I DO NOT OWN NARUTO- IT OWNS ME ;)
Kakashi made his way to Hinata's room. He was glad to see that the ANBU guard was alert and wary at his approach, obviously checking to see that he wasn't using a henge or transformation technique. Tsunade chose well, Yamato is an excellent shin obi. After confirming his identity, Kakashi entered the room and got his first look at Hinata since Neji had hustled her out of his apartment. He felt the anger burning in his mind again as he observed the greenish yellow bruises covering her face and all the machinery she was hooked up to. He quickly averted his face and turned to examine the Hyuuga guard.
Hideki was standing near the window only a few feet away from Hinata's bed. It was clear from the tense set of his shoulders that he was uncomfortable with the presence of Kakashi in the room. He moved subtly closer to her bed, as if he wished to protect her, trying not to make it obvious what he was doing, but he couldn't fool the Copy Ninja's keen eyes. Sighing inwardly, Kakashi decided to confront her clansman directly.
"You don't have to protect her from me-I would never knowingly hurt her. In fact, I was just released after being subdued by the Hokage because I was going to go kill her father for doing this to her." He told the man calmly. Hideki's eyes widen slightly and then returned to normal as he reestablished his blank Hyuuga face. They starred intently at each other for a few minutes, and then the Hyuuga spoke.
"Lady Hinata is precious to the majority of the clan, Hatake-san. Only a handful of us knew exactly what was going on. Myself, the nurse, and a few other of Lord Hyuuga's personal guards. She didn't want anyone to know, I think that she feels both ashamed and afraid. When we would have intervened on her behalf, she begged us not to. One guard did try to stop my lord, but his seal was activated until death. After that, none of us was brave enough to rescue her. It was only when Haruna told me that she would die that I finally had the courage to go against Lord Hyuuga's orders. I am ashamed that I did not help her sooner. She is all that is good in the Hyuuga, and I should have protected her. I understand that is your job now?" Hideki inquired.
"Yes, the Hokage felt that I was the best candidate to protect her from that bastard." Kakashi walked over to her bedside and sat in the chair, looking down on the young woman. Hesitantly, he reached over and took her hand in his hand gently. Unknowingly, his face softened as his eyes roamed over her face. She looks so peaceful, so beautiful.
Hideki closely observed Kakashi expression and was pleased to see the love revealed in his face. It is as Lady Tsunade said- he loves her. He will protect her and love her, all that she deserves. Inside his chest, the Hyuuga guard felt a twinge of pain. He harbored tender feelings for the young heiress, and knowing that she was now married to the man in front of him was painful. He knew that is was the best thing for her, and he was relieved to find that her husband was not only strong enough to protect her, but would also be loving towards her. She deserves so much more than she ever received from our clan. He backed away from the bed and retreated to the corner of the room to give the couple a bit of privacy.
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As Kakaski sat there holding her hand, he thought about all the ways that marriage was going to change their lives. For starters, his small apartment was not spacious enough for two people. Especially if any children came along…he quickly shut down that line of thinking. Hinata was no where near to being comfortable enough with being intimate with him, and contemplating such thoughts would just make it harder to wait till she was ready. Although Tsunade had teased him about offering Hinata the option of a divorce, he knew that now that she was his, he wasn't letting her go. Right or wrong, she was his now.
Forcing his mind away from how he felt about her, Kakashi focused on the practical things that needed to be accomplished. The house he grew up in would have to be reopened and fully aired out. Though he had not wanted to live there by himself, he had a cleaning woman go in twice a month to clean and care for it. Inwardly, he cringed at the thought of living there again. His mother had died there, and his father had killed himself in the study. The place had more bad memories than good, but it was the traditional home of the Hatake clan. Not many people in the village realized it, but he was a wealthy man. His father had left him well off, and the simple life he led didn't cost him much, so he hadn't dipped into those funds. He had saved most of what he made from missions the entirety of his career, and since most them were high risk, he had accumulated quite a sum from them. Other than his passion for the Icha Icha series, and his collection of ornamental katanas, he really didn't spend much money.
Taking care of Hinata in the manner she was accustomed to wouldn't be hard. He realized that they would also need to hire a full-time maid, a cook, and a gardener. Hinata was stubborn enough to try and take care of everything by herself, but he was afraid to let her do much after what Tsunade had told him about her health. If he brought her home with the staff already in place, she wouldn't be able to protest. There was also her lack of personal belongings to consider. He would be damned before he would ask Haishi Hyuuga for anything. So she would need a whole new wardrobe, not to mention all the beauty products women considered necessary. Hmm-mm, looks like I am going to need some expert help here. Kakashi summoned a shadow clone and instructed it to retrieve several people, then sat back and waited. He had no intention of leaving Hinata's side until she woke up. Though it was an incredibly possessive thing to do, he wanted his face to be the first thing saw when Hinata woke up.
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Kakashi went to the door when he heard his clone return with the people he requested. He told Yamato it was okay, and let them into the room. Kurenai, Kiba, Shino, Ino, and Sakura entered with curiosity on their faces. Their reactions to seeing Hinata were all different, but the main reaction was intense anger. He held up a hand, silently asking for their attention.
