[N] hyugacest: Theme Set Delta 4/5
It's been a long time since I did a NejiHina post. Theme #31 is directly related to #30, and #32 alludes to another of my fictions. #33 and #34 will also be posted as their own standalone - it's a plot I've been mulling with for a very long time.
Title: hyugacest: Theme Set Delta 4/5
Summary: The fourth (my own challange) hyuugacest theme set.
Rating: PG13
31. Library
“But Iruka-sensei!” Naruto protests, returning from town with a tower of books, walking through the apartment of the aggrieved male. “I researched it! There’s even a name for it: polygamy! So it must be possible.”
32. Scroll
They sent her on an impossible mission.
Return with Uchiha Itachi.
The Godaime was busy with matters at the Hospital and she knew the Hyuuga had a hand in the mission distributions. Her hand had trembled but then gripped the order tightly. She wasn’t going to let them win. She wasn’t going to fail. She would show them all.
Three months later she returns to Konoha slightly battered but Uchiha Itachi walks next to her. There are no chains or restraint and neither speaks as the disbelieving guards watch their approach. When questioned at the gate Itachi calmly recites that he is present on a diplomatic mission to Konoha.
They sent her on a perceived impossible mission, but she is stronger then they will admit, and more powerful then they know. Itachi and Hinata look at each without ever turning their heads and their Sight meets without using their eyes.
It will be a long, long time before someone remembers that the two Heirs used to be ambiguous friends in their childhood, before the murder, blood, and betrayal. There are only two who knows, one is seething at Sound when the news of his older brother reaches him, and the other glares bright Byakugan and clenches his fists, trying to find the truth never told.
No one had ever understood the relationship between the quiet girl who ran away from the Compound to find a sanctuary and the silent boy drenched in blood trying to find redemption, spiraling into madness. There was once a non-regulation ANBU mask made so exact none could tell it wasn’t regulation, and the words, written in a flowing script of a young girl child on the inside, above the weasel eyes: I am more than my Clan.
33. Kairos (Moment of Destiny)
Do you know why older brothers are born first? So they can protect their siblings born after them.
They always said that Hiashi was the stronger; the one that always won the fights by a miniscule margin. But when they were asked which one was Hiashi, they always pointed at the one who wore the white kimono, never knowing the twins would interchange their clothes all the time.
“Hiashi is stronger than Hizashi.” The adults all said this.
But the boys knew the score between them was split more even; one boy, Hiashi, won 7 out of 10 fights, and the other, Hizashi, 3 out of 10. On half the days one boy wore white and the other half of the days the other boy wore white. This agreement came about when the two boys asked their parents why only one was allowed to wear white and the other black, and the parents said that was just the way things were, and there was no changing it. But the boys were stubborn.
They didn’t understand why the adults always tried to keep them in separate regards even when both brothers had the same birthday, looked the same, most of the time behaved the same. They were identical twins and they found that not even their parents could tell them apart, and in their world there was no ‘Hiashi’ and ‘Hizashi’, there was rarely ‘me’ and ‘you’, only ‘us’.
And when one complained to the other that he wanted to wear white today, or he wanted to wear black today, they would run off and in their hiding spots from the adults, switch clothes, and when they tumbled in later the servants would simply click their tongues on how fast 3-year-old young boys could mess up their clothes.
The one wearing white always won because their parents said that white was hard to clean and was always angry at the one who got it dirty. So whoever wearing white that day would fight much more harder in fear of suffering a lecture from Mother and Nanny if they lost and tumbled to the ground.
It was fine, it was fine that Hiashi was sometimes referred to ‘Hizashi’ and Hizashi would sometimes be called ‘Hiashi’. This was fine because it made them feel even closer, that the only ones who knew who they were was the two of them, and even then it was simply ‘me’ and ‘you’; ‘him’ and ‘I’. They interchanged names as often as they interchanged clothes.
