Sweet Dispositions

  -Chapter 39-
 Resistance

Resist.

"Hinata got hurt," Naruto scoffed, anticipating an attack. "And I know everything there is to know, you killed one of my friends, Sakura's best friend, and Hiashi's daughter. You messed up her life! She was getting married, her job was taking off and you killed her!"

Sasuke felt every cell in his body lurch. He wanted to pound Naruto to the ground for his impudence. He is bold and daring. He should stop talking now. Or else.

Naruto looked up, mournful. It was the most depressed he's seen Naruto. "The worst thing about this is that you don't think you've done anything wrong,"

Sasuke just shook his head, feigning placidity. He lacked the proper energy for this. This was all draining. They're repeating history- sort of. A laugh dropped from his lips. This sadness- it made him laugh. Naruto wasn't happy about his newfound sense of humor.

"What the hell is so funny?!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke laughed, tensed and mocking. "Here we are, almost ten years later, and we continue the cycle. We're still fighting over a girl," Sasuke chuckled. "However, you got dumber. That isn't what fucking happened,"

Naruto also had a sad, longing expression on his stupid face. "You haven't changed. Instead of hurting Sakura-chan, you treated Hinata like an object and threw her away like trash. I saw you in Konoha- you knocked out Hanabi and terrorized Kumo over causing the mudslides. And you've avoided the letters both Sakura-chan and I sent you. What's going on with you? How can I help you?"

What? She also sent letters? "Sakura didn't send any letters," Sasuke shook his head. "Stop sprouting lies,"

"They aren't lies. The first few letters were from the both of us before you ditched us to do Kami knows what. I heard about the Hyuuga attacking you. We all thought you were dead for half a year. And Sakura-chan..." Naruto faltered off at her name, having a lot of internal anguish. "Sakura-chan hasn't forgiven you for that. Kakashi sent teams out for you then you show up a year later, acting like you never fucking died. Heads up, teme, Sakura-chan doesn't know you killed Hinata's unborn child if she did, she would hate you like everyone does at the moment,"

"Get out of my face and walk away before I break your legs," Sasuke said. It now smelled like iron. He activated his sharingan and steadied his sword.

Naruto chuckled a bit. "I thought we were best friends. Brothers. We had a bond-"

The Chidori spilled from his right hand and threaded its way around the sword. "Don't ever say we have a bond. You killed it," Sasuke shrugged.

That made Naruto's chakra get darker and a vein pulsed on his forehead. "Don't say dumb stuff, Sasuke!" Naruto ordered. The kage bunshin beside him connected palms.

"Tch. Don't boss me around. We're nothing and that's your fault," Sasuke yelled across the dry terrain. "Don't play dumb, Naruto. You married Sakura. Don't call me out for shit when what you did is real and took place and is ten times worse?!"

"You killed a kid just because you didn't want to be a father. How low can you get?"

"I didn't kill her or a kid. I don't have to explain myself to you, anyway. Not you, not Sakura not her stupid friends or Kakashi," Sasuke yelled.

"I'm the reason the Hyuuga didn't declare a war on your ass and this is the thanks I get?" Naruto raised his voice.

"You married Sakura. You don't get anything except for silence," Sasuke said. "Don't act like she meant a spot of dirt to you, Naruto. You didn't care about the Hyuuga. You never have,"

"What did you say?" Naruto's eyes twitched with restraint. Yes. Now yes, he struck a nerve. Shit. "She was my friend. You know nothing about what happened between us,"

He still had to say what he wanted to say. "She was in love with you, Naruto. You knew that. You felt it everytime you were around Sakura. Like how you can feel just how much I hate you right now,"

As his anger spiked, the rasengans in his hands grew larger and faster. It worked up a wind current. The trees lost their leaves, dust became unsettled and small rocks wooshed through the air. It looked like the end of the world.

Sasuke got his forehead protector and held it up in the air. It was a symbol of Sasuke's friendship to Naruto. Sasuke crumbled it up like paper and used a fireball to disintegrate it.

"You bastard,"

With lightning speed, Naruto hurled into Sasuke. Sasuke went through the thick cement, feeling the jutsu push him through the rock. His head hurt.

Naruto kept on punching his jaw, his neck- his temple. It hurt. "Don't ever say shit about what happened to her. You killed her. We buried her body and Sakura, my wife, grieved for years,"

Sasuke used counter-attacks and pushed Naruto away.

Naruto landed on his feet while Sasuke's cloak of was in tatters. He tore it off and spit out a tooth. "That's it, dobe, I didn't kill her," Sasuke said.

"I'm so tired of your fucking lies," Naruto yelled.

And they charged at each other. The roar of the crowd rumbled the floor and deafened his thoughts. He knew he focused on one thing- kicking Naruto's ass.

-x-

Present.

Hinata saw the dust settle and gasped.

They were fighting. Again.

Naruto looked wonderfully fit but also dangerous.

He still fancied his usual theme of parading the color orange with a mature choice of black. His orange loose pants were tucked into his black shinobi books. His black uniform jacket with an orange zipper fit him better. His cropped Teutonic-gold hair was growing back, held at bay with an elastic Konoha forehead protector. She's so used to his mariner-blue eyes gleaming over a genial smile. Now, he looks like he will kill Sasuke.

"No!" Hinata yelled into the arena. "Stop fighting,"

They couldn't hear her.

This was the first time Hinata wasn't cheering for Naruto. She used to defend him and be powerless for him. But that was five years ago and she wasn't ready to say goodbye to Sasuke because of Naruto's temper.

"Watch the kids!" Hinata ordered.

Someina nodded. "I've got you,"

The kids heard all the noise and grinned. "Papa is down there? Can we see him win?" Amarante asked, tugging on Someina's black yukata. Hiromitsu nodded.

"No baby, your father is just... playing it rough. There is no need to watch," Hinata said. The kids didn't understand. Thank kami. Both Benjiro and Taiyo looked suspicious.

She caught the gaze of a very anxious Someina. "Do not let them see any of it," Hinata said sternly. She kissed all of their foreheads. "If I am injured- tell the medics to send me to C or Tsunade,"

"Not Sakura-sama?" Someina asked, looking desperate for clarification.

"Sakura would most likely amplify my injuries," Hinata gulped.

She looked back at Sasuke and Naruto. So they want to lose their prosthetic arms? She was so stressed out.

