Under the Sun

Chapter Thirty

He had his victory, his life, and his freedom. There was little else that Seiichi could want. And yet, he didn't feel satisfied leaving the clan without saying a final goodbye to the girl who was his reason for coming back. After the duel, two things had happened. The councilwoman had fumed over her loss and the crowd went home feeling disappointed. Neji was transported to medical to be fixed up. Seiichi was taken back to his room and did not see him again. He did however receive a visit from the head of the clan.

As he was to be released in the morning, he got to spend one last night in his private cell. He made himself comfortable on the bed, which was really just a hard cot, and relaxed his body. His head ached and his limbs felt sore. His broken arm had been fixed up by a medic. The splint holding it in place made it feel stiff as a rod. His nose was bruised past recognition but in time would heal like any other injury.

He heard voices outside his room. One male and the other too soft for him to make out. Seiichi had become familiar with Tokuma. He acted as his personal guard and would check in on him quite often, with a glum face that spelled out his boredom. His deep voice trickled through the wall for Seiichi to hear. "Come," it said. "I'll let you in." He had no idea what was about to happen. And then, a female voice made Seiichi start. No woman had ever visited him since his capture, not even the head of the council.

When Hinata entered his room, minding the three steps that lead down into it, Seiichi sat up in his bed. Her pregnant belly was on full view - the same as it had been during the duel, when she'd interfered. Seiichi was surprised that she could walk at all, what with being ready to burst at any moment. Her strength was fascinating. Women, he decided, were resilient creatures.

Long violet hair was draped over her shoulders and hugged her small face. She looked every bit like a daughter of royal blood. It was no wonder that Neji adored her. After all, the dewy glow accentuating her womanly features was all due to the fact that she was carrying his child.

Seiichi didn't know what to say to Hinata. So he stared at her, seeing her clearly for the first time, without bitter shouts ringing in his ears. He hunched forward and leaned onto his propped up legs. His knees served as the perfect place to rest his hands.

Hinata walked over to him. "This is a surprise," she said, coming to stop. "You look worse than I expected."

Seiichi grinned. "Did you imagine my victory would have me bouncing off the walls?"

"No, nothing like that. I just thought you'd look a bit more content."

"I didn't win my freedom," he said. "It was won for me. But I am content, as much as I can be."

"I heard the same from Neji. You're lucky my uncle was eager to help."

"Actually, I'm lucky you interfered when you did," Seiichi corrected.

Hinata looked at him oddly. She was confused.

He said, "Neji might have killed me if he was allowed to keep fighting. Thank to you I'm still in one piece."

Hinata understood him now. She nodded. "He can't stand the sight of you."

"Neither can you. But for some reason you've been fighting for me ever since I got here."

He hadn't yet thanked her for that little display of courage she put on during his trial. She had changed so much since when they had last been face to face. He wanted to know why this was. What had possessed Hinata to stand up for her enemy?

"Why?" Seiichi asked her. "I am nothing to you."

He glimpsed one of Hinata's hands close around the skirt of her kimono. Delicate blue flowers were crushed inside her palm.

"I didn't do it for you," she said. Then she released her skirt. "I did it for my people. "

Her people? So the Hyuga were not his clansmen anymore. Fair enough.

"I can understand that," Seiichi said. "But what I don't get is why you interfered. When I saw you then, you looked afraid. What was it that scared you?"

Hinata's face changed. She was remembering something. Whatever it was made her body tremble.

"What you said about Neji was true," she whispered, eyes settling on him. Her expression was grave. "He wouldn't have been able to stop himself from hurting you. In his way he was trying to make up for being unable to protect me back then. He must have been so desperate."

Seiichi laughed and the maniacal sound of it made his skin prickle. "You can't save everyone, Hinata. Least of all the ones you love."

"I saved you," she said.

She was not prepared to admit defeat. Seiichi respected this.

He said, "Yes you did. And I'm grateful."

"Grateful but not content."

"I didn't return to be saved." Seiichi pressed Hinata with his cold gaze. "You know this."

She turned away. "If forgiveness is what you want, you won't get it. Not from me."

"Then why did you come here Hinata?"

Hinata did not answer him. She created more distance between them by shuffling away towards the door, ready to leave. Seiichi stopped her.

"You know," he said, rising from the bed to face her. "You, Neji, and Hanabi... You're all where you belong now. After all this time of skirting around each other and playing games, you've all come full circle and soon the three of you, along with Tokuma, will be running this place. I expect it will change and evolve under your command."

Hinata studied him for a moment, thinking on what he'd said. Then she nodded. "For once, I think you're right. In the end, this is the goal we've all been running towards. It took some time but we all managed to stay together, to remain true to the people we truly are."

"And who are you truly, Hinata? Tell me."

"I am the head of the Hyuga and the only person standing in between you and the members of the council. But more importantly, I am a mother." She lifted her head a bit higher. "If we ever cross paths in the future Seiichi, I want you to remember this."

And just like that, Seiichi recognized that it was finally over. The grudge she'd been holding and the hatred she'd felt towards him fell away like dead skin ready to be shed. After Hinata left, he returned to his bed. The cot curved underneath him, molding to his long legs and wide shoulders. He closed his eyes and let the darkness take over.

Wherever he went after this, Seiichi genuinely hoped that he would be able to remake some part of the life he'd lost. As for family, he never had any to begin with. Shin being alive and out there changed nothing. Seiichi felt that this his meeting with Hinata had been long overdue. She did not forgive him openly and maybe a small part of her still resented him for tearing a part her perfect world. But, it was thanks to her that Neji was able to keep his end of the deal. And it was thanks to Hizashi that Seiichi was going to be released. The matter of his byakugan was still up in the air. Hizashi had promised to help him recover it. That's what Seiichi would hold onto now - the hope that one day he would be able to see beyond the veil of his injury and feel whole once again.