Birthright

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 8

Three months later and Hinata had largely recovered and finally consented to great unveiling. The triplets were ready to meet the rest of their family. It was a big day to put it mildly.

"You look beautiful." Sasuke smiles and kisses her cheek.

Hinata was sitting on plush creamy white couch with the triplets sitting either in her arms or right by her. She was in one of the rooms in the Hyuga Estate that could be labeled a living room and the rest of the Hyuga Clan was slowly making their way over to meet them.

Itachi smiles and caresses her cheek. "She always does." It reminded Hinata of ancient times when the Empress gave birth or something and the rest of the Kingdom wanted to catch a glimpse.

"This is Amaya." Aiya nods her head as she points to the one with lavender eyes like the rest of the Hyuga Clan.

The Hyuga Clan Members who were within earshot nod their head and smile as Aiya continues her introductions. Hinata giggles as she realizes that her eldest was definitely cut from the traditional cloth as most female Clan Heads. She had just decided that it was her job to introduce the triplets and that was that.

Aiya nods pleased at the reaction. "The middle one is Miya." The twin points to the dark eyed triplet gleefully.

Itachi and Sasuke chuckle. Hinata knew why. The scene was nothing short of adorable. There was just no getting around it.

Arashi nods. "That's right!" He was still having trouble keeping the triplets apart, but Hinata knew that he'd get it eventually. "And that last one is Nara!" He smiles proudly.

Though she had to give her son this much. Arashi was quite skilled at the process of elimination. That much was for certain.

"They're so cute!" One of the teenage girls in the Clan gushes.

"They're cute, but loud sometimes." The Uchiha Boy nods his head sagely. "Very loud." Apparently, he thought this was a grand announcement.

Hinata laughs. All babies were loud sometimes. Her son didn't know that yet though. He'd figure it out soon enough.

Hiashi chuckles as he walks over to them. "They're growing so quickly." That was an understatement.

The Uchiha Matriarch was constantly amazed by how fast her children were growing. It seemed like only yesterday, they were tiny bundles in her arms and now well they weren't nearly as tiny.

"Yes, they are." Itachi nods in agreement as he looks at Hinata. "Don't overexert yourself."

Hinata smiles and shakes her head. She wasn't really sure how Itachi thought she was going to overexert herself by sitting on the couch, but the lavender eyed woman was beyond questioning such things. Itachi was Itachi.

In his own strange way, he was just as overprotective as Sasuke. Whether that was a natural Uchiha Trait, a product of their circumstance, or just an Itachi/Sasuke thing, she wasn't entirely sure. It was sweet though.

Sweet, but occasionally infuriating. There were times when they over did it, but Hinata knew that it was only out of love. That was why the bluenette was willing to overlook it. Well at least most of the time.

"I won't." She smiles at him.

Kaiden and Kira approach and Hinata narrows her eyes. Their audacity knew no bounds, it seemed. Though perhaps, she was overacting. There was a chance that the two of them might simply wish to apologize.

Kira smiles at them. "They're beautiful, Hinata." Her smile reminded the Matriarch of a snake though. "Such a wonder that you were able to carry and bare three children at once." Well actually, that wasn't fair to Aoda.

Aoda had a kind smile and he was a snake. Hinata knew that she shouldn't stereotype, but there was just something so predatory about that woman's smile. It made her uneasy.

"Thank you." The Uchiha Matriarch grits her teeth as she tries to smile.

Kaiden smiles. "You're most welcome." His smile grows. "So four daughters and one boy. Poor Arashi must be feeling rather outnumbered."

Arashi gives Kaiden a dirty look at this. It was amazing really. Her son was only three and yet able to give a look of complete contempt. He must have mastered it from Sasuke.

Itachi was usually better at hiding his distain. That or maybe, Sasuke just didn't care. It was possible that he just didn't bother to hide it when he hated someone. After all, there were so few people who could actually pose a real threat to her younger husband. There was no real need for such pretenses.

"I love my little sisters." He glares at him. "Even if they are loud sometimes! And sometimes they smell strange!"

Hinata laughs at this. Well it was sweet and comical at the same time. Poor Arashi didn't understand about babies and diapers yet. And she couldn't necessarily disagree about the last part. It was just part of being an infant though.

Kaiden chuckles. "Well that's very good." He glances at Hinata. "We would love to see them more often. Though they would probably feel more comfortable in your District." And there it was.

Kira and Kaiden wanted their invitation restored. Their invitations to the Uchiha District. It was likely that they perceived their honor as having been insulted when she revoked the invitation and the rest of the Clan treated them at least somewhat differently now.

They had been knocked off their thrones to some degree. And while Hinata wasn't proud of it, to some degree she relished that knowledge. That she had put them in their place.

