Obligatory Disclaimer: The series Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto; I only own the OCs, picture, and this story.
Chapter 26: Of Bygone Days and Renewed Resolve
By the time my whirling thoughts had come to a standstill, it was late in the afternoon. I hadn't made any progress in settling the bubbling emotions that had reared their ugly heads after my conflict with Mother, but at least my head was somewhat clearer.
Despite all the relief I felt now that they were back, new questions plagued my thoughts, especially after what I had heard in Kushina's kitchen. Mother had said something about the clans…which clans? The Hyūga? The Senju? Or maybe even the clans that had spawned from it, which still existed scattered throughout the Land of Fire?
For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what she meant. What had happened between the time of their return and now that could've caused her so much grief in only a couple of days?
Or had something happened before they returned?
There had to be something I could do to give her peace of mind. While my goals to become stronger couldn't be ignored, new priorities needed to take precedence now that my parents were back and this new threat had appeared on the onset of their return. I would have to be more careful and even more 'obedient' than before. Bringing less attention to myself might help, though I had a feeling that such a thing was easier said than done, if not borderline impossible at this point.
It wasn't as if I could just give back my forehead protector and be done with it. Maybe I had to hide in plain sight; take advantage of my place in the village, my connections, and my status as a child prodigy. This was much riskier, but the payout may be more than I could imagine. And considering everything, my parents had obviously gone through a lot. I needed to be better and not burden them as they reintroduced themselves to village life.
It was the least I could do.
I sighed, resting my head on the arm of the chair I had been in for hours. What was I going to do?
"What's on your mind Junko?" A tired voice asked and my head shot up.
Father was looking at me, head turned on his pillow. I quickly hopped down from my seat, stepping lightly over Riku's sleeping body to stand at his bedside.
"Tou-chan, how are you feeling?" I asked instead, pulling myself up onto the edge of his bed.
He lifted himself into an upright position as I busied myself making sure his pillows were fluffed and positioned properly. Once he relaxed, I settled against his shoulder and he wrapped an arm loosely around my tiny body.
"You didn't answer my question," he prompted again, giving me a light squeeze.
A retort sat on my tongue- 'you didn't answer mine either'- but I swallowed it back.
"I was just worried about you," I said quietly, taking his bandaged hand into my own.
It was still as large as it had been all those years ago. Mine seemed so weak and pathetic in comparison; how would I ever protect anyone with them? Before he had left, Father was like this huge looming giant that could see everything I did and could protect me from everything and anything. But seeing him bedridden and bandaged fought viciously with how I believed him to be; untouchable. An unstoppable force that would never let anything harm me.
Father moved his hand so it encompassed mine and pulled me closer.
"Hmm. The Junko I remember would blurt out the first thing that came into her little head," Father commented, a hint of musing in his voice.
I knew the exact memory he was talking about as he chuckled lightly under his breath. It had happened on that day I had seen Hideyoshi and the twins for the first time, before my third birthday where my life had taken an unexpected turn.
I had stayed in my room moodily as Mother and Father talked with the twins and Hideyoshi. I hadn't bothered with my toys or books, climbing onto my bed and laying there motionlessly for two hours- a childish form of protest- until Mother came to get me for dinner. She had stared at me from the doorway for a moment before walking to where I had laid face down on my mattress.
"Junko-chan," she said, amused as she picked me up. "What's the matter?"
"I wanted to train with you, but those lemon-faces got in the way," I pouted, wrapping my arms around her neck. She carried me back into the hallway towards the kitchen.
"Lemon-faces?" she chuckled. It was the only insult I could think of at the time, well, the only insult appropriate for a two year old to use.
Father was sitting at the table, a look I had not been able to discern on his face back then as he looked over several documents- which had probably been about me thinking back on it- before his gaze shifted to me.
"Lemon-faces?" he asked.
I reached for him when we neared, and he took me from her arms and sat me in his lap.
"Yeah, lemon-faces," I repeated. "Those people who ruined my training with kaa-chan looked like they ate lemons!"
He frowned at me but a twinkle of amusement sparkled in his eyes.
