a/n: I apologize for the false posting of this chapter! I posted it but then deleted it because I was not happy with the length or the flow. Also this is for Cobalt Sunfire who suggested putting the flower meanings next to their name. Hope this is more convenient.
I am so grateful to everyone who reviewed, followed and favorited in the last two chapters! The encouragement means so much and I hope I do not disappoint. The criticisms are valued and I try to address them all.
To Rukia (guest): The ambiguity of their relationship in flashbacks was done on purpose. They were never officially 'together' if you will, but they were trying.
To SeriousSam: Thank you so much for the encouraging message. I have no words for my gratitude.
Also, more will be shown of Naruto's life in the five years in the coming chapters.
On with the chapter:
Blame
"Sasuke-teme, what do you know about the Hyuuga clan?"
Sasuke smirked at his friend, impressed. "Why?"
Naruto's brows furrowed in irritation. He did not have time for games today. He needed to get to the bottom of the Hinata Hyuuga affair and in he still had his mission briefing in five hours. "You know why. You noticed the same things I did, Sasuke. So, what else do you know?"
"To be honest, not much. The Hyuuga are insanely secretive and even the Hokage doesn't have access to all their affairs. And they've been virtually inactive the past few years."
"Yeah, no shit. But what about those rumors of their political maneuvers outside of Konoha?" Naruto asked, intrigued.
"Tch. They're not just rumors, stupid. They're true. The Hyuuga have political influence in an unknown number of nations and hidden villages. They have alliances and I'm sure vast sums of money have exchanged hands at some point."
"How? I mean, Main branch Hyuuga hardly ever leave the compound and Branch don't have the status or income needed for that kind of business."
"That clan is different from the Uchiha, Naruto." Sasuke stopped, a shot of pain lancing through his chest. No matter how much time passed, the hurt of his past would remain. He grit his teeth. "They're loyal to themselves first."
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"Uchiha frowned on marriages outside of the village. They made sure the Sharingan stayed within Konoha. They were loyal in that respect, no matter what may have happened in the end."
Naruto's eyes widened, catching on to his rival's train of thought. "So that's why the Hyuuga Branch family is so large. Outside marriages."
"Tch. Imagine the prestige that comes with having your son or daughter marrying into the illustrious Hyuuga clan." Sasuke said sourly.
"Let me guess. They'd change their surname to Hyuuga. And for the clan, it's a win-win. The marriage results in the strongest possible alliance and by having them marry into the Branch family, those bastards are able to seal any kids the couple might have." Naruto growled out, angrily. They had all worked so hard to bring peace to the ninja world, and he thought, all this time, that the Hyuuga had all been genuinely invested in that effort. To find out that shit like that was still happening, it was infuriating and insulting. It was like spitting on the memories of everyone who had fought and sacrificed. 'Just how long has this been going on for, and how the hell is Hinata involved in it?'
"Naruto."
Naruto glanced at his serious comrade, wondering why he had quieted all of the sudden. "Yeah."
Sasuke's eyes bled red, and the tomoe of his Sharingan appeared. His face devolved into an unreadable scowl, and Naruto grew worried. "If your Hyuuga girlfriend is the cause of harm to this village, I won't hesitate to do what I have to.
Naruto in turn grew angry, his fists clenching. "Just what are you accusing Hinata of, bastard?"
Sasuke calmed, his eyes darkening back to black. "Nothing yet. But she was a diplomat and traveled a lot. Who knows what she was up to in five years."
"She wouldn't support that kind of thing and Tsunade-baa-chan trusts her!" Naruto defended.
"Whatever." Sasuke turned to leave, his mood slightly lightened by Naruto's obvious affection and trust for the girl.
Naruto was about to retort, when he remembered just what exactly Sasuke had called Hinata. He grew red in embarrassment. "You jackass, y-you know it's not like that!"
Sasuke turned to smirk at the sputtering youth, and muttered low. "Not yet, at least."
He disappeared in a swirl of leaves before his friend could beat the pulp out of him.
