Black Eagles chapter 19 the journey back
Because of Byleth being incapacitated and unable to perform his duties, the leader of the Black Eagles was currently Edelgard, who was trying to get the class back to Garreg Mach. Unfortunately, they weren't getting back as quickly as Edelgard would have wanted; they had been stuck on the road in the territory of Varley, which rains heavily at this time of the year. They were stuck in the same spot, luckily the party was in tents, though the lack of progress was difficult. Things were extremely tense. Edelgard had saved Monica with the help of Hinata, but that didn't change the fact that they were still in danger from those who had tried to kill her and the Akatsuki.
She was relieved that it wasn't the real Itachi Uchiha; he could have killed them all, even with a clone. The killing intent that she felt from Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan was a scary sight to behold. One of the reasons she wanted Sasuke Uchiha in the Black Eagles was because of his eyes, but now that she had encountered his brother (even if it was just a clone), she was relieved that he hadn't chosen her class.
The Sharingan was terrifying, a scary weapon in the hands of a monster. Monica was sleeping; she put her hand through her hair. She still couldn't believe that she was with him; she thought she had lost him forever.
She looked at Monica's naked form; she was peaceful. Edelgard's hair was down, freed from the braids that she usually wore. Nobody dared to enter her tent.
"You know, El, I'm not a piece of class; I'm alive." Monica said softly, knowing what Edelgard was thinking.
"I have lost so much because of those bastards. I have risked everything. I will not lose one more person. I've already lost enough." She said to her lover, the girl who was by her side after her siblings died. Monica had been with her as long as she could remember. Her lover, her best friend, she was even supportive of her when she briefly dated Hilda. She was always there for her, it seemed, and to think it could have easily happened differently.
Had the professor chosen a different class or had her class lost the mock battle, Monica would be dead now. It felt like everything she had done was based completely on luck. He hated that she hated the fact that fate controlled almost everything, the very fact that one individual was able to decide the fate of herself and her ambitions. The ambition of a world free from Crest, she felt like she was fighting against the gods themselves. In this instance, she had one, but this was only one of many battles. She might not get lucky next time, and that's what terrified Edelgard.
"You're thinking too much. You're going to get sick if you don't sleep, El," said Monica as she tucked Edelgard close to her.
"It's hard not to. All of this could have been different easily. I was lucky," Monica shook her head in disagreement.
"It wasn't luck. Hinata and our professor saved me. They altered my fate. I don't believe it was luck. I believe it was a divine intervention, though I hate the idea. To me, though, it's still better than the alternative. I'm glad I'm alive," Monica said.
"We should enjoy the small moments. We won't be able to enjoy them when we return. There will be questions for me," Monica said as she kissed Edelgard on the neck.
"Damn it," Edelgard groaned as she felt Monica go lower.
She felt her hands on her lower region. Her body jerked at the sudden touch.
"You're sensitive to some things," Monica said with a low whisper, "some things never change.
She played around with her vagina. Monica had always known how to pleasure her at that spot; she was a master. She didn't know how she was able to do it. Edelgard was trying to be quiet, but her girlfriend was making it difficult.
Though Edelgard was taller than her girlfriend, it was difficult, while they were making love, to even consider that their height difference was minimal.
Monica was on top as she always is during their lovemaking. She was always the dominant one, and Edelgard didn't mind, letting her girlfriend have her way with her due to her not being as good as Monica. She didn't know how Monica was able to put her fingers in and out of her lower body, and it felt incredible, no matter how many times they had done it. While doing this, she used her right hand to rub the left side of her chest and her mouth to suck on her right nipple.
"Fuck" Edelgard screamed as she went even rougher, writing her lover's name faster and faster. She was completely consumed by her single-mindedness in pleasuring her lover, nothing else on her mind. She was helpless when it came to Monica, unable to stop herself.
She felt liquids come out, screaming as she came on Monica's fingers. She wanted to pleasure her lover, not just be the recipient.
"Impatient, aren't you, Your Majesty?" Monica said with a seductive smile.
"No, I just want to be the one to pleasure you," Edelgard said as she took control. Monica couldn't deny her, especially in the bedroom.
Edelgard was really rough when it was her turn, and Monica loved it. As Edelgard aggressively sucked on her neck, Monica quietly moaned her name.
She grabbed both of her breasts with both of her hands and rubbed them together. Monica was struggling not to scream. Edelgard was really rough, but not so rough that it hurt. She didn't just use her hands; she also used her mouth. She licked her chest like a predator marking their prey.
"Oh my God, fuck," Monica said louder than she normally would, which caused Edelgard to smirk.
"Oh, my naughty girl. It seems like you can't hold back this time, can you?" Edelgard said playfully.
