Chapter Twenty Four

After activating her Byakugan beneath her dark shades, she soon found her cousin kneeling on the ground near the entrance to the village. Chōjūrō had clenched fists upon his knees, eyes scrunched tightly in anger and his lips quivering… or maybe he was saying something.

She felt the Mizukage's chakra appears like drops of rain and she appeared a little away from where he was standing. She doesn't want to disturb him but wants to check he's okay … she really does love him. That made Hinata smile slightly and made her way to her cousin. Ao may have lied again but certainly it would be easy to prove if what he was saying was true or not.

As she walked on towards him, she was aware of the chakra from two four-legged creatures; one big and the other small. Her smile grew. "Pakkun-Sama. Akamaru-Sama." She quickly knelt and hugged the two. Akamaru liked his friend whilst Pakkun looked at her quizzically.

"Are you okay? We were on our way back when we smelt you coming this way."

"Ao confessed some things to Chōjūrō and everyone just now," She informed them. "I just want to be there for him now."

Chōjūrō smiled a fanged mouth to her and she respectively asked to stroke his head.

"You may," He said, chuckling. "But please don't tell Kakashi… he'd never let me live it down."

She nodded and gently patted both him and Akamaru on the head. Pakkun smiled blissfully.

"We'll wait her for you three and escort you all back." Pakkun advised, Akamaru barking in agreement.

"Thank you." She then got up and walked towards Chōjūrō. Mei smile seeing Hinata had come and evaporated to an area further away. She had not known Hinata knew where she now was; sitting on the branch of a pear tree just outside the gate.

"Hinata?" He turned his head towards her and wondered if she looked the way his mother might have done…Beautiful, kind, loving and brave? He felt it was safe to say yes.

Hinata simply waved gently and then knelt by his side and stayed there.

"I must seem so selfish and weak…" He spoke quietly yet angrily. The man he had known for years just told him he had killed his father and rejected the last request of a dying woman with a baby… his mother. And what did I do? He asked himself. I left the room so I didn't hit him or say a word.

"No you aren't. You're strong like her." She said. "Like them both."

Chōjūrō looked at the woman by his side and wanted so very badly for what she said to be true. They were from two different cultures. Her land was a place of warmth and fire, his a land with a history of cold death, wet with blood.

"I'm not sure if I can believe that." He shook his head, still angry. "After all he did, though I still am not convinced it is true due to one small matter, I simply controlled my desire to kill him then and there. I must be a coward."

"You are making him suffer worse by keeping him alive, Hanabi will see to that. She is free now and a part of him. If he tries to do anything she is not happy with, she'll torture him in incredible ways." She felt bad to talk so darkly but it was still true. The man had taken away her husband and son away from her ... she'd make him pay. She put an arm around his shoulder he started to cry. It was a bit like having a small part of his mother with him.

On the ground where she had been cremated and where he had been brought into the village as a child, they sat and cried together. Mourning the sad story of a loved one. He sniffed loudly then laughed, taking out from his pocket two hankerchiefs and handing Hinata one, the two dried their eyes. "Some trip you've had, huh?" He said.

"We've both not had the best month." She said giggling and he put his arm around her shoulder too.

"Well, perhaps not all the bad." He said, slightly blushing and Hinata smiled, clearing her throat whilst looking him in the eye and then winking.

He laughed again and told her his biggest secret. "I have loved Mei-Sama from the moment I saw her and she smiled," His blush deepened and Hinata was entranced in his words. "From that day onwards, I promised myself to protect her beautiful smile from all the harms of the world. To guard her and love her with all I am... she must think me a stupid fool." He shook his head smiling and Hinata heard the leaves above them ever so slightly rustle.

"More the opposite, Chōjūrō." Hinata said. "I can understand your feelings though. Even now, I still am not sure why Kakashi has loved me. I am so grateful to him... he saved my soul."

"Mei-Sama saved mine too." Chōjūrō added, nodding. They both shared a smile and without removing their arms stood together.

"The Clan is going to be so curious about you." Hinata said smiling. "I know it will seem strange after so long, but you have a BIG family."

He still found the news strange and shook his head quickly to ensure he wasn't day dreaming. "Will they be upset with me being her son?"

Hinata also shook her head. "Your uncle, my father, may find the idea of her having a child out of wedlock hard but ALL of the family will be happy to see you .. especially our grandfather - The Great Hyuuga Elder."

Chōjūrō adjusted his glasses with his free hand. "He sounds a bit intimidating."

She stiffled a laugh and told him: "No. He used to be very hard but recently, he's become happier. When I was last home and told them of a potential child of hers in Kirigakure ... he was happy."

"Can I invite Mei-Sama to visit them with me?" He asked.

"You can bring home however you want. It's your home too."

Trying to be down-to-earth, Chōjūrō wanted to confess to Hinata something he decided a while ago. "If we are cousins or not, I don't care. Please think of me as your friend and brother."

"I'd like that, Chōjūrō nii-san!" She smiled and together, they started to walk back toward thw waiting pair of hounds, barking and chatting happily.

Chōjūrō... Mei purred his name through her mind and enjoyed the sensation. She dissapeared into the air and nack towards her home.As she reapeared in the hallway, she heard the quiet chatter of people in various rooms of the house and walking up the marble staircase, felt she could no at least sleep soundly knowing her lover was now at peace.