Hitomi Hyuuga sat amidst her precious garden, the sun shining on the myriad of flowers. But her tiniest, most beautiful flower sat near her knees, with wide lavender eyes and a soul so warm and kind, it almost hurt. She glanced down when she felt a tug on her blue kimono.
"Hinata dear, whatever are you doing?" She asked gently, amused at the little four year old heiress, her ear currently pressed against her mother's burgeoning belly. Her dark eyebrows furrowed in the deepest concentration.
"Shh…Mama. I'm trying to hear Nabi!" Hinata whispered quietly, with all the seriousness of an older sister to be.
Hitomi laughed softly, threading her slender fingers gently through Hinata's short, feathery hair. What a beautiful child…and she had no doubt that this new baby would be just as precious, but even more loved due to Hinata's never ceasing vigilance.
"My little Hibiscus, how do you know the baby will be a girl? It could be a little brother."
Hinata looked up, a brilliant smile on her face and her eyes shining with certainty. "Baby is 'Nabi."
"No matter then. Because I know you'll be the best big sister ever." Hitomi smiled back, and then winced slightly as the baby kicked.
"What is it Mama?" Hinata asked, concerned. Hitomi simply picked up Hinata's small hand and placed it in the spot where the movement was. Hinata's eyes widened. This was not the first time she had felt Hanabi move, but she always found it amazing. She knew that Nabi was saying hello.
Hinata gently kissed her mother's belly, and said, "I'll take care of you Nabi."
Hinata walked with trepidation in the direction of the Hyuuga compound, not even caring to change out of her training clothes. She straightened herself, imagining a silvery ribbon of steel winding its way around her spine, slowly strengthening and supporting her. Odd imagery, but it was how she had taught herself to hold proper posture in times of pressure. And she knew there would be a lot of that today.
Confusion and anticipation warred within her. Simply the fact that it was Hanabi, her estranged sister that was looking for her, made her curious and hopeful. Theirs was a complicated relationship, filled with extreme highs and lows.
A tiny ten year old Hinata winced as she curled up her beaten, bruised body on her bed. Today had been particularly tough. She could still feel her father's hard gaze drilling into her head, her very core; his disappointment washing over her in waves as a six year old Hanabi mercilessly assailed her.
She shook her head, trying not to think, instead focusing on the soft sounds of the night emanating from her open window. The greys and darkened shades of the evening were somehow comforting. Her numerous covers protected her and provided her with a warm place to hide from everything.
And she waited…and waited…until the small, creaks of the floor boards could be heard outside her door. A thin crack of light appeared then disappeared, and small shuffling footsteps sounded across her room. These were even more comforting than the sounds of the night.
She felt her bed shift slightly and the covers rise as a small form slipped in next to her. She felt the faint trembling of Hanabi's quiet sobbing. After a few moments, Hanabi's hesitant fingers sought her own. A silent message, 'I'm sorry.'
Hinata smiled, tightening her grip on her sister's fingers and reached across with her other hand to gently smooth back Hanabi's messy bangs. 'You're safe now Nabi.'
The pleasant aroma of the hazel herbs outside the window filled the air. (Reconciliation)
Hinata slowed as she neared the gates of the Branch family section. It would be easier to deal with her return if she met friendlier faces along the way, or at least she hoped they would still be friendly. Even so, she might have to start her homecoming with an angry, little sister. She thoughtfully reached for her right eye, a determined look crossing her face. 'She won't ever know.'
Hanabi was dead tired. She was nearing her limit, but so was her opponent. She looked down at her petite older sister, hoping to heaven that she would not get up. But no…the trembling girl pulled herself back up, slowly and painfully resuming the Gentle Fist stance, the wooden floor boards creaking under her resolve.
Hanabi was torn. This was the girl that had practically raised her, cared for her, and yet she could not lose to her. Or she would be done for, branded and caged like an animal. And she knew that if that were to happen, she would slowly die from the ordeal. So she let out one last silent plea, her eyes begging.
