A/N: Reviews are welcome. Feel free to share which chapter is your favorite so far and why. It'll keep me motivated. Only five more to go! Enjoy!

SIXTEEN: When you lose, don't lose the lesson

"Lord Hiashi!"

The clan leader turned to see Hyuga Kõ hurrying towards him. He waited patiently as the young man approached. "Kõ?"

The servant bowed respectfully. "I wish to inform you that Lady Hanabi has returned from school."

While it was always a wise to be aware of the whereabouts of his youngest child, especially whenever ANBU demands an alibi, Hiashi did not understand the import Kõ was placing on this otherwise mundane information. So his lips thinned slightly with impatience.

Kõ was perceptive enough to see this very slight expression of annoyance and rushed to elaborate. "F-Forgive me, my lord. I assumed that you have heard. There was an incident at the school today involving Lady Hanabi."

Hiashi took a deep breath. If there were two words he did not ever want to hear together in a sentence, it was 'incident' and 'Hanabi' because chances were pretty good it did not bode well for his bank account. He closed his eyes briefly. "Incident?"

"Everyone in the village is talking about it, my lord," Kõ added, looking as though he was very sorry to be the one to deliver the news.

This time Hiashi frowned visibly and wondered if his accountant would be available that evening. "Tell me."

0

The Incident occurred earlier that day at the academy when the teachers decided to take their class of potential genin on a tour of the medical ward. This particular class scored rather high on chakra levels and so the administration thought to expose the talented youth to the more highly skilled professions in hopes that it may appeal to some. Despite not having any interest in medicine, Hanabi did not fail to recognize the importance of being familiar with how the medical system worked so she made sure she was at the very front of the class throughout the entire tour.

Unfortunately, being in the front of the tour did not shield her from the gore when an injured ninja was suddenly rushed into the ward with deep lacerations all over his body.

"It's a bleeder! Stand back, kids!"

The teacher tried to make the best of the situation and talk about the virtues of being a medic; saving lives and all that, but all Hanabi could see, hear and smell was the blood. It was everywhere. She felt her stomach flip dangerously and her mouth became oddly dry.

She didn't realize she was fainting until she was already falling back. And because it was common knowledge around the village that Hyugas do not give birth but are merely cut from stone and are thus impervious to human failings such as queasiness, it didn't occur to anyone to catch the poor girl and so she hit the ground with a resounding thud.

While Hiashi was relieved his bank account was spared in this otherwise harmless incident, he did recognize that he had to contend with Hanabi's wounded pride. Apparently, his daughter had refused to leave her room since she returned home early from school. He knocked on her door and was not surprised when he did not receive an answer. "Hanabi, it is your father," he said only to get no response. He sighed and opened the door. "I'm coming in."

The room was clean except for the book bag and academy-issued weapons tossed carelessly to the floor. There was a lump under the blankets of the bed that he presumed to be his daughter so he made his way over to it.

He sat down near the head of the bed and pulled back the blankets only to find Hanabi's feet. Shaking his head, the clan leader turned to the foot of the bed but when he tried to pull back the covers, a small hand quickly snatched the blankets back.

Thwarted, Hiashi sat back. "Hanabi, this is ridiculous."

The lump cringed but otherwise said nothing.

"I would like to see you. I was told you have sustained an injury."

"…"

"Hanabi," he said in a warning tone because he knew that would yield results.

Quietly, the lump sat up and the blankets pulled back just enough to reveal Hanabi's bandaged head and red-rimmed eyes. Her hair was sticking out in all directions.

"Oh, child," Hiashi said quietly.

That small statement was all that was needed to break down whatever emotional wall Hanabi managed to cobble together. She started to cry quietly.

And despite the rumors around the village, Hiashi did not like to see any of his precious girls cry. "Your reaction today was not unwarranted," he said quietly in an effort to soothe the upset girl. "Your teachers may have been a little premature to expose you to such a thing this early in your training."

Hanabi continued to weep so Hiashi tried again.

"Many people have experienced bodily reactions similar to yours and have gone on to become fine shinobi. Do not let this trouble you."

"That's not why I'm crying," the girl said through her tears, rubbing her eyes.

Hiashi blinked. "Then why are you crying?"

"Inuzuka Keno."

"What?"

"I fainted in front of Inuzuka Keno."

Hiashi took a moment to reassess the situation. "Who is Inuzuka Keno?"

Hanabi gave him a look as though wondering if he was senile. "He's only the cutest guy in my class, Father. And he only likes tough girls. He's not going to pay any attention to me now."

Boys. He supposed this day was inevitable considering Fate blessed him with daughters but that did not mean he had to like it or that he was ready for it. Suddenly, he felt the absence of his wife more keenly and realized that life will become significantly more complicated from this point on.

"Well," he began slowly because he was only prepared to talk about anything but this, "his lose then." He gently turned his daughter's chin so he may look at her squarely. "I'm glad you are not seriously injured despite losing standing with this…Inuzaka Keno." Though, for Hiashi, that was more than alright. He made a mental note to put the night sentinels on notice—just in case.

Hanabi smiled sheepishly. "Thank you, Father."

"And besides," he said, standing up and straightening his robes, "I'm confident you'll find a way to restore your proper standing amongst your classmates. Through legal means," he added with a pointed glare.

Hanabi nodded absently. Though the mischievous glint in her eye told Hiashi she was on the mend.

'God help us.'

He was heading towards the door when a horrifying realization occurred to him. "Hanabi? Your sister—is she—that is, has she expressed interest in—anyone particular?"

Hanabi sighed and gave him a sympathetic look that made him feel pure dread.

"Oh, Father."