Sasuke was rubbing off on her entirely too much it seemed. "I see." She never used to be such a vengeful person before. Then again, Hinata Uchiha was now a mother. That probably had something to do with hit.

Meanwhile Sakura was watching her husband swing Akeno on a swingset they had bought for her. Something that she seemed to enjoy greatly.

"Do you think that they'll be alright?" The pink haired woman looks at him with concern.

She knew that there was no need to clarify what she was talking about. Today was the big day that the Uchiha Family would introduce its newest members to the Hyuga Clan formally. In other words, it was a very big day.

"WEEEE!" Akeno giggles with delight.

Naruto smiles at the sigh and then turns his attention back to his wife. "They should be." He shrugs. "They'd have to be pretty stupid to try anything."

Sakura nods. She hoped that was the case. After all, Sasuke and Itachi alone were able to level entire villages. Collectively, well even she shuddered a bit to think of what they were capable of.

They were also both very proud papas. God help anyone who came near their children. In that respect, they were very much like Naruto.

"I hope so." The lovable blonde doted on their daughter. "It's just that the twins and triplets are in this rather unique position when it comes to that side of the family tree." She sighs.

Unique was putting it mildly. They were Uchihas by name and blood, but they were also Hyugas by blood. The Hyugas had a Caste System that put everyone into neat little boxes. The Uchiha Children didn't fit into any of them.

Naruto grins at her. "Don't worry so much." He pushes Akeno on the swing faster. "Hinata, Sasuke, and Itachi have got this covered."

Sakura nods. She could only hope that her husband was right about this. If not, well this could get ugly and fast.

Back at the Hyuga Estate, Sasuke glances at Kira and Kaiden. Those two were going to be trouble and he was going to deal with it now. He might not have lived in a formal Clan Setting as long as Itachi and Hinata were, but Sasuke understood the basics.

"That's kind of you to offer, but we wouldn't want to subject you to that." He smiles at them slyly. "After all, that's quite the long walk for two people of your age." It was cruel, but Sasuke didn't care. "It would be exhausting for the both of you and what if you fell?""

He feigns concern. Sasuke didn't know how realistic his acting was at the moment, but that wasn't going to stop him. They needed taken down a peg.

Kaiden blinks and looks as if he was slapped. "Well we do appreciate your concern, but I assure you that my wife and I are in very good health." Yeah. For two walking corpses, Sasuke thinks to himself.

The triplets coo and giggle and Sasuke smiles. They were adorable and he was going to protect them from these vipers and the best way to do that was by dressing them down. Hit them in their pride.

Itachi nods in agreement. "I'm afraid that I have to agree with Sasuke on this matter." He smiles. "Should you wish to see them, I imagine we'll be visiting the Hyuga Estate more often so that everyone can get to know the triplets better and continue bonding with the twins."

Ah good! Itachi knew exactly what he was doing. Sasuke doubted that he could hide his smirk at that thought, but whatever. He didn't have to.

Kira looks positively livid, but her words were composed. "Very well then." She glances at Hinata as if she thought that the Matriarch might argue on her behalf.

Ha! The very idea was laughable. Why would Hinata argue on behalf of that vile harpy?!

Hinata smiles. "Yes, I think that it would be best for the two of you to bond with them here." Her smile was so sweet and innocent. "We wouldn't want you two to overexert yourselves." Though Sasuke knew on the inside she wanted to tear them to pieces.

His wife was very protective of their children. As any good mother should be really. She was also a Jonin and a Medic. The woman was a skilled fighter in her own right. Hinata could more than hold her own in almost any fight and that apparently included even a verbal one.

Itachi chuckles. "Indeed. Well I think that the triplets have had quite enough excitement for the day." That was putting it mildly, but the Uchiha Patriarch decides that it was probably best to be polite.

He didn't want to shame his wife in front of her family. Though privately, he admitted that he did enjoy watching his foolish little brother humiliate the elderly couple. They deserved that and worse.

How dare they try to imply that Arashi and Aiya were somehow not worthy of learning the Gentle Fist Fighting Style?! They were Hyugas by blood as well as Uchihas. They shouldn't be denied half of their heritage!

There was some pouting and protesting from the more sympathetic Hyuga Members, but no one was foolish enough to protest seriously. "Mmm. You're right, My Love." Hinata agrees as she watches Sasuke put the triplets into a truly massive stroller.

The stroller they had used for Arashi and Aiya was simply not big enough. Thankfully though, their eldest children were now fully capable of walking anywhere they wanted to. Though more often than not, at least one of them decided they weren't that keen on the whole walking thing.

