Chapter 2 - Prized
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Powerlessness had been her constant companion, but never this brand of ignorance, this monstrous emptiness mirroring the fate she sensed had fallen on Itachi. Tears dripped, hot and relentless, down her cheeks. Had any destiny ever been so cruel?
Since childhood, her every question had been cast into silence. The rough stone of the Hyuuga compound, the ceaseless gurgle of the stream—they never answered. Why was her body so fragile, her mind so slow to match her father's impossible demands? Why couldn't she soar like Neji nii-san, burn bright like Sasuke? Why did expectations cling to them, leaving her in mocking shadow?
She had never known better.
But Itachi... the strength, the inborn grace she coveted had shackled him. This bleak night in the Uchiha compound screamed its awful truth. Moonlight silvered twisted faces, bodies broken and splayed. The crimson river puddled around her feet, cold, sticky, the metallic tang of blood filling her nostrils, turning her stomach. Was it the gore, or the crushing weight of hidden village sins that made her this dizzy?
How could Itachi endure? What would Sasuke do when the truth tore away his world? Sleep offered a tempting oblivion.
But what if she never woke? Should she? Would Itachi be there, eyes blazing with the demand to leave his haunted memories alone?
Her body trembled, rocking against her knees in this grotesque tableau. The night was a void, pricked only by the awful scarlet sheen.
Kakashi stood at Hinata's bedside, a lone figure against the oppressive silence. The hospital room felt sealed off, a suffocating bubble untouched by the world outside. Kiba, Shino, and Yamato arrived, Kiba's voice a strained rasp as he asked the inevitable, "How is Hinata, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi sighed. "Sedated. Unresponsive. What happened to Itachi? Did you defeat him?"
"He left," Yamato said curtly.
Kakashi wrestled with a glint of relief—they'd avoided a confrontation he wasn't sure they could have won. Yet, Itachi's cryptic words from their own encounter nagged at him. I have no other choice, Kakashi-san. The puzzle remained, the missing pieces taunting him. Why would Itachi's only choice involve Hinata?
"Kakashi-senpai…" Yamato's voice broke into his thoughts, "Could it be the Tsukuyomi?"
"Maybe. It would explain why she hasn't woken."
"Damn..." Kiba's swore, his suppressed fury barely contained. "Look, she's staring, but not seeing."
Kakashi's gaze shifted. Hinata's eyes, once luminous pearls, were dull orbs framed by the stark white of the sheets. Her hair, a lifeless tangle against the pillow, lent her a disturbing doll-like appearance.
"In genjutsu, even powerful ones like the Tsukuyomi, the victim loses control of their chakra," Shino observed, his voice uncharacteristically laced with worry.
Kakashi nodded, impressed. "That's correct. Unless the flow is disrupted… In my case, Itachi set a three-day timer, so I regained consciousness then."
"Like hypnosis," Yamato added.
"Essentially."
"Could we disrupt her chakra?" Shino asked.
"How?" Kiba snapped.
"The Hyuuga. Neji could control her chakra precisely," Shino explained. Kakashi's unspoken question about Shino's leadership potential evaporated.
"Neji's on an A-rank mission with Team Gai," Yamato said, Kiba's disappointed exhale echoing in the room.
"Hinata's own clan is useless then," Kiba growled, his frustration palpable.
"Kakashi-senpai. What about the Sharingan?"
Kakashi turned to Yamato, intrigued. "You severed Deidara's arm, warping it to another dimension. The Mangekyo controls space. Could you use it to manipulate chakra flow, like the Hyuuga?"
The silence crackled with tension.
"Theoretically, perhaps. But it's untested, and would drain me immensely. Almost as much as the Tsukuyomi itself." Kakashi stared at the unconscious girl. "But we're out of options, aren't we? Alright. I'll try."
"Go on, Kakashi-senpai."
"I'll need five minutes to focus."
"I'll tell Kurenai-sensei about Hinata," Kiba said. "Please, Kakashi-sensei… we're counting on you. Come on, Akamaru."
With Kiba's departure, the room's silence felt heavier. Kakashi uncovered his Sharingan, feeling chakra surge within it.