"Sister, please, stand down."
Hinata's wide eyes narrowed in defiance, and in those lilac depths Hanabi saw the same desperation and fierce determination that burned through her own being. And she felt the sharp white eyes of the council; waiting like vultures to pray on the fallen.
Hanabi broke.
She charged, snarling wildly with all the crazed strength of a trapped beast; raw and uncontrolled twirls and palms flailing to attack anywhere it would hurt.
Hinata took advantage of the uncontrolled strikes, seeking the numerous openings of Hanabi's attacks, and with a last ditch effort, ducked under the taller girl's defenses to reach her arm, exposing her right temple in the process. Hanabi's flat palm made contact, thrusting a large amount of chakra into the area. The smell of burnt hair filled their senses.
Bright lights and enormous pain flashed across Hinata's sight. But she pushed through, her Byakugan slowly fading. She had to win. For the sake of everything she held dear, she had to win.
And somehow, she did.
"2…4…8…16…32…64 palms!"
Hanabi's arms went limp, and she fell to the floor unconscious. Hinata's knees trembled, nearly following her sister down. Her eyes closed and the pain in her head faded slightly as she heard the gruff voice of the elder say…
"May I present, our heiress, Hinata Hyuuga-sama."
"Where is she?" Hanabi muttered as she paced in front of the Branch member entrance of the Hyuuga compound. The last time she had seen her sister had not been the best of conversations. The resentment of her lost title had wounded her so deeply, and the imminent branding of her forehead had sparked a deep rage. And she had lashed out.
Hinata's short hair swung forward, as she focused on her task. She ignored Hanabi's burning rage and hurtful accusations. She simply continued to grind the juniper berries into a fine paste, preparing it for an ointment to treat sciatic pain. (Succor, protection)
She only stopped when Hanabi uttered the worst thing she could at the moment.
"I thought you would protect me."
Quiet footsteps announced the return of the long-absent heiress.
Hinata smiled wistfully as she gazed at the pale wood of the gate, remembering when she would meet Neji here for training. And slowly but surely, the other branch members had begun to accept her; to welcome her. She preferred entering through the Branch family side of the compound. The unmanicured lawns and quiet chatter of the occupants contrasted with the rigid cold of the empty Main branch hallways.
They were family and the thought propelled her forward, further steeling her resolve. She undid her ponytail, allowing her layered her hair to cascade down to her hips. 'I'm ready.'
At least she thought was.
She was completely caught unawares when a dark blur rushed towards her, a slim body slamming into her own and thin arms snaking around her neck. She looked to the side, noticing dark brown hair trailing down the person's back.
"Hanabi-chan?"
Her only answer was a small nod into her neck, the soft trickling of tears dampening her shirt.
"W-What do you mean?" Hanabi's silver eyes widened, disbelieving.
"You, Hanabi Hyuuga, will not be branded." The elder repeated grudgingly, angry at the break of tradition. His white eyes narrowed, enhancing the wrinkles on his brow.
"W-why?"
"It was a request made by our new heiress, under certain conditions of course."
"What conditions?" Hanabi fidgeted as her sister used to.
"Those are for her to know. Now leave." He turned his back to the stunned girl, returning to his various scrolls and letters across his desk.
Hanabi trudged out of the dark office, blindly walking towards her sister's bedroom. She had been gone for two weeks now, on a mission. She looked at the lavender covers on her sister's bed, softly caressing the butterflies embroidered onto the duvet.
Drip, drip, drip…Hanabi looked for the source of the leak, not wanting the blankets to be ruined. It was then she noticed she was crying. She curled up onto the soft bed, falling asleep with the comforting scent of Hibiscus filling her nose.
Hinata's arms slowly rose from her sides to gently enfold the trembling girl. 'Nabi-chan…'
The girl's muffled question startled the heiress. "W-why?"
Hinata paled. She could not answer that, not now and probably not ever. Her hand lifted unconsciously from her sister's back to her right temple. The action went unnoticed by the still crying girl. 'She cannot ever know. It's not her fault.'
