Chapter 13: The Taboo

"I'm lonely. And I'm lonely in some horribly deep way and for a flash of an instant, I can see just how lonely, and how deep this feeling runs. And it scares the shit out of me to be this lonely because it seems catastrophic."

― Augusten Burroughs, Dry

Hyūga Compound-Hiashi & Neji

"Where have you been Neji?"

Hiashi regards him from head to toe, searching him for any overt signs of injury.

The sky behind him is a mix of ominous grays and browns, buildings crackling and belching out plumes of thick black smog as they crash down, fires erupting across the market and business districts. He's received word Lord Third is currently engaged in battle with Orochimaru, nobody so far able to penetrate the barrier his elite Oto shinobi guards formed to keep everyone else out.

His clan takes priority knowing there's little he or any of the other Clan Heads of Konoha can do for Lord Third at the moment, turning his attention to preventing any flames from getting close to the manor, that the Hyūga shinobi that can still fight or be of aid in the evacuation process are proving all previous rumors regarding their latest sacrifice and the benefits they've received are baseless.

Neji waves away an approaching aide, what coats his jacket and pants is the dust from the stadium toppling in, blood of shinobi he had to step over or push through to reach an exit.

"I was watching the Finals for the Chunin Exams when the first explosions came."

Hiashi nods while stepping closer, fingers brush at a cut to his cheek he must've gotten from protecting Hinata from a falling pillar, Naruto shortly after putting himself between them.

"And I assume you ran into my eldest child did you not? What did you say to her?" He asks straight to the point, opalescent hardening at his pause, the stiffening across his shoulders.

"...Nothing. Hinata said you should be the one to tell her anything important regarding the clan and I believe she's right. Uncle, she should know what you did to her in the weeks that led up to her being sacrificed."

Hiashi's eyes narrow at him bringing this topic up now of all times, stoic expression briefly slipping revealing his ache, his true feelings on the matter he's been adamantly refusing to let the Hyūga Elders see.

"Neji, you make it sound far harsher than it truly is. Everything given to Hinata was researched thoroughly for their side effects, all those tonics and herbs Hashijimi gave her are out of her system now that it's been almost a year. All of it was simply measures to ensure should the jinchuriki have come on to her...inappropriately, she wouldn't be forced to carry or deal with a monster's child. The last thing I would want is for Hinata or Hanabi down the line to have to deal with is a...teen pregnancy. Think of what people would say of the clan then, of their kids."

Neji grits his teeth, anger shining through into lilac. "You never told Hinata about what said drugs were for besides to say that they would ensure the sacrificial process went through smoothly and keep her supposedly healthy. Did...Did you even actually care a little about Hinata's true health or desires before you gave her away so callously?"

Darkness falls over Hiashi's features, and he knows then he's said too much, poked at feelings he's long buried or still hasn't fully come to terms with. The first pulse of pain thrums across his head like a bee sting, wincing seeing that familiar sign with his fingers.

'He's activating it.' Neji squeezes his eyes shut, dropping to oakwood as Hiashi hovers over him with a growing frown.

The Caged Bird Seal.

Not even Hinata used said technique on him during his most torturous moments towards her.

"Neji. Don't forget your place in this family. You have no right to question my previous actions to my daughter. As I've said before to you and the rest of the clan, Hinata is lucky the jinchuriki was kind enough not to outright murder her or use her as some type of toy." He begins, Neji barely cracking his eyes open to look at him.

"At least once she becomes an adult, she can maybe have some type of life for herself as a shinobi, healthcare worker, or mother after she gets away from that beast. It isn't any of my business and neither is it yours as long as she completes her duty. I'm sure you haven't forgotten that you yourself not very long ago wished for her death. What I've done for Hinata is a kindest the Elders wouldn't have done." Hiashi voices coolly, finally stepping away from him.

Neji forces himself back into a standing position before he can leave, swallows back bile coating his tongue. "If you don't tell her about the truth behind those medicines, I will."

Hiashi stops, turns to look back at him, pearl eyes studying each other before he scoffs.

