Chapter Nine: A Father's Protection
Mikoto smiled as she dodged Hinata's strike. Hinata was good, but not nearly as fast as Hiashi or Neiji. Mikoto had been training hard, and at this point, she could keep up with Hinata without the Sharingan.
She slipped under Hinata's guard and striked upwards, sending her flying. As Hinata fell to the ground Mikoto kept her guard up. She now knew never to drop her guard. She had learned that the hard way from Neiji.
Mikoto striked Neiji in the upper shoulder and jumped back.
"Yes!" She grinned pumping her fist.
But before she could return her celebratory fist to her guard, Neiji raced forward and hit multiple tenketsu. Suddenly both her arms were immobile.
Damn!
But Hinata did not continue. She stood and smiled, bowing towards Mikoto in respect. Mikoto smiled, dropped her guard, and returned the bow.
"Good." A voice said from the side, "You've both improved."
Mikoto turned to Hiashi, "Thank you Uncle."
"That's enough for today. You can both go inside and rest." He said, turning to go inside. He could use some rest himself. Sparring Mikoto was no longer easy. She had trained hard in the past couple months. She had even worked on meditation and could now use her Byakugan for much longer periods of time.
She also was much more capable and could more easily pinpoint her opponents tenketsu.
He smiled, she was becoming a force of nature.
Hinata-Imouto, he thought to himself, your daughter is pretty special.
"Are you coming in too?" Hinata asked.
"No," Mikoto replied, "I'm going to train a little more."
Then Mikoto was alone in the Hyuga training area. She began to run through the Gentle Fist Kata and focused on her breathing. This was part of her meditation training. Breathe in, one two three four five, breath out one two three four five.
"Hey half-breed!" A voice shouted.
Mikoto snapped out of her training and looked up. Five Hyuga boys were entering the training area. They had less than pleasant looks on their faces.
"We're going to use the training area now, get out!" One of the boys sneered.
Mikoto looked at them, feeling the anger boil inside her. She felt her Sharingan activate despite herself.
One boy snorted, "There it is." he said rudely, "The freak of the Hyuga Clan."
Mikoto focused on breathing again. In one two three four five, out one two three four five. She felt the fire in her belly calm and her Sharingan faded. She smiled, "You can use the training ground," she said politely, "I will go somewhere else," and she turned to go inside.
"Maybe we can train by pummeling the half breed," One the boys suggested.
Mikoto flinched.
"We should show her the true strength of the Byakugan." Another sneered.
Mikoto turned to look at the boys. In one two three four five, out one two three four five. "I bet you guys are really strong," she said in the most non-confrontational tone she could muster, "I really don't want to fight you."
"Well you don't have a choice!" One shouted and lunged forward.
Mikoto activated her own Byakugan and dodged easily. Another boy came at her with a strike aimed at her chest. She side-stepped it and hit him solidly in the chest. He flew backwards and landed hard.
He stood up shakily, "you'll regret that half-breed!" He shouted and they all dove at her.
She dodged each of their strikes, trying not to strike back. It's not worth fighting back and making them more angry. Suddenly one boy got under her guard and threw her into the wall.
That hurt, she thought to herself. She felt her Byakugan start to fade. In one two three four five, out one two three four five. Her Byakugan reactivated as she calmed herself. She took her stance and looked at the boys.
"Oh so your serious now!" One of the boys growled, "Let's see what you got!"
This time she attacked, racing in. Dodge, strike, dodge, strike. She thought to herself. She hit each boy one by one and sent them flying. The boys all sat on their butts panting. They glared at her. One by one they took their stance. Simultaneously they all leapt at ther.
"Kaiten!" She said annd rotated. All the boys few back, crashing hard into the walls around them and then collapsed unconscious.
Mikoto looked at the boys with sad eyes. She didn't want to fight them. She really didn't.
"Damn you!" A voice shouted.
Mikoto spun. A few Hyuga family members stood and glared at her.