"Here goes nothing."
"Out for a woodland stroll, eh?" The spiral-masked man's voice dripped with amusement from his perch at the rough-hewn table.
Itachi fixed him with a cool stare before settling onto the opposite chair. This hidden clearing, a hushed pocket amidst towering trees, was their temporary haven. Not a single insect buzzed, the silence oppressive.
Ignoring the masked figure, Itachi drew his katana. Moonlight traced a sinuous path along the blade as he meticulously wiped it with a white cloth. The glint seemed to dance on his pale face.
"Don't tell me: Konoha again." The masked man's tone feigned shock, the idea a gleeful blasphemy.
"Three hour journey," Itachi finally murmured, his focus unwavering on the sword.
"The pull of home, even when it forged your ruin." Madara spun a kunai with a flick of his finger, the motion hypnotic. "Memory is a stubborn shackle."
Itachi offered no response.
"Still the silent type, Itachi?" Madara prodded.
"You overlook something," Itachi countered, tone flat.
"And what's that?"
"The mouth… birthplace of all ruin."
Madara chuckled, a dark rumble. "A threat, is it?"
Time seemed to slow. For a long, heartbeat-heavy moment, Itachi was a statue, oblivious to the world.
"This place bores me." The masked man shattered the stillness. "If not for Pain's command, I wouldn't debase myself with standby duty."
"Orders are orders. Border crossings are frequent here." Itachi's voice was a monotone.
"Bah. If only we could see it all from afar, this tiresome surveillance…" He sighed, mock-dramatically. "Alas, they misunderstand my talents, giving me grunt work instead. Age brings disrespect, it seems."
The notion of all-seeing eyes shimmered through Itachi's mind. Lost in thought, he stared at the empty space before him. "Do you... know much about the Hyuuga?"
"The white-eyed ones? Ah, rumors say their bloodline birthed the Sharingan itself."
"No certainties?"
"Even I…" Madara paused, the barest hint of vulnerability cracking his bravado, "… don't know everything. Back before Konoha, clans were scattered feuds, honor, the usual justifications for war. But the Uchiha and Senju, we built the foundation. Others followed."
Itachi sheathed his katana, the soft rasp echoing in the stillness.
"Yet, those founders are why you ask?"
Itachi was uncomfortably aware of how little he knew about the Hyuuga. Their secrets were a vast, unknown territory. "It's nothing."
"I can't see her Tenketsu points, Tenzou." Kakashi's voice was clipped, frustration seeping through despite his usual calm. Chakra pulsed behind his left eye, a prickling sensation. "Blindly disrupting her chakra... the risk is too high. One slip, and I could sever a vital vein, cause irreparable harm. The Hyuuga—they're born with this finesse."
Yamato's sigh echoed the room's despair. Shino stood sentinel; his silence heavy.
"But…" Kakashi trailed off, the word taut with possibility.
"What is it?" Yamato's question was sharp, laced with a sliver of desperate hope.
Kakashi moved with quiet purpose towards Hinata's prone form, the faint scrape of his gloves against the table sounding stark in the quiet. He laid a hand beneath her head, the other behind her shoulder, the touch featherlight as he lifted her ever so slightly.
Her chin tilted, hair spilling across the pillow like a dark stain. Her open eyes, those luminous pearls now dulled, stared blankly at the ceiling. Kakashi met her vacant gaze, his left eye burning, a scarlet vortex swirling within.
Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Word from Neji-kun, Hiashi-sama."
Training had ceased. Hiashi's sharp gaze rested on his daughter, Hanabi, frozen mid-stance. The courtyard's ample space, their private battleground, felt constricting under the messengers' nervous energy. Lanterns flickered, casting long, dancing shadows, while a scattering of fallen sakura petals lay like pale ghosts against the polished wood.
"Speak."
"Hinata-sama...hospitalized," one messenger choked out.
"Again?" Hiashi's sigh barely rippled the air, his tone laced with a boredom so chilling it prickled the messengers' skin.
"N-Neji-kun requests your presence," the other stammered.
"Neji knows well there's no need," Hiashi's voice was steel beneath his gray robe.
