AN.
Done with the exams and on to the Holiday Breaks! Come one you guys! Don't be shy to vote! I'm only keeping it around Dec. 22 2017 since I have to possibly write and edit the shit!
This chapter was supposed to be longer but as I continued editing and adding, which then increased the word count significantly, I just cut it.
I'm that bitch :)
WARNINGS! Politics, second-hand shame, awkward situations and a whole lot of CRINGE (lord I hope it's not because of my writing style) because of said situation.
I opened the door, ready to take a boring and safe D-Rank and or be assigned to a C-Rank with another team and or guard duty in the village gate. Honestly, it's like I'm an overused rag being passed around. Seriously, is there no other genjutsu specialist with Mystic Palm in their repertoire (except if it was Taizo, he's an absolute cinnamon roll when he wasn't annoying.)? I mean, I literally have chakra converstion cancer (or frozen chakra coils, I don't know. Maybe reincarnation chakra is like that) and I could do it. It's not that hard people. They should really require that every nin should at least have, not a medic ninja, but one medical-jutsu!
It's like they want to die or something.
I know I still do.
Oh wait. Trying to stop that depressing shit, huh? Well it's not like I can stop it since my mom was literally staring back at me with seven other people and Hiashi. The whole room went silent as did my mind when we just stared at each other. The tension was thick and the awkwardness could make radiation weep in shame because it probably had the power and the amount to fuel a goddamn city. It was that bad. I seemed to have stumbled into an unfortunate stupor. My eyes lavender eyes widened as did her light lilac.
"Oh my Obutto." I muttered smartly under my breath.
"T-Tokina?" My mom whom I haven't seen in more or less a year said reluctantly as her fingers fidgeted like all she wanted was to grab me and make up for the lost time. I know I wanted to do that. Since I really didn't know what to do in these types of situation, I just held her eyes and stayed where I am. Hiashi's lips pursed while the newcomers (well I was the "newcomers", honestly) gave me a sideways glance before turning back to the Hokage. I was the first one to break eye contact, not because I was hurt or something, I wasn't that petty. She had a career going on and I could understand that. I probably wouldn't have broken eye contact if her stomach wasn't bulging.
That did not look like obesity.
Woah, wait hold the fuck on. Sugar Daddy Hiashi did not include the whole pregnantbit in "the your mother is in a tight spot" situation. Did they willingly send out a pregnant woman and her husband on a mission to spy? Was it their cover? Was she raped? Was the whole "rape victim" thing her cover to migrate to Iwagakure? Oh god, this is all sorts of inhumane and fucked up. I'm six years old people. I shouldn't be handling this.
"Um..." My intelligible response to everything that overwhelmed me, "I'm interrupting aren't I?"
I felt myself cringe when I saw one of the visitors that looked absolutely plain and boring smirked.
The air's temperature dropped and I suddenly remembered who they were. They were the Yuki Clan, wielder of the Ice-Release and my second favorite clan before the Hyūga Clan when I was alive. The whole Demonic Mirrors bit in the anime was so cool, I had to squeal in the war arc when Haku was reincarnated. Haku probably wasn't even born yet but I wanted to take him into my arms and protect my precious cinnamon roll.
If I could get through the awkwardness of that situation and this day, then maybe I would.
I probably wouldn't anyway.
I don't have the guts to just adopt someone outright.
"I'll just…" I muttered and made my way to the Hokage's door. Why aren't there looks in this thing? Where the hell where the guards protecting this very important meeting of Kekkai Genkai wielders wanting to immigrate here in Konoha? Shouldn't this be all under wraps or something? This damned building is so counterintuitive with the whole "many hallways to confuse infiltrators but the Hokage door doesn't have a goddamn lock" shit.
"Tokina, come." Hiashi ordered, his voice drowning my muttering and spluttering.
Shit.
Fucking Hiashit with the Grade A clan leader act.
This makes absolutely no fucking sense. I'm just a lowly genin, what the hell am I supposed to do here?!
I closed the door again, and made a beeline for Hiashi who was at the corner in his traditional Hyūga uniform, a green haori and gray yukata. My mom looked slightly hurt by the action but said nothing. I wanted nothing more than to rush to her but that would be slightly stupid on my part. The Yuki's gave me an odd look before the Hokage cleared his throat. My own throat clenched when I saw that Danzō was in the same fucking room. The War Hawk gave me a low-key glare that all the girls in my class would envy before directing his attention at the matter of hand.
