hi! English isn't my first language. thought in italic , dialogue in " ", POV alterning and Naruto's still not mine.
Chapter 26
The village hidden in the leaves was known all over the nations for its lush forests and large trees. It was to be expected considering that its founder was Hashirama Senju the most famous shinobi with the wood release technique that created The Forest of Death, an unparalleled green death trap that was still standing until today.
All Konoha's inhabitants were used to the flora surrounding their village, to the point of losing that sense of awe in the face of the majestic nature.
Hinata Hyuuga felt that sense of awe surging again when she stepped foot on the grounds of the Nara clan.
The Nara clan forest was by far the most breathtaking in all of the Land of Fire. Her eyes swept over the tall trees, taking in the green leaves, the soft sunlight filtering through them. The smell of grass tickled her nose and the song of birds filled her ears and she felt the calm atmosphere enveloping her in its warm embrace.
The Hyuuga Heiress understood then why the Nara kept the forest under lock and key. Even if most of the Nara clan secret remedies were planted here, human's tendency of destroying such beauty was reason enough to restrict access to such grounds.
She was pulled out of her musings by the sound of rustling near her. A deer came out from behind a large tree. It walked slowly towards her and her first instinct was to extend her hand to pet it. She thought twice about it when she remembered that these deers were the guardians of this forest and they might perceive her presence as a threat. (Mamoru had taught her the concept)
"Go ahead." A voice startled her. "He won't hurt you."
"Shikamaru-kun." She turned around to face him. He was standing like always with hands in his pocked, that usual lazy look on his face. But for once it looked more genuine, she's never seen him more relaxed.
They didn't interact much when they were kids but after the tragedy of Asuma's death their paths crossed more often. They did meet in Kurenai's apartment to visit Mirai. And they had the monthly godparents' day with the bubbly little girl, where they spent the entire day together indulging their goddaughter in all her whims and spoiling her rotten. Hinata developed an appreciation for Shikamaru's quiet company since then and she considered them to be friends. Yet it still took her by surprise when he tracked her down to invite her to meet him here.
"It knows you're supposed to be here" Shikamaru spoke "The deer is connected to the psyche of the head of the clan on a spiritual level, so it knows that I consider you an ally."
The heiress smiled, walking slowly towards the majestic creature that really was a guardian to the Nara grounds. Her hand touched soft fur and the deer grunted.
"Did they also alert you to my presence?" She asked while petting it.
"They did." He said.
"That's truly amazing." The Hyuuga answered. It really was. This natural defense mechanism reminded her of the Genjutsu wards on the Uchiha district; how they protected the grounds by casting a minor Genjutsu to all trespassers while simultaneously alerting Sasuke to their presence.
She wondered if the Hyuuga territory had something similar. Maybe they didn't since they had multiple guards that can literally see a threat coming plus the compound was a maze to strangers. Or maybe they had and it was just a secret lost in time.
Hinata was startled once again by the jerky movement of the deer that took a few steps back.
"Is that a snake?" Brown eyebrows quirked.
"Y-yes." Mamoru must have scared it, when he poked his head from underneath her shirt. He took to hiding under her clothes since a patient she's been treating at the hospital screeched at the sight of him in her hair. Her little scaly friend refused to be left at home, stating he wasn't going to disobey his Master's commands. So they compromised, as long as he stayed hidden he could come to work with her.
"I'm not even going to ask." Shikamaru had an amused half smile on his face as if he figured out something.
"Why did you ask me here Shikamaru-kun?" Hinata figured she could change the subject whilst assuaging her curiosity.
"It's more private here." His answer intrigued her "plus I'm just the messenger."
He motioned for her to follow him and she did, wondering who'd want to speak with her privately away from prying eyes. She figured it was Shikamaru, what with him being the Hokage's advisor maybe for a debriefing about a mission, but he just stated otherwise.
They strolled through the forest until she glimpsed a building.
Was that the Nara head house?
The two ninja circled the building entirely and walked into the foliage behind the property, until they reached an isolated casibo in the middle of the woods. The roof provided cover from the scorching summer sun. A tea set was placed on a low wooden table and on a tatami mat sat the person who wanted to speak with her.
"Kazekage-sama!" She bowed politely, wondering why would the redhead go to such length for a conversation. He had no problem approaching her in public before, so why the need for secrecy.
"Please, Gaara's fine." He answered standing up to greet her.
"My job is done here." Shikamaru tilted his head back to watch the passing clouds "See you around Hinata."
She muttered a good bye before taking a seat opposite Gaara who mimicked her. If she had known she was meeting Suna's leader she would've dressed appropriately, she was wearing a simple shirt with a long skirt. Although they were friendly acquaintances, she had a feeling this setting was supposed to be on the formal side.
"Thank you for meeting me here." Gaara cleared his throat.
"It's no problem." Hinata answered, her hands automatically went to the teapot to fill both their cups. She could feel his aquamarine eyes following her precise movements and she could also feel her face warming when she realized she didn't ask if he wanted some. She was so used to performing tea ceremonies that it became a reflex whenever she saw a set. It was almost second nature to keep her composure and poise when performing much more elaborate tea ceremonies under the watchful gaze of the elders.
"You would make an excellent wife."
And just like that her composure went out the window as the tea cup she placed in front of him rattled. Her cheeks flushed.
"A noble woman of breeding, who is used to being in the public eye. Who has a deep understanding of politics and the inner workings of a village." His pale eyes fixed on her face as he spoke "It doesn't hurt that you are intelligent and quite pleasing to the eye."
"G-Gaara-sama?" She gaped at him but his face didn't waver from that neutral expression.
"That was what my council said after your visit." Gaara ignored his tea in favor of studying her expression. "And I agree."
She was sure her face was a sight to behold, as it probably matched his hair color. What was she supposed to say to that?
"I have a confession to make." His gaze finally left her face, settling on his steaming cup instead "The tournament wasn't the only reason I decided to visit Konoha for an extended period of time."
"I..I don't understand." Hinata managed to put her confusion into words.
"My council has been pestering me about an heir, as you know the Kageship passes through the bloodline in Suna" He sipped his tea calmly as if he wasn't about to implode any sense of decorum she had left "They thought you were the perfect bride for me."
"B-Bride?!" She squeaked out the word so high that a few deers near them hopped away, startled.
