To Twist Reality
Chapter 1.
"Hizashi-sama, please excuse me for interrupting your walk." The little girl had been crying. The red rimmed eyes and puffy cheeks of the four year-old were a testament to that.
Most four year-olds would cry days if their father had died the day before. Well, if the child knew about the death and wasn't given a hand-me-down watered version of the truth anyway. When one is a Hyuuga, you are expected to take what comes your way without emotion, without complaint, without falling, and especially without breaking. Even at the age of four children are already expected to be following these rules.
"Hinata-chan, your presence is a welcome distraction from my thoughts." Hizashi was impressed that Hinata was already awake. It was early, even for him to up. He wondered if the girl had even slept. Hinata, his niece, was known for being quiet and shy; if he left things to her it might be awhile before she told him what she wanted to. Hinata was not one to interrupt someone else's solitude with a purpose.
Looking at her closely, Hizashi noticed the dried stains of tears on the light grey kimono that she was wearing. It showed that she had finished crying, but the look in her eyes showed that she would never truly be done mourning. The tear stains would not be noticed by ordinary people, or a ninja, but Hizashi is the Head of the Hyuuga Clan. He can see things that any none Hyuuga's eyes couldn't pick up. To be Hyuuga, to have white eyes with no visible pupil, is to be able to read into the mundane.
Hinata's red rimmed eyes hid the fact that she hadn't slept the night before. The red rim covered the black one.
"Hinata, if you ever need anything, I will do my best to provide it for you. I am deeply sorry about what has happened to Hiashi-san. I will miss my brother sorely, but not as much as I think that you will miss him. Hinata?" he had received no response from her and was wondering if she had heard him. It looked as if she was so immersed with the flowers surrounding them that she had been oblivious to the words spoken.
"Hizashi-sama," her voice was quiet and timid, but still there, "thank you for sympathy. I-I have a request of you, please."
"If it is within my power I will gladly do it for you, Hinata."
"W-Will you marry my mother, please?" And with that question Hinata looked up and looked Hizashi squarely in the face.
Hizashi could hear the plea in her voice, but that wasn't what surprised him. Hizashi's eyes widened and his jaw fell slack.