I do not own Naruto
Chapter 3
Effort to Understand
Hiashi was silent as he left the tent to return to what was left of his compound. A fair share of it still standing, he and the Hyuuga clan had denied aide for themselves until most were found underneath the ruins of the once proud village.
Tsume not to far behind him, the woman was a contradiction of the once proud and lively woman she had been.
"What have we done?" She whispered softly. Just like Hiashi had gotten his before the meeting. After it Tsume was racked six ways from Sunday. Kiba and Hana both listening as the latter was still too young to understand, when it originally happened, the two found themselves honestly disgusted with their mother.
Naruto had proved himself to them and their ninken partners when the incident over Akamaru had happened. No one was willing or even ready to offer Kiba aide in protecting his best friend save the blonde boy.
"We were blind." Hiashi replied. "We were blind, we were death and we were mute."
"For once, despite the weirdness of your words Hiashi, I understand." Tsume said with pained regret. "He was right. We should have trusted him."
Nodding his head simply, the Hyuuga clan head turned to the woman beside him with worry. "How do we fix it?"
"I don't know Tsume." Hiashi answered. "We did as you would say, fucked it up good. You didn't do your godmother duties."
"Neither did Jiriaya!"
"That's not true....Jiriaya did." Hiashi said quietly. "Whose building do you think he and the Ichiraku people live in belonged to?"
"Him..." Sighed the woman as she looked back at the Toad Sage and his many wanderings. Now that she thinks about it, often when he came to make his reports to the council, you could always smell the ramen in his scent. "He fostered the money to start that business of theirs didn't he?"
"Ages ago, but it was his way of saying thank you. No bank would give them money, for the sheer fact they were kind to Naruto apparently. So he not only gave them a start, but he did it on the condition that Teuchi acts as Naruto's landlord. The man was happy to do so."
"How did you learn all this?"
"Me, Inuzuka-sama."
Turning around the two found themselves staring at Hiashi's nephew Neji. The 17 year old jounin was standing tall and proud alongside his teammates, Rock Lee and TenTen. who were also known to be Naruto's friends.
"Uncle, I have come to tell you we have been sent out on patrol duty again."
"Be safe nephew. We as a whole have lost too much as is."
The youth nodding his head, he is about to take off with the others when Tsume stops them. "Wait! How did you find out?"
"It was before the attack, but Naruto and the Ichiraku's told us, Inuzuka-sama," TenTen replied. "We and the rest of the rookie 9 often meet up at the stand, simply because none of the other restaurants would honestly let Naruto in unless Chouji was with him." The panda haired girl said quietly.
"That's when he told us about the fox." Lee stated as he also spoke up. The bushy browed youth still very much the same; he took a look at both of the people in front of him with derision. "ALL of us."
"Kiba...Hinata...they all know?"
"Yes." Lee said softly as he and the others now turned their backs. "As Gai-Sensei would say, 'Konoha has been very un-youthful in how they treated our friend.'"
He and TenTen disappearing, Neji turns back only long enough to tell them something. "During our fight all those years ago at the Chuunin exams, Naruto told me he knew what it meant to have a seal. To be cursed with something he did not want. Now that I know what he means and knowing what else happened during that time? I'd be damn glad that he has us as his friends and comrades."
"What do you mean?"
"Uncle you truly are blind. How do you think the Hokage got the treaty with Suna as easily as she had?" Neji said softly. "Naruto and the Kazekage understand one another to the point that according to the Kazekage's older brother and sister. Gaara calls Naruto, his best friend."
That said the young man vanishes after his friends leaving the two adults to look at one another with pained expressions.
"Our children have grown and we...."
"Have become the pups again needing to be smacked." Tsume stated with regret. "Kiba and Hana have yet to come and talk with me. I don't think that they will for a long time. Especially my son, he and Naruto are good friends."
"Once Hinata hears what I have done, when she wakes up. I do not think she will either." The tired Hyuuga head said with pained regret. "The word has already spread down to the younger children as well. Hanabi is friends with the Saurotobi kid and his team. They...."
"Look to Naruto as their leader." She replied. "Ebisu told me. At first I had thought letting the third's grandson be around the d-.... Naruto had been a bad idea. But that seemed to enflame him apparently. It was Naruto who apparently inspired Konahamaru and his friends to work harder. To become better then just their names..."
"He did that for Hinata."
Turning to look at her long time friend with a curious gaze, Hiashi tells her of what he knows concerning his oldest daughter. The quiet gaze and the need to never give up....
"He seems to influence those around him into becoming stronger doesn't he?"
"Yes. Seems that despite what we may think, the boy may actually succeed his father. Think you can deal with it?" Hiashi said quietly. "He already will have my clan supporting him via Hinata and Neji."
"Kiba and Hana as well." Tsume replied. "Shikamaru I know supports Naruto according to Chouza and Iniochi. And with the bond that he has to their kids..."
"Ino and Chouji as well." Hiashi sighed. "He has support. Whereas we...."
"Have none. Face it Hyuuga. It's time we let the young lead us. We are too old to set in our ways. I believe it is best I let Hana lead the clan now."
"The clan council...."
"SCREW THE DAMN COUNCIL!" Tsume shrieked out. The wild woman fierce looking as she turned to him. "It is because of those damn old farts in our clans that all this shit with Naruto and our children are going on now. It is because they refused to even give the boy a chance. Refused to let us think something for ourselves, maybe if I had bothered to take a second glance I would have noticed that he was a boy and not the demon! There is much they convince us now that I think about it. Now, since when were they the ones in charge of the clan and not us?"
Remaining silent, Hiashi can't comment as the words being spoken was borderline treason to many, but yet as she speaks again. Her simple explanation makes sense. Her next comment though is one that leaves him dumbfounded. "Hana once told me something you know. We are supposed to be the Clan head right?"
"Right"
"Then why the hell are we the Hokages of our own clans? We are nothing but puppets Hiashi. And I don't know about you. But it is about damn time I took some of the power back. I am dissolving mine. I suggest you do the same with yours."
With that said Tsume Inuzuka took off, leaving Hiashi to think on her words.
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Elsewhere
A few hours later
"You will really train me?"
Minato smiled as he rubbed the blonde hair with affection. "Of course son, do you think I would just leave you to your own devices?"
A shy and relieved smile crosses the blonde's features. Not willing to exactly share what Kakashi-sensei had done before his death. Or even the way, Jiriaya would teach him sometimes, it was nice to have the kind of training his dad wanted to give him.
"Well when do we start?"
"Well we start by going on the road Naruto." Minato replied. "We can't stay here. It would be too dangerous for Konoha if you remained in the village at the moment. And before you argue Tsunade agrees as well. Sage mode or not, you and I both need more skills and training to take on Madara."
"Will I at least be able to say goodbye?"
Minato smiled warmly as he looked at his son. "Son I would be disappointed if you didn't. In fact I did hear news that might interest you a few minutes ago."
"What?"
"She's awake."
Off like a shot, Minato couldn't help but laugh at the little blonde blur that was his son. He deserves a measure of honest happiness that the Hyuuga girl was all to willing to give.
"Be happy son while you can. We will need it."