"That's no way to think of people you've only met in passing Junko," he admonished lightly.
I pouted again as Mother laughed openly. "Okay, tou-chan..."
But that had been so long ago. The sight of his bright white eyes morphed back to the present, the one I could see glazed over in thought. Time and life had certainly done damage to us both.
"Tou-chan…"
He looked at me closely with his left eye, seeming to take in every detail, every change I had gone through in the midst of his absence.
"You know, I believed that…that being seen as a member of the Main House would be good for you," he mumbled, his tone wistful. "You're so brilliant, being in the Branch would only hinder you."
I squeezed his hand. Even Father, who had been without opposition to his duties, believed in that stupid belief spurred on by the Main House.
"I don't think so," I spoke up and his gaze focused on me. "Those who look down upon the Branch only do themselves a disservice."
He titled his head back, somewhat amused by my words. "What makes you say that?"
I eyed him warily, but let the words come unfiltered.
"The difference between Main and Branch is really just a distinction of chance," I began, looking down at our clasped hands. "I mean, just look at Hiashi-san and Hizashi-san; if the order of their birth had been reversed, the clan would have a different heir, just like that."
I looked back up at him.
"And look at me; despite the fact that I am less Hyūga than even Hizashi-san, I am considered to be fit to someday rule the clan before him or his unborn child."
I couldn't help but let my face fall into an exasperated grimace.
"Honestly, I don't think the elders put much thought into their decision; they must've heard 'Senju' and all reason left them. They betrayed their own prejudices."
My words caught as I noticed the look on his face; maybe I had said too much. A silent moment passed between us.
But then Father, the earnest and stoic man who had raised me, began to laugh.
It wasn't a simple chuckle; it was full on belly-rolling laughter. He clutched at his stomach and tightened his grip around me as he did. It was something I had never heard before, had never seen before and so I could only stare in stunned silence until he began to calm down.
Maybe his medication was working a little too well.
"Tou-chan…?" I ventured hesitantly as he ended his brief hysteria with a sigh.
He lifted his other hand to wipe at a tear that had bloomed in his unbandaged eye and stared down at me, an earnest smile filled with mirth spread across his face.
"That's more like the Junko I remember," he chuckled.
"You're not mad? No lecture?"
He squeezed me again. "How could I be? I did ask you to be yourself. Not even Hideyoshi-sama could extinguish that fire in you."
I still thought it was the drugs talking but I shook my head, a smile spreading across my face.
"Silly tou-chan," I said, moving to take his face into my hands. I lightly kissed the seal I knew existed beneath his bandaged forehead.
"My strong daughter," he returned with a kiss to my own unmarked forehead.
I don't know how long we stayed like that, enjoying each other's presence in silence, but it was long enough for a familiar woman to walk in.
"As much as I would like to let you stay, it is pass visiting hours Junko-hime."
I looked up from where I was curled up next to Father. "Mei-obasan!"
She smiled at me, exhaustion from a long shift evident on her face. Father leaned over to press another kiss to my head.
"You heard Mei-neechan," he said. "It's probably pass your bedtime."
"Ninjas don't have bedtimes, tou-chan," I scoffed lightheartedly as I hopped down.
An awake Riku padded to my side, letting out a contagious yawn which I caught immediately.
"That was Riku's fault," I said and Riku let out an offended bark at the accusation.
"Be that as it may, it's time for you to go home," Mei chuckled as she walked close.
I nodded reluctantly as she rested her hand on my head, looking back to Father.
"I'll come back tomorrow after practice," I vowed.
If I asked, I knew Kushina would let me have the day off, but that wouldn't help me reach my goals any quicker. But as the words left my mouth, the room became tense. Not again. My heart sunk as Mei shook her head.
"Junko-hime…I'm afraid that Daichi will be in surgery for the next few days." Her words sent warning bells off in my head.
"Are his injuries that bad?"
Aunt Mei seemed hesitant to talk, though after what seemed like an hour in the heavy atmosphere, Father finally spoke.
"It's my eye," he said, regarding me with his working one. "It was…taken by Kiri-nin after I was captured on the field. The damage they left was severe. Amongst other things."
