Chapter Fifteen: In the Misty Morning

"I'm not quite sure I understand," Kusumina said with a frown. "How could Aunt Hanabi support your challenge openly and without any issue, while Uncle Neji had to start his own family before he was allowed to support you?"

Hinata neatly fitted a small stack of casual slacks into one corner of the suitcase. "That... is one of the advantages of being a young Hyuga," she told her daughter with a small smile. "You've never learned to identify the members of your clan as 'Head' or 'Branch' you see us all as just Hyuga… Anyway… back then… in the early days of the clan, it was decided that at the very least, two Head members and two Branch members needed to support the challenger. The two Branch members could not be from the challenger's family in order to prevent a single Head family from making a single push for the leadership of the Hyuga."

"But even though he was married to Aunt Tenten… Uncle Neji is your cousin!"

Hinata's smile faltered a little. "True... Very true… Technically, while the form of my challenge was correct… it was extremely shaky. I was relying on the very broadest interpretation of the form of the challenge" She thought for a moment and shrugged. "Your father was concerned that there was considerable risk that your grandfather wouldn't even accept my challenge." The head of the Hyuga clan struggled to close her suitcase."But I knew better… To see his entire family united against him like that, Father was personally honor bound to squash any defiance to his authority."

"But weren't you scared?"

"Terrified," Hinata admitted, trying to close her suitcase and failing. "But you see Kusumina…" She stopped struggling with the valise and straightened. "The Hyuga are firm believers in tradition and destiny. Tradition can be very helpful when it comes to helping people live their lives in a way that is harmonious with others… but when wielded by unscrupulous people, it can also bind you with chains, and blind you to other options you might have… Here," she said, patting the top of the suitcase. "Sit on this for me please? Maybe that will help close it." As Kusumina climbed up, Hinata gently touched her daughter's cheek to get her attention. "The lesson I want you to remember Kusumina, it one about destiny… People would like you to think that destiny is set in stone… but personally… I believe that the future built out of the things you put your effort into in the present… Destiny can evolve." She smiled. "So yes… I was scared… But I knew that what I wanted was for my destiny to be entwined with your father's… and I was willing to do whatever it took to make that come about."

"So what happened next, Mother?" asked Kusumina. She bounced a few times on the suitcase to force it closed just a little bit more.

Hinata strained and forced the zipper around. "Well, your father and I were really busy after the clan accepted our marriage proposal, but we still made time for each other." She moved to the second suitcase. "Could you sit on this one as well please?" Grinning, Kusumina obliged. "A year later we were married. A year after that Naruto became the Sixth Hokage and when we found out that we were going to have Hishyota, we moved into this house." Hinata managed to close the second suitcase as well. "Two years later, I became the head of the Hyuga clan officially, and then you and Jiraiya were born." Hinata smiled grimly. "That was a very busy set of years for us… Sometimes… I'm amazed we survived."

Hinata picked up the first suitcase and motioned to the other. "Could you help me bring them both?"

"I know what happened to Honan-san, I remember meeting him from the past clan meetings, but I don't remember hearing about Junko-san before." Kusumina grabbed the suitcase and pulled it off the bed. It hit the floor with a loud thump. "How come nobody ever talks about her?"

Hinata pursed her lips. "She never came to another clan meeting. Rumor had it that after she lost face like that, she became a complete recluse, refusing to see anyone except for her son and her own personal physician. Mikio began to handle all of the family business and representing all their interests. It was for the best. Many in the Head families held a grudge against her for her attempted power grab." Hinata dragged the suitcase out into the hallway and pulled it down the stairs one at a time, thump thump thump.

"None of her former 'Branch' families wanted anything to do with her either. It was a hard time for her house, but Mikio was a fair if not uninspiring businessman and eventually he built their business back up." Hinata watched as Kusumina pulled the other suitcase down. "A year after you and your brother were born, Mikio announced at the clan gathering that his mother had passed away after a long illness. We all made a public show of mourning her, but to be perfectly honest, I think that many were glad to see her go."

"Hey!" called Naruto from the kitchen, "I'm glad you finally made it downstairs! What took you so long?"

Hinata and Kusumina pulled the cases into the front hallway and then headed into the kitchen. Hinata walked over to Naruto and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I was just telling stories while Kusumina was helping me pack."

Naruto seated her. Sasuko padded over holding a plate piled high with blueberry pancakes. "Mommy! Daddy said Jiraiya and me couldn't eat these because he wanted to save them for you!"

"Thank you Sasuko! You did such a good job carrying those," said Hinata proudly.

"I helped make them!" chirped Sasuko, grinning from ear to ear and picking at a suspicious purple stain that dribbled from one nostril. "Eat up Mommy!"

Hinata took a bite, "Mmm! Delicious!" She smiled at Sasuko and ruffled his hair.

Hishyota clomped down from upstairs and headed straight towards the door. "Bye Mom! Bye Dad! I'm heading out!"

"Hey Hey Hey!" called Naruto," Get back here and eat breakfast with your family! Your mother is leaving today, remember?"

