Arc – Transition of Power
Chapter Six – Political Captives, Part Two
"Surely you can stay longer, Koushi-san. There is so much more we can discuss over a private dinner," Takekasai-dono stated, his sentence muffled slightly by the fan lightly covering his face. "As wonderfully effective as our all too short time together has been, there is still so much more I can teach you," he continued, the fan fluttering across his face.
The movement stirred the air around them allowing Hinata to easily track it even as she approached her response with delicacy. The Daimyo's statement was grossly exaggerated given that she'd spent the majority of the last ten days with the man, locked in his counsel even as she worked with her Chuunin partner to get him back to the Capital safely.
The older man had latched onto her like a leech, unwilling to let Hinata out of his sight for longer than the hours he spent sleeping. It was stifling in a way that she'd never had to deal with before this point. Being more familiar with the cold solitude of her own thoughts as the world moved around her, this was a new experience. One that was not particularly pleasant.
As such, exhaustion ruled her every waking day. Each second spent navigating the sensitive realm of the civilian nobility taxing in a way she hadn't expected when her tutors had stressed the issue. It was yet another failing that ate at her in the cold silence of the night when her only comfort was a reminder of who she was. A Hyuuga. The heir her father had painstakingly molded into the perfect image of what the Hyuuga were meant to be.
Which meant she could not, would not, falter now. Would not even begin to contemplate allowing that exhaustion to show.
"I apologize, Takekasai-dono; however, I must decline your most generous offer. As honored as the Hyuuga Clan is with your continued personal interest and invaluable advice, there are still several matters that must have my immediate attention."
The Daimyo's robes ruffled the sound easily making it to her ears as he shifted in his seated position, shoulders sinking minutely in reluctant acceptance. That was perhaps the best trait of the Fire Lord, although he rarely budged on the things that he wanted, he was always amenable to reason. "A shame then. Certainly, your honored presence will be greatly missed tonight." Silence filled the space between them as the Daimyo absentmindedly lowered his ceremonial fan. "And if I cannot change your mind…"
Here he waited patiently, allowing the silence to draw out as if to force her to concede in order to alleviate the growing awkwardness. It was a good tactic. One that she was sure worked well on everyone else; however, she would not be so easily cowed by heavy silence. How could she when silence had been her most constant companion for the majority of her life? "Very well then, since there is nothing I can say to change your mind, we shall postpone our discussion until the morrow."
"As always it's been a pleasure and an honor. Good evening, Takekasai-dono," Hinata replied simply, bowing shortly before turning to leave.
In several quick strides she was at the door passing through the open space as attendants rushed to open it. Immediately, she noted the absence of her partner, an unexpected occurrence, but one in which she did not feel deserved great concern. After all, Nara-san was a highly capable shinobi who attended first and foremost to his duty despite his general distaste for the tasks in which it regularly required. As such, he would not abandon his post without just cause.
So, Hinata did not waste a moment fretting over his absence. Instead, she focused on her rapid exit from the premises. Sure that if she did not completely remove herself from the Daimyo's purview, then she risked being drawn back into the man's orbit. A risk she could not afford to take. Not if she wished to maintain a tight grasp on her sanity. Not if she wished to maintain what little hold she had left on the control her father trained into her.
With the familiarity born of repetition, Hinata easily navigated the winding halls. As the distance grew between her and the Daimyo's private meeting room, her assurance of her day with the man finally reaching its conclusion, a heaviness settled between her shoulder blades. The weight of more than just exhaustion pressed down on her, each new step heavier than the last despite achieving some modicum of freedom. This was…
Well, trying was perhaps an understatement given the current situation. As the days drew on each meeting seemed to last longer than the last, filled with the endless chatter of a man she respected but wished desperately would finally allow her to leave. The little voice in the back of her mind whispered the truth of her situation. Reminded her that her father would not have allowed such delay, would not have allowed anything from keeping him from returning to the Clan, from returning to the one duty that mattered. And yet…
A sigh bubbled up from the depths of her throat. Shame at her own inadequacies, but there was already so much weighing down on her, pressing in on her until she labored at every breath. A hitch away from being shaky. There was just so much, she didn't need the added burden of worrying about not harming the Fire Lord's feelings as well.
So she felt no shame at her relief for having a valid excuse to refuse his dinner invitation. She could imagine the conversation. One sided and filled practically with an extension of their previous discussion that had consumed the docket for the last two days. Presently, the current imperative topic to her education was a subject she'd learned ages ago. She had hoped…
Well, her hopes were irrelevant. Luxuries she could not afford to indulge, had never been allowed to indulge. 'But taxes and levies…' She nearly sighed at the memory. Day three on the topic at hand had worn her patience thin. An occurrence she hadn't anticipated when Takekasai-dono had first brought up the issue.
