Author's notes: Thanks so much for all my reviews, and welcome to the newcomers! You all are wonderful!
Ultimatum
It is the third day of April, and one of the earliest comfortable days of the year; For the first time in months, the warming braziers inside the home remain unlit. Outside, it is raining so softly as to almost mist. Water gurgles through the gutters and down the clay-tiled rooftops to splash musically to the ground. Fat droplets cling to the bright new growth of the garden plants, as well as the spider webs strung between them, and they look very much like a row of hanging lanterns, making the world sparkle. The shoji doors have been slid open so that the Hyuga may view the birth of spring.
Hinata, five years old and kneeling quietly on the tatami in her mother's quarters, watches it all with rapt fascination. A presence glides silently into the large room behind her- Hinata feels it, but is too entranced by the show outdoors to turn and look. Over the dripping rain, her ears catch the sound of delicate silk sliding across something. Whoever it is has sat upon one of their floor cushions, likely the one directly behind her. A moment later, the gentle scent of lavender perfume reaches her, and tension leaves the little girl's body as she realizes who has come in.
"Hinata, my darling, you have such pretty hair." The words are smoothly spoken, the quiet voice lovely. It is Hinata's favorite voice in the whole world, and it belongs to her mother. The girl sits frozen with anticipation, and soon an heirloom tortoise shell comb is being run in slow, even strokes through her fine hair. Her mother fingers the short, silky mass, murmuring over and over again how nice it is. "You should grow it out long."
Little Hinata is blushing with pleasure under the praise, and she finally tears her eyes away from the garden. "Like yours?" she asks shyly, turning a round, childish face up toward the beautiful one of her mother. Two sets of white eyes meet, and Hinata wonders if she will ever be as pretty as the Lady Hisa. She hopes so, prays for it with all of her young heart. And she hopes to one day have a baby of her own, someone who will sit at her feet and think how beautiful she is.
"Longer!" Hisa says with a small laugh, a bit of color coming into her pale cheeks. Her thick, raven hair used to hang freely to the back of her thighs, the envy of many of the women in the great family. A few months ago, she had cut it to a more manageable length, but it still fell to her waist, perfectly straight."Of course, we'll have to find a way to tie it up. We can't have it getting tangled during your training. Imagine, trying to do the Gentle Fist taijutsu while stepping on your hair." She laughs again.
The mention of training sends Hinata's spirits plummeting. It's not that she does not want to be a ninja, because she does, knows that she must in order to be the clan head everyone wants her to be. It's just- Well, ninjutsu exercises were so much more fun when Brother Neji was part of them, and Father used to be so much more patient. Now, Neji hates her for some reason she cannot understand, and Father is no longer gentle. Tears well up in her pearly eyes, threatening to fall and spot her fine periwinkle kimono.
"There, my love. Don't cry." Hisa pulls a monogrammed kerchief from one of her sleeves and hands it to her daughter. Hinata turns around to dab ashamedly at her eyes- she is a big girl now, she shouldn't be weeping!- and Hisa slides off the cushion and scoots up behind the girl in order to wrap her arms tenderly around the child. Hinata leans back into her mother's soft embrace, her small spine cushioned against her mother's thighs. Hisa bends over and plants a kiss upon the child's forehead. "We have little enough time together. We should not waste it with tears."
Hinata nods and curls closer against the warm fabric of her mother's kimono, closing her eyes so that the world beyond her lids is nothing more than a sense of light. Above her head, she can hear Hisa's breathing, in and out, in and out, and feel her slow heartbeat. The sounds quickly lull her into a near trance-like state. Hinata feels safest here in her mother's lap, almost as though nothing can touch her, and she is glad her mother can finally hold her like this again. Up until a few days ago, Hisa was too big to do so.
"Are you all better now?" It's a child's question, vague but full of genuine concern.
