"You did not tell him the whole truth," Hiruzen Sarutobi lightly accused as the two men walked to the Hokage tower. The weight of eyes were subtle, but still there, silent almost shadows following in their wake. Civilians waved from their positions on the street while going about their day, shouting "Hello!" and "Good evening!".
"And would you take it well, knowing one of the main factors in being adopted by a clan that wanted you is because of who your sensei was? Knowing what your sensei did to you, betrayed your whole village? No, I will not tell him the truth. It would dash what fire is left in him." Hebari took a long drag of his cigarette. "I wish to nurture that fire. And to use it against Konoha's enemies."
"So you take him as a weapon, then."
"No. I take him as a soon-to-be beloved grandson. He will make our clan great."
"You set him a high goal. Are you sure he can fulfill your wishes?"
They both paused at the entryway to the Hokage office. "Are you? " Hebari countered. "Have a wonderful evening, Hokage-sama."
The contradictory, sly, conniving man turned with one last drag of his cigarette. Hiruzen smiled in a genteel manner. "Hebari-kun," he called amusedly, "do make sure you exercise proper respect next time we meet. Have a wonderful evening, as well."
The heavy oak doors shut behind him. Hebari chuckled and continued on. Must he always have the last say?
Now. To handle damage control.
Determined, Hebari walked off to heed his sons. Hiashi especially would not be pleased at the day's outcomes. Outside blood was outside blood, after all. One did not just accept it in the course of a day. For all his twins knew, he wished to discuss the possibility of Iruka becoming Hizashi's son with the Hokage. Coming back with word that instead Iruka will be Hiashi's son and not Hizashi's, and reasoned without Hiashi's input, was not going to go over well. Luckily the thought of a grandson kept his hopes up.
Hopefully the thought of a son would sway Hebari's own son in the matter.
He lit another cigarette.
…
It was with deep consideration that Iruka looked at the items laid out on the floor, neatly organized into possibly take and don't take. He would sort the possibly take pile a little more carefully. He did not want to carry too much with him, he reasoned, as his new clan was likely to clothe him and provide him with hygiene products. But there were certain items he would not part with. Mostly those that used to belong to his mother and father, and were gifts from each. His small room in the run down orphanage only had a bed and a desk anyway, so it's not like he was missing much with whatever he decided to leave.
It took another four hours to decide all it was he was taking with him.
When Iruka awoke the next morning, he set out for the leasing office of the orphanage, fingers trailing the wall next to him for balance and spatial recognition. Losing an eye was a lot harder on the body than it seemed. He was not used to the sudden loss in depth perception quite yet.
"Irukaaaaa," a playful voice called out. Iruka turned quickly, silently congratulating himself in only stumbling enough to be considered serious surprise, and smiled brightly.
"Izumo!"
"Oi, Iru-kun, I'm so sorry about -"
"Shut it, idiot!" a new voice snapped, pale hand smacking the other boy across the back of his head harshly. Iruka's smile dimmed.
"It's fine, Kotetsu. Yeah, I guess it really is true, huh?" He glanced down, fingers curling around official release papers. "He really is a traitor, and he really did kidnap Anko."
"Yeah," Izumo murmured, while Kotetsu studiously looked away from them, flush of shame high on his cheeks.
"Anyway," Izumo cleared his throat, perking up, "what happened to your face?"
"Oh, uh," suddenly it was Iruka's turn to become quiet and shamed. "I can't tell you guys yet. Yeah. Sorry."
"Oh," they murmured.
"Well, uh, it was nice to see you both," Iruka stuttered, shuffling the papers nervously. "I'll uh, I'll see you guys around, then."
"Yeah," Kotetsu nodded, while Izumo grinned, "See you!"
They didn't watch him walk away.
That was so awkward. Please never let that happen again.
"Iruka!"
Glancing heavenward, Iruka heaved a silent put-upon sigh. Of course that's too much to ask for. Stupid luck.
…
"I'm here to report to Hebari Hyuuga-sama," Iruka stated to the Hyuuga standing guard at the main gate to the compound.
"Let him in."
The guard stood aside without a twitch in his countenance. Iruka stepped in quickly, lest Hebari sporadically change his mind.
"That is all you own?" Hebari asked, one eyebrow perfectly poised above questioning milk white eyes.
"This is all that I consider important," Iruka countered. The other eyebrow rose.
"Very good. Follow."
Hebari didn't speak as he led Iruka through his new home to his new room. Iruka had worried on the way to the compound if it would be like a maze to remember, but so far his fears were unfounded. They took the only street to the left and walked about a block until they stopped at a small minka that looked sparsely furnished and airy. The grounds on the way were not as prodigious as he thought they would be, full of flowers and neatly trimmed grass with perfectly paved walkways. It was neat and perfect, but flowers were scarce, and personality even more so. Iruka was determined to add a little flare to his new home.
"Welcome, Iruka Umino-Hyuuga, to your rooms. I hope you enjoy your time with your new clan."
"Me, too," Iruka muttered, dropping his bag unceremoniously on the ground by his feet. The only breakable thing he owned he held in his pocket, the fragile glass that it was. Picture frames were hard to come by for orphans, and he did not want to break the glass no matter his new status.
"Come, we have much to discuss. Your adoptive father awaits your arrival to sup."
Father. Iruka swallowed down the deep pit that wallowed open beneath him at the thought. I have a new father. But I don't want a new father! It's not fair!
When was life fair, though? Obediently, Iruka followed.
And yes, Hiashi Hyuuga was just as terrifying in person as he was in rumor.
