Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 29-
Jaded Past

August 12th. 1 o'clock.

Hide Uchiha Sasuke and feel the burning wrath of Orochimaru's vengeance.

Ominous words choked them as they were moved to a conference room.

Hinata stumbled. Both C and Sasuke moved to catch her. Sasuke got her, glowering at C, steadying her at the waist.

"I'm fine. Just dizzy." Hinata promised. He held on tighter. "Seriously," Hinata added.

Sasuke balanced her when she teetered again.

She grazed his cloak that smelled like pine trees. She inhaled deeply. "Where'd you find this?" she asked.

"It's a new one."

"Feels nice."

Sasuke took her to the far right corner of the room, inspecting her. "Something's off with your chakra. Less like you. The last time I felt this... was who?" Sasuke queried.

Paranoid Sasuke... Hinata held his hand. "I'm fine. The exchange of chakra's natural during healing. A melting pot of chakra types are in me."

"Hn. Tell me if you're uncomfortable."

Hinata winced. "I'm uncomfortable in this... Skirt."

He shrugged out of his cloak, wrapping it around her. "Good yet?"

The summon around her shoulders hissed contently. She nodded and C called them over, to be debriefed.

"Orochimaru's in Kumogakure," C confirmed, in front of the four of them.

Karin burst into tears. Suigetsu hugged her, mumbling into her red hair. After some consolation, she pushed away. Hinata got a tissue box from the oval table for Karin.

As Hinata lifted it, Karin said, "Aw. Thanks. That's the first right thing that you've done all day..."

Hinata threw the tissue box at Karin's face.

"What the hell's your problem?" Karin ripped up the tissue box.

C covered his chuckle with a cough, earning a hard glare from everyone except Hinata.

Hinata leaned over to Sasuke. "Can't the snakes tell Orochimaru that the kids and Kameya are there?"

"Ryūchi snakes like me more. I give treats. You pay them with rewards. There's loyalty," Sasuke promised.

The snake around her shoulders gave his input; "Uchiha-dono's nicer to us than many snakes. Nidaime Manda's a menace."

He was.

Manda had the tender temper of a hurricane. He liked murdering his summoners for seeming weak. He demanded one hundred virgins to kill whenever Orochimaru summoned him. Manda died but his clone, created by Kabuto, is ten times more powerful.

Suigetsu commanded, "Would you both focus? Orochimaru's here! We're all dead criminal meat!"

"Stop panicking. It doesn't solve international crises," C snapped.

Suddenly, a falcon rapped on a window glass three times.

C opened the window. The bird hopped in. The majestic white falcon stuck out its paper-attached leg at Sasuke.

"Uchiha-san, my men will process that," C said and read it. He grimaced. "It's blank."

Hinata giggled.

"What's humorous, Natsukawa-san?" C asked.

"The ink solely reacts to Sasuke's chakra when he touches the paper. I invented it for Sasuke's correspondence with the Hokage," Hinata told them.

C's eye twitched.

Sasuke summoned a black hawk and said, "Tell Kakashi that we're safe, but we need to talk. Prepare a meeting for us in two days. After this meet, I leave."

The black hawk flew out the window. Hinata served dried fish strips to the white falcon before it left.

C gave the scroll paper to Sasuke.

"Late. Kakashi's always so damn late," Sasuke crumbled it up.

"Late?" C asked, getting the letter. C read, "Orochimaru has currently escaped Konoha with the help of Jugo and other off-site organizations. Return to Konoha- Kakashi."

C glared at Karin, Suigetsu and Sasuke. "Orochimaru has a penchant for employing you three. Tell me what he'll do next."

They all turned to a cross-armed, yawning Sasuke, not looking up.

C sighed. "You all have ties to him, except for Momo. If all else fails, all of you'll fight him except for Karin- for medical/health reasons."

"I want to kick Orochimaru's ass! I'm perfectly healthy," Karin protested.

"Pffft. I got my stupid amputated a weak ago, so no," Suigetsu argued.

"It must have grown back. This week," Sasuke said.

"Hardy, har, har. Golden boy, fight Orochimaru yourself. Turn yourself in or else we'll all perish."

"Like a coward, you run when things get difficult," Sasuke grumbled.

Suigetsu's jaw locked. "I'm being rational. Orochimaru killed a Kage, enslaved us and tested on live beings. He'll return. If we meet, we'll chat as cadavers."

"Orochimaru doesn't want to kill me. He's searching for information regarding Shigeko which's your fault. I made peace with him till you screwed up and told him of Hinata's existence."

Suigetsu bared his sharpened teeth. "We've all done wrong here. He wants either the sharingan eyes or vengeance against the four of us. Be noble," he said.

Hinata watched in horror. "Suigetsu don't betray Sasuke! Jugo already did. We don't send comrades on suicide missions because we're angry. Let's not make the four of us into three," Hinata insisted.

"There'll be no casualties if Sasuke, for once, steps up and owns up to his mistakes," Suigetsu growled.

Sasuke's glare got icier. "I did. Practice what you preach. I don't recall your ass spending a year rotting in jail."

"I didn't commit your crimes. Give yourself up. If you don't, it'll get bloody."

"If you want bloody, I'll give you bloody," Sasuke rasped.

Hinata wanted to yell but it was hard to move. She felt hot- her head hurt, her hands warm.

"Babe, Orochimaru's the enemy," Karin reminded Suigetsu.

"We shouldn't die because of Sasuke!" Suigetsu yelled.

Sasuke's arms tensed. "Put your money where your mouth is."

"You want to fight?" Suigetsu asked.

"You fight like shit," Sasuke hissed.

Hinata looked at her smoldering hands. The Chidori sparked. Flare-ups? Spots dotted her vision. Noodles replaced her bones.

Then Hinata tipped over, Sasuke catching her. "Did you have physical contact with Jugo?" Sasuke asked, angry.

"She healed him." C revealed. Both Suigetsu and Sasuke sighed.

Alert spread through her. What's wrong?

Suigetsu explained, "Jugo's nefarious jutsu physically draws out one's chakra/life essence. His chakra, poison or natural energy replaces it. His chakra's toxic to some. It's poisoning you."

C narrowed his eyes, concerned. "Will you be able to continue?" C asked.

No but but Hinata wanted them to stop Orochimaru and she nodded. C didn't look convinced, neither did Sasuke.

Nonetheless, C spoke. "We'll start interrogations to pinpoint his location and intentions. Suigetsu and Sasuke'll be interrogated first, seeing as they know the most about Orochimaru. Then Karin." C looked at Hinata, eyes dark and crafty. "Then Natsukawa-san, who knows the least about Orochimaru."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Suigetsu and Sasuke have been exposed to his persona, jutsu styles and military plans. We retrieved Yamanaka to handle the interrogation, at the Raikage's request," C added.

"Inoichi?" Sasuke asked.

C shook his head. They all collectively sighed in relief, except for Hinata and C. Hinata loved Inoichi as a father figure. He was very kind to her. He spoiled Hinata and Ino...

C looked at some ANBU. "Take Sasuke and Suigetsu to the interrogation center. Direct Momo and Karin to the medical bay. Have Karin's hCG levels checked."

Karin gasped, exchanging looks with Hinata. Suigetsu swept Karin in an embrace.

