chapter 3 long live the queen
Flashback 8 years ago
He heard laughter as Orochimaru lifted his mate up. Naruto was pinned to the ground by Kabuto, who had a sinister smile on his face.
"This is nothing personal, Naruto, but Orochimaru Sama needs her blood along with your Child's blood; after all, she's the last Fey alive," he said as he aimed his knife at Naruto's back.
"You bastards, I'll kill you for this."Naruto felt a blade cut his back, and he screamed in pain. Hinata was crying as well.
"Stop, don't hurt him," Hinata said as she struggled to get Orochimaru off of her, but it was no use.
"Do you honestly think you were going to get your happy ending, you monster?" said Kabuto as he approached Hinata. Naruto, despite all the pain, couldn't do anything. He tried to get Kabuto off of him, but he couldn't. The cut on his back, the wounds that he had suffered just defending Hinata, he couldn't let them take her.
His body was barely able to stand the pain from the wounds that he had received from Kabuto, the poison that was in his body that Orochimaru put in his system when he cut him with his sword.
"You could barely stand, you think you could stop me?"asked Orochimaru mockingly.
"I won't let you take her,"Naruto said, his voice barely audible.
He charged at Orochimaru and Kabuto. He didn't get far as Kabuto stabbed him again with his short sword. Blood dripped to the ground. Hinata had tears in her eyes.
"You are a failure, Naruto, just like you've always been. Leave this world knowing that you failed to protect the woman you love," Kabuto said as he kicked Naruto, knocking him off the cliff. The last thing Naruto heard as he lost consciousness was Hinata's anguished screams.
Naruto was back in his homeland that was not known to outsiders. He looked around him; it felt different coming here. It wasn't the same. The last time he came here is when he and Hinata decided to see the world together after they graduated from The Academy of Sorcery. He wanted to give her what she had always wanted: to see the world. He wished he would have listened to his father about how dangerous it was for her. He wanted to bring her home to keep her safe.
"Damn it, I should have gone anyway," Naruto said out loud. Why did he have to listen to his mother? He had never questioned his mother's judgment before, but this was the time that he couldn't help it; it was driving him crazy. His mate was so close, yet he couldn't go to her.
His father was Right in front of him. He looked up and saw his Father, who was happy to see him.
Minato is shorter than Naruto. He had fox ears just like his mother. He wore a white kimono with red stripes. On the back of his kimono is the symbol of his clan. Unlike Kushina, he comes from a different clan. He doesn't know much about what happened, but what he does know is that his father's clan was not happy with him at the time of him marrying his mother, considering the clans had a long and bloody history.
The only thing that he had on mind at the moment was his latest failure to bring his shining star home that he didn't pay attention to when he heard his father speak.
"Naruto, it's been so long since I've seen you." His father rushed towards him and hugged him. Reluctantly, he hugged him back. He couldn't face him; he felt like a failure. He wanted to return home with Hinata and their child, but as usual, on his long journeys in the past 8 years, he came home with nothing.
"We heard what happened in the capital. Big brother, we were worried," said a girl behind his father. She was 18; she had long red Uzumaki hair of the Uzumaki. She had the facial features of Minato with a mixture of her mother's eyes.
"Mei Chan," Naruto said to his sister as he hugged her. Despite the circumstances, he was happy to see his little sister again. It had almost been a year since he had last seen her. Him and his little sister have always been close; her and Hinata got along pretty well not to push that thought aside when you thought of her. He had to, for the time being.
"I'm glad you're home; it's been almost a year, and I feel like I would never see you again." His little sister said, trembling.
"Hey, you should let your brother have some space." Minato said to her, sensing Naruto's discomfort and inner turmoil regarding his latest failure.
"I'm sorry," the girl apologized, forgetting about Naruto's sadness over his latest failure to bring Hinata home.
"I'm sorry, Naruto, I mean I." his father was about to comfort him about his latest failure, but Naruto didn't want his father's comfort at the moment; he just wanted to be left alone.
"I don't want to talk about it," Naruto said, his voice hollow.
"Are you okay?" His sister asked him.
"I'm fine." Naruto lied as he walked past his father and his little sister. The compound had not changed since he last left it. It was the same as it was before he was walking towards the place that was his home. Well, it wasn't really his home, exclusively in the house he was walking towards. It wasn't the typical kind of house that humans would live in, unlike in Konoha and other places; heads of a clan don't live in a special house; they live in a home that's similar to the other inhabitants.
He passed by his neighbors, who were surprised to see him, but he didn't pay them any mind. He went inside and looked around. It was clean, just like it always was; it wasn't disorganized. He went to his room and shut the doors silently.
He remembers this room vividly. When Hinata and he first met, she refused to leave the room due to her fear of being physically abused. Naruto remembers that memory vividly; she wouldn't leave, nor would she let anyone in. He remembers how he slept outside the door in order to give Hinata space. This is the reason why he doesn't come back often; he's reminded of her everywhere. Eventually, she would start to trust him and his family but was scared of being alone, so Naruto and Hinata would sleep in the same room.
It even smelled like her. Her scent overwhelmed him; this was the last time they made love in this place. He looked at the very spot where Hinata left a necklace that she had once worn on her neck; it was shaped like a sunflower. It was given to her by her mother before her death. She never talked about her mother. Naruto picked up the necklace, looked at it, and inspected it. He could feel the love that was put into making it.
Hinata told him she didn't need it anymore because she had him, which is why she left it where she wanted it. She wanted to give it to their child; why did the world have to be so cruel?
His hatred and anger towards Orochimaru, the laughter as he took his mate away. Why did his mother deny him this chance to get his revenge on that bastard and being reunited with his beloved? Why? He was angry. This is not where he should be. He put the necklace on his neck and sat down, inhaling her scent.
"Hinata Chan, I'm so sorry I failed to protect you."Naruto didn't pay attention as a tear fell to the floor.
"You saved me, my shining star. I love you." Hinata said when Naruto danced with her at the festival on her 16th birthday.
When he thinks about that memory, it feels like almost a lifetime ago. That night was the night they made love for the first time, and when Naruto and Hinata claimed each other as mates, when they officially became husband and wife by the law of the Uzumaki clan. His parents weren't happy about it due to them being so young, but Naruto didn't care. He was overwhelmed with happiness, and so was his Shining Star. He wanted to give her the world just to make her smile.
Naruto heard a knock on his door and saw his sister. She could see without him say anything what he was thinking.
"I'm sorry, Naruto. I mean, I wish she was here," Mei said, referring to Hinata. They were like sisters. She was another one of the people that helped Hinata start to open up. Everything about this room was full of memories of Hinata.
"I shouldn't be here," Naruto said, not wanting to upset his sister, but he couldn't lie to her.