"But...who hospitalized her..." The messenger swallowed hard, "matters greatly."
"Another overzealous Lightning shinobi? As long as they glean no secrets..." Hiashi waved a dismissive hand, "You are excused."
"But it wasn't a Lightning shinobi." The words hung heavy in the sudden stillness.
"Then who?"
"Uchiha Itachi."
Hiashi turned, his eyes hard flint. Even Hanabi, ever-observant, saw his mask of indifference crack. A ripple of unease passed between the messengers.
"Fugaku's son, then?" Hiashi murmured, his brow furrowing, the silence now taut with a new, unspoken question.
"Nice place, isn't it?"
Hinata blinked, the suffocating darkness replaced by a boundless expanse. It was like staring into a snowfield, blindingly white and stretching to the horizon.
Kakashi stood before her, hands tucked into his pockets. His visible eye crinkled at the corner, a smile beneath the mask, and for a moment, the sterile landscape felt less frightening.
Behind that mask…are his lips curved the same way? The thought was fleeting, a glint of warmth amidst the chill uncertainty.
"Kakashi-sensei…" Her voice sounded small, unused. "Why are you here?"
"Checking up. What about you?" His tone was gentle, a lifeline in this strange emptiness.
"I...lost track of time. Memories swirling…" Her words trailed off.
"No matter." He pulled a hand free, not the familiar gloved one, but bare and glowing with a soft, ivory light. He offered it to her, and despite her fear, she remembered: this was the last person she saw before the darkness took her.
How long had it been? Months, if Itachi's memories were anything to go by.
"Don't you want to leave?"
Hesitation. Then, she placed her hand in his, her fingers swallowed by his warmth. He pulled her upright, and with the movement came a sense of…rightness. The blood, the death – it was fading.
"Don't overthink. Just follow."
"Where?"
She trailed him, his gaze flicking back, the crinkle around his eye deepening.
"Home."
Consciousness returned in soft waves. Kakashi watched Hinata's eyelids flutter, the once-bright orbs now washed in pale light.
"Welcome back, Hinata." His voice was a gentle rumble. Her lips twitched into a shy smile, cheeks flushing pink—a fleeting warmth in the stark hospital room.
"Oh, sorry." He apologized, carefully easing her back against the pillows. His gloved hands felt clumsy, the familiar act heavy with unspoken relief. Hinata tilted her head, her gaze wandering to where Yamato and Shino stood, silent sentinels.
A smile touched her face, bittersweet. "Another burden, Shino-kun."
Shino was uncharacteristically slow to answer. Behind his jacket and dark glasses, his expression was a mystery. "You know that's not true." The words were quiet, but held a quiet steel.
"Hinata!" Kurenai swept into the room, concern etched in the lines of her face. She settled beside the bed, hand on Hinata's shoulder, a comforting weight. "Are you alright?"
Hinata smiled again. "I'm fine, Kurenai-sensei. Sorry to worry you." She sounded small, vulnerable. Kiba and Akamaru entered then, their presence a burst of energy against the hushed stillness.
"Don't worry, Hinata. A good teammate's always got your back," Kurenai said, her other hand cradling her rounded belly. The swell beneath her sundress was a poignant reminder of life, and the lives lost.
Kakashi felt a pang, a familiar echo of his own fatherless childhood.
"All of us do," Kiba added, a boyish grin flashing. Even the faint glint of his canines couldn't mask the gentle concern.
"Thank you, Kiba-kun. Everyone. This…my friends, my sensei, this is my home." Hinata's voice trembled slightly, the joy laced with a lingering ache.
Kurenai smiled, brushing Hinata's hair away from her face with a mother's touch.
Home…the word throbbed in Kakashi's head, bittersweet. How long had he gone without one of his own?
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, warmth pooling on Hinata's face as she stirred. Her sleep had been blessedly dreamless for the first time in ages, a brief respite in this sterile hospital room. Nearby, Kakashi's rhythmic breathing told her he was still asleep, head tipped against a worn green book. He'd stayed, a quiet sentinel against her fear.
