For those of you who enjoyed Chapter 1, thank you. I think I made a lot of improvements in my writing since I started writing fanfiction for myself, and I thank everyone for your feedback.
Chapter Two Love and hate
Naruto was riding on his horse, Jiraiya. It was a long journey, the quest that he went on in a foreign land where a nation was controlled by puppets and the princess he saved her with the skin of his teeth. She invited him to stay, but he declined because he wanted to head back home to his family. He looked at the capital and noticed a dark ominous atmosphere. He didn't set foot in the city, which was white but felt dark; it was as if the city had turned gray. Why was this? He looked at the direction of a kingdom that he had only heard tales about from his mother—a once-thriving Kingdom where fey's once ruled—and he saw was a barren wasteland. The forest was dead, the trees burned due to the usurpers who killed the previous queen and the Royal family, mindlessly destroying the forest for its resources without respecting the sacred place.
He felt sad when he looked in that direction. He heard only stories of how beautiful it once was. He wondered what it would look like if it hadn't been destroyed by industry or by a tyrant king who wanted to pillage everything in order to enrich himself and his family.
That was the tragedy. Though he wouldn't be able to get to the destination tonight, he looked up at the sky and wondered where his shining star was. He had been searching for her for half a decade and still no success. What happened to Hinata? Naruto really wanted to know. He really wanted to know what happened to his shining star. He had been looking for leads for years and no success.
Naruto has simple clothing for a traveler. He had a red cape with orange stripes. His attire was orange and black. Some would call him an idiot for wearing such bright colors, but to him, it's what he likes to wear. Though these days he mostly wore black with only a bit of orange. His hair was ragged. In his human form, he had ears that made him appear to be human, though currently, he's in his true form of his race, the Kitsune. He had fox ears in his preferred form and a heightened sense of smell. His eyes were blue regardless if he's in his human form or his true form.
He didn't stop on the road for most of the day after he woke up. He ate a quick meal and got on his horse, Jiraiya, and continued to ride. The usually beautiful grasslands were nothing of the sort; it was almost as if the land itself felt what was happening in the castle town yesterday. He continued going, and when he went into the gates, the men looked relieved to see him.
"Oh, my God! Menma Namikaze has returned! Please protect us from the dark witch of the East." said a woman who begged him. She grabbed his hand.
"Our Lord. It was terrible, please save us." Said a man who was in his 40s and had white hair.
Naruto looked around, and it was chaos everywhere he saw. A fire had consumed the palace, glass was shattered, and everywhere he stepped, he had to be careful. People looked frightened; who could have done this? Naruto asked himself. He didn't like this at all—it would take him away from his quest. His latest clues about where Hinata was would dry up, and he couldn't afford to waste this opportunity. But could he really abandon these people in their time of need? Naruto, who often felt compelled to help those in need, decided to listen.
"Who could have possibly done this?" Naruto asked the people in the square, where all the shops were usually located but are now closed due to the happenings in the palace. Everywhere he looked, there were shuttered windows; he was able to feel in the air a deep malice that chilled him to his core. He had never felt such hatred; whoever did this has a deep darkness in their soul.
"The dark witch of the East came to the princess's palace. The king of Hyga is dead, and his closest ally is dead. She had brought his head to the court; at least, that's what the rumor says. I cannot confirm it at all, please. My Lord, save us from this witch," begged the woman who was terrified.
He had heard about the dark witch of the East on his travels; she was a powerful witch who conjured dark magic on her enemies. Naruto was reluctant to go to the land known as Hygan for that very reason, because it had nothing to do with his search for his Shining Star. As long as she didn't go after the people he cared about, it was not his problem. People would consider it selfish and blasphemy if he ever said that openly, but that's how he felt. He wasn't a hero because he wanted to be. His failure to protect Hinata 8 years ago and his failure to keep his promise was what motivated him to find her for all those years. Helping those in need was just an afterthought. If they knew that his intentions were never pure, they would look at him in disgust. He saw knights approaching him and knew he had to cut his inner thoughts short.
"The princess requests your presence; immediately." The head of the knight's Naruto's friend Sasuke Uchiha said; urgently considering the situation. Naruto was escorted by Sasuke and his knights. Sasuke; was taller than Naruto, and he wore; armor that was reminiscent of his clan on the upper parts of his body. It was blood red armor, and the lower sections were also red, but underneath the armor, there was a blue attire. This was the kind of armor that the head of the Uchiha clan wears regardless of where they are.
"Can you tell me what happened, Sasuke?" asked Naruto as they were walking to the palace. He was looking around at ruins everywhere. Fear was in the air. Just what kind of enemy came here this time to cause such terror among the populace? He had never felt such fear before, even when he walked through the streets of Konaha.
"The dark witch of the East paid Sakura a visit along with all her guests. Your mother was there too, Menma." Sasuke looked as if he was wondering whether he could tell Naruto what he was about to tell him.
"Your mother was there, and so was lady Shion. They're still here. I couldn't do anything when she was there. She turned all of our weapons into dust; it was like looking at death itself." Sasuke said Naruto was worried about his friend Shion. He was also worried about his mother. Just what happened?
"Do you know what she looks like?" Naruto asked Sasuke.
"I barely got a chance to look at her. I was trying to get everyone who was fleeing to safety. I never had a chance to look, the only thing I do know is that I never felt such a dark presence ever in my life as I did yesterday." Sasuke said shivering at the memory.
"Am I expected to go on a quest to eliminate this which of the East?" Naruto asked.
"you likely will be tasked for such a thing yes." Sasuke answered.
"I have leads on where my shining star is. I'm sorry, Sasuke, but I can't." Naruto said. They stopped, and Naruto did not know why Sasuke was stopping.
