Chapter: A whisper from the other side
Hinata walked slowly along the narrow bridge, her feet moving on their own accord, barely registering the path ahead of her. Her mind felt heavy, clouded with an unshakable sense of dread. The conversation with Kurenai played over and over again in her mind like a broken record.
She could still hear Kurenai's voice, filled with a mix of concern and encouragement, trying to soften the harshness of the words that had come from Hiashi. "Hinata, he… he doesn't want anything to do with you anymore," Kurenai had said, her eyes filled with sympathy. "He says… you're not fit to bear the name of Hyuuga."
Hinata had felt her heart shatter in that moment, like glass breaking into a thousand pieces. She had always known she wasn't what her father wanted—she had known that from a young age—but hearing it said so bluntly, so clearly, left her feeling stripped bare. Kurenai had tried to spin it into something positive, suggesting she could see this as a kind of freedom. Freedom from her father's crushing expectations, from the endless cycle of feeling inadequate. But all Hinata felt was a hollow emptiness.
She stopped, leaning against the guardrail of the bridge. Her eyes drifted downward, gazing at the river below. The drop was high enough that if she jumped, there would be no chance of surviving. And even if she did survive the fall, she knew she couldn't swim well. She stared at the water, contemplating the finality of what lay before her.
Hinata's thoughts drifted to the suicide note she had left behind in her room. She had written it with a steady hand, each word carrying the weight of a decision she felt had been long overdue. Her breath trembled as tears began to form in her eyes. She had lost all strength to keep moving forward, to keep pretending that everything would be alright. The past few weeks had broken what little hope she had left, leaving her feeling emptier than she ever thought possible.
Maybe, she thought, maybe if she listened to the faint voices that always seemed to whisper to her in her darkest moments, she could finally be free. Maybe, if she let go, the pain would finally stop.
A soft, gentle voice broke through her thoughts, calling to her from somewhere deep in her mind. "Come… come, Hinata…" it beckoned, almost like a soothing lullaby. She didn't flinch. She knew these voices all too well, and they no longer frightened her. They were familiar companions now, whispering to her when the world seemed darkest.
Hinata looked down again, her grip tightening on the cold metal rail. If she jumped… it would all end. She wouldn't have to feel the crushing weight of her father's disappointment, or the sense of being lost and unwanted. She wouldn't have to feel anything at all.
"Follow you heart Hinata… release yourself from the suffering…" the voice urged again, more insistent this time, almost tender. Without even thinking, she moved to climb over the rail, her body almost acting on its own. She stood on the narrow ledge, staring down at the river below. It seemed so peaceful, so inviting. Just one step… one step, and everything would be over.
She took a deep breath, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, Kurenai-sensei," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry…"
But just as she began to lean forward, the wind picked up, rushing past her ears with a sound that almost resembled laughter. Hinata hesitated, her gaze shifting to the side. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw them: three children walking along the path toward her, their voices carrying over the wind.
She blinked, staring at them, trying to focus her vision. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she recognized them—Team 7. Naruto was in the center, animatedly chatting with Sakura and Sasuke. The sunlight caught his bright hair, and she could hear his laughter, loud and carefree. That laugh, so full of life, so genuine, pierced through her thoughts like a beam of light cutting through the fog.
Hinata blinked, feeling her breath hitch in her chest. Her hands, which had been gripping the rail tightly, loosened their hold. She took a shaky step back, climbing back over the rail to stand on the bridge again. She quickly wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket, trying to erase any trace of her tears.
She felt the edges of her vision blur again, but this time, not from tears of despair. The sight of Naruto, so vibrant, so alive… it made something stir within her. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she felt. Maybe there was still a reason to keep going.
Naruto's head turned in her direction, his blue eyes catching sight of her. He paused, hesitating for a moment before a wide grin spread across his face. He waved energetically, calling out her name. "Hinata!"
Hinata's heart skipped a beat. She tried to force a smile, waving back weakly. She considered turning and walking away, but her feet felt glued to the ground. Her plans, her pain, everything seemed to fall away in that moment. She couldn't just leave… not now.
Naruto led Team 7 toward the bridge, his bright smile beaming in the midday sun. "Hey, Hinata!" he called out cheerfully, waving with his usual enthusiasm.
Hinata looked up, her face softening a little at the sight of Naruto. She gave a small, shy wave. "Hello, Naruto."
Naruto's smile faltered slightly as he noticed the tiredness in her eyes, the faint redness around them that suggested she'd been crying. "Are you okay?" he asked, his tone softening with concern.
Hinata's heart skipped a beat. "Y-Yes… I'm fine," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto seemed unconvinced but decided not to press the issue in front of everyone. Instead, he gestured to his teammates. "Oh! Hinata, this is Sasuke, and this is Sakura."
