This is yet another attempt to show how Hiashi could still be viewed as a human being. Inspired by Naruto Shippuden episodes 389 and 390 AKA the Hyuuga Sisters special.
BOLD is Hiashi narrative.
This is Hiashi's perspective
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Since I was just a little boy, the Hyuuga clan had a destiny of hatred. I had never known anything else.
(((Flashback)))
A 10 year old Hiashi sporting short hair stands before the council of Hyuuga elders and their judgemental eyes.
" Hiashi-sama, you are the successor of the clan Hyuuga. As such you must train your mind and body to bear this burden." The elder said.
" Hai."
Later, Hiashi is seen doing pushups in a dojo under his father's every watchful eye.
Hiashi is then seen walking through the courtyard, eyes from various Hyuuga locked on him.
At first it was hard, having eyes on me the entire time, waiting for me to make a mistake, keeping me on my guard. But as time passed, I was grateful, it made me resiliant and strong. Then I met her.
11 year old Hiashi looks down at the scarf knitted for him. The young girl only a year younger than him stood before him looking sat the floor embarrassed with her arms behind her back.
" For me?" Hiashi asked.
The girl smiled slightly as she nodded, her hair was the color of eggplant. her skin light.
" I see, so what do you wish for in return?" Hiashi asked.
The girl looked at him stunned. " N-nothing... I just wanted to give this to you."
" Yes I understand, but what do you want in return?" Hiashi asked.
" I have to go, please forgive me." The girl ran off embarrassed.
Hiashi looked down at the gift then looked back in the direction the girl had ran. He seemed confused.
The first time something was done for me with no agenda in mind.
Since then, Hiashi would watch the girl most times at a distance. He wanted to merely observe her. As he did, he noticed something much different about from other girls in his clan. He would always catch her smiling, not smiling only when he was around. To him she was a complete enygma.
When she caught him looking at her she would get embarrassed easily.
One day Hiashi simply approached her. " Hello." Hiashi said.
" Oh, Hiashi-sama, good afternoon." She said bashfully.
" I'm wearing your gift, see?" Hiashi pointed to the scarf around his neck.
" I'm glad you like it."
" I was wondering, would you like to accompnay me out to the courtyard?" Hiashi asked.
" I...I would like that."
She was my first real friend.
Hiashi and the girl were eating sushi for lunch. Hiashi accidentally ate a large portion of wasabi, his mouth was on fire, she gasped, he quickly reached for a glass of water realizing that only made it worse. She quickly got a glass of milk off another table as Hiashi was spazzing out.
He quickly accepted it. After he drank the milk he looked down deeply embarrassed. He angled his eyes at her to see how she was going to react.
She smiled merely rubbed his arm." Feel better?"
Hiashi looked confused. " I umm, yes, Arigato."
She giggled as she continued with lunch.
Hiashi, let out a slight chuckle though still embarrassed.
Over time I began to slowly let my guard down around her. Days I felt anger or hatred towards another member of the clan she could lighten my heart instantly with her laugh or a playful tease. Of course she was the only one, I knew being relaxed around anybody else in the clan invited trouble.
Years later...
" My son, you do not ask her to be your wife. I will simply arrange it." Hiashi's father said.
" No Oto-sama, I want her to want to marry me." Hiashi said.
Luckily, she said yes.
(((End Flashback)))
Time passed, Neji and Hanabi were in the courtyard training with Hiashi.
" Don't lose focus on their footwork, just…" Hiashi stopped when he saw Hinata walking on the porch.
Hinata was a little surprised, she had thought her father and the others would be training in the dojo today.
" Pardon me.." Hinata ran along the side out the front gate.
Hiashi watched her run off, his eyes dimmed in sadness.
Later, Hiashi was walking down the road. When he heard strikes against a post. He looked to see Hinata training away. Hiashi decided to watch for a little bit.
The next day...
Neji and Hiashi were having some tea on the porch.
" Neji, you're making excellent progress…"
" Arigato Hiashi-sama."
" You know, and this goes for anything I teach you. If you were to teach it to someone else, I would not be opposed to it." Hiashi said.
Neji was silent for a moment. He knew what Hiashi was getting at.
" I appreciate it Hiashi-sama."
Soon, Hiashi would often see Neji training with Hinata in the courtyard. He would often watch unbeknownst to them.
Things were going very well at that point. Neji was up for Jonin and the Chuunin exams were right around the corner.
At the Chuunin exams, Hiashi watched with anticipation to see Hinata's next match. He finally got his chance as he watched Hinata fight a Kumo nin from up in the stands.
