Notes at the bottom

Between the Devil and the Deep
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Chapter Eight
Echoes of the Past

*The Age of Kings*
The Otsutsuki Summit

"And where do you think you are going?"

Her voice was sharp, and lanced through his body, followed immediately by an unsettling feeling of annoyance and sheepish repentance – which was positively ridiculous given their relative stations in life.

Still, when he turned to face the companion to the Oracle – arms crossed over her chest, eyes narrowed, foot tapping – he could not but feel off kilter.

"You have no business at this end of the castle," she looked him over critically. "Why, then, do I find you continually trying to wander into these halls?

Madara stood taller. He was a King, after all, and even though he was within the enchanted walls of the Ototsuski palace, his title held merit. "Merit," he thought to himself as she did little more than arch an eyebrow at him, "perhaps authority remains to be seen."

Deciding there was no reason or point to deceiving this woman (and perhaps conceding that she would be difficult to deceive), he told the truth.

"I am search of the Oracle," he said, trying to strike a balance in tone between "informative" and "imperious," decidedly erring toward the later over the former.

"She is resting," the woman didn't bother with informative and skipped right to imperious. "No one is to disturb her."

"And when will she be available for an audience?"

The woman blinked.

"Pushy little shit, aren't you?"

Madara bristled but maintained eye contact.

"My Lady doesn't usually give 'audiences,'" she sized him up, "but she does occasionally have visitors – never alone, so don't get your hopes up," she held up a preemptive hand. "What will you wish to discuss?"

Madara looked the woman over, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Your mistress is an Oracle. I am sure she will know without you or anyone else trying to tell her."

The immediate pinking of her cheeks told him he'd scored a point – she'd been overstepping her bounds.

"Very well, then. I shall tell her you would like to speak with her – but be warned," she pinned him with a glare. "This palace is in one of the deepest parts of the Sea. Should you even think of doing anything untoward, you will be cast from its protection without warning or mercy. At this depth," her eyes glittered menacingly, "the ocean will crush you within seconds."

"Understood," he shrugged carelessly. "I look forward to hearing from your Mistress, Lady…?" He raised his eyebrows to her.

She looked at him as if he were simple.

"Hina. Lady Hina."

"I was asking your name."

"Oh," she blinked. "It's Chiyo."

"Mm," he nodded. "And you are not Merfolk are you, Lady Chiyo."

"Just Chiyo," she scoffed. "And no, I'm not. I'm Finfolk. Not many Merfolk in this area, and the Landwalkers aren't clever enough to know the difference. Surprised you noticed."

"My eyes don't miss much," he continued to meet her gaze. "And I have met some Merfolk in my time."

"Hyūgas," Chiyo gave a short nod. "That lot is a mite friendlier than the Ototsuki. I'd mind my manners if I were you," she added. "Your eyes don't miss much, but the eyes down here don't miss anything."

"I wonder if you are included in that number," he considered her.

"I am," she nodded. "But not for the same reasons. Let's just say," she wrapped her hand in the water around her and yanked, and Madera felt his own body contort in response. "I know how to pull a few strings."

With a laugh that bordered on a cackle, she disappeared, and Madara felt the strings of magic that had moved his body dissipate into nothing

"Puppetry magic," he mused to no one in particular. "Interesting."

Certain that he was still being watched, Madara traced the path back to the main area of the castle, with a new appreciation for the attendant to the Oracle.

*Sixteen Years ago*
Hinata

The Summit ended, but the council had decided the children should train together more often. The delegates extended their stay with the Uchihas – and therefore their children - until the close of the month. They returned to their respective kingdoms with a new agreement: the younger generation would take turns visiting the other kingdoms for months at a time, thereby learning about the different areas and spending the time together.

Hinata was beside herself at the thought, but Neji was not as enthused.

"Why would Uncle Hiashi agree to this?" he asked his father skeptically. "He has always been adamant that we not be long from the palace and is known to disapprove of time spent on land."

"We feel it is time to secure our bonds," his father answered nonchalantly. "It is good to start now, when you are still so young."

Neji's frown deepened.

"Father… this doesn't make sense."

"It will in time, son."