"You are a good political match on paper. But it was your kindness that made me consider it." She sputtered.
Is he confessing?!
She felt panic settling in. Oh Gods, she was going to have to reject a Kage. His eyes met hers again and she felt her words die on her lips.
"That was until I realized you had no idea about what was going on." Gaara continued "Your clan's elders have been talking to my council about a match without your knowledge."
"Some of your clan elders are…pushy."
That was what Gaara said at the welcoming party the Hyuuga clan threw in his honor. The ceremony she planned to a T. It was initially Hanabi's responsibility and when one of the elders passed it to her stating it was too important to let Hanabi stamp her own brand of partying onto it, she thought nothing of it.
Her eyes widened. That had been a bride inspection; Judging her skills in hosting and navigating the complex nuances of nobility. They had commissioned an elaborate Kimono for it, dressing her to be on display.
She knew something felt off and she suspected after Sasuke pointed out the looks her elders were giving her when she was talking to the Kazekage.
But she didn't think they went to such lengths already.
The elders weren't just testing the waters and seeing if the Kazekage was interested, they already made contact and knowing them they must've even opened negotiations. Her worries were well placed after all.
So her dance with Sasuke at the time really did put a kink in their plan.
"Judging by the look on your face they weren't planning on taking your opinion in the matter either." His eyes became cold "That is not the costume in Suna, we do not force our women to marry."
"We don't in Konoha either." Hinata's voice came out shaky "My clan is just very…traditional."
Retarded was the word a certain Uchiha would have used.
"One of your elders, your grandfather I believe contacted me a few days ago." Hinata felt dread settle in her stomach "He presented me with a marriage contract signed by him as your proxy."
Her face paled. He technically didn't have the right to do that as he wasn't the clan head but he was the living patriarch of the main family so he had leeway.
"D-did y-you s-sign?" This was going to turn into such a mess.
"No." Gaara answered "Because even though I am not the most socially apt person I still recognize the signs of a woman who isn't interested... And then there's Uchiha-san."
"O-Oh?" Her cheeks regained some color.
"I figured the man who tries to burn a hole into my head every time I so much as look at you, wouldn't be on board with that." He looked like he was lifting an invisible eyebrow.
"Oh." Her face flushed further. She had no idea about any of that.
"I asked Shikamaru-san about the custom of apprenticeship in Konoha once yours was announced." The red head kept his gaze on her "From my understanding it's different from Suna."
Hinata fidgeted with her tea cup in an attempt to regain her composure but it was a futile attempt. All that kept running through her mind was how close to disaster she had truly been if Sasuke hadn't offered her that contract.
"Mitsuri is just my student, I have the respect of those around her as her teacher but she isn't a part of my household." He held his own cup "However you became a ward of the Uchiha, he has a say in your affairs."
"He has the power to have a say, if I ask him to intervene." She corrected. "I have his clan's protection if I desire it."
She didn't give ownership of herself over to Sasuke. She had to make that clear. The power was all hers, he was just her proxy so to speak.
"Which is more insulting that your clan tried to marry you off when he wasn't here to intervene."
Gaara must've noticed Sasuke's absence or maybe Naruto said something about sending him on a mission. Knowing the blond Hokage, it was probably the latter.
"K-kazekage-sama." Hinata stammered. She knew her grandfather was holding a grudge since Sasuke humiliated him but this was a stupid move on his part. Not only was he provoking the Uchiha but he also insulted a leader of another nation. "Please accept my sincerest apologies on behalf of the Hyuuga clan."
"It's an insult to you as well." His aquamarine orbs lost that frosty quality. "I thought maybe your clan misinterpreted your friendliness towards me as something more so I wasn't going to say anything. But when your grandfather spoke to me when I already knew you were uninterested, I had to say something."
"M-may a-ask what you told my grandfather?" Hinata tried once again to breathe slowly so she didn't start hyperventilating.
"I expressed my displeasure directly to your clan head." Her face paled again "He had no idea either. And I cautioned both not try that again with someone else, reminding them that your mentor had a penchant for revenge."
Oh gods! Sasuke's going to kill her grandfather.
"I thought you should know." Gaara's voice pulled her out of her spiraling thoughts "In case they didn't heed my warning."
"T-thank you Gaara-sama." She stammered again. "Excuse me."
She stood up on shaky legs feeling the world closing in.
"Hyuuga-san." A concerned look was painted on his face "Are you alright?"
No.
"Yes." She managed to bow without falling, before turning around and walking away. The second she was out of his sight, she ran at top speed.
Her grandfather really went behind her father's back to try an get rid of her, just to spite her?
What if Gaara wasn't someone who cared about her opinion or consent?
What if they offered her to someone who didn't, like the Daimo's son?
What if she didn't have the apprenticeship as protection?
What if. What if. What if.
Hinata felt her chest constricting her lungs. Her heart was beating against her ribcage as if it was trying to break out.
She couldn't breathe.
She could barely hear the hissing inside her ear. Darkness was settling at the edges of her vision whilst she ran to the only place she could think of. She clung to three words she had said two weeks prior.
Lightning. Fires. Uchiha district.
When she felt her chakra surge the second she traversed the wards, she jolted back almost collapsing on the ground. She rested her back against the closest fallen wall.
"No one can cross the barrier but us."
Hinata breathed easier at the thought, as she did so she became aware of the small nips on her ear lobe.
"Hinata-Hime" Mamoru hissed as he nipped her gently again, his fangs never piercing her skin.
"I'm okay." She took another lungful of air.
"I should have bitten the ssssandman for upsetting you." The small snake said and a startled laugh left her at the moniker.
"It's not Gaara-sama's fault." Hinata answered "I just…needed a moment."
She needed a moment to center herself, and workout the chaos in her mind. She needed to feel in control again. She needed to feel safe. Feeling that tangible proof by crossing the Uchiha wards helped her. Because she was in control here, she had a way out if she wanted it.
She could stay here until it blew over, with Gaara's rejection and warning she doubted her grandfather had the time to find a replacement before Sasuke came back. He said his mission would take up to a few weeks at most. And she doubted her father would allow it either, the fact that her grandfather went behind his back was proof enough. She doubted the elder Hyuuga would be able to pull the same stunt twice now that her father was aware.
She could stay here.
