Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

When I'm Gone	By : tragic.violinist Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 2134 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: NARUTO and its respective characters were created and are owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No copyright infringement intended. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Chapter 13. Imagine
A/N: Woohoo I have my netbook back so happy right now, on with the story (yes every one of these songs are ones that I listen to on a regular basis, I have some really weird tastes in music.) I also have a request, if anyone out there reading this can make AMVs please for the love of all that it holy make a Blackbird Neji tribute it would fit so well it hurts....otherwise I might be forced to learn to make my own, and another obsession is the last thing I need to develop, both for my own sanity and my husband's. I'm already driving him insane with this story.
Something was wrong with Hikari, and he wasn't sure what to do about it, ever since Christmas eve she had been lethargic and withdrawn. She missed her surrogate uncle and there was nothing that could be done to help it, he just hoped that the Hokage was truly working on it as she had promised to. For now he could only hope that Hinata's birthday party would cheer her up a bit.
They were meant to arrive at the compound that afternoon. It was the first time for either of them since the other elders had banished them from the grounds. It was a much anticipated affair with a large portion of the village in attendance. There was a large tent set up for the party with a small stage, complete with a baby grand, set up inside for entertainers. Upon their arrival a couple of the elders tried to stop them from entering the grounds until Hinata came to put a stop to it.
"They are my guests, you will let them in and from this point forward you will have no say as to who I do and do not allow on the Hyuuga grounds," she stated firmly allowing no room for argument, all they could do was bow to her and retreat.
"Hinata-sama please we do not want to cause you trouble," Neji started.
"It's no trouble at all, there are a lot of things I intend to change and this is just one of them. And please Neji, just Hinata from now on." Neji looked as if he was about to argue, "if I have to make that an order I will," she told him with a smile. Neji had no choice but to concede. “Now I need to steal Hikari away from you for a moment.”
Hikari smiled and followed after girl, “I love what you've done with the place for the party Hinata it looks amazing.”
Hinata beamed at the compliment, “Thank you Hikari, I really wanted to make an impact, I've spent the last few weeks planning for tonight, the elders weren't happy about it but they had no say in it.”
“You've really taken to the whole being in charge thing haven't you?”
Hinata nodded, “I told the whole clan today of my plan to dissolve the branch house and all of the old customs. I'm sure the elders will come around eventually, but for now they still seem to be stuck in the past. As of now they don't have a leg to stand on though, with the now former branch members support, they are vastly outnumbered in opinion.”
“Hinata that's wonderful, you're making such an impact on all of their lives, they can't help but love and support you.”
“Thank you, but I feel I'm only doing what's right. Now I was hoping you could do something for me.”
“If I can do it I will.”
“I want you to sing for me tonight, just a couple songs that will reflect what I am trying to do.”
“What songs did you have in mind?” Hikari asked curiously.
“I was hoping you might have an idea, Neji has said you just seem to have a way with that sort of thing.”
“Neji talks about my singing?” Hikari blushed, she knew that he liked it when she sang but she had no idea that he had spoken of her little habit to others. Hinata nodded. Hikari pondered the request for a few moments, “I think I can come up with something,” she told her. “When do you want me to do it?”
“I was thinking after dinner before the other performers take the stage, and please don't mention it to anyone yet, I want it to be a surprise.” Hikari nodded, “Alright, you should get back to Neji now, enjoy yourself tonight okay?”
“I will. Thank you for asking me to be a part of it,” she told her before returning to Neji.
“What was that about?” He inquired.
“Just girl talk, so never mind about it. Look it's Ino and Shikamaru, hi guys,” she called out to them and steered Neji in their direction.
“So how did your Christmas turn out?” Ino asked her.
“Oh it was a night to remember that's for sure, though I'm not sure Uncle Jiraiya will remember much of it though, he took a couple blows to the head that night,” she giggled.