My mind went blank. Father had been captured? Tortured? His eye taken?
Was that the reason they'd never sent any letters? How long had he been in the enemy's hold? Why hadn't I heard anything about this!?
"I will be part of the surgical team," Aunt Mei reassured me. "You can trust us."
I was still trying to swallow the fact that Father had been a prisoner of war for an extended period of time as I nodded.
"I...I trust you oba-san," I said before turning my gaze to Father. "I'll pray for a fast recovery, tou-chan."
He smiled, tired but grateful.
"Thank you Junko. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, tou-chan."
...
The walk back to the compound was silent. It was starting to snow again, adding to the inches already piled on the ground. I tried to rein in all my thoughts, which had become even more muddled than before. As it stood now, Mother was worried about something concerning the clans and Father was having surgery, his eye taken by Kiri-nin. Had Mother's worry come from this? Why didn't she just tell me outright?
We made it to the house and slid into the genkan, Aunt Mei brushing the snow from my hair I hadn't bothered to remove as she broke the silence.
"Junko-hime," she began. "I know it is a fruitless endeavor, but please do not worry yourself about this. Daichi will be fine."
"…but will everything really be okay?"
Her brows furrowed as she looked down at me. "Junko-hime…"
I stared at my hands, the tips red due to the cold.
"Father lost his byakugan. I just know that the clan will have issue with that. And earlier when kaa-chan and I were at shishou's place, she was worried about something concerning the clans. She even got upset when I asked her about it."
I looked up at her imploringly. "Mei-obasan, what should I do? What can I do?"
The woman knelt down and took me into her arms. She was quiet as she held me, warming my little body from the cold. It didn't help though. My insides were frozen with the thought of what would happen. Would Father be punished with his curse seal? Would he be exiled from the clan?
Would his other eye be taken as he had lost the 'privilege' of using the Hyūga's prized dōjutsu?
Aunt Mei squeezed me briefly before pulling away, a serious expression on her face.
"Junko-hime, sometimes you cannot help those you love, no matter how much you try."
I wanted to argue but she silenced me by grasping my hands.
"I know you mean well, but there are times when you will not be able to do anything but stay by their side."
"So I should sit back and watch them suffer!?" My voice shook as I spoke and her expression became sympathetic.
"Of course not," she replied calmly. "However, sometimes we must work with the powers that be, with the strength we have…and sometimes it may not be enough. Sometimes...sometimes we should just be thankful they came back at all."
I stared up into her pale eyes. They spoke of hardship, of years suffering through fate that did not let up its cruelty. I saw experience of having to suffer, not being able to do anything to stop it. But I couldn't agree with such a sentiment. No matter what, I would try to ease the burdens of the ones I loved, even if it came at my expense.
I had nothing to say and so that was where we parted ways, the woman having to do some last-minute preparations for tomorrow. I nodded to her farewell and quietly gave one in return. The house was dark and silent. Mother wasn't home yet. I wasn't hungry or tired though it was late in the evening and so I walked through the dark house, my steps muted as I walked to my room. I sat on my bed for a moment, quietly listening to the silence and Riku's light breathing, letting my thoughts settle. I reached underneath the space between my nightstand and the bed frame and activated the seal I placed there, pulling out a familiar notebook.
I lightly brushed its surface and opened it, letting my eyes rove over the distantly familiar letters, my mind slowly recognizing each word.
I had defied both death and fate once before.
I'd do it again.
When I woke up the next morning, Mother's chakra tapped lightly against my consciousness as soon as I was aware. My late night of planning and thinking made my mind foggy and my limbs heavy, but I pushed myself upright despite my desire to sink into my bed. Surprisingly, Riku wasn't there to greet me in the morning as he usually did and I was alone for once. I closed my eyes and shifted into my altered vision.
Unlike the training ground, the house was devoid any flowing veins of chakra, and the bright orbs of light were sparse inside its walls. However, I hadn't expected to see a sort of haze around the place. Around the house, I could see and almost feel faint imprints of chakra. It wasn't as lively as in the training ground but it was there hanging in the atmosphere, a phantom presence lingering in the air.
