For The Good Of The Village: Transitions Arc

Ch 2 Let's Begin

One Hour Ago

"How do you feel?" Kurenai sat herselt next to Hinata, smoothing the sheet on her hospital bed by the young girl's side. The genjutsu mistresses' most gentle student seemed only a shell of what was already a wounded soul. Hinata simply aimed her face at where her hands would be if she could see them; on her lap, fingers loosely fisted, and immobile. Snapping out of her thoughts, Hinata turned to the sound of her sensei's voice.

"Is it really true? Did they really tell me the truth, sensei?"

"Hinata," Kurenai had been expecting this. "Our village is making medical advances all the time. I overheard some of the hospital staff even say Tsunade-sama is here! I will personally see to it that she has a look at you and-"

Hinata stopped Kurenai by grabbing her wrist with both hands, her lips pinch and twisted with hope and worry. "Sensei, Neji lived, right? Naruto-kun didn't…didn't…kill him because of me?"

Hinata swallowed hard, trembling and scared. Yet, with just the tiniest bit of hope, could the rumors be true?

"Yes, Hinata," Her sensei smoothed the dark indigo locks on the side of Hinata's head with sisterly affection. "I was there. He could have but he didn't. I won't lie, many of us wanted to, but we all held back. While Uzumaki had expressed what we all felt, even he, in the end, didn't commit to his desires."

"And my Nii-san?"

"Gone," Kurenai sighed, frustrated and annoyed. "The Suna team took him. There are talks of war and subterfuge to steal the Byakugan for their selves considering she was a suitor."

"He's okay. They're both okay." A contented sigh escaped the ex-heiress's lips. "Thank Kami."

Perking up, Hinata chewed her lip with a selfish hope. "Naruto-kun?"

"He's in prison, Hinata."

"Oh."

"Hinata, he made a mess of things. We're not just talking destroying a training ground or injuring several dozen jounin, chuunin, and genin, but the necessary actions taken by the Hokage has put many nearby villages on alert due to having shinobi that were undercover forcibly recalled to help protect the village and mitigate the damage or protect the civilians. He can't just walk away from this. You have to know that."

"But, he's okay?"

"Confined, monitored, and asking for you."

It brought a touch of light to Hinata's face when she heard that. Kurenai smiled seeing she could bring some kind of happiness to the young girl before her. Still, there was something she had to know.

"How are you feeling about the other thing, Hinata? You know, your condition? Are you okay? Are you mad? I mean, you can't have-"

"I know, sensei," Hinata's voice caught in her throat, quavering deep and dark like something that belonged to someone accepting their fate with too many regrets to acknowledge.

"I heard these will help with the pain," Kurenai picked up a little paper cup with pills in them. Placing them in Hinata's hand, she poured some water into the cup after Hinata took each of them, swallowing them one at a time. "The pills only numb the pain but the damage is pretty severe. I'm no medic, but without these I was told you're always going to feel pain until...well, choices are made. Very permanent choices. So you're also going to need to bring a pain killer drip till Tsunade-sama can get to you, but, for now, this is all we can do."

"I am thankful, sensei."

"However, as it stands right now, no one is able to offer any positive advice. Even those from your family have said the same thing. I'm sorry, Hinata-chan."

Hinata simply nodded, her lips pinched to try and hold a cry that was too deep to express. "Can I please see Naruto-kun?"

"Hinata, the funny thing about that is you're one of the few people who can."

XXX

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, I demand your resignation." Danzo announced, ignoring Itachi's appearance.

"Well, now that is something." The Third lifted the brim of his hat, peering at his accuser through his bushy brows. "I'm not against it. If anything, I find the idea very appealing. I've wanted to for some time now. Still, there is the issue of who would take my place. By demanding me to step down is it also a way to announce that you will take my place Danzo?"

"This is nostalgic, isn't it, sensei?" Orochimaru rubbed his fingers together. "Of course, there are other options than replacing one old man with another."

"Don't even think about it," Ibiki warned from the other side of the room.

"As an interrogation specialist, I would have thought you would be better informed." Orochimaru mocked. "Why take the place of a ruined old relic's position of Hokage when I have created my own village in my image. Didn't you know that you are in the presence of the Otokage, the Village of Sound's master?"

