Tsunade was still chuckling over her easy bet with Shizune and was already contemplating how to spend her free days once she won. The duo rounded the corner and the Hokage noted the rather large crowd with a shake of her head.
"You'd think they'd been off on an 'S' ranked mission with this kind of reception waiting for them." The blond muttered to her assistant even as she nodded to her guards.
Shizune looked around and shrugged. "Mostly family, it's only to be expected. The clan was worried about the Lady Hinata after that attack by the Cloud assassins here in Konoha."
Tsunade looked around, counting noses. "Hmph. You're right. There's Hiashi with Anko beside him. I'll bet she can't wait to get away from the boring, dull Hyuuga." She nudged her assistant in a not-so-subtle manner.
The younger kunoichi sidestepped the more heavy jabs, grimacing slightly. "We already have a bet."
"Double or nothing?" Tsunade looked sly as she cut her eyes to Anko's brooding face and Hiashi's normal stoic appearance.
Shizune caught her breath. Dare she? She'd not informed the Hokage of the affair between the two that she'd learned about while sneaking moments alone with Ibiki. Would it be unethical? Yes. Probably. She sighed.
"You cover for me at the office and with the council meetings for a full month if I win. And if by some small chance I lose, I'll buy the …the …oh, what was it you were looking into just yesterday." Tsunade looked bewildered for a moment.
"Flowers." Shizune answered, having no intention of taking advantage of her insider knowledge.
"BET!" Tsunade crowed.
Shizune looked startled. "I was just telling you what it was I was looking at, not making a wager!"
"Too late!" The Hokage cried out happily, slapping her assistant jovially on the back in such a manner that Shizune nearly fell on her face. "You supplied what it was you wanted if you won, so it's a BET! Don't want to weasel out of it do you? Coward."
Torn, Shizune stared at her companion and sensei, friend and leader. A woman who would stick her with all the paperwork no matter the outcome of the bet. "Fine." She muttered. "It's a bet."
"Sucker!" Tsunade crowed happily. "Oh look, there they come." So saying, the Hokage grabbed her assistant's arm and dragged her haplessly forward to meet the group before they could near the Hyuuga main gates.
o.O.o.O.o.O
One moment she was alone, and the next Gaara was standing next to her.
"Show off." Hanabi whispered, annoyed he could sneak up on her so easily. She'd been expecting him, but still hadn't sensed his presence until he wished it.
The red-head shrugged, unrepentant. "I know for a fact that your chakra signature did not come within 100 meters of my room last night."
"So?" The young Hyuuga suppressed a smile of victory.
"Did you use an accomplice?" Gaara asked, his voice even and calm.
Hanabi shook her head. "I don't cheat."
He scoffed.
"Much." She amended with a soft grin. "But no, not this time. No one but me."
Gaara shook his head sadly. "It's probably not complicated, a simple answer."
"Yet one you don't know." Hanabi grinned outright now, drawing a look from Ibiki. She waved at the ANBU division leader as his eyes widened at the sight of Suna's Kazekage.
The red-head ignored Ibiki's shocked and sympathetic look. He even ignored the older shinobi mouthing the words "No war" to the young genin at his side. Or had it been 'no more'? It was hard to tell the difference from this distance. Either way, Gaara was sure, that it was advice Hanabi had no intention of heeding.
Hiashi straightened slightly as he watched the Hokage intercept his daughter's group before they could return home. Outwardly, that was the only sign of his impatience.
Anko grinned and patted his elbow comfortingly. "It was an official mission they were on, even if it was Hyuuga business. She has the right to meet up with them first and get a report."
The Hyuuga leader sighed and shook his head, wondering how the woman could read him so unerringly when no one else seemed to be able to do so. "If you were my rival in any way, I'd be doomed."
"And never forget that, trout." Anko said loudly, yawning so widely her jaw creaked.
Suddenly worried, Hiashi looked down at the spiky haired woman at his side. "Are you well enough to be out here? The wind is cutting and cold. Perhaps you should …." He paused and put a finger on the hand she was using to press a kunai against his ribs. "Perhaps you should put that away while I try and keep from giving advice where it's not wanted."
