I'm sorry."
Those were the first words his son croaked out to him the moment he was awake. It was the same words that he had wanted to tell him too, but his son beat him to it before he can even open his mouth.
He saw how his son averted his gaze in guilt, shifting it to look at anywhere else but at his face. Hiashi didn't care, all he wanted was to have his son back and he is back, thanks to Hanabi.
And so, in a very uncharacteristic so-not-Hiashi manner, he enveloped everyone around him, his daughters, nephew, his twin brother, and his son into a big hug.
"Welcome back, Haku."
No one said anything when a tear or two slid down Haku's face.
Thankfully, Haku was largely fine other than suffering from a moderate case of malnutrition from his previous self-imposed starvation. Haku hadn't drank a single drop of water or even took a single bite of food ever since the invasion. It is a miracle that he is still alive. Rin and Tsunade had speculated that his Ice Release had slowed his metabolism down, and that had helped him last longer. If one were to think about it another way, it just meant that the method of death Haku had chosen was cruelly longer and slower.
Tsunade
Just that name alone made his blood boil.
No one could have got close to Haku due to how low he made the temperature around him to be. Hiashi had thought that Obito could reach Haku, but even he failed. That was a surprise, and a surprise that he really did not need, but it is what it is. Minato could have gone to get Haku, but no one knew for sure how Haku would have reacted if he saw Minato again while he was in that fragile mental state. Minato himself is too guilt ridden to bring himself to do it, afraid of what reaction he might trigger out of Haku.
Thankfully, his youngest had woken up just in time.
She could have died. By all logic she should have died. Yet, she is still alive.
Only because of his son.
Hanabi was obviously furious upon learning what had went on when she was unconscious. The moment she got the full picture, she had immediately stomped off. Hiashi followed silently behind her, keeping a lookout for his daughter just as he had always tried to do for his children.
From the ground level outside the Hokage Tower, he watched with his byakugan as Hanabi marched into the freezing underground. He saw how she managed to utilise the Nibi's powers immediately. A part of him swelled with pride at what she could do, for what she did was definitely no easy feat considering that she had only just woke up with a brand-new uncontrollable power for her to control.
The other part of him was saddened at the cost which Hanabi had paid for this power.
Her life, Haku's mental wellbeing, and her subsequent life. Being a jinchuriki would mean that her life is no longer hers alone.
He had almost lost his son too.
He had never hated Kumo as much as he did right now, but more than that, he hated himself more.
He is a failure as a father.
He had no idea how to be a father. Many times, he had marvelled at how his twin managed to be a good father to his son. They were both raised by the same man, the same man who purposely drove a wedge between the two of them 'for the sake of the clan' by maintaining the divide between the Main and Branch House. Their mother had passed away from complications due to childbirth, so they never met her. They had never experienced what true parental love is. They had no idea how to be a father because their own father was never one to them.
Still, they tried. Hizashi obviously succeeded. He himself failed.
He failed his wife, Hikari. He had promised her on her deathbed that he will do his utmost best to raise their children.
He had failed Hanabi. He had failed to protect her from Kumo when she was kidnapped at four years old. He had managed to save Hinata in time, but a split second of distraction cost him. By the time he handed Hinata over to Hizashi to chase after the remaining Kumo nins that had infiltrated his home, Hanabi was gone.
He chased. He chased and chased and even if his byakugan could see the kidnapper he still wasn't fast enough. He could only watch as the distance between him and the kidnapper grew larger and larger until it went beyond the range of his vision.
He failed.
He failed his youngest, his child. The bubbly girl that never failed to bring life into the otherwise quiet compound.
The knowledge of what Kumo planned to do to her incensed him, and his entire clan nearly went to wage a war with Kumo on their own, their attachment to Konoha be damned. The entire clan had rioted and demanded blood. They will break away from Konoha if they have to do so in order to rescue Hanabi because that, what Kumo did to them and to their heiress, was an insult.
Even back in the Warring States era, the Hyuga clan were feared even by the Uchihas for a reason, even if historically the Uchiha clan had always been slightly above them in terms of overall strength.
The Hyuga clan do not fear war if it means getting one of their own back.
Kizashi had stepped in, promising to do something. It was only out of his respect for Kizashi that Hiashi endured and stayed his hand. Kizashi had acted on his word and immediately confronted Ay, who shamelessly denied everything. ANBUs and jonins were instantly deployed to eradicate any Kumo nins that they can find in their country and to search for Hanabi. The rest of Konoha had gone up in arms for the Hyuga clan. Kizashi's idea of peace, of peace through unity, had showed. Petty differences were set aside for the sake of the village as a whole, for their home. Konoha had followed their Hokage's idea of peace and had stood united, ready to start the next world war if need be even if everyone knew it was not the wisest choice. No one cared, because one of their own had been hurt in a way that is the greatest insult to their village.
