Three Months (A Naruto Fanfic)

Byakugan vs Sharingan

Sai yawned and headed back toward his apartment after some early morning training. He stopped to grab a quick bite to eat, as there was little to no food at his place.

It wasn't that he was slow to catch on to the stares he was getting. But he'd grown used to a bit of notoriety in the village. That couldn't be helped when on the same team as Naruto. The blond didn't know the meaning of the word 'subtle'. Still, it took him a moment to realize that these weren't the stares he was more accustomed to getting. And …that there were more of them.

o.o.o.o.o

"Again, and I understand I'm repeating myself, but how does this benefit me?" Hiashi intoned lightly, watching his guest quite closely.

Sasuke didn't fidget under the clan leader's gaze and if he was nervous at all, it didn't show. Outwardly. But the Hyuuga was a master at reading small changes in chakra flow and body temperature. Uchiha Sasuke was not as sanguine as he tried to appear.

"An alliance between Uchiha and Hyuuga, as I've explained …"

"You've explained, what exactly?" Hiashi interrupted, wanting to see how Sasuke would react. "I see only the benefits to you."

"My clan ..." Sasuke started again.

"What clan?" Hiashi said quietly.

His gaze narrowing, Sasuke held his temper in check. "Exactly my point. I'm the last of the Uchiha, they die out with me."

"Unless you father children." Hiashi pointed out. "But what doesn't make sense to me is your willingness, no your demand, to take your wife's name. Wouldn't that end the Uchiha line forever?"

"Yes." Sasuke took a deep calming breath. "I know that when I was younger my pledge was to revitalize and rebuild the Uchiha clan. That is no longer my aim."

"And the Sharingan?"

"Dies with me."

Hiashi sat back, thinking things over carefully. Sasuke sat back as well, waiting for an answer.

Finally the clan leader cleared his throat. "You want to marry Hinata and become, in effect, Hyuuga Sasuke?"

"Exactly." The younger man nodded coldly. "It's not like she's your heir, not anymore."

Hiashi conceded the point with one raised eyebrow. "But you don't want me to seal her abilities prior to marriage?"

"The Sharingan and the Byakugan are both dominant traits. It is my hope that any children born of this marriage would carry on the Hyuuga bloodline limits. With the research I have gathered, the Byakugan is strong enough to overcome the Uchiha blood gifts."

"Research gleaned from Orochimaru." Hiashi stated coldly. "That does not carry well with me."

"Perhaps not." Sasuke allowed. "Still. It is truth. The Sharingan is not present or available at birth, and one has to grow into it. Train and work at it to activate the Uchiha abilities. Many traits can only be unlocked at great personal costs." He did not mention the blood sacrifices necessary, the Hyuuga didn't need to know that.

"Not so the Byakugan." Hiashi nodded, following the logic.

Sasuke gave a small nod. "Precisely. The Sharingan is a more powerful weapon, but the Byakugan is the stronger trait in genetics."

"So say you." Hiashi felt unwilling to concede that point. "But the truth is, there has never been a marriage between our clans for this very reason."

The Uchiha nodded. "No one from my clan would have willingly allowed their children not to inherit the Sharingan."