Everyone had not known.

"So all the genin that entered-" Shikaku was already thinking well past the present appearances of their conversation.

"Yes, are all my personal creations." Orochimaru hummed relished delight. "Beautiful, aren't they? Deadly, capable, loyal, and, above all, disposable should they fail me."

"You had to have known about this," Danzo turned his eye towards the Third. "What games are you trying to pull, Hiruzen?"

"None," Sarutobi wiped his hands. "Yes, I did allow Orochimaru's students into our village. We are watching them just as much as he is watching us. Isn't that what do as shinobi? There isn't a Kage here that hasn't planted a spy or tried to usurp another's power one way or another. We have students from all over: Rain, Cloud, Earth…So it is just us playing the game, Danzo. I thought you would have known that."

Hiruzen tilted his head to the side, "A Hokage candidate would have known that."

Danzo said nothing.

"Speaking of murder, how is my little Anko-chan? Still wallowing in abject misery I assume."

"On the contrary," Ibiki strolled over to stare at Orochimaru with his flinty gaze. "She is eagerly awaiting to kill you."

Orochimaru smiled. "Oh, that is delightful. I can certainly empathize with those raging desires to kill your sensei."

The snake sage's eyes drifted towards Sarutobi. "It looks like everyone will have a chance at that when the right time comes."

Itachi seemed to shift time and space, putting himself in front of Orochimaru's yellow eyes.

Taking a step back, Orochimaru frowned. "As I said, when the right time comes."

"Back to the issue of my resignation, as we all know, as long as I live, only I can name a successor. I have already considered several candidates. I will consider their past history, ability, strength, and loyalty to the village as well making sure whatever my choice it, it will be for the good of the village's future and protection."

"Hokage-sama, speaking of which, there is something I need to update you about." Itachi turned his eyes to the side, glancing at everyone to ensure they were paying close attention.

"Just me or everyone here Itachi?"

Turning back to those gathered, he spoke clearly and loudly. "I have to tell you about my current mission to abduct Uzumaki Naruto for Pein and the organization known as Akatsuki…"

Xxx

Back to the Present

"What a mess," Jiraiya grumbled, looking around at what had been the Chuunin training facility in the Forest of Death. Kicking over a piece of timber, some statue formations were left intact resembling a hand forming a symbol. "That kid really did tap into the Kyuubi already. Damn."

Tsunade scanned around her feet, looking for any signs of bodies. She hadn't seen any, yet there were still areas dark with what could easily be blood. She moved along faster, unable to think clearly as to what she would actually do if there were any dead about.

"Do you think any of this is kind of romantic?"

"Really, Jiraiya? Seriously?" Tsunade snapped, turning to face him and clobber him into next year.

"Oh? You're thinking about me? I'm touched, really, but not this time." He walked past her and touched her shoulder.

She slapped his hand when he started to drag it low on her blouse.

"I'm talking about the kid, Uzumaki Naruto. He did this," Jiraiya twirled his finger around, tilting his head here and there. "for what's her name, Hyuuga something or another."

Tsunade simmered at the surface, but still considered his statement. "Some spymaster. Her name is Hyuuga Hinata. She's the daughter of Hyuuga Hiashi. I remember him and his clan when we were just getting Minato into the Hokage's chair."

Jiraiya scratched at his bushy white hair, looking high into the skies. "Hatsumi was his wife, right?"

"Yes, that's it. Why do you remember that and not her daughter?"

Jiraiya grinned perversely, "I never forget a woman with big-" He made little grabby motions with his hands. "Heh...hehehe..."

He ducked just in time to avoid a nice boulder sized rock thrown his way.

"Will you stop throwing things at me! I swear, woman, you're going kill me!"

"And it will be a great justice to women all over the world that have to deal with obscene perverts like you!"

"It's meant as a compliment!"

"Ku, ku, ku...this really is nostalgic. I almost feel like we're about to have the bell test."

Tsunade and Jiraiya looked up towards the branches of a tree tilted on its side. Orochimaru's pale form poked through some of the broken branches and splintered boughs. "Don't mind me. I've always thought you two fighting proved how much more suited I am to become a kage since you two are still stuck on such simple nonsensical things like modesty and pleasure."