"Wish me luck, babe," Suigetsu said, giving Karin a sloppy kiss.

"Luck," Karin whispered onto his lips. "I love you..."

Suigetsu held her tightly. "Love you most."

Hinata averted her gaze. Sasuke loves with actions, not words or emotion but when will she hear it? He'll say it on his own time. And she'll wait. It's just about validation.

Hinata said, "I wish you the best in the mayhem... and the distress and red bloodshed."

He leaned in. "I wish you the best in the quiet, the sunset and the good silence." He pressed their foreheads together. "Take care. Come back to me," he whispered quietly.

It fills her with peace, his quiet.

She nodded. "Vice versa."

He brushed the bangs out of her eyes and poked her forehead. "I'll return, dope."

Hinata smiled.

Hinata and Sasuke weren't a loud couple with loud gestures of affection. They're modest; serene; forevermore.

¤¤¤

1:30 p.m.

They walked down a hall, to the medical bay.

Questions ran wild.

Why would Jugo poison her with his chakra?

There's tension between the Hōzuki and Sasuke. They're similar; they hated rules, loved swords and archaic fun but Suigetsu had distaste for Sasuke.

Karin blabbed on in Hinata's contemplative silence. "C thinks I'm pregnant. I've been eating more, but no morning sickness. I'm moody. My boobs are huge-"

The ANBU beside them checked Karin's rack.

Karin barked, "Hey! No looking! Rude! Hinata, at least Sasuke gave you his cloak-" Karin frowned. "Wait- why am I talking to you about this?"

"Even though you're mad, you have things to say," Hinata sneered.

Karin blinked, speechless, the ANBU leading her away.

Hinata called out, "Say 'Hi' to Tsugetsu for me."

Karin turned around and said, "Wish me luck?"

Hinata paused, taking too long.

"Nevermind," Karin huffed, walking away.

Luck.

¤¤¤

1:37 p.m.

They took Sasuke's cloak.

Hinata's in a cell, angrily banging on the glass cell door. Through a small window allowing air circulation, C gazed at Hinata.

"Don't leave me here!" Hinata panicked.

"Don't be dramatic. It's just the medical wing. You'll be out in ten minutes." C sighed.

Hinata looked at her cellmate. "I want solitary. Why's that collar on? What's his m.o?"

Clearing his throat, C stood taller. "That's classified. He's merely a patient, awaiting help. However, his ninjutsu doesn't function. You'll be free. The threat of Orochimaru'll cease to exist, I'll make sure. Nothing's going to hurt you. But no more breaking out."

"I'm not sick! Take off the cuffs, let me free."

"You know I can't do that. Sasuke's one of the most dangerous S-class nins in the world. You're an honorable mention." C got crimsoned-cheeked. Awkward. "Uhm, are you... by chance... Pregnant too?"

"No!" Hinata blushed.

"I didn't want to ask. You just look different- better. Glowing?" C looked away.

She struggled not to be awkward as well, so she said; "Uh, if the cloak you took isn't in the same condition as I left it, I'll have your head!"

"Despite being small you can be scary," C chuckled. "Deadly with dimples. No wonder the Raikage likes you."

Hinata steamed. "I'm not adorable if that's what you're suggesting."

"You have your moments," C said and walked away. "Nice tattoos; they suit you."

Hinata gasped, watching him go. Why was he being so kind? Never mind. She couldn't use the mastercard to escape... Her cellmate (a hazard to the public) could get out.

Her handsome, raisin-haired pallid cellmate rested on his glass bench.

"I'm basically chakra-less. Are you a threat to me?" he asked.

"Unless you try something- we have no problems," Hinata said.

"Was that your boyfriend? He likes you."

Hinata rejects that.

"Why's everything plastic and no metal?" Hinata looked around, ignoring his question.

"Me. I go crazy around metal. They know that with metal, I'd be unstoppable," he smiled with halo-white teeth. "I'm guessing you're a dollop of danger."

"You don't know me."

"You just got a whole lot more interesting. Who are you, silver beauty?"

Hinata tilted her head. "You don't need to know that part, do you?"

He gestured to his jaundice-affected skin and sparse hair. "I'll start, I'm dying."

"I'm sorry... I have pills and-"

"Thanks for the offer... It's not your fault. I'm too far gone. Brain tumor. Inoperable. Why are you in jail?"

"Treason... you?"

He released a hiss of air. "Thievery. They'd never give me a bunkmate. I'm glad you came around," he sniffed.

Theft isn't that big of an offense as long as it stays nonviolent. "Why are you in this specific jail?" Hinata asked.

He waved his hands, fanning away her doubts. "It wasn't violent. Just large-scale theft from jutsu archives. I have problems with authority. Who doesn't?"

Those who don't aren't in cages, Hinata thought.

¤¤¤

Sasuke sent Someina away, without warnings and she screamed when she landed.

Aoda nodded and said, "Where the magic takesss place; Ryūchi Cave."

The kids grinned at the familiar large snake.

The burgeoning Ryūchi Cave's trees and hills stunned her. Tombs, ancient buildings with runes and other secrets. She felt the history, seeing massive snakes.

Benjiro shifted in his makeshift crutches. "When can we see Jiji-sama?" he asked.

The Uchiha-Hyuuga call the great snake grandpa? Why? Someina thought.

"Soon. Us snakesss are meant to protect our summoners. You'll remain here until master Uchiha saysss otherwise," Aoda said.

"What is the time difference from here in Kumo to there in the real world?" Someina asked Aoda.

"Training here's beneficial. If you spend three daysss here, then three hours will pass in the other dimension. Humansss grow slowly. Decadesss passed... I'm still in Uchiha Sasuke's lifetime. Isn't that ideal? The land of sssnakes smellsss of freedom. It's a good place, moreover the best place."

Some snakes watched them like a prey or platter. Do they hate people?

Aoda noticed the kids cowering around Someina.

"They sssmell fear, hunger for it. Most never interact with a human within their full lives. We live in peace without summonsss, and the conflictsss of humans. We aren't loyal to any village, solely to the summoners the Great White Snake chooses. Only some volunteer to visit the human world. Othersss wish to plate humans." Aoda explained.

"Who are the known summons?"

"Ssseven or eight dozen but five from Konoha. Ryūchi Cave's dwellings are as unknown and uncharted as the other legendary sssage regions," Aoda said.

"Enough of that boring stuff! Aoda, you've gotten bigger!" Benjiro yelled, vivacious.

"You've both gotten stronger," Aoda complimented the optimistic boy and Taiyo.

Amarante sat, leaning her head on Taiyo's thigh.

Kameya grinned at Hiromitsu, saying, "Hiro! You cute t'day."

Hiromitsu reddened, simpering and hid behind Benjiro. "M'Scared," he said.

"Of her? Hiro- she's just a girl," Benjiro laughed.

Hiromitsu nudged him. "No- of snakes!"

Benjiro patted Hiromitsu's navy spiked head. "Don't be, I'm here. Trust me. I'll be a beacon of hope."

Hiromitsu grinned. "Hiro likey bacon. You promise?"

"I swear it on my plate and knife. I mean, my life." Benjiro quipped.

Hiromitsu laughed.

