HEIRESY

"Hyuuga-dono."

"You honor me, Hokage-sama."

"Che...screw this formal crap. Heard you've got a kid on the way, Hiashi."

"Yes, we are blessed with the impending arrival of an heir for the main house. A girl."

"Yosh'. I was hoping that would be the case."

"Hokage-sama?"

"I hate all the politics crap that comes with my job, Hiashi. I only took this job so I could look after Konoha. All the clan stuff and all that...I hate it. I've never seen the point."

"And yet, as Hokage, careful attention to the politics of this village is your responsibility."

"Yeah. Okay, point is, old man Sandaime thinks I need to worry about my clan. Like, the fact I don't really have one. I'm the only Hokage who hasn't come from a clan. Hell, I don't even know who my own dad is, though I have my suspicions."

"I...would not presume to question the lineage of such an esteemed shinobi as yourself, Hokage-sama."

"Not to my face, anyway. It's okay, I'm used to the rumors and stuff. Anyway, I've got a kid on the way too. A boy."

"...I...was not even aware you had taken a wife, Hokage-sama."

"Yeah, well..."

"...I see."

"The Elders get really uptight about keeping that kind of thing secret. Worried about what it'd do to the village's faith in me as Hokage."

"Reasonable."

"So anyway. I've got a boy. You've got a girl. I don't think I need to spell it out."

"...with respect, Hokage-sama, there are other clans..."

"But you're the strongest clan, and you've got a daughter on the way who'll be just the right age for my son. Unless you're saying the Hokage doesn't deserve to join his clan with the strongest clan in Konoha?"

"...I would never presume to suggest such an impertinent thing, Hokage-sama."

"Of course you wouldn't. So?"

"It...would be an honor, provided certain conditions exist at such a time as our children would be officially betrothed."

"Oh?"

"I would feel more secure about it if I had a second child at any such time, to ensure the main house of Hyuuga retains an heir. My brother...his son has been determined to have excellent potential, but he is branch family."

"Hiashi, I don't give a shit about your screwed-up family crap. Personally, I think the whole main and branch thing is a load, but it's not my place to judge. All I'm interested in is making my own clan strong, so when I'm gone, my kids and grandkids can take care of Konoha like I'm trying to."

"I will consider your request carefully, Hokage-sama. Forgive me if my answer does not come until after the birth of my daughter."

"Sure, take your time. It's not like I want to stick wedding rings on newborns or anything. Well, I've gotta go do some paperwork. I really hate paperwork, but if I don't do it, it just keeps piling up, you know? I'll be in touch."

"Go safely, Hokage-sama."

* * * * *

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the previous Hokage, stood solemnly on a podium, addressing the assembled villagers. Hyuuga Hiashi, clad in a black mourning kimono, stood stoically beside his brother Hizashi, who had wrapped a black band around his forehead. Rains doused the still-smoldering embers of the destroyed parts of the village; rebuilding in the wake of the attack would be a slow, painful process.

"Yondaime is dead," Sarutobi said simply. "He gave himself as a sacrifice to seal away the Kyuubi no Yoko."

An ANBU handed the old man a small, black-wrapped bundle, which he held aloft to the crowd. "This infant is the only survivor of the final battle," Sarutobi spoke. "He is an orphan; both of his parents' lives were claimed in the demon's attack." He paused. "This child was used by Yondaime as a container for the nine-tailed fox. So long as this child lives, the demon will never plague this or any other village ever again."

He swept his gaze over the assembled crowd critically. "From this day, none are to speak openly of this. Any who dare defy this order will be punished severely. This child is never to know what dwells within him, nor shall his peers know. The matter of the Kyuubi and the death of Yondaime is closed."

Later that day, Hiashi would reflect on a conversation held months ago, before the attack of the demon fox. He had not been in favor of giving up a potential heir for Yondaime's plan, but at the same time, he regretted the missed opportunity. Even if Yondaime's family survived the attack, their identities would forever remain unknown...with his death, the marriage arrangement had also died.

But Hyuuga Hiashi never forgot...

* * * * *

"Neji."

The prodigy inclined his head respectfully to his uncle. "Hai, Hiashi-sama."

Hiashi observed him for a long moment. "Evaluate my eldest daughter's present condition as heir to Hyuuga."

Neji frowned thoughtfully. "I apologize. I cannot accurately evaluate Hinata-sama's ability at this time." At his uncle's raised eyebrow, he elaborated, "I have been assigned no joint missions with Hinata-sama. I believe she does not utilize her full abilities when sparring with anyone from either branch of the family. I further believe she is hiding a significant level of skill in Jyuuken. I have obtained as much information about her recent missions as possible, and this information seems to confirm my belief. In particular, she has accumulated at least one enemy kill on a recent mission."

Hiashi's eyebrows climbed into his hairline. "Hinata has...?"

"I believe circumstances conspired to...sufficiently motivate her to apply lethal force."

"I see." Hiashi paused. "As the eldest daughter, it will be Hinata's duty to produce a strong male heir. I would prefer she carry out this duty sooner rather than later."

"Hiashi-sama?" Neji asked, a faint note of wariness in his voice.

