Chapter 9: Intensified Animosity

"How the hell did they know?" Kushina screamed as she paced around the office, pounding her fist on her open hand. "His identity is classified information!"

Sarutobi winced, understanding her frustration. The law prevented anyone from speaking about the situation with her son, or his heritage, or they'll face charges of treason. Yet, a foreign shinobi attempted to kidnap him, clearly addressing the fact that he is a jinchuuriki to one of the witnesses.

Glancing at the woman, he said the only reasonable answer at this point.

"Kushina, I can't verify anything until the investigation is complete."

"There is a traitor in this village Hokage-sama," Kushina said as she clenched her jaw. "How else does Kumo know?"

"I can think of three reasons, none of which I can verify without an investigation," Sarutobi said. "The first is what you suggest. There may be a traitor in the village who did this for financial gain, or out of spite for Naruto." As Kushina nodded with a raised eyebrow, he continued, "The second way is that Kumo planted a spy in the village, and figured everything out from them."

"They probably know we have a jinchuuriki," Kushina said in a more relaxed tone as she eased herself in a nearby seat. "That doesn't explain how they identified him." She sighed as she added, "Don't they have two already anyway? What do they want with a third?"

"Probably to seek more power," Sarutobi said, which caused Kushina to frown. "The Uchiha are investigating things as well. They suspect the kidnapping is tied to Anzu's murder."

"I know we're shinobi and deception is part of the occupation," she said with a sigh. "Did they have to send a fake ambassador?" Her eyes narrowed as she continued, "Did they have to pretend that they wanted peace for the sake of abducting two children?"

"I'll ask Raikage-sama," Sarutobi said. "I find this disturbing as well."

"Wait, Hokage-sama," Kushina said as she eased off the chair. "What's the third explanation for all of this?"

"Naruto looks like him," Sarutobi said as Kushina raised her eyebrows. "He also has some of the qualities from the fox that Jiraiya mentioned."

"Any moron can figure it out on their own, eh?" Kushina said with a sheepish expression. "How is Jiraiya doing anyway?"

"He's still tracking Orochimaru," Sarutobi said. "I can't give any further details, unless I want to compromise his mission." Kushina nodded as she left the room as he glanced at the paperwork on his desk, much to deal with mission reports. He glanced at them and signed several papers. The faster he finished this drudgery, the more he can prepare for the inevitable meeting.

x X x

"How are you ?" Manaka asked Seika in a hospital room as she placed flowers near his bed side. Along with her were Shayou, Sorane, and Kurenai.

"I'm managing," Seika said with a frown as Kurenai bit her lip. "The doctors say I may not walk again."

"I see," Shayou said with a high-pitched voice and a smile. "There are ways for—"

"Don't bother. We already know what the elders will say," Seika interrupted as his eyes glanced at his younger brother. "They have no use for a paraplegic."

"That's not true!" Kurenai yelled as he smacked Seika in the arm. He winced and rubbed his arm as she added, "Granted, you can't do field missions, but you still have use as a shinobi."

"She's right," Sorane said. "You're not exactly the brightest bulb in Konoha, but you're not an idiot either." Everyone turned to his direction as he released a smirk. "You can help teach at the academy. Teachers don't need their legs to instruct kids."

"You can also help in the interrogation department," Shayou said. "When trained, our eyes can pick up whether someone is telling the truth or not. They've been trying to get someone from the clan for months to aid that department."

"The elders will never buy it," Seika said with a frown. "They'll force me to retire and live as a servant."

"Then fight it," Manaka said as she and Shayou walked out the door. "Compared to what you think, you are not worthless as a shinobi, or as a person. The elders will see that too. I'll talk to them about it. If that doesn't work, I'll speak to Hiashi-dono directly."

"Speaking of Hiashi, I must go as well," Sorane said as he glanced at the door. "Today is a long day."

"How come?" Kurenai asked.

"The Hokage summoned me to his office to verify events with both Anzu and the Kumo ambassador," Sorane said as he glanced around the room. "Manaka did that earlier today as well. Don't be surprised if investigators come by to ask you questions as well."

"I still can't believe she's gone," Seika said. As he glanced at the sky, he added, "She was like me in many ways."