It was fine until it started to approach their fourth birthday and the adults were acting weird. The servants had also been very solemn and everyone had seemed to be looking at the boys in pity. And kneeling down next to the two boys who clutched at each other in confusion in the dark atmosphere, the adult said that Hizashi would have to leave soon, he can’t stay in the Main House anymore, so it was time to say good bye.
Leaving the two bewildered and scared children alone, the boys looked at each other and one burst into tears. He cried and cried, rubbing his little eyes and water dripping down chubby cheeks. And the one wearing white, looked hopelessly down at his brother, whom the adults had made clear that only the one wearing black would be taken away from their happy house to stay in the other place.
And Hizashi was crying and crying and Hiashi didn’t know what to do. Except he remembered asking an uncle before, why the adults always said he was stronger and why did it matter.
Do you know why older brothers are born first? His uncle had questioned.
And Hiashi had shaken his head.
The uncle smiled and turned him toward the entrance where the aunt was coming back in with a bandaged black kimono wearing Hizashi, who had lost again that day.
So they can protect their siblings born after them. The uncle said gently and pushed the white clad Hiashi towards his twin.
Hiashi had stumbled a step at the unexpected push but rushed towards his sniffling brother. And his uncle’s words going round and round his head felt right, because even if he didn’t win all the time against Hizashi as the adults thought, he still won 7 out of 10 times. And there must be a reason why he was stronger then his twin even if they both looked and acted and wanted the same things.
Staring down at his scared little brother now he remembered those words. A firm look settled over his childish face and he hugged his crying sibling. Take off your clothes, he said to the younger boy, I’ll go. And when the younger twin looked up at him in shock, I’ll protect you. That’s what big brothers do.
Wide eyes and trembling lips the younger boy finally nodded. The two four-year-olds quickly fumbled their ways out of the kimonos and with much practice, daftly changed into the other. Now clad in the other color two pairs of white eyes looked at each other, one scared but firm, and the other now scared for the other. Two sets of lips trembled and when the servants came back they saw the two bothers holding onto each other desperately and crying uncontrollably.
Regret and pity rushed through the adults but duty and tradition must be followed. And pulling the two boys apart, both fighting against the hands to reach for the other, they carried the boy in the black kimono out. Later in two different locations, servants would sooth back silk hair and whisper comforting sounds as they fixed up rumpled kimonos.
The next time the two brother saw each other again, one had bandages wrapped around his forehead, and a figure on the forehead that made it impossible for them to change clothes and names from then on.
34. Fighter
More then two decades later ‘Hizashi’ stands in front of his brother and the Clan Council. His brother, his only brother, who no one ever remembered was the younger anymore, not ever ‘Hiashi’ himself. But that was the way it was supposed to be. As they had grown up, ‘Hizashi’ in the Branch and ‘Hiashi’ in the Main, ‘Hizashi’ learned that it was best if everyone who ever knew or suspected forgot, even his little brother himself. This way the secret wouldn’t be buried, it would be dead, dead with no hope of resurrection. So even if someone ever brought up the possibility, they would only be laughed at, and if ‘Hizashi’ would ever give in to a moment of weakness, no one would believe it.
‘Hizashi’ has regretted his decision at different moments in his life, but overall he is happy with the choice he made. His decision to protect his twin, his younger brother.
But as time passed, he never regretted it more than when Neji glared and activated his Byakugan. When his son move and flowed into the Jyuuken. When Hinata turned three and he stood on the brink of another moment of destiny.
Isn’t she she’s cute father?”
Hizashi could have changed so much in that moment, could have perhaps altered his son’s life for the better, possibly saved him. But.
Do you know why older brothers are born first?
“What’s wrong father?”
Do you know?
“Huh? Oh…it’s nothing…”
He had made his choice then, again, and there was no turning back.
“Well, I’ll take Neji now, Hizashi.”
