A/N ha, I was so on a roll today. I created a new story (Kidnapping the Wrong Hostage, check it out if you want ; ) and I uploaded. I'm sorry this one took quite awhile, and its sorta boring. But its because it was so boring to write that it took so long to update. I just have to get over this little Konoha slump, and then I should be back on. But so yeah, enjoy. I have something to say here, but I totally forgot it :D.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
So ready, set, read.
I had been ill prepared for all of the excitement that awaited my return home. As soon as Naruto and I stepped through the gates I was swept up into a multitude of arms. I clung to Naruto's arm in the chaos, because it was the only thing that I could identify. Briefly, the thought that this would be much more enjoyable if I could see them all, flitted through my head. This was too messy and hard to comprehend.
"Stop being troublesome all of you," Shikamaru finally called through. I felt him break through the crowd, trying to get to me, and make them spread. "Give her some space would you?" No matter how hard he tried though, even if he was ANBU he couldn't save me from all of my suddenly rabid friends. As touched as I was, I wished that they would all back away a bit.
"Hey! Listen up," demanded a strong voice. Its volume successfully managed to override everyone else's and I felt all the people milling about finally back up a bit. I could still sense them all beside me, but at least now I could catch my breath.
"Aregato, Temari-san," I said thankfully as I smiled towards the sound of her striding footsteps. I felt Temari clap me on the shoulder. I was glad for the steadying grip, Naruto's arm had been pulled from my grasp, and he actually hadn't been that helpful anyway. He didn't stand strong enough.
"No problem, Hinata-chan," she told me briskly. She used to scare me, but now, I didn't see the sense in being scared. Deidara was someone I should be scared of, but yet I was willing to go and give him a hug. There was no sense in being afraid of Temari, who at least meant well. "Now, everybody, give her some breathing room, she's been through a lot. And YOU, what did you do to your face?"
"Troublesome woman," Shikamaru began. Their conversation drifted away from my ears though as they walked off. I covered my mouth as giggles bubbled over. They really were adorable together I thought. I saw them in the same means I saw Deidara and his beloved Hitomi. So clear in my mind, but so foggy as well. It was an odd way to imagine things, but it worked for my sentimental purposes.
"Oh, Hinata-chan. I'm so happy you're alright!"
The next hour of so passed in a blur of hugs and tears. Surprisingly, none of which came from my eyes. They were curiously dry, and almost apathetic. It wasn't that I wasn't overjoyed to see so many dear friends again, or so happy that they were glad to see me too. I just didn't feel the need to cry. Crying was almost sacred to me, I supposed. It was reserved only for a way to release negative emotions that could no longer stay pent up, or it was a declaration of misery. Being reunited with old friends called for neither. Perhaps the stoniness of the Akatsuki was contagious.
Guilt was another thing that gnawed at my insides when I received all those overwhelming welcomes. I hadn't done anything traitorous, not really. Yes, I had kissed another man when I was engaged, but how could that count? We were cousins that didn't even want to get married. And I hadn't divulged any information or secret of Konoha. But yet I felt guilty for not having as horrible a time as they all thought I did. I knew that in a sense, I was lying to them.
Finally, with a few last hugs, the majority of my friends left. All that stayed was Kiba, as well as Neji and Hanabi, both of which had barely said a word of greeting. I didn't take it to heart though. It wasn't because they were indifferent to my arrival, but their Hyuuga facade must always stay in place. Naruto had left as well, but not before letting everyone know I was blind. For that, I was grateful. It was intensely awkward to have to explain everything. I would have to though eventually of course; because all they knew was that I was blind due to Itachi.
"Hinata, I'm so glad you're alright," Hanabi said with barely contained elation. I had
heard people say that so many times in the last half hour, but never had it sounded so sweet to me. I felt her wrap her slender arms around me, and I returned her embrace tightly. "I was so worried about you." Our days of sibling rivalry were over. I buried my face in her hair, just now feeling my eyes start to water. Hanabi's joy was so truly genuine. How long had I hidden the longing for my family from myself? Much too long it seemed. "And so was Neji."
"Hinata." I turned at the sound of Neji's smooth, baritone voice. I felt Hanabi lay a hand of comfort on my arm, and then back away. I was surprised to feel that my heart was beating quickly as I took a step towards my strong cousin. Suddenly, I felt myself pulled up into his arms and held tightly. I took me a moment to realize that Neji was hugging me.