"You love her that much, don't you, brother? I don't know what that's like. I remember when you two first met. She acted feral. She wouldn't allow anyone to come near her. She attacked anyone because of how frightened she was of every person that approached her. We had to show her our real forms in order for her not to be scared of us, because of how terrified she was of humans," Mei remembered the first time they met her near the river where they were staying at the time.
Flashback 12 years ago
"Stay away from me." said a feral Hinata. She was 12 at the time, and her hair was short.
"I won't hurt you," Naruto said as he got closer, but Hinata tackled him down and wrapped her hands around his neck.
"I don't trust anything you humans say; you filthy vermin will say anything to get me to lower my guard. I'll kill you before I let you touch me again. I won't fall for your tricks." Hinata said as she squeezed tighter on Naruto's neck.
Naruto was trying to get the words out, but it was no use; she was squeezing on his neck, and she was determined to strangle him to death.
"you scum, all of you humans are scum, all of you wicked creatures, you know nothing except violence. I'll make you feel the same powerlessness that you vermin make me feel." Hinata said with hatred. She squeezed tighter, determined to kill him. In his human form, he was far weaker than he was in his true form.
His sister was too terrified to do anything. Naruto was trying to get the words out; the necklace on his neck shattered, and his strength was returning. His human ears disappeared in place of his Fox ones, and whiskers appeared on his cheeks and tails. Hinata lowered her guard, but not by much. She still had her hands on his neck.
He doesn't know how strong she is. He doesn't even know what kind of creature that's right in front of him. It wasn't anything that he knows about, but her physical strength was not to be scoffed at. He had to choose his words carefully. He did not want to hurt her. She was frightened.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Naruto said, barely getting the words out.
"I don't believe you, "Hinata said, frightened.
"I know you're scared, but I'm not like those people. I'm not human; I'm a Kitsune. You have nothing to fear from me," Naruto said sincerely.
"big bro, she tried to kill you. What are you doing?" she asked him.
He ignored his sister's protest. He didn't care. He had to let her know that he wouldn't hurt her. Hinata let go of his neck. He had a closer look at her. She had barely eaten from the looks of it; she was underweight and was borderline starving to death. His heart ached at seeing someone like her in this state. No wonder she was so feral.
"I won't let anything happen to you; you have my word," Naruto said as he offered the girl his hand. She was reluctant to take his hand. Naruto could tell by her eyes, tears long since dried up, that she had been through horrific experiences. He had never seen anyone with wings or horns before. He didn't know if she was some mythical creature, but to Naruto, she was beautiful.
That day changed his life forever.
He had not thought about that day in years. The day that he first met his shining star. How meeting Hinata changed him. He feels like a different person now than he did then. He was so sure of his future. What he had wanted most was respect and acknowledgment from his clan, but meeting his shining star had changed everything. His arranged marriage with Sakura was dissolved; nothing else mattered when Hinata entered his life. He was a vain and arrogant person before he met her. She brought out the best in him, and she was gone.
His sister knew what he was thinking. He wanted to leave right here and now, to go back to her side, to tell her it would be all right, to hug her, to kiss her. That's what he wanted more than anything. He would trade everything, all the glory that he had acquired in the past eight years, all of the heroic deeds he had done. He would trade all of that to be by her side. As if knowing what he was thinking, his sister spoke.
"Brother, please don't be hasty. You just came back. It would help if you didn't leave again," Mei said, knowing what Naruto was thinking
"I'll leave you alone for a bit, Naruto. I know you want to be alone. I know you won't be home for long, but can you at least stay for at least a few days?" His sister asked him. Staying here right now was already painful, but he couldn't deny what his sister wanted. He took a deep breath.
"Sure, it's only because you're asking. I don't want to make my little sister sad," Naruto said as his sister hugged him. It had been so long since they had been alone together, just the two siblings. He had neglected his family for almost a decade because of his one-track mind of looking for his beloved, but Hinata was part of his family as well as his wife. He couldn't bear to wait anymore, knowing where she is.
"How about we do something that we haven't done in a long time, brother? I know you want to go to her now, but I don't think waiting a few more days make a difference, will it?" Mei asked him.
He wanted to just leave right now, but he couldn't deny his own sister. After all, his mother was meeting with Hinata. He should trust his mother, but part of him feels like what he's doing is the wrong course of action. He put that thought aside for now and focused on his little sister.
"Sure," Naruto said, faking a smile. On the back of his mind, everything was telling him that he was making the wrong choice. He shoved that to the deepest depth of his mind. After 2 days, he would leave and he would not be told by his father or anyone that he couldn't go to her. Nobody would stop him this time.
Ino was back in her Homeland. She was relieved to be in the forest of her people. It was on the borders of Hyugan. Now that the usurper King was dead, she would have to pay her friend Hinata a visit. There was no avoiding it. Her people had strong relations with the guardians of the forest of Hyugan, despite the forest being almost completely gone. She feels it's her duty to help restore them to their former beauty, even if it would take many years to do so.
She was on her throne, looking out in the sky. Unlike humans, where they have castles, fairies have their thrones in their trees. This particular tree she was on was the home of her ancestors. It was the tallest tree in the land, one of the few trees that had survived the onslaught centuries ago when the humans invaded her people's Forest. It was due to the intervention of the Fey Queen at the time that prevented the near extermination of her people. Ever since, the fairies were wary of outsiders; they never had a military force before the Near Extinction of their people; their borders were highly protected.
Fairies are not the kind of race that anyone wants to provoke, considering the kind of horrible things they can do to a human, especially if they wanted to do great harm to them, though they don't do it unless it's out of self-defense.
Ino hated what the humans turned her people into, but thanks to the near extinction of her people, her ancestors had no choice but to adopt a policy of self-defense. She knew this would affect the Fey as well, but even worse, due to them being even gentler. One thing that Ino was afraid of would be the Fey losing everything that they are. They've been hunted, stripped of their culture and their dignity, but a promise was a promise; she would be there for Hinata if the humans ever tried to do anything.
"Are you alright, dear?" asked Sai, noticing her distress.
Her husband, Sai, noticed she was troubled. Like her, he was a fairy, but unlike others of her kind, he didn't have his wings. They were ripped from him when he was a child. He didn't even know he was a fairy until he went into the woods one day trying to look for a place to paint. She couldn't believe how close she came to killing the man that would become her husband, the man that didn't know who he was. She looks at her husband and can't help but think that part of him will never truly behold because of what they did to him, the same thing they did to her friend Hinata.
"As observant as ever, my beloved," Ino said to her husband with a sad smile.
"So the rumors are true?" He asked, referring to Hinata.
"Her being the queen of Hyugan or her being a dark Fey?" Ino asked her husband.
"Her being the queen is true; her being a dark Fey is nonsense. Being a self-proclaimed dark Fey and being an actual dark Fey are completely different things," Ino said to her husband defensively, not wanting to believe Hinata would be any of those things.