Tsunade's fists glowed a bright blue. "You don't belong here."

"On the contrary, I belong here more than either of you." Orochimaru's thin smile turned grim. "It is my face that is supposed to be on that mountain. I've done more in the name of jutsus, medicine, and development for this backwards village than any of the two of you put together. I dare you to deny it."

"It would be stupid to deny how much you've benefited our home, Orochimaru, but like anything else you can't take the good without revealing the bad."

"In order to make an omelet you have to break some eggs."

"You tortured, dismembered, and experimented on the chicken." Tsunade replied, jumping onto a nearby branch, one leap away from her pale skinned peer.

"But what delicious omelets, hm?" Orochimaru turned towards Jiraiya as he approached the base of the tree.

"I think its time to put an end to everything or anything you've got planned, Orochimaru. You game, Jiraiya?" Tsunade cracked her knuckles, seeing her challenging glare reflected in her opponent.

"Easy, Tsuna-hime. He knows we'd react like this." Jiraiya leaned his meaty shoulder against the tree. "And just so you know, of course I'm always game if you let me squeeze those lovelies of yours."

"That would be a cold day in hell." Tsunade huffed a lock of hair from her face.

"And to think I left when I could have stayed and enjoyed such witty banter." Orochimaru waved them both away. "Yet, here I am, wondering why you two are here. I'm going to guess its to to witness the grandeur of your failures. By all means, soak it up and reflect on what poor Minato would think if he saw how you two have left his son at the hands of the village that was supposed to see him as a hero."

"And I suppose what you've done to the village as a whole would put you in a better light?" Jiraiya accused.

Orochimaru flared his fingers open, "Oh, but I never made a point of saying I would put his offspring in my care. As I may have kept most of my good experiments away from watchful eyes, my intent has always been the same: the search for immortality and power. How I got there was never bound down by silly things like loyalty, integrity, and the desire to selflessly help others. Anything and everything must come at a price. If there is any kind of fairness to life, it is the gift of 'this for that'. How about it?" Orochimaru rubbed his fingers at Tsunade. "Wanna roll the dice with me, Tsunade-chan? Your luck might actually change. Who knows? I might even be able to get your precious Dan and Nawaki back...at a cost, of course."

"Aaarrgh!"

The tree behind Orochimaru's head toppled over like a toothpick flicked from someone's fingers. Orochimaru ducked just in time, avoiding a decapitating strike. "Ah, remorse, regret, the anguish and pain of suffering from love lost. I'm sure Jiraiya endured it everyday when he saw you and him together, hm?"

Tsunade paused long enough to glance over at Jiraiya. The large Toad Sage sighed heartily, but shrugged. "Love in the shinobi world is a dangerous thing at best. Would I have liked to have been on the receiving end of her affections and tender kisses as Dan? Of course, but could I have loved her as he had? While I would have tried, I honestly think she chose the better man. There is no shame in bowing out. By the way, what about you? Hmm? Speaking of bowing out, you pretty much did no such thing with an ounce of dignity or grace. You simply stomped your foot and threw a tantrum, like a child."

Orochimaru grim stare turned sour. "Unlike the two of you, my love was not for something as singular as a woman...or a man."

Jiraiya visibly shivered. "Please, don't go there."

"No," Orochimaru continued. "I was in love with one person and one person only: my sensei."

"And this is how you repay him? This is how you show him your love?" Tsunade wiped at her lip with the back of her hand.

Orochimaru coiled around the trunk of the three, in her face and glowering, "And what of his love for me? I was supposed to become Hokage, not him! Everything was where it should be! I was stronger, smarter, successful and eager to put the future of the Leaf before the world to be seen as the most illustrious country every known!"

"You lost," Jiraiya shrugged.

"I never lose," Orochimaru hissed, simpering into the shadows of the tree. "You all are the ones who have become less for my absence. I have prospered without you."

"Then why are you even here?" Tsunade flicked her fingers. "If this place doesn't need you then we certainly have been doing fine without you. Go away, shoo."

