Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
Sometimes quiet is violent
I find it hard to hide it
My pride is no longer inside
It's on my sleeve
My skin will scream reminding me of
Who I killed inside my dream
"Good morning, Hinata-sama!"
"A-Ah, g-good morning." Hinata ducked her head a little in respect to her uncle but smiled at her older cousin, Neji. "U-Um, a-are y-y-you a-a-and o-oji-san c-c-coming f-f-f-f-from t-the t-training g-g-grounds?"
Neji's smile is smaller and barely noticeable. "Yes, we are." The smile went away however as he continued the line of conversation to say, "Hinata-sama, I would like to apologize for failing to properly protect you from-"
"No!" Hinata's shout shocked her cousin and uncle.
"'No'? But Hinata-sama, it is the duty of the Branch family members to fight and die for the Main family! And you went with that man, I thought, I feared…"
Hinata grabbed the older boy's hands, shocking him to silence for the second time that morning. "He would have killed you." Her voice is certain, clear, without any stuttering. Neji opened his mouth but the Hyuga heir didn't allow him to interrupt, "No, he would have killed you, Neji-niisan, without hesitation or regret. Hanabi, too. You did exactly what I couldn't in that no-win situation. By submitting to a superior enemy, you secured the life of my precious little sister, what's more, you even alerted Tou-san and Oji-san immediately once you were sure he'd left the compound. If he had succeeded in his endeavor and I was in Kumogakure by now, then I would be happy with that outcome."
"Why?" Neji sounded tortured.
Hinata patted his hand gently. "Because I don't believe that the Branch family members should fight and die for the Main family." Reaching up, she wrapped her arms around the shocked genius in a hug. "Thank you for being so brave, niisan." And then she smooches his cheek, causing him to blush. Pulling back, she chuckled and ducked around Hizashi, her voice just shy of a shout as she waved and ran backward, in the direction of the training grounds, "You've shown me the way!"
"Tou-san, what do you think Hinata-sama meant by that?" The genius was so confused.
"I don't know either, son." he patted the top of the boy's head. "All I can say is that the heiress will become quite a sight in the next few years." 'Especially if what she's insinuating what I think she is, about making a change to the way the clan is run, though she was careful not to say as much, probably because I was standing right here. Hinata-sama acts very frailly and timid but she's very aware of the people around her. When did that happen?' In his mind's eye, he could see the youthful face of Uchiha Kiyomi. 'No, she was always that way, but she had never been so blatant, daring, with her actions. Until…' "You should watch her closely, she might be a match for you someday." Neji's cheeks puffed out. "Perhaps if she keeps kissing you so suddenly?" Hizashi teased.
"T-T-Tou-saaaaan!" Neji stuttered just like the heiress and Hizashi couldn't help it.
He laughed, privately grateful that he's able to share such a lighthearted moment with his son. The Hyūga Elders might be blustering over the fact that the Uchiha interfered in 'their' affairs but if Uchiha Sasuke hadn't stepped in… The Branch family is obligated to fight and die to protect the Main family.
His first instinct would have been to use lethal force in Hinata-sama's defense.
Kumo still kept denying any involvement in the attempted kidnapping, and their pride had to be bruised even more by the fact that an Academy student had rebuffed the agent long enough until ANBU reinforcements arrived on the scene.
People were still talking about it and there had been whispers that the Yondaime Raikage, Ay, would be arriving in Konoha. Lord Third, Sarutobi-sama was taking a startlingly firm stance and refused to release the captive Kumo nin.
Hizashi hoped that this was not an omen of bad luck. He prayed to every deity listening that this was not a precursor to another war.
Meanwhile, in a house northwest of the Forest of Death, Manabe watched as Kiyomi went through kata after kata slowly, methodically. If there were any flaws or imperfections in her stance, she would start over again from the beginning.
This was not the standard Uchiha fighting style. It was not the Dancing Geisha, Kiyomi's mother's, style, though there were a few movements that looked similar.
No, this fighting style would be something akin to a deadly dance if...when Kiyomi mastered it. This is the legacy of Kiyomi's father had left to Hitomi to pass on to their child.
The Iryō-nin felt as if he was watching history being made.
"She's at it again?" Sasuke inquired though, by his tone, he already knew the answer. "It's been a little over two weeks since she found that scroll and everyday…"
He discreetly pinched himself when he saw the younger boy with Saeri comfortably rested on his hip. Kiyomi glanced in their direction but didn't pause in her routine, easily flowing from one stance to the next. It was a far cry from her attitude the last time he had handled the child.
"Why did you wait so long to tell me about my...niece?" Sasuke fumbled over the word. "Don't you think that was information I'd need to know?"
"Being as it is private information regarding myself, no, you didn't need to know," Kiyomi replied, unfazed by his glare. "How could I hope to trust you with such a sensitive topic when the mere mention of Itachi's name sends you info blind fits of fury?"
"You think I would hurt her?" Sasuke scoffed.
