Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 22-
Confessions

April 14th.

He was fortunate that the twins, Hinata and Benjiro got out alive. Just because of that outcome, he won't kill Jugo. Maybe.

Sasuke sighed. Sitting ducks always got shot and roasted or eaten alive by ANBU, chewed up by the Raikage.

Hinata, the boys, and Someina used the house library as an asylum. Hinata was on the newly bought couch. Someina was a hawk at the door, hissing at any ANBU that came by. Sasuke was beside Hinata with Benjiro's sleeping head on her lap. Taiyo stayed conscious, gawking.

Someina recorded the ANBU's patrolling agendas. Mitsuyo made sure the ANBU investigated but didn't obtain anything. Hinata psychologically tested the seals she did. Sasuke- Sasuke planned the Raikage's death and his own burial.

To make the people he sort of cherished avoid the casket, he set some ground rules.

Miyana and Taiyo reasonably will not be obliged to come back for months. The absenteeism of Taiyo will be discerned. Taiyo's collected attitude canceled out Benjiro's hyperactivity. Kind of like him and Naruto.

Whatever.

The daycare Hinata and Someina ran will be shut down for months- which was whatever. Someina has to remain with Hinata and the kids all times.

No jutsus can be displayed. The ANBU cannot recognize their skills and gain methods to counter their jutsu.

No altercations or fights. No death or killing in front of Benjiro.

Sasuke won't be allowed to leave. He will endure many interrogations and meetings with the Raikage. Any action the Natsukawa/Uchiha clan does will be reported, analyzed, critiqued and stored away. Should the ANBU find anything out of the ordinary, the ANBU will kill.

The ANBU will intercept contact between Sasuke and the outside world. No more radio, no more phone calls, and no more television. The ANBU will disarm the barriers and chakra seals. The house will be controlled by the ANBU.

Which was whatever.

The ANBU will protect all of them to a degree. It was their job to keep them alive.

There were good and bad things. Hinata, the twins and Benjiro all were guarded at 24/7. Hinata gets instant passage to a hospital. Sasuke will be nearby regularly. He gets to resist the DCA's blackmailed 'help' and Hychu Taichirou doesn't have to protect Hinata. Sasuke doesn't have to make contracts with the devil. That's good.

It's safer for the kids and Hinata but twenty times more deadly for Sasuke. Sasuke will be tortured and all that jazz. That's the way it should be. Them safe, happy and alive and him suffering.

The bad thing... was that they were virtually hostages in this house. Hinata can't narrate to her family she's alive and return to Konoha. They have no liberty. Suigetsu and Jugo have still not been ascertained from. They have to reside within the frontiers of Kumogakure's peninsular country for years.

Which wasn't whatever. There was no way to vindicate what's happening. Sasuke, Hinata, and Mitsuyo were already shot and now everyone's throwing a feast.

Hinata's voice broke him out of his thoughts. "Sasuke- I have to go,"

Sasuke set his jaw, ready to contend.

Hinata got up after being summoned by Mitsuyo's vexed voice. She handed a drooling Benjiro to him. She shifted and kissed Taiyo's cheek. "I'm so sorry," she murmured, looking at him.

"Don't apologize. Don't say sorry," he said, his tone too uncivil. "Don't be sorry,"

"I am," Hinata eddied and gave the kids an affectionate smile. "I'm coming back,"

She leaned in closer, trying to retain every detail. How can someone look so happy and devastated at the same time? She's never saying goodbye but she acts like she's going to leave. That was his act, his dumb play. It fucked with his mind.

Tensions ran high and he didn't want her to worry herself sick. Sasuke scowled, narrowing his eyes. Ah, he noticed. "Don't look at us like you'll never see us again,"

She paused then almost answered. She was called again. She gave him an apologetic look. "I have- to go,"

Sasuke got up and clasped her wrist before she could take off. "Don't worry," Sasuke said. "It'll be fine,"

She bit the edge of her lip, making them agitated and red. "You promise?" she asked, 'brown' eyes big and beautiful.

Sasuke looked at her and tightened his grasp. "No, but... I can't. It usually works out. For us,"

"Say it with me," he said.

"It'll work out?"

"Lose the question mark, again,"

"It'll work out like it always will and always did,"

She noticed then leaned in and planted a spontaneous kiss on his forehead. "Thanks for being my calm in the mayhem," she whispered and left. "Really, thank you,"

She also kissed his cheek.

This time, he couldn't kill any enjoyment.

¤¤¤

Someina went with Hinata, blade pulled out and a heretic glare in her eye. The ANBU split their house to tatters. She spent over seven months here. She was attached and they invaded her temple. She got drunk off the good life here.

This isn't Hinata's dwelling. Too many things were strewn about and relocated. It swelled her up with trepidation just standing there.

One ANBU picked up a vase she prized off the lined hallway's bookshelf. She squawked, rashly seizing the vase and held it close. "Do not touch this vase," Hinata snapped.

"It's just a vase-"

"You heard the lady! Do not touch it," Someina dictated.

Hinata nodded and gripped the vase tighter. She didn't want them there or touching anything! It was irritating and they ransacked the place. All her work and peace and quiet was gone. Nothing felt like hers.

The pair eventually made it to the living room. "What happened? I thought you were injured.... not one of them," Someina asked as Hinata inspected the scene. Three ANBU quarreled with Mitsuyo. One was kneeled over in pain. The scent of vomit reeked and prickled her nostrils.

Oh.

Mitsuyo eyed Hinata. "What's with the vase, Momo?" Mitsuyo asked, a confused look on her face.

There was no reason. Hinata just shrugged. "It's a nice vase,"

"Anyway, I didn't know if their stupidity came naturally or they tried really hard to die," Mitsuyo mocked.

