Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Lacking Sight ❯ The Best Laid Plans ( Chapter 16 )

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

The rain had not diminished in its fury when Shikamaru and his two new team members left the building. Seeing that it probably would not be diminished for quite a while, he gave a heavy sigh. Yet, no matter how troublesome moving through this massive downpour might be, there was still a mission to be commenced. Shikamaru resigned himself to his fate, and gave his orders.
“The enemy isn't likely to make a move in this weather,” he said. “ANBU still patrol the area whatever the conditions are, and since all of the civilian population has retreated indoors, there is nobody to blend in with except other ninja, who will recognize them immediately as strangers.”
Keisuke and Neji nodded. Both of them seemed completely untroubled by the rain; Neji could see just as well in any weather, and Keisuke didn't need any eyes. In addition, both of them had long ago become used to moving in wet conditions. Neither one complained, however, at being given leave; they had good stories to tell to their allies about the meeting that had just ended.
Shikamaru continued, “While it would be a good time to go hunting for them without arousing any suspicion, it's probable that they've sealed up all of their hiding holes against the rain as well as against intruders. Also, it's one of the few opportunities we will have to rest and prepare. And because I don't particularly like heavy rain, my first order is to return to your homes and gather all the equipment you think can be helpful. Return here in three hours for your next orders. Dismissed!”
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The interior of Keisuke's current dwelling was very spacey, as well as traditional. From where she sat, Haruka could see a small pond through the open double doors in the room. No rain came in through the doorway, for the wide open-air walkway outside them had a roof of its own. She and Sakura were sitting at the table in what must have been a family dining room before Keisuke had converted it into his conference room.
“Your injuries aren't serious, Haruka-san,” said Sakura beside her. “The only thing that should even slow you down is the fake deathblow that Neji-san gave you, and even those effects should be gone in a few hours. Neji-san is very skilled.”
Haruka nodded in solemn agreement. The doors behind them opened.
“You flatter me, Sakura-san. I am a Jounin, but I am young yet.” came Neji's voice from the door. He and Keisuke entered the room one after another.
“Modesty is no necessity in my house, Neji,” said Keisuke. “You are free to swagger or brag or show off as you choose.”
Both of them exchanged solemn grinned at the reference to the arrogance of other Hyuuga; neither one was proud of that tendency of their relatives, but both knew that with all luck it would soon be changed.
Haruka, though, was having different thoughts: Hyuuga Neji again, huh? A feeling came to her that was completely alien–it was cold and bitter, and it gnawed at her guts. She watched as the two of them came to the table and sat down adjacent one another, across from Haruka and Sakura. So he's found himself a new partner–the 'best Hyuuga fighter he's ever met.' Blind idiot.
She tried to focus on the story of the meeting that Keisuke was telling, but little of it came through. Outside, she kept her composure and looked perfectly attentive. Inside, however, she was seething without any idea why she was seething.
Keisuke finished speaking, and now Neji began to talk–this time, of his uncle and his cousin. Haruka extricated herself from her thoughts and listened with genuine interest; her old friend-turned-enemy and his daughter, whom Haruka had taken a liking to, were more important subjects than her own inner maelstrom.
“It has come down to this,” Neji concluded. “Hinata-sama must either cease to associate with Naruto except in the line of duty, or she must renounce her entitlement to the position of Clan Head, and become part of the Branch House.”
“Neither option serves our purposes,” said Keisuke, who had only just heard the story himself. “If she becomes Branch, then she can't exert any influence over the clan at all. If she can't see Naruto at all, then Naruto will be unable to help her, and her morale will drop significantly.”
“But,” Sakura put in helpfully, “She can still see him during missions. It's not a total loss...”
“However,” Neji said, “Hokage-sama is not likely to send Naruto on many missions at this point. The Akatsuki have demonstrated that they are growing in power, and she does not want to risk him falling into their hands.”
“If he's going on a mission at all, it'll have to be in or near Konoha, where Godaime can keep her eyes on him,” Keisuke finished.
They sat in silence a moment, thinking on how to play the cards that they held.