One man ran over to one of the unconscious boys and looked him over with his Byakugan. Then he stood and glared back at Mikoto, "I knew this would happen when Hiashi-sama started to allow an Uchiha into our family!" He snarled.
Mikoto felt the anger well up again, "They attacked me!" She shouted.
"I don't care!" Another man shouted, "You don't belong here!"
"What is going on here!" A voice interrupted.
Everyone turned to see Neiji Hyuga standing in the doorway overlooking the scene.
"This girl attacked our children!" One of the men shouted, "I mean to say, Neiji-san, she's not a Hyuga. And she's using Hyuga techniques to hurt our children."
Neiji looked at the gathered Hyuga adults and the unconscious children. He turned to Mikoto, "Is this true?"
Mikoto shook her head rapidly, "They attacked me!" She said.
Another man snorted, "Why should we believe a hot-headed Uchiha?" He snarled.
Mikoto had enough. If they wanted an Uchiha, she would give them an Uchiha. Her Sharingan activated and she met the man's eyes. He collapsed immediately.
Neiji walked to the man and looked him over, "You didn't need to put him under a genjutsu Mikoto," He said in an admonishing tone.
Mikoto glared at him and at the others around her, "I've had enough, I'm going to my room," She said and she turned to leave.
The angry Hyuga members and Neiji watched her go.
"I don't know what Hiashi-sama was thinking!" One said, "Letting her stay here."
Neiji turned to look at all of the members gathered with disappointed eyes, "She's family," was all he said.
Mikoto sat in her bedroom in the Hyuga Compound quietly. After a few months on Naruto's couch and a stiff neck she had finally been convinced to move in.
It was a large room with few personal touches. She had put her family photos on the wall and had a few books strewn about but that was it. Other than that it was almost pristinely neat.
This wasn't the first time something like that had happened. Overall most of the Hyuga accepted her, if reluctantly. They knew that she was related to Hiashi and respected that. However, there were a few who still dissented.
Particularly members of the Branch Family.
Among the Branch Family Members there were those who were angry that she didn't have cursed seal on her. They considered it unfair, considering she was a child of one of Hiashi's younger siblings. They believed that like Neiji, she should have the seal regardless of her parentage.
And then there was that. Her parentage.
No one in the Hidden Leaf felt any warm feelings towards Itachi Uchiha. As a matter of fact they all hated him. Which was fair, considering his actions. But Mikoto didn't allow others to sway her. She remained faithful to her father, believing firmly that no one knew the whole story.
But because of her father people distrusted her. Some believed she was an agent of the Akatsuki. Others believed she was a private spy for her father. Regardless there were many in the Hidden Leaf that didn't trust her.
She sighed and laid down on the bed.
All she wanted was to find a place she belonged. A family that she could trust. She wished deeply that place could be with her father but knew that wasn't possible. She would continue to try hard to gain the trust of the Hidden Leaf and of the Hyuga.
Maybe then she could have a home.
Mikoto awoke to a sound of people shuffling around her.
Her head snapped up to see several Hyuga members surrounding her bed. Before she could react, her chakra points were cut off and her muscles paralyzed.
She moaned from the pain, "What's going on?" She asked, trying to keep the fear and discomfort from her voice.
"We're going to correct a wrong," A voice said, lifting her from the bed.
Her eyes widened. What…
They brought her to shed in the back of the compound that was filled with scrolls. Each scroll had the Caged Bird Seal. Her eyes widened with fear.
Mikoto desperately tried to activated her Sharingan. If I could just put them under a genjutsu. But nothing was working. Her chakra was completely cut off.
She opened her mouth to yell.
A hand covered her mouth, "Don't even think about it half-breed!" A voice said. He tied a gag around her.
One man picked up a scroll, "It's wrong that your don't have the seal on you. Only members of the Main family are allowed to use the Byakugan freely. You have no right!" He opened the scroll and flipped it toward her so she could see the contents.
No! Mikoto screamed internally. Suddenly pain shot through her eyes and she felt something wet on her face.
The scroll erupted into black flame.
