Chapter Text
November 30th 1174
Mercedes did not want to leave; she didn't want to go to another land that she did not know anything about. For the past 6 years, Mercedes and her mother had been going from territory to territory in the Empire, being turned away at every turn due to the people not wanting to deal with the burden of housing two exiles from their former house. She had not known peace in over 6 years; her birthday had come and gone. Her mother and she were running out of places to go in the Empire and were considering settling outside of the Empire altogether, but they had no connections outside. Any friends that her mother had in the academy couldn't take her in because of not wanting to deal with her stepfather. She was making a prayer for Emile, the little brother that she had not seen in almost 7 years. She tried to do everything she could to avoid giving in to the anger that she felt towards the cruelty she had suffered.
Her mother and she had to beg in order to get food and avoid starving. She looked at her homeland in a different light; at the age of sixteen, she couldn't help but resent the homeland that she was born into and the nobility, especially. She had nothing in common with them; they were vain, cruel, and arrogant, and they cared nothing about the suffering they caused others. She had not known peace in her life as far back as she could remember—the cruelty of her step-siblings on every one of her birthdays, the cruelty of her stepfather towards her mother. She was looking at the shoreline, contemplating her journey to a land called Konoha. She had nothing except the clothing on her back and the book that contained the teachings of Sothis; other than that, she had nothing. She looked at her mother, who was reluctant to let her go.
“I was able to talk a representative from Konoha into lending you refuge. I don't want you to go from home to home; I want you to have at least some place to stay until I can find a safe place for us,” said her mother. Elizabeth was a woman in her late thirties; she had blonde hair down to her shoulders, and unlike Mercedes, she had green eyes. Mercedes inherited her father's eyes. The woman, like Mercedes, was dressed in what was expected out of commoners: a brown dress that went down to her feet. It wasn't fancy like the ones from the nobility, but Mercedes didn't mind that; she had grown to despise looking like she came from the nobility. Mercedes herself was wearing the exact same clothing her mother was, except she wore a gray dress instead of brown.
“I’m sorry, Mercie. I wish I could have done more for you instead of having us flee from place to place. You deserve better,” Elizabeth said, looking down, not able to face her.
“It’s not your fault, Mother,” Mercedes said.
“I should have stood up to him sooner. I should not have let you go through what you have,” she didn’t have to mention Emile; Mercedes already knew.
“I don’t want to go, please don’t do this,” Mercedes said.
“That man will not stop looking for us as long as we’re in the Empire. I need to look for a home beyond Adrestia, in Konoha. You would be safe from him; he wouldn’t expect you to hide there. Plus, the Hokage owes me a favor,” said Elizabeth. She wasn’t sure about being in Konoha; it’s a foreign land with foreign customs. She didn’t know anything about that land other than the language, but she didn’t know anything beyond that. She felt like she was leaving everything she knew.
“There’s someone I want you to meet, if possible, when you go there. She’s the daughter of an old friend,” Elizabeth said. Mercedes looked at her, wondering what she was talking about.
“My best friend Hitomi has a child that’s going to turn 12 in a month. I’d like you to meet her if possible,” the woman said. She didn’t know anything about Konoha or what Hitomi’s daughter would look like. She didn’t want to leave; it was just her going from one land to another. More people would seek her crest.
“I’ll do it, Mother. I wish I had a home. I wish I wasn’t born with this thing,” she said, clenching her chest.
“I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much pain,” Elizabeth said. Mercedes shook her head, not wanting her mother to cry.
“It’s not your fault, Mother. It’s just everything I’ve known. I haven’t had one friend since Constance. We don’t stay long enough for me to even make a friend. I’m afraid it will be just like that. What’s the point of making friends if I’m just going to leave them?” Mercedes asked bitterly.
“You will make friends in Konoha. I know you will, and when you do, I want you to introduce me to them one day when they go to the officer’s academy,” Elizabeth said. The chances of her meeting anyone were remote, especially Hitomi’s daughter.
She was about to get on the boat when she took one last look at the place she had been calling home for the past year, if she could even call it that—the church that housed her and her mother.
“May the goddess protect you, my daughter,” Elizabeth said as she offered a prayer. Mercedes did the same, and as the boat started to leave the shore, she stared at the spot her mother was for as long as possible. It was fruitless; she knew eventually she would no longer be able to see her. She thought about everything she had been going through for the past 6 years.
Little does she know, her life would be changed when she set foot on Konoha soil.
