There's something wonderful about Hyobe that makes him so much fun to write. If Neji was that easy with his prose, I'd have had the last chapter done a long time ago.
As always, Naruto belongs to Kishimoto.
It had been decades since Hyobe had stepped foot on Suna land, but little had changed in interim. The sands still shifted in the arid air, striking his skin like a firestorm. Yet the country was not the one he knew in his youth. The people did not flinch as he walked through the streets nor did they stare at the white eyes that were once their enemy. A year ago Konoha begrudged Suna for the deaths of so many of their own, and today one of the greatest foes stood in the stands above them a different man than the stories told.
"I really wish you had stayed home, Naomi. You're supposed to be on bed rest," Hizashi protested, so many times now the words had lost all meaning. He held his wife's arm as she sat only to receive a slap on the wrist in return.
"I'm not an invalid. And I've been on bed rest long enough to survive one trip to see my son become chuunin."
Hinata settled in between her aunt and uncle, eyes alight with excitement as she surveyed the field below. "But Neji-niisan won't be made chuunin until Tsunade-sama chooses after the exam, so you could have stayed home."
Naomi pushed Hinata's head down with a gentle push. "Hush, Hinata. You're not allowed to side with Hizashi."
Hyobe allowed the familial display to continue without a word and took his seat on the edge of the row next to Naomi. It was rare for them to be so calm around him, and at the moment he had no desire to arouse any discourse. Naomi may have been stubborn, but she was also not as young as she was when she had Neji. It was best not to stress her any more than necessary until the child was born.
Hyobe busied himself with observing this new Suna in order to pass the time until the matches started. The stadium was similar to Konoha's in most regards, except instead of grass and trees to vary the landscape, sand and rock served that purpose. Sitting in the highest seats, set apart from the rest of the crowd, was a man too young to bear the title of Kazekage, yet bear it he did. The stories of Gaara of the Sand did no justice to the calm figure watching over them. Whether he changed with the title or received the title because he changed, Suna's newly-chosen Kazekage possessed an air of control and authority that set him apart from his people. Nothing like the rampaging child that once laid waste to Konoha.
In the center of the field below the stands, the participants purported the arrogance and enthusiasm of youthful ambition. Many were still the same age as Neji and Hinata, and among the collective, Konoha showed a strong representation. Iwa, Kumo, and Suna also held up well, while a lone straggler stood for Kirigakure.
Neji stood next to his team, but his countenance held him apart. His excitement was demurred, his arrogance merely confidence, and his ambition pure determination. He was there to prove something to himself, not to anyone else. If only his cousin had the same conviction. Her team waited below without her. The withdrawal was little more than direct opposition to the agreement Hizashi set in place when she was allowed to be genin. Unfortunately, it was too early for Hyobe to challenge her defiance. Hizashi's ultimatum still stood, and so long as most of her class remained genin, Hyobe could not force her to take the exam seriously. Soon enough that would change, and Hyobe would have enough leverage to hold her accountable to the clan.
For now, he allowed his granddaughter to revel alongside her family in the infectious spirit the chuunin exam offered, especially when one of their own was certain to win. There was no one better than Neji to display the power and skill of the Hyuuga clan after so much recent upheaval. They were the pride of Konoha, and he would remind the other nations why that was.
The sands shifted unnaturally on the field, drawing the crowd's attention to the man controlling it. To an untrained eye, Gaara remained calm, but Hyobe could see the hesitation that came from inexperience as Gaara addressed the people.
"Welcome," Gaara said in a voice that didn't quite know how to make the greeting sound natural. "We now begin the final matches of the Chuunin exam." With that said, Gaara sat down.
"The new kazekage is a man of few words it seems. Or maybe, a boy of few words," Hizashi commented.
"At least he's not as frightening anymore," Hinata said, searching the young man's expression as best she could from their vantage point. "Last time I saw him just looking at him I could tell he was dangerous. I don't see that now."
Naomi and Hizashi agreed before the crowd fell quiet again; the announcer was calling for the participants of the first fight. Neji would battle the Kiri boy, who appeared a few years older than him. Hyobe doubted there was any real danger in the match.
While the others enjoyed providing commentary for every twist and turn the match took, Hyobe sat quietly and awaited the inevitable conclusion. Neji was trained by the finest masters of jyuuken in the clan and had at his fingertips abilities normally kept exclusively for the main family. He was young still, but his potential was already becoming power. A fine young man in every right.
Hinata let out a muted cry of joy as the announcer called the match in Neji's favor. An unnecessary sentiment perhaps, but the girl had spent far more time outside the clan than most heirs; some variation was expected. As much as he loathed being forced to agree to her departure from the clan, Hyobe could not deny the effects her team had on his granddaughter. He'd thought she would never overcome her weak temperament and find the reserve needed to lead the clan. Neji's protective instincts only gave her a place to hide under to avoid the truth, but by offering her a outlet outside the clan where she could escape to when overwhelmed, she could, for a time, achieve the detachment needed. It was not something that would get her through years in the clan, but it was a beginning that proved it was possible.