The man holding it screamed as the black flame consumed his arms.
"She didn't something!" One of the men shouted.
They all ran from the building, leaving Mikoto alone as the black flame continued to consume the man and started to catch on the floor.
Mikoto's eyes were wide as she felt herself frozen not only from paralysis, but in absolute terror.
Amaterasu?
If she didn't get out of there quickly she was screwed.
Hiashi, having heard the commotion raced out to see several of his clansmen starting at a shed as black flames began to appear. His eyes widened, "What happened?" he asked.
"The Uchiha brat!" One growled, "She killed Kaido!"
Hiashi's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he activated his Byakugan. He could see Mikoto surrounded by the flames next to a burned body.
His eyes widened, "You left her in there!" He shouted.
Her raced into the building to see Mikoto laying there with a gag in her mouth and a terrified look on her face. Why isn't she moving? He looked at her with the Byakugan and saw that all her charkra points had been closed. His eyes narrowed as he felt fury. Not just anger. Actual fury.
He looked around. All there sealing scrolls were in this room. If he wanted to save any he would have to act quickly.
He smiled to himself.
He picked up Mikoto and left the scrolls to burn.
When he got outside he laid Mikoto on the floor and opened her Charkra points. He untied the gag. "What is this jutsu?" He asked her.
Mikoto sat up with gasp, "It's Amaterasu!" She said in shock and fear, "It's papas…"
A man ran out of the house with a bucket of water.
"No!" Mikoto shouted. But before she could stop him he threw the water on the flames. The water caught fire, spreading the flames to the bucket. The man screamed and dropped the bucket right before catching himself.
Hiashi's eyes widened. The water itself had caught fire and was continuing to spread.
He turned to Mikoto, "How do we put it out?" He asked her, trying to maintain a calm exterior.
"I don't know!" She said tearfully, "Papa's the only one who can put them out!"
Hiashi nodded his understanding and turned to Neiji who had just approached the commotion, "Go get Kakashi Hatake, immediately!" He ordered. Neiji nodded and left without a word.
"No one approach the flames until Hatake arrives!" Hiashi said in a loud commanding voice.
He turned the members of the clan who he believed were involved with the incident, "And while we're waiting you can tell me what happened."
The men were silent. Finally one spoke up, "Hiashi-sama we just wanted to protect the Byakugan."
"You fool!" Hiashi shouted as he understood. He looked at Mikoto and saw that there was no seal on her. Perhaps Jiraiya had been right and it had reacted badly with the Sharingan.
"Hiashi-sama!" A voice said a Kakashi appeared next to him, "What happened."
"Can you get rid of the flames Kakashi-san?" Hiashi asked him.
"I will try," Kakashi said, uncovering his eye. He looked directly at the flames, "Kamui!" He shouted. The flames disappeared into the portal along with the burning shed and water.
Mikoto's eyes widened, "Kakashi-san," she said in shock, "the Mangekyo…"
"I'm convening a meeting," Hiashi said, "Kakashi-san, you come too."
Kakashi nodded hesitantly and looked to Mikoto. The child looked terrified. Did she really just use Amaterasu? He wondered.
"Mikoto come." Hiashi commanded.
Mikoto stook shakily and followed her uncle inside.
In the Hyuga Council chambers the council sat in a semicircle. Neiji was a member having been added to the leadership recently. Hiashi sat in the dead center.
Those in the middle were the perpetrators of the incident and Mikoto. Kakashi stood awkwardly to the side, not sure why he was there.
"She tried to kill us all!" One of the older members shouted.
"That was clearly not the case!" Neiji argued, "It was self-defense!"
"Our entire archive of seals is ruined!" The elder continued, "Our history and tradition has been destroyed."
"Is that really such a bad thing?" Hiashi wondered aloud.
Neiji looked at Hiashi in surprise. Is this really the end of the cursed seal?
"Regardless," another member said, sounding a little more calm, "If she has techniques like this that she can't control, she should not be on Hyuga compound at all!"