Sakura stepped forward with a wide smile. "Hi, Hinata! Nice to meet you!" she said warmly.
Sasuke gave a small nod, his hands tucked in his pockets. "Hey," he muttered, his expression calm but unreadable.
Hinata managed a small smile, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention. "N-Nice to meet you both."
"So, what were you doing out here?" Naruto asked, tilting his head curiously. "All alone on the bridge?"
Hinata felt a lump form in her throat, her heart racing. "I… I was just… going for a walk," she stuttered, feeling her cheeks flush.
Naruto nodded, accepting her answer, though he still seemed a little concerned. "We were just heading back from a mission," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Hinata's interest piqued despite herself. "A mission?" she asked softly. "Where is Kakashi-sensei?"
Sakura chimed in, "He left us at the village gates. Said he had to report to the Hokage." She suddenly brightened with an idea. "Hey, Hinata, why don't you join us for some ramen? We're heading to Ichiraku's."
Before Hinata could muster a polite refusal, Naruto immediately backed up the suggestion, his grin widening. "Yeah, come with us, Hinata! Unless you have somewhere to be… then, well, it's totally fine if you can't."
Hinata hesitated, her eyes shifting between Naruto's hopeful expression and Sakura's encouraging smile. She finally nodded. "O-Okay… I'd like that."
"Great!" Naruto exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Ichiraku's, here we come!"
As they began to walk, Sakura purposefully slowed her pace, falling behind Naruto and Hinata. She glanced over at Sasuke, who was walking beside her with his hands still in his pockets, his gaze fixed ahead. Taking a deep breath, she mustered her courage and moved a bit closer to him.
"So, Sasuke," she began, trying to keep her voice steady, "What did you think of the mission today?"
Sasuke didn't reply at first, his expression remaining unreadable. Sakura's heart sank a little, fearing she'd annoyed him. Just as she was about to give up and retreat back into silence, Sasuke finally spoke.
"It went well," he said, his tone measured. "Kakashi seemed pleased with our performance."
A small, surprised smile spread across Sakura's face, a warmth blooming in her chest. "Yeah, I thought so too," she replied, feeling more at ease. "I guess we're getting better at working as a team."
Sasuke gave a small nod. "Maybe," he said quietly, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Encouraged by his response, Sakura continued talking, finding it easier to speak to him now. "You know, I've been practicing a lot. I think I'm finally getting the hang of some new jutsu," she added, feeling a sense of pride.
Sasuke glanced at her, his expression slightly softer. "That's good," he said simply, but there was a sincerity in his voice that made her heart flutter.
As they walked, Sakura noticed Naruto and Hinata ahead of them. Naruto was animatedly talking, his hands moving as he spoke, while Hinata seemed to be listening intently, a small smile playing on her lips. Sakura couldn't help but grin. "Hey, Sasuke," she said playfully, "don't they almost look… cute together?"
Sasuke scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Cute?" he repeated, his tone skeptical. "Watching those two try to talk is like watching two cats trying to play chess."
Sakura burst out laughing, the sound light and genuine. Sasuke's comment caught her off guard, but she couldn't help but find it funny. Sasuke watched her, a small smile forming on his lips at her reaction, though he quickly masked it when she glanced back at him.
Sakura wiped a tear from her eye, still giggling. "You're right, now that I think about it… It's like they both know they're supposed to do something, but they're just kind of… awkwardly waiting for the other to make the right move."
Sasuke gave a small chuckle. "Exactly."
Sakura glanced at Naruto again, her smile softening. "Still, I'm surprised Naruto's on speaking terms with Hinata. I'm actually happy for her. She always seemed like someone who could use more friends."
Sasuke nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. I guess we all could," he said quietly.
Sakura's smile grew wider. "You're not wrong," she murmured, feeling a strange sense of peace settle over her.
They continued their conversation, with Sasuke occasionally stealing glances at her. For some reason, he found himself enjoying their talk more than usual. There was a warmth in his chest he hadn't felt before, and he didn't mind it at all.
As the group continued their walk to Ichiraku's, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over them. For the first time in a while, they all felt a sense of calm, as if, for just a moment, everything was exactly where it was supposed to be.
At Ichiraku, Team 7 and Hinata sat at a table, the aroma of miso and broth wafting in the air. Bowls of steaming ramen were set before them, but Naruto seemed more focused on his animated storytelling than on his food.
"So there we were," Naruto began, waving his chopsticks like they were kunai, "completely surrounded by enemy ninja, at least… fifty of them! Sasuke was doing his best, but he understandably couldn't keep up with me. I took down like twenty by myself! And Sakura was—"
Sakura, mid-slurp, rolled her eyes but stayed silent, letting him go on.
