"W-what!?" Him, Ibiki Morino, lover of torture and pain, be a... sensei to a four year old girl?!
Not happening.
Impossible.
Incencivable.
If you were looking for a sensei Ibiki would have to be the very last person on your list and even then having him teach you would be ify at best. To a civilian, and some ninja, Ibiki was a demon with a heart made of ice and eyes like a hawk.

There were reasons why he liked torture missions best, and none of those reasons were especially suitable for children. There were reasons why they picked him to scare off all the genin in the chunin exams. There were reasons why he didn't like having the responsibility of taking care of someone else.
There were also reasons why he didn't like kids. They were hyper, loud and messy. Ibiki didn't do hyper, loud or messy in any kind of combination. He didn't care how quiet this girl seemed; she was still a kid and deep down, all kids were the same. They liked games like hopscotch and hid'n'seek while he liked to play games to see how fast he could make someone crack.

"Hokage-sama, are you serious?! I can't teach a kid!"Ibiki was on the verge of paniking as he said this. If he was ever going to have a personal crisis; well, now would be a really good time to do it. His leader was sitting there asking him to do the one thing he had no idea about!

"Ibiki calm down. I know that you do not deal with children often, or ever for that matter, but I need you to do this. You are the absolute best ninja I have ever seen in the field of torture and interrogation, your knowledge of the brain, its functions, and it's quirks is on a level all its own. If I want to have Hinata-chan ready in time for the genin exam I need to give her the best possible help I can; and Ibiki, whether you like it or not, you are the best." Sarutobi's carefree attitude was missing as he said this, replaced with a chilling, all-knowing calm that showed just how much the third hokage of Konoha had truely seen.

"But-," Ibiki tried to begin, but he was quickly interrupted.

"Ibiki, I don't want any arguments, no -ifs, -ands, or -buts, is that understood," and of course it was," the only thing I want to hear from you next is a simple yes or no, understand?."

Ibiki was torn. On one side he just wanted to yell no. Him actually take care of a child?, the thought was utterly laughable. But on the other-hand, here was his hokage calling him the best he had ever seen in the field of torture. He truly did not want to take care of a child, he did not want to be entrusted with this childs mental health. What if he couldn't deal with the kid? What if he screwed her up even more? As far as he knew he was no better at taking care of children than Haishi; and that was saying something considering Haishi could probably kill a pet rock. The hokage had faith in him though, he thought that Ibiki could do wonders for the child called Hinata, he thought that he could take better care of her than her own father currently was. While Ibiki's two sides battled inside his mind Hizuren was calmly waiting for his answer, knowing that this could very well change the man's life completly.

Eventually Ibiki came to a decision," Yes Hokage-sama. Yes, I will take Hinata Hyuuga as my apprentice."

"Thank you Ibiki, this means more than you could imagine," the hokage's carefree nature was returning as well as his age old smile that made him look like the kind old grandfather that he was. 'One problem down and one more to go. Although the second problem might be just a little bit harder to solve.'

It had been three days since Ibiki had answered 'yes' to the Hokage. Three days since Hizuren had first started thinking of ways he could get the Hyuuga patriarch to let his daughter get the help she so desperately needed, and three days of many, many dead end ideas.

'I can't just run up and tell him the truth, he'd blow some kind of royal gasket! If I lie straight to his face he'll blow another gasket, and neither of those plans will get him to give some of Hinata's custody away. Alas, if only he were Tsunade, all I'd have to do is get him drunk enough to say yes. It would be easy to trick him that way. Sadly though I do not believe my dear clan leader gets drunk, and when he does I get the impression he'd be even more of a stubborn ass to deal with than when he's sober. But, maybe if I could just ...'

"That's it!" Hizuren woke up from his thoughts with a jolt. And with that Sarutobi's three days of mental torture were over, all he had to do now was arange a meeting with the royal-pain-in-his-behind himself.

Later that day...

The Hokage was bowed to by the hyuuga guards as he walked through their gates, and again by the servants of the household as he strode through the hallways and into the study of Haishi Hyuuga. This hyuuga in-particular gave him a slightly higher bow that most certainly did not show the proper respect to ones leader. Normally Hizuren would make it obvious that he knew this and challenge the hyuuga's pride and occasionaly, on a bad day, his loyalty. Today was different though, considering the Hokage needed the man in a fair mood. So he begrudgingly let it slide as he sat down in the chair opposite of Haishi's.