"So fierce. So beautiful. My brave warrior princess."
No. I won't run.
"Should I get Master Sasssuke?" Mamoru pulled her out of her thoughts.
"No." Hinata stroked his white scales in comfort as she felt the fear and panic morph into an equally overwhelming emotion.
Anger.
"What is it Sasuke?" Jugo asked as he watched his friend stiffen.
The Uchiha didn't answer. He stopped walking all together when he felt Hinata crossing the wards of the Uchiha district in Konoha. If he wasn't so tense, he would've marveled at the ingenuity of Madara Uchiha; how he tied the main family's chakra to his seals around the property. As the last surviving Uchiha he was the only one who could feel all the wards around all Uchiha grounds. Even thousands of kilometers away. He wondered if he felt them more sharply because he was a reincarnation of Madara himself.
It was so distinct that it was impossible to mistake it for something else. The sensation of someone with access crossing them was also so different from an intruder trying to do so. An intruder felt like a sharp flare of heat in his chakra core, Hinata crossing felt like warmth spreading in his chakra.
But it made him tense right now, as he waited for a different kind of pull in his chakra core. The one from summon land.
"Sassy?" Suigetsu also tensed, hand on his sword.
Sasuke stayed silent. Waiting.
His instructions were clear. If something were to happen, Mamuro was to unsummon himself after helping her to the best of his capabilities and then get him immediately.
I'm probably overreacting.
Except he knew that danger was lurking in the shadows; with Shikamaru's theory of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatame (Konoha's council) false perception of Hinata being a threat to her clan's leadership ergo a threat to Konoha's stability. If they bothered to study the profiling file the Nara had made on her, they would've known that she didn't want the title and that she willingly gave it up to her younger sister because she preferred a peaceful transition. The whole point of her stepping down was to avoid internal conflict between the main and branch house. It would make absolutely no sense that she'd try to wrestle control back. Especially by force.
But the council's thought process never did make sense, they were always fearful of what they had no control over and they acted on convoluted theories alone.
Just look at the isolation of the Uchiha just because they mistrusted them. And their condemnation just because they dared to fight back. He knew it was a bit more nuanced than that and that his clan was really planning a coup but that didn't give them leave to put every man, woman and child to the sword. All except for him.
So he didn't think it was that far of a stretch that the same individuals who ordered the slaughter of his clan, would do something as drastic if they found a new threat even if that threat was a fragment of their imagination.
Thank the gods for Shikamaru and his ability to think ten steps ahead of everybody and anticipate everyone's next movement. If he hadn't brought it up, he doubted he would've thought the simple act of a few branch members kneeling in front of Hinata would spiral out to be such a predicament.
The Nara was truly a genius, that he could predict other peoples' reactions and thoughts before they even crossed their minds.
Being aware of such a theory before it even formed in the council's mind, gave him enough time to prepare for such an eventuality. Naruto was aware of it, so as Hokage he'd be able to keep an eye on the situation. And he already put Neji on the task, he knew that the Hyuuga was conducting his own secret investigation while simultaneously watching his cousin's back.
Neji was already on high alert. He wouldn't let anything happen to her.
The more time passed without Mamoru pulling on that bond between summons and summoner, the more Sasuke relaxed.
She was physically safe.
"Sasuke?" Jugo tried to get his attention again.
"It's nothing." The Uchiha resumed walking "Let's just hurry back to Konoha."
"Hey, you're the one who wanted to stop at Otto." Suigetsu put his hands behind his head as he followed him. "What did you pick up anyway?"
"Doesn't matter." He answered as he jumped on a tree branch, picking up the pace. His team followed his example.
It wasn't just Konoha's council he had to worry about. There was also the Hyuuga clan's own elders. He recalled the conversation he had with Hinata before leaving. That if her clan tried to force her to do anything she didn't like, all she had to do was fight her way out and make it to the Uchiha district's safety.
Maybe he shouldn't have taken that little detour after all.
I'm being ridiculous. Hinata probably went there to train.
That was what he chose to believe as he felt her leave the grounds an hour later. Still, that didn't stop him from moving faster, he'll feel better once he crossed Konoha soil.
Ino Yamanaka was a hopeless romantic. So much so, that some of her friends called her delusional.
But she just couldn't help it.
She couldn't help but look for clues and tells in every interaction she saw happening in front of her eyes. The softening of an expression when one looked at the object of their affections. The sparkle in the eyes when they talked about their significant others. A lingering touch when their fingers brushed. The way their eyes were drawn to the object of their desire the second they stepped inside a room.
Her sapphire orbs weren't as all-seeing as the Byakugan or as detail oriented as the Sharingan, but they were trained in information gathering since she could walk. It just so happens that the Yamanaka used her skills in what interested her. Her friends' romantic prospects.
And she was right most of the time.
She had been right when she told Shikamaru that the girl from the sand liked him when she was twelve. And she had been right when she suspected Asuma-sensei was in a relationship with Kurenai-sensei. She was right again when her cousin Oniji started dating the new assistant in the flower shop last year and she still maintained her opinion of being right about Anko having the hots for Iruka-sensei.
And she was most certainly right when she said Sasuke Uchiha had feelings for Hinata. No matter how many times the latter denied it.
She had first suspected it when Hanabi dragged her to spy on them. It was hard to decipher his tells in public but his face completely changed when he thought no one was watching him as he watched her.
She remembered squealing. Especially when she witnessed the sparkle in the Hyuuga's eyes when she talked about training with him. Hinata might not have known it at the time but she was already developing some affection for the Uchiha.
And even though Ino's brain had concocted the idea of the Kazekage and Hinata together as a revenge plot against Naruto. Since they would look really beautiful together. She started rooting for the Uchiha the second she picked up on his attention towards her friend.
She kept up her habit of studying them. Was it an invasion of privacy? Not at all, considering she was just a witness to these public interactions. And occasionally teased Hinata about said interactions.
And so it was as she watched them that she was introduced to the third character of the act. The Kazekage with his curious gaze when he looked at Hinata at the Hyuuga welcoming ceremony. The way his lips twitched in surprise when she giggled at something he said. And the way Sasuke's orbs burned with jealousy the longer Hinata smiled at the Suna shinobi.
Because the Uchiha's eyes could see what hers saw at the time: Gaara was interested in the Hyuuga.