"Hiro- hold my hand. I'm not scared," Kameya said cutely, reaching for Hiromitsu.

"M-mine?" Tomato-faced Hiromitsu stuttered.

"Yep! Want a hug instead?"

"M-me?"

Kameya took his hand, smiling. Hiromitsu shrieked, jumping back, into Benjiro.

Benjiro steadied Hiromitsu, looking at Someina. "Aunt Meina, where's Ka-chan an' Tousan?"

"They're at work," Someina said.

"Why weren't we left with Mitsu?" Taiyo asked.

Sleuthing away, Benjiro said, "If they were at work, we'd be left with Mitsu. Ka-san leaves us with Aoda when there're threats. Means we're gonna be here for a while..."

Hiromitsu whispered in Amarante's ears, upset. Amarante nodded, got up and kicked Someina's leg.

Someina buckled a bit. "What, dear?"

"Hiro wan' mama an' papa. Where Hoshika an' Oshino?" Amarante asked.

Suddenly, a white snake slithered up to the small crowd. Aoda bowed to it, which confused Someina.

"Someina, Hinata-hime told me to take you to the sacred Great White Snake, my father." The snake hissed. "Let's go."

¤¤¤

He. Was. Terrifying. Huge. Humans were thumbtacks beside the Great White Snake.

Beady yellow eyes, ivory-colored scales and a sly, jaded look. He sat, the size of three mountains. A pointed periwinkle turban atop a cascading orange headdress. His body's so long, piling over the throne seat and beside him in thick coils.

He smoked; an immense cigarette holder was near.

"Will you be as big as that one day?" Someina asked the son of that thing.

"Yes... Otousama said I might be even bigger," the snake replied.

"Otousama," the small snake said, bowing.

They all did the same. Amarante fell when she bowed, crying out. Benjiro helped her up. She stopped to smile at Benjiro.

"Show yourself. Who are you?" The Great White Snake bellowed, voice like rusted chains clanking together in the wind.

Someina blanched, managing to bow deeply, avoiding his yellow stare. "Ikeda Someina, your greatness..." Someina said.

When Kameya got scared, Someina picked her up, balancing the tot on her hip.

The Sage appreciated her reasonable terror. "I was told of your blood. Uchiha. Hyuuga. Them- all daughters and sons of students of that Orochimaru. Orochimaru showed potential, and resulted in being wasted time."

Orochimaru's awful! He's the one who teamed up with the DCA and made her life a living hell.

Benjiro waved. "Jiji-sama! What's going on? I wanna know how you got so big! Even Uncle Rai's afraid of you. Tousan says you'd win any fight! Let's fight!"

"I'll fight him first!" Taiyo protested.

"That boldness... valor's rare to see in those who have stood before me," the Great White Snake hissed. "You don't fear... fear itself? You dare ask for battle when you know nothing of the opponent? You challenge me when you barely have legs to stand on?"

"Yes! Uchiha never fear or lose," Benjiro smirked.

"You mean I never lose," Taiyo corrected.

"Boys- for all to be afraid of, he's run-away from material," Someina warned.

"I never run away. I'm not scared of anything," Benjiro said, glaring at the snake.

Silence.

Benjiro and the beast stared at each other.

The snake's sinister grin was undeniable.

Then he chuckled.

"You're a great source of my amusement, Benjiro... You're louder, more brazen than anyone else who've spoken to me in millennia. You both are a whimsical... change."

Someina sighed in relief.

"Uh, can you teach us cool jutsu now?" Taiyo asked, subdued and cool.

"When can I learn? Taiyo knows more than I do," Benjiro murmured, disconcerted.

"You'll learn in time, my boys. Next time you'll come, practice and learn," the snake said.

"Jiji-sama, I don't wanna wait a full month! That's boring," Benjiro protested. "We're here now."

"Good things come to those who wait," the snake responded wisely. "Determination... and failure is the mother of success. You can't move mountains now... you can carry small stones."

Taiyo scowled. "We can carry boulders now. Why wait?"

Benjiro shifted in his crutches. "Hn. I dunno..."

"You'll visit on the next playdate. When the elder Uchiha feels especially lazy," the snake said.

"Jiji-sama! Where Oshino an' rest of snakes?" Amarante asked.

"Hoshino is protecting her latest nest of hatchlings," the snake said.

"Babies! Hiro! Baby boy mangoes and baby girl mangoes," Amarante jumped around excitedly.

Kameya face-palmed. "They not mangoes."

Hiromitsu laughed.

The sage looked at Someina. "They're very bright children with a sense of self and awareness... Bullocks. Uchiha visits this sanctuary for aid with his summons. Where's he?"

Someina sighed. "He's being questioned for Jugo's... brought Orochimaru to Kumogakure. Orochimaru's a threat to the children. Kumogakure's in a state of lockdown. Orochimaru seeks revenge and may have corrupted a close ally to Sasuke. We beg for your permission to stay."

The sage nodded in understanding. "Very well... You have Ryūchi to roam," the snake said.

¤¤¤

They played, ate and discussed in the ruins for several hours. Benjiro said his leg didn't hurt.

Benjiro stood, staring down at them at the picnic blanket Someina laid out. "Taiyo, Meina- watch Ama and Hiro for me," Benjiro ordered. "I'm go to the bathroom. Someina don't come with me. I'm a big boy now. I can figure it out."

"Big boys don't go 'round, looking for trouble," Someina hissed.

"I don't cause trouble," Benjiro laughed.

"At school, you erased boards and flooded the toilets by flushing your homework because Taiyo bet that textbooks couldn't fit in toilet bowls."

"Paper homework is crap. I gotta go now."

"Your father wants you safe and sound, so we're all going with you," Someina said.

"Ka-san lets me go alone. I can do this," Benjiro argued.

"Benjiro- this isn't a discussion. I'll go with you. It isn't safe!"

Benjiro limped/sprinted out the cave.

Aoda immediately suggested, "I'll watch him, in case he faces another snake."

Someina told the Great White Snake to watch the children, taking three steps and ice replaced her blood. A scream. She froze.

That's Benjiro's scream.

Someina ran outside of the cave, not believing her eyes. Nidaime Manda. She knew what happened between Sasuke and Manda.

Manda died, cursing Sasuke with his last breath. Afterwards, Kabuto used Manda's DNA to create a modified version of the beast with legs. The enhanced clone was the biggest snake in the world.

The clone share the same hatred for the Uchiha, loyal to Kabuto's will. Nidaime Manda's aware enough to know that Benjiro's an Uchiha.

Suddenly, Aoda wrestled with Manda, it was otherworldly to see.

Aoda tried couldn't block the much larger snake, and Manda bit Benjiro with glossy fangs.

Benjiro released another gut-wrenching scream, passing out. Someina reached him. Benjiro's horribly cold. Not dead. If that venom gets to his heart, it's over.

Aoda regarded Someina's trembling hands and said, "Your control of chakra must match the ssseverity of the wound. Use the Mystical Palm Technique. Protect the children."

Someina sputtered, "I... I don't know how to do that. I'm an average shinobi at best, and I haven't learned it!"

"What a failure doctor! If you cannot heal someone who's dying, why become a doctor in the first place?" Aoda bellowed, fighting Manda. "Hinata-hime would've-"

"I'm not her but I can still do this," she yelled back.

