Hime quietly entered hospital room 403. It was very late, around midnight or so, and Hime had been at Kakashi’s place for far too long. Hime was lucky she didn't get kicked off of the mission to protect Naruto.
Hime approached Naruto’s bed. The blond genin was sleeping peacefully, a small grin on his face. Hime tussled Naruto’s hair. “You’ve grown so much.” She whispered. “I can’t believe it.” The dog mask on her face was crooked, but Hime didn’t bother to fix it.
“So, it really is you, Hime-chan.”
Hime turned around quickly. There stood Jiraya, our favorite perverted toad sage, hiding in the shadows. “So you’re here, Jiraya-sama.” She uttered. “I can’t believe I didn’t feel your chakra.”
“Now, now.” Jiraya said playfully. “Not many people can feel my chakra when I conceal it like I just was. I knew you wouldn’t come near the place if I was still here. But,” he continued, “I needed to talk to you. It’s important that we speak, and now, so if you don’t mind leaving him for a few minutes…..”
“I don’t mind.” Hime said abruptly. “Let’s just get this over with.”
And so, the two quietly walked out of the room. Hime followed silently, not saying a word.
When the two reached the outside the hospital, Jiraya stopped. “Now.” He began. “I would like to know why you aren’t dead.” He glared at Hime.
“I was never dead.” Hime replied. “After the Kyuubi invaded, my mother took me and ran. She told me my father and my newborn baby brother were both dead. She took me to a different house in Konoha. She was hiding there with me for years. I didn’t know until a few years ago that Naruto was, indeed, alive.” Her voice had no emotion, and she stated everything in a calm voice. “My mother was like all of the damned villagers here. She was afraid of Naruto, afraid of her son!” with this, Hime’s voice became louder, and angrier. “My mother abandoned my brother because of some damned demon!”
Sobs broke out of the ANBU dog mask. Hime’s shoulders were shaking, and she was taking deep breaths.
“So Kushina is alive?” Jiraya said, astounded.
Hime shook her head. “No. No, she’s not. She died when I was eleven. I don’t know how, or why, but one day I found her nearly dead, stricken with fever. I didn’t know what to do. She died because I was useless.” Hime gripped her fist so hard it bled.
“Now, now, there’s no reason to get angry.” Jiraya said calmly, placing his hand on Hime’s shoulder. “I understand why you’re angry at your mother, but pull yourself together so you can tell me the rest of your story.” His facial expression was saddened by the young girl. “Now, what else do you have to tell me?”
Hime’s mask looked up. “I’m so sorry, Jiraya-sama.” Her voice cracked. “I’m so sorry, I’m useless…..even now I can’t gather the strength to tell him about me, and father, and……” she sobbed.
Jiraya quietly removed Hime’s mask. “Now, come on, take off your mask. Otherwise, your face will get sweaty.” He smiled. “Why don’t you tell him? Naruto would be quite happy to know he had a sister."
Hime opened her crystal blue eyes. “Jiraya-sama…..I-I can’t do that after all these years! He’d absolutely hate me!” the tears came even quicker than before. The image was heartbreaking.
“First off: Stop calling me ‘sama’. Call me Ojii-chan, like you used to.” Jiraya said quietly. “Second off, Naruto won’t care about any of that. You’re his sister, and that’s all that matters to him. He doesn’t need the details.”
“Ojii-sama…” Hime hiccuped. “I just don’t know what to do.” Her eyes fell downcast to the floor. “I’m still afraid...even ANBU get scared." She wiped her eyes. “I can’t tell him right now. He’s sleeping. I’ll……try. Tomorrow, I’ll try. And if it doesn’t work…..” Hime trailed off. She turned back to the hospital. “I’m going back.”
“Good bye.” Jiraya said, a small smile on his lips. “And good luck.”
