Hinata and Tenten sat on the nearby benches in silence to wait for their escorts.
Tenten snorted, "He's a real interesting fellow i'll give him that."
Hinata reached over smacking her hand lightly.
"He just lost his Father and brother in one go, have some compassion."
Tenten barked out a laugh.
"No one has compassion like you Hinata, I personally think he could have at least thanked us for the wonderful job we did sealing the bloody place.' she huffed. You know,..
I'm convinced the rumors are true, you will be named the new high priestess."
Hinata Lifted a brow, "I'm hardly the best healer, or warrior".
Tenten shook her head,
I've only heard rumors of the Crown Princes' black flame, its destruction in raw form. Today, you helped him create a seal using those flames. You turned something better suited for destruction into something used to protect. That is exactly what the high mother wants from us.
She paused, giving Hinata a sly grin, and from the way the Crown Prince looks at you; I'd say you have a good chance at becoming his intended."
Hinata blushed and shrugged, a movement that seemed misplaced upon her shoulders.
"Whatever the outcome, I will do my duty"
"As you should" a familiar voice called out.
Hinata rose from the bench and whirled around to see King Neji of the heavenly hills. Releasing a great breath of air, she bowed to him deeply
Tenten hastened to follow her, their voices coming together to address him,
"My King"
And he was, The lands the two women presided over were the heavenly hills of the Hyuuga and for the next forty-eight hours they would continue to serve him.
Neji stepped forward, close enough that the young women stepped away.
"My Lord" Hinata began.
Neji waved her off, stepping forward again to pull her into a hug.
You may have given up your name for the sake of the
Clan, but you will always be my sister.
She blushed, and quickly returned the hug. Stepping back he then reached for Tenten who slipped in and out of his grasp in a blink.
Neji's smile was soft,
"One of the regular guards would have escorted you back but I could not pass up the opportunity to see you before the selection".
Hinata noted the way his eyes darted around searching for hidden eyes.
"Then let us be off",Hinata said softly 'we have been ordered to return tomorrow at first light we have much to prepare".
Neji nodded and turned, long brown hair swinging lightly behind him.
"Come" he called, 'we have much to discuss. Before you return."
Quickly they fell in line standing two steps behind the king, after all. Only their wives, a Pillar was permitted to stand next to a King.
Neji cleared his throat, as the entered the palace walking briskly towards the outer gate. They were closer to the Exit than they realized, the palace had been built up instead of out.
Tapestries of deep navy and red depicted the grandiose victories of the famed Uchiha clan, dwindling in size but not in power. The floors were pristine white marble and the sharp crack of Neji's wooden heel created a clear rhythmic tapping the closer they got to the exit. It echoed as the sound traveled across high ceilings and darkly stained glass windows. tap tap, tap tap the sound was easily counted. One two, one two, one two. This was the gait of a warrior, trained and disciplined.
Belatedly Hinata noted the silence of her own feet. She was a warrior yes, but a silent one. As she gazed along the Palace wall, taking in the grandeur of it all she thought back on Tenten's prophecy of their impending selection. How could she become the grand Pillar if her very presence was at complete odds with the residence of the Emperor? No she thought, Tenten was wrong. she would be lost here.
The trio traveled in silence until they made it to the stables.
Talking quietly amongst themselves as the servants suited the horses for travel.
"You should just pack everything tonight. With the funeral tomorrow, all of the priestess' of the high court will need to be in attendance."
Tenten snorted, we have to make a miracle for his Eminence,
Neji chuckled you make the word eminence sound like an insult.
She gasped, softly.
"Me? Why, I could never!"
Neji chuckled, "is his demand that complicated?"
Hinata hummed,
"at least hours of research, and then there is always the possibility that it cant be removed."
The conversation halted, as one of the horses rammed against the gate that kept him locked away. Hinata stepped forward, leaving the two to watch.
"What's wrong" she asked softly approaching the shuddering wooden gate.
The terrified stable hand shook his head
"a beast of a horse I'm afraid, no one has been able to control it,"
Hinata frowned. Walking forward she placed a palm on the door
"what is the horses name?
"Midnight , my lady"
The stable hands face twisted in confusion at the delight that crossed her face.
"Please open the gate"
You can't possibly,-
Neji stepped forward cutting him off repeated,
"open the gate."
Blanching, the stable hand rushed forward, undoing the locks with shaky hands.