"Hanabi-chan…I missed you."
The girl's head rose from her sister's neck, startled by Hinata's confession. Her pale eyes were red-rimmed and the tears glistened. And while she was determined to figure out why Hinata had gone in the first place, all that mattered now was the she was here. She was here and hugging her.
A small smile began to spread its way across Hanabi's delicate face, and brightened Hinata's spirits. It had been a long time since she had seen the wonderful sight. She truly looked as luminescent as her namesake.
"Welcome back Sister."
Naruto sat listlessly on the small, wooden chair gazing at the pressed remains of Hinata's goodbye to him. He had torn up the letter in frustration and despair, but had regained enough calm to save the blossoms. And here he sat, in a two day old orange shirt and black shorts. His hair was knotted and flat, and his eyes dull. 'Two months.'
A knock at the door startled him, and he growled out. "Leave me alone, Sakura."
The knocks turned violent, and he shot up for fear that his pink-haired teammate would break down his door. For the past month, she and Kakashi-sensei had been bothering him and somewhere deep down he may have been touched. But right now, he simply wanted to be left alone to his thoughts. The Hokage paperwork could wait a couple days.
He wrenched open the door, prepared to chew out Sakura, only to be assailed with a barrage of blows, flat palms reaching to injure him.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
He blocked each one, barely catching sight of his attacker. Dark hair, pale eyes and for a second a spark of hope rose in his chest. 'Hinata?'
The hope quickly died when he saw that the hair was not short and indigo, but rather a flat brown and long. Her eyes were gray, not lavender. In addition to that, the girl looked like she was about thirteen. Her glare was intense.
It was her sister. Her ridiculously arrogant brat of a sister.
When he finally had the girl struggling in his angry grip, he spat out. "What do you want?"
"You made her leave!" She snapped accusingly, still struggling. "You made her go!"
Naruto lashed out, hurt at the accusation. He bit out. "Who told you that?"
Hanabi remained silent, fighting against his grip. He quickly let her go, repeating his question. "Who said that I made her go?"
"Everyone!" She glared. "Ino Yamanaka said that you hurt my sister!"
Naruto's eyes dulled and he sat back down in the same chair. He buried his head in his hands. And the broken tone of his reply stopped Hanabi cold.
"I don't know."
And that was when Hanabi saw the dried Butterfly weed and Volkamenia flowers, inexpertly preserved, and she knew.
Hinata laughed at the chattering eighteen year old, admiring the wide eyes no longer ringed by dark circles and her overall happy tone. Her sister had grown to be several inches taller than her, and seemed so relaxed and joyful. A large contrast from the scared and angry girl from five years ago. But still, there was an undercurrent of tension and worry.
'But why call me back all of the sudden?'
As if on cue, Hanabi's large grin faltered and she began. "I'm so happy you're back, but…"
"Hanabi-chan, just tell me."
Hanabi remained quiet for several moments. The guilt of asking her sister to protect her once more choking her, stopping her words in their very tracks. It was asking too much of her sister, but she was her last hope.
"What is happening with the council, Hanabi-chan?" Hinata pressed on, her eyes narrowing in concern.
"They k-keep pushing…they want to want to arrange a marriage for me. Father is delaying as much as he can, but ever since they found out about you coming back, things have been moving so fast…"
Hinata's grip on her sister tightened, and her lilac eyes darkened. She had worked too hard to keep her sister safe and to stall their idiotic political machinations. This was going too far.
"I promise Nabi-chan, that will not happen."
Hanabi's expression brightened, speechless in the fierce admiration and love of her sister. She shifted her glance, hiding the tears pooling in her eyes.
"Hinata-sama!" called a gruff voice, a light tone belying the joy of the caller. The voice came from a middle aged man, his grey eyes crinkling in happiness.
"Oh my! Hanabi-chan is with her!" said a young lady with blue eyes and long dark hair.