When Gaara's aquamarine eyes looked back at the Uchiha, they also saw what hers saw: Sasuke already perceived Hinata as his.
Her friend bless her soul, was oblivious to all of it.
Ino had watched as his pale orbs trailed after the dancing couple, she watched as his gaze met Sasuke's darkening one and she watched as the Uchiha tightened his hold on Hinata, pressing her closer to him.
Mine. His look had screamed.
It was then that the Yamanaka thought that this was going to be a love triangle in the making.
But Gaara proved her wrong.
Yes, Gaara was curious about Hinata. Yes, he found her attractive. But he did not go out of his way to instigate himself between them. He didn't try to seek Hinata out the way Sasuke was constantly present in her life. He just watched from the sidelines, still with that curious gaze nothing more, nothing less.
Watching but never intervening. It was so different from the way the Uchiha grabbed Hinata's attention whenever he got the chance.
The longer she observed the three of them, the more it became clear that the Kazekage wasn't watching Hinata anymore. He was watching Sasuke. (No, not like that. Even though the idea did tickle her fancy).
Those pale eyes were perplexed by the emotion that fleeted across the usually emotionless face of the Uchiha whenever he interacted with Hinata. Gaara was intrigued by the way Sasuke's entire being burned with the need to make her smile when it used to burn with the need to make everyone around him suffer the way he suffered.
Ino could read the curiosity, the need to understand, the want on his own emotionless face. Not want for Hinata or Sasuke or both together (No matter how much of a delicious plot twist that would've made), but want for what they had. Want for the emotion itself.
A want she could see reflected back at her when she looked in the mirror. To love and to be loved.
The one time his curiosity got the better of him was when he asked the Hyuuga heiress to show him Konoha's greenhouses. Maybe he wanted to observe more closely or maybe he thought it was Hinata the source of that emotion. Ino didn't know.
All she knew was that her breath caught in her lungs the moment her friend turned those aquamarine eyes in her direction instead. The shade was so singular, the gaze so intense. It had made her blush six ways to Sunday.
The Yamanaka had shaken herself out of her stupor and agreed to be his guide. She intended to give him the costumery tour. When his pertinent questions about the different plants and flowers kept popping up, she gave him the Ino special instead. Meaning she didn't restrain her knowledge and passion about the subject the way she usually did around the male populace because she knew most found it boring or found her to be too loud, too opinionated, too much.
She couldn't cover all the specimens in one tour, so he kept coming back until they finished one greenhouse and moved on to the next. Until they covered the flowers in the shop too. Until the conversation extended past the botany. Until his curious gaze was turned on her instead of the plants.
Until his touch lingered when their fingers brushed. Until she saw the reflection of her own sparkling eyes in his when she was talking to him. Until his gaze flickered with something that knotted her insides and made her want to apologize to Hinata for teasing her about her blush since her own kept appearing more often in his presence.
She started anticipating his visits, knowing that the second his fiery red hair entered her line of vision she'll be filled to the brim with giddiness and excitement.
When Gaara pushed the door to the Yamanaka flower shop that afternoon, Ino felt that same giddiness and excitement bubbling. But it came to a halt when she spotted the concerned look on his face.
"Gaara-kun? What's wrong?" Blonde eyebrows knotted.
"Ino-san." It bothered her that he wasn't less formal, but she guessed it was his position that made him that way. At least he didn't mind the way she said his name with familiarity "Is there somewhere more private we could talk?"
The Yamanaka stepped from behind the counter and walked towards the door. Flipping the open sign around, she gestured for him to follow her to the back of the shop where they kept the still fresh flowers and gardening equipment. Whatever it was, it must really be bothering him.
"What is it?" Ino asked.
"I should not be telling you this but I will anyway because I know you'll be discreet." Her heart warmed knowing that he didn't see her as the town's gossip as many did. Because even though she did like gossiping, she knew how to keep a secret that was told to her in confidence.
"Of course, Gaara-kun."
And as he did Ino felt that giddiness disappearing, it was slowly being replaced by anger. It must have showed on her face because his speech started to slow down.
"It was never my intention to hide it from you" Gaara's expression changed to one she couldn't read "The day it became clear my council was misinformed about Hyuuga-san's desire for a match, was the day I shut any talk of arranged marriage down on my end."
"I'm not angry." Ino was definitely angry on Hinata's behalf but what she tried to hide, was the hurt she felt at being so out of the loop. She could understand why Gaara a near stranger at the time didn't say anything. But why would Hinata keep her troubles to herself. "It's just…I never realized how controlling both your positions could be."
Ino might've been the heir to her own clan but she wasn't crushed under so much formality and pressure the same way Hinata was under her clan's thumb, or the way the Kazekage was holding up his village. Come to think of it, it was understandable that Suna's council would pick someone like Hinata as a match for their leader. Poised, demure, cunning. All the things she wasn't.
"My council is here to advise me. That's all." His firm voice brought her back from her thoughts "I may have come to Konoha to entertain their suggestion, but…" His normally pale skin gained some color as he cleared his throat "Hyuuga-san is not the reason I stayed."
"Oh." Her own cheeks pinked. Damn that blush.
"I wanted to tell you because I know how much you care about your friends." Those eyes that she came to like brimmed with emotion she couldn't decipher "Hyuuga-san looked very distressed and I know she can't talk to you about it."
Ino bristled at that. Of course she could, they were best friends! Gaara seems to have read the indignation on her face because he added soon after.
"The only people she's allowed to discuss this with openly are members of her own clan." Oh, right. Internal clan affair. "Or Uchiha-san as his ward but he's not here."
"So you told me instead?" Sasuke not being here to lend an ear meant that Hinata was probably entering an internal spiral of fear and panic.
Damn it! Where was that Uchiha when you needed him?
Although maybe it was for the best that he wasn't here to see the state Hinata was in. Because judging by Gaara's level of concern, Sasuke would've been murderous. And as they discovered after the tournament, he was very trigger-happy when it came to those who upset Hinata. To the point that Ino wondered how Sakura wasn't lying in a Genjutsu induced coma after she made Hinata cry.
"I divulged my own personal business to someone I trust." Gaara's voice captured her attention again "I told you about my side of the things. The Hyuuga can't punish your friend if you're discussing prior knowledge you gained from a third party."
