The Hand of Lady Hyuga
Chapter Four
The Throne Room was an impressive, and daunting, sight. It was a room of red draperies and ruby columns, and gold embellishments and bullion candelabras. The high ceiling, made even more elaborate by the gold-and-white medallions, seemed to span the whole sky and gleam like silver clouds in the day, weigh like a thousand mighty suns. The windows, paned delicately and opened to the balconies, let the sunlight stream in like golden rivers across the marble floors and walls. The double doors, painted red with gold detailed braiding, were like a burning star of ruby lips and hot desire.
On either side of the throne room, the great nobles of Konoha stood in their best kimonos, most elaborate qipaos, and most exquisite ball gowns; adorned by their best Consorts, their most fancy fiancées, and their most handsome escorts. Rubies and sapphires, emeralds and diamonds – fans constructed from peacock feathers, swans, the best cherry oak, mahogany – gloves of satin and velvet – pendants carved with their clan crests prominent for all to see.
It was like a wildfire of illustrious colour, of hot red and inferno blue, made even headier through the thick anticipation in the air, of the whispered expectations, of the hope that it was true, so true – of seeing her, finally after five years. It was a day that would be put into the history books and remembered, if not fondly, then certainly with excitement.
Amidst this fiery sun of nerves, the Empress presided over them with the calm of heated coals; the Emperor certainly amused at her right side. The Imperial Sarutobi Clan stood around her, on the dais raised a good five feet from the ground. None could remember a time when the Imperial Court was this anxious, this high-strung, this complete personification of the "Will of Fire," for such a solar system could not exist without a moon.
And when the doors opened, jet red and sun fire, the Throne Room became dead silent; the sun suspended in the sky and the wind a soft whisper of wishes come true. For a moment, no one dared to move, no one dared to breathe or think, and there were several gentlemen who felt their knees weaken at the sight, the ladies humbled in their guest's presence.
Empress Biwako merely met her in the eye and smiled.
When she stepped into the room, everything paled in comparison to her. The red and gold bled dry in her black and white. The overdone gowns and dress muted in her grey shirt and blue jeans. The highly coiffed hair of pins and jewels waned in her high ponytail. The overdone faces and paints shrunk in her natural complexion. The sun and the day shadowed in her moon and night. It was not a feeling the Imperial Court was familiar with. It was not like the fire and the passion and the burning. It was like the water and the calm and the soothing.
She was the moon to their sun, they came to recognize as she made her way forward to the dais, her leather knee-high boots a sharp click, click in their soundless solar system.
And she was not a breathless beauty either, but her Hyuga blood certainly made it that she was not ugly. No, it was not her appearance that made their breath catch and their heart paralyze at the want of stopping time so that the moment – this moment – could last forever. It was her presence that made her hard to look at, like a solar eclipse, like a new moon that could not be seen but felt. It was in the way she had walked in and knelt to their Empress that made them realize that none could compare to her, that even in her action of submission, she was not in any way, shape or form subpar to the Imperial Clan, or to the sun altogether.
She was everything and nothing like they had expected.
"The sun shines bright, Your Imperial Majesty," she spoke formally.
Gentle, quiet, like the wind in the night, like the dragonfly skirting the pond, she was subtle grace and sublime grey.
"The sun shines bright, Lady Hyuga," the Empress returned fondly. "You may rise."
And when she rose, oh when she rose, it was like a wave curling onto the beach and the whole Imperial Court startled awake from their thoughts. All at once, they became animated, shocked and surprised, breathless and soulful.
They spoke her name in hushed reverence.
"Hinata Hyuga."
They took in her state of dress with admiration.
"Hinata Hyuga."
They tried to describe that sense of wonder they felt at the sight of her and couldn't… quite… manage to do so.
"Hinata Hyuga."
And they were all cut short, much too short, when the Empress spoke, "Lady Hyuga, I have not seen you in so long. May I suggest that we retire privately for tea?"
The Lady Hyuga bowed and acquiesced. "By the Empress' orders."
The Empress nodded. "Good."
And the Imperial Court was left to flutter aimlessly about themselves, having no idea as to how to respond when the very woman who had caught them so soundlessly off-guard was so hurriedly whisked away in a blink of an eye. It was like they had had hardly any time to catch their breaths before they had to find it again. Like the waxing moon, in a wink, and the subtle beauty was gone.
Five years, and they were left only with the scent of peonies in the air.
The commotion spread through the kingdom in a sun-flash.
xxx
The Palace had changed over the years, Hinata noted as she stood by the window. From the fifth floor of the Empress' private chambers, she could pick out the white peonies in the Imperial garden, amid all the roses and lilies and hydrangeas. They appeared like white dots, a sparse sprinkling of colours in a large backdrop of green and brown, but with the Byakugan the Head of the Hyuga could surmise (and with great accuracy too) that they had been blooming for the better part of the week. She would not say that the Hyuga peonies had been blooming steadily for the past two weeks.
"They are not as resilient as the Hyuga peonies," the Empress admitted.