"How so," Kurenai said with a quizzical tone as Sorane raised his eyebrow.

"We wanted to escape our families and bloodlines," Seika said as he glanced at a nearby mirror, noting his eyes. Untying the bandage on his forehead, he continued, "I have the seal, and she didn't have her Sharingan. Because of it, no one respected us."

"Your sister and brother were just here," Sorane said as Seika tossed the bandage aside, revealing the branch seal. "Don't they count for anything?"

"I was skeptical about them," Seika said as he glanced at the ceiling, "and I admit I was wrong." Glancing at Kurenai, then at Sorane, he added, "With them, and with others."

"Don't forget that we're always people here for you," Kurenai said.

"I'll be back later after I take care of some things at home and speak with Hokage-sama," Sorane said. With a laugh, he added, "The refrigerator is empty, and I'm not eating at Ichiraku again. Even if they do make the best ramen."

"Thanks for staying," Seika said. "I hope everything gets resolved with the Hokage."

"Not likely," Sorane added, " From what me and Manaka know, even if Kumo sent the kidnapper, Hiashi killed the wrong person. Konoha must explain why their ambassador on a peace mission is dead." He shifted his eyes to Kurenai and asked her, "What are you going to do?"

"I'll stay here for a while longer," Kurenai said with a shaky voice.

"Don't forget to get some rest," Sorane said. "Tomorrow, you have to teach at the academy."

"I'll worry about that later," Kurenai said as she clung to Seika's arm. "Right now, I need to stay with my best friend."

"Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," Sorane said with a smirk as he walked out the room, "or Manaka will kill all of us."

Seika closed his eyes and smiled as Kurenai laughed at his teammate's statement.

"You know he's serious, right?" Seika said.

x X x

"How am I going to tell him this?" the Raikage whispered to himself as he stared at the scroll on his desk. With a knock on the door, his assistant entered the room.

"Raikage-sama, Hayaji Teisei is here by your request."

"Send him in," he replied, glancing at the scroll again. As the assistant bowed, she exited the office. A moment later, Hayaji entered the office.

"Hey Masaru," Hayaji said with a wave as he sat at a chair near the desk. "What brings me here so early in the morning."

"I have some bad news," the Raikage said, not surprised that Hayaji spoke to him in a casual tone. After he released a sigh, he continued, "It's better if this comes directly from me than from anyone else."

"Always so dramatic," Hayaji said with a laugh. "Am I suspended from duty again? Do I have to teach at the academy?" He smiled as he added, "I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle—"

"Yasahiro is dead," the Raikage interrupted.

A long silence encompassed the room.

"Dead?" Hayaji said. His eyes became watery as he asked, "How?"

"I find it hard to believe myself," the Raikage said as he pushed the scroll to Hayaji. "That is the answer I received from Konoha."

Hayaji grabbed the scroll and read it. His face twisted from sadness to anger. As he continued reading, his eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched.

"This is bullshit!" Hayaji screamed as he exploded from his seat. "Yasahiro would never kidnap anyone, much less a child! And you haven't issued any missions like that since you became Raikage!"

"Nor will I ever," the Raikage said. "Countries and other villages would distrust us if we used those tactics."

"They seriously believe we tried to kidnap the Hyuuga heiress and another boy?" Hayaji said. The Raikage nodded in response. "And the Hyuuga leader killed my brother?" he continued, flopping back in the chair.

"Yes," the Raikage said. "I wouldn't be surprised if Konoha—"

"It's all complete bullshit," Hayaji yelled. "They're getting back at us for starting the war. We're down enough as is! We surrendered. We proposed this treaty in the first place so we can avoid conflict and become a strong nation again."

"I know," the Raikage said. "I'm leaving for Konoha at noon to claim Yasahiro, and to speak with the Hokage directly about this matter." As he eased off the chair, he added, "Being that he's your brother, I'd like for you to—"

"You don't need to ask," Hayaji said as he laid his palm on the desk. "I want to look at the bastard who did this in his face and let him tell me Yasahiro is a kidnapper." He pounded his fist and swung it in the air as he added, "The Hyuuga are murders and Konoha is protecting them!"