December 15
Mercedes was nervous; it had been 3 weeks since she left everything that she was familiar with. She was being escorted by two Chunin. There was nothing in particular about them that stood out. The two men were average in height and had a look of apprehension at her presence, as if her very existence offended them. She had no idea why; she had done nothing to these men. All she was doing was seeking asylum at the request of her mother. Her mother had visited this village and befriended some of the locals, even the Hokage himself.
What Mercedes was wearing was what was expected of her; she wore a white kimono in order to try to blend in with the culture as much as possible, though that was difficult because she knew nothing of the customs.
She could hear whispers from the people she was passing by, making comments.
“It’s one of those foreigners,” said a girl around her age.
“For a foreigner, she’s definitely pleasant to look at,” said a man in his thirties, which made her want to puke; a man old enough to be her father. She kept her face down, not wanting anyone to look at her. She had only been here for a few hours, and she already hated this place. The hostility from the women and the lustful looks from the men were unbearable; if they knew about her Crest, they would go after her like vultures, hoping to claim her as their own, because of how sought after Crests were, even in Konoha.
She continued to say nothing, even when the men asked her questions. When they were at the office of the Hokage, she looked and saw an old man in his late sixties, pushing seventy. He was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. She had been told about this man by her mother; he seemed to be a pleasant fellow based on what she'd heard, but she had always believed in never judging someone unless she had seen who they were through their actions and not just their words.
“You definitely look like your mother’s child, Mercedes-san. As the Hokage, I promise I will treat you as if you were one of my own,” said the old man. Mercedes didn't know if she could believe him, but she decided to say nothing.
“I know this village is foreign to you, and I just want to tell you to be careful; the village isn’t necessarily the most friendly towards foreigners,” Hiruzen warned.
“I understand, Lord Third,” Mercedes said respectfully.
“Polite and respectful, just like your mother. I remember when she came to this very office 20 years ago, when she stayed here for a year along with her classmates and friends, Maria and Amelia. It's a shame that you haven't come here under better circumstances, but I welcome you, Mercedes Von Martritz. I will give you all the hospitality I can. As the Hokage of Konoha, I will give you the best accommodations.”
With a motion of his hand a secretary came to his desk, handing him a piece of paper with a key attached.
“This will be your apartment for the duration of your stay. You will have a neighbor, though he keeps to himself. It's on the west side of the village.” The Hokage handed her the paper, which had a map showing where she would stay for the duration of her visit to Konoha.
“I will have you escorted to your new apartment. I hope to make you feel at home,” said the Hokage. She was escorted out of the office.
As she walked, she continued to hear whispers from the men and women around her. The women shot her jealous glares because of their husbands and boyfriends glancing at her, while the men talked about her looks and what they would do to her if they could. It made her want to vomit. Why did her mother make her come here of all places?
She continued to be escorted until she was looking at the door of her apartment, the place she would be staying. Her escorts left her alone. She turned around and saw a boy who looked to be around 12 years old. His hair was raven; he wore a black shirt and white shorts. He was walking to his apartment. She couldn't help but feel shocked. Where were his mother and father? She saw him enter his apartment alone. She didn't know who it was; she heard whispers of the prodigy of the Uchiha, Sasuke. She had heard that in the compound in the south, where the Uchiha Clan used to reside, the entirety of the clan was wiped out in a single night.
He was an orphan; her heart couldn't help but bleed for him. Then she realized where she was and didn't want him to think she was staring because he could see her outside his window. She quickly scrambled and opened her apartment.
There was nothing special about it—too big for her taste. She didn't need to have this much room when she didn't have anything but the clothes on her back and her holy book. She went to the closet and saw she was given different clothes that she could wear during her stay. They were the right measurements, though none of the bras they had were able to fit. She sighed; she would have to go without. It didn't matter; it wasn't like she hadn't gone without wearing one before.
She went to the bath and turned on the sink, allowing the hot water to pour over her skin. As much as she didn't feel comfortable where she was, at least she could relax in the bathtub. She dipped her head in the water, thinking about everything that had been happening to her in the past six years. Would it be nice to have a permanent home? Would it be nice to have friends again—friends to talk to, friends to cry on, to lean on? It was too much to hope.
She would stay in the bath for about an hour before getting out. She dried herself, got into her nightgown that was provided to her, and lay down on the bed, looking at the ceiling. It was more comfortable than what she was used to, but it felt wrong to her. Why should she live in a comfortable apartment when her mother was struggling and her brother was living in a cut-throat environment? It felt wrong.
She was alone, and when she was alone, she cried because nobody would be able to see her—not her mother, not Constance,Emile nobody.