"She is a Hyuga!" Hiashi said firmly, "She belongs here."
"If I may," Kakashi interrupted.
"Kakashi-san, you may speak," Hiashi felt some relief. He had asked Kakashi to come in hope that he could shed some light on what happened.
Kakashi walked over to Mikoto and knelt to her level, "Activate your Sharingan," He said gently.
Mikoto did as he said.
Kakashi looked at her Sharingan. It was still only had two tomoes, an immature Sharingan. Not even close to fully developed, let alone a Mangekyo. He stood and turned to face the Hyuga council, "There is no way this child could have done this justsu." He said firmly.
"But she did!" One of the perpetrators shouted, "And she killed Kaido!"
Kakashi looked at the man, "I suspect that her father implanted the technique in her eye."
Many people in the room gasped,
"You mean to say that Itachi Uchiha is responsible for this?" One of the elders asked.
Kakashi nodded, "That is my guess."
There were murmurs around the gathered members of the clan.
"Enough!" Said Hiashi, "Thank you for your analysis Kakashi-san. It is much appreciated, although I already suspected as much. You may leave."
Kakashi nodded and bowed before exiting the chamber.
"Mikoto," He said, turning to look at the child. She sat in the center with wide eyes. She still looked terrified.
"Mikoto," Hiashi said again, "Why don't you go as well."
Mikoto looked up at him but didn't move.
"Hinata," Hiashi said suddenly, turning to look at the door.
Hinata walked in, her face red, "Yes father?" She asked.
"Help Mikoto-chan to her room," He told her.
Hinata nodded and helped Mikoto up. Mikoto leaned on Hinata a little, "Yes father." She looked at her cousin, "Come on," and she led her from the room.
After they left Hiashi looked up at all the members gathered, "We had been warned that something like this could happen," he looked at the perpetrators, "That is why you were warned to keep her away from the seal. You did not listen and are paying the price!"
"But Hiashi-sama…" One of the perpetrators began, "Kaido…"
"Kaido's blood is on your hands!" He said firmly, "Not Mikoto's and not even Itachi. Itachi Uchiha is a despicable man who committed a tremendous crime, but this act was simply to protect his own child. An act that even I can understand." He looked at them harshly and continued, "If you had not attempted to put the seal on her against my wishes this would not have happened. You will be punished accordingly. Now leave."
The men all left, heads down.
Hiashi turned to look at the council.
"Now," He started, "About the Curse Seal."
Mikoto walked with Hinata quietly through the Hyuga Compound.
"Hinata," she said quietly.
Hinata looked down. This is the first time she had spoken since they left the chamber, "Yes Mikoto?"
"Can you take me to Naruto-sensei?" She asked. She didn't want to be in the Hyuga Compound tonight. Maybe never again.
Hinata nodded and took her hand, "Come, let's walk together."
The two girls walked through the streets of Konaha, heading towards Naruto's apartment, "Mikoto…" Hinata said quietly, "I hope you know that not everyone in the Hyuga family are like that."
Mikoto looked down, "I… I know," She said quietly.
"I for one am glad you came to family," Hinata said with a smile, "You are an amazing cousin."
Mikoto looked up in surprise. Hinata was so kind, she always was. She wasn't like the rest of them. She was soft spoken and shy, but strong. As a matter of fact, she reminded her of her mother. I wonder if it's a coincidence that she is also named Hinata. She looked down and blushed, "Thank you… Hinata."
"Well here we are!" Hinata said as they arrived at the building.
Mikoto grabbed Hinata's hand, "Come on!" She said as she ran forward.
I'm going to Naruto's apartment! Hinata shouted internally.
Mikoto knocked on the door.
After a few minutes Naruto answered in his pajamas and panda sleep cap. He yawned as he looked at the visitors, "Mimi-chan? Hinata-chan?" He said sleepily.
Hinata giggled, He's so cute.
Naruto suddenly registered Mikoto's appearance. She had ash on her face and looked as though she was exhausted, "What happened Mimi-chan?" He asked, "Are you ok?"