Sakura suggested, “Do you think Hinata would be watched closely? If not, we could disguise either her or Naruto...”
“Hiashi-sama and the council will both undoubtedly be keeping close tabs on her,” said Neji.
“I second that, Neji,” agreed Keisuke. Haruka scowled.
Then Keisuke looked to her, and said, “Haruka, I know you have certain 'talents' that might help us here... got anything brewing in that overgrown brain of yours?”
Oh, something's brewing, all right, she thought venomously. She fought down her inner turmoil and put on her best sadistic smile. “I might have a few ideas,” she said.
Haruka saw Keisuke frown for a split moment, as if he'd sensed that all was not straight with her. However, it soon vanished, replaced by his usual confidence. “All right,” he said, “I know you work your dark magic best on your own, so I'll leave it to you. Do what you can without being noticed.”
Haruka nodded in acquiescence, for once not bothering to get him back for insulting her “overgrown brain.”
“So,” Keisuke continued, “Sakura, how much influence do you have over the Hokage? I know you have been her student–can you possibly influence the kinds of missions assigned to Naruto?”
Sakura answered, “It depends on a lot of things–the level of mission assigned, how lazy she's feeling on a given day, how much sake she has had–but it's been done before. I've done it...”
Keisuke was pleased. “Good!” he said. “If we could get Naruto a mission...”
“You don't have to, Keisuke!” cried a voice from above. Naruto swung into the room from the roof of the open-air walkway outside, landing in the doorway dripping wet.
“Sakura!” he beamed, apparently very happy, “Granny Tsunade wants to see us! We've finally got ourselves a mission!”
“Oh, uh... Really?” said Sakura. She was wondering what everyone else was: How much of that conversation did he hear?
Apparently, he had heard only the last little bits, and nothing about Keisuke's little conspiracy. “Yeah,” he said, “Let's go! I'm tired of sitting around on my hands doing nothing important.”
The group breathed a collective sigh of relief. Sakura rose from the table and went to join him.
“Naruto,” said Keisuke, “Do you know where your mission is going to be?”
“Not yet,” he said.
“You might have guessed already, but because of the Akatsuki, it'll probably be close to home.”
Naruto's grin decreased slightly. “Yeah. But still, it's something to do!”
Keisuke's smile widened. “That it is. Listen, Neji and I will be working with Shikamaru in the places circled on Kakashi's map... I'm sure he's shown you the one I'm talking about.”
Naruto nodded. “Yeah.”
“If your mission takes you anywhere near there–which it could if it is related to this Sasuke character–watch out for us. We may be able to lend a hand when we're not too busy.”
Naruto's face settled on an excitable variant of determination at the mention of Sasuke. “Sure, Keisuke,” he said. “Ja ne!” He and Sakura left the room.
The three remaining sat in silence, waiting for them to get out of earshot.
Then Haruka asked, “Do you think it has anything to do with the Hyuuga? Or is it more likely to be about this Sasuke person?”
“There is no way to know,” said Neji, “Until Naruto has received his orders and told us.”
“We can only hope for the best,” Keisuke said.
Another pause.
Finally, Keisuke rose from the table, and Neji followed suit. “Well,” announced the blind man, “I'm as prepared as I'll ever be, I guess. Just need to head into town to pick up some fresh shuriken. What about you, Neji?”
“I will need to return to the Hyuuga estate. Much of my equipment is there.”
“All right. Haruka, we'll be leaving. Feel free to come and go as you like.” His back was to her as he and Neji walked to the door together. Haruka felt the twinge of that alien feeling coming on again.
Neji walked out, but Keisuke turned to face her a moment before following. “Don't overdo it,” he said. “Use your dark gifts, but remember that we are dealing with young teenagers here. Keep your greater capacity for mischief in check, partner.” He punctuated the last word almost excessively, and Haruka felt the maelstrom within her stall.
She put her cocky grin back on. “Not a problem, O Mighty Sightless One,” she said with mock sarcasm. “I can handle myself.”
Keisuke grinned widely. To him, she seemed back to normal. Then he turned and was gone.