"—I was throwing kunai left and right, and they didn't stand a chance!" Naruto continued, leaning closer to Hinata, who listened intently, her eyes wide with amusement. "I think they were all scared of me because, you know, I'm the future Hokage and all. They knew I was someone to fear!"
Hinata nodded politely, "That… that sounds incredible, Naruto."
Naruto grinned even wider. "Oh, you bet it was. And then I—"
Finally, Sakura couldn't hold back anymore. "Oh, come on, Naruto!" she interrupted, waving her chopsticks at him. "Stop making stuff up!"
Naruto blinked, taken aback. "W-What do you mean, Sakura? I'm telling the truth!"
Sakura snorted. "Yeah, sure, if by truth you mean bare-faced exaggerations. You haven't faced even five enemies in your entire career!" She turned to Hinata, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "In fact, on our very first combat mission, Naruto actually cried out of fear like a little baby!"
"Sakura!" Naruto exclaimed, his face flushing red as he leaned across the table, trying to silence Sakura. "Don't tell her that!"
Hinata's eyes widened, and a light giggle escaped her. The sound was soft and delicate, catching Naruto off guard. He stared at her, momentarily forgetting his embarrassment. He'd never heard Hinata laugh before, and for some reason, it sent a warm, unexpected feeling to his chest.
Naruto scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin appearing on his face. "Okay, maybe… maybe I was a bit carried overwhelmed that day," he mumbled, trying to downplay the confession.
Sasuke, who had been quietly enjoying his ramen, finally spoke up, "That's strange...you haven't even finish your bowl, Naruto." He looked over at Naruto's nearly untouched ramen with a raised eyebrow. "That's unlike you. You usually inhale ramen non-stop."
Sakura jumped in with a teasing grin, "Maybe he's too busy trying to impress Hinata, and he forgot he was hungry!"
Naruto's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Sh-Shut up, Sakura!" he stammered, glancing at Hinata, who seemed oblivious to his flustered state. He quickly turned back to Sakura, his voice louder, "And you don't even like ramen! You're just here because 'Sasuke-kuuuun' agreed to eat at Ichiraku!"
Sakura's cheeks flamed pink. "That's… that's not true!" she stuttered, trying to sound indignant. "I just… I wanted to hang out with everyone, okay?!"
Sasuke sighed, clearly exasperated. "Why do I always have to sit through your stupid arguments?" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the noise of the ramen shop.
Hinata watched the back-and-forth with growing amusement. She had always assumed Team 7 would be more… serious, given their reputation as the great team of their generation. She'd imagined them as solemn, focused — a little like her own team, where outside of missions, she hardly spoke with Kiba or Shino at all. But instead, they were just as rowdy and obnoxious as any other kids their age. She felt a bit silly for assuming they'd be any different.
Still, she was happy they had invited her along. It was nice… even if it was a bit overwhelming. She could feel a familiar twinge of doubt rising within her, that old insecurity creeping up. Maybe they only invited her because they felt bad for her, thought she was too shy or lonely. Maybe…
Hinata glanced down at her hands, feeling her nerves flutter in her stomach. She decided she'd had enough.
Slowly, she pushed her chair back and stood up. "I… I think I should get going," she said softly.
Sakura immediately stopped mid-argument with Naruto. "Wait, where are you going, Hinata?"
Hinata forced a smile, trying to sound cheerful. "I just need to get home before it gets too late," she replied, feeling her voice shake slightly. "But… thank you for inviting me. It was fun." She gave a small wave. "Goodbye, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke."
Naruto blinked, surprised. "Oh, you're leaving already? But we were just getting started!"
Hinata nodded, feeling her heart twist at the disappointment in his voice. "Yes, I should… I should go," she murmured.
"See you later, Hinata!" Naruto called out, still looking slightly confused as she walked away.
Hinata waved back, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She hadn't expected the day to end like this… but despite everything, she realized she felt happier than she had that morning. A small, content smile formed on her lips as she walked, the sound of Naruto's laugh still echoing pleasantly in her mind.
1 week later
Hinata drifted in a state between consciousness and sleep, her mind slipping into the depths of a dream. She found herself standing in the middle of a vast hall, its ceiling arching high above her, supported by grand pillars that disappeared into the shadows. The air was thick and heavy, carrying the scent of old wood and incense. The floor beneath her feet was cool, made of smooth, polished stone, reflecting the faint light that flickered from unseen torches lining the walls. Hinata's eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and unease.
She felt like she was in a temple, but not one she had ever seen before. The walls were intricately designed, covered in ancient carvings and patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. They danced and shifted as she gazed at them, like they were hiding secrets just beyond her understanding. The hall stretched endlessly, disappearing into a murky darkness that swallowed everything past a certain point. There were no windows, no doors — only the vastness of the temple and its eerie silence.
