Naruto is probably at his meeting.
Probably, because they haven't been in contact for a few days now. Shikamaru assures Hinata that the only reason for that means they must be inside the Two-Tails territory. He shares with her all the reasons why that conclusion checks out. Hinata nods along at all of them.
She tries to remember that whenever she feels worry nestling inside her. It works. Then her anxiety comes back again and Kiba makes her laugh with a joke. It works. Neji keeps her company around the clock and even Lord Minato and Lady Mito take the time to come see her. Lord Jiraiya comes twice with Kakashi at his back and gives her books he thinks she might like.
She does. And she reads them whenever her thoughts run wild. The worst is knowing they are trying their best to keep her calm.
Shikamaru shares information with an ease that shows control, but even he shows signs of tension. He barely leaves his office. Kiba runs amok following orders and the servants around the compound whisper between each other, walk this way and the other with quick feet. The air around the compound feels heavy.
She appreciates the obvious care regarding her, and it is somewhat comforting knowing that Naruto's status is of utmost importance. She concentrates on the flowers when walking through the gardens, concentrates on the flavors when eating her food, concentrates on the movement around her without thinking for reasons, concentrates on the maid's hand when brushing her ha-
"My lady?"
"Oh, s-sorry, what w-was it again?"
A sympathetic smile, "Shall I bring you a snack, my lady?"
Hinata looks to the mirror in front of her, her maid's eyes crinkle as she smiles in encouragement. "That would be l-lovely, S-sora."
The maid finishes her task and leaves the room with a spring in her step. Hinata follows her movements and can't help but feel gratitude immediately after.
The maids have been nothing but accommodating to Hinata throughout her pregnancy, but now… these past few days they have spoiled her rotten. Massages, baths, snacks, cravings, they have even taken upon themselves the task of accompanying Hinata throughout the nights, as Neji slept in a nearby room but was not there for her beck and call.
Whenever they saw her too, they took it upon themselves to strike conversation and make it as if these times were just like any other.
When the maid comes back, snack in hand, they sit near the garden, play a hand of cards and chat about nothing of importance.
Hinata doesn't forget, but is thankful this helps her pass the time.
Her hand caresses her belly. She is thankful to be able to keep her mind from spiralling…
•····························•····························•
Neji doesn't leave her side. On one side a maid, on the other Neji.
Shikamaru keeps to his office and the absence of messages from Naruto keeps on putting pressure on those that stayed.
"My lady," calls Neji.
Hinata has become lost in thought these past few days, more than before. Her eyes look out to the distance, surely wishing it shrunk by pure willpower.
The days go by slow and every second that goes by without a new report Neji can't help but think of the worst.
This time everything will go wrong.
This time that Lord Naruto is not here to protect them. This time that Lord Naruto is not here to protect Lady Hinata.
Lady Hinata keeps calm. Keeps her schedule the same, managing to somewhat calm even Neji's fried nerves.
The maid is finishing a funny story along with gestures that make Hinata chuckle here and there.
It's a tremble.
Far away, almost muted. Nothing like the one Hinata lived in the Summit. So she thinks almost nothing of it. Looks at the maid to keep on going.
But the world around her starts to move with a quickness that makes her feel dizzy.
Neji places his hand on her shoulder, guides her with haste through the compound. Her maid gives them a last glance and with a quick nod takes her leave immediately after.
Another tremble. Another shake that feels like it's happening thousands of kilometers away.
"Neji…?"
"We are being attacked."
His eyes are focused on the way in front of him, but the veins around his eyes bulge and Hinata knows he's using his technique.
He sees what's happening around them. He sees what's happening everywhere.
They are not inside yet. They have not infiltrated. They are trying to make a way inside in.
And they are succeeding.
Kiba jumps a ways away, Akamaru under him and sniffing furiously around.
"Hey!"
Neji doesn't stop moving and Hinata just follows along. Kiba is soon beside them, his own nose twitching here and there.
"I'm taking Lady Hinata to the main office." Neji says, his voice a little louder now that they are entering the chaos of servants and guards running around. Everyone shouting instructions and passing information to each other.
"Good." Kiba notices Neji's eyes, "can you keep your technique for a while? The enemy isn't even nearby ye-"
"I'm fine."
Hinata's maid runs back to her, wraps a brown shawl around her shoulders and stays glued to her side. Kiba hears a howl in the distance and Akamaru stops in his tracks.
"I have to leave. Take care."
Hinata isn't able to say goodbye before she loses him in the crowd. Neji presses into her back. They have to keep moving.
The moment they enter the main office a bunch of servants and maids are already inside. Another of Hinata's maids comes find them and guides them deep into the building, through twists and turns Hinata doesn't remember.
A big tremor.
One of the maid squeals, and Hinata grabs onto the maid's arm as she stumbles.
"My lord?" one of the maids asks.
Neji looks through the walls, still far away from where they are. "We have to keep on moving."
"Yes, my lord."
They keep on walking, and Hinata thinks they must be reaching the end of the building by now. Her suspicions are proven right when one of the maids starts tampering with the lower wall in front of them, until she finds a dent she pushes into, revealing a passage.
Narrow and small. Enough to fit a person.
