Epoch - Chapter 6
Epoch
Chapter 6 - Epilogue
Epoch Chapter 6: Epilogue
AN: I never, ever thought I would be sad to be finishing this story. I started this baby in 2007 and it's taken a little longer than two years to finish. (I know, I know: 2+ years to finish a seven chapter story? My excuse: life is busy!) But really: I love all you guys who have read this and have supported me-the reviews and private messages are really what pushed me. This was my first real story and I'm so glad to have such amazing reviewers. You guys are definitely the best reviewers on the planet : )
I'm also grateful as well to Celia, my incredible, incredible beta who made these chapters readable.
I thank you all so much.
(I also know this is a very short chapter. I'm sorry for making you all wait for so long for kind of a little chapter, but it just didn't feel right to make it any longer. I hope none of you are disappointed!)
And without further ado, the last chapter of Epoch!
Epilogue
A week passes and becomes a month and becomes a year. Plain walls keep their bland color. The Branch house remains in servitude, shuffling through everyday duties halfheartedly, wondering when, when, WHEN will they be able to escape? And the Main house roam the wooden halls freely, confident in their superiority.
Nothing changes. Everything changes.
A private war rages on in the Hyuuga manor without a single hint of interference from the outside world. Echoing, frustrated screams resonate through thin walls but it has no effect on the three young, solitary figures. They are patient, convincing, and so, so unequivocally young they wear down the embittered elders.
It is the new way of the Hyuuga.
It is raining outside.
It isn't even a light drizzle, Hinata notes, letting out a sigh. Her breath condenses against the window. The phenomenon is more like an onslaught of nature in its purest form, each drop crashing down into a million different drops.
"I wonder," she breathes lowly, "that this is not an omen of the days to come."
Instead of hearing the pitter patter of the rain against the window, she hears a voice behind her.
"Don't be ridiculous." The words are spoken with slight annoyance, but Hinata can hear an abundance of joy behind the words.
She turns. "Have you been spying on me this whole time, Hanabi?"
"Maybe," she says cheekily.
"Not only that," Neji says, making an appearance. He lightly nudges his younger cousin out of the way. "She's also been taking pictures."
Hanabi smiles widely and holds up a few Polaroids, all containing shots of Hinata in deep thought. "Artsy, no? I've been trying out my photographer's eye-"
Pink dusts Hinata's cheeks. "Why?" she groans slightly. "And how did I not hear you?"
"Today's an important day, that's why, and it's because these sorts of cameras are made to be silent so that they don't make noises on missions!" her sister exclaims, trying to keep the photos away from a grabby Hinata.
Neji grabs Hinata's hands, stilling her effectively. "You do not want to ruin your carefully made appearance, do you?"
Hinata blushes heavily. Her younger sister winks in her God-awful obnoxious manner, but uses discretion when she slips out of the room quietly. The door slides shut, giving the duo privacy. "I suppose not."
There was that feeling again. It was a troublesome thing, a hard pulsating of her heart in her chest. Hinata looks down, blushing harder than ever. She'd worked to repress it before, but now-
Neji cups her face with both hands and stares into her eyes seriously. "Never lower your head. You are Hyuuga-sama, as of…twenty-one minutes from now."
As his face comes closer, her gaze flickers to his lips. She watches them move as Neji lightly whispers his next words.
"Understand," he says, inching closer, "the rain is not an omen." It is stated quietly, a reference to her previous words.
His thumb strokes her cheek-just like that time-
"This is a cleansing rain."
He kisses her temple.
"This rain is the sign of a new era."
He kisses her cheek.
"This rain is everything I have been waiting for."
Hinata smiles slowly, and to both of their surprises, it is she who leans up to catch his warm, slightly chapped lips.
Her smile widens against his lips.
"Thank you."
If her words come out a little choked, Hinata doesn't mind.
It is still raining when Hinata is inaugurated as the fifteenth Head of Hyuuga. She has never truly believed in omens, but she can't help but hope to whatever controls the universe that her cousin, her best friend, her lover is right and that the rain is a foretelling of hope.
The ceremony itself is nothing special. There is no emotional speech in front of her supporters, nor is the traditional party held.
Hinata doesn't mind. She hasn't done anything worth celebrating-yet. But she will. It is only a matter of time. She will change everything. It is a guarantee.
She signs an ancient paper and it's done with. In the few seconds it takes to sign the decaying paper, Hinata notices the fourteen bloody signatures above her name.