Hinata was thoroughly enthralled in the second fight, one of her teammates against a Suna girl, when Naomi's hand fisted atop the bench. Since it was between Hyobe and herself, Hizashi did not notice the tension his wife diverted to her hand; her face was pleasantly calm. A few seconds later, her fist relaxed and Hyobe noted a deep exhale that hinted at passing pain, but it was so brief, Hyobe dismissed it.
They were beginning the third match when it happened again. Naomi's hand edged back to ensure her family did not see until it passed. Once could be anything. Twice . . . that was a different story. Hyobe kept his physical attention on the fights, but his true focus observed Naomi and counted the time it took for her hand to fist once more.
Fifteen minutes.
Without drawing undue attention from those nearby, Hyobe set his hand atop hers. Naomi's eyes widened as she looked at him. She may think it different, but Hyobe was not a willfully cruel man and this was not the first time he had witnessed a woman in labor. He nodded his understanding and, after a moment, Naomi took his hand. As a man, her experience was beyond him, but in those births he'd seen, transferring the pain seemed to comfort the woman. Naomi was a very strong woman.
Once relaxed again, Naomi released him and turned to Hizashi. "I'm feeling rather tired. I think I'll go back to the hotel and rest. I'll come back in time for the final match."
"Are you all right?" Hizashi asked with sudden concern in his voice.
Naomi smiled. "These seats aren't very easy on my back. Don't worry. I'll be fine once I lay down for a while."
Hinata stood up and looked between her aunt and uncle. "Should we go with her?"
"Absolutely not," Naomi insisted. "You two stay here and cheer on Neji. Someone should be here for his second match."
Her assurances did little to alleviate their fears. Hizashi followed Hinata's example and got up. "No, someone should go with you in case you need anything."
Hyobe exhaled a sufficiently disapproving huff and stood, silencing his son. "I will see that Naomi makes it back to the hotel. These matches don't interest me anyway. We'll return in time for Neji's final match." There was no questioning nor allowance for argument in his voice.
Hizashi offered Naomi an apologetic look, which she quickly waved off before following Hyobe to the back of the stands. "Thank you," she said once they were out of hearing range. "I didn't want Neji to see us all gone and worry during his fights."
Hyobe nodded, stepping close to allow her to lean on him for support if needed. "How long have you been in labor?"
"It may be false labor. I had it with Neji as well."
"You are still six weeks early. It is best we don't take any chances. Come."
Naomi eyed him with confused skepticism but relented. To their good fortune, the hospital wasn't too far from the arena, though that may have been intentional given the arena's purpose. Med-nins hurried Naomi inside once the situation was explained and an initial examination confirmed active labor. They would not be returning to see the final fight.
"Perhaps you should return," Naomi said once they were alone again. "You can say I've fallen asleep and not worry them."
"I doubt my return would ease any fears they may have. Besides, someone should be with you through this."
Her eyes narrowed again, as if she were struggling to see what was right in front of her, and the thinning of her lips displayed her distrust.
Hyobe didn't often take offense at the rift between him and his family, but in that room with his third grandchild about to be born, he found her suspicions disconcerting. "You think because I am reserved from my grandchildren that I do not care for them. Just because I do not openly show affection does not mean that it doesn't exist, nor does it mean that I am not concerned for your welfare and that of your child."
Naomi lowered her gaze. "Forgive me."
Hyobe placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, perhaps the first comforting action he'd offered her since her and Hizashi's wedding. "I've given you many reasons for disdain, but whatever you think of my actions, I only do what I believe is needed for our clan and family."
"The problem is that you always place the clan before the children," Naomi said. In her stare was determination without hatred, another first between them. "When they're older the clan will be important, but for now they're still growing."
"If they are not taught now, they will not be prepared for the future."
Naomi shook her head. "I will never agree with you on that, and I can never condone or forgive how you've treated them."
"I don't care if you do or don't. I will act as I need to in order to bring them to the destiny they are meant to have."
"And what destiny do you have in mind for this one?" She motioned to her swollen stomach.
Hyobe gave her no answer. The silence hung in the air until another contraction came, stronger than before. Naomi grabbed Hyobe's hand and did not try to hide the pain from her face.
The labor progressed quickly, much to Naomi's displeasure and the med-nin's dismay. Three hours passed. No doubt the chuunin exam was nearing its end and Hizashi and Hinata would be waiting for their return. When contractions came every three minutes, the med-nin examined Naomi with tension tightening his face.
"The baby is in breech position, most likely because it's still premature. This means that it's head is not in position to be born first."