They were- by now, both abused and exhausted. Her knees felt shaky and pebbles of doubt suddenly weighed her down, delaying her movements. What should she do? They can't hear her! They won't stop! The only thing she could do is bear the pain.

She lunged forward. Then she felt someone clasp her arm.

Kakashi. He released his grip, obviously not on board with her plan. "I do not advise you to go down there," Kakashi whispered in a low, persuasive tone.

Hinata smiled sadly. "They are fighting because of me. I must resolve this before either one of them dies," Hinata said. She took off her expensive cloak and dropped it to the floor.

Hinata tightened her arm bracers and looked at her kage. Kakashi seemed surprised by her sudden choice.

"If you interfere, you might die. It's likely the same for anyone who gets involved," he warned.

"Sasuke needs to be calm. I think he will hurt everyone else who tries to stop him," Hinata smiled. "I trust he will keep me safe as I try for him. Don't worry, Hokage-sama,"

Before he could protest any further Hinata launched herself down below. Looks like Sakura also had the same idea. Naruto was winding up for a punch as they engaged in hard taijutsu.

Sasuke pierced through maybe fifteen shadow clones with the Chidori senbon. Two shadow clones kicked Sasuke and Sasuke shuttled to the other side of the arena, flat onto the cement wall.

"Anata!" Hinata yelled and summoned her katana blades.

"You will pay for what you did!" Naruto roared.

Hinata jumped in front of Sasuke and held up her katana blades. Stop! Stop! Please, please- "Stop hurting him," Hinata said loudly, getting his attention.

Spitting viscous blood, Sasuke held his core and got to his knees. "Don't play the hero card, get away from here!" he groaned, finally standing up.

She made a strong barrier around them. It cut her up into a million pieces, seeing him in pain. She could do something. His pain is her pain. It echoed through her.

Hinata shook her head. "I'm not leaving you,"

"Go," he grunted. "You can't get punished for my mistakes. I provoked this situation. I'm not important, just leave before he hurts you because of me,"

"No! I promised I'd stay," Hinata said. They'll face this together. He tried to walk past her but collapsed on his following step. Hinata supported him, helping him stay up. "Don't move, anata,"

He groaned in protest.

Naruto was confused. "Oi! Lady, get out of the way! This is between Sasuke-teme and me, not you, civilian,"

Hinata shook her head. "You have to go through me! Stop hurting him, please. Stop fighting,"

"Don't interrupt," Naruto focused his sights on Hinata and squinted, recognition hitting him square in the face. "You're the woman he replaced after he killed Hinata!"

Hinata felt offended. "I'm not anyone's replacement!" Hinata snapped. "or anyone's second choice,"

Naruto seemed more lost when the last comment seemed aimed specifically at him.

Sakura leaped down onto the arena floor and stood beside Naruto. "Naruto-kun, she isn't good news," she told her husband. They stood side by side surrounded by clones and mist.

"What are you doing to Sasuke-kun?" Sakura demanded. "Who are you? Why are you covering your eyes! Answer me,"

Hinata just kept quiet. Either she says nothing and it gets worse or she says something and it gets worse. If she does anything, someone might recognize her. If she does nothing, Naruto will kill her.

Has she really changed that much- to the point of Ino purposely avoiding her and both Sakura and Naruto want to kill her?

She was lost in her own thoughts, so much so that Naruto already summoned more clones to help with his jutsu. He seemed frustrated. "Talk, damn it!" Naruto yelled, cradling two huge rasengans. "Identify yourself,"

Sakura got ready to punch and Hinata steadied her sword. Hinata just froze. "I can't say but don't hurt him," Hinata secured a second barrier around Sasuke.

"That's some grade-A bullshit," he said and charged at her with the two Rasengan. Sasuke was safe behind the barrier while she jumped out of it.

She could take it.

The intense light burned her eyes and before she knew it, she was pushed out of the way by Mitsuyo, losing balance. Upon contact with the Rasengan, Mitsuyo was shoved. She collided with the concrete, grass, and rocks, seventy feet away when she stopped rotating.

"Mitsuyo," she heard Benjiro scream. "Tousan!"

Benjiro...

Sakura was about to punch her fallen friend but Hinata threw three senbon at her wrist. Through the eight trigrams vacuum palm, Hinata sent a high-speed palm thrust in the air, directed at Sakura. She went traveling through the air.

Naruto still had one more Rasengan left and focused on her.

Hinata shook her head. She was despondent. She couldn't take this anymore. She had to... tell the facts. "Stop! Stop! Alright! It's me," she said, throwing down her swords. "You are all fighting because of me!"

Naruto paused and the fierce look on his face was mystified. "Who are you?" he asked, the words like a knife to her heart.

Hinata took off the hat that successfully hid her defining features. "Hyuuga Hinata," Hinata reluctantly admitted. "I didn't die. I'm alive so stop punishing Sasuke and my loved ones before you get them killed!"

There was grief frozen on Naruto's face. She hated knowing she caused it. The truth hurt to be exhibited. The light in his eyes became missing. Sakura froze, bottom lip hanging. The loud crowd was hushed and fifteen or sixteen people gasped. She heard a choked sob of sorts.

"That's impossible! She's alive? What?" Naruto was shellshocked

At that moment, Sasuke pushed through the barrier and pierced Naruto with the Chidori with a surprise attack. He pinned Naruto down. "See Naruto- I didn't kill her," Sasuke yelled.

Sakura just wrapped her thin arms around her waist, muttering to herself. Hinata held her gaze for a moment before turning away.

Mitsuyo.

While they attacked each other, Hinata ran to Mitsuyo and healed her. She had scratches, scrapes, and patches of blood. Mitsuyo chuckled and tried to talk. She coughed and blood came out.

"Dear, did I upset you?" Mitsuyo asked, laughing. Her teeth were stained red. "You're so hard to please,"

"This isn't funny. You didn't have to do that," Hinata said, healing her.

"I wanted to," Mitsuyo said kindly before slowing her breathing. "This is the pain that came along with saving you and the bozu. This doesn't feel bad. It's pain rewarded for doing something good,"

She passed out after Hinata gave her a sedative.

"Ka-chan! Tousan! Are you alright?" Benjiro yelled. "Aunt Mitsu! What happened?" Both Taiyo and Benjiro struggled to get to Hinata. Someina held them by their collars.

Skin, white like alabaster. Her soft thin lips trembled slightly as her moss-green eyes fell on Hinata. Sakura looked broken. So very broken.

