Sasuke watched Hinata settle into place at the breakfast nook and realized it was the first meal where he was looking at her. He paused before reaching out and lifting the lid off the marinated tomatoes. Hinata was staring down at the table with wide eyes. Sasuke merely raised a brow as he organized plates for easy access and stopped when he realized he was about to eat, but she had not moved. Hinata" Her head snapped up, and he realized the color had drained from her face. hat's wrong?" She shook her head. " something about the table."

- her frown deepened. " it reminds me of something, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

He nodded. " e can explore that later, but you need to eat. You have ascension today."

Sasuke watched as her eyes widened further, nearly engulfing her face. S e nodded and ducked her head, lifting a rice bowl and silently picking at it.

"Hinata"

"I can't,"

He raised a brow.

She shrugged softly. " t's a blessing, but you have to get through the curse first."

Sasuke placed his chopsticks down and regarded her calmly before saying, "Eating should steady your nerves. " She spared him a smile. " es, well, and I might well come back up later."

"Can I ask you what happens during this ritual?"

"You can ask, but I don't have an answer. It's different for everyone."

Sasuke looked perturbed, and she put her bowl of rice down and reached for a cup of tea.

"What do you know of the priesthood?"

Sasuke glanced at her, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating. H chewed slowly and swallowed before answering.

"You go to the temple, pray for hours, and receive a blessing and blood signing. T at's the short version."

Hinata smiled and turned her head to look at the mural on the wall above the bed.

"Do you know why the Uchiha became the rulers instead of the Senju?"

Sasuke paused.

"We were stronger."

At Hinata's skeptical glance, he sat back in his chair and stared her down.

"We were stronger. I came down to the Senju, with all their chakra, who did not have the mental fortitude to leave the tunnel."

Hinata shook her head.

"When the priesthood was formed, it was with zero regard for an empire. A group of women with power relative to her clan wanted to end the bloodshed. After much urging, the appeal for a cease-fire and peace talks had grown. T e majority of the clans agreed. However, the vote was split on who was to lead the empire. A new war began between those that supported the Senju and those that supported the Uchiha. In a desperate attempt to quell the violence, the order decided to pray for 14 days. They were locked in a halo chamber with no water and no food. By day seven, our numbers were cut in half."

"Yes," Sasuke nodded, "and on the tenth day, a Senju said she received a vision of a tunnel and that those who had fallen dead were to be buried in a deep tomb with a tunnel to the surface and one from each clan would go down to seal the tomb. On y the Uchiha made it out. "

Hinata looked at him and said, "that's where the story is skewed. E everything we do is documented. However, it was up to the personal interpretation of how things were recorded in those days. According to the caliginous scrolls, we were to bury our dead in a tomb, seal it and set it ablaze. I was a test or sabotage; either way, the tomb was sealed incorrectly. W en the fires were set, air escaped what we thought was an air-tight tomb. There was an explosion of compressed fire ate at the ground. The Senju's vision was incomplete, and we recreated the descent to Yomi. T e girls that died were undead vassals of Izanami. The Uchiha put out the fires, and when the girls made it out of the tomb, we warred with the undead. The Uchiha clan head loved his wife, and she loved him. she sacrificed herself to hold the girls back. When he wept, he was blessed by Izanami and given the gift of Susanoo and Amaterasu, using his gifts. H quelled the growing horde of undead priestess,' and the victory forced Senju to concede securing the empire for the Uchiha."

"What does this have to do with the ascension?"

Hinata looked at him and smiled as she rested her teacup on the table. " the next turn of power was nearly 20 years later and was the last time the Gods were involved in an ascension process. T e documents on it were redacted—pages of black lines that make no sense. When the gods stopped intervening, the usual task was 14-day fasting, during which the pillars would journey to the borders and take out nightcrawlers."

"We don't have 14 days, Hinata."

"I know, but we also have had the gods present. They are active and watching, and ultimately it's what they decide."

The duo sat in silence for a moment before Sasuke gestured to the food on the table.

"Eat then; no wife of mine enters a battle malnourished."

Hinata blushed. " Sasuke-"

"eat and prepare." It was an order. They locked eyes, and in a seemingly pointless battle of wills, Hinata lowered her eyes, reached for her rice, and lifted a piece of steaming fish to her mouth.

Izanami watched Hinata take a bite of fish and moan softly in delight. Izanagi stepped closer, Glancing over the basin before looking at her in silence. Hers was an aura unlike that of any other. She was present when she was absent and loud without saying a word. she was a being of great power and emotion. Emotion so powerful that entire universes lived and died by her breath. Her finger created ripples in the water as she caressed the image of Hinata. Izanagi crept closer still, and when he locked eyes with her, a breath stilled in his chest. Her eyes, which shined like a million stars, were filled with tears, and he knew there would be a flood, and it would rain torrents, and it would not be stopped.