"She visited our home three years ago when she came here after she escaped from her imprisonment. Those bastards murdered Samire's mother, the poor woman. I saw her body. I almost didn't recognize her. The humans Tried to Make her look like look like them. You didn't see Hakobe her body, and they experimented on her like she was some sort of lab rat, those damn humans. I will never trust one as long as I live after seeing that after what I saw on Hinata's back where her wings used to be, she will never be whole again. ''She looked at the gravestone where her adopted daughter Samire was currently visiting; she could see it all the way from the top of her tree.
"We should have told Naruto, when he last came here, about Hinata. He's been focusing almost a decade looking for her, to the point where he has neglected everything else," Sai said, expressing what was on her mind as well.
Ino knew her husband is right. Naruto is her friend. The last time she saw him, she saw shadows in his eyes. It honestly did pain her. But she vowed she would protect Hinata's children by any means necessary because, after all, Naruto still serves Konoha.
"I know what you are saying. Sai, it has crossed my mind as well, but I don't know how to tell Hinata that Naruto is the hero named Menma Namikaze. She hates heroes with a passion. We saw how she killed a hero who came to our forest. The way she brutally killed him, it unnerved me. Naruto's my friend, the last thing I want is for those two to have a sad reunion," Ino said, remembering the looks on Naruto's face when Hinata was ever brought up. Naruto had spent the last eight years looking high and low for her. He had never seen Naruto smile once since she had seen him. He always had a sad look on his face whenever she had a chance to talk to him one one-on-one.
"A reunion with those two is inevitable. Putting it off is not wise; it will only make things worse." Said Sai, concerned about Naruto's well-being.
"Naruto will choose the world before he chooses anything else. That's what concerns me: if Hinata would become the prophesied dark Fey, Naruto would not have it in him to kill her. He loves her too much. I could see him supporting her regardless. Naruto is not as heroic as the world thinks he is." Sai said to Ino.
"She was a pure soul. Once, it's hard to think the sweet girl that I once knew is the dark witch of the East. I can't betray her Sai are, people were hunted near Extinction once. The world may judge me supporting evil, but I don't care. I owe her family a debt I can't repay with betrayal." Ino said, not budging on her stance.
"I can understand from your perspective; I feel the same way, Naruto. He is not like us. His duty is to all the realms. He can't sacrifice the world for one woman." Sai said, trying to get her to see from the perspective of humans; he was more trusting of humans than she was, but her position was similar to Hinata's; she didn't trust them; her adopted daughter lost her mother because of them. When she saw the mutilated bodies of children that almost didn't even look like fairies, it made her sick. They've been stripped of who they were all because of the sick experiments of humans trying to make fairies look like humans.
"As a mother, I cannot bring myself to ever trust the humans. Can you imagine, Sai, if they took Inojin and ripped his wings from his back and did sick experiments, trying to make him look human? Would you be able to forgive the humans if they ever did that to our child?" She asked her husband, shivering at the very idea of her son suffering such a fate.
"I couldn't imagine anything that awful, dear; it would destroy me. The humans took away my wings. I almost lost sight of who I was. It was because of you you saved me from a fate worse than death. I don't think I'll ever truly understand what it's like to be a fairy, but I'm discovering it one day at a time, thanks to you." Sai said, putting his hand on her cheek.
She noticed a raven in the sky. It landed on size index finger. He took the paper out and then read it, and then gave it to Ino.
"So lady Kushina is going to pay Hinata a visit. Why isn't Naruto going?" Asked Sai, who was baffled, considering Naruto would go to Hinata's side immediately if he knew where she was; he wouldn't put it off for anything.
"Because Kushina, in her misguided attempt to protect Naruto, is meeting Hinata herself, this is a foolish action on her part. Is only going to delay the inevitable. I'm going to have a word with her when I arrive." Said Ino as she got up from her throne.
"You're leaving?" asked her husband, surprised by her sudden action.
"Yes, we'll take the kids. I'm sure they're eager to meet their friends again." Ino said as she got ready, her husband would bring their children.
She looked at Samire, who was happy that she was going to see her friend Boruto. Inojin was also eager to travel. However, because her husband doesn't have wings, it will take longer for her and her family to get to their destination, but that was okay with her; she was traveling with an escort in case any human tried anything foolish they'd be sorry.
"Are we going to go to that dead place?" Ask her son, who was not looking forward to the visit like her; he hated castles because they were dead.
"Unfortunately, Inojin, but you'll be able to see your friends," she said, referring to Boruto and Himawari.
"I wouldn't mind seeing Himawari Chan," said her son excitedly.
Samire was silent; she barely said anything; it had been 3 years since her mother's death; the girl rarely smiled due to what had happened to her mother. She doesn't call Ino mom nor did she expect her to.
"I'm happy I get to at least see Boruto Kun," the girl said with a smile. The rare smiles that she ever shows. Boruto was one of the few people that could make her smile, the only person that made her smile.
The group stayed silent as they traveled. Within a few days, they would arrive
Naruto was in a place he did not recognize. He did not know what this was; it felt familiar, yet it wasn't simultaneously. There was a gigantic symbol in the room. There was white and black everywhere. It was as if he was in a tree, a tree that was both alive and dead. The surface felt like Stone and metal, and the air smelled of death; it was as if he was on top of the tower.
He saw a figure; her back was turned; she had horns. She wore black robes; her skin was pale as death itself; her wings were black like that of a fallen angel.
" HINATA CHAN!" Naruto yelled. He looked and saw it was himself. He had a desperate look on his face; he looked horrified at what was happening.
He saw the broken bodies of Sakura, Ino, and many others; they had a look of horror and shock on their face. The way they were killed, he didn't want to believe it could not have been her; she would never do that.
"All it will take for this all to end is with a flick of a finger, and all of the humans will be dead. Nothing can stop me now except you." He heard a hollow voice; it was nothing like the Hinata he knew.
"This isn't you this is not who you are." the vision Naruto said with desperation.
He heard a dark laugh then he looked at Sakura, her mingled corpse, along with many others again; he didn't want to accept the reality of what had happened.
"Those bodies beg to differ the trail of blood is too large for me to turn back. I will do what my ancestor should have done millennia ago: wipe these vermin out," Hinata said as she was on the verge of flicking her figure.
"This will kill you and our children." Said Naruto.
"Yes, there is no price that is too high to pay. The humans must die, and all those that have human blood also must die. If you want to stop me, you'll have to kill me."Hinata said as she was about to complete the ritual.
"Don't do this to me not again, please not again. Do you know the hell. I went through for the past eight years to find you? Don't do this, don't do this, please, "Naruto said, crying.
"If you want to save them, you must kill me. I'm a monster; I've always been a monster. If you want to save our children from me, you'll have to kill me. I will not stop."Hinata was about to finish the ritual.
"NOOOOO!" vision Naruto screamed as he put his sword through Hinata's chest. Hinata looked at him with a sad smile. She put her right hand on his cheek, and blood was coming out of her mouth.