"There's no need for that, especially since she hardly trusts your word in the first place. I'll update her before her next birthday comes to pass. In the interim, there's far more important matters going on than worrying over my eldest. Hashijimi needs you in the main meeting hall. Too many of our clansmen both Main and Branch have been injured in this initial assault. Instead of running your mouth with me, help her in triaging and providing medical assistance to who you can." He orders, twisting away before Neji can get another word in.

He waits out the wave of nausea that roils about his stomach, headache thankfully lessening to a dull buzz in the back of his head.

'I shouldn't have gone about it so harshly; I don't even know if he'll actually tell Hinata once this assault is over.' Neji considers at hearing rumbles near his feet.

No, despite his mask of indifference, he's hit a nerve in his Uncle's feelings.

And the last thing he'll want is for any changes to be done to the sacrificial documents and the gifts already given to the clan concerning information he may or may not have purposely withheld from Hinata.

Better to hear this news from the head of the Hyūga clan, her Father than her lowly Branch level cousin.

Hashijimi doesn't even look his way as he enters, scent of blood and smoke permeating the room instantly souring his stomach further. Her hands are buried deep in the chest wound of a distant aunt of his, sweat beading her brow stitching the wound close.

"Dr. Hashijimi?" Neji calls out.

The frost in her eyes calms as she peers his way slowly, relieved breath escaping her lips at his nod he's ready to help wherever he's needed.

She gestures with her head towards where he should go. "Finally, some help; good. The men to your left got caught in some type of paper blast evacuating civilian near the library and bank areas. Most of them are shrapnel wounds to the arms and legs. I'm sure they taught you at the Academy or that strange sensei of yours gave you first aid lessons at some point, put them to use." She commands before focusing back on the more critical cases.

Hazoko freely lets him look at his foot wound, Neji grabbing a pair of tweezers to work at carefully removing pieces of glass and splinters of wood.

He pours alcohol and antiseptic onto the gash, Hazoko wincing, curse bubbling up.

"Damn it, warn me beforehand! Ugh, I need another dose of morphine. Hashijimi barely even gave my foot a glance before declaring it could wait." He bemoans aloud, pursing his lips shut when Neji nods in the direction of the chest and head wounds currently taking her attention.

An aide comes to their side before Neji can further assess his foot, pushes a cloudy vial into Hazoko's arm.

"It's alright Mr. Hazoko, we're going around to everyone as quickly as we can!" She declares.

Neji notes the band to her jacket, a medic from Konoha's emergency care team.

'Ah, even at a time like this our clan is still getting special privileges.' He realizes at Hazoko's thankful grin to the woman as she scurries to the next section of the room.

Hazoko leans his head back against the wall, lavender eyes turning sharp on him.

"By the way...why'd you go and dredge up the past like that with Master Hiashi? Don't you realize what you've done?"

Neji presses non too gently on a patch of torn muscle, Hazoko hissing.

"I don't know what you mean?" He lies, Hazoko fisting at his jacket before letting go.

"Don't play dumb Neji, my eyes and ears are working just fine. What do you think is going to happen to Dr. Hashijimi once that beast gets word of how she truly treated Hinata? All those medicines she gave to supposedly 'help' her?"

'Naruto.' Neji swallows, pictures briefly how easily he choked him, snapped his bones like twigs.

"You assume the worst." He mutters as he prepares the bandages, words of comfort sounding hollow even to his own ears.

His eyes track back to Hashijimi, Hazoko blowing out a mournful sigh. Hashijimi is the best doctor the clan has had in years, harsh but effective in her treatment measures enough to be on Konoha's medical board for infectious disease and wound care.

Hazoko dryly laughs, shuts his eyes once more.

"Congrats. There's no telling when it will happen, but you just sealed her murder."

Kakashi-Konoha Stadium

'I don't know where any of my genin are.' He realizes as he blocks the kunai of an Oto shinobi, kicking at his stomach knocking him out.