"What brings you to my household today Hokage-sama? Certainly nothing too important," As always the mans face was painted with a look of indifference and boredom, though if you were accustomed to dealing with hyuuga's than you might, might, have noticed the slight look of intrigue in Haishi's eyes.

"I'm afraid it is fairly important indeed, especially to you. You see Hyuuga-san it is about your daughter, Hinata, and the kidnapping that took place five days ago. I had my head of interrogation and torture give her a thorough evaluation and he found that poor Hinata-chan has developed some...psychological problems." All of this was true.

"Because of the kidnapping I presume?"

Sarutobi just gave him a small sad, almost apologetic smile. One that could be interpreted in many different ways mind you. Haishi choose to take it as conformation to his previous statement.

"I see. This is a slight problem then isn't it," 'Slight problem? Your daughter is in danger of having a mental break down and you think it's a 'slight problem'? There is something very wrong with this man,' the hokage thought," I suppose I could try to help, but I wouldn't know what to do first. What do you suggest Hokage-sama," A small twitch of Haishi's lips was all Sarutobi needed to see to tell that Haishi already had a plan, and considering the clan leaders past for being kind...none of his plans were going to help Hinata in any way, shape, or form.

"Well, I have already asked one of my ninjas if they could possibly help Hinata with her problems. Though I have no doubt that you would be able to help Hinata if you knew how, but her disorders are very serious. By trying to help you might actually make them worse," On second thought I have no doubt that you would make it worse, considering you're the problem!',"I think that if you could just let one of my approved ninja take care of Hinata she would be cured much faster, and you could have your heir back. Besides, I'm sure you have much more pressing matters to attend to. I heard your second wife, Tsumarinai, is expecting a child, is this true?"

"Yes Hokage-sama that is correct. I do hope it is a male and even if it is not than at least let her be stronger than my first born; it really is a shame don't you think? How poor a ninja, and person i suppose, Hinata turned out to be; considering how much trouble she gave her late mother when she was born." There was a tinge of bitterness in his voice though he thought to blame his late first wife's sickness on his daughter.

"Yes, I suppose it is a shame," 'Only if your an emotionless ass hole of course.'

"I'm glad you agree, back to the matter at hand though. You said Hinata had been diagnosed with mental disabilities? I doubt you would mind telling me a little more about these 'disabilities'," A small smirk, a smug voice wrapped in an emotionless case and voila! You have the prick known as Haishi Hyuuga.

"There are three that we know of Hyuuga-san, but all three of them stem from traumatization. If they are not treated as fast as possible and with the utmost care than they could escalate drastically," Once again all of this was true, as long as Haishi didn't ask where these disabilities came from he didn't have to know that he was the one who caused them.

"Hokage-sama you know full well that I cannot just hand over my hier, it would not only be embaressing, but it is also impractical; letting the hie to a clan like the hyuuga go galavanting of doing Kami knows what. I'm sure you understand this so I must ask, would this...process take very long? I am afraid I am simply unable to spare her for a long period of time." Haishi was logicaly considering the pros and cons of this dessision, and as long as the Hokage played his cards right, the pros were going to win.

"No, not a terribly long time at all," 'After all, what's seven or eight years compared to a whole entire life time? Especialy mine.'

"Hmm, than I suppose you could take care of this for me? You were quite right when you said I had more important things to worry about. Hinata is only four and I can already tell she is more or less a lost cause. If she will not be gone very long than giving custody over to you won't be a horrible dessision at all." Though this is where the clan head ended his sentence, but Hizuren could hear the unsaid words of Haishi. "You would be doing me a great favor, if I don't have to waste my time traing a usless daughter than I can spend more time fixing the clan and getting ready for my new child."

"So does this mean that you are going to sign over custody to me and the ninja of my choosing?" 'Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes! Do this one kind thing for your daughter!'

"If you have a contract I can read I am willing to sign it, as long as you swear she will not be gone long. She is the hieress after all." Indifference was clear as Haishi said this. There was no doubt in the Hokage's mind that Haishi didn't like Hinata, for what reasons he could not fathom. Hizuren quickly swore in half-truth and words with double meanings. Not waiting for Haishi to think it over any longer Hizuren put the contract on the desk that sat between them. The contract itself was very ambiguous; there were no set dates or times. If Haishi was not in the frame of mind that Hizuren put him in there would have been no way Haishi would have signed the contract. But, Haishi's mind filled in the missing dates based soley on Sarutobi's half-truths. After all was said and done Haishi went back to writing and Sarutobi walked out the door. Almost giddy at the fact that he had effectivly tricked the Hyuuga head. 'Who knew I could lie and tell the truth at the same time,' He smiled happily at that thought finding it very funny.

