"I understand perfectly my actions Kabuto. I know the consequences. I want to be like you. Im tired of watching those I admire transcend to higher places while I remain restrained and caged. I am done sacrificing myself for my family...being written off as the weak, kind, sweet Hinata Hyuuga needing to be protected. Burdening the Branch by my weakness who have to protect me and disgracing the Main. I want to be strong, I don't wish to be either from the Branch or the Main."
In the middle of the night Hinata cast a doopleganger and escaped through the bathroom window. She could sense Kabuto waiting for her outside within the safety of the tree's. Her original remained with Sakura who was urgently attempting to communicate with the Leaf village. Her relative had not shown up for the exchange, and Hinata felt such glee on the inside on how the pink-hair was completely blind to their true plan.
"Sakura-chan maybe we should wait a bit more. Umeko-chan may be a gennin but she is a Hyuuga! Perhaps she is just a little behind schedule." Hinata's voice wavered with uncertainty as she fidgeted with her fingers.
Sakura shook her head. "You don't believe that do you?" Sakura replied without looking up.
Hinata let out a deep sigh. "You're right. I am worried she won't come and something has happened to her. I don't know what my family was thinking in sending her by herself without back up." Hinata's eyes locked with Orochimaru's. He was leaning against the wall casually, his arms folded.
"Just because we have come out of a war, the world is not peaceful. No doubt someone prizing your family's kekkei genkai might have nabbed her. The poor thing is probably dead somewhere with her eye's out of her sockets and in someone elses." Orochimaru leered at no one in particular.
It was Sakura who took offense and quickly flared up at the elder's words. "You shut up! How can you say something so awful at a time like this?! She could still be alive, unless you know something we don't!"
Hinata's face made a small twitch at the mention but other than that continued maintaining her composure. Her eyes remained on Orochimaru who was looking rather smug with himself. She suspects you, of course. Raising her suspicions by aggravating her, are you sure you know what you are doing Orochimaru?
Already having thought out numerous situations, he replied rather lazily. "My even with Hinata and you behind my neck all day you still manage to say something stupid. I was just stating the truth. Why else would anyone want to capture a Hyuuga lamb? If that's the case, which I don't hesitate in believing, we need to figure out if our culprit is the one behind the disappearance of Hinata's relative or just a random accident. Instead of wasting time retracing her steps a squad should be sent out immediately to investigate. Whether she is dead or alive, she needs to be found. Either to make the exchange or to recover her corpse from exposing the Hyuuga's secrets. They are after all the most powerful clan of Konoha."
Sakura looked down, conflicted at this she turned to Hinata with sadness and pity in her eyes. "Hinata..." Her voice failed at providing any comfort but the effort was heard.
Hinata turned her backs to them. She lowered her head, her hair concealing her face from being viewed. "Send a squad to look for a corpse...I think that's best. We should call back Kabuto."
No other words were spoken amongst them as Sakura wrote the situation on a scroll. The tension in the room was only felt by the pink hair kunoichi. Something about this doesn't feel right. Something has to be going on that I don't know. But what?
Her eyebrows furrowed as every thought circled back to Orochimaru and again as the culprit. But he had made a point. Hinata was with him all day and Sakura as well. If he pulled anything suspicious she would know.
In their time together Sakura knew Orochimaru hadn't slipped away. However he was a legendary Sannin, maybe he gave Hinata the slip even with her byakugan? She felt awful for doubting her abilities but that was more likely than impossible. Forgive me Hinata, but I know you'll understand Im just looking after you.
~~~...~~~
Her heart was racing more than she anticipated. At first she believed she was ready but as the time drew closer and closer, she had found herself becoming more and more nervous. Her anxiety was rather adrenaline inducing as the soft puddles of water gently splashed underneath her feet. Her eyes were looking forward and staring at Kabuto's back but she wasn't focusing on him. No she was drawing on all her indifference to make her heart cold.
They came to a stop at a door that after years of no use was been spoiled today. Kabuto reached for the knob, his hand lingering on the cold rusting metal. He turned over his shoulder to peer at the silent girl. That look in her eye, it would have thrilled Orochimaru to see his months of work fruiting progress. Those eyes could send chills even through me.