"Not needed." She amended, this time her voice a whisper. Anko winced slightly as her own words betrayed her. She really didn't need advice, but that didn't mean it wasn't wanted. From him.
Catching the small verbal misstep, Hiashi twitched his lips to keep from gloating. In order to keep the kunoichi from reading his smugness at her small confession, he looked around to make sure everything was in order.
He nodded to see the Hyuuga elder council members standing to one side. In front of them was Neji and his betrothed. Hiashi took a moment of pleasure to see his nephew looking so hale and healthy. He'd made a right decision there, Hiashi patted himself on the back mentally as he watched the two. Neither Neji nor Yugao were inappropriate, but the way they looked at each other, the way the stood together, it screamed of a solid pairing.
Some of his servants had even come out of the house in order to watch Hinata's return. Knowing that these family retainers had helped raise his daughter, some of the older ones had even had helped raise him, Hiashi did not order them to return to their positions.
Yet …he paused. Some eyes weren't on the group now speaking with the Hokage. What were they looking …oh. Hiashi's eyes widened slightly, then he fought the grin that threatened to take over his face. He nudged Anko slightly.
The spiky-haired woman looked up at him, then followed his line of sight. She didn't bother to mask her amusement. "Saw him when he arrived. Color's good on him. The blue was better though."
Hiashi sighed and turned his attention away from the green and purple splatters that covered the bottom part of Gaara's cheek, chin and one hand. The Kazekage was getting a first hand look at what had kept Hiashi from betrothing his youngest child before now. He had instinctively known that he needed a strong man to marry this precocious child of his. Maybe, just maybe, this young red-head could handle the task.
Hiashi grinned, that is, if the lad survived the courtship. Or was that non-courtship? It was all so very confusing actually.
o.O.o.O.o.O.
Tsunade blinked and pale-lilac eyes blinked back at her. She blinked again, and so did he. He?
"Who is that?" She asked bluntly, pointing a finger down at Katashi. "I was under the impression that this mysterious hermit uncle was a relative of yours on your mother's side of the family. But this kid is most definitely a Hyuuga. Anyone care to tender an explanation to a confused Hokage?"
Juroken shivered, though not from the rather chilly wind. This woman reeked of power and …and …he didn't think he could make any argument about a woman's place in the world anymore. Not after meeting the Lady Hokage. She was obviously in charge, and obviously dangerous.
"Now, wait a minute." Kankuro started, only to be cut off by one sharp gesture from Tsunade.
"Temari?" Tsunade barked. "As team leader, report."
The blond looked around at their open surroundings and eager on-lookers, then cocked an eyebrow at the Hokage. "Here?"
The Hokage too had just noted that they weren't in her office and that Lord Hiashi was probably going to need to be in on any and all explanations. Was the kid Hajime's? Had the jounin managed to father a child with the Byakugan despite the branch family curse seal to prohibit just such an event? Or were the eyes cosmetic only?
Hinata coughed lightly to get attention, then blushed as attention was given to her. All eyes turned on her. She froze a moment, then felt Kankuro put his hand on her shoulder in support. Able to breath again, she spoke up. "Perhaps we can re..retire to the Hyuuga compound? There is much to tell you all. For now, may I make kn..known to you my younger brother, Hyuuga Katashi."
"Indeed." Hissed Tsunade, shocked as everyone stared at the purple-haired woman in stunned disbelief.
Hinata stood tall, blushing furiously, but not backing down. She'd just claimed Katashi as a kinsman and a Hyuuga in front of their village's Hokage.
Shino's hand shook once, then stilled. He prayed Hinata knew what she was about. Hiashi hadn't even learned of Katashi's existence yet, much less had a chance to consider whether or not to claim the boy as a true Hyuuga. His teammate, however, had just acknowledged the child's claim on the clan lineage and by naming him 'brother' she'd …oh hell, what had she done?