But, he did not trun to leave. Instead of turning towards the exit though, he turned left, then crouched next to a child, curled up, leaning against a wall, trying not to let anyone hear her cry. She wasn't doing a very good job of it but all the same it looked like no one was coming.

"Hello Hinata-ko, I suppose you heard what your father said in there didn't you," Though Hizuren's voice was steady and soft, Hinata still flinched at the sound of someone next to her. She then looked up at the man and nodded her head almost unattainably. He sighed," You know what Hinata-ko? I think you should come to my office later, okay? Here, give your father this note and tell him I told you to make sure that you get to my office. This way I can answer all the questions you want me to, and I can ask a few of my own. Does that sound good to you?" He handed her a note and smiled a little while he said this.

Hinata looked up at him in slight shock, as though no one had treated her so kindly in a long time," Y-y-yes, H-h-h-hokage-s-sama."

This answer was rewarded with a warm smile that probably hadn't been seen in the compound since the death of Hinata's mother. "Very good Hinata-ko. By the way, why don't you call me jii-san from now on alright? I think I like jii-san better than boring old Hokage-sama anyway."

This brought the smile Sarutobi had been waiting for as the four year old nodded her head enthusiastically, or at least as enthusiastically as someone can get when they have only just stopped crying," Good, I will see you later then Hinata-ko," and the Hokage turned and started to walk away.

"O-okay, bye jii-san!" It was still quiet, but that was the least Hinata Hyuuga had stuttered in over a year and a half. The soft smile that was on Hizuren's face slowly enlarged as he waved one last time before he turned the corner. Maybe this will all work out.

Hinata silently walked next to the branch member that her father had assigned to her, as always the branch member was quiet and distant; if Hinata was being truthful she would have also told you that he was cold. All of them were cold to her. Her father was not coming with her because he was too busy to simply go on a walk; that is what he had told her, but she knew the truth. He saw it as a waste of his time, walking with his failure of a daughter. If she was not worth the training he gave her why was she worthy of his presence? That was the question Hinata hated most.
Why?
Why was the family separated? Because that is how it has always been, so they said.
Why did the branch house have green writing on their foreheads? Because the main house wanted control.
Why wasn't she allowed to play in the dirt with other kids? Because it was not appropriate for her status.
Why was her Neji-nii-san being so mean to her? Because she killed his father.
Yes, Hinata hated whys most of all.

As they approached the door the branch member bowed an exaggerated bow and bid a farewell to Hinata-sama.
She was snapped out of her thoughts as the nice secretary showed her a bowl of candy, which Hinata readily picked a piece out of. The secretary would have looked utterly ferocious if it were not for the lovely bowl of candy she was holding and the way he brown eyes were soft as they looked at her. She had large blood red triangles on her cheeks as well as sharp teeth that showed when she smiled, but Hinata thought she looked nicer than almost anyone she had ever met. As Hinata put the blueberry sucker into her mouth the Hokage stepped out of his office.

"Hana, I see you've met little Hinata-ko. If you would be kind enough to let me borrow her for a little bit." Sarutobi then reached out and guided the small girl into his office once more; though Hana Inuzuka was able to catch the small girl's shy wave before the door shut.

"Sorry to rush you inside like that Hinata-ko, but I have someone I want you to meet," Hizuren guided Hinata to a smaller chair he had put in his office when he got back from the compound,"His name is Ibiki Morino and he was the man who spoke to you a little while back, do you remember him?"

To Hinata the answer to that question was fairly obvious, of course she remembered him. He was a little gruff, he intimidated her a lot, but the way he talked to her was, well, refreshing. He was not overly harsh with her, but he was firm; he waited patiently through her stuttering and blushing, calmly asking the questions. At the same time though, he did not give her pity, which was the opposite of how the civilians treated her. She knew what pity was, she got it all the time when she went out with her father when she was a little younger and presently when she would go to the market with a branch member, always a few steps behind as clan etiquette dictated. She did not always know what it was for, but one thing was positive; she hated it. But, instead of saying any of this to her newly acquired jii-san, she simply replied, "H-hai, jii-san." There was no real need for him to know the rest.