"Hinata was attacked by her father. She will be okay, but he damaged her heart. She will no longer be an active ninja, though Tsunade has intentions of training her to be a medical ninja. In order to protect her from that old bastard, I was chosen as her husband. That was the only legal way to remove her from the Hyuuga clan." He told them casually. He then waited for their reactions.
Predictably, Kiba began protesting loudly, Shino was silent, Kurenai smirked, Ino and Sakura shrieked out in shock. He let them carry on for a few minutes before he attempted to calm them down.
"Kiba- though your intentions are good, you don't yet have the skill level needed to go against the Hyuuga, Shino- the same goes for you. Kurenai- stop smirking at me. Ino and Sakura- shut up and pay attention!" He said sternly. Everyone stood to attention and quieted down instantly at the tone of command in his voice. He almost smirked at them, but managed to control it.
"The reason I called you all here is because I need your help. I will have to open up the Hatake estate, have it aired out, a bedroom decorated to Hinata's taste, caretakers hired, a new wardrobe for Hinata purchased. I want to be able to take her home and it be as welcoming as it can be under the circumstances. Will you help me?" He asked. They all nodded, still in a slight state of shock at the situation.
"Good, here are your assignments. Kurenai, I want you to take the girls and purchase whatever you think Hinata will need- clothes, underwear, shoes, a few formal kimonos, jewelry, all the girly things she uses. Kiba and Shino, as her best friends you should know how she would like her room decorated. I will leave that up to you. The maid, cook, and gardener will be selected by Hideki." He laughed to himself as the man gave a small start of surprise.
"As a Hyuuga, you have the ability to look beyond a person's outward appearance and words to the core of the person. I trust in your judgment to find honest workers that won't be able to be bribed by Haishi Hyuuga." Kakashi informed the dazed young man. Satisfied when Hideki nodded in comprehension, he motioned Kurenai over for a private consultation.
"Don't let those two fashionistas pick out anything too revealing. I don't want her exposed like that. Her figure is too good as it is without being put on display. The clothes should fit her well, but be conservative. And comfortable-I want her to be comfortable in them. But no bulky jackets." He told her as an afterthought. Kurenai looked at him curiously before her face broke out into a huge smile.
"Well- I never thought that I would see the day when the impervious Kakashi Hatake finally fell in l-" She glared up at him when he slapped a hand over her mouth. She struggled briefly, but then relaxed and he dropped his hand.
"Look, this is hard enough as it is. I am still dealing with these feelings, and I know that Hinata is in love with Naruto. Please just don't." He asked her in a slightly pleading voice. She nodded in understanding, deciding that now was not the time to tease her friend about his newfound feelings. He could tell by the look on her face that she would eventually expect him to have a real conversation, and he cringed at the idea. Still, she was the closest thing Hinata had to a mother, so he was resigned to the fact that it would have to take place. Kurenai joined the others and he gave them some last instructions.
"I ask for you to use discretion- only a few people know that we are married, and it needs to stay a secret until we spring it on the council and her father. Also, don't worry about expense- though I live simply, I am not a poor man. Between the money I inherited and what I have saved all these years, I am probably one of the wealthiest men in the village. So get her the best of everything, I promise it won't bankrupt me." He told them humorously. They nodded and then left. He motioned to Hideki, indicating that he wanted a private word with him.
"I have been thinking that it would be a good idea if I accepted you into the Hatake clan so that you would have the same protection as Hinata. Would that be something you could accept?" He asked the younger man. Hideki stood there frozen in shock as he considered the ramifications of Kakashi's offer. Though he hadn't wanted to admit it, he was scared of being on his own. His whole life he had be surrounded by his family. Even though he hadn't been happy, the sense of belonging was a constant in his life. Kakashi could see that he was wavering on the edge of a decision, and gave him some extra motivation.
"I was hoping that the people you hired would be some of the other Hyuuga that feel the same loyalty to Hinata that you do. I believe that she would more comfortable with this new change in her life if she could have some of her clan members with her. Anyone that chose to come would be under my protection, but they would have to become officially documented members of the Hatake clan to receive that protection." Kakashi waited for the implications sink into Hideki's mind. As he waited for his answer, the older man returned to his place beside Hinata. Several minutes passed before Hideki walked over to stand in front of him and bowed.
"I accept your offer Hatake-sama. I am no longer proud of the clan I was born into. It is divided and failing. There are others that feel the way I do, and I don't believe that I will have much trouble convincing them to come. Is there a limit to those you would accept?" He asked.
"We really only need at least two maids, a cook, and a gardener. However, if anyone else wants to come, I will be happy to accept them." Kakashi informed him. The Hyuuga nodded to him and headed for the door. He paused briefly as Kakashi spoke again.
"Be careful. Ask the Hokage to meet me here before you go." He ordered Hideki.
"Hai, Lord Hatake." The young man said as he bowed once more before leaving the room. Lord Hatake? What am I getting myself into? Ah, Obito how you would laugh at me if you could see me now!