Of course the discussion was not completely useless. After all, the Daimyo had an insight to the issue concerning the civilian aspect of taxation that made for interesting conversation. However, that did not change the fact that she had covered the topic thoroughly in her own personal studies. And at this point she knew more than enough in order to govern effectively. More than enough for her to realize what acceptable taxation practices would look like for her people. And certainly enough to recognize an error if presented before her by the General Council.
In all honesty, the Daimyo's insistence to explore every minute detail was… excessive. A misuse of her limited time especially with the current state of her Clan. And to make matters worse, tomorrow would be more of the same. More mundane talk of topics better left to her General Council. Assuming Lord Chi-Fu failed to make an appearance in the Capital tomorrow.
Internally, Hinata sighed at the thought. Lord Chi-Fu was just another part of the problem. A distraction from the Daimyo's overall agenda that currently held not only herself but Nara-san as well captive in the Fire Capital. Thankfully, Takekasai-dono's agenda lacked nefarious intent geared to upset the balance of power or the Hyuuga Clan's place within that power structure. No, the Daimyo was just a man overly excited at the prospect of accomplishing something that few, if any, of his predecessors had. He wanted the prestige that came with being a trusted and valued mentor to the next Hyuuga Clan head.
It was an opportunity that came so rarely, especially for the Fire Daimyo whose succession rate was vastly outpaced by that of the Hyuuga. And especially not when the Hyuuga heir could actually benefit in some way from his mentorship.
Hinata briefly attempted to remember the last time the Hyuuga Clan had been in such a state of incomplete transition; however, she could not think of a perfect comparison. Which didn't surprise her given the fact that the current statutory laws of the Hyuuga Clan were barely four generations old, her generation included.
Of course while she understood his motives that did not change her current inconvenient position. She had more effectual tasks to accomplish that could not be completed while she remained the Daimyo's figurative captive. Protest muted due to her lack of efficacy, her own deficiencies compounding as she failed to successfully negotiate her own freedom without stepping on some political landmine. As such, Takekasai-dono's desire to become a valued mentor did not erase the irritating, frustrating reality of the situation.
Body still moving on autopilot, the pungent waft of a familiar cologne assaulting her senses ripped Hinata violently from her thoughts. Clearly, Katsuo-sama was in the process of courting one of the many eligible noblewomen in the Capital.
'Perhaps I should suggest an alternative strategy for his courtship,' Hinata thought offhandedly. She doubted that his current paramour appreciated the extent to which he abused the fragrance. And given the fact that she was always attempting to find more efficient ways to connect with the handful of contacts that she maintained regular correspondence with, a suggestion made by her penultimate tutor before becoming a Genin, she thought he might appreciate the advice.
Turning the corner Hinata easily slipped out of the way of the hurried boy before he could collide with her completely unsurprised at his relative carelessness. While not completely untrained, he was still not a ninja. He did not have the same kind of training that would have afforded him the superior spatial awareness required to avoid all objects and persons while otherwise distracted.
"Oh, please forgive my inattention, Koushi-sama, I seem to find myself in a bit of a rush and in my haste I have nearly and unjustly accosted you with my person," Katsuo-sama quickly apologized. His breaths coming in rushed, rapid huffs of air easily adding to the sharp cadence of his wildly beating heart. Hinata paused in her trek as she brought up the customary niceties painstakingly practiced without hesitation.
"I assure you, Katsuo-sama, you were in no such risk. Your gracious apologies are entirely unnecessary," Hinata reassured him, hands slipping into the sleeves of her haori as she waited for his response.
"Ah wonderful, you've soothed my worried soul," he replied, the sound of crinkling fabric, soft silk slipping through lightly calloused fingers, reaching her ears as the boy dramatically clutched at his chest. It would seem that a tendency for the dramatics was a family trait, one at which Katsuo-sama greatly excelled.
Hinata ignored the comment already aware that it would not bother the boisterous boy. After all, he was well accustomed to her general dislike of extraneous conversation. "Anyway, I am quite pleased you've finally managed to escape my father. We are both quite conscious of his tendency to… well why don't we just call it his particular penchant to linger longer than necessary on any given subject." He chuckled lightly to himself at the thought, the loose strands of his hair shifting in the air signaling a shake of his head. "I can only just imagine the tremendous waves of relief currently consuming your countenance."
"Of that you are quite mistaken. For as always it is an honor to be in the service of your father. Takekasai-dono is a leader beyond reproach." The response was almost automatic, as reflexive as assuring the Hokage that she held no ill will against him for her father's sacrifice. Just meaningless platitudes that needed to be said to ensure the balance she so craved but was just outside of her reach.
"Ah, ever the diplomat I see. Unfailingly devoted to the cause. If only such sentiments fell as easily from my own lips, then my father would finally have great cause to deem me competent. If only such hopes could shape our reality. That I could wax such praise to match your infallible poise."
Hinata felt a hum of mild amusement at the overly flowery statement, "Clearly you underestimate your mastery of the spoken word, Katsuo-sama. Still, flattery is entirely unnecessary."
