Bold words are "Ancient Japanese."
Disclaimer: This author does NOT in anyway own the series Naruto or any of its other name rights. Happy Reading!
Hinata willed her hands to be steady. She was exhausted in every way possible.
With everything that had just happened, she wasn't sure how she was still alive or how she managed to do everything as quickly and efficiently as she had. It was as if her body was moving on its own, as if she knew what she was doing without having to think about it.
Never in her life had she performed to such a skill. She was always hesitant with her strikes, she was always winded quickly after a few hits, but this time, she had plowed through his people like nothing. The rush of power was terrifying.
Hinata pushed the thought out of her head, she needed to focus on her brother. Neji was still swaying, even as he sat on the cot. Helping him move his arms and legs to change him into clean clothes was a struggle, since he had no real control over himself, but she managed.
She bustled around the room and found the necessary supplies to stabilize Neji and make him feel better. She knew they hadn't fed or watered him, so the saline bags were important.
Without effort, she laid him down and hooked him up to the machines to monitor his heart and oxygen levels. She easily injected and threaded the tube inside his veins and began the drip.
When she finally finished checking him over, she sat on his bed with a sigh and covered her face with her hands. All of this was her fault. Once again, her kindness proved to be the downfall of those she loved. Her heart and compassion was what hurt everyone around her. This was all her fault.
"Hinata," Neji rasped.
She turned to face him, tears running down her face. She refused to make a noise, in case someone was listening in on the other side of the door.
"Don't cry." He muttered, clumsily wiping her face with his blanket. He made sure to be extra careful around her forehead.
She grasped his hand and held it tightly to her face, "Neji, can you tell me what happened?" She whispered.
Neji took a moment to think, "Three men burst into the house. One shoved something in my neck and drugged me. Everything is blurry right now."
Hinata was confused. Three men? Only Shino and Kiba came to her work place, and it was evident that they had gotten into a fight with Neji. Something didn't make sense. She decided to investigate later; right now, her priority was making sure her cousin recovered.
A harsh knock at the door startled her. It hadn't been long, but they were already trying to talk to her? She huffed in annoyance, and decided not to answer. They could let themselves in if they wanted; Hinata was done talking.
The door slid open, Gaara and another man she hardly recognized came into the room. This man was tall and intimidating. He wore purple face paint that made him look even more threatening than his stature and aura. They both approached cautiously, making sure not to startle Hinata with their movements.
"Now that you've made a decision to join us, we need to talk about what it is you'll be doing." Gaara continued when she didn't answer, "Our end goal is to hold the most territory in this city and run it as it deserves. Most of what our members consist of are fighters, and you will be no different, regardless of your lack of training."
"I will not fight." She cut in sharply, "I am a healer. I have medical training and knowledge that I have worked hard for, and I don't intend to waste any of it. I will settle for being a last resort. Those are my conditions."
Kankuro's lip curled in disgust, "Look here, little girl, I don't think you understand-"
"-Clearly, it is you who does not understand!" She stood to face him, eyes activated and angry.
Gone was the fear and the tears. Hniata was no longer the timid woman afraid to raise her own voice against someone. Now she was a cornered animal, a dishonored ninja with nothing to lose.
She lifted her bangs to show a seal on her forehead, it was stark white, fading almost seamlessly into her skin. It looked different than the seal Neji had, as it was much more intricate in detail. There was a smear of blood across it, indicating that's where the bleeding had started earlier.
"You can try and gouge out our eyes; they are made to self-destruct if they are removed. I am the heiress, the sole predecessor to the Hyuga name. If you kill me, you lose all of the knowledge, all of the secrets, and all of the abilities that are locked within this seal. You will have foolishly lost your desperate attempt to power and glory.
"If your ninja are so weak, that you so desperately need a dead clan to fight for you, then I pity them for their pathetic leadership and substandard training. I will not be forced into a war I have no part in."
She looked to her protector again and her demeanor hardened into something calmer but still bitter and angry, "If that's all, you can go. I don't have the energy to speak with you any longer today."
