Part I: Savior
Japan, a beautiful land full of cherry blossom trees and following rice paddings. This land was soured by never ending non stop war. One Daimyo stood out; he had managed to subdue the more numerous native Ainu peoples of the Hokkaido and Kuril Islands. His clan soon dominated his sibling clans and all were United as one.
This was Daimyo Yuzuru Tokudaiji the Sugoi (Great). Upon his death the shōgun had made the Tokudaiji a Daimyo under his vassalage. Peace seemed to find Japan until war, well war never changes. Like a stubborn pestilence it swept through the land always hungry for blood.
Yuzuru Tokudaiji II remained neutral in the petty squabbles of his fellow Daimyo. However this all changed when his beloved wife Lady Yua Tokudaiji was murdered by shinobi. Enraged, he gathered his loyal Samurai and Shinobi forces and joined the fray against those who wronged him, those who dared dishonor him. During this time something unusual happened.
Hinata Hyūga was confused why Kami decided to reincarnate her in the middle of an unknown but culturally similar place and as the child of two farmers. Hinata blinked when she heard someone calling her. "Hinata…Hinata!" She jerked forward and noticed her adoptive mother looking at her. Hinata blushed and bowed respectfully "I apologize Okaasan" her mother sighed "Your father is coming home from the fields help me finish dinner.
Hinata stood up and helped her mother, she felt something was coming. Something bad, memories came forward, thoughts of revenge and honor. {Naruto-Kun I will avenge you…somehow…Konohagakure will burn} she thought as she prepared the table and the sound of the sliding door opening and closing. "I'm home!" A tired, gruff voice came. Hinata smiled softly "Ah dannasan" spoke Hinata's adoptive mother as she hugged her husband and kissed his cheek. Hinata approached and bowed before her father "Welcome home..Otousan" she said.
Her adoptive father sighed and sweat dropped "Why is my daughter so formal…" he whined. His wife laughed slightly. "Well I think it's lovely." She spoke as she clapped her hands. The three got ready to eat. Hinata's father spoke first "Renji said there is a possibility that Daimyo of Tokudaiji is rapidly approaching; they're already broken through Nanbu-Date forces." He said and there was a clattering of chopsticks on the table.
"No way…how did they break through so quickly…" Hinata's mother spoke softly, worried for her brother. Hinata bite her lip "Ojisan was on the frontlines." She finally said and her mother and father looked at her and then back at each other. "That is correct…but don't worry Izumo is a veteran he will be alright." Her father flashed a reassuring smile. Hinata just nodded, she had heard bits and pieces about this Daimyo of Tokudaiji.
They were fierce Samurai while Shinobi served within their army; it mostly was composed of veteran and well-disciplined Samurai. The current Daimyo was Yuzuru Tokudaiji II the son of the first Daimyo, the legendary Yuzuru Tokudaiji. His son was no pushover and just as skilled as his father and even more so. He was brutal, and ruthless in battle and cruel to his enemies, but kind-hearted to his allies. They had managed to subdue the native Aino people in the north despite being outnumbered in most instances they always came out on top.
Hinata sat on the front porch and saw the fiery sky and closed her eyes as the wind blew through in the form of a gentle breeze. That feeling came back..the foreboding sense of oncoming bloodshed and doom. Hinata woke up the next day to find her father gone. Her mother was in the kitchen and quickly spotted her "Ah Hinata good morning." She smiled and ruffled her hair.
Hinata blushed and bowed "Good morning Okaasan" as she looked around. "Where is Otousan?" She then asked. "He said he would be late in the fields." Her mother replied as she then spotted a wrapped Bento box on the counter "Oh dear…he left his lunch" Hinata beat her to it "I will take it Okaasan".
Hinata didn't even hear her adoptive mothers call of "Be careful" as she rushed out the door of their house and through the village. Something was wrong, everything was normal but she had a feeling something was extremely off. She had spotted large numbers of crows, and ravens lately. Everybody else assumed it was nothing unusual but something didn't sit right with Hinata.
She ran faster and faster while not having Chakra made it difficult. She wasn't even sure if this place uses Chakra or where she was. She pushed those thoughts out of her head as she approached the rice fields that surrounded the village like a Silent wall. Then a smell…a faint one of iron hit her nose. She paused and ignored it as she took up running again.
