Chapter 3: In Honor of Those We Love

Hinata was always nervous when her father observed her training. Intentional or not, his gaze was always like that of a hawk – piercing and fixated. Had she been a few years younger, she would have postponed the rest of her session, unable to bear the disappointment he'd show when she would invariably miss a target or fumble through a form. Her confidence had grown, that much was true, but she stayed not out of some newfound bravery, but because she felt she owed it to Neji. If he were alive and with her today, he'd urge her to continue and show Hiashi that she was more capable than he deemed her, even if she did still stumble here and there. And so, she continued on until she ran out of shuriken.

'He's still watching.'

Even without activating her byakugan, she could feel his eyes on her back.

"Father, would you like me to prepare some tea? I've finished here for the day," Hinata offered as she collected the scattered shuriken into a leather pouch. "I have some dried leaves and herbs that will go splendidly with the treats Hanabi brought back."

Internally, Hinata released a sigh of relief. 'Full sentences and no stutter. Little by little, Neji.'

"Tea would be welcome. Bring it to the study. There are some matters we should discuss."

"Yes, father."

Hiashi stepped away from the doorway where he stood watching Hinata practice with her shuriken. ' She's made ample progress,' he noted as he walked toward his study. He vaguely wondered if it was due to the influence of his late nephew's teammate. Though he was never impressed with the girl's ninjitsu ability, even he had to admit she was unrivaled in her mastery of weaponry.

Not one to keep her father waiting, or the least, having learned several reasons why she shouldn't, Hinata quickly proceeded to prepare the tea. The chamomile is freshly dried but it's still quite early. Hmmm these leaves can be used for sencha. I think father will like that in this weather.

After preparing the tea and setting the cups upon a tray, Hinata proceeded to her father's study. Aesthetically, the room was always pleasing—books and scrolls covered every wall from top to bottom except for the windows that peered out into the courtyard overlooking a cherry tree. The view was spectacular in the spring. But this room never brought her any comfort or fond memories. The study was where he always held serious conversations. It was where he denounced her as heir apparent and where he told her that her mother had succumbed to her illness when she was all but seven.

'I wonder what it is this time.'

She slid the door open and bowed her head to her father before silently serving the tea. She was not one to pry, especially not for news she could only assume would be unpleasant. Her father would talk when he was ready.

Several moments of silence had passed by and Hinata idly started to wonder if he would ever start his cryptic discussion. Her mind started to drift off to the possibilities, but the sound of her father's stern voice drew her attention back.

"The tea was pleasant."

"Thank you, father." Hinata offered a genuine smile. It was not often her father complimented her, but her tea making and cooking were areas where she often received his praises.

"Tell me, Hinata. Have you considered your future?"

"My future?" 'Is this what he wants to discuss?'

"What do you plan to do in these times of peace?" he asked, watching her face closely.

"I-I guess I really haven't planned anything…anything special." She inwardly winced as she stuttered and stumbled for words. She took a slow deep breath through her nose and tried to begin again. "It's just that peace is fragile. To plan for what to do in peace…it's like planning for war again. I want to continue to train and protect this peace we worked so hard to establish."

Hiashi watched as Hinata gently rolled her hands around each other, a nervous habit she had never seemed to lose. Her own eyes were fixed on her empty teacup as she spoke, yet toward the end, she lifted her eyes toward him.

"I want to protect this peace that Neji gave his life for."

And there it was, the little fire that burned within her. Hiashi nodded in approval. ' And protect this peace you will.'

"There are many ways that peace is protected. As shinobi, we have defended it, but diplomacy—alliances—these are other powerful tools." Hiashi spoke calmly and Hinata nodded in understanding. "Allegiances and alliances are how this village and most of the other Hidden Villages have formed and its how they'll continue to maintain this newfound peace. But some types of alliances would be detrimental."

"Detrimental?"

"Yes. Hinata, there have been numerous marital offers that have come to my attention—powerful men seeking your hand in marriage." Hiashi took a moment to pause and gauge his daughter's reaction. As expected, she was flustered and mildly shocked, but held her tongue.

"I've been able to simply deny these requests on grounds of compatibility , but we've received a proposal from the Fire Daimyo on the behalf of his son, and it is not one we can simply turn down."

The pink hue that tinted Hinata's face had all washed away. By now she was pale, having lost all color as her hands and feet grew cold and numb.

'The daimyo's son? He's…he's twice my age and what interest could he have in me?' But then it dawned on her, crushing her with its weight. "They…They want the byakugan?"

Hiashi nodded. "That is my speculation. Lord Hokage has been turning down missions that would jeopardize the peace between the nations. The other Lord Kages have been doing the same. It was only a matter of time before the daimyo would start looking for alternative."

"Y-you think they want a-a personal army?" In her current state, she couldn't help but slightly stutter though she tried desperately not to.

Hiashi nodded again. "That was Lord Hokage's assumption, that perhaps the marriage would be an outright sham and simply a way to produce a line of byakugan users. It might not be the case, but we would be giving them the ability to do so if we agreed to this arrangement. Hinata—you understand that this cannot be done, do you not?"

'A request from the daimyo isn't so easily turned down. To proceed with it, but to prevent the byakugan from falling into their hands…' Another realization dawned on her and she shut her eyes, accepting her fate.

"I understand, father."

Hiashi watched her face and its quiet resolve. "And what is it that you understand?"

"Sealing my byakugan wouldn't be enough. The prospect of children…I…I wouldn't be able to-to bear any."

While this is not what Hiashi had in mind, he was impressed by his daughter's quick thinking and willingness to sacrifice what many women would die for.

"No," he firmly stated. "We have already ruled that out. The seal would not go unnoticed nor would the fact that you've been made barren. Such an act might as well be a declaration of rebellion against the daimyo."

'That's true.' Hinata realized. 'There would be retaliation against the whole Hyuuga clan. We've already gotten away with one ruse to spare father's life all those years ago. To perform another such ruse…we couldn't. But then….'

"I gave it constant thought over the last week, ever since I opened that scroll. There was only one viable solution—if you were already promised to another—someone on equal standing with a daimyo."

'Equal standing? That could only be another daimyo or…or a kage.'

"L-lord H-ho-hokage?" The stuttering couldn't stop at this point.

"Lord Hokage has agreed to the arrangement on the condition that you are accepting of it."

'…So it's up to me? Bear and army for the next daimyo and let the byakugan's secrets fall into political gain…or marry Kakashi-sensi, no…Lord Hokage…'

For the second time that morning, Hinata contemplated what this would have been like if she were the same person she was a few years ago. Surely, she would have lost consciousness by now. But she was different now and she could show her father. She could show Neji that his sacrifice wasn't in vain. With all the confidence and determination she could muster in that moment, she spoke again.

"I won't let Neji's sacrifice be for nothing. If Lord Hokage will have me, I'll also accept this arrangement."

Never in his life had Hiashi been prouder, or more commiserative, of his eldest daughter.

-End Chapter 3-