(A/N: I am sooooooooo sooooooo sorry for the three week late update. I've been really depressed lately and I couldn't focus on this chapter very well. When I could finally focus, [last week around Thursday] I couldn't find the time to type. I swear! My family is so busy. I have church on Sunday, Wednesday, and sometimes we have play practice on Tuesday. My brother has cub scouts on Mondays, and last weekend, my friend came over and stayed all weekend. She moved to another state, so I don't get to see her much anymore. I just now finished the chapter and I have been working on it during all the spare time I had this past week. Again, sorry for the late update! Forgive me please!?)
Chapter 16: Death of a Friend
Kabuto tensed, drawing out a kunai knife and, in the process, blocking Hinata's blow. He smirked at her, jumping away from her. "What are you doing here? Posing as simple villagers. Hah! I can't believe you've fallen that far, Snake. When did you and Itachi-kun's brother get married?" He spoke, taunting her with the name of her former lover.
Hinata growled, face twisting in anger. "I am here to kill you. We were never married; Uzumaki-sama drew up a false wedding document. And I owe you no explanation as to why we did what we did."
"Ah. Are you still angry about that? You must be; what else could I have done to make you so angry? But you can't blame me; all I did was follow orders. The one who should be accused of committing that crime here is you."
The Oto men looked on the scene with curiosity, wanting to know what the conversation was about. That is, until they were set upon by Suigetsu and Sasuke.
One was killed instantly as Sasuke swept his katana in front of him, slicing the man in half. The five who had managed to dodge his katana swiftly pulled out shuriken and kunai alike, beginning a two-on-five battle to the death.
The opposing ninja split up: two going for Sasuke, two others for Suigetsu. The other vanished.
Suigetsu quickly completed hand signs, forming a single Mizu Buushin and running forward to attack the two Sound who had dared battle him. Both him and the clone pulled out Kubikiri Houcho(1) and swung at the ninja with whom they were fighting.
Both Oto ninja jumped into the air, raining down kunai with exploding tags attached. Suigetsu's clone was struck in the shoulder by one, turning back into water and disappearing. Suigetsu scowled and swung Kubikiri Houcho effectively managing to cut one Sound's stomach, leaving a deep, heavily bleeding gash.
He immediately wrapped his arm protectively over his newly acquired wound, putting pressure on it to stem the bleeding as much as possible. Unable to dodge the attack headed his way, the man caved under the pressure of Kubikiri Houcho's hilt as it met with and crushed his skull.
While his fellow ninja was occuping Suigetsu's attention, the other Oto ninja snuck up behind Suigetsu, and was just about to bring a kunai down on the man's head when Suigetsu whipped away. The Oto nin did manage to slice Suigetsu's cheek deeply, leaving a cut that would scar permanently and bleed profusely until healed.
This was harder than Suigetsu had imagined. He had thought that since it was the Winter Festival, most of Kabuto's guards would be drunk and tipsy, if not Kabuto himself. But these men had definitely not had any alcohol anytime recently. Pausing for a moment, he concentrated his chakra to his sword, slashing out with it and pushing the chakra into the body it connected with.
The man instantly fell, dead, to the ground. Suigetsu looked around cautiously for the other Oto ninja.
The last man standing against Suigetsu was hiding in a tree nearby, waiting to see what his opponent would do. He smirked as Suigetsu glanced first over first to where Sasuke was battling with two Oto ninja, then to where Snake was fighting Kabuto.
Suigetsu looked on for a moment, listening closely to what they were saying.
"Oh, now don't be mad about that, Snake. I didn't kill him. You did." Kabuto said, prodding cruelly at her weakness.
Hinata growled, tears forming in her eyes, but none leaked down her face. She refused to show her tears to the monster before her. "Iie. I didn't kill him! You are the reason he is dead now!" She shrieked, her voice rising in pitch and tone until she had finished her accusation, and rushed toward the Otokage.
The man before her brought his kunai forward and made a slash at Hinata as she ran toward him. Quickly, she hopped backward, spun, and launched a shuriken at Kabuto, nailing him in the upper arm.
He winced, removing the shuriken lodged in his arm and tossing it back at her with precision, faster than the human eye could follow.
Hinata, scratched on the waist by her own shuriken, channeled chakra to her eyes, trying to override the potion and activate her Byakugan to its full potential. Succeeding, she dropped into her Jyuuken stance, one she had not used since her cousin had been killed. Running forward, she lashed out with her hand.
