Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Diplomacy ❯ Turning Point ( Chapter 18 )

      Taiki found himself stymied more than he would have expected. Hinata's use of an unusual Taijutsu style was working well to her advantage. Taiki suspected this is just as Hinata had hoped when she chose it as her strategy. Direct attacks had proven useless. Hinata's stances allowed for quick and nimble movement, evading every attempt at a direct hit. Feints were slightly more successful, hampered only by the fact that Hinata's current style allowed for movement in one of several directions at any given moment. The forest that was their battleground also served to Hinata's advantage. Much of her evasion had been in the form of jumping from tree trunks and acrobatics among the tree limbs.

     While her defense had proven strong, Hinata had so far yet to attempt any kind of offense. Her only attempts to hit Taiki so far had been counterattacks. Dodging one strike and aiming a Jûken strike of her own in that split second Taiki's attack left him open. Most he had parried or countered in turn. However, some had managed to land, particularly a slight blow to his belly with her left food. His movements were rendered more difficult with his now twice-injured stomach arguing against his every movement. Hinata was being very careful. She was injured, fighting an opponent of proven superior skill. There were also two four-man groups of Hyuga headed towards them. With reinforcements imminent, Hinata didn't need to win, merely stall and keep Taiki there. Taiki, meanwhile, needed things to finish quickly.

     With time of the essence, Taiki considered his options. Hanabi had yet to move from where he had attacked her. Taiki doubted the Hebi no Nirami he had used on her was still in effect. Now she was simply waiting for her chance. For the moment Hinata kept him occupied long enough for her to run towards her approaching clansmen. A direction that would place her dangerously close to the fighting.

     Until now, Taiki had been splitting his attention between Hinata, Hanabi, and the coming Hyuga. Even as he fought and chased the elder sister, he had not allowed himself to be drawn away from the younger. Taiki needed to make sure Hanabi didn't flee. He considered freezing her in place with the Hebi no Nirami to do so. But he knew even as he thought it that there would be no chance of the jutsu being used. Hinata would certainly not allow him the time needed for the needed hand signs. Using it without signs was also out of the question. Even with the Byakugan active, doing that required direct eye contact between Taiki and his victim. Hinata had learned her lesson from their last encounter, and had been utilizing her trick of shielding her eyes with chakra before the fight had even begun. As for Hanabi, the moment he turned his head to make an attempt Hinata would be alerted to his intentions and, even should he accomplish his goal, the effects of the sign-less Serpent's Glare would not last long enough and only reveal to Hanabi the means through which he had frozen her earlier if she did not already know.

     Taiki's next move became clear. Whatever he intended, be it using the Hebi no Nirami, killing Hanabi, or simply escaping, there was one thing he needed to do first. He had to remove the one obstacle in the way of his every option. Taiki put Hanabi, the approaching Hyuga, and even Kiriko aside for the moment. He had one goal only now.

     Kill Hyuga Hinata.

     Hinata did not fail to notice the subtle change in her opponent's demeanor. Taiki's attacks had, until now, been fierce, but not all he had. Hinata's Jûhaken was making him hesitate some, giving Hinata an advantage. His mind was further occupied with making sure Hanabi didn't get away. Hinata had been mere an irritating obstacle, but now Taiki's goals had changed. Hinata could sense that his attacks would only grow in ferocity, as he now seemed intent on Hinata, and Hinata only.

     Hinata was surprised to find she wasn't scared. On the contrary, she was glad. If Taiki's focus was entirely on her, it was the chance she needed to make sure Hanabi got to safety. However, she was not without her concerns. While Jûhaken was serving her well, there was no telling how long that would last. Her defensive maneuvers had done their job remarkably. Would her offensive techniques be up to fighting Taiki when he became serious? She thought of this as she shifted her stance, a kneel with her arms stretched out and back. Could Jûhaken win?

     In the end… it doesn't matter. Hinata answered herself. Her ability to defeat Taiki was not important. What mattered was her ability to keep fighting him. That, Hinata thought as she began her attack, is something I know I can do.