"And risk morphing into an unpleasant annoyance like your horde of suitors, I would never. I humbly present only the most honest of truths." He paused a moment with a flourish of a bow that swept the air around him in a rush.
"Ah, yes before I forget," he began as he righted himself. "I have relieved Nara-san from his vigilant post as I feel that only the truly unfortunate like ourselves should be held captive by my father's whim."
"Thank you for informing me," Hinata stated with a short nod of acknowledgement.
"Yes well it was of little issue. I simply maintained an ardent desire to see you unbothered with concern for your partner's whereabouts. Now if you will excuse me, I must meet with my father presently. There is the matter of him pulling me from my studies that must be discussed with the utmost urgency," he replied, the short bow of his head easy to follow in the near empty corridor.
"Farewell, my friend," he continued already turning around. Just as Hinata turned to do the same, Katsuo-sama paused mid-step. "Of course now that my mind is currently occupied with the thought I do believe this bears no resemblance of a true parting. Perhaps it deserves a different turn of phrase as we shall now both be present at my father's next soiree." A short pause followed filling the silence as he contemplated the idea. "Ah, yes I do believe this situation requires a change. So, until then, my friend."
"Of course, Katsuo-sama. Good evening," Hinata replied with a short nod of acknowledgement.
Finally parting ways, Hinata continued on her trek out of the palace proper not allowing for any additional distractions. Katsuo-sama was a known entity, predictable in the way that he put everything into his actions and multiple correspondences. His fear of the future. His frustration for his current situation. His insecurity born from a place of certain uncertainty.
Of that they had many things in common. A destiny to lead where even the smallest of mistakes could result in disaster for thousands and in his case even more. A strong desire to prove a worthiness to mentors that seemed perpetually unsatisfied with their progress. It was a difficult burden to carry, but one shared amongst all of her regular contacts. Over time, Katsuo-sama had found his particular release through the unfiltered medium of his letters. Unfortunately, she could not do the same.
Still a part of her was pleased that he could find some solstice in their correspondence even if his unbridled confessions had originally caused her some mild discomfort. Uncertainty, had weighed heavily on her. Uncertain on what he expected from her in returned. However, through their extended communication, she'd come to realize that he needed nothing but the occasional word of advice and a sounding board for his frustrations. A simple enough request that even she had felt confident to provide.
And it had been that way with all of her regular contacts. Each seemed to treat their correspondences as a cathartic release expecting nothing more from her then her genuine interest delivered in the emotionless formality that had been drilled into her every interaction since her first clear thought. It was an effective means to gain the political connections she would need amongst the leaders of her generation. Although, she always wondered when her limited understanding of proper, emphatic human emotions would no longer be enough. When she would…
Mentally shaking the thought from her mind, Hinata focused on the task at hand, easily slipping through the barely noticeable side door of the palace as she started on the trek back to her shared hotel room. Only one series of correspondences currently held her attention, her letters from the Hokage. They'd included a curt status update, barely a tenth as detailed as the updates she received at far more regular intervals from her uncle and head retainer, and not much more. It was… frustrating to say the least. Frustrating and relatively irrelevant.
So far, she'd received updates on several agenda items discussed at the last Ninja Council meeting, but more importantly an ardent desire for Nara-san and herself to continue their current mission despite their completed primary objectives.
All in all, those correspondences with the Hokage had been illuminating if nothing else. Clearly, he wanted her here in the Fire Nation Capital and away from the village as he continued to advocate for an agenda that Hinata could not seem to unravel. 'What gains could possibly be made from my continued absence?' she questioned body easily following the shortened path cutting straight through the Palace District.
She repressed a sigh at the thought, exhaustion filling practically every pore of her body doubling the weight already pressing harshly down on her. She was just so tired. The burden of an entire clan resting on her shoulders while she maneuvered every day to maintain peaceful working relations with a man who would not be dissuaded otherwise. And the Hokage's actions, or lack thereof, only made her wearier. Here was the man that her father had died for, and for what? The whispered questions challenging the necessity of her father's sacrifice floated in her subconscious refusing to quiet. Refusing to leave her in peace.
Here she stood, floating in a sense of limbo because she was without the guidance that she so clearly required. Frailty lurked in her heart. Weak hesitation crept at the back of her mind. How could she trust a man that refused to recall a team when their mission was complete? Even at the Daimyo's insistence, the Hokage could intervene. They were his warriors. His to use as he saw fit. And yet he refused. Clinging to an excuse that was flimsy and illogical and downright insulting in its transparency.
And there was no doubt in her mind that the Fire Daimyo would cede if pushed through reason. Understanding filled the intelligent, calculating thoughts of the Fire Nation's most powerful man. He would not take his disappointment out on the relationship between Konoha, not when he clearly understood what lurked just beyond the horizon. Takekasai-dono, a man who knew war just as the Hokage did, would not let petty sentiments impede the most logical course of action.