Kabuto jerked an arm toward her in a punch, but she used Kawarimi no Jutsu, replacing herself with a log. Instantly flipping into the air, Kabuto kicked, knocking the breath from Hinata, who had a katana in hand, ready to slice in a downward stroke.
She flew further into the air, holding her chest as she fell to the ground a few short seconds later. Lying motionless for a moment, so as to appear unconscious, she listened as Kabuto came nearer.
As he stood over her, she opened her eyes and with all the might she could muster, she jabbed his chest with her Jyuuken, missing the heart, but still doing great harm. Kabuto staggered back grasping at his chest and breathing heavily.
She glared at him. He glared back. "Don't blame me for Itachi's death. I did what I was supposed to do: follow orders. You are the only one at fault here. Had you tried harder, he might be standing here with you right now." He stated calmly, trying to bring her to her knees, trying to bring her to tears.
However, this had an opposite effect for the very first time. It enraged her. "Iie! I tried my hardest. There was nothing I could do to heal him! You are the one he fought. You are the one who cut the chakra to his heart. You are the reason he is dead!" She shouted, running at him with renewed vigor.
Looking momentarily stunned that she didn't break down as he expected her to, he simply stood holding his chest and breathing raggedly. Seconds before she speared him with her katana, he came to his senses, bringing his own sword forward.
Suigetsu's eyes widened. No! He watched as, before his eyes, both powerful ninja were run through with swords.
Both Otokage and Konoha ANBU's eyes widened also. Kabuto immediately fell to the ground dead from a slash to the heart.
Hinata, though, was more fortunate, for she had been jabbed by Kabuto at the last minute. He had hit a vital point, but not one she would die from immediately. I should be able to fight for a little while longer. She thought, knowing as she did that the blood loss that would come of her continued fighting would cause her to die faster.
Pulling Kabuto's sword from her stomach, she leapt forward, throwing a kunai toward Suigetsu's head, all while blood poured from her wound. It passed by him, clipping his hair slightly, and nailing Suigetsu's final opponent in the face, effectively removing the last of Kabuto's men from battle.
Hinata stood, panting, and watched as Sasuke dispatched his last opponent with a powerful Raikiri.
He turned to face Suigetsu, and, upon seeing Hinata injured, he rushed over to them. "What happened?" He inquired, worried for his guard and wondering how she was still standing.
"Run through by Kabuto's sword, last minute." Hinata panted, on the verge of collapsing.
"Why did you let down your defenses?" He demanded, wanting her to live despite himself and his uncaring reputation.
"That night, when I lost Itachi-koi, it was Kabuto who fought him. I don't know all the details. Kisame-san said that Kabuto attacked Itachi-koi after a huge Akatsuki battle. Itachi-koi was weakened because he had to use Mangekyou Sharingan and he was attacked by Kabuto in his weakened state. Itachi-koi was defeated and almost died when Kabuto disconnected his chakra network around his heart. He knew I was out in the wood that night, so he requested that Kisame-kun bring him to me so I could try to heal him after they had escaped. I wasn't good enough, and I blamed myself for his death for a long time. Then I realized, a short time ago, that I did nothing wrong. Kabuto killed Itachi-koi, and there was very little even Uzumaki-sama could have done. Then, I swore vengeance on Kabuto no matter what. I won, but at a cost." Hinata said, wheezing heavily due to her wound.
"Hinata-nee, stop talking. You need to save your strength!" Suigetsu said.
"Iie, Suigetsu-nii. I'm finished and you know it. There is no way anyone in Otogakure will heal me, I just killed their leader, no matter how much they hated him. We can't make it back home in time, and there are no villages anywhere near here. I'm too weak to perform my own medical jutsu. Neither of you know medical ninjutsu, so all three of us know I'm going to die." Hinata fell backwards half way through her statement, losing her footing, but still continuing to speak.
Suigetsu caught her before she hit the ground and listened to her continue. "But what about Hikari? What about your village? What will they do? You were one of their most powerful shinobi."
"I'm going to trust that you and Sasuke will take care of Hikari for me." Hinata paused and looked up at Suigetsu and Sasuke. She reached into her shuriken pouch and pulled out her diary. "Rip out the pages in the back with writing on them and give them to the stated person, please Sasuke-san."
She handed the diary to him. "What do you want me to do with the rest of it?"
"Burn it." She ordered in the most commanding voice she could muster.
"Why do you want me to burn it?"
