Killing Hinata was a well planned event, not as a fridge moment but something more.
It was not the soft hands of Tsunade that woke Mika from his weeks long slumber, from that heavy place between life and death. Someone else healed him, someone with a modicum of skill it seemed. Mika actually played his own role in healing himself over the course of several days. Guy, Neji's mentor it seemed, took Mika alongside Sasuke from their near tombs and took them back to the Leaf with all he had. He had used a Shadow, turned out that despite his reputation he was capable of ninjutsu after all.
Mika, being basically friendless, had only two visitors. Yugao as he would later find out, and Neji when he was woke up his first day back.
"Mika," The boy started as soon as Mika adjusted to the white walls and horrible fluorescent lights. He was sitting on a chair, looking at Mika with cold calculation. "You are not allowed to die, you promised that you would help free my clan."
Nodding, Mika sat up, hands glowing as he started to asses his wounds. "I have no plans to not help you... huh, the threat of Tsunade's return must have bolstered them. They've done a far better job than they usually do. Anyway, I was learning sealing from Jiraiya, but it seems that I must continue my studies on my own. With my wounds, I will be out of it for at least another three days. I should be allowed to get out now, actually, but I'll be on essentially bed rest. I will continue my studies in sealing for the time being. It will be hard, but I will fulfill my promise, Neji... and to make it true, I will need your help. You must stand for me, like Hinata had once before. We will start sparring soon... whenever I am actually free to train, since we will be sooo busy after the Invasion."
Neji held out his hand. "Are you promising me?"
It was an effortless thing to grab Neji's hand in turn. "Always... now... let's get me signed out. I have seals to study."
Nodding, Neji helped him up. "Oh, and someone named Yugao was here earlier. She asked me to tell you that she wishes to continue to train with you, to pass on her and Yugao's sword style. She said you are the only one left skilled enough to understand it."
That forced Mika to gape. "Really... damn... why must I always be so busy... fuck." Letting his head fall, Mika nodded. "So be it. Oh and again, I expect spars. You were amazing, you just need more diverse skills. You'd be far better if you let yourself feel and think in combat. Not just one or the other. Hinata was always a feeler, I had to drag out thinking in her."
"""
It was only when Mika found himself back in the training field by the pond, stretching his sore limbs grateful for the lack of atrophy born of the Mystic Palm, that he felt Yugao's presence. She was walking, worn but not dead. Her body looked healthy, glowing actually, but there was a weight on her that he could detect miles away. Hayate's loss was a storm, wearing away at her heart and soul.
"Mika,... your form in excellent as always." She said, her voice almost dead. "How are you holding up?"
He sighed. "I still haven't seen her grave... she shouldn't have a grave..." And then he snapped, the weight of Hinata's loss, the days alone, the constant work to avoid her loss... it all washed away as anger, loss and pain so intense he was left breathless smashed into his soul. "SHE WAS TWELVE, A BABY, FRESH IN THIS LIFE, WHY... WHY... WHY..." And maybe she planned it, but he was suddenly on his knees by the water, crying obnoxiously as she rubbed his back.
"The grief will never go away, but it will be easier to manage, one way or another. Your heart will heal and the scars will be a reminder of your joy, your love... and not so much your loss." She held him close then. "I knew, that when you lost Hinata, you would need my help... I have not healed yet, but my heart, I need to help you so you do not lose yourself as I nearly did."
He nodded into her chest. "Why... why did she have to die? She was so good, so young... why could she not die old, living her life as she wanted to. She had dreams, oh so many of them."
Yugao pulled back. "Everyone that dies has dreams, even the brightest of stars will fade...that is just the way of the world... now..." She brushed his tears away. "Now... kid, let's do what we can to honor her. Live your life for her, and walk the path she cannot."
"Like you are for Hayate?"
"Yes... it's why I want to teach you the Dancing Leaf Style, my style... Hayate's style. Now... shall we begin?"
He nodded. "We shall... are you sure you want to teach me your style, a style that came from Hayate's family, you told me that once?"
She smiled. "It is that, or watch as it is lost to time... no, it is best that you learn it, and pass it on when you can. My love life died with Hayate, but yours may not."
Mika nodded. "You are right, it might not... "And he took out his blade. "How do we start?"
"We start with the most basic move, the Moon Step. It is the core of all of our style, and then we learn the individual pieces of our style. The Katas."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.