The sisters' attention was drawn back to their surroundings with the various gasps and calls of the Branch members. They had been so entrenched in their conversation; they had not noticed when they reached the heart of the Branch compound. Their faces brightened and they waved back, exchanging fond greetings and well wishes with the occupants.
"Hinata-sama, welcome back!"
"Hinata-san, we missed you!"
"Good morning Hanabi-chan and Hinata-sama!"
Despite Hanabi's troubling news, Hinata's entire being hummed with pleasure, glad to be back home, if only temporarily. The added honorific jarred her slightly; she was still unused to her title. Hanabi smiled slightly at the startled reactions, her grip tightening on her sister's arm.
They made their way through the gates and through the various buildings making up the Branch housing. Hinata waved at the occupants, many of the adults came to shake her hand and some came to hug the sisters.
Among the throng of cheery family members, she and Hanabi caught sight of a particularly familiar face.
"Natsuki!"
"Natsuki-san!"
Natsuki Hyuuga turned towards the two calling her, pale hands flying up to her protruding belly. She smiled brightly. She rushed across the lawn, her long black hair trailed behind her and brown eyes crinkled in glee.
"Hanabi-chan, Hinata-ch…sama!"
She spread her arms wide to engulf the two in a bear hug as close as her pregnant belly would allow. Hinata grinned, aware of Natsuki's attempted formality. They let go of each other, Hinata marveling at Natsuki's largeness.
"Congratulations Natsuki-san!" She exclaimed. Her head tilted in glee. "Daisuke-san must be very glad."
Hanabi gently patted the bump, searching for movement. Her cousin was already used to her doing so. Natsuki laughed at the two, nodding her thanks.
"He's going to be the first Hyuuga child born in almost a decade."
Then Natsuki's face crumpled slightly. "But…"
Hinata's eyes widened in realization; this new baby boy would be branded. The first Hyuuga child in a decade would be branded and caged. Her sister was being pushed into an arranged marriage. Everything was happening so fast, would she be able to handle it?
She could. She would.
Hanabi stopped rubbing Natsuki's belly and looked up at her sister, searching.
And again she found what she was looking for in Hinata's increasingly determined gaze. Everything would be alright. And Hanabi decided she would use everything she had to help her sister protect their family.
Naruto remained on Training Ground 4, ruminating on heavily on the conversation he had with Sasuke. His drenched shirt was slowly drying due to the shining sun, and the calm waves of the lake created a serene enough atmosphere, which he was loathe to leave. His blonde spikes waved slightly in the wind, and he jolted when he remembered something.
"Hanabi was looking for Hinata!"
He smiled. He would have to pay that brat a visit later. He had a lot of questions.
"Where did she go Baa-chan?!" He shouted once more, his fist slamming onto the file cabinet, the bang temporarily drowned out the heavy rain outside the Hokage office.
Tsunade stared pityingly at the boy, yet her mouth remained firmly shut. He could break as many cabinets and desks as he wanted to. She would not divulge any information.
"She's on a mission, Naruto. Calm down."
"CALM DOWN!? She's gone, Tsunade! SHE LEFT ME!"
His eyes became downcast, and his entire tall frame sagged underneath the weight of her half a year absence. He thought she would have come back by now and he had no way to find her. No way to ask why or to ask what he did wrong. Who could he blame? Or above all, to make sure she was okay.
That was what killed him the most; the worry. He just wanted to know if she was okay.
"I'm sorry, Naruto. It's cla-"
"Classified. Yeah, I know." He tucked his hands into his orange jacket, his head still down. He walked out of the office, not even glancing back at the Hokage. The door slammed shut. Tsunade gazed worriedly after him, hoping to kami that he would pull himself together before his match against the Uchiha.
'I hope you know what you're doing, Hinata Hyuuga.'
She looked at the closed door, knowing that by now Naruto would be outside in the rain. And despite her earlier statement, he would be at the Konoha gates, waiting for someone who would never show up.
a/n:I'm sorry if this seems rushed. More complications. Last scene inspired by Say Something by a Great Big World and Christina Aguilera
