Chapter 2
Hanabi Hyuuga turned in the bed, woken up by the chirping birds and the sunlight falling on her face. She winced and sat up looking around. She remembered quite well that she spent her night with Hinata and Neji and their friends. Not sooner than midnight did they return to the mansion. The main House was all present right behind the gate. Hanabi watched with mixed feelings as Hinata bowed to his father and the rest of the clansmen, proclaiming her arrival. She saw quite clearly the looks elders gave one another looking at her older sister. She was beautiful. And weird. Their great granduncle barely stood on his feet, but wanted them all in the room for the conference. Luckily, her father postponed it for this morning. Hanabi checked the clock. It was a little after seven o'clock. Nowadays, Father did not bring up any meeting earlier than eight o'clock. They needed to get ready.
Hanabi left the room. Once Hinata promised to talk with father in the morning, she stayed in Hanabi's room for at least two more hours in the night talking with her until she most probably fell asleep. She thought Hinata would be with her at all times now, but her sister was nowhere to be found. She was overjoyed that her sister came back. The loneliness of the spare heir was nothing to be ridiculed at, but now she had her sister back. Hanabi was not there on the battlefield, but she had heard many stories. She was not even sure which ones were true. She knew for certain that her sister was a heroine of sorts, and she was directly responsible for defeating the enemy. Now, she could learn all about her sister's endeavours. She felt as if she came back from the war just yesterday.
Hanabi hastily opened the door to Hinata's room. It was full of the sunlight, and her sister was standing in front of the mirror. All dressed up as the proper heiress in a peach pink kimono with long sleeves ornamented with white pearly flowers. The breath hitched in Hanabi's throat, seeing her sister look at her with a peaceful smile. She was truly breathtaking. For Hanabi, she was the personification of the dawn itself.
"Good morning, Hanabi-chan.", she said calmly, turning to the newcomer. "Do you think it's ok?", she asked, showing herself. "It has been a very long time since I wore one of those.", she explained sheepishly.
"You look amazing. You are beautiful. You have grown up.", said Hanabi, a little jealous, closing the door behind her.
When she looked up at her, she noticed her sister's face changed its expression. Hinata watched her sister with calculating seriousness, and then replied:
"I didn't have any other choice but to grow up, Hanabi. I can tell you didn't either.", Hinata's voice was dry and somewhat regretful.
The respectful knock on the door made them look at the door.
"Come in.", said Hinata and the door revealed a Hyuuga woman, who froze on the threshold.
"Oh, Hinata-sama, my apologies, I came to help you dress up for breakfast."
"Don't worry, Noriko-san, I woke up earlier today. Please, help Hanabi instead."
"Of course, Hinata-sama. Hanabi-sama, shall we?", said the woman smiling at the younger sister.
"Let us talk tonight, Hanabi. After the meeting with the council I have to visit Hokage-sama and I need to take care of several things. Let's go shopping in the evening, I will be needing several things." Hinata offered and she smiled widely, when Hanabi's face also smiled with the realisation what that meant. The talk outside the compound.
"Brace yourself, sis. I have lots of questions." Hanabi laughed and winked at her and then left Hinata's room with light steps.
Hinata turned to the mirror once again and sighed softly. She had her long midnight black hair pulled into the braid starting from the gathered hair on the level of her shoulder blades. The braid ended somewhere near her lower thighs. She ruffled her thick fringe and touched her pearl earrings, which exposed and highlighted her pearly white eyes. She took a step toward the door. She smiled to herself. If she took too large a step, everyone could see she wore long boots on high heels. She looked again at herself in the mirror and on her smiling face, which turned into a serious expression once again.
She was not that timid girl anymore. She was trained until she was almost dead to never give up or succumb. She knew her worth. What she did not know was where her place was in this new world without a war. Small steps, then.
She left the room and went to the main hall meeting and greeting her clansmen, who first froze in place and then bowed with respect. The door keeped to the main hall failed to notice her in time to announce her arrival.
"Good morning, Father." she said softly, halting the murmurs of the gathered and entering the hall with confidence.
"Good morning, Daughter.", her father in his late fifties stood up from his place and showed her her own just next to his.
This great honour would be seen even by the blind. The Main Branch members did not even shift in their place, just to be able to hear any words to be spoken then.
"Where is…?", Hiashi wanted to ask, but was cut short, by the entrance of his youngest. Hanabi looked lovely in a baby blue kimono with purple and dark blue ornament of storks.
"Good morning, Father, esteemed council, Hinata-sama.", she bowed and then took her regular place next to Hinata as the spare Heiress.
