Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Summer in Konoha was sweltering. Though it was nearly fall, the sun was still bright and full and there was seldom a cloud in all the sky to offer any sort of reprieve. It was the sort of day best spent under the shade with something cold and sweet to eat. While Hinata would have loved to do such a thing, it was her first day off in a long while and as such there were many things that needed tending to. Namely, the plants in her garden were in dire need of attention.

Wiping the sweat from her covered brow, she went on digging through the dirt to get to the bases of all the morning glories that had taken root. As much as she loved all sorts of flowers, she had only been allowed to grow herbs. Flowers were strictly designated to the main courtyard while the herb garden was purely for plants of medicinal use.

“The sun is blistering, why don’t you take a break?”

Glancing up, Hinata paused in her work to smile at Neji who stood on the engawa in his jounin uniform. She smiled and sat back on her heels carefully, “It’ll be ok if I finish before noon.”

“It’s nearly noon and you’ve half the garden to take care of,” he told her. “You’ll burn at this rate.”

In the end, they were seated side by side on the porch overlooking the yard as the run rose steadily higher. There was a tray of tea between them and a calm air.

“Are you taking off soon,” Hinata asked. “You said you were leaving with your team today, yes?”

Neji hummed and nodded in confirmation, “We’re just escorting a caravan, but I’ll be gone for two weeks at least.”

“I see, be safe,” Hinata said. “You heard from Shikamaru-kun about the skirmish he got into at the border, right?”

“I did, I believe we’ll be fine; there are going to be four jounin. Myself and the rest of my team.”

“Still, be careful,” she hummed, thumbing over the side of her teacup. Suddenly, a shock of pain stunned her as it pulsed in the area behind her eyes. She was unable to do anything but wince and the tea sloshed dangerously.

Her movement did not escape Neji who looked at her in concern, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” she assured, the pain already lessening. “Sorry.”

“Is it your eyes still?”

“Yes,” she said, somewhat sheepishly. “The spasms are a lot less frequent, just not entirely gone.”

He frowned, “Well, it’s only been six months. I had them for a year after receiving the seal.”

Hinata lifted a hand to comb through her bangs self consciously. Six months ago, on Hanabi’s birthday, it had been announced that she was to start her training as the official heiress to the Hyuuga clan. On that same day, Hinata had undergone the process of receiving her Caged Bird seal. The process itself was not painful, but the weeks following had been as her chakra began to adapt to a new inhibitor around her dojutsu. This proved not to be an uncommon experience amongst branch family members.

“You should practice your exercises more,” Neji instructed her.

“I should,” she agreed. “My range isn’t up to par. I can only see about eighteen leagues now, before it was twenty.”

“Yes, you should,” Neji said. “You might have a mission that soon requires it.”

“I will,” she assured. “Maybe when you return we should train together?”

“Yes, let’s,” he said. His white eyes shifted toward the sky and he stood.

“Is it time for you to go,” she asked.

“Yes, I have to be at the gate soon.”

“Alright, I’ll see you to the door,” Hinata said, rising too.

They walked together quietly to the main gate, a tall and round opening where five grown men could pass through while walking abreast. It was one of the great landmarks of the village and a source of pride for the Hyuuga clan with its pristine white walls and tasteful architecture. It was regularly maintained by a few branch family members and shone much like a pearl.

One half of the door was pulled open by one of their guards to which Hinata thanked him. She then smiled, “Have a safe trip.”

“I’ll see you, Hinata,” Neji said, nodding to her briefly before adjusting his pack and starting toward the village entrance.

She waved him off until he was gone from sight before closing the door and going to resume her gardening—but first she would need to get a suitable hat.

Some time around two, when Hinata was sun-tired and fatigued from dehydration, she finally pulled the remaining weeds and went to lie down for a few hours to recuperate. Following dinner, she dressed herself and began making her way out of the compound. She descended the stairs and bid a ‘good night’ to some of the other branch members. Once she stepped out, the cool evening air seemed to fully rejuvenate her and she sighed softly.

As she walked back to the gate, she saw a young girl waiting in a fine lilac kimono. Hinata smiled widely and bowed.

“Hanabi-sama,” she greeted.

“Ane-ue,” Hanabi returned. Even after all that time, she showed no signs of discontinuing the usage of Hinata’s old, formal title no matter how many reminders slipped her way.

Out of everyone, Hanabi had been the one to take Hinata’s demotion and subsequent sealing the hardest. She had fought and screamed in all the ways one would deem unladylike when the decision had been announced. Hinata had been touched by this, though there was nothing anyone could do in the face of the elders’ final word. In the end, their father had been the one to paint the ink on her forehead and guide her through the oath before the power of their bloodline had been tempered within her.

“Where are you going,” Hanabi asked.

“To the hospital, I promised Sakura-chan that I would cover for someone’s absence this week,” Hinata answered. She then posed her own question. “Are you on a stroll? The main house should be having a meeting now, no?”

Hanabi frowned and scrunched her skirt within her fists, “They are. Chichi-ue asked that I take a walk to clear my head before I joined.”

Hinata couldn’t help but laugh slightly, “He knows you too well.”

“It should be you at that meeting,” Hanabi said pointedly.

A soft expression took over Hinata’s face and she brushed some hair behind her ear, “I never did well when I attended. I’m sure you handle them much better than me already, you’re so capable.”

“Don’t say that, Ane-ue—!”

