Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Lacking Sight ❯ Emotional Evening ( Chapter 12 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

To say that Hinata was on cloud nine was an understatement. Her day had begun as normally as it ever did these times; she woke up shortly after dawn, practiced with Neji-nii-san, ate breakfast, meditated to practice her chakra control in the garden, checked with Hokage-sama to see if there were any missions for her, went to the market... a perfectly routine morning. However, that was where the normalcy ended. On her way home from the market, she had met her beloved Naruto-kun and his friends at Keisuke-san's new home, and Naruto had agreed–whether or not it was out of boredom, she did not know, and now in the afterglow of the glorious day did not care–to join her and her teammates for their afternoon practice.
She had born witness to Naruto's new and fascinating skill, watched him defeat her teammate Shino against difficult odds, and (this part brought the red color back to her face) glanced at his unclothed torso, a memory which would linger forever and give her even stranger dreams than normal tonight. Best of all, Naruto had seen her practice match, and, though admittedly he was distracted throughout most of it, he had looked her in the eyes and confessed that he had liked what he'd seen. He'd called it “awesome” and “amazing” and given her that glorious smile that she loved so much...
All of Hinata's dreams of changing herself from a hesitant, weak person into a strong woman worthy of acknowledgment had now been realized. She had her father's respect, the village's open support, Neji-nii-san's willing help, and now she had her Naruto-kun's acknowledgment and even his lavish praise. If an enemy shinobi had hacked her to pieces that very moment, she almost would not have cared.
The fact that Naruto was walking next to her on her way home was icing on the cake. Her still-dominant shy aspect prevented her from singing her happiness, but that was fine, since Naruto seemed to be able to do enough talking for the both of them. He cheerfully went on and on and on about a seemingly endless number of topics, including the difficulties during his match with Shino, the similarities between that match and another battle that he'd fought during his travels, further praise for Hinata's excellent performance (more blushing), similarities and differences between her and his friend Haruka, whom Hinata had not yet met, the entertainment value of the rivalry between Haruka and Keisuke...
“It's really funny, the lengths they'll go to to make each other look inferior,” he said. “Haruka beats Keisuke, and Keisuke genjutsus her in a random public place so that she hears things and flips out... Keisuke beats Haruka, and he wakes up wondering why everyone is staring at him funny until Jiraiya asks what that picture of him–the one with him passed out in a dumpster, naked, with a bloody head and a stray kitten attached to his face–is doing posted up all over town.”
Hinata giggled softly at that remark and kept listening to him, all her cares forgotten, as he went on to explain how Keisuke was such a great guy (if a little over-relaxed in his free time), how he'd taught Naruto all about the Rokujuuyon Reiude, how versatile it was, and how awesome it would be if it were, as he thought, a Bloodline Limit jutsu. Hinata wondered about this last part herself. If he bears his own Kekkai Genkai, then because he is an orphan, he is the heir to it's legacy... that puts him on a politically equal level with me!
She tuned Naruto out for a little while, caught up in daydreams involving a politically arranged marriage that would eventually turn into a passionate love...as she let her imagination run rampant, her thoughts raised more blood to her face and caused her blond companion to look at her with concern. He brought his blue eyes level with hers and said, “Hey, Hinata, you sick or something? You're turning an interesting neon red there...”
Hinata shook her head, insisting truthfully that nothing was wrong. Things could not be going more right, she thought. Naruto kept his eyes warily on her for a moment, then continued talking.
“Alright... so anyway, the Reiude is great for a lot of things, and I don't think I even know half of its uses yet. So far, I know Tomoshibi no Kyuubi, Keisuke's Kokuin seals, trap seals–Keisuke says I'm pretty creative with those–the arms make great motion sensors, too, and then there's those elemental lightning strikes, you saw me use one of those on Shino... Um... Oh, yeah! The Synchronization technique!”
Hinata was curious about this one, and about the enthusiastic manner in which Naruto mentioned it. “Synchronization, Naruto-kun?”