"Stop making smart with your words, just help my men," One ANBU demanded.

"Are your moronic tendencies intuitive? Stupid people play stupid games and get stupid prizes," Mitsuyo clicked her tongue and explained. "The bozu touched one of the seals and now he's affected,"

"You were the one who made this seal?" One dissatisfied nincompoop asked Hinata. "Why in the world do you have the dangerous plant?"

Hinata stepped back at the contentious tone. "This is a seal about medicine and poison. I'm a doctor/poison's specialist. I attempted to create an antidote for our villagers. The poisonous taxus cuspidata is found all over Kumo. Our daycare kids are attracted to it. Luckily, none of my kids actually ingested it,"

The ANBU scoffed.

"Don't be snobby. She has no obligation to heal you, does she? You're at her mercy," Someina stated, her pale yellow eyes glowed. "Only she has the cure for what ails you,"

Hinata crisscrossed her arms around the vase. "This isn't my fault. Anyhow, is he allergic? I'll give you some atropine sulfate but Mitsuyo- get me a bowl of water, please,"

Hinata sighed and healed him.

¤¤¤

After treating the moaning ANBU, Hinata paced around their makeshift medical room. Hinata quickly sealed away hundreds of different medical ingredients she hoarded. The room was unornamented and- and she couldn't take it anymore. She slammed the vase onto on a counter. "Damn it!" she bellowed in exasperation.

Mitsuyo lifted an eyebrow. "What's up with the negativity?"

Hinata couldn't describe it. "It's- I'm fine," she waved it off, playing it cool.

Mitsuyo looked at Hinata. "Really?" she questioned. "You're a mess,"

"It's fine-" Hinata's eye twitched because tears burned the back of her eyes. "No, it's not! My kids are in danger and I'm never going to be able to go back to Konoha! You and I both know we're never going to get out of this forest under the Raikage's watch for two-three years? Sasuke might be killed by those stupid ANBU?! What if all of this was for nothing and my baby has something wrong with it?! What- what if... we don't make it?!" she was yelling and tears leaked out of her eyes.

"Too many what ifs. Dear... there is no need to be afraid," Mitsuyo whispered, she held Hinata's cheek, smiling sadly. "Don't be afraid,"

Hinata shook her head, throat burning, and face pink. "I am afraid. Afraid that this will all lead to nothing and we'll break and end. What if? I. I can't. What if Benjiro gets taken away from us? What if Sasuke dies? What if I die? I'll die if anything happens to them- I can't go without any of you guys!" Hinata sobbed and hiccuped.

Mitsuyo shrugged. "What if. These words put together only hurt us. They do nothing except plague our minds with the terrible and impossible. It's fate that we're alive and it's fate that makes us die. That's alright because what's meant to be happens,"

"Kami... I hate fate," Hinata whispered sadly.

"We're not going to die. We have control of our fate. We have choices. This choice gets spawned from the smart choices we make on our journey through life. Yes. There are many paths, roads in life but many roads go untraveled. Many evils never get to hurt the innocent or malicious. No evil can touch us, none at all,"

"We... might," Hinata said, not being able to say it. Die.

"Yes. It can happen but that doesn't mean it will,"

"You... you never know," Hinata echoed.

Mitsuyo chuckled, scornful. "Tragedy; a strange and terrible thing but it's how we live. It won't happen because we will make choices to stop it. Nothing can stay good nor can anything stay bad,"

"I wanted everything to be fine," Hinata groaned.

"Everything will be fine," Mitsuyo shot back, so convinced and Hinata wanted some certainty.

"You think?" Hinata asked, feeling like a child.

"I know," Mitsuyo said sincerely. "Cry if you want to, little one. Sometimes, crying is an emotional reboot. A cleansing of the soul,"

Hinata's breathing returned to normal after a while of Mitsuyo's words. "I wish I had some of the pearls of wisdom you reeled in..." Hinata sniffed.

"You have to go through some chaos and pressure. Through the oyster's shell to have the pearls. It'll be fine," Mitsuyo repeated.

"It's pretty to think so, right?" Hinata murmured.

Mitsuyo smiled. "It's beautiful to think like that. People would die to have your sunny countenance,"

"Sasuke said if he could bottle me up, he'd have a million ryo," Hinata chirped, feeling a thousand times lighter.

They both laughed.

"And Hinata- twins!" Mitsuyo cried, eyes welling with tears. "Congratulations! I'm so proud of you. You are a gem with strange eyes. Babies. You should ask more of Sasuke, he loves to spoil you,"

"No, he does not! Why does everyone keep on saying that?"

"He'd buy the world if it made you smile. Move oceans, build worlds- but you hate material,"

"He- he would. If he spoils me- then what about the twins?!"

They laughed even harder. She finally allowed herself to talk and celebrate the fact she had twins with Sasuke. The ANBU was done with their investigation hours later. They never did leave.

-x-

April 15th. Konoha.

"What the hell is this?" Hanabi said as she grasped the dry but neatly folded parchment paper in her hands.

Ena looked like she wanted to sink into the floor. "It's a letter," Ena whispered, eyes fraught with worry.

"What... What do you mean? She's dead! Dead women can't write letters! They can't say I love you or kiss you or read you poetry... or be alive," Hanabi found herself yelling, which wasn't rare these gray days. "Or send letters,"

"It's from Hyuuga Hinata. That isn't a mistake- it's meant for you. It's addressed to you," Ena said, voice low and eyes trailed on the floor.

"She is dead! This is... This is some cruel joke. Dead people can't send letters! They lay in coffins and waste away- dead and just- dead!" Hanabi cried, emotions haywire. "I might as well just rip it! Throw the joke back in their snot faces!"

