The Eyes of Fate

Chapter Three: Devoured Prey

Sitting up suddenly, her breathing was heavy as she searched around the room for Sasuke. The candle on the table was still shining brightly, its flames flickering as it got closer and closer to its end. Closing her eyes, Hinata ran a hand over her face and pulled her knees to her chest.

Sometimes she hated sleeping for long periods of time when she was alone. Her dreams were shockingly vivid, as though they were real. There was so much blood shed, many people lying dead, their bodies visible although they were buried deep.

What was that about?

Perhaps it was a glimpse in the future, or was it a peek into the past? There was no way of knowing, not without consulting Inazuma and the others.

"Hello?" She mumbled, trying to see if she would get some sort of response.

The room whistled, the wind sweeping under the door but there was no answer. No indication that they were there. Getting up, Hinata pulled his shirt closer, looking through her drawers for a change of clothes so that she may shower and head to the medical ward where she could calm her mind.

The water hitting her skin was a dull sensation, her forehead remained pressed against the cool tiles of the shower walls. Her hair formed a curtain around her face, darker than usual because of water.

Turning the water off, she wrung her hair and wrapped it in a towel as she dried herself and put on her clothes. Not bothering to completely dry her hair, she left her room in quiet steps and made her way to the office, navigating the maze-like tunnels with ease from months of wandering the place.

The room was thankfully empty, Kabuto had long since packed his things and moved them to somewhere else so that she could not snoop even if she wanted to. Sitting in the chair, she opened the book she was reading before and sat there in silence.

Working quietly and efficiently, she followed some tips and mixed many ingredients in a bowl. When her experimenting was done, the balm was a deep green colour, the smell almost minty but soothing. Taking the bowl with her, she left the office and walked down the hall even further to where Orochimaru kept his test subjects.

When she got to one cage in particular, she knocked on the door and waited for the little boy to come closer to her. His uniquely white eyes, with a small hint of light blue, were framed by dark eyelashes. He smiled and reached out to touch her face.

"Ma..."

Hinata made no effort to correct him, she held his hand and caressed his knuckles. A child his age should not be locked up, yet alone being an experiment. "Kairi...Are you okay?" She set the bowl down and sat in front of him, watching as he did the same.

He nodded.

"Can I see?"

He hesitated for a moment, frowning as he pushed his tattered sleeves back to reveal disgusting burns on his small arms.

"Does it hurt?"

"A little."

Hinata held his arm and examined the burn. It was one Orochimaru gave him, for trying to run away. She took a small amount of the balm she created and rubbed it all over the burns on both of his arms. Taking out some gauze and bandages she always kept in her ninja pouch, she wrapped his arms and kissed them.

"They should be okay by tomorrow."

Kairi stared at his arms and pulled his sleeves back down. "Thank you."

Hinata nodded but didn't make any effort to get up and leave. "Did they feed you?"

"Mmhm."

"When?"