It came back stronger and stronger. Hinata had to force her bile back down as she felt the need to vomit her eyes watered. She heard noises clashing iron on iron. {No…} her mind was racing as all u heard was her beating heartbeat. She finally reached the perch of the hill and looked down. Time slows to a mere crawl as her eyes widen as that bloodbath erupts before her.
Samurai and some shinobi are seen clashing. No jutsu, no shouting of techniques, just men screaming random cries and clashes of swords, spears, and other weapons. Arrows flew back and forth with an angry hiss like one-thousand angry hornets. Hinata watched the battle unfold unaware of a presence behind her. She slowly turned as a shadow loomed over her.
She barely had time to dodge as a Yari came crashing down. The earth erupted from the impact of the blade. She fell onto her bottom, her sandals and the bento box went flying up. Hinata grained and looked up in pure unadulterated fear. As before her stood a massive Samurai, from his armor and attire a general or a senior officer. Hinata was frozen as the warrior tried to remove his weapon that had become stuck due to the sheer impact in the ground.
Hinata's brain was telling her to run to flee. She wanted to believe it was a nightmare and she would awaken in Konohagakure. "Naruto-kun…." She moaned as she spoke those words. As memories of a blonde hair boy rang through her mind. The samurai finally managed to retrieve his Yari and aimed it at Hinata's heart. Hinata had her eyes closed as the whole area was transformed into a massive battlefield blood soaked into the ground, even the rain became mere droplets of blood.
There were footsteps that were rapidly approaching as the massive Samurai brought his Yari down on Hinata but it wasn't to be. Blood sprayed forth like a volcano awakening from its long deep slumber. The massive warrior stumbled then collapsed onto his side. His Yari clattering to the ground. Hinata strained her closed eyes and looked up at her savior as before she stood a Samurai, he wore standard Samurai armor that was coated in blood and cracked in some parts. His face was obscured by a Jingasa with cloth wrappings wrapped around the lower portion of his face. Though she noted his eyes were bloodshot and spoke of a killer wolf. And she was the lamb, she closed her eyes and was caught off guard by the sounds of a sword being seethed.
The sounds of battle grew distant. The Samurai sat down in a meditative pose and observed the girl in front of him. He then looked upon the battlefield first then secondly at a burning village he deduced she was from the farming village based on her proximity to the battle. He eyed the bento box now crushed from its impact. He further deduced she was bringing food to her father or relative or even a lover. He shook his head at that and spoke in a gruff tone of voice.
"Who are you?" He narrowed his eyes and rested his hand on his wakizashi. In case this child was a shinobi, a kunoichi as the female shinobi were called, he recalled that from his father. She looked too young to be one but looks could be deceiving like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"Hinata…."the girl spoke, the samurai raised his head and his helmet creaked as he lifted it up. And eyes her slowly and cautiously. She was a slender girl of fair-complexion, she also had featureless lavender. The Samurai blinked at that {Was she blind?} he wondered in a tad amusement at the irony of the situation. His eyes scanned over the girl again; her hair was cut just above her forehead akin to a bowl-cut with chin-length strands framing her face; and she was wearing a lavender kimono.
The Samurai leaned his back as it cracked and drops of rain bounced off his head. "No surname or clan name?" He asked again. Hinata shook his head, and now on to the question that has been tugging him this entire time. "Why are you here? This is a battlefield not a playground." He folded his arms at the last part of that. Hinata sat up weakly as the rain damped her clothes and got into her eyes. "Okaasan told me to bring Otusan a bento box…he left it…" she said sadly as she already knew what had transpired {Why Kami….first Naruto-Kun….then two people I don't even know who are my adoptive parents} she thought as tears welled up inside her.
The samurai was taken back by that response. "I see…am sorry the farmers were already dead or dying when we got here…I heard some fled to a neighboring village that way yonder" he pointed over past the nearby mountains. Hinata's eyes lit up then fell flat "No…Otousan is dead…" she replied. The samurai blinked "How do you know?" He scoffed wondering how a child knew that her father was already dead.
