Hi everyone! Thank you so much for reading and subscribing to The Snowborn! I'll answer to the reviews you left, and the chapter will be all yours!
Koen D: Hi! Your review is super kind, I'm glad you enjoy the plot! I want to take my time before revealing all the characters, and Gaara will appear in chapter 4 if my writing goes the way I planned! (the tourney was supposed to take place in chapter 1 at first, but the chapter was already long enough ^^). I hope you will enjoy this chapter despite the lack of Gaara! Thank you so much for reviewing!
1: Hello! I'm happy you enjoyed this chapter, thank you for your review! Hizashi's motives will be slowly revealed, I can't give you all the answers right now But I'd be glad to hear any theories you may have, hihi! I hope you will enjoy this chapter!
Chapter II: the tourney.
The feast was splendid and Hiashi found himself smiling and laughing naturally several times. It had not happened in years; Konoha was a city of lies and plots, and he had had to control each and every of his facial expressions during the nine years he had spent there. Even though he was talented at lying, he disliked it. The Mother of All asked honesty, but he had to renounce to his honesty there. Being Daimyō was not just an immense honour, it was the best way to expand the influence of his clan and ensure them a prosperous future. For the Hyūgas, he was ready to defy the Mother of All or the One of Wrath in persons.
He slightly shook his head and took sip a wine. The next days would be about celebration, and he did not have to think about Konoha for some years; some years during which he would be able to enjoy his clan and Yggalë and in particular his wife and daughter, of whose lives he had missed almost a decade. His eyes wandered amongst his fellow clanmates and bannermen, who had abandoned the benches to dance to the rhythm of the music performed by the minstrels he had hired for the next days. It had not been hard; minstrels lived of feasts and celebrations. They had been numerous to answer the High Lord of Yggalë's call.
Hinata was dancing with Tsume's son whilst Neiji danced with Inoichi's daughter. A smile appeared on Hiashi's lips as he remembered the first time he had danced with Cho. Hinata had the same radiant smile his wife that day and Hiashi sighed, nostalgia filling him. What would he have not given to be present for Hinata's first words, smiles and steps? He could remember her birth as if it was yesterday, when she was nothing but a smiling babe in his arm, when he had named her Hinata, a name in honour of the sun to protect from the nickname given by the population, the Snowborn. The snow was such a rare sight in Yggalë that it was expected of the people to nickname like this a child born on a snowy winter solstice. Hiashi had therefore given her a name in the honour of the sun to remind them and her where she was from.
He had been taken from his daughter's childhood by the Selection, and he would have given everything to take his wife and daughter with him, but it was impossible. Hinata was the future High Lady of Yggalë, and she had to spend her first years on the land that would be hers, and not elsewhere. Yggalë could not be a stranger to its future High Lady, of her bannermen would never love her; they did not want to be ruled by someone who had never admired the beauty of the emerald forests of their home.
"You think far too much, my dear."
His wife's sweet voice brought him back to reality and he turned to her. Cho had an amused a smile, and humour was glinting in her beautiful eyes.
"I know what you're thinking; don't fret over it. You'll be able to build memories with Hinata, and she will be more than happy of it. Come and dance with me!", she concluded, extending her hand.
"You're right, dear", he replied, taking her hand.
"As always, Hiashi, as always", she laughed.
Hiashi could not help himself and laughed too, following his wife at the centre of the great room. As they danced together, he forgot the rest of the world and focused solely on his wife, who seemed to become more beautiful as days passed. Her hands were as soft as silk and as warm as a chimney fire, and he felt like the lovestruck teenager he had been twenty years ago all over again. Cho twirled in his arms and brought her face close to his ear.
"Dance with Hinata, my love. I should ask Inoichi how he fares."
"You're right; encourage him to dance with Tsume, if you can. Only she is unmarried and unafraid of his scars."
"I'd have more luck convincing him to dance with your brother!", she giggled and Hiashi slightly shook his head, amused, as Cho gracefully approached Inoichi, her outerdress trailing behind her.
He turned towards Hinata, who was still laughing and dancing with Tsume's son. Kiba, if he remembered correctly. He hesitated to approach her for a second, not wanting to stop her from befriending other children, when the bards started a song he had not heard in years, the Children of Yggalë. Immediately, Hinata clapped her hands, an immense smile on her face and Hiashi decided to let her dance with the young Inuzuka, preferring to sing from the benches.
The oaks to the Hyūgas,
The roses to the Yamanakas,
The wolves to the Inuzukas,
The One of the Hoods gave.
He had forgotten the rest of the words, as he had been unable to listen to the Children of Yggalë for almost a decade and elected to hum the rhythm instead. His eyes remained on Hinata during the song; she seemed so happy he could not look away from her. She was as adorable as he had imagined her back in Konoha. Thin round eyes, long jet-black hair and golden sand-like skin. Although these were the Hyūgas common traits, Hinata seemed to carry them better than others for a reason he could not explain. Did every father see their children like this?
