Anon, you really made my day with such a nice comment, I'm glad that you think the mini chapters are good quality and that you found Itachi's part funny. To say the truth, you have my editor to thank for the better quality.
Recently I mentioned that I lost some readers after setting a pairing so my editor came up with an idea. I could leave this main story without a fixed pairing but add some itahina and sasuhina scenes. After the main story ends, I would then write separate one shots with each pairing as an ending. What do you guys think?
The furious whispers of the branch cadet guards echoed throughout the meeting hall. The bows of the apron wearing Hyuuga girls were not quite as low as usual by the time they departed. Their previous grace vanished and replaced with clanking cups and tea a bit too scalding to be consumed.
Not a word came from the leader's mouth to stop his clansmen from their open display of hostility.
"What do you plan to do?" Hiashi said.
Hiruzen's face darkened. "The war must end."
The listeners erupted. "This is an outrage!"
"You would risk our secrets for an enemy village!"
"We have done nothing wrong!"
Once again, Hiashi made no move to silence his clanmates. They were perfectly welcome to voice what diplomacy would not allow him to. Hiruzen waited patiently for the voices to die down.
Silence.
"Hiashi-kun, trust me when I say that I believe you," he started carefully. "But Kumogakure refuses to acknowledge the kidnapping attempt and the existence of the suicide seal that you mention."
"They tried to take my daughter, they tried to take her eyes- her birthright."
Hiruzen sighed, "this war has cost us far too many lives. Right now, we have the chance to end it all."
"You are asking for too much," Soleil said gravely. "Kumogakure just attempted to kidnap our one and only heiress and not only do they deny it, they demand compensation that they do not deserve and the Hokage dares ask us to comply."
"I understand that this situation is most unfair to us." He turned to the leader, "but Hiashi-kun, we can't afford to continue this war."
"My daughter is a direct descendant of the Uchiha clan," Hiashi said. "Can you afford to anger two noble clans?"
As the Hokage continued his argument, Hiashi's eyes searched for his brother's. Hizashi did not meet his gaze, only stared behind him. The leader's eyes flickered over to his father who returned his youngest son's gaze.
At Hizashi's small nod, the former leader of the Hyuuga clan spoke up. "If Kumogakure wants a head, let's give them a head."
Hiashi's eyes filled with dread as Hizashi coolly returned his gaze.