. The Hyuga woman dramatically placed a hand over her pounding heart and fanned her own flushed face with the other. How the boy had gotten into the compound at all was beyond her. More amazingly still, was the agility with which he had caught Hinata-chan before she fell. Hiro had only seen Shinobi move with such speed! She was prepared to upbraid the rascal when she paused, seeing Hinata's expression. She's smiling? The child was actually laughing. I have't seen her do that since that day.
Hiro now gave her full attention to the curious blond, who was grinning goofily and rubbing the back of his head in a sheepish way that was quite endearing. He was not a large child, rather skinny she thought. His clothes were worn and his whole person could definitely use a good scrubbing. He obviously did not come from any clan, although wasn't the red swirl on his orange jacket the same as the one the Shinobi wore? Around his neck was a pristine red scarf that looked quite familiar. How could this boy sneak around anywhere is such bold colors? Even his hair was the brightest shade of blond she had ever seen. The child's face was by far his best feature. Hiro had never seen such blue eyes before, and his grin was open and friendly. Those marks on his cheeks though. Wait, oh, I see...
Being a servant meant having access to lots of gossip. Hiro had heard of the "Kyuubi Brat" frequently on her trips to the market, where public opinion of the boy was poor at best. She had seen the results of a few of the pranks he had concocted to torment some of the villagers. Personally, she rather thought most of them deserved it. The one particular merchant who had been irate to open his store one morning and find what appeared to be every stray cat from the entire village, strung out on catnip and gorging themselves on a massive puddle of spilled milk, was known as quite the cantankerous grump. Hiro knew for a fact that the man would unfairly doctor his produce scales. His shop had smelled of cat piss for weeks. She rather thought the old coot had needed to be taught a lesson.
While Hiro had been scrutinizing him, Naruto was contemplating this new concept of shyness. "Huh," he mused as he scratched his cheek with a dirty fingernail. "I don't really get it. But no worries Hinata! You don't need to feel shy with me, we're friends, dattebayo!" He punctuated his statement with a thumbs up and a flashing smile.
"You could help by not giving both of us a heart attack! Honestly! How on earth did you even get in here?" Hiro planted her hands in her hips and fixed the rascal with matronly glare.
"Um, I'm...super sneaky?" Naruto had hunched his shoulders at first, anticipating harsh reprimands and punishments like those of the sitters at the orphanage. But one of the emotions Naruto was easily able to recognize was hate, and there was none in this woman's gentle scolding. He flashed her an unconsciously adorable grin, complete with puppy dog eyes. "Sorry lady, I promise not to scare you next time." Hiro couldn't help but chuckle at the blond's attempt at innocence, not missing the fact that he had not exactly promised not to sneak in again, only to do so with less racket.
"Actually Naruto-kun," Hinata softly spoke for the first time, gesturing to the basket of wet laundry. "I c-can't play right n-now, I n-need to finish up these ch-chores."
"Oh, you mean those fancy clan duties Neji is always going on about?" Naruto did not miss the way Hinata had flinched with his question, like he had hurt her somehow. Concern for his friend filled him and he paused his energetic fidgeting to really see her. She was different. Her hair was short, her forehead bandaged, and even the fading pink blush that dusted her cheeks could not hide the dark circles under her pale eyes. Her eyes, they're, so sad. She looks hurt, and... lonely?
Naruto might not be the most observant when it came to understanding others and their feelings, Kami knew he had no clue what went through the minds of the villagers on a day to day basis. Yet Hinata was unique. Her eyes always seemed to communicate clearly what she struggled to say out loud.
He instinctively knew this was something that couldn't be explained by asking a thousand questions. She needed a listening ear, not a bunch of hollow words. Reaching up, he gently touched small fingertips to the girl's wrapped forehead, causing her to blink in surprise, but for some reason not pull away. Hinata felt her throat begin to close with emotion as she read the expression of concern and compassion on Naruto's face. He understands. She could feel it in his touch, see it in the deep blue eyes that mirrored her own pain but still had that shine of life that she felt had been dulled within herself. "I'm sorry you're hurting Hinata," he whispered, "I see you. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm your friend no matter what, OK?"
It started with hiccups, and before Hinata could find the strength to once again squash the crippling flood of emotions, the dam had broken and the tears poured out. Naruto didn't hesitate to offer what he had always wished someone had given him, and he held the sobbing girl as she fell apart on his shoulder.
