Disclaimer: I do not own any of the content following this statement. All titles, names, and plots are owned by Masashi Kishimoto.
Warning: The following will contain material that some viewers may not find suitable. There will be smut, graphic explicit sex, lemons at random moments, character deaths, and multiple pairings. There will be no additional warning as without reading the smut what little plot there is will not make any sense. You have been warned.
Assassination and Other Party Games
Tomiko sat in front of her ornate dressing table as Yuka carefully ran a large brush through her long blonde hair, working at the knots as gently as she could. The palace, and indeed the entire capital, remained in a state of turmoil even months after their father was killed in the grand halls of the Daimyo's own castle. Their mother had been sent away to a hidden refuge, a precaution until they could unravel the mystery of how and why such a travesty had been allowed to occur.
The room was draped in rich, velvety fabrics and the air was heavy with the scent of incense, attempting to mask the underlying tension that gripped the palace. The walls, adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of peace and prosperity, seemed almost mocking in the face of the current unrest. The once-vibrant atmosphere of the palace had turned cold and foreboding, with servants whispering in hushed tones and guards casting wary glances as they stood watch at every door.
"Do you think Mother is safe?" She asked, her voice a soft murmur as she paused to undo a stubborn knot at the end of Tomiko's hair.
Tomiko looked up into the mirror at her sister standing behind her, a worried look etched on her delicate features. "Yes, it was your idea after all," she replied her tone a mix of reassurance and a touch of confusion.
The two sisters shared a moment of silence, the weight of their responsibilities pressing down on them. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an almost ethereal ambiance that contrasted sharply with the grim reality outside their chamber.
The tall blonde sighed and continued brushing, her mind racing with thoughts of the precarious political situation they were now entangled in. "I just wish we knew who we could trust. The court is full of snakes, and it feels like everyone has their own agenda," she said, her frustration seeping through her calm demeanor.
Tomiko nodded, her gaze steady as she met her sister's eyes in the mirror. "We need to be careful, Yuka. Father's assassination was just the beginning. There are those who would see our family destroyed to gain power. You must play the game as they do, but you have to be smarter, more cunning."
The blonde's grip on the brush tightened slightly. "Do you think Ino will come? We need her help now more than ever."
"The Hokage said she would come," Tomiko said with conviction. "And I know she will." Her tone was so sharp and confident that Yuka paused to look into her eyes through the mirror.
"And just how do you know that?" she asked as she resumed brushing.
Tomiko moved around until she was facing her sister, looking up into her eyes. She took Yuka's hands in her own and said, "Because I am looking at her right now."
With a little shock, Ino stepped back, allowing the hedge to fall from her face so that her eyes returned to their normal pale blue, her irises fading away. "Just how did you know?" was the first thing she said.
"I love Yuka with all my heart, but she is never that gentle when brushing my hair," said Tomiko, grinning as she pressed Ino's hands to her face before Ino pulled them back.
Ino smirked a glint of admiration in her eyes. "I thought Yuka was the smart one."
A voice behind them broke the moment. "She is," it said.
Ino looked into the mirror and saw Yuka standing in the far corner, a crossbow aimed at Ino's back.
"How long have you been there?" Ino asked calmly.
"Long enough to decide not to kill you," Yuka replied, lowering the crossbow.
Tomiko let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "We need to trust each other, Yuka. Ino is here to help."
Yuka nodded, her eyes still wary. "I know. But we can't be too careful."
Ino raised an eyebrow. "Wise words. Now, let's focus on the task at hand. We need to uncover who orchestrated your father's assassination and ensure your mother's safety."
Tomiko nodded, her expression firm. "We've already taken steps to secure her, but the threats are everywhere. We need to find the traitor within the palace."
The Ino next to Tomiko faded into smoke, and the real Ino stepped up behind Yuka, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Then let's begin. We'll start by interrogating those closest to your father. Someone must know something. And Yuka, keep that crossbow ready. We'll need all the protection we can get."
Yuka smirked, finally setting the crossbow aside but within reach. "Don't worry. I'm always ready." She knew Ino was a shinobi and the head of the Yamanaka clan, renowned for their mind-reading abilities, but she was still impressed nonetheless.
The three women spent the night talking. Ino wanted to know everything they had learned so far. In the morning, they would all go their separate ways to gather more information. Ino planned to infiltrate the inner circles of the court ladies, while Tomiko would spend time with the maids and other wait staff, as she was closer to them than most. Yoka would try to once again talk to her uncle the Daimyo.
As the candles burned low, casting flickering shadows on the walls, the air thickened with the weight of their conversation. Ino's eyes gleamed with a calculating intensity, every word spoken adding to the web of intrigue she was unraveling. Years of training from the day she learned to speak allowed her to see the strings of lies and half-truths.
"Tell me everything you know," Ino urged, her voice a soft but firm command. "Every whisper, every suspicion."
Tomiko recounted the fragmented rumors that had circulated since their father's death, while Yuka, shared what little she had overheard from the palace gossip. As the night wore on, the atmosphere grew tenser, the gravity of their situation sinking in. They had learned so little in all the time they had been at the capital it was as if everyone was in on some dark secret.
"We need to be smart about this," Ino said, her tone sharp. "We're not just dealing with a simple power struggle. This is about survival."
In the morning, the palace was shrouded in a quiet tension. The three women prepared to embark on their separate missions. Tomiko adjusted her simple dress, blending in effortlessly with the other servants. She knew her familiarity with the staff would yield valuable insights.