“Yeah!” he said. “It's awesome when you use it with the right person. Keisuke and Haruka do it all the time, when they aren't harassing each other. It gives both people complete access to their combined chakra pool, and they can even feel, see, and hear everything that the other person does. The way it works, the person with the Reiude sticks some of his Arms into the other person's tenketsus and then...”
“Ano, Naruto-kun?” Hinata interrupted gently.
Naruto was surprised at the polite interruption; Hinata had been practically silent through the whole trip. But he shrugged it off and smiled at her, eager to explain the arcane workings of his and Keisuke's unique art.
“What's up, Hinata? Got a question?”
“Yes... Um, how can you link the Arms between your tenketsus and the other person's if... if you can't see them?”
“Good question,” Naruto said. “Not even I really have the hang of it yet. Keisuke says that the best way to do it is let the Arms themselves tell you what to do; meaning that since you know where your own tenketsus are by where your Ghostly Arms are attached, you can imagine where they are on the other person and feel them out easily. He says that if you do it often enough it becomes an automatic thing, where you can find them without really thinking about it. I guess I'm not at that point yet, though.” He grinned sheepishly, unaccustomed to admitting his own shortcomings.
“One day, though, I'll get it,” he said, “And once I've got the perfect partner–maybe Kakashi-sensei or Sakura–we'll have enough power between us to beat the crap out of Orochimaru! I'll bring Sasuke back without a problem!”
Hinata had been about to calmly, offhandedly (or as close to such as the shy girl might have gotten) suggest Synchronizing with a Byakugan user like Keisuke, but at the mention of Sasuke, she stopped. She remembered the conversation that Naruto had had with Kakashi-sensei, the one that she had eavesdropped on. She remembered the worry she had felt for Naruto, remembered acting like nothing was wrong all the way to practice while she inwardly prayed that he would come through this mess alive and whole.
Uchiha Sasuke almost killed Naruto-kun the last time they met... If they meet again, fight again... at their level, there will be no 'almost' this time. This line of thinking progressed down its dark path only a few moments longer before Hinata stopped it. Worrying for Naruto's safety would not do anything to his benefit. She knew that bringing Uchiha back into the light was very important to him, and he would not relent until he had done it.
“It's a promise of a lifetime, Sakura-chan!” “I'm not going to take back my words! That's my nindo!”
It is my nindo as well, Naruto-kun, she thought. Naruto's fist was still raised in a silent oath, renewing the promise to retrieve Sasuke or die. She brought her small hands up to the fist and clasped it.
The reaction was immediate. Naruto jerked his head towards her with surprise on his face, which multiplied when he saw her serious eyes boring into him. It was an intense gaze, one that he had seen only one time before–moments before their first Chuunin examination, when Hinata had insisted that he was not a regular dropout, but a proud failure who became stronger because of his mistakes. He had had a similar reaction then. His eyes had gone wide, almost in shock, as they did now.
There were differences between that time and this one; this time, Hinata's pleading outburst was physical, not verbal. Last time, they had stood a good ten feet away, at least. This time, she was right there in front of him. Last time, Naruto's mental response was four words–Damn, Hinata's pretty cool! This time, it had been shortened to only three words–Damn, Hinata's pretty. He lowered his fist to side, and Hinata's hands followed it, clinging to it, gently demanding that he pay attention.
“Naruto-kun...”
“Ehehe... yeah, Hinata?”
“Naruto-kun, I... when you were speaking to Kakashi-sensei earlier, I was listening.” Now she didn't to touch him to get his attention. His eyes were riveted to her now–a situation that she almost would have killed for on any less serious occasion.
His face had darkened slightly. “So, you know, huh?”
“Yes. Naruto-kun, I never liked Sasuke-san much, but...”
“Who would?” Naruto said, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. “He's a bastard, a traitor, a genius who thinks he's entitled to everything, who'll sell out anyone–even himself–just kill his own brother...” He trailed off, apparently in some mental distress.