" The world will remember me as the monster that I was, the monster that should have never been born. I was born a monster. I will die a monster of the greatest enemy you have ever faced, Naruto Kun."Naruto was crying, seeing this was not what he wanted to see.
"There had to be another way, and there had to be no killing; you could not have been the only way." He saw the vision Naruto cried.
"It was destined to happen; this was destined to happen before either one of us was born. Look at it this way: this monster is finally gone from this world. You're better off without me. Our children are better off without me."Hinata said, coughing up blood. She was about to die.
"I love you, Naruto Kun. I wish we would have met under different circumstances, but a monster like me was never meant to find love. I'm sorry for everything."Hinata continued to cough blood.
"I don't care. I would have chosen the world; I would have given you the world; I would have given you anything. Don't leave me; please don't leave me," Naruto said, crying.
"Can I hear it before I die? Can I hear it one more time?"Hinata said, coughing up blood.
"I love you, Hinata Chan, and I'm sorry for everything," Naruto said as he felt her life leave her. he saw the last essence of life in her eyes leave. She held on to her body, cradling it, and screamed loud enough for everyone in the land to hear. All his efforts were in vain if only he had been honest with her when he had the chance, if only he had told her, if only he didn't.
He opened his eyes and, got up, and looked around the room. He was covered in sweat. He got up and put his face against his forehead.
"Damn these nightmares," Naruto said.
He had nightmares or visions; he didn't know what they were at this point in the future. He was once told that he would be forced to kill someone he loves to save the world. He did not want to imagine killing his Shining Star. It was too terrible. The vision got worse as time passed. The first time he saw that vision, it was blurry and unclear. He was told the closer he got to that future, the clearer that it would be.
He saw himself kill Hinata. He didn't even know why she was doing the what she did in that vision. The agency he was running out of time; the closer he got to that future is, the more precise the vision.
When he left his room, he saw his father, who was waiting for him in their living room.
"I sense turmoil in you, son. I didn't want to ask you when you first came home because of how happy your little sister was. What's wrong?"Minato asked him, concerned.
"I shouldn't be here; I should be by her side right now. She needs me."Naruto said, referring to Hinata.
"Naruto, your mother has a good reason she wouldn't ask you to do such a thing if there wasn't a reason to do so." His father said, almost as if He Anticipated What he was saying would not Received well.
"For eight fucking years, she's had no one. I don't even know if our child is even alive, and even if my child is alive, she was raising my child without me. I failed to protect her. I failed. I've searched for her for 8 years, and three of those years, her location was in the very place I could have gone, but I didn't. I can't just be here back home." Naruto didn't have a chance to finish before his father embraced him."
"Naruto, the hardest thing sometimes to help those you love is to stay away. I don't know what's going on with Hinata, but you know better than anyone the cruelty that she suffered as a child. Her race was hunted to near extinction. That trauma that she has, you do not have any idea how a Fey is; they're unpredictable when they've been treated like Hinata has. She has a deep darkness in her, Naruto, a darkness that she had even when she was first brought here. The reunion that you want will not go the way you think. You must be prepared for that. That's why your mother sent you back home."
Minato said all this to him, trying to reason with Naruto, but to Naruto it didn't matter. The woman he loved suffered, he failed, and he had wandered the lands looking for her, looking for any clues where Orochimaru could be, and all the trails ended up cold.
"It was a mistake coming back,"Naruto said out loud.
"Naruto, your mother is only doing this to protect you," Minato said, disagreeing with him.
"Protect me? I'm not a child anymore, father. My mate and my child need me. I shouldn't be here. I should be by her side. I should be doing what I should have done from the very start." Naruto gently pushed his father away. He was about to leave until his father put his hand on his shoulder.
"Naruto, you're Not thinking clearly," said his father.
"I don't care," Naruto said, not caring about how it would look in front of his father or those who were watching the scene in front of them.
"Naruto, you are the next head of the Uzumaki clan; you can't just come and go as you please; the future of our clan depends on you." his father said, reminding him of his responsibilities that he has been neglecting for the past eight years.
"I don't care; I won't abandon her, not for anyone, not for the clan, not for Mother, and not for you," Naruto said, on the verge of exploding. The built-in anger and rage and frustration of eight years of failure and not being there for the Woman he loves. He was on the verge of pushing him away and heading to Hyugan Anyway.
Then Naruto heard another voice of his sister Mei, Which caused him to stop.
"Please stop fighting both of you." the girl said, upset at the scene before her. Naruto looked and then felt guilty because of the pain that he was causing his little sister.
"I'm sorry," Naruto said to his sister; he stormed off, going to the shrine to meditate.
Hinata was looking out at the landscape. She knew Kushina was coming. Her children would not be protected, and she could not trust Neji to keep them safe. He would keep them with the Hyuga clan. There was only one place she could think of where they would be safe, as nobody knew where the Uzumaki clan lived, due to their lack of trust in outsiders.
It was a painful decision, but what if things were to go wrong? What if there was a trap, and she was walking into it? Who would keep her children safe? They may be Fey, but they also have the blood of Kitsune. They would be able to fly freely; they wouldn't have to hide who they are. She looked at the land - it meant nothing to her. What did it matter? Her people were dead. Her children are all that mattered; she cared nothing that they were her heirs; theyy were her children first.
"I do not approve of this course of action. Hinata Sama, this woman is an outsider." Neji said with apprehension.
"She's my children's grandmother; there's nobody that I would trust more than her," Hinata said, not wanting to argue the point.
"Aren't we Kin Hinata Sama? They are your heirs. You can't just have them head over to." She did not allow him to speak as she cut him off.
"Last time I checked Neji they're my children. I'm the one that had them in my womb for 9 months. I'm the one that gave birth to them, held them after they were born, breast fed them and cared for them. Went days without food for them so they wouldn't starve can you make sure they're fed? Can you make sure they'll be protected and that they'll be free to fly to go to the sky to be able to do things that Fey like us have been denied for centuries?" Hinata challenged.
"I know things are hard right now. Our land has been ravaged, but it is the home of our people. Your children need to know about their heritage," she was not listening to the nonsense she had heard many times; her aunt Neji's mother told her the same thing.
"They are children, Neji. Do I make myself clear? They will live like children, they will play like children, and they will grow up a childhood I never had. You won't deprive them of that. I'll do what is necessary to ensure they have the childhood I never did and won't let anything get in my way." Neji recoiled.
"You're treating me like I'm your enemy, Hinata Sama. We're family."Hinata cut him off again.
"Family? Spare me the bullshit while you grew up free and able to fully be yourself in the realm of the high elves. I was a slave to a cruel man inside these very Halls. I scrubbed these floors that were walking on every single day. I was beaten when I ever made a mistake, when I ever spoke out of turn. I even had to go as far as to hide my wings and being in constant pain 24/7. I witnessed my sister get murdered and my mother raped and was forced to watch as her head was placed on a pike. I was forced to look at that every day. The only thing we have in common is we share blood, but we're not family; spare me your damn lectures." Hinata stormed off as far away from her cousin as possible, not caring if she treated him harshly.