She squeezed, which caused her to try her hardest not to moan, but it was fruitless when fluids came out, she let out a scream.
"Damn it, El," she said quietly. Oh, she wasn't done, not by a long shot. She may not be as good as her lover, but she certainly was going to make this night memorable. She was going to destroy her discipline, all the discipline that she had, even during sex. Oh, she was determined to break that, determined to prove that Monica can give in to pressure when it comes to the aggressive kind of lovemaking that she's into.
She looked at her lower body. She wasn't going to use her hands. No, she was going to do something far better. She looked at Edelgard in disbelief. She was going to do something even Monica hasn't done. She smiled, a first time for everything, she thought.
"Oh God, not there, please," Monica begged as Edelgard put her tongue in her vagina. She covered her mouth to suppress a moan that she let out.
Edelgard decided she was going to have fun with this. She lifted her legs up to spread them out further to increase the pleasure she was about to give her girlfriend. Without warning, she aggressively started to eat out her pussy.
Edelgard couldn't believe she hadn't done this up until this point. It felt amazing on her lips. She was hearing her girlfriend moaning louder than she'd ever heard her, which pleased her. She wasn't going to stop. She was determined to go even deeper, to go as deep as she could with her mouth. She didn't know how she was able to do it.
Monica's tears were falling; she couldn't believe what her lover was doing. She was trying with all her discipline not to moan or scream her lover's name, but it was impossible with Edelgard's mouth on her genitalia. She grabbed onto the blanket she was lying on, jerked her head, and couldn't believe it: how had her lover gotten this good?
She didn't want to stop or end it; she was trying to suppress her groans, but it was getting more and more difficult as Edelgard got more and more aggressive. She was about to reach her limit, feeling the best orgasm she had ever had, and it was given to her by her lady. She couldn't hold it anymore and screamed, not caring if she woke everyone up.
"EL" Monica lost her composure, and Edelgard consumed the liquid that came out of her entrance. She was sweating.
"We must have woken at least half the camp." Monica said, and Edelgard shook her head in disagreement.
"I highly doubt that, with how hard it's raining. I doubt they were able to hear us." Edelgard replied.
"Even though the situation isn't really appropriate, I really do enjoy these moments we have together. Undisturbed, it's a small thing, I know. I don't think we'll be able to have these moments as often once we return. There will be questions, and well, I don't know how we're going to figure out a way to have plausible deniability and not..." Monica couldn't finish because Edelgard silenced her with her index finger.
"Let's not worry about that now. Let's just enjoy the present, let's enjoy the peace that we have despite the circumstances." Edelgard said as she wrapped both of them in their blankets. It wasn't super cold at this time of the year, but considering how hard it was raining and it was night time, keeping them both covered was a good way to keep them warm and not get sick.
"I hope we make more progress tomorrow," said Monica, not wanting to stay in the same spot for another day.
"I do too. Good night, Monica." Edelgard said as she kissed her.
"Good night, my beloved," Monica replied as she put her head on Edelgard's chest and fell asleep peacefully, dreaming of a future with her beloved.
"This damn rain," said Ferdinand, wanting to get back to the monastery already. The ground beneath him was soaking wet, and he could barely leave his tent without getting soaked head to toe. Being crammed in a tent with multiple people didn't help matters either.
"I hate the damn rain," said Kiba, his dog Akamaru barking in agreement.
"Stop your complaining, Kiba. It could be worse," said Shino, doing his best to hide his annoyance with the rain.
"I can't stand it in here. I want to go back so I can finally train again. I can't stand this cramped space," said Caspar.
Ferdinand wished he didn't have to be cramped in with so many people. He had to get some air, despite the rain. There were other tents nearby, but he knew better than to disturb Edelgard's guards or Hinata. He didn't want to disturb the professor's tent, either, knowing that Marianne was looking after him.
As Ferdinand walked out of his tent, making sure he was covered so he wouldn't get soaked, he didn't realize that Hubert was right behind him, with an amused look on his face.
"It seems you don't like cramped spaces, Ferdinand," Hubert said amusedly.
"You're not going to be of any use to Lady Edelgard if you get sick. I assume you want to discuss something?" Hubert asked him.
Ferdinand and Hubert walked to Hubert's tent, which was empty. Ferdinand entered, and they shared a moment of intimacy, their relationship a secret for the sake of appearances.
"Out of all the times, Hubert, this isn't like you," Ferdinand replied after he pulled away.
"After what happened, I can't help but feel anxious. Itachi Uchiha is someone that only a fool would not be scared of, but facing him, a clone especially, was terrifying," Hebert said, showing a rare instance of fear.