Ino, draped in the elegant attire befitting a court lady, moved with grace and purpose changing her eyes once again to look like Yuka. The months she had spent playing this game taught her the rules of the game. Her presence commanded respect and fear, a reminder of Yuka's formidable reputation. She intended to use every bit of her cunning and skill to uncover the truth.
Ino glanced back at her companions, "Remember, we are stronger together. Let's show them what we're made of."
Tomiko nodded, her eyes meeting Ino's with a confidence she normally didn't have. "We'll find the truth. For Father."
Yuka, though anxious, gave a small, nod. "And For Mother."
Yuka had dressed in the same robes as Ino to add an extra level of confusion to the royal court, the determination between them was palpable as they went their separate ways. Each step they took was a step closer to unraveling the mystery that had thrown their world into chaos.
In the depths of the palace, shadows whispered secrets, and corridors echoed with the footsteps of those who wielded power and deceit. The game had only just begun, and the stakes were higher than they could have ever imagined.
Tomiko moved through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, her steps light and seemingly carefree. Her youthful appearance and innocent demeanor often led others to underestimate her, but beneath her facade lay a keen ability to glean information.
In the servants' quarters, Tomiko engaged in casual chatter, her questions innocent yet guided by a subtle curiosity. She spoke with the maids as if they were her confidantes, drawing out information with an artless charm. It was during one of these exchanges that she stumbled upon a crucial detail — the north gate servant door had been left unlocked on the night of her father's assassination.
"Did you hear about the gate being left unlocked?" Tomiko asked with a wide-eyed innocence that belied her keen interest.
The maid she spoke to, a seasoned servant with kind eyes and a weary smile, glanced around cautiously before leaning in closer to Tomiko. "Aye, I heard whispers about that. 'Twas said someone slipped a few coins to have it done, but no one knows who."
Tomiko's heart skipped a beat. This revelation was a thread she could unravel to uncover the truth behind her father's death. Suppressing her excitement, she maintained her facade of childlike curiosity. "Coins? But why would someone want to do such a thing?"
The maid shrugged, her gaze thoughtful. "People do strange things for power and gold, my lady. 'Tis the way of the world."
With a grateful smile, Tomiko thanked the maid and continued her rounds, her mind racing with possibilities. Each interaction, each snippet of gossip, brought her closer to unraveling the mystery that threatened her family's safety. In this deadly game of palace intrigue, Tomiko knew she had to navigate carefully, using her innocent guise to her advantage while delving deeper into the secrets that surrounded her.
…
Ino moved with silent grace through the enclosed courtyard where a dozen ladies of the court had gathered for their morning tea and gossip. Despite her striking resemblance to Yoka, the ladies remained unaware of her true identity. Ino's disguise was flawless, concealing her true nature as a renowned shinobi and master of spies.
The air was thick with the fragrant scent of jasmine tea and the buzz of whispered conversations about court intrigues and romantic entanglements. Ino's keen eyes scanned the group, assessing each woman with a glance that seemed to penetrate their very thoughts. She knew that in this environment, appearances were deceiving and information was currency.
As Ino approached the circle of ladies, her presence commanded attention, though they assumed her to be Yuka due to their identical appearance. With a serene smile that masked her calculating mind, Ino seamlessly joined their conversation.
"Ladies," Ino began in a tone that was warm yet tinged with curiosity, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything too scandalous."
The women, momentarily taken aback by her sudden appearance, exchanged furtive glances. Yuka's reputation as a well-informed and perceptive figure was known in these elite circles, though they wondered why she had joined them as this was the first time in months she had bothered to even talk to any of them. Ino continued, her voice carrying effortlessly across the courtyard.
"I couldn't help but overhear whispers about certain arrangements the night my father was killed," Ino said casually, her words sparking a ripple of interest among the ladies. "Does anyone have any insights they'd care to share?"
The women hesitated, unsure whether to disclose sensitive information to someone they believed to be Yuka. However, one of the bolder ladies, drawn in by Ino's charismatic demeanor, spoke up tentatively.
"Oh, Lady Yuka, you're always so well-informed," she began cautiously, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "There have been rumors, yes. Some say there was a bribe involved, but no one knows for certain who orchestrated it or even what the bribe was for."
Ino nodded thoughtfully, maintaining her facade as Yuka while her mind raced with deductions. She encouraged the conversation to continue, deftly steering it towards more revealing topics without arousing suspicion. With each carefully chosen word, Ino gleaned valuable insights that would aid her in unraveling the mystery surrounding the assassination.
As the ladies began to disperse to attend to their duties, Ino reached out and took the hand of the woman who had mentioned bribes. Drawing a small symbol on the back of her hand, Ino remarked, "Thank you for sharing that rumor about the bribes. It's a shame you don't know more." The mind jutsu took effect, causing images of gates and doors being unlocked to flash into Ino's mind, even as the lady tried to maintain her composure.
"Yes, I only wish I had more information," the lady replied, an image of a large man in silk robes clutching a purse of coins coming to her mind.
As the lady pulled her hand away, Ino added, "If you learn more, please come and inform me."
As the morning progressed, Ino's dual role as both a deceptive shadow and a shrewd investigator became more pronounced. Her guise as Yuka shielded her true purpose, enabling her to move unnoticed among the courtly intrigue while she gathered additional clues that would bring her closer to the truth.
'Who is this man, and what role did he play in all this?' she pondered as she made her way to other gathering spots within the court.
….