As the last lock was released, Midnights ramming against the door stopped. Pulling open the door, Midnight walked forward, puffing air heavily from his nostrils. Stamping a hoof down in dominance. Stopping directly in front of Hinata. Midnight bowed.
She reached up and patted his head. Running her fingers lovingly along his sides.
"Please place a saddle on Midnight."
Scrambling, they complied hesitating once before approaching the massive beast and heaving the saddle into place.
Once Midnight was ready she swung herself into place.
Lifting her head she nodded at Neji and Tenten, both already seated and ready to depart.
With a soft press of her knees, she guided Midnight through the open doors and the trio walked off into the night.
Easing the speed of the horses into a trot, Tenten began to speak.
"To be clear what we know of the seal is very little, and while we can technically deconstruct any seal between the two of us; there are seals that tether to the soul; and if that's the case,...' it doesn't matter how we remove it on the surface because there would be an imprint on the soul."
Neji frowned, narrowing his eyes in thought he questioned, couldn't you use the same routine on the soul.
Hinata giggled then,
" Neji, we can't touch a soul; and the only way to know if a seal is tethered to a soul, is to use spiritual pressure. Harmless when the soul is well, just a soul,- But a soul with a seal attached…"
Hinata shivered.
"it's terrible " she whispered.
Neji flashed his eyes between the two women, "what's so terrible about them?"
"Phantoms." Tenten almost snarled
"The soul mutates. It rots, it becomes raw vengeance; basically the seal attempts to live on far after the soul even separates from the body."
Neji, paused
"Is this what eventually becomes a night crawler?"
Tenten nodded.
"They start as phantoms, they leech emotion from any living thing that can exhibit emotion humans, animals and then once they have their wild understanding of emotion they go after the physical form. Often returning to the same creatures to devour them. Once they have regained a physical form they are what we know as night crawlers. Litteral monsters that move under the cover of night. These are the creatures the higher echelons of the priestess hunt".
Neji paused,
" the upper echelons of the priestess being you lot for the selections and the Pillars."
"Basically, just the Pillars' Tenten commented.
There are very,.. Specific skill sets and ranks that have to be acquired. The only reason those of us up for a selection have battled them, is because of the last war.
Amegakure used seals on their soldiers against their pillars wishes. four Pillars and three Kings wiped out in an instant."
Neji frowned how is it that you know more about this than we do?
Tenten chuckled "I suppose you'll find out during the selection."
The conversation slipped into the quiet punctuated by the clop of their horses hooves and the occasional whoot of an owl.
Hinata eased into a cantor, pulling their minds from the worlds they secreted themselves away in. "we best be off, much to do and so little time."..
Neji nodded once, pressing his knees into the side of his shire to take the lead in a gallop.
Preparations had to be made.
Shimura Danzo sat, erect in a stone chair. His face scarred and half hidden by a porcelain mask was cold and hard to read.
He stared down at his subordinates. Hundreds of men and women crouched before him.
Most warriors, a few servants; inconspicuous observers with plenty of intel, and yet none of them with the intel he desperately needed.
Where was Uchiha Itachi?
Allegedly he was dead, and yet a fist full of dread held on to his stomach with a vice like grip.
He was missing something and no one could tell him what it was.
Struggling to remain calm he bit back the urge to snarl before picking up his staff and banging it three times.
The crack of metal against marble was startling, and yet not a single soul moved, save for the servant who stepped forward, bowing deeply as she did.
My lord? she questioned.
Where is Sai? His voice was deep and rough.
She shivered lightly before speaking.
"Sai has been apprehended. It appears the Crown Prince has arrested anyone given a position of importance within the empire that has been a suggestion of your own. Currently several guards, two dukes and both priestess from your land have been imprisoned."
Danzo sneered then, his twisted face contorting almost painfully as the skin pulled back from his mouth.
"So he is a cautious child after all. He mused,
" No matter;.. Sai will not speak, and the others are disposable. The mission lives on.
Send a message to Orochimaru, tell him very simply; 'I need a snake in the garden."
The girl bowed again deeply before disappearing through a hidden door.
As the sound of the rolling stone door closing echoed around the room, Danzo rose from his chair and stepped forward to address his subordinates.
