Scarlet Justice - ep. 120
"Proof of Courage"
[Days of Thunder: Chapter of Noble Eyes, Part 1]

"I'm home."

Three days have passed, and I am back in the Leaf once more. My home is empty as I arrive.

Fio, from her note on the table, has left for a mission two days ago. She estimates that it will take about six days total before she returns to me. The mailbox has been emptied faithfully in my absence, and I see the usual things along with some welcome surprises. A letter from the Hokage himself, requesting a meeting to discuss my proposal. And another letter, from Hyuuga. Right away I can tell that Hina wrote it. She wants to talk...but doesn't mention what the subject is.

It's a bit mysterious on her part.

"I should take care of it as soon as possible. For now, though...I want a nap."

I leave my things where they are and drop onto the couch, closing my eyes. My eyes slowly slide open an hour later, and I feel refreshed. I stand up and stretch a bit, then head to the kitchen to get something in my belly. A warm sandwich, paired with a delicious glass of milk will do. I review the two letters along with the other content stacked on the table. The junk mail is thrown into the recycling, and everything else goes into my room where it will be properly sorted later. I wash out my things in the sink, and shake out my hair before tying it up for the day.

"Okay. Let's go ahead and do this...barely a moment, and I'm already busy again. But I can handle this much." I transfer my essentials to a smaller and lighter purse, then put it over my shoulder and check my compact mirror. I don't look any worse for wear, so I think I should be alright for a quick visit. I shut off the lights and lock the front door before heading out into the village, towards the Hyuuga estate. A few people here and there greet me as I pass them, and since I feel friendly enough today, I make sure to give them a smile or a wave in return. Perhaps my reputation is improving in the village? Curious if so, but largely unimportant.

"Good morning to you," I say to the two guards at the entrance. "I am responding to a summons."

They stand in place looking at me. I hold my tongue and start again, ready to be a little forceful if needed. This isn't the time to be obstinate...

"Hey. Let her through. This is no time to be your stubborn selves."

Hanabi appears from behind the two burly men and takes my hand.

"Sorry about that, Lili-nee. I guess your reputation hasn't improved as much as we'd like," she says bitterly.

"It's no trouble, my love. I'm happy to see you, and that's all that matters. Shall we go?"

"Yes."

I tilt my nose up at the guards as we pass them, heading past the front gate and inside. As we walk, the only sounds between us are our steps against the wooden floors. Hanabi isn't saying anything, and she seems just a bit stiff as she walks. She's quite tense.

"Hanabi?"

"Yes, Lili-nee. What is it?"

"You don't seem well today. Is something the matter? I can understand if you don't want to talk, but I'm worried. This total silence isn't like you at all."

"I've just...been worrying."

"About what?"

"Onee-sama...she hasn't been herself for the past two weeks or so."

"I wondered. That letter she sent was formal and mysterious, especially for her. She knows that she can call me whenever she wants, so...I don't know why she would go that far. What has happened to her, Hanabi?"

"I don't really know. There's a strange light in her eyes now. Father...I know he wasn't trying to be insensitive, but he said that it was how he wanted her to always look. The heiress that he had once dreamed of raising. Maybe it pleases him, but...I can't be happy for something like that. Not as she is now. It doesn't radiate confidence for me, it's something else entirely."

"I see." That is a bit worrying. I've always said that Hina had the heart of a lioness inside of her, and that it would be a wonderful sight to see that side of her manifested at last. But from the way that Hanabi is describing it, she's on edge. Waiting for something. Or...someone, rather. "I understand how you feel, darling. This might have to do with me, in its entirety."

"Really?"

"Something that I can sense in the atmosphere, definitely. We will see what happens next."

"She's been isolating herself for the past few days. Coming straight home after training or missions, doing kata entirely by herself, and then reading or sleeping. She's been eating properly, so there are no problems there...but nobody has been close to her in a while. Even Neji is weirded out."

"And it takes a lot to rattle that boy, surely. It's sounding more and more serious...but you leave it to me," I say as I pat Hanabi's head. "No matter how long it takes, I will soothe our dear sister's soul."

She smiles up at me. "Okay. I trust you as always, Lili-nee. Good luck."

"Thank you, love."

Hanabi takes me to the small room where Hina is waiting. She bows before heading off, and I am alone in front of the sliding door.

"Hina? It's me."