"Would you object to a union between the branch and main lines, for the purpose of producing a perfect Hyuuga heir?"

Neji was silent for a long moment. Then, he bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the floor. "With my deepest apologies, I must respectfully resist this suggestion, Hiashi-sama," he stated.

"Oh? Are you that abhorrent of the notion of wedding your cousin, that you would forget your station?"

"I do not speak for myself, as my opinion in this matter is irrelevant," Neji replied. "I speak on behalf of Hinata-sama, for whom such a joining would be...disfavorable."

"Explain," Hiashi demanded.

"Hinata-sama harbors strong feelings toward a specific genin in her age group. I see no indication that he is in any way attached, formally or informally, to another. I believe that denying Hinata-sama the opportunity to secure his reciprocal affections would be...extremely detrimental."

Hiashi nodded thoughtfully. "Even for shinobi, at this time in life, certain emotions will hold sway and must be considered. Tell me of this ninja my daughter favors."

"I know nothing of his bloodline; he is an orphan. He was believed to be an ineffective shinobi until...recent events." Neji paused. "He is one of the few from this village who has defeated me in combat. I respect him."

Hiashi was silent for a long moment. "From this, I gather that you are saying my eldest daughter believes herself to be in love with Uzumaki Naruto."

"That is correct, Hiashi-sama."

Another long silence followed.

"Continue to observe and report on this...situation," the head of the Hyuuga clan finally said. "I require far more information before I make an official determination in this matter."

"Hai, Hiashi-sama."

* * * * *

She stood, hidden halfway behind a utility pole, watching him as he entered the small ramen shop.

He'd grown taller in the last two years. His face had lost its chubby-cheeked youthfulness, taking on a rugged handsome cast which spoke volumes of the man he would be in a few more years. The sight of him brought a blush creeping to her cheeks.

His new wardrobe also suited him. While she had never minded the orange tracksuits he favored in his youth, the darker orange of his new attire, along with the prominent section of black across his shoulders, gave him a sharper, more professional look—the transition to a black band for his hitai-ate helped cement the new look.

Naruto had become, as Sakura and so many other girls were fond of saying of Uchiha Sasuke only a few years prior, hot.

Hinata indulged in the sight of him for longer than she knew she should have, before remembering she needed to retrieve Hanabi from the Academy. Berating herself for becoming so caught up in watching Naruto, she disappeared over the rooftops.

* * * * *

"We have concerns about your daughter, Hiashi."

Kneeling before the clan elders, Hiashi kept his features carefully schooled into the bland, neutral expression favored by all Hyuuga. "I am honored to entertain your concerns, elder."

"I'll be blunt: Hinata is an unacceptable heir to the main family. Your younger daughter is favorable, though not the most ideal choice. However, the most viable heir to the clan—"

"—is a branch family member, I am fully aware of this," Hiashi replied, jaw tightening. "It is unnecessary to continue reminding me that my children do not possess the raw talent and power that my brother's son wields with abandon."

"Moderate your tone, Hiashi," the elder said sharply.

"My apologies. Please continue."

"It is the opinion of the clan elders that the most ideal situation would be to leverage Hinata into a political marriage with one of the other clans, allowing Hanabi to succeed her as the Hyuuga heir."

Hiashi sat silently for a moment. "I would not be opposed to this."

"Perhaps the Inuzuka, or the Aburame. Your daughter IS teammates with the young sons of those clans, is she not?"

"This is true. However, I am not certain either would be a proper fit—"

"Do you speak as a clan head, or as a father, Hiashi?"

Hiashi fought not to twitch. "I speak as both, elder. I apologize, but I cannot discuss the future of my daughter without thinking of her as my daughter."

The elder raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is this the same Hyuuga Hiashi who detested his elder daughter's weakness to the point of openly denegrating her before her jounin instructor?"

Hiashi closed his eyes for a moment. "I have come to regret my attitude toward Hinata in the past. I have been unduly harsh on her, failing to realize that she is cut of different cloth than other Hyuuga."

"Precisely the problem," the elder continued.

Another elder interrupted. "You have six weeks from today, Hiashi, to make a decision as to which clan you will wed your daughter into. If you have not chosen by then, we shall choose for you."

Hiashi bowed. "I understand."

Ten minutes later, once he was out of sight of the elders, Hiashi sighed deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose. *Hinata...I'm truly sorry for this...*

* * * * *

One of the best things about being home, Naruto decided, was Ichiraku Ramen. He'd been home for a week now, and had made a point of eating there at least once a day since. Teuchi was thrilled to have his favorite customer back, as was Ayame; they'd taken to giving him special rates and making sure he got a little extra with every bowl he ordered.

It was lunchtime, and he was enjoying a bowl of barbecue pork ramen with grilled potato; Teuchi was experimenting with a few new recipes, and enjoyed testing them on Naruto. So far, the genin had to admit that this one was a nice success. "Needs a little less salt, though," he told the cook; "You're overcompensating for the potato." Teuchi made a note of that, and returned to minding his pots.

