Sweet Dispositions ll

-Chapter 3-
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SASUKE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH AT THE SHARINGAN THE PAWNS POSSESSED. But hey, who was he to complain?

The three byakugan and five sharingan pawns were slow, unmoving and trouble makers. After three days of testing, trying to hone their skills -or their chakra usage- everything was coming into place. They were nice to have, sharingan users, but he wanted authentic Uchiha.

Call Sasuke bigoted or ungrateful but the pawns were honestly a pain! They couldn't reach the full potential of actual Uchiha. He should take what he got. He didn't get much that wasn't defiled or riddled with curses. Now he'll get the chance to bring them back to his district and watch the world come together. He's putting together the broken parts of his society to build his own empire. He was prepped for the next sixty years of clan babysitting.

Sasuke wrote a list of the pawns' skills and annoying qualities. Sasuke had never been so devastated and thrilled by something.

It all started with Hinata, his dream, their dream. He wanted her apart of this. They had a fallout, he understood the polarized feelings she had. But he also wanted her around him.

Suna was quite annoying, too. It was filled with politicians, sandy wastelands and rotten fruit. It was also filled with scheming elders who wanted to discuss with Sasuke and Suigetsu about the future of their clans regarding their world plans.

Sasuke was late. He'd rather spend time with Hinata than speak to old geezers who think they know shit. Sasuke was greedy and wanted more because dust settled, not him. So, instead of seeing the elders, he settled in this hospital room Hinata stayed in while she avoided his gaze. Hinata was much too weary around him.

Sasuke leaned against the wall, Hinata across the room. Sasuke's eyes trailed the line of her delicate jaw, pointed, a flesh and arrow pointing towards her slender neck. He wanted to kiss her, taste her but she put a barrier up.

Sasuke wasn't close enough to smell the wind and sea and spice atop Hinata's head. If he moved closer, he'd feel guilty. He'd never much felt guilty around her... until three months prior.

Was she tired of the silence? Probably not.

Sasuke never thought that they would gently peruse over a list of names and sharingan. That makes him nostalgic and happy for some reason.

Here are the survivor's guilt and the jealousy of his father. Fugaku had a fully built district, black-headed children with red eyes wandering the city. The children passed by houses and police centres with those who wanted to help.

And Fugaku threw all that shit away. Sasuke always admired the man's tenure in front of people during meetings, helping around the community but his old man was an idiot. Fugaku got his whole clan killed.

Sasuke had to do so much shit just to recuperate a fraction of what his old man threw away.

Why'd Fugaku have the honour of standing over lists and lists of Uchiha being born and put into little diaries? Fugaku would go to all the baby showers, see all their cherubic faces and be assured that, no, his clan isn't ending, and yes, his clan is growing and growing-

I will be better than Fugaku. I won't fail where he failed, Sasuke nodded to himself.

Dojutsu Holders List

By Uchiha Sasuke & Uchiha Mitsuyo

Name: Souta Rakujochigusa "Josh"
Sex: Male
Age: 23
Dojutsu: Sharingan
Notes: Very angry, untrusting of authority and others. Very aggressive. Has PTSD. *Sharingan can transport items, have a vortex, similar to Madara Uchiha & Uchiha Itachi. Highly dangerous and volatile.

Name: Haraguchi Saito
Sex: Male
Age: 31
Dojutsu: Sharingan
Notes: Stoic, reflective, mature. Willing to help, good-natured and clean. *Sharingan can alter manipulate chakra, blood, and other dojutsu. Most powerful amongst the sharingan. Name: Chinen Kanna

Sex: Female
Age: 17
Dojutsu: Sharingan
Notes: Fervent follower of Souta Rakujochigusa. A lover? Tormentor? Sister-in-law? Subservient, reckless, abrasive when approached. Annoying.

Name: Yami Luka
Sex: Male
Age: 14
Dojutsu: Sharingan
Notes: Cheeky bastard. Violent, humorous, prone to fighting. Good at being annoying and flirting. *Sharingan gives "flashes of the future". Psychic? Also super annoying.

Name: Tenrou Doi
Sex: Female
Age: 16
Dojutsu: Sharingan
Notes: Numb, tall, weak, dependent on others. Sharingan does not function very well. She has weak vision, too. 

Hinata cleared her throat. "Ano, was Mitsuyo impressed at all?" Hinata asked, tapping all the faces Mitsuyo left.

Huh. She didn't bother saying anything about the sharingan. Anyway, Sasuke shook his head. "Are we talking about the same woman?"

Hinata smiled lightly. "Did you check out the list for... byakugan?" She leafed through the notes.

Sasuke shook his head. "Why would I?"

Hinata shifted to stand taller, staring at him with the fury she shouldn't have. This assertive, dominant force with an iron fist Hinata was a stranger. It's like she expected Sasuke to fight her. Instead of arguing, Sasuke wanted her to cry it all out until there was nothing left so he could pick it all up. Then they'd be fine but she didn't want that. She wanted a fight.

"Byakugan... will be included in your clan, yes?" Hinata asked- well, demanded.

"I'm focusing more on the important aspects of this Uchiha phenomenon." Sasuke shrugged.

"I think the Uchiha and byakugan should be treated as equals. If you don't care about them, then who will?" Hinata held up the paper.

"I care, just not right now," Sasuke told her seriously. Couldn't she understand that? It was easier to focus on the main goal; rehabilitating the pawns.

"We can't exclude them from your clan. I know... I know you don't very much like these five either."

Ah. Bull's eye. She knew him too well, though there was gloom between them.

Sasuke spoke because of saying nothing felt wrong. "Hyuuga have so many people and we need their numbers. However, their byakugan won't be as important. There are thousands of Hyuuga and only eight of us."

"Eight?" she repeated.

Him, the kids, Mitsuyo, Kokoro, Kaito. "Yeah. Eight." he nodded.

She was upset and it was quiet again. Sasuke continued, despite the long pause. "Your father would be pleased to see you. He's been waiting."

Hinata jerked her head up. "Really?" Cautious joy and helplessness passed over her face. "I didn't know that." she allowed a tiny smile.

Sasuke nodded. Him too. However, Hiashi had tried to make contact with him many times during the actual battles. Interestingly enough, Hiashi was more concerned with the kids and Sasuke's threatened safety than he thought Hiashi would be capable of.

Hiashi was ready to storm the place to look for Hinata in all the countries. It was poetic, psychotic and bittersweet.

"It's happening, yeah." Sasuke nodded. "Your father was eager to see you again."

"Maybe he would blame me for getting kidnapped," Hinata said shrewdly. "Because I can only do wrong."

Sasuke rocked on his heels, a grim smile on his face. "I don't think so. Since I've become a father, I realized just how much a parent cared for a kid that's their blood, their hair, and their annoying little quirks on steroids. Do you see Hiromitsu frowning as I do? The kids hold chopsticks wrong because of me and they like caramel on every desert and... I think Hiashi has done some really bad shit, but I think it dawned on him, after all these distant years, that he kind of had something to protect." Sasuke said. "Tender thoughts should come to all fathers"

Hinata's eyes sliced across his face, a strange violet silver. "When did he say that?"

Sasuke basked in the attention. Hinata put away the weapons in her eyes. This was the first time she really looked at him.

He shrugged. "During the war. Under the eaves of a house that was Hyuuga property. Three people dead. He openly grieved. Like a man did, at least-"

"I understand," Hinata cut him off. Sasuke's heart pinched when her tone was distant and curt. Very... guarded...

Again. The quiet.

Silence and tension seeped into his bones like a second skeleton. She was stiff now, staring at the ground.

He didn't know what she was thinking. Maybe he should say something? Maybe... not. She didn't respond. She probably didn't believe him. Would she ever believe him? She narrowed her eyes at his tone, but like normal, didn't say anything.

Sasuke stood taller. "If you want to talk-"

Hinata looked up, a bit strained. "It's okay."

"Hinata-"

"I understand," Hinata repeated. "Trust me."

Hinata didn't leave room for argument but Sasuke's frown was getting deeper. "Understand what?" Sasuke prodded, ignoring the wall she put up.

Hinata looked away. "I just... do."

"That's not what I asked for." Sasuke's eyes drilled into her.

"Asked for? It's the one you have... so accept it, and move on," she told him squarely. Her sharp eyes met his. "Move on."

Huh? "Move on?" Sasuke demanded. "Move on? You're giving me that advice?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hinata's voice was a few degrees shy from being frost. She strode up to him, eyes open and bold. She was ready for a challenge.

"What about you moving on?" Sasuke suggested.

Hinata crossed her arms. "Because getting over being taken is too easy to "move on" from..." Hinata sighed. "Yeah, I'm a shinobi- yes, and I'm jonin. I'm going to need more than what you said to fix myself. The hurt will play out all the same. I'm not built like you! I can't get over trauma in three days! I was... I was treated awfully. And you can't understand that!"

"I understand pretty well, yeah. Don't pretend like I haven't been through shit." Sasuke seethed.

Hinata shook her head. "I'm not belittling to you! Why can't you see that?" Hinata asked quietly. "I'm not trying to compare our sorrows, either."

