CHAPTER FIVE
Starfish and Side Kicks
A gentle breeze on a sunny afternoon made the field of soft dewy grass sway like the waves of a peaceful ocean. They tickled Hinata's stout fingers as she grazed the tips, making her giggle. When she spotted Neji sneaking off behind the compound, she tried to follow him on her slightly shorter legs. Her pursuit ended when he slipped into the shadows of the dark forest that she feared.
She couldn't understand it. They used to be best friends. Since his father sacrificed himself a few years ago he was always avoiding her or saying mean things when he thought he could get away with it. She knew he was angry. Even though she was young, she also knew he was sad. All she wanted was for Neji to be happy so they could be friends again.
Determination wrinkling her brow, she sat down in the grass on the edge of the forest, so she could catch him the moment he came out. In the meantime, she would pick daisies to make them matching flower crowns. He had such long, pretty hair, she thought the crown of flowers would suit him perfectly. She hoped he liked it.
A thud and a loud wail coming from behind brought her attention around. Now facing the engawa several yards away, the noise stopped and she saw nothing amiss. Then soft whimpers and hushed sniffles reached her ears as a tiny white mound in the grass began moving.
She rushed over on her little feet to find Hanabi curled in a little ball, clutching at her reddened elbow. Snot dripping and tears overflowing in her wide silvery eyes.
"There there, Hanabi." She reached down to clumsily lift her sister, who was half her size, into her arms. Feet dangling and arms spread like a starfish, Hanabi's tears ended with the comforting words from her big sister.
Hinata dutifully carried the toddler over to where she'd dropped her creations and sat her down as gently as she could manage before plopping down next to her. She wanted to ask why Hanabi's nanny was not around but Hanabi hadn't yet learned to talk. Hanabi distracted her thoughts by climbing into her lap. The added weight was slightly uncomfortable, but Hinata adored her baby sister and would let her get away with anything she wanted.
Hanabi clutched the edge of Hinata's kimono and snuggled into her chest. Silent sniffles still wracking her small form.
An idea sprung to Hinata's young mind. Picking up the flower crown she made for herself, she held it in front of Hanabi's curious gaze. "Look Hanabi! I made this out of flowers." She said flowers slowly so Hanabi might learn the word. "See the flowers?"
The toddler eyed the floral crown before reaching out with pudgy fingers and bringing it straight towards her mouth.
Hinata's hand shot out to block her sister from devouring the floral arrangement. "No, Hanabi! Like this." She picked up the crown she made for Neji with one hand and placed it atop her own head. "See?"
Repeating the action, Hanabi used both hands to reach over her head and dropped the ring of flowers, which landed lopsided on her brunette locks.
"Yay, Hanabi! You did it!" Hinata cheered.
Hanabi squealed in delight as Hinata clapped. Clinging to Hinata once again, the younger beamed up at the older with twinkling eyes. Her first words came out lovingly. "Mama."
A lump formed in Hinata's throat at the term. The hazy image of a beautiful Hyuuga with rare midnight hair that matched her own and an affectionate smile flashed in her mind. She promptly pushed the vision out of her head, placing a hand to her chest and gently corrected, "Hinata."
The wide grin on the young child's face did not waver as she repeated, "Mama," before snuggling once again into the warmth and comfort of her older sister.
Tears formed in Hinata's large, opalescent eyes. Without the heart to correct her once again, her arms wound tightly around Hanabi's frail body and she began to rock her soothingly. With a hushed murmur, she vowed, "I promise to always take care of you, Hanabi. I promise."
Hinata slowly drifted back into consciousness. The remnants of the vivid memory that haunted her dream pierced through her so violently, she clutched at her chest to stifle the cry threatening to burst past her lips. Heavy moisture gathered in her eyes, and she used her free-hand to press against her lids.
Turning onto a side, she curled into a tight ball, willing the memory, and the sadness it brought with it, away. She needed to get out of here. She just needed the right opportunity.