Her mother-in-law was approaching. She should be at the castle at any minute. Her cousin wasn't pleased, but she didn't care of what he thought; nothing and no one else mattered except her precious Angels and Naruto.
Kushina wasn't sure if what she was doing was wise as the head of her clan; what she was doing with what would be considered foolish by those in her counsel, but it was something she had to do.
If her grandchild was alive, she had to know, and she couldn't risk having her Heir risking his life. Hinata is not the same girl that she met all those years ago; she is a dark and vindictive woman. She wasn't sure if she would attack Naruto; she had to be the one to risk going to Hyugan; she was at the castle of light, which was black; she saw troops looking at her with suspicion, and bows were pointed at her.
"That's far enough," said Hinata, who looked at her with that same icy expression that she sold back at the reception seven days ago.
"Hinata, I'm not your enemy," Kushina said in the calmness voice she can muster.
"Where's my husband?" Hinata asked, hoping to have seen Naruto by her side.
"My son is unable to make it right now." Kushina answered.
"Is that really so? I'm a monster. I suppose you want to protect me from him" Hinata said, feeling hurt.
"Don't twist my words," Kushina said, not liking Hinata, twisting her words, making it seem like it was the opposite what she was saying, though she would be lying if she doesn't feel that way to some extent because what she had seen and heard.
"I'm not twisting your words; I'm only saying what you're afraid to say," Hinata replied, seeing right through her knowing knowing that she was lying.
"Hinata, I'm only doing what is necessary to protect my son. Wouldn't you do the same in my place?" Kushina asked her, trying to get her to understand from the perspective of a mother.
"Do you really think I would harm your son? Is that what you believe? It seems that just like humans, the worst is always assumed about me," Hinata said with bitterness and hurt in her tone.
"Hinata, that is not true," Kushina said, trying to diffuse the situation.
"I know exactly what you said; you think I'm a monster. It's understandable. I wouldn't want a monster near my child either if I were in your position," Hinata said with a tone of sadness.
"Hinata I." Kushina had no idea what to say.
"Men, leave us now," Hinata ordered, her voice cold as ice. The men witnessing the entire conversation left, not wanting to be near their Queen. Hinata motioned for her to follow. Things were silent until they were in a council chamber; they were the only ones in the room.
"Nobody can hear us. How far would you go to protect your children to ensure their safety? Surely you understand what I would do for mine." She was referring to children as if they were more than one. Kushina had no idea how to react to two grandchildren.
"You don't trust me with your son. I don't blame you; I wouldn't if I were in your place. A monster like me doesn't deserve your son in your eyes, do I?" Hinata asked, looking up at the ceiling, trying to hide the genuine emotions on her face.
"Why do you call yourself that?" Kushina asked, now concerned Hinata never referred to herself as a monster to the extent that she is now. What had happened to her for all those years? Hinata didn't answer. Instead, she spoke once again in a calm and detached manner.
"I'm hunting the bastard that took my wings from me. You will not leave this Castle until I return," Hinata said, which caused alarm bells in Kushina's mind.
"Am I going to be your prisoner? That's not going to do you any favors. That's not going to win you over with my clan especially." Hinata silenced her before she could finish.
"So you'll leave your grandchildren defenseless?" Hinata asked, gaslighting her.
"You would use your children to gaslight me; you truly have fallen, Hinata," Kushina said with disappointment of the kind of woman she had become.
"I don't care what you think. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure they're safe, even if I have to keep you here," Hinata said, doubling down on her position.
"Do you not think Naruto would be happy if he found out his own wife is holding his mother prisoner?" Kushina asked her.
"What difference does it make you think I'm a monster? The world thinks of a monster; it doesn't matter." Hinata said, turning her back on her, not wanting her to see the emotions on her face.
To be a prisoner and her daughter-in-law being responsible is not something that she expected to happen. Did she really make the correct choice by sending Naruto home? She believed in the worst in Hinata, and her thinking she's a monster wounded her heart greatly. She should have allowed her son to come; she realizes that now she made a mistake. Those eyes, they were full of sadness and despair, the exact same look she saw in Hinata when Naruto brought her home when she found her all those years ago.
"I'm sorry Naruto, I made a mistake. I should have let you come. I'm sorry," Kushina said out loud. She saw guards appear before her. Hinata was behind them. They were human; one of them was male and one was female. They were around average in height. They looked to be in their late teens. They were terrified of Hinata.
"She is not to be harmed under any circumstances. Do I make myself clear you vermin harm her in any way, and you will suffer severe consequences." Hinata said with an implied threat.
"Yes, Hinata Sama," said the terrified woman of Hinata.
She was escorted to her. What she saw was two sleeping children. The guards were motioned to leave. When they were gone, the door was locked. Hinata was taking no chances.
" My precious children, I'm afraid Mama has to be away for a while. There are bad people that I need to punish. Don't be scared; this nice lady will be with you until I return. She's a nice person; she'll look after you and take care of you. Please be good."
She heard the girl yawn and reply.
"Do you have to leave so soon, mama?" said Her granddaughter, who looked like a splitting image of her son minus the horns on her head and the wings along with Hinata's hair color.
"I'll be back before you know it, my little sunflower," Hinata said with a warm and motherly tone, which contrasted what she had seen earlier.
The other was a boy who more resembled his mother. The main thing he inherited from his father was his fox ears and his blonde hair, but everything else came from his mother. She couldn't help but smile sadly when she looked at her grandchildren; they couldn't be any older than seven.
"Who is that Mom?" Asked the boy.
"She's the woman I told so much about. She's your grandma," Hinata answered, which surprised both of her grandchildren. Kushina, for a different reason, was surprised that Hinata would be honest, considering her being a dark Fey. But she was not the queen before her; she was a mother.
"She's pretty," said the girl with a child-like innocence.
Kushina Saw a smile on Hinata's face at her daughter. It confused her and perplexed her. This was not the same woman who terrorized the inhabitants of Konoha, nor was she the same as how she acted earlier; she was acting warm towards her children.
"She has fox ears just like you, little brother." Said the little girl who went towards her. She couldn't help but smile seeing her granddaughter, who was happy to see her. Then she looked at her grandson, who was more weary.
" She won't do anything to you; she's not like the bad people," Hinata told the boy.
"What's your name?" Kushina asked her grandchildren.
" Himawari," the girl answered, feeling comfortable with Kushina's despite her being a stranger to the little girl.
" Boruto," the younger of the siblings answered.
"Do you have to leave now, mama? Can you stay?" asked Himawari, looking at her mother.
"Of course," Hinata said as the girl returned to her mother.
The boy was reluctant to look at Kushina and went to his mother. Kushina knew immediately the boy was clinging to his mother; he reminded her of Naruto when he was Boruto's age.