Konoha had been sincere about peace, that's why the village had put down its own grudges aside to welcome the Kumo ambassadors into their village even when Kumo needs the peace treaty more than Konoha did.
And that was Kumo's answer to the olive branch extended to them? Kidnapping their clan heiress?
Kumo had spit on their goodwill and stomped it into the ground. In that case, Kumo should not expect any mercy from Konoha for the insult directed to them. Time had proved again that Kumo will always be a warmongering village. The recent invasion said it all.
And if the Hyuga clan had been hit, who is to say that there wouldn't be a second time? Maybe the next attempt would be from another Hidden Village who might want to try and imitate Kumo? Which clan would be hit next if that were the case? Something needs to be done if Konoha wants to prevent a similar incident from happening again. A display of strength was necessary.
Furthermore, Konoha back then do have the capability to start another war if they wanted to. They are strong. They came out with the least losses in the Third War.
If a war is what Kumo wanted, then it is what they will get.
To everyone's surprise, the possible war had been averted in the least expected manner.
Hanabi returned. She returned safe and sound, with her eyes still intact and her dignity not violated by those beasts clad in human skin. All she suffered was a mild case of malnutrition, a mild case of mental trauma, and slight physical exhaustion.
Hiashi couldn't believe it himself. He had really thought that he had lost his youngest for good because everything just seemed so bleak at that point in time. He had thought that he had gone crazy when a messenger literally broke into the compound, continuously yelling at the top of his lungs that his daughter had returned. Uncharacteristic shouts of joy and disbelief rang throughout the clan. The Hyuga clan had never showed such expressive displays of behaviour before as far as Hiashi could remember.
And when Hizashi smacked him on the head to snap him out of it, the two of them immediately rushed to the hospital without delay.
He needs to see her personally before he can bring himself to believe it.
An ANBU was already waiting for him at the hospital to bring him in, and when Hiashi barged into the room he was led to, he saw her, his youngest daughter. He could remember the "OTOU-SAMA!" Hanabi called him by as she ran up to him, tears in her eyes, and hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go. He had immediately caught her and hugged her in return, even going so far as letting his own tears show. He had hugged her so tightly because he feared that it was a dream, that the moment he let go she would be gone, again.
He would never let her go again. Not Hanabi, not Hinata, not Hizashi, Neji, or anyone in the clan. He had failed as a father, husband, and leader. By some sort of graceful mercy, he was given a second chance. He would not fail again.
It didn't take long for him to find out how she had made her way back. Hanabi won't stop talking about her saviour, the boy named Haku. The boy who is only a year older than her that came from the Land of Water.
It puzzled everyone. Why would someone from the Land of Water help a total stranger from the Land of Fire? Hanabi's byakugan is easily visible. Kiri is experiencing a bloodline purge. Given the horrid state of things there, all sense of logic dictates that a person without the strength to protect themselves would not do something so risky, to the point of risking their very life, to save a total stranger that would be nothing but a burden to them.
And this someone is merely a boy who could barely fend for himself.
Hanabi brought him to see the boy, who was still unconscious and protected in a secured ward guarded by ANBUs round the clock. Hiashi saw the scars that littered Haku's arms when Rin personally changed his bandages. The scars that Haku received when he prepared to give up his own life to save his daughter from a fate worse than death.
It takes a special kind of courage and kindness for a person to be willing to do that for a complete stranger. Hiashi had never been more grateful that in this cold world of shinobi, such kindness still exists.
His youngest survived because of Haku's kindness and bravery.
Due to the nature and severity of what would be known in the future as the 'Hyuga Affair', every high-ranking shinobi in the village that was in charge of leading the village was there. They need to get a clear picture on what had exactly happened so that they could plan for the possible future, especially when tensions between Konoha and Kumo were at an all-time high. Hanabi may be smart and mature for her age, but she was only four. It took them quite some time to get a clearer picture on what exactly happened after they lost her.
It was then they found out. Hanabi said that he can create ice without a thought. Obito had also found the boy encased in ice. The boy named Haku has a bloodline, the rare and thought to be extinct Ice Release. He is definitely a member of the long-lost Yuki clan.
And with that comes another set of problems.
They more or less had an inkling of Haku's intellect, character, and personality from what they analysed from Hanabi's words, about what she described the two children did in their time together. They learnt from Hanabi that Haku detest shinobis. They also immediately recognised that this is a boy that definitely preferred a straightforward and honest approach in doing things. If they want the boy to start trusting them on his own, the best but yet also the most brutal way would be to come clean with him right from the start no matter how bad the news is. They knew that the boy appreciate honesty above all.