"Please come in."

"..." There's no doubt that it's her, but...her voice. It's flat and cold. I nervously slide open the door and see that she's seated in front of a small table, resting on her knees with a cushion underneath her. The room is illuminated by candlelight, making her white eyes glow. She wears a plain white robe, much like many of the other Hyuuga do, and her hair is let down, spilling over her shoulders.

A small heater is in the middle of the table, and on top of it is an elaborately crafted tea kettle. There are two equally adorned tea cups nearby.

"Hina."

"Lili. Welcome home," she says plainly.

"Thank you. I...read your letter, and came here as quickly as I could."

"I know. Thank you for that. You must have been tired from your trip, so I very much appreciate your effort. I won't waste any of your time. Would you sit next to me?"

"Of course." I move the cushion that's on the other side of the table, and she moves hers in turn. We rest on our knees together, now facing the large window which overlooks one of the estate's many gardens. Hina pours a cup of tea for me, then does the same for herself. In the darkened room, I watch as the steam wafts upwards and floats around us as we sit quietly.

"I wanted to talk like this. After I was able to take some time and...think these things through. I know that I've worried many people as a result, and I feel badly about it. But I felt that I had to take this seriously, more seriously than I've taken anything in my life."

Hina stares down at her tea for a while. I feel her hand brush against mine, and our fingers eventually mesh together gently as I reach back for her. I give her a soft, reassuring squeeze.

"Hina...you can talk to me about anything, you know. Absolutely anything."

"I know. I know, I just...wanted to have this come out right. I'm so nervous right now that I can't stand it."

It feels like a long time. Minutes stretched out, in a quiet space. I can hear Hina's breathing as she tries to steady herself. There's the faint feeling of her pulse as our hands are pressed together. I give her another gentle squeeze, hoping that it will help her move forward. Then, she raises her head and turns it to face me. Her eyes have softened a little from before.

"I've always wanted to better myself. While I was at the Academy...no, before that, even. I came to admire Naruto a lot. His courage...his wonderful spirit and resilience. All of that gave me strength. But even as I tried, it wasn't enough to transform me. It wasn't enough to make me change for good. I was still a weak person. For that reason, I was surprised when you chose me to be your partner, the first time we had properly met. It wasn't that I disliked you, or that I was afraid...the opposite, actually. You were so strong, so elegant and graceful. You were unlike me, you were everything I wasn't. You were the person that everyone wanted me to be, but I couldn't get there. I thought that I never would. Even so, you trusted me. You helped me believe in myself for what was truly the first time. Despite my fragile nature, despite the weakness that I showed you. You took my hand, and you did your best to protect me, someone you barely knew and had no reason to trust. From there, we became friends."

She gives me a small smile.

"But the most important thing was what you did for me at my lowest point. You refused to abandon me. As broken as I was, and with as much danger as we were in, you chose that moment to stand by me, and to pour your love into me. You chose to give me hope. I fell in love with you that day. I truly changed. I...it was what made me into the woman you see before you."

"Hina..."

"When I said that I wanted to fight you, at the Chuunin Exams, I meant it. No matter what the outcome would have been, I wanted to prove myself to you. But...back then, it was different. We were much closer in strength. Now, I look at you and see someone who's far beyond me. Someone who has touched the plains of heaven. You are...you are an angel. And so, I know that I won't be able to catch up to you. I can feel it at this very moment, that you've kept your promise to me...that you've transcended your own humanity, and become one with the stars themselves."

"Yes."

"And yet, knowing all of that, bearing witness to it...something is burning within me."

"Hina...there's something you mean to ask, isn't there? What is it?"

"I want to fight you, Lili. And I don't want you to hold back," she says firmly. "I don't want your pity, and I don't want you to treat me like some peasant."

"Hina, you have to understand-"

"I do understand. I know what I'm walking into. But I want to be strong. And I want to prove to you, to everyone, that your faith in me wasn't wasted. It's as I said so long ago, that this is how I want to honour you. I love you. And I want to show you how much I love you, Lili."

"I..." I shake my head. "You won't make me use all of my strength on you, Hina. If you're aware of the gap between us, then you should know better."

"If you hold out on me, I will make you regret it. I promise."

She's entirely serious, the look on her face calm but bordering on frustration. "This is really what you want, isn't it?"

"It is."