She was down on the ground; she was trying to get up, but she hurt all over. Hinata was struggling to get on her feet. It was another one of those sparring sessions that she dreaded ever since Dimitri, Monica, and Edelgard left a year ago. His vicious insults and cruelty had gotten worse now that her mother was gone, leaving her with no one to protect her after her death. She was trying to get up, not wanting to let her father win, not wanting him to get the satisfaction. The left side of her face was bruised as he looked at her with contempt.
“Is this really what I can expect from you? Hanabi is only two years younger than you, and she has surpassed you in every way that matters,” her father said, rubbing salt into the wound.
She did not complain; she dared not to, as it would only make her situation worse. Naruto wouldn't complain—he never does when he's losing or when he's down. She can’t look pathetic and weak; she cannot be a coward. She would rather die than complain to her father.
"I won't give up," Hinata said as she got ready to fight her sister again. She was barely able to hold her stance due to the amount of pain she was suffering in her left and right hands; she could barely see because of the swollen bruises on her face.
Her sister, as always in their duels, deflected every blow with ease. There was no contest between the two. Hinata, maybe older and more experienced, but Hanabi was two years younger than her, and she was already stronger than Hinata in every way. The best Hinata could do was last as long as possible.
Why couldn't she be more like her mother? Why couldn't she be more like Dimitri, who had perseverance? Why couldn't she be more like Naruto? Why can't she land one hit? No, she would not complain. She waited for an opening and knocked her sister back for the first time in the match. She couldn't celebrate for long, as Hanabi quickly knocked Hinata down. She tried to recover, but she wasn't given enough time, as Hanabi, with one decisive stroke, hit her in the chest. Hinata fell face down on the ground; she was in so much pain, she wanted desperately to get out.Before she could get back up for another round, she heard a voice behind her.
"She's going to die at this rate. Stop this now," she heard Kurenai say. She was grateful for her timely intervention.
"Take her," she heard her father say. She tried to get up, but she hurt all over. Kurenai lifted her up like a mother holding her child and looked at her father with disgust.
She couldn't cry. She didn't want to cry, not unless she was alone or nobody could see her. When they were home, Kurenai put her down on her bed. She hurt all over. She wouldn't be able to cover this when she goes to class tomorrow. Everyone would know she was heavily injured again. She didn't know what kind of excuse she could come up with this time.
Her caretaker went to the restroom in order to get a first aid kit. Hinata felt she deserved this in some way. If she wasn't so useless and weak, her mother would still be alive. She would not have died.
She took off her shirt as instructed by her caretaker; bandages were wrapped around her back and her shoulder.
“Your father is a bastard,” Kurenai said, grinding her teeth.
It was no secret Kurenai despised her father. She had tried to go to the Hokage to press legal charges against Hiashi for abuse, but nothing could be done because anything that involved the Hyuga Clan was off-limits. The Hokage's excuse was that it would cause a scandal, which would be a bad look for the citizens. She appreciated what Kurenai had done for her over the past year; if it had not been for Kurenai, she would be homeless, and there was nothing more disgraceful than a Hyuga without a roof over their head.
She went to the academy like nothing had happened. No one knew she didn't live in the compound. Part of her was relieved to be as far away from her father and sister as possible; she wished she could be strong enough to fight back against them both.
“Am I a bad person for wishing?” She hesitated, not knowing if she should even voice her deepest thoughts about her father. She clenched her face so hard that she felt her fingernails dig into her palms. Blood dripped, and tears fell. She was alone with Kurenai; she was one of the few people she could trust. Everybody else would report her to her father if she ever said anything.
She had no one within close proximity that she could talk to. She had no friends, she had nothing. Going to the academy was a form of relief, even though she hated it as well. Becoming a Shinobi is something she doesn't want; she never has, but she's forced to. Tomorrow, she'll have to go back like nothing happened and lie if anyone asks about her injuries.
She kept her head down as not to draw attention when she went to the academy the student said nothing about her swollen face. She couldn't say anything it wouldn't be proper as a Hyuga to talk about what happens in the clan. Even if she's considered a disgrace she has to maintain what it is to be a proper Hyuga say nothing about what happens outside the clan be composed at all times. Even if inside she felt anything but composed.
She felt fear and a festering rage that has been building for her entire life she was forced though to keep that in check she was like a beast trapped in a cage. she had offend fantasize wrapping her fingers around her father's throat and strangling the life out of him. One of the reasons she avoids sparring because of fear of that rage getting out if there was one thing she was afraid of more than her own father was her own anger.
She avoided confrontation as well because of the same reason she didn't speak for herself she didn't defend herself because of that fear of the beast that's inside of her being unleashed most of these students that she went to school with she hated them she hated all of them but one. She closes her eyes sometimes and imagines The village burning around her but then stops as soon as the thought appears these dark thoughts her mother would be ashamed of her if she knew kind of wretch that she is. She couldn't protect herself her mother died in an undignified way killed by a pale skin assassin and her father rubbed it in every day after that.