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The wind and rain beat heavily upon Hinata as she trudged through the vacant streets of the village. Long ago, it had removed any sense of dryness or warmth from her, and her clothing sagged heavily around her with the accumulated water. Nobody saw her in this miserable state, and nobody came to help.
Hinata little cared about these facts. They were insignificant in comparison with the terrible cataclysm that thundered in her heart. She stood at crossroads, and each of the two paths that lay before her were equally dark, equally without appeal.
Forsake my father, she thought, forsake my family, and forsake leadership of the clan, or... forsake Naruto-kun. Forsake the man who gave back to me all those other things. Forsake the person that gave me myself.
She looked up to the black sky and let the blazing lightning dazzle her into temporary blindness. “How am I to make such a choice?” she said to the heavens.
Then her eyes readjusted, and she found that she had been sent an answer.
“Hinata-san,” Keisuke said, “Whenever it seems that the impossible choice must be made, I have found only one method that produces effective results.”
Hinata looked up to the taller man with a face nearly devoid of hope, as though no method in the world would dispel her grief. Yet, somehow found the strength to oblige him. “What method is that, Keisuke-san?”
The blind man smiled down upon her with rain-washed cheer.
“A hot meal, chilled booze, and a long, thorough discussion with a trusted friend. Come on... I know where we can get all three.”
Despite the fact that she had come out into the storm seeking solitude, Hinata found herself following Naruto's “nii-san.” It slowly dawned on her that she was rather cold and hungry, and that she was most certainly in need of good advice.
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“Ah! Keisuke-san, welcome! And you, too, Hinata-chan!”
“Thank you, master. The usual table please, and my usual order. Actually, double that order for me, would you?”
“Of course! Right this way.”
The owner of the small and well-kept tavern led Keisuke and Hinata back to a table in a solitary corner near a roaring fire. Keisuke discovered the cozy little place on his second day in Konoha, and had been coming here to eat at least once every other day since then. He'd made great friends already with several of the patrons and with the owner, who delighted in the stories that the blind man sometimes told and the dances he would perform when given enough good sake.
“Ano, Keisuke-san,” said Hinata as the owner walked away to retrieve Keisuke's order, “I do not drink...”
“I'm not asking you to, child,” said the blind man, happy to be out of the pelting rain and in his favorite seat by the fire. He stretched languidly in the chair, letting the heat wash over him and evaporate the water that soaked his clothes. “I'll take all the booze. There is plenty of water here for you to drink, and there are other beverages if you prefer them.”
“No, water is perfectly fine,” said Hinata.
The owner came back with Keisuke's drinks, and then the two sat in silence a while, letting the fire dry them and their clothes while they waited for the food to come. It came quickly; the staff had come to expect Keisuke's arrival and had the necessaries prepared in advance. Within twenty minutes, two plates of roast fowl were brought to the table, alongside rice and the soup of the day. All steaming hot.
“Enjoy!” chimed their waitress. They did; Hinata had had little to eat today, and Keisuke, like Naruto, was never one to refuse good food. They were two minutes into it when Keisuke set down his utensils, took a long swig from his drink, and began speaking again.
“So,” he said, “Neji has told me what happened back home.”
Hinata stopped eating, looked down at her plate in painful silence.
“I can guess what's going through your mind,” continued Keisuke. “Your two greatest desires lie before you. Each one is behind a locked door, and you hold the master key that will open either one. Behind you, the floor upon which you stand crumbles away into the void of the past. You must enter a door, and sacrifice one of your desires to save the other. If you cannot choose a door quickly, then you yourself will fall into darkness.”
He stared into the flames. Hinata continued to stare into her half-eaten meal.
“I can relate,” said the blind man. Hinata's head came up, a question framed in her face. “Yes. I was once in a situation very like yours, long ago...”
The owner of the tavern made a show of cleaning glasses behind his counter, meanwhile cocking his ear to listen to what was sure to be another good story from his new regular patron.
Taking another drink, Keisuke relaxed back into his chair, and began his tale.
“I was a boy of thirteen, then. I lived in a valley in the Country of Stone, in a village ruled by a kindly elder man and his three sons. My father and I resided alone in a small house near the outskirts. By then, my mother had disappeared–left my father for another victim, no doubt–leaving us with very little to call our own.