Her eyes widened in understanding and if she wasn't already half in love with him, she would've been by now. Because Gaara was worried about her friend and did all that was in his power to allow her to be there for her. Because he knew how important Hinata was to her.
"Thank you." The Yamanaka wrapped her arms around him with no hesitation. She didn't take it personally when he stiffened. The fact that his sand didn't lash out at her touch spoke volume of his trust and maybe (if she's been reading the situation right) even affection.
"You're welcome." Gaara coughed in his hand trying to hide his reddening ears "Go. Your friend needs you."
Ino gave him a small smile before making her way toward the door to track down Hinata.
Ino found her friend in a state of frazzled urgency. You might have misread that.
It wasn't Hinata that was frazzled, it was the Yamanaka. She had spent more than an hour looking for her around the village, so that was understandable. What wasn't understandable was Hinata's calm, who after being told about an attempt to completely uproot her from Konoha mere hours ago appeared serene while shopping.
She was shopping…?
"Hinata-chan!" The blonde closed the distance between them with a few hasted footsteps "Are you alright?"
"Oh, hey Ino-chan." The Hyuuga didn't take her eyes off of the two fabrics she was examining "I'm fine, how are you?"
Perfectly plucked eyebrows furrowed at the tranquility of the answer. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought nothing was amiss. But Ino did know better. Her friend's gaze didn't turn her way when speaking. There was no small quirking of lips, not even a fake one for her sake. Frankly it was very impolite by Hinata's standards, which meant that whatever was occupying her mind was more important than ingrained years of etiquette.
This was more worrying than she thought.
"I spoke with Gaara-kun today." The blue eyed kunoichi said carefully "He told me about what happened."
Still, Hinata didn't look at her. She kept running her hands over the next two rolls of fabric. So Ino forged on.
"He said you looked upset so he thought I should find you." Here the Hyuuga's lips quirked a bit.
"That's nice of him." Hinata lifted two almost identical rolls up to her eye level "He's one of the good ones Ino-chan."
Ino felt her mouth gaping open. She was expecting to find a weeping Hyuuga hiding in the forest, or an angry one destroying a training post. Hell, she was even ready for a mess stuffing her face in cinnamon rolls. But this, whatever this was left her very unsettled. Which was why she blurted out the next statement without thinking about how it'll make Hinata feel.
"You just learned your grandfather almost sealed your fate by shipping you away to the desert and your immediate response is to stand here calmly doing…." The Yamanaka cut herself off "What are you doing exactly?"
"I'm looking for a ribbon." Hinata answered unphased by her outburst.
"A…ribbon?" Ino repeated incredulously.
"Yes, a ribbon. I need one to tie my hair." The Hyuuga dropped the two rolls back onto the pile, moving on to the next two.
"I'm very much aware about the use of ribbons in the hair Hinata-chan." Her friend's lips quirked again at the level of sarcasm in her voice "My question is why?"
"I gave the one I usually use back to its owner so I need a replacement." The heiress murmured the last part to herself but Ino still heard "Though I guess it was more of a hair tie than a ribbon."
"I..I'm sure you have enough ribbons at home Hinata." Sapphire eyes observed the singlemindedness by which the Hyuuga pursued each roll of fabric before diligently putting it back down when it wasn't to her liking.
"None in the shade I'm looking for." Dark eyebrows scrunched before disregarding another one.
"Ok. You're starting to freak me out." Ino said as she watched the meticulous movement of the other kunoichi "You don't even wear red."
"Nonsense." Hinata raised another one from the huge pile of red ribbons in the box the shop assistant brought out at her request "I've worn red before. Hanabi-chan said dark colors suit me, especially navy blue."
"Hinata." Her hands wrapped around the Hyuuga and squeezed "How can I help?"
Lavender eyes softened a bit at the concern she read in her blue gaze. And it was that small change of demeanor that allowed Ino to finally read her previous expression accurately. What she thought was jarring indifference was actually barely concealed cold fury.
That peace and quietness that enveloped Hinata was just the calm before the storm and Ino guessed it was going to be one hell of a blizzard.
"I'm going to be fine Ino-chan." The Hyuuga squeezed back before turning her attention to the task at hand "You can help me find the right shade of red."
"Okay." The Yamanaka sighed, if Hinata didn't want to talk about it than she'll help in any capacity she could "How about blue instead of red?"
"No, the yukata I'm wearing for my meeting is navy blue and the Obi is red" The Hyuuga frowned "The ribbon has to be red."
"What do you have in mind?" The Yamanaka turned her own attention on the heaps of ribbons ignoring the mention of a meeting. She guessed that all this unusual behavior was probably a soothing ritual for the Hyuuga before said meeting and if she knew her friend well, which she prided herself on. This meeting was probably about what Gaara discussed with her this afternoon. "Blood red? Crimson red? Scarlet red? Ruby red?"
"Hmm. It's more of a feeling." The other kunoichi answered thoughtfully.
"And what feeling is that?" She quirked an eyebrow at the notion.
"I want a red that says I'm not taking any prisoners today." Lavender eyes hardened "A red that screams devastation. I want to look as devastating as I will be."
It was the frost in her usually kind eyes, the way she stood strung like a bow ready to fire. It was the way her lips pulled slightly to the side mimicking an expression she saw painted on another's face that made Ino name the exact shade of color Hinata Hyuuga has been looking for, for the past hour.
"Sharingan red."
"Yes." The half-formed smile that bordered on being a smirk was so unfamiliar on Hinata's face "Sharingan red."
When Neji Hyuuga was but a mere boy of four, he had attended an event that changed his life forever. Although it was a birthday of a three-year-old girl he didn't know at the time, the celebration still marked him until this day. Quite literally, for it was the day he received his caged bird seal.
And for a while it was all that he associated with the date. As he grew up, gaining maturity and discovering the truth, the veil of misplaced anger was lifted from his all-seeing eyes and he allowed himself to remember what he initially felt before all the hate.
Because that day was also the day he met Hinata for the very first time. And today he remembered how his small heart had filled to the brim with affection, when she poked her small head from behind her father's leg and smiled as he was introduced as her older cousin.