Hinata turned to her and smiled mildly, not at all disconcerted that the Empress had seen through her, but rather delighted to have it so. Even after all these years… Hinata chuckled to herself. Even after all these years, there were still some things that would never change. Like, for example, the way Empress Biwako stared shrewdly at the teapot settled oh-so-carefully on top of the flame, waiting for the perfect time to pass and the perfect temperature to be met for the perfect cup of tea.
"Jasmine," the Empress commented. "Your mother's favourite."
"Yes," Hinata said softly. She knew.
Unbuckling the Hyuga Clan Sword from her belt, she settled onto the opposite side of the table from the Empress and set the sword against the nearest chair. With the glass doors opened to the outside, the smell of summer grass mixing in with the warm tealeaves soothed her frayed nerves. Yes, the Palace had changed over the years. She did not remember the Imperial Court being as anxious or tightly wound with excitement and anticipation. The last she had been in the capital, it had been not so subdued – the energy had not been silent or restrained. Although, she supposed, a heroine's triumph was not made to be suppressed or quiet.
"They had been waiting for you," the Empress said.
Hinata was confused by her comment, and did well to hide it by reaching for the teapot and pouring them each a cup of tea.
The Empress took hers placidly and explained, "These past five years you have not been seen, and have barely been heard from. You are a heroine of Konoha, Hinata. A Living Legend." The Hyuga blushed. "You do not know how many have dreamt of the day of meeting you. Of course the whole capital is rife with anticipation and unrest. You are like royalty here."
Hinata frowned. "I could never-"
"Yes, I know," the Empress said patiently, and then gave her a smile that showed that she was not upset. "But you understand, yes? That you are an idol in the kingdom. Even abroad in some cases."
Hinata bit her lips together uncertainly.
"I know for a fact that the Empress Temari of Suna would go out of her way just to meet with you," the Empress informed, taking a sip of her tea.
Hinata sighed and almost – almost – slumped back against her chair. She was not ignorant. In fact, she would not be a Hyuga if she did not know or understand the… strange veneration around her person and name and reputation. She knew that some mothers prayed in her name for daughters, for instance. It had started five years ago, and she had assumed that if she were to seclude herself from the public then the fanaticism would deter. She had miscalculated – obviously if her observations from earlier were of any indication. What had been the supposed common formalities of greeting the Empress during the Season… turned to an almost worshipful silence of a holy shrine.
It was chilling almost.
"You had no troubles in your journey here, yes?" the Empress enquired.
"It was an uneventful journey," Hinata confirmed.
"And you were well received at the city gates?"
"Yes."
"And the Palace gates?"
"Yes."
"And yet you had taken almost an hour to get from my front door to my Throne Room because…?" The Empress raised a sceptical brow.
Hinata smiled. "We were early. I had thought to explore a bit…"
The Empress frowned. "And none have offered you a tour?"
Hinata did not know what to say. She would not say that the Palace seemed short staffed. She would not say that the Palace seemed disorganized. She would not say that the Palace seemed more like of a burden for the Imperial Clan than an actual aid. And she would not say that the Hyuga was not short staffed or disorganized or a burden. Hinata had made sure years ago that nothing – nothing – in the Hyuga would or even could slow down progress and her timely goals.
The Hyuga was perfect.
"We are short staffed." Empress Biwako saw through her like the first time they had met, decades ago when she was but a small child wanting a truffle her mother hadn't noticed. Hinata could still remember, as clear as day, when the Empress had plucked a beautifully golden-wrapped white chocolate truffle from the table and placed it into her hands with a knowing smile. She felt like that child again, except there was no treat. "We are disorganized. And we are burdened – continuously."
Hinata's grip on her teacup tightened, the only outward appearance she allowed to show her discomfort. Only a handful of people could render her small, and the Empress was one of them. "Do you wish for me to reorg-"
"No," the Empress said sharply, too sharply.
Hinata drained her cup and poured herself another to fill in the silence.
The Empress sighed, and Hinata was startled to hear the woman's age in her sigh. Tired and fatigued, the Empress Biwako smiled thinly and explained, "I have been wanting to summon you for some time now, Hinata."
Hinata nodded attentively, if not a little troubled.
"The issue lies, of course, within Root." The Empress did not need to say anymore, leaving the word to hand in the air like the waiting guillotine.
Root: the specialized subdivision of the ANBU. ANBU: Konoha's group of the best of the very best ninjas, including worthy jonin, chunin and (sometimes and very rarely) genin. It would not be so much of an issue since all ninja, no matter where they fell upon the three hierarchal levels of proficiency and skill of the ninja, were loyal to the Imperial Crown. However, Root operated on a whole other system. All Root members were loyal to one man, and one man only.
"Danzo Shimura." Hinata clenched her teeth. "He has yet to toss aside his lofty goals, has he?"
The Empress cast a grim eye over the Lady Hyuga. "Indeed. The Palace is almost in ruin from his workings."
