Dinner.

As we spoke an attendant came informing us that it was time for dinner.

Making our way inside the main house we continued chatting.

"Don't tell me we have to meet the old stooges of the clan… I might just kill them you know."

"I might just take you up on that offer, though they do help handle the paperwork regarding the clan's day-to-day affairs. Mah… let's just leave it for another day."

"There's always another time, cockroaches don't die that easily."

"Ho… you wear quite the mask don't you Kei?" – Hiashi asked as his eyes narrowed

"People interpret the world in different ways, neither right nor wrong. To you, my face is a mask right now, but make no mistake, the face I show when I kill a man is as much mine as the one I show when I dine with friends and family."

"Do you believe it's normal to do so?"

"And who is to say that people are 'normal'? I have simply come to terms with what I am." – I said shrugging

"And what is that?" – he asked.

"A killer, a liar, a maniac, a ruthless opportunist, though I do consider myself fair and kind at given moments. Though going what I said before it means little to nothing what I consider myself as. If it doesn't fit with your point of view I might as well be talking to a wall." – I replied while smiling slightly.

As we walked we reached the dining room, Hiashi sat at the head table while inviting me to sit beside him.

"Quite the opinion you hold for yourself… though it does beg the question in the minds of many inside the village, what are you after, especially in mine. You are driven, powerful and confident… that much can be seen on how you carry yourself, but to what end? What is your objective?"

"For now… power. Later? Who knows, I am still only 12 years old. I have time."

"It is a good goal. Power surely isn't everything, but it can open a great many doors and if you have enough, it can prevent many regrets."

Soon after two girls entered the room, it was Hinata and Hanabi. Dressed in simple kimono they approached the table and greeted us with a small bow. Hinata was clearly uneasy and meeting my eyes she hurriedly lowered her head, looking towards the floor. Hanabi was more confident, maintaining a composed yet respectful attitude. I could see why Hiashi favored her somewhat.

"Good evening Father, Good evening Uchiha-sama." -They both greeted.

"Join us for dinner, we have a guest today. Kei has taken some time off his busy schedule to pay us a visit. Kei these are my daughters, this is my oldest, Hinata. While the other is my youngest and next head of the clan, Hanabi."

As Hiashi spoke jovially, both girls seemed lost for a moment as they looked weirdly at their father. After a moment they joined us at the dining table.

"I am grateful for the invitation Hiashi. I am also very happy to see the beautiful Hyuga princesses join us for dinner." – I smiled lightly.

At my words, Hiashi's smile widened a grade and both of the girls blushed. They were young and it was the opportune moment to leave a positive impression on them. Even if they ended didn't prove too useful in the end it would always gain me some points with Hiashi so all was good. Izumi liked compliments and she was around their age when I consumed her. I knew how she thought so I knew how to win a few points and leave a good impression. The Hokage was going to hit the dirt in two weeks and I already had the civilian council in my side.

As the dinner continued we kept on chatting and eventually, the heiresses joined us bit by bit. Hanabi was much more open and straight o the point while Hinata only got involved occasionally, stammering out words and becoming bright red as we laughed, letting out a smile at times.

The dinner continued as Hiashi and I continued drinking, leading to him acting a little… different, especially after activating his Byakugan and noticing all the servants who were watching on us and forcing them out of the main house, and as the dinner came to an end, leaving us without anyone to guide towards our room. Hanabi took Hiashi and slowly but surely escorted him.

Hinata was the one escorting me to my room, thinking that I was too drunk while I consistently tried to make them see that I was not under the influence of alcohol. Granted it was a little difficult to believe given that I drank more than the current wasted head of the Hyuga clan.

"You know, you should really tell Naruto you like him." – I said out of the blue to the elder princess of the Hyuga clan.

"Ehh… Eeeehhhhhh… I don't…. what do you…. How do you…." – she stammered as she froze in place like a deer in headlights.

"I believe only a few thickheaded people that know you, don't know how you see him." – I replied bluntly.

As I said that she first looked shocked, then embarrassed… then embarrassed and shocked at the same time as she played with her fingers and continuously got redder and redder.

"but…. But…. I don't think he even notices me…. He probably… thinks I'm weird… right" – Hinata said looking up at me with tears in her eyes as I was about one head taller than her.

"Oh, you're right about that. To him, the most impression you leave is that of a weird creep. And that is when he notices you. That boy is so dense that your Bykaugan probably won't penetrate his head. What you have to do is grab his head, smack it hard so you get his attention, and say that you like him."

"But… but… I can't do that… it's so embarrassing… won't he be mad?... and will it even work?…"

"Will it get his attention? Yes. Will it make him like you? No. It might even make him think you're kind of crazy. Though it will definitely help you in either case." – She definitely wouldn't do it. At least not anytime soon.

"I… can't do that…" – She said.

I tilted my head slowly as an idea came to cheer her up.

"Well, don't worry. I think you are better than Sakura. He is still young but if he has to choose between you and her in another 5-6 years he will definitely choose you." – I said.

"…Really?... you think so?.... why?" – She asked with hope and teary eyes.

As I recalled the anime and compared the figures as well as the temperament of the two girls I couldn't exactly say because she would be a babe and Sakura a plank… so I had to put it in other terms.

"Because you'll only get more beautiful and kinder." – And Sakura remained Sakura with enhanced strength.

I spoke with a small smile on my face, wiping her tears as we finally reached my room and bid each other goodbye.

-----------------------

Taking the Hyugas, the largest and most powerful current shinobi clan in Konoha to back me up would secure my position once and for all… though I still was 'too young'. Then again, there was no immediate need for me to take the position of clan head so soon. When Pain hit the village I could solidify my position by taking him down as well as be at a more appropriate age to 'take office'. Not taking the Hokage position would also allow me more freedom to grow, an alter ego that would go to be recruited by Akatsuki after taking out Kisame. It was not a bad haul for a day's work… if you could even call it work.