They swarm up like flies, wave lessening as Gai unleashes a rapid punch of air that topples over a dozen of them at least. Stragglers immediately retreat once they realize who he is, toss away makeshift paper bombs and shuriken.

"Everything okay on your end over there Kakashi? Wait, what am I saying? Of course my greatest rival wouldn't fall to the likes of these shinobi!" Gai beams.

He sends him a thumbs up he doesn't return, gaze instead scouring to the remaining Suna and Oto nin still standing.

Only Kabuto and Baki remain.

"Are Danzo, Koharu, and Homura okay?" Kakashi asks as he regroups with the rest of his fellow jonin to quickly keep the duo from leaving.

Aoba nods, gesturing towards below beneath upended earth and shattered cement. "They escaped via the hidden underground exits. Though Danzo is questioning why the ANBU haven't taken out those bodyguards of Orochimaru yet to reach Lord Third."

Genma blows out a breath. "They aren't exactly making it easy with all those spider web traps and paper bombs littered about that barrier. They meticulously planned this attack for weeks."

"He's one to talk and bark out orders when he turned tail and ran with Homura and Koharu as soon as the first explosions started." Kurenai mutters.

"Everyone, this is nothing we can't handle! We have them on the defensive and retreating!" Gai declares to boost everyone's morale.

'Sasuke gave chase after Gaara and his siblings while both Sakura and Naruto went separate directions out of the stadium. Sasuke's already drained so much chakra from using the chidori once already during his match, not to mention Gaara's partially in his jinchuriki form.' Kakashi recalls.

He calms his breathing, forces himself to think positively and stop assuming the worse. But still, Rin and Obito's bodies flicker up to the front of his mind. Unbidden now that the village is in the throes of an attempted invasion, the possibility of war dredging up knots to his chest.

'Relax. I just have to assume they're fine.' He decides, hoping one of them can provide some type of backup to Sasuke, one of his fellow jonin will go after them too once they fully clear this area.

Neither Kabuto nor Baki make an attempt to fight as they close in, stance of their bodies more in the position to flee this scene and regroup later.

Gai joins him to his left to block Kabuto from using the haze as a cover for escape, cracks his knuckles.

"Not so fast! We still have some questions for you!" He declares.

Genma meanwhile impedes Baki from going right, scoffs flicking away his senbon needle.

"What, are Suna shinobi Orochimaru's lackeys as well?"

Baki ignores his taunt, draws up a blade of wind layered with dirt and sand. "I wouldn't talk so big with all this damage surrounding you."

Kakashi half looks in their direction, whistles the signal for Pakkun to come forth.

"Is it showtime?" He drawls out between hopping over cracked stone and earth.

Kakashi simply nods, gestures towards Baki.

"Deliver the present you found."

Pakkun hops down between the two shinobi, drops from his mouth the ripped piece of cloth he managed to get from where the supposed Fourth Kazekage sat earlier in the stands. It alone isn't enough proof of whatever transpired in Suna before Rasa's arrival, but he knows Baki will recognize it.

"What am I supposed to make of this?" Baki grunts, Kakashi pointing for him to look closer.

Genma sees it first, brows furrowing before smirking.

"Ah, so that's how he met his end."

Gold dust mixed with specks of blood, ripped to melted patches of facial muscle tissue and skin.

'Rasa's face.'

And Baki's eyes widen as the realization comes, gritting his teeth.

When he peers back up Kakashi simply shrugs, betrayal isn't the worst crime happening around them.

"What made you think you could trust Orochimaru?"

Naruto & Hinata-Konoha West Gates

"I gotta provide backup to Sasuke. Strong as he is, I know he can't handle Gaara or any of his siblings alone." Naruto grunts. He wrinkles his nose at the lingering scents of smoke and blood coating their surroundings, the further destruction to come to the nearby forests...

"Get going to the safe zone, it's just a bit further north at the Hokage Rock." He hears Hinata instructing a shopkeeper who likes to sell jewelry made from stones found only near Kumo and Iwa's regions. She picks out the final bits of shattered glass from his arm, wraps it with the last of the gauze and bandages she had on hand.