Someina carried Benjiro to the throne room, giving him all the anti-venom medicine she could, hoping to wake the boy up. They had no effect.

"I very much liked that boy. He mirrored my hatchling eccentric and proud ways. Your medicine shall not work," the sage said, observing the boy sadly. "I didn't want to see Kabuto's sunrise and nightfall of evil. He created evil when he cloned Manda... and increased the strength of the poison. Your boy'll sadly die."

"No. He won't. He can't!" Someina yelled tearily.

"He will unless I save him." The sage hissed.

At the speed of lightning, the sage loomed over Benjiro and struck, biting him. Benjiro opened his eyes. They shone yellow.

"Help me," he said.

And collapsed again.

¤¤¤

Mitsuyo didn't hear them leave.

Sasuke simply doesn't trust her anymore. Mitsuyo cared for Sasuke, he's just like her son. Life is easier without ties but family ties are precious threads.

She stopped at the empty market, everything feeding on the sunshine.

And she understood why.

Mitsuyo activated on her sharingan and created a mud dragon using her water release and earth release jutsu.

Orochimaru deftly deflected all of her blows, bordering from fireballs, sharingan tactics and sealing tries.

Her robes were in shreds after using powerful jutsu. Orochimaru's loose beige robe was immaculate, not a speck of dirt on it.

Huge twin snakes entrapped suspended her a foot off the ground, dripping venom into open wounds.

Harsh sunlight reflects off his pale skin. Dark locks hid one slitted golden eye. A twisted fanged smile was framed by his straight, sheen of long hair.

Meeting Orochimaru brought up her psychological damage, her relevant pain she buried.

He looks the same, a snapshot of youth. Then, she wanted his praise, now she feels indifferent. Thank Kami for wisdom and age. She changed in an inward way.

"Kozakura. A pleasure to meet you again, you keep me watching," he whispered.

Ice cubes ran down her spine. He acted mild-tempered, like an innocent monster.

He laughed, smiling pleasantly. "I cannot feign happiness at this reacquaintance. A mentor misses his student. How are you, Kozakura?" he asked.

"Go to hell," Mitsuyo hissed.

"Ku. Ku. Ku, I see you're still your cheerful self. Ah, you'd smile with your smart mouth. More of a reward than mastering a jutsu."

"That was then," Mitsuyo fought against the restraints of snakes. "Release me!"

Orochimaru summoned another snake, tsking. Now three snakes were around her neck.

"You cried for the chance of my company, without accolade. When you traveled with Jiraiya, drink and heal with the lovely Tsunade then practice jutsu with me. That's when you loved me most." Orochimaru said angrily, emphasizing every dark word with the snakes tightening their hold.

Mitsuyo couldn't breathe, her heart pounding! She clawed at the smooth snake skin, kicking her legs.

"I was to be your latent sensei, master, and brother. I narrowed your purpose to be at my side, be completely obsequious and loyal," he snapped.

Air circulation was cut. They squeezed and squeezed. Blank spots danced in Mitsuyo's vision.

He smiled tightly. "But we all lose sometimes."

The snakes released their death grip.

She greedily drank up the air in her lungs. "You're not worth my loyalty or the dirt they'll bury you in," Mitsuyo coughed hoarsely.

"Ku. Ku. Ku. Such pointy words. All your curves are edges now. This isn't you."

"This is what you made me!" Mitsuyo yelled.

He stiffened, rain soiling his sunny countenance. "What wrongs I've done had you heard of?" Orochimaru asked.

Mitsuyo swallowed tears. "Everything and I forgave. Then you killed Hiruzen. Hiruzen was... my sensei, and you killed him! You devastated Konoha and Sasuke," Mitsuyo's voice cracked.

He smiled sadly. "Ah. She feels. The capacity of your Uchiha heart never ceased to impress me. We grieved less than you. I recognized your chakra signature in Konohagakure at the time of his funeral."

"You made a void and took away my son, my husband, then my sensei. You'll reap the consequences."

"There's loss where there's life in the hands of a foe or friend. When we move beyond our woes... the way of the world, the universe itself fills the void left behind by the one we lost."

"I miss him." Mitsuyo admitted.

"Me too," Orochimaru sighed.

"You're not fucking allowed to! I hate you more than Danzo," Mitsuyo whispered.

Orochimaru ran his venom-laced tongue in a line over her cheekbone. It stung. "Danzo is your weakness. Your sharingan, your flexibility had me," he paused, blowing on the damaged skin. "Then you slipped, choosing Danzo."

Mitsuyo flinched. "I'm the disappointment one, you never wanted me."

He pulled back, shocked by her confession.

"It was never a competition," he said softly. "You had the impression of me preferring Kabuto? I chose you both."

"I was a young heart who did whatever you said to me in the dark. It was a perversion of my trust and my love," Mitsuyo sighed.

It felt like those old nights when he didn't mind her coming around, wasting all his time, training. He'd turn off the lights and she came home to his heart. Where would they be if they met each other first?

They shared the same air when he lined their lips but didn't lean.

"Yet I am in your thoughts and prayers. No relinquishment of trust for me occurred. You were drawn to my darkness, in love with me hurting you. Jiraiya made away the curse mark. Thereafter, it was tattooed along with Danzo's seal on your tongue."

"We're not here to reminisce or discuss the past. What the hell do you want?"

Orochimaru accepted her hostility. "I need to speak with Uchiha Sasuke. There have been spottings of Shigeko."

"Your latest plaything?"

"Kozakura, my cherry blossom tree, Shigeko has my son."

"Oh. So your pregnant plaything?"

He huffed a rough breath. "Your eyes enchant me. Don't make me hurt you. From lust to the truth, I would seize them but I have bigger problems that deserve my attention," his eyes flashed dangerously. "You know something. Tell me."

"Why would I do that?"

"To prolong your tragic but plentiful life..." he hissed.

Mitsuyo frowned, a purse to her lips. Mitsuyo felt flares of rebellion within her then memories of his abuse and power snubbed it.

Defeated, Mitsuyo hung her head low. "Shigeko's with the DCA in the wave country. The DCA's returning in three months anyway, with Shigeko."

He watched her, smirking. "You haven't lost your way back to me."

Those words alone left her in ecstasy and torment. She thought she changed.

She sighed, the snakes shivering. "Why don't you think I'm lying? Why do you still believe me?!"

"You still can't lie to me. With Danzo, you sought out survival but with me, you found love," Orochimaru caressed her cheek. "I feel your heart care."

He snapped, beside her ears. The large snakes that held her up disappeared.

She fell.

But Orochimaru kept her up, supporting her.

"Why catch me?" she asked, in his embrace, almost naked.

"Because Hiruzen isn't the only one to miss."

He left her to drown in the turbulence of their relationship. Not all of it was one-sided. She remembers saying, afloat or ashore, on rocky waves- whatever she was his.

He gave her a long look and took off his robe, draping it across her.

He left her with three words. She stood on the ruins of her identity. Burnt, bruised, panting.

¤¤¤

7 o'clock.

Throb.

Her head throbbed.

She groaned. Her mind's filled with memories, thoughts that weren't hers. Hinata came to, opening her eyes.

C slumped in his chair, dozing off calmly at her bedside.