Oh God. Fuck me for not using my Byakugan to check the rooms first. God, the shit head, gave you one fucking gift and here you are, not using it for its purposes. Tokina you goddamn idiot.
Jesus, I wanted someone (Jesus, if you could) to take the wheel for me right now because I do not want to have all this awkward tension surrounding me. The air is a thick as Rin and my thighs which was really bad for my mental and physical and maybe even spiritual health if we were being generous. You could feel the contaminated air seeping through my skin and fucking my heart, soul and mind. I was never good in these whole "social" shit. That's why I dropped PoliSci and not because I couldn't memorize the whole Article III word by word and fighting with the professor in why we need to memorize it when we have goddamn notes and google in the court.
Who the hell would have the right mind to possess me of all people?
I know I wouldn't posses myself but here we are, Karen.
"Why is she here?" Danzō piped up before his "friend" was about to continue. He gave me a rude look, probably insinuating the obvious "you killed one of my henchmen and I can't do anything about it but revenge kill" hanging in the air. I gulped, the sound probably echoing in the large room with ten or so people in it.
Now I definitely know I wouldn't want to posses me.
"With all due respect, Honorable Elder," My mom began, bowing a low bow. Oh God mom, please don't. He'll take your eyes and put it in his arm if you're not careful. "But my daughter has every right to know what is about to happen to her mother right now. It would save a lot of time to explain it to her personally. She should stay."
What? What the hell does she mean by "what is about to happen to her mother right now"? Is she going to be martyred? Excommunicated? My thoughts thankfully stopped when Danzō with his raspy and cold voice answered her.
"…So?" Danzō (who was a fashion disaster to the highest degree says Tadashi) raised his only revealed eyebrow.
"Danzō, restrain yourself." Hiruzen sighed.
Oh my god, I shouldn't even be here. I just wanted a few spare change in my pockets by making babies sleep or maybe painting a house. Not this political bullshit that was way out of my clearance.
"You're an undergrad of Political Science. You should know what's going on." A voice in my head traitorously said.
I TRANSFERRED TO MUSIC AND MAJORED IN CONDUCTING!
Christ, I must be in deep shit if there are voices in my head now. I thought the textbook said late teens or early twenties is when the Shinobi mind degrades? This is too damn early.
"Shouldn't you be in school, girl?" Danzō said, not bothering to hide is glare. Hiashi's hand tensed on my shoulder as butterflies fluttered around anxiously. I see what he's doing. He's making me admit to them I graduated early and is team-less and Shishou/Sensei-less, making me nothing more than a waste of resource since graduating this early would automatically dub you as "prodigy" even if you had the Byakugan to assist you in throwing, taijutsu and your mother for chakra control which is needed in the basic academy three. In essence, he wants me to sign an oral petition form, making me check the box with the words "yes I want to kidnap you and brainwash you and I just need the Hokage's permission to do it because he is dumber than shit bricks."
"Danzō, I don't think Tokina's doings are your concerns." Hiashi, who was in level in political power with Danzō since he is a part of the prestigious Hyūga, crossed his arms. "If anything, her concerns are mine and Akane's alone."
Danzō growled at his foiled attempt to make me his personal war machine. He lowered himself as Hiruzen sighed tiredly. Poor guy, only wanting to do his job properly and protecting the village that was pushed on to him. If it wasn't for these power hungry shit head around poor Hiruzen...
The universe would be better off without Danzō's obsessions and schemes.
Maybe I could disguise a snake with subtle genjutsu. A King Cobra would do nicely; those had a lot of venom in them. I'm sure that Orochimaru doesn't sell his anti-venoms.
I had to legit think about it. That's how much I hated him. Not today. One day, but not today. Fighting Danzō needs careful planning and overpowered jutsu like the Sharingan and the Tailed Beasts. I also have the plan for the political whiplash and a whole mafia coming after me. I didn't need to but I wanted to therefore it's on my wish list, not like I would act on it. If I did, what prize do I get? Maybe I could get his elephant summon somehow. It would be a nice dream. There aren't many summoner-nins anyway. It would be an interesting concept.