Sasuke was getting a damn headache. "You're being a dope. I'm not telling you to move on from your experience. I'm saying from my experience, it won't go away... You haven't told me anything about the DCA. I want you to. Maybe-"

Hinata cut him off with a shake of her hand. "Maybe I'm just going to wait to tell anyone what happened," Hinata said quietly, all the hostility gone from her voice. "I want to feel alright and I will focus on that. There will be a depth to me you cannot touch... respect that."

He looked to his left. He wanted Mitsuyo to give a bit of backup. But no. She was arrested, she can't say anything snarky and rude while locked up. And she's being punished for the crimes her son committed. Sasuke thought he was going to find something Ryouta loved and kill it. Now he can't. He won't ever touch Mitsuyo.

And Hinata didn't even tell him, Sasuke! All the words he tried to say meant nothing to Hinata. All they had to do was touch, to find a way to get along. If she gives one more frown, he will go forward to her without thinking.

Truth surrounded him like a forest. And Hinata didn't even care about the Uchiha anymore. Did that mean she didn't care about his dream?

"Is that why you're not concerned with planning for the Uchiha?"

She brushed some hair out of her eyes. "We're spending time on the wrong matters," she admitted slowly.

How could she say that? Wasn't she the one who wanted him to find fellow Uchiha and reach out? Where was that enthusiasm?

"This matters to me," Sasuke affirmed more casually than he felt. "Now that I am fulfilling my childhood goal, why isn't it a matter to you?"

Hinata sighed. "Because I feel... like what matters most is being here, present, with the things that matter. Is this important... to dominate the world with your Uchiha? The world might be over tomorrow and we're scheming for something that may be taken away-"

Sasuke's face was red and he struggled to calm the beating of his chest, the slow dark song. "The future was taken away once. The massacre. Itachi died. Everyone died. I am not going to let that happen again because of the world's indifference." Sasuke said loudly.

Hinata gave a negative smile. "You're fine without doing things with me. Don't worry, I understand that."

"Hinata-"

She tilted her chin and her laugh was the sound of tenderness. "You decided that. Don't pin that on me."

Then they can't move, can't talk, and can't look at each other in the eye. They're teetering between something that he can't name or want to acknowledge.

Nevermind the fact that he couldn't say "I love you" and that they can't be married yet because he isn't finished yet. He isn't finished yet. He's done things he could defend, so he isn't entirely the bad guy here. He just wanted to secure the future... with her. He will think of marriage later. 

Sasuke stared at her for a moment. "You don't understand. I won't decide that, ever. I won't go through this dream without you." Sasuke amended. "You started my clan, you started this dream. I'll be damned if you back out."

"I don't want to wake up to promises you can't keep," Hinata dropped the defensive line of her shoulders. "You will be a clan leader, a shinobi, and a hero in ten years... but you will be a father. Throughout this all. Promise me... you will value our family we started before this clan, alright? That's the matter to focus on... the one I value with you the most."

That would be the last thing he would do; abandon her or the family. They didn't have to worry about that. Tracing it back, turning back time, to gain the past is what he was going to do. He swore.

He can't tell anyone how it started, what it was about or if he'd win the next arguments. She should know that he won't give up their relationship.

"I've been on a 17-year journey to restore my family. You never have to worry about that." Sasuke chuckled.

Hinata's tired, invincible eyes twinkled affectionately. "That's wonderful," Hinata hailed a true smile.

It wasn't false or awkward. She wasn't even clenching her jaw. He wasn't justifying his side of the argument anymore.

Because she was smiling... and that was what he wanted; some of her scars given to him. He wished to kiss her eyes, to take away when she's ever seen something to make her think that. Moonlight and twilight in her eyes, and he can't tell her that they should always be like this. Maybe he's some type of stupid or allergic to vocal affection because he can't tell her.

So, he smiled back because that was all that he had. "I don't mind giving a century. You're not getting away that easy."

"Ah. That's a deal." she nodded, sounding light and happy. 

Listening to her voice was like coming home and hearing the colours of the home. Her lips curved and pillowy, cheeks bright with life, a curtain of dark blue over her cheeks. She's so beautiful. She's so close and he's leaning. He was probably going to get smacked but-

Suddenly, the door swung open with Suigetsu's annoying face popping in. "Can you please take your little hellion again?" he said, pushing Mitsuki inside of the room.

And mood ruined. Ruined. Because Hinata was no longer tilting towards him. Hinata tilted her head back, questions and relief all over her face when Mitsuki collided into her arms. Hinata was on her knees, bright laughter coming out of her mouth while she doted on Mitsuki.  

Sasuke hissed at Suigetsu. "You're honestly the worst friend I've ever had."  

Used to these insults and comments, Suigetsu balled up his fist. "What'd I do? I babysat that kid, and Mitsuyo didn't even come back! What the hell is up with that?"

Oh yeah. Suigetsu didn't know... Sasuke felt oddly responsible for telling him. "Mitsuyo was arrested for... you know being the mother of Akuma-oo-sama." Sasuke whispered. "That's why she wasn't here."

"HOLY SHIT THAT'S-" Suigetsu damn near shouted.

Sasuke hit his arm. A firm pounce with lots of force. "Shut up. Who let you in here? Why are you so loud?"

"I'm loud when I am happy. She's in jail, now she won't bother us anymore. Doesn't that strike you as a win?" Suigetsu chuckled through his pain. "This is so great, you know?"

Sasuke punched him again. Idiot. He was too shocked to liquefy. "You're stuck in this longer. We have to wait for Mitsuyo to be free," he informed the idiot.

Suigetsu deflated. "Now I'm stuck with the old hag and the kid. If he was smarter, I could teach some fetch to him." He paced around the room, throwing his arms around. "And there's the unbearable heat! Does this country want to cook us alive? What is wrong with all of them?"

"Mitsuki isn't a dog." Hinata corrected Suigetsu.

Suigetsu tilted his head. "You must have coal for brains, Hinata. That kid isn't nice whatsoever."

"Listen here, water for brains, I am a good kid!" Mitsuki roared. Blue flames of chakra surrounded him, flaring away. "I'm smart enough to find the sun of hope."

Hinata and Mitsuki shared a small look of peace and closeness. It was almost like watching Hinata with one of their little kids, bargaining over some piece of candy the children want. His lovely girl and the demon child nodded to each other. The sun? Who is the sun?

Suigetsu didn't bother spending time deciphering the words. He looked at Sasuke. "Dude, you said we would be here for a good time, not a long time. This hospital sucks! And Karin for some reason likes this place."

Sasuke agreed with the restless Suigetsu. Hinata was similar.

Sasuke itched to get out of Suna. He hated being here. Gaara made him uncomfortable, the war was over, and he wanted to get back to Konoha. If he got back and lavishly used his wealth to help the citizens rebuild the city, then their presence would be acknowledged, associated with opulence, charity and the founders of a new tomorrow.

He hated hospitals. This building of death reminded him of nothing but Orochimaru's science experiments of death. Then Hinata's bleeding out and Sakura's cut apples in bunny shapes. Everyone suffered from nowhere to relax, to feel alive and healthy because everyone blamed him for the catastrophe. It's only been three days of this hospital stay yet he wanted to leave.

Suiegetsu hated it too; maybe that's why they were friends, too.

Suigetsu looked at Sasuke and Hinata. "What's the big holdup? Why haven't we gone back to Konoha?"

Sasuke looked at Hinata, who in turn met his stare head-on.

"I must heal. My injuries will heal, and the kids- they have to say goodbye, and we must pack supplies." Hinata nodded to herself. "It's quite honestly hard to deny the Kazekage when he has been so hospitable to us."

True. Too hospitable. Gaara adores Hinata, which is annoying and shitty. Why can't Gaara just let her go?

Suigetsu groaned, scrubbing his hands across his face. "Fuck the Kazekage. Suna is a dry, dry hell, and people don't like the Uchiha or the Hōzuki in Suna. They name us as the cause of the war! And that's fine. I don't care anymore, but can't we be blamed at home?"

Hinata softened. "Uchiha Sasuke still have to bring the other Second Generation of Uchiha and train them." she sighed. "I understand you. I want to go onto the leaf."

Suigetsu sat down, looking like a mess. "I know. Me too."

Sasuke sighed. "Two major factors; first we have to wait until the Uchiha district is finished. Most houses are good."

"Thank Kami," Suiegstu cheered.

"We don't know how to deal with the other clans and their reactions to us." Sasuke shrugged. "Aside from Hiashi, the other Hyuuga aren't on board with us as people. They don't like us very much. Politically, adding the Hyuuga to our clan would be a good option, but we can't deny what brought us together in the first place... your family's sealing of byakugan and or our newfound sharingan eyes..." Sasuke intoned. "They're still capable of trying to seal our eyes."

Hinata frowned again. "I don't know if that's... if they will ever be capable of that." Hinata suddenly got to her feet, her whole body vibrating with restraint. "I will make sure of that. No one should ever have their eyes tampered with or sealed or cut. I refuse!"