She fully turned her back to them and sat in a chair, grabbing Neji's hand in a tight hold. Her head was throbbing and aching, but she would act strong until Gaara and his lackey left.
Kankuro looked at Gaara, shocked that this woman had the balls to talk back to him, but Gaara seemed irritated, not angry. He swiftly turned on his heel and walked out with his brother in tow.
Hinata waited until she was sure they were gone, before giving into the pain and exhaustion. She was asleep before her head fell.
Sakura had been hearing about these 'Hyugas' from everyone, especially from Ino. She said that the woman was the heiress of the clan, and that she was able to face Gaara head-to-head.
Sakura had gone against Gaara many times before, and she lost horribly each and every time. To hear that someone else was as powerful as he was, was amazing. They had only been here since this afternoon, and they already made a name for themselves.
She hadn't gone into the medical bay just yet, deciding to give them time to adjust, but curiosity was starting to eat away at her. She had to know what this was about.
She quietly knocked on the door, and let herself in. It was late, so she was hoping she wasn't disturbing them. On the cot was a beaten man and a long haired woman beside him. She slowly approached and tried for a smile, "You're the Hyuga, right?" She became nervous when she wasn't answered, "If it's alright, I'm going to check your brother's vitals."
"There's no need," She spoke horsely, "I have everything under control."
Sakura didn't say anything, choosing to look around instead. There was a new bag of Saline, new sheets and blankets, and even new clothes. She clearly knew what she was doing.
"You have medical training." It was almost a question, but the firmness in her words indicated that she knew already.
Hinata only nodded.
"Good." Sakura's smile was genuine now, "It'll be nice to have another healer. If you want, we can work and learn from each other. I probably can't teach you much compared to what hospital you work with, but if you have to be here too, then it's the least I could do to help."
The Hyuga finally turned, looking Sakura in the eyes, "Too?" She questioned. She searched for any deception, any kind of lie, but all that was there was grief and sadness.
Sakura busied herself with refolding blankets and sorting the cabinet contents for a moment. "I don't want to be here, either.
"I was known for my medical skills, but also, my strength. I could save as many lives with one hand, as I could take with the other. My skill as both healer and fighter made a lot of people interested, especially Gaara. He found me and offered me a place or a grave.
"For a while, I was pretty unstable, but I was unbreakable. No one, not even Gaara could break my spirit." Her burst of pride dimmed to a conflicted happiness, something regretful. "Naruto was the one who got me. Don't get me wrong, he is genuine and loving. He is kind, warm, funny, and so…"
"...Bright." Hinata finished. She knew exactly what Hinata was talking about.
"We fell in love." Sakura whispered, "He got me. We're even engaged." She pulled a necklace chain from under her collar to reveal a beautiful rose gold diamond ring.
"Even with Naruto by my side, I still think about leaving and hiding somewhere far away from here. I could be all that I want and live freely instead of some mindless drone following orders." She trailed off, eyes distant and longing.
Hinaata's gaze landed on Neji's sleeping face, thinking of past romances and the dangers of an open heart.
A knock on the door startles both girls out of their shared silences.
Naruto walked in with a happy smile and a pep in his step, "Hey, Sakura." He gave her a kiss.
He turned to Hinata, slightly guilty and nervous. She only turned away from him, chancing a glance at her new pink-haired aly.
"Gaara wants to talk to you, Miss Hyuga."
"If we introduce the male Hyuga too soon, he could be injured again." Shikamaru yawned before continuing, "He put up a pretty good fight, both of them have, but we don't know the full extent of their abilities, especially if they have been living as civilians."
Gaara listened carefully, thinking the information over.
It's true that they have no real way of knowing the Hyuga's level of skill, but he couldn't waste them while he had them. They would take any kind of leverage they had at the moment, even more so because one of them was drugged.
"Did we ever figure out who jumped the Hyuga before our boys got there?"
"We have theories but nothing really sticks. We'll have to investigate further. I think they'll be safer with us, but at the same time, it'll make us a bigger target to whoever knows about them. I suggest a safe house using the tunnels."