"Hanabi-hime! Please- please do not rip it, I beg of you. It might be the last words we have... of Hinata-hime," Ena pleaded, eyes shining with sad hope. "Please. We all loved her so. Just give it a chance,"

"Fine! I can't stand to read such fake words," Hanabi said. "Just- read it out loud. I don't want to even look at their pathetic scheme!"

Ena looked depressed at her master's mood but carefully took the letter. She held it, sighing in relief. Her nose twitched and she lifted the letter to her nose. "It smells like her, Hanabi. Her perfume. It's her. Hers,"

Those bastards stole her perfume!? She couldn't help but get curious at the fact. "Well hurry it on then," Hanabi snapped, hating the sight of the stained letter.

Ena cleared her throat and read aloud:

"October 12th.

Hanabi-love,

You're my morning thoughts- when I sleep... when I wake. I should have talked to you more these past months, maybe you would've known just how much I loved talking about anything with you. I forgot to tell you something before I left.

I keep on traveling. It feels as though I will always return to Konoha despite how pretty the stars are outside of Konoha. There was a whole world outside of our village? I met some people. Wonderful people. Nevermind that, I love being here but I love you more.

Tell... Shino that I need to talk to him and we should go swimming again. The waterfall made me deaf but... it was fun. And that Kiba still owes me money. I think I'm finally ready to check out that bar on Rose Avenue.

Uh. Tell Ino that I'm sorry... she's right... I'm better off and we should catch a movie sometime. Tell Sakura we should actually learn to cook. We can't live off of ramen forever. I love you both. No lies, just love.

Perhaps... say hello to father for me? I never... said a proper goodbye. We will mend what's broken sooner or later.

Soon, I hope.

P.s I think some more letters will come in but who knows? We'll talk all about it later. There's always a later.

Love, Hinata," Ena finished.

Hanabi crunched her fist together so tightly, she knew her knuckles and phalanges would break. She suddenly ran to Ena, sobbing. "Damn the godless soul who stole our time together," Hanabi yelled while collapsing into her servant's arms. "Damn them! Damn them,"

¤¤¤

Mitsuyo and Hinata had a collection of conflicts with the ANBU. Someina and Sasuke were presumed to be the ones who were brash, militaristic and violent but it turned out to be Hinata and Mitsuyo.

Things settled down weeks after the ANBU's parasitic ways interrupted their routine.

Hinata did continue on like everything was ordinary. However, she felt scrutinized. She invariably had a shadow, in the morning, midday, afternoon and at night.

She wasn't authorized to have such a shadow. Not... a shadow that can kill her. A shadow that never departs. A shadow that polices her. It was enough to make her go mental.

There was a particular silence encompassing the house. Everyone looked over their shoulders. No one spoke freely. They acted according to a script. Mitsuyo and all of them were confined to the house. They all fought more and slept less.

Word spread like a wildfire that Sasuke resided in Mitsuyo's forest. The civilians were not content. Their house was uniformly riddled with cantankerous unwanted guests trying to fight Sasuke.

Sasuke took it the hardest. He imputed himself. It put undesirable stress on Hinata who tried to find happiness in these simple moments. Nevertheless, Mitsuyo, Benjiro, and Sasuke were protected and that's all she could ask for.

Everything was appeased. Mollified. She just needed a way to kill the shadow.

¤¤¤

Later.

They had a family dinner, sitting around the kitchen table that was meant for around four people. Seven people were not going to fit at a small wooden table. Benjiro lounged on Sasuke's lap, Mitsuyo focused on fatiguing paperwork and Hinata unwound on a cushion-supported chair.

Miyana and Someina fixed the food. Benjiro was angry (his favorite pot was used for cooking and not storing his blocks. Sasuke held Benjiro so he wouldn't try to steal the pot off the stove) and was relatively grouchy. Taiyo sat under the table, beside Hinata's chair leg, toying with the spirals of her white locks.

"Mitsuyo, you sure there isn't a bigger table? Sasuke isn't confident about Benjiro eating soup while sitting on his lap," Hinata stated, stroking her stomach.

Sasuke was on Hinata's right, with Benjiro laughing but complaining. "Yeah. Ben, you're going to have to sit in your own seat," Sasuke affirmed, tickling Benjiro's side.

Benjiro protested, a frown in his voice. "Sasu! I'm caweful! I wan sit on you!"

Sasuke disheveled Benjiro's teal hair. "You're too old for a bib but you're still the messiest person I know after Naruto,"

"That's an insult, Sasuke. You made our house into a laundromat, Benjiro," Hinata said, giggling gallantly.

Benjiro just whined then blinked. "What a launromat? You wash clothes?"

Hinata nodded and gave Benjiro a high-five, reverencing him. "Ben, how did you know that?" Sasuke asked. Benjiro shrugged. Sasuke observed Benjiro for a while more and shifted to looking at Mitsuyo. "You sure there's another place we could sit?"

Before Mitsuyo could get a word out- Miyana spoke. "She can move to the living room?" Miyana suggested. Mitsuyo shot a dark look at her.

Someina differed, moving some roasted chicken with oven mitts to the table. "Hinata can't sit on the floor. She's too great at that. The twins have been beating down on her ribs. She cannot move around,"

"Oh- you babysit me too much," Hinata kidded.

Taiyo pulled on Hinata's curls and she grinned fondly at the temperate boy. "Having fun, love?" she asked. He bestowed a shy smile. She reached down, patting his head. She inexplicably left rewarded.

Miyana got plates and set them on the table. "This table is too small- Mitsuyo, you're supposed to be open to company,"

Mitsuyo lowered the spectacles perched on the bridge of her nose. "I never expected visitors so I got a small table," Mitsuyo said with an edge to it. "It's intentional but unfortunate,"

Miyana looked unsympathetic and crossed her arms. "This is what you wanted? It wasn't your choice?" she challenged.