As soon as she noticed Sakura edging towards her and Mitsuyo, Hinata protected Mitsuyo by flipping away.

Sakura approached her, bottom lip quivering. "Hinata? Is that really you?" Her left wrist still bled from Hinata's senbon.

Hinata looked up at Sakura and stood up taller, steadying herself. Hinata nodded stiffly. She couldn't look at her in the eye. She couldn't. She'll probably cry.

Her expression completely altered from soft and weepy to bitter and outraged. "You liar!" Sakura yelled, coming at Hinata.

She doesn't want to fight her. Her legendary strength isn't something Hinata wants to get hit with.

The pinkette completely forgot that the main goal of fighting a Hyuuga is establishing distance. One direct hit from Hinata could leave Sakura without chakra for weeks.

She lunged for Hinata, trying to land a powerful punch and Hinata evaded all of the attacks. Hinata couldn't summon, she didn't want to use her magnet release, the Chidori, the byakugan and she didn't want to fight. She summoned a chakra draining seal and stuck it on Sakura.

Without chakra, Sakura didn't have her amplified strength. Her strength comes from channeling chakra into those fists of hers. Sakura couldn't heal herself or use any other jutsu.

She will tire out. Then they will talk.

It was finally settled when Kakashi landed in between the both of them and restrained Sakura. He grabbed Sakura by the fist and pulled her away from Hinata. Two Anbu came around to touch Hinata and she knocked them out.

"Don't touch me," Hinata said.

"Stop fighting!" Kakashi whispered harshly in his pupil's ear. "It will lead to nowhere,"

Sakura pushed Kakashi away, glaring at Hinata. "Who are you really? It's been five bitter years since I've seen your face," Sakura hissed.

She honestly didn't know what to say. She just remembers her relationship with Sakura being so tainted with jealousy and toeing the border of hate. All because of a boy. They're still married and she wanted to drink. She just clenched her fist. She's Sakura's friend... or stranger.

"What- how could you lie to us for five years? All of us? I thought you were dead. Why weren't you in Konoha?" Sakura said. "Most of all, why are you with Sasuke?"

Hinata didn't say anything. She couldn't. She couldn't formulate the words. She didn't want to hurt Sakura. Staring, no words found her.

Kakashi just looked relieved that Sakura wasn't swinging.

Hinata was about to answer but she heard Mitsuyo groan. Mitsuyo. She has to heal her. "We will discuss this later, make sense of it later. Right now- we must-"

She sensed a hand releasing a gas- crushed poppy flower petal dust. She had all the time in the world to dodge the fumes but she didn't. It would only create more chaos. Chains encompassed her and she couldn't use her limbs.

She was knocked out with a flower mix. Why her?

Hinata made eye-contact with Someina and shook her lolling head. Don't. No. She saw Someina get out of the premises.

Sasuke...

Standing over her was Ino and Tenten.

-x-

Hinata came to ten minutes later. She got resistance to all types of sedatives. The kids and Mitsuyo were her first waking thoughts. She has to heal her.

She was in bonds, a seal. The air... smelled clean, antiseptic. There was intelligent chatter, people. There was a beep, a heart monitor. There was a stinging in her arm, morphine.

A hospital.

Two chakra signatures- Kakashi and C.

"Hokage-sama... with all due respect, I am appalled by the actions of Yamanaka Ino. Why did she sedate Hyuuga Hinata?" C hissed.

Ino. Yes.

Kakashi sounded like he was annoyed. "Ino doubted the credibility of the statement made by Hinata. Thereafter, she used poppy powder to confirm that it was her by induced sleep. The restraint led to more questions being asked instead of answered. It wasn't needed nor was it necessary,"

"Yes. However, it wouldn't have been easy detaining her if she wasn't willing to go down peacefully," C shared.

"How so?"

"Trust me. She knew what was coming. Uchiha-san and Hinata are akin to expert escape artists. She was only taken because she intended to be captured," C said bitterly. "You have it easy. She was never as willing in Kumogakure,"

Kakashi didn't seem impressed by C's news. Her throat was parched. She smells like poppy seeds. Hinata opened her eyes.

It was a normal room. Sterile. Clean. White. It's medium sized, the walls are a warm shade of magnolia purple and the floor is a bright shade of brown. The hospital bed is filled with clean sheets and her lethargic body.

She could make this seal imbalanced. She released the seal but pretended to be bonded. She slowed her heartbeat and chakra circulation system.

This seal maker needs to work on their writing, she thought. She could teach them. She doesn't know when they will leave. Hinata looked at the ceiling. Perfect. There was a vent. Kakashi was suddenly there, with her. He stayed, leaning on the door frame, observing her quietly.

"Are you alright?" Kakashi asked.

Hinata nodded but she didn't elaborate. She felt too ill to do that. It was silent. Hinata didn't feel like saying anything. Sakura's words gutted her. They really did.

"You both made quite a show. Most of the crowd was upset at the ending," Kakashi admitted.

Hinata nodded, trusting his word. "Were they always one to make a scene?"

"That fight was more tame more compared to other ones that transpired between Sasuke and Naruto. None of them died, which is a blessing," Kakashi looked at the ceiling, wincing. "Or a curse depending on how the public sees it,"

Hinata shrugged. She just wanted to watch Sasuke, not cause a fuss. Hinata sighed. "Can I see Sasuke? Is Mitsuyo alright?" Hinata said.

Kakashi crossed his arms. "Sasuke is in the medical-bay, awake. Natsukawa Mitsuyo is in the other room. Konoha's top doctors- they're taking care of them,"

"Can I see them? Perhaps I could lessen the pain," Most of the time the doctors wouldn't heal him or were too afraid to. Other times, Sasuke wouldn't allow himself to be touched by anyone except for her or Someina. Before the whole debacle of the kidnapping and mercenary work; Kaiya was allowed to heal Sasuke.

Kakashi nodded. He chuckled lightly. "He wouldn't cooperate until he was allowed to see you," Kakashi looked down at the clean brown floor then scratched the back of his head. "I'm surprised that he chose to have children and a life-partner at all. I almost did not recognize him sometimes because of how much he's changed- all thanks to you,"

Hinata nodded too. The juxtaposition is obvious. "No... Hokage-sama... He wanted to change for himself and be better. It was all him,"

"You probably helped a whole lot. He's a very private person with his struggles and exposed them negatively. That's changed. He's happiest now than I've ever seen him,"

Hinata sighed. "I burdened him with many problems coming here. I shouldn't have,"

"Did he want to come to Konoha?" Kakashi asked. Hinata was uneasy. "Be candid,"

"Heavens no. However, our house blew up... and it was too dangerous in Kumogakure," Hinata said, her expression downtrodden. "and wherever I go, he follows. This time, I took him where we shouldn't go,"

Kakashi seemed saddened by the truth. Sasuke was just... regretful about his past actions. He hasn't said sorry or came close to acting remorseful but it's in his heart, not dormant but ever-present.