Everyone also knew that they absolutely cannot allow Haku to take a step out of Konoha. Not only would Kumo be after him, everyone would be if news that a Yuki clan member had appeared. Their bloodline is just that frightening to be on the opposite end of it. The Yuki clan had once defended the Land of Water on their own. Just one clan against an entire army, and they won.
The Yuki clan wasn't even known for their numbers. In fact, they were one of the smaller clans.
Even if the clan is now extinct, their deeds are still widely feared and remembered by many even till today. Haku had proven and reminded everyone of the power that his extinct clan once used to sow that same fear across the Elemental Nations many years ago. His recent performance in the Chunin Exams and in the invasion had made everyone fear the winter again.
From the village's standpoint, Konoha cannot let Haku go. Haku's strength and bloodline will be extremely valuable to Konoha even if he was just a young boy at that time. Time had also proved them right. Haku's strength now is enough for him to be a solid elite jonin level at the minimum, and Kumo had deemed his son to be an S Rank threat for how he massacred their shinobis.
No adults in the room back then liked that idea, to force a child to be a shinobi, but for the sake of the village and also for the boy, they have to. It is important that the boy learns how to defend himself against the people that will inevitably come after him one day, simply because he has a bloodline.
In return for his kindness in saving Hanabi and averting a war, they will try to provide him a home that he needs.
Kizashi decided to be the villain and broke the news to Haku himself when he woke up.
It was understandable that Haku was not happy at all, but he never fought back. The smart boy knew that it was a battle that he cannot win, so he didn't bother to fight against it other than to make his displeasure extremely clear. Instead, he settled on glaring at them and ignoring them completely after that. The only person who he would even exchange words with was Hanabi.
Hiashi knew that Minato and Kushina are better parents than him and they had expressed interest in adopting Haku, to help keep an eye on the hostile boy which Inoichi had labelled as a flight risk, but Hiashi still wants to be the one to raise Haku. Not only out of gratitude to the boy who had lost everything and everyone close to him, not only because Hanabi is the only one Haku would talk to when he first arrived, but also because he truly wants to help the boy find people who he could call as his family again. Now, he can truly say that he failed. Nothing had changed. The only person who Haku can ever bring himself to listen to is still Hanabi.
Hiashi had changed after the Hyuga Affair, always trying to spend more time with his children, nephew, and brother. He doesn't want to fail Hikari and his children again. Hinata and Hanabi were easy to raise. In front of him, Hanabi wore her heart on her sleeves, so it wasn't hard for him to find out about what she thinks and what she wants. Hinata is a lot shyer and meek due to her gentleness, but she is just like her mother, so Hiashi knew how to communicate with her.
He just really doesn't know how to raise Haku.
But he tried, he really did try his best in the best ways that he knew how when it came to raising Haku.
The first thing Hiashi did, right even before Haku was discharged from the hospital so many years ago, was to ask for advice. He asked everyone and anyone he knows of who is a parent, asking for advice on parenting. Especially Inoichi, seeing as psychology is his specialty. Hiashi knew right from the start that raising Haku will be an uphill task. The boy obviously suffered a serious case of mental trauma and had severe distrust in people before he arrived here.
Inoichi had advised him to give Haku the space he needs, so that he would feel safe and that his personal space is not being infringed on. He needs enough space for him to deal with his own thoughts on his own because the boy just wouldn't share more about himself and shuts everyone out who tried to help him. The moment anyone even mentioned the barest hints of seeing a psychologist, Haku flipped in the most violent of ways. Ice and snow bursting out in the compound were a common occurrence when Haku lost control of his emotions and had little control over his powers as a child.
The only way then was to simply respect Haku's personal space and hope he can recover on his own.
Haku was self-destructive and it can be seen in the way he did things. The difficulty for anyone that is not Hanabi in approaching Haku means that they have to take things slow. Hiashi knew Haku needs his space, so he gave it to him. He gave him the space he needs so that he can feel safe in this unknown and foreign place, but also subtly reminding his son that he will always be there for him. He knew Haku needs time to get used to this major change in his life, so he waited patiently, waiting for him for however long he needs.