The match seemingly ended as the Kumo nin fell on his back hard. Hinata swooped in to deliver a final blow, but she stopped suddenly.
" Why did you stop!?" Hiashi thought
Hinata saw that the Kumo nin was nearly unconscious He was raising his hand helplessy as if he had no vision. Hinata took a deep breath and deactivated her Byakugan.
Suddenly, the boy sprang to consciousness and ripped open a scroll sending numerous kunai and shuriken at her. Hiashi gasped.
Hinata dodged the weaponry just in time. However 2 skidded past her face and 3 just past her torso.
Hiashi sprang up. Hinata brought her foot up and kicked the Kumo nin in the stomach, finally incapacitating him.
" Winner! Hyuuga Hinata!" Said the proctor.
Hiashi stood frozen as if he had just seen a ghost.
Later that day Hiashi went through the compound looking for Hinata. He finally found her in the courtyard. Her face patched with a bandage where the kunai struck and her Chuunin jacket still in it's wrap beside her.
Hiashi walked onto the courtyard where Hinata sat on the porch ."WE NEED TO TALK!" Hiashi bellowed.
Hinata snapped to attention. " Of course Oto-sama." Hinata said.
Moments later Ko along with other surrounding Hyuugas could hear the shouts coming from Hiashi's study.
" Why didn't you finish him off!?" Hiashi yelled.
" I hesitated Oto-sama. He seemed disoriented. I thought I had won at that point." Hinata said.
" Hinata!" Hiashi clutched her shoulders. " Haven't you seen yet!?" Hiashi became emotional. Hinata was stunned. " Haven't you learned anything from your mother!?"
Ko looked toward the study, the look of shock evident on his face.
" There is no room in this world for compassion or kindness! Haven't you learned that yet!?"
Hinata stood frozen looking into her father's eyes.
" Never show your enemy kindness! Because you will receive none in return!" Hiashi yelled.
Hinata listened as her father continued.
(((Flashback)))
Hiashi, his wife and a dozen Hyuuga clansmen were in a secluded area.
" Ahh Hiashi-sama you made it I was beginning to think the Hyuuga clan wouldn't show." Said a man in a purple Kimono, his name Goetsu Kenjo of the Goetsu clan. A clan which rivaled the Hyuuga in both prestige and status. Behind him stood at least 20 Goetsu members.
" Well you made it a little hard not to Kenjo-sama." Hiashi said. " We were growing weary of a month of harassment."
Hiashi's wife calmed him by bringing her hand to his arm.
" Hiashi-sama let's cut to the chase. " The Hyuuga clan is not what it once was. I believe that you have gone soft."
" Oh is that what you believe? So how do you plan to react to this?" Hiashi asked.
" I'm glad you brought some adequate shinobi with you. I'm suggesting a friendly little match between one of your clansmen and one of ours."
"Hiashi-sama, please allow me!" Ko said.
" Ko, stand down." Hiashi's wife said. " Husband, we do not have to play their game. We can leave right now."
" Oh? And I thought you were the leader of the clan, tell me Hiashi are you afraid of your own wife?" Kenjo asked.
" Of course not but I do respect my wife." Hiashi said.
" I see, but do you respect her skill?"
" Without even a question." Hiashi said.
" I hear you're very soft spoken madam, I can see it now in fact. How does someone in your position command respect from her clansmen?"
"It is better to earn respect than to command it." She said.
" I see, well it would be interesting to see you earn respect here today from our clan. I would say testing the head mistress is a fine test of the strength of the women in your clan." Kenjo said.
From a distance leaning up against a tree, Hiashi's wife noticed a woman twirling a kunai, she had tan skin and sliver hair. She was also glaring daggers at the head mistress.
" Kenjo-sama. If you think I am going to ask my wife to fight one of you, then you are sorely mistaken. We are taking our leave." Hiashi said.
The Hyuuga began departing.
" Fair enough Hiashi-sama, you do have those 2 little girls at home you need to tend to. A shame you don't have what it takes to make a son."
Hiashi's wife stopped. The Goetsu clansmen had taken a step too far by mentioning her girls.
"Kenjo-sama. If you would like to test my skills I can accommodate you." She said.
" Honey."
" Well no, normally I don't fight women." Kenjo said. He looked over to the woman leaning against the tree. " However, Goetsu Mirato has not had a fight all week and has grown quite restless."
She walked up and looked Hiashi's wife up and down.
" Very well. But know this, if I win you are going to leave my family alone for good."
" Agreed." Kenjo said.
"Ko dear please get my attire." She said.
" No, you don't have to do this." Hiashi said.
" But I do. He was talking about our girls and I will not let that slide."