So she hesitated to trust in the man, despite knowing how much trust Uzumaki-kun placed in him. Despite knowing that her father had trusted him implicitly. A fact that incurred the guilt of a hidden betrayal. There was weakness in her heart and she could not stop it from leaking into her thoughts, bleeding into her every action. If the Hokage had once been a man worthy of that unwavering trust, she could not believe him worthy of it now. Not when she could so easily see the deceit and equally questionable underhanded tactics being used against her.
No, the Hokage had an agenda, something radically different than the words he proclaimed in public, and Hinata would be damned if she allowed it to continue without deeper study.
But there inlaid the problem. How could she possibly uncover the Hokage's hidden agenda with their glaring inequalities in experience? How could she match intellect with the Professor?
'Oto-sama would have known what to do,' she thought, the weight settling heavier on her shoulders as she neared her destination. 'Oto-sama would have…'
She violently cut the thought off before it could fully form. Her subconscious unwillingly reminding her of a box she dare not touch. Couldn't bring herself to so much shift her sightless gaze in its direction. But those journals, volumes of intimate thoughts etched to paper, could probably illuminate her issues. Decades of experience tucked into the worn pages of her predecessors' thoughts, their wisdom locked within those pages.
And she knew their history. Knew that their journeys, their paths, had all been riddled with such uncertainty, such challenge that intimately mirrored her own in some small way that they would be practically invaluable to her cause. And all she need do was simply utter one statement, one simple command that would have Yuusuke-san at her side and ready to read off each written line.
But she couldn't.
The whispers assaulted her at night, seeping into her every waking interaction and she could not bear to add more fuel to a fire already stoked to blazing. She could not bear to hear even one long forgotten word uttered. Couldn't bear the thought of such intimacy, confessions so like Katsuo-sama's laid bare before her. Couldn't bear to add more fodder to her already burning reality.
So she'd doggedly avoided the task for weeks. Avoided the heft of their weight, unable to lift even one of them from the box that rested by her desk waiting patiently for her use. Demons penned in ink awaiting to be unleashed upon her. An excuse ready in the forefront of her mind every week because she was…
She couldn't utter the words of her failings. Couldn't even think them because she remained haunted by the dead. Haunted by the spirits as they pulled her in every direction. And nothing seemed able to ground her. So she allowed the journals to remain untouched, even if something hidden within those weathered pages could have helped her understand the logic behind the Hokage's deception. The strange twist in his rationale that seemed ever present since her father's sacrifice.
After all, what use was it to keep them here? The Daimyo had already given his support for the Third's heir apparent, Tsunade-sama. Takekasai-dono already posed to back any and all decisions Konoha needed to make concerning the impending war. So as far as Hinata could gather, their mission was complete. Every objective the Hokage had even thought to utter in his office before their departure achieved. Leaving Hinata with only one burning question.
'Why do you want me out of the village, Hokage-sama? What could you possibly have to fear from me?' she thought as she reached her hotel, door held wide by the building manager, the quick racing beat of his heart indicating that he'd jumped from his position behind the front desk and rushed to open the door for her.
Nodding once, Hinata slipped passed the man, easily ascending the steps that would take her to her shared room. Her first steps onto the floor were almost immediately joined by the familiar cadence of her retainer as he briskly walked to her side, mouth already open as he began his nightly update.
"Yotsugi-dono," he greeted with a half bow, before straightening. Hinata nodded once in acknowledgement, mildly pleased that he was as concise as she was for most matters. Concise and eager as he always met her at the floor landing ready to begin his debriefing before they'd even reached the door. She suspected that his Byakugan aided his punctuality which showed an eagerness that assured her that he would quickly improve in the areas of his service in which he still struggled.
"I've sent out our order for tonight's evening meal from the latest rotation of new Hyuuga co-owned establishments as requested. It should be ready for retrieval within the hour," he stated, the hard etched sound of his pen scratching into paper as he jotted his own notes down on his ever present clipboard.
Hinata continued forward without acknowledgement, knowing that Yuusuke-san would continue without further prompting. "On that related topic, Kita's Kitchen has requested your formal opinion on last night's entrees. I'd advice using the official stationary so that your letter can be framed and used at Kita-san's discretion," Yuusuke-san stated, not missing a beat even as he held the door open wide for her to enter first.
"Agreed," Hinata replied easily stepping passed him as she made her way to the low desk in the corner of the room. "Ready the official stamp as well for when I sign the letter," she continued, pushing the last of her lingering thoughts on the Hokage's mysterious agenda aside. Her concerns would have to wait. Right now, she had Hyuuga business to attend too.
As Yuusuke-san easily sunk down into his customary place beside her, readying her messages for review, the lingering musky scent of what could only be from a brothel, cheap cologne, even cheaper tobacco smoke and low quality alcohol, reached her nose, prickling at her senses. Tilting her head in the direction of her sleeping partner, half sprawled out across the sofa as was his typical evening custom, Hinata suppressed the frown of confusion threatening to mar her features.