He takes one look in his direction before hurriedly nodding, following her directions.

"I think you gotta a handle on things here or at least nobody wants me around them to take a look at their injuries y'know. I guess even with the stories of bad luck being a sacrifice, they'll take your help over nothing." Naruto notes, Hinata quietly nodding in return.

She ignores an ache churning about her chest restlessly at that look in his eyes, too similar to the one he gave her back when he was hospitalized. Maybe he was going to kiss her then or maybe just tease her somehow at having expected it, wanted it with a hunger she shouldn't desire.

'Bury these feelings for the boy you've been sacrificed to.'

She grew up on stories after all of what happened to past sacrifices going as far back as the Warring States period. An early death or fleeing were considered to be happy or bittersweet endings, brief sufferings for the benefit of the village, of their former clans.

But all of Dr. Hashijimi's lessons have gone to waste, none of her teachings or bitter tonics prepared her for the reality of who Naruto truly is.

The boy who was supposed to kill or toss her away instead trains with her, tries to cook and clean how she taught him, wastes ryo he earned from missions buying her sweets...

Hinata swallows, clears her throat while pushing the memories away.

"I'll be fine Naruto, conserve your chakra for whoever you run into first."

Naruto pauses, thumbs at soot lining her cheek until the stain of black is fully gone, slowly tilts her head up forcing pearl to meet azure.

"After this invasion or whatever it is Suna and Oto are trying to do is over, we...we should talk y'know."

A pink flush blooms across her face and despite their current situation, Naruto chuckles, taps her cheeks lightly.

"A-About what?" Hinata whispers.

Naruto brushes his forehead with hers, clears his throat feeling his face grow just as hot as hers. "Everything y'know! Minus any lazy ninjas or perverts interrupting of course!"

Realization lights her eyes, slowly grinning back. "Of course."

And then Hinata steps back from him, buries down a swirl of emotions by shooing him to go.

"Boy, you cannot take on the One Tails jinchuriki alone. Raw strength will never be enough; you're going to need my power."

"I don't need it; not yet." Naruto retorts, shutting the fox out.

He dives deeper westward into the forests following ripped bark, trickles of sand caught between moss and grass.

"Enough. Don't get involved." A voice abruptly growls from his left, swish of sand piercing air as a second later he sees a flash of blonde hair tumbling to the forest floor.

'Temari.' Naruto frowns, chill rising along his arms.

The rush of his heartbeat swarms his ears, tightening his hands into fists as sea green eyes twist to Sasuke.

'Kill. Kill. You're going to have to fight a jinchuriki.' Coils lodge in his chest and throat, shaking away a rise of nerves before they can turn into full blown tremors.

"The blood you spilled from me I'm paying you back twofold." Gaara promises, sand coated arms clashing once more with chidori.

His tail swishes forward to try and knock him off balance, lightning blocking it once more before Sasuke goes still.

Naruto follows his gaze to his right leg, gash of crimson soaking the bark.

Gaara gleams from above him in delight, manic grin rising.

"I'll make sure there's nothing left of your body to retrieve Uchiha."

Naruto draws up his hands, rushes in.

"Shadow clone jutsu!"

The first dozen clones form a barrier around Sasuke, the rest moving in formation knocking Gaara back.

Blue peers halfway back towards black.

"You're not dead yet, can you move?" One Naruto asks him.

Sasuke blows out a breath, clicks his tongue as his legs stagger back to a standing position, vision hazy.

"I used up a lot of chakra, but I'll back you up as best I can."

The original Naruto nods, focuses back to Gaara.

"You again? Why bother helping the weak? We should kill him together, human sacrifices give you power too; don't they? Take away that ache inside, right?" Gaara questions.

Naruto doesn't answer, verdant eyes melting into the yellow irises of the beast within him.

Gaara laughs emptily, changes position. "Fine. I'll draw out your power."

"Sand Shuriken!"

Needles of sand race out for them, his own bullets of wind not enough to counter their speed.