"Going back to the topic at hand," Hiruzen regained his authority over everyone in the room with a simple a-hem. "We have all agreed to the terms of this meeting? Hyūga Akane will be the stand-in leader of the Yuki Clan, the actual clan leader will regain his status as clan leader when he is an able Shinobi who pledges his sworn alliegence to Konohagakure and all she stands for while Hyūga Hiashi shall oversee this meeting and allow that one of his clan members will lead another clan entirely?" My mom nodded tensely, giving me sideway glances
Woah, woah, woah! I wasn't informed of my mom being turned into a temporary clan leader! Now, this, Hiashi darling, is the shit you should mutter to me in that damned office of yours! They could be spies sent from Kiri for all we know! I don't want my mom to risk that kind of danger! Plus she's pregnant! Shouldn't the Hokage at least give her the decency for a maternity leave?! Isn't that a goddamn privilege in Konoha's half-assed constitution?!
"Do the Yuki Clan agree to be willingly be subjected to T&I and will be observed by ANBU who will be hidden in sight and Hyūga Akane's position as stand-in leader of your clan?" The group all tensed before nodding. Healthy and moderate levels of paranoia never killed anyone and the words "T&I" should strike fear into people's hearts alone. This was probably going to be just a friendly debriefing with chains and killer-intent. If they were filled with paranoia, however…
Well, Hanzō the Lizard was a perfect example of that.
An incredibly attractive man with chocolate hair and light blue eyes whom I would have fawned over some other time if it wasn't for the whole "my mom can be stabbed in the back, literally speaking, while pregnant" situation nodded. "The Yuki Clan gladly accepts these terms. We only request to be treated equally and fairly as new citizens of this village. We vow to use our Ice-Release for Konoha and Konoha alone, protecting her ideals and dreams in the best of our ability." The new clan silently cheered and relished the fact they were not going to be persecuted by the fact that they can easily manipulate water and control the temperature of the air around them.
"And lastly, the Hyūga agree to give the new startup clan additional monetary funds?"
Hiashi nodded a little bit too sullenly. "We, of the Hyūga, will support this new "Yuki-Clan"."
"Any objections?" All the eyes silently went to Danzō's old and sneering face as he directed his vehemence to Hiashi. It seems they were arguing without me and only using their eyes. It was a soundless battle and all I could think of was "Did they sell me to an underground sindicate?!" Thank god. he remained silent for full five seconds before Hiruzen spoke up.
"Very well, I welcome you to Konoha, Yuki Clan. May you serve her and care to all her needs as the Will of Fire guides us in this war." The new clan broke into relieved cheers. Mom smiled quietly at their happiness and excitement for escaping their original fate before she directed her gaze at me.
It was a sorrowful gaze.
I returned with a questioning look and a slight tilt to the side.
Hiashi's hand left my shoulder and he gave me a warning glance. He nodded to me before escorting the new clan to T&I and probably going to talk about politics or whatever these boys talk about. Hiashi must be the youngest clan leader around. Something must've happened to Hyūga Hitachi if this had to happen. No wonder he was so stressed and sullen at my "Byakugan activation ceremony" or whatever formal thing it's called. I watched him and the new clan walk away with smiles on their faces. Not Hiashi's though, he was all business.
I have never saw anyone look so forward to T&I.
The peanut gallery walked out of the room, each going our separate ways. I walked quickly, trying to run from the tenseness in the air like the plague. I needed a genjutsu to calm myself and Jyūken practice to vent for something which I didn't know of. It was pretty unreasonable of me to think that my mom cheated on my dad when he probably sacrificed himself for her. I knew I should hear her side of the story first but me and my six-year-old body and twenty-seven-year-old mind couldn't think of anything but that.
"Tokina-chan." My mother called, making my head snap back to her and stopping me in my tracks. She still had her black hair and beautiful and smooth face that didn't age a bit even though we didn't see each other in a year. A lot happened in this year, mom. I don't know what to say or how to react since it would only be met with awkward "how are you doings" and "what happened to dad?" I couldn't tell I was about to have an emotional breakdown or whatever else I should say to her. You don't just say "I missed you so much!" when your dad/husband died in a mission while you were unreasonably pregnant. Was that a factor in this whole mess?
Oh god. This is going to be a whole lot of awkward. I looked into her sad eyes but as we walked outside, I couldn't help but stare at her bulging womb.
