Restoration Book 3/3: Hinata's Fate

Chapter 3

The next morning, we headed out bright and early.

To my surprise and amusement, Konohamaru and Hanabi were arguing almost nonstop the entire time we traveled, both with red faces. My sister took my advice and went to sleep next to him last night because she was too prideful to admit that she was shy about it. Apparently, Konohamaru handled the situation better than any of us thought he would and cuddled her without complaint and she hadn't fought it.

She swears it's because she didn't want to get cold, but the red of her cheeks told us all that that likely wasn't the entire reason. Probably embarrassed that she'd enjoyed it, she was lashing out and being meaner to him than usual, which is why they were arguing.

The sun was almost right above us, meaning it was somewhere close to noon, when we finally reached Inaka. It's a small village, but seemed modern and welcoming. There are a few small businesses, like Tenten's father's shooting range and weapon shop, a family owned grocery store, a flower shop, and a few more. Then, there are houses, of course.

According to Tenten, the village has just under two thousand residents and they thrive without needing to trade with any other towns or villages. Inaka is completely self-sufficient.

Unlike every other city we've visited since Oto, it isn't completely deserted. It wasn't the bustling place we'd been told it usually is, but a few people were outside working on their gardens or tending to their crops and they waved at Neji and Tenten as we passed.

With each step we took, my heart rose further in my chest.

Hands trembling with anxiety, I bravely reached over and held onto Neji's hand. He looked over at me in surprise before offering an understanding look and squeezing my hand supportively.

Is my mother going to be angry when she sees me? Will she even recognize me?

We approached a cute little house with a white picket fence and a pretty winter flower garden up front. My heart was beating loudly in my ears as my eyes landed on a woman. Her back was turned as she knelt down, tending to the pansies and violas there. Long, dark brown hair ran down her back in a loose braid and her skin was pale.

By the time Neji reached to open the gate of the fence, he was pretty much leading me because my feet didn't want to move anymore. The woman heard the squeak of the hinges and turned to lay eyes on her son, stealing the breath from my very body.

It's her, there's no doubt about that.

Soft silver eyes with the slightest hint of lavender teared up as she dropped the little shovel in her hand and hurried over to wrap her arms around Neji's neck. The corners of her eyes crinkled tenderly as she smiled with closed eyes, visibly relieved to see her child alive and unharmed. He patted her back with a pink face, but thankfully didn't let go of my hand or else I might be tempted to flee.

"Neji, where the hell have you been? I was so worried when I saw what happened on the news and they wouldn't give me any information on where you and Tenten were taken! I should wring your neck for making me stress out like this!"

She pulled back, pulling his head down so she could reach and kiss his forehead before turning to pull Tenten into a hug, "You'd better go see your Dad before he keels over, Honey."

When the girl didn't immediately obey, she seemed to finally realize something was off and turned to look at her son again with a question on her face before her eyes turned onto me and widened so much I thought they might bug out of her head. Tears were welled up heavily in my eyes and I felt my chin quivering as I fought with all my might to keep it together.

"H-Hinata...is that you, Sweetheart?"

My mother looked like she was staring at a ghost, which isn't really fair considering that's what it felt like I was doing because I've been under the impression she's dead. The woman's face had lost all its color and her eyes traveled over my appearance in disbelief. When she took a step toward me, I tensed up, taking in a sharp breath. Neji stepped slightly in front of me, pulling her attention back to him.