Another short chapter for you. . . Sorry. :( But, I will try and make the next chapter as long as possible. :)
I hope all of you are well and enjoying the lovely summer (humid XD) weather. :D
eternalsmiles: I just went by the way they spelled it on the Naruto fansites. I did think it was Pein, but when I checked and it was spelled the other way, I just decided to use that variation. I'm sorry if it's wrong!
Drea1284: Hahahahah. :D
xCrazyKindOvWeirdx: Well, remember, Sasuke needs dirt on Neji so Itachi can bring him down. :) Thanks!
Gotta Luv The Name: Aw, thank you so much! :D
piixiiestiix: Thank you. :)
LiL sPoIlEd BrAt: Hahah. Here you are. :)
Afictionado: That's good. :) Thanks for the vote of confidence.
CloudGazer15: Thank you! Please do keep reading AND reviewing. ;)
Disclaimer: If I owned this, I'd have a mustache. Sadly, this is not possible.
Hanabi.
"Hanabi?"
Hanabi blinked before mildly raising her eyes to meet her father's.
The past few months had worn Hiashi Hyuga out beyond repair. He was thinner, and his hairline had receded, successfully exposing the grey hairs that had sprouted into his dark mane. His face sagged with exhaustion; his once penetrating pale eyes had reduced their sharpness.
Hanabi feared her father would die soon if his health did not improve.
She watched as he staggered into the parlor with the aid of his cane.
The mild stroke he had had a few months back had provided the use for a cane support.
No, Hiashi Hyuga was not at all what he used to be.
Hanabi waited patiently for her father's address, careful to keep her expression flat and genteel. Beneath the exterior, inner turmoil rotted away at her insides.
"Daughter," began Hiashi softly, "you know that the state of things are not what they used to be."
Hanabi did know this, only too well.
With her elder cousin Neji away at war, along with other male members of the family, the remaining Hyugas had substantially been the elderly, women, and children. This was not a problem . . . currently.
Hanabi swallowed, keeping her mouth firmly pressed together.
Her thoughts involuntarily turned to her older sister, Hinata.
It had been a disgrace, what Hinata had done.
Hanabi flinched, her forehead creasing significantly.
Several months prior, Hinata had eloped with a gentleman neither approved or deemed appropriate by their father. This blow to the Hyugas was devastating. Hinata was the elder; she was of marrying age, even though she no longer held the title of Hyuga heiress. In the letter she had left to their father, explaining of her elopement, Hinata had claimed that she could 'no longer be bound to such restricting ties'. She would love and marry whomever she wished.
Naturally, Hiashi had been furious.
He tried to locate his eldest daughter, but without any success. She was certainly gone, like the wind.
Hanabi knew bitterness was an unbecoming quality, but she could not help harboring the feeling towards her sister.
Besides, it was all Hinata's fault she was in her current position.
"There are several things I wish to discuss with you before your marriage to Neji," Hiashi continued, calling back Hanabi's attention.
Hanabi docilely nodded her head.
"Firstly, there will not be a wedding until your completion of schooling. Women must retain certain qualities to keep their husbands interested in them, and I want to ensure you are prepared. You will need every attribute you can possess to keep Neji's interest. I know you have not seen or spoken to him in a long while because of his knight training, but he is a restless soul. Restless souls need confinement, tradition, and expediency to keep it under control. When you and Neji are wed, these are all things you must learn to accomplish. Practicing frequently now will prepare you for the future."
Hiashi met his daughter's eyes, judging that she was comprehending all his words.
He must have been pleased with what he saw, because he proceeded to his next topic.
"Now, Hanabi, you are aware that intimacy is required of you in your marriage to Neji?"
Hanabi's pale cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. She hadn't expected her father to alight on the subject, and that he was doing so with such casual words was dismaying.
Hanabi quickly nodded once.
"Good. Intimacy between husband and wife is a particular essentiality in marriage. Intimacy, Hanabi, results in offspring."
Hanabi bit the inside of her cheek, unbearably uncomfortable with the subject of which her father was speaking.
Hiashi was blind to his youngest daughter's discomfort.
"Males, Hanabi, have a tendency to wander. They are passion-driven and lustful. Unfortunately, I must say that Neji, my own nephew, also possesses these irrational behaviors. As your husband, he will try to breach many boundaries, namely, sleeping with other women."
Hiashi leaned forward, staring Hanabi directly in the eye.
"This," he emphasized forcefully, "cannot happen. If Neji is permitted to stray and it gets out, the Hyuga name will be tainted even more deeply than with Hinata's transgression."
Hiashi leaned back, his gaze softening somewhat.
"I know, Hanabi, that you will carry out this deed the way it was intended. I'm counting on you, and so is the clan."
Hanabi nodded dutifully.
Her father, satisfied, stood and limped from the room, his cane thudding against the floor.
Hanabi sighed after she was certain her father was out of earshot.
She knew the duties required of her as a wife.
She knew the duties required of her as a daughter.
Hanabi closed her eyes briefly to stopper the tears that had been rising to her eyes.