A wave of tears suddenly hit me as I clung to Neji and he held me close against him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. I took no heed to the wetness on his shirt, and neither did he. He just tightened his grip on me and let me sob. I felt him tuck my head under his chin as my body shuddered with emotion. My tense strings had finally been snapped. That pent up negative emotion was finally released.
It took a few seconds to understand why I was crying. But then I realized that they were tears of relief, and of everything I had gone through in the past two months. All my stress could finally be unstrung. I was home in Konoha, in the arms of my rock, of my pillar of strength, and he would make everything all better.
Finally, after at least half an hour, my tears stopped and Neji slowly released me. I stood up a little straighter and wiped my tears away, trying to retain some shred of my Hyuuga dignity. I felt Neji run his hand through my hair, fixing it. I almost felt embarrassed at my breakdown, but it was insignificant to the lightness I felt. A huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and I could now enjoy being back home in Konoha.
"There is a lot to discuss," Neji told me in his calming and velvety voice. I nodded, of course there was. "But for now, you should just rest." There was a pause in which neither of us spoke. I knew there was more that Neji had to stay. "The wedding is in a month."
A deadly lump formed in my throat. It felt like I was choking, I couldn't breathe. I could never enjoy being back in Konoha, not if that was my fate, which it was. The ring on my finger felt suddenly oppressive again. A chain again. But no, couldn't it be my ticket out of here? Couldn't it be my salvation?
No. My mind told me all too clearly. Running away to be with Kisame was NOT an option, and it was foolish of me to even consider it. This was my place now, as it always was. My time with the Akatsuki had been more than I even should have had. It was a small vacation that I was lucky to have. But I shouldn't get used to it; it wasn't the way things were meant to be.
I felt my body being jarred mercilessly as my knees hit the ground. I hadn't even realized I was falling, until I had fallen. I could still feel Kisame's large hand around mine as he pulled me back, away from the Konoha Nin. I could hear his rough voice as he yelled a challenge for him. In that moment it had seemed like I could choose, like I could have what I wanted. Because Kisame was there. He would protect me.
Kisame had seemed indestructible to me, invincible. How could they have beaten Kisame? He was so strong and determined; it was like the thought of losing had never crossed his mind either. It had certainly never crossed mine. I had never stopped to think that maybe solving the inner turmoil, would not solve the problem.
"She can stay with me for now," Kiba offered as he slipped his strong arm under my suddenly frail ones and lifted me up. He supported me gently as I found my footing, and managed to keep standing. I could feel my face, but I could not control it. It was slack, and
unmoving; utterly and completely blank. There were no tears or anything, even the knot had receded into my gut. "I doubt the Hyuuga compound is the sort of place she needs right now." He was right, I thought numbly.
"I suppose that's true," Neji agreed thoughtfully. I bit my lip, and managed to look up at my cousin imploringly. I could tell he was still deliberating. But he could not deny me this. He could not make me go back there right now; he was too kind for that. Even if it was against what I should be doing. After all, I should be going to address the Hyuuga Council right away, but I simply couldn't do that right now. Suddenly, I felt a small hand clap my shoulder.
"That's perfect," Hanabi exclaimed. I heard Neji give a growl of disapproval, and I could only assume that Hanabi had scowled at him. "Neji, let her. We'll explain to Father for you, okay, Hinata." I smiled slightly, but gratefully, and gave her tight hug. I felt Kiba sling a supporting arm over my shoulder, and smiled again. It wasn't Kisame's touch, but it was still welcome.
"Thanks guys," he said sincerely. "Come on Hinata, you look beat." He steered me away from my beloved family members and down the street. A small, happy smile settled on my lips as I leaned my temple against my friend's side. My emotions were insane these days. Usually that only happened once a month, but now it seemed to happen constantly. I was happy, and then dull, and then in tears, in then in misery, and then dull again, and now bordering on almost content. I couldn't even understand myself now a day, but yet everyone else's intentions seemed crystal clear. I inhaled Kiba's comforting, doggy smell with a sigh.
"Where's Akamaru," I asked curiously as we strode down the street. I wondered briefly how far his apartment was; after all, I had no landmarks to draw from. The more pressing matter to me though, was Kiba's furry friend. I loved that dog almost as much as I loved Kiba himself.