The name that was not a name. The name that was not his and yet was his. He had claimed it. Laid ownership upon the syllables. It was the price he paid. And yet it sounded wrong every time it came from his brother’s mouth. In their world there had been no ‘Hiashi’ and ‘Hizashi’, rarely ‘me’ and ‘you’, there had only been ‘us’.
But time, time and distance and tradition and growing up changed things. And when Neji came back with those familiar bandages wrapped around his forehead, where there should have, could have, been none…
Regret was a horrible thing.
“Neji…you must live. You are a man loved by the Hyuuga talent more than anyone in the Clan……”
It ate at you from the inside insidiously. Poisoning your mind and questioning your decisions.
“I wish…I could have born you into the Main family.”
Days later he stood in front of his beloved brother, who had made a small mistake of having killed the enemy ninja instead of restraining him and the Cloud was pressing their advantage. And his younger brother who everyone thought haughty and arrogant, but he knew was scared and always slightly weak inside, was preparing to give himself up even in the face of his fear.
But he couldn’t let him do that.
Do you know why older brothers are born first?
He had to believe there was a reason that he was born first. That Neji was born before Hinata.
So they can protect their siblings born after them.
He had to believe that the decisions he had made was right, that the secret he borne and buried and killed was correct.
“I have hated the Main family. Honestly I still do….” The thing that tore the two brothers apart; it was a rotting, wrenching, detestable thing. “That’s why, it’s not for you as a member of the Main family I do this…I want to die and save you as my brother.” The way it should have been. The way it had always been. “Doing that is the first time I have the freedom to choose.” The first time in a long time, repeating the same decision he had made before. “I have only shown my ugly side to Neji…” His darling son who should have been born into the Main house, who was of the Main house but would never know; no one would ever know. “Yet here, I finally understand my own will.”
Hizashi was a despicable father. He was a despicable husband. In the end he chose to be a brother rather than a father or a husband. He chose his love for his brother rather than his son or wife. He was a horrible man. But this was a choice made long ago. And there was no choice.
Created out of a world where there had been no Main and Branch, rarely ‘me’ and ‘you’, and had only been ‘us’, Hizashi was a name he had taken to protect the one thing that had been most important to him. The one thing that was still the most important to him.
It was only natural, as he was made from that world of no ‘Hiashi’ and ‘Hizashi’; only been ‘us’, that he would return to that world.
Even if no one else knew. Even if not even the ‘real’ Hizashi knew. That was the way it was supposed to be.
And one day, even if Neji was swallowed up by hatred and vengeance and pain, he would understand too. He had known it, when Hinata had carefully raised her eyes to meet his son’s, pure white shining under silken lashes, and quietly whispered: “Neji-niisan.”
Do you know why older brothers are born first?
35. Tongue
Soft and pink, wet and warm, sensitive and tender. Neji presses their lips together and slowly opens his mouth, breathing quietly and waiting for her to respond. He presses the tip of his tongue to her trembling lips and with a startled gasp, opening her mouth, he darts in and out before she can back away. Her eyes are wide. He stares unwavering and gently traces her bottom lip, sucking and nibbling on the plump flesh, darting out to lick the swollen lip.
She tries to speak. He won’t let her.
36. Humble
For a brief fleeting moment, no matter who, those closest to Neji would at some point experience the feeling that somehow, how matter what, they could never be as important to him as Hinata.
37. Crow
“A black bird…” Tsubasa looked to the sky.
“Some say it carries the soul of the dead.” Jiyuu replied.
The siblings stared up for a moment in silence. “I wonder…if Father is flying with it.”
Jiyuu took her into his arms. “Silly Tsubasa.” He chided, “Both Father's and Mother’s wings are too large to be contained in such a tiny vassal. Surely they fly to more magnificent heights then those reachable by the regular birds.”
Tsubasa nodded, lips trembling. “But I wish they would return to us instead.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Jiyuu tightened his hold. “Me too.”
38. Summon
“Hey Naruto.” Shikamaru called tiredly though his exhausted squadron.