     She leapt forward from her kneeling position and began charging Taiki. The man watched and prepared to block. He brought up his arms to defend against what looked to be Hinata's intent of a dual Jûken blow with both hands. As Hinata brought her hands forward to strike, Taiki had his hands in perfect position to catch them. Only when he grabbed Hinata's hands in his did Taiki seem to realize he had made a mistake. Hinata had never intended her initial move to be an attack. Taiki understood this as he found Hinata's hands lacked the force to be even an effective blow of the Gentle Fist. The moment Hinata's hands were in Taiki's, she pulled backward. Instinctively, Taiki resisted with his own pull, and fell into Hinata's trap. Using her grasp on Taiki as leverage, she performed a sudden jump kick, planting the soles of both her feet firmly into Taiki's chest with as much force as she could manage. Taiki's hands let go, allowing Hinata to finish her maneuver with a near perfect back flip.

     Taiki staggered. That last blow had done significant damage. His breathing was obstructed, and he strongly suspected Hinata had managed to break a rib or two. He counted his blessings that she at least had neglected to make her attack a Jûken strike. Had she used the Gentle Fist in that strike he would have been dead for certain. This knowledge only renewed Taiki's determination. He would not allow himself to fall so easily again. He was beginning to see something had missed before. Whatever the new Taijutsu of Hinata's was, it was imperfect. Taiki was slowly realizing a glaring flaw that he suspected the girl herself had not yet seen. Taiki held back a grin. The way to Hinata's certain defeat was open. He prepared himself as Hinata shifted stances once more. It seemed that, emboldened by her initial success, Hinata would go on the offensive again. Taiki studied her intently. He would have mere moments to think and act.

     The stance was similar to what Taiki had seen of the Main Family's Hakkeshô Kaiten. There were differences. Primarily in that Hinata's torso was bent forward while her legs were positioned as though to begin running. Taiki quickly pondered this, and was ready for her next strike before she had even broken into her run.

     Hinata charged with as much speed as she could manage. Following what he knew to be her plan, Taiki brought out a kunai and swung it in her direction. The attack failed, as he knew it would, when Hinata hopped into the air and performed the move her stance had prepared her for.

     “Kaiten!!”

     Hinata's body began spinning horizontally in mid-air. Taiki had been impressed when he realized that this was her tactic. Hinata was making good use of the Kaiten's repelling properties. Using them to send her into the air unexpectedly.

     “Inspired idea, Hinata-sama!” Taiki commended as he reached out and grabbed the ankle of the foot Hinata had swung at him in an attempt at a surprise spin kick from above, “But to no avail!” he finished, tightening his grip on Hinata's ankle and throwing her down to the ground.

     Taiki allowed his smile this time. He had guessed correctly after all, it seemed. Hinata's unusual fighting style possessed a severe flaw. At first glance, the wide variety of poses suggested an equally wide range of movements and attacks. The actual fact of the matter was that the moment Hinata committed to a pose, her actions actually became quite limited.

     Hinata writhed on the grass on which Taiki had thrown her. She struggled to move and get back up. Taiki gave a nod of acknowledgement to Hinata's continued efforts as she managed to roll over and get to her hands and knees. He decided to give her the courtesy of a quick end. Taiki raised his kunai, prepared to strike it into Hinata's back while she was still trying to get to her feet.

     !!!

 &nbs p;   A sharp pain erupted suddenly in Taiki's leg. The kunai fell out of his hand in shock and looked down to see a second knife sticking out of his left thigh.

     How?!

 & nbsp;   Turning his gaze upward, he saw the source of the attack. Hyuga Hanabi stood a fair distance away, a grin of triumph upon her face. She had thrown the very kunai with which Taiki had very nearly stabbed her with earlier. The one that had fell from his hands when Hinata had interfered.

     Damn i-

     Taiki's thoughts were interrupted by a kick to his stomach. He coughed up blood as Hinata's blow, this time enhanced through Jûken, did significant damage to his innards. The pain in his wounded leg suddenly doubled as he foolishly tried to hold himself up on it, causing him to fall over onto his side.

     Hinata had, in this time, managed to get to her feet. She stood over him now, holding in her hand the blade Taiki had let slip from his grasp when Hanabi's had hit. Hinata kicked him over onto his back and bent over him, holding her knife to his throat.

     “You lose, Taiki-nii-san.” she said, “You are too injured to continue fighting, now.”

     “So I am.” Taiki conceded, “What now, Hinata-sama?”

     He looked right into her eyes, and saw them filled with resolve. He knew what was coming next. Or he thought he did, as Hinata's next action shocked him.

     “You leave.” Hinata said, as she stood and pocketed her weapon.

     “What?!” Taiki and Hanabi exclaimed together.