He soon found out that Haku loves to read, so even without a single word from Haku or a shred of hesitation in his mind, he immediately got his son the largest bookshelf he can find that can fit into his bedroom, so that Haku can easily store any scrolls and books that caught his fancy. He allowed him access to their clan's libraries that Haku shouldn't even have access to, because he knew anything chakra related catches Haku's attention and their clan specialises in chakra destruction with their Gentle Fist style. He knew that his son only talked to Hanabi when he first arrived, even if the hostile yet polite boy back then can still bring himself to greet him politely when they met, so he purposely arranged Haku's room to be next to Hanabi's, ignoring the protests from the other members of the Main House that such an arrangement is unbefitting of Haku's and Hanabi's respective status. When Haku agreed to learn the shinobi arts to learn how to defend himself, Hiashi immediately trained his son the best way he could. When he learnt that Haku picked up a love for calligraphy from Minato and Kushina, he had immediately gifted him the best calligraphy set he can find to show him his support in his endeavour in learning the difficult and obscure art of sealing.
Hiashi doesn't know how to show his love and support for his son like a normal parent do, because his own father never treated him like a son. He has no examples to go by and follow. He also knows that he is not an expressive man, which isn't helping things. So, he tried. He tried in the only way he knew how to show Haku his support.
His efforts and sincerity did get to Haku eventually, so Hiashi thought that he had did things right.
What he failed to realise that showing his support through material means is not what Haku needs. The type of support that Haku had always needed is one that can fill up his empty heart, to pull him back whenever he got lost, like what Hanabi is constantly doing.
He had done something for his son, but he obviously had not done enough as a father.
He remembered watching with his byakugan the entire time Hanabi was down there with his son, their chakra lighting up the dim underground as bright as the sun in the sky with how much chakra they are carelessly throwing about. Haku had gone suicidal, so he had no concerns on how such an action will hurt him. Hanabi's chakra control is obviously out of whack. He can easily tell when her chakra had released itself in huge amounts even if it was obvious Hanabi is trying her best to control and reduce its output. Having a massive chakra beast suddenly sealed within you would put anyone's chakra control out of whack.
He saw as his two children spoke, even if he cannot pick out what they are speaking about as the chakra they are releasing is too blindingly dense and bright against his vision for him to read their lips. He saw how Hanabi got agitated with how her chakra fluctuates. He saw how she screamed at him before they both calmed down. He saw how she pulled him into a hug and into her embrace as they both cried together.
Maybe it is because each of his children is so talented, that sometimes Hiashi forgets that no matter how talented they are, his children are just children trying their best to find their way in this big and chaotic world.
He remembered how the ice had gradually receded due to the unique fire natured chakra Hanabi is releasing. From how Haku's chakra output had stabilised as far as he can tell with his eyes, he deduced that he was probably brought out of his suicidal thoughts by Hanabi and regained control over his powers the moment he regained control over his emotions. He saw as Hanabi tried to help him up after they both stayed there motionlessly for a period of time. He saw how Haku tried to stand but stumbled immediately. Hanabi caught him.
He was alarmed when his byakugan spotted Hanabi suddenly carrying Haku in her arms and immediately fled upwards to ground level. Hanabi's loss in chakra control had never been more apparent as her chakra blasted everything away uncontrollably, thanks to her now abnormally large chakra reserve. Hiashi immediately reacted, running towards his son and daughter.
He met Hanabi just right when she burst through the door that led to the underground prison. She spotted him immediately, and he can remember that sensation of fear pooling in his gut when he saw Hanabi's tears, worry and panic clear in her eyes and an unconscious Haku in her arms.
"OTOU-SAMA! HAKU, HE-!"
No words needed to be said. He remembered that the only thing he could feel back then was total utter panic, that he might be too slow again.
He immediately grabbed his daughter in one hand as his other arm caught Haku, ignoring the freezing cold at the touch and the incoming frostbite he knew that he will suffer later on. Haku still hadn't fully thawed himself out yet before he lost consciousness, his body is still covered in frost.
But Hiashi couldn't care. Hanabi had finally brought Haku out, back to them, and he will be damned if anything else happens to his son again because he was too slow, again.
"OUT OF MY WAY!"
That was the only warning and courtesy he could give to those around him before he took to the rooftops in a burst of speed, using the shortest possible route he saw with his byakugan that can take them to the hospital in the shortest amount of time. Everyone had wisely scrambled out of his way. All he could remember was that there was only one thought running through his mind at that very moment, that right now, his son needs him.
He arrived at the hospital shortly, and already a medical team was already there waiting for their return. Hiashi could barely feel the arm he was using to carry Haku by then, Haku's body temperature was too freezing low and it had numbed his arm to the point that Hiashi honestly thought that he might have lost it. The medics had spotted the problem immediately, helping him to shift his almost frozen arm to lay Haku on the stretcher before wheeling his son in.
Another medic stayed behind to heal his arm back to normal. The sense of touch in his arm hadn't quite returned, but thankfully, there wouldn't be any lasting effects according to the medic. Even if there is, Hiashi wouldn't complain. He more than deserved it for failing to be a father to Haku. Even if he could not be a father that Haku wants due to his abhorrence for his birth father, he could have strived to be the father that Haku needs.