"Tou-San would never abandon his family…" Hinata said in a soft but firm tone. As the memories implanted into her came back slowly along with some of her old memories. The Samurai nodded and rose he looked and saw the rest of fellows gathering below them. Collecting wounded, the dead, and enemy prisoners. "It's not safe here…your village is gone…your friends and family are gone" he spoke. "I know..I saw the smoke" replied Hinata.
The Samurai spoke again, "Is that how you thank your savior?" Hinata flinched, "Unlike the Date or Nanbu…the Tokudaiji don't kill civilians, such an act would be dishonorable to us." Hinata made an O with her mouth {These are samurai of the Tokudaiji Otousan did say they broke through the Date and Nanbu forces}
"Take me with you." Spoke Hinata. The Samurai stood up holding on to his ōdachi wrapped around his waist.
He allows Hinata to go first with him following closely behind. Several Ashigaru stood at attention, and moved out the way but stared at Hinata confused but never questioning the elder samurai. Hinata guessed he was the one in charge but didn't question it as questions usually are answered by themselves.
A lone Ashigaru approached with a horse he was young, at least 19 in age. He bowed respectfully "Lord Daichi congratulations on your victory over General Akito Date" Daichi waved the man off and knelt down by the horse offering Hinata a boost to which she accepted she shivered and sneezed to which she felt a cloak being wrapped around her cold damp body she looked up at the boy who looked away with a blush. Daichi intervened "Benjiro…traveling along ahead to the main camp and report what happened" he ordered and Benjiro stood at attention before bowing and rushing off.
Daichi then mounted the horse as Hinata wrapped herself around his arm and they rode off away from the blood soaked battlefield. As the rain continued to pour down with more vigor, Hinata repeated Kami's words through her head one final time. {"You may notice some strange things happening to your body..your not one of the undead or undying, but your are capable of now withstanding wounds and injuries no normal human would survive, also your ability to feel temperature may be hampered u will initially fill hot or cold but this will subside with time and lastly you will no longer feel pain or feel anything your skin will be cold to the touch and over time ur skin will become pale. This is payment for what you ask...you seek revenge and as a result you are no longer living in a sense."}.
Hinata had fallen asleep but didn't feel anything. She just decided to pretend to not spook Daichi. Daichi looked back and looked forward as he rode towards Hokkaido, the stronghold of the Daimyo of Tokudaiji. Hinata then awoke in a blue ocean sky landscape she looked around and was surrounded by Lavender flowers. She was confused and saw a glimpse of a blonde hair boy "Naruto-kun…." she choked as tears entered her eyes upon seeing the boy she loved. The "Naruto" ran without looking at her, "Wait, don't leave!" she cried as she rushed after Naruto. She didn't notice the landscape was changing as crows and bodies started appearing and the lavender flowers started dying.
Hinata then paused as blood sprayed onto her face and she was horrified by what she saw. "Na...Naruto-kun…" she collapsed onto her knees and clutched her head in pain as words started feeding into her head. "Demon" "Monster" "Look at the demoness whore!" she screamed. Hinata then started thrashing about and awoke in a panic and started choking the sliding door slammed open as several Samurai entered the room and stood around her looking for the attacker. Daichi entered behind them and the lead samurai jumped "Lord Daichi…" he began.
Daichi pushed his way past the samurai and knelt down by Hinata and rubbed her sweaty head and she instantly calmed. Daichi then pulled a seat up by her and ordered the other Samurai out the room. Then a teenaged boy entered the room "Young lord Hiroto...you should be asleep." began Daichi as he spoke in a respectful tone but didn't look at the boy. Hiroto froze before speaking in reply "I heard screaming...is she alright?" he peered at the young girl before him. Daichi just nodded "Her village was destroyed by Date-Nanbu forces." he explained and Hiroto opened then closed his mouth before bowing and leaving, closing the door slowly behind him.