"He's at home," Kiba replied. The arms around my shoulder shifted as he shrugged. "We trained pretty hard yesterday, so he's exhausted. I had to get those extra pounds off him though." I giggled a little, as Kiba paused. Then he added as an after thought "I could lose a few pounds around the middle too, actually." I scoffed and gave him an elbow to the stomach. Kiba was famous for his six pack, he was just being funny. Kiba chuckled and caught my elbow before it could make contact. "Well, we're here."
I grinned as I heard Kiba open the door. Finally, a functional, safe place that I could feel genuine comfort in. My smile faded then at the thought of the Akatsuki base. I had been more at ease there then I had ever been at the Hyuuga base, and even...here. It was just more politically correct to be happy here. Yet, the Akatsuki base had become somewhat of a home to me as well.
"Come on."
At Kiba's urging, I immediately stepped over the threshold and was met by a wet tongue and a hurtling ball of fur. Akamaru luckily didn't jump on me; he seemed to understand that he was too big to be able to do that with any one but Kiba. He did run up beside me and rub against me though. He didn't even have to get up on his hind legs to reach his smooth slobbering tongue up to my face. I laughed in delight as I shoved him away, wiping my face with my sleeve.
"Akamaru," Kiba scolded good naturedly as he pulled the canine off of me. "You get off of her." Akamaru barked happily, and I giggled as I remembered that that bark used to be a yip years ago. "I know, I know, we haven't seen her in a long time, huh?"
My happy smile faltered for a moment at Kiba's grunt after his sentence. It didn't have any real resemblance to the word 'yeah,' but its placement did. Just after his sentence like Deidara always did. I wondered if I would ever hear that again. I suddenly pressed my lips together firmly, unhappily, and shook me head. Why was I thinking of the Akatsuki so forlornly?
It was foolish, and it had to stop.
"You should go clean yourself up, Hinata," Kiba said gently, breaking into my thoughts. I looked up at him in a moment of puzzlement. He had placed a hand on my shoulder and was carefully guiding me along the narrow hallways of his apartment."Here's the bathroom. You gonna be alright?"
"Of course. I remember your bathroom," I said reassuringly as I nodded. I could detect his unusual sobriety. I reached up and patted his cheek as I opened the bathroom door. It was sad that he tried so hard to be calm and gentle because of my blindness. I wanted my aggressive, hyperactive, and at times, childish, Kiba back.
"Soon," I murmured to myself after I closed the door behind me. "Soon." I then set about trying very hard to move carefully, yet effectively. What I found happening a lot was that I would subconsciously incorporate my map of Kisame's bathroom into my newly forming map of Kiba's. Luckily though, I managed to get into the shower and turn it on with no more than stubbed toes and bruised shins.
I let out an audible sigh at the feel of the hot water cascading over my body. It was just this side of scalding. It was heaven to me though; it was burning away all the badness of the day. I groped around a bit and to my astonishment: found a bar of soap. I hadn't thought Kiba used the stuff. Then again, it was still so big he probably didn't. Either way, I lathered up and reveled in the feeling of cleanliness it left when washed away.
In a half an hour, I finally turned off the water and managed to find a nice towel. Kiba pounded on the door as a warning, and slipped in some clothes before closing it again. I dried myself and put them on, forcing myself not to analyze them. But I couldn't help it. They were so different from Itachi's clothes, and the nightgown from Kisame. They were roughing, and lacking the sentimental value I found that the others had.
I came out of the bathroom feeling both content and refreshed. I put my hand on the wall of the hallway and trailed my fingers against it as I walked down it steadily. I felt Akamaru trot over to my side and I reached down to tangle my fingers in his fur at the top of his neck. And then he led me happily into the living room. Nothing ever seemed to dampen the dog's spirits. I smiled. My own little Seeing Eye dog.
"I hope that you are not truly hungry, Hinata," Shino noted as I walked into the room. I giggled a little in exasperation. That was typical Shino for you. No niceties and no hello. Just straight to the point. I used to be hurt by his gruffness, but now I knew that he truly did care. It was just the way he was. And I never liked to change people; I just liked to accept them. I would never try to change Itachi, even if he was a rapist. I wouldn't change Kisame for the world, no matter what he looked like. No matter what their faults were, I simply couldn't allow them to change. "Kiba's trying to cook."