Maybe it was a trace of some kind, left over from living here. My room had a light fog of chakra filling it, colored light teal. There was no doubt that it was mine along with a mix of Riku's, whose darker green chakra glowed most brightly over his bed in the corner and my own. I didn't know how to describe it, maybe like a heady mist, our chakra separated by color and general feel, but in harmony all the same. I really couldn't describe the feeling of my own, I just knew it was mine; it was churning inside me after all. But Riku's was a mixture of wilderness and domestication, glowing differently than mine.
But there were also others. I recognized Aunt Mei's, both strong and surprisingly fragile at the same time, although I think the more accurate term would be delicate. Specks of Mother's appeared through the house as well as Father's, though very faint as though faded by time, and I followed the more brightly glowing specks to where I could see her in the kitchen, along with Riku. They appeared as cloudy auras densely packed and glowing bright.
Letting out a deep breath, the vision faded and I opened my eyes, the physical world returning. I ignored the twisting in my stomach as I finally emerged from my comforter, rising out of bed and entering the hallway. It wouldn't do if I just lazed about all day, even if I wanted to do no more than hide myself away with the hopes of everything working itself out.
Unfortunately, the world didn't work out that way.
The wooden panels beneath my feet were freezing as I walked down the hallway to the kitchen, but the air around me was warm and sweet smelling. Almost nostalgic. As I entered the threshold, Mother's back greeted me. The crisp morning sunlight danced through the frozen windows and the frosted panels of the sliding door to the porch, filling the room with natural light. Her hair shone in the same way it did back then, even though it was cut short and the last time I had seen it in this place, I still needed a booster seat to sit at the table. My heart warmed even as my stomach lurched.
Although we would never get those days back, I would work hard to make the most out of these new days and make them even better than before.
Despite my resolve, my stomach decided to make the most embarrassing growl ever, alerting the others to my presence. Riku looked up from his bowl and Mother turned toward me, a slightly wary but highly amused expression on her face.
"Good morning to you too, Junko-chan," she said, and a blush spread across my face.
"Morning," I mumbled, shuffling deeper inside to sit at the table.
Mother only turned away for a second more before returning with a fluffy stack of warm pancakes. The sight was salivating but I simply took a deep breath, forgotten memories reemerging as I looked at them.
"I remember how much you hated cold mornings," Mother said with a smile, as though testing the waters. "I used to have to con you with pancakes to get you out of bed."
I had to lean back a little to catch a glimpse of her face. It felt as though she was trying to give an apology through her actions. But nothing needed to be said as I had already forgiven her. I smiled big and the way her muscles relaxed in relief was almost heartbreaking.
"Thank you kaa-chan," I chirped.
With the slightest bit of hesitation, she planted her hand on my head and leaned in to kiss me on the forehead.
"I'm happy that I get to cook for you again," she said.
"I missed your cooking too," I said with a nod, and as if voice activated, my stomach let out another embarrassing growl.
Mother laughed and another blush spread across my face. "Go on then."
The atmosphere was nice and comfortable as I ate and no words were exchanged until I finished my meal. Riku lightly nudged my ankles to remind me of the time and I looked up at the clock which hung near the doorway.
Was Father in surgery already? Would it go alright?
Would it matter or not if it did, especially with rebuttal from the elders on the horizon?
Those questions clouded my thoughts as I watched the clock tick by, uncaring of my troubles. Taking a deep breath I hopped off my chair, Riku rising to follow. I looked up at Mother who was taking care of the dishes.
"Thank you for the meal, kaa-chan," I said as she turned around to look at me. "Could I be excused? I need to get ready to meet with Kushina-shishou."
Maybe because I was looking for it, her muscles tensed even as she smiled cheerfully at me.
"I understand; you are a training ninja after all," she chirped, drying her hands on her apron.
After I had gotten cleaned up and changed, Mother bid me goodbye claiming that she would be at the hospital all day. Every part of my being wished I could join her but I plodded my way through the snow with Riku to meet with Kushina. Waiting for Father to get out of surgery wasn't something I could afford to do; the thought itself made my insides twist and my stomach drop, but it had to be done.