“I must go now, Hanabi-sama,” Hinata said, bowing once more. “Let’s talk another time.”

Hanabi bit her lips together and her face flickered with hurt and frustration before she resigned and nodded, muttering, “Yes. Good night, Ane-ue.”

“Good night, Hanabi-sama,” Hinata told her. She offered one last smile before resuming her way.

Less than an hour later, Hinata arrived at the hospital and quickly found a woman frantically checking over papers.

“Sakura-chan,” she called.

“Oh, Hinata-chan,” Sakura said. She sighed loudly, “Thank goodness you’re finally here.”

“Sorry, should I have come earlier,” Hinata asked, looking up at the clock though she had believed herself to be punctual.

“No, no, it’s just been a long day,” Sakura said. She ran a hand through her short hair, “I mean, it’s always a long day here but you know what I mean.”

After starting her apprenticeship under the fifth Hokage, Sakura had encouraged all the girls of their class to become trained as medics, noting the importance of it. So, they all ended up training and becoming registered save for Tenten who only ever managed to master the basics. Though not as exceptionally talented as Sakura or as boldly determined as Ino, Hinata was able to make herself quite useful and did not mind offering her help when it was needed in places outside of mission first-aid.

“I think I’ll just have you on the floor today,” Sakura said, flipping through one of her several clip boards. “Tanizuka-san is sick so he couldn’t come in today. Can you just fill in for the people he was supposed to round for?”

“Of course, if that’s where you need me,” Hinata said amicably.

“I need everyone everywhere,” Sakura groaned. “I already sent someone to ask Ino to help but she flaked, that bitch.”

Hinata laughed, “Well, isn’t it Thursday?”

“Yeah, so she’s probably out with some guy right now. Which is so rude, honestly,” Sakura muttered. She sighed deeply and straightened her posture while dragging her hands down her face, “Whatever. Thank you for showing up today, Hinata-chan, I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” she said, stepping away. “Should I go to the floor now?”

“Yes please, if you need anything I’ll probably be here. I have to study on top of all this too, there’s another test I’m taking with Hisanaga-sensei next week and I absolutely do not want to fail.”

“You’ll do great, Sakura-chan, I believe in you,” she said. “I will see you, then.”

“Yep, bye-bye,” Sakura said, already beginning to look at another chart.

It was not long after that Hinata found herself stepping into the room of an injured shinobi.

“Ah, Hinata-san, my favorite nurse,” the man said with a bright smile.

She smiled back, “Still here, Hironori-san?”

“Still here,” he laughed, patting his arm in a cast.

Yoneda Hironori, from what Hinata understood, was a jounin a few years older than her who had gotten badly hurt during a rescue mission gone wrong. He’d been knocked unconscious and fell from a cliff and somehow miraculously survived, though was due for a long recovery.

“How are you feeling today? I’ve seen your charts, your vitals look much better,” she noted gently, walking over to check on his I.V. fluids.

Hinata enjoyed healing so much that she thought about leaving behind the shinobi life sometimes. Of course, there was a different sort of satisfaction and happiness that she got from completing missions but the lifestyle had largely been pushed onto her by her clan. They were a clan bred specifically for being shinobi and their insular culture was so steeped in the lifestyle that it was nearly shameful to be a Hyuuga and not a shinobi. But for all her shameful gentleness, she had always despised conflict. Be they in an era of peace and considering the specialty of her team, they were often able to avoid it. Thus, she could settle on a degree of contentment that came from the shinobi lifestyle.

It was times like these, however, that she was reminded of things she would have chosen differently if she were able.

“Better now that I’ve seen your pretty face,” Hironori grinned charmingly.

Hinata flushed darkly at this and her hands fluttered nervously. Flustered, she admonished, “Hironori-san…”

He laughed again, “Maybe when I get out of here, you’d let me take you out?”

“I don’t—I don’t know,” she said uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze as she continued to check over his vitals. “Uhm…”

“I’ll change your mind,” he said, quite confidently.

“A-Alright,” she mumbled, unsure of how to respond.

Despite his flirting, Hironori was in actuality a pleasant person to be around. He asked her how she was doing and shared anecdotes about the other medics and nurses that she missed in her time away.

“And the food here is just bland,” Hironori complained. He then looked at her hopefully, “Maybe the next time you come you could bring some fruit for me?”

“I will try to remember,” she said with a nod after removing her hand from his leg and the glowing of her chakra diminished. “Neji-niisan always complains of the porridge.”

“Yes, it’s worse than any ration I’ve had to eat while on the field…”

Upon his trailing off, Hinata became aware of an approaching person in the hall. Hironori seemed to recognize them as he went quiet and became attentive to the door. Curiously, Hinata watched as a rather unexpected person appeared in the frame.

Tall, leanly muscled, and darkly handsome, Uchiha Itachi stepped into view with a scroll resting in the nook of his arm. He looked first to Hironori and then to Hinata and tipped his head politely.

“Hello, I’m afraid I’ve come to bother you,” he said.

“Visiting hours are over, captain,” Hironori huffed.

“I’m aware, unfortunately this is urgent,” the man explained to which Hironori sighed.

Despite being the older brother of one of her peers, Uchiha Itachi was not someone Hinata encountered often, if at all. He was seldom seen around the village as a shinobi of his caliber was often away to deal with important missions to support the village in ways most were not privy to. As a child, Hinata had seen him quite a few times at diplomatic inter-clan gatherings, always stone faced and beside his father—the head of his family. But soon, he seemed to go on to bigger and better things than sitting idly by his father’s side and Hinata had gone on to a much more disappointing and mediocre role.

