Copyright Notice: Naruto and its characters do not belong to me but to its rightful owners.
The Wind Daimyo: The Heiress Reflects Once More
Time dances whirling past
I gaze through the looking glass
And feel just beyond my grasp is heaven
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Pale, colorless eyes stared blurrily into the mirror in front of the petite woman. Water dripped from her nose and chin onto the basin in front of her shaking hands. She dropped her eyes from her reflection to dip her white hands into the calm surface of the cleansing water. She quickly closed her eyes and threw the water onto her face, splashing the mirror. Nothing could pull her gaze from the sight of her tired face, the light makeup running down her cheekbones and the pieces of her bangs pushed wildly to the side of her forehead.
Why do I feel lost, as if I am caught up in something that terrifies me so?
Why do I feel as if I am being tugged into…a world that I didn't anticipate?
The young woman's dark hair fell forward in a loose uneven braid as she drew her eyes in closer to look into the looking glass. The surface looked broken, the reflection uneven and running with water. She pressed one hand to her mouth, using one to slowly touch the glass. A dash of red, burning and bright, stood out from the dark cloud beneath it. The young woman's hand touched the surface, her tiny fingers spreading wide. A sudden feeling, of being drawn to this…figure came over her.
"Lady Hinata! Are you ready?"
Ko entered the dim room quietly before bowing and taking in the darkness of the room.
"Hinata-sama…are you unwell? Is it your chest wound from long ago?"
Hinata watched the surface, the colors disappearing and the reflection of her bodyguard enveloping the entire glass. She bit her bottom lip and turned to face him. She touched her chest lightly. She had forgotten the wound her cousin had given her long ago. She had recovered greatly, but the wound had been nearly fatal thus it would leave lingering side effects. She had to be careful now in battles and training, something her family and friends harped on often.
"I am f-fine. Please do not worry, Ko-san."
"The last skirmish was much for you. Your training worried your cousin very much and I. This coup-"
Hinata stood abruptly and touched Ko's chest.
"You will say nothing to them, Ko-san. I cannot fail this mission. I must n-not fail them."
"Your role is important. There is so much danger, Hinata-sama…"
"Hinata! You're not ready?! What will you wear?"
Both grew silent as Temari slid the screen open loudly. Temari took in the room, tapping her dark painted nails on her small fan tucked into her black obi. Her entire attire was interesting and exotic. Gold, bronzes, and beiges shades were splashed over her dress. The bottom was split in the front, revealing laced up sandals and black mesh on one thigh. The top was dark bronze with a flimsy cover over her bare arms. Ribbons covered her forearms of many golden shades and black, dangling from her wrist. The sleeves billowed from the tops of them. A black ribbon covered her neck.
Temari touched her wild, spiky pigtails.
"Those women attempted elegant buns but I am a kunoichi first and ambassador second. I had them pin and twist…but they added these dangling black ribbons. This look should prove adaptable for a fight that will emerge in this coup."
Hinata hid a smile before Temari looked her over, raising an eyebrow.
"You're the next victim for those women. Humor me, whats your kunoichi gear for tonight? We must be careful to look festive and formal."
Hinata pointed at her kimono hanging by the panels and wardrobe.
"Hinata…" Temari whispered with her voice nearly breaking. She brought her cat-like eyes to meet Hinata's soft ones.
"Yes, I think this is best."
Temari sighed. "But Hinata…you'll look like a sacrificial maiden."
Ko's shoulders stiffened before squeezing his fists tight.
Hinata brought her fingers together and forced a smile.
"Yes, b-b-but wouldn't it be rather…deceiving?"
Temari slapped her leg and guffawed.
"Hinata, you made this hardened kunoichi laugh. You would be underestimated in that. I don't think any ninja would want to harm you in that," Temari chuckled but drew in her lips tightly. "Be careful and follow that kunoichi instinct and training I saw a few days ago."
"I may b-b-be nervous…but I won't f-f-fail my mission."
Temari glanced at Ko, before catching the sound of Kankuro's laughter in the hallway and the sounds of huffing women. She tapped her fan at Ko to leave. Before she followed, she dropped her eyes to the side and then looked deep into Hinata's eyes.
"This will work, as much as I've spent time on it. I know you can defend yourself very well, more than I used to think long ago. Just know we will protect you."
Hinata nodded. "I know, Temari-chan."
Temari dropped her voice low.
"You should also know one of us would die before you would ever be hurt."
Hinata tapped her fingers, nodding absently.
"Yes…I-I-I think I know that now."
The women swept past Temari, dropping tools and cosmetics everywhere. Some mumbled, others hummed, and the leader sauntered to Hinata with a lifted corner of her mouth.
"Ayumi-san," Hinata bowed.
"It appears you wish to be a maiden of white in a field of lilies. How touching. Let's begin."
A/N: Please enjoy!