Training was a better distraction than just waiting around with bated breath and held hopes of things turning around for the better. I even found that, despite my hatred for snow, Konoha in the winter had its own beauty; though maybe that was just me taking solace in the silence. It helped me forget for a moment that though my parents had returned, there were still threats on the horizon.
We made it to the training ground and there was no Uzumaki in sight. Maybe she was running late? I walked to the edge of the frozen lake, eyeing its glistening surface warily. It would suck if I fell so as I did with normal water-walking, I channeled chakra to my feet and eased onto the ice. I never had the opportunity to try it on ice before since if given the choice, I rarely left the house during the coldest days of winter. My shenanigans-riddled trio of friends couldn't even convince me to get out of the compound.
It was easy to regulate my chakra so that walking across the ice was no different than traveling across solid land, though as I made my way to the island in the middle, a thought occurred to me. When you channeled chakra for water-walking or tree-walking, it was basically creating a padding of chakra at the bottom of your feet that you could then manipulate to either attach to or repeal from surfaces. Right now, I was attaching myself to the ice so I wouldn't slip and fall. If I did the opposite…
Giving into my impulses, I manipulated my chakra just so and pushed off the surface, sending my body forward. Whirling my arms a bit, I regained my balance and soon I was gliding across the surface of the frozen lake. Riku jumped across the frozen lake in two impressive leaps, letting his paws only touch the surface lightly once before landing on the mini island. Giggling at the display I pushed off, skating around the mini island. It was childish, not something I usually did as I should've just started my meditation for the day. But as I had vowed last night, today would be the day that I focused wholeheartedly on my training; it wouldn't hurt to relax for a little while.
It wasn't as though I hadn't trained hard these past few years; I had the cuts and callouses to prove it. But I would have to go further, train harder. The conflict with Mother and my subsequent talk with Father made it clear to me that I wasn't doing enough. Training with Kushina as my mentor and having regular spars with Team Minato had made me compliant, not taking it as hard as I should have considering all the tragedy that existed just past the horizon and beyond it. Mother and Father returning had both lessened my stress but also added to it.
I sighed. Would I ever get to actually enjoy this new life?
I slowed down to where Riku was laying near the edge of the island just as Kushina appeared beside him. I was proud to note that I didn't jump and stumble when she suddenly poofed next to the dog, meeting her on the snow dusted shore.
"Hello, Kushina-shishou," I greeted. She looked at me cautiously, most likely remembering the conflict with Mother.
"How are you feeling Junko-chan?" she asked, eyeing me seriously.
"I'm fine." I stared her in the eye, and in order to clear the air, I smiled for her.
It was one of the best ways to diffuse tense situations.
"I apologize for the awkwardness of last night," I continued. "I didn't mean for it to go that way."
"Junko-chan…" Kushina looked taken aback. "You understand that wasn't your fault, right? You did nothing wrong, dattebane."
But I had. Mother had clearly been upset by what they were discussing last night and I had pushed her until she snapped back at me.
"It doesn't really matter who's fault it is," I said, shaking my head. "All that matters is that I put you and Mother in a tense situation and for that I am sorry."
I knew Kushina didn't know what to say in that moment, though that was the point. None of that mattered anymore, only aiding in solidifying my goals from this point forward. There was no need to dwell on it any longer.
"Can we get started on taijutsu practice today, shishou? Hideyoshi-sama was displeased at my last spar and I don't want to disappoint him again."
Kushina didn't seem to want to pass over the subject like I obviously did but she sighed, nodding.
This was going to be difficult.
...
Since we didn't have a mission, after training with Kushina commenced I found myself wondering through a frozen Konoha. The urge to go to the hospital was strong but I refrained, heading back to the compound. Waiting in the reception room would not make the surgery go any more smoothly, so I had better take the opportunity to get some more studying in. Besides, I didn't feel like going home at the moment.