Hanabi quietly told herself to maintain her emotions. Seconds later, she opened her eyes; no tear could be seen in her pale irises.
She was the hope of the Hyuga clan.
"You seem preoccupied, Commander."
Neji looked up from the blueprints he was perusing, meeting his lieutenant's dark eyes.
Neji merely shrugged and rubbed his eyes.
Lee quietly set himself down across from his friend, studying the tired look emanating from his face.
"You miss Lieutenant TenTen?" Lee inquired softly.
Neji met Lee's eyes briefly, but gave no indication if his guess was correct.
Lee took the hint and moved on to a different subject.
"Have you heard from Hiashi?"
Neji grimaced—unfortunately he had.
Lee caught the look and pressed on, "What did he say?"
Neji sighed.
"To summarize, he reminded me that I was still engaged (as if I'd forgotten) and he said to try very hard not to get myself killed."
Lee smiled a little, knowing that Neji was exaggerating a little on the latter point.
"Well, at least he cares for your life. . ." Lee murmured, trying to see the positive aspect of it.
Neji sent him a glare.
"The humorousness of the situation is lost on me," Neji replied briskly.
Lee apologized, barely hiding his smile.
He quietly turned his attention to the blueprints Neji had been looking over.
"Any changes?" he asked.
Neji shook his head.
"No. There's not enough troops to split them all up. It's best to fight as a whole until we can get reinforcements. If we get reinforcements," Neji amended, doubtful.
Lee sighed.
"We can't think like that," Lee murmured. "The treaty will come through. It has to."
Neji didn't reply, but he hoped his friend was right.
Gaara rubbed his eyes.
Negotiations tended to wear him out easier these days, especially negotiations with Queen Tsunade.
Gaara had always had insomnia, ever since childhood, but now his sleepless hours were spent worrying and poring over treaty proposals.
Gaara was tired. And this sort of tired was something he could not so easily fix.
Weary and restless, Gaara decided to take a stroll outside in the night air.
He passed his siblings' room, sensitive to their rest.
Gaara stole out of the castle without much notice.
Queen's City was calm and peaceful at night; things felt in-place and quiet.
Gaara wandered to the stables, surveying the many horses with vague interest.
In a stall at the end was a small foal, maybe a few months born.
Gaara considered the foal's dark, sleepy stare.
Gaara's childhood was a bit of a sore point. Due to political turmoil, his own father had attempted murder on both Gaara and Kankuro at young ages. Eventually, their own father committed suicide, leaving the three siblings to fend for themselves in the world. It was quickly decided on that Gaara would take the throne at a more mature age.
Gaara sighed and kneaded the wrinkles that creased on his forehead.
He felt completely too old for all of this.
"Lord Gaara?" came a voice from the mouth of the stables.
Gaara turned his head, slightly surprised.
It was Matsuri, one of the specially trained guards that protected the royal family. Gaara had known her for years.
"Are you alright, sire?" Matsuri continued, taking a few steps further.
Gaara nodded and straightened, sparing a small glance to the sleepy-looking foal.
"Yes. I'm fine," he answered, starting toward her.
Matsuri gave him a small, blushing smile, and accompanied him back up to the sleeping castle.
Late spring predicted the uncomfortable weather to come in the summer.
Heat was a primary concern in war.
Soldiers wore layers of armor and metal on top of their regular clothes. Not to mention their helmets and chink armor, which only added to the discomfort.
In the summer it would be far worse.
Neji sighed, leaning back in his desk chair.
He could just see it—the bloated bodies of dead soldiers, swollen and red with flies swarming everywhere.
Neji closed his eyes, leaning his head on his fist.
He pulled out a piece of paper and addressed it to Tsunade, concern littering his pale forehead.
Tsunade perused the letter in interest, absently sipping alcohol from the cup she held in her hands.
Neji had been right to send his concerns of the coming weather.
Tsunade vaguely turned in her seat to consider the city outside her window.
It was sunny outside, dispelling any myth of the abnormal amounts of rain they received a few weeks ago.
Her concern, primarily, was for her soldiers at the front.
She didn't want to pressure Gaara into an agreement, since that would probably just lengthen the whole process. And time was of the essence.
Tsunade stood from her chair and walked out into her outer office, where Shizune was rifling through some documents.
"Send for King Gaara. I have some matters to settle with him."
Shizune nodded quickly and scurried off, careful of the steely look that had been in her mistress's amber-colored eyes.
TenTen passively considered the darkening sky outside the window of Neji's vacant room.
She was leaned back in his desk chair, booted feet propped up on the desk and her arms crossed over her chest.
She'd begun coming to Neji's unused room a few days after the company had left for the front again. It made her feel closer to him, even though he was countless miles away.
TenTen sighed and pulled out the last letter Neji had sent her.
She reread it thoughtfully.
Neji hadn't elaborated on much, other than the continued difficulty at the front and the worry over the treaty.
TenTen had no advice for him, other than similar laments.
Everyday was another mediocre one at Fort Minato, where TenTen was stuck doing tedious, stolid work.