"Because some things are better left unknown, for the sake of everyone in the village."
"Wait a minute. When did you write on the last pages of your diary? Was it earlier when you said you forgot something at the apartment?"
"Hai." She admitted solemnly, struggling to breathe.
"Hinata-nee, you knew you were going to die didn't you?" Suigetsu concluded.
"Hai. I figured I would. I wanted to let Hokage-sama know something. Also you two, Keigo, and Hikari. Please don't read any of the letters but your own. I'm trusting you." She closed her eyes, letting out a final sigh. "I can finally be with Itachi-koi once again."
"Iie, keep breathing, Hinata-nee!"
"Leave it, Suigetsu. Nothing we can do will save her. Not when she's ready and wants to die." Sasuke said in a choked voice, turning his back so Suigetsu could not see his tears. He opened the diary and ripped out the pages she told him to. Looking for the one with his name, he discovered that his was the longest and final one that she wrote.
Dear Sasuke,
I appreciate what you did for me last night. I know I wrote that this morning, but, I just wanted to make sure you knew. Don't cry for me though, for I do not deserve your sadness. When we were young, I used to hate you. I always felt that the feeling was mutual, so I never tried to approach you to be friends. I see now that I missed out on a good friend. I wish I had been stronger back then. Maybe then I could have spoken to you and tried to make you give up on killing your brother. Then we wouldn't have had to go through all this. Sometimes, I feel as though I have caused all this pain in my life. But you needn't worry now. I'm finally going to be back with Itachi-koi. Make sure Hikari gets my letter and read Keigo his, onegai. He cannot read. Please take care of Hikari and do not hate her for being Itachi-koi's daughter. I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I need to know that my daughter is safe. Keigo is probably going to go wherever she goes, so will you take care of him too, if he decides he wants to stay? Again, I'm sorry I'm asking so much of you. Just to let you know, I consider you a close friend and wouldn't trust Hikari and Keigo with anyone else but Suigetsu-nii.
Wishing you luck,
Hinata
Suigetsu sat holding her body, still shocked that his rescuer, the strongest Kunoichi he knew of, had been killed. He was glad she had died looking at peace, instead of with the worried look she always wore, but he still wished she hadn't had to die. It was unfair, the world. The ones who were most loved always had to die.
Both men looked to the bright moon before them, peeking through the trees, lighting the clearing. Sasuke stood, staring at the moon. The tears sparkling down his face were of no comparison to the pain he felt in his heart. He pitied Hinata for all the pain she had to go through. He felt guilty that he had pained her heart, as he knew he did, when he talked about needing to kill his brother.
When he read the final diary entry, he had begun to feel something once more. He was unsure whether it was love or not, but now, he would never again have the chance to find out. This must be harder for Suigetsu, though. She was like a sister to him. Sasuke glanced over to Suigetsu, who was still frozen on the ground, hugging Hinata's bloody body close to him. Sasuke walked up to him, silent for a few moments.
Suigetsu knew Sasuke was watching him, but he didn't care. Hinata was the only person in the world whom he was close to, and now she was gone. It didn't help that he hadn't gotten the chance to say a proper goodbye, but, he supposed, neither did her daughter.
She had spoken of Hikari a lot when they met. At first, her daughter was all she was willing to speak of that had to do with Konoha. As time passed, when he gained her trust and learned more about Konoha, Hikari was still her favorite subject. Suigetsu had learned many things about Hikari, but never actually saw her. He knew that Hinata had cared for Hikari immensely and vice versa, so he knew that when he and Sasuke arrived home with Hinata's body, the poor girl would be devastated.
Suigetsu almost jumped when Sasuke tapped his shoulder. He looked up and saw Sasuke holding out a small piece of paper. "It's your letter from Hinata." He said simply.
Suigetsu took the paper from Sasuke.
Dear Suigetsu-nii,
Arigatou gozamizu for being so helpful. There are no words to say how glad I am that I was able to save you. It was only thanks to you that I was able to exact my revenge upon Kabuto. If you need somewhere to live, you can stay in Konoha if you want. Just tell Hokage-sama that you were a close friend of mine. Although, I'm sure he'll pick up on that if you are talking about me and say Hinata-nee. It's ironic isn't it? Death is the only way I get peace, but it causes a major disturbance in other lives. I know you guys will miss me, and I'll miss you too, but I'm finally with Itachi-koi again, so don't cry for me. I'm happy.
