Birthright
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Do let me know how long you've like to see them as one year olds. I am thinking about jumping them to two next chapter.
Guest Reviewer's Question: You're probably closer to being right than I am. I just got used to typing one year for the twins. Hinata got pregnant almost immediately after or shortly before the wedding. So it's closer to two years, but I don't think we've officially hit the two year mark for their marriage. I may go back later and reedit those references, but obviously that's not going to change the plot if I do.
Chapter 4
A few days later and the Uchiha Family was taking the twins to a checkup. Hinata knew what this meant. It was very likely that Tsunade was probably going to try to do vaccinations. Thank goodness that the hospital had flood and fire insurance!
"Hinata, you might be worrying needlessly." Itachi smiles as he caresses her cheek and continue on their stroll to the hospital. "They haven't manifested those techniques since they were born."
The bluenette knew that her eldest husband suspected it was just a reflex. A one time thing until their chakra networks became more developed. Sasuke didn't seem to think so though.
The young mother suspected that had to do more with fatherly pride than any real biological or scientific reasoning. Itachi was certainly a proud father as well, but he was the one who had probably memorized every textbook about childhood development in the Leaf Village. Sasuke had memorized the basics.
Sasuke smirks. "I don't know. They did it before when they got shots." That was true! "And they're probably getting shots today." Unfortunately, that was also true.
"Oh don't sound so hopeful." Itachi chuckles as he pokes Sasuke's forehead. "Foolish little brother we don't want them to traumatize the poor medical staff."
The younger Uchiha grumbles at the forehead poke and Hinata giggles. It was always amusing to see her younger lover act like a child himself and even Itachi seemed to regress somewhat around his brother. They naturally fell into what she figured were their former childhood rolls. In some ways, it was almost like that horrible night had never happened.
Sasuke shrugs. "Well if it's Tsunade or Sakura, I think they can handle it." Accurate. "And Shizune did an admirable job coping with the shock." Yep! Hinata had been impressed about that!
Almost immediately after the twins were born, Shizune had been trying give them their vaccinations. Aiya had soaked her with water and Arashi had hit her with a smoky cloud of modest fire.
On the bright side, there was no mystery what either of their primary chakra types were. Arashi might look more Hyuga, but he certainly had the Uchiha Fire Genes in him. And Aiya, well Hinata loved water and could use water needles with ruthless efficiency, but she wasn't entirely sure how the Water Genes had expressed themselves so thoroughly.
"I suppose that's true." Itachi laughs as they head into the hospital, a few moments later.
She knew she shouldn't care about such things, but Hinata didn't necessarily know what Itachi's primary and secondary chakra types were. He was just ridiculously talented and could use lots of chakra natures.
So could Sasuke, but Sasuke's preference was obviously fire and lightning. The same was true of herself. So she had expected probably fire natures for any of their children or lightning. (And she had just assumed Itachi shared those traits). Now, she might have been wrong though.
Tsunade shakes her head as she approaches them. "Alright. Come with me." And with that, the busty woman leads them down the hallway and into an examination room.
It was possible Itachi might have a water nature as his secondary or even his primary type. Would that mean he had fathered both the twins? Perhaps, he had just fathered Aiya though. Then again, just because someone had the same chakra type as someone else, didn't necessarily mean that person was their parent. There were only so many types and he was at a minimum her biological uncle. So it would make sense for them to share a chakra nature.
Hinata smiles at this. Apparently, Tsunade knew better than to keep the Uchiha Papa Bears waiting. Not that Hinata had ever called either of her husband's that to their faces, but still. They were very much proud papas and having them wait in a Waiting Room wouldn't have been a good idea.
"Okay." Hinata smiles and pushes the stroller after Tsunade. "Do we need to give them anymore shots today?" She really hoped that they didn't.
Meanwhile Hiashi wanted to punch something. Preferably, Kira and Kaiden. He knew that it was wrong to have such thoughts about two elderly people, but he was only human.