Given what she'd come to discover about Nara-san, she would have assumed that he'd have spent his free time sleeping or relaxing on some secluded hill. Certainly, she hadn't expected him to spend it visiting the Red Lantern District. It almost seemed contrary to his character. But, they were new partners and clearly there was still much to learn about him.
"Your meeting with Jirou-san to go over the current list of open contracts is scheduled for 0800 tomorrow," Yuusuke-san stated, interrupting her train of thought to bring her attention back to the task at hand. "Jirou-san has…"
Hinata shifted her attention more fully on her retainer at his uncharacteristic pause. Clearly, whatever news he had would not likely be entirely agreeable. "He has, however, requested the meeting take place in the Delicate Flower teahouse in the Palace District. He cited an ease to your commute following your morning with him."
Her brow furrowed slightly at the statement, annoyed at Jirou-san break from Hyuuga protocol. She did not care if he conducted business with non-Hyuuga in this manner, he should have known better than to request a meeting with her in an establishment not even partially owned by the Clan. It was inappropriate, but she might have allowed it had he not also chosen the most high-profile area in the city.
How could she allow any such establishment to close down an entire floor for private Hyuuga business arrangements? Not to mention the waste of resources, the expense of such a meeting running counter to the Hyuuga business practices that her father had painstakingly imparted upon her night after night with little respite until she could recite them with detailed explanation and adequate defense without even the slightest pause. Really, she had thought the man better than this.
"Confirm the meeting time, however, inform Jirou-san that we shall be meeting at the Hyuuga Trade Union."
"Hai, Yotsugi-dono," Yuusuke-san stated, dutifully jotting down her order as he moved on to the next item of business. "Tatsuki-sama has brought to my attention that an Urahara Family representative wishes to speak with you regarding new business ventures in the Capital. You have an opening on the 28th. Shall I schedule it?"
"Hai, for the morning," Hinata acknowledge, more than relieved to have an activity that would buffer her interactions with Takekasai-dono especially considering she'd be required to attend the Daimyo's dinner the night before. This time she thought the Daimyo's excuse was a celebration of the old calendar New Year, not that the reason would change the fact that she'd still be spending the majority of the day with the rather long winded man.
Yuusuke-san's pen scratched furiously as he made the notation, "Another batch of the condolences from the noble families have arrived." He paused a moment in his writing, flipping a page to likely make a confirmation before continuing, "Several of the Rock country families send their sincerest sentiments, but have informed us that they will be unable to obtain the appropriate clearance requests in time to attend the ceremony."
There was another pause, one last flip of papers before Yuusuke-san continued, "In contrast, all of the Water and Fire nation noble families will be sending at least one representative to the memorial. And while we've heard no word from Lightning or Wind country yet, Tatsuki-sama expects their response within the next couple of weeks."
Hinata nodded once in acknowledgement understanding the difficulties currently facing both Lightning and Wind country given the state and strained relationships of their hidden ninja villages with that of Konoha. The delay was to be expected. "Tatsuki-sama has also sent a list of new retainers for your review, all qualified to assist you here in the Fire Capital." He paused here, hesitating to continue his statement as his hand lightly slid across the aforementioned list, "She has also sent along a list of suitable Clan properties for an extended stay."
The wood of his clipboard creaked as he gripped it tighter, already anticipating Hinata's next statement before she could utter it. "She understands your hesitancy to move into the apartments, but believes that given the current political climate that the move would be beneficial for all parties."
And of course Hinata was already aware of that. She knew logically that any such move would be more cost effective, but it would also mean admitting that they would be unable to leave the Capital for the foreseeable future. And she found that prospect highly unacceptable. She needed to be back in Konoha. She needed to be back with her Clan because they needed her. She couldn't…
"What a pain," Nara-san interjected, interrupting her thoughts with the unexpected comment. Hinata shifted slightly to better focus her senses on his form, surprised that she had not noticed the slight change in his breathing pattern and heart rate signaling his consciousness. "Don't tell me we're going to have to stay longer in this troublesome place," he continued with an annoyed sigh, hand waving flippantly in the air.
Shifting back to her retainer, Hinata addressed both of the other occupants in the room, "Delay the search for different lodging for now. Hokage-sama's next correspondence should be arriving shortly. It is far more advantageous to make this decision when we know more on the length of this assignment."
"Hai, Yotsugi-dono," Yuusuke-san replied, ignoring Nara-san's mumbled grumble of discontent. "Finally, Akimichi-san has reserved a table at Haven's Smokehouse in the Hyuuga Quarter for your use. He is currently holding it indefinitely and has offered to have a table on reserve in perpetuum for your personal use if you so desire."
"Thank Akimichi-san but decline both…"
"You know this whole assignment is becoming more trouble than it's worth," Nara-san interrupted, a soft thump reaching her ears as he dropped his feet from the couch.