Hinata smiled. "Konoha is wonderful but not for me and my children... Sasuke, he wants to apologize but he doesn't know how,"

"We want to protect you. I have all the ressources available for you. Once your comrades rationalize the situation and understand the threat of the DCA, Konoha will give its life for you all," Kakashi promised.

Hinata shrugged. Perhaps. Their mistrust in Konoha will cease to exist sooner or later. Either way, it boils down to whether or not they are welcome. Kakashi has been lenient with Sasuke, she knows. She had to thank Kakashi for not letting Sasuke rot in jail or punishing him with death after the war. She has experienced just how difficult and stubborn Sasuke can be but he stayed a sympathetic sensei. A great one at that.

"Was Sasuke your favorite student?" Hinata asked, still wondering.

"They are all precious to me. Naruto's favorite sensei is Iruka,"

Classic misdirection. "That was an unfair question," she smiled. "Thank you, Hokage-sama,"

"Anytime," he nodded. He turned to leave before he hesitated. "You do not have to call me Hokage-sama. You can call me by my given name,"

Hinata nodded. She knew she probably would. Soon.

-x-

After gathering as much determination as she could muster, she headed down the hallway. Into the belly of the beast. She didn't want to give into the despair and turn around. She said she was alive. She has to confront the truth. She was afraid to know- but dying to find out.

She didn't seem as enthused to meet anyone.

She got to Sasuke's hospital room. Sasuke's hurt but wrapped body filled her sight. She smiled in confusion. He's alright. "Anata..." she murmured in a hushed timbre. The joy of rediscovering him was nothing compared to the pain.

Sasuke huffed on the comfy hospital bed. He looked wildly uncomfortable, wrapped in sarashi bandages and being shirtless. She could appreciate his body from afar.

She was about to step in until she saw the faces of the other souls in the room. Naruto. Ino. Tenten. All the people she knows are now the people she knew. Sakura was missing.

She can't remember the last time she's seen these people.

She stepped back out and felt the urge to throw up. Naruto. Her thoughts revolved around him. All the time, every day, every moment. Now he's fortunate to be a passing thought.

Now he's in front of her- and she's going to faint. She will.

Tenten was the first to break the silence.

Her virility-colored hair was in close buns while her cryptic eyes were darker with anger. "So it really is you," Tenten said lowly. She felt like an animal at the zoo, with how they stared. "You're alive,"

Hinata looked up, chewing her lip. In the corner of her eye, Sasuke seemed frustrated. Tenten couldn't process the information. She couldn't breathe. Her clothes felt too heavy and her heart raced. She felt like she couldn't do anything.

She lied to all these people. For five years. She couldn't just- come back and reintegrate into their lives without consequences. That- that is just wishful thinking. She should go-

A step echoed in the room.

Ino stepped lightly and came in Hinata's direction. She got close enough for a smile, a hug- some type of embrace but she was met with violence. Hinata was too slow to realize the hand winding back. The hard slap resounded all over the room.

That bitch!

"Ino!" Naruto yelled. "What the hell?"

Sasuke sat up and Hinata shook her head, pleading with her eyes. Don't do anything, I beg of you, anata, Hinata thought.

She ignored the stinging sensation tear through her. Hinata held her cheek and knitted her brows. "Why did you do that?!" Hinata gasped.

Ino's eyes were dry and harsh. She laughed, condescendingly. "Why wouldn't I have done it? How could you leave me like that for five years?! I buried your body and said words at your damned funeral and, we were all at your funeral," Ino ranted. "I can't deal with this. You're alive. He's alive. It's preposterous, why leave with him when there are other people with humane qualities?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "He's Uchiha Sasuke for christ's sake. That's what I mean,"

"Say anything you want, Ino but don't insult him-"

"You don't need to keep up the act. The play is over. You're back,"

"I know I lied but-"

Emotion ripped through Ino. Rather instantly, she was screaming. "You didn't lie. You didn't say anything! You left Konoha and died and now you're back with a felon," Ino shouted, at the end of her wit. "You just pop out of the blue with the man you're pretending to love and attempt to get into our good graces! What the hell, Hinata?"

"I needed to leave," Hinata said. She had to. She was lonely, pregnant and wore misery as a perfume. She had to get out.

Ino's eyes hardened and her eye twitched. "That's the best explanation you could come up with?"

Hinata couldn't say anything. "I'm sorry-"

"Sorry. I don't need you, I've dealt without you for five years. I can go longer, yes it was longspun time. Yes, I lost my father and my sister. But I lived. I did it all. Your body may not physically be in the grave but you are dead to me, Hyuuga Hinata. Dead to me,"

Hinata widened her eyes but before she could defend herself, the blonde continued.

"Didn't he force you to leave Konoha?! I'm always telling you to not to be weak and let yourself be taken advantage of," Ino yelled.

"You think I am weak?" Hinata asked.

"Of course! We all do. You gave in to his whims and had a trend of doing genin-level work. He doesn't have a code. The Uchiha who betrayed our village and took you away from us. He's an arrogant, entitled man who nearly killed all of us. Twice,"

"Do not speak of him like that," Hinata said. "I will not tolerate any hate,"

"Why not? He hates everyone so I hate him," Tenten said, speaking for the first time. She looked at Sasuke with a scathing eye. "Everyone forgets about your lawlessness criminality but I remember every single one of your wrongdoings, Uchiha,"

"Tenten, Ino- get out!" Hinata said.

"We were just on our way. I don't want to talk to you," Tenten said.

"Likewise. Get out,"

They sped out of the room. Sasuke just brushed the acidic attacks with a bat of an eye.

Whatever left was... It was painfully awkward. She didn't know how much she could cringe until now. She couldn't bear to look at either one of them. They glared at each other. Like a magnet to metal, she turned her eyes to Naruto. She still feels inclined to him. This was the most uncomfortable she's ever been. In ages. The man she loved all of her life and love of her life.

