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The Land of Fires Palace was quiet. News of the last battle had already reached the ears of the crown prince. Danzo had betrayed them, and the result was the death of his father, and two great Kings. The Crown Prince took the News fairly well. Calling the remaining Kings and their Pillars for an emergency meeting. They traveled through the night. Arriving just before the light of the sun kissed the tops of the rolling hills.

Usually the Crown Prince could be found In the training rooms with his beloved brother but that wasn't possible he had perished in the battle too. He should have been busy preparing the kingdom for a funeral. The Crown prince should have been preparing for his coronation But there were a few loose ends that needed to be fixed before the transfer of power could be expected to move smoothly.

The Crown prince paced within his private war chamber. Each step was punctuated with a soft click, as the wooden heel of his black leather shoes snapped against the marble. His dark hair was usually tied with a leather strap at the nape of his neck, though this morning it was disheveled. Inky black locks were tousled around his head leaving a few strands to hang down in his face. Evidence, that his otherwise calm demeanor was a facade. He halted his movement near his chair. The Emperor's chair, He frowned. it wasn't his chair yet. He turned taking in the fourteen vacant chairs for men and women that should have been seated around the war table. The Seats were Vacant because he and several others had not yet gone through the selection.

He had his doubts about the concept of a god given partner and was convinced he would not trust whomever became his intended, though he would try.

He let out an inaudible puff of air before he sat down. Assuming an air of calm, he leaned forward and hummed.

"There have been whispers," he began.

His low voice carried, commanding the attention of all in the room.

"Danzo has gone missing and appears to have joined Orochimaru in an attempt to over through our rule. Without our pillars we are weakened. Too Many of our predecessors have perished before the selection and precautions must be made."

He leaned back into the crushed velvet of the chair, weaving his fingers together and bracing his elbows on the golden arm rest.

"It is my belief, that the chamber which holds the tools of war should be sealed. "

Silence overtook the room for a moment before a soft sigh sounded to the left of the Crown Prince.

"Troublesome"

The oldest in the room King Juriah of the Marsh leaned forward; His pillar, Tsunade reached out to grab his arm.

"only one who is in line for the throne with a pillar can make a call as grave as that' he hummed and as you stand Crown prince, you do not have a pillar."

The Crown Prince nodded his head belatedly,

" yes well, you do Juriah, as do you Kakashi, Asuma."

Their wives leaned forward,

"a decision of this magnitude can be made with the existing pillars in times of emergency"

Tsunade's gruff voice rolled over the table,

Kurenai placed her hands on the table and huffed out

"High priestess, surely you understand that emergency is putting it lightly, we aren't to make choices like this without a full imperial war cabinet; and quite frankly it is currently lacking."

Anko's voice swept in deceptively sweet.

"I do believe this is definitely an extreme case, as a pillar that survived orochimaru let me say that man will twist every word of god to his benefit and will not hesitate to use it to subjugate anyone he can. This is literally the fate of the empire."

The crown prince gazed at the three women. Queens, priestess, Pillars. The voice of reason.

" I will only move forward if we are all in agreement." He murmured.

Kurenai locked eyes with Anko and then Tsunade holding a silent battle of wills.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Sarutobi Asuma king of the land of wind spoke.

"The wind has always stoked the flame."

Looking up Kurenai relented "seal them then" she said dismissively.

Kakashi, King of the land of Lightning clapped his hands,

"It is decided then, ordinarily I would offer my own sealing techniques but I believe this requires a more,.. Blessed hand" he murmured.

Nodding sharply High priestess Tsunade rose from her place at the war table.I will send word for my two most gifted in the art of seals.

Crown prince Sasuke gave a decisive nod. I will be ready to receive them within the hour, this meeting has concluded.

As the room emptied, a small figurine on the ornately carved war table toppled over.

Sasuke reached out to rebalance the figurine only to watch it topple again, the sudden imbalance of the figurine disturbed him.

Laying it flat on the table, he turned to catch Lord Juriah's questioning look.

Shaking his head and closing the door behind him he stared ahead.

"A storm is coming Juriah. It will be long and vicious."

The king of The Marsh clicked his tongue before speaking.

"We will meet this storm head on, like we have many others."

Sasuke hummed his agreement, though a great sense of foreboding hung over him Like branches of a willow. Slowly beginning to obscure his view.