Daimyo Hiroshi Takahashi considered himself a man of action, though deep down, he knew he was a coward. His own brother had been killed in this very castle, yet he allowed his advisors to brush it aside, treating it as if it had been the death of a minor noble rather than his own flesh and blood.
Seated at the end of the expansive room, he awaited the next sycophantic advisor to approach him with some useless trade deal or land offer in exchange for power. Instead, it was his beloved and headstrong niece who stormed in.
Yuka Takahashi burst into the room with an air of fury, her eyes blazing with indignation as she marched towards her uncle. "Uncle Hiroshi!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing through the chamber. "How dare you let this happen? How could you allow Father's murder to go unanswered?"
The Daimyo's face paled at the accusation, a mix of guilt and defensiveness flickering in his eyes. He stood slowly, his usually composed demeanor faltering under Yuka's piercing gaze. "Yuka, please," he started, his voice wavering. "Not here, not now."
Seeing Yuka marching toward him the Daimyo hesitated, torn between his duty as a leader and his insecurities. "Yuka, you must understand," he began, his voice betraying a hint of desperation. "I have been trying to protect our family, to prevent further bloodshed. The political landscape is treacherous, and the truth may endanger us all."
Yuka's anger surged unabated. "No! We will talk about this now," she insisted, her voice trembling with emotion. "You have let fear and cowardice guide your actions. Father deserved justice, not cowardly advisors whispering in your ear! First, you let my husband's death go unanswered and now fathers, I will not let them stand."
The room fell silent as tension thickened. The Daimyo glanced around at his advisors, who exchanged nervous glances. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Leave us. Now."
The advisors hesitated, but one look from Yuka was enough to send them scurrying out of the room, leaving her and her uncle alone in the echoing chamber. Hiroshi Takahashi faced his niece, his shoulders slumped with resignation and shame.
"Now, tell me," Yuka demanded, her voice softer but no less firm. "What do you plan to do about Father's death?"
"No!" Hiroshi interrupted forcefully. "I will do the talking now, young lady. How dare you walk into the Great Hall of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and demand anything! I have been ruling this land since before you were born. It was your father who put me in this place with his weakness for women, ruining his chances. So no, you will not demand anything!"
The shocked look on Yuka's face conveyed everything he needed to know; she thought him weak and powerless when in truth, he was just a piece on the board—a powerful piece, but a piece nonetheless.
"But if they could kill Father in your castle, what is to stop them from doing the same to you?" she countered, trying to regain the advantage she had so quickly lost.
"I have the Jūni Shinshō, the protectors of the Daimyo. The Twelve Guardian Ninja would stop any assassin," he said, waving her off.
"Then why didn't they protect Father? Are they so weak that they can't protect the whole family?" Yuka yelled out, losing control over the emotions she had been holding in for all this time.
"Yuka, listen. I loved your father, my brother, very much, but he was getting involved in things that even I couldn't protect him from," said the Daimyo, speaking now as the leader of the Land of Fire, not the grieving brother.
Yuka's anger simmered beneath the surface, her fists clenched at her sides as she struggled to contain her emotions. "Uncle, you must understand," she began, her voice wavering with a mix of grief and frustration. "Father was killed here, in your castle. How can you sit idly by and allow his murderers to remain unpunished?"
Hiroshi Takahashi's eyes widened in surprise, his brows furrowing in concern. "Yuka, I... I don't know who is responsible," he admitted reluctantly. "The investigation has yielded nothing concrete. The court has been uncooperative, and the Twelve Guardian Ninja... they have been unable to find any leads."
Yuka's frustration grew, her voice sounding desperate. "But Uncle, you are the Daimyo! You have the power to demand answers, to uncover the truth," she pleaded. "Father's death cannot go unpunished. We owe him that much."
The Daimyo paced the length of the Great Hall, his mind racing with the weight of Yuka's accusations. "I... I've done everything in my power," he insisted, his voice betraying a mix of helplessness and guilt. "But I can order only so much before I sound like a madman, or worse they find some worthless fool to take the blame."
Yuka stepped closer to her uncle, her eyes searching his face for any sign of resolve. "Then we must act together, Uncle," she urged, her voice softening with empathy. "We cannot let Father's memory be tainted by injustice. We must find a way to break through, to uncover the truth, and bring those responsible to justice."
The Daimyo stopped pacing, his gaze fixed on Yuka with a mix of apprehension and determination. "I will convene a meeting with the council," he said at last, his tone resolute. "Perhaps a direct appeal, a plea for their cooperation, will yield answers."
Yuka nodded, a flicker of hope rekindling in her eyes. "And if they refuse?" she pressed, her voice unwavering.
Hiroshi hesitated, his gaze distant as he contemplated the risks. "Then we will explore other avenues," he replied cryptically. "But we must proceed cautiously. Our enemies are cunning, and they will not hesitate to strike back."
Yuka understood the gravity of his words. "I will gather information discreetly," she promised, her mind racing. "I won't let Father's memory be dishonored."
"Know this, if you uncover something, something dark hiding in this court do not be sure I can save you." with these words the Daimyo wavered her out and used the bell at his side to summon in his advisors.
….
The night pressed on, heavy with secrets and unspoken dangers within the palace walls. Tomiko's chambers, the only safe place amidst the storm of palace intrigue, offered a place to rest and regroup for the three women who returned from their separate missions.