Hisa smiles, knowing instinctively what Hinata means, and gives her little girl a squeeze. "Yes, darling. Now that your sister's been born, I'm much better." It is the truth. Hanabi's birth was hard on her, causing a host of medical problems, but Hisa had been given her own team of doctors for the delivery, and they had done an excellent job. She is doing fine now, except for some scarring, and has even been told that she could conceive again. Yes, all is as it should be, as the astrologers had foretold before her own birth. Except for this strange, nagging feeling in her heart that she just cannot seem to shake.
There is a knock on the door behind them, and Hinata jumps at the sound. Hisa pushes her up into a sitting position and then twists around to face the maid who has come in to kneel in the center of the room. After the woman's obligatory bow, Hisa smiles gently. "Yes, Kiyone, what is it?"
The woman looks nervous, half bowing once more and wringing her hands. "Please forgive the intrusion, my Lady. So sorry, but Lord Hideyoshi is here to see you."
"Lord Hideyoshi?" Hisa asks, feeling confused. What on earth could her father-in-law have to discuss with her? Ancient custom dictates that, as the wife of his son, she should be beneath his notice. Whatever the reason for this impromptu visit, Hisa knows that it cannot be good; Hideyoshi is a tyrant, who never has anything positive to say about anyone. Worry begins to catch hold of the woman, combining with the nearly overwhelming fear of Hideyoshi that she has always had. Her heart begins to pound, her breathing hitches, and her soft white hands start to tremble.
"Mother?" Next to her, Hinata looks like a small, frightened rabbit.
Hisa pulls herself together for her daughter's sake. Feigning a strength that she does not have, she glances over her shoulder at her eldest child and gives her a small smile. "Hinata, my love, your esteemed grandfather would like to have a word with me. Hopefully, I will not take up too much of his valuable time! Would you please go into the next room and sit with Hanabi for a moment?"
Hinata nods, and pulls herself to her feet, nearly tripping on the hem of her pretty kimono. Remembering her manners- so very important, these- the little girl bows to her mother. Then she walks across the long, open room like a ghost and slips through another shoji door into an antechamber. Only after she's pulled it shut with a faint click does Hisa turn back toward the maid. She smooths her hair and adjusts her kimono, brushing out a wrinkle. Then, at Kiyone's approving nod, she tucks her shaking hands into her long sleeves, squares her narrow shoulders and swallows hard. "Please, send him in."
The maid bows once more- glad that she is not in her mistress's place, about to be interviewed by the clan head- and turns back toward the closed door, intent on announcing to the man waiting outside that he may now enter. The formal words have scarcely left her lips, and the door barely opened, when Hideyoshi strides in, completely ignoring the hapless woman. The hurried way he moves and the dark energy that seems to follow him make Hisa think of a typhoon rolling into an otherwise peaceful valley.
For a man, Hideyoshi is not tall; Hisa does not know his exact height, cannot remember if he has shrunk with his age, but knows that he only has a few inches on her. Even so, the man is powerfully built, barrel-chested and thick-necked, and he carries himself well. Hideyoshi's skin is of a darker complexion than most Hyuga, and his white eyes are rumored to have been the most powerful the family has ever seen. He is a fine man to look at, even now that he is a grandfather. Hitomi would not call him handsome though. The man's face is too stern, and his wide mouth is always frowning, something she is beginning to see more and more of in his son, Hiashi.
Oh, Hiashi. Hisa has not seen her husband since before Hanabi's birth one week ago. Word had it that he had visited their small daughter in the nursery, and the gossipy servants, when questioned, had said that he had seemed pleased by the child. So why had he not come to visit his wife formally, as custom dictated? And, if something important had kept him away, why hasn't he come to her now and apologized for his absence? Or at least written her? His unexplained absence is like a wound to Hisa's heart, open and slowly festering.