"You're still on that damn myth of the Shining Star, dammit Menma, it's a damn myth." Sasuke said angrily because Naruto wasn't willing to do what Sakura asked regarding the wicked witch of the East. They have been wanting him to do something about her for years, but he hasn't been able finally it's that came close to his goal of finding Hinata is what mattered. As long as she didn't harm those he cared about, he didn't care about the witch.
"HINATA CHAN IS NOT A MYTH." Naruto screamed then he realized where he was at and calmed himself. The anxiety of knowing where she could be this is the best lead he had in years. Orochimaru, the man who kidnapped her, finally he knew where his lair was. He was hoping that Hinata was alive.
He put that aside for now. He had to see Sakura because his presence was requested, as reluctant as he was to be in the princess's presence. As the next head of the Usamaki clan, he had no choice but to answer her summons regardless of how he felt about them.
He continued to look around him at the shattered glass. As he got closer to the Palace, everyone who looked at Naruto was glad to see him, but he didn't pay them any mind. The only thing on his mind was Hinata—the girl that he had been looking for, who was now a woman, his mate. He couldn't waste any more time; he couldn't keep her waiting anymore. 8 years! He would do whatever was required and no more than that. His goal was to save her and bring her home.
When he was in the palace, he had to be careful not to step on glass. It was everywhere when he was in the throne room; he heard an argument.
Earlier in the council chamber
It's very rare, when: an emergency council meeting has ever been enacted unless there is a high likelihood of war. At least six of the council members vote for a war to begin, consisting of various kingdoms and races. Some of them work here due to them not being able to attend the meetings; so only 6 out of the 12 are present.
The first among them was Itachi Uchiha, the older brother of her fiancé. He wore a dark blue kimono that had the symbol of his clan on the front to symbolize him being the head of the clan. His hair was tied into a ponytail; he was accompanied by his wife, who was currently with child. She had brown hair and wore a purple kimono, with the symbol of her clan on her tiara, symbolizing her being the queen of her clan. The Uchiha elves once had a kingdom until it was destroyed centuries ago in an ancient war that has long since faded into legend. Konoha is where they have lived for centuries; they agreed to support the kingdom as long as the mini-kingdom that is close to them had its borders respected, which Sakura and her ancestors have honored. Konoha would not be able to have legitimacy without the Uchiha's existence; the name of the kingdom of the Uchiha is impossible for her to pronounce in her language, so she doesn't try to. Sasuke may end up teaching her in time, but right now is not the time. Right now is the time to prepare for action against a potential war with a dark Fey.
Ino is the head of the Yamanaka; a clan of fairies who had just arrived hours ago. Her and Sakura they have not seen: eye to eye for many! years, and regarding Hinata's arrival the previous day didn't help matters! either considering she is friends with Hinata. Fairies were a difficult race to get along with due to their tense history with humans. In the past her race was hunted to near extinction and has not had much: dealings with humans and are weary of them and barely interact with them unless they're summoned by a council. Ino had her hair tied back and wore what was expected from the queen of the fairies she wore a dress that exposed her stomach and had a long skirt that went down to her feet she wore no footwear due to fairies being uncomfortable wearing any footwear her wings was what to be expected from fairies. She was taller than Sakura most people expected ferries to small in stature due to the legends of them being small but that's not what they are they tend to keep to themselves and prefer for people to think of them as small creatures in order to protect themselves from predators.
Another one of the council was Gaara, the emperor of the land. of sand. She cannot. pronounce: the name and her. language. due. to Gaara's clan refusing to give out the name like the other non-human races. The Tanooki King was reluctant to give out the real name of his kingdom due to; his lack of trust in Konoha and humans as a whole.
The rest of the members of the council were some of the guests who were invited like Kushina, who looked exhausted from the previous day. She didn't even bother changing her clothes from the previous night. The person to the left of her was Shion, who looked at Ino with an uneasy expression, which Sakura did not like.
"I know this is under a short notice, but my kingdom was attacked last night by Hinata Hyuga, the dark Fey of formally the land of light." Sakura said. Everyone was silent until Ino especially spoke up.
"As you all know, we don't have these councils meetings unless the possibility of war happening we are dealing with a dark fey. A monster from that race is more dangerous than dealing with a Dark Fey." Before Sakura could elaborate, she was interrupted by Itachi.
"They are gentle in nature. Fey were never violent. Whatever brought this about is the fault of Natsu Hyga. It was through his actions that brought about the downfall of the Kingdom of Hyugan. It was through his actions and his descendants' hunting down the gentle and peaceful race of the Fey which caused us to have to deal with; this threat. Your ancestor should have listened to my grandfather. This could have been avoided. Had that had happened, greed is what motivated your ancestors and Natsu." Itachi said not hiding his contempt for what had happened to the Hyuga royal family protectors of the Forest of Hyugan. Itachi voiced his honest thoughts over the current situation and not caring how everyone took it. He was telling it how he saw it. Itachi hated violence. it plexed Sakura why would be sympathetic to those monsters considering the act of violence Hinata committed yesterday.
"They've always been monsters," Sakura said insistently.
"Always been monsters say who?" Gaara asked with distrust considering that's how humans labeled him and his people in the past..
"They've always been hostile to outsiders and always killed them they've always killed their enemies in cruel ways they've never not been a cruel race," Sakura said with hatred of the Fey she was glad that they were gone when she heard they were all killed as a child but that didn't turn out to be true at all because of Hinata.
"lies they were never hostile they never started Wars they never went to war with anyone," Ino said in anger.
"lies don't tell me you actually sympathize with that monster? She destroyed a kingdom and a family that spawned generations. The hyga family has connections that span centuries and that was all destroyed in a single night. including the children of Saito." Sakura said.