The Aburame heir shot a glance at Kankuro, but the puppeteer looked just as stunned as everyone else. So. She'd not discussed this move with her spouse first? Interesting. Yet, from the mule stubborn look on her face, it had not been a spur of the moment utterance. Hinata had been planning this. A slight touch on his sleeve had him looking over at Temari. The blond was hiding her anxiety well, but she couldn't conceal her unease from him, much less his kikai.
Shino drew in a deep breath, his body reacting to her nearness despite the tension in the group. He'd wanted to sneak away with her from the moment they'd entered the main gates of the village. The mission was over, yah? But, honor demanded he wait, though. Temari couldn't leave without offering a formal report. And without Temari, sneaking away was a moot point.
o.O.o.O.o.O
Hiashi was grateful to his daughter for refusing to report to the Hokage in public. Not only to keep things private, but as he escorted everyone into his home, it also gave him a chance to let his shock abate enough to think logically.
A Hyuuga. Roughly between the ages of six and nine, he'd estimate. Not Misyu's then. Hajime's maybe? Or had Neji, no …even at five years ago Neji would have been too young. But Neji had managed to access the Byakugan despite the curse seal. Could one of the other branch family members have managed to sire a child, possibly an illegitimate one? Did the boy have the Byakugan? No, surely not. A bastard then, but …why was the child with Juroken? Hiashi's head started hurting before he'd even got the doors to his study open.
"All non-Hyuuga persons sh…should be dismissed." Hinata said in that shy, small voice of hers. Still, the words left no one unaware it was an order.
Astonished, Hiashi stared at his eldest child. She was still shy, and still …herself. Yet. Yet, there was something different about her. There was steel beneath that softness. Had it always been there and he'd missed it? Surely not.
"I need to hear Temari's report." Tsunade said plainly.
Hinata shook her head, blushing but determined. "What is reported must be discussed. This is Hyuuga business. You are Hokage of course, and Shizune may stay if you feel it to be necessary. I can tell you all that needs to be said. Temari can fill in her report later."
Unsure, Temari looked over at her brother, but he had eyes only for Hinata. The puppet ninja was grinning ear-to-ear as he watched his wife. She snorted lightly. He was a goner. If he didn't realize by now that he was in love with the woman he was married to, then he was three times a fool.
Tsunade contemplated Hinata a moment. She watched as the kunoichi blushed under her stare, but didn't break. "So be it. Shizune? Don't wander too far. Lady Hinata, may my assistant question the prisoner my guards now watch?"
The last was said almost mockingly, so Tsunade was a bit taken aback as Hinata shook her head immediately. "He is a Hyuuga prisoner for the moment. If I may ask that you wait on 'questioning' him until I give you my report?"
Hiashi was both proud and worried. Hinata was acting as a leader, but …what was it that had her so secretive?
At Tsunade's nod, Shizune got up to leave the room. So did Anko, Temari, Shino, Kiba, Gaara, Kankuro …and Katashi.
"No." Hinata stopped her husband from leaving. "You are part of this family now. With father's permission?"
Hiashi stirred at this. "So, now you finally remember who leads the family?" He asked dryly. "This is your report. Your call."
"Stay, pl…please?" Hinata asked Kankuro, her eyes almost begging. "He knows most of it already anyway." She said almost pleadingly to the Hokage, who gave her permission, all the while wondering what was going on. Tsunade had a feeling that this wasn't just about a branch family bastard.
The puppeteer nodded, sitting close enough to offer moral support without getting in her way.
"Uncle?" Hinata said softly, looking over at Juroken. "Please don't be offended. Yugao? Could you take my uncle to the library and keep him company?" She asked softly.
The old man stiffened. Company? Or guard? The hermit sighed, of course they weren't sure of him yet. Hadn't he raised Katashi in secret? Hadn't he been in league with Misyu, even if he'd been duped?
Neji looked over at his cousin and shook his head. "Yugao stays. She is nearly a Hyuuga now. We're betrothed."