Hiashi Hyuga had never claimed to be a saint. He liked to think that he was a patient individual though. One had to be patient to lead such a large Clan. If you weren't naturally that way, you had to become so in order to preserve your sanity.
"You wouldn't believe how incredibly disrespectful they were to us!" Kira slams her fist on the table. "They actually had the gall to kick us out of their District!"
At this point, Hiashi wished that he could kick them out of his "District." Personally, he envied his daughter's ability to do so and couldn't be prouder. Thus far, he had only heard Kira's and Kaiden's side of the story which he was sure was rather selective.
For his sweet and shy daughter to actually revoke their visiting privileges, something major must have happened. The lavender eyed man knew the new Uchiha Matriarch wouldn't dare do so without good reason.
Kaiden nods. "Absolutely right! And those demons tried to rip our faces off!" Uh huh?
Hiashi had a hard time imagining any one year old doing that. The image was a rather comical one. He barely refrains from laughing.
"Kaiden, I shall remind you that those "demons" are my grandchildren." He glares at the other man. "If you refer to them in such a derogatory way again, I will expel you from this Clan." And Hiashi meant it.
The fallout from doing so would be immense, but that wouldn't stop him. Whether or not the twins' shared his last name was irrelevant. They still had his blood and the blood of the Hyuga Clan in general running through their veins.
He would not tolerate anyone insulting them. Least of all someone like Kaiden and Kira. Neither of them had any right to judge anyone, especially innocent children!
Kira's eyes narrow at that reaction. "It seems Hinata is not the only one who has been negatively influenced by the Uchiha Brothers." Lovely. Hiashi could already see where this was going. "You never would have treated your own kin so disrespectfully before she married them!"
Actually, he would have. Hiashi would have treated Kaiden and Kira disrespectfully long before Hinata ever married the Uchiha Brothers. That didn't matter though. What mattered was making this woman understand that she had two choices. Respect his grandchildren or leave the Clan.
"Perhaps you've forgotten, but you are not my only kin." There was ice in his voice, Hiashi was sure. "Aiya and Arashi are my grandchildren and as they're children and have many years ahead of them, they're far more valuable to the continuation of the bloodline at the moment than either of you." Just like the ice water that flowed through her own veins, he was sure. "So do not test me. If it is a choice between pacifying you and your dog of a husband, I will choose my grandchildren every time."
Hiashi was at his limits. If he continued this conversation for much longer, it was likely going to come to blows. That would be an unacceptable outcome. No matter what they had done, it would reflect horribly on him to strike his own Clan Members. Particularly ones as old as Kaiden and Kira!
Kira gapes at him. "You know precisely what we meant!" She glares at him more. "How dare you accuse us of such a thing? We wouldn't force you to choose between us and your grandchildren!"
"Good because as I said, you would not like that outcome." He heads towards the door. "And you would both do well to remember who fathered those children." If they thought his ire was uncomfortable, just wait until they had to deal with Sasuke or Itachi.
While he still disliked the fact that Hinata was married to two men, there was no denying the fact that they were both extremely dedicated to those children. God help the entire village, if those two ever so much as stubbed a toe within earshot of their fathers. Overprotective was an understatement.
Back at the hospital, Arashi frowns. He remembered this place. The last time they had been here, they had gotten shots. Their sixth month vaccinations.
He didn't like this place. He starts to show his displeasure in the main way he knew how at this point. "WAHHHH!" By crying.
What else was a toddler to do in a situation like this? Obviously, they should get out of here. And crying, usually elicited the results that he desired.
Luckily, his sister seemed to know what he was trying to do as well. "WAHHH!" She soon joins him in the waterworks.
Hinata blinks. "I'm so sorry, Lady Tsunade." The big people had definitely noticed their crying and that meant it wouldn't be long now.
Soon, they would be out of here. This was worse than that time that Aiya had splashed him in the bath! He still needed to get her back for that, but getting out of here took priority!