Her father's neat kanji stand amongst the names of her ancestors and for a moment she feels overwhelmed by the weight she will very soon have to carry. But her sister and cousin are waiting outside the room, and it gives Hinata the strength to slice open her thumb and use her life force to place her own name right underneath her forefathers'.
Once the scroll is signed with her blood, the elders shuffle out of the room morosely, confident in the knowledge that Hyuuga Hinata will ruin the clan.
Hinata walks out afterward, shoulders straight and eyes clear. Neji and Hanabi eagerly await her entrance into the main hall.
She smiles-she can't seem to stop doing that today-and shows them the still-bleeding thumb, proof of her legal status as Hyuuga head.
"I can heal that for you, Hyuuga-sama."
Hinata frowns at the stressed words. "Oh, please don't-
"Are you hungry, Onee-sama?" her sister cackles, voice full of happy teasing.
"Come on, guys-
"Let's get you something to eat, Hyuuga-sama," Neji says with a smile.
"This is ridiculous-
"Come on Neji-nii-san, Hinata-onee-sama is getting flustered, maybe we should stop."
Her two bullies exchange a glance. Hinata looks at them pleadingly.
"Nah," Hanabi laughs, and Neji's smile is even bigger.
The unadulterated glee in Hanabi's voice puts a stop to Hinata's chastisement of, in her opinion, a completely unnecessary-unwanted-suffix. She'll put up with it, if only for today.
But it doesn't mean she can't have her own fun at their expense.
"Keep it up," she says pleasantly, "I know of a few bathrooms that need cleaning."
The three figures make their way down the hallway and into the kitchens, bantering playfully.
Are you watching, Father?
Hanabi nudges her as she throws a quick insult as Neji.
I will make Hanabi proud.
Neji retorts rudely, though there is no malice in his voice.
I will make Neji proud.
Hinata laughingly stops the argument, reaching for Neji's hand.
I will make you proud.
As they reach the kitchens, a mass of her relatives-both, Main House and Branch House-congregate to offer their support. A completely healed, energetic Hyuuga Eiji leads the pack.
As successor, as Clan Head, Hyuuga Hinata will make everyone proud.
Chapter 6 - Epilogue
Epoch Chapter 6: Epilogue
AN: I never, ever thought I would be sad to be finishing this story. I started this baby in 2007 and it's taken a little longer than two years to finish. (I know, I know: 2+ years to finish a seven chapter story? My excuse: life is busy!) But really: I love all you guys who have read this and have supported me-the reviews and private messages are really what pushed me. This was my first real story and I'm so glad to have such amazing reviewers. You guys are definitely the best reviewers on the planet : )
I'm also grateful as well to Celia, my incredible, incredible beta who made these chapters readable.
I thank you all so much.
(I also know this is a very short chapter. I'm sorry for making you all wait for so long for kind of a little chapter, but it just didn't feel right to make it any longer. I hope none of you are disappointed!)
And without further ado, the last chapter of Epoch!
Epilogue
A week passes and becomes a month and becomes a year. Plain walls keep their bland color. The Branch house remains in servitude, shuffling through everyday duties halfheartedly, wondering when, when, WHEN will they be able to escape? And the Main house roam the wooden halls freely, confident in their superiority.
Nothing changes. Everything changes.
A private war rages on in the Hyuuga manor without a single hint of interference from the outside world. Echoing, frustrated screams resonate through thin walls but it has no effect on the three young, solitary figures. They are patient, convincing, and so, so unequivocally young they wear down the embittered elders.
It is the new way of the Hyuuga.
It is raining outside.
It isn't even a light drizzle, Hinata notes, letting out a sigh. Her breath condenses against the window. The phenomenon is more like an onslaught of nature in its purest form, each drop crashing down into a million different drops.
"I wonder," she breathes lowly, "that this is not an omen of the days to come."
Instead of hearing the pitter patter of the rain against the window, she hears a voice behind her.
"Don't be ridiculous." The words are spoken with slight annoyance, but Hinata can hear an abundance of joy behind the words.
She turns. "Have you been spying on me this whole time, Hanabi?"
"Maybe," she says cheekily.
"Not only that," Neji says, making an appearance. He lightly nudges his younger cousin out of the way. "She's also been taking pictures."