"Oh let me do it," I practically squealed. I nudged Akamaru in the direction of the kitchen, hoping he would take me there. The clever Nin dog picked up on it right away and began leading me across the living room. I liked the feel of the carpet between my toes. I was used to hard wood floor.
"Hinata, be reasonable," Shino sighed as I heard him get up and follow me. I felt him grab my upper arm gently as I touched the door from of the kitchen. I turned towards him with a frown. "I do not believe that that is such a good idea."
"But I do it all the time with..." I trailed off uncertainly. With Itachi, Deidara, and Kisame. That was what I wanted to say, but I did not think that would go over well. I found it irritating the way they were all babying me. Did they forget that I had been blind for months, and
that I had done it in the presence of s- ranking murderers; did they think that they had babied me? I was fine. I felt Shino stiffen at my reluctance to continue. So I did so less assuredly and with much less confidence. "With the Akatsuki."
"Hinata-"
"Oh, Shino. Stop acting like there's a stick shoved up-" Kiba stopped abruptly at a glare from me. He knew I hated it when he spoke so crudely. He amended himself. "Just let her have a go. She's a better cook than us anyway." Kiba threw his usual demonstrative arm over my shoulder and I gave him a smile. As we walked over to the cupboards I was just a little unsure of cooking blindly in a foreign kitchen. But cooking was such a source of security to me; I didn't want to let it pass me by. Especially if I didn't have Kisame around to make me feel secure instead...
I had to recruit both Kiba and Shino, and even Akamaru to help me, and it took quite a while, but in the end, I managed to prepare what I believed to be a presentable meal.
It had been nice cooking like that in the kitchen with Kiba and Shino sitting at the table. For a moment I could believe that Kiba was Deidara, and Shino, Itachi. Minus of course the deep hatred rooted between the two. And then any second now, Kisame would make his way into the kitchen. He would talk to me, or hold my waist while I cooked. Or most likely he would nab a tasty morsel before he was allowed, when he thought I wasn't paying attention. Then of course, he would admit defeat when I gave him a look that plainly stated I had caught him.
But of course, it was almost painfully clear that Kiba was not Deidara, and Shino not Itachi. And of course, Kisame did not come through that door. He did not talk to me, he did not hold me, and he did not steal a nice little piece of food. That faintly cruel realization left a sour taste in my mouth and stained the atmosphere of cooking as I passed out the plates.
I refused to allow it to get me down though. I should be happy to be home and among friends. I dug into my meal in a forced good mood. Just how I assumed though, that mood eventually naturalized. Kiba had me laughing and smiling, and Shino's sincere, kind, and quiet words filled me with fuzzy warmth. There was such an open, welcome and homey feel to the whole thing. It was nice. I yawned widely as Kiba and I said good bye to Shino. He never liked to stay late, and this time it was good thing too. I was truly exhausted. "Goodnight, Shino." I called quietly as I rubbed my eyes. I heard Kiba close the door and I gave a tired smile.
"Okay, bed time," Kiba said kindly, as though speaking to a small child. My size gave people that effect; they always treated me like a child. Though most of the time I really didn't mind. I gave a little laugh and let him lead me down the hallway to the bed room. "Night."
"Good night, Kiba," I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave him a hug; Kiba ruffled my hair and then left. I turned to the bed finally and collapsed on top of it. It was so comfortable and so welcomed. I fell asleep right away.
It was the chill that woke me up. I tried to burrow deeper into the covers to keep warm, but unsurprisingly it had no effect. I reached towards Kisame, seeking his nice bulk and warmth; I frowned in confusion when my searching hands met only covers and empty bed. I sat up and wrapped my arms around myself.
"Kisame," I called, feeling lonely. When the hollow sound of my voice echoed back to me, I realized that I had fooled myself once more. Tears sprang into my eyes without warning and I tugged my legs under myself, pulling into a ball. I sniffed and rubbed at my eyes. I shouldn't be crying right now. I should be just fine. I didn't even know why I was crying, I lied to myself.