"I'm sorry, but..." I tried to think of a not-tactless way to say it but I couldn't think of any. She tilted her head slightly. Ah, so that's where I got it from. I instead, pointed my gaze at her bulging and dreadfully obvious elephant in the room known as her womb. "That is dad's…right?"
She chocked.
"Of course!" She screeched like someone correcting his or her friend that one plus one is indeed two. She was probably feeling undignified at the fact that her daughter was accusing her for cheating. "Who else would it be?"
An invisible weight was lifted from my shoulders.
But that didn't excuse them from banging, though.
"On mission?"
She sighed. "I did not know I was pregnant when we went for Iwagakure. I guess we forgot to..." She waved her hand, not wanting to taint her innocent cinnamon roll of a daughter even though her cinnamon roll was asking why, how and where.
What did you forget? take the birth control pills? Ever heard of condoms?
She huffed, her cool lost. That was a first. She grabbed my hand and silently led me to a random ramen shop in tense silence, her hand holding mine like the good old days. Except before, dad was holding my right and he was the one dragging us from place to place with a stupid (that he really tried to make it look charming which made him look like a cinnamon roll that could kill you in ten seconds) grin on his face. Something was obviously hanging in the air as we ordered a veggie stew for her and a beef cutlet bowl for me. I wasn't the type to begin social cues because, hey, still trying to be a functional human being.
And it seems she wasn't too.
Maybe we could have shared therapy for mother-daughter bonding time.
…That was a horrible joke and I should feel bad.
"So, why are you not in school, Tokina-chan?" She asked it as casually like regarding the weather, not answering my three questions. I pursed my lips and ate my noodles, agreeing to play whatever game this is. "Um...it's not like I'm breaking the rules, right?" I joked to lighten up the situation, which did not give the desired effect.
She took a sharp inhale and gave me a tightlipped smile. "Yes...right..."
Fuck, I made things worse.
Go me.
"I graduated early." I blurted out, not knowing what else to say. What else could you say that wouldn't result in a backlash to your parents? Why is dad dead? Why didn't you protect him? No! My mom just wanted to make up for lost time, both for her and her husband. The only thing you can give them, as a child, was good grades, love and nurturing.
But this is the Naruto world filled with child soldiers, so good grades was substituted for honor and more responsibilities.
Her head rose as her eyes widened and gleamed with pride and smug in the revelation that her daughter fit the shoe of "prodigy" even though she wasn't intending to. It was contagious. "I was the top two in the whole school. It turned out that they didn't have any elemental releases in the curriculum so..." I shrugged with a good natured smile. "I managed to pass the exam early."
Her smile widened. "That's wonderful!" She cheered. "I wish I could have been there to congratulate you. Your dad would have given you a new Yukata…" She said longingly as my eyes softened. Her hand fidgeted before her eyes regained the same cheer. "You know, I really don't think that I can disclose this information." She began, shifty eyed. I chuckled at my mom making an effort to look silly. "But there was this one time in Iwa..."
And that's how we broke the ice. Catching up with all the things we've missed in each other's lives. It was a pleasant experience, talking to my mom again. It wasn't one of my moms, it was just my mom because I have to move on from the past. I wasn't a graduate with a Bachelor's degree or a dog to take care of anymore. I restarted in square one, the only thing retaining is my memories which gave me my attitude. I shouldn't linger, I know, but one can't help to linger when you lost everything.
But that's why we'll just build everything back up again like a poor village being ravaged by a typhoon.
We humans are resilient.
And it just so happens I managed to have the qualities of human being.
We chuckled at the silly stories (Oh this one Yamanaka in my temporary team? His hair was so stupidly long it got caught in a branch!) and our really corny jokes. (How does every Shinobi joke start? By looking over your shoulder!) as we enjoyed in each other's presence and, as intended, making up for lost time.
We finished our food with all the tense atmosphere gone, replaced with longing and reminiscing. "So...is it a boy or a girl." She smirked and stroked her unborn baby lovingly. "Boy or girl, it won't matter. The name will be Tokuma." She said determinedly.
We stood up and walked back to our house which I have been taking good care of in these past months, butterflies fluttering around my mom curiously. "How will we make this work?" She tensed and gave me a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow.
"I mean this family." I motioned us- me, mom and Tokuma. "I'm a Branch Family of the Hyūga Clan, mom. You're the head of the Yuki. Where will Tokuma live?"
She hummed as she slid open the door to the Hyūga Compound.