"Need I remind you Sakura Saito murdered his own son Hiashi along with his own daughter?" Ino said disgusted with Sakura believing the story that she was told.
"They were bastards and not to mention they were half breeds it mattered not his son broke a sacred rule and took his father's wife to bed which is punishable by Death." Said a voice behind her who was Donzo the eldest of the council who is at the age of 70.
"Nothing justifies murdering an innocent child, you monster," Ino said with a righteous fury.
"That child was a Fey. Good riddance! If only he had gotten rid of that wretch, we wouldn't have to deal with her today," Danzo responded venomously to Ino.
"Typical human justifying the murder of children for your own ends," said Gaara in disgust.
"This is supposed to be a council, yet we're bickering like children. What are we going to do about the threat in the east?" asked Sakura, lacking the patience for such nonsense.
"I suggest we stay away from the borders of Hyugan it's not worth starting a war her hatred for your race is only going to be justified in her eyes if you go to war with her," Kushina said which perplexed Sakura what did she mean by that isn't she human?
"I have to agree with Lady Kushina. The last thing this kingdom needs is another war. We have already dealt with the Orcish hordes of the South, and we don't want to be dragged into a conflict with a wrathful Fey. We don't need another enemy, especially when we already have a war on my borders. A war on two fronts is something my kingdom cannot afford." Shion added.
"We have an enemy at our doorstep, and you're suggesting we do nothing?" Danzo asked angrily at the position of the elf princess.
"I hold you responsible for the presence of your enemy, as your ancestors should have stopped Natsu from waging war in the sacred Forest, which he and his successors have now ruined. If they had prevented him, you wouldn't be facing the wrath of the Fey Queen," Ino spoke with a raised voice, filled with anger.
"Of course, the fairy would be sympathetic to that abomination," Danzo said angrily.
"SILENCE HUMAN" Ino replied abruptly.
"If we fight amongst ourselves, we might as well be at war with ourselves and do the work of our enemy for them," Shion tried to reason with everyone.
"You high elves do not have your hands free of the blood of the Fey either do not forget your ancestors abandoned the Fey when they needed you the most spare me this self-righteous hypocrisy," Itachi said in anger at herself righteousness.
Shion argued with Uchiha, "How dare you! You are supposed to be elves, the guardians of the forest. But when one of Konoha's noble families destroyed the forest, you did nothing to stop them. Don't lecture me when you failed to do your duty. " Shion replied angrily.
"We take care of our forest, and what goes on beyond our borders is none of our concern," said Itachi, not caring if it angered the princess of Hakira.
"Who is the enemy here? We're all fighting amongst ourselves and have you forgotten the reason we're here." Kushina asked as if she was talking down to children.
"I have not forgotten," Gaara said calmly.
"Neither have I," said Itachi.
"I haven't forgotten, either," said Shion, trying to appear calm over her outburst earlier with her argument with Itachi.
After everyone had calmed down, Sakura had to get them to listen to reason and agree with her. Unfortunately, she didn't have the support she needed, so she would have to resort to sending a hero again, which she knew would end in failure. Despite the futility of it, Sakura was going to try to convince the fairy queen again. Having the fairies on their side was crucial as without them, there was no chance of getting the other council members to agree. Sakura spoke to Ino again to try to reason with her.
"There is a lot at stake, Ino. As queen, it is in the best interest to everyone deal with the threat the dark Fey. You know the legends as much as anyone. If she isn't stopped, our kingdoms could be destroyed," Sakura said, trying to reason with Ino.
"You talk about prophecies as if you know what they are. Tell me, Sakura, have you actually read the prophecies or have you selectively read them? I could tell you this much: your kingdom had made it so a dark Fey would come into existence. You destroyed her people, stripped them of their history, dignity, and culture, and demonized them as monsters for centuries. And now you wonder why they have become a hostile race towards yours?" Ino jabbed her finger at Sakura accusingly.
She then fixed her gaze on Shion, specifically.
"I can't believe that you, the arrogant high elves, were once my friends at the academy. Your ancestors abandoned the last Fey Queen when she needed them the most. As a result, Natsu and his descendants were able to murder her and kidnap her daughters. Neither Hkari's children nor grandchildren were allowed to live in peace. Her daughter, Hitomi, was chained to that castle for her entire life, while her daughter, Hinata, was a slave and prisoner for two generations under that monster and his descendants. You turned them away when they needed your help most. Collectively, high elves are as guilty as the humans for what has transpired. Spare me the self-righteousness, please." Ino's words left Shion with no rebuke.
Then, she stood up from her chair and flew closer to the window, speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear as she looked at Sakura.
"I cannot support you in your war against the rightful queen of Hyugan. Her ancestors once saved my kind from yours, and I cannot repay that kindness with betrayal. If a war should arise, I will stand with her, not with you. My people were hunted almost to extinction, and I cannot bring myself to fight alongside your kind who has hunted my race near extinction. If you do this, you will make an enemy of the entirety of my people. I will not allow you to harm my friend, as the queen of Yamanakan. Consider this my warning, Sakura." Ino said with a tone of righteous anger.
"You would really risk making an enemy of Konoha over that abomination?" Sakura asked, her voice on the verge of shouting.
"I'm finished. I've heard everything I needed to hear, and I've said everything I need to say. If a war breaks out, Sakura know that I will be the last thing you will ever see in this life. I don't make threats lightly." Ino then turned her back on her and flew away.
Everyone was speechless before Menma entered the room, which prevented another outburst of anger.