"Is there something you're not telling me, Hubert? I have a feeling you knew what this mission was all about the whole time. I'm your partner, aren't I? Why can't you be honest with me?" Ferdinand asked, feeling hurt.
Hubert turned away, not wanting to show his feelings, and he saw him looking up at the ceiling of the tent.
"There are things I cannot tell you. I do it because I want to protect you. You knew going in, when we got into this relationship, that there would be things I wouldn't be able to tell you. There are secrets I keep even from my own family to protect them as well. I don't do this because I don't care; I do it because I do care." Hubert replied, and Ferdinand didn't buy it at all.
"So you're willing to tell Lady Hinata but not me?" Ferdinand asked, feeling hurt that he didn't feel trusted.
"She has also agreed that she would not tell anyone. I can't make exceptions for you, Ferdinand. I do it because I don't want you involved." Hubert said with honesty. He didn't care about his reasoning; he may think he's protecting him, but Ferdinand feels like he doesn't trust him. Hubert doesn't really trust anyone.
"We do what we must for the empire and for the future that Lady Edelgard wants to create—a future where people like us can be open with our relationship rather than having it only in the shadows." Hebert said with a note of sadness about suppressing their feelings towards each other and their relationship that they've been having for years.
"I understand your reasoning. There's got to be something you could at least tell me." Ferdinand insisted, wanting to get something, even if it's just a little bit.
Hubert turned around and, in one of the rare instances where he shows emotion towards others, he hugged Ferdinand as if he were holding on to something that would disappear at any moment.
"I wish I could, but I can't. Please don't ask. If you ask, I'll have to lie, and we both agreed that we don't lie to each other." Hubert said, pleading with him not to ask, making him do the one thing that he doesn't want to do. Ferdinand reluctantly agrees that he won't ask and can't ask his lover to tell him if he can't do so.
"Then we'll enjoy this moment we have, without others watching us." Ferdinand said as he kissed his lover on the lips.
later
Ferdinand looked up at the ceiling with his lover by his side, it felt relieving in a way. The secret that they had to keep from others about their affair was something he hated having to do, but considering the circumstances, they had to keep it a secret.
Hubert also looked at the ceiling, deep in thought.
"Those damn decrepit nobles in the Empire, the day that Edelgard takes the throne will be the day things will start to change. Useless scum will be eliminated, and corrupted people will be expelled; it's only a matter of time." Hubert voiced his honest thoughts about the current state of the empire.
"Well, there's another thing we will have to do. I know the Empire has interests in arranging a marriage with one of the clans in Konoha. My own father has been trying to negotiate a marriage for years." Ferdinand said with dread at the thought of a foreign woman being his wife.
"Those parasites in Konoha are looking for any excuse to wrestle control of the empire. In a way, I'm glad Sasuke Uchiha did not choose Lady Edelgard; those parasites and Konoha would have pushed a marriage between them, granting Konoha control of the Empire outright." Hubert said with contempt. He made it no secret that he hated Konoha and especially the Konoha elite.
"I think friendly relations with Konoha would be beneficial for both of us, don't you think, Hubert?" Ferdinand asked, looking at his naked lover. It took him some time to think.
"Maybe if someone like Naruto Uzumaki were the Hokage, but no, I don't think there's any benefit. Konoha would only bring their own warmongering culture to our own. Lady Edelgard's way would destroy such a culture in the elite. Make no mistake, Ferdinand; the higher echelons of the empire are warmongers and are looking for any excuse to expand the empire and retake territory that once belonged to us." Hubert said, thinking of the former territories that were now three separate nations. Ferdinand did not believe the three nations should be united as one, that they should be separate due to them having different cultures and customs.
"Naruto Uzumaki, it's funny that you bring him up. Such an interesting man he is. He's a commoner yet he acts more noble than most nobles I know. Same thing with Hinata Hyuga. It's a shame that Naruto Usamaki isn't part of our house. He would have benefited greatly from being here." said Ferdinand, who only watched Naruto a few times but was able to tell the kind of individual that he was. Someone that inspires. He's the kind of person that has the most potential out of any of the Konoha transfers, other than Hinata, to be an inspiring leader someday, if that's what he desired.
"Lady Hinata, I don't think she is who she says she is, though that may not be her fault." Said Hubert, interested, Ferdinand wondered what he meant.
"I'm sorry, I don't follow." Ferdinand confessed, confused.
"She has been disinherited by her own father as heir of her clan, don't you find it strange? In the Hyuga, those who get disinherited get a curse mark on their forehead and are put in the branch house of the clan. Yet, Hinata doesn't have a mark on her head, don't you find that strange?" asked Hubert. Ferdinand couldn't help but think about that.