A maid offering a glass of wine took his attention away from Hinata, and he thanked the maid who bowed and left, humming the song for herself. When it ended, Hinata walked to him, tiredness visible on her face.
"I bid you good night, father. I should get some sleep before the tourney."
"Sleep well. Was the feast to your liking?"
"It was magnificent!" she replied. "I can't wait to see the tourney tomorrow!"
Hiashi nodded and watched her leave the room with Neiji, Kiba, Inojin and Ino for the bedrooms. She was easy to love and quick to laugh, and he had no doubt that she had befriended the other children. He looked around for Cho and joined her at a table for the rest of the evening and night; he had spent far too much away from her.
The tourney began around ten in the morning and would consist of a joust for the first day. Some independent riders had joined the tourney, but they would most likely not go very far. If they had a chance to do well in the joust, they could not win the mêlée. They had no chance against the Hyūgas, who moved as fast as snakes.
An unknown rider participated in the first joust. He had mahogany skin and Hiashi recognized the symbol of the wind on his shield. 'A rider from the Wind Kingdom? Strange. He must be a mercenary', the High Lord thought. He took a sip of wine and glanced at the other rider. He was a Yamanaka knight who wore, contrary to his adversary, a heavy armour. 'Hm, they both have a different fighting style, it should be interesting'. The arbiter blew his horn and the riders charged. The Yamanaka knight's lance hit the stranger's shield which exploded under the impact, but neither fell.
A new shield was offered to the stranger, but he refused and charged again once the horn was blown. Hiashi could not help but slightly bent over, interested. The stranger seemed much more serious. The two riders crossed path, and everything was over in an instant. As the Yamanaka knight was about to hit the stranger, he bent backwards, avoiding the lance, before getting up to hit his adversary who, under the shock, did not resist and fell in the sand. The entire crowd gasped in surprise, and the stranger removed his helmet, revealing a handsome face despite his scarred cheek, and long braided black hair. He pushed his horse to the plaza where Hiashi was seated and bowed his head.
"My congratulations for this beautiful victory. What's your name?"
"Ryn, from the Wind Kingdom, my lord."
"Rest in the victors' tent, Ryn of the Wind Kingdom. Wine and food will be brought to you."
"Thank you, my lord."
The tourney continued for the rest of the day, and Hiashi had to admit that this stranger was much better than he thought, since he won the joust and the five hundred gold pieces promised to the winner. Hinata seemed charmed by the stranger, and Hiashi discretely watched her as she questioned the man about his journeys and his homeland, their traditions and fashion, worried. She was far too trustful, and that might be her doom in Konoha.
Far too people would take advantage of her. He had to teach her how to lie or at least to be more cautious. Yggalë was rich and peaceful; no one would dare manipulate her out of fear of the rest of the clan. She enjoyed a safety she would not have in Konoha, even when he would be Daimyō. He sighed; he had some years before him, and he saw no point in ruining her happiness. He wanted her to enjoy her first tourney. He had Kō watch over her, and the knight obeyed without question, allowing Hiashi to relax during the rest of the tourney. Kō was the best fighter of the clan, honourable and loyal, and Hinata could not have a better protector.
The tourney was a success, and Hiashi was pleased that his bannermen Inoichi and Tsume had not changed at all when they left Pearlforest to go back to Howlingfort, the Inuzukas' castle, and Greencastle, the Yamanakas' one. His wife hugged Tsume, and Hinata did the same with the children her age, petting young Kiba's wolf on its head. He would finally reunite with the routine he had lost about ten years ago, and his eyes fell on Neiji and Hinata, lively chatting about the tourney they had just witnessed. His eyes then fell on Cho, who was speaking with the master-at-arms about something he could not hear.
Finally, he saw Hiashi walking back to the castle at a brisk pace, and Hiashi frowned. Something was wrong with his brother, and it was time to discover what. He followed him to the garden, where he saw his twin sharply order wine to a passing maid. Hiashi observed the young woman quickly leave to obey his brother before joining him and sitting before him. Hizashi immediately smiled, but Hiashi knew it was nothing but fake.
"Hiashi, you surprised me! What brings you here?"
"You. I'm worried, for you've seemed bitter to me the last few days. Has something happened?"
"Oh no, nothing. I'm merely tired. I didn't know it was noticeable. I hope Neiji hasn't seen anything, he worries easily."
"I don't think he has noticed anything, for I don't think you're sick. Stop lying to me, Hizashi, and tell me what troubles you."
Hizashi looked at him straight in the eye, and Hiashi almost yield, apologize and leave. But he could not allow it; he had to know what plagued his brother's mind. Otherwise, they would not be able to rule Yggalë, and the region would suffer. But Hiashi did not say a word, and Hiashi felt his throat go dry and tighten. What was happening? Why was Hizashi silent?