Hinata's footsteps echoed as she moved slowly through the hall, each step amplifying the quiet that pressed in on her from all sides. She glanced around, her heart beating faster with each passing moment. "Where am I?" she thought, her voice catching in her throat as she murmured to herself.
Her eyes landed on a large altar at the center of the room. It was grand, made of dark, polished wood that seemed almost black in the dim light. Behind it, taking up the entire wall, was a mural. Hinata's breath caught in her throat as she stared at it. The mural was of an ascending woman, dressed in a flowing white robe that seemed to ripple as if touched by a phantom wind. Her face was obscured, hidden beneath a veil, but her hands were spread apart, reaching up toward the heavens. There was something hauntingly divine about her, something that sent a shiver down Hinata's spine.
Hinata swallowed hard, feeling a cold sweat forming on her brow. She took a hesitant step closer, squinting at the mural, trying to discern more details. "What… What is this place?" she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath in the vast, empty hall.
As if in answer, a voice cut through the silence.
"Hinata…"
The sound of it made her freeze, her breath catching in her throat. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a frantic rhythm. She knew that voice. She had heard it before, many times over the past month — a soft, feminine voice that called to her in dreams, never saying anything more, always fading before she could identify it.
Hinata spun around, eyes wide, searching the shadows that filled the corners of the room. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly.
There was no reply. The hall remained still, the air thick with tension.
Then, the voice came again, closer this time. "Hinata… Come closer."
Hinata's heart skipped a beat. She turned back towards the mural, her gaze fixed on the woman in white. The voice seemed to be coming from… there. Her breath quickened, and she took a cautious step forward, then another, her senses on high alert. Her footsteps echoed softly, and with every step, the feeling of unease grew. Her eyes remained locked on the mural as she moved closer to the altar, trying to steady her racing heart.
She stopped just a few paces away from the altar, holding her breath, waiting. The hall was silent, the stillness almost suffocating. She strained her ears, listening, trying to catch any hint of movement.
Then, it came again — the voice, louder this time, insistent. "Hinata… Come closer."
Her suspicion was confirmed; the voice was coming from the mural.
Hinata took a step back, her pulse racing. She felt a cold prickle run down her spine, the air around her suddenly seeming colder. She turned quickly, her eyes scanning the hall for an exit, but there was none to be seen. The walls seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, trapping her in this strange, empty place.
Panic began to rise in her chest. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, and she could feel her heart pounding louder, echoing in her ears. She started to back away from the mural, her movements becoming frantic as she continued to search for a way out, but all she found were more shadows, more darkness.
'Calm down, calm down" she told herself, trying to slow her breathing. But her body wasn't listening. Fear clawed at her mind, and she felt herself growing lightheaded. The voice came again, closer now, almost right behind her ear. "Hinata…"
Her head snapped around, eyes wide, but there was nothing there — only the empty hall, stretching into the dark.
Then, she heard it — the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoing behind her, slow and deliberate.
Hinata's heart jumped into her throat. She spun around, searching, her breath coming in sharp, shallow pants. "Who's there?!" she cried out, desperation edging her voice. Her eyes darted around, but there was no one… nothing… only the oppressive emptiness of the hall.
Her hands trembled as she tried to steady herself, to gather her courage. "I'm dreaming" she reminded herself. "This is just a dream." But it felt so real. The coldness of the air, the weight of the silence pressing down on her… it was all too vivid.
The footsteps grew louder, approaching. Her skin prickled with fear. She turned her head slowly, feeling a cold sweat trickle down her temple. But when she looked, there was still nothing — just shadows.
Then, suddenly, she felt it — a hand gripping her shoulder from behind.
Her heart stopped. The air was trapped in her lungs, and her entire body froze, a wave of terror crashing over her like icy water. She could feel the weight of the hand on her shoulder, cold and firm, its touch sending a jolt of dread through her veins.
She wanted to scream, but no sound came out. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move. She could only stand there, paralyzed, her mind spinning as the fingers tightened their grip.
Hinata awoke with a start, her heart racing in her chest, her body covered in a thin sheen of sweat, her breath coming in short, frantic gasps. Her eyes darted around the room, and she realized she was back in her bed, her blanket twisted around her legs. The lingering dread from the dream clung to her like a wet cloth, heavy and suffocating. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand — the glowing red numbers read 12:15 a.m.
Her 13th birthday.
Hinata tried to calm herself, rubbing her hands over her face as she whispered to herself. "It was just a nightmare… Just a bad dream." Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to take deep breaths, steadying her racing heart. The temple, the mural, the woman — they were all just figments of her imagination, weren't they?