Ino entered last, closing the door behind her with a determined click checking the lock twice before placing a seal on the room. She walked in with grace, joining Tomiko and Yuka around a small table where a map of the palace lay spread out. "Tell us what you found," Tomiko urged, her voice steady even as her normal nervous energy prevented her from sitting still.
Ino recounted the rumors she had uncovered among the court ladies. "There's talk of bribes," she began, her voice low yet filled with the secrets she had learned. "Someone paid to have one of the gates left unlocked on the night of the assassination, a man in flowing robes with money to spare…"
Yuka's brow furrowed in thought. "Who would benefit from such an act?" she said aloud, her voice still holding the anger from talking to her uncle.
Tomiko traced a finger along the map, her expression troubled. "I heard the same from the maids, they said it was the north gate and someone that had access within the palace someone that knew what gate was not checked regularly."
Ino nodded, her mind already processing the implications. "We need to find the one that was paid, they can identify this man, and then we may uncover a larger conspiracy," she suggested firmly.
Yuka's exspision hardened. "And what about the Twelve Guardian Ninja? Why couldn't they prevent Father's death? They are from your village and they failed!" she demanded, frustration bubbling up once more.
"They did not fail as the Daimyo is still alive. I know the twelve only by name but they are the best the village has to offer, but they are the best at combat, not spycraft, that is why I am here," said Ino meeting Yuka's challenging eyes straight on.
Seeing Yuka break eye contact first Ino leaned forward, her gaze intense. "We need to dig deeper, discreetly," she advised. "If someone manipulates events from within, we must first uncover their motives, the motives lead to action and actions lead us to them."
The room fell silent as they absorbed the gravity of their discoveries. Palace walls seemed to close in, the weight of their mission pressing like a shroud. They were no longer daughters and a spymaster seeking justice; they were investigators navigating betrayal and ambition.
"What of uncle, did he say he would help?", asked Tomiko hopping out of her seat and moving around.
"Uncle said many things, things I did not know nor wanted to hear but he will not do more than he has already done. He made that very clear," said Yuke wanting to shield her sister from most of what the Daimyo had said.
"If that is the case then we trust no one until proven otherwise," Yuka asserted quietly. "We need to proceed with caution."
Tomiko and Ino exchanged nods, their unity solidified in their shared purpose. "Do we continue investigations separately," Tomiko asked. "I can see if the maids know more, they always like to talk around me when they think I am not listening."
"Yes and when you find one that seems to know more than the others bring them to me," said Ino knowing that any untrained mind would be open to her in minutes, the trick was to leave no marks for others to find.
Yuka reached up and pulled her sister down to sit beside her, the constant pacing was getting to her, "It is late and we need to eat and rest, most of the staff has gone home for the night so there is nothing we can do." her words were pointed mostly at Tomiko and as she waited for her sister to nod in agreement before rining the bell to summon the night staff Ino walked out onto the balcony party to hide but mostly to call on her backup.
Feeling the seal break and hearing Yuka speaking to someone at the door, Ino quickly made a hand sign and waited, forcing down deep the caring part of herself to become the leader of Root. It took less than a minute for a figure to slide out of the shadows and kneel at her feet. Gesturing for the Root agent to rise, Ino once again wished she could find a way to prevent them from kneeling all the time, but she understood it was ingrained in their training. At this point, she suspected some did it to provoke a reaction from her, a game of sorts.
"What is your command?" came the low voice of the young girl by her side, clad entirely in black with only her eyes visible. Ino recognized her as one of her clan members, one who had been cast out and destined for certain death in the graveyard of the forgotten where those with genetic defects were sent. How Root had saved her from this fate remained a mystery to Ino. One thing she knew was that only those children with genetic defects leading to madness or worse were sent to their deaths.
"Shinrei no Kyouki, I have a mission for you, one that requires you to remain undetectable as your name suggests," Ino said, placing her hand on the self-proclaimed Ghost of Insanity.
"What are your orders, my Sōsui?" asked the Ghost, reverence shining in her eyes, her worship of Ino was burned into her madness.
"You will navigate the dreams of the night, searching for images of unlocked gates and coins used as bribes," Ino instructed, clasping the Ghost's hands in hers. "The targets are the wait staff but remember you must return to me, my Senshi. Do not lose yourself in the minds of the weak."
"You are the true Josei Senshi of our clan," affirmed Shinrei no Kyouki, stating a truth agreed upon by all Yamanaka months ago. "I will return because you have ordered it, my Sōsui."
With those words, the Ghost of Insanity faded into the night, ready to swim through the madness of dreams.
Ino paused to look up at the sky and its lonely stars before releasing herself from the mantle of leadership as she turned back to enter Tomiko's chambers. There she found plates of food laid out and the sisters looking up as she entered.
"Come, eat, I have ordered that we be left alone for the remainder of the night," said Yuka as Ino came near.
Ino took a seat at the low table, her body relaxing as she reached for a plate. "Thank you, Yuka. It's been a long day."
Tomiko smiled warmly, passing a bowl of rice to Ino. "We thought you might be hungry. There's plenty to choose from."
As they ate, the conversation turned to lighter topics. Yuka recounted a funny story about a maid who had mistaken one of the guards for a thief, and Tomiko chimed in with her tale about a clumsy courtier who had spilled ink all over an important document.
Ino chuckled, enjoying the camaraderie. "It's good to hear laughter again. Sometimes it feels like the palace is suffocating with all the tension."
Tomiko nodded. "We need these moments. They remind us of what we're fighting for."
Yuka refilled Ino's cup with tea, her expression softening. "You're right. We have to stay strong, for Father and each other."