Hinata took the opportunity to continue speaking. “I never liked him much, but I know how important it is to you to bring him back... him being your teammate and all...”
Naruto couldn't say anything, his face growing darker still, his eyes falling from her towards the ground at his feet. She knew he was reliving his last encounter with Sasuke, playing it over and over in his mind until he grew emotionally sick.
“I also know how dangerous it could be to save him, and... well, I worry for you, Naruto-kun.”
Naruto's head lifted back into her eyes. “Hinata? You worry about me?”
Hinata's face rapidly turned pink. “Ah... yes, Naruto-kun... because...”
“Of course!” Naruto said, knocking himself in the head with his free hand as if remembering something that was common knowledge, “It's because we're such great friends... How did I forget that? I'd have worried about you if Kiba were out to kill you, or some such thing...”
Hinata just stared for a moment, dumbstruck. It seemed that even though Naruto had matured in mind and body, there was still much leftover in his “common knowledge” that differed from everyone else's. Hinata, however, still could not overcome her shy aspect to correct him.
“Anyway, you don't have to worry about me,” he went on, “If I'm right, Sasuke has enough good left in him to not kill me right away. I'll have the chance to talk him out of... whatever it is he plans on doing.”
Hinata smiled wanly at him. “I'm sure that you can do it, Naruto-kun,” she said, “But...”
“Thatta girl!” Naruto exclaimed, “I knew if I couldn't count on anyone else to have faith in me, I could still count on you.”
Slightly exasperated at all the interruptions, Hinata raised her voice a decibel, something that she almost never did–though now she felt it necessary. “Naruto-kun!”
He shut up. Once again, his eyes were large with surprise, and he was listening intently.
Satisfied, Hinata continued, “I know I can't stop you from doing this dangerous thing, and I know that you have the strength to do it. But I also know that Sasuke-san might be very strong as well–we don't know for sure, but he could be far more powerful than you. If you cannot talk him down...”
She paused, briefly imagined Naruto impaled on a large katana, his life's blood splashing all over the ground, his body spasming, thrashing, then relaxing into death. Shaking her head violently, she banished the image, forced herself to continue speaking.
“I know you are truly strong, Naruto-kun, and there is nobody who can deny that anymore. But I won't be able to stop worrying until it's over with, unless I am there with you.”
Naruto's blue pupils focused with the intensity of laser beams into her own pleading white eyes. She knew he was seeking for the true motivation. Was he beginning to suspect...? It didn't matter now. While she had his attention, she had to finish making her case.
“Not only for you, Naruto-kun... Sakura-chan is mixed up in this, too,” she said. “Deep within herself, she wages an inner war; part of her knows that Sasuke-san betrayed her and everyone in the village, and wants to stay away, and the other part–the part that prevails right now–believes that he can be saved, and because she loves him still, she clings to this belief and strengthens herself for the trouble ahead.
“Sakura-chan is my friend, Naruto-kun, and so... so are you. Both of you will go to extremes to take Sasuke-san back, and I worry that it will be the end of you. I don't want it to be.” Her eyes were glistening now with unshed tears. Still they held Naruto, commanded his deference to her fears.
“I want to help you two, Naruto-kun. For your sake and... and for mine.” Her voice slowly lowered until it was almost a whisper. As she finished her head drooped, her mind exhausted by the emotional effort. Her hands still held his clenched fist tightly, but she had no more to say; the hands demanded his speech now, rather than his attention.
He was at loggerheads with himself. Hinata's offer was good and kind, and Naruto would rather have given up ramen for three days than refuse a kind offer from a pretty girl, especially after such an impassioned plea. On the other hand, though, Hinata was a good person with her whole, rich life ahead of her and, as he was growing ever more aware, beautiful; it would be a shame to see her throw away her life.
