I'm back! It took me a long time to think about this chapter. Just to let you people know that i was originally supposed to update every Saturday. Since it was winter break for me, i updated faster. However, after this update, it will go back to every Saturday. I know, sad! Dear me! I completely forgot to do this last time. Huge thanks to Ayrmed, YungHime, Bloop, Kika04 and DotheRoar2012 for reviewing!
Disclaimer: i own a balloon that i drew a face on. Nothing else.
Chapter 7: Choice
Soft light penetrated through the paper walls of the Hyuga compound. Hyuga Hiashi, the head of the clan sat cross legged, observing a scroll of great importance. The crease lines around his face were becoming even more visible over the years. He glanced at the small scroll in front of him. So fragile, yet it held the contract that would run the Hyuga clan's future. A knock resounded at the door, making the old man look up. "Enter" He commanded, putting up his stern mask of indifference. A servant slid open the door just a centimetre. "Hyuga-sama, news has arrived of Hinata-sama and Neji-sama. They have both returned from their mission. However... Hinata-sama has been injured badly. She may not be able to remain a shinobi." Hiashi silently sucked in his breath. "Is this all true?" He asked daring the servant to repeat his words. He shifted uneasily under the glare of his leader. "H-hai, Hyuga-sama." He uttered nervously.
"I see... You may leave now." The servant bowed to Hiashi once more and closed the door, leaving quickly.
This is bad. Several thoughts rushed through the leader's head as he quietly got up and slid open the door behind him. Cool air swept into the room, calming Hiashi. He walked into the beautiful garden and looked around. It had been his wife's favourite place to be. He had so many memories of her and him walking through that garden before she passed away. Fresh sprigs of different type of flowers erupted from the rich soil on the ground. Long poles were lined up along a wall with bright green vines swirling around them. Fresh grapes burst from the buds. It was a beautiful garden, peaceful, quiet and filled with warm sunlight. Only Hiashi and his daughters were allowed to even know about this beauty. A memory flashed through Hiashi's mind, making him smile just a bit.
"Tou-san, where are we going?" Curios little Hinata clutched her father's calloused fingers as he led her deeper into the Hyuga compound, a place where she had not been yet. Walking a few steps, they came upon a door to the right of the hallway they were walking in. Hiashi gently shifted Hinata's soft fingers to his opposite hand and slid open the door. They both entered a small room filled with scrolls and important papers. Hiashi quietly closed the door and watched his daughter examine the room with her sharp eyes. Even though she was only four, her observing skills and analyzing skills were quite high. Hinata walked around the oddly cluttered room. "So is this where Tou-san hides when he does not want to be found?" The innocent guess brought a smile to Hiashi's face. "No, Hinata. This is where I do most of my work as a clan leader. No one bothers me here so it's easier to work." Hinata's face lit up as she understood her father.
"So why am i here, Tou-san?" Her lavender orbs waited expectedly for her father to reveal her surprise.
Hiashi smiled and offered her his hand. "Come with me." She obliged and grabbed his hand firmly. Hiashi led her to the other side of the room and opened the door in front of them. The morning sunlight took a time to adjust to. After a few blinks, Hinata shifted her eyes to see on front of her. It was a beautiful garden. Fresh and green. In the middle of the garden was a circular glass table, with four chairs. One of them was occupied by a beautiful woman. She had long dark lavender hair, similar to Hinata's. She had soft lavender eyes and a rounded face. She wore a dark blue kimono with light blue patterns on it. A small bundle rested in her arms. Hinata's eyes widened at the sight before her.
"Okaa-san!" She ran up to the said women and wrapped her arms around her legs. The Hyuga matriarch smiled down at her daughter. "Hinata, how have you been?" The child smiled brightly and looked up.
"Really good! Where were you all this time okaa-san?" Hinata asked a slight pout on her face. "Well...i was a bit sick so i had to stay in the hospital along with your littler sister." Hinata beamed up at her mother and held her chubby arms out, wanting to hold her little sister. Her mother obliged and gave the bubbling bundle to Hinata. Holding her little sister carefully, Hinata smiled up at her father. "This is the best surprise i have ever had!"