They waited patiently for the breakfast to be served thoroughly. The atmosphere in the hall was thickening with every second. Hanabi glanced nervously at her sister, but she was looking ahead with her thoughts somewhere else, even though she seemed focused. After saying brief thanks, the family started eating in silence. It was torturous. Hinata did not even flinch or show any other way that she was affected by the silent scrutiny of the House.
After the last drop of tea was drunk, Hinata stood up from her seat without a word, moved through all the seats of the council and lowered gracefully to her knees before her father and the council in the middle of the hall.
"I present myself to the Head and the Council, after the return from the training with White Divine Tigers and after the Fourth Shinobi War.", she said loudly and steadily, without remorse glancing at the faces of the elders of the Hyuuga clan.
"The Head and the Council receive you, Heiress." her father replied with a proud grunt. "The Council will hear now of your progress and reports of the time spent-".
"The Council will now present the Heiress with Her responsibilities, she neglected for such a long time.", said the grandmother in her deep green kimono, not giving a care in the world she interrupted the Head. The Head was her son, after all.
Hanabi almost growled at this disrespect. Her indignation was forgotten, when she glanced at her father, who looked mildly amused looking at Hinata. She watched her sister looking expectantly at the speaker, undisturbed by the grandmother's behaviour. Murmurs filled the hall, which were cut short, when Hinata spoke again.
"I wish to bring to the Council's attention that as a shinobi of Konoha, I was given an order from Hokage to make myself present for the conference today at midday. I would like to urge the esteemed members of this council to make up their minds and speak up as our time is limited."
Hanabi barely contained her smile. She felt sorry for the Council and she felt sorry for Neji, he could not see this. Hanabi relaxed and continued to watch the show, confident in her sister and her dealing with the Council. Never in her fifteen years of life was the Council meeting this pleasant.
After a quick glance, she was certain Hiashi thought so too.
After a short buzz of whispers, the great granduncle Okushi spoke with his unfocused voice:
"Lady Hinata, the Council finds it disturbing that a young lady of your status dwelled in an unknown place and without notification to the Council left your responsibilities. The Council deems it necessary for Heiress to be examined by the esteemed medic in terms of her virtue and reproducing capabilities. As Heiress is now of age, the Council makes it their priority to find Heiress her match and consort, before she takes up the mantle of the next Head, may her condition be without a doubt. Until the medical reports arrive, the Heiress is suspended in her duties and the responsibilities will be carried out by Lady Hanabi. May the Council find everything in order, Lady Hinata shall be wed within a month and given the title of the Head. May the Council find the error in Lady Hinata's conduct, she shall be disowned from the Main Branch of Hyuuga, given the Hyuuga Seal and sent away."
"Outrage!", exclaimed Hanabi, followed by the minority, several cousins of young age.
How dare they… Hanabi barely kept her eyes dry. They still belittled and neglected Hinata and they did not even let her speak. Were they actually aware of the talk on the streets? Did they ever leave the compound? Hinata was soon to be bound to the village… The unrest was vocalized by all the gathered for a few minutes.
The only ones who did not speak were Hiashi and Hinata. They looked at one another without emotions, as if they had their own private conversation among this chaos. Hanabi then realised they were probably the only ones participating in the last war. Only her father and her sister knew what happened then and what made Hinata leave as she did. This surely must have been to Hinata's advantage, or she would not be this calm.
She almost did not notice how the unrest died down.
"I hear the Council.", said Hinata, never moving her eyes from Hiashi,"I praise this Council for their providence and wisdom. I understand the Council's concern for the future of the clan and I shall obey the medical examination. As far as further orders of the Council are concerned, I leave for the Head to consider their righteousness."
"The Head accepts the task and shall inform Heiress of her following obligations.", declared Hiashi, before anybody, his mother included, could stop him.
He did not expect it. This cunning Council of his seemed to think very highly of themselves. What kind of father he was, he was even unable to protect his daughter from the dishonour their own family served her.
Hinata nodded to him shortly.
He could not read her. He barely knew his daughter. She must have been outraged, even though she seemed so detached, as if she expected this. What could he do to change her fate? What could she do to change her fate? He still did not know what had become of her. The Council was ignorant enough not to hear her out, but he had already seen that this girl… no, this young woman was already someone else.
She held herself with confidence and she addressed the Council as if she interrogated them, not the other way round. He wished to see what else she could do.