"The mission continues, Danzo punctuated each phrase with a limp and the echoing sound of his staff against the floor. each of you has a role to play, I advise you to play it well. The world as we know it is chaos.We will be the driving force, the power necessary for change. As the leaves of our great tree crumble we will provide nourishment; Blood will run heavy in the streets from the battle to come. Let her drink it in from the Root."
The speech was not wholly new, and the rumble of voices came together in the large chamber as Danzo's subordinates began to chant root, root, root, root.
Danzo's smile was slow and grim. Yes she will drink it from the Root.
Tenten and Hinata packed their bags quickly, thankful that their clothing for the selection had been chosen weeks ago. Together, they slipped into the temple library, burying themselves deep in the restricted section doing research on tongue binding and silencing seals. Half past the witching hour it appeared the two had gone over every article they could find. Glancing at her notes Hinata sighed,
" hope you found something helpful."
Tenten shook her head.
" not even remotely. All of these books tell us how to place a seal, but not to remove one."
Hinata hummed, blinking her tired eyes in the dim light,
Tenten looked around running through the titles of each section
Death seals, reaper seals silencer seals, stealth seals. She paused.
"You know,' Hinata began, 'that cross in the mid section of his seal looked a bit like a-"
"Stealth seal" Tenten finished.
They shared a look,
"It-it couldn't be that easy, could it?" Hinata questioned.
Tenten shrugged. Looking over the titles yet again.
"It's possible that if each part of the seal was a minor one from each section, it would be just difficult enough to keep people from deconstructing it; but easy enough to apply."
Hinata hummed,
" well then it's a good thing you specialize in stealth seals Tenten."
"She chuckled and very fortunate for us that you are a reaper seal specialist. Death seals though ..."
"Nasty stuff 'Hinata murmured, 'I have some experience just enough so that I can understand the reaper seals; but death seals specifically and usually deal with necromancy.
The only way I could see it used would be if ...-" She cut herself off watching the smoke curl away from a candle that had just gone out. her eyes widened in horror.
Tenten leaned forward eyes wide
"H-he wouldn't."
"He k-killed the emperor and the first Crown Prince, wouldn't he?"
Hinata bit her lip standing up and grabbing the only book in the section.
Puffing air into her cheeks she smacked her palms against them with a loud pop as she let the air deflates from her lips.
"Take a nap Tenten. I can finish this one in an hour or two. I'll take notes, and then we can switch, and you can read my notes."
Tenten nodded okay. Wake me if your having any trouble.
Hinata waved her hands calmly sleep Tenten.
The girl nodded before settling herself in one of the window nooks with her bag under her head for support. She was asleep before Hinata opened the book.
Stealing herself, she glanced down. Reading chapter one: living sacrifice.
Sai's breathing was labored.
The Kings of the empire were no joke. Having to fight your way to the top meant that you were hardened. Stronger than steel and tenaciously vicious when the need arose. It was why the Pillars were necessary. They were mercy in physical form. These men had none.
His flesh felt as if it had been melted from his skin, his bones broken, his mind ravaged and his spirit literally shaking. They did not seem to understand that they could not break him.
Not that he hadn't wanted to cave and give them the information they were seeking no, he had tried several times to scream out the answers but the burning of his tongue and the acid that burned in his veins as he tried was another form of terror all together. He shivered. Whimpering he begged them to stop,
"Please!" he gasped out,
"if I could tell you I would, it prevents me from telling you."
Sasuke stepped forward into the dim lighting, you'll give me the information I need in due time Sai, for now I just want to hear you scream.
Sai's eyes widened in fear, his silence was broken by something new, something foreign. A scream unlike any other as he looked into wide red eyes.
Sasuke breathed slowly. In through the nose and out through his mouth. His hand still trembled as he swiped a hand down the length of his face. The Kings of his court, his friends and closest confidants were quiet. The confessions they had managed to get from the other prisoners had been deeply worrying. The depth of Danzo's betrayal had only been scratched. It seemed he had been deceiving them for years. Only now after years of careful planning had things changed, and definitely not for the better. Sasuke looked up. Taking in their grave faces.
Friends, brothers, hell two of them felt more like uncles.
He frowned. Straightening his shoulders he began,
" Shimura Danzo has made his move. His blatant betrayal was a calculated. He has been operating in the shadows for too long and it all must come to light. While I wish that this could be the first and only thing we had to pursue we must, take on the selection that is to come.
