Chapter 29 - Celebrations
Sakura is at Hinata’s birthday party when she finally gets the clue.
All around her, many children from the Hyūga clan surround them. She is here alongside her big brother and many other clan heirs and heiresses, considering the family connections. Though she assumes she’s here because of her relationship with Naruto and Sasuke, since the Harunos, while prominent, are not a shinobi clan.
She is braiding flower crowns with Ino and Hinata (their pudgy fingers try so hard, and it is far too cute to be legal), when Sakura stops and looks up.
Several of Hinata’s cousins are glaring in her direction, but not at her. Some concealed expertly despite their age, others are poorly concealing their visceral hate. Regardless, the group of glarers stands to one end of the garden, not mingling with anyone.
Sakura spies the foreheads of the adults surrounding the unamused group of children and narrows her eyes.
Turning back to Ino and Hinata, who chatter about their favorite flowers, Sakura controls her breathing, planting an easy smile back on her lips.
“Ino-chan is as pretty as a lily!” She chirps, smiling softly at the blush on her best friend's cheeks. Hinata giggles daintily behind her hand.
She forgot because she knows Team 7 and Hinata worked tirelessly to remove that blasted juinjutsu as part of the wedding plans for Hinata and Naruto in her original life. She and Shikamaru had been the prime debaters with the Hyūga elders about it and how it infringes upon human rights more so than protecting their precious dōjutsu.
Suddenly, the wailing the trees had been doing earlier this week makes so much sense. That one child, she should have recognized as well as any of her other friends from Konoha 12, stands beside a man who is a twin to Hinata’s father. The boy’s expression is blank, impassive. But even from here, she can feel his disgust at what is likely to happen after this public party has ended.
It is Hinata’s fourth birthday.
And Sakura feels physically sick but viciously protective.
So she laughs and smiles. Tickles Ino. Runs around with her boys playing ninja. Watches Ino yell in Shikamaru’s ear as Chōji munches on his chips. Let's Shino softly explain the different types of butterflies he spies in the garden. Pets Kuromaru with Kiba, who excitedly explains his hopes for his future canine companion. Presents Hinata with a giant cinnamon roll stuffed toy during the gift exchange. It's a good party, despite the justifiably upset branch member children of the Hyūga clan.
But when she leaves, a facsimile smile on her face, gripping her brother's hand extra tight. Sakura listens to the whispers of the trees surrounding the well-fortified compound and makes a promise to come back soon. Very soon.