"My Lady." Hideyoshi's deep, gravely voice draws her back to the business at hand. He does not bow, and Hisa is unsure what to make of the missing gesture. Sure, the man outranks her, but some courtesies are not to be skipped. She sketches her own bow in reply, placing her dainty fingertips upon the tatami before her and dropping her shiny head low. When she raises her eyes a few heartbeats later, peering through her thick lashes- it would be bad manners to look directly at the man- she finds that Hideyoshi is still standing, still watching her. It is unnerving.
"Would you care to sit, my Lord?" Hisa glances toward her maid, making sure that Kiyone is pulling another floor cushion from the hidden closet. As usual, the servant has read her mind, and is already bringing over a plush, deep burgundy one. It is, of course, the best one that Hisa owns, and she hopes that her father-in-law will find it pleasing. His next words make it quite clear that he does not, and they send Kiyone scurrying to discreetly return the cushion to its cubby.
"When I want to sit, I will tell you."
"Of course. Would you care for tea? Or sake?" Tradition demands that you should always offer refreshments to your guests, even if they are unwanted. Hisa is a most devout follower of tradition, having been brought up to it and, anyway, her throat is so dry that she fears she will be unable to hold a conversation. How is it, she asks herself, that other people manage this man? Her mother-in-law, Masako, for instance? Or the clan elders that Hideyoshi sees day after day? Or even her husband? How do they manage it, when she herself is so terribly afraid?
"No," Hideyoshi says rather abruptly, looking around the room. His sharp eyes seem to appraise everything, from the value of the hand painted scroll hanging in the alcove to the clothing that Hisa and her maid wear. Everything is first-rate, of the best quality available, and nothing can be considered ostentatious. And it has all been purchased with the monthly stipend she receives from her husband. Hisa has not wasted a cent, or begged for additional funds as some wives are prone to do. That should please the man, but he says nothing, except, "I am not thirsty."
"Hungry, perhaps?"
"No."
A silence falls upon the room, and neither one notices the door at the far end slide open the smallest crack, nor do they see the pale eyes that peer through. Hinata, although scared of her grandfather, is curious.
"Would you mind then, if I drank?" Hisa is mortified to have to beg the man's indulgence, to show him weakness, but she will be so embarrassed if her voice cracks. Praying that the man will not refuse her request, she looks over to see that Kiyone is lighting the brazier and making ready to boil the small green leaves. Thank goodness Hisa's parched throat will soon have some relief. And perhaps she can convince her father-in-law to change his mind, and they can sit through the calming ritual of the tea ceremony together. She cannot help but think that Hideyoshi looks as though he could use some calming.
"Do as you wish."
A moment later, Kiyone lifts the teapot away from the brazier with a hand towel and carries it over, kneeling next to her mistress and pouring the tea gracefully into the small, matching ceramic cup. There is a moment where the steam rises upward, making patterns in the air and carrying the soothing scent to Hisa's delicate nose, and then the rare porcelain cracks all the way up the side, and the dark liquid gushes out. It pools on the plate underneath and then slowly drips to the floor while the maid tries valiantly to keep it from soaking into the tatami. "I'm sorry, my Lady, I'm so sorry..."
It is the worst omen possible and, to the members of what may be Konoha's most superstitious clan, it carries great weight. From behind the shoji door, Hinata covers her tiny mouth with her hands to stop herself from gasping out loud and revealing her presence. In the center of the room, Hisa pales even further, and her eyes shoot rudely up to her father-in-law's face to see what his opinion is. She is shocked beyond belief to see Hideyoshi smiling. It is a dark, feral smile and it makes the blood chill.
What is it he wants?
Without further preamble, Hideyoshi reaches into his kimono at the waist, and pulls forth some sort of cylinder; After a moment's observation, Hisa realizes that it is a rolled-up scroll, one that does not seem to bear a signet. Before she can get a better look, however, Hideyoshi tosses the parchment to the pale green mats in front of her. It bounces slightly, one of the corners flapping opening, and comes to rest against her covered knee. Trembling, Hisa takes it up into her hands, but does not open it. "My Lord?"