Suddenly, a series of crashes and yells began filtering from up the road. Naruto looked up, blinking, noodles trailing from his mouth; with a loud slurp and a quick apology to the chef, he slapped a wad of bills on the counter and dashed out into the street.

And was promptly almost flattened by a fast-moving black blur.

"Hey! Watch it—what the hell?"

A smaller blue blur shot past him, and screeched to a halt. "Naruto-kun!"

"Hinata! What's—"

"I'm sorry, I can't stop! He's got Hanabi!" With that, Hinata took off again, speeding after the fleeing figure.

Naruto stood blinking for a minute, then cursed and gave chase.

A moment later, he'd caught up with Hinata, who was sprinting along a rooftop, trying not to lose her quarry. The veins around her eyes were bulging, and the flicker of her white irises told him she was probably trying to calculate a route to cut him off.

"What's going on, Hinata?"

Without breaking stride or taking her attention from the pursuit, Hinata replied, "An intruder...set off an explosion...at the Academy. Kidnapped...my sister...Hanabi."

Naruto growled. "Okay. Let's nail this bastard and get your sister back. Tajuu Kagebunshin no Jutsu!"

Three dozen Narutos burst into existence around them, and began moving in the opposite direction of the chase. Hinata almost faltered as her Byakugan registered the movement of the clones. "Naruto-kun?" she asked.

Not responding to her, Naruto bit his thumb, formed seals, and pressed the cut against the palm of his other hand. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" A small orange toad appeared in his hand. "Gamakichi, go tell Tsunade-no-baachan Hinata's sister's been kidnapped and we're chasing the intruder. We might end up outside of Konoha, so tell her to be sure to warn ANBU that we're NOT going rogue on her, got it?"

"Hai!" the toad chirped, before speeding off in the opposite direction.

"Hopefully we'll get this bastard before that becomes a problem," Naruto muttered. He began moving faster, forcing Hinata to strain to keep up with him.

"N-Naruto-kun...your clones...why are they—?"

"They're getting help," he replied. "I think we can take this guy ourselves, but it never hurts to have backup."

"H-hai!"

* * * * *

Neji felt a tug on his jacket, and was surprised as he was suddenly hauled off his feet and dragged away from the clearing.

"Oi, Naruto! What the hell are you doing?" Tenten yelled. Neji's eyes widened; how had the blond genin snuck up on him?

"Sorry, Tenten! I gotta borrow Neji, it's important!"

Neji tried to pull free, but the smaller boy's grip was like iron. "Naruto. What is the meaning of—"

"Hanabi's been kidnapped," Naruto stated bluntly.

The Hyuuga prodigy's eyes narrowed. "When? How?"

"Just a minute ago. Hinata was nearby when it happened and saw them head off. I got tied up in it when she ran past Ichiraku. We gotta hurry!"

"You let Hinata-sama chase after them alone?" Neji asked dangerously.

Naruto shot him a glance. "Don't be stupid, of course not! I'm with her right now." At Neji's confused frown, he groaned. "I'm a kagebunshin, dumbass! The real me's with Hinata! Now come on, I've only got about a minute to get you to the next clone before I go poof because I'm too far away to keep this one stable. We're movin' pretty damn fast."

Neji's eyes widened at this, but he offered no further protest, changing his stride to match the clone ninja's pace.

* * * * *

Kakashi raised an eyebrow as he spotted Yuuhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Asuma entering a seldom-used conference room in the east wing of the administrative compound. *Well well, what have we here? A little afternoon delight?*

A moment later, the imposing form of Hyuuga Hiashi strode into the same conference room. Kakashi's visible eye widened. *Oookay, so not a romantic tryst. Unless they're having a secret threesome, in which case...* He paused, then, applying a concealing genjutsu to himself, leapt to the ceiling and entered one of the security passages only ANBU knew of.

After all, much like one of his students, Kakashi was not above a little mischief, and whatever was going on behind that closed door promised to be most interesting...

* * * * *

* * * * *

"I thank you both for coming," Hiashi said as he seated himself at the conference table.

Asuma favored him with a bland, yet faintly puzzled look. Kurenai settled for a moderate glare; though she knew affairs within the Hyuuga household had improved drastically in recent times, she had never quite forgiven Hiashi for his cold, dismissive assessment of Hinata when she had first become a genin.

"What do you require of us, Hyuuga-dono?" Asuma asked.

"I have been placed in an untenable position by the elders of the clan," Hiashi said after a long moment. "By tradition and right, Hinata is the true heir to the Hyuuga main family. However, the elders feel she is not properly suited to this position, and I must agree—Kurenai-san, please do not misunderstand. I do not disparage my daughter. I know she has changed, and I...regret my dismissal of her as weak. However, she is not suited to lead because hers is not a nature of dominance."

Kurenai frowned, but then acquiesced with a nod. "This much is true. Hinata prefers to remain a step behind her comrades, to support them. She rarely takes charge in any situation."

"The elders have suggested a solution to the situation," Hiashi continued. "They wish to cashier Hinata in the least unpleasant manner possible: by betrothing her to the heir of another clan."

Asuma raised an eyebrow. "Interesting strategy. It places Hinata in an important position, without placing her in a leadership role, and removes her as heir of the Hyuuga clan without any messy infighting."