For a while they merely stood there on the street, alone except for the flickering of the night lamps, coming on as the sun began to set. Hinata waited patiently as Naruto turned things over in his mind, weighing the merits of accepting her help and of refusing. As the silence dragged on, her grip on his fist tightened. What am I supposed to say? he asked.
He was saved from his decision, for the moment, by the appearance of a short young man in clothing similar to Naruto's, who dropped from the street lamp he'd been perching on. He landed awkwardly and had to catch himself with one hand to keep from hitting his face on the pavement. Both Naruto and Hinata turned to face him, mutely surprised at his sudden dropping in.
“Agh,” said the young man, picking himself up, “I'm still not used to my normal body, damn it...” He was pale in complexion, had long, straight black hair, and bland facial features that wouldn't have looked out of place in any crowd.
Hinata gasped lightly in recognition. “Ah! You are one of those copies... the mass-produced dopplegangers who took Naruto-kun's form to attack the village!”
Naruto stared. “So that's what they really looked like...”
“N-0234, at your service,” said the former Naruto clone, bowing clumsily.
“Why are you here?” asked Hinata, watching him warily and looking for indicators of hostility.
“Now, now, Hyuuga-san,” replied 0234, “I've been questioned enough, I think. Ask Ibiki yourselves... he'll tell you that I've spilled just about everything for your sakes.” He paused, then grinned ominously. “Well, almost everything...”
Neither Naruto nor Hinata relaxed. “Quit trying to mess with our heads, or I'll show you how my head can mess with you,” said the blond. “Sabaku no Gaara can tell you all about how that feels.”
The grin dropped from N-0234's face. He sighed. “Alright. First I'll tell you why I didn't tell Ibiki what I'm about to tell you,” he began. “Now listen... The Uchiha is here on Orochimaru's behalf, as you could have guessed. He's been sent as a response to a message sent by a political figure in Konoha... one that wants to ally with Orochimaru to crush Konoha, for reasons that grunts like me aren't told.”
N-0234 had told Ibiki these things, but all this information was new to Naruto. His face was screwed up, thinking over the words, absorbing the information. “Keep talking.”
The former clone nodded. “Now, this guy that I don't know provides the Uchiha with all the information that Konoha's council has that he needs, such as what shinobi are deployed where at any given time, who the Hokage's meeting with, what decisions are being made... and what information is being tortured out of prisoners.
“Now, I know that I'm going to be killed off anyway,” said the clone, at which Hinata and Naruto started. He held up his hand to silence them. “Listen, it's the truth. Uchiha and his accomplices don't let those of us who get captured live. They assassinate them to prevent us from spilling, or, if it's too late for that, they do it to get revenge for our spilling.
“I knew that I'd be dead the moment they got a chance, so I decided to spill as much as I could. But I held one thing back, for a good reason. Since the Uchiha knows everything that Konoha knows, he'd be able to evacuate before the village mustered a raiding party. I thought it would be better if I held off on telling the whole village, and instead try to tell you–the one person that the Uchiha doesn't count on to know anything, and so isn't spying on.”
A change came over Naruto. He was shaking with excitement, and his eyes were bright with hope. “Evacuate?” he asked in a voice that trembled like his body, “Where? Where!”
The grin returned. “The place where I, along with my one-thousand-odd brothers, every one of us bred from genetically manipulated Kedouai Clan blood, were born into the world with the purpose of wreaking havoc. Orochimaru's old laboratory...”
“All right!” Naruto half-shouted. I'm going to tell Kakashi-sensei and Sakura, and we'll go in after that bastard first thing tomorrow!”
“Hey, hey,” said 0234, “There's no guarantee that he's still there. There's no guarantee that he was ever there, really. That's just where we were all made. I'm saying that, because I didn't spill that fact, the Uchiha doesn't have any pressing reason to abandon the facility. There might be something there, there might not. But since you don't have any leads,” he finished, “I figure it would be the best place to get one.”
“Hey, thanks, mister... uh... whatever you are,” said Naruto appreciatively. He had a big smile on his face now.
