a place in the sun.

independent, semi-selective, canon divergent multi-muse blog focused on the hyuga clan.

The Hyuga Compound was intended to be grand. Where it was built, centuries before the foundation of Konoha, was declared to be a sacred place where the moonlight would linger. The trees themselves were older than the Hyuga clan, predating the systems and institutions that would become the clan.

Now, the walls of the Compound stood tall against the rest of Konoha that slowly encroached on it throughout the nearly half-century of the village. By the very virtue of the encroachment, the Hyuga were becoming far more involved with the politics of the village. Visits from the Hokage had become much more common place than before, when they were allowed to essentially operate as a near-autonomous clan.

This meeting with the newly instated Yondaime was Hiashi’s first as the Head of the Hyuga. He had been well prepared and trained for their interactions. The Hyuga were to have the upper hand, because they always did – even if it was by less than covert means. The Byakugan makes it difficult for the opposite party to keep anything secret; and secrecy was domination in domestic politics.

The safekeepers of the Compound led Minato through the Compound, to the large courtyard. The tree in the middle was a testament to the strength of the clan, a centuries old oak tree. Through the large doors, opening to a large atrium, with a large emblem of the crest of the Hyuga painted onto the wall dead ahead. The guards continued to guide him down the hallway before stopping at a secluded door.

The Head of the Clan’s office and reception was darkly lit, spare for the candles that were neatly placed at each corner of the table in the center of the room. No windows were along the walls. Hiashi stood as Minato was brought into the room, bowing his head.

The word of Baki’s arrival to the Hyuga Compound was already spreading. There was no way to be covert here. There were eyes on every inch of the property. Hanabi is hurrying from the Main Household to the Gates, playfully running barefoot through the courtyard. She had spotted him while training with her father. And with a short declaration of a break, she was off.

Hanabi came to a stop in front of Baki with a smile on her face. He looked just as Nana had described him and from what Hanabi pictured while reading her diary. The distinctive face covering helped. She looked him up and down with a quick glance.

Hiashi was a man of dignity. Of grace. Poise was drilled into Hyuga children at a young age, especially those of the Main Branch. He learned how to walk with his head upright, shoulders back, and feet taking graceful steps. Part of their upbringing was learning how to walk blindfolded with the appearance of effortless movements through the streets; showing off their Byakugan and its ability to see through.

But even with the Byakugan, there were things that Hiashi could not see. His own desires, his own wants, the will of himself. The role as Head of the Hyuga Clan was a heavy title to carry. The oldest, most powerful clan in the Village, that predated its establishment by centuries. There was blood of legendary gods apparently flowing in his veins. How much Hiashi believed in that was inconsequential – but he would repeat the learned mythology to those who must hear it.

But the man in front of him – a clanless son of Konoha – did not care about the blood in his veins, the connection to the moon, the centuries of ritualistic denial of his wants. Hyuga were raised to look down on outsiders. Even their own blood. Their fates had been decided long before they were born. There were the ones who had and the ones who did not.

Gai was supposed to be one of the ones who did not.

Hiashi was supposed to be the chosen one of the Hyuga, to rise to the challenge of leading it and its continuation of history.

It was, in an odd way, refreshing to have a non-clan shinobi confront him. It was rare that they would do such a thing. While walking in the streets, some people would bow their heads. Some averted their eyes. Some stared directly at him. The Hyuga name, the robes, and the eyes were an immediate connotation of power.

But Gai was in his personal office, tucked away in the privacy of the family’s wing of the Compound. A highly unusual event in the otherwise neatly organized and predictable environment. Not a single thing was out of place, not even the pens on his desk.

Hiashi looked at him from behind his desk. Moonlight illuminating the room, his eyes reflecting it back.

“No. None of this is what I wanted,” Hiashi sighed, a hand going to his forehead to pinch the bridge of his nose. “As I’m sure you’re aware, I’ve never been a particularly… adventurous man. That goes against everything it means to be a Hyuga.”