"Is the baby in danger?" Naomi asked, taking Hyobe's hand even though she was in no pain. He squeezed it lightly in reply.
"I don't believe that your pelvis is wide enough to safely deliver a breeched baby, and as quickly as your dilating, I suggest an immediate caesarean."
"Will Naomi and the baby will recover?"
"As long as we act quickly, I don't foresee any complications other than its prematurity."
"All right," Naomi said, nodding to reassure herself. "Do what you need to."
Hyobe kept hold of Naomi's hand until the med-nins separated them at the doors to the surgery room. There he waited, standing straight-backed beside the wall. A few others waited in the chairs nearby, worried lovers or concerned family. Hyobe paid them no attention. White eyes lined with chakra kept careful watch over the woman out of his sight. Suna might claim to be an ally, but nations have offered a friendly hand to Konoha while the other tried to steal byakugan's secrets before. He would not fall into the same trap twice.
One body soon became two. The smaller one was whisked away from its mother and moved to a nearby room where med-nins showered it in healing chakra. Hyobe was so focused on watching the infant, he didn't notice the woman approaching him until she was directly in front of him.
"Hyuuga-sama, surgery went well. Mother and baby are being healed. If you'd like, you can be with your grandson until Naomi-sama is well enough."
Hyobe nodded and followed the young woman into the room he'd been watching, not letting byakugan recede until the child was in sight. He wasn't as small as Hyobe expected, but he had little of the fat that had rounded Neji or Hinata as newborns and his pallor was paler than healthy. A med-nin held a chakra-laden palm over his chest while the rest cleaned the baby and prepared it for swaddling.
"His lungs are weak," explained the head med-nin. "I'd suggest keeping him here for a week or more to strengthen them for the trip back to Konoha, but other than needing to gain some weight, he should recover well."
"Thank you." Hyobe nodded with deference. It was a compliment he rarely gave.
The med-nin finished his initial healing and wrapped the small infant in soft, brown cloth. "Would you like to hold him, Hyuuga-sama?"
"I would," Hyobe said. Carefully, they placed the baby in his arms, such a small weight to bear.
The boy's once flailing limbs were tucked closed to his body and it calmed him. White eyes opened and closed with imperfect grace as he searched the bright, new world around him. Hyobe ran a finger over his thin face and smiled.
Neji had skill that needed to be nurtured and honed, but carefully for he so often forgot his place in the family. Hinata needed the cold voice to prepare her for the hardship of being clan head. This child . . . this child needed none of that. Hyobe had no expectations, no necessity to hold him apart. For the first time, Hyobe could simply be a grandfather. It was what he had hoped to be with Neji before potential and circumstance changed him.
"You hypocrite."
Naomi glared at him from the wheelchair being pushed into the room so she could see her son. The transporter hastily wheeled her next to Hyobe and slipped away from the cold atmosphere cracking between them.
"I never understood why you made no objections to my pregnancy; now I do." Whatever propriety had always kept Naomi's thoughts from being voiced had gone in the wake of giving birth. "You would so easily give this child what you deny the others? And you think that would be good for the clan, for the family? A favorite child who needs to prove nothing to get your affection."
"It's not fair. It merely is," Hyobe admitted without guilt. After a lifetime sacrificing his emotions to do what had to be done, after sealing and murdering his own son for peace, he wanted to not only love his grandchildren but to have one who wasn't afraid of him and didn't hate him. No, it wasn't fair, but if their lives had been fair, he would not be so hated.
"And you will give Hinata and Neji nothing more?"
"I will give each child what they need." Hyobe gazed on the baby once more. "This child needs nothing."
Naomi's face twisted up in disgust. "Give me my son."
Hyobe didn't resist her request. Placing the boy into her protective arms, he backed away to put her at ease. "What did you name him?"
Naomi didn't reply right away, and in her face he saw the defiance that wanted to deny him for as long as possible. Then a cheer so loud and prolonged they heard it at the hospital broke through their silent battle. The chuunin exam was over. They needed to send for the family.
Naomi waved over one of the nurses, her gaze never leaving Hyobe. "My son was in the chuunin exam. Can you send someone to let them know their baby brother, Shou, is waiting to meet them?"
The woman nodded and left the room.
"Shou?"
Naomi pulled the cloth up to block Hyobe's view of the baby's face. "Using the character for soar to remind him that even a caged bird can fly."
Hyobe closed his eyes and let the name fall upon the child and become him. "It is a fine name."
"So is his brother's and sister's," Naomi seethed.
"Cousin," Hyobe quickly corrected, the gentleness fading from his old eyes.
"We will raise them as siblings," she said, capitalizing on her fragile condition to say what she never would have dared any other day. "He will never see her as anything else."
"But he will know."
Hyobe could only offer such affection for Shou, who had no place or power in the clan to be guided. He hoped that never changed.