"My Heiress, I witnessed with my own eyes the great deeds you committed on the battlefield. I also witnessed with my own eyes as the White Divine Tiger took you with themselves for the sake of training. As the Head, I wish to witness with my own eyes how my Heiress have grown. I would like Heiress to spar with our clansmen tomorrow, may the schedule allow."
"The girl needs her priorities to settle on becoming wife and mother, Hiashi, not another little soldier to Kages' wars. We all saw what it brought to our House. We lost the rightful Heiress for four long years." addressed the Matriarch of the Hyuuga clan.
"Dear Mother, this girl you speak of that became ready to wed, in the meantime became a young woman and an adult kunoichi. As you said, she was gone for four years for training. We can very well be interested in what way our future Head has developed. We have now the time of peace, but you know especially well that peace is never everlasting. I wish to have Hinata sparred with several of our clansmen, Neji and Hanabi included. Does the Council recognise my way of thoughts?"
"The Council received you, Head.", grunted the great granduncle disappointed.
"Excellent. Heiress, you shall obey the order for the medical examination. The list of esteemed medics will be delivered to your attention soon enough. Until the reports arrive, Hanabi Hyuuga will fill your post for sake of responsibilities. Further pointers of the Council are yet to be determined. Head closes this seating." declared Hiashi standing up. The gathered bowed to him in respect. The moment he moved, Hanabi i Hinata followed to the exit.
"How could they-", Hanabi snapped through clenched teeth.
"Not here, Hanabi." said Hinata in a low voice, as she ushered them to their private quarters.
The younger sister started shaking with rage. Hinata, on the other hand, wished only to check the clock. She could deal with all of these later. She had half an hour. She could not be late.
She came to the desk, pulled Hanabi's pen and piece of paper and started writing furiously. Then she folded the paper and left it on the desk. Hinata turned to Hanabi and hugged her.
"Thank you for being angry for me.", she whispered in her ear. Hanabi sank in the embrace, fighting unshed tears, "I don't have much time. Hokage expects me soon. I need to leave now and I will make a spectacle of it. I am sure we will be closely watched now. Do. Not. Say. A. Thing. After I leave and you hear any of it, take the paper I wrote, and pass it to father, in any book you find. I will explain to you everything when the time and place is right. Understood?" she then kissed her cheek, making Hanabi blush a little.
"I love you, Hanabi-chan." she said lovingly and patted her cheek, but her eyes held commanding seriousness.
"I l-love you too, sis." she said quietly in emotions.
One thing she was certain of: Hinata was something else.
"Are you not changing?" she asked, indicating her lush kimono.
"I don't have time for that. Hokage is waiting for me. I need to go now. Remember that I love you, ok?"
"Of course. Please don't kill anybody with your looks, ok?" Hanabi smiled innocently, which made Hinata laugh heartily and leave without another word.
In the next few minutes, which Hanabi used to change her attire, she heard the commotion downstairs, so she grabbed the piece of paper and put it between the pages of 'The strategist manual for the advanced' and left for father's study.
She could not help herself to ask one of the maids if her sister had left already. The maid responded with a blush and said that Heiress left wearing a high class kimono, but it went loose and black high heeled boots and black tights were visible with every step she took. Moreover, she left without an escort for the whole village to see. They wanted to stop her, but neither maids nor guards were able to do so.
That was wonderful, were the only words Hanabi had to say.
"Good morning, Uchiha." greeted the melancholic voice upon his arrival to the meeting hall. The brunette turned his head around to see Gaara approaching him in his traditional Kazekage robes. They were all to be gathered in a conference room as all the Kages present for the previous-day festivities demanded a seat during the meeting with Hokage Candidates.
Tsunade had to oblige.
"Good morning, Kazekage.", replied Sasuke, bowing his head a little. "Thank you for your help during the accident yesterday." the aquamarine eyes stared for a few seconds at the Uchiha.
"You are most welcome, Uchiha. I am sure that if the situation was reversed you would return the sentiment. What happened to the family with children who lost their house last night?", Gaara said calmly, falling into Sasuke's steps as they continued their way to the hall.
"Hokage arranged the temporary accommodation for them, until their house will be repaired."
"Of course. Do you know anything about the cause of the fire?"
"The initial expertise showed that the cause was a leak of gas. But the final report is yet to arrive." answered Sasuke politely.
Without a word both men turned to the spacious room, where the meeting with Hyuuga Hinata was about to begin. They saw the Mizukage and the Raikage and the Tsuchikage already seated in the room. Behind them, the staccato of high-heeled shoes also was heard announcing the arrival of the Hokage.