Hinata had been with the children when the call came.

she sat demurely on a tree stump, midnight hair blowing softly on the breeze. She was Surrounded buy a mass of great trees, with blades of emerald grass rolling out as far as the eye could see. Her white shirt was wrinkled, and her cream colored pants had grass stains at the knees. She was held hostage by a group of small girls Gathered around her in a semi circle, bright eyed with barely contained excitement. the sun beamed down on them and Hinata tossed her dark hair back to take in the sun.

"you have all been chosen by your families to represent the next generation of shrine priestess'. soon you will begin to learn the ancient art of healing, to match your slow and steady study of the art of war. do any of you know why we must learn both the art of war and the act of healing?"

several hands shot into the air. Hinata smiled taking them in with hear moonstone eyes. "Ami?"

The little blonde girl beamed showing her missing teeth,

"yes, we must learn the art of war and the art of healing to remain the world's balance. we are supposed to hold the clarity of mind to make sure the decisions of death and violence are just and that should we sanction death we should be able to give back life!"

Hinata clapped her hands in agreement, "that is correct Ami. our jobs are to keep the balance.

She shared brief eye contact with each girl as she spoke.

" each of you have been chosen to represent your families at the shrines. together, you represent the future of the shrine priestess. when you receive your rites of passage, you will become the strength of a nation."

"as the strength of a nation is the strength of its women!" yelled Hikari.

Hinata giggled taking in Hikari's posed form. her dark hair strewn about her shoulders and cheeks reddened.

Yes Hikari, a nation is as strong as the strength of its women and as such it is our duty to be the bearers of justice.

Hikari frowned, her tongue sticking out between her lips," but, we don't have the authority to stop a war."

Hinata nodded

"ah, yes well that's why we train to hurt and heal. It may be simpler to state that our jobs are more precisely to provide a voice of reason. To provide clarity when the minds of men have been clouded by their other emotions.'

She paused, listening to the chirp of a bird.

Before we represent the power of a nation, we represent the power of our families and the people they protect. First you must learn to heal, as you will provide relief from illness and pain. Then you must learn the art of war, that you might protect the lives of those in your domain."

"But why would the gods want us to go to war with each other,' Ami asked, My province is at war with Matsuri's provence. She frowned, my sister has been on the battlefield fighting and healing like a true priestess and yet, she has been unable to keep peace."

Hinata hummed, reaching out to ruffle Ami's blonde hair.

"Your sister fights because land, resources and wealth are necessary for a nation to grow and while she may have protested, it was still ultimately your father's decision to war.

Hinatas looked to the sky, before continuing.

the sky gods battle each other, as far as we know there is no leader of our revered sky gods. They wage war in the sky and we wage war on earth. We interpret signs from the great Sky Gods and provide the answers we feel are correct, and that is perhaps the only flaw when becoming a shrine priestess. We do not cease to be human and are prone to mistakes."

Hikari clapped her hands, quickly gathering hinata's attention

"You don't make mistakes though, she hummed. You've graduated from being a regular shrine priestess, you've made it to the selection."

Hinata paused taking in the shining adoration evident in the young girls eyes. Sighing softly she shook out her tresses.

"I have made plenty of mistakes she murmured, before rolling her shoulders back and fixing her posture, regardless, you will all go through your own selection one day."

"Nuh uh, Matsuri called out, her cheeks just as red as her hair.

Hinata smiled as she watched her flail her hands around.

"an imperial selection is super rare she exclaimed, and besides, you have to be both of age and extraordinarily gifted to be considered an eligible match for the emperor.

Hinata let out a soft giggle as matsuri nodded sagely.

"Why do only a few of us get to marry? Ami asked

Hinata lifted her eyes

" all of the priestess will marry eventually. The official priestess for each family changes as the years go by that way each marriage fosters new relations.

Noticing the skepticism in the young girls eyes, she smiled

"Ami your sister is a priestess, do you know why you are training to be one now?"

Ami frowned bawling her small hands into a fist,

" because it is expected of me " she said quietly.

Hinata frowned

no Ami, you are training because the full selection of the Southern province will happen in four years time. At which point you will have mostly completed your training and your sister Akane will marry a noble lord where her knowledge will serve her well to help guide peace with her own hand. We are both tools of war and peace. You will learn that the world is separated into factions, and each faction tends to favor A specific sky god. It is in this separation of cultures, that our messages begin to differ from priestess to priestess.