I can see it in her eyes, that she wants everything I have. I don't know exactly how strong she has become, but she's ready to show me. Refusing her in this moment...it might do more damage than I could ever realize. She won't accept a light spar. And she'll be hurt and insulted if she figures out that I'm fighting at less than full power. Right, she was there when I used that heavenly strength in the valley. She's seen what I'm capable of, and won't settle for anything less than that.

Now I can no longer run away. Fine. I'll accept her challenge. And if she wants me at my best, she can have that experience.

I give Hina a light nod. "Alright. I will fight you for real, then. I promise you that I will show you my true power, just as you've seen it before. You won't accept anything less, I know it."

"Thank you, Lili."

"You're welcome, my love. I know how much this means to you."

She leans over and plants a kiss on my cheek. "Two days from now...in the main courtyard."

"Understood. Then I will see you soon."

"Yes."

I drink down the warm tea in front of me before getting up, shouldering my purse. Hina nods before I slide the door open and leave. Hanabi is sitting on her knees outside...she looks up at me, tears in her eyes.

"Lili...? You're not going to..."

"It's what she wants. I can't deny her this experience, not after everything we've been through together."

"You shouldn't...please, you have to change your mind. She'll get hurt..."

"Hanabi." I kneel down to meet her. "There may be a few bruises and scrapes, but we couldn't hurt each other badly unless we really tried."

"What's the point of a fight? You're so far above her, above all of us. What would it prove?"

"Did you forget already? Try to look past your worry, and remember what your elder sister went through." I place my hands gently on the sides of her head. "Remember how she was treated."

"I..." Hanabi comes to a realization, as I hoped. "I get it...I understand now."

"Tell me, then."

"To be acknowledged...to be accepted as worthy. What Father, and the rest of the clan...even me...took from her all that time ago. To dance with someone called an elite is...the highest praise. And validation of her journey."

"Yes. You understand perfectly."

"There's no shame in a face with scars..." She smiles as I wipe her tears away. "Don't be too rough on her, Lili-nee."

"Promise. You just make sure she's ready in two days' time. A fierce training partner will help."

"Right. I'll tell Neji, too. I bet he'll be excited to help out."

"Take care, my darling."

"You too." She kisses me on the cheek before springing upwards, going to meet with Hina. I suppose I can expect a formidable battle strategy with those two working together.

"That...ended well enough. So my sister wants a challenge, then..."

I get to my feet and make my way out.

"No regrets, then...Hinata."

"That should be it for the day."

One more night until my next meeting with Hina. I feel ready enough, but I want to make sure I'm in good condition. Between our last talk and today, I've run across the countryside doing a few small missions and checking up on outposts. Longer missions will come soon enough...after this has been taken care of.

I enter the apartment and head straight for the bathroom, throwing off my clothing while the water is run for a bath. I think I've earned that much after working so hard. As I sink into the warm water, my thoughts are turned to her again. All of the time that we've spent together...the things that we've done, and the many sides of her that I've come to know. From that timid girl who often seemed like she would shake herself to pieces...she's come so far, and changed so much. It makes me happy.

"..."

I lift my left leg out of the water, and see the charm around my ankle sparkling with light. Her gift to me, a reminder of how close we've become. A symbol of our bond. No matter what happens, we will never be far from each other. I set my leg down and continue through my memories. During the exams, she was brave at every turn. Confident and strong. And that moment, I remember it well. I showed her exactly who I was, and she didn't budge an inch. She was ready to dance with me on that stage, in front of the entire world.

What I hope is that this will be enough for her. Just the two of us, trying to outdo each other and leave an impression.

"I thought I would be more apprehensive, but...I'm looking forward to this now. Imagine that."

I get out of the bath and dry off, then put on one of my fluffy robes before heading to my room. There's a picture on the nightstand that catches my eye. Hina and I are together, smiling and posing for the camera. It's a lovely photo.

"..."

I wonder if it would still work. I know that I retired that old outfit, but there's a possibility that I could bring it out one last time. I walk over to my closet and find it, the set of clothing that I wore for my first day at the Shinobi Academy. A blue shirt with sleeves that flare out, starting from the elbows. Black pants that are rolled up to my ankles. Modest and simple...it's at odds with the girl I am now, to say the least.

"Let's see, now...hmph..."