He failed. He was once again reminded of his failure.
He remembered as he and Hanabi both watched the medics disappeared beyond the doors of the surgery room, being unable to do anything else but to wait.
"Otou-sama."
He turned back to his daughter, who had called out to him in worry when she spotted his arm which had been partially frozen just moments before. He allowed her to lead him to a nearby chair to sit and rest.
"Are you fine? Haku's ice is nothing to be trifled with. Even Matatabi had to lend me some of its flames to ensure that we both don't freeze ourselves to death in there. Do you need me to call the medic over again?"
"I'm fine."
He tried his best to reassure his youngest daughter with a smile, trying his best to stay strong for her as his other working hand cupped the face of his youngest daughter dearly. Her life would only get harder from now on. The life of a jinchuriki is not a pleasant one. The thought of it pains him. His daughter doesn't deserve such a harsh life.
He failed. He had almost lost his youngest daughter a second time. This time, she had almost died.
Kumo, again. It is always, KUMO.
Hanabi was obviously surprised when he suddenly pulled her into a hug with his working arm.
"I'm sorry, Hanabi. I failed. I failed both you and Haku. I failed your mother. I-" He choked a little before continuing. "I failed, Hanabi. I couldn't be there to save you and I almost lost you again. I'm sorry."
"I-It's fine, Otou-sama." He can hear her shaky voice as her body trembled and her grip on him tighten. "E-Everything's fine now. Haku's back, I am alive, o-our entire family came back alive. E-Everything is f-fine. S-See? I'm still here, everything's fine. Everything's fine, everything's fine!"
He didn't say anything else as his daughter sobbed and tried to futilely convince the both of them that everything is now alright, allowing her to release her pent-up emotions and stress. He hid her face from view as he let her cry into his chest, glaring at anyone passing by who dared to send judgemental looks their way at where they are in the hospital. Jinchuriki or not, Hanabi is his daughter.
She is not a monster.
"O-Otou-sama?"
"Yes?"
"I-I want to be strong. I want to be so strong that I can never be killed again, so that Haku won't be hurt by me again. Can you train me?"
"Then I will make sure that you will learn everything our clan has to offer. I don't know if Haku can continue to be a shinobi given his condition, but you, your sister, and Neji. I will make sure that the three of you learn everything there is to learn in our clan. It won't be easy, Hanabi."
"I know, but I want, no, need this." He can feel her fists clenching his robes as she said this. It hurts him, the way she is doing it, but nothing can compare to the hurt they all felt in their hearts.
"I can see why Haku hates this world, Otou-sama. I don't want the world to hurt him further. I promised him, that I will change the world for him. For him, for you, for everyone, I want the world to change."
He tightened his hold on her.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again. I won't let anyone hurt you, Haku, your sister, and Neji. The possibility of a war breaking out again is high, and if I have to wage war against Kumo by myself to keep all of you safe, I will do it. I promise you this as your father. I won't fail you again. There won't be a third time."
They both remained in this position in silence until Hanabi spoke up again.
"Can we go see nee-san? Where's Neji-niisan and Oji-san anyway?"
"I know that they are here somewhere. Let's go and find them, okay?"
After he slowly released his daughter and used his sleeves to gently dab her tears dry, they moved to find their family. He and Hanabi found the rest of their family waiting at a corner of the hospital, and they spent the waiting time together, waiting for the last member of their family to come home to them.
The wait wasn't long. Haku was out of surgery within an hour, fully thawed and back to normal but still unconscious. The nurses had changed Haku out of his blood-soaked clothes and into the usual one hospital patients usually wear. Hiashi's heart clenched once more at the sight of the blood on Haku's clothes. It's his daughter's blood, the blood which had stained Haku's clothes when he was desperately trying to save her.
And as their father, he wasn't there to help. He could only imagine what Haku had been through during that time, both physically and mentally.
His thoughts were brought back to the present when Hanabi's voice began to grow louder as she began to talk excitedly non-stop about something with her hands moving about animatedly, no doubt trying to stay strong for everyone's sake, to drive out all the sorrow that is within them. Hinata and Neji add their opinions every now and then. Haku merely gave a few nods or some quiet verbal indications that he is listening, but it is obvious that his thoughts are still constantly wandering and Hanabi had to bring his attention back to them every few minutes.
"Can we just… go home?" Haku's words caught them all by surprise when he said them out of the blue. "I don't want to stay in a small room any longer."
And for the umpteenth time that day, Hiashi mentally cursed the Slug Sannin with a list of expletives that he never had the chance to verbally say before. He's sure everyone else in the room read in between the lines of what Haku had said. The small room where they are at must have reminded Haku too much of the small cell which he was trapped in for so long. Hiashi wouldn't be surprised if Haku developed some sort of aversion towards confined spaces after that experience.