How carefree she was then...Hiashi's had always blamed himself for her meek and shy personality. Ever since her mother died, just looking at her innocent face sprouted memories of his wife and ripped open fresh wounds. He had shunned her completely and kept a secure mask of indifference. It took a toll on Hinata, making her think her father never loved her. Hiashi closed the garden door and silently strode towards a desk in the middle of the room. Taking the scroll on top, he wrapped it up and tucked it inside one of the sleeves of his kimono. He opened slid open the entrance door and left quietly.
Hinata flinched as bright sunlight disrupted her blissful sleep. She opened her eyes sleepily and looked around. Memories of the previous night rushed into her head, making her remember why she was in this hospital bed. A knock resounded on the door and a nurse stepped into the room. She smiled at Hinata, and informed her that the Hokage will be arriving to check up on her in a minute. She nodded and dismissed the nurse. As soon as the woman opened the door, two more figures entered the room. "Hinata!" Kiba rushed to her side followed by an equally worried Shino.
Relief and happiness washed over her at finally seeing her friends. "Kiba-kun, Shino-kun!" She shifted herself and sat up. Akamaru bounded up and put his head on her lap, purring slightly. She smiled and rubbed his head gently. Kina and Shino both sat down. "Tell us what happened." Shino asked. Hinata went silent. Ever since she had returned, no one had even though to ask her of the details of what had happened. Apparently they thought she was in some kind of trauma. They though hat Uchiha Sasuke had completely traumatized her and she had been helpless while he injured her. It irritated her. She took a deep breath and started telling them.
"I see... You did a good job Hinata." Kiba smiled and ruffled her hair a bit. Hinata giggled freely, without a care.
"Well...how about a good game of cards?" Shino suggested. He pulled out a deck from his pocket. Hinata smiled and nudged Akamaru to move. He whined. Hinata's lap was too comfortable. "Come on Akamaru. I need to play cards. Just move to the other side." Taking her suggestion, the huge dog shifted over, leaving enough room for Kiba to put down Hinata's pair of cards. For the next two hours, the trio played a good game of cards. Each round was won by Hinata. Once, Shino came close but she still won. "Argh! Why are you so good at this! Another round. I'll definitely win this one." Kiba muttered. "You can try, Kiba-kun. But i doubt you would beat me." Hinata laughed. "I bet you use the Byakugan!" Kiba pointed a finger at her direction. She smiled. "Why would i cheat?" She asked. Kiba scratched his neck and muttered. "Uh...right."
The door opened again and a frightful figure stepped into the room. All of the colour drained from Hinata's face at seeing her father standing there. Kiba and Shino stood up and glared back at the Man. Akamaru lifted his head from Hinata's head and growled. However, Hiashi was not in the mood to argue.
"Would you two please leave me and Hinata alone? I have important matters to discuss with her." He said stiffly. Kiba was about to bark back but Hinata held up a hand. "K-kiba-kun, S-shino-kun, I-it's al-alright." Her hands were practically shaking. Kiba stood his ground but Shino dragged him away.
"It not our right to interfere." He muttered. Kiba growled and gave up. "Come on Akamaru. Let's go!" Akamaru whined and looked at his master. Hinata smiled kindly and scratched his ear. "Go on Akamaru, you can visit me again later." He barked happily and jumped off the bed, trotting behind his master's steps. Kina closed the door behind him, leaving some privacy between the father and daughter. Hiashi walked forward and sat down stiffly. The tension in the air was thick enough to eat. "H-hello, Otou-sama." Hinata bowed her head slightly in respect. Hiahsi nodded and muttered his greetings.
"How is your wound?" He asked.
"I-its getting b-better." She answered. He nodded. "The clan elders expect me to give you some news. Do you want to hear it?" He asked. Hinata looked at him quizzically bit nodded. Hiashi braced himself. What was about to come out of his mouth would cause her great pain. He cursed each and every one of the elders before continuing.
"I will tell you exactly what they said. If you are not able to continue your shinobi career, they will have no choice to either marry you off to someone that can bear a burden like you or... To put a cursed seal on you."
I just love giving you guys cliffhangers!
I am going to go and hide somewhere, since i know a lot of people will be after me for doing such mean things to poor Hinata-chan. Well, please review and tell me what you think of this chapter!
~ThejollyHyuga
