I DO NOT OWN NARUTO
As the branch members went to pack, Hideki stopped the elder that had spoken for all of them.
"One last thing, Elder Hiko. Please leave an encrypted message for the rest of the branch members in your quarters. I am sure that most of the others will choose to follow us." The old man nodded with a tiny smirk on his face and hurried to his rooms.
"I can't believe we are actually leaving! Can we trust Hatake-sama, Hideki?" Haruna asked, the worry in her voice barely hidden. Hideki reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Despite his reputation, Lord Hatake is one of Kohona's most powerful and reliable ninjas. He advises the Hokage, and he was one of the youngest ANBU captains. He is not someone who would offer his protection lightly. I trust him, and you can too." He told her reassuringly. Haruna let out a sigh, as some of the tension left her body.
"I need to go pack, you should too." She bossed him gently. He rolled his eyes at her, and she left the room with a look of smugness on her face. They had been friends since they were four, and she knew all the best ways to tease him, just as he knew just what to say to bother her. She was very happy that he was okay, and as she packed, she felt her heart lighten at the thought that they were escaping the oppressive environment of the Hyuuga compound.
Five minutes passed, and everyone gathered back in the main room, their possessions in packs on their backs. Hideki waited a few more minutes, and when the last person entered the room, he gave the signal. Everyone made clones of themselves, and sent them out to do what they would normally be doing. Stealthily, the real branch members left the building and retreated quickly into the trees that marked the back of the Hyuuga property. Everyone was on edge until they were out of range of the guards. He gave the hand signal for them to stop, and they rallied around him in a semi-circle.
"It would be suspicious if this many of us were seen traveling together. We need to split up, and approach the Hatake property from different directions. Who knows where it is?" Hideki motioned forward the few who raised their hands.
"Form up in even numbers behind your leaders…good, now here is what we are going to do. Given the fact that Lord Hatake's clan was never a large one, there is not currently enough housing for us all. I need Group One to purchase several large tents. Group Two, you will purchase cooking supplies and food. Group Three will purchase blankets, pillows, towels, and everything we will need to set up temporarily bathing facilities. Group Four will proceed directly to the property and scout out the best place to set up, and then begin clearing the area we will need. I would suggest the large clearing behind the trees at the back of the gardens. One last thing…charge it all to the Hyuuga account." He told them. There was silence from the group for a few seconds, and then they all departed with huge smiles on their faces, that they quickly hid once in public.
.
.
Everyone had left Hinata's hospital room, and she had fallen back to sleep by the time Hideki returned to the hospital to report to his new clan leader. He was surprised to see that Kakashi was asleep in his cot, and was reluctant to wake him up. However, his report was extremely important, not to mention that he needed find out exactly how Hatake-sama was going to take the news that his clan had grown by fifty-two new members. Really, we are taking advantage of him, but I did follow his instructions. He said whoever wanted to come…
The rueful Hyuuga leaned forward and was reaching out towards his leaders shoulder when he found himself pinned to the hospital wall with a kunai held to his neck. Damn, he's fast! I didn't even have time to react! Kakashi blinked wearily at him, and stepped back, dropping the Hyuuga gently.
"I would highly suggest that you do not attempt to wake me up like that in the future." Kakaski told him sternly.
"Hai- it will not happen again, my Lord." Hideki stood to attention, and resisted the urge to check his throat for blood. Kakashi strolled over to the chair beside Hinata's bed and sat down.
"Was your task successful?" He asked the younger man.
"Hai, my Lord. As we speak they are setting up the temporary housing." Hideki told Kakashi, hoping that the older man would understand his subtle wording. Kakashi tilted his head to the side and regarded Hideki in silence for a few moments.
"Hideki-san, exactly how many decided to come?" He asked the young Hyuuga in a slightly apprehensive voice. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed the nervous twitch of Kakashi's good eye, but Hyuuga's were trained from a young age to recognize the hidden clues of peoples' emotions. He refrained from grinning, but it was hard.
"Fifty-two members, my Lord. We left an encrypted message for those that were left behind, so more will probably be coming in the next few days." He told stunned jounin. Kakashi's jaw dropped and his good eye widened briefly, before he quickly regained control of himself, and assumed his usual look of boredom. He starred hard at Hideki for several minutes, making the younger man more nervous by the second. Kakashi suddenly grinned, and the Hyuuga was put out to discover that he been purposely intimidated for the older man's amusement.
"Now, now. If anyone has the right to be upset, I think it is me, wouldn't you say? Though I can't fault you, can I? I did say that whoever wanted to come would be welcome." He said teasingly. Hideki let out an almost silent sigh of relief, until he noticed that Kakashi's grin turned into a serious look. He took one step back, before he could stop himself. This isn't Lord Hyuuga- I don't have to worry about Lord Hatake hitting me! He forced himself to take a step forward, and waited, irritated with himself for that small act of cowardice. While he was internally debating with himself, he failed to notice the changing expressions on Kakashi's face.
Apparently, Hinata wasn't the only one to get hit… Kakashi's wrath over getting taken advantage of faded, as he realized what his offer represented to the other members of Hinata's family. The fact that so many of them where willing to leave their birth clan was an indication of the level of abuse that had been going on behind the closed doors of the Hyuuga compound. He let out a sigh of weariness, and rose to look out the window. This is going to raise ten kinds of hell in the council, and the rest of the village for that fact. How in the world am I going to pull this off? Looks like I need to call another meeting with Lady Tsunade and Shikamaru… He turned back to Hideki, and found that the younger man was standing at stiff attention, attempting to hide his nervousness from his new leader.
"Hideki-san, from now on, no more 'creative' interpretations of my orders. Agreed?" He said sternly. Though the younger man's posture loosened up a bit, his face still held a faint look of apprehension. Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation as he realized that there was more he needed to know.
"What is it? Another five million clan members, perhaps?" He said sarcastically. Hideki winced inwardly.
"We charged the supplies to Lord Hyuuga's account." Hideki stated baldly. Kakashi blinked rapidly, and then a smile a mile wide formed on his face beneath his mask. He began chuckling, and suddenly he was laughing so hard he had to grab his stomach. The young Hyuuga watched his new lord with a bit of wonder. Shouldn't he be mad? Finally, Kakashi got himself under control and wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes.
"Remind me not to ever piss off my new clan members." He said with a tremor of humorous appreciation still in his voice. Hideki understood that Kakashi had been laughing at their audacity of charging their getaway to Lord Hyuuga, and allowed a small grin to appear on his face.
"Now, I need you to watch over Lady Hinata while I go take care of our newly grown clan. This is going to take some slick maneuvering. I am leaving one of my ninja hounds here in case there is trouble, he will summon me immediately." With that he bit his thumb and performed the summoning. Pakkun looked up at him.
"What do you need? I was in the middle of-" the little dog shut up when he saw the look on Kakashi's face. He stood to attention, and waited for his orders.
"I am leaving you here as a look out to guard Lady Hatake. If there is even a hint of trouble, I want you to summon me, understood?" Kakashi said in a hard tone.
"Understood, Kakashi. I will be sure to-wait! Did you say Lady Hatake?" The little dog asked incredulously, his jaw hanging open in shock. Kakaski just waved bye with a look of deep amusement on his face as he dissipated. Pakkun turned to the Hyuuga guard, who was regarding him with a small smile.
"Alright, what is going on!" Pakkun demanded.