He remembered the mask of maturity he tried to emulate breaking at the sight of the foreign expression on another Hyuuga's face. He remembered thinking she was cute and telling his father so in front of the clan head and all the elders present. He remembered her bashful expression, the blush on her cheeks as she whispered a small "Thank you Neji-nii-san.".
The small boy had puffed up his chest, feeling proud of his new status as an older brother, at the acceptance as family even though the elders had glared daggers at the girl's faux pas. But three-year-old Hinata had meant it whole heartedly and she still meant it when he shamefully tried to kill her and she still means it every day.
The boy he was then had vowed to be her protector and the man he was now intended to keep his vow.
Neji Hyuuga always joked that Hinata will be the death of him. And he was absolutely ready for that being in the literal sense of the word.
Her acceptance, her unconditional love was the reason he put himself between her and the wood projectile that was going to impale her when she body blocked it from Naruto in the fourth Shinobi war. They've both gotten lucky. Neji recalled saying those same six words to her a few seconds later when they were sprawled on the ground.
"You'll be the death of me Hinata-sama."
He had faced death for her. So what was a little unauthorized spying in the grand scheme of things, even if it might have dire consequences. Nothing short of death would stop him from protecting his cousin. Except maybe the high blood pressure his other cousin's antics gave him that'll take him out of this word before his time.
That was the reason he had spent the last two weeks and a half trailing both Koharu and Homura, the two members of Konoha's council when Sasuke Uchiha explained that they might become a threat to Hinata's well being. So far there was no suspicious behavior on their part. He didn't dare get too close to overhear their many hushed discussions of fear of alerting the security detail that followed them everywhere. However, the fact that they had operatives in the shadows, operatives he was sure were not part of the official Anbu force confirmed his Commander's suspicion of the existence of former ROOT shinobi still loyal to the council.
He'll have to alert the Uchiha of that, so their Hokage might shut it down. He was certain Naruto would not turn a blind eye the same way the third Hokage had.
The one time alarms were raised in the Hyuuga Captain's mind while on his secret mission was when he saw his grandfather meet the two Konoha elders in a discreet location. Neji had cursed internally, knowing he had to abandon his post because he knew how paranoid the Hyuuga elder was. He was bound to activate his own Byuakugan to make sure their conversation was not overheard.
The clandestine meeting had stayed in the Hyuuga's mind for many days later. Knowing nothing good would come from his grandfather scheming in the shadow.
He was proven right a few days later while he was training with his uncle in the court yard of the Hyuuga compound, when a fellow branch member approached them.
"Forgive the interruption Hiashi-sama but you have a request for an urgent meeting." The other Hyuuga bowed in respect as he spoke.
"From whom?" His uncle answered rising from the classic Hyuuga fighting stance.
Neji observed the sign of nerve on the other man before he spoke.
"It's the Uchiha apprentice."
"My daughter?" Neji caught the look of understanding that fleeted across his uncle's face. Hiashi probably had an idea on what was this about "Very well, I will see her after I change."
As he watched the branch member bowing before hurrying away, he addressed his uncle immediately knowing that Hinata's choice of using her second title when making the request could only mean that he will be, in a short while thinking those same six words he always associated with his cousin; Hinata-sama will be the death of me.
"May I join you Hiashi-sama?"
"You may, as long as the Uchiha apprentice doesn't object." The way he pronounced the title alerted Neji to the fact his uncle also knew that Hinata was up to something.
He was proven right, once again when both Hyuuga men entered the room designated for receiving guests to find Hinata sitting in a seiza position, garbed in a dark blue yukata with a red Obi that matched the ribbon securing the two braids circling the crown of her head.
She looked elegant.
That regal tilt of her head screaming 'I am not here as your subject but as an emissary from another clan and you will give me the respect that I am due.'
The choice of attire and the two Uchiha fans on her sleeves screamed the same.
That familiar expression that Hanabi coined 'the sweet smile of doom' on her face made Neji want to rub his forehead in dismay, because he knew Hinata was here to butt head with her father. And that usually ended with his blood pressure rising.
"Hiashi-sama." Oh boy.
"Apprentice Uchiha." His uncle was not surprised by this whole charade. They both took their seats; Hiashi facing his daughter and Neji sitting between the two at the other side.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" The clan head spoke with that level tone and Neji knew he was going to be a witness to a battle of words.
"It has come to my attention that the Hyuuga clan had overstepped its bounds once again" Hinata's eyes were fixed on her father's "Trying to marry off the ward of another clan without the consent of its clan head is a serious offense."
What?!
"Are you not overstepping your own bounds by speaking in your mentor's name?" Hiashi was unruffled by the declaration. His uncle knew. "After all I do not see him here, addressing me himself."
"I am sure Sasuke-sama will have no objection for the liberties I'm taking." Neji felt like gagging at the honorific. It just felt wrong "And if he does, he'll punish me as he sees fit."
For some perverse reason, Neji's mind conjured the image of his cousin bended over the Uchiha's knee while he enjoyed dolling out said punishment. Now he really felt like gagging. The Hyuuga tried to hide his fluster while promising to lay off Jiraya's perverted books.
"What concerns me however is the liberties Hishia Hyuuga took by signing a marriage contract in my name between me and the Kazekage." Neji's eyes widened. Their grandfather tried to get rid of Hinata via marriage and to a leader of another nation at that?!
If such a scenario came to fruition, it would be hard for the Uchiha to get her back. Because Hinata would've been a kage's wife and those type of contracts between villages were like peace treaty, when broken they came with dire consequences.
But judging by his cousin's calm, Gaara must've refused.
The gears in the young Hyuuga's mind started turning. He couldn't help linking his grandfather's action to the meeting he witnessed with Konoha's council. The timing was too convenient to be considered a coincidence.
Maybe Shikamaru's theory was right after all. If Konoha's council urged their grandfather to get rid of Hinata in such a timely manner, that meant that they were already displeased by the 'power' she amassed within the Hyuuga clan. A marriage that got her out of Konoha would be a clean break and it served the elders' agenda of separating Hinata and Hanabi so the new heir wouldn't be influenced by the former's radical idea, while simultaneously providing his grandfather with the perfect revenge against the Uchiha.
Too late for that.
"The elder in question was reprimanded for his actions." His uncle's voice brought him out of his thoughts "I can assure you as clan head the matter has been taken care off."