The selection fosters marriage yes, but you must understand that any selection is simply the act of the gods choosing a pair of warriors to carry their will.

Before Hinata could go on, the ink master Sai dropped into the clearing, landing just behind the tree stump she was perched on. "Urgent message from the high priestess, your presence has been requested by the emperor."

Hinata's sharp eyes landed on Sai, and nodded.

" okay girls that is enough for today, you can go play now, but do not miss supper". she rose from the tree stump moving swiftly and elegantly towards Sai. "and Ami, stay away from the roses dear you'll only succeed in pricking your fingers."

Ami blushed heavily, "okay!" she called.

With a broad sweep of ink, Hinata and sai disappeared from view.

the girls squealed as soon as she left, "she's so cool! one screamed.

"ah", Hikari agreed flopping down on the grass again, "and pretty and strong".

Ami' smiled I want to be just like her when I get older.

With a small splash of ink, Hinata and Sai materialized near the compound entrance. "What has happened Sai?

"The instructions were vague, he answered 'the emperor requested our finest seal masters but did not specify what kind of seals. so you and Tenten will be meeting at the shrine portal in a half hour. you are to collect anything you may need and meet there".

she hummed softly, "very well, I'll meet you at the portal in a half hour. will you be joining us?"

"yes, I will see you there."

Hinata nodded and veered off towards the personal rooms. Once she entered her room, she walked directly to her closet and pulled out her scrolls and a few small knives. she turned again and reached for several candles on the top shelf to the right of the door. Gathering these things, she walked back into her room and grabbed a small satchel, filling it with all her necessities.

hinata glanced down at herself and grimaced. this was probably the true reason for giving them a half hour. she returned to her closet pulling off her day clothes and slid into her training attire. black capris pants, black long sleeve mesh and silver breastplate. she nodded pulling her hair into a high ponytail. she looked herself over in the mirror. this would do.

she turned then, grabbing her pack she rushed out of the door.

Hinata found herself alone by the portal, checking the time on the temple tower she knew she had a Ten minute wait. sighing softly she sat on the steps running her hand through her hair to detangle it after being whipped by the wind. It wasn't long before Tenten and Sai crested the hill, both equally flustered with packs slightly bigger than her own.

They nodded to her and she stood, turning, together they entered the temple.

"Ready?" Tenten asked.

"Always" Hinata answered.

The portal opened and together, they stepped into the emperors shrine.

Sasuke stood tall holding the reigns of two horses while his stable hands held two more. he asked no questions but pondered calmly to himself on the fourth horse. He had been told of only two priestess' being selected. The gentle whoosh of the shrine portal opening and closing could be heard from outside. Sasuke gave the shrine entrance his full attention. The firsts to exit was Sai, whom Sasuke recognized immediately as one of Danzo's operatives. His suspicions were confirmed, he made a mental note to give Sai a secondary task of sealing a false records room.

the next to exit was Tenten. He took in her soft features, chocolate hair tied up in two buns and chocolate eyes landing on each living thing as if taking in targets. without a doubt she would be one of the top contenders in two days time, he was sure of it.

Hinata walked out behind her and he paused. taking in her china like presence. she was small and pale which was only made more obvious by her extremely dark hair, which while tied in a ponytail high, on the top of her head. The full length of it still reached about an inch above her lower back. Her eyes were that of any other hyuuga and yet there was an obvious difference in color more lilac or violet rather than the typical gray. he almost chuckled. she didn't look imposing at all. Both girls were wearing their standard issue training attire, and seemed mildly apprehensive. He stepped forward knowing they couldn't discern who he was at their distance.

"Welcome" he said softly. his lips twitched a smile as the small hyuuga girl blushed heavily and hastily dropped into a deep bow. Tenten and Sai quickly followed suit.

"My lord" Sai murmured..

"come quickly Sasuke said, there is much to do."

the trio rose out of their bows and stepped across the courtyard.

"pick a horse" we will ride to the holding chambers.

tenten nodded picking a chestnut charger.

Sasuke watched as Sai picked the more docile white destrier.

and raised an eyebrow as Hinata approach a massive black shire.

he turned to his own shire and had just decided to ask sai to switch with her when he glanced back to find her calmly seated atop the massive beast as if she did that every day.

Sasuke chuckled then, "you make a rather impressive image being so small and obviously controlling such a beast. no one besides myself and my brother are usually able to control him."