Hinata sensed Kabuto's hesitation and looked up at the man, demanding an explanation with her eyes alone.
Kabuto gave her an odd smile. He was enjoying the fact he could witness first-hand the change of heart in a person. He had done so himself and monitored those who were already succumbed but it was always Orochimaru who would see the final brick of resistance crumble. "If it's too much I could do it for you. There is no shame in not completing your mission."
A wave of disbelief washed across Hinata's face at his offer. Her lips were slightly parted as a small gasp escaped her lips. "You don't think I can do it?" The sound that came out from her throat wasn't the voice she recognized. It was cold and emotionless.
"Not at all. I just thought I could provide you with some words of comfort." He smiled.
"Thank you but I don't need them." She said flatly.
With a smirk he turned the knob and pushed the door open. He remained standing outside the door as the interior was visible to both of them. Umeko was bound by paper charms and bound to the ground while sitting up.
Hinata held her breath as she saw the dried blood on her relatives clothes and skin, the deep gashes...Orochimaru had been rather rough and ruthless with the young girl. No, I musn't feel pity. Hinata shook her head clearing the thought. She needed to be cold and withdrawn, that was the key.
She walked past Kabuto, knowing full well he couldn't get close to her for this and entered the room alone. From her back pants pocket she withdrew the "samples" of DNA from the final victim who had fought for his life back in the Hidden Mist. She sat down some distance from her relative who was in a coma she drew chakra from her original as she proceeded with the hands signs.
Tiger.
In order to progress sometimes sacrifices must be made.
Snake.
Her death will save the hundreds that are in danger.
Dog.
We have to do what is right...to end the killing.
Dragon!
For Orochimaru and I to find peace together one day away from the village.
CLAP! The sound echoed through the room as symbols began to circle around Umeko and herself. She saw the empty circle in front of her like she was told and slapped the DNA sample at its center. Summoning Jutsu! Impure World Reincarnation!
From the ground ashes began to surround the still body of Umeko. Consuming her slowly a tiny female girl was emerging into a rather bulky man with discolored skin and short spiky lilac hair.
Hinata released the jutsu as she panted. Her chest feeling heavy as if the air in her lungs were replaced with lead. Beads of sweat dripped down her face. Something low in her stomach wanted to upheave and a cold shiver ran through every single bone and joint. This sensation was horrifying to say the least.
Kabuto smirked at her reaction from using her very first kinjutsu. Well, that's that. Hinata's corruption is just about complete. Casting a kinjutsu is considered unforgivable, especially this one. No doubt she was left feeling weak but the extraordinary thing was she had managed to use such a technique with a doopleganger. He had anticipated that the clone would most likely cause it to vanish thus pursuing Orochimaru's permission to accompany Hinata. Seems I have under estimated you. Lord Orochimaru was right to trust you.
The man rose to his feet and immediately retreated to a corner of the room. "Hey?! What is this? I'm alive!? I'll make you pay you brat!" His hands flew to his empty pockets, looking for the weapons he had grown accustomed to carrying.
"Im afraid not Aki. Please, relax. We aren't here to harm you nor the ones responsible for your untimely death." Kabuto walked into the room, pushing his glasses up casually to look at the former subordinate.
The man blinked a few times before recognizing the silver hair and trademark spectacles. "K-kabuto? I hardly recognized you, something is...different." The man stroked his chin trying to pinpoint what was the cause of such a pestering sensation.
"I cut my hair and it hasn't grown back yet." Kabuto said rather flatly indicating at the stubby ponytail he had. He gave a deep sigh calling on patience at having to deal with resurrection small talk. "However we didn't resurrect you here to say hello this is rather urgent."
The man felt relieved as he noticed what he said was true. The man was sporting a rather short ponytail from the last time he had seen him. "Resurrect huh? I guess I did die in my last fight. Hmmm, does this urgent matter have to do with my death?" The man mused. He took a good look at the room and noticed the girl with the blank eyes. "So you and the lass her brought me back."
Kabuto nodded. "Yes that is correct, again your observation skills have shown to be...average." Kabuto watched amusingly as the man got flamed up at the under handed insult. "You weren't the only person that was killed. Everyone living within the Mist that had been branded with a cursed seal was targeted. However out of all of them you were the only one that put up a fight." Kabuto informed Aki on the situation.
