Birds of a Feather
Chapter Five: Lines
Istoria

Four hours.

Sakura ran down the stairs, trying not to let the time limit panic her more then she was. She needed to find Naruto and Sasuke. Then she needed to get to Ibiki's office and read through his notes. But most of all she needed to watch where she was going.

Sakura collided with something solid but soft and tumbled backwards, having no hope of keeping her balance. Whatever she ran into let out a soft cry and all Sakura saw was a mess of purple and gray.

"Watch where you're going there."

Sakura blinked and squeaked out an apology. She stopped the moment she recognized Shikamaru standing in front of her, trying to steady Hinata.

"Ah, Hinata-chan!" Sakura cried. "I'm sorry!! I didn't see you! Are you okay? Why are you guys in the hospital?"

Shikamaru sighed at the barrage of questions. "We heard Hokage-sama was here. What are you doing here?"

"There was an attack in the market, at the matchmaker's hut," Sakura blurted out. "Ibiki-sensei got hurt and... ah! I only have four hours to help him."

"What?" Shikamaru asked, trying to decipher what she had said. "Who attacked him?"

"A monster," Sakura continued. "At least, that what people are saying. No one knows for sure, but they have it trapped in the sewers. Kakashi-sensei thinks that this has something to do with the assassination attempt on Hokage so I'm going to Ibiki-sensei's office and try to figure out what's going on."

Shikamaru frowned as he listened. He hated to admit it but things were slowly coming together in his mind. And that meant he was going to have more work to do then just reporting to the Hokage.

"I think I might have a few ideas," he said, watching as Sakura's face lit up. "But I need to talk to Hokage first. Hinata can tell you about what happened."

"I need to find my teammates," Sakura added.

"I'll pick them up on my way to Ibiki's office," Shikamaru replied. "Naruto was the one who told us that Hokage was here, he should still be at the tower."

Sakura nodded and took Hinata's hand, ignoring the other girl's protests as she dragged her away. Shikamaru merely sighed and shuffled up the stairs to find the Hokage.

"It was wired wrong?" Sakura asked as she and Hinata entered the office.

Hinata nodded dumbly. "I don't know how else to explain it," she said softly. "It had the right shape but... the chakra was all wrong."

Sakura frowned as she took in what Hinata said. "I just don't understand," Sakura sighed. Her eyes began to mist a bit as she started to realize she had little hope of putting things together in the little time she had.

Hinata saw the change in expression and took a tentative step forward. She reached out a hand and put it on Sakura's shoulder. "Maybe... maybe your sensei wrote something down."

Sakura blinked and looked at Hinata. She nodded firmly and walked over to the desk, slowly moving through the piles of paperwork. Hinata worked silently next to her, trying to find anything of interest.

They were so caught up in their work that the girls missed Shikamaru's call for attention. "Che," he finally settled on. "Just keep on ignoring us then."

Sakura blinked back to reality just in time to see Naruto bound over to her. "What did you find?"

"Huh?" she asked, still a bit dazed from all the reading.

"Shikamaru explained on the way," Sasuke interjected, taking a seat on the side.

"So did you find anything new?" Naruto asked again.

Sakura shook her head and turned to Hinata, hoping the other girl had better luck. Hinata had turned several shades of red and was twitching her hands nervously. She still managed to shake her head.

Naruto reached forward and took the sheet out of Sakura's hand. "What's this?" he asked, looking it over.

"It just a list of families that the Tengu clan married into," Sakura said, trying to snatch it back.

"It's like all of Konoha is on this list," Naruto yelled. "Well, except Sasuke's..." he trailed off a bit. "Hey Hinata, your family isn't on the list either!"

Sakura watched as Hinata's emotions went quickly from nervous to uncomfortable. She heard Sasuke shift slightly and looked over at him. His eyes had darkened, probably at the mention of his family.

"My family..." Hinata started silently. "We couldn't marry a Tengu member."

"Why not?" Naruto ventured.

Hinata fell silent and Sasuke let out a sigh. "You can't cross the Bloodlines," he stated simply.

"Huh? How come?"

"You just don't," Sasuke replied.

"But why?"