Mitsuki stared at her with citron sadness, as she unconsciously summoned her sword, like some type of safety. Hinata was breathing fast, eyes darting across the room to spot any deceit or enemies. Her blood pumped, her muscles stiffened and she crouched, ready for an attack.

"Are... Are you okay?" Mitsuki asked, almost uselessly.

Hinata was in the flurry of her pain that she couldn't even hear Mitsuki, who she usually prioritized. No answer from Hinata. Sasuke and Suigetsu exchanged glances.

"Hey..." Mitsuki whispered. Then, Mitsuki reached for her and she caught his wrist, squeezing tightly. "Lady Akuma!" Mitsuki yelped, eyes cutting to her strong, iron hold and her pained expression.

Lady Akuma? She... was called that? What happened?

"Are you here with me?" Mitsuki asked loudly.

Hinata snapped out of her daze with startling clarity in her eyes. She centred herself when she blinked away the cloudiness in her face. Hinata immediately reached for her eye and flinched.

"Hinata..." Sasuke rustled. "You good?"

"I'm good." Hinata took a few breaths that anchored her to earth. 

She was choking on the words, she put her hand down, the one feeling her eyelids and long eyelashes. She was crunching her shoulders in, and he wanted to lift all the weight off of her.

"You're squeezing me..." Mitsuki said, glancing at his wrist with growing concern.

Hinata widened her eyes. "Oh! I'm sorry," Hinata said, her voice high and remorseful.

Her hands glowed green that enveloped his form. She released him then nodded... then pulled Mitsuki to her side, which beautifully upsets Sasuke. Why's he jealous of a brat?

"Who is Lady Akuma?" Suigetsu asked the question that was on Sasuke's mind.

"Do not ask me a question about that." Hinata looked sick with guilt and panic.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. She's acting like communication doesn't exist.

Suigetsu stared at Hinata. "You know what, I won't ask. Let's just get back to begging Kazekage Gaara for clemency so we'd be released," Suigetsu said loudly then clapped.

"Okay." Sasuke nodded.

"We'll try to return, yes," Hinata looked at Mitsuki. "We'll try to get you to Konoha. You will finally see where I make cookies."

Mitsuki brightened, all his concern gone.

Hinata looked at the bag she brought before she caught Sasuke. It had food. "Oh yeah, the kids need their lunch," Hinata sat up suddenly. "Care to join us?"

"Yeah." Suigetsu said, because she asked Suigetsu, not Sasuke.

§§§

Hinata and the bunch walked to a room on the thirteenth floor in another building. It was an office building with many floors. It was the one room where they could gather the kids and bring food.

Mitsuki smiled at her, glaring at Sasuke. Sasuke glared back with equal fury. She didn't know why Sasuke disliked Mitsuki so much but it didn't matter much.

The kids adored Mitsuki. She wouldn't mind taking care of Mitsuki. He fit in flawlessly with the four of them. Mitsuki and Benjiro discussed something while Taiyo scoffed at something. She's used to this fine chaos. This was normal. Twins screaming about toys, the boys arguing about something distantly blue and her... watching.

She couldn't eat, though. No matter how much she knew her nutrition was essential to healing... she just couldn't stomach it. It was odd, not being served. It made her seem like a brat, but she's just not used to it again.

Hinata picked at her plate, not very hungry lately anyhow. The kids ate heartily while she kept an eye on them. They really preferred bread to rice, which was weird. Sunagakure people are hardy people with hard loaves of bread, many soups and hot foods.

They've been imbued into the culture and it annoyed her. She wanted them to keep their Kumogakure traditions. She wanted to go against Sunagakure's rules and constructs.

Karin and her kids, Kameya and Tsugetsu, were at the store right now. Suigetsu was being bullied by Benjiro and Taiyo, lecturing them about being true shinobi.

Kokoro was nowhere to be found, which was weird since she said she'd be visiting her brother. 

Sasuke wasn't drinking with Suigetsu, talking like they used to. Instead, he looked at Hinata, all the time. Arms crossed, dark hair wilder, looking handsome. Someone took dial on time and sped it up.

Leaving, he finally got food and she breathed. Now she would calm down, thinking about what she could do for Kumogakure. The Raikage was dead, Akuma-oo-sama was still alive and she didn't kill him.

She wanted to kill him. By all of her tattoos, she swore she would damn kill him. Making plans about killing him. She was a hungry shinobi and she would devour Akuma-oo-sama now.

Sasuke's so weird. Sasuke sat across from her at the table. She ignored the drink and plate he chewed on.

"You used to eat a whole lot. Now you're a rabbit." Sasuke said, pushing over his food.

Hinata picked up an asparagus stem and pointed it at him. "Rabbits eat little."

"Guess what, Hyuuga, you're not a rabbit," he said, the matter of factly.

"A girl could dream. Their ears are floppy... and cute."

He narrowed his eyes. "Hn, you want to be a damn rabbit. Whatever. Rabbits eat a lot of their suggested food," he responded curtly. "Eat."

"Food is better in Kumogakure." Hinata looked away, shifting in her chair. "I think that we should leave Sunagakure and return to Konoha and eat our Kumo food."

Hinata didn't want to be in Sunagakure when Mitsuyo was away. These good and bad days between them was awkward. It was emotional.

"Konoha?" He tasted the word. "Nevermind Konoha."

"You have to know that Konoha-" Hinata sat up taller.

"I don't care about Konoha," he said loudly.

"What about my-"

"Yawn. I don't care about anything else but Hyuuga Hinata, the newly registered rabbit, eating." he allowed. "Eat."

Hinata stared at the delectable meal with springy bread and its fresh details. He got the good bread that wasn't too dry, too burnt or too dark. It was crisp and it wasn't meat- so that was nice. But she didn't feel like seeing his face. Anyone's face right now.

"Eat," Sasuke said through his teeth.

"Have you eaten?" Hinata countered.

"Yeah. I get large portions for every meal so you could have as much as you want for when you got greedy," Sasuke shrugged.

Hinata hesitated. Was he calling her greedy? Sasuke wasn't even apologetic. He just kept his moon-like gaze on her face with mild indifference. He wasn't even joking with a side-eye cocky smirk. He meant it.

"Greedy?" Hinata asked, teasing a bit. "I remember not wanting any of this." she pointed out with a smile. 

"You know what I mean."

Hinata stood. "I just don't want to eat right now. I have everything I need."

"Hinata, please," Sasuke sighed, rubbing his temple. "I know you're pissed but punish me instead of depriving yourself."

She turned away. "I will go look for more options," she turned away. "I will return later."

She got up and went to the bathroom. She just stared at herself in the mirror. Why was it so hard to talk to Sasuke? Just be normal. Normal. She wanted to splash some cold water but much to her chagrin, it wasn't cold. It was lukewarm at best.

"Why aren't you cold?" she whispered. Wake me up, Hinata thought. 

"Yeah. You don't seem like a native if you expect anything cold here..." A charming, husky voice jumped around in her brain. "It's pretty dumb, huh?"

Who was that? Hinata looked over. Lo and behold it was another pretty woman who seemed stern, bookish but so soft because her huge eyes were soulful and full.

Hinata swiftly retracted her hand. "Yeah... I guess I am not completely used to everything about Suna but don't call me dumb," she whispered. 

"You don't listen." The lady let out a huge laugh that contrasted her normal flat whisper of a voice. "The great Hyuuga Hinata has faults. Isn't that cute?"

Hinata didn't know whether or not to be flattered or hopelessly offended by that comment. The stranger seemed to notice this odd progression of questions on her face.

"You are Hyuuga Hinata, daughter of Hyuuga Hiashi, partner of Uchiha Sasuke and mother to those four adorable children who seem to have the world in their palms." The woman dried off her hands using the towel, still giving Hinata glances of her slender grace and wit.

The woman turned, fluffing her hair. "Anything wrong with those kids probably came from Sasuke. You seem perfect-"

Hinata tilted her head. "Who are you? Why do you interact with Sasuke and my kids? like you know something." she summoned a kunai and stabbed it beside the woman's hand. "Tell me everything and I'll count the information around fingers."

The woman didn't flinch, her glasses shining desperately. "There's nothing to gain from acting rash, lady. Your kids are fine in my hands." she flexed her fingers, all too pleased.

Hinata stabbed another knife by the woman's hands. "Why should I trust anything that comes out of your mouth? Why should I listen to anything you say?"

"Are you Sasuke's woman? I heard you and him had a falling out," The woman leaned in closer. "The kids like to talk. Trust me, when it comes down to keeping those alive then they're safe."

"No. I don't trust that."

"Huh? Why not?"

Hinata rolled her eyes. "Use your imagination. I don't like women with shifty eyes and lies." she came closer to the woman. "Stay away from my kids."

"And Sasuke?"

Hinata tilted her head. "You'll regret it." she said softly. 

The woman gave a breathy full laugh. "I can't believe you lied on that last one. This isn't the best way to introduce myself, yeah? My name is Hoki Shijima. I'm talented in planning, child-rearing, and I am the protector, no, the right-hand man of Kazekage Gaara-sama."

Shijima held some sway over the continent? Her? Hinata tilted her head then stepped back. "You're a friend of Kazekage-sama?"