Hinata blushed heavily "I'm sorry is this your horse?"

Sasuke shook his head no as a frown dawned on his face; the beast belonged to my brother, though I don't believe he'll be needing it in the after life.

Hinata's rosy cheeks drained of color as she stammered out an apology.

Sasuke dismissed her stuttering with a wave, the beast is named midnight,

Hinata nodded and turned her blushing head to look at tenten's horse. sunshine he said softly, her name is sunshine.

Tenten looked up and smiled, a fitting name for such a bright horse. He nodded. though a little soft. she can get a very firm attitude if you aren't careful.

I'm sure that we'll get along just fine.

Well then he huffed swinging himself onto the back of his shire let us be off.

The ride was hard, the hooves of the horses pounded as they charged full tilt towards the palace grounds. The wind whipped wildly at their clothes. They slowed their thunderous approach; the wind that pulled on their hair lessen to a gentle caress. The sun, Lazily crawled across the sky hidden by the clouds that followed them.

The palace walls loomed over the four that approached them. The Crown Prince slowed to a stop. He swung off his horse as the stable hands appeared to relieve the quartet of their horses and lead them into the stables.

"this way"

Sasuke walked them towards the first tower. Gray brick stacked high until it nestled itself against the sky. Standing before the heavy oak doors were two guards. Their spears crossed to form an X across the door.

As the crown prince approached, the guards crossed a fist over their chests in a firm salute the loud clang of their metal covered fingers landing firmly on their breast plates before removing their spears from the entryway.

Sasuke pulled a key from his side, unlocking the door and ushering his three guests inside.

Rather than begin the climb up the tower stairs, he placed a palm against the cold gray brick and pushed. Opening a hidden door that led them down a spiral staircase. further down into the earth.

the further they walked, the steeper the stairs became. eventually the sounds of their footsteps began to echo as the space began to expand and opened into the view of the intricate underground system that thrived beneath the palace.

"Oh my"

A soft voice rang out in the silence. A labyrinth of bridges and columns filled the large expanse as far as the eye could see, and yet they could climb lower still.

Sasuke, stopped a few feet from the bottom of the staircase and placed his hands on the wall. Behind him the trio watched closely.

Sasuke pushed his Chakra into the wall and the stone melted into an opening. And a small staircase rose up to level off the room. Stepping forward he led them through the passage lighting a torch to illuminate their path. Pausing at a solid metal door he turned and addressed Sai.

"you are the resident ink master."

Yes, I am. Sai confirmed though Sasuke's words were not a question.

"This will be where you work, The seals here need to be restored. They will help guard precious tools of the uchiha"

He stepped aside. Allowing Sai to walk further into the room. With a fake smile plastered along his face, Sai turned to The Crown Prince.

"It would be my pleasure."

Sasuke nodded curtly directing his attention to the two Priestess' in his care.

If you would follow me he began, sweeping out of the room and ushering them ahead of him. Sasuke looked back just in time to watch the scowl slide off of Sai's face.

Closing the door behind him. Hinata looked up at the emperor in time to watch his eyes flash red. And then he was leading them back the way they had come.

Back up the spiral staircase they climbed. Stopping several feet from the exit.

"I would appreciate it if you kept the whereabouts of this particular chamber to yourself." He said.

calmly , he walked through the wall calling for them to enter from the other side.

The girls shared a look, before walking through the wall to discover more stairs.

TenTen groaned, in mild protest

Stopping only from a stern look from Hinata.

She smiled sheepishly

"We could be lost in this single tower for years and never take the same path twice."

Hinata hummed in agreement, as she followed swiftly behind Sasuke to descend down yet another staircase.

Coming to a stop on the bottom floor he stooped down to grasp the handles of a hidden door. Pulling them up, he stepped down and reached out to grasp Hinata's hand.

"Hold on it is extremely steep here."

Hinata's breath hitched but she nodded reaching out quickly to grab Tenten's hand they descended into the depths below.

The door closed behind them and they were plunged into darkness. Sasuke brought up his left hand and breathed into it. flame burst forward from his fingertips and illuminated their path. Coming to a chamber door he released Hinata's hand and pushed the door open. Once inside he began to light the torches.

Walking down a small hallway, he ushered them into the chamber allowing them to see the two doors that sat in an otherwise empty room.

" you will begin by sealing this room" he ordered.