Time was fleeting and she couldn't afford to waste another moment entertaining an unstable nuclear weapon with a chip on his shoulder. Whatever his plans for her, she was sure they weren't well intentioned. His track record wasn't exactly praiseworthy. He was a rogue-nin, traitor to Konoha, follower of Orochimaru, and murderer of his own kin. If it weren't for Naruto's complete trust and faith in Sasuke, she would have thought twice before abducting and interrogating him.
Sasuke was just a beautiful unnecessary distraction.
After his "training session" that morning, he left saying he would send food and clothing, and telling her to "reflect on both the lesson and her previous actions." It made her feel like she was child being reprimanded. She would have found it humorous if the situation was not so urgently dire.
She underestimated how much chakra exhaustion she had suffered from her narrow escape from her own capture by the Kanedama. As she lay in bed plotting her next move, she was unable to resist the lull of sleep. She must have slept through lunch, as judging by the graying light shining through the single window, it was already late afternoon. Her belly rumbled in response.
Attempting to use her byakugan, a sharp pain sluiced behind her orbital sockets, and she quickly disengaged. Her chakra was barely stable. Tapping into it right now was unwise, but she needed to try.
Determined to do something, she sat up carefully. Her attention drawn to the chair Sasuke relaxed on earlier, she noticed her clothes there instead. They appeared to have been cleaned and neatly folded in a pile.
A shower and a change of clothes would do her some good. Although guilt prodded at her, knowing that she was sleeping in a warm bed while her precious people were likely suffering, she really did need the rest. She wouldn't be able to rescue anyone in her current physical condition.
However, as soon as the opportunity presented itself, she would run. As long as she didn't use any chakra on her journey, she should have just enough for a dash-and-grab mission. She hoped.
The private en suite was located just off the entryway, with French double doors leading into a large gleamingly spotless bathroom. Electrically powered and marble tile everywhere, the likes of which she'd seen no equal. Dual sinks and an oversized vanity. A separate jetted tub and adjoining rain shower. It was all rather opulent and modern. The black and white marble countertops had thin veins of gold threaded throughout the stone slab. Perched neatly on top was an assortment of toiletries for which she whispered her prayers of gratitude.
At least her captor was hospitable.
Figuring out how to work the shower was a process in itself. Steam wafted from the spray of heated water and she quickly undressed to enjoy this slight reprieve. Robotically working to clean herself, her mind began plotting. If she wanted to successfully escape, she needed to get her bearings, and that meant figuring out where she was being held hostage.
Quickly finishing her shower, grooming and biological needs, she dressed and made her way to the window. The white shirt was then folded and placed on Sasuke's throne, as she named it.
Her room was situated about three stories high, overlooking a quaint village. The town itself was not one she'd visited prior but it was analogous in its architecture with the rural areas of The Land of Water. The clear view of the glittering ocean beyond the small strip of beach and the blustery skies told her they were on one of the smaller islands surrounding Mist.
There was a black-iron gated courtyard below with an unused fountain in the center of a circular paved porte cochere. A yellowing lawn book-ended the driveway to either side. The stone construction and grandeur of the building reminded her of medieval castles she'd read about in fairytales from distant lands, but on a smaller scale. The manor looked old and abandoned, but structurally sound. The short wings that flanked the central tower she was in were dark and still. This likely meant they were alone, which made it easier for her to leave undetected.
A polite knock at the door roused her from her thoughts.
"Hello?" An upbeat and definitively male voice called out. "I hope you're dressed, because I'm coming in!"
Hinata arched her brows at his odd comment, noting to herself that they were not as alone as she'd originally thought.
A young man, a few years younger than herself, with a mess of wavy black hair, onyx eyes and a broad nose smiled widely at her in greeting. He was slightly shorter but sturdier than Sasuke. He was non-traditionally handsome and exuded a confidence Hinata always found herself gravitating towards. She instantly liked him.
He greeted with a respectful bow, "The name's Koji."
"Hinata," she responded with a nod.
"I know!" He exclaimed as if it were exciting gossip. He crossed the room to place the covered tray in his arms down on a small wooden table in the nook, with two matching chairs. "It's nice to meet you, Hinata. Sasuke asked me to bring you this."