"I'm Gaara-kun's, right-hand woman. I may even get married to him." she boasted with an arrogant huff. "Anyone who is anyone would allow the mother of Suna aid with their kids."

Hinata didn't care about that. "Married or not, don't touch my kids. I'm not a doll nor do I care of status anymore. However, Shijima-san, don't r-" When Hinata looked away, she saw the flutter of some foot under the stall. 

"Come out." she told the anonymous person. 

When she looked. It was a tall girl, wary and slight. Her flaxen hair in a graduated bob made her seem fragile, in addition to her helmet-like haircut. She could be knocked over by a sigh of hers. She was noiseless, numb and listless.

The ratty-haired girl instantly bowed. "I didn't know whether or not to interrupt you. Your topics were always so important, Lady Akuma-sama," she added with a soft gentle lament.

Hinata hardened while Shijima and her dark hair whipped between the two. "Who the heck is Lady Akuma? This is Hyuuga Hinata- oh wait," she narrowed her eyes at Hinata. "You are Lady Akuma?"

Hinata ignored Shijima's loud and appalled gasp. She flailed away from Hinata.

"She breathes jade. You shouldn't be so rude. You might as well kneel and kiss her feet." the blonde snapped with more energy than her indifferent presence offered.

All this fear and insecurity snuck up on Hinata. How does that girl know? Was she in the Second Generation of dojutsu users? Hinata's thoughts floated around. There were almost too many things to address. Almost.

Hinata cleared her throat. "How do you know that name?" Hinata crossed her arms, feeling vulnerable.

The blonde teen's deep-set eyes were slightly filmy under her sparse eyebrows. "I was one of your servants. Not to mention I also have the eyes of the sharingan."

Hinata stepped back. She didn't recognize all of the servants of Akuma but this was too much. The servant had the same eyes as Hinata- full of trauma and numbness.

"What are you doing in the bathroom?" Shijima asked. 

The teen pointedly looked at Hinata instead of answering Shijima. "Josh was being too annoying. And Sasuke-sensei kept on trying to terrorize me since I can't use my sharingan very well." she flicked her eyes to Hinata. "Your partner is quite a menace about me not managing the sharingan."

"Sounds like him- the harshness," Hinata nodded. "He only wants what's best for you. If you can't defend yourself when those who want the dojutsu come... it will be bad for all of us."

The teen didn't seem convinced. "He says I'm not trying hard enough. My vision wasn't good to begin with, and now I have to master vision in these red eyes. It's difficult." she winced. "I always have a headache."

Hinata moved forward and this teen didn't flinch. She wasn't afraid of Hinata in any way. It reassured Hinata. Finally, someone who doesn't think she's horrible. Hinata stopped and pressed a finger to the middle of the teen's head and channelled chakra. Good, smooth chakra to dispel the pain.

"The eyes become easier to handle, little one. You might be channelling too much energy there. Don't strain yourself." Hinata said quietly. 

The teen nodded. "Thank you. Why couldn't Sasuke-sama be kind as you?" she groaned. "He's always trying to make me use my sharingan. I can barely channel chakra. I forgot after age 12. I was taken from school because of..." She faltered off.

Akuma-oo-sama kidnapping her. She looked to be 17 and so very scared and tired.

"Forget that demon." Hinata smiled wistfully. "He'll make up a whole new curriculum. Just for you. Just to help you. I'll... stop him from terrorizing you. Or anyone or anything, actually."  

Hinata faintly felt Sasuke's scoldings and unhappy days but also the kind laughs, kind acts and kind advice. Maybe he wasn't the kindest but he was blunt because he wanted this to work. He meant no malice. She hoped.

"He is kind. He would do anything to assure his bloodline. Reach for the stars, bring them down to your roof because he's... like a spring day. Kind. Giving. Generous." Hinata elaborated. 

The teen's voice dropped to a whisper. "He's killing me. Everyone hates him!" 

Oh. That's not good. "He wants to protect you, even after the horrible things that happened," she told the teen. "Your eyes are a source of strength but it bonds you, as you have a link to those who see just like you do."

"I see why you married him. I could never talk to someone so icy and dictator-like with utter affection." she sighed, backing away from Hinata with slight apprehension.

Hinata's smile faded. "We didn't get married." 

The teen nodded. "Oh. Ha. Ha. Everyone... just assumed. Because... he's horrible and you're so- nice. So. Er. Yeah." she stuttered. 

Hinata nodded. Everyone else wanted them to get married except for Sasuke. Hinata got cold though it was a furnace in the bathroom. Hinata understood the conversation was over, then. An odd silence went through the three women. 

Shijima radiated resentment in the corner, leaning against the counter. Her chakra radiated negative energy.

"What is wrong?" Hinata asked, tired of the looks.

"That's just cruel." Shijima looked at Hinata with a slight glare under the lenses. "People are worth more than their eyes. If someone fucked around and gave them this curse, how would you react?"

"I do have byakugan, Shijima-san," Hinata responded quietly. "I know the pain of being given dojutsu. Do not insinuate I have no intelligence on this subject."

"You had a lifetime of pampering and ease with your dojutsu! The sharingan is nearly an extinct punishment. You shouldn't try to rationalize what happened to her!" she pointed to the teen. "Why the hell did you want her to have those eyes so much?"

"You think any of what happened in there was rational? I can't begin to describe the insanities I saw for people to get semi-functional eyes. I didn't want her to be experimented on. I am a doctor. No one should deal with the pain or mutilation I didn't want anyone to have to deal with the weight of sharingan eyes by force."

"You birthed two kids with them. One of them has each dojutsu. You exacerbated the problem!"

Hinata's hand sparked up, electrical violence wanting to mix with her angry thoughts. "My children aren't problems! Never," she observed Shijima carefully. "If you ever say something like that, there will be no one to serve the Kazekage left. I can only handle so much disrespect." 

The teen cleared her throat, distracting the two from their glaring gazes. "I volunteered for the procedure. Akuma-oo-sama promised that more food would be served," the teen amended with her slow voice. "Don't fight over my eyes. I chose for them to be like this."

"You volunteered?" Shijima gasped. "Why would you get them? No one wants to have those eyes via volunteering."

"At that time. With those odds," she paused, voice hollow. The light put shadows on her face. "The surgery was guaranteed to kill anyone who bothered. I would know peace and food forever. I just want to be done."

Hinata stopped. Oh. "What is your name?"

"Tenrou Doi. Most of Josh's followers call me 'Sajonara.' Since they know I shouldn't have survived," the teen's stony indifference made her voice monotone and flat. "They wanted this. I didn't. They could call me anything they want."

Hinata sighed. "Doi-san, let's go back to the banquet. The dinner should be prepared. I know some tea that soothes eye pain."

Doi shuffled her feet. "Yeah. Okay. I'd like that." 

Hinata looked at Shijima. "What's your intention with Sasuke and the Uchiha Clan?"

"Nothing. I intend to spread the truth." Shijima anchored her expression, a bitter smile on her face.

"What truth do you speak of?" Hinata allowed the words out firmly.

Shijima lifted her glasses, a characteristic twitch. "The sharingan is meant to be contained, sealed away as an unfortunate experiment. Orochimaru will come for those eyes, as you know. He will stop at nothing to attain real eyes."

"I know of Orochimaru as a threat. However... I am unsure of you, Shijima-san. You are not to interact with my children or I will initiate something unpleasant."

"I await anything," Shijima bowed in mock respect. Her entire being sharpened, invigorated by her one threat. "I intend to have fun, Lady Akuma-oo-sama."

Hinata gripped the door handle too tightly. "Do not call me that."

"I will be watching you until you understand that my children are not political tools," Hinata promised. 

Shijima pleasantly laughed like bells falling into a tin jar. It was a low sound. It made Hinata more on edge. 

"The bonds between Konohagakure and Sunagakure run deep. The Uchiha could not unravel those eons of history." Shijima started saying. "The Uchiha are strong and competent. One of them should not tease the balance of this agreement so easily because of their foolishness. Their heir needs to understand."

Hinata's nails dug into her palm. "The Uchiha is the bringer of good things. We also see through one's lies and threats."

Shijima stiffened. "Keep watch of your sharingan. You do not want another extinction."

Hinata won't even respond to that low-blow. It wasn't worth it. Saying that was so wrong! So insensitive. She didn't want to hurt this girl- well, she did but Doi didn't need that violence. 

"Doi-san," Hinata said through her teeth. "Let's go have a cup of tea, yes, honey?"

Doi saw the sparks going off in between the two of them. With quiet desperation, she stood beside Hinata's wide stride as they left the bathroom.  Argh. Such a vile woman! Doi watched Hinata fume for a long time as Hinata walked through the hall.

"Don't be alone with Shijima," Hinata ordered simply, annoyance fierce and thick. "That woman is up to no good. She will harm you or your eyes."

"Sign me up." 

"That will kill you if she doesn't," Hinata said, despite the answer she figured she'd receive.

"Ah. Two birds with one stone. I'm done." Doi exhaled as if Hinata's news were heavenly.