"Pardon me, Nara-san, but we are in the middle of…"
"Yeah, I know important Hyuuga business," Nara-san interrupted again, a dismissive wave thrown in Yuusuke-san's direction before he continued. "I'm talking about how your important Hyuuga business seems to be what's keeping us here. And as much as I love standing in long empty corridors, somethings are just too troublesome for even me to be bothered with."
Yuusuke-san sputtered at the pointed comment, taking offense in Hinata's stead. "How dare you…" but Hinata didn't allow her retainer to finish, silencing him with the raise of her hand.
"I take it you are referring to some incident outside of our required duties," Hinata inquired instead, curious to the occurrence that had clearly irritated her partner enough to warrant whatever favor he was about to ask of her.
"Had an unfortunate run-in with one of your suitors. The irksome idiot tried to bribe me for information, which means I'm now going above and beyond our duties. Especially considering the circumstances that are currently keeping us detained here."
While Nara-san didn't outright say it, the implication was clear. Their current captivity was her fault. Her status the primary reason for their continued stay even if she suspected that the Hokage somehow benefited from it, and it did not slip her notice. Nor, unfortunately, did it escape Yuusuke-san's notice either.
"You common cur. You should be grateful for the opportunity to work with Yotsugi-dono. Perhaps if you weren't always sleeping, you'd actually learn something."
The sharp tone was bordering on an inappropriate display of emotion, but Nara-san did not react.
"I take it you'd like something in return?" Hinata inquired, ignoring her retainer in favor of addressing the issue at hand.
The slow moving air in the room shifted at Nara-san's nod, "Dinner doesn't sound like too troublesome a compromise. In fact, dinner at Haven's Smokehouse would do just nicely."
"You lazy, incompetent, piece of…"
"Enough," Hinata interrupted, her voice soft but firm as she admonished her retainer with one word. "Yuusuke-san please send a message accepting the table for one use," she continued before shifting her focus to her partner, his request after all was not unreasonable. "Tomorrow?" she questioned, more than ready to accommodate him for the difficulty their partnership had apparently placed on him.
"Nothing wrong with the present."
"We already ordered food!"
"Tonight will do. Yuusuke-san…" She let his name trail off, the order clearly understood.
"Hai, Yotsugi-dono."
Hinata shifted her attention away from her retainer as he readied to dash ahead of them to inform the restaurant, her mind briefly shifting to the box that still sat untouched by her desk before a light popping sound followed the heavy waft of smoke pulled her from her thoughts.
Hinata waited patiently for the smoke to clear, identifying the disturbance as a summons immediately even if the scent was foreign. Except…
'Ink and the crisp scent of earth and thick Fire Nation trees,' she thought as familiarity began to dawn. It reminded her distinctly of Uzumaki-kun. 'Hai, Uzumaki-kun and something wet but equally as earthy, a toad?'
"Hiya, Princess…" the voice of the new creature croaked, confirming her suspicions. "…and pineapple head?" the toad continued, its slight confusion easy to read in its higher pitched voice. "You don't look like a Hyuuga," the toad accused, a soft plop, plop sound following with each hop. "The boss man didn't say you'd be here," the toad continued pointedly, pausing only a moment before he moved on, hopping across her desk as he approached her. "Oh well, guess it doesn't really matter if you're here or not. I'm not here for you."
"Uzumaki-kun sent you?" Hinata questioned, the oddest sense of concern growing in the center of her chest.
"Oh, yeah," the toad replied, clearing his throat as he shifted fully towards her. "I'm Gamakichi, pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Princess. The boss man speaks highly of you."
Briefly, Hinata wondered when her friend had obtained a summoning contract, but ignored her mild curiosity in favor of addressing a far more pressing concern, "Is Uzumaki-kun well?"
"Oh yeah, top notch. He's great. Never shuts up, especially about you. I'm just his overqualified delivery toad," Gamakichi-san replied, allaying her concerns as he set an item in front of her. With light fingers, Hinata traced the edges, attempting to identify the item through touch a skill that she had become quite apt at. "You really are blind, huh?" the toad stated offhandedly as he hopped even closer, before tinkering with the package.
"I thought the boss man was crazy. Sending this. Seemed like too much work," he continued, the box popping open as he spoke, the latch having been on the opposite side. He paused breathing with some difficulty as he lifted the lid. "But, you know, I've seen the guy's handwriting, so I just figured he'd have to even if you could see," Gamakichi-san stated, pulling out something solid with a small huff. "Here ya go, Princess," he finished as he passed her the item.
Hinata recognized the gift as soon as it touched her hand. It was a recorder, although the purpose for it was not immediately clear.
"It's a letter," Gamakichi-san stated, answering her unspoken question. "I'm supposed to stick around until you've recorded your reply." The item delivered, he hopped away in the general direction of Nara-san. "Hey, you got anything to eat, I'm starved."