The conversation gradually slowed as fatigue set in. Ino stretched, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on her. "I think it's time we all got some rest. Tomorrow will be another long day."
Tomiko stood and began to clear the plates. "I'll take care of this. You both should get some sleep."
Ino settled onto her futon, the events of the day playing through her mind. "Goodnight, Yuka. Goodnight, Tomiko," she said softly.
"Goodnight, Ino," the sisters replied in unison, their voices fading as they went to Yoka's room...
As the room fell into a peaceful silence, Ino closed her eyes, letting the fatigue of the day wash over her.
…
"So it is done then?" asked Karin as Tayuya and Temari joined her for the evening meal.
"Yes, all but one, it took six weeks, but I have released all of them and added that damned seal as Hinata asked. The fucking woman doesn't know what storms she has set in motion when they find out," said Tayuya between bites.
Temari's pointed look at the staff standing around the walls moved Karin into action.
"Ladies, you are no longer needed for the night," said Karin to the staff that was standing around. Knowing they were spies of their respective clans still did not mean she would share every word she had to say in her own household.
The servants bowed and left the room quietly, closing the door behind them. Karin waited until the sound of their footsteps faded before turning back to Tayuya. "We'll have to be cautious. Those seals might come back to haunt us as well."
Tayuya smirked, leaning back in her chair. "It's a calculated risk. Besides, we've handled worse."
Karin poured herself a cup of tea, her expression thoughtful. "Hinata's plans are always meticulous. I just hope she's accounted for every variable this time."
"She usually does," Tayuya replied, reaching for another piece of food. "But there's always something that can go wrong."
"Our clan is still small and without Naruto here we are still too weak to confront the Hyuga on our own," stated Temari as she filled her plate.
The room was silent for a moment, the only sound the faint clinking of dishes. Finally, Karin broke the quiet. "Do you ever miss the old days? When things were simpler?"
Tayuya snorted. "Simple? I don't remember anything being simple. Just different kinds of chaos with a lot more blood."
Karin laughed softly. "True. But sometimes I wish for a bit of that old chaos. At least we knew where we stood."
"Yeah," Tayuya agreed, her tone softening. "Those were the days."
"You two have a strange way of looking at the past you know that," said Temari between bites, she didn't miss the old days of looking over her shoulder to see if Gaara decided today was the day he was going to kill everyone.
Karin let out a little laugh at Termari's comment, "I have been thinking, there is a way to shield us from any blowback and even help the Iron Fist," said Karin, getting Tayuya to look over the top of her teacup before placing it down.
"Now that is what I am fucking talking about. I knew you had a plan," said Tayuya as she reached under the table to activate a seal. Lines shot out from the center of the room, covering every surface before glowing softly.
Looking around, Karin smiled. "And when were you going to tell me about this little marvel of yours? I see it blocks all sound from leaving the room."
"Sound, light, it even blocks the fucking Byakugan. I didn't spend all that time looking into their eyes without finding a way to stop it," added Tayuya, proud of her handiwork.
"Impressive," Karin acknowledged, her eyes scanning the glowing lines.
Tayuya leaned back with a smug expression. "So, what's your plan?"
"You said there was one more to release. I assume that is Hanabi?" Getting a nod from Tayuya, Karin set her plate aside. "Then before you unseal that little firecracker, I will bring to her attention that she shouldn't be the only member of the main house to undergo the process. If they wish to be equal, then shouldn't all of the main house feel the pain of the seal being placed on them? And when you remove it, you can leave behind the DNA seal. Then and only then will they all be equal."
Karin's words revealed the sharpness of her strategy, once again proving why she was the clan head and soon to be the leader of the clan council.
"Nice, but will Hinata do it? She isn't stupid and will know what placing the seal on her will mean," said Tayuya.
"I know, but with all of the branch members free, if she refuses then there is a high chance they will revolt," added Karin with a sly grin.
"A chance of revolt? Knowing you, you have already placed that idea in their heads," said Tayuya, grinning back.
"I may have said a few words while visiting the warehouse down by the river. After all, they are neighbors, aren't they?" said Karin, her smile widening.
The two women shared a knowing look, the unspoken understanding of the delicate and dangerous game they were playing clear between them. They knew the power they wielded and the chaos they could unleash; after all, they had been taught by the master of lies and deceit. Orochimaru would be proud of them if he could have such feelings. The shadows of the room seemed to deepen, echoing the dark potential of their plans. This was not just about power but about reshaping the very fabric of their world, one calculated move at a time.
—
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" asked Temari for the hundredth time as they stood at the main entrance to the Uzumaki building.
"No, your place is here. Protect the family and keep everyone safe," said Karin. She then turned to Tayuya. "Are you ready?" she asked the smaller redhead beside her.
"Yeah, yeah, I've got one more thing to do," said Tayuya, handing a large scroll to Karin. She walked up to Temari, looking up into her eyes as if challenging her. Then, reaching up, she pulled Temari down by one of her ponytails into a passionate kiss before playfully slapping her on the ass and letting her go.
"Now we can go," said Tayuya, taking her scroll back as a blushing Temari watched them walk away. All her plans for controlling Tayuya had been but smoke in the wind once she ended up in bed with her.
The crisp early morning air invigorated them as they made their way toward the Hyuga compound. Birds sang joyously, welcoming the rising sun. Along the way, shopkeepers waved and bowed respectfully, greeting the two women with warm smiles.