Hinata stood shakily as the nausea passed. "Please Aki, sir. Tell us as much as you can about who it is that you fought. We can avenge your death and send your killer to his grave." And protect others from meeting the same fate as you. Hinata thought grimly.
The man turned his attention to the girl, his eyes narrowing. "I don't recall you. Have we met at all before?" The man's aggressive tone was a stark difference from his friendlier tone with Kabuto.
Hinata gave him a glare at such hostility and rudeness. Why...how dare he? She was the one maintaining him here! He should know that!
Kabuto chuckled. "No you haven't. This is Hinata Hyuuga, she is Lord Orochimaru's new favorite student. I wouldn't upset her if I were you. She summoned you here with a doopleganger and is far more powerful than you can take on."
The man's eyes widened at the rather petite girl. He muttered something about the Hyuuga Clans reputation and looked at her eyes. If Lord Orochimaru was favoring her, he had a good reason why. He bowed his head and apologized to Hinata humbly. "Forgive, my arrogance. I didn't realize you were a superior. Death should be no excuse for insubordination."
"Alright, enough Aki! Come on now we need to know who it was." Kabuto tapped his foot urgently, his patience was wearing thin and this was dragging for too long.
Aki stood up again to his full height and looked Kabuto straight in the eyes. "Who do you think it was? The only one who it could have been. The one who had started the ruin of the Sound village."
Hinata cursed mentally, she had enjoyed the sudden show of superiority. She looked at the two men as Kabuto held his breath and tensed, he knew who it was. "Who is that exactly?" Hinata questioned Aki.
"Are you one hundred percent certain? Aki there is no room for error here. No one besides the Mist village knows what is happening. Give me your word who you say is the culprit." Kabuto's voice was unnatural and cold.
Aki smiled weakly and opened his arms. "Im telling you the truth. The only one responsible for all the mess. The Uchiha. Im sure you know him if your from the Hidden Leaf. Sasuke Uchiha, the sole survivor of the Uchiha Clan was the one that murdered me. And if what all you say is true, then he is responsible for ALL our deaths." Anger was beginning to rise in the man's voice.
Hinata stood there stunned. "Sasuke Uchiha..? B-but how can that be him? Isn't Naruto tracking him down?"
Aki looked at her. "Naruto? I've heard of him, the legendary ninja. Trust me if that's what he was doing, he failed. I wouldn't blame him though. The brat Sasuke is a slippery one. Orochimaru taught him too well, and he took advantage of that to use the same disguise technique he uses. Who I fought doesn't look like Sasuke not even close. However there is no mistaking those eyes. The brat even went as far gloating, 'End your suffering now. Nothing can oppose the Sharingan.' or some load of crap like that."
The room felt heavy with tension as the man poked his ear with his pinky cleaning out earwax, a habit he had while alive no doubt. "Is that all? The only thing I can say is look for a former cloud ninja, tan skin with long white hair. I gave him a few slashes on the shoulder with my knives but who knows if he healed them up or not." Both Kabuto and Hinata looked at one another unsure of what to say.
Finally Kabuto spoke. "Yes I believe so. Rest well Aki. Thank you for your cooperation." Hinata bid him farewell and began to uncast the jutsu. Aki grinned at both of them nodding farewell. "My pleasure. Kill that little son of a bitch for me Kabuto!" His ashes fell and began to evaporate into the air. Both Hinata and Kabuto stood a moment still unable to believe Aki's words.
"How reliable is his word?" Hinata asked weakly, turning to Kabuto for an answer.
"Well, he has no motive to lie to us. You better relay this to Orochimaru as quickly as possible. I'll be on my way shortly." Kabuto replied.
Hinata nodded and dispelled her clone. Kabuto remained a moment longer. Aki said he uses the same disguise technique? Why didn't he just say genjutsu? Unless he meant the Soul Transfer Technique. Only me and a few other people know about Orochimaru's methods. But if that is so how did Sasuke manage to use that technique?
No matter how hard he tried the answer just didn't add up. However Kabuto would give Aki the benefit of the doubt for now. And if what he said was true, they had to figure out what Sasuke was up to and fast.
Hooray for an Update! Stay Awesome! :3