"You want to know? That answer is simple. This, all of this," Orochimaru gestured to the torn landscape. "We've all been around when the Kyuubi attacked and your beloved fourth burdened his son with the demon inside of him. Now all of this coming out without any restraints in place? I'm a kage now and it would be in my people's interest to know that they will be protected from such a devastating beast."

"We're doing fine," Jiraiya nodded towards Tsunade. "We're done here. We're going."

"Where to?"

"Where else?" Jiraiya turned his back towards Orochimaru, even when he felt the snake sannin leap down and keep pace with him.

"Then I will be needed to come as well."

"No." Tsunade and Jiraiya spoke as one.

"I'm flattered that you don't trust me, however my reasons for checking on little Naruto-chan are more urgent than your own."

"And why is that?" Tsunade huffed at him.

"Because I know what Akatsuki wants to do with him and every other bijuu they can get their hands on. If anything, I'm at a safer position at home than I am here."

"Then you're here," Jiraiya turned on his foot, narrowing his gaze at him, "Because you're afraid."

Orochimaru blinked his slitted yellow eyes. "I'm cautious. What good is a ruined world to be ruled? I would rather take my chances with the likes of you all than with them."

"We'll have to see about that."

xxx

In the Hokage's office

"Hokage-sama, you have a visitor." His assistant announced from the door.

"Please let them in," He answered around his pipe.

The chuunin assistant moved away from the frame to be replaced by a ravishing long red haired woman with snug netting and dress apparel. The Hokage stood up and offered her a seat by his desk.

"Mei Terumi, if I recall correctly?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama. Thank you for seeing me."

"A pleasure to have you in the village." The Third took his seat, folding his gnarled fingers into the other's. "Now, how may I help you?"

"I wanted to thank the Yamanakas for their hospitality, as well as you allowing me and my people entrance to your chuunin exams. I will have to admit this didn't exactly play out smoothly."

Saurtobi sighed long and hard. "No, it didn't. A person of authority must take all the blame as well as all the praise when an action goes one way or another. I hear you are a candidate for the Mizukage position."

"I am," Mei flicked her long lock of scarlet hair from her eye. "I was hoping to find a suitable mate here, but it would seem that as of now the pickings have been disappointing. Not that there aren't any good men here, just that I have been successful in selecting poorly. My own fault, I guess."

"I see. So you are now turning your attention back to becoming a leader?"

"Yes, I have seen a lot of things behind those Hyuuga walls and can not divulge into their accounts out of respect for their hospitality. It is not my place to say what should or should not be done in their home let alone your village. For that, though, I must go."

"I'm sorry to hear that, however I have no doubt the land of Water will have an outstanding future with you as their Kage. I wish you luck."

Both stood and shook hands.

"If I may impose, Hokage-sama, I would like to make a request."

"Oh?" The Third took a puff at his pipe. "I'm listening."

xxx

"C'mon, Hinata, say 'aaaah'." Naruto poised a small bit of beef at the end of his chopsticks, hovering in front of Hinata's mouth.

"Naruto, I can feed myself." Hinata blushed behind her knuckles.

"Ah, but now you've got the great and powerful future Hokage going to feed you. I'm sure there are dozens, hundreds and even thousands of people who would give their left toenail for this privilege! And here I am, doing it for you as a gesture of love! Now, c'mon! Ahhh?"

Hinata muffled her giggle, but decided to play along. She parted her lips just enough for him to rest the piece of beef on her teeth. Taking it, she nibbled on it quietly, listening to him feed himself with less grace and more gusto.

"I'm really glad they let you use your hands. I have to admit that I wasn't sure if I would ever see you again."

Naruto chomped around a piece of noodle before placing it down by his side. "I guess when I've got the prettiest girl with the nicest smile here, it's easy for me to behave. See?"

Naruto offered her his brightest smile...then realized his mistake.

"Oh, Hinata, I-I'm sorry," he frowned, realizing she couldn't see.

"No, smile for me. I want to see it." She reached her hands out to his face. Leaning forward, he let her fingertips touch his cheeks, then his eyes and lips. When he smiled, it was hardly as full and earnest as it usually was in her presence.

