CHAPTER 36

The rhythmic sound of fists striking wood echoed through the quiet Uchiha compound. Sasuke moved with precision, his muscles burning with the effort as he delivered another sharp kick to the training post. His bandaged arms ached, but he ignored the discomfort, focusing only on the movements, on regaining the strength he had lost.

"That's not a great idea, you know," a familiar voice called out.

He didn't pause, his fists continuing their relentless assault.

"Sakura's going to kill you if you reopen those wounds," Naruto added, stepping closer with an exasperated sigh.

Sasuke finally spoke, his breath measured but strained. "I need to get back into shape."

The blond shinobi crossed his arms, a teasing grin forming. "Wow, never thought I'd see the day when you actually cared about your looks."

Pausing mid-strike, he shot a sharp glare in response. "Idiot." He turned back to what he was doing. "I heal fast."

Naruto snorted. "Not if you keep tearing yourself apart before you do." His blue eyes flicked over his friend's frame, noting the tension in his stance, the way his fingers still curled as if reluctant to let go of the fight. "What are you trying to prove, anyway?"

Sasuke didn't answer. He wasn't trying to prove anything. He was trying to be strong enough. Strong enough to protect what little he had left. Weakness wasn't an option, not if he wanted to stand beside Hinata and Haruki. Not if he wanted to deserve them.

Naruto watched him for a long moment before exhaling sharply. "So… you staying?"

His jaw tensed. He hadn't planned to. He hadn't wanted to. But life had a way of dragging him back, of forcing him to face things he wasn't ready for. Finally, he spoke again, voice even. "I have to."

The blond's expression shifted, something knowing flashing in his gaze before his lips curled into a small, satisfied grin. "So it's for them, huh?" He didn't receive a response, but the silence stretched long enough to be an answer. He nodded, leaning against a wooden post. "I get it. You know, I have a kid too." He ignored the raised eyebrow and continued, "His name's Sora."

Something unreadable flickered across Sasuke's face. "You're married?"

Naruto grinned. "Yeah. To Sakura. Do we not look like a married couple at all?"

He scoffed. "I always knew you were a masochist."

"Hey! Sakura isn't like that anymore!"

He gave him a flat look. "Right."

Naruto groaned, throwing up his hands. "Believe what you want."

A comfortable silence settled between them, the weight of years lingering in the space between words. The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows across the courtyard.

"Are they friends?" Sasuke asked after a beat.

Naruto blinked. "Huh?"

"Your son and mine."

The blond gave him his usual grin. "Yeah. Sora's always at the Hyuuga compound, playing with Haruki. Honestly, I think he spends more time there than at home."

He tilted his head slightly, something warm, and foreign settling in his chest. His son had a friend. A bond, perhaps, like the one he and Naruto had once had.

Naruto watched him carefully. "You know, they're just like us in a way."

Sasuke arched a brow. "How so?"

"Haruki's the quiet, serious one. And Sora? He's loud, always grinning, and way too nosy for his own good."

He huffed, something almost like amusement flickering in his gaze. "Sounds about right."

Naruto hesitated for a moment before his expression turned more serious. "Sasuke… you should let Tsunade-baachan know you're ready to change things. For Haruki. For Hinata." He paused. "You don't have to become a full shinobi again. Just… find something. Baachan's tough, but she's fair. You should at least hear her out."

He didn't respond immediately. He stared at the horizon, the weight of his past pressing heavy on his shoulders. His future had always been a hazy thing, one he had never truly allowed himself to imagine. "I'll think about it."

Naruto smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good. I'll be there to back you up, you know."

He scoffed, but didn't pull away. "You should go."

Naruto quirked a brow. "Why? Expecting someone?"

He didn't answer, but something in his expression shifted, just enough for Naruto's grin to turn positively devious.

"Ohhh," he drawled, rocking back on his heels. "Hinata, huh?"

"Who else? Leave."

Naruto snickered, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright! I'm going." He turned, but before stepping away, he cast one last glance over his shoulder, eyes twinkling. "Should I tell the ANBU not to disturb you later?"

Sasuke's glare could have set the village on fire.

Laughing, the blond disappeared, leaving him standing alone in the dimming light. He exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

Idiot, she won't be here until tomorrow.