"Congratulations!" Hinata smiled widely, her happiness overpowering her somber attitude for a moment. "I'm thrilled for you both."
"I'd like Mitarashi to stay, if you'll permit." Hiashi said almost sarcastically. "There are developments of which you are not yet aware. As you report, she may have some valuable insights. There were attacks here, Neji nearly died and Hanabi was injured."
Shocked, her stomach roiling at the thought of losing either her sister or her cousin, Hinata agreed to her father's request.
Everyone else left, but Kankuro snagged Katashi with one of his chakra strings to keep the boy in his seat. "Not you." He said, not unkindly.
Once everyone was gone and the doors shut, Hiashi turned to his daughter. "Well? Care to explain the boy?"
Kankuro waited to see how Hinata handled this, so he was shocked when she waved off the topic impatiently. "There is something more important to consider."
"Oh?" Tsunade asked pointedly. "Such as?"
Hinata sighed, but stood up gamely to give her report. "Misyu is dead, at my hand. I felt it necessary to kill him rather than return with him for reasons I will outline later. When we arrived at my uncle's house, we found Hajime and several hired men waiting for us. They were all dispatched. But not before Hajime betrayed the Hyuugas once more."
Hiashi's brows rose at this. "How?" He demanded.
"Father, this is Katashi. He has the Byakugan." Hinata told him bluntly. "Misyu and Hajime brought a man, the prisoner we returned with, to harvest his eyes and steal the secrets of the Byakugan. Hajime meant to take the Byakugan and rule the clan. His plan changed with me there, he meant to kill us both and use one of us to gain him the family traits, while the other …he was willing to sell the Hyuuga bloodline limit to our enemies."
"He's dead, I trust?" Neji said coldly.
Hinata nodded. She paused to catch her breath, but no one else spoke. Instinctively they all knew there was more to come.
"The medic, he calls himself Madoka, had also been involved in some …research." Hinata paused. "During my fight with Hajime, I activated the curse seal, hoping to end the battle quickly."
At this, Neji saw his cousin send him an apologetic look. Knowing she was sorry to bring up a such a touchy subject for him, he nodded. "Go on." He urged her almost gently.
Hinata gave him a look Neji couldn't identify. "Madoka had altered Hajime's curse seal. Instead of causing pain to the bearer, it reflected back on the user with three times the intensity. It knocked me flat, I'll admit. Luckily, my husband and Temari were around. But more importantly, I don't believe Madoka's assertions that he has not sold any information he garnered on the seal to our enemies."
Shocked, everyone just stared at her. Kankuro's hand found hers and she squeezed his palm, thankful he was there with her.
"I brought this man back with us." Hinata paused, gathering her courage. "I know the seal is unremovable. But I …"
Kankuro sensed his wife's courage wavering and he gave her hand a tug until her eyes found his. Reading his support from his gaze, Hinata looked back up at the others.
"I feel that the curse seal that Neji carries, very secretly, should be mirrored as well. This way, if this Madoka has sold the means to activate the curse seal to our enemies …"
"Then those enemies would be brought down by their own attempts to activate the seal." Tsunade said, a smile settling on her face. "Just think, a Cloud ninja thinking he has a secret weapon against Neji and activating it, only to feel the seal reflected back upon him. I love it."
Hinata chewed her bottom lip as she watched her father carefully. Anko too watched Hiashi, wondering at his reaction.
The Hyuuga clan leader groaned and shook his head. "It's a brilliant plan. But that is not a decision that I have a right to make, not anymore. Hinata, I have named Neji my heir. This business with Misyu has left me only too aware that I have been focusing too much on politics, and not enough on family. I've been offered a spot on the Konoha elder council."
Tsunade looked up sharply at that. "I didn't know that."
Hiashi sighed. "I've decided to turn down the position. Number one, I'm not that old."
"Damned straight." Anko sighed so only he could hear, or so she thought.
Lips twitching, Hiashi continued. "But it made me think. Neji and I have spoken at length and we have drafted an agreement that puts him in charge in two years. I shall retire and join the Hyuuga council."