"Maybe I wasn't the one who denied the invitations for years but that's your choice, eh, Miyana?" Mitsuyo shot back. "You're the one who is so family-oriented but you never stopped by after seven years of living seventeen minutes away. However, this is the first time you're sitting at my table,"

"Family is all that we've ever had. You never try to keep ours together but it's your fault. This family is all we need but you never wanted to be my family," Miyana said.

Hinata stopped raking her fingers through Taiyo's ash hair and exchanged looks with Sasuke. "Someina... why don't you take them upstairs?" Hinata said. Taiyo grabbed her hand and sent her a forlorn look. She apologized.

Sasuke picked up Taiyo and Benjiro locked around Sasuke's leg. Sasuke walked on, Benjiro limp while giggling and getting dragged.

They went and Hinata endured there, uncomfortable. She eyed the hallway- plotting her outlet. "I'll go... Benjiro gets... yeah, I'll just-"

Mitsuyo shook her head. "No. Stay. Tell Miyana not to ruin dinners,"

Hinata sighed and resigned herself to it.

Mitsuyo glowered at Miyana from the other end of the table. "Where's your husband again? Is that who you spent your dinner with? Is that why you skip out on a man who's gone after five p.m? Is that your ideal family?"

Miyana shrugged. "At least I have Taiyo. You have none of your sons or daughters sitting here. Why? They don't want to,"

"Miyana- you know that's not true," Hinata winced.

"Hinata- you know it's true. None of her kids are here and she's driving me away. Again," Miyana said.

Mitsuyo's scowl got deeper. "Maybe you don't want me close. Have you thought of that?! You're only here because of Benjiro and Hinata. If you don't want a relationship then fine. I quit,"

"That's what you want?!" Miyana yelled.

"Yes," Mitsuyo nodded.

Miyana stormed up the stairs.

"Mitsuyo-" Hinata whispered.

"I know. I'll- fix it. Later," she waved her hand, looking downtrodden. "Let's. Let's just enjoy the lovely meal Someina blessed us with,"

Everyone came back down to the kitchen. Hinata agreed to explain it all to Sasuke later on. After supper was partially completed, the kids and Sasuke and Someina have left, Hinata watched Mitsuyo.

Everything was withdrawn and Hinata looked at Mitsuyo. "Perhaps you should... go talk to her," Hinata advised in a downy tone.

"Are you blaming me for our fight?" Mitsuyo accused.

Hinata backtracked and shook her head. "Not that... Remember you said- apologize and restart anew once conflict and unkind words lash out,"

Mitsuyo looked subjectively provoked and glared, not at Hinata, but at the circumstance.

She gaped at her paperwork, all pessimistic. "Damn. Bested by my own words," Mitsuyo announced. "At least one of us should feel sorry about our deteriorating relationship. Lazy people do things twice. I will apologize,"

She left.

¤¤¤

Hinata remained outside of the house library, where they chose to debate. They were in there for simply four minutes to make peace. Now- now there's war.

"You can't stay here! What if Kaiya is sought after?! Take my advice and go back to your home with your shmuck husband," Mitsuyo snapped in a hushed tone.

"He's not a shmuck!" Miyana hissed.

"It's only when he's not sleeping with another woman?! Is that when he's a loyal husband?!"

Miyana took umbrage. "Oh don't you dare talk about my bad taste in men! He was like forty years older than you!"

"It's just that you hate my house! Hinata, Sasuke, Benjiro and I don't want your presence here. You're trying to change things. You're not supposed to be here and criticize my choice in men!"

"If I take your advice, I'll only end up as a bitchy forty-one-year-old alcoholic! What did Nikaio and I ever do to you?" Miyana said acidulously.

"Don't you dare bring up Nikaio," Mitsuyo spat.

"Your boy toy Shimu killed Toru! Despite being our brother in law and Nikao's husband, you still let Shimu kill Toru. You didn't go to Nikaio's husband's funeral! Toru was killed by your love affair. You just defended Shimu and your real husband, stayed by your side even after you cheated countless times," Miyana hissed.

Hinata crunched the numbers in her head. Nikaio is the sister of Miyana and Mitsuyo. Nikaio married Toru but Toru was killed by Mitsuyo's love affair- Shimu. Meanwhile, Mitsuyo defended Shimu and cheated on her husband.

Wow. Mitsuyo cheated on her husband with a man who murdered people. Shimu sounds like a last name. With missing characters. Where had Hinata heard it before?

Mitsuyo decreased her resonance of voice. "And the song remains the same! It's always my fault that the family's broken up. My fault that my husband Renji died. My fault that our parents are dead! My fault that nothing ever goes right in your life, isn't it?!"

"It is! It's about time you realized! There's reality then there's your version! They're always so far apart,"

"You were always an issue but now you are a problem," Mitsuyo gnarred.

"We all know it's your fault Renji died. Your love affair with Shimu might have injured him but you might as well have been the one who killed him,"

Renji was her husband but Shimu was the one she loved.

"After I had children- you absolutely hated me. Why is that?!" Mitsuyo demanded.

"Yeah! Because you ruined their lives by being their mother. Especially Ryouta's,"

"Go to hell!" Mitsuyo yelled.

"See you there!" Miyana shouted.

Mitsuyo rushed out of the library and up to oblivion. She left the scene and Hinata sighed. Hinata shook her head, poor Mitsuyo. Miyana soon tailgated. Hinata marched past Miyana, evading her gaze.

Hinata just looked at Miyana, pausing a second. "You're a mother. How can you say something like that?" Hinata asked dejectedly. "You're my friend and her sister... how can you say that?" Without expecting an answer, Hinata shook her head and moved along.

"Not you too," Miyana called out.