Two months later was her first visit Evergreen and the court of the Fox King. She was surprised to find the warmth of Naruto's magic was even stronger on the island protected by his parents and the spirit housed between them. Sakura and Naruto were there to greet her, and Sakura was quick to tuck her arm into her own.

"Naruto has to stay to greet the others," she explained. "I thought I'd come show you where we are staying, and let you rest before the evening."

"Thank you," Hinata tightened her arm in her friend's. "I admit, I am nervous; I have never been away from home for so long."

"First things first," Sakura adopted a business-like tone. "Queen Kushina's magic can replenish and sustain you, but you must return to the water more regularly here. My teacher spent time instructing me on how to help you and Neji, but she was clear that the best medicine would be prevention – meaning we have to just make sure you have time in your natural form."

"My Uncle said the same thing," Hinata admitted. "He will leave in a few days, but Kō – a member of our House – will stay with us."

"His room is near ours," Sakura assured her, leading them past several guards with a nod.

"Ours?"

"Yes," Sakura's smile brightened. "Since we are staying for a while, the girls have their rooms and common area, and so do the boys. We each have our own room," she was quick to assure her. "And no one can get in without permission; magic locks and all of that."

They chatted comfortably as Sakura led the way to their rooms. Hinata enjoyed Sakura's company, and found her to have a generous and kind heart. Her parents didn't really do magic, but it flowed freely in Sakura's veins. Lady Tsunade had taken her on as her apprentice, and she showed much promise as a healer, and a vast capacity for absorbing knowledge.

But it was her openness that drew Hinata to her, and she was quickly growing to consider Sakura as her friend.

"Ino will be here later," Sakura explained, opening the large door to their common area, and directing Hinata toward another door. "That's my room, that's Ino's, this is yours."

She urged Hinata forward. "It will open for you."

Hinata pushed the door open, and blinked at the large, sunken basin in the floor surrounded by a low wall – presumably to keep someone from falling into it. She'd not been on land often, but she'd never seen anything like it.

"Oh!" Sakura grinned as she peered into Hinata's room. "Yamato finished it!" She skipped over to the structure and sat on its edge. "You release the seal here," she brushed her fingers over the mark carved into the side, and with a swirl of light, the hole became a small pond in her room, deep enough to submerge and sleep, should she like to. "When you are done, you can reseal it. Yamato said the water will disappear and fresh will replace it whenever you wish it."

Hinata's eyes were wide. "I …I don't know what to say…?"

Sakura's grin was wide. "How about you try it out?"

"Now?" Hinata squeaked.

"Why not?" Sakura shrugged. "Only Ino is left to come in here – and I can leave if it makes you uncomfortable."

Hinata looked longingly at the water and squared her shoulders.

"Alright."

*Sixteen Years ago*
Sasuke

"It was so amazing," Sakura said in breathless tones to Naruto and Sasuke. "One minute Hinata was standing there, and the next, she's in the water, and omigosh!" she squealed. "I've never seen a mermaid before!"

"Yes, you have," Sasuke scoffed. "She was standing literally in front of you."

"You know what I mean," Sakura sniffed. "Naruto," she turned back to her friend. "You've never seen anything more beautiful in your life – the way she just glides in the water is amazing."

"Sounds it," Naruto agreed. "Can't wait to see it!"

Sasuke's brow darkened.

"You can't go into her room, idiot."

"Why would I?" Naruto blinked. "There's lots of places to swim around here. Hey!" he turned back to Sakura. "Think we can convince Iruka to take us to the waterfalls and caverns? Those pools are supposed to be super deep – I bet even Neji would like to swim there."

"I'll ask," Sakura grinned. "There are medicinal plants around there, too – we can make a day of it."

She hurried away, leaving Naruto to sigh.

"Trust Sakura to find a way to make an assignment out of a good time."

The next day they were packed up as Iruka – the person chosen to be their instructor as they toured the different kingdoms – used the trip to the waterfalls to explain about the history and geography of the area. Sasuke took it in, bored. He'd heard it all before, and he retained the information easily. By contrast, Hinata sat rapt with attention, soaking in every word with an eagerness that bordered on alacrity. Sasuke decided he liked how she listened – how even the mundane was new and exciting to her. Her cousin did not appear nearly as interested, but had proven to be a quick study. Sasuke bristled when Neji was around; something about him reminded him of Itachi but not quite, and he didn't know why it bothered him.