“Because of this, my father was a bitter man. He had other reasons to be so bitter–he was a crippled shinobi, having lost his leg to war, and his only offspring was a blind shinobi-wannabe–but this reason was the final straw, the one that irrevocably broke his spirit. He spent his days drinking and grumbling and raging to all that would hear him of his troubles and the idiocy of those who still had all their limbs. The villagers and I did what we could for him, but no care would get him back on his feet, no kind words could coax him into functioning normally. At length, the villagers decided to leave him be. I, however, continued to stay with him and care for him, though I had been offered rooms in numerous other houses.”
Hinata and the tavern owner, as well as a few other nearby diners, were listening attentively. This was not like any story the blind man had told in here before; it was a dark and sad tale, where all of his others had been humorous or light-hearted and jovial, telling of the misadventures of the illustrious Toad Sennin or the triumphs of the young in the face of adversity.
“I thought that with enough time and proper care, he would come around. So I waited, and then one day I was rewarded for my patience. My father came down with a terrible fever, and spent the night mumbling half-coherently about my mother, treachery, power, and revenge. 'Horrible dreams,' I thought, and prepared to care for him through a long and terrible illness. But when he awakened the next morning, he was a new man!”
Flames danced in the mirrors of Keisuke's sunglasses, and he set his drink down upon the table.
“He did what he had not done for months: he stood tall in the sunshine, embraced the light, he began to eat full meals again instead of nibbling on whatever he found lying about, and he zealously absorbed himself in reading and in religion–ordinary pastimes, rather than the piteous moping about and raging that he had occupied himself with before. I thought him to have changed for the better.”
Keisuke shook his head, and his eyebrows slanted.
“I was a fool to ignore the signs that told me otherwise. I scrubbed away the cryptic seals as I would any other splotch of dirt on the floor and walls. I mopped up the blood as though it was nothing, had accidentally been spilled as my father clumsily wielded his kitchen knife against his evening meal. Foolishly I let him work his work, and waited on him like a faithful son... like nothing was wrong at all.
“Finally, he woke me in the middle of the night, and told me to make ready. When I asked him what for, this was his answer: 'For our vengeance, boy! All of the misfortune brought upon us will be undone tonight, in a single effort! I go to Gallows Hill, to call forth the being that will bring your bitch of a mother to her knees, and while he's at it, burn to a crisp the shinobi who took my leg, and all their lands and wealth and their health with them! I go to call the Rokubi!'
“I should not have been surprised, having been given countless signs. I had ignored them because I wanted to keep at least one of my parents, to retain at least some family. Yet now, he threatened to call forth a horrible demon, one that could savage villages with the twitch of a tail, just so that he could revenge himself upon a handful of people! Immediately, I knew that this was the reason that he had become so happy after his illness; he had seen in his dream that this was what he would do.
“For a long time, I sat in my bed, wondering what I would do. My childhood before my mother abandoned us had been happy, and I loved my father as much as any other boy would love his. I had cared for him in his most hopeless hour for that love. Yet I also loved my village, and I knew that allowing my father to call this beast would place it in danger.
“To sacrifice my father's love and save the villagers, or go with my father down his path of destruction... A choice that I could not bear to make. Yet now I was forced to make it. I thought long and hard, trusting to my father's disability to slow him and afford me the time I needed to think.
“At last, I decided to go to my father, attempt to convince him that his path was the wrong one. If he disbelieved, then I was resolved to side with him and hope that his wrath did not destroy our home, as well.”
Keisuke paused a moment, seeming to relive the incident. His face flushed with anguish, and the whole tavern hung upon his words.
“My hesitancy nearly cost me my life. I arrived in time to hear the first roar of the Rokubi, and feel the huge chakra of the six-tailed monster as it raged down towards my home. Its breath was lightning, and it left destruction in its wake. I could hear the first screams of the dying, and I wished that I had eyes, so I could weep for the death of my home.