Great. Another mental problem to add onto Haku's already fragile state of mind.
Tsunade. He will have words with her for what she did to his son.
Darui. He will kill him at any given opportunity for what he did to his daughter.
"I will go check with Nohara-san." Hizashi said smoothly as he exited the room.
Everyone had unanimously decided that Tsunade shouldn't appear anywhere near Haku, a sentiment that even the Slug Sannin herself shared. A great healer she may be, but her abilities only applied to healing physical injuries. She obviously does not have the same expertise when it comes to treating mental wounds.
Hizashi returned with Rin alongside him moments later.
"I think what needs to be said had already been said, so I won't repeat it. Welcome back, Haku."
Rin's words seemed to have a visible effect on Haku when the doctor gave him a hug to show her support. No one had missed the guilt Haku felt for causing them to worry about him, no one missed how the look in his eyes flickered for a moment and how his fist had clenched before he relaxed it. But they all respect his privacy and didn't say anything. Right now, Haku doesn't need anyone to add on to the guilt he felt towards them for his attempted suicide.
Right now, he needs their support more than anything.
Rin immediately gave Haku a quick check. Haku's body is doing surprisingly well despite what had happened, his Ice Release works in mysterious ways that even Tsunade never fully understood. The main thing they have to take note is the type and amount of food that he is allowed to consume until he makes a full recovery. The other thing to take note was Haku's right arm, whose skin had been partially burnt from coming into direct contact with the Nibi's chakra when Haku was trying to extract the beast out of Yugito. Tsunade had healed it before she had thrown Haku into the cell, but it's best to play it safe and monitor his arm for any further complications. Tailed Beast chakra are corrosive.
Rin gave him the green light, even if they all can tell that the kind-hearted doctor would have chosen to let Haku remain in the hospital under further observation if possible, but Haku had wanted to return home and there wasn't a strict need to keep him in the hospital for any longer. There was nothing for them to pack up and Hiashi had finished signing the necessary paperwork required for Haku's discharge within minutes.
They are all ready to leave, to go back home.
"Haku! You shouldn't be using-"
Rin's concern was shared by everyone when he suddenly formed a large mirror of ice facing the opened window of the room.
"Walking's too slow. And I… I don't really want to see anyone else right now. I just want to hurry and go back home."
Haku turned away from his ice mirror to look at them. He held out a hand for them to hold onto.
"Using my mirrors is way faster. It will only take a second or two."
Hanabi placed her hand on top of Haku's without a second thought, and she followed Haku's example as she held her other hand out, which Hinata took. Everyone followed suit as they all held hands so that Haku can bring them back home with his mirror.
"I will come over for periodic house visits to check on you whenever I'm free! Make sure you follow my instructions!"
"I will, Rin-san."
With that, Haku slipped through his mirror, bringing them all with them and Rin waving them goodbye. It is the first time Hiashi experienced what it feels like to see what Haku sees from his mirrors. It is disorienting, especially with his byakugan's vision, and everything passed by him in such a rapid blur in a myriad of colours. He vaguely recognised the village as Haku brought them through a mirror he formed above Konoha in the sky as a midway point. The next thing he knew, they had exited from another mirror just right at the entrance of the Hyuga compound, far away from the hospital.
The entire process only took a second or two, like what Haku had claimed.
"That was…"
Neji's sentence went uncomplete as he swayed on his feet a little at the sense of sudden vertigo he experienced from travelling through Haku's ice mirrors. Hinata nodded mutely in agreement as she too swayed a little. Hiashi and Hizashi stood firmly with their feet planted to the ground, but even they are feeling a little green. Only Hanabi seems unaffected since this wasn't her first time using this mode of transport.
"WE, ARE, HOME!"
Hanabi strode through the gates happily with her arms in the air, cheerily greeting their fellow clansmen on gate guard duty today, Shu and Taiga, on her way in. She excitedly dragged Haku along with her as they all followed behind.
They didn't expect her to bring them into the kitchen.
"Alright!" Hanabi said as she rolled up her sleeves. "I'm sure everyone is hungry because I'm hungry too. And Haku really needs to get some proper food in. So, we are all gonna cook. Together."
Hiashi cannot help but let out an amused huff as he gave a subtle signal for the maids, the civilian members of their clan who usually prepare the entire clan's meals, to take a break from the kitchen and just let the children be. By the time the six of them are the only ones left in the kitchen and his attention returned back to the children, Hanabi is already there assigning work for everyone to do.
