Something was different, Hiashi noted, staring at his daughter and nephew from across the chabudai.
Hinata was...subdued. She was usually subdued, but today, she was positively morose, shrinking into her oversized jacket, her eyes downcast, as though she was told that she would be sent back to the Academy and train with the five-year-olds again.
Neji was also...subdued. Or rather, he was scowling viciously off into the distance as though someone did something awful to him. For some strange reason, he had decided to tie his hair back with a strip of purple cloth. A strip of purple cloth which was decorated with...Hiashi stared blankly...cinnamon roll designs, white flowers, and cutesy chibi versions of Hinata's head.
He decided not to ask. Perhaps it was an odd, fashionable hairstyle that had caught on recently. In the old days, the pre-Chuunin Exam days, he would have scolded them both for so openly showing weakness, subjecting them to an iron gaze and scolding them again were they to wilt under it.
Throw out the weaklings. That was what the old Hiashi used to believe. Now, though, he knew that weaklings had to be nurtured so that they would become strong. So he didn't scold them. Instead...
"Good evening, Hinata, Neji," he said.
"Good evening, otou-sama."
"Good evening, Hiashi-sama."
He took a sip of green tea. "I have called you both here to discuss something most auspicious to our clan."
At the word auspicious, Hinata looked like she wanted to die. Hiashi decided not to ask about this either. Instead, he pulled out several items from a bag and spread them all on the chabudai.
When he saw what the items were, Neji turned ghostly pale under his Hinata-themed headdress and looked like he wanted to flip the chabudai over.
Hinata-themed herbal oils. Hinata-themed lotions. Hinata-themed calendars. Hinata-themed cinnamon rolls.
Then Hiashi took a scroll out out his futokoro and began to read aloud.
"Dear Hyuuga Hinata-sama,
As the daimyo of Fire Country and your biggest fan, I have been greatly impressed by tales of your fearsome reputation, the bounty of 1,000,000,000 ryo that you were offered by villagers in the Land of Tea, the samurai armies that you command, and your numerous concubines – "
Hinata choked.
"Therefore, I request your audience at my castle next week on Wednesday. Please bring a lot of pens because I want your autograph. Meanwhile, I hope that you will accept the humble tokens of appreciation that I have sent to your household."
Hiashi took a deep breath. "Hinata, while I am...perplexed by these claims that you have numerous concubines and a samurai army, I am pleased that you have brought fame and glory to the Hyuuga through your missions as a chuunin."
Hinata choked again.
"That is why I wish Neji to accompany you to the daimyo's castle next week."
Hiashi smiled at his eldest child for the first time in years. Actually, it had been the first time he had smiled at all in years. She should have been happy. But instead, she wanted to bang her head against the chabudai until she passed out.
Poor Hinata.
A/N: Sorry that this chapter is so short. I know that Team 8 hasn't been in this fic too much, but don't worry, they'll appear soon as well. Hiashi being pleased at all the attention that Hinata is receiving was someone's request. How do you think it was? :)
I'll make a bigger note to answer your questions later!