"There's also something else too, Lady Hinata's resemblance to the late Lady Hitomi, the queen that was never crowned." Ferdinand's eyes widened just hearing that name. He had heard about her from his mother, about the woman that was never crowned but was considered a queen by the people of Faerghus. She was loved by everyone, even those outside respected and loved her as well. She was kind to everyone.
"You mean Lady Hinata's mother?" Ferdinand asked in disbelief.
"The very same, there were rumors, though they have never been confirmed officially, that Hitomi and Lambert had a love affair, and that she was his companion. I don't know the truth to the rumors, there is no proof, but it can explain Lady Hinata's position in her own clan if they turned out to be true." Hubert said, feeling somewhat sorry for Hinata despite his dislike of her.
"That woman, her confidence, she can be so much more than she is if she didn't let that get in her way." Ferdinand said, thinking about how Hinata acted towards Lysithea. It was resolved a few days ago, but it doesn't change the fact that her confidence is her greatest hindrance in his eyes.
"That is correct, though I do see progress thanks to our new professor. The girl's confidence is growing, and I do believe that in a few months, those confidence issues, like hers, will not be a hindrance to her, and any enemy that crosses her will regret seeing her face. Her eyes will be the eyes of death." Hubert said with a little ounce of fear, which perplexed Ferdinand.
"We should get some sleep. If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we should be able to travel a long distance. If things go well the day after tomorrow, we should be back at the monastery." Hubert said as he closed his eyes. Ferdinand did the same, and the two lovers drifted off to sleep.
The rain had finally stopped after days of being stuck. Hinata was driven crazy just from being in the same spot. The camp was ready to move out. She saw her professor, who was not in a condition to move. Marianne was behind Byleth when the party started heading home. They traveled for most of the day without saying anything, trying to get to the monastery as soon as possible so Byleth could get treatment for his wounds from the battle. They could have been a lot worse, but that doesn't change the fact that they needed to get him to the monastery soon; he could get an infection. It was a miracle that he hadn't gotten one yet. She noticed dark circles under Marianne's eyes; she had barely slept since her powers awakened.
Hinata had barely slept as well due to her not being able to not think about the danger that Naruto and Dorothea are in. Are they okay? Those were the thoughts in her mind. Ingrid noticed her worrying and tried to reassure her the best way she could, but it wasn't enough. She had to physically see them to know that they're okay. She would know one way or the other when she returns to the monastery, but she still couldn't help but feel anxious.
"You worry too much, Hinata. Naruto is a tough bastard, he'll be just fine. Besides, he has Dorothea to look after him." Kiba said, trying to reassure her that her boyfriend was okay and that she was worrying too much. But she couldn't help it, considering it had been two weeks since she had seen Naruto and Dorothea. She was worried about them both.
"Naruto has the entire class looking after him. You should have more faith in Naruto." Shino said in a cool tone.
"That knucklehead is fine, you worry too much, Hinata. Besides, he has Kakashi to look after him. You worry way too much." Lysithea said reassuringly.
Edelgard looked like she wanted to say something. You could tell by her facial expression.
"It is as the others have said; Naruto has others to look after him. The Golden Deer are not weak as a class with Claude, Hilda, Dorothea, and his sensei Kakashi. Naruto is in good hands; you should believe in him, Hina Chan," Edelgard said in Hinata's native language.
"I'm sorry; I just can't help worrying about them both," Hinata said, referring to Naruto and Dorothea.
"So, you really are going to practice polygamy?" Edelgard asked.
"I can't control how I feel about them any more than you can control your feelings towards Moni Chan. I can't explain how it happened; it just did," Hinata said, clenching her heart when she thought about all of her partners.
"The last thing I ever expected to happen was you and Ingrid becoming a thing. Then again, with the amount of times you two have sparred since she transferred, perhaps it was inevitable," Edelgard said, which caught her by surprise.
"You knew," Hinata asked, surprised that he hadn't been completely open about his relationship with Ingrid since the night they made love for the first time.
"I noticed the signs early on, the way she looked at you. I'm happy for you; I really am. I just don't know how you're going to make a relationship with four people work. Hina Chan, having a partner is already complicated, but having three? I don't know how you're going to make it work, and I don't know if I can do it myself," Edelgard was supportive but wasn't sugarcoating how difficult it would be for Hinata to manage her relationships. She had to make it work, as she couldn't bring herself to choose between the three of them. She understood Ingrid's conflicting emotions all too well.
"The one that could make it hard, if not impossible, is Dorothea San, I mean," Hinata clenched her chest. Could she really reveal this secret? No, she decided against it. She would tell Dorothea herself, regardless of the consequences.