Hideyoshi shifts slightly, spreading his feet and bending lightly at the knees as though he is about to do battle. Hisa's shock over the broken cup has been tempered by the mystery that is the scroll, and she now remembers her manners and casts her eyes back down to the floor. And that is probably a good thing, least she see the triumphant gloating across the old man's face. "Hisa Hyuga, the clan elders and I have discussed this manner at some length, and we feel you have not lived up to your duties as the family's first lady. Ten years you have been married to my son, and in that time you have not produced an adequate heir."
Hisa cannot believe the man's words; She has not produced an adequate heir? There are two in the next room! Her hand tightens around the scroll- she knows what the horrible thing is, now- knuckles whitening. Shock takes away the natural reserve she has against speaking to those ranked higher than herself. "What does this mean? What are you saying?" Her throat is so dry that her voice is nothing more than an unrecognizable whisper.
Hideyoshi does not answer her questions, just continues on. "Furthermore, I have spoken with your physician, and he says that there will be no more children forthcoming."
Her doctor told him this? Patient confidentiality aside, why would the man choose to lie to Hideyoshi, when he had told her she was still fertile just the other day? Hisa can feel the bile rise in her gorge as she realizes that the man, and perhaps the whole team of physicians, were spies all along. She should never have listened to Masako, should have seen someone from the village hospital instead. "The doctor lied to you, my Lord; Hiashi and I are still capable of having more children. And anyway, Hinata is the heir."
Hideyoshi snorts and looks skyward for a moment, as if asking the gods to give the foolish woman before him some common sense. Then he levels his piercing white gaze at her. "What would you rather have said, Madam, that you are now barren, or that your husband won't touch you? Yes, I know the truth. I know about the scarring, about how irregular your courses are becoming, and about how little Hiashi goes to your bed. And I know that we don't have another five or ten years to wait for another brat. You choose what will be said, for I don't care. And as to Hinata, we are unimpressed with her progress."
Oh, my poor, poor baby.
Hisa knows what is coming next, for it is not exactly without precedent. The clan has been around a long time, after all, and more than once a barren or difficult woman was forced to step aside and allow another to take her place. Sometimes the change was even violent, resulting in the death of one or more parties. Hisa cannot imagine fighting Hiashi, and she is certain there is no one else in his life, but she knows just the same that Hideyoshi's intent is for her to be stripped of her title, all because she has failed to birth a boy. Hisa suddenly has a vision of a future without herself, wherein Hinata and Hanabi are marked with the curse seal and turned into little more than pawns. It is the most frightening thing she can think of.
Inside the small, darkened antechamber, Hinata bites her lip in an effort to keep from crying out loud. Although she does not understand every word being said between the adults, she knows instinctively that this whole situation is wrong. Her grandfather should not be here, in the women's quarters, saying these things that are so obviously upsetting her mother. And why are they talking about her? She is certain that she has not done anything wrong, so why does her name keep coming up?
Knowing that he has pressed Hisa into a corner, Hideyoshi lays out the terms for her agreement. "What you hold in you hand is a scroll containing all the documents necessary for a divorce. If you consent, we will give you an allowance equal to half of what you currently receive, plus your own residence on the other side of the village; your current staff will be allowed to stay with you. You will become a branch member, and undergo the sealing. After a new heir has been produced your children will be returned to you, and you may raise them as you see fit. All you need to do is sign."
This is the most ridiculous thing that Hisa has ever heard. Her ordained marriage shall be casually dissolved, and herself made into a scapegoat to hide the real reason? Her darling girls, perfect successors to the Hyuga name, shall be disowned and later returned to her, as though they are on loan? Anger courses throughout Hisa's veins, an unfamiliar feeling that causes her cheeks to flame and her eyes to tear. Desperate to defy her father-in-law and the destiny he is attempting to force upon her, she seizes upon the only hope that she has."Has Lord Hiashi seen this?"
Hideyoshi narrows his eyes. If he is truly surprised by her dissent, he gives no indication. "He saw an earlier form of the document, yes."