"Ride!" Arashi tackle hugs Itachi and gets onto his back.

His sister was more than willing to follow her brother's example in this regard. "Carry me!" Because she comes flying at Sasuke and soon, they each had a twin on their back.

Hinata giggles and with that, they quickly bid farewell to the rest of the family before heading back to the Uchiha District. Itachi smiles as he watches Hinata push the stroller. She was most likely leaning onto it for support, but it was still a sweet image.

"Story time when we get home!" Aiya beams down at Sasuke.

Sasuke chuckles. "I suppose one can't hurt, but then you're settling down for a nap." His brother was wrapped around their children's little fingers.

Not that Itachi could entirely blame him. He was most assuredly the same way. There was just no resisting the Bubble Eyes Jutsu!

It didn't take them long to arrive back at the District and in their living room. Thankfully, they had a rather large couch there as well. The entire family could sit on it.

Though if their family got much bigger, it was going to be a tight fit. Speaking of tight fits, Itachi wondered how long it would be before Hinata felt up to resuming their martial relations fully.

Hinata smiles and scoops the triplets into her arms as Sasuke and Itachi sit by her side. Sasuke on the left and Itachi on the right. And then there were the twins. Aiya was sitting in Sasuke's lap and Arashi in Itachi's.

Amaya smiles as she snuggles close to her Mommy's chest. She knew hat this meant when the whole family was gathered on the couch. Story time. She didn't really understand most of it, but that was okay.

"Hmm. What story should we tell them today?" Itachi smirks.

Oh and one of her Daddies was making a funny face! That meant this was going to be a very good story! Amaya giggles in anticipation.

Sasuke rolls his eyes. "Don't even think about it, Itachi!" Hmm. The other Daddy seemed a bit annoyed. Whatever it was must have been embarrassing for him somehow.

"Mmm, Sasuke. It's funny." Hinata kisses his cheek. "Relax." She smiles at him.

Hmm. Yes! This should be a really good story, if Mom had to calm Daddy down. This was going to be funny!

He sighs. "Alright, My Queen." Sasuke caresses her cheek affectionately and Hinata smiles as Itachi continues.

"I wasn't here to see this story personally, but Hinata has regaled me with this tale many, many times." He smirks.

Miya looks up at one of her Daddies curiously. A new story! New stories were the best!

Sasuke gives Hinata a dirty look upon hearing that. Hinata laughs and tries her best to look innocent, but even Miya knew that her other Daddy wasn't buying it and she was only a few months old!

"Mother told father this one?" Aiya smiles at Itachi.

The Uchiha Patriarch nods as he cuddles into Arashi and notices that Sasuke was doing the same to Aiya. It was very important to all of them to ensure that none of their children felt neglected.

Miya never did, of course. She always got lots of milk and cuddles from her Mommy. Her Daddies made silly faces, voices, and spun her around a lot. The middle triplet was quite content that she was receiving suitable attention and was certain in time, that her elder siblings would understand their position in the hierarchy.

Many boops would be necessary. That was a sacrifice that she was willing to make though. Just because they were bigger, didn't mean that they were in charge!

Hinata giggles. "Yes, I did." She looks at Sasuke somewhat apologetically as she snuggles the triplets to her bosom.

"It seems that when Sasuke was in the Academy, he and Naruto got into an argument of sorts." Itachi smiles. "For some reason or another, Naruto got on top of Sasuke's desk."

Miya giggles and coos. She didn't really understand so far, but obviously one of her Daddies and her Mommy though it was funny. So that was good enough for her!

"Silly Uncle Naruto." Arashi smiles.

Sasuke nods. "Yes, very silly." Oh she knew that word though! Silly! Yeah! She understood that one!

"I'm still not sure what they were fighting about." Hinata laughs. "But they were glaring daggers at each other."

Nara listens attentively. Like her elder sisters, she didn't really understand much of what was going on. Still, she understood story time. Story time was nice because it meant lots of cuddles.

She liked cuddles. Nara always felt safe and loved when she was cuddled. The youngest Uchiha giggles and coos as more of the story was told.

Sasuke shrugs. "I still don't know what that idiot's problem was to this day either." Hmm. Idiot. Yep! Daddy was talking about Uncle Naruto.

For some reason, Daddy called him that a lot. Idiot. Hmm. She must find out what that word meant!

"And at some point they were bumped together and their lips touched." Itachi smirks. "From what I hear it was an incident that has gone down in Academy History."

Oh he was smirking and the other Daddy was twitching! This was going to be interesting!

Sasuke growls. "You are way too into that accidental kiss!" Oh yeah! He was mad!

"Well of course. I'm your older brother." Itachi smirks more. "Your first kiss is an important moment in your life." He chuckles. "As is your second!"