The future is dark, and it has become clear tonight of all the nights, that we may all need a touch of mercy. The Pillars are needed. The balance has tipped dangerously and while all of the factions may represent a different deighty, let it be known, the empire was united under the defiance of just one. Jashin's darkness will not touch the Empire without feeling our Wrath."
Naruto, a friend, a brother, a King stepped forward and placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "We'll burn down all who stand in our way."
He thumped his chest with his right hand twice before dropping to his knee in a pledge. One clear and loud.
"For the empire!"
The room was loud with the sound of hands thumping on chests twice as the Kings of the court dropped to bended knee and echoed "For the empire"
Tenten woke suddenly sitting upright and staring out of the window in confusion. The sky was getting light. Which, it wasn't supposed to be doing; because she was only supposed to be asleep for an hour, maybe two. She turned then prepared to give Hinata a tongue lashing for letting her sleep to find the girl sitting at the table with the book closed, a neat stack of papers to her left. Frowning she sat up, mouth opening to ask Hinata what was wrong but stopped. She took in her pale face, ghostly almost as it was missing her usual warmth. Her cheeks were tear stained and her eyes a bit red.
"Hinata", Teneten began.
Pearl eyes locked on chestnut before widening.
"I-" she stopped short, turning her eyes to her research
"Oh Tenten it's terrible' she whispered. 'The things you have to do".
She shivered. Standing slowly she placed the book back on the shelf.
"I- I couldn't bring myself to wake you. Not for this. I-its too much Tenten and if I had to explain…"
Hinata shook her head. Indigo tresses fanning around her.
" Forgive me Tenten but if you do not need the information I would almost prefer you never have to know it."
Tennten took in her shaking form and nodded.
"I understand Hinata, however I need to know."
She sat down with the notes in her hand and began to read. Blanching at the simplified rituals in Hinata's handwriting. Small, neat and unassuming. Her cursive was elegant and clear.
It was in a word disturbing.
She frowned after reading the third page she placed the papers down onto the table with a deep breath. Hinata was brilliant. The notes were so concise that three pages very clearly described the content of about five chapters. She glanced back at the book on the shelf.
"Hinata" she whispered, "How many chapters are there?"
Hinata closed her eyes for a moment before answering.
"Twenty five,There- there were pictures Tenten. Diagrams and- and."
Hinata gave out a strangled scream. Every word was burned into the back of her eyelids. She could see them everytime she closed her breakdown of minerals that would technically create a human body.
The instructions on creating a seal with blood. How to dismember a body to make a doll.
She slumped against the shelf and gasped for air. The words "boiling the head works best" stretched across her irises.
"What kind of sick monster would-",
She gasped again and stopped herself from continuing.
"You only need to read the last page Tenten, and then we can go".
Tenten nodded, picking up the stack of papers she slipped to the very end titled: Removing a death seal.
Her eyes moved swiftly along the page, her eyes widening as the ink stopped and the page became blank.
Tenten blinked. "So we kill him".
Hinata nodded. "Yes"
Tenten frowned, "but then we revive him?"
Hinata nodded again.
Tente shook her head,
"I'm not really understanding this Hina".
Hinata walked over gathering her findings and pulling out her own sealing scroll to put all of her notes away.
"To put it simply we have to stop his heart in order to remove the seal. We'll have exactly six minutes to remove the seal and restart his heart. Then we'll have to test his spirit. We don't really have any options for releasing spiritual seals. No one can grasp a soul without a rinnegan and it's been centuries since we've seen one of those".
Tenten walked over to her bag, slinging it on to her shoulders.
"The portal will open in a few minutes Hinata."
She nodded closing her pack and pulling it on, she followed Tenten out of the library, outing the candles and torches as she walked past.
When Tenten and Hinata stepped through the portal there were two things evident. The first, was that the welcoming committee was severely lacking. In that Nara Shikamaru, King of the Shadowlands was standing there with two horses. The second was that there were only two horses and there were three bodies. Two of which happened to be bodies that were not permitted to touch the body of a King unless he was a, mortally wounded and therefore in need of medical attention or b. Their husband and seeing as though the answer to both scenarios was a very simple No, Hinata cocked her head to the side in confusion.
Tenten simply raised a slender eyebrow in question.
"My king?"
"Troublesome", he mumbled.
"Your horse", he stared pointedly at Hinata "is there". He jutted his chin out towards Hinata's left.