I made my way to the compound library. I knew the bookkeeper, a branch member, was reluctant to let Riku in, but it wasn't like he could reject my access, and he let us pass without a word. I didn't think a speck of dirt existed within this place. The rows smelled of ancient knowledge and it was vaguely warm, the perfect atmosphere for studying. I perused the shelves, carrying as many book as my little arms could handle before planting myself at the lone table in the center. Riku took his place underneath my feet as I angled the small lamp on top just so and pulled out my supplies and got to work.
Thoughts of Mother and Father were pushed to the side as I absorbed the knowledge. Surprisingly, the library had material that focused on things other than the Jūken and byakugan. It didn't contain much about ninjutsu but it had interesting books on the history of the clan and other closely related techniques, as well as history about the development of the village as a whole.
I was studying a book on bōjutsu when a presence made itself known. Riku shifted from underneath the table and I looked up from my book. The person paused behind the bookshelves and I stared pointedly at where they stood until someone unexpected appeared from the corner.
One of Hideyoshi's sons stood there, Hizashi by the bandage around his forehead.
"Hello, Hizashi-san," I greeted, lightly nudging my canine companion as he made a noise of discontent.
The older man moved silently to where I sat, and in a move I didn't expect, took the seat across from me.
"Good evening to you, Junko-hime." There was no sense of hatred or malice in his voice as he spoke and I stared at him, slightly straightening my posture, perhaps a little too much.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked politely with a tilt of my head, closing the book in front of me in a show of respect.
He was wearing a neutral colored kimono with a dark haori to keep away the cold. The way he was looking at me was reminiscent of a scientist examining a specimen. I couldn't help but wonder what he wanted; ever since I had been made the potential heiress of the clan, the presence of the twins was something in the background, not as prominent as their father. They were simply observers to my progress. Even at my promotion party, I didn't really talk to either of them, taking comfort in the warm presence of Hiashi's wife Hanae rather than the stone-faced men.
I wondered if he and his twin hated me just as much as the others did, if not more; I had basically made the tension between the two of them meaningless.
He looked down at me analytically. "You are aware of your father's, of Daichi's, situation aren't you?"
Ah, so that was what this was about.
"Yes," I said, slowing gathering all my notes. "I had the chance to visit him yesterday. I've been told that he is currently in surgery."
"There have been talks amongst the elders," he continued. "Regarding his predicament."
I was surprised and almost morbidly amused as his tact, that he hadn't said it outright.
"Tou-chan losing his byakugan," I filled the silence. "I expected such a situation would bring up much discussion amongst the leaders of the clan."
A dark brow rose on his face. "And how do you feel about that?"
I stared at him evenly. Was this some sort of test? I doubted that he actually cared about my feelings, or even the well-being of my father. None of the elders or older folks in the clan really talked to me; rather, they spent most of the time giving me orders and critiquing everything I did. I suppose I didn't have anything to fear considering the power I had over him, as much as that thought made my stomach flip. But I couldn't forget his potential threat, the hazy memory of him displaying hostility to a young Hinata reappearing in my mind.
If I was the leader of the clan, how would I deal with this?
"As a jōnin of Konoha, my father performed his duty and in a feat that many are unable to claim," I said, watching him. "As a Hyūga, wouldn't such a feat look highly amongst us all?"
"Could you say that, even if Daichi wasn't your father?" he asked.
"Why would anyone in power deny a man his due diligence, who not only performed his duty but also survived despite the severity of his injuries? It would do nothing but strain ties between the Branch and the Main House, and I can't see it looking favorable in the eyes of the village either."
Hizashi hadn't expected me to come back with that I was sure as he leaned back and seemed to see me in a different light, both brows raised, wrinkling the bandages on his forehead. I had no reason to hide my intelligence, to hide who I was. I had been stripped of that choice a long time ago.
"And as a leader of the Hyūga clan, why would you care about such a thing as the relationship between the Branch and the Main House?"
Memories of these past few years flew by my thoughts, from my parents shrinking backs on the horizon, to the weight of the elders' eyes as I trained with my cousins. I remembered the divide that used to existed between me and Aunt Mei and my most recent tiff with Shun.
I stared him in the eye.