Her breathing slowed, and she began to pull the blanket back over herself, hoping for some small comfort in the warmth. She laid back down, her head sinking into the pillow, trying to convince herself to close her eyes again.
But then she heard it.
That voice.
It didn't come from her mind this time; it wasn't distant or fading like before. It was clear and present, resonating through the quiet of the room like someone was standing right next to her.
"My child…"
Hinata's heart stopped mid-beat, a chill racing down her spine. She sat up quickly, her breath hitching in her throat. She turned her head slowly toward the sound, half expecting to find herself alone in the darkness, but there — in the corner of her room — she saw it.
The mural from her dream had come to life.
The woman was standing there, her long white robe flowing around her like liquid silk, her hair equally as white and impossibly long, pooling on the floor behind her like a veil of snow. Her face was serene, her expression gentle, almost amused, as she looked directly at Hinata with glowing blue eyes. She smiled faintly, the corners of her lips curling upward.
"You are finally awake," the woman said, her voice a melody that seemed to echo around the room.
Hinata leaped from her bed, her instincts taking over. She grabbed a kunai from her drawer, her fingers trembling as she held it. Without thinking, she hurled it toward the woman. But the blade passed through her effortlessly, embedding itself into the wall with a dull thud.
The woman did not flinch, her expression unchanged. She began to glide forward, her feet never touching the ground, moving toward Hinata with an ethereal grace.
Panic surged through Hinata's veins. She grabbed more weapons — shuriken, kunai, anything within reach — and flung them all toward the woman. But they, too, passed through her as if she were made of smoke. They clattered uselessly to the ground, the noise sounding deafening in the silence.
"This isn't real… This isn't real…" Hinata muttered to herself, her breath coming in rapid, shallow gasps. Her vision blurred with tears as she tried to convince herself that she was still dreaming, that the woman standing before her wasn't real.
But then the woman spoke again, her voice clearer, cutting through Hinata's frantic thoughts like a knife. "At last, you can see me," she whispered, more to herself than to Hinata. "Do not be afraid, child."
The words made Hinata's stomach twist with fear. The woman was getting closer now, gliding silently across the floor, her presence filling the room. The closer she came, the harder it was for Hinata to breathe. She felt an invisible weight pressing down on her chest, constricting her lungs, making her breaths come faster, more desperate.
Hinata backed away, her feet stumbling over themselves as she tried to put distance between herself and the woman. Her back hit the wall, and she sank down, her hands gripping the edge of her nightstand as she cowered against the corner, her eyes wide with terror.
The woman's pale skin glistened in the moonlight streaming through the window, and her eyes, a deep, luminous blue, seemed to glow in the darkness. Her presence was suffocating, filling the air with a coldness that seeped into Hinata's bones. The closer she came, the heavier the air felt, as if it were thickening with every second.
Hinata tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her throat felt tight, constricted, and she could only manage a strangled gasp. Her mind raced, searching for a way out, a way to wake up from this nightmare, but every thought was drowned out by the crushing weight of fear.
The woman was inches away now, her eyes fixed on Hinata with an unsettling intensity. Hinata could feel the cold emanating from her, like a draft blowing in from an open window in the dead of winter. She felt her chest tighten further, the pressure almost unbearable. She was gasping for air now, each breath a struggle.
The woman's smile widened, her expression calm, almost gentle. "Do not fear, my child," she whispered, reaching out a hand toward Hinata. "You are meant for so much more…"
Hinata's vision blurred as the edges of her consciousness began to fade. She could barely see, barely breathe, the world spinning around her. She felt her strength leaving her, her body collapsing under the invisible weight. The woman's face was all she could see, her glowing blue eyes, her soft smile.
With one last, desperate effort, Hinata forced her mouth open and screamed, her voice tearing through the stillness, piercing the night.
And then… everything went dark.
Hinata's eyes flew open again, and she found herself sitting alone in her room, bathed in moonlight. The mural, the woman — they were gone. She was alone, but the fear still clawed at her chest, her heart racing uncontrollably.
She scrambled out of bed, her feet moving on their own, propelling her toward the door. She flung it open and dashed down the hallway, her footsteps echoing loudly against the wooden floor. She didn't stop until she reached Kurenai's room, her hand banging frantically on the door.
"Kurenai-sensei! Kurenai-sensei!" Hinata shouted, her voice trembling with panic. "Please!"
Moments later, the door opened a crack, and Kurenai appeared, her hair disheveled, her eyes groggy with sleep. "Hinata…? What's going on? It's the middle of the night…"
Before Kurenai could finish, Hinata flung herself forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Kurenai, sobbing into her chest. Kurenai blinked, her annoyance fading into concern. She placed a hand on Hinata's back, rubbing it gently. "Hey… hey, it's okay. What happened?"