Turning until the wild dark horse Midnight came into view, she smiled. Scurrying to his side and patting gently before reaching into her pack and bringing out a slice of apple.
Midnight greedily ate out of her hand. She turned when he finished bowing deeply towards Shikamaru before swinging herself into his saddle.
Hinata waited patiently for the two to settle in. Shikamaru slumped forward and looked back once before nodding
" full speed".
The two women complied. Pressing their knees until they were moving at a full gallop.
A prisoner awaited their arrival.
Shikamaru leapt from his horse. Handing her off to the stable master. He paused waiting for the two young women to do the same. He raised an eyebrow as he watched Hinata pull another apple slice from her bag whispering gently to the massive beast. She stepped back, and the stable master moved forward hesitantly.
Midnight stomped a hoof, almost seeming to taunt the poor man. Hinata berated the horse once; he neighed seemingly annoyed that she didn't find it as funny as he did.
Hinata walked away offering a smile to the stable master as she went.
"He shouldn't be much trouble now. Just, be gentle okay?"
The man nodded, moving forward with purpose.
Hinata finally turned to Shikamaru, bowing quickly before uttering "lead the way my lord".
He turned then, discreetly rolling his eyes. Walking briskly, they crossed the palace grounds. Stopping at one of the many towers that lined the cliff, Shikamaru nodded to two guards before opening the door and ushering the two women inside.
They paused as he swept ahead to lead them further down into the dungeon.
The lower they went, the louder the wails seemed to be, until they met a silence so thick it swallowed the sound of their footsteps.
Hinata shivered. The silence was unnatural, as if someone was trapped mouth open with nothing but a plea for death on the tip of their tongue. When Sai came into view, she would find that she was half correct. He looked awful.
Had it honestly been ten hours since she had last seen him?
His eyes were glazed over, and although she could not see a single wound, she knew he was in excruciating pain.
Hinata had zeroed in on her target, barely registering the rather large number of men in the room. She walked forward, stumbling before collapsing at his feet. She drew heavy breaths before rising again and staggering to a corner to retch,. Tenten cast a glance at the men in the room. Uncaring that she would seem rude as she walked over to Hinata and patted her back.
Hinata was a true empath. To say that she felt his agony was an understatement.
"What- she choked, 'what have you done?"
It was supposed to be a statement, but the pain laced in her words made it an accusation.
Visions flashed across her sight. She reared back. Gasping Tenten, Grabbed her hand and hauled her from the room. Unaware the Crown Prince followed directly behind her.
Hinata stood just outside of the chamber gasping.
"What the hell was that?" Sasuke all but snarled.
Tenten turned to defend her friend, stopping as she felt her small hand grip her arm.
Tenten made eye contact with her before nodding and quietly stepping back into the room.
"I, apologize Crown Prince" she said thickly. 'Sai has always struggled with emotion a-and what you've done to him"she shivered; "all that is pushing at me is grief, fear and pain". She looked up voice strained. "Usually I can block out other people's emotions but I-I've never quite experienced something of that caliber. I just need a moment more' she whispered, a-and I will be prepared to begin".
Sasuke watched her for a moment. He was no fool, he understood that there had been rumors about her. He had heard from Neji himself that while Hinata was a capable warrior she had never made a killing blow. He could see why now. To finish that blow would be akin to killing herself. He turned on his heel and returned the the chamber. Kneeling he pulled open Sai's eyes. Inky irises turned red as he released him from agony.
Sai shuddered as he came too, lifting his head he asked "what -what made you end it"?
Sasuke looked away for a moment before answering through clenched teeth.
"It appears your mercy has arrived".
Hinata walked back in the room hair tied on the top of her head, gloves on her hands and her expression unreadable.
Tenten stepped forward and hooked a wire to either side of his mouth.
" stick out your tongue."
It was a command and not a request
Sai complied,
The seal was dark against the pink of his tongue.
The two women got to work pulling out small scroll each and began writing furiously .
An hour passed and then two. Sais mouth had run dry, a single line of drool ran down the length of his body.
Hinata stopped writing, swapping scrolls with Tenten.
They poured over each others work . analyzing the suspected order the increments were placed in.
Sasuke was growing impatient. It had been too long without any results. He opened his mouth to say something when Neji's hand came down on his shoulder. He glanced at the hand, and turned his eyes back to Hinata to find that she had activated the famous Byakugan. Staring intently at the seal she began to speak.