That was apparently too much for Sasuke to take. Nara giggles as she watches the Daddies start to wrestle, rather enthusiastically.

"I'm going to put them all down for a nap while you two fight like children." Hinata laughs as she moves the triplets off her laps and gestures for the twins to follow her.

Aiya and Arashi laugh as they follow their mother. Nara watches as they leave. She knew that it was only a matter of time before her Mommy came back and they all settled down for a nice long nap!

Meanwhile back in the Hyuga Estate, Kira and Kaiden were back in their room. Kira was furious to put it mildly. The elderly woman paces ferociously.

"This will not stand!" The Hyuga clenches her fist so tightly that her fingernails actually dug into the skin. "We can't let them get away with this!" But that was a minor inconvenience, really.

They had more important things to worry about. She and her husband had just been dressed down in front of several members of her Clan. And Kira knew that it wouldn't be long before the rest of the Clan heard about it.

This was a disaster for their reputation! "I know, but what can we do about the matter?" Kaiden sighs.

He was right. At the moment, they didn't have just cause to employ severe public measures against that damn family. They would need more than Sasuke being an ageist bastard to justify that.

Besides, Sasuke was clever enough and so was his brother to spin that. A few of their kin might actually be foolish enough to believe that the Uchiha Family had just been expressing sincere concern for their health!

The very thought of such an error made her laugh. Kira wanted to believe that no one was foolish enough to believe such things. That no one could be that naïve, but she knew better. Even amongst her own family, there were bound to be a few simpletons. Just based off of the laws of probability!

"I don't know." She sighs heavily. "Surely, there must be something!"

This was an outrage! She and Kaiden were two of the eldest members of their Clan. They deserved to be treated with respect and the Uchiha Clan had shown nothing, but contempt for them.

He nods in agreement. "There must be." Clearly, Kaiden didn't know what though.

While the two of them were discussing the matter, neither of them noticed a small ladybug flitting about. Which was a good thing because this was a ladybug on a mission. A spying mission!

"The twins are still young, but they are getting closer." Kira crosses her arms defensively. "What are we going to do, if Hinata decides to teach her children the Gentle Fist?"

One that the ladybug had no intention of failing. He (yes, he was a male ladybug and they did exist, thank you very much) had been tracking these two for awhile now. Unfortunately, they never seemed ready to make a move.

If he was going to prove their guilt, the ladybug knew that he would have to find something definitive. Something that not even these two old codgers could weasel their way out of. Sadly, nothing like that had emerged as of yet!

Kira fidgets. "I don't know." Those children were going to be monsters.

She just knew it. They might be cute now, but in a few years that would change. They might have the Sharingan, the Byakugan, or an entirely new bloodline. That or maybe both.

The fact that Nara had one dark eye and one lavender did hint at that possibility. Kira would be lying, if she said that potential outcome didn't terrify her. It did. A lot.

"We'll figure something out, My Love." He smiles at her. "As you are so fond of saying, we always do."

She nods in agreement. Kira knew that her husband was right. She just had to remind herself of that. After all, they were two Hyugas. They could handle a few Uchiha Brats!

Well at least that's what she hoped. Kira wasn't fond of deluding herself. They were already elderly and their time was running out.

If they were going to find a way to protect their family before their deaths, they had to do it soon. "What do you think the rest of the Clan thought of them?" Realistically, they only had so many years left.

Kaiden sighs. "As much as it pains me to admit it, they all seemed rather enamored" He shrugs. "But that's only to be expected. Most infants are adorable and many people have soft spots for them."

Kira nods. That was true. She remembered how the Clan had gushed over their firstborn child. It had been such a happy time.

How had things ended up this way? For most of their life, they had belonged to a proud Clan that had carefully managed its bloodline and guarded their techniques. And now, that was changing.

"Let's go for a walk, My Heart." She needed to do something to get her mind off of this.

At least for a little while. The very foundation that her life had been built upon was now rapidly crumbling underneath her and Kira had no idea what to do about that. Sadly, neither did her husband.

Kaiden nods. "Alright." He smiles and leads her out for a walk.

They'd figure this out. They had to. The Gentle Fist was too important to fall into the wrong hands. No matter how cute those hands might be, the twins and triplets should never be taught that technique.

One way or another, Kira would ensure that they never learned it. If they had inherited the Byakugan, there was little that she could do about that. But their fighting style, that would stay firmly in the hands of the Hyuga Clan. Not the Uchihas.

"Thank you." She smiles as they walk off together as they had hundreds, perhaps even thousands of times before.

Kira just needed some time to make a plan. That was all. She wasn't going to leave anything up to chance. No, she would protect her Clan!