Sasuke blinked when he realized the question had come from Sakura. He frowned deeper, knowing he didn't have the answer to that, and looked over at Hinata.

"I don't..." Hinata started. "It's just a rule."

"It makes sense," Shikamaru stated. "Bloodlines are mostly dominant genes and having a child with two dominant techniques could cause a conflict."

"Or it could produce a child that expressed both traits," Sakura retorted.

"If that was true," Shikamaru replied, "then why don't we have super strong Tengu clan members with Sharigan?"

"Gah," Naruto said, putting his hands in his head. "I don't get it."

"Neither do I," Sakura agreed. "Why would it be a rule?"

"I could..." Hinata began, quickly trailing off when everyone's attention was on her. "I mean... I c...could look at... ummm..." Hinata took in a deep breath and tried to find the right words. "We have family records. I could look to see... maybe it was tried before."

"So you think this thing is somehow related?" Sakura asked Shikamaru, taking attention away from the blushing girl.

He frowned. "I don't know but we have a monster running around that can morph its physical essences into imperfect animals."

"So?" Sakura prodded.

Shikamaru paused. "That day... when the woman came out of the window, you didn't see it?" Sakura shook her head. "She had wings but not real wings. It was like they were made of chakra but solid."

There was silence before Sakura quickly started shuffling through the pile. She pulled out the file she needed. "The Tengu clan has a connection with the hawks of Konoha but it's secondary to their main Bloodline technique."

"Which is?" Sasuke prompted.

Sakura read down the sheet. "They can manipulate their bodies to take on the characteristics of birds," she said softly.

"But only birds," Shikamaru said. "Not dogs like we saw."

"The dogs were wrong," Hinata ventured. "The physical form may have been right but inside was wrong."

"But the birds were real enough to fool even Hokage-sama," Shikamaru said. "Just not Hane-san who would know all the birds in the village."

"Nama," Sakura whispered. "When Hane saw the bird in Hokage's office, that's what she called it. And Ibiki asked me to get a feather from it."

Hinata suddenly moved, shuffling through the scrolls before handing Sakura one. "Ibiki-sensei wrote something about the bird."

Sakura read the report over, moving through Shizune's testimony about the hawk followed by her own. Ibiki had noted all the similarities and noted at the end the fact that Nama was attacked only a few days before the attempt on Hokage.

"Ibiki-sensei thought," Hinata began, trying to ignore the attention on her, "that something had attacked Nama and tried to kill it to be able to replace it in the Tengu aviary."

"Wait... was it after the Hokage or the Tengu clan?" Naruto asked.

The room fell into silence after Naruto's simple question. "Hane was in the same room with Hokage-sama when the thing exploded," Shikamaru pondered.

"And if she was the target," Sasuke added, "then the bird bomb accomplished its mission. This would explain why there was no second attempt on the Hokage."

"But that doesn't make sense," Sakura frowned. "Why would it target the Tengu clan?"

"Stop for a moment," Shikamaru said, grabbing an empty scroll and shoving it at Sakura. "There are too many ideas at once. Start writing things down."

Sakura glared at him and was about to hurl insults but logic struck first and she realized he was right.

"First, we have the fact that the Tengu clan has married with every prominent family except those with Bloodline capabilities," Shikamaru started, "based on a rule that none of us really understands."

The room was silent after he finished until Naruto pointed at him. "That's the most you've ever said!" Shikamaru sighed and sat down. Sakura frowned at Naruto trying to ignore Inner Sakura's giggles at Naruto's comment.

"Naruto! Be serious," Sakura chided.

"Next," Shikamaru said, interrupting the teammates, "there's the creature that can morph into imperfect animals. We've had one hawk in the Hokage's tower. Four dogs in the forest. And the creature in the marketplace that Ibiki fought." He paused. "I wish we knew more about that last one."

"The Konoha police force was there," Sakura said. "One of the officers was hurt by it."

"Well that would work," Shikamaru drawled. "But it's not like we can just walk in there and look at their notes." Sakura frowned as she thought of how to get around that fact.

"I can ask," Sasuke said suddenly. Sakura looked at him, waiting for further explanation but got none.

Shikamaru interrupted, knowing part of the story and not wanting to waste time having to explain. "There's one part left, the matchmaker. I'll take that one."