Stealth cross
circle of silence,
x, stealth of the mind.
Three lines reaper seal of omission.
Four dashes death seal of the fates.
Tenten wrote it down in order. Frowning.
"This is more volatile than I had anticipated."
Hinata nodded removing the wires from the side of his face.
She turned bowing deeply
" we'll need some restraints this will be painful".
Shikamaru stepped forward wrapping the man in shadow bindings from head to toe.
Hinata bit her lip and nodded crouching down she pulled out a needle, pulling his tongue back out of his mouth she passed the needle to Tenten who leaned close.
Her voice loud in the room as she murmured.
"Second art of Stealth sealing, removal of the cross."
she pushed chakra into the needle like thread and sewed until the entire cross was covered. It pulsed once, twice before she turned it upside down and it disappeared from its place in the seal.
Hinata opened sai's mouth wide pushing her small hand to the back of his throat.
"Second art of Silence, opening of the throat".
Sai attempted to thrash as the smell of burning flesh filled the air. Hinata pulled her hand out quickly watching as the circle surrounding the rest of the sigils disappeared.
Tenten pulled a wicked looking blade out holding it over the fire of a torch. she kneeled down, burning a new x into his tongue.
"Third art, Stealth release of the mind", pulling the blade back she took a deep breath before sinking the blade into the center of his forehead.
Hinata's hand pulsed over his chest, lightning dancing along her palms pushing them into his chest she forced the lightning to arch across the body nestling deep,
"First art of the Reaper deceit by omission".
Sai's heart stopped. Tenten drew a new seal across his tongue as Hinata removed her hands from his chest and nestled them above his center, byakugan activated she pressed down and removed the remainder of chakra from his body.
Activating the new seal Tenten and Hinata chanted together
"Fifth art of Death, traveling beyond the gate".
The reaction was instant the force of removing the seal from the body ripped apart the shadow restraints. His mouth opened in a silent scream,
Hinata quickly drew a circle around the body adding sigils as she went.
Tenten removed the blade from his forehead stepping just outside of the circle.
Clapping their palms together and then dropping to the floor Hinata shouted
"First art of the heavenly palm, revival".
Tenten poured as much as she could into the seal letting Hinata's swell of chakra overwhelm hers and take charge. When the light died down the girls leapt forward pushing on his chest and blowing air into his lungs until he took a shuddering breath.
Sai was awake, confused and in pain.
"Stick out your tongue" Tenten commanded.
His movements were slow and uncertain opening his sore jaw and poking out a blank pink tongue.
The two girls slumped; Sasuke stepped forward
Taking in the exhausted girls.
"He'll n-need time Your lordship".
He turned taking in Hinata's quaking form.
"The unsealing required us to move through his entire life force; twenty-four hours." She breathed, 'twenty-four hours and we can do the spirit test and then all you must know will come to light".
Sasuke nodded his head slowly.
"Very well". He turned his eyes to Tenten, who was breathing heavy, smoke rising from the palms of her hands.
"To speed things, you may want to have our lady Tsunade heal him. His mind will be- fragmented for a few hours. ``
Sasuke tapped his foot once impatiently.
Juriah stepped forward,
"I will summon her at once".
Sasuke hummed his approval.
"You both must be exhausted. We have plenty of rooms. Once you return to the palace grounds you will be escorted to the healing baths, and then to your rooms.'
He bowed, 'your efforts are greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten".
The two girls shared a look, rising slowly and gathering their things from around the room.
They waited as the men filed from the room walking behind them.
Hinata paused at the croak coming from Sai. She turned taking in his smiling form.
"Th-ank Y-you he choked out".
Hinata sighed pushing her hair back from her face.
"Find the light Sai, and stay with it".
She walked from the room. Closing her eyes as if the loss of sight would save her from the echoing boom of the chamber being closed off.
The girls leaned on each other, stumbling after the Kings and border line collapsing as they made it to the palace grounds.
Medics rushed forward laying the two women on a cot each, carting them away to the healing baths.
Sasuke Led the men to his private war room.
Sitting, he looked to Shikamaru
"the time?"
"Half past nine".
"They were faster than I expected".
"And yet you were impatient" Neji answered.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"I am sure you would be impatient should the same had happened to your father".