“And then I heard my father laughing. He stood at the top of Gallows Hill, exultant in his success. 'Do you understand what I have done?' he asked. 'Do you know the power that I control? With this, my revenge is assured, and then some... I will be master of the lands that once were the homes of my enemies. I will be the conqueror of all that stands in my way! The Rokubi is my sword, a sword against which there is no armor! And I did it by myself, no thanks to you, boy! You are indecisive, useless, weak!'
“The pain that I felt seared my soul. If I had been quicker to decide, had reached my father earlier, I might have persuaded him to cease his ambition of revenge. And if not, I would at least have kept my father's good faith. Now I had neither my home nor my father. I grieved sorely that night.
Yet through my grief, I knew that there was yet one thing I could do, and must do if I wanted to preserve myself, and save all that my father planned to destroy. I had had limited training in the shinobi arts, despite my father's insistence that it would be useless to a blind one such as myself. I moved swiftly and, drawing a kitchen knife that I had brought in my pack, I stabbed my father through the heart.”
The room was deathly silent as Keisuke drained the last of his booze.
“Because of my hesitancy, I lost my father, and killed him by my own hand. Because I put my father before the village, the Rokubi transformed my home into the ruined waste that was known afterward as the Grave. Though I had ensured that it would not happen again, the damage caused was irreparable.”
He stopped speaking abruptly, and returned to his food. It had cooled a bit, but was still warm enough to eat by his standards. Everyone else, however, kept staring at him. For a while, he seemed not to notice this, but eventually he looked up and glared around the room, the firelight playing on his black sunglasses like flames in the abyss.
“The story's over, people. You'd best get back to your meals before they cool to ice.” What his glare said was, I don't want to say any more. It hurts. Leave me alone. Though the other patrons had plenty of questions to ask, they did what they were told. When angered, intoxicated, and in pain, a shinobi can be quite dangerous to people around him.
The owner pressed his luck, brought forth another drink in hopes that the blind man would loosen up. “No thank you, master,” said Keisuke. “Any more and I think I shall become quite ridiculous.” Thwarted, the master bowed and left them alone.
When he was certain that nobody was paying him any more attention, Keisuke turned to Hinata, and spoke quietly to her.
“My advice to you, Hinata-san,” he said, “Is this: Go along with your father's rules for now. If you chose the other path, then you could never return to the Main House again. However, while walking this path, you are always free to change your mind. And as time passes, other options may become apparent to you.”
He took another bite of meat, chewed and swallowed, then leaned in and whispered so that any Hyuuga spy would find it impossible to hear. “Also, let us not forget that you may still see him on missions. There will be hope, in those times, for mission priorities supersede the priorities of the clan. Always remember that you have allies–my friends and I will do all we can to make the limited time you have enjoyable, and work towards opening more doors to you.”
Then he called out to the owner. “Master! The bill, please! I believe we have had enough.”
After paying, Hinata followed Keisuke out of the tavern. They found that though the black clouds still hovered in the sky, the rain had ceased. Once outside and alone, Keisuke turned to her.
“Don't delay, Hinata-san,” he said. “When you return home, immediately make it clear that you intend to side with your father, or disaster may find you in your house.”
“Yes, Keisuke-san.” Hinata didn't like the idea, but Keisuke's speech had given her some heart back; she, at least, would not have to kill her own father, and her clan would not destroy the village if she abided by their rules and waited for conditions to improve.
“Don't look so grim, child,” he said to her, smiling. “I've got a feeling that your luck will improve soon. Don't ask me how I know... I just do.”
Hinata smiled back at him. “Thank you, Keisuke-san. I hope you are right.”
Keisuke nodded cheerily. “Well, I'll be off to join Shikamaru and Neji. Keep an eye out for us–we'll be sniffing around for Sound nin in the area.” He waved good-bye, and leaped over a fence, moving swiftly towards the Hokage tower.
Hinata, now resolved to her course of action, began the trek back to the Hyuuga compound.