The day was truly perfect. Even the Hyuga guards, newly freed by Tayuya's actions, almost smiled as Karin and Tayuya walked past. Today was to be known as Freedom Day, but they planned to give it another name: Equality Day.
"Have you come up with a way to tell Hinata of your plan yet?" asked Tayuya, clad in black robes lined with dark blues, with a hint of fire scrolling along the hem. She was holding the Key Scroll in her arms like it was a newborn.
'God I hope she knows what she is doing that could turn into a real shit show.' she was thinking as they neared the walls of the compound.
"No, I sent one of the cooks to gather everyone to the center courtyard to watch, but not why," said Karin, also in black, her robes outlined in orange to remind Hinata of her marital status with Naruto, the crest of her clan prominently displayed on her back. It was far from subtle and she meant it not to be. Everyone would remember this day for the rest of their lives and she wanted her clan to be front and center, any doubts that this wasn't going to work were quickly pushed aside.
The courtyard was filled to overflowing as they entered. Hundreds of Hyuga clan members gathered, their murmurs hushing as Karin and Tayuya approached. At the center, Hanabi sat in a plain grey outfit, the attire of the main branch, while Hinata stood beside her, her expression clouded with worry. She shot a pointed, almost angry look at the two Uzumaki women as they approached.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Hinata, her displeasure evident at the prospect of her sister's pain being exposed to all. The cook more like the spy she had placed in the Uzumaki household had told the branch members long before she interred Hinata's quarters, it was too far gone by then to put a stop it this madness.
"Hanabi wished that everyone could witness her liberation from the 'Caged Bird Seal,' she will be a symbol of unity within the main branch of the Hyuga clan," said Karin. As murmurs spread through the crowd, their anticipation palpable, Tayuya spoke up, laying the key scroll on the ground at her feet.
"She is the first of the main house to be sealed since Neji's father was sealed by his brother. He was freed by death, but today Hanabi will be freed, as all of you have been," said Karin, emphasizing her clan's actions in this momentous act.
"I would think you'd want everyone to be equal, don't you, Hanabi?" Tayuya's voice carried across the courtyard, prompting curious glances and whispers among the spectators. The status between the two branches was so clear before but now with this action, they were quickly fading.
"Yes, we are all equal," Hanabi responded, her words steady despite the uncertainty in her heart. She knew this moment would redefine her place within the clan, even if she hadn't fully grasped the implications, she was young and headstrong, and her asking for the Cage Bird seal had been an act of deviance not of unity.
"All have felt the pain of the seal being placed on them and of having it removed. Now it is your turn as the only member of the main house to feel this pain and liberation," said Karin, patting Hanabi on the shoulder as she took her place behind her, next to Hinata, who motioned for her to be quiet.
"Let us get this over with, we have a long day ahead of us," said Hinata doing her best to regain control of the situation.
"Are you ready?" asked Tayuya looking into the pale eyes of Hanabi
"Yes," said Hanabi with a shaking voice and a nod of the head.
Tayuya performed a series of hand signs, most of them ceremonial rather than functional, and then cried out, "Seal!" as she dramatically slammed her hand down onto the Key Scroll.
Hanabi's scream echoed throughout the courtyard as her body convulsed and her eyes rolled back into her head. The shaking was so intense that Hinata and Karin had to hold her down to prevent her from collapsing to the ground. It seemed like an eternity, but less than a minute later, she stopped trembling and looked at her sister with clear eyes.
"I thought you prevented the pain from showing," whispered an angry Hinata as she grabbed Karin's arm.
"We thought it best to allow her pain to be visible to all," said Karin pulling away until she stood at Hanabi's side.
"I am free. I can feel it," she announced to the roaring approval of the crowd.
"Yes, you are," said Karin, leaning in close. "It's a shame that not all of the main house were as brave as you."
"What?" Hanabi said, her head still spinning. "I only did what I thought was right." Her true feelings far from being Nobel did not leave her lips.
"Yes, you did," Tayuya added, rolling up her scroll slowly as if preparing to leave, her eyes fixed on the ground. "And now, you are the only member of the main house who is equal to all the others."
"What are you two talking about?" said Hinata, pulling his sister to her feet and hugging her before trying to walk away with her. Somehow she had lost control of this day and wanted to get as far away from this courtyard as possible.
"No, stop," said Hanabi breaking free from Hinata's hold. "I see what you mean. The main house has not felt the pain of being sealed. We must all be equal in this, don't you see that?" She said, looking into Hinata's eyes, as the crowd, overhearing this, started to make sounds of agreement.
"Are you out of your mind?" said Hinata, seeing where this was going and glaring at the two Uzumaki, whom she could see were the cause of all this.
Hinata gripped Hanabi's arm tighter this time, her voice edged with concern. "What's gotten into you, Hanabi? This isn't the way things are done."
Hanabi pulled away once again, her eyes defiant, to Hinata her eyes were those of a zealot. "No, sister. It's about time the main branch understands the pain they have inflicted. We need equality."
Karin stepped closer, her tone firm but measured. "Hinata, Hanabi has a point. You can't keep ignoring their suffering."
Tayuya nodded in agreement, keeping her gaze fixed on Hinata without wavering. "This isn't just about tradition anymore. It's about fairness."
Hinata glanced around at the murmuring crowd, sensing the weight of their expectations shifting to Hanabi's viewpoint. She sighed deeply, then turned to Neji for support, but only received his cold unblinking stare. Torn between honoring tradition and her sister's plea for change, she finally nodded reluctantly.