"Please, do not believe that I am not aware of the divide that exists within the clan because I have lived within it my entire life."
His eyes were wide as I spoke, which only spurred me on.
"Despite the fact I have only lived for five short years, I have been ostracized by both the Main and Branch family for a decision not of my own making. And if I truly had the power to change anything as I am now, I would have."
I remembered Satomi's scathing remarks and Kenta's reluctance to be around me on that first day at the academy; how it seemed like my entire extended family hated my existence. When I had felt utterly abandoned, until I had met my friends and had reconciled with Aunt Mei and Kenta.
"The Main and Branch Houses of the Hyūga clan are two sides of the same coin; one can't be affected without the other being changed as well. I am born from the Branch and yet have been promoted to the other half in an attempt to utilize my Senju heritage for the supposed good of the clan."
There was a flash of emotion on his face before it smoothed over. But I had one last thing to say before I would let him speak.
"I believe that the divide between the Main and Branch, if unchecked, will only weaken the clan. Being caught between the margin, I feel that more than anyone. I want a united clan more than anything else. If not for my sake, then for the sake of future generations."
Hizashi stared at me for a long time silently and I stared back just as quiet, unwavering in my gaze. I had thought long and hard about what to do about the clan if things continued on the path they looked to be leading and nothing changed, on the off chance that Hinata didn't usurp my position. In this way, I was posing a challenge for him as well. Would he accept what I had told him or would he brush them off as the idealistic yammerings of a child?
"You have certainly…put a lot of thought into this."
"Being in the position I'm in, I don't have any other choice."
He tilted his head back, crossing his arms languidly on the table in front of him.
"Though I am sure my father and the other elders have not mentioned it, they are quite impressed with the skills you have shown, especially for one so young. No other Hyūga has made the leaps you have made in such a short amount of time, even forming a bond with the Inuzuka clan head. My talk with you has proved this to me fully; you are no ordinary child."
That was the first time I had heard any praise from the mouth of the elders or a Hyūga other than Aunt Mei, Kenta, or Father; but I didn't say a word, keeping all snide remarks to myself. It was easy to pull the corners of my lips into a smile I truly didn't feel.
"Do those achievements do anything to help my father Hizashi-san?"
Hizashi stared at me evenly. "I am sure the elders will take them into account."
This time my brows rose questioningly. He couldn't be implying what I thought he was, could he?
"How can you be so sure?"
"Although the elders may seem heartless to you, they are not unreasonable. Many of them have had children of their own. They wouldn't thoughtlessly take a father away from his child."
I fought the urge to scoff, but the older man could see the doubt rise in my eyes.
"You do not believe me?"
"You and I know how the Main House sees the Branch," I said flatly. "Dispensable. Inferior. I was told as much during my third birthday. And do not believe that I have escaped that from that label either because I am not deaf to their words during my spars."
I leaned forward, stippling my fingers on the tops of my notebooks.
"Why should I believe that they would deviate from their strict mentality regarding such an important aspect of our clan like the byakugan, just because of me?"
Hizashi stared for a moment before becoming serious. Well, even more serious than he had been before.
"Would you accept the decisions of the elders if they didn't come out in your father's favor?"
I noted the way he circumvented my question, but took his question to heart.
Junko. Obedient child. Would I? Even if it meant my father was exiled or worse? Just to remain obedient to the clan?
"Absolutely not. I would do everything in my power to save him from that fate."
I was not only obedient to the clan; I would not let the bond with my father fall to the wayside for those who only cared about arbitrary qualities I had.
"What if it is fate for such a thing to happen?"
It was such a Neji thing to say I almost laughed. It was a nihilistic vision of the world, no doubt spurred by the environment he had grown in. It was probably what most Branch members believed; that their lives were subservient to their more superior clansman, who were only truly better in name.
And so I smiled at him.
"While some fates appear to be set in stone, I believe that one has the ability to do what's right for their loved ones, despite the rules placed onto us by others."
"What an optimistic thought," he said blandly, but I simply smiled wider.