Hinata tried to speak, but her words came out in broken fragments, barely coherent. "There… there was someone… in my room…"
Kurenai's expression shifted from concern to alertness. She pulled away slightly, holding Hinata at arm's length. "Someone broke in?" she asked, her voice stern. "Stay here. I'll check it out."
"No!" Hinata cried, clutching at Kurenai's sleeve. "Please… don't go… She wasn't… real…"
But Kurenai was already moving. She grabbed a kunai from the small stand by her door and motioned for Hinata to stay put. "It's okay, Hinata. I'll handle it. Just stay here."
Hinata wanted to argue, to beg her not to go, but her voice failed her. She could only follow behind, her hands trembling, her heart still pounding in her chest.
Kurenai moved cautiously, her footsteps silent as she approached Hinata's room. She paused at the door, her eyes narrowing, then she burst inside, her weapon at the ready.
But there was nothing. The room was empty.
Kurenai moved slowly, checking every corner, every shadow, but found nothing. She frowned, lowering her kunai. "Whoever was here, they're gone now," she muttered, glancing back at Hinata, who hovered nervously in the doorway.
They searched the entire house, every room and hallway, but there was no sign of an intruder. No broken windows, no open doors. Nothing but the empty silence that had greeted them before.
When they returned to Kurenai's room, Hinata was still trembling, her face pale. Kurenai sighed, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "I didn't see anyone, Hinata," she said gently. "Are you sure…?"
Hinata's voice was small, barely a whisper. "Can I… stay with you tonight?"
Kurenai smiled softly, pulling back the blanket. "Of course, you can," she said, patting the space beside her. "Come here."
Hinata crawled into bed, curling up beside Kurenai, her body still shaking. Kurenai wrapped an arm around her, holding her close, whispering reassurances as the minutes ticked by.
But as Hinata's breaths slowly evened out, Kurenai stared into the darkness of her room, her mind racing. Who had Hinata seen in her room? She couldn't shake the feeling that whatever it was, it wasn't something she could fight with a simple kunai.
And she feared for Hinata's safety… now more than ever.
Kurenai sat at the small café table with Asuma, the warm steam from her teacup mingling with the cool morning air. She had been turning over the events of the previous night in her mind for hours now, unable to let it go.
Asuma noticed her distraction and leaned in slightly. "Kurenai, you've been staring at that cup for the last five minutes. What's on your mind?"
She glanced up, her expression still troubled. "It's Hinata… something happened last night."
Asuma raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "What do you mean? Is she alright?"
"She came to my room terrified," Kurenai began, setting her cup down. "She swore someone was in her room, but when I checked, there was no one there. She even threw weapons at whoever—or whatever—it was, but they just went right through like it wasn't even there."
Asuma frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "That sounds like a genjutsu. Who would cast something like that on her, and at that hour?"
Kurenai nodded. "Hinata asked me the same thing this morning… And it does make sense. My first thought was Ino Yamanaka. She's got a knack for that sort of thing, and she's been known to pick on Hinata in the past."
"Ino?" Asuma chuckled, but there was a hint of disbelief in his voice. "She can be a brat sometimes, but would she go that far? And at midnight?"
"I'm not sure," Kurenai admitted. "But she's the only one that came to mind. Even so, I can't see her putting in the effort for something like that. I want you to have a word with her, just in case… Maybe just a warning."
Asuma nodded. "I'll talk to her. She has been spreading some rumors about Hinata… might as well take care of that, too. But I agree with you, it doesn't seem like her style to prank someone so late. Someone else might be targeting her."
Kurenai sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Who, though? Why Hinata, of all people?"
Asuma shook his head. "I don't know. But don't let it weigh on you too much today. It's Hinata's birthday, right?"
Kurenai smiled, albeit faintly. "Yeah. I don't want to spoil her day with this."
Later that morning, the small celebration was underway. Kurenai watched as Hinata blew out the candles on her cake, surrounded by her teammates, Kiba and Shino. It wasn't a large gathering, but it was filled with warmth.
Kurenai's gaze softened. She had always wanted her team to be closer, but Hinata had remained somewhat apart. Kiba had once admitted he found her "a bit strange," and Shino, while polite, often kept to himself. Today, though, they were all here, and even Hinata seemed brighter, more at ease.
But what truly surprised Kurenai was the presence of another guest—Sakura Haruno. She wasn't sure when the two girls had begun to talk, but it was a welcome sight.
Sakura grinned, leaning toward Hinata. "I really like your hair today, Hinata! It looks beautiful."
Hinata blushed, ducking her head slightly. "Thank you, Sakura… Kurenai-sensei helped me with it this morning."
Sakura nodded with a smile. "Well, she did a great job."
As they chatted, Hinata quietly thanked Sakura for coming. "It means a lot that you're here," she said softly.