Now. Beside each other, trying to kill one another with looks and intense eye-contact.

Now looking at the two, she probably had a thing for outcasts and bad-boys.

They both dreamt big and were disruptive. Sasuke was comparatively quieter and his chakra was tainted with anger. His voice was deep and low, like thunder's roar in the distance. Naruto's was the opposite. His chakra was sunny and bright. His voice towered over everyone else and his cheerfulness was infectious.

"I'm sorry- for hitting your friend," Naruto said. "I didn't mean... I didn't. I'm sorry,"

Hinata gave him a small look. He's so... sweet. He still hurt Mitsuyo. That was so big and wrong. She couldn't respond. If she did, she'd forgive him.

"Why start the fight? What happened?" Hinata asked both of them... none of them responded.

They continued glaring, wounds and all. She summoned the secret Hyuuga ointment in a glass container. Sasuke needed the ointment since he probably allowed Naruto... to pummel him.

"Naruto happened," Sasuke answered, closing his fist. He waved off Hinata's helping hand. "Che. I don't need to be healed. He needs to be healed,"

She looked over at Naruto and offered the secret Hyuuga ointment. "It's going to help you with the wounds," she said. "It's the least I could do after... Sasuke,"

Naruto's deep-blue eyes widened momentarily then became softer. "Just like last time," Naruto whispered.

There is a last time... with him?

An involuntary smile appeared Hinata's lips. She felt a warm, fuzzy feeling- like she was filled with buckets of cotton balls and marshmallows.

Naruto grinned, emanating happiness and sunshine while watching her face carefully. "You remember, right? You healed me,"

Sasuke's eyes darted between the two, scowling. "Last time? When was the last time?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto scratched the back of his neck, looking bashful. "Before the exams. Oi. It helped me win big. Thanks for that. You may not know it but I am a better shinobi because of it," he said sincerely, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder.

Hinata dodged his hand... "It's not crazy special,"

He brushed it off. "It is special to me. I needed it," he said, grinning. "Needed you, at the time. Wow memories,"

He reached for the cream but Sasuke threw a kunai at the glass container. It shattered in half on the ground and Naruto frowned at Sasuke, questioning the Uchiha.

"No one gets it," Sasuke said, sitting back.

"Ay! What the hell was that for? That kunai could have hit Hinata," Naruto grimaced.

"Well. It didn't," Sasuke snapped.

"You should be nicer to the people who put up with you, Sasuke. Including me," Naruto yelled.

"I'm getting a migraine," Hinata sighed. "Stop fighting. It's a miracle either of you are walking,"

"He didn't let me finish breaking his legs," Sasuke growled.

"It's the other way around, you know?" Naruto promised with a hiss and turned to Hinata. "Why did you parade with this clown?"

"Clown?!" Sasuke asked.

"Please. I haven't tended to either of your wounds. Don't make me sedate you both," Hinata said sadly, beseeching.

"You know who he is and who I am and you still want to help," Naruto said, rubbing his chin. "Sounds like something Hinata would do. You know- I don't know who you are or if you are who you say you are," he thought hard with a frown.

Hinata opened her mouth to say something but he looked up, suddenly inspired. "What's the thoughtful coupon to a place Hyuuga Hinata gifted me before my wedding?"

"It wasn't a coupon. It was a year-long pass to the ramen shop for three pre-paid meals per week," Hinata corrected.

Naruto grinned.

Sasuke scoffed. "You still eat that crap?" Sasuke asked Naruto.

Naruto narrowed his blue eyes. "I don't like your tone. I'm not the one who's addicted to rice and plain fish. Ramen's nutritional value is on par with Sakura-chan's Military Ration's Pill,"

"What is that?" Sasuke asked.

"You do not want to know," Naruto said, a little green. Hinata laughed, feeling ill as well. He caught her eye. "You remember the taste of 'em, eh,"

Hinata nodded. She felt stuttering coming back. She was too nervous and was it hot in here? Or it was just him?

He seemed pretty calm then he perked up. "How many meals did Hinata have at the Ichiraku Ramen eating contest?"

"Forty-eight. I beat you, Naruto-kun... and you bought me chopsticks as a congratulatory gift," Hinata frowned. "Then you accidentally sat on them and took me out for ramen, your treat,"

Naruto let out a sigh of relief, his bare chest heaving and bruised. His gaze swept over her, smiling softly. "Your hair's a strange color that reminds me of my sensei, your eyes are gray and you have different chakra. But you're still the same Hinata we used to have,"

Hinata blushed and got wobbly. He smelled earthy... grassroots. Like the salt from hot springs. And the herbs and seasoning from his favorite miso pork ramen with vegetables. She missed the rain and smoky wood and the burnt nutmeg scent. He doesn't smell like Sasuke. He doesn't smell like home.

But he was hugging her. Contact with contact. She wished for this moment so, so many times. It was her childhood fantasy. He brought out the best in her. He was her shining ray of hope when her home-life got too dark. Her source of comfort.

She couldn't help but be a limp noodle while in his arms. A tad uncomfortable. She has gotten what she has wanted but it's subpar to what she thought it would've been like. Her desires appear to be directed towards him, but in reality, it's not what she really wants or feels.

B-but he's Naruto. She wished it was hell for him without her.

"Welcome back to Konoha," he whispered quietly into her hair.

Hinata thought she would melt into a puddle right then and there. She wanted to push him away. Get away. This isn't appropriate. This was too close. She is with Sasuke. She loves Sasuke. When she got over the shock, she didn't want it. She shrugged out of his embrace, breathing hard and puzzled.

Naruto seemed like he felt rejected. "What's wrong?"

"No. I cannot be in the arms of someone who tried to kill Sasuke," Hinata crossed her arms, unable to meet his gaze. "Why did... you strike Sasuke?" Hinata asked sadly.

"He didn't kill you," Naruto said. He looked at her stomach, wonderingly. "or your baby,"

"Have you no faith in Sasuke?" Hinata asked. He would never kill her. Killing him just brought immense pain everywhere. He would never hurt her. He lies but he's fairly amoral- which she should excuse but he wouldn't ever strike her.

"I did. I still do but he constantly messes up. He's a lousy friend," Naruto said, glaring at his enemy. "I thought he killed you. That is unforgivable,"

"I didn't do it, dobe," Sasuke said quietly.

"He has a pure soul. He's good like you. Why would he kill me or our twins?" Hinata asked.