Soon, all the leaders, who stayed in Konoha for one more day after the festival before departing to their respective villages, were seated. Among them sat Sasuke, one of candidates for the Hokage post. Today, he wore black uniform and his Jounin vest and he couldn't care less about his appearance.
"Where is the Hyuuga princess?" asked the Raikage in an impatient voice. "Does this girl know we don't have all day?"
"Give her some leniency, Raikage." told him Gaara. "As we heard last night, she is probably very busy right now. It is obvious she has clan matters to attend. Moreover, it was Hokage's idea to call her this midday, despite her tight schedule."
"That's very considerate of you, Gaara, but we also have tight schedules. You as the Kazekage should know about it quite well." interposed Tsunade in a mock tone.
It was about when the rest of Kages were to join the conversation, the doors opened revealing two ANBU holding doors for Hinata Hyuuga.
Her hair was neatly dressed into a braid from the length of her blades, thick fringe still covering her forehead. She wore a beautiful kimono in the peach shade of pink with white flower ornaments. She also wore subtle pearls on her ears.
She entered the room with the composure of a noble lady, although intense glances made her blush a little bit.
"Please, forgive me for making you wait." she said the first thing coming closer to the round table.
She bowed a little with true gracefulness and sat next to Sasuke on the only vacant chair.
"You didn't need to make yourself so formally dressed, Hinata-hime." said the Mizukage with an adorable smile.
"Actually, I had no time to change after the council meeting. Please, bear with me.", the young woman said with a small pleasant smile bowing her head a little bit.
No one commented on her clothing, especially when all the men gathered could only ponder on how pleasant a sight she made.
"Let us get started." claimed Tsunade. "Hinata, there are only two months until you take over the post. The Hokage training must begin."
"I understand, Tsunade-sama."
"Sasuke here has already begun the preparation, so he will be the one to provide you any information you won't be able to cover until the deadline." Hokage added and Hinata turned her white tender eyes to the silent brunette.
"I'm counting on you, Sasuke-kun." She beamed with a genuine smile making him grunt in response. "However, our time will be drastically limited." added the twenty-year-old woman.
"And why is that, Hyuuga-hime?" asked the oldest in the room, the Tsuchikage.
"The Hyuuga council actions prove to be problematic. Surprisingly, they decided this morning for me to take over my father's position as the head of the Hyuuga clan very soon." she announced.
"You are the heir, Hinata. It was certain to happen.", said Tsunade, frowning. "Yet, the timing they have chosen is distressing. Not to mention, it is a conflict of the interests. You won't have a life."
"I am very well aware of all these, Tsunade-sama. However, it is not something I cannot do. They intend to give me the title even before the ceremonials of Fire."
"It almost doesn't work, Hyuuga", said the voice next to her. Sasuke had his chin settled on his connected hands. He wasn't looking at her. "On December, 27th you will become Hokage, already being the leader of the Hyuuga clan. If it wasn't for me, you would be in the deep shit."
"You are absolutely right, Sasuke-kun,'' Hinata replied, ignorant to his language.
That made Sasuke finally look at her and give her his full attention.
Hinata continued:
"The Hyuuga clan is rotting in its roots." she said softly not looking at anyone as if she would recall a scene in her mind. "It is my responsibility to make it living again. White Divine Tigers were more than helpful to provide tools. I will never be able to thank Naruto and the God-tree enough for the gift of living with them."
"If I understand it correctly, you want to change the Hyuuga clan.", said the Raikage. "What makes the need of change? Do they not follow the general views on the world? Are they even aware of the treasure they have as a heiress?"
This question made Hinata look at the well-built man in the prime age. She looked him straight in the eye.
"I am very thankful for your concern and your praise, Raikage-sama. However, it is a clan matter. Forgive me for not revealing the details.", she bowed her head.
She could not see the looks Sasuke exchanged with Gaara.
"Tsunade-sama, you claimed to have many questions to ask yesterday." stated the brunette.
"Yes, I did. Actually, I have invited all the Kages to discuss several things with both of you. It is very fortunate you returned yesterday, Hinata."
"What do you want to talk about?" asked Sasuke in a business-like tone.
"It is extraordinary for two people to hold one title.", started Mei, the Mizukage.
"Have you thought about how to deal with this situation on a daily basis, by any chance?"
Sasuke and Hinata looked at each other blinking. The Uchiha growled looking again at the woman in blue:
"And what do you think? We hadn't been in touch for four years. We don't even know each other. And imagine, we had no opportunity to discuss anything yesterday."