"Like I said, I support you in this relationship as long as you're treated well," Edelgard said, knowing what she was thinking.
"Naruto Kun would never do that to me," Hinata said, more defensively than she intended.
"I'm sorry, Hina Chan, it's just," Edelgard paused, as if choosing her words carefully.
"You're like a little sister to me, and I don't want anyone to hurt you." Edelgard confessed first to Dimitri, who she could see as a big brother. But seeing Edelgard as a big sister didn't seem such a bad thing. She closed her eyes and imagined them living as a family, then quickly dismissed that fantasy. The kind of world that Edelgard wants to create may force her to have to take the lives of friends. She shivers at the image of her having to kill someone like Mercedes or Dimitri. It's not something she relishes, but she made a vow to Edelgard, she made an oath. She isn't an honorless swine, like her father. Unlike her clansmen, she actually upholds the value of honor, regardless of how painful it may be. Does she really have to harden her heart?
"I know what you're thinking; what we may have to do may end up staining our hands completely with blood. The path that we will be going will condemn us in history; we may be looked at as monsters, but that's not what's important. What's important is building a better world for the people that come after us. The path that a weak-willed person can do... I know you're not weak-willed. You're strong, I know you are." Edelgard said, sensing her turmoil.
"Well, I have to kill the people I love to make such a world possible?" Hinata asked.
"I can't answer that; I don't know myself. I hope it doesn't come to that," Edelgard honestly admitted, having the same hesitation as Hinata.
"Does it really have to come to war?" Hinata asked her friend, not really wanting to embrace violence as the first option. "There's got to be another way; there has to be for Edelgard's ideal world. More people rise on their own merit and hard work instead of having undeserved privilege. There had to be a better way; there had to be. She thinks about the Shinobi system in Konoha how that system needs to be torn down, but that's a different story because her continent has always been engulfed in war. Is it really fair to those who don't know war to have it suddenly thrust upon them? Shouldn't we try to form a better world peacefully before doing the most violent option?
"I have considered other options, believe me. The fastest way to change, and the option that causes the least amount of deaths, is a violent overthrow of the system. This also applies to the Shinomi system and your home continent as well. We're not going to be able to change it through non-violence. Those who want to preserve the status quo, those who wish to maintain things as they are, will violently fight to keep the system as it is. If another option was possible, I would consider it, but nobody has convinced me there's another choice. I wish there was another option," Edelgard said with sadness. She thinks about Naruto; he may be able to find a way, though she wouldn't voice that out loud, considering Edelgard doesn't have the close relationship with Naruto that Hinata and Sasuke have. She wouldn't listen to her regarding Naruto. He was able to find an alternate way to save Gaara rather than kill him. She is convinced that if someone that was once considered a monster can change and can be saved, then the world that Edelgard wants to create can change without violence. She just doesn't know how to tell this to Edelgard. She feels so insignificant, a pathetic comparison to Naruto. Why can't she convince her?
"We should cut this conversation before we are overheard, Hina-chan. I wish I could be like you and think that there may be another way, but there isn't anyone who can convince me that there is another option. I'm sorry." Edelgard said as she entered the conversation. They traveled in silence for the remainder of the day.
If Hinata were ever in a position where she could fight for Edelgard's dream without a war, she would do it, but she would never get that opportunity. She would never be put in that position. All she is is a disgraced heir of her clan, nothing else. She can't do anything. She looks at the sky and wonders what Naruto would do if he were talking to Edelgard in her place. What would he say? What arguments would he put forward to have Edelgard consider other choices? No matter how much she thinks about it, she feels useless. She's tired of being useless. She's tired of being a burden. Her victory in the mock battle was a victory in a simulation of a real battle. If she's going to ever be of any use, she has to train harder. The Shy Girl Squad, that's what her squad is called, needs to become a fierce pack of lions. If she could do that, she would build a stand by Edelgard's side, by Naruto's side, and not be a burden to those she cares about.
She would become stronger. She would train to become much stronger, and that's what she will do. She is determined to make it happen. Soon, they would return to the monastery, and Hinata would double down on her training. She would never again be weak and worthless. Her comrades, her friends from the Black Eagles, she would become the black lion. That's what her class needs, and that's what they'll get.