Naruto jumped back, waving his arms wildly. "You had twins?! Two Sasuke-temes are running around Konoha? So there are kids involved in the mix," Naruto concluded sadly, slowing his movements. "and they're yours?"

Hinata didn't understand why he looked so torn by the news.

Sasuke's fist was clenched so tightly, it was like he would break his knuckles. "That's how messed up his assumptions are. Accusing me of killing my own child. Anyone with brain power knows a man loves his child more than he does himself,"

"It's pretty plausible, teme," Naruto said sharply. "It wasn't easy to think of you as a caring person with kids. You hurt Sakura-chan and Kakashi so many times. You choose revenge again and again,"

"I stopped with the revenge shtick. How many times do I have to apologize before people start thinking of me as a person?!"

"Once would be nice," Naruto said. "You're getting on my nerves. You want to swim with the fishes that badly, huh?"

"Bring it," Sasuke responded. Sasuke got up and lunged at Naruto. They crashed through the window. Hinata thought fast and summoned a pool with Koi fish. They landed in it with a huge splash.

They fight like cats and dogs with seriously powerful jutsu that can kill everyone. They need to be more responsible.

She jumped out the window and landed gracefully. People stopped or hurried away, waiting for a show. Some people cheered and others laughed. Sasuke always did hate baths. He didn't mind hot springs, though.

Naruto scratched his head, soaked, looking like a drowned rat in river water. "How'd this get here? In the middle of the street? With water... and fish?" his examing gaze befell on Sasuke. "Did you do this?"

A soggy, discouraged Sasuke completely ignored Naruto and scowled at Hinata. He ripped off some algae that stuck to the side of his ear. "Koi fish. Hinata- you know I hate them," Sasuke hissed. "Did you steal 'em from Mitsuyo... that pond or something?"

Naruto jumped in his spot, gazing at Hinata like a felon who's done him wrong. "You did this? Why?" Naruto asked, not impressed.

"It was based on your threat, imbecile. Swimming with the fishes, now we literally are," Sasuke explained, watching a jovial koi fish wade by. "That's the grand joke of hers. Nice antic,"

"Huh? This is supposed to be funny?" Naruto asked. He chuckled for a moment. "I'm all damn wet and there're fish in my pants. Still, pretty clever,"

Hinata beamed at the compliment. Sasuke just groaned and looked away. Naruto chuckled then looked at his right arm and the wet, unraveling bandages. "Shit,"

"Sasuke, are you ready to calm down now?" Hinata asked kindly. Naruto and Sasuke glared at each other.

Before either one of the could make a move, she secured a dome around the both of them. She unsummoned the pool of Koi fish. Enough of this mindless violence! She didn't know where Someina was and she hasn't seen Mitsuyo. She had enough! Her friends don't care about her the slightest bit and they're acting like three years old who haven't had nap-time. It's killing her. They needed to stop. They needed to be peaceful.

Naruto tapped on the dome wall. It sounded like glass against his fingertips.

"Fuinjutsu? How long have you known how to do this?" A perplexed Naruto asked, gesturing uncertainly to the thing that constricted him and Sasuke.

"A while," Sasuke said, leaning heavily on the barrier wall with his arms crossed. "Sit tight idiot, we won't be getting out for a while as well,"

Naruto summoned a shadow clone then used a spinning Rasengan. He pressed the Rasengan against the barrier's wall and it resisted. The Rasengan fizzed out. "Hmm, it's strong. I didn't know that this was your style," he grinned. He looked so confused. Who knew bewilderment could look cute on a grown man.

Hinata felt genuinely annoyed but snubbed it. "There are a lot of things you do not know of me. The thing I want to know about the both of you is... will you both continue fighting?" Hinata asked, crossing her arms. "I don't want to see you both ruin Konoha because of old feuds,"

Their stares were filled with animosity. She didn't have time for this right now. "Fine then. I will leave you two like this until you sort this out,"

"You can't just imprison us here," Sasuke yelled out.

"I can and will," Hinata said. Her last nerve was gone and she just exploded. "You both caused many, many problems to this otherwise peaceful event. What is wrong with you both?! Now we have all these problems to worry about. The stadium was almost demolished by the time the other contestants fought, the area around the arena is torn apart and you both keep on fighting like lunatics, trying to get yourselves killed. Just stay out of the general flow of Konoha and try not to kill each other while I look for a way to heal both of you," Hinata felt like the weight of the world was taken off of her shoulders. She exhaled. That cleared her mind.

Sasuke just sighed.

"Wow," Naruto said, breaking the silence.

"Wow what?" Sasuke asked flippantly.

"That's the most I've ever heard her say in one breath," Naruto said. "Without the stutter,"

Scoffing, Hinata turned on her heel, stopping without looking over her shoulder. "You both will be released automatically in thirty minutes. The more you tamper with the seal's barrier walls, the more time is added. This one is kinder than the barrier that progressively shrinks until there is no room to move," Hinata informed them.

Naruto and Sasuke both scoffed and Hinata sighed, jumping onto a building to see better.

"Where are you going?" Sasuke called out.

"Why do you care?" Naruto asked after looking at Sasuke for a long time. He was trying to put all the puzzle pieces of Sasuke in place- much like Hinata did before.

"I don't owe you an answer," Sasuke said, surprising her by responding to Naruto.

"You're one cold teme, did ya know that?" Naruto hissed.

"You're the same but worse,"

"Don't start," Hinata sighed. "I'm going to find the kids then I am having lunch with the Kazekage-sama," Hinata said, answering his question. She would have invited him but he was too busy with his vendetta... and misplaced anger about Sakura.

"I've got a battle with Gaara coming on up," Naruto protested. "I have to get outta here,"

Hinata just looked torn. "Certain words of forgiveness you both say will free yourselves from this predicament,"

"Like Sasuke would ever apologize to me," Naruto cried out, annoyed.

"I've to apologize?!" Sasuke called out, slamming on the dome wall. "I'd sooner eat soybeans and tree bark,"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Naruto yelled out.

Sasuke was beyond exasperated. "Where is Someina?" Sasuke said. "She knows how to disable all these seals. She'd get me out,"

"She wouldn't dare," Hinata rolled her eyes. She couldn't find her. "She wouldn't let you free. She would agree that you both are acting disruptive and insane. Besides, I don't know where she is,"

She activated her byakugan and gasped, catching something. Her heart just broke. She felt everything crumble around her. She couldn't move. The breeze was like the mother of doom, rustling her hair, standing over her head.