Neji wanted to scoff at that, knowing that his grandfather will get away with a mere slap on the wrist considering he was an elder.
"Be that as it may an insult has been directed to the Uchiha clan." Hinata's voice was also level reflecting the same poise her father had "If you recall Hiashi-sama, we had a conversation such as this before."
When she refused to let the matter drop Hiashi regarded her coolly, in an attempt to unsettle her.
"I did express my concern of things escalating if the Hyuuga council were to insist on following this path." Hinata wasn't deterred or intimidated. Neji felt proud, although from the look on her face he suspected she was running on pure cold anger.
"Are you declaring a clan war?" The Hyuuga clan head asked sharply.
This is bad.
"Not at all." That 'sweet smile of doom' made an appearance again and Neji felt dread settling in his stomach because his cousin was out for blood. "I am however invoking a duel of Honor in the name of the Uchiha clan."
Bloody hell.
An appropriate expression for the situation, considering Sasuke will probably unleash a literal bloody hell on them.
"You sure are confident in your ability to control the Uchiha." That was a direct jab at Hinata's status within another clan, as well as an insult to the Uchiha clan head himself. His uncle was done holding back his punches "Will he really follow your every whim. I was under the impression he was the clan head not you."
"You misunderstand me Hiashi-sama" Hinata smiled again "Sasuke-sama will not be my champion."
It was in the next seconds that Neji knew his blood pressure was about to rise to an unhealthy degree.
"I Hinata Hyuuga, Sasuke Uchiha's apprentice and ward to the Uchiha clan formally challenge Hishia Hyuuga to a shinobi duel in defense of my honor and that of my foster clan."
Neji's jaw hit the floor.
"You do not mean that!" The young Hyuuga blurted out his first words since the beginning of this mess of a meeting.
"I most certainly do." His cousin's eyes burned in challenge when they met his. Most may not know it but Hinata was by far the most stubborn of the Hyuuga children. There was no changing her mind once she was on a war path of silent rebellion. He used to attribute her never giving up to Naruto but he knew it was all her. It both made him feel proud as well as make him want to strangle her.
"Hinata-sama!" He hissed, panic rising in the face of this declaration.
"The terms are as followed." Hinata ignored him completely "If I win the duel, Hishia Hyuuga will resign from his position as Hyuuga elder publicly vowing upon his honor as a Hyuuga to stay silent on all future clan matter. The Hyuuga elders will also have no say into whom I marry."
"And if he wins." Hiashi's face was neutral still. His own was a mess of shock and panic. Only Hinata was capable of breaking his Hyuuga mask. She could when she was three and she still can now.
"Then I intend to relinquish the Hyuuga name. I will no longer live in the compound. I will no longer be associated with the clan or its affairs. I will be exiled, bearing only my first name."
He could only observe in horror.
"Hinata." Hiashi's own mask finally broke "Do you understand the consequences of your loss? If you are exiled from the clan, the elders have the power to seal you. Not even the Uchiha can intervene anymore."
Neji felt like throwing up as his mind conjured the image of his little cousin withering in agony from the caged bird seal. That was the best-case scenario, if the sealing itself didn't kill her. There was a reason the process was done when they were children; the chakra pathways in their young brains were still not fully developed allowing the seal to mold with them as they grew. The sealing of an adult was much more dangerous, the process could end with permanent blindness and with Hinata's heart condition immediate death.
"I understand perfectly." Hinata was playing a dangerous game and she seemed to want to play it to the bitter end. "That is if my opponent doesn't kill me. It is after all a duel to the death unless the losing party pleads mercy and the winner accepts."
They both knew their grandfather was not a man of mercy. He might even deprive a sense of pleasure in Hinata's humiliation if she where to live as an exile. Although Neji knew the Uchiha would take her in, it was still a great shame.
"What does your mentor say to that?" His uncle tried to indirectly dissuade her from the idea.
"I still haven't discussed the matter with him, but our contract allows me such liberties." Hinata raised her head high fully trusting in Sasuke's faith in her. "Upon his return he will give you his acceptance."
Neji bit his tongue.
Hiashi studied his daughter's face for any hint of hesitation but there were none.
"I will bring your challenge and terms to your grandfather." The elder Hyuuga's face rearranged itself back to that mask of indifference and Neji felt like screaming.
"Wonderful." His cousin stood up abruptly and the Hyuuga genius mirrored her "Tell grandfather I'll be waiting his response if he's man enough to face me."'
And with that last barb, the Uchiha apprentice whirled around leaving the meeting without another word. Neji stood rigid, still unwilling to believe what happened. He snapped his face down to his uncle about to tear him a new one for not caring about his own daughter's life. He didn't care about his status as branch member, his uncle could punish him if he wanted to. But when he looked at the clan head he saw the frustration, the despair and….shame.
His hands were tied and Hinata had stopped listening to her father a long time ago.
"Go." Hiashi's whispered plea was all that prompted Neji to run after her. Maybe he'll have better luck persuading her to change her mind.
Hinata stumped down the corridors of her so-called home. This place had never felt like home, except when she was in Hanabi's and Neji's company. She has grown to hate those corridors leading to her father's wing. Because every time she walked them, she was left feeling small and helpless. All she felt now was fury. This was the last drop in a sea of suppressed resentment. She was so tired of being walked on. Of conceding, of keeping her head down.
Her lungs burned with the burden of keeping her cool all afternoon. She finally allowed her anger to cloud her mind, opening that rattling compartment where she shoved her rage upon learning of the scheme she was almost subjected to.
The heiress had spent an hour in the Uchiha district compartmentalizing and organizing her thoughts to come up with an adequate response. It had been necessary to think clearly before making any rash decisions. Although judging by Neji's face in there he probably felt otherwise.
It was only as she left the meeting, that she allowed her emotions to run wild. She was sure she made quite a sight. Cheeks flushed in indignation, limbs shaking with adrenaline. The heiress was aware of the widening eyes of her clan's members, the way they scurried out of her way.
They had never seen their heiress in such a state before. But Hinata didn't care as she continued stomping toward the compound's exit. It was when she reached it that she felt a hand on her arm whirling her around. She was met with Neji's own flushed face.
"Are you out of your goddamn mind?!" He retracted his hand automatically in anticipation of Mamoru's immediate attack. Hearing the snake hissing at Neji with such aggression alerted her to her own state of agitation. She had put her little scaly protector on edge with her fluctuating chakra.