He watched her enter the quiet house with a gentle resolve, a small bouquet of lavender and white lilies cradled in her arms. The soft scent of the flowers filled the air as she made her way inside, the faint creak of the wooden floors beneath her feet the only sound.

Sasuke stood leaning against the doorframe of his room, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as they followed her every move. He said nothing, simply watching as she crossed the room to place the flowers in the vase on the table.

"They're beautiful," she murmured, adjusting the stems until they sat just right. Her fingers brushed against the petals, lingering for a moment before she exhaled softly. "I wanted to bring Haruki..."

He said nothing, but his gaze sharpened slightly, the subtle shift in his expression betraying his interest.

She hesitated, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "...But, we haven't received the Hokage's approval yet," she admitted. "Not until things settle."

A muscle in his jaw twitched. He looked away, arms still crossed over his chest, but she knew him well enough by now. He wasn't indifferent, just frustrated.

She smiled faintly. "He's been keeping himself busy, though. He spent all day with Sora yesterday. They ran all over the compound, played until they could barely keep their eyes open. I don't think I've ever seen him that exhausted before."

His silence stretched, but she could tell he was listening.

"And Neji-niisan's started teaching him taijutsu," she added, her voice warm with quiet amusement. "Haruki takes it so seriously. He watches niisan so intently, tries to mimic every movement perfectly. You'd think he was training for the Chunin Exams."

His gaze softened slightly at her words, though he kept his silence.

After a while, the quiet became almost oppressive. Hinata turned to face him, her lavender eyes searching his face. "What are you thinking?" she asked gently.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, his smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Just about how much I want to take you to bed," he said, his tone casual but his words carrying a dangerous edge of honesty. "And make love to you until you can't think straight."

She froze, her face turning crimson as she stared at him in shock. "Sasuke!" she hissed, glancing around nervously. "You can't just say things like that. There are ANBU listening!"

He shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unbothered. "Let them listen," he said, his smirk deepening. He pushed off the doorframe and closed the distance between them in a few slow, deliberate steps. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her closer, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he leaned down slightly, his lips brushing against her ear.

"Tell me," he murmured, his voice low and teasing, "you weren't thinking the same thing."

Hinata's face burned even hotter, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest as she tried to push him back. "I… I wasn't!" she stammered, though her voice lacked conviction.

His smirk only grew as he tilted his head, his expression filled with quiet confidence. "You're not a good liar, you know," he said softly, his tone challenging.

Her eyes widened, her embarrassment overwhelming as she averted her gaze.

He leaned forward, his lips pressing softly against her forehead. The tender gesture carried a depth of emotion he rarely expressed in words. "This… feels right," he murmured, his voice low and genuine.

Her lavender eyes softened as she looked up at him, her heart swelling. "Yes, it does," she replied quietly, her voice trembling with unspoken emotion.

He hesitated for only a moment before he leaned down further, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. It was unhurried, filled with all the longing and affection he had held back for years.

When they pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, her gaze shy yet filled with warmth. She took a small step back, her hands still resting on his chest. "Sasuke," she began softly, "I'm acting as the Hyuuga head for now. But once Hanabi marries in six months, I'll step down and pass the role to her." She looked into his dark eyes, her own gaze steady but hopeful. "Until then… can you wait for me?"

Sasuke nodded without hesitation, his expression serious. "I can wait," he said simply. Then, after a pause, he added, "I'll wait as long as it takes. You know that."

Her heart swelled at his words, a smile breaking through her shy expression. "Thank you," she whispered.

He smirked faintly, his sharp features softening as he reached for her hand, his fingers gliding over her skin in an absentminded caress. "I've already started preparing," he said, his voice calm but purposeful.

She tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing. "What do you mean?"

"I spoke to Tsunade," he said, his tone measured. "She knows what I'm capable of, so she offered me work. Missions, one at a time. No ties to Konoha, no obligations." His touch remained light against her palm, tracing idle patterns as if grounding himself in the moment. "She doesn't trust me completely, so I won't be working alone... someone will always be watching."

Hinata studied him, searching his face. "And you accepted?"