Your sis,
Hinata
It was silent for a few moments while Suigetsu thought about the letter.
"We probably need to head back to Konohagakure." Sasuke called out, snapping Suigetsu away from his thoughts. He folded the paper and put it in his pocket.
Suigetsu stood silently, still carrying Hinata's body, and followed Sasuke back to Konoha, both men attempting to staunch the tears that teemed slowly and ceaselessly down their cheeks.
Upon arriving, they teleported directly to Naruto's office, taking care that no one saw whom it was that they were carrying. Sasuke knocked on the door and heard Naruto's "Enter."
Pushing open the door, Suigetsu quickly walked into the room before Sasuke. "Hokage-sama." Suigetsu bowed, dropping to one knee in the presence of the man who would decide his future.
"What are you doing here!? I thought we killed you-" Naruto shouted, pausing when he noticed what Suigetsu was carrying, and that the man's cheeks were covered in tear smudges.
"Gomen ne. There was nothing we could do." Suigetsu said.
"Hinata managed to complete the mission successfully, but at the cost of her life, Naruto." Sasuke said. He no longer cared who saw his tears; he let them run freely down his cheeks already stained with both dried blood and salty tears.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out Hinata's letter to Naruto and reached across the desk to hand it to the man. "She said to give this to you."
Naruto unfolded the page and scanned it quickly, knowing that these were the last words he would ever hear from Hinata's mind.
Naruto-san
I appreciate you sending me on this mission. I remembered what it feels like to be loved, even if it was only pretend. Do not feel guilty for my death. I welcome it. I have been confused and seemingly heartless, and I know you worry for me. I can finally be back with my Itachi-koi, so do not be sad for me, either. Please, tell no one that I am Snake, for I do not want them in pain without reason. Let them continue believing we are two separate people, for their sakes, especially Hikari. I have entrusted her and Keigo to either Sasuke-kun or Suigetsu-nii. Please allow Suigetsu-nii to live in the village, for he is as loyal to you as I was. He has been the one feeding us information from Otogakure at the risk of his life over the past many years.
Take care,
Hinata
He smiled sadly, glancing up at Sasuke, Suigetsu, and Hinata's body. "I believe you should go visit Hikari-chan and Keigo-kun. Hinata has left them in your care. Decide who's going to care for them and report to me. Suigetsu, would you like to stay here in Konoha?"
"I would be pleased if you would allow it."
"Of course. Hinata trusted you and you were the one that gave us the information on the correct time that we should attack. You are welcome to stay." He stood and walked to Suigetsu. Reaching out, he clapped the man on the shoulder, then took Hinata's body and spoke once again. "I'll be right back. He poof'ed from the room, leaving a small puff of smoke.
Moments later, he returned, carrying Hinata's body, but he had put her mask on her. "We will have a funeral for her in two days. Spread the word around that she's been killed. If either of you tell anyone who she was, you will be going against her last wishes, and bringing unnecessary grief to others."
Sasuke and Suigetsu nodded slightly, tear-stained cheeks looking out of place on the two mighty ninja. They turned, leaving the room, wiping their eyes and trying to clear their faces of grime before they walked out of the door.
They left Hokage Tower, heading toward Hinata's former house. Walking up the path, Sasuke knocked on the door, standing in front of Suigetsu so as not to alarm Hikari or Keigo.
The door opened cautiously, slowly. Hikari peeked out, being more careful than Sasuke had ever seen her. "What happened?" She asked quietly. Sasuke glanced at her, confused. She elaborated. "Where's Snake-sama? I can sense two presences out here, but neither of them are hers. Who's that man?"
"This is Suigetsu. He helped Snake-sama gather information on Otogakure by pretending to be a citizen there. The good news is that Snake-sama and I completed the mission successfully."
"And the bad news?" Hikari questioned. Sasuke held out the letter that Hinata had written for her daughter. Hikari took it, and unfolded the small piece of paper.
Hikari,
I thank you for being such an attentive apprentice. If you are reading this, I finally killed Kabuto, exacting revenge on the man who ruined your mother's life. I'm sorry, but I have been killed, and I know that you will hurt, but please do not cry for me. I am not worthy of your tears. Take care of Keigo and be good for Sasuke and Suigetsu. You can choose which of them you'll be staying with, but make sure it's okay with them first, Hanii. Please try to explain why I'm not going to come back to Keigo, but be gentle, okay? I trust you and you continue to carry my support with you whatever you do. Remember your lessons well, and do not make the same mistakes your mother and I made. Be your own person, and know that I always admired your passion and drive to be the best you could be.