"-and Neji-niisan will make the fillings with nee-san, Haku and I will make the wrappers-"
They will be making dumplings. No one protested when Hanabi bossed them around and they immediately got to work. Hizashi joined Neji and Hinata in preparing the fillings, with Neji shredding the cabbages while Hinata and Hizashi prepare the minced meat. They added a small portion of shrimps into the mixture as well for extra taste and texture.
"Make sure that you mix them well! Or-"
"We know, Hanabi." Hinata patiently reassured her twin as the three of them dutifully go about preparing the fillings as per Hanabi's orders.
He, Haku, and Hanabi, on the other hand, were tasked to make the wrappers.
Hanabi had carefully measured the ratio of flour, water, and salt and when she was satisfied with it, she poured them all into a large bowl. Haku stopped Hanabi when she moved to get a stirrer to mix the contents to get a nice, smooth dough.
"Using a stirrer is too slow. Watch."
The contents in the bowl started to mix by themselves and Hiashi cannot help but be in equal parts amused and impressed at how Haku took control of the water within the bowl to mix the contents with a simple thought.
"If anyone from Kiri sees you using the Water Prison Jutsu to prepare dumpling dough, I'm sure they will send the Seven Swordsmen after you for misusing their jutsu."
"I like to think that I'm being creative about it." Haku argued back, but Hanabi was obviously unimpressed.
They took a short break of ten minutes to let the resulting dough rest, and Hanabi used the time to gleefully use her flour-coated hands to cover them all in the white substance.
"H-Hanabi!"
"Nee-san! A hug! Come on!"
"I'm still mincing the-"
"Neji-niisan!"
"Stay away from me."
"Oji-san?"
"…Go bother Neji or Hinata."
They were all spared from further acts of terrorism on Hanabi's part when the ten minutes were up. They placed the dough on the flat surface of the cutting board before cutting the dough up into small equal pieces. Without further delay, Haku picked up one of the small pieces and used his hand to pound it into the board, making a small circular disc from the dough. The fluidity of his action suggested that he had a lot of practice doing it, which surprised them.
"Here."
Hiashi took the rolling pins made of ice that Haku handed to him and Hanabi. The rolling pins felt cool to the touch, but not to the point of freezing. It's comfortable, and it felt more like holding onto a cool metal can than a cube of ice.
The three of them got back to work as they began to use the rollers to flatten and make the wrappers.
Pound the dough, flatten it with the roller, rinse and repeat.
Soon, they were done, so did the other group.
The six of them began to slowly fill the wrappers with the prepared fillings. A small scoop of a spoon of the fillings which will be placed in the middle of the circular wrapper. Not too much fillings that the wrapper will break when they cook it later, but not too little that it would compromise its taste. They then fold the sides of the wrapper together, dabbing their fingers in water every now and then to help seal the prepared dumpling up around its edges, keeping the contents in and not allowing it to leak out.
"See? I fold it better than yours. Admit it, Neji-niisan, you suck at this."
"Mine is fine. And Hinata's is better than yours."
"That's because she's nee-san! Cooking is her thing! Of course she's better than me!"
At the side, Hiashi and Hizashi both looked at the monstrosity sitting in their hands before turning to look at each other. With a show of perfect teamwork that can only be found in twins, they exchange a subtle nod of their heads at the same time before discreetly hiding their finished products out of sight in an unseen corner.
"Otou-sama! Oji-san! How about yours?"
Damn it.
"Haku-nii, you are surprisingly good at this. Yours are folded quite nicely, like you had a lot of practice."
Hinata's words got them looking at Haku, and the two elder Hyuga twins let out a quiet sigh of relief for the distraction provided.
"I used to do this all the time with my parents when I was young. My Dad would mix the dough and prepare the wrappers, my Mum would prepare the fillings, I would fold the dumplings. And then Dad would teach me how to fry them properly as he held my hand." Haku replied in a soft voice absentmindedly, a look of faint nostalgia in his eyes that is still trained on the dumpling that he is folding. "We would laugh at how my Dad always tend to get flour flying everywhere. He had never been that good at mixing the dough even if he is an expert on frying dumplings. He would purposely cover me and Mum with flour and then laugh at us in return. Those moments were one of my fondest memories I had with them."
The Hyugas exchanged a brief look of silence at each other, not knowing what to really say.
Haku must have sensed the shift in mood, seeing as he immediately changed the topic of discussion.
"How do you guys want the dumplings? Fried? Boiled?"
"Fried!"
"Boiled dumplings."
"You are boring, Neji-nii. Fried! Fried ones are nicer!"
"Neji-nii's right. Boiled. It's healthier, Hanabi."
"Not you too, nee-san! Fried! Fried dumplings!"
"Why can't we just do both?"