“Sorry, Hinata-san, looks like we’ll have to discuss our date some other time.”

She flushed and tucked some hair behind her ear, “Please don’t say such things, Hironori-san…”

“Apologies, Hyuuga-sama,” Itachi spoke as well, regarding her with a nod. “If I may have a moment with him in private.”

All at once, a hot flash of embarrassment burned her from within. She picked up her clipboard and fixed her bangs as she stared at the ground, “‘Sama’ is unnecessary, i-it’s just… I’m no longer… That is…”

Her nerves and hair-fiddling were not lost on him. He appeared briefly surprised before he bowed deeper to her by a slight margin, “I apologize, I did not mean to be so inconsiderate.”

So he hadn’t known; how much more embarrassing, she thought. Even most civilians by then had heard of the long anticipated changing of the Hyuuga heir. How humiliating to have to tell the prized heir to an arguably rival clan about her demotion from their once shared position. 

“It’s fine,” she said, picking at her papers. “I-I’m going to go now. I’ll be back later in the night, Hironori-san. Call if you need anything… Uhm… If—If you’ll excuse me now…”

Slick as a mouse, she slipped past the gap in the door between the frame and Itachi and hurried to her next room. She hoped she never had to see that man again.

—

Assimilating to the branch family was not all that much of an adjustment. There was not a single person who could have been surprised at her demotion. From her weak mental constitution to her easily bruiseable skin, Hinata had never been an ideal heir to their prestigious line. It was because she was a girl, the elders said. Hiashi would do well to try for a child of stronger composition, a son, ideally. One like his twin brother’s who was already showing inclinations toward genius at the juuken. Unfortunately for her father, he had been given another girl.

Before the elders could even suggest trying again for a son, the kidnapping had occurred. Hinata remembered being silenced with a rough hand on her mouth as she tried to scream. She remembered watching her mother burst in, pale and still weak from giving birth but fueled by her maternal intuition and instincts to protect Hinata. She remembered the careless and fatal strike the shinobi dealt her mother in their scuffle, a shock of lightning to the heart. When her father was at last able to rescue her, it was already too late and her mother’s skin had gone cold.

The following years had been difficult. Neji, her kind older cousin, began to resent her for the death of his father(—which hadn’t it been her fault?) and she showed no improvement in her skills. Hanabi, still a baby, could not show any particular skills either. Thus discussions began.

Despite the urging, Hiashi refused to take another wife as he had cherished Hinata’s mother most of all and he promised to hold her in high esteem by never remarrying. Fearing for the degradation of the main house, they began to consider their options. Perhaps the heirship should go to another son of the main house. Perhaps Neji, who was the most promising Hyuuga in several generations, should be betrothed to Hinata—though this was an unsavory option as he already bore the seal of the caged bird. Perhaps Hinata needed to endure more strict training. There were many debates and tensions were high for several years, all throughout which Hinata had cried and bled. But in the end, thankfully, blessedly, Hanabi turned out to be strong.

From then on, there was seemingly a projected course of action. Hinata would step down to make room for her sister who was born much greater than her. All she needed to do was focus on her career as a kunoichi. In many ways, being a part of the branch family was a great relief. No longer was there any expectation for her to be more than what she could. All that was expected of her was to tend to her chores and complete missions successfully. So, there she was, eighteen and residing in one of the branch houses, pulling weeds in her free time.

Hinata tossed another bundle of roots aside and hummed. Some of her herbs were almost ready for harvesting, it should probably be taken care of within the next several days. She would have to get to it before she got called for another mission, it wouldn’t do to be with a low supply of medicine.

Someone cleared their throat and she flinched, quickly looking up to find one of the elders standing above her.

“Tsukiyo-sama,” she greeted, bowing lowly.

Tsukiyo was a very old, very severe looking woman with a pristine forehead without a single sunspot or other flaw even in her late age. She leaned on her cane and stared down at Hinata in great displeasure. Hinata floundered for a moment before she quickly scooted herself off the pathway and brushed the dirt and weeds that she carelessly threw there.

“I-I’m sorry, I did-didn’t re-realize,” she stuttered, trying her best to clean the stones with her filthy hands.

“Do well to remember that this is a walkway, not an area for your uncleanly activities,” Tsukiyo told her coldly. “And keep alert. A wielder of the byakugan should never be caught off guard.”

“Y-Yes,” Hinata said, placing her palms to the ground as she bowed lowly. “P-P-Please forgive my n-negligence…”

Tsukiyo scoffed under her breath and began walking away. Though not without snidely muttering, “When will you desist that terrible falter of your voice… If only the Hyuuga name could be rid of you…”

Hinata kept her head lowered until Tsukiyo had walked a significant distance away. She pursed her lips together and then righted herself though she was doused in shame. Tsukiyo had never liked Hinata for as long as she could remember. Her first offense had been the moment she entered the world as a girl rather than a son and she’d never been able to make up for her grievous mistake since.

As she returned to her weeds, Hinata wondered who had seen that for the first thing to know about being in the Hyuuga compound was that someone was always watching.