Snake-sama
Hikari's eyes watered, and, upon turning around, she came face to face with Keigo. "Where's Snake-sama?" He asked quietly. "I don't see her out there with Sasuke-san." He paused, noting the tears on her face. "Is she not coming home?"
"Iie, Keigo, she's not going to be coming back. Do you remember what happened to Moth- ano- Hinata?"
"Hai. Snake-sama said she died when she had to fight Itachi."
"Aa. Snake-sama had to go fight Kabuto. She battled with him for a long time, and she ended up winning, but she lost her life in the process, Keigo-kun." She hugged him as he began to sob, clinging onto Hikari's hand as though it would save his life.
Sasuke pulled out another letter, handed it to Keigo, and stepped inside to sit down, motioning for Suigetsu to do the same. "Keigo-kun, can you read?" He asked the small boy in Hikari's arms.
"Iie. I never learned. Okaa-san was always too busy with work and Otou-san was too. My family was too poor for me to go to school."
"Would you like me to read the letter that Snake-sama left for you then?"
"Hai."
"Dear Keigo, I'm sorry, but I can't come home with Sasuke-san. Suigetsu-nii is a very nice man, and Sasuke is too. You can stay with whichever of them you want to if it's okay with them. Be a good boy and study hard when you start school. Stay strong, Snake."
"What does she mean, 'when I start school?'"
"You'll be going to the academy with the rest of the kids your age. You don't have to be a ninja, you can go there just to study if you want to."
"Cool." Keigo said with a wistful tone.
"Cheer up, Keigo. It'll all be okay soon." Suigetsu said gently. He turned to Hikari. "I'm guessing you are the infamous Hikari-chan?"
"Infamous? Iie. But my name is Hikari."
"Snake-nee spoke of you often. She loved you more than you think. I'll understand if you would rather stay with Sasuke-san than with me. After all, you've already lived with him for over half a year, anyway, and I've just shown up on your door step telling you I was a friend of Snake-sama. Don't worry."
"Are you sure you won't be offended?"
"Hai."
"Okay." Hikari looked relieved. "Sasuke-san, would it be okay if I stayed with you?"
"Me too! Me too!" Keigo shouted.
"Sure. I have more than enough room in the Uchiha Mansion. I don't really mind. I would welcome the company here, and I know you are both settled here already. Suigetsu, where are you planning on staying?"
"I'm going to rent an apartment in the Hokage Tower."
With that settled, all went deeper into the Uchiha Mansion, away from any prying eyes that might intrude upon their sadness.
The whole town gathered at the Hokage Mountain two days later to pay their respects to Snake-sama. They assembled in a large black mass in front of her picture that so many of the faces knew. It was the only picture they had of the ever elusive Snake. It was her ANBU coronation picture, required. That was the only reason she allowed it to be taken. She was wearing her mask, clothed in full ANBU garb, rigid in posture, not giving away one hint of her emotion.
Though not a single villager knew her identity save for Naruto, Sasuke and Suigetsu, they all knew what she had done to protect them. They believed that she had rid the world of the threat of Otogakure at the sacrifice of her life. This alone was enough reason for the villagers to pay their respects, but they knew she had done much more than that: she had been a foster mother, healed many of their most powerful ninja, and protected the village with everything she could give.
For Hikari and Keigo, the woman before them had meant much more to them. She had cared for Hikari when the child assumed she was alone. She had helped her with her training to become strong enough to be an ANBU's apprentice at age eleven. She had taught Keigo that not all ninja were evil and out to kill anyone they met. She had given him a home and family when he thought he would never have one again.
For Sasuke, she was a friend, a possible love, a companion, and an inspiration.
For Suigetsu, she was a friend, a sister, a confident, a liberator.
These were the people she had the greatest impact on. The people who would miss her the most. They knew she was happy, and with Itachi wherever she was, but this gave the ones she left behind only small comfort.
People could move on, but they could never forget the influence she had on three of the most powerful Konoha shinobi.
(A/N: I can't even say how sorry I am for the late chapter. Don't kill me! –squeaks and ducks when brick is thrown at her- I tried not to make it too depressing, but I still don't like the ending… I'm sorry if it seems a bit rushed. Please review!)
(1) Kubikiri Houcho – The sword that Suigetsu uses. Was once Zabuza's if I'm not mistaken. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.