“Oh yes I have heard all about Jiraiya from Naruto, so who did he give a perverted gift to this time?” Ino took note of the blush covering the couples' faces her mouth formed a large 'O'. She quickly changed the subject to save them from further embarrassment, “So Neji when are you allowed to start doing missions again?”
“Not until the end of next month, until then I am still on leave.”
“But at least he'll be able to start training again in the new year, it's been driving him crazy, or should I say Lee has been driving him crazy,” Hikari informed them, making them all laugh.
They walked around the tent occasionally stopping to talk to others, several members of the Hyuuga clan were shooting Neji dirty looks, Hikari assumed they were most likely from the main house. He ignored them expertly, and none were brave enough to approach them.
“Staying out of trouble?” Kakashi said coming up behind them.
“Of course Kakashi-sensei, always on our best behaviour,” Hikari told him sweetly. He eyed them carefully as if to make sure she wasn't lying to them.
He nodded as if she had passed his inspection, “So I hear you two received some interested gifts this year,” he hinted earning a glare from Hikari.
“This little voice you heard wouldn't happen to have come from Naruto would it?”
“I'm sorry Hikari I don't reveal my sources, enjoy your reading material,” he laughed and disappeared into the crowd before she could say another word.
“I'm going to kill him, where is he?” she fumed.
“What makes you think Naruto is the one responsible?” Neji asked her.
“Because Aunt Tsunade wouldn't say anything to anyone and neither would Uncle Jiraiya because he knows I would kill him. That just leaves Sasuke and the only person I can think of that he would tell would be Naruto, he can never say no to him, even if it's a bad idea, which this clearly was. I'm going to kill them both.”
“Who are you going to kill?” Naruto asked as he and Sasuke came over to join them.
“Speak of the fucking devil, you both have ten seconds to get as far away from me as possible before I pummel you into the ground,” her eyes burned with rage.
“Wait, wait, wait, at least tell me what I did wrong?”
“And I really don't see why your mad at me,” Sasuke added.
Hikari growled at him, “You're the one I'm going to kill first, you're the one who started the whole thing.”
“What thing?” Naruto asked again.
Neji had stayed calm through the whole exchange, more than content to let his girlfriend handle the two of them, though he supposed he could be persuaded to hold one of them down while she took care of the aforementioned pummeling. “Kakashi knows about a little gift that was received on Christmas.”
Sasuke paled, “You swore you wouldn't tell anyone,” he said rounding on the blond idiot.
“Then you admit it then?”
“Shit,” they exclaimed together before they took off running.
Neji took Hikari gently by the arm, “I think you need to get some air,” he suggested. Once they got outside she took a deep breath and he wrapped his arms around her in the cold December air, “Better?”
“Much better, I still can't believe them though, I thought Sasuke had more sense than that.”
He kissed her deeply, enjoying the taste that was uniquely her. He had missed her fiery personality these past few days. It was good to see her looking so alive again. They stayed outside just reveling in each others presence until they heard the call from inside announcing dinner. “Come on,” he said gently tugging her along with him.
Dinner was fabulous with several courses and a very large birthday cake that could put most wedding cakes to shame. It was at that point that Hinata came to get Hikari, “Ready to go?” she asked.
“To go where?” Neji asked the two of them.
Hikari smirked at him, “Never you mind, just sit back and enjoy the show,” she told him before following after Hinata. Once they were out of ear shot she addressed the other girl, “Do you mind if I make use of that piano for one of the songs?”
“Of course, is there anything else you need?”
“No the piano and the guitar will do nicely, for these songs I feel simpler is definitely better.”
As Hikari took the stage many of their friends stopped to watch, after the festival and then the big party at Sasuke's they knew they were in for a treat. Then the whispers started as they spread the word around the tent, until all eyes were on her. A high stool had been placed on the stage, in front of a microphone, with an acoustic guitar propped against it. Hikari sat down and grabbed the instrument, strumming out a quick scale to make sure it was in tune before she began to play.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Blackbird fly Blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly Blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
   The silence that followed was deafening, Hinata had wanted to make an impact among the clan, and that's exactly what Hikari planned to help her do, even if it was in such a small way. For the second song she wanted to hammer home what the end goal was, peace among the clan, but to Hikari it also meant a lot more than that and she knew some of those in the crowd would pick up on that as well. She got up from the stool placing the guitar back where it previously rested before taking a seat on the long bench in front of the piano.
Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one
   She could hear a pin drop, a few were glaring, again she assumed they were members of the main house, but most were beaming up at her, members of the now defunct branch house along with other villagers. Several looked at her with knowing looks, such as her aunt and uncle, Neji, Sasuke and surprisingly Naruto. It was all very overwhelming. Hinata was the first to reach her as she stepped down from the stage.
   “That was perfect Hikari, thank you so much.” Hikari nodded to her before she was lead away by Neji.
   He led her to a secluded corner of the room, with the intention of keeping her out of sight when the spell of silence broke. They made it about half way before the first person approached to congratulate her on the performance, quickly followed by another and another. A crowd was forming and it was starting to look like they wouldn't be getting away any time soon. Until a loud whistle came from on the stage, everyone turned to look and saw Hikari standing on stage, and another by the door way. Hikari quickly came to the conclusion that it was Naruto giving her an out, so she took it, she grasped Neji's hand and dragged him beneath the closest table. She placed a finger to her lips signaling for him to keep quiet. They slowly made there way to a dark corner, slipping from table to table, until they could relax. They watched as the shadow clones Naruto had created of her, distracted and dispersed the crowd until things returned to normal and the crowd was more focused on the band now playing than wondering where the real Hikari was.
   “Well that was exciting,” Hikari smirked at Neji earning herself one in return.
   “You may have ruffled some feathers tonight,” he cautioned her.
   “I'm not worried, it's what Hinata wanted, I'm sure she has a plan to deal with the fallout.” Someone tapped her on the shoulder making her jump a mile high. “Holy fuck Naruto, you scared the shit out of me,” she slapped his shoulder. “Don't do that.”
   He gave her a firm hug, “That was,” he paused, searching for the right word, “Powerful.”
   “Thanks Naruto I'm glad you liked it,” she smiled at him.
   “Do you really believe all that stuff? That all the nations could exist in peace?” he asked her.
   Hikari bit her lip, not sure how to answer him exactly, “It would be nice, even if it would put us all out of a job,” she joked.
   “But do you think it could ever happen?” he pushed.
   She would have to choose her words carefully, “I think a lot needs to change before something like that can happen, and maybe one day it will, though I'm not sure it will happen in our lifetime.”
   “If I have anything to say about it, it will,” he told her honestly, “When I'm Hokage I'll make it happen.”
   Hikari kissed him on the cheek, “I think you'll make a great Hokage one day Naruto.” He beamed at her.
   “Let's get out of here before you're spotted again,” Neji suggested, “Can you let Hinata know for us?” he asked Naruto.
   “Of course, catch you later.”
   New years came and went, Ino had demanded they have a house warming party on new years eve and they had agreed with the stipulation that Hikari would not be singing. After that they settled into their new lives. Hikari had been sent on several mission in the following month now that she was chuunin. Completing them without a hitch and only minor injuries. It was discovered that she was able to work well with just about any team they paired her up with, impressing her superiors. Most of her work was done with Neji's team, as he was still on leave.
   Meanwhile Tsunade was trying to figure out a solution to the problem posed by the scrolls she had received from Orochimaru. They had contained invaluable information on Danzo and root. Exposed the truth behind the Uchiha massacre and the role played by Uchiha Itachi and the Third Hokage. The lengths Danzo had gone to in the past to eliminate those that posed a threat to himself or in some cases a perceived threat to the village, she learned of Kabuto's childhood and Danzo's role in him choosing to defect from the leaf village to follow Orochimaru. It seemed that at the heart of everything stood Danzo. He had brought discord and pain to many people, the man had to be dealt with before anything could be done to reconcile the Sound village and their own as well as to bring the elder Uchiha back to the village. He had been done a great disservice. Thanks to him and Orochimaru they now had a vast knowledge of the Akatsuki and their members, including what their end game was.