But reality seeped back. Images flashed—crimson stains she couldn't scrub away, a burden her mind clung to like a blood-soaked cloth. Desperate for the comfort of sleep, she squeezed her eyes shut… only for the horrors to flash brighter.
Disheartened, she sat up. Sun dappled on the trees outside, tiny birdsong filling the air. She stared, empty. Then, she saw a hint of movement, Kakashi's uncovered eye opening.
"Ohayo, Hinata." His voice was rough with sleep. The ever-present mask hid half his face, but she'd dream of those warm, crooked smiles someday. Quickly, she smothered the wistful thought.
"O—Ohayo, Kakashi-sensei." Her voice trembled slightly. "You didn't have to stay. I'm used to this place."
He rose slowly, folding the hospital blanket. "Same. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes. Thank you for being here." Her toes curled against the cool tile as she got out of bed.
"No problem," he said gently. "Now, are you ready to tell me what you saw on your journey?"
The shift of emphasis in his voice, the way he said journey—it wasn't just curiosity, but a deeper probing into Itachi's secrets. Flashbacks ignited. Hinata forced a calm face, but a storm brewed within. Should she reveal the truth? Itachi's sacrifice, the desperate love hidden beneath his betrayals?
"Hinata."
An entire clan lost, a life thrown away for the village's sake.
"Hinata…?"
"I…don't remember, Sensei."
Silence stretched, broken only by the soft rustle of his clothes as he shifted. Hinata stared at the floor, failing to hide her inner turmoil.
"If you're feeling well, go home. Rest. I'll update the Godaime." He turned, ready to leave.
"Wait! Sensei, our mission?" Her voice was a weak plea. Kakashi paused, precise in his answer.
"Canceled."
Shock jolted through her. "Why? It can't be, Sensei."
"Why not?" He countered, his eye crinkling in that almost-smile. "This isn't the time for missions, Hinata."
"But I don't want to hold Shino-kun and Kiba-kun back!" Desperation crept in. The team hadn't been on a real mission in months, not since Asuma-sensei… not since Kurenai-sensei, heavy with child, retreated to mourn.
"They'll understand. Healing takes priority."
"I'm fine. I can do it. Please, don't cancel. It's been six months," she implored, stepping closer. Kakashi watched her, hands tucked in his pockets.
"And now a chance finally arrives, I ruin it," she whispered, the fight draining from her.
Silence hung heavy.
"You sure you're okay?" His voice was softer now.
"Perfect," she lied, a glimmer of hope igniting.
Kakashi sighed, almost imperceptibly. "Follow me. If you convince the Godaime, then…"
Hinata barely heard the rest, a surge of relief replacing the despair. She'd never expected the Godaime to visit her, but a small smile bloomed.
"Thanks, Sensei."
"Do you have any idea why Itachi targeted you?" Tsunade's voice was steel, the Hokage's authority echoing in the room. Hinata blinked; the world swam slightly. She glanced at Kakashi, seeking support, and found him staring intently. Even Shizune, normally placid, wore a mask of concern.
"N-No, Hokage-sama." Hinata's voice wavered, fingers twisting in her lap. "I...I don't understand."
"Hmm." Tsunade frowned, the lines of her face deepening. "This is concerning, Hinata. With so many enemies drawn to you, I cannot risk sending you on missions. If something were to happen… your father would hold me accountable." Her tone was final.
"But...how will I get stronger?" Hinata's protest burst out, her shoulders slumping in defeat. Kakashi shifted uncomfortably. Why her, and not her teammates? Even with his insight, Itachi's actions were a twisted puzzle.
"Tsunade-sama, perhaps we should reconsider." Shizune's voice, usually so mild, had a determined edge. "Hinata will have her teammates, and Kakashi to guide her..."
"I apologize, Tsunade-sama." Kakashi cut in, keeping his tone level. "My leadership in their last encounter was flawed. I should not have separated them, but it's been so long since they faced a real challenge... I underestimated the risk. This time, I'll ensure their safety."
Hope sparkled in Hinata, mirrored in Shizune's soft smile.
"Besides, at their level, even Shikamaru might struggle against someone of Itachi's caliber."
Tsunade's frown deepened.