Naruto heard some shouting coming from Ino's direction and wondered what it was about. As soon as he entered the room, he saw her fly out of the window. The atmosphere was tense, and Naruto didn't like the energy surrounding him. His mother looked relieved to see him, and Sakura and Gaara also seemed relieved. However, one of his friends from the academy of sorcery, Shion, had a difficult expression on her face. She looked like she hadn't slept in the past day, and whatever had happened must have shaken her to her core.
" Menma we're so happy that you're here you're just in time we were debating on what course of action we should be taking on this which that you have not taken action against despite our insistence." said Donzo in a tone that made it no secret that he held Naruto with contempt.
"I have done what I could, but unfortunately, one person has been killed. I am not sure who the person is, but I know that he was one of the elders. However, I do not believe that his death was unjustified because he was not an innocent person. Unless some innocent people were killed, I do not want to waste my time on this matter. I have other important things to take care of," Naruto said with a hint of hostility.
"Oh yes you're shining star yeah the same excuse that you have been giving us for the past 3 years you are the hero of the realm it is your duty to eliminate threats to our land," said Donzo.
"You are dismissed, Danzo." Sakura gave a hand motion showing that she was on the same page as Naruto when it came to her contempt for the warmonger who had been seeking a war with any nation for years due to him and his family being warmongering imperialists who have wanted to expand their influence beyond Konoha's borders. He made no secret of his hatred for non-humans; if only he knew that Naruto and his family were not human.
After Donzo exited the room, Naruto had a feeling that the discussion would shift towards the Dark Queen of the East. However, he couldn't afford to go on that quest at the moment. He had to visit Orochimaru's lair as he was so close to finding Hinata and their child. Naruto couldn't afford to fail, not after having a lead that he had been searching for years. He couldn't delay his mission any further, as he had failed as a mate to Hinata and a father to their child. Naruto couldn't let his thoughts drift towards the possibility of their child not being alive. He had to remain hopeful.
For years, Sakura had been asking for Menma's help to stop the queen and she needed him to act urgently. However, Menma was unsure how to make Sakura understand that he couldn't just take action against the queen. He had more pressing matters to attend to that required his immediate attention and were his top priority for him.
"I'm sorry your highness but I finally found a lead I can't wait it will turn cold the trail I cannot do this right now please let me go on this quest just one more if you let me do this I will do what you ask please I beg of you."Naruto gone his knees and looked on the ground he was hoping Sakura would be willing to let him go on this quest to find her.
"Things are not that simple, Naruto. The Dark Queen and your quest are connected," said his mother with a sad look on her face, and he didn't know why.
"What does my quest have to do with the Dark Queen of the East?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
Both Naruto's mother and Shion looked at each other, unsure of how to break the news to him. Naruto didn't like how they seemed to know something he didn't.
His mother hesitated before saying "Menma, the woman that you're looking for, is the same woman." Naruto did not know why she was hesitating, and Sakura was also looking at her with a confused expression.
"Hinata was the person who came last night, your shining star. She is the witch of the East, Shion said, forcing the words out.
Naruto's mind went blank. No, no, no. His entire time of looking for her could not have been in vain. When she started to pop up three years ago, it could not have been her.
"Bullshit!" Naruto screamed, not showing any pretense of control. Everyone was taken aback.
"We did not know Menma. You could not have known. You've been so focused on this quest for so long that there's no way you could have known that she was there," his mother said, trying to reassure him. It didn't, it made him even more agitated.
"Hinata Chan, whenever the things everyone says, she did, she would never do that. She would never harm anyone. She hated violence. You must have mistaken her for somebody else. It could not have been her. I would know," Naruto argued.
"It has been 8 years, Menma. Anything could have happened at that time," his mother argued.
"No, he didn't want to think about it. He couldn't. It was too terrible leaving her alone for all that time."
"You want me to kill her, don't you?" Naruto said that last part quietly, not wanting to accept that Hinata did the things that she did.
"Menma, she's becoming a threat to us all. A dark Fey is not something we want to deal with. She could destroy this Kingdom unless she's stopped," Sakura said gently. But she doesn't understand, she couldn't love someone as deeply as Naruto loves Hinata. She could never understand.
"I will not kill her for you. If what you say is true, then I will aim my blade at you and not her," Naruto said without hesitating, knowing what the consequences would be with his words.
His mother was shocked, and so was everyone else in the room. Naruto turned his back on everyone and left the room, not caring how it came out; he would find out for himself one way or another if what they said about Hinata was true.
"Kushina had no idea how to feel about what had just transpired. Naruto's threat and his willingness to go through with it. She understood more than anyone how deep a bond of a shining star is, due to her bond with her husband Minato. Her race, their loyalties are deep to their families and their mates, and will stick by them no matter what. No love is as strong as it is with a shining star. She had no idea what to do. She couldn't go against her own son. She rather liked Hinata. She was calm and brought a side to her son she never knew existed. There was nobody else she trusted with her son than Hinata, but to see what she has become, it was difficult for her to comprehend."
"So not only do we have to deal with a dark Fey, but a potential traitor," said one of Sakura's advisors.
"Silence," Sakura said, which caused any potential thoughts to take a halt.
"You heard him, he threatened you." Sakura had no patience for this fool. The man said Sakura slapped him.
"I told you to be silent," Sakura said once again.
The princess, she could tell from her eyes, was conflicted. She had never seen Sakura this way in her life. She saw a lot of potential in the girl, well, it was inaccurate to call her girl, she was 22.
"Like I told you, Sakura before we had this council meeting, things are not that simple regarding Hinata Hyuga. She is someone precious to my son. Telling him to kill his shining star, essentially his soulmate, is not something you're going to be able to convince him to do," Kushina explained, not caring if everyone heard her.
"How can he love someone like that? it doesn't make sense to me why why her?"Sakura said with jealousy it was no secret to Kushina that Sakura is still in love with her son and has been for years.