…
As the three generations of men ate in silence, Iruka kept his eyes on his plate, barely picking up enough rice to call it a bite.
Hiashi cleared his throat and set his chopsticks down; Iruka paused with his next bite halfway to his mouth and glanced up, meeting the man's eyes. "We must discuss your training."
Iruka slowly put his chopsticks down. "Yes, sir," he said politely.
"Due to your sudden new . . . asset, we will train you personally for a year. Only after a year has passed will you be allowed a new genin team, and a chance to try for the chuunin exams."
Iruka closed his mouth firmly and drew his shoulders back, stung. He'd already been a gennin for a year now, the rest of his peers were going to take their first chuunin exam this year!
"It is not intended as an insult, Iruka-kun," Hebari said lightly, if not at all concerned. "You will be training hard, every day, to catch up to others in the clan that have had their whole lives to prepare for this moment. The fact that you will be considered for the chuunin exam in a year's hence is in fact, a great compliment. Take it as such, and use it to drive you on." He paused, boring his gaze into that young face. "You will need all the encouragement you can get in the next few months."
"You will also learn Fuuinjutsu," Hiashi continued, unruffled at the interruption. "This will be a vital aspect of your training, and one that you will go over with those familiar with your parents' style. It is during this training that you will learn of your kekkei genkai. I suggest you pay attention."
"Yes, sir," Iruka breathed, eyes wide. The thought of the hard work coming up almost put a damper on his already downtrodden mood, however the thought of learning more about his kekkai genkai and his parents sent an excited flutter through his heart.
"Your first month will be rehabilitation and learning to fight with only one eye." Hiashi picked his chopsticks back up. "You will meet with your instructors before dawn and will come home after twilight. You will get one day off a week to rest yourself. This starts next week."
"O-Okay," Iruka got out, hastily scooping rice into his suddenly dry mouth.
"After the month is up, you will start your Fuuinjutsu training. You will have one more month for your basic fighting form without your new eye. And then, only then, will you be allowed to take that bandage off by yourself. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," Iruka half grumbled. He'd hoped to get away with training it in secret, but he wasn't stupid. One wrong move and he could end up back in the hospital. Not to mention that if it was going to be regularly checked on, they'd more than likely know if he was straining it past what little exercises they were sure to give him.
"Good. After that month we will begin training you in the Byakugan. Your bandage has a seal that prevents you from seeing out of it, however once that seal is removed you will need to relearn how to fight when you can see at all angles. You will learn of your blind spot and you will learn to hone your reflexes to be fast enough to dodge." Hiashi finished his bowl. "During all of this you will be continuing your other Fuuinjutsu training. You will only get one day off a week during this whole year.
"After four months of honing your instincts to match your vision, you will begin training in the Hyuuga fighting style, Gentle Fist. Thus begins your final stage of training before you are allowed onto another genin team."
"Do you really have that much trust in me, or do you wish to see me fail?" Iruka couldn't resist asking. Hebari had reassured him that the clan wanted him, but coming from Hiashi's mouth all of this training seemed designed to make him want to quit life.
"It is not if we think you are worthy enough or not, Iruka-kun," Hebari said sternly. "It is if you can rise to the challenge. This is all dependent on you, and how much you want this."
"We've placed a heavy burden on your shoulders. I suggest you take this week to rest and prepare yourself." Hiashi stood, nodded to them both, and strode out the door. Iruka stared at his empty bowl across the table.
After a moment of silence, Hebari asked, "Are you finished, Iruka-kun?" After a nod, he stood as well. "Come. You need rest. Someone will be by to wake you for breakfast in the morning."
"Yes, sir." Iruka followed Hebari outside and to his new rooms down the road.
…
"He is very obedient," Hiashi commented later that night, sharing a pint of plumb sake with his father in his study. "Let us hope he stays that way."
"He will not," Hebari countered, lip curling in amusement. It was hard to recall how much the man protested at the boy's mere existence not more than a day ago. "The boy has a fire in him, and I believe this training will not deter him like you hope it will, but will instead ignite it. Our peaceful lives will change with this one around, I guarantee it."
"Why are you so for this boy to become one of us? What has Sandaime promised you?"
Hebari paused in the midst of his drinking. "What makes you think Sandaime promised me anything? Have you not used your head?" He picked his shot glass back up, taking a small sip and sighing smoothly at the pleasant burn. "This boy will give our clan more standing; we will be seen as generous and willing to take in an orphan who had been unfortunately handled by a now missing-nin. We will get less push back in political matters."
Hiashi nodded, conceding to the old man's point. "Not to mention if he unlocks that kekkei genkai, and he marries into the clan…"
"I see you are using your head, though this is no less than what Jiraiya-sama has stated before in the Hokage's office." Hebari leaned back in his seat, graceful ankles crossing and loosely pouring another shot of sake. "Other reasons include his previous sensei," Hiashi jerked to attention at that, "and the fact that we are now too closely knit for marriage within the clan to be healthy."
"I see."
"I should hope that you do. You are to be the next heir of the Main House, Hiashi, I had hopes you would see these things without me spelling it out for you."
"Yes, Father, I apologize for letting my emotions rule me." The humbleness was hard to swallow, but in doing so allowed a small, satisfied smile curl across Hebari's face.
"See to it that you don't. I trust Iruka will blossom under your care," Hebari added dryly, taking a final sip of the smooth spirits. He stood, stretching lightly for a moment. "Please wake me for the breaking of fast."
"Yes, sir," Hiashi murmured, still nursing his last few sips. He preferred to be solitary towards the end of the day, besides. "Have a good night, Father."
"You as well, son. You as well."