Tomorrow, they would be back at the monastery. Ferdinand, it was his turn to be on watch. The conversation he had with Hubert, he couldn't get it out of his mind. He had a difficult time sleeping. His father wanted him to find a suitable wife. His father, in the first few months, enrolled in the Black Eagles. His father wanted Hinata to be his wife due to being able to have a connection with the Konoha elite for the future of the Aegir family. It was no secret that there were those in the yoga clan that also desired a marriage due to how much it would increase the clan's prestige and influence. It made him sick. The Hugos were a bunch of cutthroats and dishonorable hypocrites who talked about honor but did little to nothing to uphold it. Hinata was the exception, and so was her mother, though his father always talked about Hitomi in an insulting manner, which angered Ferdinand, considering what he had heard from those who knew her, she was an honorable woman. His relationship with his father was strained. His father was corrupt, and he wanted to find evidence of his corruption so he could strip him of his position, but it was difficult, especially where he was at currently. The honor of his family's name had been destroyed by his father due to the way his subjects had been treated. Things hadn't been nearly as bad until his father became the head. The Empire as a whole he felt like it was falling apart.
No amount of denial can change this fact. There were even talks of preserving the empire by marrying one of the families of Konoha. The last thing he wanted was a foreign family controlling the Empire. He was so frustrated with his situation that he didn't pay attention to Hinata, who was cooking. It was almost morning, and he wasn't just turned to cook. He knew better than to get in her way before he could do anything. Hinata motioned for him to stay.
"I don't wish to get in your way, Lady Hinata," Ferdinand said respectfully.
"You're not in my way, Ferdinand-san. I just want to apologize," Hinata said in an apologetic tone. He could tell from the tone of her voice that she had been thinking about the way she snapped at him for days. He didn't actually think too much of it; he could understand given the situation and the agitation.
"You don't have to apologize, my lady," Ferdinand said. Hinata shook her head.
"I've acted like a complete bitch to you throughout the entire trip. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve me snapping at you, not just once but twice. You've been nothing but kind to me since I enrolled in the Black Eagles. You don't deserve to be treated the way you have. For that, I'm sorry." Hinata said, generally being sorry for her actions.
"I have to let you know, Lady Hinata. I have nothing but respect for you. I've read your dossier. After you enrolled in the Black Eagles, you have a lot of talent. You don't give yourself enough credit. I mean, the other day when you were talking down about yourself to try to lift someone up, I didn't say that because I wanted to offend you. I said that because I felt like you were better than that. You have a noble heart. It's a shame that those people in your village cannot look at the pure heart that is in you. You don't have to be like those swine in your clan. You're better than that." Ferdinand said, which caused Hinata to look at him with a new level of understanding.
"I think you're a good guy, Ferdinand. Your heart's in the right place. You try to do what's right for your people. I'm just not used to people praising me for my accomplishments. Coming here has been a culture shock for me. I went from a culture where my skills were not respected to a culture where my skills are not berated. I'm not treated with disdain and discussed but with respect. I'm sorry, despite the amount of time that has passed, old habits die hard." Hinata was revealing more than he thought she would. She was continuing to cook the food that she was making. He liked the smell. He had heard from his classmates that Hinata is a great cook. He saw her continue to stir the pot and tasted it to make sure the ingredients tasted right.
"I've never seen Noble cook food. Do you do this back home?" Ferdinand asked, curious.
"Yes, though my clan doesn't respect me doing that. It was a skill taught to me by my mother that if you're going to be helpful and useful to your comrades, cooking is an essential skill. My clan thinks cooking is a servant job. I'd never give mine with a thought. It's actually saved me on many missions throughout the years. While my idiotic clanmates have gotten sick or died of food poisoning, my skills have saved me on multiple occasions." Hinata said with pride.
"You're a ninja from your village that you haven't killed until recently. How does that happen?" Ferdinand asked curiously. He didn't know much about the Shinobi system, but he did know this: a Shinobi has killed someone at least once before they reach the age of 13. He wanted to vomit at the very idea of child soldiers, which was repulsive to him. But he didn't think it was any of his business because that was a different culture with different customs. And he didn't think it was his place to critique another person's culture when he has never grown up in it.
"Simple. When I was on missions, I incapacitated enemies. Team 8 is a tracker team. Our primary use is reconnaissance, not combat. Teams like mine don't engage with the enemy often, and when we do, we only defend ourselves when it's absolutely necessary. Our primary goals are always to traverse enemy territories undetected. That's why I haven't killed until now because I was never put in a position where I had to kill or be killed until the incident where we met the professor of our class." Hinata explained. This makes sense to Ferdinand. This woman in front of them hates violence and detests it. She's not the kind of person he feels should engage in violence.
"One thing I've noticed about you transfer students from Kona; when you first came to the monastery, you were kind of distant at first. You weren't like other students here; it was as if you were constantly in survival mode, kill or be killed. Are things really that bad, or are you from that... Excuse me if I offend you." Ferdinand was trying to be respectful. He didn't want to offend. He wasn't sure if they actually started to really talk.