He hears Sasuke grunt behind him, sand slicing against his arms.

Still, he draws in a deep breath, forms secondary barriers between them.

"Fireball jutsu!"

Flames lick and crack at the branches above, briefly separate them as they collapse. The tactic barely helps, only temporarily blocking out Gaara's barrage of sand as he shoots them into a faster pace.

'We can't keep being on the defensive.' Naruto grits his teeth, fox's laugh biting in the back of his mind.

"Isn't it about time you tapped into my power?"

If he doesn't, he'll kill Sasuke and him here and now, may even go back into Konoha to finish Suna's original plans...

Gaara goes for his legs to pin him in place, prepares to drown him in a cascade of sand.

"Show me your power; this can't be all there is to a fellow jinchuriki." Gaara repeats, voice gaining more and more of a deeper edge.

And Naruto knicks his thumb before blackness fully envelops him, blinks back sweat from his eyes calming his erratic breathing.

'Focus. Focus.'

"Summoning jutsu!"

Gamabunta appears instantly, slices away the sand arm that was seconds from crushing him.

"One Tail? Didn't expect you to be in such a high stakes battle so soon kid." He grunts.

Gaara's grin turns rabid, about time he drew out his true power. He takes in the crimson sheen to Naruto's eyes with renewed excitement, laughter frenzying to a wild pitch before calming.

He lets his body slump into a trance, sand weaving over the rest of his limbs.

"Good. I'll leave the rest to you, Shukaku."

Jiraiya-Konoha Main Entrance Gates

"Toad Oil Bullet!"

'Orochimaru' doesn't even bother dodging, spray of acid melting off the skin along his face and arms.

His clone doesn't need to pretend that this is a true fight.

"You and Tsunade both know I was always sensei's favorite. You remember, right? That Sarutobi wanted me to be the one who took up the mantle of Hokage after the Fourth Hokage's untimely death, save him from having to go back out of his retirement. Those bring back such happy memories; don't they?"

His smile morphs, peeling and warping as flesh sloughs off further and further in clumps.

"I suppose it's a fatal mistake on the old man's end not stopping me when he could. He's fragile now, bone and muscle strength depleted with age that he won't be able to stop me from killing him. It's too bad he doesn't have the body he had back in Tobirama's reign or even just a few years ago. All that knowledge of so many jutsu he wasted not studying further back in his youth."

Orochimaru's clone snickers, gold eyes delighting at Jiraiya's scowl and lack of answer.

"Come now Jiraiya. It's been years since we've seen each other properly and all you can do is glare at me like I'm a stranger? Aren't we friends-" He croons.

"Our days of friendship are gone, dying when you first defected from the village and started your experimenting." Jiraiya sneers, cutting him off.

Orochimaru simply hums in return, snapping his neck into focus.

"Ah, now that I think about it, you weren't strong enough to stop me back then either."

He snaps his fingers, snakes turning their rampaging towards him.

Jiraiya claps his hands as the first of the giant snakes' slithers for him, mouth opening revealing glistening fangs, debris from the buildings it and the rest of the two have demolished and swallowed.

"Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer Technique!"

Gamahiro's body instantly slams down on the first snake's body, second snake partially crushed in by the toad's weight when he rolls over just slightly. The third instantly disperses before it too can be killed.

Gamahiro eyes Jiraiya for his next orders, nodding that he can handle the rest from here as he hops down to get a closer look at the damage. Orochimaru's clone has dissipated as well, onyx searching splintered wood and shattered brick for any sign of the man doing some other type of trap.

His gaze eventually lands on the dozens of dead snakes both small and large. Amid their blood is piles of shed skin, patches of silvery-white flakes left in their wake. Jiraiya crouches low to get a better look, rubs between his index finger and thumb between a sliver of molted skin.

'Some of these snakes must've gone back to help hold down the barrier before or soon after this fight began. The biggest thing that probably concerned Orochimaru was interruptions to fighting Hiruzen, being overwhelmed by Konoha's forces.' He considers as he gets back into a standing position to head for the barrier.