Hinata looked at Doi. Doi's sunken cheeks, long face and dark eyes reminded her of a shell. She moved with no spirit. She's seen shinobi are so worn out by the life, life taken from them since they took lives. It was a serious mental issue that most people don't discuss.

Dying was a pleasure in battle, especially if death is achieved in defending the village, saving someone or being a martyr. Hinata personally wasn't afraid of death but she desperately wanted to live at any cost. She had children and Sasuke and so much to look forward to.

Doi seemed isolated and sad. She wasn't restless and convinced like the other shinobi was about death. She grew up with the darkness of Akuma-oo-sama and that darkness could never go away.

Hinata stewed in her anger and internally judged others but Sasuke was one to carve the criticisms into someone's arms, lives and fighting styles.

Sasuke was angry at such a person getting the Sharingan if they didn't want to live. He probably saw Doi wasting the sharingan as a gift. That was not a good reason to be rude but she understood. Those byakugan-users who opted to die without benefiting the clan weren't praised at their funerals, either.

Doi never had a use for Sasuke and she surrendered to death. Sasuke knew when shinobi didn't want to live or die. Yelling at her to Doi wasn't the answer.

Doi smiled slightly at Hinata. "I know what you're thinking. I'm wrong. I'm foolish. I'm too young. However, I had the sharingan eyes the longest— that's why Sasuke-sama is disappointed in me." Doi said knowingly. "It's fine." 

"Every me and every you recognize why," Hinata said casually. "He wants you to use the sharingan to protect yourself." 

Hinata checked Doi's expression. It hadn't changed.

"I can't even get that right. I have been disappointed with myself the longest. Living like this makes me tired." Doi face-palmed.

It was innocent but deep down, Doi was physically and emotionally tired with the sorrow of life itself. She was scared and lonely and sad. Telling her to live wouldn't work, she's seen. Completely denying the statement would be troublesome too.

Hinata looked at Doi. "It's tiring. I'll get you a better futon." she smiled.

"Futon?" Doi gave a wry smile. "Death shouldn't be comfortable. Battle wounds never are. Shinobi don't kick and fuss over death. They don't curse and scream. I will be the same. I will resign myself." she nodded, a plan in her mind.

"Ah. Shinobi do not kick and scream, that's true. It would be an ill-suited death. Against our village's pride," Hinata nodded. "However... They stare death in the face and think of how to live with a fight."

Doi shut her mouth pointedly. 

They were almost to the bottom of the staircase now, in the lobby.

Doi looked at Hinata with pleading eyes. "Can we not... go to lunch, and just wait? I don't think that anyone wants me there and- and people are-"

Hinata nodded in understanding. "We'll wait here until lunch is finished. It's cool and quiet in the lobby."

Doi nodded. "You don't want to be there either?" she gave a breathy laugh.

Hinata gave her a small smile instead of responding.

Then, Hinata heard a deafening bang. What was that? Hinata's instincts kicked into high gear. Hinata immediately covered Doi in a seal glowing blue.

She heard smatterings of loud thunder-like gods playing with fire and bullets. The noises were abusing her eardrums. Hinata activated her byakugan, despite the throb lodging in her brain. There were fifteen people in the room, four of them her kids.  

There were five of the Sharingan users, chakra pooling in their eyes. Suigetsu and Sasuke was gone. Mitsuki was there, inactive and annoyed. Did they leave earlier? Where was Sasuke? Did Sasuke cause the explosion?

The only adult in that room who Hinata knew was Shijima. But what was Shijima doing? Shijima carried a stance confidence of an accomplished jonin. 

Shijima held batons. Hōshuriken, iron rods that didn't have much slicing ability but we're able to be of considerable burgeoning power when striking. Heavy batons were quite difficult to carry but Shijima scanned her enemies, read the room and took action.

Everyone was pouring their praises out towards her optimistic grin as she defended the sharingan users behind her.

When Shijima momentarily appraised the situation, Josh lunged forward. Hinata cursed. Why was Josh like that? Always jumping in head first, despite the situation. Josh was immobilized in a neck choke as the mercenaries used him as a hostage.

Her eyes were uncovered, and a shift of chakra in her body had strange consequences. No visible genjutsu or taijutsu or jutsu was used in an outward way.

Everyone in front of Shijima was frozen. Paralyzed. What? Why?

The four mercenaries struggled valiantly in their frozen moulds, their chakra slow in their channels. Did Shijima have the Nara clan's techniques? Did she manipulate shadows through the yin release?

Hinata didn't know what to think.

Doi cowered underneath the dome, looking at Hinata's byakugan with total horror. "Lady Akuma-oo-sama? What's going on?" she asked.

Her kids were attacked and now she's watching them stay safe. None of the mercenaries took an interest in the kids. She couldn't lip read all that well with all the levels of grainy floors but the kids took note of this.

And now Sasuke was returning.

Sasuke was coming. He wasn't in that much of a rush as he stopped beside her in the lobby. He ignored the shrieking desk woman and the scared government officials running around.

"The kids are fine," Sasuke said quietly. "But we should get there."

Hinata nodded and they both ran to the staircase since it would be easier to use. Hinata grabbed for Doi's hand. Surprisingly, the teen jumped back. 

Doi shook her head. "I'm fine here. I don't want to jump into this."

Both Sasuke and Hinata shared a look. She's a potential suspect for why this situation.

"You are coming with us," Hinata said before Sasuke could take on a villainous role and spit some mean words.

Doi sighed, moving her feet.

Sasuke said, "Four intruders were after the pawn's eyes. The byakugan users are in our hotel with Karin and Jugo. Suigetsu was out getting baby medicine. Josh of the lot got taken hostage but the intruders are all frozen due to that woman Shijima's gift."

Gift? Hinata blinked. All she could picture were her big breasts with Gaara's status and that didn't go over well. Hinata scanned every floor for more intruders. She shook her head at the clear levels.

"I thought you'd be back in the banquet hall or you decided to meet with the board of doctors," Sasuke said casually, lightly jogging up the steps. "The byakugan pawns said they were too good for the banquet but I didn't think you'd buy into it."

"This isn't my fault," Hinata said quietly. She looked back and Doi wasn't able to keep up. "You have to move faster. We don't know how many other enemies are there if there will be a second waves."

"It's Suna. The whole world is our enemy. Don't you fucking dare lay down, Tenrou." Sasuke added as if this happened beforehand.

"I'm not going to, okay?" Doi shied away from his tone and looked away.

Hinata looked at Sasuke. "Don't be so harsh. She's doing the best she could. She's probably malnourished from being in the DCA. Stress won't make it better." Hinata reminded him.

"Hn. Keeping calm is for the shinobi. Having stress is for the civilians to feel because they don't live forever if they were sure as hell don't try." he countered, eyes rapidly scanning the building.

The blonde stopped with an acrimonious glare on her face. "Sir-" 

Hinata pulled Doi's wrist and tugged the teen. "We just have to move. We're still under attack and I'm going to have to heal you on the way," she said quietly.

"Tell me more info." Sasuke cut in a few seconds later. "What do you see?"

Hinata nodded. "Two other mercenaries are waiting outside at the entrance of the Kage building and three other ones are just outside of the gates to a neighbourhood. They're conducting surveillance for foreign intelligence. All of them have matching chakra seals on them. One is posted outside the hospital. They're mercenaries. They operate with sign language and they are all struggling with moulding chakra. They all have the same vendetta and actions. They're not reckless, they're mighty patient. They work well together but one of them might have a shinobi of influence."

"Wh-what does that mean?" Doi asked, seeing the crestfallen expression on Hinata's face.

"They're hired by someone to kill us. Doi, do you feel like having heavy feet now?" he asked. "We're attacked because of our eyes. I was supposed to meet up with the elder council and thank them for their "hospitality" and Hinata was supposed to be at the hospital by now. Instead, we ignored their timetable and now they are attacking where we're meant to be. One of the elders must have leaked this information or we have to assume someone told them our location for the hospital room."

Or option three, one of the pawns told the mercenaries. They've been betrayed by someone somewhere. It wasn't that hard to picture. They were enemies of the world.

"They wanted to kidnap the pawns without me or Hinata around. They wouldn't have an inch of hope, not even a fucking percent of success." Sasuke said.

They both got to the room and lo and behold, her entering just made everything stranger.

The kids had their sharingan activated. Taiyo had hot kunai in his hands while Benjiro's hands flinted with lightning, cackling within the tension. The twins were nestled between both boys while the four sharingan users hid behind the woman.

Shijima was still focused on the four mercenaries.

One of the mercenaries let out a low groan of pain. Hinata summoned four snakes, thick large ivory ones that coiled around three mercenaries. The low current of electricity messed with their heads as she channelled it through the floor.

The mercenary that held Josh was frozen but had a snake watching his every move. Sasuke activated his eyes, using genjutsu.

Hinata looked at the kids, standing by them, sending rushes of chakra to test their states. All of them were fine, just annoyed. Mitsuki looked charmed by the situation.

Hinata looked at Josh. He still had his dark eyes focused on her. His auburn hair was coppery and had similar bloody undertones. He was still tall, lanky and buff. And he still hated her.