"What will you do with Hotaru?" the Raikage asked. "I can have her stay with my wife. She and Misora get along well."

"I'm bringing her with me," he said. "They took away her uncle. They should face her as well."

"I understand," the Raikage said as he nodded in agreement. "I'll see if I can find Reina before we leave."

"I heard she was on a mission for the Denyami," Hayaji grumbled.

"I know," the Raikage said with a sigh. "Reina is loyal to her family, and we disagree on policies, but she was on the same team as Yasahiro and I."

"Yasahiro loved her, but I trust her family as much as I trust Konoha," Hayaji said. Glancing at the ceiling, he continued, "Still, she loved him. She deserves to know."

"Yes," the Raikage added. "If we can find her before we leave."

x X x

Three days passed since the incident at the Hyuuga complex. The Hokage called Kushina to the meeting with the Raikage, as Naruto was a victim of the circumstances as well.

"Mom, why are we going to the tower again?" Naruto whined. "Some people keep giving me those weird stares!"

"Is it as bad as everyone on the streets?" Kushina responded with raised eyebrows.

"The old man tells everyone to treat me nice," Naruto said as he shook his head.

"That's right," Kushina said in a soft tone. "And you shouldn't call the Hokage 'old man.' He oversees the entire village, so you should show him respect—"

"But you call him old man too," Naruto interrupted in a whiny tone.

"Fine," Kushina said as she bent down to pick up Naruto. "If I stop calling Hokage-sama an old man, will you do the same?"

Naruto nodded in agreement.

"Good," Kushina said with a smile. "Now, to answer your question, everyone wants to hear what happened a few nights ago."

"Why?" Naruto whined. "The people with the red eyes already asked that."

"I know," Kushina said with a sigh as Naruto frowned. "But this is for someone else." She knew the Raikage would be there to receive an explanation of events.

x X x

The Raikage, along with Hayaji and Hotaru, noticed the cold reception they received from the chuunin guards as they arrived in Konoha. As they traveled to the tower, they felt the stares of the villagers.

"Daddy," Hotaru said, pulling on his pant leg. "Why is everyone giving us a mean look?"

"We don't belong here," Hayaji responded as he held his daughter's hand.

"We only want to bring Uncle Yasa home," Hotaru said in an innocent tone. Her eyes watered as she continued, "That's all."

"I know," he replied as she wiped her eyes with her free hand. "They don't understand that."

"Why is Masaru-san wearing the funny robe?" Hotaru asked. "I thought he hated it."

"He has to wear the funny robe," Hayaji responded as the Raikage smiled at the girl. "Otherwise, no one will believe he's the leader of a country."

x X x

"Hinata, do you remember everything that happened from that night?" Asahi asked her daughter.

"Yes," she replied in a formal tone.

"You will need to tell the same story again," Hiashi replied. "Are you okay with that?" As she nodded her head, he asked, "Are you certain it wasn't the shinobi the man described?"

"Yes," she said as she glanced around. "A woman knocked us out in the dojo. She used a weird henge to turn into Seika-san, and her clone into his lady friend."

"This is not good," Asahi muttered under her breath. Meanwhile, Hiashi glanced at the sky, uncertain of the future events.

x X x

Everyone gathered at the office inside the tower, minus the children, who waited quietly in another room. While everyone read various copies of the report, silence spread around the room.

"The reason behind the death of Yasahiro Teisei is an unfortunate misunderstanding due to the events that occurred within the walls of the Hyuuga complex," Sarutobi said somberly.

"Misunderstanding?" Hayaji yelled in an incredulous tone as he leaped from his seat. He pointed to the seated Hyuuga and continued, "He was murdered by them!"

"My sincerest apologies Teisei-san," Asahi said with a deep bow. "We thought that Yasahiro was the kidnapper on the scene as he carried my daughter. None of us in the tracking party knew that Sorane or Manaka accepted his aid to find the kidnapper."

"This could still be a ruse," Hiashi said as he glared at the Raikage. "We know the real kidnapper still hailed from Kumo. One of our branch members – paralyzed by the assailant – identified her as Reina Denyami."