"That's an ELDER council too." Tsunade pointed out ruthlessly.
"Not anymore." Neji laughed without much humor behind it. "Hiashi and I have sifted through everyone and we have decided that several need to step down. With him on the council, we …I …Hinata, I would like you to be a part of the council as well."
Hanabi looked confused by all of this. "Hey!"
Neji smirked at his young cousin. "Make jounin and we'll talk, brat."
Anko shook her head, surprised and yet not surprised. Hadn't she seen Hiashi brooding for a while now? Wondering what kind of leader he was to be mislead by someone for so long? "You sure about this?"
Hiashi shook his head. "No. But it's done, and I feel both unsure and yet also relieved."
Yugao was staring at Neji and his uncle. "You didn't tell me this."
"Don't be angry with him." Hiashi said quickly. "I insisted on utmost secrecy. We haven't informed several members of our current clan council that their services are no longer needed in that capacity."
Hanabi's mind was racing. When she'd interrupted, it wasn't to point out that she hadn't been invited into their stupid council. There was something far more important on her mind. "Would someone mind telling me WHO IS HE?"
Katashi stiffened as every eye turned toward where Hanabi was pointing. At him.
Kankuro winced, damned firecracker and her sense of timing. He looked up at his wife, but Hinata was opening and closing her mouth, unable to get the words out.
Tsunade sighed. "I suppose that this Madoka found a way to supersede the Hyuuga curse seal so that a branch family member is no longer blocked from passing along the genetic material for the Byakugan?"
"Hajime confessed to killing Hinata's mother."
Katashi started breathing again as every eye left him and turned on to the puppeteer. "It's a small piece of information in comparison to the curse seal modifications, but he confessed before he died." Kankuro continued blithely, diverting attention from the boy.
Anko watched the myriad of emotions flood Hiashi's eyes, though none were reflected on his face. Pain, horror, disbelief, and more pain. Not sure what to do, she started to shift away. At her first movement, though, Hiashi's hand settled on her forearm. He didn't look at her, but he also didn't want her to leave. Relieved, and unsure why, Anko stayed.
"You're sure of this?" Hinabi whispered hoarsely, all interest in the strange new boy vanishing in a heartbeat. The utter bleakness on her face making everyone uncomfortable. "It wasn't an accident?"
Hinata nodded. "He told me himself. Hajime said that he'd failed his jounin exam and had decided that father was behind his poor showing, that it had been rigged somehow. He ran into mother and tried to talk her into intervening, but she refused. Hajime said mother told him that dad would never be so low as to do that, and she ….well, in a fit of rage because she didn't side with him …"
"Enough." Hiashi said, his eyes on his younger daughter's face. "That's enough. I did not do anything to that boy or his exams."
"He was crazy." Kankuro spoke up again, trying to help. "At the end, he was ranting and raving and he even had attacked his own father. The man was utterly crazy."
Tsunade sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "His fitness reports were marginal at best. Sane, but riding the edge. I know he didn't get along with his initial teammates and did not keep up a relationship with them past the chuunin exams. A loner. A mediocre jounin, but a Leaf shinobi all the same."
"I think his father probably kept him in check, at least while they lived here." Neji postulated, his mind racing. "I'm assuming Misyu helped cover up Kioshi's murder? He most likely had been cleaning up after his son for years now."
"Possible." Hiashi allowed, "Even probable. Was Juroken part of this?"
"NO!" Katashi shouted, forgetting his fear for the moment. "He's a good guy!"
Startled, Hiashi once more looked at the boy, trying to figure out parentage. He had the look of the family, certainly, but he didn't resemble Hajime at all. "Hinata? Do you know the boy's lineage?"
Unable to speak, the kunoichi smiled weakly, her lips trembling as she nodded.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, slitting her eyes carefully so as not to miss a single reaction. "Outside, to me, she claimed him as Hyuuga Katashi."
Hiashi nodded reluctantly. "And you said he does have the Byakugan? So much for the effectiveness of the curse seal." He started to get up out of his chair to go and get a better look at the boy.