Hiro had slipped behind a large sheet that hung across the yard, briskly brushing tears from her own cheeks with her apron. She had been trying for days to get the girl to crack, worried that the flat mask she presented was simply a lid on pot of building pressure, ticking down to an explosion. The supposedly "evil demon" child had managed to thaw Hinata's rapidly hardening heart with just a few simple words, helping her take that first step towards healing, and potentially saving her soul from walking life's path twisted by bitterness. Squaring her shoulders and smoothing down her simple working kimono, Hiro headed off to the kitchens with a small smile on her face. If there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that pastries and tea were excellent after a good cry. And that boy could certainly use some more meat on his bones.
Alone in the yard, the story of all the events came tumbling out in broken pieces as the two sat side by side on the rock next to the forgotten basket of laundry. From Hiashi sealing her, to her mother's death, and even her discovery of her true father. Hinata couldn't hold it in any longer, and Naruto was the only person who could listen, unbiased, to all her fears and secrets. He never once interrupted her, something most adults thought was physically impossible for the boy. His own mind reeled with trying to process all the intense emotions Hinata was expressing while simultaneously suppressing his rising fury at what that stupid Clan Head had done to his best friend. As she ran out of words, Hinata lapsed into tired choking sighs and scrubbed her face with her apron. Naruto's righteous indignation could hardly take it anymore and he placed a firm hand on Hinata's shoulder.
"Forget those stupid Main House bastards!" He declared while jabbing a thumb into his own chest. "Come live with me at the orphanage! I'll take care of you. I'll always protect my friends, dattebayo! You can even sleep in the bunk right next to mine—" Naruto stopped mid sentence when Hinata let out a loud "EEP!" and turned so red he thought steam might come out of her ears. Confusion filled him again as he squinted closely at the overheated girl. Poking her arm experimentally he said, "Uh, Hinata, are you having a Shy Attack or whatever again? Was it something I said? How long are you gonna not breathe this time?"
The stupefied look of complete befuddlement on the blond's scrunched up face made the overdone girl's mouth start to twitch. Her shoulders began to shake, unladylike snorting soon followed and before Naruto could decipher what faux pas he committed this time, Hinata had dissolved into delirious guffaws. The boy scratched the back of his head at the abrupt swing of her emotions and hesitantly chuckled a bit. Sheesh, girls are weird sometimes.
The duo's ensuing giggle fit was interrupted by Hiro's return, bringing with her a basket of treats with a bamboo container of tea, and Neji, who had just returned from the academy for the day. He looked surprised to see Naruto perched by his cousin's side, and equally if not more amazed to see his cousin genuinely happy for the first time since her banishment.
"Naruto-san," the older boy sternly addressed the uninvited guest. "How did you get past the guards patrolling the walls?" A foxy grin was the only response the mischievous blond gave, and Neji just sighed. "On second thought, I don't want to know."
The three children made short work of the food, Neji constantly telling Naruto to chew with his mouth closed as the younger boy peppered him with questions about the academy. Gulping down the last dregs of his tea, Naruto wiped a sleeve across his mouth before Hinata could pass him a napkin, while Neji wrinkled his nose in disgust at the lack of manners.
Totally ignoring the judgy boy's glare, Naruto pumped a fist onto the air. "Man I can't wait to go to The Academy! I'll be one step closer to becoming Hokage and showing everyone how awesome I am!" Naruto turned to Hinata with excitement dancing in his eyes like fire. "You're coming too, aren't you? We're gonna kick ass, and show 'em all not to underestimate us, dattebayo!"
Hinata blinked as the idea dawned on her. As the daughter of the Clan Head, she had been trained to be little more than a pretty showpiece. An attractive and well bred prize to lure elite suitors and lock down advantageous political alliances. Being a Shinobi was out of the question. But now that she was free of that pampered and protected life, the ninja world gleamed with new possibilities, and freedom.
Hinata thought about the message her mother had left her, encouraging her to choose her own fate. Kaa-san had called her unbreakable. Urged her to leave her gilded cage behind. What could characterize this more than the life of a Shinobi? Raising her gaze from the empty teacup in her hands, she met Naruto's sparkling eyes. She saw the unwavering faith in them that told her he absolutely believed she could do it. Certainty filled her. I can do this. I am not alone.