"That bitch!" Hayaji said as the Raikage widened his eyes. He threw the scroll out the window in frustration. He turned his head to the Raikage and yelled, "I knew we couldn't trust her or that damn family!"

"From what our records show," Sarutobi added, "Reina Denyami and Yasahiro Teisei were former teammates of yours. Am I correct Raikage-sama?"

"That is correct," he responded through his teeth, as he knew the next statement that was coming.

"No one can confirm she acted on her own," Hiashi continued as the Raikage winced. "She may have taken direct orders from you. Or she may have worked together with Yasahiro to undermine your authority—"

"He wouldn't do that!" Hayaji screamed at the Hyuuga head. "He wouldn't kidnap a child, or betray his country." Sobbing, he added, "He wanted to help find two missing children. Instead, he was murdered by you!"

"I must agree with Hayaji on one point," the Raikage said. "Yasahiro shared the same vision that I have with our daimyo, and that is for no more hostilities with other nations so the citizens of Lightning Country can live in peace without worrying about another war."

"Yet," Kushina said with a smirk, "you still have a warmongering clan like the Denyami Raikage-sama."

"You are correct Uzumaki-san," the Raikage said as Manaka and Hiashi unconsciously activated their bloodline limits. "However, despite their treacherous past, the Denyami are still citizens of Kumo, like the Uchiha and Senju are citizens of Konoha." He glanced over at one of the investigators as he added, "Lightning Country forgave both clans for slaughtering our citizens for decades. We also do not generalize every Uchiha or Senju is a warmonger."

"Are we done with the history lesson," Sorane said in a clipped tone. "Give them the body so we can move on with our lives already."

"Shut up bastard," Hayaji yelled at the unmasked ANBU, slamming his palm on a nearby chair. His eyes narrowed as he added, "That's not all we came here for."

"Is that so?" Sarutobi said as he folded his hands. "What else can we do for you Raikage-sama?"

"According to the treaty that we agreed to," the Raikage stated as he began reading from the treaty. "It is a war crime if any shinobi is guilty of assault, kidnapping, or homicide of any ambassador or unarmed citizens." Sarutobi raised his eyebrows as the Raikage continued, "Any person that commits these crimes must face the appropriate punishment in the victim's village."

The room became silent as they realized the implications of the treaty.

"This treaty is in effect, and it is in the best interest of both Kumo and Konoha to keep it," the Raikage said with a neutral face. "For the assassination of Yasahiro Teisei," he said as he glared at Hiashi. "We want the murderer. As you are aware, the punishment for homicide of a citizen or ambassador is execution."

"No!" Asahi yelled as she leaped out of her seat. Grabbing onto her husband, she added, "You can't ask for that!"

"This is nonsense," Hiashi responded as he stood from his seat. "This is nothing but a ploy to get the Byakugan back in Kumo!"

"This is not about your damn bloodline," Hayaji yelled back as he gripped a kunai. He stepped toward Hiashi as he screamed, "You killed my brother after he tried to help you. Three people, two of them members from your own clan, testified to that!"

"I understand how you feel," Manaka said as she and Sorane ran to him. As the two unmasked ANBU kept the Kumo ninja in place, she forced him to drop the kunai. "However, we can't have you attacking others in here."

"We plan to honor our end of the deal as well Hokage-sama," the Raikage said as he glanced at Hayaji. "When we capture her, we will extradite Reina Denyami to face trial and punishment in Konoha for the attempted kidnapping, as well as the murder of Anzu Uchiha."

"Which probably won't happen," Kushina muttered under her breath.

"If you are so worried about someone stealing the eyes, we'll send the head back to Konoha intact," Hayaji said as he turned to the Hyuuga, which made Asahi flinch. He turned to Kushina and added in a quieter tone, "Also, I will see to it myself that Reina is in your custody, as she shares responsibility in my brother's death."

"I understand your feelings Raikage-sama," Sarutobi said. "However, we cannot surrender the leader of one of the noble clans in Konoha."

"With all respect," the Raikage said as he eased off his seat. "There is no choice in the manner." Asahi clenched her teeth as he continued, "The incident involving lady Hinata is unfortunate, and as a father, I would also do anything to protect my daughter." He glanced down as he added, "However, I also understand the consequences of those actions, and would accept them without question." He turned to Hiashi and added, "I'm asking for you to do the same and take responsibility."