Kurenai chewed on her lip. "I can't say I like it. In the end, Hinata is still being used against her will to further the politics of doddering old men whose blood turned to dust ages ago."

"If it helps, the unusual nature of the situation means that Hinata will NOT receive the cursed seal of the branch family when her sister overtakes her position."

"That...does make me feel slightly better about it."

"So, I assume you called us here because the members of our teams represent the lesser clans of Konoha?" Asuma asked.

"Indeed. Aburame, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Nara...any one of these clans would benefit from the rise in status they would gain by entering into an agreement with the Hyuuga."

Asuma frowned. "The Akimichi wouldn't really care about that. And the Nara...they're far too lazy to deal with something that troublesome." Kurenai snorted. "Besides," the bearded jounin continued, "Shikamaru is already several moves into a complicated plan to score an important political alliance with Sunagakure."

"With Suna?"

"Yes. He is, in his admittedly unusual way, courting Temari of Suna, sister to the Kazekage."

Hiashi frowned. "Hmm. Yes, I have to admit I couldn't in good faith put my own clan's politics before something that could benefit all of Konoha."

"Nor would you be allowed to," Asuma replied, a hint of steel in his tone.

"What of Hinata's teammates?" Hiashi asked Kurenai.

The kunoichi frowned. "A marriage between Hinata and Shino would never work. The Aburame have...unusual conditions for such things. As for Kiba...it could work, and I'm sure the Inuzuka clan wouldn't be opposed to it. Kiba-kun does have a slight crush on Hinata."

Hiashi looked thoughtful. "This is useful information. I will consider it." He sighed. "It's a shame Yondaime's child did not survive the Kyuubi attack. If his heir were still alive..."

Kurenai blinked, and Asuma shifted slightly. "Hyuuga-dono, Yondaime had no child..."

"He did," Hiashi said. "Months before his demise, he approached me with a proposal. He had learned of the impending birth of my daughter, and informed me that he was secretly expecting a son."

"And he wished to join them?"

"To ensure the survival of his own lineage, yes. He wanted strong heirs to leave the protection of Konoha to when his time had passed." He bowed his head and closed his eyes. "Unfortunately, his time passed too abruptly, and his son was lost—"

"That is not the case," a new voice intruded into the conversation.

The three seated at the table looked around sharply, Asuma and Kurenai already reaching for weapons. A panel on the ceiling vanished abruptly, and a figure dropped to the tabletop, landing in a crouch.

Hatake Kakashi looked around at the three of them, then raised a hand in greeting. "Yo."

Kurenai and Asuma relaxed, but Hiashi's eyes tightened. "You dare to spy on a private meeting, Hatake?"

"Sorry, I was chasing the Lady Shijimi's cat through the passageways..."

"What did you mean, 'that is not the case?'" Kurenai cut him off.

Kakashi rolled off the table and took one of the chairs, turning it backwards and straddling it. He peered intently at Hiashi. "Hiashi-dono, is what you said true? Yondaime truly approached you to arrange a betrothal of your respective heirs?"

"I spoke the truth, on my honor as Hyuuga," Hiashi replied, mouth pressed in a firm line.

Kakashi looked pensive. "Is there proof of this arrangement?"

"I had not given Yondaime a formal answer at the time of his death," the white-eyed man replied. "We had only spoken of the matter once, but I have never, in these many years, forgotten it."

"Hmm."

"Oi, Kakashi," Kurenai snapped. "What is it you know that you're not telling us? Don't make me string you up by your—"

"Kurenai, cut it out. He'll tell us when he's good and ready," Asuma chided.

Kakashi blinked. "Oh, sorry...it's just that Yondaime's son is still very much alive, right here in Konoha."

The others stared at him. "Are you serious?!" Asuma asked.

"I wouldn't joke about something like that," Kakashi replied. "Until today, I thought only four people were even aware he'd HAD a son. He never told any of us about his proposal to Hiashi-dono..."

"Four people? Who?"

Kakashi leaned his head back, assuming a thoughtful pose. "If I remember correctly, both Sandaime and Godaime knew, as does Jiraiya-sama. And myself, of course."

Kurenai looked thoughtful. "Yes, that makes sense...the people closest to him and most loyal to Konoha."

"More to the point, get back to the whole 'his son is alive' thing, Kakashi," Asuma said, suddenly very serious. "Surely the whole village would know—"

"One of the old man's more inept decisions," Kakashi said, a slightly bitter note in his tone. "Sandaime made a number of poor decisions with regard to the welfare of the boy. He should have lived in comfort; he has lived in squalor. He should have been well cared for; he has lived alone. He should have been celebrated and revered; he has been shunned, scorned, and loathed. My sensei wanted his son to be a hero to the village...he instead became a pariah."

The others were taken aback. They'd never heard Kakashi speak so bitterly.

Kurenai's eyes abruptly widened. "Masaka...Kakashi, you don't mean to say..."

"Hyuuga Hiashi," Kakashi suddenly said, fixing the white-eyed man with an intense stare. "Would you honor Yondaime Hokage-sama's request of you? Would you betrothe your daughter to his son, to preserve his lineage? Would you do this, regardless of the complications which will doubtless arise from such a union?"