"Love is not something that can be explained, Sakura. You know this better than anyone," Shion said sympathetically, for someone who's also in love with Naruto.
Gaara, knowing that he isn't needed, left. She thought the less people that were in the room, the better. Sasuke was in shock over the revelation, along with his brother Itachi and his wife.
"Expecting someone to kill their shining star is expecting someone to kill part of their soul," said Itachi, looking at his wife and putting himself in Naruto's shoes, if he was in the same position, from what Kushina can see in his eyes.
"You knew the whole time?" asked Sasuke, perplexed that he had such knowledge and insight.
"I suspected the woman he was looking for was the witch from the East. I didn't say anything cuz I had no proof. What Menma was describing was a Fey with wings, she didn't have wings from what I've been told by the guest. Her wings must have been ripped off of her body at some point. It could also explain her hatred for the human race in general. The darkness in that woman is a darkness that has festered in her soul for many years. It can only be possible experiencing cruelty from childhood to adulthood which has shaped her perception of humans. She hates you in her eyes, you and all humans are evil, that is how she sees it." Itachi said which made Kushina smile in sadness because of how much like his mother Itachi was, he was wise beyond his years. She was able to see that the first time she met Hinata when Hinata was 13 when Naruto brought her home.
"I don't want my kingdom involved in any war. I'm sorry Sakura and Sasuke our people have suffered a lot in the previous war. The only way you're going to resolve this peacefully is for you to come to an understanding. Sakura, you could be the greatest queen in generations. Please don't disappoint me. My brother is going to marry you after all," Itachi said as he took his wife and left.
"The room is silent for a while until Sakura spoke."
"How am I going to come to an understanding to a woman that despises me and my entire race with every fabric of her being?" Sakura asked, generally wanting to know.
"I don't think she wants a war. Her actions are mainly motivated by hatred and fear," Kushina said, trying to reason with Sakura. She hoped that Sakura would at least consider Hinata's perspective.
"I don't know if I can truly believe that, Lady Kushina. You were there just like I was. The malice in her voice, the deep darkness... How could she not desire a war with my kind, or for that matter, with other races?" Sakura asked skeptically, unsure of what Kushina was saying.
"You are basing your judgments of her based on what your kind has historically done to yourselves. Not all races are as violent or as vengeful as yours. This is the reason why most of the non-human races don't trust humans because this is exactly what they see you as – violent barbarians who don't know anything but war and nothing of peace," said Shion, disgusted with Sakura's prejudice against non-human races.
"That's not true. I don't see you as anything like that," Sakura said defensively.
"Oh really? Your first instinct is to assume the worst and races that don't look like you. You treat me and elves as a whole better than you do other races because we could blend in with you better. But that doesn't change the fact that you assume races like Fey and fairies, along with even dwarves, are as violent as you. They're not," Shion exclaimed, having enough of Sakura's ignorance and her own bias and prejudice against other species.
"I will not take that from you. My husband's going to be an elf and my children will also be half-elves. I will not have you make assumptions in my own Halls, Shion," Sakura said, losing her patience with the elf princess.
"You would not be marrying Sasuke Uchiha if you had a choice. Face it, you have a bias against non-humans, even elves." Shion pressed.
Sakura couldn't argue against anything she was saying. She was coming off more and more defensive, though Kushina felt like what Shion was saying was going too far, considering she has never treated elves of anything but respect, even if she does harbor some prejudice against them.
"isn't it little hypocritical for you to talk about prejudice you are prejudiced towards my kind don't deny it." Sakura said pointing out something that was obviously true.
"Enough, both of you!" Kushina said, losing her patience with what she saw as a bunch of children who neither one of them was willing to see eye to eye or acknowledge their prejudices.
"You don't get to have the high ground, Princess Shion. You clearly show a clear prejudice against the Uchihas, a race of elves that prefer to keep to themselves and not involve in the affairs of others. They cannot be blamed over what happened to the Fey. You refuse to accept responsibility and not even assisting your friends at their time of need. You personally may not have been responsible, but your mother was. You're not innocent." Kushina said things that were true, and Shion had no rebuke for any of it. She didn't even have the ability to argue against what she was saying.
Before Sakura could say anything, someone else said something to her as well.
"You Sakura you have a chance to redeem your family's name under your families watch an entire species near your doorstep has been nearly exterminated. you are the princess of purity do you have any idea what the significance of that is? you could be the queen that could save your kingdom from its own dark and bloody history or you could be the queen that causes your kingdom to crumble and become a kingdom of pure evil your kingdom is at a crossroads. You are the queen that could redeem your kingdom from its evil past. Make no mistake Sakura, the non-human races do not trust your kingdom. If you are truly sincere about not wanting to be like your predecessors, you will make it your life's mission to make amends to the Fey," Kushina said scoldingly, hoping that Sakura took what she said to heart.
"I've been told all my life that the Fey are monsters. Are you really telling me that they're all lies?" asked Sakura. Her eyes were telling her that she was more willing to listen then she was earlier. Kushina's scolding of Sakura and reminding her of the historical role she could play had a lot to do with it. It didn't matter though, in her mind it was better that she was even willing to consider the option at all.
"The hatred that you feel is fear, the same fear that Hinata feels. You got to put yourself in her shoes. If you can do that, it may help. But I warn you, you may not get her to even see you. You'll have to prove to her through your actions that you're not like the other members of your species that she despises. I don't see that changing anytime soon. The Fey have suffered a great injustice, they suffered a genocide, their sacred forest destroyed, their dignity stripped from them, their history, their culture. It's not something that could be easily forgiven, if ever. You must be prepared that she may never forgive you or your race entirely," Kushina said, trying to pass on any sort of wisdom she could to the future queen.