"What you're asking for is suicide," Asahi said as tears fell from her face. "You're asking someone to die for protecting his child!"

"If the search was better organized," Hayaji said as the words strained through his teeth as he eased into his seat. Looking at Asahi, he added, "My brother would still be alive, and Reina would be facing punishment for what she did to both countries."

"The treaty gives ten days from the end of an investigation to turn over the culprit," the Raikage said. "Considering the investigation of the incident ended yesterday, that leaves nine days." He sighed as he added, "Either Hiashi comes willingly, or we take him by force."

"That will start another conflict!" Kushina said as she leaped from her seat. "No one in their right mind wants that! Is that worth it for one person?"

"Yasahiro was my teammate," the Raikage said as he and Hayaji walked to the door. "Between Hayaji and myself, we both knew him best. He wouldn't want a war, but he wouldn't want his murder to go unpunished." As Hayaji left the room, he finished, "I don't wish to start a conflict. Please consider everything."

As the Kumo shinobi left, the room remained silent again.

"What can we do Hokage-sama?" Asahi asked.

"Something will work out," Sarutobi said as he began to shuffle papers on his desk. "I don't know how, but I doubt the Raikage wants to start another war."

Everyone in the room tensed as they left the office one by one.

x X x

Naruto and Hinata were in a different room in the Hokage tower. They played around as an assistant supervised them. They noticed another girl in the room, wiping away tears as she crouched in a corner. Naruto nudged Hinata as he decided to approach the girl.

"Hi," he said with a confident smile. "I'm Naruto." He pointed to his companion and added, "She's Hinata. What's your name?"

"Hotaru," she replied, wiping her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" Naruto asked. "Are you hurt? Did you lose something?"

"Someone killed my uncle," Hotaru said as she continued to sob. "My dad went to face the killer and bring the body back home."

"That's terrible!" Hinata asked in a soothing tone as she held the girl's hand in an attempt to calm her down.

"What village are you from?" Naruto asked. "I never saw anyone with blond streaks in their hair before."

"Kumo," the girl responded. "My dad said I get them from my mom."

Hinata froze in place as her hand stopped moving.

"That village," Naruto screeched as he jumped back. "Mom said someone from there tried to kidnap us!"

Hotaru wiped her eyes again. She stared at the two. Her gaze hardened as she saw Hinata. When she noticed her eyes, she broke away from her hand.

"Sorry about that," Naruto said with a regretful tone. "My mom says I should respect those who come from another—"

"Get away from me!" Hotaru yelled at the two, shoving Naruto away from her. As he staggered backwards, she continued. "My dad said that someone with weird eyes killed my uncle!" She glanced at Hinata again. "Eyes like hers!"

"She didn't do anything!" Naruto yelled back at the girl. "Why are you taking it out on her?"

"Is she a Hyuuga?" Hotaru said as tears flowed down her face, avoiding their eyes.

"I am," Hinata said without hesitation.

"I hate the Hyuuga!" Hotaru yelled as she stood straight. Her eyes narrowed as she continued, "They killed my uncle! I hate every last one of them!" She kicked Hinata in the shin, and stormed off to another area of the room. As Hinata grabbed her leg and cried, Naruto stared at the Kumo child in disbelief as she continued to cry on the opposite end of the room.

"Okay, that's enough!" the woman in the room screamed. She turned to the Kumo child and added, "Hotaru, why did you kick Hinata?"

"Because she's a Hyuuga!" she wailed. "One of them killed my uncle!" The woman sighed, realizing that her uncle was the one killed by Hiashi.

"I'm sorry for your loss Hotaru, but Hinata had nothing to do with that," the woman said as she glanced at Hinata. She noticed the Hyuuga child walking on her bruised leg with a limp while Naruto helped her. "She has her own experiences and trauma to deal with as well."

Hotaru puffed her face and turned her back to the woman.

"Hotaru," a male voice said. The child's eyes widened as he continued, "That's not how you treat an adult or a stranger."

"Dad—" the child from Kumo said with a hint of innocence.