Maybe because he was always with Hinata.

But even Neji couldn't resist the appeal of the caverns and waterfall for long. The water was refreshing and deep, and Neji and Hinata lost little time diving as deep as they could. Naruto and Kiba and Chōji were taking turns jumping off of nearby rocks into the water while Sakura and Ino studied some plants nearby. Shino seemed particularly interested in a hollow tree, and Shikamaru had managed to find a cool patch of shade to relax in.

Sasuke humored Naruto with a few jumps from the rocks before deciding to explore on his own, kicking down into the cool of the water. His eyesight under water was keen – far keener than Naruto's or the others – and he enjoyed seeing how far he could go before he needed to return for air. Just as the edge of his lungs began to ache, his sharp eyes caught something shimmering and winking in the water below.

Intrigued, he surfaced just long enough to take a gulp of air before diving down again, trying to catch sight of whatever treasure had beckoned. He was quite a way down when the shimmer darted behind a large bolder, only to reemerge as Hinata, the light dancing of off the iridescent scales of her tail. Her surprise at seeing him shifted to excitement as she motioned for him to follow. He shook his head and pointed down – it would be too deep for him to risk - but when she swam over and placed a hand on his shoulder, he found the air in his lungs no longer burning.

"It won't last long," her voice was surprisingly clear in his ears, "but it gives us a few minutes. Come see what I found!"

Sasuke cautiously chanced a breath, pleased to find he did not, in fact, drown. Hinata smiled and grabbed his wrist.

"Hurry!"

"Easy for you to say," he felt himself pulled forward. "You have a tail."

"Through here," she pointed to the narrow tunnel. "Wait until you see!"

Sasuke hesitated, the many warnings about not swimming into underwater caverns reverberating in his mind, but she was quick to assure him.

"I'll be with you," she promised. "I won't let anything happen."

"Tch," Sasuke snorted. "As if I'm afraid."

He followed her through the channel, noting it was wider than he thought it would be. Still, he took a relieved breath when they emerged on the other side. Sasuke surveyed the space even as Hinata darted forward.

"Where are we?"

"Behind the waterfall. And look!" she circled the water above a long, low ridge of rock covered with flowers that couldn't possibly grow under the water. "It's like your Queen's Garden," her pale cheeks flushed with excitement. "This must have been part of a shrine!"

"A shrine?" he looked at the flowers in awe. "Underwater?"

"Yes," she looked up where the sunlight danced above them. "There is probably one above us as well. They used to be kept in tandem with a Land Walker."

"So, this… this one was made by one of your people?"

"Must have been," she gently stroked one of the flowers. "But no one has tended the shrine in a long time. I should honor the offerings – it will only take a moment. There are probably more up there."

They exchanged a brief glance before he swam upward. Sasuke's first thought was that Hinata had been right; they were in the caves behind the waterfall.

His second thought was

"Whoa…"

In his surprise, he barely noted Hinata's magic disappearing even as his eyes fixed on the large, roughly hewn carving in the wall. Whatever it was, it was old and powerful, and its magic sluiced over him. He was still staring, transfixed, when Hinata surfaced a moment later.

"Sasuke? Is something wrong?" She turned to follow his gaze, her eyes widening in surprise. "That is Lady Kaguya. This must be a very ancient shrine if that is here."

He followed her as she climbed onto the smooth stone, and her tail disappearing as she transformed to walk in the ancient space.

"Here," she breathed, her quiet voice just audible above the sound of the waterfall.

He joined her where she knelt at the small, vibrant garden where no weed dared to intrude among the varied and exotic blooms.

"This is the guardian's garden," her voice held a hushed reverence that made Sasuke reluctant to speak much above the prattle of the water.

"Some of the flowers are the same," he noted pointing to one of the large blooms – hesitating until she nodded before he brushed his fingers on the petals. This bloom was soft under his fingers, and his eyes widened. "Was this one planted here, then?"

"Yes," she nodded. "A long time ago."

"How is it still blooming, then?"