"It did cross my mind," Kiyomi admitted. Sasuke's expression crumpled with sadness before he looked away. Sighing, she sat down on the edge of the hospital bed. "Please try to understand from my point of view. I'm not someone who gives my trust to just anyone lightly. The last person who had the privilege almost killed me." The younger boy still said nothing. "I have more secrets and I will reveal them to you with time as the trust between us is repaired."
"Saeri," he mumbled and the older girl made an inquisitive sound. "I want to spend more time with my niece...and learn about how different Itachi was when he was with you." Finally, Sasuke looked at Kiyomi and although he has a little flush to his cheeks, he looks her in the eye.
"That's a reasonable enough request."
Manabe made a noncommittal noise and then sipped coffee, pitch-black without sugar or cream, from his cup as he came out of his reverie. "It's a taijutsu style belonging to a clan thought lost to Konoha. The clan was famous for their Kōton jutsu, so much so that it pretty much became considered as a Kekkei Genkai. To have the Sharingan and Kōton…"
"In theory, I would be a one-woman army." Plopping down on an empty space, Kiyomi stretched out. "But at my age, if it hasn't manifested, it's a very good chance that the Sharingan proved to be the stronger bloodline." Wiggling her fingers at the five-month-old baby, she smiled as Saeri giggles, baby drool dampening Sasuke's shirt as she put a tiny fist in her mouth.
Privately, Manabe disagrees with the thought that the Kōton kekkei genkai is lost but doesn't say as much. More importantly, he's happy with Saeri's continued good health, in fact, the little girl is proving to be much more mentally superior than other children at her age.
'A little prodigy?' The doctor doesn't dare bring his suspicions to light, not yet. Kiyomi has noticed but she wants to pamper the child a little more, which could be a good and bad idea.
"Mm?" Lazily, Kiyomi looked at the sky, seeing the hawk do several slow circles above their head. 'It's time then.'
"I'm going to rinse off and be leaving for the Hokage Tower. Watch over Saeri for me, Manabe-san."
The doctor dipped his head in acknowledgment. "With my life."
"Sasuke, change into something presentable."
Holding her breath for a moment, Kiyomi exhaled explosively as the younger boy obeyed with only a minute frown marring his features as he reluctantly handed his niece off. Between the two of them, getting clean and changed took five minutes apiece, then once they stepped outside, ANBU was waiting for them. As practiced, Kiyomi strode forward first with Sasuke taking up the rear. Once they were in reaching distance, an ANBU member placed a hand on their shoulders, making the hand seal for a Shunshin.
The interim Clan Head brushed invisible lint off her outfit, nodding her thanks to Inoichi-san who is politely holding the door open for her. Only the rest of the Clans are present inside, the Konoha Elders, Sandaime, and the Raikage with two members of his guards. Undoubtedly he'd brought others, but this wasn't a talk that would degenerate into a declaration of war.
Hopefully.
For the last time, seconds before the door closed, barring entry to outsiders, Kiyomi saw ANBU arrive with the Hyūga and the Uzumaki boy, Sasuke's eyes locked with hers and she could see the faint anxiety in his gaze; wordlessly, she tries to tell him that everything will be alright.
The door closes and Kiyomi ascends to her seat in between the Aburame and Inuzuka Clan Heads but on the way up there, subtly as possible, she casts her magic out around the room. Almost immediately, the female Uchiha can get a sense of their emotions and appropriately gauge the way they react to her presence.
Mostly, it's worryworryfearanger but then she gets the feeling of lust. Not physical attraction, but greed. It starts from the back of her neck and roves down her shoulders and stomach before traveling up to her eyes and staying there.
Someone wants her eyes.
Folding her hands neatly in front of her, Kiyomi retains her calm as she reels her magic back to her tightly. The more advanced version of the wandless spell is much more invasive and not something that should be used on a large group like this. Besides, she can take a guess about who would be so fixated on her eyes.
The Raikage, Ay-sama, makes no overtures to appear as if he isn't blatantly staring at her and Kiyomi plays into this game, refusing to blink or look away. Eventually, though, the Sandaime clears his throat and minutely flares his chakra, a nonverbal reprimand and childishly, she's happy that she's not the one who looks away first even then.
Just as she expected, the entire meeting is a farce. Ay trying to throw his weight around and place all the blame on the captured nin's hands while simultaneously asking (threatening, posturing) for the man to be released into Kumogakure custody so that he can face appropriate justice. With the most serene expression she has ever seen on the Hokage's face, Sandaime-sama inquires about whether he trusts Konoha to dole out the appropriate punishment, after all, one of their own had been snatched from her home.
And just when things look like they can't get any worse, Ay is asking for witnesses. Naturally, the ANBU operatives who apprehended the would-be kidnapper make their appearance and deliver a summary of their reports. But the Raikage isn't satisfied with that and something like bile settles at the back of her throat and refuses to go away when, just like she hadn't wanted, the children are brought in.