"You could get out of this hold. All of them are slowly being subdued with the snake's poison. They will not die but they are being questioned by your leader Uchiha," she informed him. "They are frozen within the timescape Uchiha chooses and their mental state will be too much to bear and moving their bodies is not an option. Some may die. He only needs one survivor." Hinata said quietly.

"As if your serpents could do anything to me," Josh snorted.

Hinata was surprised. It wasn't a good idea to keep more than one anyway. They were traitors. They may go back to their leaders, convey information that they shouldn't and did they need to survive?

Hinata didn't see any reason why any of the mercenaries except for their leader survive. She was a shinobi, but they weren't.

"Are you alright?" Hinata asked the kids.

Mitsuki's golden eyes blinked at her.

Benjiro nodded, speaking for his siblings. "Shijima saved us. She's kinda good at everything." he gushed. "Kinda like tousan." he shrugged.

"Oh, is she? I heard she had many gifts." Hinata frowned. Why had Shijima gone straight to the kids when Hinata told the woman to leave her alone?

Hiromitsu ran to hold her arm, hiding behind her. "Those men were creepy."

Hinata patted her boy's dark wavy hair. "Darling, why didn't you activate your sharingan? It wouldn't make you afraid," Hinata smiled. "Those are situations Uncle Rai would have wanted you to use."

He groaned in despair, shaking his head. 

Amarante was stoic, stomping over to one mercenary with a fierce expression. She kicked his arm. "My mama woulda did it but now my papa's gonna spill your guts."

"Do not injure him further," Hinata warned Amarante. "Your father and I will take care of that. Well trained shinobi do not waste their energy, okay,  darling?"

Mitsuki looked at the three mercenaries. "The only reason they're alive is that I wanted to see what you'd do." He looked at Hinata pointedly. "It was a long, boring wait."

Hinata looked at Mitsuki. He was a trained killer. He didn't take action because he thought the way Hinata killed would be more interesting. Taiyo gave Mitsuki a wary look, probably sensing what Hinata thought.

"Where were you?" Benjiro frowned at Hinata, black eyes peering at her.

"Ka-san was dealing with some of our other family," she whispered happily. Doi hid her face. "They're new with their sharingan."

Paying attention to the conversation (as a hostage with strange priorities), Josh growled at Hinata. "That doesn't mean we're useless. Those guys just caught us by surprise."

Sasuke reasserted himself back into the room and grumbled, mildly livid. "Attacks always happen by surprise, Josh. There's a difference between bold and stupid. Shinobi aren't supposed to recklessly throw themselves into the situation or the arms of their attacker unless you have a plan."

Josh lifted his chin, eyes wandering the Uchiha's sharp expression. "I am not a fucking shinobi and I sure as hell won't use your sharingan."

Sasuke sighed. "It's probably not by choice. You have the chakra control of a newborn baby."

"I'm not scared of you, Uchiha. I heard you ran from your village. You'll probably run away from me." he promised.

Sasuke shook his head to Josh's open aggression.

Hinata got in between the two men. "Rakujochigusa-san, you are a medical-nin. Medical-nin naturally leave many openings in their stances." Hinata lifted a shoulder. "It is just the way life is."

"Hell no we don't," Josh said resolutely. "What do you even know about it?"

"I am a medical-nin. I heal others for a living whilst fighting on the front lines. My Raikage, whom I served for two years, allowed me to discard the rule of not serving on the front lines. You will be there soon under my liege." she told him.

Josh grimaced, face twisted in anger. "Hell no am I ever working with you because I'm rea-"

Hinata grabbed his shoulder and stepped away from him, a vice on his wrist. He was yanked forward and Hinata rolled him over her hip. He flipped in a beautiful arc. The floor slapped against his hip and she held him down by the shoulder she grabbed.

"You mustn't rush into battle like that without proper training or enough chakra to heal others from injuries like these." Hinata proceeded to use the mystical palm technique. "You mustn't overestimate yourself but never stop hoping."

"That's bullshit!" Josh got up, to be met by the mocking of all the Uchiha kids laughing.

"I could dodge that in my sleep!" Benjiro said loudly.

Taiyo facepalmed. "Nata didn't even use Taijutsu. Imagine how broken his brain would be if-"

"Shut up brats!" Josh yelled. "You probably don't have any skills aside from winning the genetic lottery."

"If it has to do with her," A young, handsome boy pointed to Hinata, "none of you could do anything if you could have just saved us."

"We all have specialized jutsu, idiot and Shijima had it under control. We have fire affinities and we can perform genjutsu, taijutsu and the Chidori. My Sasu could close dimensions and my nata could summon a mountain of snakes that is bigger than Sunagakure and Konohagakure combined." Taiyo leaned in close to the face of Josh. "What can you do for yourself, Yami?"

The teen's cheeks burned. Yami. Hinata remembered him. He was the endless flirt who was very aggressive towards Hinata. He had a two-toned hairstyle, golden eyes with an average build. He was very handsome.

"If you don't want our help, fine but save yourself. But hey, you can't complain if you die." Benjiro shrugged.

Hinata shushed Benjiro and looked at Josh.

All those stared at her electricity prison while she concentrated. She stared back with the sternness she somehow acquired as a mother. "You are not meant to speak of this outside of this room. We are leaving in the early morning, on our terms." Hinata decided. 

Sasuke nodded along with her plan. 

Shijima laughed. "You know that Suna is safer than any other village in the world?"

Hinata's eyebrow twitched. "Why is that?"

"You aren't leading them. Here, they're under my protection." Shijima blew soft air out of her mouth. "You're by far the most incompetent leader here-"

Hinata summoned her two swords, Inazuma and Ikazuchi, and pointed them at Shijima. "Another word. Say it. How incompetent am I with blades right now?" Hinata whispered.

Shijima stared at her silver katana and her dead expression. "You're seriously mad that I was here, with them, while you weren't? I saved them and you point weapons at me-"

"Don't you dare to try to justify your appearance here. Did you listen to any of my words?" Hinata asked quietly, the tip of her blade almost piercing Shijima's lips. "I told you not to appear in front of my children and you dare threaten me at a time like this?"

Shijima moved and Hinata pressed the blade to her neck, calmly observing the woman with distaste. They were in a ring of tension and she wouldn't escape.

Shijima looked at Sasuke. "A little help, Sasuke-san?" She batted her dark, long eyelashes at Sasuke. "She won't listen to me. She doesn't listen to sense."

Sasuke approached in her periphery sighed, lowering Hinata's katana. "She's one of us," he said simply.

"Her, Glasses?" Josh asked. 

Shijima nodded. "Me." 

Hinata readjusted her grip, lifting her sword. The tip nearly pierced Shijima's skin. "What do you mean?" she asked, eyes still on Shijima.

Shijima cleared her throat. "I'd rather have her remove her weaponry before hearing my story," she said carefully. She could joke, flash a smile but not tell the truth. Huh?

"You don't get to have demands." Hinata hissed. "If you do not listen to me, why should I return the favour?"

Shijima frowned, uneasy while eyeing Sasuke. They seemed to communicate without speaking, which was unusual because Sasuke hated people. Everyone. Why wasn't this lady on the list? What was so special about her?

"What's your gift?" Hinata urged. 

The woman's pain became surface level as she shied away from Hinata's glance. Hinata repeated it, not caring for how sombre the woman looked.

Shijima closed her eyes, tightly. "I have a sharingan too," she said in a small, wobbly voice.

"So, you lie too?" Hinata said, amidst the surprised gasps in the room.

"Why would I lie?" Shijima snapped.

"I don't trust you. Why should I believe you, too? Are you an Uchiha?" Hinata pressed.

Shijima's shoulders tensed, square and stiff. "I am a Hoshi. Through and through," she said, full of pride and passion.

Hoshi?

Shijima swallowed, a bitter expression on her face. "Orochimaru didn't think I was meant to live a happy, glasses-free lifestyle. Of all the dojutsu, I have the opposite of yours. I cannot see very well but my sharingan does work. It is free of conventional use but rich in genjutsu." she explained in a low voice.

Hinata looked at Sasuke. Was this true? She activated her sharingan eyes. They were a ruby colour, not as deep or blood red. It didn't resemble the eyes her children possessed. It seemed off.

"Orochimaru almost achieved the impossible but botched my eyesight. You cannot replicate the Uchiha or use them in any harmless way." she sighed. "Orochimaru cursed me with this faulty sharingan."

So that's why Shijima said the sharingan was a curse, a punishment. She lost her vision because of this.

Shijima was one of the Uchiha... no wonder Sasuke was so lenient. The kids were learning from the sharingan. In all honest, Hinata would slap Orochimaru for Shijima. Most of what happened was his fault.

Hinata would like to punish this woman for being so close to Sasuke and corrupting her kids but Shijima had already gone through enough pain.

And she was under Sasuke's protection.

Hinata begrudgingly unsummoned her swords. "I like to believe people are more than their Kekkei Genkai. I trust you aren't at fault for these attacks."