     “Those coming aren't protecting themselves against your Dôjutsu. You can use it to escape from here. Take Kiriko and get away. Chie won't stop you. Tell her 'Phantom is letting us go.' and she will let you leave.”

     “Nee-san!!” ; Hanabi yelled, “He tried to kill us! How can you just let him go?”

     Taiki was asking himself that very question.

     “Hanabi…” ; Hinata said, “If I don't let him go, there will be only one other alternative. I would have to kill him and Kiriko-nee-san. I knew it might happen, and I thought I could face that. But… no matter what they have done, no matter what their intentions were, I refuse to do so if I can avoid it.”

     Taiki noticed Hinata's hands were shaking. But her eyes never lost that look of resolve.

     “But Nee-”

     “I won't be swayed, Hanabi!” Hinata told her, “I refuse to kill my own family!”

     “Family?” Hanabi asked, “But they're Branch family and we're Main!”

     “That isn't what I mean!” Hinata said, “Main, Branch, whatever we are, it does not change the fact Taiki is our cousin! It doesn't change the fact this blood is the same as ours! That is blood I absolutely will not see spilled!”

     Both Hanabi and Taiki stared at the girl in silence. Taiki tentatively began to try and get up. Hinata held out her hand to aid him. As he was on his knees, unfortunately, their time ran out. The other Hyuga arrived at last. Main and Branch members both among the two groups. Hinata let go of Taiki in surprise, forcing the man to catch himself on his hands before hitting the ground.

     The Hyuga present numbered eight, all of varying age and manner. There were at least three Branch among them, identifiable by their wearing Hitai-ate over their foreheads to cover the Juin curse, just as Taiki himself did. A man of the Main Family stepped forward. He was not the eldest present, but clearly he was the highest ranking Hyuga present besides Hinata and Hanabi.

     “Hinata.” the man said, speaking in a very formal manner even as he casually addressed the family heir, “Step aside. We shall attend to Taiki.”

     Hinata responded by standing between Taiki and the other Hyuga. She had redrawn her weapon and had it ready. As if to fight the eight standing before her.

     “You will not kill him!”

     The Branch Hyuga stared at her in amazement. The Main Hyuga whispered amongst themselves. The man in charge however, did not waver.

     “This man has committed crimes against the Hyuga clan in general, and you in particular!” He held up his right hand, and was moments away from completing a one-handed jutsu sign, when Hinata's kunai flew by, grazing his hand.

     “Why do you defend him?” he screamed as he held his now bleeding hand.

     “I don't wish for him to die!” Hinata yelled, “No matter what he has done. I do not want him dead!”

     “Do not be naïve, child.” the eldest there, a woman, said, “These are the laws of the Hyuga clan. You cannot simply wish them away.”

     “Our law is to kill our own flesh and blood?” Hinata spat.

     Some present looked away uncomfortably.

     “Please.” Hinata insisted, “I beg you. Let him take Kiriko-nee-san and leave the village…”

     “That 230;” the old woman began as she bowed her head, “Is impossible.”

     “But-” ;

     “Kiriko is no longer in any condition to go anywhere…”

     “What?! ” Taiki yelled, “No… that Mist girl couldn't've…”

     “See for yourself.” the woman told him.

     Taiki's Byakugan had flared to full strength even before she had finished speaking. He extended his vision as far as he could. He soon found the lake where Kiriko and Tsurukawa had fought. There, he saw the woman he loved, lying on the ground. She was severely injured. It seemed as though all her limbs were broken. Miraculously, she was breathing. She was alive, and those present were performing medical jutsu to try and restore her body.

     And yet…

     Taiki's focus shifted to his wife's face. To her eyes. There, he saw nothing. None of the spark of the woman he loved more than any other. The woman he had betrayed his clan for without hesitation. The woman whose love for him exceeded her hatred of his bloodline. He understood what had happened immediately. Her special jutsu, her Chônôryoku, had backfired at last.

     “No!!” he screamed, burying his face into his arms, “I told you!!” he yelled as he wept, “I told you over and over that jutsu was dangerous!!”

     Taiki's Byakugan showed Hinata looking at him, sincere pain in her face. The other Hyuga, however, were not so sympathetic.

     “Do you still object?” the man in the lead demanded of Hinata.

     “I do!” came the answer. But not in Hinata's voice. Everyone's gaze fell down, between Hinata and the newcomers. Hanabi stood, arms open, as if defending her sister and cousin.