"Not me too?" Hinata asked.

Her aquarium eyes swam in misgiving. "Yeah... Just- don't jump on Mitsuyo's bandwagon of hating me,"

"You said rude things. Unforgivable things," Hinata said, censorious. "I am sure you both have reasons... but I don't know you all that well but- I know Mitsuyo. I'm always on her side- always,"

"Well Mitsuyo is just a liar and we're all living in her fantasy," Miyana said and the words hung in the air.

She remembers, months ago, asking Mitsuyo about her sister.

"... I'll surely send you off to my sister's house and lock you with the miserable wench,"

"You have a sister? She lives in Kumo?" Hinata asked.

"My sister is what the devil would run away from because she is the form that kids have in their nightmares,"

"Do you both... visit each other?" Hinata said, questioning.

"After I had children, we never got along," Mitsuyo said.

Hinata frowned. What if she and Hanabi end up like- that. Unhappy and yelling at the dinner table? Sure, Sasuke makes her feel loved but she's still everything to Hinata. Sure they didn't talk but that didn't lessen her affection for her sister.

She recalls another conversation with Mitsuyo weeks ago. Mitsuyo asked how much Hinata loved her sister. Hinata said that she misses Hanabi when she's breathing and loves her when she's awake and even in her dreams.

Mitsuyo said, "That's so juvenile and sweet. I haven't said anything nice to Miyana since I was around... fourteen,"

"Why?"

"Because she's a broken record. She plays the same tune over and over again. Her moaning incessantly about how I stopped her from having a decent life. I'm sure that I wasn't the one who caused her to marry a commitment-phobe or live in Kumo where we fight more than we talk,"

She got out of her memories.

Instead of walking away to comforting Mitsuyo, Hinata stood her ground and stared at Miyana. "Why don't you and Mitsuyo get along?"

Miyana sighed and leaned against the double rice paper doors of the library. "Natsukawa... have complicated relationships. My husband... we used to have what you and Sasuke have. We used to be so in love," Miyana said, soulful and tired. "Do you think Sasuke still drinks?"

Hinata smiled at the memories despite feeling so bad for Mitsuyo. "Not anymore. He has a fondness for caramel and moonlight scotch. Mostly malt liquor. In the first two months of my pregnancy- he drowned in it. He quit- calling me his sober up. I have complaints about he gets mean when drinking but then again, he gets really sweet. Either way, he always tells me that he's surprised I still like him after his drunken rants. Drunk, sober... I'm there for it all," Hinata shook her head. "No offense but you're ignoring my question,"

Miyana moved over and her back slid down the indigo-painted wall.

Miyana explained; Shimu was his name. They can't say his full name. While originating in Konoha, Shimu was one of the wickedest creatures in Konohagakure history. Shimu was after Mitsuyo's clan jutsu. At a malleable age of seventeen, Shimu brainwashed Mitsuyo so well that she was ready to swallow razor blades if he didn't talk to her.

Shortly after meeting Shimu for the first time, Mitsuyo's parents got exterminated by the elders of Konoha when Miyana was three. Hurizen, the third Hokage, decided to move Miyana and Mitsuyo to Kumogakure for some unknown reason. Shimu visited Mitsuyo often in Kumo. Mitsuyo was so in love with Shimu, Shimu impregnated her and convinced Mitsuyo to run away with him.

Miyana was seven when Mitsuyo abandoned her alone in Kumo. Natsukawa Nikaio was nineteen when she took Miyana in. At the time, Nikaio got married to her childhood best friend Toru. Toru and Nikaio raised Miyana as their own with the actual Momo.

When Mitsuyo was seventeen, she had her first son; Ryouta. Mitsuyo sent Ryouta to live with Shimu. He obtained a prodigal son with Mitsuyo's jutsu... Shimu had no use for Mitsuyo.

Mitsuyo was a victim of his scheme. She was young, impressionable and made to feel like she was special but really, she was an incubator. She moved back to Kumo without Ryouta in her custody.

To keep her observed- he sent another shinobi under his influence to watch Mitsuyo. Renji was an ANBU with the mission to contain Mitsuyo but also produce more children with her special jutsu. Against all of his orders, Renji fell in love with Mitsuyo and prevented Mitsuyo from sending their other kids... Kaito and Kokoro to Konoha to join Shimu.

Shimu wanted Kaito and Kokoro's jutsu in his possession so they could be instructed by Root. Shimu was just a humble rookie at the time.

Renji loved Mitsuyo and the two children they birthed. Renji did not want Mitsuyo to send Kaito and Kokoro to his boss. With Shimu, in Konoha, the three children would only be exploited.

Renji defied Shimu's orders and betrayed the mission. He hid Kokoro and Kaito from Shimu and moved them into hiding, in this very forest.

Renji broke Mitsuyo out of her spell and made her human again. However, Mitsuyo never loved him. Renji was killed by Shimu for loving Mitsuyo.

Renji was dead and Ryouta was declared deceased.

Mitsuyo couldn't care less about their dead parents and she couldn't give a damn when their clan was killed. Thirteen years ago, Miyana's clan was wiped out when she was eighteen. Right around the time of the Uchiha massacre, Hinata thought absently. What a horrible time for family. Lots of parents got killed. What a coincidence.

Kaito and Kokoro hate Mitsuyo after finding out the truth. At the ages of twenty and seventeen, they left three years ago. They never talk to Mitsuyo because gave away their brother who died. Mitsuyo treated Kaito and Kokoro like nuisance gadflies who separated her from Shimu. Their father was so much warmer and Shimu had Renji killed," Miyana explained.

Hinata wanted to cry.