"Oh it's alright, Hinata." Tsunade smiles reassuringly at her. "They're still babies. Babies cry."
Hmm. He didn't know what they were saying, but Arashi knew when he was being talked about. He was definitely being talked about now!
The young mother nods bashfully. "Yes, I suppose so." Hinata pauses. "It's just they're normally so well-behaved. I guess it's easy to get spoiled by that."
Arashi looks at his sister and the two of them begin to cry even louder. Eventually, their Mommy and Daddies would figure out what they wanted. They always did and then they'd be out of here!
She shakes her head. "That's only natural." And then the blonde big person had the audacity to pick Arashi up and start poking him!
Naturally, he voiced his displeasure with a loud wail. "Just checking his vitals and things like that. We'll need to weigh them as well." Tsunade sighs. "And I know that I'm probably going to regret this, but they also need the rest o of their first year vaccinations."
Itachi shakes his head in amusement as he watches the scene unfold before him. He never thought that he would have this. This kind of normalcy.
The twins were getting a check up and being fussy about it. It was such a domestic scene. "It's alright Arashi." One that made him smile, though he did feel a little guilty about Tsuande being on the receiving end of the twins' temper tantrum.
His son seemed mildly pacified by the encouragement, but Itachi didn't think it would last. The Uchiha Patriarch sighs and glances at his brother and his wife. He wasn't really sure how they were going to handle this particular tantrum.
Hinata sighs and walks over to the crying twins. "It's okay." She scoops them both into her arms and rocks them.
This was a feat that was getting increasingly difficult to manage. Their children were growing so fast. They could already walk and even talk a little. Gone were their tiny newborns. They had been replaced by energetic toddlers.
"Smart boy." Sasuke smirks. "Stops fussing as soon as he gets his cuddle time with Hinata."
Indeed that did appear to be the case. Arashi and Aiya were settling down rather quickly, now that Hinata was rocking them. Still, how could Itachi possibly resist that set up?
He gives a smirk of his own. "Yes, he's much like you in that respect." Itachi knew that his own smirk was likely only continuing the grow, but that wouldn't stop him from continuing. "As long as he has his cuddle time with Hinata, he's very well behaved."
Sasuke twitches. Ah. He loved his foolish little brother so much. He was so damn predictable.
Itachi probably should have felt guilty about teasing him so, but he didn't. He couldn't. It was far too enjoyable to feel guilty over doing it. Besides, Sasuke brought it on himself in some ways. He was ridiculously easy to taunt.
Tsunade shakes her head. "Hinata, please try to hold them still." And with that, the busty blonde proceeds to give them their vaccines.
Loud wails were heard, but thankfully no chakra. Itachi suspected that was largely because Hinata was holding them in her arms. They probably would have tried to soak or burn Tsunade otherwise.
"How are they?" Sasuke looks at the former Hokage anxiously.
Tsunade smiles. "They're both perfectly healthy. Everything looks normal." She sighs. "And obviously, they have exceptional lung capacity, when properly motivated to display it."
Sasuke chuckles at that last part and nods. That was most definitely true. There was no getting around that!
"Good. Let's get them home then." Hinata smiles as she sets them down in their stroller.
Sasuke nods in agreement and a short while later, they were back in the District. Apparently, Hinata had decided it was time to play Dress Up with the twins.
This was something of a hobby for her. Their wife loved dressing them up in ridiculously cute outfits. His poor son's dignity. Oh well. He couldn't deny her anything and the children were far too young to remember this anyway. So he didn't think Arashi would be scarred for life.
"Oh they look so cute in purple!" Hinata smiles as she gestures towards their twins who were now wearing purple shirts and shorts.
Well at least purple didn't necessarily have to be a feminine color. Not that Arashi could tell the difference and Aiya apparently loved playing Dress Up as much as her mother did.