Why she flushed, he did not know, but her pale cheeks suddenly flared as she cleared her throat.

"It…it means that they were a joint offering between the guardians."

"Why would any merfolk be here, though?" he drew his brows together. "The water here doesn't connect to the sea – at least not directly. They'd be trapped."

"It means they chose to live here," she shrugged, the blush fading. "Most of these are old, old offerings, but some have not yet been honored."

"Go on then," he nodded, standing. A moment or two later she finished, and stood.

"There," she said, satisfied. "That should-"

"SASUKE!"

They both startled, hearing Naruto's voice even beyond the rush of water.

"Dammit, you bastard! Where did you get to?! Neji – is he drowned?"

"How should I know?" Neji called back.

Sasuke looked around, an idea forming in the back of his mind.

"Is there a way out from here? On land, I mean."

Hinata looked around. "There should be," she murmured. "There," she pointed. "That path – it will take you out; probably behind where Naruto is."

"Perfect," Sasuke smirked. "I'll see you out there when you are done."

Once he disappeared from her direct sight, Hinata hurried back the way she came, and surfaced just in time to see Sasuke surprise Naruto, making him fall haphazardly into the water. Hinata rushed over to him, but Naruto - sputtering though he was – came up fine.

"That's the last time I worry about you, you jerk!" Naruto yelled.

But the others laughed, and Sasuke almost smiled, so Hinata relaxed.

"Here," she offered. "I'll help get you to shore."

*Sixteen Years ago*
Hanabi

To Hanabi's immense jealousy, Hinata went from almost never leaving the ocean to dividing her months between her home and her and Neji's visits to the other Kingdoms. When she returned to the waters, her younger sister was always the first to greet her, and refused to leave her side for at least a week. Hinata would hug her closely and tell her of her time on land – of her friends, and the many things she was learning. She told Hanabi how she and Sasuke kept a lookout for other Sacred Gardens, and how she was surprised by how many they found.

"Like your garden here?" Hanabi blinked, her eyes wide and curious.

"Yes," Hinata smiled gently. "Whenever I find a shrine garden, I always leave an offering."

"What do you pray for?"

"The health of those dearest to me," Hinata held her hands. "And always for you."

"I wish I could see the gardens," Hanabi pouted. "I bet they have some really interesting flowers on land."

Hinata had thought about that before taking her sister to a corner of her garden.

"Here," she showed Hanabi the small, empty plot of shifting sand outlined in a mosaic of pebbles. "I can make an offering to our garden when I am away. Next time I am gone, I shall plant different flowers that I find on land, and you can see them here."

Hanabi hugged her sister tightly, but that first day Hinata returned to the land, Hanabi began to have her doubts. The empty bit of garden stared at her that first morning, and Hanabi braced indifference across her hurt.

"Probably forgot," she muttered. "Just as well. I bet the land flowers look funny."

Still, when she 'happened to be going by' later that day, there was a slender green stalk poking through the silt. Hanabi was amazed as she darted over, and saw the bloom unfurl and blossom into a cheery yellow thing. She reflexively reached her fingers across it, and felt an echo of her sister's prayer.

"For my sister Hanabi, whom I miss terribly. The daffodils always make me smile – I pray it does the same for her."

Hanabi pressed her hands to her heart, where something both longing and pleasant ached. "I miss you, too, big sister. Be safe and hurry back to us." She planted something small in the garden, and spent each following morning with a greeting from her sister.

*Fourteen Years ago*
Sasuke

Sasuke was irritated with Hinata.

As soon as Iruka had dismissed them from their lessons in the forest, Hinata had insisted on trying to find the shrine she sensed "nearby" so she could try and send Hanabi one of the mountain blooms she'd found that morning. Not ten minutes into the walk, she looked pale.

"You don't have your extra canteen."

"I must have forgot it," she shrugged.

"I don't believe that for a second," he snorted. "I saw you give your extra one to Kiba for Akamaru. I keep telling you – the dog can find water. Quit spoiling him."

"It's fine," she yawned. "I can find water, too."

"Why are you so tired," he narrowed his eyes at her. "Did you stay up to listen to the Elvensong again?"