He nodded again, more to himself this time.
If someone else knew about the Hyugas, their plans could be in a lot of danger. Could it be the same ninjas who attacked Naruto and caught them by chance? He wasn't sure at this point and the uncertainty made him nervous. He needed to know who was behind all of this mess before it got too out of hand, and especially before anyone else found out.
The door opened to show Naruto escorting the Lady into the room as he asked. With a wave, Shikamaru walked out and closed the door behind him; he didn't want to be in here when Naruto found out.
"Good evening, Lady Hyuga." Hinata glared at the sarcastic title, but said nothing. He didn't deserve a reaction.
"I hear your brother's recovery is going well, which is good. We have a lot to go over today." He lit a cigarette and blew smoke before continuing. "It is said that the Hyuga eyes can see as far as another country, and they do so clearly."
Hinata simply shrugged, crossing her arms together in defiance. Either way, Gaara knew he was correct.
"No need to be so modest," He mocked, "We already have a healer, as you can see." He noticed her wince at the statement, but he continued, "So if you refuse to fight for me, you can at least make yourself useful in that area. You will now be the Home medic, and Sakura will be the Combat Medic."
"Wait Gaara," Naruto interrupted, "We didn't talk about this. Sakura is supposed to stay here because she's the only healer we have. You didn't think to run this by me?"
"Hinata also claims to be a healer, and she even works in a hospital, so I say she is more than qualified than Sakura to be working here on more serious injuries. Sakura is able to stabilize the wounded and defend herself on the battlefield. Are you beginning to doubt her abilities after all this time? After the countless fights she's put up?"
"That's not what I'm saying and you know it." Naruto was getting angry now.
Sensing the growing tension, Hinata took a step back, away from Naruto's shining eyes and snarl.
She so desperately wanted to offer herself up instead of Sakura, but she knew better. She knew her selflessness would throw her into Gaara's plan. She needed to care for Neji and herself first. She learned what a kind heart can do.
"Look, Gaara," Naruto growled, "I know I usually let you make the big decisions and all, but I'm a leader too. I'm putting my foot down on this one. Sakura is NOT going to be the combat medic and that's final; unless you want to fight me about it."
There was a strained silence as the two stared each other down. With every passing moment, Naruto was glowing brighter, his hair was even turning red at the roots. If they fought here and now, Hinata was going to make a run for it with Neji, and ditch the town before they could miss them.
Gaara sighed, a sign that he was relenting, "You will be personally responsible for any lives lost."
Naruto smiled, even if it didn't reach his eyes, "Try to have faith in our team!" He joked. Hinata was just glad he stopped his power show.
"Since Naruto is refusing my decision," Gaara ignored, "You will then serve as the on site medic instead. You will not fight unless you have to, but you must stay close enough that we can reach you.
"Since the Hyuga eyes see all, you will also serve as my personal spy. You will take certain reconnaissance missions around our territory along with Kiba and Shino, who are my main sources of tracking."
He handed her a folder with Kiba and Shino's names. It had their pictures and brief information in it. Underneath, was a mission report regarding the Uchiha clan.
Hinata's eyes narrowed at the name. She knew this clan, as they were the first to turn them away. They refused to help the Hyuga in their massacre, as they had blamed them for being a part of their fall from grace.
The Uchiha were always at odds with her family, their rivalry going as far back as to when this country was a ninja village. The Uchiha had attempted a coup but were swiftly defeated by the other clans. As a result, the Uchiha were disgraced and shamed for a long time, becoming a police force instead of a ninja clan.
It worked out in the end for them, as they had the biggest influence of the police at this time. However, they were very bitter, and held that resentment for generations, and will possibly continue for generations after.
Of fucking course they were still around, prosperous as ever, while her clan had to die for simply existing.
"Kiba can track anyone through scent alone." Gaara's voice brought her back to reality. She had forgotten where she was for a moment.
He continued talking, "He also has amazing hearing, which means he can listen in on any conversation within a wide radius. He basically has the abilities of a wolf. He had a wolf companion, Akamaru, Who will join on certain missions when necessary.