The Hokage smiled widely. "Oh, I don't know about that, Lord Hiashi. She also claimed him as …her brother."
Neji's jaw dropped as Hiashi stumbled, his legendary balance and graceful moves abandoning him as he stubbed his toe, hit his shin, and fell unceremoniously on his face.
o.O.o.O.o.O
Shino watched the door behind them close. He and Temari looked at each other, then over at Juroken. Someone needed to stay with the old hermit, just in case. But both were eager to get out of there and be alone together.
Gaara stared at Shino a moment, then turned to Temari. "Is this the one..."
"Why are you green and purple?" Temari asked coldly, shutting down her brother's curiousity.
"You're not going to tell me?" Gaara asked, feeling not a little left out.
Relenting, Temari shrugged and reached over to take Shino's hand. Her move showing her brother just where her heart lay. "I'll explain it later. Gaara, it's complicated."
"You look happier." The red-head said reluctantly, glaring at the Aburame at his sister's side.
"You look green and purple." She said, teasing him with a grin. "Will you explain that later, when we talk?"
Gaara shook his head. "No. But we will talk." He paused and stared long and hard at Shino.
The Aburame actually felt himself growing uncomfortable and nervous in the younger man's presence. But he didn't let go of Temari's hand, and he didn't back away.
Gaara snorted. "Later." He said, relenting as he turned to leave the hallway.
Suddenly alone, and at a loss. Shino and Temari stared at each other, both thinking the same thing.
Feeling the tension, Kiba looked up as both of them turned their gaze on him. He sighed, knowing what was coming. "You both owe me. Get out of here."
Temari grinned and nodded as the two took off without another word.
Kiba looked down at Akamaru. "Think we'll get as lucky with the Mizutori girl as either of my teammates did with their mates?"
The large nin-dog yawned and Kiba laughed. "Shows what little you know. I'll turn on the Inuzuka charm and the girl will fall like a ripe plum into my hand. Wonder if mother finished the wedding contracts already? Wouldn't it be funny if when I got home they're all there waiting for me? What do you think, she was kinda cute I thought."
Akamaru yawned again, then whined.
"Yah, I'm hungry too." Kiba laughed and jerked his head at the old hermit. "It's stay here with you or go home to a possible betrothal. So, it's you. Let's go find something better to eat than camp fare."
Juroken nodded, even as he looked anxiously back at the closed door. Katashi was now where he belonged. But would they accept him?
o.O.o.O.o.O
Everyone was gathered around Hiashi with different looks of stunned disbelief and even amusement.
"See, trout? You do look good rumpled up a bit." Anko purred as Hiashi shot her a death glare, which only made her laugh louder.
Hinata was looking back and forth between Anko and her father with a bewildered expression. Just what was going on here? Hinata liked Anko a lot, but had never pictured her teasing Hiashi …and getting away with it! Just what had been going on in her absence? Maybe her sister would know. Hinata turned, but found her sister otherwise occupied. Hanabi was sitting right next to a very wary Katashi, staring at him for all she was worth.
Neji shook his head, trying to make sense of it all. "Hinata? Are you sure?"
"His mother's name was Kiji." The purple-haired jounin said shyly, watching her father's face go very, very pale.
Hiashi sighed. "Kiji. That was a long time ago."
"Seven years, I'm pretty sure." Kankuro said dryly, earning an elbow to the ribs by his not-amused wife.
Anko frowned evilly. "Way to go, stud."
Tsunade, who had been watching the byplay between Anko and Hiashi carefully, decided that she was going to win her bet with Shizune. There had been a few moments when she doubted, as she saw the two of them together. If they'd not been having an affair, Tsunade would eat her hat …if she had one that is. But the sudden appearance of a bastard child? Surely that would kill any burgeoning relationship.
"One of your many mistresses?" Anko purred, looking every inch the dangerous kunoichi she was.
"My mother was NOT some …some …" Katashi yelled, obviously flustered.