A brisk breeze suddenly blew threw the window and the tears came harder. I gave up trying to stop them. I fell back into the bed and buried my face in the pillow. Despite the horrible ache in my chest, I tried to cry silently, but it didn't work. Jagged sobs ripped out of my throat, making it feel coarse and scratchy. My stomach was churning in turmoil and I heaved over the side of the bed. I was sick with misery.
"Kisame," I moaned to myself. The very name made more wetness pour down my cheeks. I hadn't thought of him before much; I had only allowed myself to miss Deidara or Itachi. Things that were saddening, but not agonizing. Now, weak and alone in the middle of the night, I simply couldn't control myself. Misery and longing come freely and mercilessly. I didn't even try to resist it.
How had this happened? How had I lost Kisame, how had he been taken from me? I needed him, I needed to feel his arms secure around me; I needed his love and caring and just...him. I had chosen to stay, and he had said I hade a choice! I banged my fists on the mattress furiously, feeling the cold emptiness there. I heaved again over the side and felt bile rise in my throat, making me gag.
I collapsed on the bed again, still weeping my heart out at my loss. Could it really be? Was I really never going to be with Kisame again, was I really never even going to see him? I clutched my chest in excruciating pain as my heart twisted and ached. And worse, I had to pretend I was happy, and that I never wanted to go back...
But there was one person I couldn't pretend to. I crawled out of the bed with my limbs shaking. I felt weak and limp, and my whole body trembled as I struggled towards the door. I stumbled and fell, hitting the ground with a groan of pain and felt fresh tears in my eyes at the frustration.
This was always where Kisame found me. When I didn't think I was going to be alright, he always came. Even if it seemed impossible for him to be there, or to have such impeccable timing. This was when he would lift me up into his arms and cradle me against his strong chest. But I lay on Kiba's floor for a long time, and still I was alone. I forced myself to crawl towards the door and pulled myself up by the handle. I stumbled down the hallway and into the living room.
"Kiba," I called in a raspy, cracking voice. I heard half asleep mumbling and made my way towards it. I felt Akamaru leap to his feet and trot over to me. I tangled my fingers at the base of his neck and reached out to touch Kiba's shoulder. I shook it a bit, trying to wake him.
"Huh...Oh, Hinata," he muttered softly. I felt him wrap a friendly arm around my shoulder and pull me onto the couch beside him. I had come crying to Kiba in the middle of the night many times. I cried on Kiba's shoulder just like I used to. I felt him give me a hug and began to feel a little bit better. It was different from the comfort of a mother, and much different from that of Kisame. It was something unique just to Kiba.
"I miss him, Kiba," I choked out, rubbing my eyes. I had found long ago that talking really did help, as long as it was to a true and loving friend. I found my throat loosening, even though my chest was tight and my eyes wet.
"But Naruto's here now," Kiba reminded me as he stroked my hair. "And he-"
"Not him," I snarled with more frustration and venom then I knew I was capable of. Kiba started in surprise. I shook my head violently as Kiba's assumption. It disgusted me to think that Kisame could be confused for Naruto. I have never cried so hard, or felt such agony because of Naruto. And I never would. "Kisame. I miss Kisame..."
Had I been in my right mind I never would have said that out loud in Konoha. I would
have kept my affection for the older man a carefully guarded secret. But I was no way in my right mind. I was in tears for the second time today. I had thought that my breakdown with Neji had lifted a weight. But when I had woken up cold and alone in an empty and unfamiliar bed, I realized that the weight of loss could never be taken away for as long as I stayed in Konoha without Kisame. Perhaps I had to learn to live with it...
I felt Kiba stiffen at my confession of longing for Kisame. But, wisely and kindly, he did not say anything, and for that I was grateful. I closed my eyes and allowed my head to fall against his shoulder. I was no longer cold, but I was still exhausted. I finally managed to let my nerves relax, and I fell into a shallow dreamless sleep.
My sleep was not nearly as shallow or dreamless as I had originally thought. When I finally woke up in the morning, the birds were singing loudly and Kiba had steaming ramen ready for a late breakfast. I squeezed my eyes shut and massaged my temples. My dreams were still haunting me behind my eyelids. They were vivid snatches of Kisame's voice and touch. I could never see his face though, and through the euphoria of having him with me I felt a gnawing frustration at that fact.
