Before heading to Kusagakure, Natsume had one more thing to do: attend the Hyuga clan's banquet.
With Natsume's approval, Hiashi went all out.
In less than a day, the news that the Hokage was taking an adopted little sister spread everywhere. Coupled with Konoha's crushing victory over Suna, plenty of clans and shinobi wanted to curry favor. They accepted Hiashi's invitation without hesitation. Some minor clans even thick skinned their way in uninvited. Hiashi didn't turn them away—his household was large; he wasn't afraid of freeloaders.
"What a pity," said Hizashi, opening a window to the lively scene outside.
"Father, why?" Neji asked, hearing the sigh in his tone.
"If only you had an older or younger sister," Hizashi said, then paused at Neji's odd look. "That was poorly put."
He was envious of Hinata and Hanabi's treatment: one the Hokage's student, the other the Hokage's sister. By comparison, Neji had gained little. If Hizashi hadn't become a Hokage advisor, the branch family's days would be even harder.
"Hanabi should've been branded with the Caged Bird seal as branch family, but now she's escaped that fate," Neji said after a moment. "So fate is so flimsy before strength."
Hizashi blinked. Since childhood, his son had chafed at being branch family, lamenting "fate" because he couldn't resist the seal. Hanabi's situation had given him another perspective.
"Indeed," Hizashi's gaze deepened. "The main family isn't supreme. Before the Hokage, they still bow their heads. So, Neji—grow strong."
"Mm." Neji nodded. "If the Hokage favors me, then I won't need to fear the Caged Bird."
That reminded him of Hinata's earlier vow to change the seal. Would she truly follow through?
…
In a nearby room, Hanabi pouted. "Why do I have to wear a kimono? It's such a hassle!"
Rinka patted her head. "Tonight is very important, so you must."
"But… what's so important? I already call him 'Natsume nii.'"
"You called him that because of age before. Now it's different," Rinka smiled softly. "From now on, you and Natsume are family. Understand?"
"Family?" Hanabi slipped her arm into a sleeve. "So does that mean he's your son now?"
Rinka froze—actually, Hanabi wasn't wrong. If Natsume adopted Hanabi, he was Rinka's adoptive son. Ties upon ties.
"You could say that," Rinka chuckled.
"Mm… okay then," Hanabi nodded. "Him being my brother isn't bad. He brings me treats."
Rinka couldn't help shaking her head. Child, you don't know how lucky you are. Being Natsume's adopted sister would be many people's dream, and you're agreeing just for snacks.
She tied Hanabi's obi into a bow. "Let's go. Most guests are here."
Natsume hadn't arrived—he was the finale.
"Big sis!" Hanabi let go of Rinka and ran to Hinata, who was also in a kimono—white for Hinata, pale yellow for Hanabi.
"Hanabi, don't be naughty today," Hinata said softly.
"I'm always good!" Hanabi puffed up, then muttered with hurt, "Sis, I'm your real sister. Why do you always care more about Nii san?"
Hinata opened and closed her mouth, unable to meet her eyes. After a moment, she said weakly, "N no, I care about you more."
Even she didn't believe that.
"Hmph, liar!" Hanabi akimbo, pouting. "Don't think you can fool me just because I'm younger!"
Hinata was tongue tied.
"Hanabi," Rinka stepped in, rescuing the moment. "The banquet's starting. There's lots of your favorites."
Hanabi couldn't keep up the stern act and broke into a smile, pulling Hinata toward the hall. Rinka followed, pleased. With Natsume around, the sisters wouldn't fall out over the Caged Bird.
But where some were happy, others were not.
The main family had, besides Hiashi's branch, an elder's household.
In the original timeline, when Hinata was nearly abducted by Kumo, an elder proposed Hizashi die in Hiashi's stead—that elder.
"Elder," bowed Hyuga Takao, a main family guard, on one knee. "The great clans and all the jonin have arrived. The clan head asks if you'll come take a look."
"Take a look?" The old man snorted. "Your clan head is giving this old man a show of force."
Takao broke into a cold sweat and held his tongue.
"Hiashi became clan head on my recommendation," said the elder, Hyuga Hiroshi, face dark. "Yet as soon as he took the seat, he ignored clan rules."
When Hanabi was three, Hiroshi had argued she should be branded. Hiashi said he hadn't chosen an heir yet, asking to wait. Hiroshi believed him, but once Hinata became Natsume's student—essentially securing the heir's seat—Hiroshi raised it again. Hiashi still said he hadn't decided. Hiroshi realized Hiashi just didn't want Hanabi branded. And now this adoption spectacle.
Caught between two powers he couldn't offend, Takao kept silent.
"Tell Hiashi this: a millennium of Hyuga rules won't be broken for an outsider," Hiroshi said firmly. "As clan head, he should uphold them."
"Yes!" Takao hurried off.
…
Hiashi was happily receiving guests. He hadn't felt this delighted in ages. Everyone treated him with respect—he knew it was for Natsume's sake, but it still felt good. And the age old headache—the Caged Bird—looked solvable. Surely Elder Hiroshi wouldn't bring it up again?
"Clan head," said Takao at his back.
"What did the elder say?" Hiashi turned, smile widening.
"He said the Hyuga rules can't be broken," Takao said after a hesitation.
Hiashi's smile froze. The old man was hopelessly rigid. Tradition said he was right, but men aren't grass and trees; who's without feeling? Hiashi didn't want Hanabi branded.
"You may go," he waved. Takao exhaled in relief and vanished.
Hiashi's gaze turned deep, a trace of coldness in his eyes. He'd been dissatisfied with Hiroshi for a while, but rules had tied his hands.
Things were different now—he had Natsume at his back. If it came to blows, he wasn't afraid.
"Clan head Hyuga," came a pleasant, gentle voice.
"Mikoto, long time no see," Hiashi said warmly. "Rinka's been saying she wanted to chat with you; now there's finally a chance."
He glanced at the boy beside Mikoto—Sasuke, Hinata's teammate and Natsume's student.
"This is Sasuke, right?" Hiashi praised. "Truly a fine young man."
"You flatter him," Mikoto smiled, clearly pleased. She was about to have Sasuke greet him when a familiar laugh sounded behind them.
"Uncle Hiashi. Aunt Mikoto," Natsume stepped up. "Why are we chatting at the door?"
"Sensei," Sasuke bowed slightly.
Hiashi noted it with some feeling. Earlier, Sasuke had ignored him entirely—no respect for the clan head. He understood—young and arrogant, plus the Natsume factor. He let it slide.
"Hokage sama, please," Hiashi gestured.
"No need to stand on ceremony. You're the elder," Natsume said with a wave.
Hiashi knew it was courtesy, but he still felt gratified and proud. They entered the hall.
"Hokage sama!" Almost everyone rose in unison—quite a sight.
Natsume nodded and followed Hiashi to the top table.
"Big brother," Hanabi called sensibly—dropping "Natsume" made it sound more intimate.
"Everyone, sit," Natsume said with a smile, his gaze landing on Tsunade, who'd arrived early because she lived nearby. She'd already finished a drumstick and looked rather unrestrained. But with her status, no one dared say a word.
"Hokage sama, say a few words?" Hiashi, ever mindful of etiquette, prompted. The banquet's star was Natsume; he knew how these things worked.
"Nothing much to say," Natsume turned to the crowd. "Today, I've gained a little sister—Hanabi. Please take care of her."
Barring Orochimaru, nearly all of Konoha's upper ranks were present. Hiashi had done his part, but the bigger draw was Natsume.