When he heard her, he briskly sat up. "Natsukawa-san you're awake. I believed... the worst. That you died."

"Oh, what would you do without me, C-san?" Hinata drawled.

He frowned. "I don't... know."

"Where's Sasuke? What time is it? Why do you have a black eye?"

C sighed, his black eye twitching. "It's seven in the evening. Sasuke may have punched me in the eye. That difficult, violent sumbit-"

"You can kindly leave the room if you speak of Sasuke like that. I'm tired of you disrespecting Uchiha Sasuke."

"I apologize, somewhat. I'll leave, before that... I have to inform you of something," C got subdued, avoiding her gaze.

"Come here," Hinata said.

He did and Hinata touched under his eye. He hissed when she pressed on it.

"Don't be a baby, C-san," Hinata giggled.

"Tch. I'm manly." C scoffed. "Probably more than Sasuke."

"If you say so."

"I do. I really do."

Men and their manliness. She healed him. When Hinata tried to sit up, her body bemoaned.

She sighed at C's faded injury. "Before you go, tell me... was it by accident?" Hinata asked, ignoring the pain.

"Probably not. Your chakra signature disappeared for a few moments. Sasuke maneuvered himself from the basement floor to the eighteenth floor in a matter of a minute by fighting through every ANBU to reach you," he chuckled. "I was in the way."

"Didn't the handcuffs hold him?"

"No, to get to you, not at all. The strongest seals couldn't hold him at bay." C said lightly.

"That's Sasuke for you," she smiled. "Enough about me, what happened to the man I shared a cell with? Why am... I like this?"

Hinata was blue and black, wrapped up in bandages and metal seemed shinier. More malleable. Controllable.

C sighed. "Karin found you, in shock. The prisoner, on the other hand, wasn't dead. We moved him to be... interrogated. The camera filmed what transpired... You were unconscious and Orochimaru-"

Suddenly, Hinata noticed tattoos on her palms. Why does she have these tattoos?

Her fingers flinched and everything metallic flew to the left, tipping over or was moved violently. Some levitated. Metal beams in the wall escaped from their plastered prisons for freedom.

C got in the way of a metal beam.

Hinata created an invisible barrier to prevent C getting hit by scalpels and metal rods.

It did; C wasn't a pin cushion.

I did that! Me, Hinata gulped. Hinata dropped her hands- trembling.

Everything became limp, hitting the ground, so did the metal rod and scalpels.

C blinked at her, imperceptively, like they've never met.

"Why did you protect me?" C blinked.

"That's what good shinobi do," Hinata said, metal in her mouth and blood. Making her feel heavy.

¤¤¤

After a couple of tests and seals, Hinata decided no one knew what was going on. She's a patient and frustrated with how everyone's treating her.

She'll get to the bottom of why metal moved every time she waved her fingers.

Then- she remembered.

Her cellmate spoke, breaking ten minutes of untarnished silence. He watched her intently, as if she were the art and him, a genius painter.

"They've always put us in cages. My chakra's unique. Have you heard of iron blood? The Naitochi clan? The nightbloods? We can control metal and magnets." he said.

"Impossible," Hinata snapped.

"Anything's possible," he smirked. "My ancestor was stranded on a mountain, ate nothing but iron and other metals for weeks with no shelter. When he used his lightning affinity release, metals came to him. I think you're perfect," he murmured.

He waved his hands, which had a black tattoo. Dead center on his palms, it was the ying and yang symbol. His right had the yang symbol and the left had the ying symbol.

"This collar... they put on me doesn't work. I have all my memories, my chakra, and my ninjutsu," he whispered.

The guards outside the cell stood up in haste, alarmed. Her cellmate manipulated their metal sword to kill them, coming closer.

A vortex of chakra and electricity surrounded her. "Get back," Hinata ordered.

Her hands were tied!

He leered, making her feel dirty. "That's it beauty."

He came closer.

Her surrounding electrical field was taken away, the energy concentrated in his fist.

She threw a punch which he blocked, kicks that he dodged. He was implacable even though she injured him severely.

They fought until he realized that she had the mastercard with the metal chip. The metal ripped from the card, whizzing through the air, its distinct sound of a high-pitched whistle.

The small square patch metal gained velocity, morphing, and red-hot. That long, thick needle could puncture all of her vital organs. Her eyes. Her heart. Her lungs.

First, he hit the cameras.

They dodged, hit and buried each other in elaborate attacks. Hinata watched him control the metal, trying to wound her by flying everywhere.

After a chase, it sliced through her side. Hinata gasped, falling to her knees. Red emptied out of her.

The barbed wire wrapped around her legs. She lost balance. The needle broke her fall, stabbing her.

The wire crawled under her skin, keeping her in place. Her arms were trapped with hooks digging into her skin.

He got ahold of the wires. "I got you. Ah ha!"

She channeled the Chidori throughout her body, electrocuting him. Twitching, he collapsed on the ground.

Blood flowed out of her side and she flipped onto him, breaking a couple of ribs. She's losing control! Consciousness.

"I didn't mean to hurt you... I'll give you a gift," he whispered, crouching beside her.

He smiled a bit, touching her arm. He swiftly took all of her chakra and swapped it with his.

Severe, violent pain and a sense of strange awareness rocked through her brain. He implanted memories in her head, with no end or finish.

She felt the magnetic field.

Her body thrummed with energy.

Pinpointing the riches and golds of the earth was easy. Patches, scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs and rippling curtains played in her sight. She saw shooting rays of green and pink that illuminated the ceiling with an eerie glow.

Her vision doubled, her control lingering outside of her body.

She's floating on a sea of blood.

"The Naitochi rivaled cousin-branch Uzumaki in seal-making and spectacular chakra reserves. The Naitochi are infamous for taking or giving chakra and or jutsu..." he said.

"Jutsu?" Hinata swallowed.

"We never took jutsu, just chakra. We gave other people our abilities. We got killed off, too," he chortled.

He pricked her skin with the needle. The dark scarlet color came out.

"I'm making sure it works. Soon enough, your blood will return to normal, when the oxygen comes back," he hushed her.

Hinata gasped.

"Bleed black and you shall feel the iron in the air, churning deep below you in the earth and the infrastructure of industrial buildings. We control the magnetic fields, the protons, and neutrons in molecules and the metal of the earth," he whispered. "I never meant to hurt you, I needed to keep my clan alive."

Hinata's mind hurt with the influx of information. "Why give it to me?" Hinata asked.

"Lack of options.. Lightning release of chakra's basically the manipulation of protons and electrons. I needed someone who could do that to control this jutsu. Jikishi no jutsu. Magnetic Death jutsu."

Her open shirt revealed her heaving chest.

He scanned her body but stopped at her bra, trailing a finger along the strap. Hinata's sneaky in keeping seal paper in her bra, little slots in the fabric. He knew it. Somehow. He removed one scroll and replaced it with his own in.

"Here's the seal that contains my legacy. Show respect to the Naitochi, do represent us well, night blood sister," he said.

He ran his digit over her pale skin and held onto her hands. Excruciating pain burned her palms. She knew his ying and yang symbol was gone from his body and transferred to her hands.

He pressed his fingers to her forehead.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered.

Hinata passed out and that was the end of the memory.