"It is so lovely," her expression became dreamy. "It reminds me of home – and the birds here!" when she met his eyes, she looked down, and blushed. "I just love hearing them, and I can't hear them as well when I sleep in the water. I will tonight, though," she promised, meeting his glare with wide, earnest eyes. "I promise. We can even go back early – just as soon as I send my offering to the garden."

"Fine," he muttered. "But if you don't, I'll be able to tell, and then I'm telling Neji."

Hinata stopped abruptly. "You wouldn't!"

"I would," he smirked.

"But-" she blushed violently. "What would he think?"

"Think?" Sasuke frowned. "About what?"

"About why you know I haven't been sleeping in the water," she said, her voice tiny and aghast. Realization dawned on Sasuke as a flush sluiced over him almost as deep as Hinata's.

"I wouldn't tell him I know that," he said, trying to keep his voice even. "I'd tell him you have been tired, and I bet you aren't getting any sleep. All he'll have to do is ask you – you'll cave."

"You make me sound weak," she frowned down at her hands.

"Not in general," Sasuke shrugged. "You just really care about your family and what they think. And if you won't listen to any of us, it will have to be Neji."

"Fine," she blew out a sigh. "I will stay in the water tonight and be sharp as anything tomorrow."

Sasuke hummed his approval as they continued their walk toward the shrine.

They were in the Yamanaka kingdom, deep in the heart of the Nara forests bordering the Kingdom of Mountains where the Akimichi giants lived. Hinata had told him several times how in awe she was of the kingdom, and how exited she had been to learn that The Yamanakas had elven blood in their veins (which to her explained why they were all so impossibly beautiful).

Sasuke didn't have an opinion on their beauty, but he did respect that they were a clan that excelled beyond all others at gathering information. He admired the alliance of the three families. The Naras harvested the wisdom and the medicinal plants of the forest, and the Akimichi's helped to defend it.

He glanced at Hinata surreptitiously. There were pools in the high mountains, but the air here was dry, and thin. He suspected that Hinata was working far harder than she realized when she walked through the wildflowers with Sakura and Ino, or when she quietly watched the deer with Shikamaru, and he was irritated he hadn't noticed sooner.

With an impatient glance at the sun, Sasuke checked to see if he had another canteen sealed on his person (which he did). "Is it much farther?"

"No," she pointed, and he followed, soon finding himself facing an abandoned shrine – no longer near the water – where prayers were still offered to the Goddess.

"Probably made by sailors that came inland to trade," she mused, studying the worn writing that few could read.

She frowned as she bent to listen, her pretty lips in a downward pout.

"Hinata?" Sasuke arched an eyebrow. "What is wrong?"

"I'…I'm not sure," she reached out and brushed a hand across one of the blooms. She suddenly stiffened as if shocked, and her eyes went wide in terror. Her breath came rapidly, and her skin paled, causing Sasuke to snap into action.

"Hinata!" he put his hands on her shoulders. "What are you…?"

She collapsed against him, and he scooped her up, looking around and cursing the one time her ever-present cousin had been asked to stay behind to join in a meeting with the elders and he had actually done it.

"It's alright," he adjusted her in his arms. "I'll get you back to the water."

He'd grown faster over the last two years, but he had never moved quite as fast as he did then. Naruto saw him coming and sprinted to join, keeping stride as he pressed a hand to Hinata and blanketed her in orange, even as he sent clones to warn Sakura they were coming.

It was a shock to them all when the three of them were suddenly scooped up.

"Sorry," Chōji – now at his full giant size - looked worried. "But this is faster."

"The other way, Chōji!" Naruto pointed to the Yamanaka forest.

"Kō is at the fortress," Shikamaru said, leaning forward from his place on his friend's shoulder. "It's a drag, but Lady Akimichi already has a place ready for all of us for when we come next week. Naruto, give Hinata a final boost and then hurry back to the others – they will need your help. Chōji, put Hinata and Sasuke up here so you have both hands free.

"Right," Chōji and Naruto chorused. The giant gently placed them on his shoulder while Naruto reinfused the orange aura around Hinata with enough energy to last the short journey to the fortress. With a final nod to Sasuke, he and several copies of himself jumped into the trees and swarmed back toward Iruka and the others.