Naruto rolled his head in his direction, “hm?” He answered half asleep.
“Send message to the Godaime will you? The East is clear.”
“Right!” Naruto leapt to his feet and bit his thumb. “Kuchiyose no Jutsu!” He shouted and a burst of smoke came beneath his hand.
“Alright, listen up,” Naruto directed downwards and moved his hand away, “ I need you to-”
“…”
“Naruto…is that…a tadpole?”
39. Mend
The teardrops fell one by one, like the dying trail of stars in the night. “What does it take, to heal a broken heart?” Tsubasa asked.
Kyu stared at her achingly. “I don’t know.” He whispered.
“When will Mother and Father come home?” Tsubasa questioned.
Bright blue sapphires shone with pain, “I don’t know.”
Tsubasa closed her eyes. “I want Mother and Father to come home.” She said quietly, hating the fact she sounded like a child, but even grown up children were still children in the end.
Kyu drew her into his arms tightly and thought of another pair of slumped shoulders and grieving blue eyes that wore the Hokage mantle. “Mother will come back.”
She had to. She was the only one who knew how to treat the wounds of this family.
40. Container
Naruto stared at the jam absentmindedly. He was slumped over in his seat and Kusami opened the lid to apply the sticky sweet gel onto the toasted bread. Inari walked huffily by the kitchen, sitting stiffly in his chair in a stance that declared his dislike of the company clearly. Sakura had her hair brushed all shiny and leaned casually towards Sasuke. Sasuke tried not-so-subtly to lean away from the female member of his team.
Kusami used the last of the peach flavored preserve and placed the empty bottle and lid on the counter next to the cutting board as she went to fetch the milk. He continued staring, chewing on his sandwich, as Kusami washed the bottle and screwed the metal lid back on.
“What’s so interesting Naruto?” Sakura asked as she spared him a second of her time.
“Is that all I am?” He asked, looking at the jar.
“What?”
Sasuke looked at him, wondering what he was referring to. Sakura made a confused face. Kakashi, laying on a futon the next room over, turned away from the direction of the doorway, unable to give an answer.
Title: hyugacest: Theme Set Delta 4/5
Summary: The fourth (my own challange) hyuugacest theme set.
Rating: PG13
31. Library
“But Iruka-sensei!” Naruto protests, returning from town with a tower of books, walking through the apartment of the aggrieved male. “I researched it! There’s even a name for it: polygamy! So it must be possible.”
32. Scroll
They sent her on an impossible mission.
Return with Uchiha Itachi.
The Godaime was busy with matters at the Hospital and she knew the Hyuuga had a hand in the mission distributions. Her hand had trembled but then gripped the order tightly. She wasn’t going to let them win. She wasn’t going to fail. She would show them all.
Three months later she returns to Konoha slightly battered but Uchiha Itachi walks next to her. There are no chains or restraint and neither speaks as the disbelieving guards watch their approach. When questioned at the gate Itachi calmly recites that he is present on a diplomatic mission to Konoha.
They sent her on a perceived impossible mission, but she is stronger then they will admit, and more powerful then they know. Itachi and Hinata look at each without ever turning their heads and their Sight meets without using their eyes.
It will be a long, long time before someone remembers that the two Heirs used to be ambiguous friends in their childhood, before the murder, blood, and betrayal. There are only two who knows, one is seething at Sound when the news of his older brother reaches him, and the other glares bright Byakugan and clenches his fists, trying to find the truth never told.
No one had ever understood the relationship between the quiet girl who ran away from the Compound to find a sanctuary and the silent boy drenched in blood trying to find redemption, spiraling into madness. There was once a non-regulation ANBU mask made so exact none could tell it wasn’t regulation, and the words, written in a flowing script of a young girl child on the inside, above the weasel eyes: I am more than my Clan.
33. Kairos (Moment of Destiny)
Do you know why older brothers are born first? So they can protect their siblings born after them.