Kiba had left her in charge of overseeing the rookies, but TenTen found even this task dull. The rookies were annoying and innocent. TenTen wished she could send them to the front and let Neji break them in.
Neji. . .
TenTen frowned, unable to control the sadness that settled on her person.
It was harder than ever to be away from him, in a place where they were no longer needed. If Neji were there with her, she would have persuaded him to let them come with him. But without his actual presence, her only hope was that her wish would be heard on paper. And even then, she doubted Neji would give in.
TenTen bit her lip, thinking.
She couldn't persuade Neji because of their distance, but that wasn't a problem she had with Kiba and the other captains. . .
TenTen let her feet fall from the desk and stood, hurrying out of the officer's barracks to the mess hall.
"Hanabi?"
Sasuke nodded.
It had been simple for him to sneak out of sight of the Captain of Squad Two.
They had been on a hunting expedition with a few others from the same squad, and had split up early in the campaign. Sasuke had easily snuck out of sight, bow and a quiver full of arrows slung over his shoulder.
Sasuke and Itachi were currently in an isolated area of the wood, where the trees were dense and blocked the sunlight.
Sasuke leaned against one of the trees and considered his brother.
Itachi wore his usual cynical expression, though the half-moons under his equally dark eyes betrayed some recent sleeplessness.
"Are you getting any rest, Brother?" Sasuke inquired, eyes narrowed.
Itachi frowned, staring at his younger sibling.
"Don't worry about me, Sasuke. I can take care of myself." Itachi paused, turning an observant eye around the perimeter to be sure they were unheard. "Now, tell me, who is Hanabi Hyuga?"
"From what I've discovered, she is the youngest daughter of Hiashi Hyuga, leader of the Hyuga clan."
"And what is her purpose?" Itachi prompted.
Sasuke answered, "She is betrothed to Neji Hyuga."
Itachi cocked his head in thought.
"What a peculiar piece of information," mused Itachi.
"Yes," agreed Sasuke. "Apparently, according to my sources, they will be married following the completion of the war."
"That will not be accomplished, since I'm planning to kill Neji Hyuga prior to the ending of the war," murmured Itachi to himself. To Sasuke he directed, "Is she special to him?"
Sasuke was confused by the question.
"What do you mean, Brother?"
Itachi worked to control his impatience.
"Does Hyuga want her, or is she someone he's being forced upon?"
Sasuke shifted his footing.
"I don't know, Brother."
Quick as lightning, Itachi launched forward and struck Sasuke across the face.
"Idiot," Itachi spat, glaring at his brother's shocked expression.
Sasuke felt anger bubble up in him; his fists clenched at his sides.
Itachi took note of it and laughed, loudly. The sound echoed off the tightly arranged trees.
"Are you going to strike me, little brother?" taunted Itachi, mirth in his voice.
Itachi leaned down a little until he was at Sasuke's level.
"Do it, then. I dare you."
Sasuke was sure that Itachi was testing him. And he was also sure that he'd experienced this type of trick before, almost fourteen years before when he and his brother had lived in the same house. Before his very brother had killed their entire family. Before he severed the ties.
Sasuke moved a comfortable distance from his brother, taking his hand from his stinging face.
Itachi sneered.
"There, now. You remember your place."
Sasuke watched Itachi pace among the trees, pure darkness.
"Sasuke." Itachi grimaced and amended, "Little brother, you forget that your lack of progress hinders mine as well. Lord Pain is patient, but even he has difficulty forgiving half-accomplished effort. And your failure reflects my failure. I will forgive you this time, but next time, understand I will not be so lenient. And if you value the life that I saved, Sasuke, I would do well to not fail next time."
Sasuke clenched his jaw and nodded.
"Focusing on what you have gotten me, Hanabi might be the piece I'm looking for, but I am not completely convinced. Find out more about her. I would send for her in Queen's City, but I do not need the trouble of her father or other relatives."
"What would you suggest I do?" Sasuke queried softly.
Itachi pondered for a second before an idea approached his brain.
"Correspond with her under the guise of Neji Hyuga's name. It shouldn't be that hard for you. Make up what you do not know, and with the rest use your initiative. Though you'd do well to remember that women respond to flattery."
Sasuke nodded.
"If it becomes apparent that Hanabi is not important to Hyuga, find another subject that will unravel his mind. The sooner I discover the key to his heart, the sooner I can kill him. And we don't need to continue this war any longer."
"Why is that, Itachi?"
Itachi sighed evenly, blinking heavily.
"When the treaty comes through, the Wind Country will mobilize soldiers to aid the Fire Country. Lord Pain would rather not engage with a combined force. Isolating one country is an easy way to destroy it. Two countries united will be stronger and harder to destroy."
Sasuke had a question.
"Brother? Has Lord Pain dealt with two countries at once before in his campaign?"
Itachi swallowed. He did not want to implant in anyone's head that Pain could not accomplish his goal, but. . .
"Don't worry about those sort of matters, Sasuke. Do what I've assigned," Itachi smoothed over, putting aside his anxiety.
Sasuke nodded shortly and bowed.
"Yes, Brother."
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