"Please, Hokage-sama..." Hinata pleaded, daring to meet her eyes.
"Report for departure at one o'clock sharp. I would have given a proper briefing, but it's already past ten-thirty, and the Council awaits. Shizune will meet you at the gates by half-past twelve with details." Tsunade rose, the decision final. Relief washed over Hinata, followed by a wave of determination. Shizune beamed, and even Tonton gave a delighted oink.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Hinata bowed, her voice trembling slightly. "I...I won't let you down."
"Pack well, and eat something before you leave. Good luck, all of you."
Itachi hurtled through the forest, each flicker of his teleportation a jarring shift. He fixed his gaze on the sky, the crows like ragged silhouettes against the pale expanse. Their harsh caws filled the air, a mocking chorus echoing the emptiness within him.
A strange energy pulsed beneath his skin. Not excitement, no. He hadn't felt truly alive in years. And yet, the duel with Kakashi... it had been exhilarating, a clash against a worthy opponent. In those few, fierce moments, a shimmer of something resembling purpose ignited in him.
His victories over Kakashi, the famed copy-ninja, had likely triggered the man's Mangekyo Sharingan. Power feeding power. A warped satisfaction curled in his gut.
But where Kakashi and countless others had failed, that Hyuuga girl had succeeded. His Mangekyo Sharingan, the pinnacle of power, rendered useless by her wide, vacant Byakugan eyes. He ached to see her again, a craving distinct from the echo of lost love her face stirred. She was… potential, a puzzle he needed to solve. A pity he had to end it.
Options—a bitter taste in his mouth. If only there were a choice, a way to unravel the truth she held without extinguishing its glow.
Her father stood on the platform when she entered the Hyuuga compound, a statue overlooking the miniature waterfall. His gaze shifted to her, a sharp scrutiny as she passed, but he offered no greeting.
The urge to speak, to bridge the months of silence, warred with the familiar chill of his disdain. Hinata pressed on, fingers clenching in her sleeve as she crossed the threshold. He was her father. Tradition, propriety, they whispered like ghosts in her ear.
Finally, feet heavy, she stood beside him, staring at the ground. "Otou-san… I apologize. I was…hospitalized."
Hiashi remained unyielding, his attention on the waterfall. The ceaseless rush of water was a torment, a sharp contrast to the stagnant silence between them.
As a child, she'd loved to sit here, toes trailing in the coolness. Water was like chakra, flowing and changing, capable of both gentleness and destructive force.
"And…I leave on a mission soon."
"Before you go, answer this. Why would an S-rank criminal like Itachi target you?"
"I don't know, Otou-san. During training, he… he used genjutsu."
"Forget the details. Weakness draws predators. Had you been strong, would you have been so vulnerable?"
The truth stung, but Hinata held her tongue. More words would only invite more scorn.
"Your training has done little. Now, Kakashi—Konoha's strongest—thinks poorly of the Hyuuga heiress." Hiashi's voice was a whipcrack. "How shall I face him, knowing my daughter is so… inadequate?"
She was a label, not a person. The bitterness flared, but Hinata choked it back. "I…I won't disappoint you again, Otou-san."
"Empty promises. Prove it." He turned away, a gesture of dismissal. "Pack for your mission. Do not disgrace your team."
"Hai… Otou-san."
Retreating to her room, she closed the door on his echoing words. Her unmade bed was a stark reminder of her absence. She brought out her old pack, placing it on the mattress. Essentials only: kunai, soap, a medical kit, clothes. Each item slid into place with practiced, mechanical movements.
In the attached bath, hot water poured over her, the warmth failing to penetrate the chill inside. Tears prickled at her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Along with the sadness, another emotion tightened in her chest: a cold, gnawing dread. She would see Itachi again, soon.
"Oi…"
Kakashi arrived last, a flicker of apology in his visible eye as he greeted the waiting team. Shizune stood, arms crossed, the line of her mouth tight. Even Koutetsu, normally easygoing, had a somber air, a lingering echo of the unspoken reason for Kakashi's delay.
