Friendship, Part II

When Hizashi hadn't shown up to the meeting spot on time, Chikara and Ikasu were immediately late. It was unlike him to be late…unless there was something up at the Hyuga compound. They had waited a few more minutes before deciding to go check it out and brought Mitsuko, who'd travelled to the Leaf Village for a commission and also to visit Hizashi.

There was no sign of Hizashi when they reached the compound.

Instead they found his brother Hiashi. His clothes were dirty and his eyes were bleary as if he'd been crying. But when they questioned him, he'd taken on an air of dignity and importance. "Hizashi was being insubordinate and had his seal activated accordingly."

"Oh my god! Hizashi!" Ikasu took off toward the Hyuga's bedroom. Chikara stared at him icily before following her, pulling Mitsuko along.

Ikasu nearly broke the door off its hinges trying to get to Hizashi. She'd grown out of her childhood crush on him, but she still regarded him with warm affection. She hated seeing him hurt, especially when his family did it and there was nothing his friends, or girlfriend, could do about it. Chikara felt the same, though he'd offered numerous times to make the main house take a dose of their own medicine. Hizashi had always refused.

When they entered his bedroom, Hizashi lay still on his bed, the steady rise and fall of his chest the only sign of life. There was a cold compress resting on his forehead, probably in an attempt to cool the burning flesh. Mitsuko pulled a chair up to his bedside and wound her fingers in his. "Is he going to be alright?" She sounded sad and worried.

"It will take a day or two, but he'll be fine. He's survived worse." Chikara answered. Accustomed to the process, he and Ikasu went on autopilot. Ikasu opened his windows, knowing that he preferred it slightly chilly in his room. Chikara gently lifted Hizashi's eyelids, noting the vacant stare. He still hadn't fully come back to consciousness.

"Are you going to heal him?" Ikasu asked, grabbing Hizashi's other hand. She noticed Mitsuko whispering sweet nothings to him and stroking his hair.

"Yeah." Chikara brought his hands together, murmuring a few words. He felt his Norogan activate and his hands glowed pink with his dark chakra. Carefully he placed his hand on Hizashi's forehead and focused his energy on neutralizing the pain and restoring his consciousness. There was a flutter of eyelids and then he opened his eyes, revealing the pale lavender orbs.

"Hey guys." He said weakly.

"Hey." Chikara and Ikasu said. Mitsuko beamed at him.

"Beautiful." Hizashi brought Mitsuko's hand to his lips. "And thanks, Chikara."

"No problem."

I'm learning medical ninjutsu so I'll make the pain go away.

There was a soft knock at the door followed by an even softer voice. "May I come in?"

"Get lost!" Chikara snapped.

Hizashi shot him a warning glare. "Come in, Hiashi."

"Are you okay?" Hiashi asked timidly, not raising his eyes from the floor.

"No. But I will recover, thanks to my friends." Hizashi stated.

Before anyone could stop her, Ikasu had crossed the room and slapped Hiashi hard across the face. "How dare you hurt your brother like this! You bastard! If you weren't the future head of the clan, I'd have finished you long ago!" She punctuated each statement with a harsh slap.

Chikara restrained his Ikasu and sat her in the chair on Hizashi's other sides. He proceeded to explain. "I cleared up his consciousness. As you probably are unaware of, all branch members react to the curse seal in different ways. Hizashi's reaction happens to be akin to a seizure. It's not too bad and has a quick recovery time."

"I-I didn't know…I'm sorry, Hizashi." He looked like he wanted to reach out and hug Hizashi, but the three other pairs of cold eyes stopped him in his tracks. "I'm sorry..."

"It's okay. You had every right to as the heir to the clan. I will make sure I follow my orders…Lord Hiashi." Hizashi smiled sadly.

Because you are main house and I am branch.

I know that Hizashi's reaction in the anime is much more violent, but I figure that the reaction would get worse as he got older and more bitter.