"Thank you," she murmured. Pulling her attention up to Koji she asked, "How long have I been here?"
"Since yesterday." He answered without hesitation. In fact, he appeared proud of himself for knowing the correct response. He now stood a comfortable distance from Hinata. "Sasuke brought you while you were asleep."
"I see. Where is he now?"
"Out."
"When will he return?"
"Eh… not sure," he said with a shrug.
"And how long have you known Sasuke?"
"Almost a year."
"Do you two always travel together?"
With barely contained excitement he stated, "Yeah, I'm like his side kick!"
That was odd. Why hadn't she seen him at the train station? She continued to press. "Is there anyone else here?"
"Just us!"
"Why?"
"Well, you know Sasuke." He leaned closer, his eyes shifting side-to-side like he was imparting some classified intel.
She tilted her ear towards him, waiting for the big secret.
Koji whispered, "He's not exactly a people person, if you know what I mean." He moved away with a serious look and a nod. As if they were now in cahoots with this hidden knowledge.
A snort almost escaped her. Her lips tilted up in amusement. "Right, but why are you with him?"
He dismissively waved a hand. "Meh, Sasuke's a good guy. He helped me out of a sticky situation. I've been with him ever since. He's always doing that, you know? But don't tell anyone. He doesn't like people knowing. Probably worried about ruining his reputation or something."
He continued to ramble, "Every now and then he grows a wild hair and tries to get rid of me. Trying to drop me off at places where I'll supposedly be safe and they'll supposedly take care of me. Almost worked too when he said he was leaving for Konoha. Then I found out he was back here and here I am! He can't get rid of me!"
Boisterous laughter erupted from Koji's throat as he bent over, clutching his belly and slapping a knee.
Hinata offered a polite but insincere chuckle. Koji obviously had some screws loose if he willingly continued to return to Sasuke's side. She could not rely on him for his help.
The light bulb in her head flickered on. Or maybe she could.
Clearing her throat loud enough for Koji's laughter to die down, she sweetly smiled and interrupted, "Um, Koji. I couldn't find my mission pack anywhere in the room. Do you know where it is?"
Koji wiped at a stray tear. "Yeah, but I don't think Sasuke would want me to give it to you. I can ask him if you'd like," he offered.
"No, that's okay," she responded. Doing her best Ino impression, she adorned pitiful pout, batted her long lashes, and waved her hands frantically in distress. "It's just… I'm in terrible need of a manicure. I have this painful hangnail that's been bothering me and I just, really, really need my manicure set. Do you think there's even a tiny chance you could bring it to me? I completely understand if you need to inspect it first. There's nothing harmful in there. Promise."
Using her index finger, she drew an "X" over her heart. She weaponized her large eyes, willing them to water just a trickle as she bored holes into him.
He sighed loudly, caving almost immediately. "Okay, fine. I am going to look at it first though," he warned.
"Of course," she nodded.
He headed for the door. "I'll be right back."
"Thank you!" she called out as the door clicked shut.
Within a few minutes, Koji was back. He handed her the slim black leather pouch. "Here you are, my lady. It all checks out. Just let me know if you need anything else!"
"You're a lifesaver, Koji!"
He offered a boyish smile and left with a distinct click of the door.
The door knob was circular. No visible screws. The lock was built in.
Hinata got down on her knees and inspected the handle. Just behind the knob was the tiny slot she was hoping to find. Opening her manicure kit, she found the cuticle pusher and inserted the flat side into the hole while pulling the handle. It popped right off. Next was the face plate, where a similar slot was hidden. Using the same tool, she pressed and twisted into the hole until the cover came off. With the two screws revealed, she was able to use the pusher to unscrew them.
Slipping on her knee-high, leather boots, she used the heavy heel to press against what remained of the handle. The pieces landed on the carpeted ground of the hallway with gentle thuds and the door swung on its hinge.
A/N: I am not writing this story. I am simply the instrument. It is writing itself now.
Love you all for reviewing, favoriting and following! I am so blessed and grateful for you. 💜
Fun Fact: Koji is my OC I borrowed from 'Shibari.'