Shijima tsked at Hinata. "Most people would be dead if they pull a sword on anyone linked to the government. They engage in anti-intellectualism, most people would call it." she prattled.

Hinata didn't respond, despite the snickers from the pawns.

Sasuke looked at Hinata. "We're leaving this village."

Hinata had no complaints. "I'll confirm with the Kazekage." she nodded.

"I will be conveying your message," Shijima said. "I will report all that happened here. Shinobi are going to be investigating this matter before it becomes an international incident."

"I will tell the Kazekage-sama." Hinata asserted. 

Shijima pursed her lips. "As you wish."

Hinata nodded. She really didn't like this woman. Hinata got a feeling that Shijima felt the same.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he turned away, negative energy reflecting off of him. He gave orders to the other pawns in quiet voices as Hinata noticed the kids pouting her way. They didn't particularly want to leave, she saw by their thinly hidden agitation and disappointment.

"We going to Kumo?" Hiromitsu asked.

"No." Hinata shook her head. "We're... We're going to live in your father's district. He built it just for you guys. You guys have a massive bedroom!" she assured Hiromitsu breezily. "And you'd see snow."

Benjiro shook his head. "Who would want that? I don't wanna start speaking moose." 

"Just because there's snow doesn't mean you speak moose. I don't know where you get these ideas, love," she brushed away Benjiro's too long hair from his eyes. 

Hinata glanced at Mitsuki who watched her with wide, curious eyes. "You're coming along, too, Mitsuki."

Mitsuki nodded, short and stiff. His entire body released tension. Amarante and Benjiro cheered. Taiyo nodded at Mitsuki, giving his silent, stoic acceptance. The only quiet child of hers was Hiromitsu.

"I wanna... I wanna see Uncle Rai's grave." Hiromitsu whispered the last part.

Hinata's heart ached. Uncle Raikage died... before she was captured. He was her leader. She wanted to trust his judgement. He'd sit down with her and tell her what to do. Akuma-oo-sama came to steal everything good about her children's lives.

She opened her mouth. "We'll return where we belong."

"That's near him, yeah?"

"Always. That's our reality." Hinata smiled sadly. Her throat tightened up. "I miss him, too," she whispered lowly.

Hiromitsu leaned closer. "Me..." he sighed, his face torn with grief. "Me too, mama."

She squeezed his fingers. "We'll have to settle in Konoha, first."

Josh didn't seem to agree. "Why do we have to leave Suna?" he gestured to the pawns huddled behind him.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Kid, you will be killed if Hinata nor I am here. Besides, if you stay here, you will not have the same rights and protection my influence along with the Hokage could give."

"Some of us want to return to our villages." A new face, an older man said. He was stoic and weary. His dark hair peppered with gray. His face was sunken and thin but he seemed peaceful. 

"I have things to return to. I have no allegiance to Kumogakure or Konoha." the man continued.

Hinata's frown softened. "I don't want to keep you away from your home... But it's unlikely that the elders of Konoha will let any of us leave to our preferred destinations."

Sasuke ignored the bitterness in her tone and continued responding. "They still want an ongoing investigation on the pawns, who Akuma-oo-sama is and what your eyes are capable of. The media does blame the Uchiha for the last Demon War that occurred." Sasuke informed them. "Even if we wanted to let you all go, you will have to cooperate with the government for a while longer."

"How long is this while?"

"Saito... Months. Years." Sasuke informed them. "You aren't our prisoners, we are Konoha's prisoners for a while."

A sombre sadness fell over the room during the dead silence. That was the reality of what was going on. Sharingan were weapons. All of the people in this room were weapons for the daimyo, the shinobi of the village and the Hokage who could use them.

And the pawns knew this, now.

Josh exhaled loudly, restlessness on his countenance. "It's just like the Uchiha to take everyone down with them. I want back my freedom. I don't owe anything to you guys." Josh cursed, burying his face in his palms.

Sasuke scoffed. "Before you take your stupidity too far, just stop and think— would Suna actually want you? The Uchiha are infamous. Infamous. And you're just stupid. You barely have any self-preservation skills to protect yourself."

Josh didn't reply, instead he glared at the wall.

"If you guys won't ask for forgiveness, you can at least apologize, Lady Akuma." One pawn, a blonde girl who has been glaring for the majority of Hinata's stay.

Hinata listened to the unbidden words carefully. "You blame me for the destruction he caused?" she asked with disbelief.

All the pawns stiffened, suddenly on guard. Her stomach was spasming with nervous energy.

Her choppy blonde hair reminded Hinata of an unkempt Ino, just as beautiful but with brown, mocking eyes. "Almost explicitly." she cocked her head to the side, voice drowning in derision. "We all just want to be free of it. Every moment we spend with you is a moment stolen from our families-"

"Watch your tongue, Kanna," Sasuke said, voice flat with volume and authority. "You have problems, don't bring them up in front of the kids. Act like an adult." Sasuke finished with a steely glance to all the other pawns.

Kanna rolled her ecru brown eyes. All of that spiteful malice flummoxed her. Hinata's heart beat violently as she resisted responding or doing much of anything else. Well, there are no other surviving scapegoats. No matter how the cards fall, someone blames another person for something.

Mitsuki and Benjiro glared at Kanna. "Hey. Shut up. Why bully my ka-san? You got a problem, take it up with me. Not her." Benjiro threatened, completely serious.

Mitsuki was quiet while Hinata smiled to herself, her heart beaming. Instead of fleeing down the hallway and screaming, she laughed. Children and babies have magic most people haven't learned yet but they have this odd fearlessness that teens lacked. Maybe it was an Uchiha thing.

Sasuke gave her a polished, placid look that burned with questions. Only he could look so expressionless while his captivating eyes displayed something so different and emotional.

Hinata pulled the boys to her sides. "Forgive these two, Kanna. I take responsibility for all you feel."

The two boys looked at her just as all of the pawns were surprised by her actions. "Prepare for the voyage by nightfall. The Kazekage is equipping us for the three-day travel to Konoha by next dawn." Sasuke continued.

They all groaned. 

Sasuke gave them a seething look. "That's reasonable. Do you want to a majority of the travel during high-noon in Sunagakure?"

They all sighed. Hinata was surprised by how quickly they agreed.

§§§

Hinata groaned while falling onto the bed. It was almost eight. Deathly cold. Whenever the sun didn't shine, the desert was so cold! The landscape was calm, light dust settling and the air brisk.

The four other mercenaries were apprehended by the Suna shinobi and questioned. Most of them committed suicide instead of betraying their leaders or source. Sasuke wasn't happy about these results and wanted to know who released the information about the pawn's whereabouts.

Karin and Hinata watched the kids in Karin's hotel room. In the other room, the byakugan users were adjusting to their eyes. They constantly had headaches, couldn't see well enough or was not used to seeing through floors.

The three byakugan users slept most of the time. Karin volunteered to watch the kids and watch over the scientific changes the byakugan users posed. Karin tended to their medical needs while consulting with Hinata a lot. Hinata was a senior byakugan user after all.

Karin did it while managing a toddler. Her baby Tsugetsu and moving everywhere. He was so big now! Almost ten months, he was in a bubbly and adventurous.

Karin concentrated chakra in specific parts of her body. It was a common game with shinobi children, to channel chakra and use his sensory type skills.

Hinata was fascinated. She remembered when her twins were that small, just discovering life and being so cute and walking around— ah. She missed it.

Even rolling around on the bed, stepping on Hinata's calf didn't bother her. He was so cute and laughing. His combination of messy red hair and mysterious purple eyes would never fail to surprise Hinata.

The kids caused problems while they ran around the hotel room. They were playing so loudly.

Suigetsu and Sasuke were watching the sharingan users, undoubtedly giving them a scolding or at least yelling. She wasn't sure how he managed his sharingan users.

"They think I was the one who killed their families, brought them deep underground to be mutilated by some Uchiha madmen!" she sighed into her pillow.

"After the war, nothing could really faze me," Karin shrugged. "And they think power is doom. It's weird, they're killing all their chances to stay alive. Shinobi are selfish creatures. They don't care anymore."

"Oh. They want to live. They don't want to live around me and Sasuke," Hinata reasoned.

Karin laughed. "They're still stupid. Nothing but a pole is in those idiot's futures." she patted Hinata's back. "Don't stick it to your heart and be sensitive."

Hinata laughed. "Feelings? I don't know what they are."

Karin grinned. "That's the spirit, Hinata." Karin looked at Hinata, hesitating. Which was so weird for her friend. "Is it true that this child is Orochimaru's? I mean, I don't care why it's just... is it?"

Hinata nodded. "He's currently under a genjutsu that makes him forget about his time in the genjutsu. It's deteriorating his mind. We have to undo it. We need Mitsuyo for that."

Karin flicked her red eyes all over Hinata's face. "That's why his chakra was similar. Crazy. He even smiles as Orochimaru did."

Hinata picked up a spoon, twirling and bobbing it in front of the child. Tsugetsu was enchanted while trying to swipe the cutlery mid-air.

"You are darling," Hinata chuckled, catching baby Tsugetsu. "Karin-"

She wasn't listening. She was lost in her thoughts. Seeking refuge, Tsugetsu plopped onto his mother's lap.

