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The Hyūga compound. Hiashi's room.
Hiashi and Hizashi sat on the tatami. Brothers. And yet, for a long moment, no words passed between them.
Hizashi's expression was stiff. He already knew why his brother had called him here.
After a heavy silence, Hiashi finally spoke. "Hizashi. You've overstepped."
So it was about Qianyu and Neji. Of course. Hizashi's face remained a cold mask. "Overstepped? How so, Clan Head? The branch family knows its place. We keep to our duties. I see no transgression."
Hiashi's gaze was deep, probing. "You know exactly the… complications Qianyu's presence brings to the Leaf. And yet you agreed to let him take Neji as a disciple. That is not overstepping?"
"Choosing a teacher for my son is overstepping?" Hizashi's tone was flat. "Since when does the main family dictate such private matters to the branch?"
Hiashi's brow furrowed. "Hizashi. I am your brother. Must you speak to me with such… bitterness?"
Hizashi took a sip of tea. Placed the cup down. A soft click. "And must you, Clan Head, open with an accusation? That didn't sound like a brother's concern. It sounded like a superior reprimanding a subordinate."
"Because you fail to see the trouble you've brought upon our clan!" Hiashi's voice sharpened.
Hizashi met his eyes, unwavering. "Trouble? What trouble? Qianyu has high standing in the village. Immense power. No grudge against the Hyūga. For Neji to earn his regard is a fortune. A blessing." He leaned forward, the words coming faster now, sharper. "When Neji turns three, he will be branded. Marked with the Caged Bird. His life pledged to the main family. To you. As head of the branch house, my duty is to protect the main family. Not my own son. My only hope is that when he is sent to fight your battles, to risk his life for your safety… he will be strong enough to survive it." His voice dropped, heavy with a finality. "So I accepted Qianyu's offer. What, exactly, did I do wrong? If the Clan Head believes I erred… then punish me. It is your right, is it not?"
"Hizashi!" Hiashi's reprimand cut the air. "That is nonsense! I am trying to warn you! Qianyu is… not a simple man. He has the Uchiha in his sights. Getting too close to him is dangerous. It could drag you down. Drag our whole clan down with you! I am concerned for you, can't you see that?!"
A short, hollow laugh escaped Hizashi's lips. "Then thank you for your concern, Clan Head. Rest assured. My relationship with Qianyu begins and ends with him being my son's teacher. I will not cause trouble for you. Or for the Hyūga."
Hiashi stared at his brother's face—so like his own. He sighed, the sound weary. "Hizashi… we are blood. Why must this chasm exist between us? The division of main and branch… it is our clan's ancient tradition. Even I cannot change it."
Hizashi's eyes were complex pools of old pain. "I, too, once wished to talk to my brother about anything. Everything. But from the day you became Clan Head, every word between us has been an order. A command from above to below. Whatever brotherhood we had… it died the moment the Caged Bird was carved into my forehead." He stood up, his movements precise. "I am the head of the branch family. A branch member. My life is a sacrifice for the main house. Whether I will it or not." He looked at the door, his voice softening with a bitterness that had long since curdled into resignation. "Sometimes I wonder… we were born so close. Mere moments apart. And yet that decided everything. Why must the branch always be the branch? The main always the main? Why must my son's fate be sealed before he can even understand it? No chance to rise. No future but service." He finally turned his gaze back to Hiashi. It was utterly calm. "You probably think it's only natural too, Clan Head. That we of the branch should give everything. We are of the same clan, but not the same house. I do not deserve, nor do I expect, any brotherly affection from you." He gave a shallow, formal bow. "Now, if that is all… the hour grows late. I should check on Neji."
Hiashi could only nod, silent.
Hizashi straightened, turned, and left the room without another word.
Outside, in the quiet hallway, Hizashi released a long, slow breath. The disappointment was a familiar, cold stone in his chest.
It wasn't the system that disappointed him most. It was the man. If Hiashi, after becoming Clan Head, had remained the brother he once was… Hizashi wouldn't feel this hollow ache.
A memory surfaced, sharp and clear.
"Hizashi, when I become Clan Head… I'll change things. The way the main family treats the branch… it won't be like before. We'll always be brothers."
Young promises. Words tossed to the wind. The boy who made them was gone, replaced by the very man he'd sworn not to become.
Hizashi thought of Neji. A deep, nameless sorrow settled over him. He wanted a better life for his son. A life not chained to a fate decided by others.
A hopeless wish. To be born a Hyūga of the branch house was to have your destiny held in another's hand.
His only hope now was Qianyu. That with him as a teacher, Neji might find the strength to bear his ordained fate. To live, if not freely, then at least with more agency. More power to survive.
Five Days Later
Qianyu sat on the sofa. Across from him, Kushina was lecturing a very sorry-looking Kakashi.
Thwack!
"You're so slow, Kakashi!" Kushina rapped him on the head again. "I've told you a hundred times! The chakra control needs to be fine. Delicate! You keep messing up the flow at the last second! That's why your Yin Seal keeps failing! You don't even have a hint of the mark forming!"
Kakashi rubbed the new bump on his skull, shooting a pleading look at Qianyu over Kushina's shoulder.
It wasn't that he was dumb. It was that Kushina's explanations were… abstract. Half the time, he had to guess what she meant, or later sneak questions to Qianyu about where he'd gone wrong.
Questioning Kushina directly? Not an option. The woman hit hard.
Qianyu had tried to intercede once. "Are you saying I can't teach?!" Kushina had rounded on him, face flushed. "Don't interrupt my lesson!" He'd nearly gotten swatted himself that day.
So when Kakashi's helpless eyes met his, Qianyu could only offer a slight, sympathetic shrug. He wasn't getting involved. Not again.
He'd avoided a beating that time, true. But he'd also spent the entire night on this very sofa.
Some battles were not worth fighting.
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