"Shino has bugs, literal insects, that work under his command. They reside in his body to provide him defense and attacking power. He can also use them to search, track, and gather information.
"By working with them both, you can fill in gaps where they may be lacking. Of course, they will defend you, so you needent worry about enemies; that is unless, you spontaneously fuck up something this simple."
"I think if I could, you would have done the same by capturing someone so incompitent without realizing it." Hinata's mouth moved before she could stop it, but she couldn't help herself. She was sick of his demeaning comments, sick of his backhanded remarks. Her headache was only worsening her mood.
Gaara's glare burned a hole through her head, but Hinata refused to lift her eyes from the paper before her, pretending to read through the report as if nothing was the matter. She was being a coward, but she didn't really care.
"Naruto will escort you to a room we prepared for you and the other Hyuga."
"I would much rather stay in the medical bay for now." Hinata sniped, "Until whatever drugs you gave him wear off."
"After tomorrow, we will test your ninja prowess." Gaara went on, simply ignoring her remark, "You seem to have some fighting experience, and we will need to cultivate it further if you're going to stay alive here."
Hinata just turned around and walked out, not waiting for a dismissal. Her patience had run thin once more.
Naruto whined quietly when she didn't shut the door behind her, causing him to get up to do so himself. He waited for total privacy to speak, "Drugs? She thinks we're behind that?"
"It makes sense. We are the ones who have them now."
Naruto rubbed his forehead, clearly stressed, "We need to tell them. We're not the only ones who know about them."
"We will tell them when the time is right. At the moment, we had best not stress them out and give them more reason to fight and leave. If we can secure them here, or somewhere safer, they'll be more likely to stay for protection.
"Until then, we're going to have to keep investigating. Shikamaru is leading it, so we'll find the culprits soon."
Naruto's face was unsure. He had the foreboding feeling that maybe, his involvement with these Hyuga was more than Gaara was letting on.
Hinata sighed heavily before entering the medical bay. She hasn't had any time to relax since being here. She had been on edge and her body was starting to feel the burn out. Maybe she could take the room they gave her? Once Neji woke up, she would discuss it with him.
To her surprise, Neji was awake and talking to Sakura. They seemed to be having a friendly conversation, as friendly as two total strangers could have. Neji seemed tired, but finally fully aware of his surroundings and in control of himself.
"You're awake!" Hinata rushed to his side and threw herself into his arms. Neji held her tightly, his nails digging into her shoulders as if she would suddenly disappear. Hinata started to cry again, this time in relief. She knew Neji was going to get better and recover, but seeing it happen so soon gave her immense happiness.
Sakura slipped out of the room, deciding to give them privacy.
"I'm so sorry." Hinata sobbed, "This is all my fault. Once again I have brought you grief and despair from my selfish actions."
Neji allowed her to weep into his chest, smoothing her hair down. He knew she was holding onto a heavy burden already, and now, she was falling apart. She blamed herself for everything; for their family's death, their hardships, misfortunes and this unfortunate situation.
While he was tasked as her protector, he could not protect her from her trauma, her pain. He would have to make the best of it, and help guide her.
Perhaps, once this was over, they would be able to live a good life again. For now, he could help ease her mind just a little.
"No, Hinata. You have not wronged me." His words surprised her.
She quickly pulled away to look into his eyes, "What?"
"I think I've told you, there were three men who broke into our home." He sat back and looked out of the window, thinking hard. "I was studying when someone knocked on the door. When I got up to answer, someone came behind me and stabbed me with that awful drug. Before I lost myself, I just remembered those two lackeys bursting in and yelling. I thought they were with the attacker, so I fought them. Imagine my surprise when they defended me against him. They didn't know who he was.
"They managed to chase them off, and gathered me so quickly, they didn't have time to fully check me over. That woman, Sakura, was nursing me back to health before they brought you shortly after."
Hinata soaked all of the information in. If someone else was attacking Neji outside of this gang, that would mean they were compromised by the time they saved Naruto, maybe even before!