Hinata looked at her palms. With a rush of hate, she knew that he gave her his chakra... and jutsu.

¤¤¤

Late evening.

He's always been blindfolded during his jail time.

He remembers sitting in his jail, at seventeen, after the war. Cuffed, put in a compact full body straight jacket. They tightened it enough so he couldn't escape but it loose enough for breath. The small cell was awful with cigarette smoke and card games

He had one arm, and cloth-covered eyes, reviewing every memory, every little thing that he's done. Every mistake suffocated him.
He liked the slow asphyxia of darkness. Internal... external pain... asphyxia helped soothe his troubles.

He could've escaped, but he didn't. Sasuke allowed himself to be caught. Kakashi, Ibiki- everyone knew.

Naruto knew. Repenting for his sins helped him be fearless. And he got released instead of facing death, like the elders wanted.

Sasuke lived for the grand yet subtle things in life. He'd like to live like a normal guy; visit a hot spring or two with his girl and just kick it at a bar after sex. He can't kick it when he's always cut at the knees.

Everything was... problematic.

After three or four hours of rough interrogations, both Jugo and Sasuke were placed in a holding cell for ten minutes of awkwardness.

Hinata's chakra signature disappeared. Sasuke considered her dead.

Without hesitation, Jugo followed Sasuke in his journey to Hinata, stopping the ANBU who tried to derail them. Jugo's still loyal which confused Sasuke.

Jugo was nervous, spending ten seconds looking sorry for himself then the next ten frowning.

Jugo almost killed Hinata... He stayed away, retreating to himself when Karin cried for him on occasion. Even Suigetsu blabbed on for his best friend and lover, Jugo.

That was years ago. Sasuke's easing back into a state of not caring, even though Jugo was at fault for the government being aware of their presence in Kumo-

Sasuke can't resent him.

Sasuke has actions to say sorry for. He's still trying to apologize for punching Naruto on his wedding day... He hasn't done much but poke Sakura's forehead. He treats Kakashi like shit. He can't say any apologies... he can't fix much anyway.

The silence was common; Sasuke didn't fancy talking. There's nothing to say, he's an observer. Actions outweighed words.

He didn't want to talk it out... He's a fan of holding in his emotions until he died.

He couldn't blank it out either. He's a man and could at least ask. Then silence would break and conversations would die and he could say he tried.

"Do you want to know why I brought him?" Jugo said, breaking the silence.

Jugo was always a better person than Sasuke. But the mutual guilt set in and Sasuke scowled. "Why?"

Jugo jumped in his chains, shocked that Sasuke answered.

"He found me after I got out. He cornered me in Tsuchi no Kuni, where I met her. Orochimaru threatened my wife and my kids," Jugo said. "I had to do what he said or else she'd die. No one attacks my family, that's my code..."

Same goes for Sasuke. Look at them, settled down. Family men.

Sasuke sighed, "That's my code, too..."

If he had one... that would be it.

"I tried to warn you guys but... Hychu Taichirou said he'll deal with Orochimaru."

"Hychu Taichirou spoke to you?" Sasuke asked.

Jugo nodded. "There's supposed to be a group of the DCA goons attacking Orochimaru... That's why he's not that big of a threat to Kumo."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted, to let Jugo know he was listening.

Hychu Taichirou said Akuma-oo-sama doesn't want a damaged vessel. So, his men look out for her... Until the Hellion Fire Attack, they've maintained their promise. So the DCA is helping Sasuke... If he weren't so tired, he'd appreciate it. There was no real threat.

"Girl or boy?" Sasuke queried.

Jugo had a lovestruck look in his eye, which was weird. "Girl. She said her first words the other month. Papa."

Sasuke's mouth opened involuntarily. "I have three boys. One girl."

"Oh. Nice," Jugo said, scratching his shadow beard.

It was quiet again until Jugo had a sad, sardonic smile. "Did Suigetsu cry every night when I was gone?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"There were soaked pillowcases here and there," Sasuke chuckled. "Suigetsu wouldn't go a minute without talking 'bout you."

"He always did have a big mouth," Jugo shrugged, relieved.

"Yeah, he does," Sasuke chuckled.

Jugo laughed, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry about-"

"Let bygones be bygones," Sasuke said simply.

"But-"

"It's getting too sentimental. It's a bygone," Sasuke said.

It's not like Sasuke to let something go so easily. He guessed it's the small things.

"Bygone it is," Jugo nodded, looking forward. "You're different." he added.

"Really?"

"Happier. You never had rhythm or rhyme but you have kids and you hear music."

Having Hinata does that. It's an easy silence. He liked that.

¤¤¤

8:26 p.m.

Between the bars of the holding cell, Sasuke spotted C and the rest of team Taka.

C was strange. He's a stoic blonde version of Sasuke before committing crimes. C will attempt assassinating him on a bad day. He said Sasuke is a dishonorable shinobi who merited rotting in hell.

Sasuke has merit. He saved Naruto while bearing the wounds of Haku's senbon. He didn't mind dying if avenging his clan or killing Itachi called for it.

But C couldn't know that.

C stood in front of Sasuke, regarding him as scum. "Update on the situation; Orochimaru was spotted leaving the country, in the direction of Konohagakure. We last saw him near Otogakure and he lost our ANBU. The threat has ceased... you're mostly free to go."

Why did he come to Kumo? All Orochimaru wanted to do was scare Sasuke? That doesn't seem like something Orochimaru would do. He's too technical, too cunning to break out of Konoha without reason.

Sasuke swapped looks with Jugo and Suigetsu. This isn't over.

"Not all of us are free. What about Jugo?" Karin asked, so hopeful... It shone like a lamppost in the rain.

C sighed. "He was intended to stay in prison for three months but we reduced the months, due to the persuasion from Natsukawa-san and the circumstances."

Suigetsu huffed, "Is that all? We have children to worry about."

C nodded.

Suigetsu sent a forlorn look to Jugo. "We'll meet you in a month. Maybe I'll meet your wife."

"You will. You all will." Jugo said.

That would be nice. Perfectly nice.

Suigetsu guiltily avoided Sasuke's gaze. "I'm sorry about what I, uh, said. Earlier."

Sasuke looked away. "Good. It's a bygone."

Suigetsu smiled, "When was the last time team taka was all together?"

Karin glared at Jugo. "Too long!"

"Karin- I," Jugo said.

Karin punched Jugo in the stomach. "If you ever leave us hanging like that, I'll ruin you!" she yelled then crushed him in a hug. "I forgive you..."

Suigetsu grinned and joined the hug, encasing them all. "Group hug."

Sasuke backed away but both Jugo and Karin grabbed his wrists, trapping him in their embrace.

His face was hot and he protested a lot but the hug was perfectly nice.

¤¤¤

About thirty minutes after, Sasuke saw Hinata who looked terrible. She was bruised and mummified.

Nonetheless, Hinata staggered to him and wrapped around him, sighing blissfully.

Their kiss was feverish and desperate but soft and simple all the same.

When she released a small whimper, he pulled back. She released the kiss, not able to open her eyes for a few moments.

What happened to her?

Her chakra was different and she had tattoos on her hands. She's smiling, which she shouldn't. She's always smiling.