   Tsunade knew she had to bring others into the fold, but Danzo had his hands in so many pockets she wasn't sure who she could trust anymore. She knew she would have the backing of Jiraiya and Orochimaru, unfortunately only one of them could be of any use to her inside the village. With Hinata taking power of the Hyuuga clan she also knew she could count on them if she needed to. Then there was Hikari and the younger Uchiha, while they could be trusted she was loath to drag them into this against such a formidable opponent. She needed outside backing, another village other than the sound who could be trusted, so if things went south they could have a contingency plan. She only hoped she could convince the Kazekage when he came to meet with her today.
   He was young but far from impressionable. He had dealt with much betrayal in his young life that he would not trust easily. If only she had Naruto on her side for this, he may have held more sway with the young Kage, but unfortunately the blond was incapable of keeping his mouth shut for long, so he had to be kept in the dark for now. There was a knock on the door, pulling her from her reverie.
   “Come in,” she called out, and watched Gaara enter the room and took a seat in the chair offered to him. “I trust your journey was uneventful?”
   “It was.”
   “I thank you for being able to come on such short notice Kazekage-sama, I know it was rather unexpected but I have a matter of the utmost importance to discuss with you.”
   “I too have something I wish to discuss.” Tsunade nodded for him to continue. “The young woman from your village that became chuunin when last I was here, she is your niece, correct?”
   “Yes Hikari is my niece, is there a problem?”
   “Not a problem per se, just something that has me confused as it were. You see the last time I was here I was invited to the Uchiha's house to partake in a celebration. At this celebration, I came across an item. An item I believe belongs to your niece, if her behavior is anything to judge by.”
   Tsunade closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, what had that girl done, she sighed, “May I inquire as to the nature of this item?”
   “It was a short sword,” he paused for effect, “made of bone, one that I have seen before.”
   Tsunade took a deep breath, it could have been worse, she supposed. “Kazekage-sama, what I have to discuss with you today will tie back into your query, that I can promise you.” He said nothing so she plowed ahead. “I have recently come by some information that leads me to believe not all we have been told is accurate,” she launched into an explanation of all she had learned from the scrolls sent to her. She left no information out, and the young Kazekage listened to all she had to say patiently. When she finished she sat back and waited for the questions that were sure to follow.
   “Where did you come across this information?”
   “The scrolls I received from Orochimaru himself, the information they contain was gathered from several other sources,” she offered him the scrolls and allowed him to read through them before she spoke again, “The majority of the information comes from Orochimaru's spy Yakushi Kabuto and from Uchiha Itachi.”
   “What makes you believe this Orochimaru can be trusted, other than the fact that you used to be team mates?”
   “A valid question and one that I will answer, this is the part that ties in with your earlier confusion. My niece, Hikari, has a close bond with him, one that has stayed strong despite his past transgressions. He has never done anything that would put her in harms way, and wishes to pursue a truce with Konoha, this is his peace offering so to speak.”
   “Then it is a fact that the bone sword I saw is one and the same as the one I came across while fighting one of Orochimaru's men?”
   “To my knowledge yes.”
   “What is it you hope to gain from our village in all of this?”
   “Support, that is all, a guarantee that if things do now work out the way I hope, that the shinobi of this village can turn to you for asylum if they need it.”
   “You do not wish for us to fight by your side?”
   “No, this mess was created inside this village and we will clean it up ourselves.”
   Gaara thought on the information that was being presented to him, he could find no flaw. Were it a ruse the Hokage would not have offered up so much in return for so little. “Who is aware of all you have told me today?”
   “No one person knows everything I have told you, other than Orochimaru himself, I can not speak for the elder Uchiha or the Yakushi but no one currently in this village knows it all. Some know bit and pieces but not the whole picture, and for the time being I would like to keep it that way, in some cases the less they know the better.”