Daichi looked down at the young girl before him, and wondered what caused her to scream like that. He also wondered who this Naruto person she kept screaming about. He decided to wait and save these questions for later he knew that Lord Yuzuru Tokudaiji II would want to meet this strange girl and decided his fate. He then looked out the window at the full moon, as he held his Ōdachi on his shoulder as he cleaned it of any remaining blood. If a bird doesn't sing, kill it, If a bird doesn't sing, make it, and If a bird doesn't sing, wait for it. He recited this poem in his head as he cleaned his sword.
Next day
Hinata blinked as she heard the birds chirping. She sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she looked around the room. She blinked the room and appeared facey with Kanō, rinpa, and Tosa style of paintings situated around the room as well as a Red Dragon Japanese Maple Tree in the left side corner. "Sleep well." spoke Daichi as he was still cleaning his weapon. Hinata blinked and looked at him, "I slept fine, thank you for asking Daichi-sama." she replied it then hit her and she jumped. "H...h..h..how long have you been here?!" she stammered as she covered herself with the bedsheets. Daichi paused for a brief minute, "Since your nightmare last night, apparently Baku hasn't come." Hinata couldn't tell if it was a joke or not.
Hinata straightened herself and blushed "I apologize Daichi-sama." Daichi replied in his usual tone "It's fine...for what you have experienced." Hinata nodded and looked around again "So where am I?" "Hakodate, Hokkaido central stronghold of the Daimyo of Tokudaiji." explained Daichi. There was a knock on the sliding door and Daichi looked up as a young woman wearing a Kimono arrived and bowed "Forgive me Lord Daichi but Lord Tokudaiji is expecting you and Lady Hinata for breakfast." Daichi assumed she was here to dress and clean Hinata up, he stopped cleaning his blade and reseathed and stood up and bowed to Hinata before leaving the room. Hinata spoke quickly "Wait.." Daichi paused and turned his head slightly.
"Arigatōgozaimashita Lord Daichi-sama." she said as she bowed her head. Daichi turned around and walked over to Hinata and ruffled her hair before leaving he turned to the young woman. "Take care of her...or it will be your head." she gulped and nodded quickly as he left. His footsteps are becoming more and more distant. The woman sighed in relief and bowed again to Hinata. "Lady Hinata, I'm here to dress and bathe you." Hinata nodded "Thank you...uhhh…" the woman blinked before responding "My name is Mako, Mako Takahashi, I'm an attendant for the Tokudaiji family I've been assigned to attend to you during your stay here." Hinata nodded and smiled, "Arigatō Mako." she said as she bowed her head Mako blushed and waved "P...please no need to be formal."
Daichi made his way from the guest quarter of the castle toward the main dining area of the castle. He passed Sakura trees being attended to by gardeners. He passed by various attendants and members of the Tokudaiji court as well as numerous samurai guards all of whom bowed at his presence. He then arrived at the doors and the two samurai guards bowed "Lord Tokudaiji is expecting you and a young girl." the younger samurai guard spoke up first. "She is getting ready as we speak." replied Daichi. Both guards nodded and opened the sliding door. Daichi then entered and bowed at the entrance "My lord." Yuzuru looked up from a map of Japan that he was looking at. He was a stern young man of fair skinned with his hair tied into a standard chonmage style. He wore a distinct kimono as his Tachi was by his side. "Where is the girl?" he asked, noticing that Daichi entered alone.
"Mako is getting her ready." replied the aged grizzled samurai, Yuzuru nodded at that "You said she was from a village in Nanbu?" Yuzuru rested his head on one of his hands as he awaited confirmation. "That is correct my lord, the Dante-Nanbu forces had razed the village and killed all the farmers. I believe they were trying to prevent us from getting supplies." Yuzuru had a disgusted look on his face "Typical dishonorable cowards...was she the only one left?" Daichi nodded as the doors opened and the two samurai guards entered and flanked Mako and Hinata with their hands gripped on their Yari spears. Mako and Hinata bowed "Lord Yuzuru, Lord Daichi presenting Hinata." she spoke as she then left and Hinata remained bowed out of respect. Yuzuru looked over at the girl and her description matched what Daichi said.