He exhaled slowly. "I need money." The admission was quiet, edged with something close to frustration. "It's humiliating, but it's better than playing the Hokage's loyal soldier." His grip on her hand tightened slightly. "And it's not like I'm doing it for them." His gaze flickered down, lingering on the hand he was still holding. "But I want to be someone you and Haruki can be proud of." His voice was quiet, but firm and unyielding.

Her tears fell before she could stop them, her free hand coming up to cover her mouth as emotion overwhelmed her. She shook her head slightly, a soft laugh escaping her. "How could I be prouder of you than I already am?" she said, her voice trembling.

He reached out, brushing a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Don't cry," he said, though his voice was gentle.

She smiled through her tears, her hand lowering as she looked at him. "I can't help it," she whispered, the words catching in her throat.

I love you.

But she couldn't say it out loud. Instead, she let her fingers tighten around his, hoping he could feel what she couldn't bring herself to say.

She returned to the Hyuuga compound as quietly as she had left, moving through the dimly lit corridors with practiced ease. The night was still, the air carrying the faint scent of wisteria, but as she stepped into her chambers, she immediately sensed it. She was not alone.

She froze. Her gaze flicked to the corner of the room, where a figure stood waiting.

Naomasa Hyuuga.

"Hinata-sama," he greeted, his voice smooth. "We have much to discuss."

She exhaled softly, keeping her posture poised. "What is it, Naomasa-dono?"

He studied her for a long moment before exhaling. "I understand that this transition period has been difficult for you. Balancing your duties as the head while also preparing to step down in favor of your sister." His tone carried an almost sympathetic lilt, but she wasn't fooled. There was always something beneath his words, something layered.

She nodded carefully. "I am aware of my responsibilities."

Naomasa tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharpening. "Including your responsibilities as a Hyuuga?"

There it was. A shift in tone. A test. She kept her expression neutral. "What do you mean?"

He took a step forward, folding his hands in front of him. "Hinata-sama, I know about your meetings with the Uchiha."

Hinata stiffened, but only slightly. She should have expected this. The Hyuuga elders had eyes and ears everywhere.

Naomasa observed her carefully, watching for any hint of defiance. "You may believe that you are acting in private, but nothing escapes the notice of this clan. And while some might look the other way, I cannot."

She met his gaze. Unwavering. "Sasuke is Haruki's father. He has a right to know about him."

His expression darkened slightly. "You misunderstand, Hinata-sama. Sasuke Uchiha is a criminal under probation. The village has only allowed him to stay under strict conditions, and even then, he is watched closely. For you, as the head of this clan, to be seen with him raises… questions."

Her hands clenched beneath the folds of her robes. "This is a personal matter, not a political one."

He gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Perhaps. But personal matters have a way of becoming political, don't they?" He let the words linger before continuing. "You should be aware that there are laws regarding children of mixed bloodlines within our clan."

Hinata's heart skipped a beat.

Naomasa sighed, as if burdened by what he was about to say. "According to Hyuuga law, a child with Hyuuga blood must be raised within the clan's traditions. This means that Haruki is considered Hyuuga first, regardless of his father's lineage. And more importantly… it means that his father has no rightful claim over him."

She felt the air leave her lungs. They're trying to cut Sasuke out completely. "What are you saying?"

His voice remained calm, almost gentle. "Sasuke Uchiha cannot legally claim or raise your son. The law forbids it."

For a long moment, she said nothing. She had always known the elders disapproved of Sasuke, but this… this was more than she had anticipated.

Naomasa watched her, clearly expecting resistance. "As the boy's mother, you of course retain guardianship," he continued. "But you must understand, Haruki belongs to the Hyuuga. He will be raised as one of us, trained as one of us, and his future will be shaped by this clan. His father's influence is unnecessary. Especially someone with nothing. No clan. No standing. No influence. The boy does not need him."

Hinata swallowed her anger, keeping her expression composed. But her heart pounded. "And if I refuse?"

His expression darkened slightly. "Then you will be bringing dishonor upon the Hyuuga. The elders permitted you to keep the child because he carries Hyuuga blood, but do not mistake that for leniency. If you openly defy the laws of the clan, you will lose your standing. And if you are seen as unfit to uphold our tradition… you may lose much more."

The implication was clear. She clenched her fists beneath the sleeves of her kimono, but she knew she was cornered. She was still acting as the head. If she defied the elders now, it would not only jeopardize her position but possibly Hanabi's as well.

