People of the Land

Chapter 7 - Meet the Yaunkur

"Lord Hiashi, we urge you to make your decision now. The Hyuuga clan needs a definite heir."

At that many other voices chimed in, their arrogance vainly hidden behind a thin veil of politeness.

"Keep our observations in mind, my lord."

Directing his steady gaze at the latest speaker, Hiashi spoke, his voice calm. "And I command all of you to keep my words in the forefront of yours; I have no need of your observations in this matter. My decision will be made in due time, and must not be rushed by hasty scrutiny."

Voices were raised again by his words, but halted when their leader waved a hand to the sliding door. "You are all dismissed." At the direction, the guards slid the doors open, and the elders knew their time to speak was over. They exited gracefully, and soon Hiashi was only one left in the room.

Laying his chin on his hands, Hiashi Hyuuga sat in thought. The elders were becoming more and more impatient. They urged and complained, insisting on stirring their patient leader to action, insisting he hurry and make Hanabi the heiress.

And Hiashi would, just not yet.

Before that could happen, he needed to place his eldest in a position that would keep her safe, and as long as she remained heiress she was safe. Technically, Hanabi wasn't, but he knew the elders would not let their chosen candidate receive the mark, not so long as there was still a chance for her to claim the title. She would be perfectly fine until the time for her to take the position of Hyuuga Heiress came. Hinata wouldn't.

They were running out of time.

A whisper of hope trailed into his thoughts.

She saw Prince Naruto.

Contradictory to his actions on the night of the festival, Hiashi didn't think the idea of the seemingly normal Yaunkur boy being the Lost Heir too farfetched. The Yaunkur had a strange, unknown magic, and as such it wasn't too hard to believe that some sort of illusion was placed over the boy, undetectable by the byakugan, foreign as it was. It was easily explained. However, how only his daughter saw through it wasn't.

It was nothing to think much on, however. What mattered was that if his daughter was correct, the prince was alive and well.

Hinata has a chance.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

One of the guards poked his head through, bowing it. "Lady Hinata wishes to speak with you, my lord."

Hinata wished to see him? He raised an eyebrow. That was unusual. "Send her in."

The guards slid the door open once again, this time letting the small form of Hiashi's eldest daughter in. She bowed her head, the picture of perfect grace, and spoke. Only her voice betrayed her nervousness.

"F-Father, I have a f-favor to ask of y-you." The man frowned.

"And what would this favor be, daughter?" Hinata took another deep breath.

"I-I would like to visit a f-friend from the Y-Yaunkur tribe today. May I have y-your permission to g-go?"

Now this was even more unexpected. She wanted to visit with the Yaunkur tribe? The Hyuuga leader pondered his daughter's request. The night of the festival, his daughter had snuck out. When she returned late at night, he and his wife were waiting in her room to reprimand and punish their daughter. And they had, confining their daughter to her room until this very morning. But something she said that night gave him pause in this moment.