Snakes shed their skin routinely, occasionally even eat the old skin for nutrients.

These snakes didn't get a chance to do that, maybe because they died before the opportunity arose or Orochimaru summoned them just to be distractions before their deaths.

He follows a trail of molted skin, notes further pops of his snakes disappearing amid decimated shops and businesses.

'Chakra. He's getting low on chakra.' Jiraiya realizes, picking up his pace.

The fight has turned a tide, Orochimaru is either dying or winning at this very moment.

He clicks his tongue recalling one of the last things he said to him before they went their separate ways, one of the few people whose words truly rattled him and still get under his skin even to this day.

"Are you really going to kill our sensei?" He mutters aloud as the barrier comes into view, buries back down old memories.

'I can see right through that smile of yours Jiraiya; unlucky as usual when it comes to both life and love.

Sakura-Konoha Medical Tent/Evacuation Zone

"You're no help to us here Sakura, go check on your comrades." Mebuki asserts.

Sakura blinks away a spell of bleariness, jade eyes hardening to match her Mother's. How can she say such a thing to her considering all that's happening in the last 6, no maybe it's been 8 hours now?

'Hold on, what time is it anyways?' She absently wonders, briefly looking away from her.

The sky has taken on a sickly brown, too clogged with streams of red and black for her to tell if it's late afternoon or nightfall approaching.

Beside them Kizashi rests, fresh from his below knee amputation wrapped in gauze. Thankfully, blessedly, in such a deep sleep to not hear the beginnings of this brewing argument.

"What?! There's no way in hell I'm leaving you and Dad here-"

Mebuki quickly shushes her before her voice can echo throughout the tent, faces as equally forlorn and stressed briefly looking their way. Brittle smiles crack up assuming it's just a petty squabble between mother and daughter, everyone too on edge and focused on their own loved ones being assessed and treated to peer at them beyond a few seconds.

"Language Sakura! You know very well your Father and I aren't going anywhere. We don't even have a place to go home to until they announce an all clear and we can make our way through the rubble."

The incredulity on her face only makes Mebuki double down and Sakura balls her hands at her side until they turn a velvet red, run hot to match her rising ire.

Mebuki sighs, patiently pats her hands until they loosen.

"Dear, don't be stubborn about this. All this restless energy and pacing can be put to use elsewhere. It's making me nervous and those around you. I'm sure you can be of assistance helping with the evacuations up to the Hokage Rock or even aiding with the smaller injuries. Use these hands of yours to heal or even give a punch or two if need be."

Still, Sakura hesitates, gaze flitting between her and Kizashi before sighing, nodding heading out into musty air.

'This is a losing battle for me, but I can understand Mom wanting some privacy with Dad.'

"I don't even know where Sasuke and Naruto have gone." She grumbles to herself. She has a hunch it's after Gaara and his siblings, but all her Earth and even limited beginner techniques with Water Release isn't going to be enough to take on the Sand trio right now.

She perks herself back up before she falls into a spiral of self-pity, bumping shoulders with a woman rushing the opposite way of her.

Anko Mitarashi.

Sakura blinks, bows quickly in apology. "Sorry! I didn't mean to slam into you like that!

Anko waves it off, eyes half on her and half on the surrounding chaos. "Don't sweat it, I'm in a hurry! I need to finish helping evacuate those still trapped on the first levels of the hospital. There's too many of Orochimaru's snakes in the area, but it looks like Jiraiya just now took care of the biggest ones making it safe to proceed over."

Sakura blinks, finds herself moving to match her pace. Better this than sitting or pacing, spinning up worry over how long it's going to be for her Dad to truly recover when there's currently nothing more that can be done for his condition. "Alright, lead the way!"

Anko shrugs, smiles in that same devious manner that she did during the Exams. "You know I'm gonna be running into some real Suna and Oto shinobi, right? Nothing like the opponents you faced during the Forest of Death."

Sakura nods, cracks her knuckles, body itching to blow off steam somehow, be of use.

"I'll never grow as a kunoichi if I don't."