Hishyota hesitated and sighed. She turned and sat down at the table. "Do I have to? I wanted to get a little training in before I left for the mission today." Her eyes never rose to meet anyone else's. "I'm not that hungry. Plus, it's hard to train on a full stomach."

"Please Onee-san! Please just try some of them?" begged Sasuko. "Dad and me made them especially for everyone! You can't let Jiraiya eat them all!"

"Yesh she can," said Jiraiya around a mouthful of pancakes. He swallowed. "They're pretty good this time."

Hishyota rolled her eyes at Jiraiya, but grudgingly nodded to Sasuko. "Okay, you can get me a couple."

"Yay!" cheered Sasuko. He jumped up and grabbed a plate. Naruto slapped a small stack of pancakes on the the plate, and Sasuko turned and ran back to Hishyota. With a clumsy flourish he slid the plate in front of her.

Sasuko stared at her bouncing as she tried a bite. "Well? Are they good?"

"Delicious," said Hishyota, genuinely surprised at how good they were. Sasuko did a little happy dance.

"So what kind of stories were you talking about?" asked Naruto, flipping the next batch of pancakes on the stove.

Kusumina giggled. "Stories about you, Father!"

Naruto sighed. "Please… just tell me it wasn't the one about the Konoha Sports Festival again... I will never live that down," he grumbled.

"No! Mother was telling me about how she confessed her love to you, and your first date, and how she had to challenge Grandfather in order for the pair of you to get married. She even told me about that time that you serenaded her at her bedroom window," Kusumina sighed dreamily, "that was so romantic!"

Naruto fumbled the pancake he was flipping. It landed with a splat on the floor "Really? She told you that one did she?" He shot a worried glance at his wife who was staring innocently into her tea. "She told you... everything about when we were dating? I hope that she didn't bore you too much with all the... little romantic details?"

"Well she did tell me a little about your first kiss on the canal bridge and how it..."

"Hey-Hey! Woah there!" said Jiraiya, holding up his hands for silence. "I'm trying to eat. No pervy talk involving Mom and Dad allowed at the breakfast table unless you want me to be sick."

"Pervy?!" exclaimed Kusumina affronted. "I'll have you know that Mother and Father had one of the purest, most noble romances that the village of Konoha has ever known!"

"Really?" asked Hishyota through a mouthful of pancakes.

"Really?" asked Jiraiya, his voice dripping with suspicion.

"Really?" asked Naruto with genuine surprise.

"What's a 'romance'?" asked Sasuko.

"Really! Mother loved loved Father for so long. Always from afar and in secret, until she finally risked her life to try to save him." Kusumina sniffed a little. "And how Father finally returned her vow of true love when he serenaded her at her bedroom window after he went out to bring back Uncle Sasuke and everyone thought that he was dead."

Jiraiya grinned at Naruto's obvious discomfort. "And pray tell, what happened next?"

"Well, after he sang the most beautiful song that mother ever heard, he climbed up to Mother at her bedroom window to leave her with a kiss and a single red rose before vanishing into the night..." Kusumina wiped away a single tear and sighed. "Oh that just melts my heart."

"A single red rose and a kiss?" asked Jiraiya his voice full of doubt.

"Yes! That is exactly how it happened!" said Naruto shaking his spatula emphatically and with great relief.

"A single red rose and a kiss? Are you sure there wasn't ramen involved?" asked Hishyota. Hinata giggled.

"I find it very hard to believe that the inventor of the sexy jutsu would leave things with just a flower and a kiss," muttered Jiraiya.

"Believe it or not, that is the honest to goodness truth," said Naruto waving the spatula around. "I want all of you to remember that relationships can be just as fun and meaningful when you avoid the physical side of things."

"And I suppose that's what you and Mom were doing in the shower yesterday morning? Avoiding the physical side of things?" asked Jiraiya sarcastically.

"Nope!" said Naruto putting a hand on Hinata's shoulder and grinning proudly. "Once you are married, anything goes!" He waved a hand at Jiraiya and Kusumina. "As a matter of fact, we're pretty sure that the pair of you were a result of one such encounter in the shower!"

An uncomfortable silence settled over the table. "Naruto!" admonished Hinata.

Jiraiya pushed himself away from the table. "Okay... I have officially lost my appetite… and I'm never using the shower again."

"Can I have your pancakes then?" asked Hishyota with her mouth full. Jiraiya nudged his plate over.

"It looks like you were hungry after all," said Hinata smiling.

"I'm never going to kiss my wife. I think girls are icky," said Sasuko.

"Sasuko!" admonished Naruto. "Why would you say that?"

"Well Aki says that boys shouldn't play with girls because they are all mean and have cooties and make you play dumb games like house all the time." Sasuko frowned grouchily. "I don't want to play house."

"Really?" asked Kusumina. "I'm a girl. Does that make me icky?"

Sasuko shook his head. "Nuh-uh. You and Mommy are nice. And so is Hishyota."

"You like the Uchihas. Don't you Sasuko?" asked Hinata.

Sasuko screwed up his face in thought. "Well, Aunt Sakura is nice, and Hana is nice sometimes... although most of the time she tries to be scary. Chyrio always comes up with fun games to play with her chipmunks." He tilted his head for a second and nodded once. "Actually, Kichiko says that not all girls are icky. He says that some girls are nice and some are mean just like some boys are nice and some are mean."