Tsugetsu laid, content and less active now that Karin was calm. "You know," Karin started, voice unmistakably thick. "I... I thought that you'd come back some totally different person."

Hinata perked up. "Why?"

"Captivity changes people. I don't know all the details but from what the children have told me... it's brutal." Karin sighed.

The byakugan users were younger children. One of them was seven, the other sixteen and another eleven. They were probably chosen for the implants because the byakugan is harder to manage and takes way longer to master. It's much more delicate than the sharingan in chakra control plus getting the body strong enough to handle the chakra movements was difficult.   

Karin continued, "You should have seen the reactions from the kids and Suigetsu and Sasuke... All of us... were worried. It didn't seem like you were going to bounce back. And none of us know what happened," she paused. She closed her eyes tightly as if to shut out those painful memories.

Hinata didn't want to be reminded or seen. Judgment clouded and thoughts scrambled. Flashes of bad memories.

Avoiding Hinata's gaze, Karin played with Tsugetsu's chubby legs. "I... I don't think much would break you." Karin had a thoughtful but devastated expression on her face.

"Karin..." Hinata said lightly.

Karin adjusted her glasses, clearing her throat. "I'm glad you're you. Still you. You're still made out of lightning and cute stuff." Karin's face broke out in a pleasant, reassuring smile. "I knew you'd bounce back, better and hotter."

She tried to laugh but it was a false, cynical smile.

All that flexibility, fear and trust in her voice was unexpected. All those little things they've done over the years suddenly mattered so much. And Karin... maybe a lot of other people were scared. None of them told her, except for the kids and of course... Sasuke. None of them approached her with their feelings.

Hinata really scared people. Her father, Karin... A lot of people.

Hinata touched Karin's trembling hand and laughed. "I couldn't give up when my heart breathed for this normality. And Karin... it's my second favourite thing to annoy you."

Karin flicked Hinata's forehead. "You've been spending too much time with Suigetsu. I hate when he goes and runs his mouth."

Hinata laughed, Karin chiming hers in too. Hinata looked at the pile of clothes at the end of the bed, the kids playing some sort of hide and go seek with walkie talkies, and laughing with small secrets. This feels normal. Familiar. 

"You know I'd drag you back from heaven, y'know." Karin wiped away all of her doubts and smiled. "Well, I'll kick their behinds if the pawns attack you like they've been bad-mouthing you. Even the little ones."

Hinata sighed and played with the blankets. She was apprehensive and nervous. She could tell Karin some of it. She looked like someone who could handle the truth or knowing something yet telling Sasuke was impossible.

"Maybe they're right. I did some terrible things and if they see me as the enemy... Then they'll get better. They all seem to have some degree of self-loathing because of the surgeries. I was apart of the process. The DCA was after me... after all." she faltered. "But that- that's... that's expected. Don't worry. It's fine."

"Dude. Don't take responsibility for someone else's actions." Karin shrugged. "By devaluing themselves, they've also devalued others."

Hinata squirmed. The instant wisdom Karin said, she looked back at Karin's easy-going face with her red frames. Maybe... she needed to think of it. "Wow." Hinata  

"What?" Karin asked. "Why can't I be pretentious and philosophical like you and Sasuke?"

"We don't do that!" She hit Karin with a pillow. "We do not!"

Karin laughed, unconvinced and obnoxious— like normal. "Sasuke... told me what happened. The proposal and stuff. I was going to dance so hard at your wedding," Karin shrugged. "Now I wanna stomp on Sasuke's face."

Hinata shrugged. Circles. All that they're doing, going in circles. Hinata's been too awkward. She couldn't speak to him without blaming him for something. And that was no way to talk to the one she wanted to press against the wall and kiss.

Despite all the annoyance, yelling and avoiding— he still cared about her. Through all the muttering underbreath comments, Hinata was still in the audacity of his magnetic field. And she wanted to tackle his unassuming person into proposing for real.

She still wanted his guidance, comfort and calm... No matter what he'd say to her.

"I wanna marry him." Hinata smiled, voice a little weak. "I don't know when but it will happen. We'll be fine. He just... doesn't want to get married to me. I mean. We have everything. I thought I had everything he wanted. Did he want a clan before... a wife? I thought wives were family." Hinata smoothed out her dress, ignoring her emotional tears. "I thought I was enough, you know? And I thought he'd be happy on his own. And we'd say. We'd just promise the opposite."

"You... Do you want to stay together? I mean. You guys are Sasuke and Hinata." Karin laughed. "This is a small thing. A woman's desire can pass even through rock!" she nodded.

She thought back to his purple and black eyes. She huffed at her own exasperation, her own indecision. "I don't know what either of us wants, really but he says marriage is... Well, not said. He gave the idea that marriage was after his dream was completed."

Karin eyed her curiously. "Maybe it's not that he doesn't want to be married now. Did he call it off, forever?"

He thought Hinata's want for marriage was insecure or traditional... He couldn't live with or without Hinata. And he didn't want a cheerleader. She was needy and self-righteous and... she called him a sad monster.

"I don't remember... he said he needed time then said he didn't and then he said he did and it was so confusing!" she groaned. Hinata thought about it. "I thought and heard what he could do but I liked him- loved him so it didn't matter. I didn't think it was a huge problem."

Karin gently patted her head. "You know, some giants are small."

Hinata leaned into the touch. "Some giants are." she sighed. 

The weight in her head made her head hurt. All their misconstrued words were piling up. 

Her heart ached. She woke up missing Sasuke. The old him. The closeness and day-to-day parallels. There was a desperate distance. Their arguments fed on their issues. And them speaking was just an open flame and bowing to silence hurt. She was hesitant to know what he was thinking.

Before Hinata could answer, she heard a loud bang from the kids, pushing into the room with a loud bang.

"Fireworks! The office building is setting off fireworks!" Amarante's voice was filled with hearty and sonorous excitement.  

The rest of them cheered, ran back out, calling, "We'll be on the roof."

Karin groaned. "How'd they get there?" 

"They're shinobi children. I'd not be surprised if they got to the moon."  Hinata rubbed her forehead. "I'll take the kids." Hinata smiled.

Karin nodded. "I'll get this little one to sleep. After all, I do have to clean up Orochimaru's messes. The byakugan girls need their bandages changed."

Karin was... doing this for Hinata. She didn't have to or need to. She didn't need to support Hinata or become her friend. She tolerated Sasuke, even became friends with him. She took care of the kids, moved around with the Uchiha and stuck by Hinata... worried and scared. 

Karin... despite how she treated herself was amazing. 

They nodded. Before leaving, Hinata looked at Karin, over her shoulder. "Karin... ano," Hinata paused. "You're a good person."

"Don't lie! It's unbecoming of you." Karin chuckled nervously.

Hinata was startled. "You are! You've even accepted me, your former love rival and you're doing so much for me and Sasuke... even though what happened between you two. You chose him and I respect you." 

"He treated me like crap and I did promise to follow him places. Anywhere." Karin laughed. "Now I chose another person, you, Hinata. But I'm not good." 

"Karin... you are. I don't have the time to lie. And you, you could sense chakra flow when people lie." 

"Yeah." Karin laughed, bitter and loud. A longing face full of pain and the past focused on Hinata. "I am Karin. I have two kids and I am a scientist.  My favourite food is grill-it-yourself okonomiyaki and I hate gyoza because that's all Suigetsu can make. I have and collect over 122 perfumes but I am not a good person. I heal a little bit  but I am not a good person."  

Hinata was about to respond but Karin kicked her out. She shut the door. All this darkness, without realization, pervaded their normal lives. It was even in her, now too. 

It seems like everyone can't forgive themselves for things they've done. Even Hinata. Causing those deaths... could she say she was a good person? 

Being shinobi, and annoying thrill-seekers, Hinata and the kids used chakra to jump to the top of the three-story hotel. The rooftop was completely clean, spacious and bright as the bright bursts of light were released over the city.

While most of the kids played on the roof, running fast, trying their best to make do with their jutsu, they watched the colours illuminated the low cityline of odd buildings and bustling people. There was chaos down on the street but there was peace with her and the kids.

Hinata wanted to speak to Sasuke, chatting flirtatiously under this setting. She wanted to be resting on his shoulder as the moon's phase change in a time-lapse. The moon growing brighter, passing sweetly through time. And he'd try so hard to make her stop talking about the constellations but really, really he wanted to know.

Her worn heart started to wonder, did Sasuke want her like this, again? There's no one above him and she knew he'd hurt her. Damn it. Why couldn't she speak with Mitsuyo about this? She could scratch her head and think but there would be blood underneath her fingernails by the time she makes up her mind.

The gloomy, peaceful village sat under the crescent moon and pin-pricks of heaven-bound stars. Her eyes were useful in this velvety clear scene. So dark, so wide, so beautiful. She wasn't sure if her usual carousel of worries belonged under this vast starry sky. 

The fireworks became more and more while she gazed at the distance in front of her. So, with the kids, she ignored her problems and supposed that the starlight would render her new life's path visible.

§§§

-End Chapter-