Hinata was in her own world. She had no idea what to think. She was singing to her children. This was not what she expected. Then she felt horrible. Of course, Hinata is not going to be cruel and vindictive, especially with her children around. Was that all an act? Was it real? Who was the real Hinata?
After a half an hour, the children went back to sleep.
Kushina then noticed another thing when Hinata tucked them to sleep. She was reluctant to touch them, almost as if she was afraid of hurting her children. She followed Hinata out of the room. What did Hinata want? Why was she leaving her own children with her despite her not trusting outsiders? None of that makes sense.
When they were in another room out of the earshot of the twins, Hinata spoke.
"Are you that surprised that I would act the way I do with my own children? Do you think I'm that much of a monster that I would." she hesitated on the last part.
"I'm sorry I." Kushina had no words, the sadness in Hinata's tone.
"I know I'm a monster, Kushina San. I've always known I don't need to be told what I already know." This private persona was not anything like she expected. Now, she regrets more than ever not letting Naruto come.
"Is he alive?" Hinata asked, referring to Naruto. Her eyes had been hopeful for years; she must have thought her lover was dead. She had been waiting for an answer that she had no answer to for eight years. Kushina could not imagine being in that position if Naruto and Mei were missing or her husband.
She had no idea what to tell her. Her hatred for heroes was something that was real. How would she feel if she knew Naruto was the hero, Menma Namikaze? She doesn't know how she'd react. She wouldn't tell her because that's something she feels like her son should tell her himself.
"He's alive." Kushina Forced the words out.
"I see that's good. At least I wasn't the cause of his death." Hinata said relieved.
"This Castle, I hate this place. My children hate it, too. They shouldn't be here. They should be out in nature. They should be free like I wanted."Hinata didn't look at her. She didn't face her.
"This is your home, this land; it's your ancestor's home." Kushina reminded her.
"What is home anyway? I don't see a home when I walk these halls. I see nothing but a reminder of what I've lost." It confused Kushina, this dark Fey. The sadness in her voice and the self-loathing that had not gone away; in fact, it had gotten worse. She sounded borderline suicidal.
"Hinata going after Orochimaru will not bring back what you've lost; it will only." She was cut off sharply.
"What do you know? That bastard ripped apart of me off my back that I'll never get back my wings; he ripped them off my body and threatened to kill my children after they were born. I was forced to choose between my children and my wings. I lost a part of myself that I will never get back. You don't know a damn thing I went through. I will not rest until he and Kabuto are dead."Then she reverted back to the dark Fey that she projected herself as outside the confines of her children's room.
"I didn't." she didn't get a chance to finish; she was cut off again.
"You have no idea what it's like to suffer the cruelty of humans. Those vermin have deprived me of everything: a normal childhood, whatever that is, and peace, you have no idea what it's like. You can hide your appearance, something my kind cannot do. I will do what I must to protect my children from everyone and anything." She said darkly.
"Does that include you?" Kushina realized that was the wrong thing to say, but there was no pushback. The scene from earlier replayed through her mind. She thought she was a danger to her own children. She wanted to take back what she had just said. She felt dirty for the words that had come out of her mouth. But as if Hinata anticipated she was thinking, she was interrupted.
"They should be protected from all monsters; I'm no exception,'' she said with barely controlled emotion as she was about to cast a spell.
"I will return after I kill those bastards. Do whatever you have to do to protect my children," Hinata said. When she was about to finish, she paused. She looked at her as if wanting to say something but thought better of it. Then she cast the spell and vanished.
She couldn't help but feel like she had made a huge mistake. Naruto, he could talk to her. He could possibly bring out the kindness that she once had, but she only shows it to her twin children, Boruto and Himawari. She looked at their room; a decision had to be made. Hinata herself wanted to protect her children by any means necessary.
There was another thing to consider as well: no matter how much she wants to, she can't just take Hinata's children. She wants to protect them; she has an instinct as a grandmother. But they're not her children, and she couldn't help but feel like they're not safe. She would do what Hinata asked of her. She couldn't leave the castle. She looks around her; she doesn't trust any of these people to keep her grandchildren safe.
Kushina never thought in a million years back when she first met Hinata that Naruto would marry the future Queen of Hyugan. Whether she likes it or not, her grandchildren are part of that family and hers.
She felt hatred, sadness, and despair in the castle. She hated this place. The very stone she stood on was built on the graves of the previous Queens' spirits, begging for release and peace. The souls of the dead haunted the entire castle, making it feel haunted to some extent for her and her grandchildren.
Boruto and Himawari. She can feel it too, even more so than their mother, due to their Uzumaki blood. The ability to hear spirits. No, this is not a place she feels they should be. This place is dead. Their young minds were prepared to deal with such horrendous cruelties. She went to their room; they were struggling to sleep due to the spirits. Kushina closed her eyes and casted a spell to protect them from the worst of the effects, so they can sleep peacefully.
She wants now more than ever to take them away from this place. The voices of the Dead were screaming, begging to be freed from their torment. Those poor children, she thought, no wonder they feel so agitated they can feel it too.
"I'll protect you, my little ones," Kushina said to her grandchildren as she stood guard, protecting them as fiercely as any grandmother would protect their grandchildren.
He opened his eyes. Naruto with shirtless all over his body. He had scars from the day that Hinata was kidnapped, the day he failed to protect his mate. He put his hand on the place where Kabuto had stabbed him for the final time before kicking him off what he thought was his death. Naruto had no idea how we survived; it was a miracle he was found by his father's clan, who brought him back to health. Naruto was barely able to do anything for almost a year.
He was told by his mother that he was lucky to be alive. A part of him thought he didn't deserve to survive due to his failure to protect the woman that he loves from the promise that he had made to her that she would never feel pain again, and he had failed to live up to that promise. No matter how much he tried to meditate, he couldn't stop thinking about it his failure, the woman she was in Hyugan alone along with their children.
No matter what he did, Naruto still felt he had made the wrong choice in listening to his mother's advice; he wanted desperately to leave; he felt like the choice he had made was wrong. He was getting his horse Jiraiya ready; he had made sure he had everything that was essential; he did not care what anyone said; he admitted for hours, and the spirits all told him the same thing to go to Hinata.
"Naruto, the course of action you're taking is dangerous, you know," his father said to him.
"I know what I'm doing," Naruto said as respectfully as he could.
"Naruto, you're acting rashly and going without a plan. You're thinking with your emotions and not your mind," his father said, trying to get Naruto to see his perspective.
"I was told that when she got kidnapped, I should forget about her and focus on the future. It's easy for them to say when it's not their Shining Star that was cruelly taken from them," Naruto replied, trying not to blow up at his father like he did the previous day.
"Well, you're not going without me this time, brother," said Mei, who already had her own equipment ready to go.
"This is foolishness; both of you are going into an enemy territory, and you Mei are not experienced like your brother is," Minato said, trying to get his children back down.