The Akimichi fortress was soon in sight, and Chōji gently placed his passengers on a balcony.

"Go on," he said quietly, trying not to be too loud. "I'll let them know you are here."

Shikamaru led the way as Sasuke carried Hinata, and with a few under-the-breath curses about how troublesome it was, he pushed his way into what would be the girls' rooms.

"Hinata's," he said, pushing the door open. "You now how to activate Yamato's seal?"

"I've seen Neji," Sasuke replied. He knelt on the floor and quickly unsealed the water before getting in to sit with her, clothes and all.

The effect of the water was instant, but not completely restorative. The boys frowned at each other – normally just getting in the water made Hinata energetic.

"I'll make sure they are on their way," Shikamaru said, and exited the room.

Sasuke adjusted his hold on his friend to better situate himself on the small ledge that led to the deeper water. "Hinata," he gently patted her face. "Hinata – what is wrong?"

Her breathing was still shallow, and her skin pale, but she was becoming less rigid in his arms.

Suddenly gasped and tried to sit up, but got no farther than dropping back with her head on his chest.

"The offerings," she whispered, and he felt the first hot tears on his shirt. "I saw!… so many hurt – so many hunted…!"

He cradled her head to his shoulder to try and calm her shaking.

"You are safe here," he assured her.

"So many gone," she sobbed. "So many lost…!"

"Lady Hinata!"

Kō burst into the room followed by Ino and Shikamaru's fathers. Yamanaka Inoichi strode in even ahead of Kō and stepped into the water.

"Hinata," he said kindly, "I am going to help you."

He held out his arms for the girl and Sasuke reluctantly handed her over before exiting the pool

"It will be fine," Inoichi soothed her, smoothing her hair from her face as he held her in the water. "Relax."

The light that glowed about them was almost too bright to watch, so Sasuke looked down at the water instead. A soft sigh that could only be Hinata's escaped into the room, and Sasuke looked up to find her limp in Inoichi's arms. Kō took her then and transformed to swim them to the bottom of the pool.

"She will be fine after she rests," Inoichi said gently. "You did well to react as quickly as you did."

Sasuke nodded dumbly, his eyes on Kō at the bottom of the pool with Hinata.

"Sasuke," Inoichi ventured. "Do you know what she saw?"

"I'm not sure," he frowned. "But whatever she saw frightened her. A lot."

"Yes," Inoichi mused, catching Shikaku's eye over Sasuke's head. "I think it did."

Kō resurfaced, his face full of concern.

"She is resting," he assured them both. "I need to go find Lord Neji, and send word to the King and Lord Hizashi."

"It's the other Children of the Sea, isn't it?" Sasuke blurted out, brows furrowed. "Not the Merfolk – the others."

Inoichi's face remained impassive.

"What makes you say that?"

"She was terrified about hunters," Sasuke clenched his fists at his side. "She had to have seen something, and..." he didn't want to admit that he'd overheard Shisui's and Itachi's conversation two years ago, but he had a feeling Inoichi might already know. "There have been… rumors."

Shikaku considered him for a moment, clearly weighing his options.

"There have been hunters targeting the lesser Children of the Sea," he finally offered. "Selkies and Kelpies and the like. We do not know who they are, and they have not been bold enough to try and hunt for any Merfolk or Finfolk, but there are far fewer of the others in our waters than there were even five years ago."

Sasuke's eyes were hard.

"And that is what she saw, isn't it?"

Shikaku looked to Inoichi who nodded slowly. "I believe she intercepted an offering made by a Child of the Sea."

"So why could she see it? We've encountered many of those kinds of gardens, and she's never had anything like this happen."

"The Hyūga magic runs differently in the Main House," Inoichi explained. "They are very sensitive to what cannot be seen. It is not unlike our clan's magic; if she intercepted the vision without preparing for it…" he left the statement open ended.

"You said there have been disappearances for a while now," Sasuke crossed his arms. "So how do we look for the people responsible?"

"It has been beyond our magic," Inoichi admitted. "We've sent tracking teams to the various sites from all of our clans. So far, we have found nothing. King Hiashi has had trackers as well; so far with no satisfying results."

