Chapter 18: This House is not a Home
Hyuga Compound, Main House, 11:00 a.m.
"How are you holding up, Hiashi-sama?" Hiroshi sat across from Hiashi who was sitting at his desk. His face buried in his hands, breathing heavily.
"None, of this is your fault, good friend. You couldn't have foreseen this if you had lived a million lives."
"I know that." Hiashi said sharply. Hiroshi smiled. Things had been going well…Hinata had not yet come home, Neji was dead, Hanabi…was currently in the private infirmary and Takuya was also there. Yes…things were going well as planned. Nothing would stop him now…all he had left to deal with would be the Kyuubi container. Uzumaki Naruto.
"You want her to come home, don't you, Hiashi?" He asked feigning concern. But on the inside he was smiling broadly.
"Hinata is your daughter…of course you want her to come home. There's nothing wrong with that…but, how long will you let her choices effect you? You are the leader of the Hyuga, Hiashi."
"I know this Hiroshi! I want to know is where my daughter is! Who is she with? I never wanted things to turn out this way…what is best for the clan and for Hinata and for Hanabi is my only concern."
"Calm down now, good friend. I plan to help you anyway I can…please, leave this to me."
--
"Hinata-sama, are you ready?" Neji stood outside of Hinata's room. Hinata had finally made her decision. She was going to return to the Hyuga House. She was going to accept her…
--
"Hiashi-sama! Hiashi-sama! Tsunade-sama is here! She brings Hinata-hime and Neji-san with her!" Hiroshi jumped from his chair. Tsunade had gotten involved?
"Have them meet us in the outside parlor and have no one interrupted us." Hiashi glanced towards his friend and advisor.
"Shall we go?" Hiroshi smiled.
"Of course, Hiashi-sama."
--
Tsunade stood with Hinata and Neji in the parlor wating for the inevitable to happen. Even though she was Hogake…even though she wanted to see Naruto and Hinata happy there was nothing she could about this. She felt as if she were going to puke. At first…Naruto had almost convinced her to talk to Hiashi, almost. But now…
"Sama?" Tsunade snapped out of her thoughts. What?
"Huh?" Neji frowned. Such behavior was not going to help them further.
"They're coming, Tsunade-sama."
"Oh, I see. Hinata are you ready for this?" Hinata nodded. Tsunade melted inside. Such a beautiful, and strong girl…why did this have to happen to her of all people?! Hinata was such a kind and strong-willed girl. She and Naruto were perfect for each other.
Damn…I'm already thinking like this. But this is the only way I can help Hinata and Naruto until we find out exactly what Hiroshi is up to! I don't want to put these kids in a situation where they can't make a move without doing something drastic…then there's Hanabi. Neji and Hinata both expressed their concern for her…they don't want her dragged into this. What to do? What to do?
Tsunade unconsciously ground her teeth. Damn the Hyuga!
"Tsunade-sama." Hiashi and Hiroshi stood before her. She tried to soften her gaze, but found she couldn't. She decided that it was best just act like herself. She and Hiashi had run-ins before. This would be no different.
Hiasih motioned for them to sit. Tsunade took note that he hadn't yet even glanced Hinata's way…or Neji, but Hiroshi seemed all too delighted to stare at Hinata's face.
She let her eyes wander over to the young teens sitting next to her. Hinata stared straight ahead, as did Neji. She faced her father with a determined expression. Neji with a passive one.
She sat up straight and proud. Tsunade flittered her eyes between all of them. Who would make the first move?
Hiroshi opened his mouth in the slightest, but a small yet commanding voice beat him to the punch.
"Outo-sama…I will marry Michimoe Takuya and become the next leader of the Hyuga. I accept this responsibility and honor I have so foolishly thrown away. Never again will I do what is wrong in the eyes of our clan. I have put all my childish intentions and dreams away and now will assume the proud title of Michimoe Chihiro Hinata, leader of the Hyuga and Michimoe clans together. Will you have me…Outo-sama? And…" Hinata paused. Tsunade held her breath…what more could she say? How much more could Hinata bear?