Naomasa walked closer, offering her a polite nod. Controlled. Measured. "I trust you will make the correct decision. For the good of the clan."

And with that, he turned and left, leaving her alone in the quiet room, her mind racing. The injustice of it burned inside her, but she knew that for now, there was nothing she could do. Not without jeopardizing everything.

She had to tell Sasuke.

With a heavy heart, she left the compound once again. The cool night air felt sharp against her skin as she made her way to the Uchiha compound, the weight of her news pressing down on her like a stone.

When she reached the training yard, there he was—Sasuke. He stood alone in the stillness of the night, his katana gleaming in the dim light, a silent promise of deadly precision. The moment their gazes locked, something shifted in the air between them. His stance subtly changed, a fluid motion that betrayed the calm facade he wore. It was as if he had known she was coming, as if he could feel the storm inside her long before she arrived.

"Hinata," his voice was quiet, yet sharp, as he sheathed his katana with practiced ease, his eyes never leaving her. "What happened?" His gaze grew more intense, his brow furrowing slightly as his body tensed.

She paused, the weight of the moment pressing on her chest, her mind frantically searching for the right words. How could she tell him? How could she make him understand? She took a long, shaky breath, gathering herself before looking him in the eyes. "The Hyuuga elders know."

The words hung in the air between them, and the instant they left her lips, his expression darkened. His jaw clenched tight, and his eyes became cold, dangerously so. "Tch. Of course they do."

She swallowed hard, her voice dropping, thick with the weight of everything she couldn't change. "They're forbidding you from seeing Haruki. They're using an old Hyuuga law… claiming that because he's Hyuuga by blood, you have no right to him. No claim over him."

Sasuke's body went rigid, his face a mask of controlled fury. He stood motionless, his eyes narrowing, his mind working furiously to process the reality of her words. For a long moment, silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

Hinata's fists clenched beneath the folds of her robe, her nails digging into her palms. "I tried to fight it… but—"

"But you can't fight them yet," he interrupted, his voice cold, yet tinged with an undercurrent of barely contained rage. His eyes darkened further, his fists tightening at his sides.

She nodded, her heart sinking. "Not without risking everything."

Sasuke's gaze hardened, and a deep, bitter edge entered his mind. He had always known the Hyuuga would resist him, but to be completely shut out from his own son? To be told he had no claim over him? The anger coursed through him like a fire, but he held it in check. For now.

His jaw clenched harder, his restraint visible but his fury still simmering beneath the surface. He wasn't angry with Hinata, he knew what position she was in. But the injustice of it, the sheer impossibility of being denied his son, gnawed at him.

"I won't push you into going against them," he said finally, his voice a controlled whisper, though every word felt like it was coated in steel. "Not yet. But I won't let them keep him from me forever."

Her breath caught, and her throat tightened. The tears that threatened to spill were just as quickly pushed back, but the ache in her chest was unbearable.

"I know," she whispered, her voice breaking ever so slightly.

Sasuke's hand moved, slow and deliberate, until his fingers gently brushed her cheek. The touch was almost too tender, grounding her in the rawness of the moment. His eyes searched hers, as if looking for something deeper, something unspoken between them.

"Do you trust me?" he asked, his voice low, barely above a breath.

Hinata didn't hesitate. The answer was automatic, instinctive. "Always."

He exhaled deeply, his thumb brushing her skin with a gentleness that contrasted sharply with the storm raging inside him. "Then I'll wait. For now."

She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a fleeting moment, as if trying to gather all the strength she could in his presence. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice soft, filled with an emotion she couldn't fully name.

Sasuke didn't respond with words, but the silence between them was laden with meaning. It was enough. The unspoken understanding passed between them like an unbreakable thread, each knowing the storm was coming.

He stood at the village gates just before dawn, the first light of morning casting long shadows across the quiet landscape. The air was crisp, the lingering chill of the night still clinging to the earth beneath his boots. He adjusted the strap of his pack, making sure his katana rested securely by his side. Tsunade had given him a mission. A simple test, a short one. He would be gone for a few days, no more. But somehow, it felt heavier than that.