Hiashi returned his stare. "Hatake Kakashi...prior to this day, I learned that my daughter is infatuated with a certain genin of some skill. An orphan, of unknown blood, who is scorned by the village for reasons I need not state. I was prepared to allow her to court him, if she so chose, knowing full well how poorly it would be received. What you have said today only reaffirms this. If you can provide proof as to his identity...then yes, I will betrothe my daughter, Hinata, to Uzumaki Naruto, who you have alleged is the son of the late Yondaime Hokage."

* * * * *

"Neji! Cut him off from behind! Hinata, grab on tight...and brace yourself!"

Neji frowned at being ordered around, but did as Naruto suggested, having an idea of what the younger shinobi might have in mind. He dropped into the tunnel entrance, keeping a careful eye out for traps.

Meanwhile, Naruto, with Hinata firmly attached to his back, called forth a slight amount of the Kyuubi's power. His eyes shifted to dark red, pupils slitting slightly, and he dashed forward with a burst of speed which made his passenger yelp.

"Tell me when we've got about fifteen meters on him!" Naruto yelled over the rushing wind.

"Ah...hai!" Scanning the tunnel underground with her Byakugan, Hinata watched the figure they'd been pursuing suddenly appear directly beneath them...then disappear behind her. "Okay...now!"

"Yosh'," Naruto said. He leapt high into the air. Hinata's eyes widened at the bright, spinning sphere of chakra that blossomed into existence in his hand.

"N-Naruto-kun...! If you do that, Hanabi...Hanabi will...!"

"Don't worry," Naruto said. "This isn't for HIM. YET. Brace yourself!" With that as his only warning, Naruto flipped upside-down in midair, hand extended toward the ground. As he descended, he bellowed, "RASENGAN!"

Hinata shrieked as the ground exploded, peppering her with rock and dirt shards. Suddenly, they were underground, and Hinata dismounted from Naruto's back as she felt him land on his feet.

The kidnapper skidded to a halt, caught off-guard by his pursuers' sudden overtake. Naruto grinned ferally at him. "Game's over, asshole," he snarled.

* * * * *

* * * * *

"Ah, there you are, Naruto," Kakashi said as he appeared before the blonde.

"GYAAH! Don't DO that, Kakashi-sensei!"

"Come on, Naruto. As a shinobi, you should be able to—"

"NOBODY can sense you when you do that!" Naruto challenged.

Kakashi tilted his head. "Is that a compliment as to my skills of stealth?"

"It's a comment on how freakishly good you are at coming out of nowhere!"

"Sou." Kakashi coughed. "In any case...come with me, Naruto. We have something very important to do."

"Eh? What?"

"You'll find out. Just come."

The next hour was one of the most confusing whirlwinds of activity in the young ninja's life. He was dragged into a place unlike anything he had seen before, where several giggling women somewhere between his age and Kakashi's stripped off his clothes, scrubbed, shampooed, perfumed, dried, massaged, and robed him. His face was completely red by the time they were done, and he was still red in the face when he was led to a room where several more young women were preparing an elaborate kimono. Kakashi was leaning against the wall in this room, reading Icha Icha Paradise.

"Sensei, what the heck's goin' on here?" he asked.

"You are being prepared for a formal tea," one of the handmaidens replied in the jounin's stead. "Now, please remove your yukata, Naruto-sama, so we may dress you."

"I don't need help dressing myself," the genin protested.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Naruto," he said lazily, "you DO need help getting dressed in a full formal kimono. Especially since you've never worn any such thing before in your life."

Naruto frowned at this, but relented as the women began moving around him, wrapping a finer silk robe around his body before preparing the more elaborate outer kimono. "What IS going on, Kakashi-sensei?" he asked as he was pulled, turned, prodded, poked, and other activities.

"Like she said, you're being prepared for a formal tea. We don't really have time for a proper etiquette lesson, so I'll just say this right now: when we get where we're going, sit still, keep quiet, don't do anything if nobody else is doing it, only speak up when someone speaks to you, and for everyone's sake, mind your manners and be on your absolute best behavior."

Naruto frowned. "You make it sound like we're gonna be meeting the Daimyo or something."

"Not...quite," Kakashi admitted. "But the ramifications of today's..." He paused. "Anyway, just be as unlike yourself as possible today."

"HEY!" Naruto yelled, glaring at the jounin. He then sighed. "I'll get you for that one, Kakashi-sensei."

Some time later, Naruto, Kakashi, and two of the young ladies who had dressed the genin were walking down a street in Konoha Naruto couldn't remember ever being on. Everything here seemed...important, Naruto reckoned; the buildings here were stately and impressive, the landscaping immaculate, the streets well-washed and with few travellers in sight. "So where are we going?" Naruto asked.

"The Hyuuga manor," Kakashi replied.

"Eeeeh? Hinata's house?"

"Right." Kakashi paused. "Naruto...Hyuuga Hinata, what do you think of her?"