"Speak your mind, Ferdinand-san. Don't be afraid. I won't be offended. Speak the honest truth as you see it." Hinata requested.
"I don't think that's a healthy society that you live in. What kind of society sends children off to war? What kind of society has children kill? The Empire I know isn't perfect. It has a lot of problems. There's many things that are rotten in it, but we don't send boys and girls at the age of 12 off to kill people or off on missions. The Empire may not be great, but we don't do that. None of the countries in Fodlan do that, as far as I could see. Why are you the way you are, Lady Hinata? But you want to know what's amazing?" Ferdinand asked her.
Hinata was doing the finishing touches to the breakfast that she was going to serve everyone. She was focusing so much on cooking breakfast that she couldn't ask the question that he knew was on her mind. He waited patiently as she finished the first phase of cooking the soup that she would serve everyone. All they would have to do is wait for time to do the rest.
"What's amazing about me, Ferdinand?" Hinata asked curiously.
"The fact that you are still a kind and gentle soul. I don't think you need to change. You are strong as you are. If someone like you can grow up in a cruel society like you grew up in and still be the kind person that you are, that makes you stronger than most people. Even in my own country, I wouldn't have the perseverance that you do. You are one in a million. You would make a great queen of the people if you ever were given the chance. The world would be a better place." He said with honesty. He truly did see Hinata as someone that could be a great ruler to rally behind. He looked at Hinata, and he couldn't help but think of her mother, Hitomi, the queen that was never crowned.
"I'm going to let everyone know that breakfast is ready. Here, ready here. Since you were here first, you get to have first dibs." She said with a warm smile. She left Ferdinand alone. He looked at Hinata from a distance. Such a gentle woman, though. He knows that under the right circumstances, she could become as ruthless and as monstrous as any one from her homeland. He hopes, for the world's sake, that doesn't happen. Kind souls like Hinata Hyuga are rare, and he thinks it would be a shame if she does have to become the benevolent noble that he knows she could become.
Perhaps he had approached it wrong. Perhaps he should approach her as a friend instead of trying to spread the prestige of his family. He felt his stomach growl, though. At the moment, food was what he needed. Nothing else mattered. Anything else he could focus on later.
What surprised Hinata was that the Black Eagles were the first ones to return to the monastery, the Blue Lions had not returned yet. She felt relief that she could finally lay down on a bed; it felt amazing to feel the softness of a mattress. She was in her nightgown, she felt arms around her and knew without looking that it was her girlfriend Ingrid, who was also wearing a nightgown. They barely spoke in days due to trying to get back as fast as possible; words weren't needed between them, considering they were on the same wavelength. It was so strange; in a short amount of time, not only had she left her home country, but she now had Naruto as her partner, which she had always wanted, but also Ingrid, and she hoped Dorothea would be open to sharing Ingrid with her.
"Hina Chan, you should lie down; tomorrow, we will have to start our classes again," Ingrid reminded her.
As tempting as it was to engage in lovemaking, she knew it wasn't the time; the two were both exhausted from their long trip. Nobody asked any questions when they saw the two holding hands. Ingrid gently pulled her to her bed; the taller woman was the first to lie down, while Hinata lay down after her. She had no idea what she was going to say; so much had changed in such a short amount of time. She felt foolish; they didn't have to say anything; they could just enjoy being in each other's company.
"It feels relieving to finally lie down on an actual bed," Ingrid confessed.
"Yes, but I'm worried about our friends," Hinata said, thinking about her friends in the Blue Lions and the Golden Deer.
"Naruto and Dorothea are fine, Hina Chan. I know you're worried about them, I am too," said Ingrid as she put her hands through Hinata's hair.
"You have such beautiful hair," Ingrid said, and Hinata played around with Ingrid's hair, which was currently down.
"Your hair is beautiful, Ingrid. Don't sell yourself short," Hinata said. The blonde woman smiled warmly at Hinata. It was difficult for her to believe it wasn't that long ago when she had been jealous of this woman in front of her. How things had changed in the past month!
"My hair doesn't compare to yours, Hina Chan. It's so soft and smooth, it doesn't compare to them, mine." Ingrid said.
"Nonsense, your hair is beautiful. It's soft in every way, your hair is more beautiful than mine." Hinata replied in disagreement.
"Well, we'll have to agree to disagree because I don't want to argue about whose hair is more beautiful. My princess," Ingrid said to her softly. The taller woman placed her head on Hinata's chest.
"I know another thing that's soft?" Hinata asked, curious.
"What would it be?" Ingrid asked.
"It's embarrassing, please don't make me say it out loud." Ingrid said, burying her face in her chest. It clicked for Hinata what she meant, which caused her to blush as well.