"There are a great many things you know' Neji answered, 'the circumstances of my fathers death is not one of them."
Closing his eyes Neji bowed his head.
" Forgive me,' he bit out." Hinata and Tenten are both from my domain, I have grown, protective".
Sasuke nodded.
" Forgive me perhaps instead. He sighed I have been demanding of late".
The priestess' will arrive at three. The service will begin promptly. Keep your eyes sharp. While I find it hard to believe Danzo had been capable of infiltrating the order of the Priestess at such a high level we cannot take any chances.
The war begins at home. And the selection is but hours away.
Tenten was calm when she woke. The warmth of the healing baths had lured her into a death like sleep. Her hands no longer burned. Pulling them from the glowing blue waters she noted there were no left over scars either. She reached her hands high above her head in a long and languid stretch. Noting that someone had pulled her hair out of her buns allowing it to soak in the water. Turning her head she noticed Hinata a few feet away asleep. Her hair had been let down from her high ponytail and looked washed. Reaching up Tenten grasped the damp strands of hair on her head. They must have cleaned them up before depositing them in here. She sighed.
"Hinata"
the girl blinked her weary eyes before sitting upright and yawning. Covering her mouth with a dripping hand.
"Hmm"
Tenten smiled.
"I'm not sure how long we've been out." she looked up at the stone ceiling. "I'm not even sure what time it is."
Hinata rolled her shoulders before standing up. The slosh of water rolling off her skin wetting the area around her. She climbed out easily enough spotting a towel and robe not too far away.
Tenten followed suit, amazed at how much energy had been restored.
The two girls now dressed in silken black robes walked towards the only visible door and pushed.
There they found two servants kneeling.
"Good morning young priestess my name is Hana,-
"And my name is Hima and we will be your personal aides for the duration of your stay here".
The girls were twins, dark hair, brown eyes with heavy brows.
Hinata smiled stepping forward before murmuring
"please take care of us".
The twins shared bright smiles before rising.
" Let us escort you to your rooms" they said in unison.
The girls padded over barefoot until two pairs of slippers were handed to them.
Quickly the duo slid them on their feet. The second set of doors opened leading them into naturally lit corridor
What time is it?" Tenten asked.
High noon my lady.
The girls stopped short in front of two rooms.
"Your bags will be found inside, your clothes have been taken out and ironed. Do you require help with your hair"?
Tenten and Hinata shared a look and nodded.
"Very well" Hima answered "I will assist you my lady". She bowed deeply to Tenten before opening the door to the left and shutting it softly behind them.
Hana opened the door for Hinata ushering her in.
The room was large lavender and gold decal along the walls with floor to ceiling windows that opened to a balcony.
Hinata smiled the view was of the hills, it reminded her so completely of home that for a moment she felt sick.
Turning her eyes to the young girl pulling her garments from the closet she began to talk.
"I have a sister, about your age, her name is Hanabi".
Hana paused looking up from the dress she had pulled out of the closet.
Blinking in confusion Hana cocked her head to the side, "I'm sorry?"
Hinata sighed
"I'm sure you aren't used to talking to the women you wait on but I would appreciate it if you could be my friend as well".
Hana's cheeks darkened "friends?"
"Yes, you tell me things, and I'll tell you things".
Hana smiled softly "I- I would like that"
"Good",
Hinata walked over pulling her undergarments on herself. Before sliding the robe back onto her shoulders and sitting at the vanity.
She watched as Hana laid the dress out on the bed and came closer, reaching for a brush and pulling it through Hinata's long hair.
"Your sister, she started off tentatively, "what was she like?"
Hinata smiled
"Oh she's as brilliant as her namesake. Hanabi, her personality is like fire. She's quick witted with quite a temper and a refusal to back down. Fierce and protective and by default unbelievably warm and loving to those she deems worthy of her care".
Is she a priestess like you?
"No, she isn't much of a healer. Instead, she is the lord commander of King Neji's troops.
Oh I hope to see her today it's been so long…"
Hana smiled,
you sound very much like a loving mother. You seem so proud.
"I am, our mother passed while we were young. So I did raise her as long as I could while I began my training as a Shrine Priestess. Eventually I had to leave for the High Shrine, it's been about four years since ive seen her. I'm sure she's grown so strong".
Hinata lifted her eyes to meet Hana's in the mirror.
"What about you, aside from Hima do you have any other siblings"?