"Hinata? She's nice," Naruto said, glancing upward thoughtfully. "She's a good ninja, really strong, but she's too shy. And a little weird."

"A little weird, huh?" Kakashi mused, smiling behind his mask. "But you get along well with her."

"Well, yeah. She says—" He paused, then rubbed the back of his head. "Nevermind." He couldn't help but notice that the two young ladies walking behind them were giggling, which made him blush for some reason he couldn't quite understand. "Why'd you ask, anyway?"

Kakashi looked skyward, keeping a light step. "No reason..."

The trailing maids giggled again. Naruto was beginning to get really tired of that.

* * * * *

Hinata shifted at the table, fighting the desire to pick nervously at her pale lavender kimono. The presence of her father, sister, cousin, and all the clan elders—all clad in formal attire, with herself wearing irotomesode—was not lost on her; she knew precisely what was about to happen to her, and her mind was a whirling torrent of conflicting thoughts and emotions.

*A marriage arrangement...they're either going to force me to marry Neji-niisan, or marry me out of the clan...*

The only outfit quite as formal as her own was her father's; he was garbed in the full formal attire of the head of the clan, handed down through the generations and worn only at extremely important or significant ceremonies. Seated seiza, back straight and stiff, Hyuuga Hiashi looked positively regal in his black kimono and off-white, broad-shouldered haori. Everyone else wore simple, elegant formal kimono suitable for a formal tea, and Neji's attire bore no kamon.

A messenger silently entered, bowing deeply to Hiashi before whispering a hurried message. The clan head nodded briefly; the messenger left, sliding the screens closed.

Hiashi cleared his throat. "Today, my eldest daughter, Hinata, will be betrothed to the heir of a noble bloodline of Konohagakure, in the interests of promoting harmony and producing strong heirs who will grow to preserve the security, culture, and heritage of this village."

Hinata swallowed. *So that's how it is, then.*

"The clan which I have chosen to enter into this arrangement with is not perhaps as well-known, as it suffered tragic losses before truly becoming what could be considered a clan. However, the arrangement is an agreement I tentatively entered into before my daughter's birth, and it is my honor to be able to uphold it.

"The clan heir is, in fact, the sole remaining living member of the clan; this union will serve as much to resurrect that clan as it will to strengthen its ties to Hyuuga."

THIS caused some stir, and Hinata no small amount of panic. There was only one clan she could think of to which that could apply. But her father had said "not well-known"...

"On this day, Hinata shall become betrothed to the sole heir and legacy of Yondaime Hokage-sama..."

He had to pause for the gasps of shock and outright disbelief. Hinata couldn't be sure, but she thought she detected the barest hint of a smirk there...

"What mockery is this, Hiashi?" a clan elder spoke up. "Yondaime had no clan! Yondaime had no heir!"

"He did," Hiashi insisted. "That he had fathered a son was never made public knowledge, but kept tightly secret within the Council itself and a select few trusted individuals. And myself, when Yondaime approached me with the request of an arranged marriage between my unborn daughter and his unborn son."

"But...surely if such a child existed, and still lived, everyone would know...!"

"Unless there was cause for the identity of the child to be kept in strictest secrecy," Hiashi replied.

He paused, then, waiting for anyone to say anything. Hinata involuntarily grasped her obi and began worrying at the edge. The unknown son of the Fourth Hokage? This was completely unexpected...and would she even know this boy? She tried to think of who, among her acquaintances her own age, it could possibly be...

"He has arrived," Hiashi said suddenly, "and will enter...now."

The screens slid open, servants kneeling and bowing as two figures entered.

On the left, clad in a simple grey-green uwagi and black hakama, still masked and still wearing his hitai-ate, Hatake Kakashi.

On the right, clearly agitated and uncomfortable in a richly embroidered navy blue kimono with a subtly brocaded forest green haori and a gold-threaded obi...

Hanabi suddenly had to support her sister, as Hinata fainted.

The reactions of the others in the room were almost as spectacular.

* * * * *

Naruto frowned at the scene before him.

More Hyuuga than he had ever seen in one room at any given time were staring at him with their unsettling white eyes, and many of them looked outraged. The only ones who didn't look outraged were also the only ones he recognized: Hinata's father, who he had seen only briefly and who looked as though he were struggling not to smirk smugly; Neji, who looked mildly bemused but also had a strange look in his eyes, as though he were putting together a particularly complex puzzle in his mind; Hinata, who had apparently fainted and was as red as he had ever seen her, and Hanabi, who looked VERY confused and was propping her sister up while surrepitiously straightening the older girl's pale lavender kimono.

"WHAT DEVILRY IS THIS, HIASHI?"

"YOU MOCK US!"

"HOW DARE YOU ALLOW THAT DEMONIC THING TO ENTER THIS PLACE?"

"HAVE YOU COMPLETELY TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES?"

And so forth.

Hyuuga Hiashi's eyes tightened, a vein in his temple throbbing. Finally, he stood and bellowed, "ENOUGH!"

Kakashi prompted Naruto to step forward. Remembering his coaching from earlier, Naruto bowed as humbly as he knew how to Hiashi and the elders, then carefully sat, seiza, across from Hinata. Kakashi did likewise to his right; the servants retreated to respectful positions by the screens.

