CHAPTER RATING: T
This story is coming to a close.
…
Episode 23: Bloodlines, Part IV: An Acknowledged Love
"Hokage-sama!" A voice boomed out through the Hokage's office after an audible crash rang throughout the room. When the dust cleared, Tsunade sat inher usual seat, with Shizune at her side. In the doorway stood Shino, Kiba, and Hinata, with Naruto draped over her shoulder.
"W-What is it?" Tsunade shouted back. "What happened to Naruto?!"
"We can explain later! Right now we need to get Naruto to the hospital!" Kiba shouted back.
"Shizune! Help Hinata and take Naruto to the hospital!" Tsunade commanded. "You two!" she pointed at Shino and Kiba. "Tell me what happened!"
Kiba and Shino nodded, the groups took off in separate directions.
…
"All of them?...All of them were Hyuuga?" Tsunade questioned Shino and Kiba aloud. They had taken her to the scene of the massacre. The smell of iron was heavy, the green grass was tinted with the dark hue of dried blood.
"All of them." Shino replied calmly.
"It's…It's gruesome…" Shizune added while holding her arm to her nose.
"Shizune! Get Hiashi here, right away! He needs to know about this."
"Shino, Kiba, you've done enough. For now, go find Naruto and Hinata, make sure they're safe."
Shizune, Kiba, and Shino nodded to their orders.
It seems just minutes when Tsunade looked towards the trees to see others approaching her. When they came into view, she saw Shizune, Hyuuga Hiashi, and another woman who appeared to be a Hyuuga.
"Hiashi!" Tsunade screamed out. Hiashi's face held an expression of disdain and calm.
He walked over to the center of the bloody scene. He kneeled down and tore away a small patch of bloody grass.
The scarlet from the weeds stained his fingers.
"Such a waste of life." He muttered lowly.
"Hiashi, do you know what happened here?" Tsunade asked while turning towards him.
"I do." He replied. "Hokage-sama. "I ask that you help clean up this situation, but as to the circumstances…Please, leave them out of the public eye."
"What about Naruto?" Tsunade asked. "What will you do?"
"It has come to my attention, that neither he, nor Hinata was the cause of all this." Hiashi turned to Reiko, staring towards her. "She had told us everything." His head turned towards Tsunade again. "I ask that you forget all that we have discussed here. Do not let the rest of the village know about this at all. We will deal with those who are truly responsible for the lives of these Hyuuga."
His gaze intensified as he uttered one final sentence.
"I will make them pay."
He turned and walked away. Reiko obediently followed, with her head held down in shame and fear.
…
The next morning, Naruto lay in a hospital, machines hooked up to him, his heart beating, his lungs, breathing; beside him stood two of his new teammates, Kiba and Shino.
"Do you think Naruto's going to be alright?" Kiba asked.
"I think he's been through far worse. If he's the Naruto I know." He placed a hand on Kiba's shoulder. "He'll make it."
"Yeah, you're right…Do you know where Hinata is? Shouldn't she be here with us?"
"She told me that she had to return home. She didn't tell me why, said it was a family matter, and that's all we need to know."
"Do you think it had anything to do with what happened last night?" Kiba asked again.
"Probably. But I think its best that we forget. It's none of our business."
…
At the same time…
Hinata sat in front of an assembly of what seemed like the entire Hyuuga clan. She had been taken to the wilderness, a place that no one else knew about. A place specifically obtained by the Hyuuga. She sat at the head of the assembly, next to her stood her father. She sat quietly, waiting to see what would happen.
Hiashi stood up, the crowd hushed at the movement of his hand.
"Last night; something unbearable happened to us, and our bloodline."
Hinata's heart began to race, fearing his next words; fearing for the one she loved.
His voice echoed through the crowd. "They had taken it upon themselves to try and control the power that we all possess. The Byakugan." He looked over toward Hinata.
"And even worse, they thought it necessary to try and end the life of my own daughter!"
The crowd echoed with shock.
"For these despicable actions; they will pay the ultimate price. Bring them forth!" He commanded.
From the crowd, ten men, and ten women emerged with their hands bound behind their backs. They shouted, and begged with pleas of mercy as the entire crowd booed and jeered.
Hiashi leaned over to Hinata. "Hinata, pay attention, but look away if you have to.
Hinata nodded her understanding, and swallowed hard as she look forward towards the co-conspirators.
Hiashi waved his hand; there were screams of pain and anguish.
Hinata, however; could not bring herself to watch the punishment occur with her own eyes.
…
"Hinata-sama!" A knock came at her door.
"Come in." she answered to it. The door opened, a young women entered Hinata's room slowly and politely. "What is it?" Hinata asked.
"Hiashi-sama has asked to see you." The woman added. Hinata smiled kindly to her and followed.
She entered her father's room with silent steps, almost as if there was no one there.
"F-Father?" Hinata silently questioned. Hiashi looked up from his desk and smiled.
"Hinata, There's something that I need to talk to you about." He offered her a seat. Hinata slowly walked up and sat in front of her father. "Everything that happened last night. It concerned you and Naruto. I know everything."
He raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder.
"I want you to know, that it doesn't matter who you want to be with. If you want to be with him, it's no one's business. And I'm fine with whoever you choose." He smiled.
Hinata jumped up and hugged him.
"Thank you, father. I'm happy that you trust me."
"I've always trusted you."
…
The Next Morning, in Naruto's hospital room.
Naruto woke up to find Hinata standing by him. She jumped up and hugged him.
"OW!" He shouted into her ear.
"S-Sorry! Naruto-kun! Sorry!" Hinata quickly apologized.
"Ha…Don't worry about it. I'm…I'm feeling better." He said with a smile.
"Naruto-kun…Do you remember what happened?"
"I remember fainting in the forest from pai-" He took a deep breath and held his chest. She took hold of his arm.
"Don't. Don't touch your scars, they'll heal in time, but only if you leave them alone." She took his hand and placed it back at his side. "You…You fainted." She continued.
"And then, what happened? Did anything happen to Kiba? To Shino?" His eyes softened even more.
"Did I…Did I hurt you?"
"No…No, we…we managed to remain safe." She replied with a smile. "We helped you here."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"What about the people that cause the problem? What about the people who tried to blackmail me? Those who threatened you? Did they hurt you?"
Hinata placed a soft hand onto his bare, bandaged chest. "Don't worry, Naruto-kun. Everything is okay."
He took a deep breath. "So, what did happen to them?"
"They lost what they sought to protect." Hinata began.
"What do you mean?" He asked. She looked into his eyes with her own.
"They lost…The Byuakugan…They lost their ability to see." Hinata said solemnly.
Naruto stayed silent for what seemed like minutes.
"I…I'm sorry." He whispered. His head lowered, only to be caught by her hands. She brought her eyes to his again.
"The only thing I was concerned with was you. And as long as you're fine…That's all that matters to me."
She came closer to him, and gently wrapped her arms around, gently embracing him.
…
A/N: Join me next time for the Final Installment of An Acknowledged Love Anniversary, Part II: One. Last. Night.