The maids look at each other and then Sora brings her index and middle finger together in front of her face. Hinata is there the next moment.
"Wha-"
Neji stands closer to Lady Hinata, "Do not lose sight of her," he whispers, motioning towards the maid in front of her. "We have prepared for this, do not be afraid."
Hinata frowns and tries to say something, but the moment her mouth opens another tremble follows and Neji pushes her towards the passage. "I'll keep watch over you," he finishes, his white eyes over her, his technique activated.
"My lady," the maid hurries her and Hinata feels scared for the first time in this whole ordeal.
"T-take care," she mumbles, laying eyes on her cousin and the maid that has taken her place, "please, t-take-"
"My lady," the maid urges. Half her body under the passageway, her hand grasping Lady Hinata's kimono.
Neji's face is the last Hinata sees before following her maid. She crawls, it is tight and dark and dusty, and her body feels too big for this place, but she follows. Her maid gives her words of encouragement as they make their way through.
Hinata sees nothing and can only hear muted noises at best. At some point they can crouch, and then they can walk with their heads low. Her maid has grabbed her hand and walks with a reassurance Hinata finds comforting. The sounds feel far away now, even more than before.
They reach the end of the passage and the maid raises her hands as she feels around. The moment she can open the trapdoor light comes in and Hinata has to close her eyes at its intensity. Her maid disappears.
Hinata walks to the opening, sees holes that work as holdings to move up.
"My lady," the maid appears again. "It is clear, my lady, please climb."
The maid throws half her body down the opening, as she tries to give more support to her lady as she comes on up. They are dirty and disheveled, but the maid pays it no mind and only brings Hinata to the side to close the trapdoor.
"This way, my lady"
They are on one of the farthest buildings in the compound. Near the training grounds, where a bunch of storage rooms stand. The maid goes straight to one of the chests inside the room, from where she takes a uniform just like hers.
It doesn't hide her pregnant belly, it doesn't hide her eyes, but now she looks less like the lady of the clan and that's all that matters. Her maid brings her hair up in a messy ponytail and then throws her discarded clothes inside the chest.
Another tremble.
They don't walk with pride anymore. Her maid looks outside before venturing and Hinata only follows when she's signaled to do so. Not far from where they appeared they reach one of the storage rooms.
The moment Hinata stands inside a swarm of arms brings her in towards the dark room.
•····························•····························•
Various fronts of attacks. A swarm of enemies, not all at once, in groups, all tasked with the same mission but with different approaches.
She stands still as a blast sends her crashing against a tree.
She hurries to her feet, she runs and runs and keeps on running. With dogs at her back, with blasts exploding all around her. They have the numbers, but that's about it.
She reaches the walls of the compound with at least three others of her own. They infiltrate and change appearances immediately after, they try to mingle, to make as if they were always inside.
One of them gets mauled by a pack of dogs. Their furs red and dripping with blood, their owners with wild hairs and looking ready to pounce again. She hides.
She hides and walks as inconspicuously as she can. Everyone moves around and she hides, away from everything, away from everyone. From her own and from the enemy. Away from this place.
The people give her weird glances, but they let her be in the end. As long as she doesn't look too out of place. As long as she can remain somewhat neutral.
She reaches a series of rooms that look like storage. A place that should bring no interest to those around. A place to hide.
She walks to the one closest to her, but her hand doesn't move as she reaches the handle. She will enter into the next one.
The door opens before she can turn.
A frightened face stares back, "Hey," the woman inside greets, her eyes stuck on her face, "what's wrong?"
She stumbles, unsure of what to say, too shocked to be able to form a coherent phrase. The only thing that comes to mind is what was drilled into her mind. The plan, the objective, what they want to know.
"I- I was looking for the lady."
A second. "She's with Lord Neji."
She nods. Lord Neji. Okay. She has to tell them. She has to hide. She stands a couple of seconds there and the moment she starts turning around. A hand.
The woman grabs her arm, "What are you doing? Come hide."
She raises her eyebrows. The hand doesn't dig into her skin, but it is urgent. "We don't know when they'll reach us."
She lets herself believe. Imagine that this is a chance for her to keep quiet and low and let this pass. The light from outside shines into the eyes of the women inside. All huddled together, their clothes dirty and their hairs messy. Their eyes filled with panic.
She lets herself be dragged inside, into the group. She'll wait inside. And then when everything settles…
The door begins to close and she locks eyes with a woman she hadn't seen before. Huddled in between the group, her eyes white, her skin pale, her hair black and most importantly, pregnant.
Oh, what luck.
She gets dragged into the group, where arms trap her, snake around her and keep her still and quiet. Someone stands behind her and drags her head back, exposing her neck.
Oh, what luck.
Lady Hinata herself inside this shack.
Hellloooo, everyone! Next chapter there'll be more fights and more blood lol
PS.
Ramona, that was more like just an olive Hiashi is throwing lol but yes, he just doesn't know how else to ask for things! now Neji is here to be some sort of companion through all Hinata is going through (which is SUBSTANTIAL)
Also, shoutout to the new guest with no name! Thanks for the compliment!
Have a great one and see you next week, everyone!