A part of him resented leaving now, just when he had started to reconnect with Hinata, just when he'd finally dared to dream of something resembling normalcy. He had only begun to put the pieces of his life back together, only to have it torn apart again. And worse, he was leaving without seeing Haruki. He hadn't even had the chance to hold his son, to tell him the things he needed to say.

Was this deliberate? Was Tsunade's decision just another way to remind him of his place, of how much he still had to prove? A test of loyalty, yes, but also a reminder: you're still an outsider. You always will be.

The thought settled like a stone in his chest, but he swallowed it down, burying it deep. One at a time.

He didn't hear him at first, but then there was a familiar presence beside him, an easy grin on a face he knew too well.

"Tch. You're really leaving without saying goodbye? That's cold, bastard."

Sasuke's lips twitched, but he didn't turn. "I told her last night."

Naruto's voice was laced with playful annoyance, but there was something else beneath it, something softer, more vulnerable. "Not her, idiot. Me."

He gave him a sideways glance, unimpressed, but his gaze softened ever so slightly. "Since when do I owe you a goodbye?"

Naruto snorted. "You don't. But I'm your designated babysitter, so it would've been nice to know when you were running off."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition in his mind. "Tsunade is making you follow me?"

"Nah," Naruto grinned, rocking back and forth on his heels, the sound of his boots against the earth echoing in the stillness. "But she told me to make sure you actually come back."

He scoffed, but there was a warmth in his chest at the thought of his old friend looking out for him. He didn't respond, but his silence spoke volumes.

The blond's grin faded, and he studied Sasuke for a long moment, his usual brashness replaced by a rare, serious tone. "Look… I know you hate this, but you're doing the right thing."

He didn't reply. What could he say? The right thing didn't always feel right. It felt like another test, another reminder that the world was still catching up to him.

Naruto's voice softened, his shoulders slumping a little. "At least now, you'll have some money. You can start fixing up the compound, get some stability."

Sasuke's lips quirked in a barely-there smile. "You sound like Sakura."

Naruto grinned wide, the familiar glint in his eyes. "She's rubbing off on me."

A silence hung between them, both of them feeling the weight of unspoken words. Sasuke couldn't help but feel the years between them. How far they'd come since those first days in the village, when everything was simpler and every mission felt like a game. Now, it was different. There was too much at stake.

Naruto shifted, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, but when he spoke again, his voice was quieter, softer. "You know… it won't be like this forever."

He let out a long breath, his gaze fixed ahead, the path stretching before him like an endless road. "It better not be."

Naruto's smirk was almost playful, but there was a flicker of understanding beneath it. "If it is, we'll just raise hell together."

Sasuke huffed, a faint chuckle escaping him despite himself. He finally turned, his hand brushing the hilt of his katana as he took the first step toward the trees, toward the mission ahead. "Don't slow me down, dobe."

"Wouldn't dream of it, teme."

And with that, the two disappeared into the trees.

Haruki sat cross-legged on the porch, his small hands resting in his lap. Despite the peaceful scene around him, his young face was furrowed with a thoughtful frown. He wasn't playing with the other children. Instead, he stared out at the training grounds, his finger absentmindedly tracing patterns on the wooden floor. His mind, curious and confused, couldn't stop asking questions he didn't fully understand.

Lately, he had begun to notice strange things. People would whisper in hushed voices when he passed by. The kind of whispers that made him feel like they were talking about him, even though he couldn't quite hear all their words. When he walked into a room, conversations would suddenly stop, and everyone would look at him with eyes that weren't quite kind. He wasn't supposed to hear, but he always caught bits of things.

"Tainted blood."

"The father, he can't be trusted."

"Hinata-sama is being careless."

The words echoed in his mind like a strange melody he couldn't place, twisting in his thoughts like a cold wind. His small brow furrowed in confusion. What did they mean? He wasn't supposed to hear, but somehow, the words always found him.

Even the other children in the clan treated him differently now. They stared at him with wide eyes, whispered behind his back, or, worst of all, avoided him altogether. It made his chest ache with something he couldn't name. Was it because of him? Was it his fault?