"Hinata- what happened," Naruto asked. "Your chakra feels cold and sad,"

Hinata shook her head. "She's with my father,"

Sasuke sighed. "As if this day couldn't get any worse. The curse that keeps on giving or taking. It's all the same,"

Hinata sighed. "Stay safe and don't kill each other. You both owe me that," Hinata said finally. Sasuke grunted his agreement and Naruto watched Hinata out of the corner of his eye.

"You don't love her, do you?" Naruto asked Sasuke.

-x-

The harsh sounds and harsh words of broken bones and battle echoed through the hallway. They're not fighting anymore. Hinata lowered her fist, behind her were tens of fallen Hyuuga she has managed to immobilize without a single kill. Hanabi wasn't on the premises.

She was disassociated with reality.

This place. It still reminds her of childhood and pain, where Kiba and Shino visited for missions. Where Kurenai talked to her father and he called her superfluous and weak compared to her sister- he knew she was nearby, not in the room but close.

They've never recovered.

She was the princess of this castle, locked away and belittled. This is where her life started. The Hyuuga gardens are the same, bursting with life and color. Beautiful and varied terrain and the dry and glorious weather. It's charming and lavish. Even the polished bricks in the ground were manicured. Various unassuming Hyuuga strolled around with voluminous long ebony hair and traditional hoari jackets and yukatas.

Then when she got closer, and it was as if everything was perfect. She was the only imperfect thing.

It looks perfect but really, there are very ominous and sinister things going on. The Hyuuga who sensed her mal-intent attacked. She wasn't to be touched and she beat them all. Where are her kids?

She got through everyone and now she was in front of this office.

She wanted to knock loud but she was not allowed near him...

She pushed the door in.

Her esteemed father. He came into view. The windows washed his face in the morning light. It almost disarms him. He is hunched over some documents and his hand pistons over the paper. He has really neat writing and his strokes are even and exact, just like his voice. His study room is one of the places she was never supposed to go in as a child.

There were a lot of scrolls, documents, and books about the Hyuuga clan history. He is managing such a busy schedule with clan meetings and other shinobi.

She wanted him to stop being disappointed with her but she never sees her mistakes coming. Can saying "I love you," disinfect the scene? Maybe just existing hurts him.

Couldn't he have acted like he cared? She wanted him to throw a fit... or at least get upset with her or get disappointed in her. Did he notice her absence? Will he say she's changed?

A while of Hinata just staring at him wide-eyed and sad passed. She came here on a whim, and now she has to make her presence or her existence around him have a purpose. "Hiashi..." Hinata said slowly. "I'm back,"

"I'm aware," he said smoothly and everything is so distant. There's always an edge in his voice that she cannot soften. He doesn't pay attention, he looks at his papers, scowling. He's just ignoring her! Like always.

He looks older and gray hasn't been in his dark locks the last time they spoke. She never looked into his somewhat tired eyes until now. There was a certain rasp to his voice. Maybe it was emotional or something. His robes still hung off of his buff shoulders. He always was so strong. So strong. He protected his clan. He defended the clan with strong politics from the wolves of Konoha. He's also made Hanabi into a successful, wonderful woman.

He also doesn't care to look at her. Was she a distraction? Should she go away? Should she fade away like another star? Are her attempts at a better relationship a distraction? Is the affection he has for her only imaginary?

Sometimes, when they would go weeks without speaking... he would talk to her. Put her down but also gather information. These small, stilted conversations make her wonder if he's trying to know her, the non-heir of the main branch family. At this point, she knew very well that he could've done more.

Hinata looked at him then at the papers. "It's been a while- but everything is the exact same! As usual, without my presence, your life goes on," Hinata said, crushing her fingers in the fist she made.

"It did go on. After the death of my firstborn daughter. Whoever is standing here is a stranger who lied to Konoha for years without remorse. For that stranger is selfish and thoroughly misguided," he looked up. "Hyuuga Hinata is a coward who did not want to honor tradition,"

"Your tradition would have been the death of me, Hiashi," Hinata stated quietly.

He put down his feathered stylus pen and she felt pending doom loom over her. What will he say now? She felt her heart stop.

"Tradition is what brought me and your mother together," he said harshly. "Tradition is what made your pitiful existence come to be,"

"Tradition is why we are standing here, six years later without a decent conversation," Hinata argued.

"You left for five years. You deceived and devastated a clan for five years,"

"Hiashi- it probably took you years to notice I was gone. I left the moment you said you cared not if I died to my sensei," Hinata said, wondering. Oh, Kami has he grieved at all? Probably not.

"You heard?"

"I didn't need to. I knew," Hinata said. "Traditions killed whatever trust I had for you these past five years,"

"You returned with that misfortune of a man Uchiha Sasuke to cover up to the scandal you propagated," he crossed his arms, stiffly. The creases in his forehead showed annoyance and he wasn't joking. He never could.

Why is everyone so oblivious to the love she has for him? Sasuke took her in and sheltered her from the death she would've caused herself.

"It isn't a scandal. Why would I lie about loving him?" Hinata yelled. She was livid. Her eyes were moist and she cursed herself. She was a leaky emotional tap and he was dry as a bone.

Indeed affected, he narrowed his white eyes. "You do not want to meet with any suitors and you want to feign innocence. Whose children are they?" Hiashi asked, waving his hand. She could hear the contempt in his silence and she knew this would end in disaster.

"They are all mine. Their origins are unimportant, immaterial," Hinata whispered.

"They are not full Hyuuga. Pure Hyuuga," Hiashi said and returned to his paperwork. "I do not have time for your tomfoolery,"

Before he could return to grasping his stylus pen, Hinata summoned her sword. Summoning the Chidori, she used a beam to crush the desk. The ends of his cloak were frayed and he made an unimpressed noise and rose an eyebrow. Blackened papers and the smell of iron floated in the air, slow and strong.

"Pay attention to me," Hinata growled, releasing her sword after the light show. "Not your papers for once,"

He reached down and rubbed the ashes of the gleaming desk between his fingers, landing a glare on her face. "That desk was a gift from Tobirama Senju. It has been in this office for decades," he informed her, with a sour tone. She knew he was pestered by the way he aligned his neck.

"I ruined your day, didn't I?" Hinata asked.

