Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it is the place where we find the deepest heartache.

-Iyanla Vanzant


The atmosphere was tense, the silence falling over them like a blanket. It seemed as if time itself had frozen, the only indication that it hadn't being the constant ticking of the clock.

Tick. Tick.

Hinata refused to meet the eyes of the man in front of her, choosing instead to shield Kazue, pressing him as close to her bosom as possible.

"I'd expect you to, at least, have the dignity of meet the eyes of your father."

Hinata clenched her jaw, images of all she had gone through his flashing through her mind, her anger rising--how dare he?!--as she recalled the time she'd almost died because of him.

"No father," she began, her voice shaky and her voice clogged, "tries to kill their own child."

She paused, long enough to take in the sharp gasps of the others, their eyes narrowed, demanding answers.

"You are no father to me. You never have been, and you never will be."

Hiashi stepped forward, watching as Hinata stood up slowly, cautious. Then, his eyes went to the little child in her arms. Emotionless, he regarded him coldly, giving no mind to Hinata who, noticing his gaze, stepped in front of the boy.

Hiashi Hyuga had been having his tea, when he'd heard it. The news of Hinata's return had spread like wildfire. When he'd heard the news, for a moment, he'd stared, eyes wide, disbelief reflected in them. Then, unexpectedly, he'd felt a twinge of something he didn't think he'd ever feel again.

Happiness had filled him, relieved that his daughter was alive and back in the village. But then, he'd heard about the boy. Immediately, he'd dismissed the talk as rumors: He believed he'd raised his daughter better than that.

But now, as he stared at the boy, he felt nothing but bitterness.

This little wretch--his pathetic excuse of a grandson-- had been the reason his daughter had left. She'd chosen him over her father.

And along with that thought, came a thousand others.

A disgrace.

His daughter was a disgrace. To conceive a child outside wedlock.

And all at once, he could feel the shame he'd felt at her birth return.

So lost was he in his thoughts, so lost in cursing the boy next to his daughter, that he didn't notice his Byakugan activating. He didn't notice the chakra building in his palm. He didn't notice himself going in for the attack. He didn't hear the shouts of others in the room--he could hear only a single word echoing in his head.

Disgrace. Disgrace. Disgrace.

Despite all the chaos in the room, it was, ironically, his daughter's voice that broke him out of his trance.

He was staring at her face, wide-eyed--her own eyes reflecting so much pain and agony, he felt his heart clench--noticing the new trail of blood flowing down her lips, his hand above her chest.

"F-Father?"

His daughter was seven again, looking up at him right after she'd lost to Hanabi, afraid what was to come.

"F-Father?"

Her eyes were forever engraved in his mind--reflecting betrayal--mirroring a single question.

Why?

Then, suddenly, the realization of what he'd just done came to him full force.

God, he'd tried to kill his own daughter.

But, he had no time to dwell on his thoughts, as a scream cut through.

"Mama!"

Kazue, never knowing his father, had always wondered what it would be like to have one. His friends back home had told him that their fathers protected them.

Until then, he'd always called his mother for help. His mother was strong. She could do anything. He was also upset at his father for leaving them. So he never called for him.

It was his own way of convincing himself that they didn't need him.

But now, he suddenly understood. Mothers were strong. They protected their children. But, then, who protected them?

Fathers, of course! That's why fathers were needed.

And there, for the first time in his life, holding the limp body of his mother, Kazue called out to his father.

"Papa! Papa!"

Suddenly, he could feel his eyes burning. The last time that had happened was a few months ago. He shuddered, his hand clamping over his mouth in an effort to control his breathing, just like his mother had told him to do last time.

He failed miserably, as the throbbing in his head only increased. He screamed again, clutching his head, his eyes clenched shut.

Sasuke rushed to his side, oblivious to his pain, not knowing what to say or do that would help Kazue. His tears, Sasuke assumed, were because of what happened to Hinata.

However, he was soon proven wrong when a single drop of blood fell on Hinata's face. His heart stopped.

"Kazue?" He called out shakily, extending a hand towards the boy.

Hearing his name, Kazue whipped his head up, watching as Sasuke recoiled, retreating his hand as if burnt.

Sasuke could feel the familiar burn in his chest, the urge to hurt almost impossible to resist. And the cause of his anger, was the complete tomoe pattern in Kazue's eyes, blood trailing down his cheeks.

Kazue was in his old house again, hiding in the closet, watching the two men in his room fight, hoping they wouldn't find him, and for his mother to come back. From the crack in the closet door, he saw a knife, it's silver glinting in the moonlight.