Finger lightly tracing the button she knew would play whatever recording Uzumaki-kun had left for her, Hinata hesitated before pressing down. Uzumaki-kun had clearly gone through the trouble of delivering his correspondence in such a way that she would be able to listen to it without assistance. It was very likely that he had meant it to be a private conversation. And now that she'd promised she'd treat her partner to an evening meal outside of the confines of their hotel room, she couldn't very well stay to listen to the recording now.
'I'm afraid you will have to wait, Uzumaki-kun,' she thought as she moved to gently set the recorder down on the surface of her desk. Recorder pressed flush with the cool surface, Hinata was a breath away from releasing the gift completely when her partner's voice stopped her.
"You know what? I'm too damn tired and it's much too troublesome for me to get all dressed up for a place like Haven's Smokehouse tonight. Why don't we just hit it tomorrow?"
Hinata nodded once, understanding that although Nara-san was still irked that he'd been inconvenienced he also didn't seem to mind giving her a moment to indulge in this one small gift. Her attention back on the small recorder, hand gripping it lightly as she lifted it from the surface of her desk, Hinata wondered what Uzumaki-kun had left her on the device. Holding the recorder softly in her grip, she realized for the first time just how much she missed the easy chatter of her friend.
There was a small scuffle at the door barely drawing her attention away from the small device held gently in her hand.
"I'll be back momentarily Yotsugi-dono with dinner," Yuusuke-san announced awkwardly as he opened the door.
"Yeah, and I feel like a short stroll under the stars. Gotta get out of this annoying room and stretch my legs," Nara-san announced. "Come on, toad."
She nodded her head, distractedly as the room cleared, and pressed play.
"Super Ninja note… ah shoot, this isn't a ninja note. Now I've got to start again." Uzumaki-kun's voice easily filled the air before getting cut off, the static of a continuous recording ending before picking up again a moment later.
"Super Awesome chronicles of the amazing Ninjas of Konoha part one." His voice filled the empty space again, pausing briefly before continuing as if from a distance. "That's kind of a mouthful boss man, you sure you're gonna remember that?" The question was quickly answered by the same, familiar cadence of Uzuamki-kun's voice even further in the distance before the recording cut off again. "I sure won't."
The static returned soon after as her friend attempted to begin his correspondence once more, "Okay for real this time. Awesome Ninja Letters part one: first message to my bestie!"
A warmth filled her chest as she listened to his enthusiasm, seemingly unending even as a static filled pause followed. She really had missed his boundless optimism.
Hesitantly, Uzumaki-kun continued, "Hey, I hope this letter, err, recording, finds you alright. I mean, you should be okay 'cause I haven't heard anything about explosions at the Fire Capital or dragons 'cause that's a thing."
"No it's not!" An identical voice in the distance interrupted with a shout only to be snapped by what Hinata could only assume was the original Uzumaki-kun.
"Shut up you! Of course it's a thing! Anyway, I haven't heard anything and Pervy Sage is always saying that you've got to keep your ears on the ground or whatever that means."
"Old pervert's insane is what that is!" Another one of Uzumaki-kun's clones shouted, almost pulling a slightly amused smile to her lips.
"Sooo," Uzumaki-kun continued, drawing the focus away from his clones and back to him as he spoke. "I hope you're alright and not like bored to tears because I'm almost at that point and I've got to say it ain't fun."
"You got that right boss man!"
"And I know we never really talked about sending letters, but you know, I just thought that you wouldn't mind. And you don't, right? Do you? Mind, I mean. 'Cause I figure if you're too busy I can stop.
Static filled the space between his words as he paused in his recording, hesitation creeping back into the distorted timbre of his voice.
"Anyway, it's too late to turn back now, so I figure I'd give you the low down on what's going on 'cause that's what Haku-chan is always asking me for. That and better books for Inari-kun but I don't see what's wrong with the ones he already has. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I don't know what's wrong with the ones Haku-chan gives him."
"Yeah man, what's up with that!"
"A books a book, you know."
"Yeah, man, yeah."
"But enough about Haku-chan, I was supposed to be telling you about my training." Hinata nearly laughed at the odd stress he placed on the word 'training', the scoff threatening to pull a light chuckle from her as she continued to listen. "Ero-sannin is supposedly teaching me to use wind chakra."
"Yeah, right in-between whoring and drinking. If you don't have boobs he's not interested," Uzumaki-kun's clone complained, and Hinata could just hear the rustling of fabric as Uzumaki-kun himself nodded his agreement.
"Yeah, he's got us cutting leaves!" Uzumaki-kun growled at that, clearly unhappy with the task. "It's silly! How's it even training!?"
"Well it's hard like training."
"Yeah, sure is taking us forever to get it too."
"Well it wouldn't take us this long if the pervy sage only let me summon more clones," Uzumaki-kun defended to his clones, beginning to lose himself in argument.
