Sorry for the lack of updates, been super busy. But I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Naruto thoughts Hinata thoughtsNaruto text Hinata text

Chapter 22: The Hyuga Trials

It's been four months since Naruto and Hinata's loss. Both coped well and are taking the steps of moving on. These four months haven't been the easiest, but nothing that came their way was a walk in the park.

Today was going to bring back old feelings for Naruto and Hinata. Hiashi Hyuga was going on a trial for the entire month for the murder of their unborn child. The young couple prepared for this day the best that they could, they knew that once they say the old man's face their sheltered feelings would find their way out. Hatred, hurt, anger, sadness, and grief were many of the emotions that the old Hyuga man made the two felt all at once. They're stronger than that though. They knew how to keep themselves in check when Hiashi would try to irk them to do something out of the normal.

The trial would probably be hardest on Hinata. Her father was basically trying to justify his reason of living. She often cursed herself for caring about her father's well-being because he was the reason why her baby was dead and why she and Naruto were hurting so badly. I guess that's the type of person she is. No matter what anyone does to her, she will always try to find in the good in them. Unfortunately for her, there isn't any good within her father and she has a hard time accepting that. She could only imagine how Naruto felt about all of this. He has been so strong for her, trying to help her the best way he possibly could. She didn't believe him when he told her that she helped him heal because she felt that all she did was use his shoulder to cry on. She was wrong.

Hinata taught Naruto how to forgive. That was something he was never able to do before. He always wondered why she was open to forgive her father for all the wrong he has done her. He realized that it was because it was simply easier to not hate anyone than it is to hate. She forgave him for belittling her, for torturing her, for touching her.. And Naruto learned to do the same. Even though he learned to forgive, he wouldn't ever forget. He still had no desire to make any connection with the Hyuga and Hinata didn't try to make that connection happen. Forgivness isn't as easy as it is put out to be and that's the main thing he grasped from Hinata.

Naruto and Hinata were on their way to Konoha's Courthouse where the trial would be held for the rest of the month. The drive was quiet, both of them deep in thought. Would Hiashi plead guilty for the murder or fight for his freedom? Naruto wore a navy blue button up shirt with gray slacks. Hinata wore a knee-length black dress with matching sandals. They knew the paparazzi would be there; they had to look their best.

"Are you ready for this?" Naruto asked.

"No, not at all."

"Me neither." Naruto replied before parking his car.

Naruto quickly opened his door and helped Hinata out of hers. She had a worried look on her face and Naruto quickly pulled her into a hug. A lot was at stake today and it was a burden.

"Let's hope for the best." Hinata sighed against Naruto's chest.

"Let's." Naruto said before the two quickly ushered through the courthouse doors.

There were many people today waiting outside to watch the trial. It wouldn't be too hard to find out where the courtroom is located. The couple felt everybody's eyes glued onto them, they knew somethign would happen in the courtroom today that would make Konoha history. It was hard to believe that something so devastating was planned out, this was a first. Naruto pushed open the courtroom door and the couple quickly went up to the front and took their seat at the plaintiff's desk.

It didn't take to long for the entire courtroom to be filled with the nosy villagers. Naruto sank in his seat and Hinata sighed deeply. Silence broke when Tsunade made her way to the judge's table and the Village elders took their seats along the jury area.

"We are here for the trial for murder of Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Hinata's unborn child. ANBU, please bring in Hyuga Hiashi." Tsunade spoke into the microphone.

"Hai, Hokage-sama." one of the ANBU gaurds replied before the rest went off to get Hiashi.

Hiashi was soon brought in with six ANBU gaurds. He looked lifeless. His skin was more pale than usual and the roots of his hair were beginning to gray. The ANBU gaurds guided him towards the defendant's desk. Naruto and Hinata avoided eye contact with him.

"Hyuga Hiashi, do you plead guilty of all charges of the murder or Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Hinata's unborn child?" Tsunade asked.

"I plead unguilty of the murder of my unborn grandchild." Hiashi spoke boldly.

The courtroom bursted into shrieks of astonishment as Hiashi plead unguilty. Naruto shot him a glare and Hiashi continued to look at Tsunade.

"That bastard.." Naruto muttered.

"Naruto... It's okay." Hinata said while grasping lightly to his arm.

Naruto immediately calmed down. He tended to do that when his Hinata was around. Tsunadee coughed gently and shook her head.

"Alright then, would you like to explain why you deserve to be a free man Hiashi?" Tsunade asked.

"I'm simply innocent because I have nothing to do with a miscarriage. Miscarriges are common, you should know best Tsunade-sama. Why would I have any part in a perfectly natural death?" Hiashi replied slyly.

"If I recall, you blackmailed Miss. Hyuga's sensei, Matsu, to intensify her training to harm the fetus." Tsunade eyed him curiously.

"Then don't you think it should be he who should be in my place?"

"He has a point." Naruto whispered.

"Matsu had no idea about Hinata's pregnancy, which doesn't make him responsible. You knew that she was with child, you were the one to order Matsu to do what he did." Tsunade squinted her eyes.

"That may be true, Tsunade-sama. But please tell me, why would I want to kill my grandchild?"

"Hiashi, it wasn't a secret that you despised your daughter because of the death of your wife. We have reasons to believe that you have been abusing her." Tsunade spat.

"Are you sure it isn't due to the intense training, my dear Hokage?" Hiashi smiled before leaning back against his seat, "Let me put it this way, if I want something, I will always find a way to make it happen. I am ruthless and give no mercy. That's what makes me a Hyuga and that's what makes my daughter inferior."

"Hmph. We will continue this next week. ANBU, please escort Hyuga Hiashi to his cell." Tsunade said before getting up from her chair.

"Are you okay?" Naruto asked Hinata.

"Something's off about him.." Hinata shook her head.

"What do you mean?"

"There's something different about him Naruto, something isn't right about him."

"Well, he's crazy.. That's nothing new." Naruto shrugged.

"Mmm." Hinata shook her head again, "This is different. Something happened to my father, something beyond what I know."

"Do you think you have a clue?"

"I'm not sure... But Naruto, I think he's going to crack real soon." she looked at him worriedly.

"I guess we'll find out when that time comes." Naruto said before looking at the ground.

"Sorry old man, but if ya do the crime, gotta pay the time." the guard said before locking Hiashi in his cell.

"We'll see who did the crime, alright." Hiashi shouted as he laughed crazily.

The guard gave him a strange look before walking off. Hiashi then moved his pillow and took out his carving stick. He quickly began jotting down words at the edge of his cot, this was something he did now. He would write all sorts of messages.

Only one solution is left and I made it.

Save the strong, rid the weak.

Emotion is a fault, a fault in which I do not have.

I am always right and right is always me.

Hinata was right, Hiashi had gone mad. The real question now is when will it all come out? When will he finally break?