This isn't...bad. But it's not good, either? Definitely strange. I haven't tried on old clothing in a while, so this is a feeling that I've forgotten entirely. The shirt is quite tight around my chest, and no longer comes down past my hips. Speaking of those, the pants are having a hard time going up...I haven't gained that much weight, have I? Looking in the mirror, I can see that this isn't going to work. Pants that won't zip and a shirt that won't stay down. Well, it has been two years already.

I put my hands on my hips and stare at my reflection, then have a laugh at the absurdity of it all.

"It's not happening. So much for a nostalgic meeting, then...ah, well. Back into the closet you go. We might go with something simple the day of..." I sigh and change into my pyjamas, then drop onto my bed.

"Nerves..." Even if I'm going to show her all of my strength, I don't want to hurt her. Badly, at least. There will be some pain involved, there has to be at this point. I wonder what I should do...how I should fight. It's a confusing thing to think about. Perhaps I'll stick to the plan I had before, hunting her like the rest of my prey. It could be the thing that gives her a chance. But then...playing around too much might upset her. I could just take it seriously from the start, and end things in a few moments. That might be disappointing in its own way, but it would also be the most realistic outcome. A lightning bolt of pragmatism. Just as she demanded, with those eyes of hers.

"I'll find a way to give you what you want, Hina. I just have to be careful..."

A yawn forces my mouth open. I throw the bathrobe over a nearby chair, turn out the lights, and close my eyes. I can think about all of that later. Right now, it's time to sleep.

"Morning, Lili-nee."

"Good morning," I say into the phone. Hanabi's timing is good, since I'm in the middle of making breakfast. It's the day of my meeting with Hina.

"Calling in to confirm that we're ready. She says that evening would be preferable, about seven o' clock. Any objections?"

"None," I say. "I will be ready at the promised time."

"Understood. Then we'll see you in a few hours."

"Take care, Hanabi."

"I will."

She hangs up, and I set the phone down on the counter. Might as well have myself a hearty breakfast...my schedule is clear, and I'm well rested. Nothing to do but wait for the magic hour to arrive. And...I do so faithfully. Catching up on reading, making sure things are running properly around the home, light cleaning...I keep myself well occupied until about five in the evening, two hours before we're set to begin.

With that, I take a quick shower and get into my clothing. While my favourite sweater would be nice to wear, I think I should go with something different...something that will make a firm impression. Hmm.

"Ah, I know. It's a good excuse to finally break it out..."

I find one of the pairs of standard Leaf gear that I bought the other day, consisting of a dark blue shirt and pants, and then put on the green flak jacket that has been resting deep in my closet for the longest while. My armband goes around my right arm, and I put my hair up into a high ponytail. I look at myself in the mirror and decide that I'm just about ready.

"Good. This should signal that I'm taking her seriously. Let's get started."

I put a dark blue cap over my head and make sure it's secure. Six o' clock...time to clean up and go.

The evening is a touch cooler than I thought it would be, but it's not an issue. I reach the Hyuuga residence in short order, and Hanabi is out at the main entrance to meet me.

It's currently half past six.

"I figured you would be early," Hanabi says with a smile. "Guess you're pumped up."

"I really am looking forward to this little meeting..."

"Looks like it. Onee-sama will be happy to see you like this. She's got something planned herself, but she wouldn't let me see it," she says as we walk inside together. "Worried that I was gonna spill the beans to you, definitely."

"Well, I can't wait to see what's in store."

We walk out to the big main courtyard. The dwindling light makes for a dramatic sort of backdrop...it makes a bit of sense that Hina would choose this time, then.

"..."

Wait a moment. Something isn't right.

"Neji? What're you doing out here? I thought you had something to take care of," Hanabi asks her cousin.

"I did, Lady Hanabi. And that task has been completed."

"Task...? Neji, what are you-"

"He's not alone," I say while staring at him.

"Lili? What are you talking about?"

"Your bloodline...use it a moment."

I feel her chakra pulse, and after a brief moment she gasps in shock.

"I...I didn't...Lili-nee, please believe me, I didn't plan on..."

"I know, darling. It's okay. This...is all Neji's doing. Isn't that right?" I ask him.