"What about me?" Naruto asked.

"Take this radio and go to the Tengu Aviary," Sakura replied. "I'm not allowed there any more, but if they are involved someone needs to watch them. I'll stay here and try to work more on Ibiki's notes. Let's meet back here in an hour."

The assembled group nodded and quickly dispersed, leaving Sakura alone in Ibiki's cold office. She looked up at the wall, watching the seconds tick away, leaving them with just over three hours.
Shikamaru found her at home, pouting on the steps of her house. He walked up, sat down next to her and ignored the way she flipped her blonde hair at him signifying she was still mad about being left behind.

"You know I was right to go on the mission without you," he stated simply.

Ino's brow furrowed and let out a silent sigh. "I know," she whispered.

He was surprised by her lack of fight. "Got your voice back?"

Ino nodded. "Went to the doctor," she said, keeping her words short and simple.

"What did he say?"

"I spoke too much," she frowned. "But... I don't know why last night was different."

Shikamaru sighed and put a hand behind his head. "Ino... last night, you didn't just lose your voice. There are several hours that..."

Ino shook her head fervently. "Nothing bad happened," she interrupted.

"Nothing bad, right," he stated. "But did you..."

"No!" she cried. "Nothing happened."

"Ino?"

She paused. "They already came to talk to me."

"Who?"

"The Konoha police," she whispered. "They said that... thing knew Ibiki-sensei's name."

It knew mine too, he said silently.

Her hands tightened on her dress. "They said a few of the shopkeepers saw me go inside the tent." Shikamaru frowned. He had been right. "I don't know... what did I say?"

Shikamaru breath caught in his throat as he saw her eyes. They were brimming over with tears.

"I could have told her anything," Ino sobbed slightly. "They think it was just names, maybe special jutsus but... what if it was more? What if I gave it addresses or weakness or something that would hurt someone?"

"It couldn't be that bad," Shikamaru stated. "It's not like you knew anything important or..."

"And that matters?" Ino cried, standing up. "You don't get it! How could I... I just let that woman trick me! I'm supposed to be a ninja!"

"Ino, wait," Shikamaru said, realizing his mistake.

"Just forget it," she screamed, opening the door. "Just leave me alone!"

Shikamaru cowered as the door slammed behind him. At least now he knew what he needed. He thought of going in and trying to apologize but he knew time was short. It was just something that Ino would have to figure out on her own.
Sasuke frowned as he examined the Police Department. It was woefully understaffed and the building was falling apart. It was almost an insult to have the Konoha police force still wear the Uchiha fan on their shoulders. His father would never have let it get this bad.

The desk sergeant approached to ask who he was but jumped at the familiar face. "Uchiha-sama..."

Sasuke looked at him without emotion. He hated this place. He had avoided it since... that night. But here he was in a place where most of the Uchiha clan had once worked. Now it was devoid of their presence and barely being kept up by the officers who remained.

The desk sergeant had left, presumably to find the chief who was in charge. Sasuke didn't move. He had no intention of going inside. He just wanted to get the information and leave. But every moment here was slowly eroding his resolve. Every smell, every noise was familiar and reminded him of the loss.

"Uchiha-sama, it is good to see you," the police chief said with a deep bow, two deputies at his side.

"Aa."

"I am surprised that you have finally returned here," the chief started. "After what happened we had hoped..."

"I need information," Sasuke interrupted, cutting off the deluge of sympathy.

"Oh... about what?"

"The attack in the market," Sasuke stated firmly. "I would like to see the report on it."

The chief fell silent, staring down at the child. He nodded suddenly, much to the surprise of his subordinates. He pulled a scroll from the deputy's hand and gave it to Sasuke, who quickly began to read it over. The frown on his face increased as he did.

"It is good to have an Uchiha inside our walls again," the chief smiled slightly, watching Sasuke flinch a bit.

Sasuke rolled up the scroll and handed back to the chief. With a curt nod and thank you, he turned on his heel and left. As soon as he was gone the deputies took the chance to question their chief's action.

The police chief looked past the desk sergeant to the back wall where the portrait of his predecessor hung. "You didn't see the look in his eyes," the chief replied. "I thought, for a moment, that I was receiving an order from my chief."