Sasuke decided to dive in. "The old stories tell of another clan that protects the Children of the Sea," he ventured. "The Ōtsutsuki. Shouldn't we contact them as well?"

Inoichi's face didn't move, even as Kō visibly paled, and Nara arched one eyebrow.

"It is a source that has been considered," Shikaku said dryly, folding his arms. "Lord Hizashi will notify us if he feels help is forthcoming from that corner."

"Inoichi? Shikaku?" Chōza called as he came into the room, "is she well?"

"Stable," Inoichi said calmly.

"Thank goodness," he breathed. "I just returned with young Neji – he is waiting in the kitchens with Choji and Shikamaru. Shall I fetch him here, Ko?"

"Please, Lord Choza," he bowed his head.

"Come, son," Choza put a beefy hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "I'll take you to the others."

Sasuke gave a polite nod to the others and followed, his mind turning over everything he had heard.

Choza glanced down at him, purposely shortening his stride so that Sauske could keep up.

"Your quick thinking probably saved the day today, Sasuke," he offered, his cheerful face beamed with honesty. "You did yourself and your family proud."

"Thank you, sir," Sasuke dipped his head.

He rejoined his friends and assured them that Hinata was resting but well. When all had gone to bed, he crept to the balcony outside of the boys' rooms and gave a low whistle. The raven that answered was one of Itachi's and could always find his brother.

Sasuke tied his message to the raven's leg and stroked the bird's head.

"Hurry to Itachi," he said softly. "Tell him what I told you, and hurry back. We are almost done with this placement, and then we all return home for a while. We don't have time to waste."

With an affectionate nibbling of his fingers, the crow nodded, and flew away, quickly becoming indistinguishable from the black of the sky.

"What do you know of the Ōtsutsuki."

The not-question was spoken quietly and without hesitation.

Sasuke turned to find Neji standing there, arms crossed, eyes serious.

"I know the legends," he said with a careless shrug, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Seems to me that if they are in charge of protecting the Children of the Sea, they should be alerted."

"So, you know nothing of them," Neji snorted. "You've only heard."

"So, you know them well?" Sasuke arched an eyebrow. "Funny. I understood they weren't particularly social – not like your clearly friendly clan."

"Says an Uchiha," Neji scoffed.

The charge in the air between them spiked to something unbearable before Sasuke looked away with a 'tch,' eyes tracking to the last visible glints of moonlight on the raven's back.

"How is she?"

The question is low and asked begrudgingly.

Neji let out a frustrated exhale and crossed his arms.

"Shaken, but trying to say she is fine. Ko insisted she rest, so I haven't had a chance to speak with her at length." He eyed him closely. "I understand that while Chōji was the one to get her here quickly, you were the one to get her to Chōji. I suppose you are owed my thanks."

"Save them," Sasuke grunted. "And instead tell me how we are going to stop your cousin from landing herself in this same position the day-after-tomorrow when Kō isn't forcing her to rest."

"She isn't foolish," Neji scoffed.

"Or course she isn't," Sasuke rolled his eyes. "But that was a prayer she intercepted – a cry for help. We both know that if someone needs help, Hinata is going to try and help them, and if she goes at it on her own, she will get hurt again. So? How do we stop her? And if we can't stop her, how do we help her?"

"I don't see where you need to be involved," Neji bristled.

"I heard stories," Sasuke watched Neji carefully. "About the Shrine keepers – the Merfolk would cooperate with the Landwalkers … and there were types of guardians called 'Seekers' - those were Hyūga – and others called 'Seers.' Their cooperation protected the Seeker, and they were almost always Uchiha. So?" Sasuke tilted his chin up a fraction. "When do we start?"

Neji considered him, deciding if his motives rang as true as his words.

"Tomorrow," he finally said. "Tomorrow you and I will go back to that shrine and see what we can find out. Your brother. He has the Sharingan?"

Sasuke gave a single nod.

"And you?"

He clenched his jaw, but shook his head no.

"And you trust him?"

The look Sasuke leveled at him brooked no opposition.

Satisfied, Neji turned to walk away.

"Bid him to make haste." He paused just long enough to toss over his shoulder, "We investigate at first light."