"You talk as if you're not human lady Kushina what are you?" Asked Sakura picking up that she was not human.
"I'm sorry, but like Hinata, I too am wary of humans. Me and my son have not revealed our true natures to you because it requires us to trust you. You're one of the few exceptions, Sakura, but my race still fears you after what had happened in centuries past. Many of us on humans have grievances with you. You could be the queen that starts changing our minds, Sakura. You have the title of the princess purity, please don't disappoint me. I see a lot of potential in you. I hope I don't have to raise my hand against you because I will not do it to my own son. I will support him whatever choice he makes, so whatever wisdom I'm passing on to you, please take what I'm saying to heart." When Kushina was finished, she took one last look at Sakura and left the throne room. She would support her son regardless of the consequences.
Naruto was about to get on his horse. He was so angry. Everything they said, it couldn't be true, it had to be a lie. But his mother would never lie to him, neither would Shion. Before he could get on his horse, his mother approached him. He had no idea what to say. He wanted to say something, anything. He didn't want his mother to think that he was being rash, but he couldn't take it. What if it was true? What if the Witch of the East was Hinata? What if something happened to their child and that was the reason why she was down that bad, that she was on... No, he couldn't think of such a thing. It was too terrible. He couldn't imagine such a possibility of his child being dead. No, it had to be something else. There had to be another explanation. She would never do the things they said she did.
His mother looked at him, worried what he was about to do.
"Nothing you say is going to stop me, mom. She's within my grasp. If what they say is true, that I'm going to see her now," Naruto said, not leaving any room for working with, not caring about what his mother will argue, for she had failed to protect her and their unborn child.
"Naruto, what you're doing is foolish. Rushing to a hostile land without a plan is going to get you killed. Do you really think your reunion refer is going to go the way you think?" his mother asked him, worried about the outcome of his reunion.
"I failed to protect her and my unborn child. I'm a failure. I've searched for her for 8 years and three of those years, I could have gone to her when she needed me. Instead, I wasted my time on worthless leads that led me nowhere," Naruto tried to keep calm. It was impossible due to how close he was to his goal. He did not want to wait anymore. He felt she had waited long enough.
"You have not seen when I have seen. I looked in her eyes, there's a deep darkness, a darkness that has festered and has been festering for many years. I saw it even when you first introduced me to her 12 years ago. She is not the girl that you once knew. She has changed completely," his mother said, trying to get him to back down from his course of action.
"What do you want me to do then, mom? I've been keeping her waiting for 8 fucking years. Instead of wasting my time on these worthless leads, I could have been by her side. The loneliness and the hopelessness... I was at fault. I was too weak to protect her. I will not abandon her," Naruto said, on the verge of snapping at his mother.
" Naruto I know you love her but we can't be Hasty about this. if we're not careful we can ignite a war there is too much at stake Naruto you can't put your feelings over the lives of the people of our lands." Kushina said trying to reason with Naruto.
"She's so close," Naruto said, trying one last time to reason with his mother.
"She's going nowhere. She is in her homeland. I will go there to forge relations with Hyugan. No offense son, but you're not very good at diplomacy," his mother said, telling him about it, one of his greatest weaknesses as the next head of their clan.
" What if I don't want to be head of my clan?" naruto asked his mother.
" I will not have this discussion right now return home to Uzushiogakure trust me on this" his mother said trying to get him changes course he couldn't argue with his mother due to her usually being right.
"I hope I'm not making a wrong decision," he said as he got on his horse.
"I hope so too," Kushina said, having the same doubts Naruto is having.
Part of him was tempted to go to Hinata anyway, but he couldn't disobey his mother. He reluctantly went back to his homeland. He held tightly to the scarf beneath his armor that Hinata made for him. He looked up at the sky and prayed that he did not make the wrong decision.
flashback 8 years ago
Naruto and Hinata against a tree, it feels peaceful and quiet. She had her eyes closed; she wore a white dress. Naruto had his right hand rubbing it. It was hard for her to believe someone like her could ever be a mother. She was seven months pregnant. Her wings wrapped themselves around them like a blanket. She didn't have to feel ashamed of who she was or feel fear in the forest away from civilization with the man she loves. She felt safe and protected. None of the fear that she feels when she's around others or the expectations for being a princess of a dead kingdom. She can simply be herself; she can simply be Hinata, not the lost Fey princess.
"I can't wait to tell Mom; she'd be happy to know that she's going to be a grandmother," Naruto said excitedly.
She smiled, saying she wouldn't mind living with the Uzumakis every time she visited them. She felt safe and didn't have to constantly have her guard up; she could simply be herself.
"It would be nice to be able to fly freely, to be free, to never ever have to be a prisoner again," Hinata said, almost crying when she thought about the memories of her mother and the sister that's no longer in this world. It had been 4 years since that day and the pain still didn't lessen.
"I will do everything to make you happy Hinata Chan. You deserve the world. I know you'll be the best mother in the world for our child. You'll be a wonderful Mom and Dad. Love you, and so do my sisters," Naruto said as he played with her hair with his right hand and gently rubbed her horns with his left.
"Your family is wonderful, Naruto-kun. I feel welcomed. I feel like I have a home. Every time I'm with your family, I feel like I'm one of them. I've never been as happy as I have been when I go with your family. It feels like a home I never had," Hinata said as she remembered her childhood that consisted of nothing but hard labor. She couldn't play like other children. The scars on her hands and her back that she had covered with her white robe.