Yes, a brother, though like you it has been years since I have seen him.
The conversation flowed and as time passed Hinata stared at her hair in the mirror.
"How are you doing that?"
Hana paused, doing what?
"I've- never seen my hair gleam like that."
Oh, Hana giggled the brushes are coated in a light bit of oils. When I brush it while damp it helps the hair absorb it. Picking up a comb she parted the hair down the middle sectioning off hair, and making quick braids that she wove together with practiced hands. Picking up a white and red ribbon she wove it through the braids, creating a sort of crown on her head. Nodding, Hana then reached for the make up, adding mascara to the lashes and red to the lip.
"Now, we best get you in your dress and shoes quickly if you are to arrive on time."
Hinata stepped up, pulling on the under shirt; a high color with a pattern that looked like curls of white smoke crawling upwards against the black of the material. Hana buttoned the back patting Hinata's shoulder when she was done.
She then raised her arms as the black kimono was wrapped around her person and the obi, lined with a subtle navy blue wrapped tightly around her waist.
Hana Bent down helping Hinata slip her feet into her socks before sliding her feet into the sandals. Nodding once Hana pulled the door open and Hinata stepped into the hallway as Tenten did.
The two girls shared a look and laughed softly. You look beautiful Tenten.
Her chocolate locks were gleaming, half up with two buns her usual and yet the rest of her hair cascaded down her back in light waves.\
rather than a traditional kimono, she wore a Back long sleeved qipao dress .
"These girls have skills that might even surpass Ino don't you think?"
Hinata laughed,
" don't let her hear or she'll give you nightmares".
Tenten scoffed. She can try.
The rest of the walk fell into silence. The clack of their sandles against the marble floor the only sound for a few minutes.
Hana and Hima led the two down to the throne room. Where all of the Kings and High priestess' would gather to say farewell.
Gathered in the hall were the and Ino, Temari and several others they hadn't gotten close to.
They shared a quick glance, flashing smiles around before turning to the doors and waiting for them to open.
The Kings gathered in the throne room
Watching as Sasuke walked in from the east entrance stepping down, to the last step in the center of the room; he nodded his head.
The guards pulled the doors open, allowing the Priestess' entrance. They walked in carrying calm on their shoulders coming to a stop and bowing deeply before the Crown Prince. Tsunade walked in from the western entrance. Clapping her hands together once for their attention
The service had begun.
The procession of the fallen was a solemn thing.
The Kings carried the casket of the fallen Crown Prince Itachi. The Sasuke carried his father's casket with the help of King Kakashi. They walked through the streets presenting proof of the emperor's death to the public.
The city was silent in mourning. Fugaku ruled with an iron fist, but his heart was of gold.
The people bowed as they passed.
Watching as the Crown prince carried his brother and father to the water. Laying their caskets on the floating funeral pires they were set adrift.
Sasuke was quiet for a moment before he spoke loud enough for all to hear. The Uchiha were born in fire, and We return to earth as ashes.
Raising his hand and breathing deeply, he set the two caskets aflame.
Slowly the crowd dissipated. First the commoners, then a few of the kings and priestess'. One by one they left the shore until Sasuke stood alone staring as the flame quieted and a breeze blew the ashes across the water.
He stood, rooted to the spot long after the evidence of their passing had gone.
The sun was beginning to set and still he did not move.
Hinata, unable to let him be alone walked forward and stood next to him.
"We do not simply cease to exist my lord". She began.
Sasuke scoffed "and yet that appears to be the case".
Hinata hummed,
"yes well the body is like a candle. A physical object that gives a flame a place to burn.
Yet if the flame begins with the candle, when does it end?"
It ends when the candle burns out.
"No" Hinata shook her head softly.
"The candle may light another candle. It might set off a spark; light a torch, the torch might light a fireplace, the flame will live on. Often times in more places than one. ``
She turned giving her back to the water.
"This Empire is a flame My lord. You may feed it your love, your rage and everything in between. But do not forget where this flame comes from; less the light finally go out".
She walked away.
Leaving Sasuke standing on the shore with new resolve.
Feed the flame, it will protect those deserving, and burn down all who oppose.
.
.
.
.
Alright guys that's chapter two!
I hope there aren't too many mistakes. I pulled an all nighter trying to get this finished and edited with decent timing.
Please review and don't be scared to ask any questions!