"Fine," she addressed the crowd and her family. "If this is what it takes to unite the clan, then so be it."
Hanabi leaped into Hinata's arms, whispering, "Thank you, thank you" over and over until Hinata, with a firm hand, gently broke free from her sister's embrace. She stood tall, her eyes sweeping over the growing crowd. Many stepped back at seeing her eyes, those of the Iron Fist not the gentle princess they had grown up with.
"Bring the Sealing Scroll," she commanded, not caring who carried out the deed. It was Neji who stepped forward, the cursed scroll in his hand. His look was frozen in place but she could feel his concern as his very presence kept the crowd back giving her room to think, to plan.
"Neji?" she said, his name a question and a plea for help.
"None will harm you as long as I breathe, " his words were low so that only she could hear them bringing a strange warmth to her as she nodded to him so he knew she heard his words.
"Bring the others, quickly bring them all," yelled Hanabi to the crowd. Some men broke free and ran into the interconnected houses, soon returning with all the main house members who gathered in the center of the courtyard, looking worried and confused. Their numbers were fewer than before, many having been killed in the revolt. With the main branch gathered, Hinata walked to each of them, explaining what was to be done. Most stood strong, while a few cried as if their lives were about to be taken from them.
In the end, it was Hinata who walked to the chair Hanabi had used and sat down. "I will be first. Do it now or leave this place," her words were both a challenge and an order. Neji came to stand in front of her, holding the scroll.
"My lady Hinata-sama, I will be the one," he said, unrolling the seal.
The courtyard fell into a hushed silence, the gravity of the moment weighing heavily on everyone present. The main branch members looked on, a mix of fear and resolve in their eyes. If young Hinata was strong enough to do this, they would follow her lead.
Neji began the sealing process, his hands moving through the intricate hand signs with precision. The air around them seemed to thicken as the seal activated. Hinata's face remained stoic, though the pain was evident in her eyes. Beads of sweat ran down her cheeks, not tears never tears, it would not be allowed.
As the seal took hold, a faint glow enveloped her, marking the moment of her imprisonment. Hinata's body trembled, but she didn't cry out. The crowd watched in awe, their murmurs silenced by her display of courage as the lines of the Caged Bird Seal burned into her flesh, wisps of smoke rising into the air. They all knew the pain and had cried out when it had been their turn, but Hinata hadn't even flinched. This moment cemented her name into legend.
When it was over, Hinata stood, her gaze unwavering. "Are you happy now?" she declared, her voice steady despite the ordeal she had just endured. Her focus was not on the branch family members or even on Karin, who she knew was the cause of this, but on Hanabi.
The crowd was silent as the main house members stepped forward one by one, each submitting to the seal. Unlike Hinata, none could remain still; most screamed out in pain—the same pain every member of the branch family remembered from their sealing. The crowd's initial fear gave way to admiration and a measure of respect for their willingness to endure the ordeal.
As the last member was sealed, Tayuya and Karin exchanged a glance, the unspoken satisfaction of their plan's success evident in their eyes. They had orchestrated this moment, and it had unfolded perfectly. They only hoped that Hinata would understand they did it to protect her in the future once the truth about the DNA seal came out.
Hinata stormed over to Tayuya, who stood in the shade of a tree as the sun began to beat down on the courtyard. "Now, remove it," she ordered, causing the crowd to freeze in silence. Even the quiet crying of some of the main house members seemed to stop at her words.
"Now, Hinata-sama, don't you think you should live at least a day with the Caged Bird seal? After all, Hanabi lived with it for six weeks," said Karin before Tayuya had a chance to say what was on her mind. Now was not the time for a profanity-laced speech.
Hinata, hearing the sound of the crowd once again voicing their agreement, stepped closer to the two redheads. Her voice was low so only they could hear. "I am but one hand sign from death with this seal on my head, and on the head of every main house member." Her words were cutting and showed a hint of worry, not just for herself but for every newly sealed family member.
"Yes, I fucking know that and now you know that feeling as well," whispered Tayuya, her tone so quiet that even Hinata had a hard time hearing it.
Hinata took a deep breath, her eyes hardening with determination. "Fine. One day," she said through gritted teeth. "But know this: if anything happens to any member of my family, the repercussions will be on your head, I swear that on the soul of my mother."
Karin nodded, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Of course, Hinata-sama. We're all in this together now."
Karin moved forward and in a strong voice that carried to everyone in the courtyard said, "Hinata-sama, in order to show her love to the clan, her family, and to any that would think her weak, will bear this burden, as you have. For one day. And then the seals will be removed and the cursed scroll with the Cage Bird seal will be destroyed."
The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the courtyard. Hinata glanced at Hanabi, her look speaking volumes about what words would be said in private, her anger at her sister clear for Hanabi to see.
With the crowd's energy behind her, Hinata stood tall, smiling as they walked up to her, giving their thanks for what she had done. She knew that the next 24 hours would be some of the most challenging of her life. But she also knew that, if she survived the day, the Hyuga clan would be stronger and more united than ever before.
As the crowd began to disperse, Tayuya and Karin exchanged a glance, their shared satisfaction evident.
"Do not think I am blind to what you have done," said Neji, standing behind them, making both of them jump. How he was able to sneak up on Karin, whose mind's eye was always active, made her more worried than his words.
"What the fuck do you want, tall, dark, and moody?" said Tayuya, seeing Karin was momentarily frozen.