"We are not children anymore, father. I will make sure big bro doesn't do something stupid and get himself killed." His little sister looked at him, reassuring him that she had his back.
"Your mother would kill me if I let you go, but I'm going with both of you," Minato said reluctantly.
"Thank you, Father," Naruto said, generally meeting it.
"The elders are going to be pissed off. We better get going now before they try to resist us actively," Minato said as all of the family got on their horses and left
Today was another day of working on the plantation, where his master had him work alongside his fellow slaves. He had no recollection of his name; his fellow slaves called him Elder due to him being the oldest among them. He remembered a time when his people weren't slaves, when they were proud and free. However, he chose not to think about those times because it made him sad, especially when he thought about his wife and daughters who were now gone. He had even forgotten what they looked like, the feel of his wife's skin, her voice, and her scent.
The forest, what it felt like on his feet, what it felt like to fly in the sky. He had lost his wings centuries ago; the horns that he once had were all gone. For all intents and purposes, he looked human. Most of the humans thought his people were extinct, but that wasn't true—they were just used as slaves due to their immense strength and their infinity for magic. His people were used to make the lives of the humans easier. He had long since given up hope that the queen would return or that there would be a new dawn for his people. He didn't dare indulge in such thoughts; he had to make sure his people would live to see another day. He was wearing what would be expected from a butler; his master was reading the paper. There was a guest, and they were all talking about things he didn't bother listening to.
"Did you hear about the rumors of what had happened in the capital?" asked one of the guests, a woman in her early fifties. Her hair was red and graying on the sides; some would consider her an attractive woman for her age, but he didn't pay attention to such things. The thought of finding any human physically attractive repulsed him, considering what they did to his mate and daughters.
"Such an incompetent princess, that we're stuck with such a shame. That girl definitely isn't someone I want as my queen." said a younger man who was around the age of 30. He had short black hair and had a look of arrogance behind him. Not someone that he wanted to be near but he had to consider he was his master.
"so what is the rumor that we are hearing about?" asks the woman from earlier.
"Well, I cannot confirm this. I think it's a bunch of nonsense. Apparently, some dark Fey appeared and started a ruckus. That's all that I know," said his master. He was not what he would consider to be the most intelligent fellow. It didn't matter to him, the information that he wanted to know about who this Fey was that they were talking about.
"You don't believe the rumors about this dark Fey; it's all nonsense. They don't exist—that race of monsters only exists in children's tales." The elderly man, around 70 years old, said this to a bearded man he had served since his boyhood.
"The thing about this Fey is she delivered the severed head of Saito in front of the entire court. They say his head was so badly mutilated it was barely recognizable." the redhead woman said earlier.
"so we have an usurper stealing the throne from its rightful King." said his master with interest, wanting to know more.
He tensed. It couldn't be. He didn't dare hope, not after all this time, not after all the false hope he had received. She couldn't be the granddaughter of the queen he had once served. It couldn't be. He looked above him. An axe touched the handle and was waiting to get confirmation before he took it off its hinge.
"So, who is this usurper?" asked the eldest of the group.
"Hinata Hyuga, she's the queen now of Hyga." answered the younger of the women who was the master's wife.
After years of despair and giving up hope that the true Queen would return, his people had no reason to serve the cruel Masters who had stripped them of their dignity, identity, language, and history. He clenched the handle of the axe. It was his chance, but he had to gather his people. Before he could make a decision, he heard a flicker; the fire was erupting - a green fire. He recognized that fire, and immediately knew their Queen was here.
He looked at the guest and his master, and along with his father, they were horrified by what they were seeing; they had no idea what they were dealing with. They were looking at him with the ax that he had in his right hand.
"what are you doing with that?" asks the master in anger and fear. He didn't waste time; he went straight to his master and, with a swipe of the ax, sliced off his head along with his father's; their heads tumbled to the ground. The guests were horrified by what they saw.
"The queen has returned my people to live again," the elder said. The guest looked at him like a monster. He picked up the younger woman and slammed her against the wall. She looked at him in fear.
"Your days of enslaving my people are over, you vermin." the man said as he crushed the woman's windpipe. Her body went limp, and he let her drop to the floor. The last of the people in the room, the woman, the redhead, looked at him like she was looking at him for the first time.
"You don't get to have a quick death, far from it; me and my people will decide your fate. Your judgment day has come," he said with malice. He dragged the woman. She was kicking and screaming, doing everything she could to try to get him off of her, but it was no use.
The enslaved people were looking at him and were wondering what he was doing. They stopped doing what they were doing until they saw the woman kicking and screaming.
"Has the time come? Has our Queen really come for us?"I stay 12-year-old girl.
"Yes, Hinata Hyuga has come; our centuries of humiliation have ended to arms, my brothers and sisters to arms. The Judgment Day of the vermin has come." The man said commandingly.
Without hesitation, the enslaved people grabbed anything they could, including the nearest object that could be used as a weapon. The guests in the room were running for their lives, but they wouldn't get far.
"Death to the humans," said a 14-year-old girl who had recently lost her mother.
"This is for what you've done to my mate, you son of a bitch." said a 40-year-old man who stabbed his master repeatedly; it was Savage the way he was being killed, it didn't matter to the elder. The fire that was erupting thanks to Hinata, this woman, he looked at her. He would let his Queen decide her fate.
Glass was being shattered. The entire mansion was being lit on fire. Years of resentment, hatred, and built-in rage had unleashed a fury that the world had not seen—the wrath of the Fey.
Earlier
Hinata was at the very place her mother-in-law told her it was a mansion in the outskirts of the land of spring. She didn't care for the actual name because she didn't really care to remember the names of any human countries. It was a city that was typical for humans who had slaves. There would be collateral damage in the process, and she knew this, but she couldn't let that get in her way. After all, these were cities full of humans—the vermin that had wronged her people along with others like her son's friend. She cared nothing for the slaves because, to her, humans were not worth saving, whether they were slaves or not; they were all the same to her.
"This is not our way." said her predecessor, her grandmother.
"If you weren't so weak, if you had fought back against the vermin, our people wouldn't be on the verge of Extinction, nor would our forests be burnt," Hinata replied to the spirits of her mother and grandmother in anger, not caring if she hurt them.
"This will not bring you peace," another one of her predecessors said, trying to talk her out of this course.
"You are now the queen of Hyugan; this path that you're going on will not lead you to peace; this is not our way." Said her grandmother, trying one last time talk her out of what she was about to do.
"I've given up on peace a long time ago. I tried to walk your path, grandmother, but what have I gotten in return? My wings were torn from my back, and the friends that I've made, all of them died one by one, all of them leaving behind children. This isn't just about me. It's about the fallen the people that Orochimaru tortured and experimented on. This is not just revenge. This is justice."Hinata said as the voices got quieter.
"You're thinking like a human, not a Fey," said her grandmother, pointing out how Hinata was acting.