"You're not smiling." Hinata's head tilted to the side.

"How can I? Look what he did to you!" Naruto felt her thumbs poke at the corners of his lips. It was then he saw her smile, just a little.

"Yes, look at what he did. I'm here, with you, and now my family can't stop us."

"But...you can't be this forgiving about it! He took away-"

"I know, Naruto-kun. I know."

Hinata and Naruto touched their heads together, sharing another moment of grief and love.

"So what do we do now?" Naruto asked, curious and lost without a positive future in mind.

"Honestly, I don't know, but I know that my wish has already come true, Naruto-kun." She touched his whiskered cheeks and kissed him. "Perhaps, this is the price I have to pay to receive my blessing from Kami. I've wanted more, but nothing as much as I have you. If you want to know what I want now, it is simple: Please, don't be angry anymore. Please? For me?"

Naruto groaned petulantly, looking away when he knew she was going to be disappointed by his reaction. "I can't promise that, Hinata. Not right now."

"Promise what?" A voice called from the other side of the cell.

Kakashi opened a door as thick as a vault, revealing several new occupants. "By the way, you have a new list of visitors that I heard might be of help. One, in particular, I think you would do well to keep a proper distance from."

"Eh? You mean that pervy looking guy with the white hair?" Naruto instantly shuffled himself in front of Hinata and Jiraiya. "I've got my eye on him, Kakashi-sensei!"

"Really? C'mon, you've got to be kidding me!" Jiraiya thunked Naruto on the head with a knuckle, dropping him like flat on the floor. "You see me and him and you want to protect her from me? You've got to be kidding me."

Orochimaru stalked past Kakashi, eying him dismissively.

Tsunade made her way past both of them to focus her medical attention on Hinata. "Hyuuga Hinata?"

Hinata flinched, turning her head this way and that to all the new voice and sounds surrounding her. "Naruto-kun," She whimpered, reaching for him blindly.

"Don't worry, Hinata-chan! I'll protect-hey, get your hands off me! Where do you think you're touching!" Naruto squeaked in indignation. "Help! I'm being manhandled by some ugly old pervert!"

"Pipe down, squirt! I'm trying to check your seal!"

"Eek! Don't touch me there!"

"Oh, for Kami's sake! I have to lift your shirt, but the chains got stuck on your pants."

"I'm not going to be able to marry Hinata now!" Naruto whined, echoing through out the cell.

Tsunade chuckled as she turned her attention back to a very nervous looking Hinata. "Naruto-kun, are you okay? Naruto-kun?"

"Shhh, Hinata, it's fine. The man that is checking on Naruto is the Toad Sage and Sannin Jiraiya. Have you heard of him?"

Hinata's hands swayed aimlessly in front of her. "But, he's not hurting Naruto-kun, is he?"

"No," Tsunade took one of Hinata's hands and cupped it with her own. "but he does have to check on the seal that is holding the Kyuubi inside of him. You know about that, right?"

Hinata made a small noise of agreement.

"Do you know who I am?"

Hinata shook her head, still trying to turn her neck in the direction Jiraiya and Naruto were fighting.

"I am Senju Tsunade. I'm sure you've heard of me."

Hinata's face brightened with recognition. "Tsunade-sama? The medic nin?"

"That's right. Since our little Naruto got himself into trouble out of a very strong protective streak for you, we need to see about getting you back to tip top shape, hmm?"

Hinata blushed thankfully in her chair, poking her fingers and lowering her gaze. "I would appreciate that very much, Tsunade-sama."

Orochimaru said nothing, choosing to stay in the shadows and spectate curiously.

"Now, let's begin with the most important part, shall we?" Tsunade reached over and undid Hinata's bandages over her eyes. Bruises as swollen, deep, and black as any could imagine pinched Hinata's eyes shut. Seeing Naruto try and crane his neck to see, Tsunade turned the young girl's wheel chair away to keep him from getting angry again. "I'm going to do a scan. Afterwards, we might be able to have some options for you, okay?"

Hinata nodded, scared and, yet, hopeful.

"Let's begin."

Blue chakra radiated from Tsunade's hands as she placed them just in front of Hinata's face.