"If Hinata is harmed, it will be you who pays the price. She is the only hope this clan has, and your trickery has placed her and the clan in danger," Neji said, and for the first time they could remember, he was showing emotion.
"I understand, Neji, but it had to be done—not for Hinata, but for the clan. Go spend the day with your youthful green love. The new day will come quickly, and all this will be over," said Karin, now that she had her composure back. With her mind's eye, she could see how Neji had suppressed his chakra to get close to her. The only other person to have ever done that had been Lee.
"I will stand at Hinata-sama's side until this is over. Lee has decided that creating a family is his most important mission right now, and I will not get in his way," said Neji. He walked past them, bumping their shoulders as he moved to Hinata, standing at her back, a silent shadow and guardian for all to see.
"Well, that was fucking unexpected," said Tayuya, seeing how close Neji and Hinata had gotten.
"Yes, his loyalty is commendable," said Karin. She spun about and, with brisk steps, walked out of the courtyard into the bright sunlight of the village hidden in the leaves. She had things to think about, plans to be made in case some crazed branch family member did something unthinkable, and Neji's newfound love of his clan or was it Hinata complicated everything. The Uzumaki clan would need to protect itself for the next 24 hours.
….
Naruto stood in the middle of the lamp-lit street, staring at the building where Jiraiya and the ship captain were still talking to the village headman and his council. Being a man of action rather than words, Naruto knew that to get the chance to use his talk-no-jutsu on them, he would first have to beat them into the ground—just a little bit.
Taking a deep breath, he stormed forward, ready to burst open the main doors and start throwing everyone into the street. He was done waiting, and even he could only eat so much ramen before he had to do something.
Just as he was about to put his fist through the door, Sakura came running out of a nearby shop, grabbed his arm, and spun him around before tossing him into the bushes on the side of the building across the street.
"I leave you for five seconds and you, what, decide to blow up the village or something?" she yelled, walking over, still holding the bag of goods she had bought just moments before.
"You know me, Sakura-chan. I wasn't going to destroy the village—just shake them up a little bit," said Naruto, getting up and wiping the dirt off the back of his pants.
Dropping her bag, Sakura used both hands to lift Naruto off his feet and shake him like a rag doll. "I told you not to do anything while I was gone!" she yelled, his head bouncing around like a ball on a string. She dropped him onto his ass on the ground and waited for him to get to his feet.
"Come with me," she said, turning toward the meeting hall and walking with long strides to the main door, not bothering to check if Naruto was following.
Slapping the doors open until they slammed into the walls on either side, Sakura got the attention of everyone in the room. The first thing she noticed was the many bottles of sake and a cup in everyone's hands. 'Men, turning everything into a drinking contest', she thought.
"OK, so if this is going to be going on all night, then I'm going to find a hot bath, a nice bed, and see you old fools in the morning," she declared, hands on her hips, daring any of them to say otherwise.
"My young and energetic student has a point. We should talk about this in the morning with clear heads. So, do you have a bathhouse in the village?" said Jiraiya, thinking about all the research he could do in an unknown village. What beauties would he find?
"Yes, we will meet again in the morning," said the headman as he and his people all stood as one. The captain, for his part, snatched a couple of the unopened bottles and hid them in his coat before walking out without saying a word.
"Pervy Sage, are you really going to a bathhouse?" asked Naruto as they both turned to follow the older shinobi down the street.
"Don't be a fool. This time of night it would be empty. No, we are going to that overpriced inn over there," Jiraiya said, nodding at the inn down the street.
Walking into the room, Naruto spotted a bed—a real, honest-to-god king-sized bed with lots of pillows. Making a beeline for the bed, Naruto went to fall face down into its softness when he suddenly stopped halfway, floating in the air.
"Get cleaned up first. I don't want to sleep in any dirt," said Sakura, holding Naruto in the air. He sometimes forgot just how strong she was before she dropped him on the floor.
"NOW, go take a shower," she added, giving him a little push with her foot as he got up. Sakura seemed a little more on edge than usual. 'I wonder what's up with her,' he thought before turning on the shower.
Coming out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, Naruto had to jump out of the way as Sakura made her way in. He soon heard the shower running as he crawled into the oversized bed with a long sigh.
Sakura came out of the bathroom wearing a cotton nightshirt that reached her knees. The soft fabric clung to her damp skin, her pink hair cascading loosely over her shoulders. She walked around the bed to crawl in beside Naruto, who was watching her every move with a curious expression.
She settled on her side of the bed, staring at the ceiling with a worried look on her face. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"Naruto, I have something to tell you, so don't get mad, OK?" she said finally, her voice trembling slightly.
"OK, Sakura-chan," Naruto replied, turning on his side to look at her more closely. His blue eyes were filled with concern. "What's going on?"
"I checked three times, and I know it's not supposed to happen, but it did," she said, still staring at the ceiling. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"OK, but what happened?" Naruto asked, his worry growing with each passing second.
Emotions overflowing, Sakura turned to face him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"Naruto, I'm pregnant," she said slowly, pausing at every word to let the reality sink in.
...
...
"Can you believe this story?" said Tomiko as she let the makeup artist work on her hair.
"I know, it just goes on and on," said Tuka, sitting beside her applying eye shadow.
"No that isn't what I mean, almost 500,000 words and I still haven't had sex yet, what is wrong with this writer!" she said with so much force the hairdresser jumped back.
"You know why don't you." said Tuka turning to look into the camera, "It's all your fault for not leaving any reviews!" both ladies screamed at the shocked reader who had to look behind them to see if they were on camera.