"I am nothing like those vermin," Hinata said darkly. She silenced the voices, not wanting to hear them anymore. It didn't matter that they passed on their wisdom about the history of her people; she only cared about one thing: the power to destroy her enemies. She flicked her finger, and fire erupted.
The flame engulfed the mansion, and she heard screams from the humans. She was walking like a predator. She saw a human who looked at her in fear, knowing her reputation.
"Please spare me." said a woman, but he not didn't even listen to her. She melted her using a spell that disintegrated the woman's skin. She ignored the sound as the woman's bones fumbled to the ground.
What she had heard was something she did not expect.
"Death to the humans, long live the queen." She heard a woman who looked human, but she wasn't. She could feel it. There was a revolt. She saw enslaved people who were formerly in charge cutting humans down; it was a gruesome display.
She saw a 14-year-old girl doing the same thing. She felt hatred in the air. These weren't humans. These were Fey, but how? What made her even more enraged was almost all of them had their wings taken from them and their horns.
"Spare no humans; kill them All." she heard an elderly man who chopped a man's head off with an axe; this was not the Fey way, but he did not care. She wouldn't deny these people their vengeance; she was here for the same thing.
She saw humans being dragged from their homes. She couldn't believe the amount of Fey there were. There were at least hundreds of them. She was clenching her fist in anger. Not only were her people mutilated, but they were enslaved as well.
"Please, I was under orders." said a woman who was in her early fifties with red hair who was looking at a crowd begging for her life. She looked like she was the leader of this plantation. The people who were participating in the violence stood out of her way; they knew who she was, and she went on her knees and lifted the woman's chin, forcing her to face Hinata.
"Not only did you genocide My people by taking away our dignity but now I find out you've enslaved my people as well. How many of my people are in places like this? How many don't lie to me you have a choice between a quick death or a painful and gruesome death by the mob here you're going to die either way you can make it quick or you can make it slow. Where are they?" Hinata asked, forgetting about her vengeance against Orochimaru for the time being.
"They're all over Konoha and Kumogakure. I don't know where all the enslaved people are. I can't keep track of all of them." The woman said. Hinata lifted her up.
"We are Fey, you vermin. I have another question: where is Orochimaru?"Hinata asked threateningly.
"Orochimaru isn't here, you're wasting your time." The woman said she saw no lies in her tone, so it was another false lead, but it wasn't in vain; she found something that she would never have found out otherwise.
She looked at the people; they were eager for blood; they wanted to kill this woman, whatever hell she put them through. They deserve justice. She saw other she-women being dragged on their feet; there were even some children, but she didn't care how many of these children treated her people like playthings.
"Our Queen, what are your orders? What should we do with these vermin?" asked the elderly man, eager for her to give judgment.
"What's your name?"Hinata asked, wanting to know.
"My name is not important your highness."the man replied.
"Regardless, I would like to know your name. I want to know the name of everyone here." Hinata asked more as a request than an order.
Cut off guard and not used to anyone asking them for names individually, they all gave their names to Hinata. She remembered them all; she was going to remember them. She heard disapproval from her ancestors of what she was enabling, but she didn't care these people had suffered for years. They deserve retribution for the crimes that been committed against them.
The eldest of them, the man from earlier, didn't give his name.
"You're the only one who hasn't given me your name. Explain yourself." Hinata asked him, paying attention to the groans from the humans suffering. She wanted them to know how powerless she truly was and she wanted him to know that every single victim of theirs had names.
"I failed your grandmother. I don't deserve a name. I'm the last survivor of my generation. I saw what was, once a green and lush forest reduced to a land of death. The man that I was died that day I lost everyone, my wife, my daughters I have no surviving family left. The only people that remember my name are long dead, I'm just the elder. Hinata, what judgment do you pass on these vermin that have enslaved us? What shall be done?" the man asked everyone was eager for an answer she had never acted like a queen up until this point she didn't think she had anyone left.
"I will leave it up to you; you will decide their fate, not me," Hinata said, which she heard disapproval from her grandmother.
"You're going to let them act in a way that isn't like us. We are Fey; we're not like the humans. You are the queen; you cannot let your subjects make decisions like this," her grandmother said, which angered Hinata because she had gone through something similar as what these people had. She replied sharply.
"My people, I thought they were gone. I will not deny them, Justice. Now I know what I must do, knowing there are more survivors and knowing that they have further humiliated us; it wasn't enough they came in at genocide against our people; they relocated us. Ethnically cleansed my people from their lands, imprisoning my mother and sister. Mutilate us, remove what makes us who we are, strip us of our culture, our language; no, I will be a queen that will burn those who have wronged my people." Hinata said, dismissing what her grandmother was saying.
"This is our chance for our people to start a new Hinata; this crusade that you're about to go on you will not bring peace; you will only fan the flames of War. Is this what our legacy will be?" asked her predecessor.
"As long as even one Fey is under the captivity of those vermin, I will not stop. Kushina San has pointed me on the right path. I may not have found the object of my vengeance yet, but when I do, he will be destroyed along with every person who collaborated with him." Hinata cut her grandmother off, ignoring her protest.
She saw her people go on their knees, bowing, awaiting her orders. Women and children were looking up for the first time in their lives. They had hope. It pained her knowing that there were children as young as her own soiling their hands with blood, but that's what happens when you cage an animal for so long they eventually snaps, some sooner than others.
"What is thy bidding." asked a boy no older than five who still had his horns and wings.
"Until this point, I didn't know that our people were still alive. I thought we were all dead. I have failed you as your queen. As you all know, the vermin have destroyed our people, taken our dignity, stripped us of our lands, denied us our identity, and called us monsters. We will never again be defenseless against these vermin. I will bring you all home to our rightful home; we will rebuild, and I will start this crusade, and I will not stop until every single Fey is free; there will be no negotiating with the humans; they will free our people willingly, or they will die there will be no negotiation." said Hinata the people were cheering for the first time there was no fear that she felt under different circumstances she would cry in happiness, but she felt nothing. Even after all this, she still feels nothing; the only thing she has on her mind is vengeance.
"Long live the queen." she heard the elder say.
"Long live the queen." said a girl no older than 14.
"Death to the humans," said a man around the age of 20.
"We will pay the humans back with Fire and blood," said Hinata, which caused the entire crowd to cheer. They were chanting her name. She never imagined this happening when she left the castle.
She looked at the mansion. The very place Orochimaru was at one point was on fire along with the rest of the surrounding area. She left it to let the humans see her handy work and let them know their time of judgment was coming. There would be a war of Fire and blood, and they would pay for all the pain and suffering they had caused the Fey; she may not have gotten her vengeance on Orochimaru if there were a goal she would complete before she died; it would be the complete liberation of her people.
Judgment Day for her people's butchers and enslavers has begun, and nothing on this Earth would stop her.
Thank you for those who have read this story so far and, as always, and review.