Hinata nodded and stepped towards one of two doors. I can create a seal for you now that will react to your life force alone.

He nodded watching her as she walked closer to the door on the right.

He felt rather than saw Tenten move towards the left. And I can place a duplicate seal on this door. I'll align it to your life force as well.

She bent in front of the door. Noting that the lock on the door required two keys.

Hinata she began, perhaps we should use that seal.

Tenten turned her head to take in Hinata's crouched form. She too was staring at the lock.

" If it's carved in each wall and the ceiling. We shouldn't have a problem, she paused though i'll have to create a failsafe."

Tenten nodded, Bending down to her pack she pulled a blade and a bottle of ink from her bag. Turning his attention to Tenten's willowy form Sasuke hummed his agreement to their quiet conversation." I will not be far, I will hear you when you say my name."

"Yes Crown prince" the two girls spoke in unison.

Turning his back to them; Sasuke slipped away from the room.

The chamber was quiet enough that the sound of fire crackling from the torches seemed to echo. Underneath the sound, the scratching of a blade against stone and brush against parchment was the only indication that work was underway.

A weary sigh left Tenten's lips as she moved away from the wall, having finished carving the last sigil into the wall. She looked checking her work, to see the symbols gleaming in the shadowy room, as the fire light bounces off the shimmering layer of fresh ink on stone.

She nodded to herself once before turning to Hinata and humming.

"I've finished."

Hinata nodded. Rising swiftly from the floor.

"As have I, let us be done; she breathed out slowly. Before turning her head and calling softly.

"Crown Prince"

Sasuke paused in his work. Turning his head towards the soft sound. He estimated an approximate hour to have gone by. He rose from his crouched position and walked towards the two women. He was finished with his work anyway.

He rounded the corner filled with old armor to find Hinata crouched down her back to him adding three intricately carved sigils to the walls. She worked quickly and efficiently. Stilling her hand as he walked into the room.

He took another step forward and she raised her head.

"My lord, Tenten has finished her preliminary work, if you would just place your hand on the far wall we can properly begin".

Sasuke hummed out an affirmative and walked over.

Tenten was crouched in a low corner.

Deepening a single symbol on the wall. When his shadow blocked her light Tenten put down her blade and turned.

"This is fairly simple; fill the sigil, you can use your life force in its raw or you can direct it with your of your choice, do not pull your hand away until each wall is connected by the lines of your essence. You will know what I mean when you see it."

Tenten stepped back from the wall.

"You may begin."

.He lifted his right hand to the seal of heaven and placed it on the wall.

He watched as his Flames filled the symbols and poured into barely there lines between each of the seals.

He shifted his eyes and watched the flickering red of his Flames move steadily along the room until he shifted his gaze to meet Tentens and waiting for her affirmative nod to remove his hand.

As the red of his flame became a single line of red that connected along each wall to meet neatly on the left end of the seal his hand currently covered. Slowly, he removed his hand.

He turned then, Waiting for further instruction.

Hinata was standing by the opening to the chamber, nodding to herself once she turned and called out

" the last of the sealing process will occur from outside of the room."

As Sasuke and Tenten stepped past the opening a door made of flames erupted to separate the chamber from the hallway.

Hinata stepped close, reaching for the crown prince, but halting. Clearing her throat she voiced her question.

"May I?" she whispered staring down at his arm.

Sasuke merely raised his arm allowing her to unbutton the cuffs at his wrist.

She was gentle, almost too gentle as her fingers grazed his skin like a feather.

She rolled the length of his shirt up until it revealed his forearm.

Pulling out the scroll she had been writing on, she wordlessly passed it to Tenten.

Raising her head to look into his eyes, she faltered for just a moment and the guarded look he gave her.

"F-Forgive me your grace, she began I-it will be over soon."

She bowed her head, taking a small brush from her waist, missing the way his eyes followed her curiously.

Her brush, already wet with ink moved across his forearm quickly leaving four small symbols on his flesh. She released him quickly. Stepping away from him and drawing in a quick breath. "Please place your hand on the parchment" she whispered,

He walked towards Tenten who nodded as he placed his hand on the parchment she held.

"Pour your flames in, and do not be alarmed when they crawl up your forearm."

Sasuke nodded doing as he was told.

Startled only when the parchment went blank and a hand that was not Tentens gripped his arm firmly and whispered the word ." Set"

Her glowing hand was cool against his heated flesh, he watched as the many lines and swirls of sigils he could not comprehend poured into the four small kanji that sat on the inside of his arm.

