Toneri adapted to life in Amegakure better than I expected. I also recreated his ugly castle and moved his puppets around so he felt at home.
Every day he went out to interact with people, tired of the loneliness he had suffered for so many years.
Sometimes I would watch him using my Senrigan and be glad of the decision I made in forcing him to accompany me back to Earth, though he would never admit it out loud.
A year later, an invitation letter arrived in Amegakure, Konan handing it to him personally.
--
'Invitation letter: We invite you to Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyūga's wedding'
"Kaguya Baa—chan, please come to my wedding with Hinata, you don't need to bring any gifts. By the way, Sasuke isn't in the village so he won't be coming, you have no excuse not to attend."
--
It had clearly been written by Naruto.
I sighed deeply as Konan finished reading it out loud.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have read the letter in Toneri-sama's presence, my sincerest apologies." Konan apologized as she noticed Toneri shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
Toneri had come to visit.
Hinata was the woman he wanted to marry, but now she was marrying another man. How could he not feel uncomfortable hearing the contents of the letter?
"Get over it. There are more fish in the world, and with your looks, you can catch as many as you want." I encouraged Toneri to find another woman.
"Anyone, except the one I choose to catch." Toneri took a sip from his cup of tea and replied.
I ignored his words and turned in Konan's direction.
"Konan, send a letter to Naruto, tell him I won't miss his wedding and that I'll bring a date with me."
"Yes, Kaguya-sama" Konan replied.
"I won't go" Toneri said, anticipating my intentions.
"If you want to get over your impossible love for that girl, you will accompany me. But in the end, it is your choice" I said.
It was time for Toneri to move on and grow up.
Toneri thought about it for several seconds before replying with an "I'll think about it…"
…
Naruto and Hinata's wedding day.
"Kaguya-sama, I'm glad you took my advice and let me cut your hair, it suits you well" Konan said, taking in her new appearance.
She used to wear a high-necked princess kimono adorned with gold and purple lines on the edges, as well as a large number of tomoes running down the center and sleeves of the kimono.
She now wears a simple white, tight-fitting long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans, held together by a light brown leather belt.
After two years of wearing formal clothes, she had grown tired of them and decided to dress in a much more casual look, like in her previous life. Of course, for Naruto and Hinata's wedding she had brought a dress that she would put on a couple of hours before the celebration.
"Well, if you weren't my maid, you could become a hairdresser." I complimented her on the haircut she had given me.
At this moment we were inside an elegantly decorated wooden carriage pulled by four horses. We were also surrounded by Shinobi from Amegakure who served as escorts.
"..." Toneri, sitting in front of her, crossed his arms and remained silent the whole way, still uncomfortable.
The last time he ran into Hinata was to tell her that he had stolen her sister's eyes and that if she didn't marry him, he would never give them back to her.
Now he was attending her wedding as if they were on good terms? As a childhood friend? They'll probably kick him out, he thought.
The carriage stopped in front of Konohagakure's gates and Konan opened the window.
"Kaguya-sama is here, let us in," she said to the gate guard, who entered and gave them permission to enter.
Behind them also entered all the other Kages from the five great ninja villages, who had also received the invitation to the wedding.
"The Rokudaime Hokage has already prepared a place for us to stay, let's go immediately to prepare. The wedding will be in a few hours," I said.
Toneri looked at her curiously and decided to ask "Where will we stay?"
"At the Hyūga compound, considering our blood connection, Kakashi thought it would be a good idea. Hiashi agreed as well. He would never refuse, after all, I brought his nephew and brother back to life. And to top it off, I saved his youngest daughter from you." I answered his question, amused by the look on his face.
Toneri almost killed Hiashi a year ago, he also stole his youngest daughter's eyes and tried to force his eldest daughter to marry him.
Did he do it on purpose to make him feel uncomfortable as punishment for his actions? Absolutely yes.
But there were other reasons too, like helping him move on.
"Toneri-sama, I apologize on behalf of Kaguya-sama, she can be very cruel sometimes without realizing it," Konan said with a deadpan expression.
"…" he didn't answer, deciding to stay quiet and gather his thoughts.
Meanwhile, on the way, I complained about him apologizing for me when he shouldn't have.
…
Stepping out of the carriage, inside the Hyūga Compound, in the area where the main family lives, right in front of the clan leader's mansion, Hiashi was waiting for them along with his young daughter, Hanabi, and several guards on either side.
"Welcome Kaguya-sama to the Hyūga Clan. Please make yourself at home." Hiashi approached her and welcomed her.
As the most powerful clan in Konohagakure today, the Hyūga Clan's land within Konohagakure is one of the most extensive.
The Hyūga Clan is surrounded by lush forests and green fields.
The Hyūga Compound is a vast expanse of land that houses the residences and buildings of the Hyūga Clan. It is well known in Konohagakure for its elegant traditional architectures and meticulously maintained gardens, the compound is a manifestation of the clan's tradition and prestige.
At the heart of the complex are the main residences of the prominent members of the Hyūga Clan, including the clan leader and other members of the main family. Further away, in a secluded area, is the family branch.
Near the center of the complex is the Hyūga Dojo, a sacred space dedicated to the training of the young members of the clan. Here, the Hyūga practice their clan's techniques, perfecting the use of the Byakugan and the Jūken (Gentle Fist).
Kaguya looked at the Hyūga Complex for a few seconds before turning her gaze back to Hiashi, bored.
The Hyūga Complex was beautiful, yes, but it couldn't compare to her new Amegakure, where beauty resides even in the darkest alleys. Full of greenery and life even in the worst times of the year.
Her gaze drifted away again, ignoring Hiashi's ugly face, focusing on little Hanabi, who was already a teenager.
"I'm glad to see you in better shape this time." I said.
"Hehe, I can see you now! Thank you for saving me, I was never able to thank you properly!" Hanabi said, full of energy. She looked like a walking battery, emitting endless energy.
"As your father, I must thank you as well." Hiashi said, bowing his head, showing his gratitude.
Toneri also got off the carriage and slowly walked towards us, standing beside me.
Hiashi raised his head from the ground and his gaze remained fixed on her face. His pupils became much sharper and at the same time the veins around his eyes became prominent. He had activated the Byakugan unconsciously.
As he was about to attack Toneri, who was going to let that happen, Hiashi fell to the ground on his knees as he felt pressure being exerted on him. He looked at Kaguya in confusion.
"Enough. He is my date for the wedding, and my grandson. He has redeemed himself for what happened a year ago, I have brought him here to apologize properly." I said, letting Hiashi stand up again.
Hiashi stopped his guards from attacking Toneri and ordered them to disappear from his sight, taking out his anger on them.
"No." Toneri said. "There is no possible apology that shows how sorry I am for what I did. My sins will accompany me for my entire life" he finished saying, rising into the air. "Excuse me, Kaguya-sama, but this was not a good idea." He said goodbye before leaving.
Konan behind me sighed as she left.
"At least we tried, right Konan?" I turned and asked. The two of us had planned together to have Toneri accompany us to the wedding.
But in the end it was of no use. "Let's continue with plan B, you'll be my new companion Konan, as we had decided at the beginning."
Hanabi kept looking at the sky, where Toneri had disappeared, looking at him with pity. She could see that guilt was eating him up inside, and she didn't hold a grudge against him. She would have liked him to stay, maybe they could have been friends.
Even with what Toneri did to her a year ago, Hanabi didn't hold a grudge against him.
Konan was the only one who noticed this, and a small, faint smile escaped her normally expressionless face.