A strange new life

Chapter 7: Ninja politics and politicking.

Where was Tsunade? How had Shisui become the Hokage? And why? Had he… used his Sharingan to manipulate his way into the position?

At some point, I had stepped in front of Karin. I didn’t even remember when. Was I trying to shield her from him? Shisui blinked, and his eyes weren’t red anymore, but the usual Uchiha’s black.

“Hello, Hinata.” He said. His voice was quiet but had a presence I couldn’t place. “I apologize for the greeting. I had to make sure you were still you.”

I tilted my head. Had he… used his Sharingan on me? It wouldn’t have been, would it? I would have sensed if he had, maybe even resisted the attempt. But if I hadn’t resisted, why hadn’t he brainwashed me to make me forget the sharingan? I scowled. That was so fucked up. That went a long way in showing my current state of mind if the first thing I thought about the new Hokage was that he had used his dojutsu to manipulate people or if he had done the same to me.

“Here,” Shisui said, pushing a board, a set of pencils, and an eraser toward me. Those weren’t mine. Mine was lost in the Land of Waves, and I had no idea where they were.

I tried to step forward, but Karin still gripped my hand. She hadn’t moved or glanced away. Her face was paler than Sai's cadaver pale.

“You’re—” She didn’t finish; she broke eye contact and looked away.

“I’m Uchiha Shisui,” the new Hokage nodded. “Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure. I’ve also been called Shunshin no Shisui.”

Karin flinched at the title, a low whimper escaping her lips.

“And you? What’s your name?”

The redhead looked like she wanted nothing more than to run away. What had she heard about him to be this scared? I gave her hand a comforting squeeze. The Hokage wasn’t Tsunade like I was hoping for, but I was willing to extend the benefit of the doubt to Shisui even if that trust had already taken a hit with that sharingan’s greeting.

“Uzumaki Karin.” She said.

Shisui tilted his head. “From Kusagakure? You participated in the last chunin exam.”

Karin nodded.

“I’ll arrange a messenger to commu— ”

I knew where that was going. Karin had retreated into herself, shoulder slumping, face empty. “No,” I said, cutting him off.

The new Hokage stopped. Looked between me and Karin. “Explain?”

I walked to the desk, took the offered board. Wrote my words. “They were abusing her for her ability. She was never a willing shinobi from Kusagakure.”

Shisui nodded, waved, pointing to the chairs. “Please, sit,” Shisui said. “There’s no need to stand while we talk.”

I pulled Karin closer. She was still lifeless, like she’d already given up and was just waiting for the axe to fall. I hadn’t known her situation was so bad that the briefest mention of sending her back left her this way.

“Karin’s situation is delicate,” Shisui said. “Kusagakure is an ally of Konoha, and keeping her could cause problems.”

Karin’s head dropped even lower, and she grabbed her other arm with her free hand.

“But I won’t send you back if you don’t want to go.” The Hokage said.

The redhead perked up, eyes wide.

“We’ll discuss the details later.” He smiled at Karin, turned to me.

“Hinata, I know you must have questions, but please let me start by saying this. I’m proud of you for escaping and returning. Not many shinobi would have been able to do the same as you did.”

Shisui’s face was serious, but not unkind.

“Unfortunately, some of your teammates weren’t that fortunate.”

What? Hayase hadn’t returned?

“Yamato and Hayase managed to escape. Hayase suffered serious injury and might never be fit for field duty again.” Shisui said.

I scowled. I would kill Sai very dead and very slow when I got my hands on him.

“Sai, unfortunately, we never learned of his whereabouts. Wasn’t he taken to the same place as you?”

They… didn’t know?

My scowl worsened. Teeth gritted.

Karin was looking at me, startled. Her hand, already in mine, squeezed again.

Shisui noticed my mood. He looked between us then said.

“Please tell me what happened. I read the reports from Team Ten, Yamato, and the delegation from Kirigakure. But your recounts of events would shed light on the mystery.”

I tried to calm my thoughts and organize what I wanted to say. Shisui’s request hadn’t triggered Fangirl-sama for some reason. Was it the way he asked it? Or because I was just too tired and angry? I could ponder on that later. I didn’t want to recount all the details about my time in the lab and my mental breakdown. I don’t think those were the critical bits they needed to know.

“We found the lab, I gathered the research notes, burned the bodies.” I wrote. I never told Karin what had happened before I met her; somehow, she had never asked. Was she trying to keep her distance because we were from different villages? I glanced at her.

The redhead seemed more relaxed. Still looking spooked, but not as afraid as she had been at the start.

I wrote more. “On our way to Orochimaru’s prison, Sai betrayed us.”

Shisui read my message, looked at me. “Are you sure?” He asked. I nodded.

“The kidnappers, I have reason to believe, are from an organization called ROOT.” I wrote next.

“Why is that?” Shisui didn’t seem surprised at my revelation. Did they know something I didn’t? Or maybe he had reasonable control over his body.

I erased the text, wrote more. “I heard one of them using that word.”

He nodded. “And how did you escape the chains?”

Huh, so they learned about that. Had they found the prison? I wasn’t sure if Assassination-chan’s attempt to cause a ruckus would attract our reinforcements attention. “New jutsu.” I wrote.

I wasn’t against telling Shisui about my imitation of Thunder God. It might even earn me a few pointers if he felt generous. I just wasn’t in the mood now. I would write a complete report later, submit it. He also knew because he didn’t press me for more details.

I wrote more words. “Karin saved my life more than once.”

There was a hint of a smile on Karin’s face. “She saved mine as well, several times over.”

I shrugged. I hadn’t, really. But I wasn’t going to keep a score. It was a bit hypocritical when I was using that as a reason why I wanted to help her.

“After we escaped the prison, we were surrounded. I had reason to believe I wouldn’t fare well in an open confrontation. I used Kuchiyose no Jutsu to reverse summon me and Karin to the lands of the Iron Hide Badger clan.”

Shisui nodded.

“Made a contract with them, and finally got back home.”

Shisui looked from my board to me. “The badgers have an… interesting reputation.”

I half scowled, half grinned. Yeah, tell me about it.

“I appreciate your recounting of events. I would also like the extended version, but that can be later. I know you must be tired, but there are important things we must discuss.”

He turned to Karin.

“As for you,” he said. “I’ll arrange a place for you to stay while we find a solution for your situation.”

“I want to stay with Hinata,” Karin said. Her voice was strong, contrasting to her withdrawn demeanor.

Shisui looked at me, and I shrugged.

“Hinata’s apartment is small. We can settle you in a comfortable place if you prefer.”

I caught the quick glance Karin sent my way and the tiny upturn of her lips. I had a bad feeling about this.

“She must take responsibility!” Karin said.

I blinked. Take responsibility for what? Shisui seemed as confused as I felt.

“Responsibility… for?” He asked.

Karin leaned toward my way, resting her head on my shoulder. Her hand had never left mine, and she now sneaked her other arm around my waist. I could see the red creeping her neck.

“She ravaged me again and again. Even when I begged for mercy, she was relentless! She left marks on my body, paraded naked around me, and made me sleep with her.” With her head still on my shoulder, she cast an innocent glance my way. A picture of a maiden in love: “How can I stay alone? After all she’s done to me, she can’t abandon me now.”

The silence inside the room was absolute. I could even hear the hawk flying outside. Shisui cleared his throat. The man looked like a fish out of water.

It took a moment longer until my brain rebooted. 

I what now?