     “I'm the one they wanted for their revenge!” she told them, “Nee-san and Chi-nee are the ones who risked their lives to save me! We're the ones who have the right to say what happens to Taiki and Kiriko! Why should you get your way when all you did was show up too late?!”

     “Hanabi…&# 8221; Hinata muttered.

     “I…” Hanabi began again, “I don't know if it's a good idea to let them go… But it's what Nee-san wants so I'll stand by her!”

     The Hyuga Main family members began talking to one another. Taiki ignored what bits he heard, which talked of keeping the situation from degrading any further than it had. He no longer cared what was to come. There remained only one thing left for him.

     “Very well.” said the man, “As you are both so adamant and, as Hanabi eloquently pointed out, you are the ones with the most right to decide the matter, we shall for now only return Taiki to the manor.” Hinata gave a sigh of relief, “We will decide then what comes next. But I can make no guarantee-”

     “Hebi no Nirami!!!”

     For all those around him, everything stopped. Even Hinata, who appeared to have neglected her eye chakra in all that had been happening. Taiki struggled to get back to his feet. His injured leg, his stomach, his lungs all fighting against him. He pulled out the kunai lodged in his leg and staggered to the two Hyuga heirs. He looked at Hinata, the girl who had managed to best him against all odds.

     “Hinata-sama… I thank you for your compassion. I commend you for being a worthy foe. But… Kiriko is gone now. Forever. I've nothing left. Nothing, save for bringing forth my love's one wish.”

     He dragged himself to where Hanabi, arms still outstretched, had placed herself between her sister and relatives. He prepared, at long last, to strike a killing blow and give his wife her wish for vengeance, when a sudden, unbearable, searing pain shot through his skull.

     Screaming in agony, he fell to the ground, clutching his forehead in pain. He clawed at it with his fingers, as if it would do something to stop the pain. In doing so he ripped off his headband. When he saw it fall to the grass he understood what was happening to him.

     The Juin!

     The curse mark upon his brow was being used to kill him! But how?! He turned his head to the assembled Hyuga. All their hands were visible, and none were making any jutsu signs. None of them could be the ones doing this.

     But then who- No! It can't be!

     It seemed impossible. Yet, it was the only option. He turned his head the other way. There he saw, clearly visible, the left hand of Hyuga Hinata in a one-handed jutsu sign. He watched, transfixed, as Hinata's fingers changed positions at a crawling pace. His head was bursting when Hinata's hand reached the second position of the sign. The pain that had been only in Taiki's skull spread instantly to the rest of his body.

     How?!

 &n bsp;   The Hebi no Nirami was a paralysis jutsu. One which halted all but the most unconscious, unthinking of actions. Breathing, heartbeat, these actions continued unabated. However, to make any conscious movement when in the grasp of the Serpent's Glare took enormous willpower. To literally lift a finger required concentration beyond the ability of many.

     “Your attack… I… blocked it!”

     Hinata had already proven she could act in the Glare's hold. Taiki, through all the pain, looked to Hinata's face. No longer were her eyes determined. Now, they expressed only sorrow, and pain that seemed to almost rival what Taiki was suffering.

     Had she used the Gentle Fist in that strike he would have been dead for certain.

     It couldn't be…

     “No matter what he has done. I do not want him dead!”

     She had tried to spare his life.

     

   &n bsp; “No matter what they have done, no matter what their intentions were, I refuse to do so if I can avoid it.”

     She had tried to protect his life.

     “Why do you defend him?”

     “I don't wish for him to die!”

     And yet…

     “I won’t stand down. I won’t go against my word! I will not allow you to harm my sister!!”

     She had not hesitated when her sister's life was placed in danger.

     The Hebi no Nirami was a paralysis jutsu. One which halted all but the most unconscious, unthinking of actions. Taiki looked into the face of one struck by that jutsu. Looked at the tears flowing down her face. Tears she was currently incapable of keeping back. Tears of one who was forced to betray what she had stood for to save the life of one she held dear.

     As Hinata's hand came to the third sign. As she performed the final step of the jutsu that would kill the man she had fought so hard to spare. As his vision faded, and the Juin curse on his brow vanished to nothingness. Hyuga Taiki used his last breath, to speak the only thing he could say while looking into the eyes of the girl before him.

     “I am sorry… Hinata-sama…”