Just because Hinata did not openly share her opinion of Ibiki did not mean Sarutobi did not see parts of it. He saw, for instance, the way she looked happier at his name, and the slight bit of curiousness that was always present in the eyes of every child. This was a great relief to the third Hokage, as long as Hinata likes Ibiki his plan will run smoothly. Well, for the most part anyway. At least he hoped it would.

"Hello Hokage-sama, I am here to report on my last mission" Well speak of the devil, right on time as always.

"Good I'm glad to see you Ibiki, but that mission report can wait until tomorrow. Right now I would like you to say hello to my guest." said Hizuren

Ibiki turned his head just enough to see red cheeks and a bowed head of bright blue hair, " Hello Hinata-san it is nice to see you again," Hinata could only wave back to the imposing man as he turned back to her new jii-san. "Hokage-sama does this mean that you already...," He let his sentance drift as he looked to the third for an answer.

"Yes, yes that is correct she is now in our complete custody until you feel she is ready to return. All that is left is to tell her what is going on,"

'Oh is that all'Ibiki thought sarcastically, "I suppose you are going to do this Hokage-sama," It was really more of a statement than a question, both men knew that at the moment Ibiki was more likely to break the child's heart than to actually get her to understand the sticky situation they were all in right now.

"Of course," Hizuren said this to Ibiki then got out of his chair and walked over to a now deeply confused Hinata. "Hianta-ko did you hear what your father and I were talking about at your house earlier?" He got a small nod in response,"I don't know if you completely understand what this means but basicly your father signed a contract with me that says you are going to stay with Ibiki for a while, got it?"

"B-but w-why d-do I h-have t-to s-stay t-there jii-san?" Hinata was having trouble warping her head around this new twist in her life. Why did her dad give her upp 'for a while'? Had she done something wrong? Did he not want her anymore? These, along with many other questions were spinning in her head with ferocious speed.

"Hinata I want you to listen very closely. You did absolutely nothing wrong this is just something that needs to be done and it has nothing to do with anything you have done, understand?" Hizuren didn't have to be phsycic to know what was going through Hinata's mind and he wasn't about to let those thought grow into anything more than thoughts.

"Y-yes jii-san," she would agree quietly and without question, at least for now.

"Perfect. Now, with that over with, I think you and Hinata can go and get settled Ibiki," said Sarutobi.

"But Hokage-sama my apartment is only suitable for one person and one that is rarely there at that. I don't have much of anything a child would enjoy in my pantry either; is it possible to wait until I at least have a second bed set up?" Ibiki's apartment truely did resemble a small gray box. No colour on the walls, no personal pictures or items and there was only one bed in the entire place. Ibiki had really hoped he have time to do some redecorating before he tried to screw this kid's head on straight.

"Those little problems are already taken care of," Hizuren said.

"Excuse me for asking Hokage-sama, but exactly how were these problems 'taken care of'," It wasn't that Ibiki did not trust or respect his Hokage (he wouldn't be here if he didn't). It was just that, well, Sarutobi's sense of humor must have gotten slightly warped by his growing age because he finds it increasingly amusing to, errrrr, trick his ninja. Just last month Hayate's chewing needles were, somehow, dipped in a mixture that resembled cough syrup, but with the side effects of laughing gas. Hayate now cleans a needle every time he puts a new one in his mouth.

"That's simple Ibiki," A mischievous smile was making it's way to Sarutobi's lips, no this couldn't be good at all," I sold your apartment and bought you a house. I have already had it painted and furnished, all you need to do is walk in; even the fridge is full." Well this was slightly unexpected.

"Umm, thank you Hokage-sama, that was extremely generous of you to do such a thing; but I could have bought one myself if you thought it was necessary." Ibiki said

"No no it was my pleasure Ibiki," That mischevious smile was still on his Hokage's face, there had to be more.

Ibiki warily took his eyes off of his Hokage and turned slightly to see Hinata, who had got up from the chair to stand by her new gaurdian for the next few years. "I suppose we should get going then Hinata," She only nodded in respose; mind still realing from the abrupt change in, well, everything.

"Very good, here are your keys Ibiki," said the Hokage while handing Ibiki a new looking pair of keys that had a silver like shine to them.

Ibiki thanked his Hokage once more and bowed good-bye; as did Hinata. Before he got to the door though he turned around to face the third once more," I forgot to ask Hokage-sama, where exactly is this new house?"

It was then that Hizuren's smile widened; as if he had been waiting for that very question," Oh goodness me, how could I forget! Your house number is 2259 on Henko street. It's in a very nice little civilian sector near the centerof the village." And the bomb was dropped.