—

A week later, Hinata arrived back to the village after a short five day survey mission of a portion of the border shared between the lands of fire and rivers where some mercenaries had attacked a merchant group. It was straightforward; track, secure, confront, dispose, return, and report. Something she and her team had done dozens of times.

She stood quietly while petting Akamaru and listening to Shino succinctly recount the events of the mission.

“Was that all,” Tsunade asked.

“Unless my comrades have anything to note,” Shino said.

“Nope, you covered it all,” Kiba said.

“Yes, Shino-kun was very thorough,” Hinata agreed.

“Alright then, you’re all dismissed. Get some rest, I will get back to you on a follow-up mission,” Tsunade said, waving her hands.

They all bowed to her and turned to leave, except the woman spoke again, “Actually, Hinata.”

Hinata paused and looked over curiously. Kiba and Shino also looked at her. Nervously, Hinata faced her once more and addressed her, “Hokage-sama?”

“I was given a message to pass onto you,” Tsunade said. “You are to report to your father immediately, I understand he is at your compound.”

“O-Oh,” she mumbled. She bowed again, “Alright, I will head there. Thank you, Tsunade-sama.”

The woman nodded and there was something about the seriousness of her gaze that caused Hinata to grow on edge. Nothing good could come out of her being told to go home immediately.

The three of them bowed one last time before heading out of the tower.

“What do you think your dad wants,” Kiba asked as they descended the stairs. The breeze was pleasantly strong that day and ruffled all of their hair.

“I don’t know,” Hinata admitted. She frowned, “I can’t think of anything I did wrong… Moreover, since I’m now a branch member we haven’t had a reason to speak with one another…”

Kiba wrinkled his nose at this and scoffed, “Can’t talk to his own damn daughter… fucking jackass.”

“Kiba-kun,” Hinata said with a small frown.

“He is one and you know it,” Kiba said. “Your whole family is fucked up, I don’t know how you can stand it.”

“Perhaps it has something to do with inter-clan politics,” Shino spoke. There was a faint humming sound before he continued, “My kikaichu are saying something has happened in the days we’ve been gone.”

“What,” Kiba posed, looking over his shoulder as he continued down the stairs.

“I’m not sure…”

“Tch, well even then, what’s Hinata got to do with it now,” he asked. “They threw you out, they can’t just drag you back into the middle of it.”

“Whatever it is, Hinata-kun is still the daughter of a clan head, seal or not,” Shino said. “It is not all that surprising that she might still be involved with inter-clan relationships.”

Hinata bit at her lips. She hoped it had nothing to do with what Shino was suggesting. After struggling all her life, she finally found some semblance of peace to relax in. Though as a shinobi, perhaps that was her fatal mistake.

Akamaru nudged her side with his tail and looked at her, sensing her growing distress. She smiled slightly and rubbed him between his shoulder blades. Kiba noticed her dampening mood and swallowed down his next words. He looked away and said instead, “Well, we’ll walk you back to your compound.”

It was a decently far walk from the tower to the sector of the village where the Hyuuga resided. As they approached the white northern gate, Hinata bid goodbye to her teammates.

“Come to dinner if you can,” Kiba said, ruffling her hair. “We’re eating out with Kurenai-sensei and Mirai-chan, remember?”

“I’ll try to be there,” Hinata said, smiling despite her nerves. “If I can’t come, tell them ‘hi’ for me please.”

“Sure,” Kiba agreed pleasantly.

“Should you need any assistance, you also know where to find us,” Shino added.

“Right, bye Kiba-kun, Shino-kun.”

“See you later,” Kiba told her before turning away with Akamaru and their other teammate.

Hinata waved them off until they had fully gone before turning to the gate. It was already being opened by one of the chuunin guards for her to pass through.

“Hinata-san,” he greeted. “Were you told about meeting with Hiashi-sama?”

“I was, I-I’m headed there now,” she said.

He nodded and stepped to the side to allow her through. She took a deep but quiet breath, though it would not have been unnoticed by the others, and began on her way to the main house.

Outwardly, there was not much of a difference between the main house and the branch houses. The biggest thing to note was the pristinely landscaped courtyard in front of the building where a large pond existed. There were a few koi in there but the most striking thing about the pond was that it was in the visage of yin and yang. On one side, there was dark water with a white cluster of lilies carefully managed, on the other side was a thick blanket of the same flowers with a patch of dark water left in the center. Bisecting the pond following the line of the tomoe was a curved bridge that Hinata had walked upon many times in her life, but not at all recently.

Taking another calming breath, she pushed through and crossed the bridge and bowed politely to the branch family servant who was waiting for her at the steps.

“It’s nice to see you, Hinata,” the man said. His name was Myou and he was about Neji’s age but had been serving the main house directly since Hinata was roughly twelve.

“You too, Myou-san,” she greeted.

“How was your mission?”

“Successful.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Just this way please, Hiashi-sama and the others will speak with you in the hall,” Myou said, waiting for her to remove her shoes before leading her through the house.

Despite the fact she very well could have found the hall herself even if blinded, as a branch member she was no longer allowed free range to move around the main house as she pleased. She followed Myou diligently, matching his longer stride but never stepping before him so as not to seem presumptuous.

Swiftly, they made it to the main hall where they both kneeled. Myou knocked on the frame of the paper screen and waited for a response before opening it and bowing slightly.

“Hinata has arrived, Hiashi-sama,” Myou announced.