"I did not know that you could provide an interesting afternoon, Hinata. Also, striking your father and clan leader is forbidden,"

Hinata couldn't care less about the rules. She just wanted to know where her child was. "You cannot tell me what to do. I am near twenty-five- I am a grown woman,"

"Yet your habits are those of a child! You lie and cheat and now you will not face the consequences of your actions or tell the truth,"

"I am. My children do not need to be Hyuuga to be genetically perfect or invited to your life. You, despite how I want things to be, are their family whether you accept it or not,"

"I do not," Hiashi came out with it. He always cut to the chase.

Hinata just stabbed her sword into the warmed floor planks. "If you do not accept my choices, it is well with my soul. What I feel for him is endless affection. Hiashi, you know nothing of me and the way I live and love and laugh,"

"I know that you are my daughter and I am your father," he said simply.

"It's beeen five years- you don't understand your mistakes," You are my daughter- That struck a nerve with her. "Don't you ever call yourself a father to me. You have done nothing but neglect me, make me train too hard and it broke me down. You always loved your papers more than me. If you loved me at all,"

He just looked down at the burned documents and stood up. "What are you implying?"

"You have loved me in a twisted, unethical way that destroyed how- I wanted to be. I was treated like glass, supposed to act like steel and was shattered like ceramic plates and hollow as the bones you broke,"

"You- you cannot blame me for all your mistakes, Hinata. You were simply not strong enough," Hiashi said honestly.

"I know, everyone knows. You made it abundantly clear whenever I was in a room, trying to be the perfect daughter. But you just wanted me gone. You... hurt me in a big way. A permanent way that I will never recover from. Staying here with you was like tearing flesh. I hated it,"

"What do you mean tearing flesh?"

"You don't understand that all of this is your fault!?" Hinata shouted and her cheeks felt wet. She didn't want to cry. "I didn't want to get married to some Hyuuga. I didn't want to be in the branch family. I didn't want to get branded. Most of all, I didn't want to be your daughter. You didn't want a daughter either- you wanted a son," Hinata said. "You wanted anyone in the world but me,"

He looked off into the side, not bothering to deny any of her claims. She wished he did. She really wished.

"If you were my real father, you would have congratulated me on my success, not focus on my sister. Only my sister. Just because I am not my sister doesn't mean that you get to ignore my entire existence,"

"I didn't ignore your existence," Hiashi said. "I did not hate you. It is simply I did not like your personality or the reason for your motivation. You had the agility of an elephant and the monstrosity of a stuttering fool. You did not have the will of a clan leader or the skills to protect our precious secrets,"

"You didn't bother training me!" Hinata yelled.

"You did not want to train or do anything for yourself. You were tacked on the addiction that was he, Uzumaki Naruto," Hiashi dissented, shaking his head lightly.

"I wanted a chance to prove myself," Hinata said, grinding her teeth.

"To whom? Your clan? Your village? Your team? Me, your clan leader, your father who saw all? No. It was selfish of you due to your wish to prove yourself to Naruto instead of dedicating yourself to the betterment of our clan," Hiashi said quietly, demure. "You were too busy fawning over the leaf's hero with minor stalkerish tendencies. You had no intentions to further yourself or this clan in our harsh world unless it was for Naruto,"

"That is not true," Hinata said, feeling every word like a stab to her heart. Is this what he thinks of her? This lowly?

"It surprised me that it was only Naruto who motivated you to go to training, to participate in chunin exams and also, run away with a felon who is a traitor to all the Hyuuga stand for," Hiashi admitted, scowling her with a scowl and hollow eyes. "I commend your attempts at his love but that is why you were so severely misplaced in the shinobi world and way of life. It was certainly worse for being so outlandish to societal expectations and being attracted to criminals and misfits who are sore enemies of ours,"

"Say the real reason. I am not fragile anymore. Tell the truth. Be straight with me, Hiashi," Hinata pleaded. "Don't make this worse,"

He drew a tired sigh like this was hurting him too. Like he was cracking up. "You weren't simply good enough for the future of this clan. You had no diplomatic skills or interpersonal skills. The extreme shyness and submissiveness were off-putting and it wouldn't have furthered my clan. I can see you have gotten stronger, yes but you did not pay attention to any of the lessons I gave you,"

"For a man with the nearly the best eyes of our century, you see nothing but misconceptions and lies, " Hinata said. "I tried so hard... you were never looking. You wanted me to fail... Oh Kami, you wanted me to be the laughing stock of Konoha,"

"Am I mistaken or you didn't draw strength from Naruto? Otherwise, would I have it all wrong?"

Hinata felt her soul leave her body. She was drained and emotional. Her heart was broken-down. "I did it because no one else would focus on me, Kami. Naruto overcame his challenges and look at him now, a celebrated war hero. You certainly disliked me and mother... didn't do anything. Since mother died you have been replaced by a cold, loveless man without the intention of caring for me,"

"I did provide you a life others dream of. Hisana would have been proud! She would gaze down from heavens and weep at how ungrateful you are. Towers of gold are still too little and you are disatisfied," Hiashi yelled.

"I understand. I should love the neglect. I am the disappointment of the family. I understand. Why couldn't I be more like Hanabi? The perfect daughter? Your favorite? The real leader with perfection. It comes down to why couldn't I be more like Hanabi? The real question is why you couldn't you be more like a father who would've congratulated me despite my flaws and celebrated my life choices instead of spitting on them,"

He hasn't changed. He won't change. What is she doing here?!

She looked down, at her clothes and then at the desk she made a bonfire with. What the hell is she doing here? She couldn't put on a smile and ignore this. She couldn't even say anything. He had no idea... but he thinks he has her all figured out. He doesn't. He never will. This uncertainty and self-esteem issue will be something her father could never care to cease or help her with.

"You are disappointed in me and we are more alike. You disappoint me every day. I shouldn't have raised you as my daughter. When Hanabi was born, the clan began prospering. You have brought shame and misfortune,"

And yes, that's how you kill Hyuuga Hinata. Not with a knife. Just a parent and a couple of measly words.

"You think I am some sort of joke. That I've been messing around," Hinata said, wiping away the tears. "I wasted my time, coming here. My best will never be good enough for you,"

Hiashi stood unmoving in the corner of his office. He made no objections. "Run away again, like a coward,"

"Goodbye, Hiashi," she said. She walked out of his office, still wanting to please him, even if the cause is the lack of her presence. She ran out, panicked. Every step. Panicked.