Hinata smiled at Sasuko. "Kichiko-kun sounds like he is very smart. Where did you meet him?"

"Oh, He's always been around Mommy! It's just that I never noticed him until now!"

"Kichiko is Sasuko's new friend. They were playing with blocks this morning," said Naruto leaning forward and lowering his voice. "Kichiko is invisible so no one can see him." He winked at Hinata.

Hinata ruffled Sasuko's hair. "So, what sort of games do you and Kichiko play?"

Sasuko grinned. "Dad's going to help us build a fort!" he said excitedly. "Kichiko says we need a secret hiding place to escape from the bad guys!"

Hinata's smile slipped a little. "Which bad guys are these?"

"You remember Mommy! The ones from my dream last night!"

"Hey, Sasuko could you get me some more of the pancakes?" asked Hishyota coming up for air.

Happily, Sasko bounded up from the table and ran over to his Father. Naruto glanced back at Hishyota. "You are just like your old man, a bottomless pit with legs." Hishyota stuck out her tongue at him and gave a half smile. He piled a small stack of pancakes on a plate and handed them off to Sasuko.

"Waiter Sasuko has your order Miss!" He said holding the plate high. He pranced back to the kitchen table. In his excitement he stumbled and tripped over his own feet. The dish went tumbling to the floor, so did Sasuko.

Hinata scooped him up as he wailed. "What's the matter little one? Did you hurt yourself?"

"I dropped Hishyota's pancakes!" he sobbed.

"It's okay buddy!" called Naruto. "I can always make her more. See?" He poured batter in the skillet and watched it sizzle.

Hinata kissed Sasuko's forehead to calm him down. "Sweetheart you'll have to be more careful today. You are really tired after being up in the night."

"Sasuko was awake in the night?" asked Kusumina. "What happened?"

"What's the matter? Did the little baby have a bad dream?" teased Jiraiya.

Hinata frowned at him. "Jiraiya Uzumaki-Hyuga! You've already lost one day's allowance this morning. Would you like to lose another?"

Jiraiya looked down at the table. "No Mother," he said meekly.

"Do you want to talk about your bad dream Sasuko?" asked Naruto. "Sometimes talking about them makes a scary dream seem not so scary anymore."

"Naruto, I don't think that..." started Hinata.

"It was super scary Daddy!" said Sasuko animatedly. "I dreamed that the whole village was on fire, and people were yelling and screaming."

Kusumina made a small, sympathetic noise. "That sounds like it was really frightening."

Sasuko nodded "Uh-huh, and then there were these bad guy ninjas looking in the window. They were trying to get me. So I had to go hide."

"Where did you hide?" prompted Hishyota. "Under the bed?"

Sasuko gave her a skeptical look. "You don't hide under the bed. Everyone looks under the bed. I didn't have anywhere to hide. That's why Daddy's going to make me a big fort to hide in!" He said proudly. "And Kichiko and me are going to help!"

"Okay Hishyota's pancakes are done," called Naruto flipping them onto a plate one by one. "Remember to take it to your sister nice and easy now."

"Okay Daddy!" Sasuko took the plate and walked very carefully over to Hishyota. "Here you are Onee-san!"

"Thank you Sasuko, I think you're doing a great job being a waiter today." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and began to cut up her breakfast.

"Do you want to hear the really weird part about my dream?" Sasuko looked around at his family conspiratorially.

"Weirder than hiding in a big box built by an invisible friend to escape detection from enemy shinobi?" asked Jiraiya picking his teeth. "This ought to be good."

Sasuko frowned grouchily at him. "The really weird part was that the bad guys weren't wearing any headbands at all!" He leaned forward. "It's like they didn't come from any village!"

Hishyota shrugged and kept on eating. "That's not unheard of. There are rogue-nin, missing-nin, bandit clans... Lots of bad guys don't have a designated village."

"Oh," said Sasuko quietly, "are there any bad guys that wrap their head with black scarves?" There was a sharp ringing sound as Hishyota's fork slipped from her fingers.

"Sasuko where did you hear about those ninjas?" asked Kusumina. She turned and glared at Jiraiya. "Has your brother been trying to scare you again?"

Jiraiya held up his hands. "Dude, it was totally not me."

Sasuko stood there with a worried look on his face, suddenly shy to be the focus of attention from his whole family. "Nobody told me about them. I don't even know who they are. They were just the bad guys in my dream," he said simply. He looked over at Hishyota. "Onee-san? Are those pancakes yucky? You stopped eating."

Hishyota stared, glassy eyed at her plate. Hinata reached across the table and shook her shoulder. "Hishyota?" she asked quietly. "Are you well?"

Hishyota had a small start and looked up. She gave a tiny shake of her head. "I'll be fine mom. I'll be fine." She picked up her fork and began to eat mechanically.

"So you still like the pancakes then Onee-san?" asked Sasuko worriedly.

Hishyota swallowed dryly. Breakfast now tasted like ashes. She forced herself to smile. "Oh yeah," she said, "It's all... delicious."