“N-0234. Naruto-clone number two-hundred and thirty-four,” he replied. “It's not a problem. I don't have any love for my creator, and this is the best way to be useful to his enemies before he gets me.” He shrugged. “I will warn you, though... he may not personally be there, but the manpower that he can create with those machines down there may prove overwhelming. Take all the back-up you can get without making a big noise about it.”
“I understand,” said the blond. “Uh... good luck.”
“Luck. Right,” said the clone bitterly. “Like I'll need it in the afterlife. The only consolation I need from you is the death of my creator.”
“Don't worry. I'll make sure that bastard pays his dues.”
“You do that, kid,” said the former clone as he walked away. “You do that.”
They watched him go. Both Naruto and Hinata stood in silence another moment, contemplating the sad nature and horrible destiny he'd been born into. All a product of Sasuke's darkness, the child of Orochimaru's evil.
“He'll get what's coming to him,” Naruto swore, “That's a promise...”
Hinata looked at him, a question in her eyes. “Naruto-kun...”
“You know, Hinata,” Naruto said, “You're really a great person. It would be really sad if you got hurt following me into this.”
He's going to turn my offer down, she thought. Balling up her hands into pained fists, she prepared speak her grudging acceptance of his decision.
“But then,” Naruto continued, a smile crossing his once-dark face, “He did say to bring all the back-up I can get without making a big noise... and I think I can trust you to keep this pretty quiet, ne, Hinata?”
Hinata looked into his eyes, not quite believing. Was he going to...?
“Naruto-kun?”
“Hinata,” he said, “If I'm going down into a rat's nest like the snake-bastard's old labs, I'll need good eyes to watch my back. So you're going to have to come with me after all.”
The pale-eyed young woman in front of him lit up like a lightbulb after a blackout. The extraordinary happy look on her face spread to his. Ironic, he thought. Normally I'm supposed to have the contagious energy...
“Naruto-kun, thank you!”
“Hehe, that's better,” Naruto said. “I think I always liked you better smiling. I'm glad I'm letting you help... you would have been unhappy then, and unhappy people don't smile so well.”
He started down the street, heading towards Sakura's home. “Come to the gates of the village around nine tomorrow morning. I'll drag Kakashi-sensei there by his mask, if I have to, as long as he's on time.”
“I will, Naruto-kun. I promise.” Hinata's face practically glowed. After all the great things that had happened today, now she would finally be of some real use to the young man that she admired.
Naruto waved, shouted, “Ja ne!” and ran off into the orange of the setting sun.
Hinata's gaze rested on his retreating back for a moment, and then she, too, moved along.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Emerging from the base of the tower, Haruka checked her map and began heading for her new lodgings. According to the human resources department, it was one of the first buildings that had been completed in the new housing district being constructed near the outer edge of the village. Haruka noted glumly that it was placed far from and on the opposite side of the village from the Hyuuga compound. While this served her well for safety purposes, it did not good to her spirit to be forced out of her ancestral home.
Sighing, she put those thoughts out of her mind. Now was not the time to be moping about; now that she had Keisuke's support, it would be only a matter of time before that terrible system was out of place. Then, the Branch would have no more reason to begrudge anyone, and in their newfound freedom, they would not notice or care if she walked in and took an empty room.
This optimism carried her down the street with her head held high. She kept alert for Branch Hyuuga light-heartedly as she strode toward her temporary home away from home.
However, her trip was put on hold when she saw the young girl, the heiress to her Clan, moving along towards her from the opposite end of the street that she was currently on. Matches the description perfectly, Haruka thought. No doubt about it, that's the one. So this is what she looks like all grown up. If Naruto-kun doesn't keel over in homage just looking at her, there's something wrong with the boy.
Hinata was an important piece in the game that Keisuke was playing against the Hyuuga system. Haruka stepped in front of the girl, bowing low. “I am sorry that I have never done you proper honor before,” she said, “Hinata-sama.”