Hinata placed her hands on the floor and lowered herself until her forehead was touching the floor before sitting back up in seiza. She met no one’s gaze, “You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, Hinata, please enter,” Hiashi said, gesturing to the single unused cushion placed on the floor before the uniform line of the council.

Hinata bowed again and rose carefully, making sure to slide over and sit properly. Myou closed the door behind her though he did not leave. She placed her hands into her lap and lifted her chin though looked no one in the eye.

It was not the entire head family in attendance, it seemed. Just her father and a few of the most important elders. They all regarded her coldly.

“Your mission was successful,” Hiashi asked.

“Yes, Hiashi-sama,” she nodded. “We completed the mission without any trouble. I hope you all have been well.”

“We have,” another man said. “Let us move on from these formalities now.”

“Yes,” Tsukiyo said, elegantly draining her cup of tea. “Hinata, you are now eighteen.”

“Yes, Tsukiyo-sama,” she nodded.

“Though you are no longer a part of the main house, the decisions we make for you are final and may not be contested,” the woman went on. “Know that we have deliberated long and hard about this and that we have deemed this the most suitable course of action.”

Hinata was beginning to feel a tendril of fear coiling in her gut. Meekly, she nodded, “Y-Yes… What is it that—that I…”

“Hinata, you have been betrothed to the heir of the Uchiha clan.”

At this, Hinata could not hide the utter shock that colored her face. Her mouth fell open in her vulnerability and she felt as though the floor had been pulled from under her. She could find no words to say. So unbelievable was this news to her that she wondered if she were dreaming for there was no other choice for this to be other than an illusion.

“I…” she began, but anything else died on her dry tongue.

Unsure, she looked to her father for a hope of an answer. He regarded her with an impassive face but she could see something like tension in his eyes. Hiashi began to explain but she could hear none of it, merely numb to her new and impending reality.

Good for the family, a more beneficial position for her, an extension of good will. Nothing he said seemed to make sense, not that it mattered in the end as the words seemed to float over Hinata and pass through her weightlessly. She remained silent as more and more of her situation and duties were explained.

“Have you something to say, Hinata,” Tsukiyo asked, regarding her paling face.

“I… Why me,” she managed to squeak out.

The woman scoffed at her, “Who else? Stupid girl. The Hyuuga are the most powerful opposition to the Uchiha within this village and we have been ever loyal from its founding. Neither are there any other clans who match the Uchiha’s prestige as well as us. Thus, it has become our duty to offer one of our own. The only two women of suitable age within the main house’s options are you and Hanabi, who is the heir. Even if you are a branch member, you still carry the blood of the main house. As such it can only be you.”

“Hinata, we do not offer you frivolously,” Senmi spoke, another woman closer in age to Hinata’s father. “You should feel honored that you as a branch member are able to marry the head of such an esteemed clan.”

“O-Of course,” Hinata said, swallowing. She felt as if she were outside her body. Her hands were trembling but she could not feel it. Reflexively, she lowered herself to bow again. Quietly whispering, she willed herself not to weep. “Thank you for—for graciously offering me this… opportunity.”

And thus, at eighteen, her girlhood had finally come to a close with the promise of marriage on the impending horizon.

—

Word spread quickly of Hinata’s engagement following her learning. The reactions were varying, but all were underlaid with shock.

The first to approach her was Hanabi, who had stormed into the branch house that Hinata resided in and dragged her sister to an abandoned training field.

“Tell me it isn’t true,” Hanabi had demanded, fingers viciously clinging to Hinata’s thin arms. “Tell me it isn’t! They’re not marrying you off to that Uchiha bastard! They can’t be!”

“It’s true,” Hinata had said, voice hollow and weak. “I’m to be married by the end of the year…”

“That’s ridiculous,” Hanabi snarled, growing hysterical. “They can’t make you do that! You—You don’t love him! You don’t even know him!”

“They can and I must,” Hinata replied hollowly. “It’s for the good of the clan, the good of the village.”

“Screw this damn clan and village and world,” Hanabi had cried, tears beginning to slip down in childish frustration. “They already put that stupid seal on you yet they have to torture you more?! This is just an excuse to get rid of you!”

“I know,” Hinata said and she found a sadness growing in her. “But I can’t do anything about it, it’s already been decided. Hiashi-sama has signed the certificate as have I… We’re as good as married already…”

“No, no,” Hanabi hissed. “I’ll burn it! I’ll fight for you, Ane-ue! I’ll talk to Chichi-ue, he has to listen to me! They—They can’t take you away from me again!” At these words, Hanabi began to sob. She leaned forward and pulled Hinata into a tight embrace who too began to cry. “Damn them, damn them, damn them! You’re supposed to be my sister, why can’t they let you be my sister? Don’t they know I need you?”

Silently, Hinata thought as she turned her tears into the girl’s brown hair, she needed Hanabi too.

The second person to find Hinata was Neji the next morning. He came to knock on her door early in the morning, having heard of what happened through the growing whispers of their family. Hinata had bid him to come in and he entered with as much calmness as he could, though there was a dark wrinkle of worry between his brows.

“Neji-niisan,” she said, ashamed of her swollen face.

He took one look at her and frowned, “It’s not a farce, then. You’re going to marry.”

“I am,” she whispered.

He finally scowled and muttered under his breath. He then asked, “The decision was unanimous? There’s nothing that can be done?”

“It seems that way. They had me sign the papers yesterday afternoon,” Hinata said. She looked up at him with more tears beginning to swell, “Neji-niisan… I’m… I don’t want to marry him.”