Sakura waved it off. "It's nothing, really. I'm just glad to be here. Happy birthday!"
Hinata hesitated for a moment. "I… I was wondering if Naruto and Sasuke were going to come too?"
Sakura's face shifted slightly. "Oh… Sasuke's busy with some family stuff today. And Naruto… well, he's getting ready to leave."
Hinata's eyes widened. "Leave? Where is he going?"
Sakura took a deep breath. "He's going with Jiraiya-sama for training. He's leaving today. Didn't he tell you?"
Hinata shook her head, her expression a mix of surprise and sadness. "No, he didn't say anything… How long will he be gone?"
Sakura's gaze softened. "A few years, probably. Jiraiya-sama said it's going to be a long training journey."
Hinata's face fell slightly. "I wish I could have told him goodbye…"
Kurenai, noticing the shift in mood, quickly changed the subject. "Sakura, you mentioned something about training with Lady Tsunade?"
Sakura perked up. "Oh, right! Yeah, she agreed to take me on as an apprentice. I'm a bit nervous, though. I mean, she's one of the Legendary Sannin…"
Hinata smiled, her tone earnest. "You'll do great, Sakura. Just keep working hard."
Kiba, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, suddenly jumped in, holding up a small camera with a cheeky grin. "Hey, smile for the camera!" He snapped a candid photo of Sakura and Hinata mid-conversation.
Sakura flinched, her face scrunching in irritation. "Kiba! Why are you taking pictures without asking?!"
Kiba chuckled. "Lighten up, it's a birthday! You'll thank me later when you see this awesome shot!"
Sakura huffed, rolling her eyes but couldn't help a small smile.
Suddenly, Kiba's expression shifted, and he pointed towards the gate. "Hey… isn't that Naruto?"
Sakura and Hinata both turned to look, eyes widening as they saw Naruto entering the yard, with Jiraiya just behind him.
Hinata's expression lightened immediately. "Naruto…" she whispered, a mix of joy and surprise in her voice.
Sakura blinked, equally shocked. "I didn't think he'd have time to come…"
Kurenai watched them from a distance, feeling the tension of the morning fade just a bit. For now, the focus was back on Hinata, and perhaps that was enough to push the dark thoughts away for a while.
Naruto approached Hinata with a bright grin, a small wrapped box in his hands. He was slightly out of breath, but there was a light in his eyes that made Hinata's heart melt.
"Hinata!" he called out, waving the box a little. "Happy birthday!"
Hinata blinked in surprise, stepping forward. "N-Naruto? I thought… I thought you had already left with Jiraiya-sama."
Naruto shook his head, still smiling. "I was about to, but… I wanted to stop by and give you your gift first."
He held the box out to her, and Hinata hesitated for a moment before accepting it. "I appreciate it, Naruto," she murmured, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. Her fingers trembled slightly as she undid the wrapping.
Inside was a soft, comfortable-looking purple scarf. Hinata gently lifted it out of the box, her eyes wide with surprise and delight. She studied it carefully, feeling the texture between her fingers, before looking up at Naruto. "It's… it's beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto's grin widened. "I'm glad you like it. I saw it in a store and thought of you right away, so I just had to get it."
Hinata's smile was warm, brighter than Naruto remembered ever seeing it. "Thanks, Naruto," she said softly, and Naruto felt a strange warmth spreading in his chest.
"Go ahead, try it on!" he encouraged, gesturing toward the scarf.
Hinata nodded, wrapping the scarf gently around her neck. She turned slightly, looking at Naruto with a shy smile. "How does it look?"
Naruto's breath caught in his throat for a moment as he took her in. The purple scarf complemented her hair and eyes perfectly, and for a second, he was struck by just how… beautiful she looked. His cheeks reddened, and he stammered, "You… you look beautiful, Hinata."
He realized what he said a moment too late and immediately began to backtrack, waving his hands frantically. "I mean, the scarf! The scarf looks beautiful on you, that's what I meant! Well, I mean, you both look beautiful—uh, I mean, you look—"
Hinata blinked, tilting her head slightly in confusion at his flustered state. "Th-thank you, Naruto," she replied, her voice soft but sincere.
Naruto laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, no problem…!" He quickly shifted the topic, trying to regain his composure. "Anyway, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday before I head out."
Hinata nodded, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. I… I hope your training journey goes well. I'm sure you'll learn a lot from Jiraiya-sama."
Naruto gave her a lopsided grin. "Thanks, Hinata. If I work even half as hard as you do, I think I'll learn a ton."
Hinata blushed again, her smile growing. "You're very kind, Naruto."
Before Naruto could reply, a familiar voice called out behind him. "Alright, Naruto, time to wrap it up!"