Shino, patient as ever, offered the faintest nod. Kiba, astride Akamaru, wore a smirk that didn't quite hide his restlessness. But Hinata...she seemed miles away, her gaze fixed on something invisible. A knot of worry formed in Kakashi's gut; this was deeper than her usual nerves.
"Well, now the party's complete," Shizune said, the sarcasm barely veiled. Kakashi shrugged, his smile rueful.
"File 254, Team Kakashi. Earth Country request: annihilation of the Hakumei, a tomb-raiding group. Leader is Shigai, rumored to be ex-military," Shizune began, her tone crisp and official. Kiba scratched his chin, but Kakashi leaned in, focusing fully.
"Nine members. Brutal track record: three villages raided, ninety-two dead, sixteen missing." Akamaru let out a weary sigh.
"They target the Tombs of the Earth Priests, seeking four sacred gemstones. Rumored goal: to summon Ashi Nadzuchi, the Earth God."
"Gods again?" Kiba scoffed, then winced at Shizune's glare.
"The final tomb is in Tenshi, northeast of Iwa. An ANBU op confirmed Hakumei will strike this week. Earth shinobi guard the town, but they've requested backup. Shigai's people are skilled, dangerous," Shizune continued. "He uses hostages…families of his members. One mistake, one family member dies. When the family is gone, so is the member."
Disgust twisted in Kiba's expression. He hopped off Akamaru, pacing. "That's twisted. Bastards..."
"Escape for the members is impossible. Death is the only release," Koutetsu added, his tone strangely flat. Shizune groaned, and Koutetsu held up his hands, a mischievous grin spreading. "Just tryin' on the serious voice!"
Kakashi nodded grimly. "Why summon this god, though? That's still unclear."
"The journey starts with a twelve-hour trek through Taki. Our Earth contact, Kamiya, will arrange transport from Iwa to Tenshi—another six hours. Two days total." Shizune handed him a thick scroll. "All details are here, including Kamiya's picture. He'll expect you at the Tenka Inn in Iwa."
"Right. Let's get moving then. Ready?" Kakashi asked, his voice steady.
"Hell yeah!" Kiba barked. Shino simply started walking, Akamaru at his heels.
"Hinata?" Kakashi gently prompted. Lost in her internal battle, she seemed to startle back to reality.
"Huh? …Yes..."
"Noticed how quiet she's been since the hospital?" Kiba muttered, squinting through the blinding sunlight dappling the forest path. Pine needles crunched underfoot as they walked, Hinata a solitary figure ahead, with Kakashi trailing behind.
"Hard to tell with you filling the silence," Shino replied, his tone dry as desert sand. Kiba scowled.
"C'mon, something's off. She usually has our ears bleeding with Naruto-talk by now."
"Give her a break. Akatsuki attack, then dragged straight onto an A-rank mission..." Shino trailed off, then added, "Though...you're right. She does seem... preoccupied." He cast a thoughtful look at Hinata's hunched shoulders.
"Exactly! Not blaming her for freaking out—Itachi's no joke—but it's eating her up." Kiba gestured wildly, nearly brushing Akamaru's nose.
Shino hummed. "Then again, why choose her? Out of the three of us..."
"I know, right? Maybe it was the Byakugan. But man, ITACHI. Think of the bragging rights! You tell that story, everyone shuts up about your bugs."
"Here we go again." Shino's sigh was barely audible over Kiba's rant.
If his hunch was right, the man who turned himself into a crimson mist during interrogation…that desperate act was born of love, not cowardice. A warped testament to the Hakumei's twisted hold over families. The puzzle pieces clattered in Kakashi's mind, the sharp tang of suspicion hanging in the air. But why Hinata—what could they want with her?
He watched her, paces ahead, shoulders slumped, head bowed. Her march was aimless, a mechanical rhythm at odds with her usual focus.
The answer, he knew, lay in the heritage she bore. The Byakugan, those luminous pearls the Hyuuga guarded so fiercely.
What use did the Hakumei have for stolen eyes?
A breeze danced through the trees, a playful tug at Hinata's hair. Kakashi pulled out his Icha-Icha Tactics, flipping pages to mask his unease. The miles stretched before them, a silent interrogation of his own.
To be continued…