He swiftly walked over to her and pulled her into his side as she began to sniffle and sob into his shoulder, “There must be something we can do… Perhaps if we talk with Uchiha-sama and…”

She shook her head and clung to him like a sad child, “It’s—It’s just fate, like you say…”

At this, Neji became very quiet and he resorted to holding her in an attempt to catch all her pieces as she fell apart in his arms.

—

It was tradition for a Hyuuga to be married on a full moon which had long been a symbol of their powerful bloodline. On the other hand, it was tradition for an Uchiha to be married at the high tide of the Naka river. Thus, an auspicious date and time had been chosen in the middle of autumn.

Hinata had not seen or heard of anything about Itachi from the announcement of their engagement all the way up to the day of their wedding.

That morning, Hinata was woken up by several women who spent several hours fretting over her. Her makeup was done more impressively than she could have managed herself and her hair was twisted into an intricate hairstyle that took all her long dark hair away from her white neck. She was dressed in a thick, stiff shiromuku with golden touches here and there. There was just one small Hyuuga crest in all her outfit, a carved jade talisman that hung from the end of her tucked away fan.

The wedding itself was a blur. In a rush, she was ferried from the Hyuuga compound into the Uchiha district in an elaborate procession that ended at the Uchiha family shrine. There were hundreds of people in attendance and Hinata felt sick being placed before all of them. Thankfully, the hood of her outfit narrowed her view and she forced herself to pretend that there were not half as many attending.

Despite the size, the wedding was still a private affair and invitations were strictly given to those who belonged to each respective family. Though this meant that there was nary a friend in sight. Hinata felt herself moving like a puppet as she came to stand beside her soon to be husband, of whom she could not even see his face.

The high sound of a flute played as they entered the ceremonial room. Hinata shuffled with assistance to the brocade stool in the center of the room and sat down after a Hyuuga woman arranged her kimono. A woman in ceremonial garb instructed the man to her right to place his fan between his belt and shirt and to set the paper tucked in his robes on the table in front of them. He sat down next and waited for the rest of the procession members to find their seats on either side of the room.

Hinata’s hands shook in her lap. She bit her tongue and clenched her hands into fists beneath her wide, billowing sleeves and focused on keeping her breath even.

Finally, everyone settled and two more men walked over. Hinata stood with her soon to be husband and watched as the miko handed him the first of three sake dishes.

The man took it and sipped three short times before handing it over. With her trembling hands, Hinata held the dish and brought it in front of her face. A man filled the cup. The liquid sloshed dangerously but no one said anything and she sipped three times. Two more increasingly larger cups later as the sounds of a zither plucked through the air, then it was time for their vows.

The ceremony was overall quick and succinct and involved her own shaky reading of a scroll containing the traditional Uchiha wedding vows. She professed her oath before a deity she did not know. With a burning of a ceremonial paper and shaking of bells, they were bound.

Swiftly, Hinata was whisked away to change into another set of clothes. This time, it was a group of Uchiha women who helped her. As she was dressed, one took down her hair and went to arrange it in a style she presumed was more suited to Uchiha tastes only to pause when Hinata’s bangs were moved from her forehead.

“What an ugly thing,” the woman said before allowing the hair to fall back over her seal and focused on doing what she could with the remaining amount.

It was a near thing, but Hinata did not cry.

The banquet that happened after was as much of a blur as the rest of the day. She could scarcely remember eating or drinking anything and before she knew it, she was finally alone with the man she now called her husband.

They were left in a grand bedroom that was decadently decorated and unlike anything Hinata had seen in her own house growing up. She then realized that for the first time that day, she could look at Itachi.

Her first look was shy. He stood like a pillar, perfectly still and strong as he glanced around the room. He was dressed in dark robes with the fan crest apparent in as many places as possible. His hair was exactly as she knew it, bound simply at the base of his neck. She was flustered to realize that even so relaxed, Itachi was significantly handsome. This thought struck her as she realized the natural progression of their night and a swelling of anxiety and dread thrashed within her.

Itachi, too, seemed to remember the expectations as he finally looked down at her.

“Are you alright,” he asked her.

“Y-Yes,” she stuttered.

Hinata swallowed nervously and fisted her skirts. She was cornered between the bed and Itachi who stood between her and the door. His tall, powerful figure was illuminated by the light of the moon. His face was unreadable and it only terrified her. She was weak, all her life she had been told so and so she knew the fact well. Now she was faced with one of the strongest men in the world. If he wanted to, he could very well kill her with but a flash of his eyes. Shoving her down, bending her to his will would be as careless a feat for him as breathing. This was her husband and she did not know what to think of it.

“We need not consummate tonight,” he told her evenly as if reading her thoughts. Perhaps he had, she thought in embarrassment, the sharingan was a powerful and foreign thing to her.

“O-Oh,” she nonetheless breathed in relief. “Alright. Th-Thank you…”

“They will, however, check the sheets,” he went on, stepping forward. “They want proof of your virtue.”

At this, she flushed and cast her sights down, “I-I am untouched. I promise, I-I’ve never… There was never a-anyone who…”

Never anyone interested, or more accurately, never anyone she had been allowed to be interested in. She was also strictly forbidden from missions that might even require her to do a little flirting, setting aside her utter inability.

“I don’t care, personally,” he said, not unkindly but not all that warmly.