He knew he wasn't the same as the other children; he could feel it deep inside. His eyes—his eyes were different. One was like the others, pale and almost glassy, the same as every other Hyuuga child. But the other... the other was dark, almost too dark, like it didn't belong. Sometimes, when he caught a glimpse of himself in the water, he would stare at that mismatched reflection, the pale eye glowing faintly, while the dark one seemed to hold secrets it didn't want to share. He didn't know where it came from, the dark one. It wasn't like his mother's, or his uncle Neji's. It was something else—something that made him feel even more out of place.

He had asked his mother once, her gentle voice his only comfort.

"Kaasan, why are my eyes like this?" he had asked in his soft, innocent voice.

Her mother's smile had faltered, just for a moment, before she gently smoothed his hair and whispered, "You are perfect just as you are, Haruki."

But that was all. No more words. No explanations. Just silence.

And the silence left him wondering.

A noise beside him broke his thoughts, and he looked up to see his best friend, Sora, plop down beside him. His friend's face was lit up with his usual mischievous grin, but it faltered when he saw the serious expression on his face.

"Hey, let's go find something fun to do. You look all grumpy," Sora said, nudging him lightly.

Haruki didn't respond right away. He kicked at the wooden floor with his small feet, making soft thudding sounds. The words that had been haunting him for days tumbled out before he could stop them. "Sora... do you think I really have a father?"

Sora blinked, his head tilting to the side. "Uh... doesn't everybody have a father?"

Haruki shook his head, his frown deepening. "No... I mean, do you know who my father is?"

His best friend's face twisted in confusion. "Isn't it someone from the Hyuuga? That's what people say."

He shook his head again, more forcefully this time. "No one ever talks about him. It's like he doesn't really exist."

Sora's face softened with sympathy, sensing his friend's confusion. He hesitated before offering, "Well… maybe you can ask your kaasan?"

He clenched his fists. "I asked her. She said he's far away. Sometimes she tells me things but... she won't tell me anything specific. Why won't she tell me the truth?"

Sora's brow furrowed as he searched for something comforting to say, but before he could speak, he lowered his voice to a whisper, looking around as if the words themselves were dangerous. "Well… I overheard some of the older kids talking… They said your father is a traitor."

His breath caught in his throat, his wide eyes locking onto Sora's face as if he couldn't believe the words he had just heard. "A traitor?" he whispered hoarsely, his chest tightening as the word sank in.

Sora quickly shook his head, panic flickering in his eyes. "I don't think that's true! My Tousan always says not to believe everything you hear. But... but they said it. They said your dad is bad. And.."

Haruki's hands clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. His heart thudded loudly in his chest. "And what?" he demanded, his voice small but filled with an urgency he couldn't hide.

Sora leaned in closer, his voice barely a whisper, "They said he's back in the village."

The words hit him like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened in shock. "He is?"

Sora nodded, his face full of uncertainty. "I don't know anything else, but... if he's really bad, then why would they let him come back?"

Haruki swallowed hard, his mind spinning. His father—was he really here? Why hadn't he come to see him? Why didn't he come to find him, if he was truly back?

The boy's heart raced in his chest as he tried to make sense of it all. If his father had come back, then why didn't he know? And if his father was a traitor… did that mean he was the same?

His fingers trembled as he pressed them against the floor, the wooden planks cool under his touch. Something inside him felt like it was breaking, like the pieces of his world were shattering, and he didn't know how to put them back together.

He felt like something was being hidden from him.

Naomasa walked through the Hyuuga estate, his expression carefully composed as he moved through the ancient corridors lined with intricate wooden carvings. The estate smelled of polished wood and faint incense, a reminder of the clan's unwavering traditions; traditions he intended to uphold, no matter the cost.

His expression darkened. He had seen it, the way the boy had grown quieter, his sharp gaze lingering on conversations that weren't meant for him. Haruki was becoming aware.

A five-year-old shouldn't be asking about a father he wasn't meant to know.

Naomasa came to a stop before a set of sliding doors.

Inside, a man knelt in the dim light of a single candle. His hair was pulled into a tight knot, his pale eyes closed as if in meditation.

Naomasa slid the door open. "It is time."

The man lifted his head, his expression unreadable. "You're certain?"

Naomasa stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "The boy is starting to search for answers. We cannot allow him to stray."

The man's lips pressed into a thin line. "And Hinata-sama?"

Naomasa's eyes flashed with quiet satisfaction. "She is bound by duty. She will follow the law.