The younger Hyuuga looked her over. She registered the braided black hair, the tall, slender figure, the glint in her white eye that suggested that she might be serious, or she might not. In a moment, Hinata recognized her for the person that Naruto had told her about–the one that had traveled with him and Keisuke and Jiraiya for two years.
“You are... Haruka-san, aren't you?” Hinata asked.
“Oh, so Naruto-kun has told you about me after all, hmm?” Said Haruka, rising from her bow and standing in a relaxed poise before her.
“Hai, he did... are you enjoying being back home?”
Hinata caught the brief flicker of pain in Haruka's face. Clearly, Haruka was not enjoying herself in Konoha. Soon enough, however, a cheerful look came back onto her mien, covering up whatever displeasure she had been thinking of.
“It's not so bad,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Although, Keisuke certainly seems to be having fun... have to remember to show him up later... Ah, but that's another story. It isn't every day that you meet your future Clan Head for the first time.”
“No,” Hinata said, “I don't suppose it is.” A slight smile spread onto her lips. This woman had the graces and the ability of the Hyuuga, yet she possessed the easygoing, self-reliant attitude that was characteristic to Naruto–minus the tendency to be obnoxiously loud, of course. Hinata was beginning to like her.
“So, I've heard that you only recently were named the official successor,” Haruka said. “Am I correct, Hinata-sama?”
“Hai, that is true,” Hinata responded. “Father announced it before the Konoha elder Council members last month.”
“Congratulations!” Haruka exclaimed, clapping the girl on the shoulder. “I had thought that you would. There is no way that Keisuke and Naruto-kun would flap their mouths about it endlessly just so that we could come home and find out that you'd failed.”
Hinata flushed slightly upon hearing that Naruto had talked of her so proudly. “Ah... thank you, Haruka-san.”
“Now now, we can drop the '-san' right there,” Haruka said. “Naruto-kun and I are great friends, and any friend of his is easily a friend of myself.”
“I see. I understand, Haruka.”
“That works,” said the older Hyuuga, grinning pleasantly. “Now then, about this rumor I've heard...”
Hinata tensed. If this was the rumor that she was thinking of, and if she knew the evil look in Haruka's eye correctly, then this might not end well.
“Is it the truth that you have slept with Uzumaki Naruto-kun?”
The crash of Hinata's skull on the pavement was audible throughout a half-mile radius. Several people poked their heads out of their windows to get a better look. When they saw who it was, they shrugged and returned to their business, having seen this several times previously. “Looks like someone's been making up yet more ridiculous Naruto scuttlebutt,” they said to themselves.
Haruka regarded her with amazement. Naruto is right... she really is weird around him. “Judging from the thoroughly shocked nature of your reaction that the rumor is not true,” she said.
“O-of course it isn't Haruka!” Hinata said, very flustered.
“Nonetheless,” Haruka said, “I have information from numerous sources–Keisuke, Sakura-san, and Ichiraku Teuchi to name a few–that you wouldn't mind if someday it was true. No, I'm not finished yet, Hinata-sama.” She held up her hand to silence the stuttering reply that Hinata had begun.
“As a member of the Branch House, it is my responsibility to look out for your best interest. I can tell you truthfully that Naruto-kun holds you in very high regard, and considering all that he has told me of your past exploits, he does so for good reason. He respects you for the effort you put in to better yourself. That's one advantage you have.”
A contented grin found its way to Hinata's face as she remembered the afternoon's events. She certainly could not deny this point.
“You are one stunningly pretty girl. I have heard men and women alike of all ages in this village speak of it, and I see now that their admiration is well-placed. That is your second advantage.”
This also Hinata could not deny. The number of cheerful compliments, jealous glances, and unqualified suitors that she had received spoke for itself.