"Yes. Lady Hanabi, you and Lady Hinata can deliver whatever punishment that you want later on. I make no excuses for the despicable, underhanded things that I have done tonight. But...you must believe me when I say that I do this for Lady Hinata's sake. To protect her. I promised that I would shield her, even if it cost me my life. And knowing that I would not be strong enough to defeat my senpai on my own, I enlisted the help of others. Senpai, I apologize. But I cannot let you go through with this fight. I cannot let you battle Lady Hinata and potentially cause her harm, even if it's what she says she wants. She has no way to win."

"It's not about winning, Neji."

"Then what is the point of a fight?"

"It's not something that you can understand right now. You and everyone else...you have to step aside."

"Senpai. I refuse. The moment that Lady Hanabi told me what was going to take place...my mind was made up."

"Neji...please. She asked it of me. I made a promise to her."

"Even so, I cannot allow it," he says with a shake of his head. "We will stop you by force if you refuse to stand down."

"We..."

I already know who he means. They emerge from the darkness, from different ends of the courtyard.

Rock Lee. Shikamaru Nara. Choji Akimichi. Kiba Inuzuka.

Seems like everyone has come out to play tonight.

"Sorry, Lili. I know this is gonna be a pain in the ass for both of us, but..."

"Yes. I'm sorry, too," I say to Shikamaru. "But I'm...not upset with you. Neji must have given you a passionate story, and you saw no choice but to stop my foolishness. It only makes sense."

"You know how strong you are!" Choji yells. "It's totally an unfair fight!"

"Yes, I agree!" Lee shouts. "I thought that you had discarded your villainous ways, but it seems that it was not the case! Though we were once teammates, it does not mean that I can allow you to get away with something like this! It is time for us to deliver justice!"

"This is a little low, even for you, Lili...maybe you think you're just gonna get a few hits in and call it a day, but there's no way that Hinata will come out alright after getting beaten in a fight with you," Kiba says. "If you won't snap out of it, then we'll do what Neji says and snap you out of it ourselves."

"Arf!" Akamaru backs up his partner.

"If you can get through us, then...you will be free to do whatever you like," Neji says. "We will have no answer, and no way to deny your wishes. But you must understand, we will fight with all that we have to protect Lady Hinata from herself...and from you."

I stare down at my feet.

I know that these boys care. They care about both of us, about what an event like this could mean, how much harm it could do. They want to protect two friends from each other. They want to protect people they care about. They want to do the right thing, and it's so admirable that they would go this far, that they would band together at one person's request. They're good children, and they should continue following their hearts like this. It is a beautiful thing to witness.

But their good intentions do nothing to erase my indignation.

How dare they. How dare these fools, these self-righteous know nothings, these plodding imbeciles tell me what to do. Hina is my sister. I brought her to her feet from her lowest point. I sacrificed for her sake. I gave her what she needed, I kept my promises to her, I encouraged her. Me. It was me, Lilith Kobayashi, the girl who was shunned and mocked from the moment she tried to become a shinobi in this village, I was the one who reached out to her. Her courage, her confidence, her pure smile, all of that was because of me. Nobody else. Me. How dare they stand in my way, call me a villain, tell me that I don't know what I'm doing, suggest that I'm bullying her to get myself off...I hate it, all of it. To say that any of them know better than me, especially that Neji, someone who fantasized about killing her if he ever got the chance. I will never roll over for that reason. Not a bad person, no, but for him to claim that he is protecting her, more than me? Never. He could never love or care for her as much as I have, not even if he gave up his life a thousand times over.

I am Hinata's protector. I am the one who gave her strength. Nobody in this world or the next can ever, ever tell me how I should approach her. That unwarranted fucking arrogance makes my blood boil. I won't allow it. I won't allow anyone to get in my way, and especially threatening me, me, me! Of all the people in this world, you would threaten me with force...!

"..."

I steady myself. It was as I said before...these are not bad people. I don't want to hurt them badly. But they have promised to stand in my way no matter what, and so I will make my own promise.

I will make them suffer for their foolishness.

"Hanabi."

"Y-yes..."

"I know that you want to stay and help. But this is my fight. I need to do this alone."

"I...I understand, Lili-nee. Please...be safe. And don't hurt them too badly..."

"I won't, Hanabi. Keep watch until this is over."

I hear her take off, and I take a few steps forward, squarely facing the squad of five.

"Senpai...is this truly what you want?" Neji asks.

I raise my head and stare into his eyes. He responds by immediately shifting into his battle stance.

"It is now, Neji. Make your first move...and I'll show you what a real villain looks like."