" I can't believe it. We are going to see head mistress fight." Some of the Main branch said amongst eachother.
Later in the day, Hiashi watched as his wife breathed heavily, a bruise on her cheek and her attire slashed on the side her Byakugan activated. her opponent was on both knees holding up a kunai at her as a means of defense. She seemed completely drained of strength and was doing all she could just to hold up the kunai.
She lunged at Hiashi's wife with all her strength, However, she grabbed the wrist holding the kunai and kicked her down to the ground. She stepped on her arm so she would not be able to get back up.
" Please..." The Goetsu kunoichi begged. " Please don't..."
" Do you give up?"
" Hai."
She deactivated her Byakugan.
" Well done Madam!" One of the Hyuuga called out.
She walked over toward Hiashi smiling.
The Goetsu nin slowly got up and looked at her clan as she breathed heavily. She then looked over at the Hyuuga with menacing eyes.
Hiashi took a deep breath of relief. " This is just another day to you isn't it?" Hiashi lectured.
His wife came toward him smiling . " Why so worried ? I told you I was gonna wi-HUGHH!" She bellowed.
Hiashi's eyes widened in disbelief, his wife fell forward into his arms. Seeing that 3 kunai sticking out of her back. "NOOO! " Hiashi screamed.
" Madam!" Ko yelled.
DISASTER plays in background...
Ko looked to see the Goetsu nin's arm extended, showing she had thrown the kunai.
The Goetsu clan was stunned " What did you do?" Kenjo asked.
"Madam!" The Hyuuga quickly came to her aid.
" Both her lungs are punctured!" Hiashi thought as he scanned her with his Byakugan.
" Hiashi..." His wife said slowly. "Take care...of our girls." she said smiling as blood escaped the corners of her mouth.
" NO NO NO NO!" Hiashi yelled. Her blood drenching all over his arms.
Hiashi looked over at the kunoichi, who did not seem very sorry for what she did.
" SHE SHOWED YOU MERCY!" Hiashi screamed as he clutched her tightly.
" Hiashi-sama! We must take her!" Ko said.
Later...
Hiashi was in the waiting room of the hospital, Hinata waiting beside him along with the rest of the Hyuuga.
The doctor came out . Words exchanged could not be heard but the doctor slowly shook his head as he looked at the ground.
Hiashi's face was completely pale as he turned and hugged Hinata tightly as she began to cry.
(((End Flashback)))
DESPAIR plays in background...
" Your mother showed compassion to her enemy and it got her killed!"
" You have to get past those feelings! They'll get you killed!" Hiashi's eyes began to well up." They'll get you killed Hinata!" His hands tightened around her shoulders.
It was then that Hinata realized. Her father was not scolding her, nor belittling her. He was pleading with her.
Hinata looked at her father. Her eyes gleemed with sadness.
" There is no room for it here! Compassion! Kindness! They are viewed as weaknesses in this world! You must leave such things behind if you expect to survive!"
Hinata's eyes winced hearing her father's words. It was then Hiashi concluded that he could no longer hide a part of the story he had been keeping from her for nearly a decade. A part that even when he tried to push Hinata away from him he was still too terrified to tell her.
" Hinata..." Hiashi began.
Though they had a special bond since Hinata was born, it grew much stronger after the loss of his wife. But he could not bare to hold the secret for any longer.
" Your mother...was less than 5 feet away from me when it happened. If I had practiced heavier distrust, maybe I could have stopped it! Maybe your mother would still be alive!"
Hinata's eyes widened. She had not known that part, her father must have kept that from her due to some fear that she would blame him as ridiculous as it sounded. She brought her hands up and held Hiashi's burden of carrying all that guilt for so long must have been harsh on him. " Oto-sama..." Hinata said. " It wasn't your fault..."
Hiashi stayed still out of shock, seeing the sympathy Hinata had in her eyes towards him. It was something he couldn't accept. He couldn't accept the fact that his eldest daughter could still love him like she always had.
" Hinata! Don't waste your sympathy on me! After everything I've done you would be a fool to still love me!"
Hinata looked into his eyes. " I'm sorry…" She said. " It doesn't work that way."
Hiashi looked at her. " You're my father, and I'm always going to care about you."
" Hinata I cast you out! I disinherited you!We can never be how we once were! "
Hinata continued to stare at her father.
" Do you really feel that way Oto-sama?"
Hiashi looked at her. He didn't know how to answer.
Hinata placed her head against her father's chest and hugged him. A similar fashion to how she did the night of her mother's funeral.
Hiashi slowly brought his hands up and wrapped them around Hinata.