She watched his feet enter her sights and she cringed but forced herself to remain in place. But to her relief as well as her confusion, he proceeded past her. Chancing a glance up, she watched him raise his hand and she tensed, though there was no flare of his chakra to match. He brought only his left thumb to his mouth and bit into the pad of his flesh. He waited a moment before peeling back the blankets to reveal the stark white sheets and smeared his finger over it before licking his wound. In his wake there was a small red stain.

“I apologize,” he began, leaning away. “We will still need to sleep in the same bed to keep up with the ruse. If you would also discard the outer layers of your clothes.”

“O-Ok,” she said, looking away as he began to undo the obi to his hakama. The black fabric fell away to reveal a white cotton robe that looked similar to her own. Rounding the bed, she took the side nearest to the window as it still had a view of the moon. Hinata slowly began removing her own kimono. It was fine, dark red silk that bore the crest of the Uchiha clan in five places. It served as another reminder that she belonged now to her husband’s family.

“May I,” Itachi spoke, holding out his hand for her discarded garment. Embarrassed, she handed it over wordlessly and he arranged it in thoughtful disarray on his side of the bed.

To distract herself, she began unraveling the intricate hairstyle binding her dark tresses. Comb by comb, pin by pin, meticulously until it unfurled in a heap down her back and puddled just slightly over the mattress. She then brought her hair over her shoulder and began braiding it. Eventually, there was nothing else to do but lay down.

Consciously, she arranged herself with her back toward Itachi and curled in on herself, too shy to request the blanket which they would have to share.

“I will endeavor to make this as ideal an arrangement for you as I can, Hinata.”

She froze at the first falling of her name from his lips. His voice was somehow soothing to her, though she remained on edge.

“I am not obtuse to the fact you were not given a choice,” Itachi continued. “Thank you for what you have given me and my clan.”

“It’s—It’s nothing,” Hinata said nervously, wringing her fingers. She laughed a bit though it sounded strained, “I’m sure you weren’t given much of a choice e-either…”

He hummed thoughtfully and from the depression the bed was making, it felt like he was laying on his back.

“Still, as a man I only stand to gain from marriage, as a woman you have lost everything.”

At this painful truth, Hinata’s eyes watered though she refused to cry. Shutting her eyes tightly, she forced herself to fall asleep in silence. It seemed to take many hours, but in the end she was able to find solace in a dreamless slumber.

—

The next morning, Hinata was relieved to find that Itachi was gone. Just as she slipped from the bed, a knock at the door sounded and she startled. Somewhat fearing who might be on the other side, Hinata activated her byakugan to see who it was. To her surprise, she saw Uchiha Mikoto standing patiently on the other side.

“C-Come in,” she called, now a bit more nervous. The door slid open and Hinata bowed respectfully in greeting. “He-Hello, Mikoto-sama.”

“Just Mikoto is fine,” the woman said gently. She was carrying a bundle of clothes it seemed. “Or Okaasan if we are in the presence of others, I’m sure you understand.”

Hinata did and she nodded while correcting herself, “Mikoto-san, then?”

The woman smiled at her. She then pulled at her dark dress and then explained her presence, “I’m sorry for disrupting you so early in the morning. It’s just tradition for the mother of the groom to check and change the sheets.”

Abruptly, Hinata flushed at the implication and looked away, “R-Right, of course. Uhm…”

“I’ve drawn you a bath in the meantime, if you’d like. I’m sure you didn’t get to wash up much at all last night,” Mikoto said kindly. She smiled in a way that managed to ease Hinata’s nerves. “Don’t worry, I’m only here to help you.”

With this, she gestured for Hinata to follow her. Mikoto took them to a grand bathroom where a steaming bath that smelled of pleasant herbs was waiting for Hinata.

“You can shower first if you like too,” Mikoto said. “You just twist this knob here. I made sure everything would be ready for you, so take your time. Please come find me when you are done, let’s have breakfast together.”

“A-Alright… But what about…?”

She smiled thinly, “Itachi’s gone to take care of some matters. I hope you’ll be satisfied with my company for now.”

“Y-Yes, of course. I was—I was just wondering,” she said, pressing her fingers together nervously.

“I know. I too would be wondering where my husband was if he had not been there when I woke up,” she said with a motherly sort of humor. She reached out and squeezed Hinata’s shoulder comfortingly, “Please relax. It was a stressful day for you yesterday.”

Hinata nodded and with that, Mikoto excused herself.

The bath turned out to be such a welcome gesture that Hinata nearly forgot that she had someone waiting for her. She quickly jumped out, toweled off, and dressed herself in a dark kimono with a red and white insignia on her back and a crimson obi round her waist. She bound her hair into a bun so it would not drip everywhere before hurrying out of the room. Using the gift of her blood, she quickly found Mikoto waiting for her in an open room with no light but that which came from the doors widely open and thus the room was relatively dark. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful room.

All around there was only a green garden to be seen and the pleasant smell of such nature offered a refreshingness. Mikoto sat near to the engawa next to a small table with food on it and some boxes placed next to her. She too seemed to be admiring the scenery and without looking, she spoke.

“This was where I lived as a child,” she began. “My parents passed away about ten years ago due to… some circumstances… It’s been vacant ever since. I still love to come here though, this garden is where I feel most at peace…”

“It’s beautiful,” Hinata said, lowering herself to sit across from Mikoto.