"I don't think I can be a good mother to him if I'm always out and about, doing clan leader things, missions and hospital work." She said, obviously pained that she couldn't stay with her child. She stroked her womb as if making up for the years she won't be there for. She looked at me determinedly. "Tokina-chan,"
I tensed at her tone. "I want Tokuma to be happy and safe. I want him to know everything about your father and how he sacrificed everything so he could see me live." She sobbed out, tears streaming down hypocritically on her happy face. My throat dried as my eyes heat up. My lips trembled as she looked at me with pure determination. "I want you to be there for him. No matter what happens,"
I nodded, shamefully hesitant at my answer. New responsibilities were scary in this world but the least I could do for the woman who hadn't passed a day without thinking of little old me was to promise that her son and my new baby brother should be taken care of. "Of course, mom." Was all I said.
She nodded and chuckled. The pregnant woman wrapped her arms around me and held me in a tight embrace as I feel the bulge around her stomach.
His funeral came in a sunny fall morning, Hyūgas of all ages and ranks, The Yuki gazing at the inscription of the tomb stone, as me, mom, Rin and Obito were huddled in one group in front of the crowed.
Hyūga Tomokazu.
That name etched in the marble pillar made it all so real.
Like it finalized it,
I hated it.
No dramatic inner monologue of revenge or whatever. It was just pure resentment to the situation I was in. It was short and concise.
But of course I didn't voice out my thoughts. He deserves to be remembered as the man who protected his pregnant wife till the end. May Kiri wage a war on us; I'll never give up Tokuma or any of the Yuki Clan. They were the embodiment and proof of dad's work. He deserves to be written about in both of our clan's history. The man that rescued and united to very different clans.
I broke many promises in my past life.
I didn't want to break this.
One by one, they left until Seto, Hiashi, mom, Rin, Obito lingered. The Uchiha stared at the name like it would bring him back as Rin looked absolutely wrecked. Mom hugged herself as she stroked Tokuma (or Tokuma in the making) lovingly. "Don't worry, love. We'll take it from here." She muttered as she led us, the three children away to Hiashi and Seto.
Seto gave her a sad look as they both embraced each other, the man muttering apologies to her as she took it with a quiet 'thank you.'
Hiashi nodded. "Akane," The Hyūga clan greeted called my mom, the newly inaugurated and temporary Yuki Clan leader. My mom gave the two non-Hyūgas (be it blood or name) a small smile.
"Rin-chan, Obito-kun, I will meet you in my house." Rin nodded and dragged the reluctant Obito (as a Naruto predecessor, he could probably sense intense emotions easily) away.
"Hiashi-sama," She bowed a low bow, opposed to the "get on your knees and put your forehead to the ground" bow that we Branchies do. "I thank you for agreeing to protect my daughter from Danzō." She raised her head and put her hand on my shoulder. "He has caused me grief over and over again. I thank you with the bottom of my heart."
Grief? Was my mom a former ROOT member?
That made me sad since it made a lot of sense. Danzō was probably the type of person who wouldn't want his failure to be flaunted around so easily. They probably made a deal without me, making my mom a scapegoat in exchange for my freedom. It was hard to see the first placer dance around with glittery gold medals while the second placer was stuck with the conciliation prize. Of course, this is all speculation. Danzō could have been my mom's ex for all I know.
That was probably worse…
He raised a hand. Seto shifted uncomfortably. "Its fine, Akane, I only wish the best for you and your family." The young and stern clan leader cracked a smile for my mom. My mom took it what it was. "Please continue to protect my daughter." She bowed once more before leaving. I felt like I wanted to chase after her before Hiashi stopped me.
"Tokina..." He gave me a gaze I couldn't decipher. What was that all about? I subconsciously tilted my head at him. "Hiashi-sama?" I questioned. He looked like he wanted to say something before he shook his head, all the while staring at the memorial stone.
"Go. Akane's waiting." I blinked at him. That's it? I bowed to Hiashi before running after my mom.
AN.
I think after this chapter, there won't be a lot of angst anymore.
She finally has a will to live you guys!
The first major change!
And she didn't even lift a finger!
whoop!
Also, the shinobi joke? I literally searched "racist japanese jokes" and decided to use that one even though I didn't know what it meant. Replace the shinobi to japanese and please explain it to me. Since I don't know what do write anymore I'll just end it with the Enjoy Life :)