Haruka moved closer to her, put both hands on her shoulders, and lowered herself to eye-level with the younger girl. “If you act now, Hinata, you can have him without a fight. You are already in his good favor; all you need to do is push a little, and he will fall right into your arms! He has lost interest in Sakura-san over his absence... nobody can oppose you.
“Ah, but... Haruka... I...” Hinata was having difficulty speaking. How did a simple first meeting between clanswomen turn into this? No one, not even Sakura, had spoken so urgently to her about Naruto. Yet she also knew, deep within herself, that nobody had ever spoken so truthfully.
“I have spoken to both Keisuke and Sakura-san, and they both agree that there is no better time than now,” Haruka finished. “I understand that for a shy person like you it might be difficult. But then, you've been able to overcome all your other obstacles so far. This is just one more hurdle to clear.”
The older Hyuuga's words rang in Hinata's mind like a bell of hope. She could imagine triumph, victory, and the spoils that would be hers, if only she would just reach out and take them. Yet the old fear in the back of her mind fought that hope, lashed savagely at it. It was the fear of rejection, and it was a force that would not be denied. Hope had dawned too slowly this time... it could not get up enough momentum to drive it back.
Hinata's voice was steady and quiet. “I understand that you are trying to help me,” she said, “and I appreciate it. You are a good person, Haruka, but...”
“But you still do not think you're ready.”
“H-hai.”
Haruka sighed. The girl's shy aspect and fear of rejection were tough brick walls. Her words were as strong as the stream of a pressure washer, capable of flaying skin from bone. However, though she'd gotten through Hinata's skin, she would need a bulldozer before she could clear those brick walls.
“If you're not ready soon,” she said, “Then someone else will begin to see him in the same light that you do, and then you will begin to lose hope... if that happens, you will never be ready.”
She shook her head in part-faked, part-real disappointment. “A shame. I'd hoped that the clan would come out of this with two strong leaders rather than just one. But that isn't my place to decide, is it? Oh well.”
She acted as though she was about to leave, then faked remembering something. “Oh, Hinata-sama,” she said. “If you're going to pass up the chance, I suppose I can at least offer you some consolation...” She threw an envelope to Hinata, whose hand caught it by reflex. She saw the younger girl look down at it cautiously; it seemed that she somehow already knew what was in there and was afraid to look.
Smiling, Haruka turned to leave once more... and found herself face-to-face with Keisuke, who was being guided by another young Hyuuga. The former smiled happily, apparently pleased with himself about something, while the latter tapped him on the shoulder, getting his attention. Haruka wondered what Keisuke was doing, letting himself be led around by this other Hyuuga. She flicked on her Byakugan, trying to find out what was going on with him.
The young man said, “Keisuke-san, Hinata-sama and another Hyuuga are here.”
“Keisuke!” Haruka gasped, “Your Reiude is gone! How...”
“I suppose I was too strong for my own good,” Keisuke said, grinning maniacally. “I'll be a registered Jounin-level shinobi by tomorrow. Just have to drop by the tower one last time in the morning. My Reiude will have come back by then; there won't be any need to escort me.”
“But you're blind now, hmm?” Haruka said. “You idiot. You burned up all your Arms in one fight?”
“No, not fighting,” Keisuke said. “I kept them during the skirmishes. I lost them performing... a final evasive maneuver.”
“Tch,” Haruka mock-scoffed, smiling haughtily at him. “So you spent them running away? Lazy coward!”
“Hey!” Keisuke challenged. “It was not cowardice; I was completing my mission objective!”
“Pah! I heard that your objective was to take some poor man through a pack of Chuunin to a clearly labeled exit! You can't have needed that much power to get through that!”
“For your information,” Keisuke growled, “It was not only a pack of Chuunin. Neji-san–who is a skilled Jounin and probably the best Hyuuga fighter I have ever met–and a swarm of Eye-Gouging Gnats were involved.”
Haruka, no longer faking annoyance, glared at him. The best Hyuuga fighter I have ever met... Neji-san! That was a direct insult aimed at her, and both knew it. Her white eyes crackled dangerously, a sight that would have frightened away lesser men.