They always said that Hiashi was the stronger; the one that always won the fights by a miniscule margin. But when they were asked which one was Hiashi, they always pointed at the one who wore the white kimono, never knowing the twins would interchange their clothes all the time.
“Hiashi is stronger than Hizashi.” The adults all said this.
But the boys knew the score between them was split more even; one boy, Hiashi, won 7 out of 10 fights, and the other, Hizashi, 3 out of 10. On half the days one boy wore white and the other half of the days the other boy wore white. This agreement came about when the two boys asked their parents why only one was allowed to wear white and the other black, and the parents said that was just the way things were, and there was no changing it. But the boys were stubborn.
They didn’t understand why the adults always tried to keep them in separate regards even when both brothers had the same birthday, looked the same, most of the time behaved the same. They were identical twins and they found that not even their parents could tell them apart, and in their world there was no ‘Hiashi’ and ‘Hizashi’, there was rarely ‘me’ and ‘you’, only ‘us’.
And when one complained to the other that he wanted to wear white today, or he wanted to wear black today, they would run off and in their hiding spots from the adults, switch clothes, and when they tumbled in later the servants would simply click their tongues on how fast 3-year-old young boys could mess up their clothes.
The one wearing white always won because their parents said that white was hard to clean and was always angry at the one who got it dirty. So whoever wearing white that day would fight much more harder in fear of suffering a lecture from Mother and Nanny if they lost and tumbled to the ground.
It was fine, it was fine that Hiashi was sometimes referred to ‘Hizashi’ and Hizashi would sometimes be called ‘Hiashi’. This was fine because it made them feel even closer, that the only ones who knew who they were was the two of them, and even then it was simply ‘me’ and ‘you’; ‘him’ and ‘I’. They interchanged names as often as they interchanged clothes.
It was fine until it started to approach their fourth birthday and the adults were acting weird. The servants had also been very solemn and everyone had seemed to be looking at the boys in pity. And kneeling down next to the two boys who clutched at each other in confusion in the dark atmosphere, the adult said that Hizashi would have to leave soon, he can’t stay in the Main House anymore, so it was time to say good bye.
Leaving the two bewildered and scared children alone, the boys looked at each other and one burst into tears. He cried and cried, rubbing his little eyes and water dripping down chubby cheeks. And the one wearing white, looked hopelessly down at his brother, whom the adults had made clear that only the one wearing black would be taken away from their happy house to stay in the other place.
And Hizashi was crying and crying and Hiashi didn’t know what to do. Except he remembered asking an uncle before, why the adults always said he was stronger and why did it matter.
Do you know why older brothers are born first? His uncle had questioned.
And Hiashi had shaken his head.
The uncle smiled and turned him toward the entrance where the aunt was coming back in with a bandaged black kimono wearing Hizashi, who had lost again that day.
So they can protect their siblings born after them. The uncle said gently and pushed the white clad Hiashi towards his twin.
Hiashi had stumbled a step at the unexpected push but rushed towards his sniffling brother. And his uncle’s words going round and round his head felt right, because even if he didn’t win all the time against Hizashi as the adults thought, he still won 7 out of 10 times. And there must be a reason why he was stronger then his twin even if they both looked and acted and wanted the same things.
Staring down at his scared little brother now he remembered those words. A firm look settled over his childish face and he hugged his crying sibling. Take off your clothes, he said to the younger boy, I’ll go. And when the younger twin looked up at him in shock, I’ll protect you. That’s what big brothers do.
Wide eyes and trembling lips the younger boy finally nodded. The two four-year-olds quickly fumbled their ways out of the kimonos and with much practice, daftly changed into the other. Now clad in the other color two pairs of white eyes looked at each other, one scared but firm, and the other now scared for the other. Two sets of lips trembled and when the servants came back they saw the two bothers holding onto each other desperately and crying uncontrollably.
