Chapter Text
1: A Golden Cage
Hinata woke to the sound of a gentle ring, rising with a faint groan. Her eyes scanned her lavish room, noting the lack of sunlight painting her curtains. Pearl eyes fell to silk bed sheets; she was awake before the sun itself—-it was going to be another long day.
The Hyuga elders were very strict with time; not a second would be wasted under their skillful eyes. From the moment Hinata could walk, her daily schedule was forced upon her. It was understandable, as she was to be the heir of the Hyuga name, but at times she felt suffocated by the many responsibilities of such a role. She couldn’t recall a moment in which she had wholeheartedly made her own decision, and above it all, there was no recollection of ever openly expressing herself.
From the moment she was cursed into being born the Hyuga Heir, her fate was painted out for her. The elders made sure of it. They had mentally and physically abused her into a submissive princess, throwing her clipped wings into a golden cage.
“Lady Hinata, your father awaits your presence in his office before breakfast.” A voice called from beyond the bedroom's grand entrance.
The princess snapped out of her daze and promptly stepped out of her bed, scurrying to get ready for the day.
“I shall be there shortly,” She replied, “T-Thank you.”
Cringing at her stutter, the Hyuga inwardly cursed her speech impediment. It felt like another curse thrown upon her, straining her from fitting the perfect mold sketched out for her. Not only was she doomed with a stutter, she also weighed a gentle, soft voice that made it easy to disregard her presence. Not ideal for a future Hyuga leader who needed to strike an intimidating front.
The resident on the opposite end of the door had resigned, allowing the Hyuga a brief relief.
When in the company of other clan members, she couldn’t help but suppress her breath. Anxious to make any small mistake.
Stepping into her obnoxiously grand closet, the rows of clothing seemed to mock her as one single outfit was displayed on a mannequin. A million choices, but one was already made for her, as always.
Blinking any ounce of rebellion in her, she suppressed her desire to wear a different outfit and hastily dressed for the day.
***
“Hinata.” Her father announced aloud at the dinner table, drawing the attention of all the present clan members along with said person, “There was a recent meeting with an influential clan, the Otsutsuki Clan.”
He then raised an arm to a Hyuga Elder, her grandfather by blood.
“A revelation of great import unfurled before us–a revelation that promises to weave a new tapestry of destiny for our esteemed bloodlines.” He turned and looked at all the fellow members at the extensive table, letting his eyes rest on the heir, “Today, and today only, implore yourself in your personal desires. There shall be a monumental commemoration in the coming days of our settlement, honoring and celebrating the union of Clans.”
The table suddenly erupted in calm cheers, rejoicing at the idea of such success. Everyone except Hinata, who remained confused as to why she was called upon in the first place, as this announcement seemed entirely for all ears. However, she wished she remained naive about this topic as an elder seated on her right turned and with a smile uttered words that felt thrown. Words that weighed heavy, words that shattered any hope of free will, a sentence that confirmed her position as a pawn in a game she desperately desired to evade.
“Congratulations, bride-to-be.”
It seemed this princess was pinned to a prince, just as every fairy tale weaved.
***
Hanabi was a rather mischievous girl, with a completely different character than her sister. However, their contrast did not terminate the tremendous admiration the younger sister had for her elder sibling. She often found herself drawn to watching as the heir tenderly committed herself to many duties around the house, longing for a moment to socialize.
The Byakugan Princess, a nickname Hinata eternally disliked, was always busy.
Yet, noting the announcement from this morning, Hinata finally had a day with all chores swept away. On that note, Hanabi had promptly finished her small portion of Hyuga royal duties and scurried to find the upcoming bride. She wondered how her sister had felt about this entire affair, and desperately wanted to tease her of the things to come following marriage.
The only time Hanabi could converse with her sister was when Hinata would pass around the compound, moving from one task to another. Regardless of the short moments, the youngest would soak in the seconds and bask in the presence of such warmth.
The brunette completely adored the soft spoken relative. Hinata was always kind regardless of how much she shouldered, and that was forever admirable.
While searching the residence for her idol, the brunette recalled a time when the two were much younger than they were now. She was youthfully skipping past her fathers office when the piercing sound of a slap cut into the air, freezing the child in her place. Burdened with immense curiosity, Hanabi placed her head on the door of the room and heard harsh disciplinary words drowning the chamber. Despite being outside, she couldn’t help but also tense with fear. Disregarding the terror running through her body, she quickly jumped back as the door pulled open and a girl slowly walked out, delicately shutting the door behind her.
Hanabi peered up at her face and saw tears welled up in her eyes, her pale body decorated with fresh wounds. But as the pearl pupils of both individuals met, the gloss was quickly blinked away. A soft smile replaced the misery in such a flash, it seemed she was never sad at all. That wasn’t all, the tiny angel walked up to the brunette and wrapped her in a warm embrace, despite the injuries restraining her movement. The kind gesture melted away any unease.
“Don’t worry, Hanabi.” She hushed, then after a moment, left for her next task.
Hanabi blinked back to the present, turning her head to a window showcasing a sunset. The purple night was gently starting to creep in, kissing goodbye to the orange rays of the setting sun. A sense of urgency rushed through the Hyuga, she needed to find her sister now. Before it was time for Lady Hinata to be sent off to sleep.
Heading out to the garden while scratching her head in frustration, dark silky hair flowing with a passing breeze paused Hanabi in her steps. There she sat, Hinata Hyuga, her legs folded under her as she gazed at her reflection in the koi pond water.
Excited to call out, Hanabi sprang herself forward and uttered, “Hina–!” but quickly froze as a ripple glossed the pond water.
Despite the harsh upbringing of the heir, Hanabi had never seen Hinata cry. Hanabi was sure the idea of crying was beaten out of Hinata from a young age, as it was seen as a weakness from the Hyuga elders–she concluded herself after crying to her father and the elders sharing disapproving looks.
Yet, here Hinata was. Crying. Tears repeatedly hit the water, and it seemed even the earth around her sympathized as her surrounding atmosphere grew sorrowful.
Hanabi had received the answers of her bubbling questions, but it was paid by a price she wished to not receive. This picture painted in front of her was to her dislike, she learned that she hated seeing her sister cry. The blood in her, that drew their relation, ran cold at the sight.
She did the only thing she believed would help, she went up to her and wrapped the Hyuga in her arms. Maybe this time, she could be the arms that melt the unease away.
“Don’t worry, Hinata.”