She couldn't believe it. Gaara had her believing that he was responsible for Neji's condition, but why?
"Sakura said you went to talk to Gaara," Neji's voice interrupted her thoughts, "What did he want?"
"He wants to use us, of course. I have to go on a mission with Kiba and Shino, the lackeys. They will protect me. All I have to do is follow someone." She handed him the folder with the mission details written inside.
Neji took his time reading over it, frowning to himself. Hinata saw his face tense further when he read the Uchiha name. "Of course they're still around." He muttered bitterly, "When will this mission begin?"
"I'm not sure. He didn't say."
Neji scoffed at that.
"They have a room ready for us." She whispered after a moment of silence, "Should we stay there?"
"They're not going to let us go home this weekend, it seems. I would rather sleep in a bed than this cot any longer. Can you release me from these machines?"
Hinata immediately turned everything off and disconnected Neji. He was never bored or unamazed at the efficiency at which she worked, even as she was clearly burnt out and exhausted.
There was sudden shouting, causing both Hyugas to flinch, one in surprise and the other in pain. Hinata, seemingly used to the chaos, continued to work. She stopped the bleeding when she removed the IV and helped him up, steadying him on his feet before leading him out of the room.
Sakura happened to be around the corner, shouting angrily at Naruto who looked to be frustrated.
"You can't make those kinds of decisions without me!" She shouted, "How are you going to speak for me about something like this?"
"Sakura, please, I'm just trying to protect you." Naruto reasoned.
"I don't need you to protect me! I don't need anything from this place!"
It was then that she saw Hinata and Neji from the corner of her eyes. She sighed loudly and immediately backed off, "This isn't over." She promised him, before turning to Hinata and Neji.
Naruto just rolled his eyes and spoke to the white-eyed shinobi "I'll show you guys to your room, let's go."
Sakura scoffed, "How about I be the one to show you around? I'm stuck in this hellhole with you, courtesy of someone." She glared at Naruto as she passed, who scowled back.
Hinata and Neji followed quietly, unsure of what to do otherwise.
The walk was tense. Sakura was still obviously fuming at whatever she and Naruto were arguing about. Hinata figured it had to do something with her meeting with Gaara and Naruto. She wondered how long it had been since Sakura had been out in the world for her to fight so passionately with Naruto about his decision.
Sakura turned a corner and opened the last door on the right, "This is where you'll be staying for tonight and however long those brutes keep you." She was definitely very angry.
"Are you alright, Sakura?" Hinata asked as Neji shuffled inside.
"Can you believe those guys, Miss Hyuga?" She shouted as she let herself into the room.
Hinata followed her inside, closing the door behind her. Neji caught her eye and made a confused face.
She could only shrug as Sakura continued on with her rant, "They think that they can make anyone bend to their will just because they're strong, that anyone will listen to them just because they said so. I'm sick of it. I hate it here so much!"
She turned and aimed her fist at the wall, eyes and hands glowing a bright apple green. Before she made any contact, she restrained herself and sighed in frustration, "I don't need everyone yelling about another hole in the house. Then Gaara will show up."
She noticed the princess wince at the volume, another headache afflicting her. Without a word, Sakura's hands glowed green as she gently touched Hinata to heal her. The latter sighed in relief, leaning into the cool touch.
"I'm sorry, Sakura." Hinata offered, "I wish there was something we could do to help." Neji nudged her side, shaking his head.
Hinata then covered her mouth, regretting the words that so easily spilled out. She sympathized with Sakura, yes, but what if it was all a trick? A way for them to have her slip up and make a bind here?
"I say, save yourself." Sakura muttered, taking a step back and towards the door, "I'm stuck in here, sure, but at least I'm not getting involved in their stupid turf wars."
"I don't know what they'll do to you, except rip you away from your life. You can try to fight it, but they'll do it if you don't get out fast enough. Save yourself. I'm already stuck." She held up the ring around her neck and wiped a tear before gently shutting the door behind her.