Aiya smiles. "Pretty!" And claps her tiny, little hands together.
Sasuke knew that he was being redundant, but there was just no getting around it. Arashi and Aiya were tiny. Of course, they were normal sized for children their age, but to him they were tiny.
There were times when he wondered, if he had fathered them or if Itachi had. Maybe, they had both fathered one of each. Apparently, that was possible. He had looked into the matter.
"Yes, very pretty." Sasuke chuckles at his daughter's glee.
It didn't really matter though. He loved them both equally and whether he was their father or uncle was irrelevant at the end of the day. Still, Sasuke supposed that it was only human nature to wonder.
Either way, it was hard to believe that he or Itachi had fathered one or both of them. They were both so small and innocent. So adorable. How had they managed that? Clearly, Hinata's genes must have been more dominant or something.
Itachi nods approvingly as he pat pats poor Arashi. "Yes, you look very pretty, Aiya." The Uchiha Patriarch then smiles at Arashi. "And you look very handsome. There's nothing wrong with purple."
Sasuke rolls his eyes at that Itachi was likely just saying that because he wore purple fingernail polish. He really wasn't sure what it was with the Akatsuki, but apparently they all had worn fingernail polish.
Despite not having been a member for years, old habits died hard. Itachi still wore his fingernail polish. In his trademark shade of purple. It was weird, but just one of many things that Sasuke would never fully understand about his elder brother.
"Yes, they do." Hinata nods proudly as she kisses their chubby, little cheeks.
Sasuke smiles. She was a wonderful lover and mother. They couldn't have asked for a better wife. He'd indulge her impulses to make their son look like some pampered prince. It was the least, he could do really.
He didn't know how she managed working at the hospital and helping them to care for the twins. Not to mention, more often than not, she was also very busy at night as well.
Sasuke nods in agreement. "Of course." He smiles and caresses her cheek.
Their self-control was rather limited when it came to their wife. Of course, that was understandable to anyone who had seen that woman naked. Speaking of naked, maybe Hinata could play Dress Up for them later. Now, that had possibilities.
She had done it once to a certain extent. Hinata and her damn apron. The results had been rather enjoyable to say the least.
Aiya giggles as she shows off her new outfit. Mommy liked to give her lots of clothes. Arashi didn't seem to like playing this game as much as her though.
It was probably because he was a boy. That or maybe, he just didn't like purple? Hmm. It was hard to tell. They couldn't talk much yet. They mostly communicated through looks and swats or cuddles.
"Daddies!" She giggles more and holds her hands out to be picked up.
That always worked. Holding out your hands to be picked up. Aiya wasn't really sure when this was decided on, but she had yet to meet one big person who wouldn't pick her up when she did this gesture.
Sasuke smiles and picks up his daughter and spins her around lightly. "Yay!" She liked being spun around. This was a fun game.
She could play this game all day. There were lots of fun games to play though. Like pulling off Kakashi's mask! That one never got old. Now, that was a game that she knew her brother liked playing too! Fun for the whole family!
"Such a good girl." He smiles and spins her some more. "And such a good boy." Sasuke scoops up Arashi and spins him around too.
Arashi coos loudly and Aiya laughs. Yes, the Spinning Game was fun! Who didn't love the Spinning Game?!
Hinata sighs. "Do you think I did the right thing with Kira and Kaiden?" She had been wondering about it.
She had just gotten so angry with them. How dare they speak to her children that way? How dare they act as if they didn't deserve to use the Gentle Fist because their last name was Uchiha and not Hyuga?!
They still had Hyuga blood running in their veins. There was absolutely no reason for her not to teach them the techniques, if her twins wanted to learn them.
Hinata hadn't even considered the possibility when they first became lovers that this might be an issue. "Well it might not have been the smartest move, but I quite enjoy the show." Sasuke smirks at her.
Of course, Sasuke would have thought that. He had always been the more impulsive and hotheaded of her husbands. Though, really he should know better. He should think of the potential consequences of indulging in such whims! Honestly!
