chapter 21: after the crisis
A few weeks passed and nothing occurred since. Hanabi came several times to visit them, but no other member of their family. Hanabi, said that the Hyuga manor's atmosphere is sad, and thata Korine benefitted from the occasion to obtain divorce withou trouble. She stayed in the secondary house however, with her lover.
Now Hinata can life with discovered face, and her friends chunins copiously celebrated her "return". Tenten burst of laughing when she learns that Neji actually lives with Hinata, but some other people seemed to disaprove this union between cousins. But for Hinata and Neji, nothing could sully their happiness.
The small daily routine took again its rights. Hinata engaged again as Chunin, but with a specialization in medicine and seals, and she doesn't leave anymore on external mission. She chooses it herself and made the request to the Hokage. Except when exceptional case requires her competences, she'll remain at the village or near it. First, she doesn't want to endanger the village by letting her Byakugan fall into enemy's hands. In addition, she doesn't want to endanger her child. And finally and especially, she studies the seals with eagerness under the direction of Dr. Isha.
This week, Neji is on mission in water country and Hinata go
home
alone. But when she arrives before her door, she drops her bag from the
surprise to recognize her parents who were waiting there. Not knowing
what
to say, Hinata opens the door, let them enter and sit down in the
living
room. Then she go in the kitchen to prepare some tea. Now, they're
sitting
all the three in silence in front of their teacup.
Hiashi: "Hinata... I have a request to present to you, in the name
of the Hyuga clan... Do you accept to take my place and to become the
chief of the Hyuga clan?"
The surprise make Hinata dumb and she can only look at her father with
round eyes.
Hiashi: "We discussed much in the clan. You are the heiress... and
especially you were able to join together the two divided branches of
our
family. We would like that you, and Neji, take now the direction of
Hyugas
and that you bring together the two families by your marriage."
Hinata: " Marry us?"
Hiashi: "We must ask an exemption from the Hokage to marry between
cousins, but it's possible. I think that it will be accepted."
Hinata: "..Father... I.. I don't know... I must speak about it with
Neji before... "
Hiashi: "We will await your answer, Hinata."
The departure of her parents leaves Hinata thoughtful. She waits that
Neji returns to speak about it, but also herself has already some ideas
of answer.
One week later, Neji and Hinata announce at the Hyuga manor that
they
want to meet the chief of clan.
Hinata: "Father... Neji and I decided to accept to become the head
of the Hyuga family, and to marry. There will be nothing anymore but
only
one Hyuga family. "
Hiashi: "Thank you both, Hinata, Neji..."
The decision is then announced to all the members of the clan. A date
for the marriage and the transfer of power is fixed and the
preparations
of these events start quickly.
After the evening meal, Hinata and her parents are alone in
the
garden. It's a moment of calm and peace, a moment when the hearts can
open.
Hiashi: "Hinata, we have took much arbitrary and unjust decision,
especially
towards you..."
Hinata: "You never asked me my opinion, nor what I wanted to do...
especially .. this marriage... I felt... sold."
Hiashi's wife: "Hinata, we organized this marriage for the interest
of our two families, but for your too. We thought that the Shinobi life
was too dangerous for you, and that it was not appropriate. You would
have
been sheltered in Kaishima, and you could have been happy over there."
Hinata: "No, I couldn't have been happy. I am Shinobi by
choice...
"
Hiashi: "We were mistaken... Will you forgive us, Hinata? We thought
really that what we did were right... "
Hinata stays quiet one moment.
Hinata: "Yes..."
The calm silence of the night prolonge, There's no need there
to say more. Time will still be necessary before Hinata and her parents
really speak freely together, but it will come, gently.
Hinata: "Father... I want to speak with mother, alone."
Hiashi: "Well, I leave you between women. Good Evening, Hinata."
Hinata: "good evening, father."
Staying alone with her mother, Hinata hesitates a little and
nervously
plays with her fingers. Her mother lets her do patiently, waiting until
she speaks.
Hinata: "Mother... I'm pregnant...Not of Neji, don't worry like
that."
Hinata keep silent a moment before speaking again.
Hinata: "I won't say who is the true father of the child. I
promised."
The mother: "I'm happy for you Hinata. We didn't want to speak
about the problem of children for the moment... but you were
responsible
and you think about it yourself."
Hinata doesn't undeceive her mother concerning the reasons of
her maternity and smiles.
Hinata: "We will soon announce it publicly, and Neji will be the father
of the child. I want that nobody other know that he's not really the
father.
You will keep the secrecy, mother?"
the mother: "can I nevertheless inform your father? "
Hinata: "I... yes, I agree. I can't myself speak to him about this...
"
The mother: "We will keep the secrecy, I promise."
Surprising Hinata, her mother gently passes her hand in her hair.
the mother: "I'm so proud of you, my daughter."