   “Very well I will grant you the support you have requested, all I ask is that in return you keep us informed of when you intend to make your move.”
   “Thank you Kazekage-sama, would you like for me to arrange lodgings for you? Until you see fit to travel home?”
   “That would be much appreciated, Hokage-sama.”
   Tsunade summoned a representative from the Hyuuga clan, she wanted him staying with people she could trust, and right now that list was very small.
   Next she needed a tactician, there was only one she could think of that she could be confident was not being controlled by Danzo, she only hoped he would be up to the task. At the very least she knew she could trust him to keep his mouth shut. She sent a summons for Nara Shikamaru.
   “You called for me, Tsunade-sama?” he drawled lazily.
   “Yes, close the door and sit down Nara.” He did as directed. “Tell me Nara, you have grown close to Hikari since she came here correct?”
   “Yes ma'am, we're friends.”
   “Do you trust her?”
   “Of course Tsunade-sama.”
   “If she were to trust you with a secret would you keep it?”
   Ever the strategist, he thought before he spoke and chose his words carefully, “It would depend on the nature of the secret Tsunade-sama. I would also make sure that she was aware of that fact before she confided in me.”
   “Smart answer Nara. Now the circumstances here are a little different. I am going to entrust you with some very sensitive information, it is not to leave this room. You will learn secrets which very few are aware and if it gets out I will know exactly who broke confidence, you understand?”
   “I understand Tsunade-sama, does this information pertain to Orochimaru?”
   Tsunade was taken aback, “Did she tell you of him?”
   “No Tsunade-sama, I saw a sword made of bone at Hikari's house, it matched the one Lee told me about when he faced off against Kimimaro, then with the snake she carries with her every where and the one that she gifted to Naruto. Then there was also the fact that she seemed to have a running rapport with Sasuke that no one, not even Naurto has, I just put it together that she must have some sort of connection with him, though I am not sure what that connection entails. I haven't even discussed my conclusions with her.”
   Tsunade nodded, she would have to have a talk with that girl about how she displayed her weapons, this was the second person who had noticed that damn sword in her possession. “You are correct that she has a connection with Orochimaru, they have known each other for her entire life, she has an understanding of the man than few others possess. But that is not what I wanted to speak with you about,” for the second time she divulged the information she held in its entirety. “What I need you to do is to come up with a plan to take this man Danzo down, with the least amount of fatalities as possible, and in such a way that it is kept quiet.”
   “May I make a suggestion Tsunade-sama?” she gestured for him to continue. “I feel it would be of the best interest of all involved if certain parties were not present in the village when we make our move. Parties that if taken hostage may compromise the outcome of the mission.”
   “Speak plainly Nara, I don't have time for riddles.”
   “Our best bet against Danzo would be to utilize someone with a powerful kekkei genkai that can weave a powerful genjutsu, Uchiha Itachi would be ideal of course. If that can be done I would suggest that Hikari, Sasuke and Neji all be sent away, Hinata and Hanabi as well if possible. For if one of them were to fall into Danzo's hands or the hands of his men, he may use them to try and break the resolve of those against him.”
   “A keen observation, and I will make sure it is done. I assume you would need to know if Uchiha Itachi's involvement can be guaranteed before you can plan an effective attack?”
   “Yes that would be beneficial, in the mean time I can begin to form a back up plan in the case that he is not available to us. For that I would require that Sasuke be a part of it.”
   “Done, get to work, and remember not a word to anyone, not even Hikari.”
   “Yes Tsunade-sama.”
Lyrics featured:
Blackbird and Imagine by the Beatles
A/N: Next chapter we will be meeting another OC that is traveling with Itachi, I won't be going too far into a back story with them just a brief over view, but I plan a side fic with the two of them after I finish this one. So next chapter will focus on Itachi, the new OC, and a little of Orochimaru and Kabuto.
- 12
- 13
- 14
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

When I'm Gone