Yuzuru raised his hand and Hinata rose slowly and remained silent. Yuzuru gazed into her emotionless lavender eyes as a thought crossed his mind {Is she blind?}. He then sighed and pushed the thought out his head. "I heard what happened to your village..you have my sincere apologies." He spoke in a firm but understanding tone. "Arigatōgozaimashita my lord...I appreciate you for taking me in." spoke Hinata in a respectful tone as she bowed again. Yuzuru signaled for her and Daichi to sit at the table and servants brought out plates of food. Yuzuru looked over at Hinata and she reminded him of his beloved late wife. {Yua...you would have loved her.} he sighed and said "Hinata...do you have any family?" He monitored her eyes and awaited her response.
Hinata thought for a minute but decided not to take too long. "I..had an uncle but he was on the frontlines." Yuzuru was about to reply when the doors burst open and a young boy entered the room painting and huffing. "Hiroto you're late…" came the gruff voice of Daichi as all eyes turned to the boy. Hiroto stiffened "Apologizes Daichi-sama….Otousan...and…" he blinked at the sight of the girl he saw last night sitting at the table with his sensei and father. "Quit staring and say hello to Hinata." spoke his father, which snapped him out of his gaze. "Sorry Otousan.." Hiroto apologized as he bowed to Hinata. "Sorry..my name is Hiroto Tokudaiji." "It's fine..my name is Hinata." she replies as she bows back.
Hiroto then sat down by Hinata and began to eat as Hinata observed him. {So he is the Daimyo son, he looks like him.} Yuzuru felt bad for the young girl {No family...she seems to get along with Hiroto...I don't want her to end up on the street...and I need another heir in case something happens to Hiroto..this is rash and risky...but it needs to be done.} Yuzuru puts down his chopsticks with a slight click as it rattles the wooden tray. Hinata looks at Daichi's now exposed face and head like Yuzuru. He had a chonmage hairstyle, a scar across his right eye which was cloudy, he was aged and grizzled. Hinata was shocked to learn Daichi was only in his early 30's but years of fighting had aged him considerably. Hinata then observed Hiroto and noticed similarities between her and him minus the brown spiky hair and brown eyes.
Daichi then looks up and notices Yuzuru is looking at Hinata talking to Hiroto as the boy asks her questions. "Is something the matter my lord?" he finally asks. Yuzuru shakes his head "No my old friend." Yuzuru clears his throats catching Hiroto and Hinata "Hinata..I have decided and this is rash..but you have to understand since the death of my wife...Hiroto is my only heir...if both of us die they will be turmoil." he paused as Hinata took it in he could tell she knew where this was going. "What are you saying, Otousan?" asked Hiroto as he frowned and narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Hinata...would you like to be adopted as my daughter and official heiress of the Tokudaiji clan?" Yuzuru looked around to gadge everyone's reaction.
A samurai guard standing at the door staring like fish before snapping back into shape upon Daichi's glare. Hiroto just stared, Hinata and Diachi both had no expression on their faces. Daichi then said "In that case I will gladly give my life for Lady Hinata." Hinata blushed and thought about {This...this will help me get revenge for Naruto-kun...I have to tell them...eventually...for now I need to build myself up and my honor.} she sighed and looked at Yuzuru and smiled, "I would be honored...Otousan." Hiroto then hugged Hinata crying and shouting "Imōto!" Hinata smiled and patted her new brother on his back. Yuzuru nodded "Alright we'll formalize it tonight Hiroto will show you around the castle and I will have Mako get your room ready." The door opened and a Tokudaiji court member appeared. He bowed upon seeing Hinata, Daichi, and Hiroto and then knelt by Yuzuru and whispered in his ear. He then stood up and bowed before leaving.
Yuzuru sighed before standing up "What's wrong, Otousan?" asked Hiroto again. Yuzuru smiled and ruffled Hiroto's hair "Nothing you should be worried about. Daichi I placed them into your hands." he then turned and left the three alone in the dining room. "So...where do you want to go?" asked Hiroto as he held Hinata's hand. Hinata thinks and then her eyes lit up "I notice a garden of Sakura trees on my way here. I would like to see it if it's alright." Hiroto then looked at Daichi and he sighed before standing up and clutching his Ōdachi strapped around his waist. "If it is what the young lady and lord wish then I shall follow it for my honor." he said as he cracked his back and muttered about babysitting and not getting any younger.