"This will burn" she whispered a moment before a searing pain shot up his arm. Though just as quickly, the pain vanished soothed by her glowing hands,

The door of flames became one of solid oak, an illusion he was sure.

Tenten and Hinata gathered their equipment into their packs.

Tenten began her explanation at his questioning glance. "to be clear, when you want to open this door you can open it by coming here manually and placing your flame on the seal. She nodded to the barely visible sigil on what he thought was an illusionary door.

He walked closer, using his opposite hand on the wood, surprised that it was firm.

" or by a combination of blood and Chakra on your arm. When you use the second method, you can open the door from any distance."

Sasuke nodded,

"in case I have to send anyone to the room that isn't me.

Very good, thank you."

" stage three."

Hinata stepped forward handing a paper seal to Tenten and Sasuke.

Tenten will place her seal on the wall to the left; I to the right and your seal to the door crown prince.

She moved gracefully to her designated wall.

" this seal will alert you to intruders, should the seal be broken. It requires all three seals to be removed at the same time, though it will duplicate them. A mind game of sorts. It will only give you a half hour to stop them before they breach the second seal, though that should be more than enough time considering the length of time it will take to unravel our previous seal." together trio stepped to the wall and pressed their paper seals in place. With a burst of Chakra, the seals were fixed in place.

Tenten stepped back from her wall intrigued.

She was unable to manipulate her life force into an element and simply used her chakra to fix it in place knowing that Hinata would compensate. She was however, unprepared for the complimenting power that hinata and Sasuke created.

Her eyes widened As Sasuke's fire met Hinata's wind spiraling upwards in a vortex to reach the Kanji he had missed on the roof.

Idly he noted the way her Chakra felt against his. Soothing and calming. Almost encouraging him along all the while bolstering his strength. Absently, he found himself pouring more power into his seal.

He watched as the flames turned to the black of Amaterasu. And frowned realizing that it wasn't entirely under his control.

He turned his attention back to the rising flames expecting the Chakra of her wind to be consumed by the Flames. And watched instead as the flames seemed to sit on top of each blade of wind, feeding from it, growing wilder with each rotation.

When the vortex reached the ceiling, three black lines sprouted attaching to the three paper seals before the eerie glow settled and the only light in the room came from the torches.

Letting out a shaky breath Hinata stepped back from the wall fidgeting slightly and refusing to meet his gaze.

'It is done she whispered."

"So it is" he answered without ever lifting his gaze from her petit form.

Quietly, he mused to himself. The selection would be an interesting one for sure.

Tenten cleared her throat punctuating the silence that was quickly turning awkward.

"Should we return to Sai?"

Sasuke nodded, he is likely done.

Walking past the girls he led the way back to the chamber they had left him in.

Once they collected Sai they began the long trek back to the surface. Noting on the way out; that it was not the same path in.

Upon exiting the Underground maze, the Quartet found themselves in the middle of the Palace grounds. King Kakashi of lighting was standing with armed troops for their arrival. Sai tensed unable to move. He realized too late that his shadow had been caught. Looking around wildly, he caught the shape of one Nara Shikamaru. King of the Shadowlands.

We merely want to talk he said in hushed tones. Resistance will be an admission of guilt and you will be slain where you stand.

Sai breathed out slowly relaxing his stance and nodding his head, He paused, hesitating before murmuring. You will need the help of these priestess' he opened his mouth revealing a seal. Against his tongue. It will be sometime before that conversation can happen without,... interruption.

"Troublesome" Shikamaru sighed.

Kakashi's soldiers moved forward binding Sai and carrying him off to a holding cell.

The girls were silent. They had been stirred from their sleep the night before with the news of Danzo's betrayal and the consequences of it and it was no secret that Sai, had come as a recommendation from Danzo.

Hinata bit her lip before sputtering out

"U-um, your G-Grace?"

She flinched as he turned abruptly, the slight charm and kindness gone from his face.

"You both have seen the seal on his mouth yes?"

The two young women nodded.

"Return to the Grand temple find out all that you can about the seal. Return by first light and remove it."

Hinata bit her lip and nodded.

Yes your grace.

Someone will be her shortly to escort you back to the temple.

Distractedly he walked off.

Interrogations aside, he had a double funeral to plan and a coronation to plan for.