Neji had been watching his cousin's reaction to Naruto's loud statement, knowing that a life as a ninja went against everything she had ever been taught. The determination that filled her eyes as she clenched her tiny hands was a most welcome change from the hollow shell she had recently become. Turning shining lavender eyes to her cousin, Hinata addressed him with the resolute poise of a true Hyuga, "Neji-niisan, I wish to learn how to use The Byakugan."
The prodigy of Hyuga Clan did not hesitate at her request, he did not question her ability, courage, or potential. He smirked.
"I thought you'd never ask."
"The ceremony is tomorrow, I hear."
Hizashi snapped back to the present, deactivating his bloodline as he turned to the man who sharpening and polishing a kunai at the worktable. The father had noticed Hinata heading out with Hiro-san to the far side of the compound with the laundry, and had covertly used his Byakugan to see how she was holding up. The already quiet girl had been worryingly silent recently. While this meant she never complained about her new workload, it also meant that she had not expressed anything closely reminiscent of joy since the day her mother had walked out of the compound for the last time. Hizashi was no stranger to grief himself, and knew how quickly it could crush you from within.
But just now, he had seen her face shining once more as she talked with Naruto and Neji. Hizashi sighed with relief as he relaxed the veins on his temples. He had never been much for lofty sermons of comfort, always allowing his actions to speak louder than words. Though he knew that Hinata drew as much comfort from his presence as he did from her own, he was not so naive as to think that the sudden revelation of their relationship would erase all the child's heartache by itself. She would need a whole new circle of support to keep her from falling down the slippery slope of animosity that seemed to be contagious amongst some of the more bitter Branch members. The indescribably optimistic Naruto, the reliable to a fault Neji, and the doting tenderness of Hiro, were all an answer to Hizashi's prayers.
Snapping open the weapon inventory scroll that was hanging loosely in his hand, he refocused on Ko-san and his statement. Hizashi's face darkened as he mentally replayed the man's last words in his head.
"Hn."
The Hyuga guard nodded sagely in agreement with the cynical emotion expressed in the single syllable. Discarding the now sharpened weapon and picking up another, Ko-san continued to grumble, "I still cannot believe the council allowed him to remarry so quickly. Disgraceful lack of mourning, if you ask me."
"Have you seen the girl?" a new voice interrupted the two men, as another Branch guard entered the weapons storage room carrying a large wooden box that he thumped onto the table with a grunt. Hizashi nodded a greeting at the new arrival and silently went to examine the repaired equipment delivered from the blacksmith. "She has the look of a cat who got the cream," the man continued. "My wife is a maid for her family. She told me that the little snob, I think Ane-san is her name, has been stringing Hiashi along for months with all kinds of promises of heirs and shit if he would just marry her and make her part of the Main house." The man snorted as he leaned an elbow on the box and shook his head. "Stupid girl is playing a dangerous game. Falling short of The Head's expectations could cost her her own pretty head."
Making an effort to ignore the ache in his chest, Hizashi pretended to dismiss the gossip, but knew it was quite factual. Of all of his flings, Hiashi had been singularly bewitched by the charismatic young Ane-san, a yet unbranded daughter of an Elder looking to rise in the ranks. Hitomi had equally despised and pitied the ambitious flirt, but ultimately had realized that there was little she could do to turn her husband's head, short of producing another heir for him. And that was about as likely as snow in summer. The fact that the Clan Head had actually followed through on the demands made by his highly desired paramour was astonishing to those that knew him. He must be desperate indeed.
Ko-san examined the sharpened edge of the blade in his hand, scrutinizing it for any cracks or flaws. "Might be a good thing in the short term. It's keeping attention off the little one." Carefully placing the pristine piece of metal into its designated pile, he turned to Hizashi. "How has she been handling everything, by the way?" Both Hyuga guards faced Hizashi, their brows furrowed in concern for the fallen heiress.
His eyes drifted back out the window to where, without his Byakugan, all he could see were the distant lines of laundry slowly stirring in the breeze. The memory of his daughter's face that first morning, as she brandished the scissors in her hand while turning to meet his gaze, mouth set in determination, eyes steady and sure, hair shockingly short and uneven, rose up in his mind's eye. Hizashi smiled, nearly smirked, before proudly answering the men.
"She is her mother's daughter."