Finally, the woman looked at her and hummed, “Ah, dark colors don’t really suit you. I apologize, I should have picked something better for you to wear.”

“It’s fine, really. Thank you for providing me with all this in the first place,” Hinata said earnestly.

Mikoto smiled at her before picking up her chopsticks to begin eating. Hinata took her cue and also began to eat. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was.

“My son is clever,” Mikoto said offhandedly after a brief silence. “And a gentleman, I’m pleased to find.”

Hinata looked up questioningly and Mikoto smiled slightly. “Bleeding so that you don’t have to, I’m glad I raised him so well.”

She flustered immediately and felt a rush of anxiety, “I—I didn’t ask him to. I have not b-been with—”

“I had no other meaning, Hinata, I promise,” Mikoto said. “I just thought it was a little funny as his father did the same for me.”

“O-Oh… I see,” she uttered.

“How are you feeling about this all? You may answer me honestly. Anything you say will stay between us,” Mikoto said and something about the soft look on her face made Hinata trust her fully at once.

She looked down into her bowl of rice and confessed, “I’m terribly scared.”

“I see, it must have been a great shock to have all this happen so quickly. I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s fine, it’s already been done…”

Mikoto looked at her with a sad smile, “It has, hasn’t it…”

They finished their breakfast in silence and after which they slowly drank some tea. Eventually, Mikoto spoke again.

“I’ve brought some gifts for you, Hinata.” She picked up her two boxes and opened the bigger one. It was a beautiful mirror made of lacquered wood and mother of pearl, cherry blossoms and cranes decorating the surface and the box. It was able to be propped up when fully open.

“This is far too nice for me, Mikoto-san,” Hinata said in awe. “I can’t take this…”

“It’s been passed down through the women in my family for some generations now,” Mikoto said. “Thus far, you’re my only daughter. I would like for you to keep it at least for now.”

Hinata looked at her with wide eyes, touched by this woman’s welcoming. She swallowed and nodded, “Thank you, Mikoto-san…”

She then shifted slightly and asked, “If I may, could I do your hair? And then I will give you your other gift.”

“Of—Of course,” Hinata said. “If that is what you wish.”

Smoothly, with the full grace of a clan woman and of someone who had once been a shinobi, Mikoto moved beside Hinata. She angled the mirror so that Hinata could observe what she was doing, though such courtesy was not necessary it was appreciated all the same. Allowing another shinobi behind one’s back was an exercise in trust and Mikoto knew this well.

“You have such beautiful hair,” Mikoto said, combing her fingers through the damp mass.

“Thank you,” Hinata said, rubbing her thumbs together.

“I always wanted a girl,” Mikoto confessed. “Though Itachi likes to keep his hair long too, he never lets me touch it but to cut it. Did your mother do it often when you were little?”

“Not—Not really,” she said. She looked out toward the green forest at the edge of the house as she recalled the soft touch of her mother. “I had short hair for a long time when I was younger. Hyuuga aren’t… Until we master a certain portion of the juuken, we aren’t allowed to wear it long. I-I wasn’t, uhm… still am not as proficient in the juuken as others…”

“You made it there in the end,” the woman said, taking out a comb that she did not allow Hinata to see as she began running it through the ends. “You must have, for your hair to be so long.”

Hinata glanced at the mirror and froze slightly when she realized she was being looked at. Ultimately, she relaxed and they shared a meaningful look. Similar to her hunger, Hinata hadn’t realized how much she had longed for a mother.

“If I may ask, how did your family feel about this marriage? We reached an agreement so swiftly it was a bit surprising.”

At this, Hinata lowered her eyes and squeezed her hands together, “Ah… Uhm… M-My family was m-mostly in support of it… “

“Not everyone, I take it?”

“My… sister was upset to learn about the decision, yes…” she revealed. “She’s just a child, though. I’m sure she’ll c-come to terms with it…”

Mikoto paused before saying, “Aren’t you a child too?”

“I…” Hinata started, voice catching in her throat.

“Well, you’re already older than I was when I married,” Mikoto mused, combing Hinata’s hair. “But still so young…”

There was something very sad about Mikoto, Hinata realized. It was evident in her thin, beautiful face and the defeated look in her eyes. What had this family forced her to surrender, she wondered. A bit frightened, Hinata wondered what she herself would be forced to surrender to the glory of the Uchiha name. She’d already surrendered her name. There was also the looming surrender of her body and career on the horizon of imminent years. Uchiha Mikoto had surrendered nearly all of these and more and clearly there was an unspeakable grief because of it.

“If you need anything, Hinata-chan, just tell me, alright,” Mikoto said, finishing off Hinata’s braid by winding it around itself and pinning it to the base of her neck. She used a comb with white cranes to decorate it.

“Alright,” she whispered, turning her head slightly to stare at the comb peeking out from the side.

“Forgive me for such an inauspicious gift,” Mikoto said, looking quite solemn. “It’s tradition for the previous matriarch to pass on a comb to the next. This one was the most auspicious design I could find, but if you’d prefer another one I will try my best to match your tastes.”

Sufferance, but a wish for her to live long.

“No, I like it. Thank you, Mikoto-sama,” Hinata murmured, fixing her bangs self consciously. “And don’t worry, I understand tradition.”

Mikoto squeezed her shoulders apologetically, and they both stared sadly out the window where the koi pond whispered to them about forgotten stories of women long passed.