When she sat in class she didn't even pay attention she just continue to her routine listening to the lessons she looked and saw Naruto Uzumaki who was at his usual spot the one person that could bring a smile on her face even on her worst days if only she could be his friend. It would be better than being alone but she was forbidden forbidden to even talk to him forbidden to even go near him.
Everything was routine she listened as usual to Iruka as he gave everyone the history of the second great ninja war she would have to study even more when she comes home about the history of the founding of the Adrestian Empire one of the three nations in Fodlan she barely had any time to do anything most children her age would focus on after school playing or spending time with friends while Hinata spends nearly all of her time studying. Part of her feels jealous of the girls around her who could simply just be normal.
Nobody spoke to her nobody approached her she heard whispers and hateful remarks Hyuga's are despised though none of the students would voice their disdain openly due to the threat of retaliation especially since she's Hiashi's daughter nobody dared approach her. She hated this why did she have to be a Hyuga why can't she just be a normal girl why does she have to be related to one of the famous clans why couldn't she be more like Sakura as much as she despised her at least she was normal what would it be like to have a family that loves her? The only family that truly treated her with any love was her mother and Hanabi before she turned 7 were they started to drift apart thanks to her father discouraging both of them from being sisters but instead being competitors for the title.
When Dimitri and Edelgard were around she felt safe and protected. They would never let her father do what he did too her when they were around her mother when she was around protected her but she was no longer here. She felt alone completely alone. A friend what would she give to have a friend to go to the only person she has the closest thing to a friend was more like a mother Kurenai even she couldn't be around all the time when she wasn't around she was forced to go back to the compound and suffer her father's daily insults and physical abuse.
She dreaded Kurenai leaving on missions when she was she was at the mercy of her father. To be going on a mission in a week and at that time should be forced to stay home she couldn't bear it she didn't want to stay not with him. She would do anything to be with anyone but her father.
She hated and feared him nothing would change that ever if only she was strong enough to protect herself from him if only she was strong enough to stand up to him she was afraid the only people that gave her strength was Naruto, Dimitri and Edelgard. Her friends that she had met a year ago they were back home in their own homelands Naruto she couldn't even go near him she was completely alone no one she could talk to no one to relate to no one to cry on but her caretaker she had no one.
What would she give to have a friend that would listen to her without judgment that would be her support when she needed it part of her can't wait 3 months from now she would be a Shinobi and she would not have to be anywhere near her father she would have her own team a chance possibly to have friends finally.
In the meantime she would have to deal 3 months more of this fear of her father of being alone.
Sasuke was going about his day as he had been for almost five years. It was hard to believe that so much time had passed—or was it so little? He didn't even pay attention. He didn't do anything with his peers in the academy; he didn't think they were worth his time. The only one that even tried was Naruto, who never won one battle against him. It was almost like he was beating a defenseless child.
Sasuke wasn't like most children. At 12, he felt like he was an adult before his time. There was no reason to make friends with anyone. What was the point? His main focus was destroying the man who had wiped out everything about his clan—their culture, their history—gone. He did not care about anything else; nothing would get in his way. He heard whispers about a strange girl from a foreign land. The way she dressed and her hair was not like he imagined.
It didn't bother him; it didn't matter. He wasn't interested in whatever this girl was. She would probably just be another one of those annoying fangirls. He walked toward his apartment, and from a distance, he saw a girl in a white kimono enter her apartment. He couldn't get a glimpse of what she looked like; it was too far. The only thing that stood out to him was her blonde hair. It seemed he would be living right next door to her. But that did not matter.
He ignored the voices in his head demanding that Sasuke avenge them. He didn't respond; he couldn't. To do so would make him look crazy. He opened the door. As usual, nobody was there to greet him. He didn't even bother turning on the light; what would be the point? It's not like there was anyone waiting for him.
Even if it was pointless, he kept his apartment as cleanly and orderly as possible due to his upbringing. There was no reason to, but old habits died hard. He wasn't a child anymore; there was no use in acting like one. Nobody was going to clean up his mess for him, so he might as well do it. He went into his room and sat down, filling out a journal entry of what he did throughout the day. No matter how mundane it was, it was always good to keep track of his progress—or lack of progress.
He couldn't concentrate; his curiosity about the blonde-haired girl who had just arrived piqued his interest. Even if he didn't want to admit it, she was intriguing. Just who was this mysterious girl from Fodlan?