"I wanted desperately to leave Yomi with you, and I wanted you so entirely that I would have you in death. You betrayed me when you looked upon my corpse and abandoned me when you refused to die." She stepped forward and reached for his face, flitting her eyes away from Izanagi. Stopping just as her fingertips began to smoke. "We are never to be again, but they have a chance, Izanagi. Bless your son with all the wisdom he can hold; she is every bit my wrath and every bit my love."

Izanagi stepped close, ignoring the pain of their proximity; he lifted a hand and wiped her tears. "They will do well; he will succeed where I have failed." Izanami watched him as his hand healed and nodded. Turning to the basin and humming, she said, "the ascension begins with fire."

As the sun rose high in the sky, the royal cabinet had gathered at the palace shrine. Tsunade was standing in front of the portal, Shizune holding a stack of white cloth to her left. The silence was deafening. The wind did not shift the trees nor rustle the grass, and the birds did not sing. Despite the golden sun's gleam, a coldness seeped into their bones and filled their bodies with apprehension. The sensation of being watched stuttered the heartbeat, and a single collective thought spread through the group.

"Is this what it meant to have the gods' attention?"

When the bell of the palace shrine rung out, breaking the silence, Tsunade clapped her hands, and the door to the shrine opened. The darkness beyond the doors was startling as the sunlight seemed to be absorbed. Tsunade squared her shoulders and stepped towards the door. She paused just before entering and said,

"We enter and begin purification. As the circumstances of this year are unusual, I have no control over the purification ritual. We enter, kneel, pray, and our Lady Izanami shall bless us with complete purification."

The single palpable emotion was terror. Sasuke placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder and squeezed. She dragged her gaze from the maw of the palace shrine and locked eyes. He searched for something as the others made their way, one by one, into the shrine. When she realized Tsunade was merely waiting for her, she steeled herself and gave him a decisive nodd before he released her, and she made her way into the temple, swallowed by the darkness. Inside the temple, the usual candles and offerings had been cleared away, leaving the marble floors and a raised pool connected to the river's running waters behind the temple. The only light source was the circular sunroof with the candles gone, letting in an intense light beam. When the girls had gathered side by side in front of the pool, Tsunade broke the silence. "Hinata, as a vassal of our lady Izanami and the ascending high priestess, you will lead the prayer to establish a connection." The girl nodded. Stepping forward and kneeling before the pool of water. She bowed and waited for the others to follow before she began.

"We kneel before your waters with hands poised to strike and hearts poised to heal. Minds sharp, as the blades forged by your iron and flesh softened by your grace, pledged to you under the guidance of your children," the water in the high pool stilled as she continued. "You lifted your hand, and your will has given us our tittles. We need only your substantiation of our roles to move forward as wards of your volition. From the waters to the fires, the skies to the sea, from the living to the dead."

"From the waters to the fires indeed."

Startled, the girls lifted their heads to see the water in the pool rise into the form of a woman. Bubbles began to shift at her feet, and the room started to fill with steam. "My children are not infallible, and neither am I." her head swiveled to look at each of the girls with the audible whooshing of water. "You know your place, but do you understand ours? You are our love, pain, fear, and wrath." Her eyes settled on Hinata, and the twinge of a smile could be discerned among her features. "Come child." she said, "and prove to me the faith you have in my protection as I have faith in your strength." as she talked, the water evaporated faster, and only the head remained; "strip and cleanse if you dare." With the last of the water dispersed into the air, a stillness fell over the room. Hinata rose first, lifting her yukata's light material away from her body and letting the material fall to the ground. A chill seeped into her bones, and she waited as the pool of water had not refilled. Staring into the room's darkness, smoke-filled her nostrils before a fire erupted on the once heavily saturated earth glowing an eerie purple. Ino and Tamaki shrunk back, startled, following the others and stripping. Hinata took a deep, shuddering breath and stepped into the fire.

First, she was cold, and then a warmth unlike anything she had ever felt enveloped her, and she felt a peace she had not known nestle deep within her. "You have always been brave," a voice slipped through her mind. "so very loving," the voice hummed, "but you avoid my wrath as something to abhor. The heat of the flames grew uncomfortable, and Hinata fidgeted. Know my anger, Hinata, for it fuels the fire I have gifted you." she lurched forward as if pushed and found herself falling right into the arms of Tsunade. Calmly, she wrapped her in the white gown and closed it with a golden broach, the symbol of the empire. one by one, the girls emerged, some shaken and others seemingly unbothered, but it was evident by the apprehension in the air that the ascension had begun. Once they had all been clothed, Tsunade nodded and led them outside to the portal, unaware of a faint purple glow that clung to their skin.