"And I will forget the name of Uzumaki Naruto."
--
"I'm surprised, Hiashi. I didn't think that Hinata would make such a statement." Hiroshi chuckled. Actually he had…and he was quiet happy with himself. But why in the world was Tsunade there? Of course he understood he would have to deal with her sooner or later, but he didn't expect that she would become involved so soon. He had to be careful from now on. There was no telling what Neji had revealed to her.
Yes, he already knew that Neji had his suspicions; yes he knew that it would be hard to move freely. This was…this was…fun! It had been such a long time until he had such trouble carrying out his plans.
Finally some resistance....
"Did you say something Hiroshi?" Hiashi furrowed his brows at his long-time friend. He had a habit of speaking to himself…Hiashi wondered if that was healthy.
"You didn't expect her to make the first move, did you? Hinata is stronger than I thought. I suppose…that she is ready for everything then?"
"Hinata is my daughter. And our clan will no longer be put to disgrace…it's just too bad that…she won't be here to see it." Hiroshi frowned.
So, he was still thinking about Chihiro, eh?
Tch! To think after all these years he still feels badly about that! I can't stand this man…
"Hiroshi."
"Hm?"
"Were you listening to me?"
"Forgive me, Hiashi-sama. I was thinking again."
"Humph. You do a lot of thinking these days, don't you?"
"Yes, Hiashi-sama."
--
"Hinata-neesama…"
"Hanabi…Hanabi I'm so sorry…I'm sorry!" Hinata held her sister's small hands in her own. Everything….everything had been her fault! This was all her fault! To do this to Hanabi and her friends…she was the worst!
This is…this is my entire fault! If only…if only I had never fallen in love! I've hurt Hanabi and Neji in ways I can never mend…I've torn apart our clan…I've ruined everyone's happiness! I hate this! I hate me!
"D-don't be sorry, Hinata-neesama. You only did what you thought was right. Even if Outo-sama got mad at you…"
"But I made things worse, Hanabi-chan! I've hurt everyone in the clan now! You and Neji-niisan and Naruto-kun! Sakura-san and Sasuke-kun! Shino-kun! Our family is fighting because of me! I wish…I wish that I had never lov-"
Hanabi's eyes met Hinata's. Something unspoken passed between them as they exchanged words invisible to the human eye.
"You are not father, Hinata-neesama. Nor will you even be like him." Hinata's eyes widened.
"I've already lost father…I don't want to lose Hinata-neesama too."
--
"Of course Tsunade-sama this is an issue between clans…there is no need for you interfere." Hiroshi argued. Tsunade frowned.
"When an 'issue' involves my young shinobi to come and break up a revolt that YOU people should have taken care of, then it becomes my business! What the hell happened here, Hiashi?" Tsunade was pissed to say the least. Of course she already knew what was going on, but she needed to hear Hiashi say it himself…maybe she could get more information that way.
"I never meant for you to become involved with this mess, Tsunade-sama please believe me. Hinata and Neji will be punished for their actions as well as for including the Hogake with local matters."
"I'm just worried about my shinobi, Hiashi. I need them in physical and mental health! I know as Hogake I can't butt in on clan relations, but when it evolves into something this big then it becomes my business!"
"I understand Tsunade-sama. They will no longer cause you any trouble. I promise that."
"Ha! They better not! After all…it takes two to tango right?" Hiashi glared
"What would you know about that?" Tsunade grinned.
"Why else do you think they came running to me?"
AAAAAG! I'M SO SORRY! I really don't have ant excuses except that my computer has been worked on...and writers block. I hope you all continue to review and don't get too mad at me! I can't tell you when I will update anymore....hopefully like I said every weekend, but things have been to busy for me. Speech and debate, babysitting, taking care of the house while my parents are working, because my older sisters don't want to and my younger brothers don't care. lol. please review to keep my going and this story alive!