"Sasuke, that's not what I was asking." His personal entertainment was not more important than the practical implications of her actions! "And you know it!"
Itachi chuckles and pokes Sasuke's forehead. "Hinata, forgive Sasuke." Sasuke gives his elder brother a dirty look at the forehead poke. "He can't help that he's foolish."
Itachi either didn't notice or he simply didn't care. "He was born that way." He smirks. "Certain allowances have to be made." Ah. He noticed it, but didn't care then.
Hinata giggles. Itachi was clearly having fun trying to tease Sasuke. Well she supposed it was mostly harmless. At least no Chidoris or Genjutsus had been fired off yet. That meant that everything should be safe.
"Jerk!" Sasuke rolls his eyes at Itachi.
Itachi laughs. "Mmm. Perhaps." He smiles. "But I'm the jerk that loves his foolish little brother and our family." Another forehead poke. "So certain allowances again must be made."
Oh wait. Maybe, Chidoris and Genjutsus were a real possibility after all. Hmm. She should really try to get them both back on topic. This was getting out of hand. Fast.
"I'm serious." She sighs. "While Itachi was right and this doesn't raise to the level of a Clan War, this is still concerning." Very concerning.
Hinata doubted either of her husbands really knew how influential Kira and her husband really were in the Hyuga Clan. She wasn't entirely certain that they would care even if they did.
Actually, scratch that. Sasuke definitely wouldn't care. Itachi might, but Sasuke most assuredly wouldn't.
Itachi nods sympathetically. "Alright. Alright." He caresses her cheek affectionately and smiles. "Don't worry, we'll figure something out." The Uchiha Patriarch smiles more and glances at their children.
Hinata was somewhat pacified. She knew that if nothing else, neither Itachi, nor Sasuke would ever allow any harm to come to their twins. That much, she knew without a shadow of a doubt.
"If they want a Clan War, it's one that they'll lose." Sasuke shrugs as he tickles their tummies.
There were times like this, when Sasuke and Itachi would both play with their children and Hinata would forget. She would forget that she had married arguably two of the most powerful ninjas on the planet.
Sasuke wasn't lying when he said it was a war the Hyugas couldn't win. If it came down to a real war, even the Hyuga Clan would fall before the might of her the Uchiha Brothers. And that was what she was afraid of.
"That's true." Itachi pauses. "Though obviously, we would prefer to avoid a war. Our side of the family tree was almost wiped out." He smiles. "It's a good thing that the Hyuga Clan is so large."
Aiya and Arashi coo at the attention. Hinata smiles at that. They were completely oblivious to the threats of the outside world. And if Hinata had anything to say about it, it was going to stay that way.
She kisses Itachi's cheek and then Sasuke's in acknowledgement. "Exactly." Hinata sighs. "I want them to know the other side of their family, but those two are very much capable of poisoning the well. That's even without a Clan war."
Sasuke's eyes narrow. "We wouldn't let them do that." Uh oh.
That look probably wasn't a good sign. Hinata was suddenly reminded of the fact that her husbands were probably more than willing to cure her. Everyone thought the Daimyo had died of a heart attack and she wanted to believe that, but she didn't.
Deep down, Hinata knew the truth. It was likely that Sasuke and Itachi had killed him and made it look like a heart attack. In their own way, the two of them probably though they were protecting their family and maybe, they were. The thought was still disturbing though.
"Sasuke is right about that." Itachi smiles at her and kisses her forehead. "You don't need to worry about anything. It'll all work out in the end." And as if to prove his point, their children giggle.
Hinata nods. For now, she'd accept that at face value. She had a beautiful and loving family. She was just going to have to do her best to ensured that they stayed a happy family.
No one, not even Kira and Kaiden Hyuga were going to take that away from her. She'd just have to reason with them or something. She didn't want them to end up like the Fire Daimyo.