Mitsuyo cleared her throat and nodded. "So now you know why she's a bitch who ruined the life of her children. She never shared her pain with anyone so being with her was lonely. She turned out senile and a terrible person,"

"She isn't a senile bitch,"

"You can't deny she's a terrible person," Miyana said. "Now you know why she bought a small table. During the day, Mitsuyo was okay with being used. She put Shimu on a pedestal, enjoying his punishment and let Renji fill the space of Shimu's absence. No offense but no one can ever pull off being Momo. Nobody. And for her to choose you is an insult. She's playing dress up and playing make-believe that she has a family. She lost everyone and she asked him to ruin her,"

Hinata felt queasy like she was plagued by morning sickness. "I've never seen you both interact. For these past three months," Hinata said.

"That's not hard. I've gotten real good at it,"

Hinata couldn't even take it anymore. "Natsukawa Kozakura Mitsuyo was brainwashed! Shimu was the worst thing to have happen to it and you act like she asked for it! That's so awful,"

Miyana stood up. "Shut up! Just shut up! You didn't live through it. You weren't abandoned by everyone you loved. You don't know how alone I am. You don't get the right to judge me because you don't know anything about it. About me,"

"I was! I never asked to be alone. I know everything about being abandoned. Everything! Almost everyone I love is dead or they're alive but they might as well be dead. I don't use our past as an excuse to treat them like trash,"

"Hinata..."

"Don't. Just don't,"

¤¤¤

She knocked on the door and entered anyway. Mitsuyo laid on her bed in her room. It was then that Hinata realized she never was in Mitsuyo's room. It was bare, without personality. All that seemed used was the bed.

On the bedside table, there laid a container filled with similar contents; colored eye contact lenses. Mitsuyo had antique items, shinobi weapons and pictures of who Hinata assumed to be Kokoro and Kaito. Mitsuyo laid on the left side of her bed, not crying but not fine either.

"That's his side," Mitsuyo echoed. She sounded so broken. It wasn't like her to sound delicate and susceptible.

"Shimu's?" Hinata rose an eyebrow.

Mitsuyo flinched at the name. Hinata felt sorry. "Renji's. It's been empty for twenty years, four months, sixteen hours and seven minutes. Until you," Mitsuyo looked appreciative as she blinked at Hinata.

"Oh. I'll... stand," Hinata said awkwardly, even though it hurt to stand.

"I wouldn't want anyone else in that spot," Mitsuyo croaked. Hinata laid beside Mitsuyo and sighed.

After centuries of not talking, Mitsuyo broke the years of silence. "Yeah. You finally know why... I take care of children. I was too blind and stupid to take care of mine. Shimu was abusive. He knew and exploited all my weaknesses... He never hit me but-"

"He didn't have to... cause there are different types of wounds. Shimu scarred your everything- didn't he?" Hinata asked.

"Yes... 'cause pockets of turmoil are hidden within my soul," Mitsuyo sat there, eyes red and puffy. "What did she tell you?"

"Everything," Hinata shrugged.

Mitsuyo's winced and she looked away. "Ryouta was my son. He was a gift to the world but I couldn't be selfish and he died. Miyana wouldn't even look at him because it wasn't Renji's child. Shimu... he gave me a feeling of infinity with a touch of self... or sadness at best. I tried. I tried for years to say I am sorry but... it never works. She just- hates me,"

They looked at the ceiling, silent again. "When I was in the academy- Hanabi acted the same way towards me. Just know that...it will improve. The sun comes out after rainy days. It really does,"

"You sound too confident. All love has affairs but not all affairs have love," Mitsuyo paused before sighing. "How do you look past the bad things we've done? For me and Sasuke? We're not saints. We'll never be,"

"You guys... are my exceptions... I don't see you both as walking disasters. I see you both... as people who need affection and understanding. Sometimes I wonder how I ever lived without you, Benjiro and Sasuke. You're my people. If I killed someone- you or Sasuke would be the person helping me dig the grave,"

Mitsuyo looked flabbergasted. Speechless. She finally closed her parted lips and smiled. "Thank you," Mitsuyo said simply. "for... looking at me the same after you heard what I've done,"

Hinata nodded. "Thanks for taking care of me... like a mother would all these months,"

"Hey- Mitsuyo, why do you have colored contact lenses?"

"Sometimes- I wish to be someone else for a while," Mitsuyo chuckled darkly.

"Well we can get fake I.D's and run away to Chai no Kuni. I mean, I can take out money, pack the bags and leave with Sasuke and Benjiro,"

Mitsuyo laughed.

"I mean... he's been antsy for a vacation. He can totally take all those guards. He's remarkable. Between the seals I can do, the genjutsu you can do and Sasuke's everything- we can take them,"

Mitsuyo laughed. "Do you want to?"

"If you want to, I would," Hinata laughed. "Really, say the words and I'm yours,"

Mitsuyo stuck her tongue out and there were strange engravings. White and thin against her pink tongue. She studied millions of seal types and... that is a... seal on her tongue.

"Do you have strange eyes?" Hinata asked suddenly.

"The strangest," Mitsuyo hummed, in the haze of laughing.

Strange eyes? "What about the markings on your tongue? Is that a seal?" Hinata said.

"Yeah. But that's a secret for another day,"

Hinata just shrugged and said, "We should run,"

"Yeah. Let's plan for that," she said.

¤¤¤

May 8th. Morning.

Sasuke woke up early and got Benjiro ready as well. He was usually the one who dressed and washed Benjiro since Hinata was too tired in the morning. She wasn't an early bird. She let herself doze off until either Sasuke or Benjiro woke her up.

"Saaasuuuu," Benjiro whined, sprinting around their house. Benjiro was in diapers, bare-chested running around the house like a madman. "I don't wanna wear these clothes! They itchy! An' I don't like 'em," he said, running away.