Regret and pity rushed through the adults but duty and tradition must be followed. And pulling the two boys apart, both fighting against the hands to reach for the other, they carried the boy in the black kimono out. Later in two different locations, servants would sooth back silk hair and whisper comforting sounds as they fixed up rumpled kimonos.
The next time the two brother saw each other again, one had bandages wrapped around his forehead, and a figure on the forehead that made it impossible for them to change clothes and names from then on.
34. Fighter
More then two decades later ‘Hizashi’ stands in front of his brother and the Clan Council. His brother, his only brother, who no one ever remembered was the younger anymore, not ever ‘Hiashi’ himself. But that was the way it was supposed to be. As they had grown up, ‘Hizashi’ in the Branch and ‘Hiashi’ in the Main, ‘Hizashi’ learned that it was best if everyone who ever knew or suspected forgot, even his little brother himself. This way the secret wouldn’t be buried, it would be dead, dead with no hope of resurrection. So even if someone ever brought up the possibility, they would only be laughed at, and if ‘Hizashi’ would ever give in to a moment of weakness, no one would believe it.
‘Hizashi’ has regretted his decision at different moments in his life, but overall he is happy with the choice he made. His decision to protect his twin, his younger brother.
But as time passed, he never regretted it more than when Neji glared and activated his Byakugan. When his son move and flowed into the Jyuuken. When Hinata turned three and he stood on the brink of another moment of destiny.
Isn’t she she’s cute father?”
Hizashi could have changed so much in that moment, could have perhaps altered his son’s life for the better, possibly saved him. But.
Do you know why older brothers are born first?
“What’s wrong father?”
Do you know?
“Huh? Oh…it’s nothing…”
He had made his choice then, again, and there was no turning back.
“Well, I’ll take Neji now, Hizashi.”
The name that was not a name. The name that was not his and yet was his. He had claimed it. Laid ownership upon the syllables. It was the price he paid. And yet it sounded wrong every time it came from his brother’s mouth. In their world there had been no ‘Hiashi’ and ‘Hizashi’, rarely ‘me’ and ‘you’, there had only been ‘us’.
But time, time and distance and tradition and growing up changed things. And when Neji came back with those familiar bandages wrapped around his forehead, where there should have, could have, been none…
Regret was a horrible thing.
“Neji…you must live. You are a man loved by the Hyuuga talent more than anyone in the Clan……”
It ate at you from the inside insidiously. Poisoning your mind and questioning your decisions.
“I wish…I could have born you into the Main family.”
Days later he stood in front of his beloved brother, who had made a small mistake of having killed the enemy ninja instead of restraining him and the Cloud was pressing their advantage. And his younger brother who everyone thought haughty and arrogant, but he knew was scared and always slightly weak inside, was preparing to give himself up even in the face of his fear.
But he couldn’t let him do that.
Do you know why older brothers are born first?
He had to believe there was a reason that he was born first. That Neji was born before Hinata.
So they can protect their siblings born after them.
He had to believe that the decisions he had made was right, that the secret he borne and buried and killed was correct.
“I have hated the Main family. Honestly I still do….” The thing that tore the two brothers apart; it was a rotting, wrenching, detestable thing. “That’s why, it’s not for you as a member of the Main family I do this…I want to die and save you as my brother.” The way it should have been. The way it had always been. “Doing that is the first time I have the freedom to choose.” The first time in a long time, repeating the same decision he had made before. “I have only shown my ugly side to Neji…” His darling son who should have been born into the Main house, who was of the Main house but would never know; no one would ever know. “Yet here, I finally understand my own will.”
Hizashi was a despicable father. He was a despicable husband. In the end he chose to be a brother rather than a father or a husband. He chose his love for his brother rather than his son or wife. He was a horrible man. But this was a choice made long ago. And there was no choice.
Created out of a world where there had been no Main and Branch, rarely ‘me’ and ‘you’, and had only been ‘us’, Hizashi was a name he had taken to protect the one thing that had been most important to him. The one thing that was still the most important to him.