The portal did not have the glow of one that had been activated. Tsunade did not say a word as she backed away from the lifeless doorway where the young women stood staring questioningly at the dull beams. Hinata took a steadying breath, stepped in front of the lifeless portal, and closed her eyes. The answer had already been given. Izanami did not live in a world of linear events. She ran through what she had seen in the cleansing fire through her mind's eye, and it was there a flash and a drop of white. When she opened her eyes, the others joined her and raised their right hands; together, they opened their palms towards the sky. The purple glow scaled the length of their bodies and collected in their hands before shooting off into a cloudless sky. Suddenly, storm clouds appeared churning violently in the sky, the trees swayed, and birds flew away in droves as thunder shook the earth and a near blinding flash of light forced them to shut their eyes as lightning struck the portal, and a shimmer signified an open door. Squaring her shoulders, Hinata led the way and crossed the threshold.

There was rolling grass as far as the eyes could see and a single tree. Hinata pushed chakra to her eyes and searched as far as she could see in every direction to no avail. Just grass for miles. Calmly, she turned to the tree and made her way to it. She and Ino rested a palm against the bark and circled it. "It's pomegranate," Ino whispered, "but there's no fruit."

'A barren pomegranate tree?" Temari questioned

Hinata stared at the tree before stepping back. "We do precisely what we did at the portal." With no other options at hand, the group gathered together and opened their hands towards the sky, though this time nothing happened. shoulders sagged as confusion set in.

Hinata stepped back and looked at the group of women she was supposed to lead. Not an hour into it, she felt inadequate. But the role was hers now, and she could not forfeit it. Ino looked pensive, and sakura looked like she was giving the tree a medical exam. Looking up, she spotted a peculiar branch reminiscent of a blade. She stared at it a moment longer before she reached up and tugged lightly, and the wicked edge of the branch fell and landed sharp end down in the earth. The sound caught the girls' attention, who turned and watched Hinata pull the earthly blade from the ground. She stared at it before saying, "the first event, a life was given to hold back the dead. We may not have to sacrifice life, but a sacrifice must be made."

Temari walked over and opened her hand. "In Suna, blood is the most important thing you have to sacrifice.' Hinata dropped the blade into her hand and watched as she cut her hand open and let it drip onto the tree's exposed roots.

At first, nothing happened, and then the tree shuddered. It was shaking as if waking from a deep sleep. Quickly the others gathered, taking the earthly blade and slicing their palms open and letting their life's blood water the roots. The tree shook violently, and then suddenly, a single pomegranate fell from to the ground with a loud thud. Sakura took the time to heal everyone's hands as they stalled, picking up the discarded fruit. When it was done, Tenten was the one to step forward and pick it up. "Open it," Hinata said aloud. Tenten nodded and pried the fruit open, where six large glistening seeds were exposed. Hinata reached out and grabbed a seed. Locking eyes with each pillar before nodding once, swallowing the seed, and nestling herself at the tree's base to wait for whatever was to come.

One by one, they followed, nestling themselves around the tree to wait. One by one, they closed their eyes, and one by one, they fell asleep.

Hinata got up when enough time had passed, and nothing happened. it was a lovely nap though she felt oddly winded as she walked forward. She paused, remembering she wasn't alone, but when she turned around, the tree was gone. She spun around and stared at where there was endless grass there was infinite water, and she was standing on the only real patch of land. Her fingers began to tap, bringing her hands together, an old gesture she often used as a child when anxious. Linking her fingers together, she brought her hands down and froze when they rested against her belly. Ordinarily, it would be flat, but it was bulbous. As the realization set in, something within her stomach shifted, and she gasped. Staggering towards the water, she stared with wide eyes at hair longer than her own and darker than ink, skin as pale as ivory stone, and eyes that shifted through colors she had never seen.

"Izanami!"

A man's voice called her name, and she turned, startled by a man that looked suspiciously like Sasuke and yet nothing like him. "Izanagi?" she questioned. He slowed, taking in her body language. "You look unwell."

The answers came as if willed, "Kagutsuchi is just a demanding babe; he will be strong."

"As you grow weak."

"Never weak, fatigued, but never weak."

"Never weak," Izanagi agreed as he intertwined his fingers with hers. Come, I have prepared a feast that satisfies your insatiable hunger this night. She smiled, her mouth stretching wider than usual when she said, "I shall devour it."