Benjiro was in no way faster than Sasuke but he let the kid run ahead. Hinata said it was for self-esteem reasons for Sasuke to let Benjiro win sometimes. But- but screw self-esteem, he was done with chasing the Aoi with a traditional blue dress suit.

Sasu caught Benjiro and set him down. "They're blue, not half-bad looking. They're not itchy, Benjiro," Sasuke sighed, hating that he's arguing with a three-year-old about clothes.

"I wanna wear what you wear! Uchiha- sign. Not that!" Benjiro stomped.

"Benjiro- come on," Sasuke pleaded, trying not to sound desperate. "When I dress you in it, you can't just take it off and hide in the creek. You have to represent our clan in a way that is proper. We're meeting the Raikage,"

"Hn," Benjiro huffed. "I don't want to go. I don't wanna see the Waikage. I wanna stay with Aunt Mitsu,"

"Mitsuyo's going to work," Sasuke said. "Nata wants you to meet the Raikage,"

Benjiro shook his head fiercely. "Nata can meet the Waikage! I wanna stay- not with Aunt Meina,"

Benjiro still doesn't quite like Someina, even after all those months making the wrong colored pancakes or waffles, he still kept the grudge. Sasuke had to try hard to be stern-Sasu but the kid almost cracked him up. "Me neither, no one would want to stay with Someina," Sasuke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Nata won't be going because of the babies,"

"I wanna stay with Nata and its itchy an' it's ugly,"

He knew Benjiro didn't give two shits about how he dressed. He was just using the excuse he hears Someina and Hinata use when they had girl talk-times. Clever.

"Ben," Sasuke said, sighing. Then he considered the three year old. He looked at the outfit Hinata chose. "Well, you do look like a dope in this. The Uchiha are so much cooler than this,"

Benjiro looked at Sasuke, lighting up. "So I don't have to wear it?"

Sasuke didn't want to do this more than Benjiro did so he said, "Tell you what, if you go, I'll promise to let you choose the outfit,"

"I want a fan on it. They're cool,"

"You're a real Uchiha," he nodded, offering a grin of his own to Benjiro.

"Ben, go wake Nata up," Sasuke said, looking at the bluenette. "Come back when she's awake and Nata'll choose another outfit,"

He grinned and ran off like a man on a mission.

Sasuke watched Benjiro shoot off, wondering what type of shinobi he would be. He wasn't in his plans. He didn't know if Hinata would ever want her little boy running around with kunai in his hands.

He was more carefree while raising Benjiro, he noticed. He did send Benjiro to his room when he misbehaved and he still brought the thunder but he was less... strict, per se. Whenever Benjiro got a small cut Hinata would act like he needed surgery. When Benjiro got a scrape on his knee, Sasuke would brush it off and let him run wild. And he let Benjiro watch action movids later at night and got treats like caramel for him. Just like with Hinata and now Mitsuyo, Sasuke spoiled him rotten.

He is proud of Benjiro already. He felt pride whenever Benjiro did the simplest things. When he hopped on one foot, zipped up his own jacket, or go up the stairs alone or rode his tricycle alone.

Now, after they ate breakfast and had a quick game of rough housing, he noticed that Benjiro was quite advanced for his age. He's able to remember obscure facts, manipulate numbers in concentrate on subjects for hours and never stops asking questions. He also followed their conversations which were quite strange and complex.

Sasuke is... wants to be around Benjiro until he grows up. Hinata and Benjiro and the twins changed his mind about dying young. They really did.

He'll be there for all the big and small moments, he promised.

He went back to their room. It's been fifteen minutes since he told Benjiro to fetch Hinata. He checked the room and there they were, cuddled up on the bed, sleeping together. He sighed and joined them.

¤¤¤

May 8th. Noon-ish.

Seated in the kitchen, Sasuke looked at the stupid letter, sighing.

To whoever it concerns,

Uchiha Sasuke and Natsukawa Momo are formally invited to visit the Raikage's office immediately for tea. It would be the Raikage's honor for Uchiha Sasuke to attend. On May 8th, Natsukawa Momo and Uchiha Sasuke are to report to Raikage's office. All transportation is provided for and so are refreshments.

Sincerely, Marui, the Raikage's assistant.

"I'm sorry that you both have to go," Mitsuyo said, doing the dishes.

"I hate that it's today. She hates it too,"

Earlier, Hinata went off on a guard who by the looks of it, wasn't very happy with what she had to say. Hinata's upset at the number of people in the house. Their discussions are observed and they were not authorized to go. They also can't act like shinobi.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and sipped his morning tea. "Who wouldn't? The Raikage's either going to break my face or break my arm,"

"He should take your hand, so you'd be even,"

"Yeah, then he's going to break my face and arm," Sasuke quipped sardonically. "She's different. I think it's my fault,"

Mitsuyo shrugged. "I like her better this way. She... what do you call it- brings the thunder?"

Sasuke scoffed. "You like that she's taking after you. And you're proud,"

"Like a parent," Mitsuyo smirked. "She just switched personalities with you. She's tough like diamonds and you smile more with bad teeth, isn't that neat?"

"I don't have bad teeth,"

"Be glad. She won't care,"

Benjiro came toddling in, having a superhero cape and due to his clumsy feet- he tipped over and face-planted onto the floor. Sasuke sighed because Benjiro's short legs tripped on the damn cape. The only way Benjiro agreed to wear another traditional outfit was to wear a cape.

He cried and sat up. Sasuke shook his head. Sasuke doesn't remember being a clumsy kid. Shinobi kids aren't clumsy, though. Hinata was. "Ben. You're alright. Come on, you're alright," he said, picking up the wailing kid. Benjiro wept as Sasuke rubbed circles on his back.

Mitsuyo got Hinata's special ointment and sighed. She patted his cheek. "He really is his mother's child,"

Sasuke nodded.