It was only natural, as he was made from that world of no ‘Hiashi’ and ‘Hizashi’; only been ‘us’, that he would return to that world.
Even if no one else knew. Even if not even the ‘real’ Hizashi knew. That was the way it was supposed to be.
And one day, even if Neji was swallowed up by hatred and vengeance and pain, he would understand too. He had known it, when Hinata had carefully raised her eyes to meet his son’s, pure white shining under silken lashes, and quietly whispered: “Neji-niisan.”
Do you know why older brothers are born first?
35. Tongue
Soft and pink, wet and warm, sensitive and tender. Neji presses their lips together and slowly opens his mouth, breathing quietly and waiting for her to respond. He presses the tip of his tongue to her trembling lips and with a startled gasp, opening her mouth, he darts in and out before she can back away. Her eyes are wide. He stares unwavering and gently traces her bottom lip, sucking and nibbling on the plump flesh, darting out to lick the swollen lip.
She tries to speak. He won’t let her.
36. Humble
For a brief fleeting moment, no matter who, those closest to Neji would at some point experience the feeling that somehow, how matter what, they could never be as important to him as Hinata.
37. Crow
“A black bird…” Tsubasa looked to the sky.
“Some say it carries the soul of the dead.” Jiyuu replied.
The siblings stared up for a moment in silence. “I wonder…if Father is flying with it.”
Jiyuu took her into his arms. “Silly Tsubasa.” He chided, “Both Father's and Mother’s wings are too large to be contained in such a tiny vassal. Surely they fly to more magnificent heights then those reachable by the regular birds.”
Tsubasa nodded, lips trembling. “But I wish they would return to us instead.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Jiyuu tightened his hold. “Me too.”
38. Summon
“Hey Naruto.” Shikamaru called tiredly though his exhausted squadron.
Naruto rolled his head in his direction, “hm?” He answered half asleep.
“Send message to the Godaime will you? The East is clear.”
“Right!” Naruto leapt to his feet and bit his thumb. “Kuchiyose no Jutsu!” He shouted and a burst of smoke came beneath his hand.
“Alright, listen up,” Naruto directed downwards and moved his hand away, “ I need you to-”
“…”
“Naruto…is that…a tadpole?”
39. Mend
The teardrops fell one by one, like the dying trail of stars in the night. “What does it take, to heal a broken heart?” Tsubasa asked.
Kyu stared at her achingly. “I don’t know.” He whispered.
“When will Mother and Father come home?” Tsubasa questioned.
Bright blue sapphires shone with pain, “I don’t know.”
Tsubasa closed her eyes. “I want Mother and Father to come home.” She said quietly, hating the fact she sounded like a child, but even grown up children were still children in the end.
Kyu drew her into his arms tightly and thought of another pair of slumped shoulders and grieving blue eyes that wore the Hokage mantle. “Mother will come back.”
She had to. She was the only one who knew how to treat the wounds of this family.
40. Container
Naruto stared at the jam absentmindedly. He was slumped over in his seat and Kusami opened the lid to apply the sticky sweet gel onto the toasted bread. Inari walked huffily by the kitchen, sitting stiffly in his chair in a stance that declared his dislike of the company clearly. Sakura had her hair brushed all shiny and leaned casually towards Sasuke. Sasuke tried not-so-subtly to lean away from the female member of his team.
Kusami used the last of the peach flavored preserve and placed the empty bottle and lid on the counter next to the cutting board as she went to fetch the milk. He continued staring, chewing on his sandwich, as Kusami washed the bottle and screwed the metal lid back on.
“What’s so interesting Naruto?” Sakura asked as she spared him a second of her time.
“Is that all I am?” He asked, looking at the jar.
“What?”
Sasuke looked at him, wondering what he was referring to. Sakura made a confused face. Kakashi, laying on a futon the next room over, turned away from the direction of the doorway, unable to give an answer.