I love you, Hinata-chan. I feel like I'm the luckiest man in the world having you as my mate and the mother of my child before you came into my life I never knew what I wanted now that you're in my life. I don't know if I can picture a life without you my Shining star." Naruto said to her tenderly; their faces were inches apart. They had spent a lot of time like this even at the academy. It was obvious to those who knew them that they were deeply in love with each other. She was young, both of them were at the age of 16, she was already married, and she was going to be a mother.
Whatever everyone thought of Naruto, it didn't matter to her. Naruto is the person that made her safe, that made her feel wanted and not like a monster. She heard the nearby animals congratulate her for having what she had always wanted.
"I love you Naruto Kun, thank you for all the happiness you've given me for the past 4 years. I don't know what I would do without you," Hinata said with happiness in her tone. He kissed her on the forehead.
"You deserve all the happiness in the world, Hinata-chan. I would give everything to see you smile every day. I'm a better man because of you. Before I met you, I was selfish and a jerk. I thought nothing of others; I'm only as good as I am because of you," Naruto said to her with love and tenderness, something that she hadn't experienced except for her mother.
"You're wrong, Naruto-kun. You've always been a good man. If anything, I don't feel like a monster when I'm with you. I can be who I've always wanted to be. I'm free, and it's all thanks to you. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you. You saved me," Hinata said, as she leaned on his chest.
"We're both helpless, aren't we?" Naruto said jokingly. They both laughed. As long as Naruto was in her arms and in her life, he was the light that kept the darkness at bay, the anger and the rage that she felt towards the human race for what they had done to her and her people. If it weren't for Naruto, she would have given into her hatred a long time ago.
"It's crazy that I'm going to be a father. I never thought it would happen," Naruto said, looking at the sky along with Hinata.
"I never thought I'd ever find love ever nor did I thought I'd ever experienced the wonders of the outside world there's cruelty yes but there's beauty this Forest that we're in it's so peaceful so quiet. I wish we could stay like this forever with just us and our family." Hinata said softly.
"Things will be really hectic once our child is born. Being parents will be another adventure." they both laughed at that.
"I will protect them, that's one thing I promise Naruto Kun. I will protect them from the world. I'll protect them from myself, especially. I want to keep them pure and innocent. Nothing will stop me from doing that," Hinata said, determined to do what her mother and grandmother were never able to deal with her: protect her children.
"I'll protect them too, my Hime. As their father, it's my duty to do the same thing as you," Naruto said, not understanding what Hinata truly meant. Little did the couple know, this would be the last time they would spend time together before Hinata would be kidnapped by Orochimaru, who would tear her wings from her shoulders, stripping her of part of her identity, and setting her on the path to becoming a Dark Fey.
Hinata was in her room, looking at the landscape of Hyugan. She closed her eyes to try to imagine what her ancestors saw in this land. It must have been beautiful once, but now all she sees is death. The anger and rage that she feels just looking at what was once a lush and beautiful landscape being reduced to a near wasteland, where food was hard to find and the air was difficult to breathe, makes her not want her children to live in this land. But she couldn't bear to be away from them, and she didn't want them to have the kind of childhood she did.
There was a knock on her door. She got up and saw that it was none other than Neji.
"What is it?" Hinata asked softly.
"Your children are here," Neji said.
As if on cue, she saw two children run towards her. Hinata went on her knees and embraced them. Neji knew better than to interrupt her moment with her children. He left them alone. Nobody other than herself and Neji knows about her children's, Existence and she wants to keep it that way in order to protect them from the harshness of the world around them.
"Have you been good?" Hinata asked softly and motherly. One of the rare occasions she smiled, her children were the only thing that truly brought it out.
"We've been good, Mama," said the older of her children, Himawari. Like Hinata, she had the features of a Fey: she had horns and wings, though they were small due to her not being fully grown yet, which caused her to feel incomplete and wish for what she doesn't have. Her daughter's wings, a reminder of what she loss, It made her want to cry. she has the face of her father, Naruto, and his eyes; other than her hair color and her Fey features, she's a splitting image of her father.
"Of course we've been good, Mom. I wouldn't want to cause you pain," said the younger of her children, Boruto, embarrassingly. Unlike his sister, he is clinging to her just like Hinata was to her mother. He has his father's hair, but that's all he inherited from him; unlike his sister, he has the features of his eleven ancestry through his eyes and the features of a Fey. The main difference between her son and her daughter is that he doesn't have horns. Instead, he has his father's fox ears. She didn't care if he didn't resemble her people completely; she loved both of her children regardless.
She had to remain strong in front of them. She couldn't show that she was lonely and in pain when she was around her children. She wasn't the queen of death and darkness; she could just be a mother who loved her children very much and would do anything protect them.
"Are the bad people gone, mama?" Himawari asked innocently. That innocence! She would do anything to preserve it as long as possible—so much like her before. No, she couldn't think about that. Not with her children present; she had to be strong for them.
"Yes, me and your uncle and the people that fought with us have dealt with the bad people they're gone. They can never terrify us again." Hinata said, with her motherly instincts.
"I don't like this place, Mom. It feels dead," Boruto said, not liking the castle that they were in. She could relate because she hates this place with a passion due to what it represents to her.
"I don't like it either." Hinata said to her children.
"Then why are we here, mama?" asked Himawari innocently.
She wanted to tell her children. She did it because she wanted them to be safe. She wanted a place where her children could feel safe. The whole reason she took back her ancestral homeland was so her children could have a place to live without worrying about running from place to place. She didn't want that for them. Centuries of colonization had destroyed almost every ounce of green in the land. Despite that, it was her home, and the home of her ancestors as well. No other place would accept Fey or the children of Fey. The outside world had portrayed her entire race as monsters for the past 200 years. There was no other place other than Hyugan for her children to be safe.
