DISCLAIMER- I DO NOT own Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Neji, or any of the other related characters.

Enjoy!

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Blood, Lust, and Tea Leaves

A Kiba / Neji Fanfiction

The council had closed themselves away behind the heavy oak doors of the Hokage's chambers nearly 46 hours ago, and the Clan heads were becoming impatient and restless. Tsume's fidgeting was becoming especially annoying, if you were to ask Hyuuga Hiashi - who's eye twitched every time Tsume's fingers drummed the tabletop.

"Really Inuzuka; can't you keep still for just a few moments?"

She growled, a little louder than she had meant to. "I wouldn't be so damned anxious if them elders would just PICK someone! How hard is it to-"

"To decide upon the identity of the sixth Hokage? You know, I really can't imagine why they deem it necessary to extend thought into their decision. After all, the Inuzuka have been rash and impulsive for centuries, and they've - oh wait. They're sentinels."

Tsume might have ripped his throat out, if Kakashi hadn't wrapped his hand around her wrist. He whispered something, a quiet order, before releasing her.

Akimichi Chouza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inochi had taken three chairs from the table and sat near the back of the room; and if you didn't know them you might have thought they were talking sensibly about Tsunade's death. You would be wrong, of course.

"So do y'think they'll let him?"

"Uzumaki? You've got to be kidding, Chouza." Shikaku took a long drag from his cigarette before turning back toward the group. "He's only 19, after all - and with Sasuke's return to Konoha under his recomendation and Tsunade's approval? I'd bet my bet stag they're gonna stick the hat on either Hatake's head or..."

He paused again, this time raising a brown leather flask to his mouth - something that smelled an awful lot like moonshine, from where Inochi sat.

"On who, Shika?"

"Well, I'm thinking maybe they'll give it to the Hyuuga."

Both men nearly doubled over, exchanging shocked looks. "You don't mean Hiashi, Shika? They couldn't be that blind!"

"He can't read lips, can he?"

Inochi pointed over his shoulder, where Hiashi had turned to face the group. Shikaku shook his head, raising the flask again. "Naaah, he's just a nosy fucker. Didn't you hear about that huge donation he gave the council last month? He's got his fingers in everything around here anymore - thinks if he's sittin' pretty with the elders, they'll give him the whole damned village."

No one laughed. Mostly because they figured he was probably right.

Tsume jumped nearly a foot out of her chair when the doors opened, and four wrinkled old bastards filed out of the room.

Among them, smiling and full of himself, was Danzou. Tsume hated Danzou.

"After taking both the good of Konohagakure, and the good of it's allied villages into account, as well as the period of peace we have sustained under the fifth Hokage, we have decided-"

Shikaku couldn't help but notice that Hyuuga Hiashi was holding his breath. So was he, come to think about it - and so was everyone else with sense in their head.

"To ask Uzumaki Naruto if he might take his place as sixth Hokage of Konohagakure."

Nobody breathed. Nobody spoke, nobody moved,

and the council never smiled.

Shikaku did - in fact, he had to take a long drag from his cigarette to keep from laughing out loud. "A wise choice, elder Shido - the boy's good to his word."

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to politely disagree with the elders' decision."

And the room exhaled all at once.

"I beg your pardon, Hiashi?"

Danzou spoke now, sounding almost offended.

"With all do respect, I don't believe your decision was in good judgement."

"He's the fourth Hokage's son! It's his rightful place."

"Blood alone does not make him right for the job."

"It has always been enough for the Hyuuga family."

"You're just pissy because it aint going to you, Hyuuga."

"Nara Shikaku! You are out of line!"

"And you're out of luck, Hiashi. Just accept their damned decision so we can go home."

Outvoted and indignant, Hiashi sat down - and Tsume smacked his hand with amusement as soon as she noticed his fingers drumming against the tabletop.

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"You're fucking kidding me."

Naruto hadn't said a word since Sakura had given him the news, but Sasuke on the other hand had begun to swear holes in the walls.

"HE gets to be Hokage? After...after everything!"

"Keep in mind that it was either Naruto or Neji's uncle...I don't think even Danzou hates Konoha THAT much."

Kiba shook his head, running a hand through his bangs to keep them out of his face. "I'm happy you finally get what you've always wanted, Naruto - but aren't you guys worried that Root might be up to something? Wasn't Danzou the one that sent Sai to work with Orochimaru?"

"That was a long time ago, Kiba. Almost 3 years come to think of it - and maybe the council was left with no other choice? Still....Naruto, I'm not sure if should trust-"

"I don't care why they did it - I'm saying yes."

Sakura looked as if she had been slapped in the face. "Have you been listening to a thing we've said? Even Kiba-"

"Oh no, don't drag me into this - I think he should fucking take it! Naruto, this is your dream - far be it for me to keep it from you with," he exhaled through his teeth, chuckling slightly. "Logic."

"Sasuke! Help me, here!"

The Uchiha shrugged, wrapping Naruto's arm around his shoulder. "If Naruto takes the position, then I might get my seat in the council back. Why would I help you?"

Naruto smiled, hugging Sasuke tightly to him. "And you can be my consort."

"I'll hit you."

Naruto attempted a wink - something that looked more like a small facial seizure. "I might like it."

Sakura made an almost inaudible gagging sound, which made Kiba choke on the ration bar he had been eating. "Seriously. Could you two get any more gross?"

"When you and Lee stop making those kissy faces across the training arena at each other, we'll talk."

She turned a deep shade of red, which only made Kiba laugh harder. "I outta hang around you guys more often, y'know?"

"Where IS your team, Kiba?"

The Inuzuka shrugged, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. "They're around - I think Shino had some clan business, and Hinata's been following her dad everywhere since the Council made the announcement. I guess he was sore over the decision."

"Yeah, along with half the village."

Naruto frowned. "What makes you say that?"

"Because, dead last - they still think you're a demon."

"I'm not the demon, asshole. I'm the con-tain-er." He rolled his eyes, as if it were obvious. And if you knew him, it would be.

Sasuke ignored him, turning to face Kiba instead. "Do you think Hinata's father might know something about this?"

"I don't think so. Remember? I told you he was-"

"That doesn't necessarily mean that he didn't suspect they might do this. Maybe that's why he's so angry at the council in the first place."

Kiba sneered, shaking his head. "I think you guys are reading too much into all this - what's so wrong with Naruto being Hokage?"

"YEAH?! What's wrong with me-"

"It's not that there's anything wrong with it - it's just unexpected. The council likes to do things according to custom - meaning that someone like Kakashi would-"

"Kakashi Sensei."

"Fine. Call him what you want - as far as the council is concerned, HE should be Hokage. Not Naruto."

"Oh fuck, thanks a lot guys."

Kiba kept pretty quiet - he had kneeled down to pull something out of Akamaru's fur, but took the time to answer anyway. "Guess you're right - but I still don't know if Hinata'd even tell me if something was up."

"She's your team mate!"

He growled at Sasuke. "And you were theirs," he gestured toward Sakura and Naruto, who looked dumbstruck; "but aint it funny how your family was more important?"

If Kiba had been half as confident (and half his size) Sasuke might have strangled him. "This is not the same."

"Why? Because Hinata's weaker? He's still her dad, guys - Don't get me wrong. I'll give it a try; but I'm not making any promises."

He never took the time to wait for a response - Climbing onto Akamaru, Kiba took off toward the North border.

Naruto's hand shot into the air - a delayed wave goodbye. "I think that went well!"

Sasuke's head met the wall, while Naruto started walking toward the main Council building.

"...If he thought that went well, I can just imagine our diplomatic interventions...."