"Your mother was a very beautiful, sweet, young woman." Hiashi said. "And I sorrow to hear that she passed." He didn't add that he remembered Kiji as being not only gorgeous, but also scatterbrained, uninterested in education, politics, or reading, not to mention more than a little flighty. No wonder Misyu had been able to manipulate her into running away when she'd discovered herself pregnant.
Mollified, Katashi settled down, glaring back at Hanabi who hadn't moved a single muscle.
"You didn't know the w …that Kiji was pregnant?" Tsunade asked bluntly.
Pregnant. The word made Hiashi swallow hard. A son. He had a son. He'd had a son for SEVEN years and hadn't known it. A son that Hajime had nearly killed. Suddenly he felt sick, and humbled. "No. I had no clue."
"Misyu told the old man that if you knew where I was, you'd have me killed." Katashi said belligerently. "Will you?"
"Have you killed? No." Hiashi chuckled, his stomach settling a bit. A son. He had another child. Was this fate?
"Misyu wanted me to have the Byakugan. He kept sending training hints and all that. But the old man, he was getting s…susp …"
"Suspicious." Hinata said gently, trying to push Hanabi aside. But the younger girl would not be moved.
"Yah." Katashi said, shooting worried glances at the girl still staring holes through him. "The old man told me not to tell the guards or Misyu or nobody about being able to use the Byakugan. Juroken said that even if you did kill his sister, that didn't mean you were after me. He said the prophesy sounded fishy too."
"There was no prophesy." Hiashi sighed. "I didn't kill my wife, as you now know. And as for Juroken, I hate him for keeping you from me."
Katashi started to panic and opened his mouth to defend the old hermit, but Hiashi interrupted him.
"I hate him, but I owe him. He kept you safe. If Misyu hadn't given you to him, had you raised elsewhere, I have no doubts you'd be dead by now."
"So, you WON'T kill him?" Katashi said, then added, "Or me?"
"No, son." Hiashi paused, savoring the word. "Son. No, I won't kill either of you."
"Can you swim?" Hanabi asked suddenly and out of the blue.
Katashi looked startled at the question, but nodded gamely. "I can hunt and climb, and caves don't scare me at all. Not with the Byakugan."
"Hanabi, please, give Katashi some room." Hiashi said, sighing as his youngest ignored him. No. Not his youngest, not anymore. Another child. It was finally starting to sink in.
Anko spoke up from beside him, watching everything. "So. You accept him then?"
Hiashi nodded, wincing as the bruise at his temple twinged. He'd hit hard when he'd fallen. In more ways than one, he admitted to himself. "Oh, I accept him alright."
"Just like that?" Tsunade shook her head, she'd never seen this flustered side the the Hyuuga leader. "Does this change your plans for the clan leadership?"
Neji stiffened until his uncle chuckled. "Not in the slightest." Hiashi informed his Hokage. "Neji will take over the leadership of this clan. I and Hinata will help from the advisory council. And now I have time to actually raise my child, rather than just watch them grow."
Anko looked over at Hinata, but the girl didn't appear slighted, she looked overjoyed by this turn of events. Hanabi? Anko looked at the young mushroom, but the girl's face gave nothing away as to her feelings.
"Which is better, eating a pie or exploding it in someone's face?" Hanabi asked quietly, though drawing irritated looks from all of the adults, except for Anko.
Katashi thought about it a moment, squinching up his face. "Depends. What kind of pie are we talking about? How big an explosion? Cream pies would better for that I would think. But if it's pumpkin, I'd want to eat it."
Anko leaned forward, "doesn't the thought of getting in trouble worry you?"
"No." Hanabi and Katashi said together, making Neji and Yugao both groan loudly.
The blue haired kunoichi sighed. "Damn, now there are TWO of them."
"How good are you with the Byakugan? Can you do anything else?" Hanabi asked her new found brother, anxious to learn what he could do.
Katashi explained what he could do, and all that Hinata had taught him on the journey home. Then he deflated a bit. "I still can't see Shino's bugs though."