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty," Kiba said cheerily as he sat a delicious smelling bowl on the coffee table beside me. I gave a little groan as I sat up. Even in my half asleep state, I could sense the uneasiness in my friend's voice. I sighed and tried to eat the food he gave me. I leaned over the bowl carefully, afraid to spill.
"Good morning, Kiba," I said. It didn't escape mine or Kiba's notice at how quickly I could regain my dignity and composure. Two months before it would have taken over a day for me to get over such a bout of tears. But I wasn't like that anymore. I was more resilient. I could endure.
"Erm," Kiba began. I winced and braced myself for his interrogation about the man I had called out for in the middle of the night. With any other person I did not think that they would be so straight forward in what he was about to ask me. Either they would have said nothing, beaten around the bush, or would have screamed and raged last night. No, Kiba would sit down calmly and ask firmly, no pre questions, what was going on in his friend's head. "Tsunade wants to see you."
My face froze in puzzlement. "Oh," I murmured in surprise. I could tell that had not exactly been what he wanted to ask. He had wanted to ask about Kisame, yet he hadn't. That was out of charactor for him. Perhaps I had underestimated just how much this all unsettled him and my other loved ones from Konoha. "Okay."
"So just finish, clean up, and we'll get going," he said as he got to his feet. He seemed so chipper, but yet I knew it was so fake. It hurt me, my heart and my very nature. None the less though, I nodded and ate my food quickly. I hated not letting Kiba know and keeping him in the dark. I wanted to reassure him. But I just couldn't explain Kisame to him, I just couldn't. Not yet at least.
I finished my food quietly and changed into my newly cleaned clothes. Well, actually they were Itachi's pajamas. But it was impossible to tell the difference between that man's daily clothes and his night clothes. So Kiba didn't know. He also didn't need to know how comfortable I was within the infamous Uchiha's clothes. It was best just to keep the whole thing ambiguous I figured.
When we were ready to go, I felt Akamaru trot over to my side and nudge my leg with his nose. I reached down and gripped the nin-dog's fur firmly. Kiba opened the door with a
sound of amusement at how the canine took care of me. My Seeing Eye dog lead me out into the crisp air. It was cool and fresh, such a nice change from the almost stuffy air of inside the base. I breathed deeply, thinking of how I had wondered a couple days ago about when my next breath of fresh air would be. It had come all too soon.
The brisk happiness of the streets of Konoha though, was contagious and I soon found myself making my way around with a small smile on my lips. Kiba chattered beside me, though I wasn't truly paying attention. We bantered a bit, but other than that, I was more than content to just let him go on and on beside me.
As we entered into the building containing the Hokage's office though, I felt my smile fall unbidden from my face. Both mine and Kiba's mood sobered. Mine because I was going to be forced to give up my secrets unless somehow I managed to keep them. I really didn't want to talk about it at all; it was a precious experience that I wanted to keep to myself. I didn't want to give it up so that others could dissect it and remove its meaning. If she asked directly, I didn't think I would be able to lie, but that didn't mean I was going to advertise how important they all were, and how much I had bonded with the 'enemy.'
"Hinata, honey," Tsunade greeted me warmly. I gave her a half hearted sort of smile and inclined my head in a bow, murmuring a polite 'Hokage-sama.' "Have a seat." Akamaru lead me to a chair as I wondered at Tsunade's kindness. It wasn't that I thought the hokage was unkind, but she had always been rather gruff. She wasn't usually so warm and caring. I chalked it up to her being sympathetic because of my last two months. Despite those being possibly the best two months of my life, I was thankful for her empathy.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. Kiba-kun said you wanted to see me," I said demurely as I fiddled with my fingers. I had my sightless eyes trained on the source of Tsunade's voice. I was glad, again, that Tsunade already knew of my blindness. I hated to explain that.
"Yes I did, though Kiba you may leave-"
"What? No! I'm staying with Hinata."
"Now."
"There is obviously a lot to talk about," Tsunade began as Kiba begrudgingly closed the door behind him. Akamaru also had left my side. I nodded to Tsunade as I braced myself for the questions I was awaiting. "But first, I couldn't help but notice that your stutter is gone. Why is that?"
"Ano…" I murmured with a little blush. That was such a difficult question to answer. I had always thought that my stutter was gone because of the confidence I had gained with the Akatsuki. I still thought that and I was pretty sure it was accurate. How could I possibly explain that to Tsunade though? "I…am not sure."