"Yeah, we'd have it in no time with a little more help!" Uzumaki-kun's rustling fabric floated through the static again as he nodded vigorously, agreeing easily with his clone.
"But no, this is a stealth mission and apparently more than ten clones isn't stealthy," Uzumaki-kun continued to complain.
"It's like the old pervert is just trying to hold us back!"
"Yeah!" a chorus of identical voices flooded the recording as Uzumaki-kun and his clones came to a consensus.
"Yeah, no way I'm letting that happen! I'm Uzumaki Naruto, best friend to the most awesomest ninja in the world, and nothing holds me back!" That line drew another round of uproarious agreement before Uzuamki-kun continued. "Thanks, Hinata-hime, you're awesome at this peptalk thing. If only I can be as great as a clan head as you are, never letting anything hold you back, then the Uzumaki Clan will have nothing to worry about," Uzumaki-kun stated, the offhanded comment filling Hinata with such a warm sensation that her free hand involuntarily pressed against her chest.
Her friend was something else. His unwavering belief in her so different from what she was used to. So unlike the surety of her success that her clansmen and other noble officials held. This was something else, something more than their confidence. Uzumaki-kun showed a faith in her that she didn't think she deserved.
"So we're going to master that stupid wind chakra exercise, then we're going to master the next one and the next, then we're going to blow that pervert halfway across Fire Nation for ever doubting us 'cause we got this!"
"That's right boss man, we roll like Hinata-hime."
"Stone cold 'cause nothing's getting us down!"
"Believe it!" Uzumaki-kun excitedly replied, easily building off of his clones' excitement. Hinata could just imagine the shift in the air as he raised a challenging fist, daring anyone to doubt him. "Nothing's going to stop us now. And I mean it's not like we aren't making any progress on the leaf front. After all, we did discover that you apparently can shove a leaf clear through steel completely destroying an overpriced bathtub. I mean, who even pays that kind of price for a bathtub?"
"Yeah, Ero-sannin was really mad about that one."
"Oh that old pervert is just too sensitive."
"Exactly! I mean, who even spends that much time at a hotspring? You just get all pruney."
"I hear you, boss man."
"Yeah, and then you're uncomfortable for forever."
"Remember that one time I fell asleep in the tube?" Uzumaki-kun questioned, a slight shake in the recording that Hinata could only guess was some kind of shiver at the unpleasant memory.
"Oh yeah, not fun times. Not fun times…"
Hinata's thoughts drifted slightly as her friend quickly veered off topic, each sentence leaving his lips at a rapid pace that was so very Uzumaki-kun. It made her want to smile.
"…Of course it's not as if Ero-sannin is really using all those baths to get clean."
"I'm not sure that dirty old man has ever been clean let alone seen a bar of soap, boss man."
"Preach!"
"Yeah, man has clearly lost his mind. And to think he didn't believe me when I told him we were masters of disguise! Can you believe that Hinata-hime? Me, not a master of disguise! I mean I've infiltrated… uh… well… you know what nevermind about what I've infiltrated, just know I'm good."
"The best boss man, the best!"
"Yeah, not even the Hyuuga Police can see through my disguise and if they can't than no one can. Believe it!"
A paused filled the static once more, the image of another dynamic pose thrown at a clearing filled with his clones coming to the forefront of Hinata's mind.
"Anyway, this has probably gone on too long. I'll let you get back to your work. Don't let those boring meetings get you down. And I don't care what anyone says, you'll be clan head in no time. Just remember rule number one, never give up!"
Hinata sighed as the message came to an end, resisting the urge to immediately rewind it so that she could hear it again. Uzumaki-kun had so much faith in her, and here she was not doing everything possible to uncover the Hokage's worrisome agenda. Now was not the time to allow anything to come between her and protecting her Clan.
Hesitantly, Hinata reached out to the box that lay beside her desk, fingers sliding across the worn volumes for the first time since they'd come into her possession. She paused on the last journal, the binding barely worn and steeled herself to pull it out, to slip it onto her desk so that she would have no excuse when Yuusuke-san returned, but she still couldn't bring herself to look at the last words her father had written before he was taken from her. There was comfort in ignorance that she could not bring herself to relinquish.
So instead, she moved to the opposite end of the box, pulling the first volume from its place to lay it on her desk. She would start with Hanza-dono's written accounts, sure that such an historic founder of the current Hyuuga Clan would have some advice that would be of use without dredging up memories better left to rest. She had sworn to protect her Clan, but there was still only so much she could bare before she fell apart, before she completely split from the cracks that were slowly growing in her once rock solid foundation. Uzumaki-kun had inspired her, reminded her of who she was supposed to be, but that didn't change who she was now. And at this rate, she feared nothing would.
AN: Howdy all. We hope you enjoyed this. And just in case you were wondering. The calendar new year Hinata mentioned earlier in this chapter is the Chinese New Year. So don't worry Fire Lord, that's definitely a good enough reason to through a party. At least, it is in my book. See you soon.