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Morning greeted the Hyuuga house with obsidian skies and a black mood. Hinata's claim that the photographs had been planted in her bedroom had been grudgingly bought, but now she noticed that certain members of the clan avoided her whenever possible, and her father, though happy that she had chosen to do the honorable thing and side with him, was undeniably under heavy stress. Hinata herself was not in the best of moods; she had hope, but the present situation was not at all desirable.
Everywhere she went in the house, she felt the presence of other Hyuuga watching her. They stayed with her through her morning practice, breakfast, and meditation, dogging her in the hope or fear that she had been lying the night before.
Hinata was relieved when she left the house and felt their presence begin to fade. Perhaps one or two still followed her, but they were very skilled if they did; she could pick up no trace of them. This gave her some comfort.
Then her comfort was blown away as Naruto landed before her.
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Haruka hid Hinata's two unconscious pursuers in a back alley, covering them with garbage from a nearby dumpster. Among them she recognized the leader of the capture team from the previous day. Giving him one last good kick, she returned to watching Hinata–who, she saw, had just been accosted by Naruto.
“Ah, N-Naruto-kun,” started Hinata, “Good morning...” Haruka could see she was anxious to get away, her father's ultimatum fresh in her mind. Yet, the older Hyuuga could also see that she wouldn't be anywhere else, if she had her say. Unfortunately, both Hyuuga women knew, she didn't.
“Hey, Hinata,” greeted the blond shinobi, standing over her and beaming. “I'm glad you finally came out of your house. I've been waiting out here all morning for you. Glad to know your dad didn't kill you for showing up late.”
“Ah... yes, Naruto-kun. I'm quite fine. I-I'd better be going...”
“Oh?” questioned Naruto, “Where are we going?
Haruka, who had dressed herself casually and covered her head to avoid recognition, moved out from her hiding place and casually strolled towards the pair, with Naruto's back to her. Hinata's foot was in the perfect place; if she didn't move, Haruka could 'accidentally' trip her, causing her to fall forward into the blond's waiting arms...
“Ano...” said Hinata, “I'm afraid that I must go alone, Naruto-kun. I appreciate your offer of company, but...”
Haruka was almost in range. Ten more paces and she'd have it...
“No buts, Hinata. If it's anywhere but your house, I'm following you there. Granny Tsunade's orders.”
Haruka, who'd been in the middle of executing her foot-sweep, halted the attack too late to stop her forward momentum, and stumbled forward. “Ah... excuse me!” She said, altering her voice to an un-Haruka-like pitch and scurrying off to find a new observation post.
Hinata, once she had taken her eyes off Haruka, asked, “Tsunade-sama's orders?”
“Yup!” confirmed Naruto, smiling with the brightness of the sun that hid behind the black clouds.
“T-then...” Hinata said, her face dawning in amazed comprehension, “Then it's... it's a...”
“A mission! I'm your personal guard while Neji is on his other mission.” finished Naruto, blazing with happiness. “About time, too... I've been waiting forever for her to put me to use!”
Hinata's mood shifted from amazement, to unbelief, to barely containable joy. Silently, she thanked every god whose name she knew, thanked her ancestors for granting her this opportunity. And thank you, Keisuke, she thought, for sharing your wisdom with me. Naruto-kun really knows how to choose his friends.
From the shadows, Haruka observed all of this with extreme satisfaction. This “mission” of Naruto's was a gold mine of opportunities, just waiting for her to capitalize on them. With this, pretty much the only thing I can't do is marry them, she thought. Keisuke, you had better be grateful, you blind bastard. We'll see who is the 'best Hyuuga fighter you've met' when I'm through... there are more ways to fight than with hands and feet and steel.
She rose up to stand tall on the roof she had been lying on, watching the two of them head off to wherever Hinata was leading him. Most likely, it was to her team's practice. “Don't think that's all you'll be doing today, though, little ones,” she said, her “Sadist's Glow” lighting up her features. “Naruto-kun, Hinata-chan, I didn't think I'd ever be doing this to you. But on my honor, both of you must become my playthings while this mission lasts. It is for your future, so please do not hold it against me... As Keisuke says, 'being manipulated isn't bad as long as it feels good.'”
Lightning flashed above her, accentuating her determination and the anticipatory enjoyment of the games to come.
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