Then, everything went red.

His breath came out in short gasps as he tried his hardest to control it. He could faintly hear shouting.

Naruto was by Hinata's side again, as he gathered her up in his arms and disappeared, intent on getting her to the hospital.

Hiashi turned toward Kazue, still shell-shocked at what had transpired. As shocked as he was, he still took in his activated Sharingan.

Noticing his gaze, Kazue turned cold, his whole body gripped with terror. He scrambled back, only the thought of getting away in his mind.

Through his tears, he saw a blurry form come stand in front of him protectively. He calmed slightly, when he recognized the form to be Kakashi's.

"I expect custo-"

But before Hiashi could finish, he felt his air flow being cut off, as he was slammed through the door of the office and against the wall outside.

As the dust cleared, he choked slightly, his eyes turning to the person whose fingers were wrapped around his neck.

"Absolutely fucking not!" Sasuke snarled.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. This time he was going to have a say in what happend to his family.

This time, I will protect them.

His hold against Hiashi neck tightened. Suddenly he felt a bruising grip on his shoulder.

"Sasuke." Kakashi's tone held a warning, asking him to back off, telling him that not everything could be solved with violence. And yet, Sasuke heard the dark undertone that his words held, and he was sure that was not directed towards him.

After another second Sasuke growled, letting Hiashi go, who immediately started coughing.

"He's a Hyuga." Hiashi stated with as much dignity as he could muster, his neck now covered with bruises.

"He's an Uchiha!" Sasuke spat back, ready to attack again if need be.

Hiashi's eyes narrowed, as he regarded Sasuke with cold indifference.

"All the more reason for us to have him. His bloodline is precious, and it would be a shame if he ends up..." Here he paused, as if looking for the correct word, "unstable, much like his many other relatives."

Had it not below his dignity, Hiashi would've smirked at the expression of the young Uchiha as it ignited. But, before he could do anything, Kakashi stepped forward until he was standing just outside the broken door of the office.

Analyzing his surroundings, he noticed Shizune standing at a distance, her gaze confused as she took in the situation. In fact, a crowd had formed in the hallway, not used to seeing such a mess in the tower since the Fifth Hokage resigned.

Focusing on the matter at hand, Kakashi suddenly had a a flash of Itachi, and all that he'd done for the village. Protecting his son, was the least Kakashi could do.

"With all due respect Hyuga-sama," He began, his voice strained as he spoke, trying to keep his tone in check, "in whose custody Kazue will be is my decision and mine alone. Your actions have not only brought harm upon a member of Konoha, but have also destroyed the peace and security of the village. As a result, this matter will no longer be regarded as a clan matter."

Kakashi couldn't help but watch in glee as the look in Hiashi's eyes turned from smug to disbelief.

"But-"

"I said," Kakashi began again, his voice even more monotonous than before, the dark edge to it now more prominent.

"I said that Kazue will be living with someone else."

He saw Hiashi grit his teeth, as he sneered.

"He's my grandson!" He growled, finally loosing his composure. At that, Kakashi's patience also snapped.

"Just like Hinata was your daughter!?" He shouted, his voice catching many off guard. After all, it wasn't everyday the famous Copy Ninja lost his cool.

Clenching his fists, Kakashi took a deep breath to calm himself. When he spoke again, his voice was even, but the threat in it was evident to all.

"I will say this only once more, so I suggest you hear me closely. As long as I'm alive, no one will get their hands on either Hinata, or her child."

His cold eyes bore into Hiashi's, as he let him wonder the consequences of what would happen if he didn't cooperate.

"Am I clear?"

There was silence.

"Clear." Hiashi gritted out, and in a flash, he was gone. Kakashi turned, hearing the whispers behind him. And then, he froze, suddenly taking note of all the people in the hallway.

"Kaka?"

The said person slowly turned, fear gripping him, as his suspicions soon proved correct and he met at least fifteen pairs of eyes. As he took in the questionable glances of Konoha 11 and their sensies, he realized with sick dread that they had heard everything.

He couldn't help but growl in frustration, as he ran a hand through his head and pulled, hoping it would ease the headache that held built up.

So much for keeping everything classified.


There you all go!!

Poor Kakashi, having to take the brunt of the consequences. But, I assure you, it only gets better.

Hehehe...

Plus, what is going to happen to Hinata? More importantly, how is everyone else going to react?

Be sure to wait for the next chapter to find out!!

Hope you like this one too!!

-Your fantastic author.