She poked his chest. "I heard you broke a building for me. You were playing the hero card, I like that."

"Only you would be impressed," he said.

She giggled. "You're impressive."

He brushed the hair away from her eyes. "Who did this to you?"

She got shy, pulling on his fingers. "The man I was bunked within the medical bay attacked me. He gave me his jutsu- Jikishi no jutsu. Magnetic Death. It lets me control metal," she revealed, waiting for his reaction.

He'll regret it. Sasuke wanted to kill the man. Endless torture. Endless pain. Endless agony. He'll watch their blood fall.

He tried to move past her but she blocked him.

"No," Hinata said.

"Hinata-"

She placed her hands on his chest. "Don't. I'm alive. Revenge won't do anything!"

It would make Sasuke feel better, that's what revenge is. It's perfect justice. The bloodiest type.

"Let go of this," Hinata pleaded.

Why does she want to save everyone? It's stupid. "He did this to you. I've to do something. What use am I if I can't protect you?" Sasuke snapped.

"You're more than your jutsu and brute force. You're my best friend and lover. A father. Let go for me..." Hinata whispered, eyes big and soft. "He was trying to save his clan, so he gave me his jutsu. He wanted to do a physical assessment. We fought."

Sasuke punched the wall. His fist sank into the metal. "Don't have sympathy. Never have sympathy for those who hurt you."

She looked at the dent and moved a finger. The hole patched itself up.

She grabbed his fist and uncurled his hand. "I understand... I do. No blood. No retaliation. Please..."

Fine.

He brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. "Are you okay? I should've been there," he held her cheek, looking deep in her eyes.

"Ano, Sasuke- don't worry," Hinata smiled and leaned into his palm. "You're always in my heart."

He decided, she'll be his forever. Longer than that. He kissed her forehead. "Who woulda known?"

She blushed a bit, looking defeated and confused. "I'm a magnet? Metal kind of tastes like rain. I control it," Hinata sighed when he dropped his hand.

"Can you control metal at will?"

She shook her head, twiddling with her thumbs. "It comes and goes-"

Three screws from the wall shot at her skull. Sasuke caught them mid-air.

She stared at him, then at the screws. "I can't control it. That's the fourth time that's happened. I have to stop talking with my hands."

She took the screws in her hand. Upon contact, they melted. She sighed at the liquid metal staining her black heels.

Hinata looked at Sasuke seriously, "We have to talk. Privately."

¤¤¤

She dragged him to the bathroom. They stopped at the sink. "Use the ningendo on me. I can't say it aloud. You need to know." she ordered.

He saw everything...

Taichirou worked with the Akatsuki, knowing of the Akatsuki's plans. If he died, he wanted to pass on... the sharingan. Then Benjiro was conceived prior to the war.

Taichirou used it; the Infinite Tsukuyomi is the deadliest genjutsu ever, if one is put through significant amounts of time in it. The stress on minds causes cell degeneration in of the brain.

Only an Uchiha with great eyes can perform a jutsu of this caliber.

Taichirou put her through the genjutsu for decades and a marriage, good memories and fornication for half a moment.

Benjiro is born and Kabuto killed Benjiro's mother. Perhaps... some random violent instinct. Orochimaru and Kabuto once released a chakra disease, just for fun.

Taichirou wanted Benjiro but he had to be elsewhere, turning to Miyana for help.

Miyana didn't want to parent a child and promptly pretended that Hinata was Miyana while she took the payments for 'raising' Benjiro.

Mitsuyo appeared like an Uchiha.

The eye drop medicine recipe that only the Uchiha had. The scrolls that only Uchiha know how to access. The contact lenses she switched. The high collars the Uchiha wear was her norm. All the shuriken and how she took him in.

So... Miyana was kidnapped because she screwed Akuma-oo-sama over.

Perhaps Akuma-oo-sama and Taichirou had a deal from the start. Akuma-oo-sama got the children and the sharingan he wanted.

There is another Uchiha. It had to be Taichirou?Taiyo and Benjiro have sharingan eyes.

He got out of the ningendo. She tipped over and he caught her.

"Did you see it?" she yawned.

Sasuke nodded. "You kicked the guy's ass," he carried her, bridal style.

"I did... didn't I?"

Hinata half-frowned. He heard the small sigh and wondered if she was doubting herself again. He left and they cruised through the halls.

"Did you know that I can decode your silences too?" Sasuke asked.

She lowered her gaze. "I know."

"You didn't fail yourself or lose. Be gentler with yourself. If you treated people the way they treated you, they would hate you..."

"My good plans were ruined Karin," Hinata nuzzled her nose in his chest, melting into him. "Karin said I wouldn't be jōnin because of my poor leadership skills."

"Karin was emotional and stupid, as usual. You're the strongest woman I know."

"I thought that was Sakura," Hinata whispered drowsily, getting angry.

"A candle next to your sun. When will you marvel at your life and accept your accomplishments?"

She closed her eyes. "You give me reason and I give you heart."

"I have to leave. I don't want to but it's important. Kiss the kids for me," Sasuke said.

She promptly slept.

¤¤¤

August 14th. Morning.

Hinata was asleep for two days. She woke to the smell of cooked rice and coffee, not tatami mats and flowers.

This duvet wasn't her own. Linen? Sasuke hates the feel of linen.

Her heart raced. She sat up, wide awake. The kids. Why is she alone in bed? And bandaged?

Three heavy forms were at her side.

Both the small Hiromitsu and Amarante slept onto each other, hugging in their sleep. They held arms to check if the other was there. Hiromitsu tossed and turned. Amarante steals the blanket. They still insisted on sleeping together.

Taiyo was tucked into her side, unbothered by the change in position. He was a calm sleeper, he didn't move around, cutely laughing in his sleep.

Ben-

Where is Benjiro?! Hinata leaped into the hallway, accidentally knocking into Karin.

They stared, on their knees on the floor. At odds.

Karin's house. That's where they were.

Suigetsu's purple button up contrasted her tied ruby hair.

Hinata's thigh-length hair was braided back. A black nightshirt hung off of her shoulders. Probably Sasuke's.

Karin paused and teared up, gathering Hinata into a hug. "I'm sorry about whatever I said. I shouldn't have- you'd make a great jonin. I'm just catty and moody. Mood swings," Karin sobbed into her shoulder. "I found your blood- you lifeless and the man-"

"Shh. I'm okay now," Hinata crooned while patting Karin's back.

Water fell from her eyes, just not as much. "You forgive me?" Karin asked.

Hinata didn't want to, she wanted to be bitter. Karin was rude. Either way, she apologized and they should forget about it.

Karin shouldn't doubt her. Hinata improved; no one can take that away from her.

When she thinks about her family, deeply and longingly, she's inflicted.

When did they really believe in her?

Hinata can't retroactively make her past better. Maybe she went too far in trying to be reconciliatory but other people didn't even try.

Is Karin trying?

"Please?" Karin asked, sensing Hinata's doubts and hurts.

Hinata sighed, sweeping a thumb under Karin's eye. "Yeah? Let's forget about it."

"Yeah," Karin smiled widely. "Thank Kami. C, however dickish he might be, was right! I'm pregnant?! Six weeks!"

Hinata smiled, heart filled with joy. Pregnancies are so exciting. "Congratulations! I'm proud of you!" Hinata squealed.

