Chapter 22: Step into the Past, Part 1

Wasabi Compound, 12: 35 pm.

"The Wasabi Compound is just around this next street. It's pretty close to the people." Sakura explained.

"Convenient." Shino agreed. They came to the tall compound doors. Sasuke pulled a string hanging by the door. Bustling and people moving about could be heard from over the half wood and stone walls.

The large doors open to reveal a young man. He seemed expectant and in a hurry, but stopped to look at the travelers. He and Naruto stared at each other…did he know this guy?
Naruto racked his mind…he looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen the guy.

"N-Naruto?"

"That's me…do…I know you from somewhere."

"Naruto it's me! Morino Idate!"

"Idate?! Oi, I remember you now! Wow it's been years!" Idate took Naruto's hand shaking it strongly. Idate looked at Sasuke and Sakura, and smiled.

"I haven't you seen you guys in ages! You look the same as ever…though Sasuke might be a little taller than me now, haha." Idate extended his hand to Sasuke. Sasuke shook it and grinned.

"We're here on a mission. We're supposed to meet with Wasabi Jirocho." Idate nodded.

"He said some Konoha ninja would be coming…I never thought it would be you guys. Who's the new guy?"

"Ah, Idate this is Aburame Shino. He's a good friend of ours. He's the team captain." Sakura introduced.

"Nice to meet you."

"Back at you. Well…I guess you guys better head on in. Jirocho-san has been waiting forever and I'm sure he's ready for you guys."

--

"Fujiko-sama." A man covered in a black cloak and wolf mask flashed before the silk covered entrance. Beyond the drapes a woman sat, braiding her long black hair. She stopped in mid braid, her attention drawn to the messenger.

"Yes, what is it?"

"The Konoha ninja have arrived in town just this afternoon…and in the country this morning around sunrise, Fujiko-sama." He handed her a letter. The woman flashed a look of uneasiness as she read the message. She bit her lip.

"Where are they now?"

"The Wasabi Compound, Fujiko-sama."

"I see…so he was right even in that aspect. Do you know their identities?"

"Yes, Fujiko-sama…Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Aburame Shino."

"Ah...you may retire now."

"T-thank you many times, Fujiko-sama." The man backed out of the room bowing low to the floor and turning to go out.

"Niichan…what are you planning?"

--

"The Michimoe family? They came here about ten years ago. It was around that time I heard that the head of the family had gotten married." Wasabi Jirocho inhaled the green tea and nodded thoughtfully.

"Tsunade explained the situation to me. I don't know them personally. I've never heard of Hiroshi Michimoe though I do know that Lady Fujiko had an older brother."

"Have you met him per chance?" Shino asked.

"Only once. It was at a matsuri the village had at the Todoroki shrine. That was about two years ago. She introduced us…but she didn't tell me his name. Only said "my brother"."

"Ten and two years ago?" Shino expounded.

"Ah, yes. Tsunade tells me that's when Hyuga Hiroshi was banished in that ten year period." Naruto stood up.

"That's the time when that MIA ninja came back up! Tsunade-baachan said so!" Sakura pulled Naruto to floor clearly upset.

"Naruto behave yourself!"

"Hyuga Hiroshi was excluded from the Hyuga clan. Michimoe Hiroshi was classified as MIA all during that ten year period." Sasuke explained.

"Neji-san said that the last sighting of Hyuga Hiroshi was two years ago…" Sakura said. She slapped her forehead, sighing.

"Argh! We're missing something here! Something's not adding up!"

--

"You're getting married? To who?" Hiroshi sat on the porch with a pretty young lady. She seemed vibrant and full of energy. Her black hair in stark contrast with the clean white paint covering the posts of the porch and her colorful furisode.

"Yes, Niichan! He's handsome, kind; beautiful…he has brown hair and the most awkward eyes. They appear white to me…but I hear that they are really light lavender."

"Lavender?"

"Yes." She sipped her tea slowly and smiled. Hiroshi frowned. Lavender eyes meant that the man was Hyugan. But he didn't know of any engagements coming up.

"What's his name, imouto?"

"Hyuga Hiashi."

--

"Niichan! Niichan calm down!" Hiroshi stalked around the room throwing objects, a chair, and papers in his fury. Fujiko grabbed her brothers hand, clasping her smaller one over it.

"What's wrong, Niichan? Why are you so angry? What happened in the meeting?" Hiroshi calmed himself. How could he have acted to unsightly in front of his little sister? He slowed his breathing.

"Chihiro appointed Hiashi to the advisory council today. She didn't even consult me! Since when does she make decisions by herself?!" Hiroshi could feel his head spinning. Why did she have such an attachment to him? What was so good about him?

"But Niichan…you don't have to worry. He is my fiancé! Why are you so jealous of him, when you are to be married to Chihiro-sama!" Fujiko smiled.

She ushered her enraged brother to the table, motioning for the frightened servants to clean the mess her brother had dealt out.

"I can see that she favors him! I know Chihiro!"

"But Niichan! Hiashi-san is to be my husband! There's nothing for you to be worried about, Niichan. You see? Hiashi-san and I are to be married. It would be unthinkable for her to do something and it not goes unrecognized."

Fujiko stood behind her brother, her small hands placed on his broad shoulders.

"Ne, Niichan? Hiashi-san is mine. Chihiro-sama is yours. There's nothing for the both of us to worry about."

"You sound so confident, Fujiko. The heart has no boundaries you know."

--

"Hiroshi-sama! Hiroshi-sama! Your sister!" Hiroshi stopped outside the Main compound gate. He was getting ready to leave for a mission that the Hogake had specifically asked him to do. He turned to see Misa and another older servant running towards him, their faces full of worry.

Hiroshi immediately began running towards them. He could feel his mind racing, thinking of the things that could have happened to her. Did she fall? Had she gotten hurt riding the horses?

"Hiroshi-sama! Please come quick! Fujiko-sama is…she's…"

"Just take me to her!"

"Yes!" Misa ran through the halls of the manor with Hiroshi on her heels. He could hear voices coming from the library, and a cry of pain. Hiroshi ran ahead of Misa and entered the room.

His eyes widened at the sight before him. Medics were surrounding Fujiko trying to calm her down, but what caught Hiroshi's eyes was even more intense.

Blood covered the bottom of her kimono and the floor under her. Books covered the floor.

His body felt heavy…he couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He forced himself to move…he forced himself to run to her. His beloved little sister.

"Fujiko! Fujiko! Fujiko!" Hiroshi forced his way through the throng of medical personnel. He dropped beside her, grabbing her small trembling hand.

"What happened?!" He yelled.

"H-H-Hiroshi-sama! Fujiko-sama was trying to retrieve a book from the high shelf…and she fell! We're taking precautions now to save her and the child!"

Heya people! Whoo....I was going crazy on this chapter. Sorry its a little shorter than my usual ones, but I was pressed for time. :(

Anywho.......I saw my grandmother last night. She said she didn't like my hair short. lol I just realized something....this story is going to be longer than I expected, lol. So...I have one request. Stick with it till the end! DOn't waver! Continue reviewing!

P.S. To ONGuard...ummm...did I mention I'm a suck for happy endings? Thank you very much. And to Rose Tiger and all the others out there who don't want the wedding to happen.....hold on your seats! lol thanks for encouraging me to write! :)