And so, they decided to do just both.
"Watch me, people! The great Hyuga Hanabi will show you how it's-"
"Hanabi, don't."
"Why not?" Hanabi protested when Haku stopped her from 'showing everyone the right way to make fried dumplings with a Great Fireball Jutsu'. "If you can use your water jutsus to prepare food, I can too!"
"How good, or how bad is your chakra control right now?"
"Haku's right, you should hold off using any form of jutsus for now." Hiashi stepped in. "Your chakra control will need to be relearned. You weren't able to control your chakra properly at the Hokage Tower, as I recall. Your technique nearly destroyed the underground when you panicked earlier. You will have to relearn your chakra control to adjust to your sudden increase in chakra reserves."
"Oh." Hanabi said softly as the realisation dawned on her. Hiashi knows that this is a big blow for Hanabi, who takes great pride in her impeccable chakra control. She had always been the best at this department. Now, that part of her had been stripped away, the part of her that she had always been so proud of.
"I will see if I can come up with a seal later to help you with relearning your chakra control. For now, let's just start cooking."
Haku reassured Hanabi as he went to turn on the stove with a frying pan already on it. He heated up the frying pan over medium heat as he poured in some cooking oil with obvious practiced ease.
"I think you would make a good house husband, Haku-nii. Hanabi's really lucky."
Hiashi and Hizashi both wisely held in their chuckle at Hinata's words. They can see how Haku's hand nearly slipped when he poured in the cooking oil just as Hinata made that remark.
"Well, it's obvious Hanabi wears the pants in their relationship. What we are all waiting for now is the date of the wedding."
"Neji." Haku spoke slowly and coolly, putting down the bottle of cooking oil back on the tabletop as his head turned mechanically towards Neji in slow motion.
"Remember the sparkling pink glitters in sealing tags? I can get very creative in what I want to seal next and tag it on you."
"Just shut up and start frying my dumplings already." Hanabi pulled on Haku's ear and pointed to the empty frying pan covered with sizzling oil. "I'm hungry."
Nobody else missed it when Neji mouthed silently to Hinata behind Haku's and Hanabi's backs. 'See? I told you Hanabi wears the pants in their relationship.' Hinata could barely hold in her giggle.
Haku started frying some of the prepared dumplings while Hinata started on boiling the other pile of dumplings for those who preferred boiled ones. Before long, they filled numerous plates with their finished product. Neji and Hanabi went to find some vinegar to be used as dipping sauce. They had prepared quite a large number of dumplings, so Haku and Hinata went to share the extras with the other members of the clan who are in the compound and may need the food.
"Fried ones are still nicer." Hanabi proclaimed as the family of six sat around a table in the garden outside their house, eating the piping hot dumplings that they just prepared and enjoying the brief moment of peace in their lives before everything gets chaotic again.
"Boiled ones are nicer, Hanabi."
"Nee-san, have you ever tasted fried dumplings? Here, have a bite."
"I will just finish them all if you two continue to bicker."
"Haku! Don't you dare touch my fried dumplings!"
"I'm the one who cooked it. All of these are mine."
"Haku-nii." Hinata stated with her eyes wide, mouth opened in surprise the moment she took the first bite of the fried dumpling Hanabi had passed to her. It's one of those that Haku had fried. "Yours are good. How did you do it?"
"Practice."
"Who folded these dumplings?" Neji asked quizzically when he spotted some rather deformed dumplings among the pile of boiled dumplings they are all eating. They looked more like fishballs than dumplings.
"Not me."
"Those are not mine."
"Definitely not mine too."
The four children slowly turned their heads to the only two adults sitting at the table with them.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Hiashi gave a supporting nod at Hizashi's words, words which saved their manly pride when Hizashi replied smoothly and not a hint of his inner thoughts showing on his face. Hiashi knew it. He just knows that the stoic Hyuga mask that they both perfected since young had to be good for something.
"What one might perceive as less than satisfactory could be a work of art in another's eyes."
The four children turned back to stare at said 'works of art' before turning their gaze back at the two adults.
"Otou-sama, Oji-san." Hanabi said seriously as she looked at them both with an expression of genuine concern on her face. "If you are not good at folding dumplings, just admit it. We know not everyone's perfect. We understand, really."
"Eat your food, Hanabi." Hiashi put a stop to Hanabi as he picked up a dumpling with a chopstick and put it into her opened mouth.
"Mfph!" Hanabi quickly spat the offending dumpling out. "Otou-sama! This is boiled dumpling! Boiled ones are disgusting! Fried ones are the best! Haku's ones are really good too!"
The only response his daughter got from him was a fried dumpling shoved into her opened mouth.
"OTOU-SAMA!"