Benjiro was soothed in no time but still looked upset as Sasuke carried him. "Huwt. Sasu- kiss it betteh?"

Sasuke sighed and kissed his cheek. "Happy now, Ben?"

"Can I have anoth'r one? On my oth'r cheek?"

Sasuke nodded and kissed his other cheek. "How's the pain, champ?"

Benjiro grinned at Sasuke. "All gone! How'd you do that?"

Mitsuyo looked at Benjiro and tapped his nose. "Haven't you heard? Hinata and Sasuke are magic,"

Benjiro looked charmed then looked at Sasuke. "Really?" he gasped.

"That's why they can wish away pain and scare away the monsters in the closet and under the bed," Mitsuyo said.

Benjiro looked smug. "I'm gonna tell everybody that my pa'wents can do magic. Sasu and Nata awe the bestest!"

"I didn't believe that I'd live to witness Uchiha Sasuke being nice to someone," Mitsuyo quipped.

"Sasu the nicest. Nata the nicest," Benjiro said.

Sasuke shot a sarcastic look at Mitsuyo. "Get confetti. Throw a party," Sasuke sneered.

"Do we get a pawty! Nata invited? Will Nata brought cake?" Benjiro cried, bouncing excitedly in Sasuke's arms.

"No, Ben. We'll get cake, yeah. We're not having a party," Sasuke explained to a three-year-old toddler.

"Whaaaa? Why not?" Benjiro asked, sniffing. Sasuke had to explain that they could have a cake to a teary Benjiro who didn't seem to get it.

Hinata came into the kitchen, sparking up while spotting Sasuke and Benjiro. "Hello Sundance," she kissed his cheek. "You look handsome today,"

"Can we have a pawty?" Benjiro asked. "Sasu said gonna be confetti,"

"I'm sorry, baby," Hinata said and his face fell. "We can have a party when the twins are born. That's a good time," Hinata suggested.

Benjiro clapped and gave a toothless grin. "Pawty, pawty, party, pawty," he whooped, cheering.

Hinata grinned at him and Benjiro wanted to be held by her. He held out his arms and she stepped back. Benjiro frowned when she shook her head because of her stomach. He didn't like that he couldn't be carried by Hinata but he was satisfied with Sasuke as well.

Then Benjiro gasped. "Nata, awe you magic?"

She looked at Mitsuyo and Sasuke then said, "Of course I am, honey. I'm glad you noticed,"

Benjiro laughed in Sasuke's arms. "Cool,"

Sasuke sniffed the air and said, "You smell different. Nice,"

Hinata smiled widely. "I knew this was your favorite perfume," She paused at Sasuke and stroked her stomach. "My stomach feels so weird and I've been having sporadic contractions all week. These ones feel different,"

"That's the woe of pregnancy," Mitsuyo added, humming while rinsing a plate. Hinata could hear a grin in her voice. "How do you feel about Two Sasukes around? Will they smile or smirk? Will they have pure white eyes or blood red eyes? Will they be the darkness or sunshine?"

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't mind the characteristics. They're going unnoticed,"

Hinata agreed, playing with Benjiro's fingertips. She wrote down messages like 'I love you,' on his ticklish palms. He grinned and laughed.

"It's going to be nice," Mitsuyo whispered.

"Nice?" Sasuke asked.

Mitsuyo nodded, back still facing them. "Yeah. You both are my favorite people, despite not being around much, I wish for the both of you to be in my life for years to come. It feels like a whole clan again,"

"Of course we'll visit you! You can move with me, Benjiro, the twins and Sasuke in Konoha," Hinata said.

Benjiro narrowed his eyes. "What's Koha?"

"Where we'll live," Sasuke said.

"Oh," Benjiro said happily. "Can I have parties there?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Perhaps," he said. He then announced that he would dress up Benjiro in different clothing. They left.

¤¤¤

Mitsuyo shrugged as she rinsed some dishes. Hinata used a cloth and began drying all the wet silverware, side by side with drying racks. "Will you come back with us to... Konoha? It's no... Chai no Kuni... but hey, I want you there. Someina... already agreed and Sasuke's... Sasuke's finding houses for all of us," Hinata suggested... biting her lip nervously.

"Konoha is one of the many places where I hate to go," Mitsuyo revealed once Hinata was closer. Mitsuyo shook her head. "I hate Konoha because of the people, the weather and the headlines they make. They killed Sasuke's clan. I feel as though it were my clan even if I were in Konoha. The elders are all just murderers in politician masks. I do not want to be apart of the masquerade,"

"What do you mean?" Hinata asked and stopped drying.

Mitsuyo looked at Hinata, shell-shocked. "You do not know the real circumstances of the Uchiha's clan death? Has Sasuke not revealed the truth?" Mitsuyo hissed, becoming quieter.

"What truth?" Hinata whispered. "Uchiha Itachi killed every single Uchiha except for Sasuke. I lived through it! I saw all the bodies. I saw his memories,"

"Well- what a naïve soul," Mitsuyo chuckled darkly. An empty smile appeared on her lips. "The Uchiha were killed by Itachi but it was not him who performed it due to free will,"

"What happened? If I'm bringing two Uchiha into the world, I might as well know what happened-"

"Stop being daft! The Uchiha were powerful and awfully stupid. Politically and socially. We were a recluse clan, only depending on ourselves. We- they had no one to depend on,"

"Mitsuyo-"

"They're all just saying that the Uchiha were just lunatics with good eyes. They were so much more than that. Call it what you want but they were elegant, magnificent and outright innovators. Now around five are left-"

"Mitsuyo,"

"What?!" Mitsuyo shrieked.

"My water just broke,"

The glass she held dropped. "What?" Mitsuyo asked.