Hinata nodded. It would explain the unworthy Imperial staff. She was horrified in the knowledge that her Empress was living in such conditions. She had not become the Lady Hyuga so that her sovereign and country would suffer from bad staffing and even worst ministers. Contrary to Hanabi's belief, Hinata did peruse the Imperial trading contracts every now and then, and she had found them most wanting and, even at points, disgusting.
She would not say that the Hyuga would do better.
"I would use the Hyuga," the Empress sighed, "if it did not cause a rift among the Powerhouses."
Hinata conceded to such a point. The Empress mustn't favour one over the other, or rather favour the Hyuga any further. There was a balance to be kept, made even more unsteady by the Uzumaki and Uchiha lacking in female heirs. Konoha's situation was rocky and…
She caught the Empress in the eye and they understood that the Imperial Clan was in no better condition than the Uzumaki and Uchiha.
"I am hoping that the union between my son and Lady Kurenai will bring about a sense of security in the Imperial Palace," the Empress confessed.
Hinata agreed. "Lady Kurenai is one of the best genjutsu specialists we have."
"How my stupid son was able to get her attention is beyond me," the Empress huffed with a roll of her eyes.
Hinata smiled. "Perhaps the union will bring about…"
She did not wish to jinx the chances by speaking of it, but the Empress nodded, understanding what she meant. With the Empress' eldest daughter-in-law unable to bear any further children after Prince Konohamaru, the hopes of a Crown Princess now lied with Prince Asuma and the-soon-to-be Princess Kurenai. That was not to say that Prince Konohamaru would devastate the land, but a Princess was always preferred if given the choice…
"There is another reason why I have called you here," the Empress said.
Hinata looked to her attentively.
"It seems that my grandson have been visiting the bed of your sister," the Empress voiced.
Hinata pursed her lips and bowed her head. Again, she was not ignorant. The servants who had been sent alongside Hanabi on her monthly trips to the capital had informed Hinata of such… indiscretions. Normally, it would be waived off. However, her sister was not bedding a normal man-child, but a Prince. Hinata wished she could give the Empress some news of, perhaps, a formal Courting Ritual, but her sister had yet to come to her, and she did not want to push Hanabi away by suggesting it herself…
"Your sister can continue her play," the Empress brushed it off. "Prince Konohamaru has yet to complain. I can only hope that my grandson is doing right by your sister in their time together. Nothing irks me more than a man unable to perform-"
"Your Imperial Majesty!" Hinata squeaked embarassingly.
Empress Biwako chuckled. Even after all these years, there were still some things that would never change, much to the Empress delight. "I only ask that you enquire your sister about this. I know that my grandson is fond of her."
Hinata gave a quiet sigh of acquiescence.
"He is fond enough to spout Hyuga pride over Sartobi," the Empress added as an afterthought.
Hinata gave a startled gurgle. Prince Konohamaru might as well be a Hyuga at this point then. "I will speak to my sister about this."
The Empress nodded, smiling mischievously. "You will be here for the better part of a month?"
Hinata affirmed, "I will leave after Prince Asuma and Lady Kurenai's wedding."
The Empress's gaze lowered in contemplation, and then when she next looked up, there was steel in her old grey eyes, a steel Hinata could recognize in herself. "In that time, I wish for you to stay by Lady Kurenai's side. I do not trust Danzo."
Hinata understood. "And Prince Asuma."
"I have already assigned Lord Shikamaru Nara to my son's person."
A Nara. Hinata admired her Empress' quick mind and cutting strategy. The Nara was known to produce more male heirs than females, but that was overlooked for their valuable intelligence and disarming laziness. She had read Lord Shikamaru's files (there were very few things the Lady Hyuga did not know) and although he may be of chunin rank on paper, in reality he was of jonin – bordering on ANBU. Coupled by the sensei-student relationship between the Prince and the Nara… Lord Shikamaru would give his life for the Prince's.
Hinata would give her life for her sensei's too.
"I understand," she told the Empress.
"Be wary of Root members," the Empress cautioned. "I summoned you early for the sole purpose of disarming Danzo's plans – to 'shakes things up a bit,' as Lord Jiraiya would say."
Hinata winced. Lord Jiraiya was a character.
"Hinata Hyuga," the Empress sounded with weight.
She stood.
"I have taken the chance of Prince Asuma's wedding to get you here," the Empress pressed. "Do not disappoint me."
The Lady Hyuga placed her knees to the ground and pressed her forehead to the wooden floor. "The sun shines bright. I will not fail you, my Empress."
Empress Biwako nodded, satisfied. "See to it that you will not. Dismissed."
The Lady Hyuga stood and, still bowing, grabbed her sword, took three steps back from Her Imperial Majesty… and then left as soundlessly as a ghost. One would have believed that she hadn't been there at all, if not for the second still-warm empty teacup on the table. Still fast, still lethal, still deadly and swift…
The Lady Hyuga was just as the Empress remembered her to be.
Still perfect.
And still very much Hinata.
Smiling to herself, the Empress drained her cup and prepared to face the Imperial Court.
xxx
the point