Anko laughs aloud at that, grin widening before gesturing to a pair of Suna shinobi at the hospital's entrance.

"True, wanna prove you can get rid of the two scum guarding our way in?"

Hinata-Hokage Rock

"I need a full name to go by ma'am. We can't run the risk of any Suna or Oto nin being disguised here among the civilian." Yoshitaka frowns.

Hinata takes in his armband, a member of Konoha's Infiltration department.

Hazel eyes narrow as her voice cracks looking away from the makeshift splint she just finished on this middle-aged woman's leg, biting the inside of her cheek feeling a mix of wary to annoyed stares on her.

Even this woman, Shinako if she recalls correctly, instantly moves her leg back as if stung from her earlier touch.

"Hinata. I'm no longer a Hyūga." She whispers.

Heat warms her face a deep vermilion when her eyes catch with Tokuma, prized for his adept skill with the byakugan in tracking down any rogue shinobi he's been assigned to. So much so that before she was sacrificed, she'd heard murmurings he was about to be promoted to the rank of jonin.

'Father probably held a dinner celebration of some kind for such an accomplishment.'

She watches as he mutters something to Hoheto standing guard over a section of burn victims, both peering to her.

They send her something of a half-smile before looking away.

'I'm invisible to my old clan even when Father isn't here to see it...'

"Excuse me miss, a name. A full name or I'll have you escorted from here." Yoshikata grunts, jabbing her with his pen to focus back on him.

His headband is that of a Leaf shinobi, how can he not have heard of her situation unless he was away from the village for over half a year now?

She's sure her records aren't sealed; her eyes give away her ancestry.

"Hinata. I err, can't use my former clan's name any longer." She repeats in a single breath.

"Hyūga? Yes, I heard the clan head gave up his eldest child, but the information I have is that she was killed in action or possibly declared a missing nin months ago. So who are you really?"

Shinako snorts, nudges Yoshikata's arm.

"How could you forget to check records from last winter? It's in her files somewhere that the jinchuriki showed mercy on her as the latest sacrifice.

Her gaze switches to Hinata, thin scowl marring her lips. "By the way, this wrapping better not have me using a cane afterwards knowing how much bad luck you are now to anybody be they civilian or shinobi."

Yoshikata hums, eyes Hinata up and down now with pity, lips twisting into a grimace.

The ground beneath them trembles before he can press her further, shrill cries and wails flooding the area.

A man points to the forests in the west, a clash of beasts, explosions of sand and water decimating the terrain.

"Aren't those two both jinchuriki?! We can't be safe up here! What if they join forces to attack the village?!" He bemoans, a domino effect of fear and outrage spreading across the groups.

Hinata moves to a standing position, byakugan studying Naruto and Gamabunta, this makeshift plan of theirs they're creating.

Gamabunta is durable, agile enough to withstand air bullets and dodge the stream of sand Shukaku blasts out to them.

'Closer. He's trying to get Naruto close enough to where Gaara is on the forehead.' She realizes.

"Uzumaki." Hinata decides, peering back to Yoshitaka.

His brows furrow and she ignores the thrum of her heartbeat's frantic tempo, the knowing that this news will eventually reach her Father's ears, will change the way Naruto and the rest of Konoha look at her.

"Hinata Uzumaki. You can write that down for now as my full name if you truly need to know I am who I say I am."

-x-

Many of you correctly guessed that the tonics and medicines Hinata received has had a side effect on her body and while not permanent, it's one that neither she nor Naruto ever knew would be given to her (or that Hinata herself fully consented to receiving). The repercussions and fallout are coming down the line regarding that!

In terms of growth, I've been enjoying writing how everyone's developing! I don't plan to drag out this arc out much longer as things get set up for Tsunade's entry and the changes that will eventually drive Sasuke from the village to how they'll go about trying to get him back.

As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters along with my extra NaruHina works, MHA stuff, NSFW writings, and my original works. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there! Check out my Insta by the same name for my anime drawings, book reviews, and travel blog.

Let me know your thoughts as always!