"Don't try it," Hayaji interrupted as he folded his arms across his chest. As Hotaru widened her eyes, she added, " I saw what you did to her. Are you going to apologize to Hinata?"

"Sorry Hinata," she yelled, albeit with a polite tone, keeping her gaze away from the Hyuuga child and her father. However, this did not go unnoticed by Naruto.

"Was that so hard?" Hayaji asked as the Hyuuga child nodded, accepting her apology.

"No," Hotaru said.

"Now let's go," he said with a smile. "We're going home." As Hayaji left the room, he didn't notice the evil stares that the two girls exchanged, or that Hotaru stuck her tongue out at Hinata and Naruto. Naruto in turn, returned the favor.

"Come on Hinata," Naruto said as he leaped to his feet. "Don't worry about her. We won't see her again."

x X x

"I thought of everything, including Konoha, the Hyuuga family, and myself." Hiashi said as the leaders looked on. Earlier, he called a meeting with all the Hyuuga leaders and elders. After he described the events of said meeting with the Raikage, many of the elders were livid with the suggestion that he go to Kumo to face an execution.

"With that in mind, I've come to a decision. I decided to go to Kumo and face punishment for my actions."

"You can't give into them!" one of the elders yelled. "They only want to get our eyes back in Kumo! They only want to duplicate the Hyuuga there!"

"They promised not to experiment with the eyes," Hiashi said.

"That doesn't mean anything," the first elder said. "All they need is the body to figure everything out!"

"The fact doesn't change," Hiashi said as Asahi looked down on the floor. "I killed their ambassador, which is a clear violation of the treaty." He sighed and continued, "I don't want another war to begin over my actions."

"They don't have the power to act on that threat," another elder spoke. "They are still recovering from the last war. If they tried to attack Konoha to get you, their attack troops would be decimated by twilight."

"We all know this," Hiashi said. "However, that doesn't mean they won't act to do so. It may end up costing more than just my own life. It may affect the lives of many in this village." He glanced around the room as he added, "Especially those in this clan as well. Kumo shinobi wouldn't hesitate to focus on slaughtering the clan while they try to apprehend me."

"That's true," an elderly Hyuuga stated. "However, there are many questions. Who will lead the clan in your absence? Hinata is next in line, and she is nowhere near of age—"

"I have a solution," Hizashi said. "I'll go in his place. Few can tell the difference between twins." The Hyuuga members muttered among themselves as Hizashi spoke those words.

"Hizashi, I can't let you take the punishment for my actions," Hiashi said as he confronted his brother. "This is foolish! I forbid you to do it!"

"I'm sorry," he said as he struck his brother at the base of the neck, knocking him unconscious. "Even you know this is the smarter move. This satisfies Kumo, and the eyes are protected upon my death."

"Why sacrifice yourself Hizashi?" Asahi said as she glanced at her husband, lying on the floor unconscious.

"I want to be free," Hizashi said as he looked at the elders. "That has nothing to do with the clan, with Konoha, or with my brother." Everyone in the clan muttered among themselves.

"Fine," one of the elders said, "We should activate your cursed seal for attacking our leader, but we also agree that this is the best move for the clan. This meeting is adjourned."

"You know," Asahi whispered in his ear, "What you said is complete bullshit." She sighed as she added in a normal tone, "This is also about protecting your son from war, isn't it?" When Hizashi nodded, he added, "At least explain to Neji what you're about to do."

"I will," he whispered in return. "Please take care of him Asahi."

"As long as I'm alive, I'll treat Neji like my own son," she replied to the Hyuuga as he left for the Hokage tower.

She glanced at her husband, as several members lifted him up and carried him to medical area for treatment. By the time he wakes up, he'll realize that he lost his third sibling to death.

x X x

This ends the ninth chapter of the story. Poor Hinata didn't do anything, and she now has a potential enemy in Hotaru. Hiashi Hyuuga agreed to atone for his crime to prevent a war. However, his brother knocks him out, saying he's going in his place. However, where is Reina? If she didn't kill Anzu, who did? That, and much more will appear in Chapter 10: Shattered Families, the final chapter in this arc.

Until then, please leave your thoughts in a review, and enjoy your day (or night.)