Someday, the chief thought as he looked at his mentor's image, someday there will be an Uchiha in this position again.
Hinata moved quickly through her house, trying to avoid everyone there. Her heart beat quickly as she shuffled towards the back part of the complex. All she needed to do was make it past the kitchens and she would be in the clear.

"What are you doing?"

Hinata squeaked at the person in front of her. "Neji-niisan!"

He eyed her cautiously. "What are you doing here?" he amended.

Hinata's feet shuffled on the ground. This back area of the Hyuuga compound was not some place she would usually be but she still had a right to be here. In fact, she had business here. She should just tell Neji to leave her alone.

But instead, she reverted to her normal mode and bowed apologetically. "Gomen," Hinata cried.

And then much to their surprise, she pushed past him and quickly ran to the records room, sliding the door shut. She paused for a moment, trying to catch her breath and at the same time preparing for Neji to storm in and yell at her.

But it never came. So instead, she hurriedly made her way towards the pile of scrolls that were used to document the family tree. She scrolled it down, noting all the names that were there and the lack of Bloodline families.

She frowned slightly. Maybe they wouldn't have written it down if it was tried. But then, that answer didn't help Sakura-san at all.

"Hinata."

Hinata's face paled more then she thought possible. She turned slowly and saw the tall form of her father standing in the doorway, Neji standing behind him a few paces.

"Oto-san," Hinata whispered.

He looked around the room and then settled his gaze on her. "Is there a reason why you are in the family records room?"

Hinata's hand automatically went to wringing her coat. "Yes, sir."

He paused, waiting for her to continue but she didn't. "Why?" he demanded.

Hinata looked at him and at Neji and then back at the floor. "Because..." she started, stopping the moment her voice cracked. "Because..."

She could almost hear Neji's smirk. She didn't need to look up to see it or the disapproving look on her father's face. Maybe even disappointment in her inability to express anything without fear. But then, she was so used to either of those looks on her father's face, she didn't think she would recognize them without her.

"Hinata, if you have no business here..."

"Why can't we marry a Bloodline member?"

For the first time, Hinata saw something else on her father's face. Surprise. Even Neji looked like he hadn't expected that.

"Because you can't," Hiashi stated.

"But... why?" Hinata pushed.

Hiashi frowned. "Why do you want to know?"

"I... I..." Hinata faltered. She paused. "I need to know."

Hiashi eyed her warily before turning to Neji and dismissing him with a flick of his hand. Neji started a bit and then disappeared just as Hiashi closed the door.

"I can tell you," Hiashi said, "as you are the heir to this family. But it must never leave this room."

Hinata frowned. It would not help Sakura-san but the fact that her father was acknowledging her position was enough. So she nodded slowly.

"It was tried," Hiashi started, "once before. The result was... disastrous. Two dominant genes fought for control and the body of the offspring was mutated beyond recognition. It was an abomination and the decision was made to destroy it and forbid the procreation of a dual Bloodline child from that point on."

Hinata gasped. "We were part of that?"

Hiashi shook his head. "No, only of the judgement."

"Then who?"
Sasuke pulled the tatami mat away and slowly descended down the stairs. Twice today he had been forced to reencounter places he wished he could forget. The reason for this self torture was a mystery to him. He supposed it had something to do with helping a teammate but it didn't seem to be reason enough.

Rather then ponder on the reasons any more, he lit the torch and swept the light across the room. The seats were covered in dust and a stink of mildew filled the air. If he looked closely, he could see the impression on the mats of Uchiha members that were long gone.

He moved slowly, eyeing a pile of scrolls that contained the secrets of the Uchiha. He slowly picked up one, bringing it back upstairs with him. After replacing the tatami mat, he went outside and sat on the seats of the shrine.

Reading the report of the police officer had bothered him. The way they described the way the beast attacked, the way that it moved, there was something familiar in that secondhand account. That and the description of how the beast interacted with its environment. It could obviously copy the physical forms of things, at least on the outside.

As he read the scroll, his hypothesis was proven. Early in the days of the third Hokage, they had attempted exactly what Shikamaru had said. A Tengu member with Sharigan.


Back to team seven
Back to the main page