Jiraiya walked over, balancing several packaged meals in his arms. He gave a friendly grin to Hinata. "Happy birthday, young lady. Sorry for crashing the party."
Hinata smiled politely. "Thank you, Jiraiya-sama."
Jiraiya turned back to Naruto. "We've got to get going, kid. Finish up with your friend."
As Jiraiya walked past, Naruto nodded quickly, calling after him, "Yeah, yeah, I'll be right there!"
He turned back to Hinata, suddenly feeling awkward and at a loss for words. "Uh… so, I guess this is goodbye for now?"
Hinata hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and, to Naruto's surprise, wrapped her arms around him in a gentle hug. "Good luck, Naruto. I know you'll do great."
Naruto stiffened at first, not expecting the hug, but then he slowly relaxed, a smile spreading across his face as he returned the embrace. "Thanks, Hinata. That… that means a lot."
They pulled apart, and Naruto's face was red again. "I guess… I guess I'll see you when I get back?" he said, trying to sound casual.
Hinata nodded. "Yes… I'll be waiting for you."
Naruto gave a final wave before turning to jog after Jiraiya, his heart pounding in his chest. As he caught up with his mentor, he glanced back once more at Hinata, who was waving back at him with that same sweet smile.
Jiraiya noticed the look on his face and chuckled. "Got a little distracted back there, didn't you?"
Naruto frowned, but his expression softened almost immediately. "It's not like that!" he protested, but his mind was still on Hinata, on the warmth of her hug, and the way she smiled when she thanked him.
As they continued down the path, Naruto found himself thinking more and more about her—the way she seemed to light up with joy at the smallest things, the quiet strength he saw in her eyes, and the softness of her voice when she wished him luck. He felt a flutter in his chest, and it hit him like a wave.
"Maybe…" he mumbled to himself, his cheeks burning. "Maybe I… have a bit of a crush on her…"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, grinning knowingly, but he said nothing, letting Naruto sort through his thoughts in peace as they headed off on their journey.
The dark hall was vast, its towering ceilings supported by elegantly carved pillars that cast long shadows across the room. The only light came from a series of flickering torches mounted on the walls, their flames casting a dim, wavering glow over the gathering. The floor was made of polished stone, reflecting the torchlight in a muted sheen, and at the center of the hall stood an imposing altar. It was adorned with strange symbols and inscriptions, its surface covered in offerings of flowers, candles, and bowls of dark liquid. Behind the altar, a large mural dominated the wall, its details shrouded in shadow.
Around the altar, several figures gathered, their faces obscured by the darkness. They stood in a semicircle, their postures rigid and attentive, their eyes fixed on the man standing at the front. His hair was red and spiky, catching the dim light like a crown of flame. His presence was commanding, and when he spoke, his voice echoed through the hall with a resonant authority.
"Brethren," he began, his tone calm yet powerful. "I thank you for gathering here tonight."
The figures around the altar nodded, their expressions hidden but their focus unwavering. The red-haired man continued, pacing slowly before them, his steps measured and deliberate.
"We have served well," he declared, his voice swelling with pride. "With the capture of the One-Tail, we are one step closer to achieving our ultimate goal. To carry out the will of the messiah."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd, a collective exhalation of belief. The red-haired man raised a hand, and silence fell once more.
"This is just the beginning," he said, his voice growing more fervent. "We have made a good start, but our work is far from over. There are many more steps to take, many more sacrifices to be made. But as long as we hold our faith in the Divine Matron, her grace will lead us to victory."
He paused, his eyes blazing with conviction. Then, slowly, he lifted his hand to his lips, kissing the ornate ring on his finger. The ring glittered with a red jewel, its design intricate and almost otherworldly. He pressed his hand to his chest, over his heart, and his voice dropped to a low, fervent whisper.
"Dedicate your hearts," he commanded.
As one, the other members of the congregation mimicked his actions. They kissed the rings on their own hands, their movements reverent and precise. Then, they fell to their knees before the altar, their heads bowed low. In unison, they spoke, their voices echoing off the stone walls in a haunting chorus.
"For her darkness is our light, and her will is our path."
Their eyes lifted to the mural on the wall, and at that moment, the shadows seemed to recede, revealing the painting in full.
The mural depicted a woman, her figure ethereal and almost translucent, clothed in a flowing white robe that seemed to glow with an inner light. She was ascending toward the sky, her arms spread as if to embrace the heavens themselves. Her face was hidden beneath a thick, impenetrable veil, obscuring her features, and yet, there was a sense of power, of divine purpose emanating from her form.
The figures around the altar remained on their knees, their eyes fixed on the veiled woman in the mural, their expressions hidden but their devotion unmistakable.
The red-haired man closed his eyes, a small, satisfied smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Glory to the eternal one."
END OF ACT 1