“Eye-Gouging Gnats, hmm?”
Keisuke's empty eye sockets glared right back at her. Unable to see Haruka's crackling eyes, he was unafraid. “Yes.”
Neji and Hinata watched them nervously. Both could tell that if nobody intervened, things might not be pretty. Neji knew that Keisuke was in bad condition... To face such wrath now would not be good for him. Yet he could think of nothing to say that would stop them outright, so he thought it best that he and Hinata retreat for the moment. Clearing his throat loudly in the hope of distracting them, he turned to Hinata.
“Well, then, Hinata-sama,” he said, “I think we should be going now. We can leave Haruka-san to guide Keisuke-san home. I will escort you back to the Hyuuga compound.”
Hinata, also sensing that withdrawal was best, agreed. “Hai, I think that is a good idea, Neji-nii-san. Haruka-san, Keisuke-san, good night.”
Keisuke and Haruka had turned their heads to them.
“Good night, Hinata-san. Neji-san... an excellent match today. Thank you.” Keisuke said. He saluted Neji, who nodded in response.
Haruka came forward and took Hinata's hand. “Good night, Hinata-chan. It was good to finally see you in person.” Then she leaned forward and whispered, “Tell your father, at least, if you can't tell him. He'll need to know eventually, too.”
Having exchanged all their good-byes, the two pairs parted ways, with Neji and Hinata moving back to the Hyuuga compound. Keisuke and Haruka were left to themselves.
“I am not going to waste my time leading you home, blind idiot,” Haruka said.
“Huh. I wasn't going to suggest that you do. I don't need your help, anyway.” This was mostly true; He was learning again to navigate as he used to, before he had obtained the Reiude. He had accepted Neji's guidance as courtesy. He could stumble home by himself.
They stood apart and glared at each other a moment longer, then they relaxed, exasperated. Both were tired, and there were other things to speak of. Keisuke started off.
“I see you've been working on Hinata-chan already... any luck?”
Haruka sighed heavily. “Not that I can see. She knows that what I say is right, but she lacks the will to follow through.”
Keisuke nodded. “As I expected. Don't worry about it. You are an older, more experienced woman, and a fellow Hyuuga to boot; your words will have an impact in good time. And Neji-san is with us now, too. He will help where he can.”
Haruka stared hollowly at him. There was doubt in her voice. “You really think this will work?”
“Yeah, I really do,” Keisuke said. “Fear of rejection is a powerful barrier, but it's been beaten before. Hinata is more than strong enough to beat it herself. She just needs to realize that strength, as she did when she first endeavored to change herself. I have as much faith in her as I do in Naruto... after all, they share the same nindo.”
Haruka felt a little more at ease now. She knew that Keisuke was right, and had all along. It was just the despair from earlier trying to drown her–the dark water fell all around her, on top of her, splashed her body, soaked her to the bone, but she did not have to drink it.
“All right, partner. I'll have a little more faith,” she said. Her smile, though not seen by his sightless gaze, was picked up on nonetheless in her tone. Keisuke got the message.
Keisuke started toward her, his own smile visible. “Haruka...”
She turned and started walking away. “You're still finding your own way home, though, blind idiot.”
Keisuke stumbled and nearly fell. Damn that woman. I'm at least three centuries old, thanks to being encased in that block of ice... she ought to respect her elders!
He sighed and began trudging back to his own house. He thought of his ambitions, old and new, his new existence in this village, and how the tapestry was all woven together. When he reached his gate, he thought, Hiashi... Neji tells me you've softened up. I'd like to believe it's true, since you've finally embraced your daughter... but you still haven't done away with that barbaric system. You could have saved me a lot of trouble by killing both birds with the same stone...
Keisuke left his gate locked and continued down the now-empty street. It seemed that he still had one more visit to pay before this long day ended.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo End Chapter Eleven oOoOoOoOoOoOoO