Hiashi bowed to Naruto, then returned to his seated position. "We are honored that you could join us today."

"Um...yeah, it's a pleasure," Naruto replied.

"Hyuuga-sama," Kakashi said mildly, "I have not explained the details of the situation to Naruto-dono. He is unaware of almost every aspect of what we are here to accomplish today."

Hiashi raised an eyebrow. "That is most uncharacteristic of the famed Hatake Kakashi. Is there a particular reason for this lapse?"

"I have learned, from experience, that the best way to ensure a plan concerning Naruto-dono will proceed smoothly is for him to remain as ignorant of its details as possible."

Naruto frowned at that, but refrained from speaking out. He was also confused at the sudden honorific Kakashi was affixing to his name. Exactly what the hell was going on here?

Hiashi, for his part, seemed to be fighting a chuckle. Meanwhile, Hinata had finally stirred; finding herself staring directly into Naruto's rather sheepish and bemused face, she seemed on the verge of fainting again, but Hanabi subtly pinched her.

One of the elders chose this moment to speak up. "You do not seriously expect us to believe that not only is your fairy tale of an heir to the Yondaime true, but that said heir is this...THIS?"

One of the less vocal elders frowned thoughtfully. "If...he WERE...then..."

Another seemed to follow this line of thought. "It would make sense...if he used his own son..."

Kakashi cleared his throat rather loudly. "I believe," he said pointedly, "that such matters of speculation would best be left for later?"

Finally, Naruto had had enough. "Oi. What's everyone talkin' about? What're we doin' here anyway, Kakashi-sensei?"

"This, Naruto-dono, is your betrothal ceremony. You, as the heir to the Namikaze clan, are to become engaged to marry the heir of the Hyuuga clan."

Hinata fainted again. Hanabi frowned as her attempts to rouse her sister met with dismal failure. Neji visibly smirked.

Naruto spluttered. "M-marry...Hinata? ...hey, Naninaze what now? My name's Uzumaki—"

"A surname," Kakashi interrupted, "inherited from your mother, who at the time of your birth was not officially wed to your father. The truth is, your father's name—your clan, had both lived beyond the day of your birth—is Namikaze." Kakashi turned to face Naruto, seriousness in his visible eye. "Your father, Naruto-dono, was Namikaze Minato—you would know him better as Yondaime Hokage."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Wh—WHAT?!"

"You are the son of the Yondaime," Kakashi repeated. "His only known living relative, the last of the Namikaze clan."

"I'm...Yondaime's son?" Naruto asked. At Kakashi's nod, he frowned thoughtfully. "So you mean...he stuck that damn fox in his OWN KID?!"

"That about sums it up."

"...what the fuck?"

"Language, Naruto-dono."

By this point, Hinata had awakened just enough that the words 'damn fox' got her attention. "What 'damn fox', Naruto-kun?" she asked.

Everyone in the room shifted uncomfortably, save for Hanabi, who simply looked confused.

"Naruto-sama is the container for the Kyuubi, is he not?" Neji spoke up suddenly, addressing Kakashi.

The masked shinobi nodded. "Hai."

Hinata's eyes widened. "N-Naruto-kun?" she asked.

Naruto looked away from her, not willing to meet her gaze. "Yeah, Hinata," he replied. "My whole life, I've had that demon inside me."

"I..." Hinata swallowed. "Is that why...you were always so...alone?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah." He then glared at the elders in the back of the room. "But I AIN'T THAT DEMON, you got it? I'm a shinobi of Konoha! I'm gonna be the next Hokage! Namikaze or Uzumaki or whatever, it doesn't matter, because I'm someone you'll all have to respect! Believe it!!"

Kakashi coughed subtly. "Be that as it may, let us return to the business at hand."

Hiashi nodded. "Indeed."

* * * * *

* * * * *

Naruto fidgeted uncomfortably. Hinata stared at the table, face still quite red, flexing the tips of her index fingers together in her all-too-familiar nervous habit.

"A-anou..." Hinata began timidly, then stopped, looking up at Naruto for a moment, blushing more vividly, then looking back down.

Naruto made a face not unlike a half-drowned cat. "Look, I'm sorry you got pushed into this whole thing. I didn't know any of this crap was gonna happen, or I'd—"

"It's alright!" Hinata suddenly blurted. She covered her mouth as though surprised such an outburst came from her, then took a deep breath and made herself look at Naruto. "This is...this is actually..." She paused, blush deepening again. "This is the best way this situation could have worked out."

Naruto tilted his head. "Eh?"

"Naruto-kun...I was going to be forced to marry someone, no matter what." She paused, seeming to wrestle with her will to continue speaking. "I...I'm glad it's y—that it's someone as nice and...and as kind as you."

The blonde rubbed the back of his head, laughing. "Eheheheh...well, I can say the same about you then, Hinata!"

The white-eyed girl turned a few shades redder. "N-Naruto-kun..."

"Hey, Hinata?"

"H-hai?"

"Thanks. For not freaking out about the whole Kyuubi thing."