But he could not press his brother for answer as he heard the precipitated steps of a running child, and Neiji appeared, happily laughing as he turned around to encourage Hinata to follow him. When he noticed them, the boy stopped and smiled.
"Uncle Hiashi, father! Hinata, lady Cho and ser Kō and I are going to the water springs, would you like to come?", he asked and, before Hiashi could refuse to keep interrogating his brother, Hizashi got up, a huge smile on his face.
"Gladly! Hiashi, what do you say?"
"I don't have any objection", he replied, refusing to involve the children Cho in all of this.
Then, Hinata arrived, breathless, her skirt flying behind her. She stopped by her cousin's side, smiling, as ser Kō and lady Cho joined them. After a few words were exchanged, Hiashi followed them to the hot water springs sheltered by Pearlforest. As they were walking, Hiashi felt his brother's hand on his shoulder and turned around to face him. Hizashi's eyes had changed, much more serious than they used to be.
"It will soon mark the tenth anniversary of Halya's death", he confessed. "I didn't want to trouble you because you just got your own family back, but I can't help but think about her when this date approaches; I'm sorry for worrying you.
Hiashi suddenly felt stupid for forgetting the date. Halya had died eight months after giving birth to Neiji. How could he have forgotten? He was an unworthy brother; he had been so focused on his own happiness that he had forgotten his brother's pain! He put his hand on Hizashi's one.
"Brother, I'm the one who should apologize."
"No; you've spent almost ten years in Konoha, away from your family, surrounded by vultures. Let's put this behind us and enjoy our children. What do you think?"
"If it's what you wish, yes, let's do so."
They exchanged a smile and joined their family. However, Hiashi, despite his best efforts, could not help but doubt his brother's sincerity. He had no doubt that Hizashi missed Halya more than anything in the world, but he knew there was something else. Sadly, it was obvious Hizashi would not reveal anything on his own and Hiashi sighed, understanding he would have to stake his brother's actions out. Hizashi had said it himself, he had spent almost ten years in Konoha. He knew when someone lied.
It would take some time though. Hizashi was his brother and he had no intention to use the techniques used in Konoha, of which the cruelty sometimes rivalled the one of the Kingdom of Water. Moreover, he had no intention to see the children teared apart by a fight between them; he wanted his castle and Yggalë to filled with laughing children and happy families. He did not want it to be ruin by a fight between two brothers.
Sitting by the springs, he watched Neiji remove his shirt and boots before jumping in the water as Hinata readjusted her lavender dress embroidered with silver before taking her harp and starting to play a song. She sang and harped with her eyes closed, enjoying her own music, her voice as soft as silk enchanting them all, and Hiashi lost himself in the contemplation of his only child who, still pure and innocent, loved life, and he forgot his own negative thoughts. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the wind and the shadow on his face, the voice of Hinata dancing around him. Today would be a good day.
I love a maid,
I love a knight,
As fair as a serenade,
Who knows not fright.
Neither the One of Wrath nor death
Shall make me forget this face.
I'll make her queen,
I'll make him king,
Forever she'll be serene,
In my arms him I'll be keeping.
Neither the One of Wrath nor death,
Shall make me forget this face.
The sung was suddenly interrupted by a scream of surprise from Hinata and a giggle from Neiji. Hiashi opened his eyes to find his daughter getting up, her eyes on her drenched dress.
"Neiji! This is my favourite dress!", she exclaimed.
"It's just water, come and swim!", he replied.
Hiashi heard Cho's bells-like laughter as she helped Hinata remove her dress and put it on the ground, exposing their daughter's silver underskirt. Hinata then removed her boots, her socks, and ran in a gush of wind towards the hot springs. She easily jumped above Neiji and fell in the water behind him in a big splash. Hiashi laughed when she got back to the surface and splashed her cousin. The situation quickly evolved in a full out water battle between the two children, who ended up leaving the water and run after one another, one drenched gush of wind after the other, sometimes falling back in the water. They finally stopped, panting but smiling.
Once back at the castle, Hiashi walked with Cho in the gardens while the children went to take a bath and put on some clean and dry clothes before supper. When they arrived in front of the old oak in the middle of the garden, Cho stopped and turned to him.
"I have marvellous news for you. Do you remember the last time we were before that oak?"
"Of course. It was the day you told me about your pregnancy…", he replied and, as he spoke, Hiashi understood what she was about to announce. "By the Nine! A baby!"
"Yes, my love. I learnt it this morning and looked for the best moment to tell you. We're going to have a second child, dear", she said, smiling.
"A baby!", he repeated, his heart beating wildly in joy, and he put his hand on his wife's belly. "Oh, Cho, what great news! Hinata will ecstatic, won't she?"
"She will", Cho giggled smiling as wildly as him. "She always wanted a younger sibling. She'll most likely be even happier than us!"
"I doubt that. Oh, I love you, Cho, so much."
"I love you too, dear."
Today was a good day.