Chapter 16: Tsunade – The Truth

Well, I wasn't expecting that. For one, Hinata was obsessed with Naruto and Kiba wouldn't risk such a move surely? So much for honouring his name to Neji! Watching them jump apart comically, I was struggling to supress a laugh. I almost didn't notice Tenten beside me. The kid's faces were all red from one reason or another. Hold on Tsunade, they aren't kids anymore you Baka, they are 21.

"Well, won't this be an interesting story to tell? So, you feeling better Hinata?" the smile on my face couldn't help but grow, much like the blush on Hinata's cheeks. Looking to Tenten, I closed her mouth. I suspect she's just as much in shock as I am and looking for answers. Giving me a look of confusion and irritation, she opened her mouth again to speak, "Not yet, Tenten,"

"But I-"

"NO!" I shouted, giving her a glare of my own. Weapons Mistress or not, she better damn well do as she's told. "You'll get your turn. Now, who is priority at the moment?" Pointing a shaky finger towards me, fear glazed over her eyes; well at least I hoped it was fear. I sensed that she immediately regretted her answer. With a quiet voice, I told her, "No, try again,"

"I … I… I don't know, Hokage-sama." Her eyes hit the floor and concentrated on the awful green coloured floor that had been there since Kami knows when.

"Hinata is priority right now. Now answer this, you should get this one right: Who is of the highest authority right now, Tenten?"

"Y-you, Hokage-sama,"

"Good girl. Now … BUTTON IT UNTIL I HAVE MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED!"

"Yes ma'am."

Nope, changed my mind. They may be 21 but they are still kids. Looking back to the new "lovers" in the room., they both sat poker straight as if awaiting orders. "Now then, Hinata, how are you really feeling?" watching the blush creep further, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of impatience.

"W-where d-do you w-want me t-to begin, H-Hokage-sama?"

"The beginning of this whole conundrum, Hinata; and please, I've got a whole stack of paperwork on my hands that Shizune is waiting to whack me over the head and hide my sake for, so make it quick," well only half of that was true. Shizune couldn't hit me unless I was thoroughly unconscious.

"If y-you want m-me to s-show you q-quickly Hoakge-Sama, I-I c-can,"

"What do you mean show me, Hinata? Just tell me already,"

"P-please Tsunade-Sama, l-let me try. I've b-been reading a-about h-hidden techniques of the H-Hyuuga clan in our l-library. P-please, just sit b-beside me," Kami, could this girl never be forceful? Even when she was demanding something, she would ask in the most polite and elegant manner.

"This had better be good, Hyuuga" Planting myself next to her, I faced her slightly. She placed her gentile hands on my temples. "This better not hurt,"

"I'm not sure, Hokage-Sama. I will try m-my b-best,"

A surge of chakra raced from her fingers to my head. All of a sudden her memories were racing through my brain: Meeting Neji for the first time, her mother's death, her kidnapping, the academy, the Chunnin exams, the pain in her chest as Neji struck her, the Hyuuga Library, the useless beatings from herself and her family, her garden, her Jounin exams, her sneaking around her father's study, the words spoken between Neji and her father, the Hokage monument, the pain in her wrists, falling, being caught, and then … Black. Black with voices, her mother's voice, Kiba's voice, Naruto's voice.

Pulling away, the pain of the images that passed through my mind were still thoroughly vivid and very much alive. How could one child suffer as much as she, and not tell anyone? How could she keep so quiet and refined, when all she wanted to do was scream, when all she wanted was her mother? How could she hide all that pain behind all of her smiles, blushes and training? Such a poor, innocent child in a woman's body. But that technique … I have never seen a Hyuuga do that before. I've not even heard of that technique. "Hinata, where did you learn that?"

"T-Tsunade-Sama?"

"That technique? Where did you learn it?"

"M-my f-family's private l-library, Hokage-Sama,"

"I have just seen all of your memories, everything. You have went through so much, and you showed me everything. And you calmly and politely say to me, 'My family's library'. When did you think of telling me?" oh how frustrating children can be.

"I-I'm s-sorry," bowing her head towards her hands, I could almost feel the shame and guilt radiating off her entire being.

"It's all true, isn't it?"

"H-Hokage-Sama?" raising her head to look me in the eyes, hoping to dull the confusion.

"What Kiba and Neji told me? About your father?"

A nod was all the answer I needed at this point in time. That damn family have a lot to answer for. "Tenten, Neji has been acting as a double agent for me for months within the Hyuuga clan. It was a preventative measure against another 'Uchiha' situation. Hinata overheard a conversation between him and her father. Her father asked Neji to murder Hinata, in order to place Neji as Heir to the Hyuuga clan. Hinata went to the Hokage Monument, cut her wrists and was ready to jump when Kiba found her. And now she is here" The lump in my throat was unbearable, this poor girl who was under my protection was neglected at every chance, no wonder she felt a connection to Naruto when they were children. "Get, your game face on Tenten. Go to their compound and make sure they know full well that they are under investigation. Make sure no innocents are hurt. Get your team and go!"

Anger filled her face, hate swallowed her heart and vengeance clouded her mind. Or maybe that was me. The determined weapons mistress's face darkened.

"With pleasure, Hokage-Sama."

Authors Note: I do not own Naruto, or anything in it's universe. All of that belongs to the marvellous mind of Masashi Kishimoto.

I am so sorry my dear loyal readers. I have been going through a very hard time of late. I sunk into a depression late last year and have struggled to get out of it. I lacked inspiration, I'd lost interest in everything that I used to love, I even doubted my existence for a period of time. So for that I apologise for the long long wait. I shall attempt to update more often and complete this story.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. Much love to you all.

Miss Zero-to-Nothing xx