She doesn't trust anyone, especially humans. She doesn't trust the elves for different reasons. The only person she can rely on to protect her children is herself; she trusts nobody else to do so.
"This castle. It's dead in time, my children! I will tear it down and allow the forest to retake its rightful place." Hinata said trying to soothe her children.
"Can we sleep here tonight, Mama?" asked Himawari, who was laying on her lap alongside her brother.
"Of course," Hinata said, her children fell asleep in her lap. It was only with her children that she truly felt at peace; where she didn't have to be the dark Fey or pretend to be anything but a mother to her children. They were so innocent, just like her then she thought about what Neji told her a few days ago when she sucked the castle some of the children who were servants were killed. They were human yes, but she couldn't help but think about what if it was her children that got killed?
She pushed that thought immediately. The humans, they thought nothing of the children they murdered. She didn't want to think about it; she didn't want to feel guilty for humans. They cared nothing for the children of other races that they murdered. When she thought about that train of thought, she felt sick. Children are innocent regardless of what race they're from, but she can't control it. The hatred she feels for humans is so deep that it's difficult for her to feel anything for any human, regardless.
"I wish you were by my side; Naruto Kun, I am lost without you," Hinata said quietly to herself. The man she loves: what would he think of her if he knew the kind of woman that she had become in the past 8 years? Her children were her light and he gave her a reason to live other than revenge. they were the only thing that held her back from being completely consumed by the darkness that has been festering in her ever since she was born.
She'd have to become the queen again, but for now she could just be a mother. Her private moments with her children made her feel like anything other than a monster unable to keep her eyes open; she fell asleep wrapping her arms around her children.
Hinata woke up. She was careful to lift her children so she wouldn't wake them up. She placed Himawari on the right side of the bed and her younger brother Boruto on the left. They were so innocent. When she was about to touch her children's foreheads, she stopped herself. No, they were pure, unlike her. They weren't monsters. The one thing she feared most was them seeing her as one.
She quietly left the room. Neji was waiting for her. He looked like he had news.
"We found him, the bastard that took your wings from you. We found him," Neji said with a satisfied smile.
"After all these years, the bastard has been found," Hinata said quietly to herself.
"Yes, we have. It's all thanks to that ruckus you made back at Konoha that we managed to get information, and it's none other than from Kushina-sama herself," Neji said.
"What do you mean?" Hinata asked suspiciously. She was wary of outsiders no matter who they were, even if Kushina is her children's grandmother. She still is reluctant to trust anyone. When she feels the same about Naruto, she couldn't help it. No, she had to put that thought aside. An injustice that was inflicted on her, she can finally get her vengeance and maybe get a part of herself that was taken from her.
"She was offering it to you and exchanged for you to give her an audience," Neji gave her the letter. She opened it and read it out loud, only loud enough for her to hear.
"Hinata, I'm giving writing this letter to you because I want to give you a peace offering. I do not want a war between our nations. If possible, I would like us to be on peaceful terms. I have no intention of doing anything to harm you or your kingdom. As a token of good faith, I'm giving you the location to Orochimaru's hideout. I hope this small token of good faith will convince you to give me an audience with you."
signed by Kushina Uzumaki
She had no idea if this was a trap or if it was true. She was reluctant to trust the letter, but the hatred she felt for the man who tore the wings from her back after she had just given birth to her children made her wary. She remembered the memory vividly and what happened afterward when she almost lost her children. She had to make a choice: her children or her wings. The cruel laughter and mockery when she was forced to make such a decision replayed in her mind over and over again.
"I will kill him," Hinata said with venom in her voice.
"Going by yourself could be a trap, at least," he was sharply cut off by Hinata.
"No, you will make sure my children are safe. That's your priority. Do you understand me? I don't care about this Kingdom. The only thing that matters are my children, nothing else," Hinata said, which had Neji look at her sadly.
"Hinata-sama, do you really not care about our people, about our homeland?" Neji asked her.
"Our people are dead and gone, Neji, and the Forest that our ancestors once protected are all but destroyed. I will protect my children, because that is what is important to me. Orochimaru and Kabuto know about their existence, as long as they live, Boruto and Himawari will never be completely safe, they must die, nothing else matters." Hinata said, not caring how it came off. Her children are all that matter. She was a monster, but at least as a monster, she can at least protect her precious people, her children, and keep them away from the harshness of the world. Someday, she thought about the future, she would even have to protect them from herself.
"Do you really not value your own life? Hinata-sama, you're not a monster. That's what the humans have put in your head. Why are you letting the thoughts of what humans think dictate your actions?" Neji asked her, trying to get her to turn away from the path that she had set herself on. When she was forcefully taken away from her mate, and when she saw Naruto barely alive, she wasn't even sure if he was dead. She hopes he isn't, but she had long since abandoned such things as hope in this world.
"Only my children matter, not me, only them," Hinata said emotionlessly, trying to show the opposite of what she was feeling.
She left Neji behind and looked at the landscape in the direction where Orochimaru would be. She would kill him and everyone that is with him. Anyone that knew anything about her children had to die, no exceptions. After all, nothing else mattered, especially a monster's life like hers.
I hope I did not disappoint those who were expecting a dark and badass Hinata throughout the entire fanfic. If that's what you thought, then you completely misunderstood my intent in the opening scenes. I deliberately had the story start with Hinata getting her revenge on Saito. I wanted to subvert expectations and do something different by starting the story when the goal of revenge has been achieved.
I also wanted to do something different with the dark Hinata trope. I wanted her to be a mother and show her softer side because I don't feel like the story, as I'm writing it, would be possible without the existence of Boruto and Himawari, who are important to Hinata's arc in this story. Naruto and Hinata will not be reunited until at least chapter 7 because I don't want them to be reunited yet.