"It's not what you are labeled that dictates what kind of person you should be. Tou-chan is a great man, having performed his duty not only as a Hyūga, but as a ninja of Konohagakure. And regardless of my supposed promotion, he is the only man I will always have the highest respect for, even though technicalities claim him to be my subordinate. Just as I believe that your son will be a great ninja, regardless of what side of the clan he is born to."
His eyes widened. "How do you know my wife was expecting a son?"
I smiled and tilted my head. "Just a feeling."
A long silence stretched between the both of us before he shook his head.
"You are more than a mere prodigy," he finally spoke.
"I am merely working with the hand I've been dealt."
Hizashi looked at me for a moment longer silently before pulling a scroll from the inside of his haori.
"These are your new duties, to be started soon. Be sure to work with your sensei so that you do not miss your new assignments," he said.
I took it and slipped it into my pouch. "I understand."
He didn't say anything else as I began to gather up my things, deciding to bring some of the tomes back with me for further study. Riku rose from his spot at my feet, glaring at the older Hyūga as I hopped from my seat. I patted his neck with a chuckle before turning to the man who was still seated in his chair.
"May I ask you a question Hizashi-san?"
A gleam of interest sparked in his eyes and he nodded.
"Why did you decide to bring me this personally, instead of dropping it off at my home?"
Just as he had all evening, he stared at me quietly before speaking.
"I took this task for Hideyoshi-sama so that I may speak to you alone."
Riku huffed, but I ignored him to send the man an inquiring glance. Why alone? Why now of all times?
"I'm not surprised that you are not aware of this, but I am married to Daichi's youngest sister, Natsumi."
Wait, what?
He seemed amused at my bewildered stare.
"Natsumi has never had the strongest constitution. Her pregnancy and the weather have taken its toll on her, so she hasn't had the opportunity to visit him, or you for that matter."
I blinked. This certainly wasn't how I expected the conversation to go. Another one of my aunts, huh… I wondered if he was visiting on her behalf in some way.
He looked at me seriously. "I expect you to keep your word."
I had no idea what remained with him after our talk, about my goals for the clan or my resolve about Father, but I nodded all the same. The weight of the scroll hidden in my bag seemed to increase as my mind replayed the conversation in full. Within my own resolve, other equally important things were piling on, vying for my attention.
It would be tough, stressful to the point of insanity.
But there was much more to be lost if I didn't.
"I am a kuniochi of my word."
Author's Notes
Posted/Edited: August 3rd, 2017
And thus, Junko's life took another interesting turn. But as always, thanks for all the favorites, follows, and reviews. I appreciate it!
Q&A
-Kudos to OneWhoReadsTooMuch, KioshiUshima, and Moonacre BunBun who inferred that Daichi's eye was taken by Kiri.
-To TallOomLoompa: Sorry to hear that you can't make an account. I try to update every other week or rather every two weeks. Sometimes there may be longer stretches between them, but I try to update at least twice a month. However, the days I update on are random.
-LordAzrael1 asked: Will Junko get a summoning contract? How would she get the tenseigan?
I've put a lot of thought into it and Junko will get a summoning contract, but I won't give away what animal it will be. Got to keep somethings secret ;P .
About the tenseigan. From what I understand from the wiki, a new tenseigan can be created by combining the chakra of Hamura's descendants within the Otsutsuki and Hyūga clans. With Junko being half Senju and half Hyūga, she has many ties as a descendant to the Otsutsuki. Bibliomaniac100 also brought up the point that since 'tenseigan' means 'reincarnation eye' and Junko is an reincarnated soul, that could come together with her ancestry in some way. And as a Guest mentioned, there would need to be ramifications for her to use it.
I can think of possible ways for it to manifest, but as it stands now, I have better ideas for the mokuton considering Konoha's history with it.
On that note, thanks for all your thoughts on the mokuton vs tenseigan, not only for battle use but also the political consequences of both to the Senju and Hyūga clans respectively. I will be sure to keep them in mind, and some of your responses gave me good ideas for the use of the tenseigan. However, ultimately, I think I'll stick with the mutated mokuton considering certain events to happen later in the story.
That's all for now.
Next time on For a Chance at Happiness
A Minato Namikaze Interlude