Someone you loved

Chapter 24

It had hurt when Kakashi had refused to stay with her as they joined the Council but Chiasa would never hold it against him. She would never force him to feel as strongly as an Uchiha, no matter how much it pained her. It was always a danger with Blessed Ones from outside of the clan. Every Uchiha lived with the fear of loving and loving and destroying their Blessed One in the end. Not many people could deal with the often times obsessive love of an Uchiha, after all an Uchiha loved without equal, without limit, as only they could. As long as she was allowed to stay by his side, she'd be okay.

"Now that everyone is here, we can begin," declared Hiruzen warmly, watching the Uchiha Clan Head closely.

Tsunade had told them she was healed, but his student couldn't tell him what had kept her unconscious for so long, the question being one of the topics of today's meeting.

Letting her eyes wander coolly over the present people, Chiasa hardened herself for the meeting. She didn't like what she was seeing and was glad to have dressed fittingly. Most ordinary shinobi wouldn't understand the hidden meanings in her dress choice – silk and leather for wealth but the will to fight; light red and black for her clan; the silver in her hair a token of her Blessed One; Konoha's hitai-ate around her neck like a collar, almost concealed – but these were Clan heads and high-ranking shinobi, they'd understand at least pieces of her message.

Shikaku definitely did if his sigh and sinking shoulders were any indication. And with him, Inoichi and Choza would also know soon enough. The Hyuuga Head, as old rivals to the Uchiha, certainly knew as well, his eyes twitching slightly at the sight of her. The Aburame Head was unreadable as usually, Tsume eyed her curiously, and the civilian representative stared at her as if she was a very pretty object. Then there was Jiraiya, having a seat as the Sandaime's legendary student, eyeing her like she was an intriguing mystery. It had been fun to drive the man mad when she and Sasuke escaped his spy network again and again, perhaps it was petty but Chiasa had never forgotten his betrayal to the child with sun-kissed hair and ocean blue eyes, and Kushina-oba-san, and since she couldn't outright kill him, this had had to do.

Though now that he had tried to take Naruto with him – and hadn't that flamed her anger – she'd show the Sannin that there were boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. If Naruto wanted to go, fine, he could and Chiasa wouldn't protest, but if the boy didn't and Jiraiya tried to pressure him, she'd intervene gladly.

Next to Jiraiya were Homura, Koharu, and Danzo, the Sandaime's advisors. The way Danzo leered at her was disgusting and frightening at the same time and it was only her iron clad self-control that kept her from shivering. How could one look make her feel so tainted?

"First of all, I welcome back my students, Jiraiya and Tsunade. It has been too long since you've ben here, but you have finally returned home," said the Sandaime unaware or ignorant to the rising tension between the Uchiha Clan head and Danzo.

"This is going to be relatively short as two of our members have just been healed and need rest."

Hiruzen nodded understandingly to Kakashi and Chiasa, though the Uchiha only arched an eyebrow challenging and Kakashi was engrossed in his book, not reacting. Frowning slightly, Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe, ignoring the warning glare from his female student.

"Chiasa, I'm sure Kakashi will update you on everything that has happened after the invasion, you're also free to read the reports to make up your own opinion. As the invasion has interrupted the exam none of the Konoha participants have been promoted to Chunnin. They will have the chance to take part in the next exam in six months. As it were mostly participants fresh out of the Academy this shouldn't be much of a problem."

Chiasa tasted blood as she bit her tongue to keep silent and not tear into Hokage. She had to choose her battles wisely and this one was already lost as it had been fought without her. Kakashi had warned her of the Sandaime's foolish choice and the way the sensei's and even some watchful Jounin and Chunnin had protested, uselessly in the end. It was not okay, but Chiasa would simply ensure that her kids would blow away their next competition. Let's see if anyone would try to keep them from their rightful promotions after they wiped the floor with them.