"I assure you Nii-san I retain all of my mental faculties." She scowled failing once again at calming down.
"Now is not the time for your particular brand of sass." She would've laughed if Neji wasn't on the verge of blowing a blood vessel "What the hell were you thinking? Have you no regard for your own life?!"
"It is because I care about my life that I am doing this." Hinata's nostrils flared in a display of unladylike affront "I am so sick and tired of this arranged marriage threat hanging over my head!"
"It's not even happening!" Her cousin responded in agitation "The Kazekage refused and Uchiha would never allow it."
Hinata would've felt heart warmed by Neji's faith in Sasuke's care for her. Even though she suspected he wasn't aware that the nature of that care probably transcended that of a mentor and friend. (Funny thing: Neji was very much aware long before that fact hit her in the face like a brick when Sasuke shoved her against a tree and proceeded to explain the details using his mouth both verbally and tactilely)
"And how long will it take to find a candidate to sign another marriage contract behind my back?" The Hyuuga heiress knew they were making a scene but she figured the whole affair will become public soon enough "They will keep doing it until they succeed in chasing me out. And Sasuke cannot watch me 24/7."
"Then let him deal with it." Neji tried to rain his temper in "Let the Uchiha be your champion. He will not lose."
"I will not either." She gritted her teeth, hurt by the lack of faith in her capabilities but knowing it came from a place of fear of her fate if she did lose. Sasuke was after all a much better bet. "Besides if I choose a champion to fight for me, that gives the same right to grandfather."
"So? It's better than the alternative."
"I will not allow that coward to hide behind a branch member." Hinata took a calming breath "Sasuke will not hold back."
"And you will?" Neji looked even more alarmed.
"Not against grandfather. I won't." Her lavender orbs gleamed with conviction. "Don't you get it. Grandfather did this fully aware of the consequences of his actions, assuming a branch member would take the brunt of it."
Her cousin stayed silent waiting for her to elaborate.
"And knowing him, he would've chosen you to fight Sasuke. He knows that you will throw the match and he'll count on Sasuke's anger to cloud his judgement and hurt you. If not, your loss will be the perfect excuse for him to torture you and that I will not allow. Challenging him directly eliminates that possibility." She tilted her head defiantly but Neji wasn't convinced.
"You shouldn't have challenged him in the first place." He answered mulishly.
"If I didn't Sasuke would've killed him the second he learns of it." She knew there was a possibility that she was exaggerating but it was not a risk she was willing to take, especially after the way he responded to her grandfather threatening her "When have you ever known him to make idle threats?"
"So? Let him." Neji's face was stony.
"He'll end up in Konoha's donjons!" Her hackles rose "I will not let him throw his life away. At least this way if he does, he will not be branded rogue since a legal duel of honor was already leveled and you were a witness."
"I wonder how he'll react if he saw the way you protect him so ferociously." Her cousin smirked and she felt her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "Even if it's a bit sneaky."
"It's strategic." Hinata huffed as she started to calm down.
"I'm sure you've made that decision level headed." The brown-haired shinobi scoffed. This was the first time they butted heads publicly. She was glad by Neji's brotherly concern even if he blew it out of proportion although to be fair, she was gambling with her life.
"As a matter of fact, I did." Her voice lowered to a whisper "When I win, grandfather will step down as an elder. That means one less stubborn traditionalist on the Hyuuga council. That'll help Hanabi when she ascends to leadership. She has a right to dismiss two more, increasing the chance of the tides turning in our favor when we put forth our petition for the seal abolition."
This was why she added that stipulation in the terms of the dual. Two birds, one stone.
She'll permanently avoid being sold in marriage while paving the way for her sister to achieve their shared dream of a united clan. This has been in the works for years. Hinata had been looking into it secretly since the age of fourteen. She had fallen off the elders' radar when she was disinherited at twelve, which allowed her to meticulously research the seal, its application, its limit and prepare adequately. It was only after she regained her title after the war that the elders started paying attention to her again. For it to work Hanabi had to be the one ascending to leadership, she had faith that they'll succeed. It may take some time but they'll succeed.
"This is insane." Neji held the bridge of his nose, although Hinata could see the smirk he tried to hide behind his hand.
"There is a method to my madness dear cousin." The Hyuuga heiress smiled when a snort escaped him.
"Okay." He sighed in defeat. "But you and I are going to train until you drop and I will make sure Uchiha puts you through the wringer as well. Assuming you survive his ire once he learns of this."
"I'd rather ask for forgiveness later." Hinata winced. Sasuke will not be happy.
"Funny. I heard him say that once." Neji smirked as if he was enjoying an inside joke "Go change. We're training all night. Wouldn't want to rip your pretty ribbon."
"You like it?" Hinata beamed "Ino-chan helped me pick it today."
AN: So that took an unexpected turn. I swear I had every intention of writing the Sasuhina reunion, but one second I was writing Sasuke's concern for Hinata and the next my fingers were fleeting atop the keyboard and this happened. I just had to wrap up the Hyuuga elders Arc, but I hope some of you picked up (like Neji) on it being tied to Konoha's council.
I had so much fun writing Neji's POV in this chapter. Also, The Blue Flame is back people! And she's ready to set some elders on fire! I hope you saw it coming in the whole Ino/Hinata ribbon conversation. Because our favorite Hyuuga heiress was putting on her war paint so to speak ( I have this thing for fashion and symbolism)
Also how cute is GaaIno? Gaara you lovely, decent man.
Your reviews. I am glad to receive such a welcome back. It's decided, in the upcoming days I will be posting on AO3 under the same name of LadyThunderStorm42 as soon as I edit any mistakes in the chapters also I might polish the three to four chapters maybe mash two shorts chapters together but it is essentially the exact same story. The summary will probably be rewritten.
Also a warm welcome to our old fanfic reader who decided to rejoin the Sasuhina community after so long. Welcome back! I too have been binge reading Sasuhina ff and then I thought I should right my very own. I hope you'll keep enjoying it.
Look out for the notification. Next Chapter we'll have the Sasuhina reunion. Team Taka in Konoha and many many other fun, intriguing, fluffy scenes.
-Your faithful writer
Lady Thunder Storm.