"Sasuke-kun is right." supported him the Hyuuga-hime. "It is far too early to ask this particular question."
"We hope you will inform us of your decision when the time comes," said Tsunade. "Another aspect to discuss is your position in shinobi ranks. Hinata, it would be appropriate for you to take examinations for the jounin rank at least."
"I was thinking about it too. I would like to ask all the Kages for the separate date, as soon as possible. I am ready any time except for tomorrow."
"We will leave it to Tsunade-hime." stated Oonoki, the Tsuchikage. "What rank are you, boy?" asked the old man, turning his head to Sasuke. The last Uchiha felt white eyes on him.
"I lead the ANBU squad, but you have never heard of it." he answered. Then he looked at Hinata.
She had sparkles in her white eyes. It surprised him greatly. It made him almost shocked when she asked enthusiastically:
"Let's spar one day, Sasuke-kun."
Somehow it was similar to what Naruto would have said. It seemed strange to the brunette, yet it was relieving.
First, she made a Kage Bunshin the day before. Now, she invited him for a spar.
Hinata Hyuuga has changed drastically. She didn't stutter anymore. She was more confident in her speeches, yet she didn't get rid of her tender manner of speaking. All about her seemed to be soft, but there was also strength. She wasn't weak anymore. Sasuke began to perceive her as if she was covered with the veil of secrecy. He couldn't estimate her power because of two aspects. On the outside, she was very polite, reserved and soft-spoken. On the other hand, her inner side was very well hidden. Speaking the truth, Sasuke couldn't wait to talk with her in private. The spar was counted in.
"It goes without saying." he replied at last, earning her smile.
"Set the date and let me know. I want to see Hinata's improvement as well.", claimed Tsunade, appointing them with her pen. "By the way, how was your meeting with Hiashi, Hinata? Have you made any schedules for your duties?"
"I would like not be perceived as untrusting or impolite, but I would like to discuss those things in private, Tsunade-sama.", she replied flatly.
"You realise, Angel, that we all here are your friends, alright?", said Gaara, watching her closely. "I am aware we do not know each other very well, but we acknowledge you and Uchiha here as Naruto's heirs and we give you lots of trust."
"Kazekage boy says correct.", the Tsuchikage spoke up. "I told you, Hime, last time we met, that no threat is going to fall on you village. We spent those four years waiting for you, but also working together, truly together, to solve any problem, inside issue or not."
"I was not aware…", said Hinata, embarrassed and truly at loss.
"Are you in danger?", asked Sasuke unexpectedly, making the rest of the gathered swift nervously. Hinata glanced at him with a surprised expression and regarded him mutely for a few moments.
Tsunade watched her intensely. Her sister was a spare heiress, young and inexperienced. Hiashi has been struggling with his elders for longer than Hinata has gone, but was able to keep the younger sister in the dark and far from the inner turmoils of the Hyuuga. This was the reason for Neji to be accepted into ANBU. Hiashi never told his council about Neji being resurrected and forbid to spread the news within the compound. He never told them about the end of the war and never told them about Hinata being a part of it. Judging by Hinata's reaction, they have made their move today, and they acted thoroughly different to what she could have expected. She was not sure that Hiashi's decision to keep it a secret was a good one, but she was not to judge. He was the Head, he could do what he wanted. They had no idea of the repercussions of this decision. He was able to protect one sister, but could he really protect the other? Hinata had been detached from this meeting a little bit, and said that the Hyuuga Council had taken their actions...
"What did the Hyuuga Council do, Hinata?", the look Hokage received was screaming of a serious calculation of a strategist. She was being assessed. After a few moments, the Hyuuga princess turned her eyes to Sasuke, to Kazekage, to Raikage, to Mizukage, and to Tsuchikage. They all looked at her encouragely.
"I cannot tell you yet. My father is consulting with Nara as we speak.", she replied quietly. "I am sorry." she added, looking again at them all, staying on Sasuke.
"Naruto made me promise I will protect you and take care of you." he said. "I don't care if you want to take care of it yourself. If they harm you, and I know about it, I will act accordingly. And I am having you know that I have Neji to look at things."
Hearing it, Hinata gasped and was unable to look Sasuke in the eyes. Something inside him urged him to smile widely, but he dismissed it quickly.
"Alright, until you tell me more, Hinata, I will not bring other things to our consideration. I need to know of your schedule, though, so I can put you and Sasuke on track.", signed Tsunade.
"Of course, Hokage-sama.", she said with a nod, feeling slightly defeated by these people being the joined forces in the name of Naruto Uzumaki.