Hanabi smiles widely and holds up a few Polaroids, all containing shots of Hinata in deep thought. "Artsy, no? I've been trying out my photographer's eye-"
Pink dusts Hinata's cheeks. "Why?" she groans slightly. "And how did I not hear you?"
"Today's an important day, that's why, and it's because these sorts of cameras are made to be silent so that they don't make noises on missions!" her sister exclaims, trying to keep the photos away from a grabby Hinata.
Neji grabs Hinata's hands, stilling her effectively. "You do not want to ruin your carefully made appearance, do you?"
Hinata blushes heavily. Her younger sister winks in her God-awful obnoxious manner, but uses discretion when she slips out of the room quietly. The door slides shut, giving the duo privacy. "I suppose not."
There was that feeling again. It was a troublesome thing, a hard pulsating of her heart in her chest. Hinata looks down, blushing harder than ever. She'd worked to repress it before, but now-
Neji cups her face with both hands and stares into her eyes seriously. "Never lower your head. You are Hyuuga-sama, as of…twenty-one minutes from now."
As his face comes closer, her gaze flickers to his lips. She watches them move as Neji lightly whispers his next words.
"Understand," he says, inching closer, "the rain is not an omen." It is stated quietly, a reference to her previous words.
His thumb strokes her cheek-just like that time-
"This is a cleansing rain."
He kisses her temple.
"This rain is the sign of a new era."
He kisses her cheek.
"This rain is everything I have been waiting for."
Hinata smiles slowly, and to both of their surprises, it is she who leans up to catch his warm, slightly chapped lips.
Her smile widens against his lips.
"Thank you."
If her words come out a little choked, Hinata doesn't mind.
It is still raining when Hinata is inaugurated as the fifteenth Head of Hyuuga. She has never truly believed in omens, but she can't help but hope to whatever controls the universe that her cousin, her best friend, her lover is right and that the rain is a foretelling of hope.
The ceremony itself is nothing special. There is no emotional speech in front of her supporters, nor is the traditional party held.
Hinata doesn't mind. She hasn't done anything worth celebrating-yet. But she will. It is only a matter of time. She will change everything. It is a guarantee.
She signs an ancient paper and it's done with. In the few seconds it takes to sign the decaying paper, Hinata notices the fourteen bloody signatures above her name.
Her father's neat kanji stand amongst the names of her ancestors and for a moment she feels overwhelmed by the weight she will very soon have to carry. But her sister and cousin are waiting outside the room, and it gives Hinata the strength to slice open her thumb and use her life force to place her own name right underneath her forefathers'.
Once the scroll is signed with her blood, the elders shuffle out of the room morosely, confident in the knowledge that Hyuuga Hinata will ruin the clan.
Hinata walks out afterward, shoulders straight and eyes clear. Neji and Hanabi eagerly await her entrance into the main hall.
She smiles-she can't seem to stop doing that today-and shows them the still-bleeding thumb, proof of her legal status as Hyuuga head.
"I can heal that for you, Hyuuga-sama."
Hinata frowns at the stressed words. "Oh, please don't-
"Are you hungry, Onee-sama?" her sister cackles, voice full of happy teasing.
"Come on, guys-
"Let's get you something to eat, Hyuuga-sama," Neji says with a smile.
"This is ridiculous-
"Come on Neji-nii-san, Hinata-onee-sama is getting flustered, maybe we should stop."
Her two bullies exchange a glance. Hinata looks at them pleadingly.
"Nah," Hanabi laughs, and Neji's smile is even bigger.
The unadulterated glee in Hanabi's voice puts a stop to Hinata's chastisement of, in her opinion, a completely unnecessary-unwanted-suffix. She'll put up with it, if only for today.
But it doesn't mean she can't have her own fun at their expense.
"Keep it up," she says pleasantly, "I know of a few bathrooms that need cleaning."
The three figures make their way down the hallway and into the kitchens, bantering playfully.
Are you watching, Father?
Hanabi nudges her as she throws a quick insult as Neji.
I will make Hanabi proud.
Neji retorts rudely, though there is no malice in his voice.
I will make Neji proud.
Hinata laughingly stops the argument, reaching for Neji's hand.
I will make you proud.
As they reach the kitchens, a mass of her relatives-both, Main House and Branch House-congregate to offer their support. A completely healed, energetic Hyuuga Eiji leads the pack.
As successor, as Clan Head, Hyuuga Hinata will make everyone proud.