And devour it she did. A bystander in her own body Hinata watched as Izanami gorged herself on the roasted meats and rice, the food was endless, and she kept waiting for the feeling of fullness to invade her senses. Yet, it never came, and the sun rose and set, and still, she continued to eat until her belly shifted and heat coursed through her center. Calmly she placed the bone in her hand and reached for a cup to quench her thirst. But when the water touched her tongue, the heat in her stomach erupted and a sharp pain lanced through her lower abdomen. She dropped the cup and rose from her seated position. The movement was abrupt and clumsy. Izanagi followed her as she stumbled towards the water. Another sharp pain brought her to her knees, and the fire in her belly climbed higher still. Izanagi helped her up, lifting her into his arms, and turned towards a structure that resembled the shrine. Hinata groaned as she felt the fire lance through her middle and protested, "no, I need to be by the water."

Izanagi watched her before turning and resting her on flat grass near the water. He helped her pull her clothes off and used it as a pillow under her head. She breathed slowly to settle herself, but her belly rocked as her babe thrashed about. Izanagi was visibly concerned. He placed his hands on her stomach and pleaded with the child, "know peace. be still." As the fire climbed higher still, Izanami began to paint. "Water, I am too hot. I need water." Izanagi reached to lift her and bring her to the water's edge, but it was too late. Flames erupted and spread across her skin. She opened her mouth wide in a silent scream as she labored to give birth to her child. "Please, she begged, hold your flames," The heat of the flames on her flesh grew hotter, and as the baby was released from her womb, an inferno erupted. The force tossed Izanagi away from her as fire engulfed her body. Izanami screamed, and the world was lost in a sea of red.

When she opened her eyes next, pain lanced across her body and settled in her center. "Izanagi," she whispered. And he was there, filling her hazy vision with a bitter smile. "rest,"

"my child."

Anger thundered across his face before he turned and presented her with three children; she smiled and attempted to raise her hand. "Izanagi pushed her hand down; rest and heal, that you may hold them later." The pained smile slipped from her face as she waited for him to return. She whispered, "They are lovely, but they are not Kagutsuchi; they are what is left of him, he snarled."

Izanami tensed and wept bitterly; "what have you done?"

Izanami knew she was no longer among those with life upon waking the second time. Movement, though easy, came like a memory in the joints. Slow to match with the thoughts and commands, but present nonetheless. She walked through the darkened tunnels until she came upon a table full of food. The imagery reminded her of her gorge before birth, and she shook violently before turning away from the table. Hunger ate at her for the next few days, and whispers invaded her senses until she forced herself to sit and eat. She felt nourished, but the more she ate, the more the flesh peeled from her bones, and blood dried in her veins. Disgusted, she rose from the table and walked the dark tunnels until she heard a familiar voice call her name. "Izanagi," his name was whispered on a sigh as she identified his voice and followed his echoing sound to see him.

He was making his way down an opposite tunnel when she said his name. He began to turn when she shouted, "stop." He froze and remained silent before saying, "I have come to bring you home."

"I have already eaten the food of this place; I am not myself," she answered.

"Follow me," he answered, "back to the surface where you can feel as you once did." She watched him quietly before nodding to herself, "if you agree to remain facing forward until we return to the light."

Izanagi immediately agreed. He had begun to traverse away from the narrow tunnel and headed towards the surface. The journey was long, for Izanami had burrowed deep under the earth. While they traveled, the tunnels grew wider and opened into a gaping cavern. But Izanagi could not wait any longer and turned to find a walking corpse. He shuddered in fright, and Izanami's face contorted in rage. She rocked violently, sinking her nails deep into her arms, dripping the rotted blood.

"One rule," she hissed. "I asked you to do one thing. Are you satisfied?" She screamed. Her anger shook the earth, and the whispers that plagued her in the tunnels grew loud as the stone came together and forged the bones of young women. Their hollowed eyes and clay skin were sallow in the low light, and their sharp teeth were wicked when they shrieked. Filled with horror, Izanagi turned and sprinted for the exit, rolling a boulder against the opening and sealing the tunnels.

Hinata returned to the surface and clawed at her eyes as the darkness sunk in. Izanami watched Hinata as she sobbed. "What did you learn?" Hinata looked at her with swollen eyes and said, "the pain you carry-."

"no," Izanami leaned forward and asked again, "what did you learn about me? not beauty, pain, or childbirth." when Hinata could not answer, she clapped her hands. Hinata was sitting again slowly, she got up from the ground, and the tree that supported her back was gone. She pressed her hands against her swollen stomach and blanched, not again, she nearly whispered to herself before her body moved forward to make its way to the river's edge.