Mikoto felt herself breaking down after seeing Naruto. She had been holding it inside since everything had happened. However, upon seeing Naruto something inside her broke. Like the wall that had been holding her feelings in was just… gone.
She leapt forward and hugged him crying.
Naruto wrapped his hands around her immediately, looking down at the crying child in confusion, "Mikoto…" He said.
He looked at Hinata with questioning eyes. Hinata just shook her head.
Naruto sighed, "Come in," he said, keeping his arm around Mikoto's shoulder.
Naruto sat her down on the couch and motioned for Hinata to do the same, "I'm going to make tea."
Naruto went to the kitchen while Hinata and Mikoto sat in silence. When he returned he sat between them and handed them tea cups.
Hinata looked at the cups. They weren't matching. It looked as though they came from multiple different sets. She smiled and took a sip.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Naruto asked Mikoto.
Mikoto sipped her tea and put it down, "I'm tired."
"You can use the bed," Naruto said, nodding towards the bedroom.
Mikoto nodded, "Thank you," She said quietly and she went to the other room and shut the door.
Naruto turned to Hinata, "what happened?" He asked, "Was it your dad?"
Hinata shook her head, "No, some membered of the clan decided to try to but the seal on her. Apparently some Jutsu Itachi planted stopped them. She seems ok, just a little shaken." That's probably the most I've ever said to Naruto, She thought to herself.
"Damn!" Naruto said, slamming his cup down, "Damn that stupid clan!"
Hinata flinched.
"Oh…" Naruto said, realizing himself, "Sorry."
"It's ok," Hinata said, "My clan has a lot of problems," she continued quietly, "That's why Neiji and I are trying to change the clan. Even my father…"
Her voice trailed off.
"Even my father is trying to change things." She finished.
Suddenly a deep voice could be heard from the other room. Both heads snapped up. They looked at each other and jumped up and stood at either side of the door. Naruto nodded to Hinata who returned it. Carefully he opened the door.
There on the bed sat Mikoto. She was holding a stone in her hand. The stone was about the size of her fist and was a deep emerald color. Naruto and Hinata could both see carvings on it from the side of the room.
But there was no person. Just Mikoto staring at the stone. But despite that there was a deep voice filling the room; and it was singing.
"It looks like there's a genjutsu coming from the stone," Hinata said,
Naruto looked at her. She had activated her Byakugan.
His eyes widened as he went to go inside.
"Wait." She said quietly, "Look."
Mikoto was staring at the necklace with sad eyes. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she listened to the music.
The voice sang,
"Come stop your crying it will be alright,
Just take my hand, hold it tight,
I will protect you from all around you,
I will be here don't you cry.
For one so small, you seem so strong,
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm,
This bond between us can't be broken,
I will be here don't you cry.
Because you'll be in my heart,
Yes, you'll be in my heart,
From this day on,
Now and forever more.
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say,
You'll be here in my heart,
Always…. Always."
"Papa made me this," Mikoto said quietly.
Naruto and Hinata's eyes widened. That was… Itachi's voice. It didn't sound like the voice of a killer.
"He made it when I was having trouble sleeping," she continued, "So I could hear him sing every night."
She laid down on the bed, "I haven't needed it for a while… but I think it will help tonight."
Naruto nodded, "Goodnight Mikoto," He said and closed the door quietly.
Hinata looked at Naruto, "Thank you for taking care of her, Naruto-kun." She said to him.
Naruto smiled, "And thank you for bringing her here tonight Hinata-chan."
Hinata blushed at hearing Naruto say her name.
"Goodnight Naruto-kun," Hinata said heading to the door.
"Goodnight Hinata-chan," He said as she left.
In the bedroom Mikoto pressed her finger to the center of her necklace and for the third time her father's voice filled the room.
Her papa was there. He was in her heart and he was protecting her. He was always protecting her.
She closed her eyes as she listened to his voice.
Warmth spread through her body and she felt safe as sleep began to overtake her.
Always.
Always.