Neji laughed and ruffled the boy's hair. "That'll take a while, it is advanced stuff to see something as small as an individual bug. It's even harder to see something that small INSIDE another object, much less a living person."
"Byakugan!" Katashi said, activating the bloodline limit as Neji and Hiashi looked on in amusement.
"What do you see?" Hinata asked gently. "We've been working on trying to decipher between bone, tissue, and chakra when looking into a person's body." She explained to the others.
Neji frowned. "Isn't that setting the bar a bit high? He is a newcomer to Byakugan training."
Hinata shrugged. "We were on the go, traveling. I used what was at hand. Besides, he's doing well."
Katashi frowned and pointed at Hiashi's left arm. "There's a weird line there."
Hiashi grinned and pointed to a spot low on his forearm. "I cracked it a few years ago, during an ice storm. It's healed though. Nice job spotting it."
The boy grinned and looked around him, not remembering to deactivate the Byakugan first. Katashi saw something different, and paused, confused.
Anko didn't like the way the kid was looking at her. Well, truthfully, he was looking at her belly. She looked down, but her coat covered her mesh top. She'd been feeling the cold lately, what with getting sick and all. "What?" She asked.
"There's something …no, no there's …wait." Katashi said, leaning forward, almost putting his face against her abdomen as he squinted his eyes.
Neji laughed and activated his own Byakugan. "Let's see what you see, kid. Probably nothing, people are full of odd bumps and …and … and …things." His voice trailed off as Neji started grinning like an idiot.
Katashi, confused by what he couldn't quite make out, turned to look at Hinata. "Oh, it must be normal. She's got it too."
Anko relaxed a bit. Oh, the kid was noticing the difference in male and female anatomy for the first time. Awkward, but nothing major.
Shocked, Neji swung around to stare at Hinata, taking a good long look. His smile melted into a huge cheesy grin. "Awwwww." He managed.
"See? Normal. She's the same way." Katashi smiled benignly, pointing at a confused Yugao this time.
Neji's smile froze as he swung around to use the Byakugan on his betrothed. One look, and everyone shouted as Neji fell to his knees, mumbling.
"What?" Yugao said, looking stunned as she knelt next to a stunned Neji, fanning his rather pale face.
Katashi shrugged, not sure what to say. He had NO clue what was going on.
A suspicious Hinata activated her own Byakugan, as did her father and sister. Hiashi smiled at Yugao and Hinata a moment before his gaze settled on Anko. There, he froze, staring.
Hinata was having problems of her own. Yugao had an extra heartbeat. A small one, a very small one down in her womb. So did Anko. Did that mean …
Kankuro yelped as Hinata collapsed back against him, holding her belly protectively.
Anko, suspecting something, stood up in a rage. "No! No, no, no. I have the fucking flu."
Hanabi giggled. "After dinner tonight, can we please discuss the colors for the wedding?"
"NO!" Anko roared.
Tsunade looked ill at that word. "Wedding?"
Hanabi jumped up, and pushed her stunned sensei into a chair. "Come on, Katashi. We have work to do."
"We do?" He asked, unsure of what was going on.
"Seems you won't be the youngest Hyuuga very long at all."
"IT'S THE FUCKING FLU!" Anko wailed at the two departing youngsters.
Hanabi opened the door and looked back at her. "Keep telling yourself that. But this flu will last about eight more months. Probably."
Tsunade groaned, dropping her head into her hands. Flowers and a cake? Damn it. How could she have lost the perfect bet?
"I HAVE THE FLU!"
o.O.o.O.o.O
Next chapter will have Yugao, Anko and Hinata's reactions. Well, not just theirs of course! Hope you all liked. Please let me know if you did, or didn't. REVIEWS are always welcome here.
I originally was going to end the chapter when Hiashi fell, but could feel the glares and yells coming my way and soldiered on. That's why it's longer than usual.
The poll on my user account page is still open (if you haven't voted yet). It will close when this story ends. Haven't thought of a new poll question yet is the main reason why.
Anyway, will update soon, maybe Thursday or Friday.