Hinata's eyes became sad. "I...I'm just sorry for what you've had to go through because of it. I...wish I'd known sooner. I...I would've tried harder. To help you. I...you're a special person to me, Naruto-kun. I've always looked up to you. I..." She seemed to run out of nerve, and settled for looking at the table, smiling slightly.

"Um..." Naruto shifted, suddenly unsure of himself, unable to decide how to respond to that. "So this whole marriage thing...you're really okay with it?"

"It's...it's fine," Hinata squeaked out. "I just...hope I'm not a disappointment to you."

There was a long, uncomfortable silence. Just as Naruto was about to try to come up with a topic of conversation, Hinata stammered, "What's...what's it like?"

"Hm?"

"Um...sorry, n-nevermind. I...I shouldn't ask..."

Naruto tilted his head. "Hiiiinaaaataaaaaaaaaa..."

The white-eyed girl ducked her head, playing with her fingers nervously. "G-gomen!"

"Look...Hinata..." Naruto said, frowning slightly, "If we're gonna go through this thing together, you gotta learn to speak up for yourself. You can't be afraid to talk. And I'm not gonna be mad or nothin' if you do, so just...y'know?"

Hinata took a deep breath. "A-alright. I'll try."

"So...what were you asking?"

"Um...the...demon. What...what's it like...having something like that inside you?"

The blonde boy frowned thoughtfully. "Honestly? I was a hell of a lot happier not knowin' about it, even though since I found out, it's explained a lot about why my life always sucked, an' I can't say I mind havin' an extra power source to fall back on when things get really nasty." He looked away for a moment, eyes seemingly searching for something far away. "An' I gotta really watch out about losin' my temper in a serious fight. Like, if someone I care about gets hurt or killed—anything that really pisses me off, is gonna stir up the damn fox. I can get him to lend me his power, but..."

"But...?"

"I try not to have to, because every time I do, it weakens that seal a little. My own chakra's strong enough to keep that bastard locked away, but if I use up too much of myself and then use Kyuubi one too many times, or if I really lose control of myself and let out too much youki at once..."

"It...it can get out?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah. An' I don't think there's anybody alive that can seal it away again." Suddenly, he grinned. "An' that's all the reason I need to keep getting stronger, so I can be Hokage and show everyone that not even a damn demon fox can hurt Konoha with me around!"

Hinata smiled. "I'll...I'll help you any way I can, Naruto-kun."

* * * * *

Hinata was still red in the face when she arrived for her team's training the following morning.

Kiba and Kurenai looked at her with concern. "Hinata? Are you alright?" Kurenai asked.

Hinata shook her head and began pushing her fingertips together in her familiar gesture. "I...yesterday...my father..." Her face darkened; she didn't seem to be able to complete the thought.

Kurenai stared at her student...and then nodded knowingly. "So. They actually did it. The betrothal ceremony."

Kiba's head snapped up sharply. "Betrothal?!"

Hinata's eyes widened. "S-sensei? You...you knew?"

"I was ordered not to say anything, but...your father met with myself and another jounin to discuss the potential of several of your peers as marriage prospects. Of course, Hatake Kakashi showed up, and..."

"Wait, what?" Kiba interrupted. "Hinata, you're getting married?"

"A political arrangement to stabilize the situation of the Hyuuga clan, one would assume," Shino spoke.

Hinata nodded. "Un. Hanabi-chan will take my place as the clan heir, and...and I'll be marrying into a different clan."

Kiba frowned. "Who are they making you marry?"

The pale-eyed girl's face flamed, but a silly smile overtook her features nevertheless. "N-naruto-kun," she said in an almost-whisper.

It was a full three seconds before Kiba exploded.

* * * * *

* * * * *

"HE AIN'T EVEN GOT A CLAN!" Kiba roared. "HOW THE HELL—"

"I must admit I am also skeptical as to how marrying an orphan is of any use to the Hyuuga, even if you...*ahem* clearly favor this arrangement," Shino said more calmly.

"—FUCKED UP, STUPID—"

"KIBA-KUN!" Hinata yelled suddenly, before clapping her hands to her mouth, eyes wide. It was, however, effective in silencing the dog-trainer ninja, who simply stared at her, stunned.

Kurenai coughed pointedly. "There is a logic to this," she said quietly. "I'm afraid it's a bit of a secret—"

"Forget that," Hinata said, overcoming her embarrassment and deciding to assert herself. "It won't be a secret for long, anyway." She faced her teammates squarely. "Naruto-kun's father was Yondaime Hokage-sama."

Kiba's eyes widened in shock. "Wh-what?!"

Shino raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating."

"...BULLSHIT!" Kiba snarled. "How'd he ever convince anyone of something so—"

"He didn't know until yesterday," Hinata interrupted. "Kakashi-san and a few others were the only ones who knew. Including my father."

"And your father only found out recently," Kurenai said.

Kiba stared at the ground, shocked. "It...can't be...that good-for-nothing fart-hole is..."

"My iinazuke," Hinata said gently. She smiled and turned very pink. "Believe it," she added with a small, mischevious giggle.

---

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Author's Notes

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Since 9/28/12