Karin blushed, holding her middle tenderly. "I'm not a singleton anymore. I swear it's a boy!"

"Another Hōzuki. Another baby! Karin- that's amazing. Does he know?" Hinata asked.

"No... haven't found a way to tell him," Karin grabbed Hinata's shoulders with both hands, grip tight. "Help me find a way, miss perfect! How did you tell Sasuke?"

Hinata pursed her lips, reluctant to say. "He knew before me," Hinata blushed.

"Ay! Hinata- you can't lie to me! That's impossible," Karin yelped.

"I wish I could lie about that. Ha, ha," Hinata said.

Hinata was kind of a jerk during that first month of knowing him. She should apologize.

"But more about my kid- where's Benjiro?" Hinata asked.

A shadow was cast over Karin's face. "With Someina in the living room," she said sadly.

Hinata stood and Karin pulled her down.

"Just warning. Benjiro's chakra's different and he... he might not be awake..."

Might not be awake?

Before Karin could blink, Hinata was on her feet, in the living room.

Benjiro laid there, a cot conundrum, on a thin bamboo tatami mat. He's different. Shallow breaths. A sheen of sweat on his forehead. Skin pale and ill-looking.

On chairs, somber, Jugo cradled a sleeping Kameya, and Someina was there.

Someina stood the moment she saw Hinata. "Hinata- he's alive. Manda attacked him and bit him with his venom," Someina said.

Hinata rushed to Benjiro, checking his pulse and chakra channels. This chakra's new and a different temperature.

You let my son be bitten by Manda?! Seriously?!, Hinata thought furiously.

Hinata put her doctor face on and inspected Benjiro. "Did you give him the anti-venom A213? I made one for this situation," Hinata asked Someina.

"Yes. Yes. C64. Formula 7893. Herbs. Everything. It didn't work."

Those are my recipes. What did I do wrong?Hinata thought.

Someina looked down, clasping her hands in her lap. "When the formulas didn't work... the Great White Snake bit him. He's been like this for three days."

Jugo said, "There's a process when shinobi become sages. Anyone can be sages due to their power, jutsu or wisdom but it's challenging and dangerous."

Naruto's a sage... "What exactly does a sage do?" Hinata asked.

"A sage's someone who mastered senjutsu. They blend their chakra with natural energy. Very difficult. Senjutsu takes training and time. On Mount Myōboku, it's less painful and deadly..."

"What about where my son got injured?!"

"In Ryūchi Cave has steep prerequisites and inherent perils... The Great White Snake injects a person with his natural energy using his fangs. If the person can withstand the snake-ification, then he or she will be accepted to learn senjutsu under his tutelage." Jugo explained.

"Did Benjiro make it?" Hinata asked quietly.

Jugo watched Benjiro's small chest rise and fall with new breaths. "Kabuto survived by training. Orochimaru survived the bite but he didn't have the body due to experimentation. Benjiro... looks like he survived but barely..."

"The Great White Snake gave me all the information after biting Ben. He said most people, even Kabuto and Orochimaru, buckles into a coma after he injects them. It takes either three days for the overload of natural energy to make the body adopt the chakra and input and output of senjutsu chakra..." Someina added.

Jugo continued. "Or the opposite... three days to kill them. When the third day is over... he devours the body to regain the chakra or as punishment for not being fit to be a sage..."

"What-why? Seriously?" Hinata yelled.

Someina nodded after gulping. "The Great White Snake gave Benjiro three days to remain unconscious then he would've killed him. He forced me to leave Benjiro in front of him at all times, so he could observe the fluctuations of his chakra... Once the third day was up, he tried to kill Benjiro but I snatched Benjiro up and took off with Hoshino and Aoda holding Kameya, Amarante, Hiromitsu, and Taiyo... Now we're here."

"Too..." Hinata heard.

Hinata felt her eyes change. "Why didn't you do your job right?! I trusted you with him for five hours! I was unconscious for two days. Now he may die? I can't believe you! You hate me so much that you would let my son die?!" Hinata asked, raising her voice. "How disgusting of you,"

"I would never let anything happen to you or Benjiro. It was an unforeseen situation. I was trying my best," Someina argued, also getting brasher.

"Loud..."

"It wasn't good enough. Now... my boy's going to die because of vendettas and revenge," Hinata broke down, feeling tears burn her eyes.

"This wasn't retaliation!"

"How is it not!? Allowing my child to die is a sick way to even out the odds!"

"No. How disgusting of you. Three years and I loved him every single day! I'm willing to die for him. Honest to Kami, I'm in it for the long run. I would never let anyone hurt him. He's too goddamn special. I... I made a mistake," Someina sniffed.

"That mistake is going to cost him his life. And I can't live without him and now he's almost gone,"

"Too loud..." Benjiro coughed. "I still need to go to the bathroom."

Hinata's heart stopped. "Benjiro- I almost lost you..."

"You have me Ka-san, and I'm hungry- ooof!"

Hinata gathered him in a hug. "Uchiha Aoi Benjiro... don't ever scare me like that again," she said, holding him so tight, she knew he couldn't breathe.

She eased up, crying into his shoulder.

"Ka-san- don't cry. You're not very pretty when you cry," Benjiro said. "Why're we crying anyway? I'll beat them up!"

Hinata laughed. "Only you can clear my skies of gray, Benjiro, my sunshine," Hinata said, kissing his temple.

"Hn. Your sun and son. Your hug's too tight. Y'know?" he said.

Hinata nodded, releasing the snug hold. "Don't worry, I'm here now," Hinata kissed his nose.

She felt stupid for being passed out for two whole days. Sasuke wasn't here and she's just an awful mother! This... it's all her fault. If she just-

Benjiro grinned. "Hey! Can I have some waffles? M'hungry!"

Hinata nodded.

Benjiro clutched his stomach. "Ka-chan, my chakra feels weird. What's happening?"

"Nothing bad, love... you're safe. I'm here," Hinata said.

The senjutsu chakra is poison. Too much natural energy in his system could turn him into a snake. If he absorbs too much- he's a goner. His body's remarkable... he's had no prior training but he's still fighting, regulating how much enters and leaves his system...

Whoever his Akatsuki father was gave him resilience.

"You're a brilliant boy, with magnificent prowess and skills. You come from an extraordinary family," Hinata told Benjiro, who chuckled.

"I come from you, you're extraordinary."

Hinata smiled. "You're mine to me. For me. You know what Tousan always brags about? His eyes? You might deal with the woes of a dojutsu and senjutsu chakra..."

Jugo and Someina stifled a gasp.

Benjiro's expression slackened. "What? What's a senjutsu? Why'd Jiji-sama hurt me? We were cool."

"This might hurt. I'm sorry," Hinata apologized.

With chakra on her fingertips, she pressed her hand to his small stomach and made a five-part chakra seal. It absorbed two-fifths of his chakra. He won't have very much chakra but enough to keep him working.

He gasped and promptly fell asleep in her arms.

Karin looked shocked. "What did you do? Like more than half of his chakra is gone," she said.

"I gave him mercy and sealed it away," Hinata said. "He will not have his entire chakra reserve... for reasons of safety. You and I have a lot of work to do..."

Karin nodded.