If we didn't have a class tomorrow, I wouldn't mind going for a run, but unfortunately, I'm tired from the trip." Ingrid said, yawning.
"Sweet dreams, my beloved." Said Hinata as she kissed Ingrid on the forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my princess." Ingrid replied. The women both fell asleep. For now, they were at peace. The future that Hinata thought about, what she would like for the four of them to be a reality, she believes it will happen, like Naruto and Ingrid said, it will work out.
She fell asleep with pleasant dreams of a future with her partner.
Marianne was looking at the door to Byleth's room when her class came back; he was taken straight to the infirmary. She didn't want to leave until she knew for sure that he was going to be all right. She had barely slept since her powers had awakened, and she had witnessed the raw power that she was able to unleash. It wasn't her Crest; it was something else, something more potent and powerful.
She was asked, along with all the other students, what had happened, and when she revealed the extent of her abilities, she was detained for a few hours until she explained in the best detail possible what she had done. When they were done, they allowed her to go free, but her concern wasn't about sleeping; it was about seeing if Byleth was all right and would be okay. She was terrified.
She saw the doors open, and it was a blonde-haired woman. She was taller than the other women she had seen in the monastery, with a strong and imposing presence that left no room for arguing. She looked at Marianne with a concerned look on her face.
"You should get some sleep, girl," the blonde-haired woman said. Marianne got up, but she wasn't going to leave until she knew Byleth was okay. She couldn't sleep otherwise.
"I want to see him, please. I just want to know that he's all right," Marianne said pleadingly.
"It's late, girl, you have a class tomorrow, you should get some sleep." The woman said, not budging.
"Please, I'll go to my dorm as soon as I see him, just let me see him, please." Marianne said, on the verge of tears. The woman had an empathetic look on her face, as if she knew what Marianne was thinking.
"There's nothing you can do for him, girl. He's not going to die, he's going to take a little over a week to recover, but he will recover. If I let you see him, will you go straight to your dorm?" The blonde-haired woman asked her.
"Of course, I will." Marianne went right past her and then went to his bed. He looked better than he did the last time she saw him; he was breathing easier. She wanted to kiss him, but she had an audience. She prayed for his swift recovery, and when she was done, she left the room.
Before she headed back, she turned around. She had to think about the woman in front of her. She didn't have to let Marianne in to visit Byleth, but she did.
"What's your name?" Marianne asked the blonde-haired woman. She would like to thank her, but she would least like to know who she is thinking about.
"My name is Tsunade, and you're welcome, girl. You don't need to thank me. He's one of my patients, and I would do that for anyone." The woman said kindly. She couldn't believe she had just met one of the legendary Shinobi from Konoha. She felt like she was being disrespectful.
"I still would like to thank you anyway, Lady Tsunade." Marianne said politely.
"Before you go, who is the professor to you? I'm not going to judge you or him." The woman asked.
She didn't know what she could tell her. How much could she reveal? She didn't want anything that would hurt Byleth, but the woman was the kind of person she could just straight up lie to. She had to tell her something, and even if it was some of the truth.
"He's my friend who's helped me see myself. I didn't feel indebted to him." Marion answered, hoping that would be enough. She didn't want to reveal more, considering their positions as teacher and student could hurt the man she loves if the woman knew the true extent of their relationship.
"Very well, get some sleep, Marianne. You're going to need it for tomorrow." Tsunade said, dismissing her.
She went to her dorm, got into her nightgown, and lay down on the bed. She couldn't help but think about the power that she had awakened. She was terrified of it, though not as terrified of being powerless, not being able to protect her friends or the man she loves. She couldn't be helpless again. That was a fluke. Had she encountered the real Itachi Uchiha, she would be helpless and at his mercy. It did no good for her to have this power if she couldn't control it.
Who could help her control this power? There was nobody who could teach her. If only she had a teacher. Hinata trains relentlessly to get stronger for the people she loves, so does Ingrid. Why can't Marianne do the same? She was tired of being useless, she was tired of being a burden.
She closed her eyes and fell asleep, and would end up waking up later in the night with nightmares about her failure to protect her friends and Byleth from enemies like Itachi.
The whole reason for this particular chapter is that I thought it was a crime that I did not address the way Hinata had treated Ferdinand and his unexpected Awakening. In the chapter that preceded this one, she was kind of a bitch, and I did not have them have a heart-to-heart talk.
I wanted to set up a potential friendship between them, considering that Ferdinand is going to be important later in the story. I should set up his friendship now, not as long as the new Blue Lions chapter, but that's because it's not needed.
Anyway, and review.