(((Flash Forward)))
Hiashi walked down the ravages of what was Konohagakure.
" Yes it seems the only one who could deal with pain was Uzumaki Naruto. But when he was almost captured, Hinata stepped in and turned over the unfavorable situation we were in." The Leaf shinobi said.
" Hinata did all that ?" Hiashi tried maintaining his composure from being overwhelmed with pride.
Later, they met up with elder who was injured in the attack.
Hiashi and Hanabi were walking down a corridor.
" It's time for you to think about your future Hinata." They heard someone say from a nearby room.
Hiashi stopped as well as raising his arm to have Hanabi stopped.
" What do you mean elder?"
" I mean its time for you to reclaim your birthright."
" But…"
" Hinata, with this skill set of yours, you can overtake your sister without much hassle. I spent a lot of time training her, I know what she's capable of. You can become head of the clan once again."
Hanabi's eyes widened. A deep scowl came across Hiashi's face.
" Elder, I appreciate the consideration…." Hinata started. Hiashi's mouth dropped slightly. " But I will do no such thing."
Both Hanabi and Hiashi were stunned.
" Nii-sama…" Hanabi whispered.
" Hinata why? You can reclaim it." The elder said
" Elder with all do respect. I didn't want to fight my sister last time and I won't fight her again."
" What about being head of the clan? "
"Elder….I really never believed the role suited me well. I really just wanted to make my father happy."
"…..Hinata…." Hiashi thought, not sure what to say.
" Besides, I would have to give-up my friends and team if I were to re-take the position, and I'm sorry but I can't do that."
" (sigh) very well." The elder walked out.
Hiashi was beside himself.
Later….
The elder was walking toward his sleeping quarters.
" Elder." Hiashi said casually as he entered.
" Hiashi-sama, what brings you by?"
" I just felt like seeing you. How's the arm?" Hiashi walked up to the elder.
The elder held up his injured arm a little " Should be fine in a f-"
The elder was cut off, Hiashi grabbed his broken arm and twisted it towards him. Causing the elder to writhe in agony.
" Hiashi, have you lost your mind?!"
" I heard every word you said to Hinata! Don't you have a shred of honor at all!?"
The elder looked at him.
" Of course not! You just stick by who the winner is right!?" Hiashi said. " I'm done letting you turn my family against each other! Now….This is what is going to happen. I am going to start training both my daughters, along with my nephew, and you and the council will leave us alone.
Later, he observed Hinata conversing with other shinobi including Neji and Naruto.
Hiashi smiled " Hinata, you forged your own path. Words cannot describe how proud I am of you. You faced adversity but you overcame it. All because you followed your ninja way ."
(((Flash Forward)))
Hinata brought her hand up and gently slapped Naruto.
From a distance Hiashi watched on.
"Neji nii-san just said, that you hold more than once life in your hands. Do you know what he meant? I'll never let my comrades die. Neither the words nor their conviction are lies. Because he was able to successfully store them in his heart, and live them out in the end."
Naruto listened as Hinata spoke.
"He did…it's not just you Naruto-kun, we all hold those words and feelings in our hearts. They're what bind our lives together and make us comrades. If we all give up and discard those words and feelings, Neji Nii-san's final act will have been for nothing."
" And that is when your comrades truly die. For you are then longer comrades! that's how I feel….."
Hiashi watched on as he listened to his daughter's words
" So, stand with me Naruto-kun…Because never going back on one's word..is my ninja way too!"
Hiashi's fist tightened in inspiration by his daughter's words. Memories flooded back of Hinata reaching to hug her father when she was 6 to comfort him, training alongside her mother and himself, and the development of her new jutsu.
He looked ahead to see Naruto and Hinata holding hands as she became enriched in a red chakra.
" Let's do it Hinata!" Hiashi thought.
Years Later...
Hyuuga Hiashi held a baby in his arms as he rocked her back and forth as she was becoming fussy.
" Hmm...wait, Himawari-chan do you want to see something?" Hiashi asked.
He set the baby on the floor as he hovered over her. " meow meow meow meow..." Hiashi said as he did the kittyface that he used to do for Hinata. Himawari laughed out loud.
However, there was one thing Hiashi usually did that he forgot to do every time he did it, he forgot to check . He looked in front of him to see his 3 year old grandson Boruto looking at him weird.
" Ok grandson, how much ice cream is it going to take to keep this between us.
" Alot." Boruto said.
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Thank you for reading. Please review. Also, I intend to send this fiction piece in to which ever studio animates the anime, merely as an idea for an episode, not word for word. So if anyone knows who and where to mail or email this to, any info would be appreciated.