Perhaps it's her imagination but she catches a glimpse of panic fleetingly flit across Hiashi-san's face when Ay glances over the three Academy students and with a sinking stomach realizes how out of control the situation has gotten. Things are going okay for the most part with the Sandaime asking the questions but Ay can't stand to let his plans go up in smoke.
He zeroes in on who deems to be the weakest link, Hinata, asking her to speak up and speak clearly. The barely disguised mocking causes the Hyūga even more stress and Hiashi looks a few seconds away from speaking up, to dismiss Hinata or come to her defense is unclear, while Naruto is trying to appear smaller, less noticeable, which is something to worry about later, but then it happens.
Someone snaps and it isn't the Uzumaki or Hiashi, it's Sasuke. It is brilliant, stupid, protective Sasuke who outright challenges Ay's authority questions his leadership, and wonders if he's really a man.
Hysterically, Kiyomi plans to revisit this conversation with him when he gets through puberty because oh Kami, he's insinuating that the muscular, manly man Ay-sama, is feminine. A vein twitches somewhere near Ay's eye and oh, that's not a good sign.
Lord Third signs for her to do something and although she knows this whole thing is a trap, that the Uchiha has to bite the bullet on this one, she swallows her pride before opening her mouth and asking for forgiveness. Says that Sasuke is young and foolish, what can she do to swipe this under the rug, but of course only in prettier words.
The triumph in the Raikage's eyes makes her want to rip his tongue from his mouth, even more so when he suggests a betrothal. Sasuke might have tried to speak up and say something but Uzumaki must be sensitive to how tense the situation is and knocks him unconscious.
'You may have won this battle, but don't get comfortable.'
Kiyomi opens her mouth and seals Sasuke's fate.
Sasuke woke up slowly. At first, he found himself disoriented and confused, worried about where he was and why there was a pressure on his chest area. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes, he glanced down to see tufts of Naruto's spiky blonde hair, and the energetic boy was snoring, mouth wide open, thankfully not drooling, but he was wrapped around him like a limpet.
"Dobe. Get off of me."
The sound of a door opening attracted his attention. "Well, well, well. Such a cute scene I've stumbled across." Kiyomi teased, her head being the only thing visible as she's half leaning into the room, half out of it.
"Tch!" Sasuke huffed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
"Relax, Sasu-chan," the youth scowled at the diminutive nickname. "Its entirely too early to be angsty." As she said that, the older girl fully entered the room and opened the curtains, bathing the semi darkened sleeping space with light. "Try not to be too angry at the kid, he stopped you from acting reckless and starting an international incident which could have incited a war."
"I wasn't going to sit back and let it go!" Sasuke was whisper-shouting as Naruto still hadn't fully woken up yet. "Hinata didn't ask to be kidnapped, but he was trying to make it seem like she was a weak civilian unaware of her surroundings."
"Welcome to politics," Kiyomi stated drily. "Sasuke, be lucky that the Raikage didn't demand your head for speaking out of turn. I only brought you along to the meeting because I thought that you'd be the one holding Uzumaki back in case he became rowdy."
Sasuke's fingers clenched at the bedding but stayed quiet. Kiyomi didn't need to say that she was disappointed in him, it was clear in her voice and distant demeanor (more than normal anyway).
"As it is, Ay-sama managed to cement an even stronger alliance between our villages with the betrothal between yourself and Nii Yugito."
Sasuke couldn't keep his mouth shut any longer. "What would you have had me do differently? You're the one who is always encouraging me to get closer to my own age mates."
"Nothing." Kiyomi sighed, walking over to the bed, reaching a hand up and ruffling Sasuke's hair, making it even more difficult to manage, ignoring how he hissed like an angry cat, swiping at her hand. "I just wanted things to be different for you. But… No, it doesn't matter."
'Regardless of this setback, things are still moving the way I want them to. It's very transparent that the man will do anything to get his hands on some powerful kekkei genkai. But if he thinks he can use Sasuke as a broodmare until he dies, he has another thing coming.' Although the younger boy hadn't shown much aptitude for observation and playing the long game in politics, with his saving the Hyūga heir then befriending her, Sasuke had, in the span of a single afternoon, ended the blood feud between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, which spanned generations.
At least on paper.
"You can stop fake being asleep, Uzumaki."
With an awkward laugh, Naruto's head popped up, nearly clipping Sasuke in the chin. Sasuke grunted, unhappy with the blonde who rolled off the genius, landing on his feet like a cat. "Aw, but you were talking about serious stuff, nee-chan."
"So I was." she paused, eyeing the blonde. "It goes without saying that this conversation stays in this room, between us."
"This is Clan business, right?" At the identical shocked looks, Naruto continued on to say, "Hinata's been teaching me some stuff, plus I don't tell Jiji everything, dattebayo!"
While Kiyomi would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation, "Both of you wash up and meet me downstairs for breakfast." Turning, she exited the room, pausing momentarily as she heard a 'THUMP!' and Naruto crying out with indignation. Unconsciously, a soft smile quirks her lips upward as she walked down the stairs.
Such a strange turn her life had taken.