"Oh come now, Hinata," Tsunade urged. I frowned inwardly. This lady was persistent. Something told me that this question about the loss of my stutter was just a preparation for the rest of the interrogation. Difficult questions that I would have to answer. I felt myself crumple a little; I moaned softly and buried my face in my hands. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. This would be so much easier if I hadn't cared about them all so much. Tsunade continued in a soft voice. "If they hurt you Hinata, you can, you should, tell me."
"No, I just… Being around them made me stronger," I replied uneasily. It was very true, yet ambiguous enough that it wasn't obvious that I liked them at all. Tsunade was silent for awhile after my answer.
"I see," she finally muttered in understanding. I bit my lip softly, as my face was still hidden in my hands. "Interesting…" I still said nothing. She continued on from there, question,
after question, after question, after question.
Which ones were there? Where did they keep you? What did you eat? Do you know their plans? How do they operate? Did they hurt you? What are their skills? How do they fight? I answered all her questions to the best of my ability. Her rapid fire inquires threw me off balance, and I wasn't able to gain the presence of mind headed to keep things ambiguous the way I wanted them.
I was forced to tell Tsunade about how Itachi had blinded me and tried to rape me. I told her about the other girl Itachi had used while I was there, and how I had suffered that night through with Kisame. I told her about Deidara's espionage mission, and his hatred of Itachi. I told her about the way Kisame protected me, and fought with Itachi over me. She learned the bad things about them, but she learned of the kindness they had showed me as well. How Deidara had given me information on my friends, the way Itachi and him had trained me. I revealed to her how Itachi could be kind and patient. Only my deepest secrets were I able to keep hidden. My relationship with Kisame, my friendship with Deidara, and my sibling attachment to Itachi. As well as the entire ordeal with Sasuke. I didn't know why I kept that a secret, but I did. All else though, was mercilessly pried out of me.
"Is that all," I finally asked in a shaking voice. I was sure there were no more details she could pull from me. I was dry. I wiped my eyes, expecting tears, but they were dry as well. Maybe I didn't cry quite as easily as I thought I did.
"All my questions, yes," Tsunade said patting my shoulder. I nodded in relief and sighed. I made a move to stand up, but Tsunade's comforting hand suddenly became restraining, pushing me back down. I sat again with a confused look. "There are just a few things that you need to be informed of. A lot has happened while you've been gone after all," she said. I bit my lip uneasily.
"Oh, yes. The war and the…wedding," I muttered softly.
"Exactly," Tsunade agreed. "As for the war, that's been cleared up. We were worried it would last much longer, and give the Akatsuki time to attack us, but luckily that is not the case. It's been tough, we lost a few good shinobi, and many more are in the hospital right now. But they'll be fine."
"That's good to hear," I said sincerely. It was obvious that none of my friends had been among the dead, and now I wouldn't have to worry about them.
"And as for your wedding," Tsunade began soberly. I felt my blood run cold and I stiffened. Goosebumps rose on my skin and I shivered slightly. My marriage to Neji-nii, it was a thing of my nightmares. I reached down subtly and clutched the finger with my ring on it. It was the only other secret I had managed to keep. My beloved, engraved ring. I held tight to Kisame's name as though I were to lose it, and by consequence, him. "We have been able to convince your father to post pone your wedding for two more weeks. After all…March 10th was yesterday." I swallowed the lump in my throat painfully and nodded.
"Who is 'we'," I asked in an amazingly steady voice. My insides were ice. Ice did not cry, shake or stutter. And neither did I.
"Your, erm… fiancé and I," the Hokage muttered. I could hear her shifting in her seat under the icy gaze I was unconsciously pinning on her. I hadn't meant to make my demeanor so steely, but it was better than being weak and sniveling. "There is something though that I think will please you greatly."
"What is it," I inquired curiously, looking up. My brow was furrowed in a bemused sort of way, and I listened intently to anything she could say to lift my spirits.
"I believe I can cure your blindness."
A/N so there you had it. Chapter 17. Sorry there was no Kisame in there. He should finally make an entrance next chapter. Which I have to start writing. So yeah, if you have time (which you ad better) please please please review. And if you STILL have time, go check out my story and review that one :D. So see you all next time, bye bye. :P