Hisa ignores the first wet trail that courses down her cheek. She takes a deep breath, attempting to sound calm. "But not this one? My husband, he didn't see this document?"
Hideyoshi frowns and takes a step forward, coming within arm's reach of the woman. He is not above trying to intimidate her physically. Not now, when the dried-up bitch is standing in the way of securing the family's legacy. Hideyoshi knows that they need this divorce, need this woman gone from their lives. He is confident that he can get Hiashi to agree to what has been written inside the scroll. After all, Hiashi isn't in love with Hisa now- Hideyoshi doubts that he ever was- and the man's sense of familial duty will do the rest. "What does it matter? He will agree to the terms outlined here, as they are more than fair."
Hisa persists with her argument, though she knows not from where she gets the strength to do so. It must be the thought of her innocent, helpless babies in the next room, little Hinata and the newborn Hanabi. If she does not stand up for them, play this mind-game with this evil old man who is bent upon their destruction, who will? Knowing Hideyoshi's reputation, she doubts that anyone will be brave enough to take her girls' side. "Please excuse me, I'm sorry Lord, but I'm not sure I understand. Lord Hiashi has not looked over this document? It does not bear his seal, or his signature?"
"No, my Lady." Hideyoshi's voice is laced with sarcasm, and he is at a loss. He'd never imagined that Hisa would put up this much resistance.
Hisa rolls the offending scroll back up, holds it out to her father-in-law in her right hand; He does not move forward to take it. Meanwhile, as evidence of her nervousness, her left hand rests upon her thighs, a small white fist wrinkling the material of her kimono. "Then it is not official. If my Lord Husband truly wishes for a divorce, he may come see me himself. I will not be sent away from my husband and my children when it is so obviously my responsibility, no, my destiny to stay here and see to their care. Did your own astrologers not prophesize our union, even before my birth? Have I not birthed fine children, just as they said?"
"Perhaps they did prophesize it, but it was all a load of superstitious horseshit," Hideyoshi snarls, glaring down at her. "It was foolishness, all of it, and I merely played along because it was convient to do so. My son needed a wife, someone to give me grandchildren, and a bunch of doddering idiots thought you would be a good choice. You are no more special than any other woman born into this family; Prettier, perhaps, but only two out of your five pregnancies have even made it to term. That's nothing to be proud of, a failing grade. Certainly, another woman could do better."
In the next room, Hanabi begins to cry lustily.
Hideyoshi continues, raising his voice to be heard over the noise. "And if you refuse these provisos, the next offer you get will not be half so good."
It is a threat, hardly veiled, and Hisa is absolutely terrified of what this man could do to her. All the old stories come to the forefront of her mind- how many people has her father-in-law killed?- but the wailing of her daughter reminds Hisa what she is fighting for, and she knows that she cannot back down. Not now, not ever. "That as it may be, I'm going to have to refuse. No, Lord Hideyoshi, please excuse me, but I will not be consenting to the divorce. And that's final." Her voice quavers at the end, but he does not appear to have heard it.
Hideyoshi is so angry he is shaking, and as Hisa lowers herself into her bow he raises his fist-
Hinata gasps loudly, although she cannot be heard over the sound of her baby sister who is lying in the cradle behind her. She pushes the shoji door even further open, and takes a step into the room, scared to death of drawing attention to herself but more afraid of seeing her mother being beaten. Her gentle mother who- unlike her- is not a ninja and never has been, who probably has never been struck in her life. "Stop... Please!"
At that moment, the hallway door opens again, and Hiashi is standing there, stern faced and angry that the paperwork he was attending to has been so interrupted. "What is going on in here?"
Alright, this was getting very long, so the rest of this part of the story will be included in a future chapter. It will probably focus more on Hiashi's side of the story, as we haven't really heard from him yet. Unlike a lot of authors, I don't believe he's evil, just conflicted. Thanks for reading!