Seven Days Later

The speaker phone on his desk buzzed and was followed by the voice of one of his secretaries. "Hokage-sama, Uchiha Fugaku is here as you requested."

"Thank you," Sarutobi replied. "Send him in please."

The door to his office opened and in walked Fugaku, clan head of the Uchiha, Military Police Commissioner, member of the Council, and eager candidate to succeed him to the position of Hokage. A very shrewd and dangerous man with a great deal of political power in the village. At the last Council meeting the man had caught completely off guard with a request for a hands mission to Suna. Because sending one's ninja into another village could be viewed as an act of war the five great villages had come to an unspoken, 'understanding.' If a foreign ninja was taken captive within the bounds of a ninja village his home village could simply declare that he had acted completely on his own. Thus washing their hands of him, and allowing his captors to do as they pleased with him. This protected the villages, and put their ninja in a hopeless position if captured. It was a dirty little game, but one all the villages played against each other.

Fugaku's sudden request and the strong support he received had been quite troubling. It had been done as an obvious show of strength of Fugaku's part. In the end Sarutobi, seeing he could not win the Council to his viewpoint, simply refused the request and ended the meeting. The Council and the clans wielded great power in Konoha, but only the Hokage could order a hands mission. But though Sarutobi had denied the request the way he had been forced to do it felt like a defeat. Whether or not Fugaku could muster the same support with Hyuuga Hiashi there to oppose him was unknown. But it was now clear to Sarutobi that the man was getting ready to start openly opposing more of his policies. If it was at all possible he needed to try and rein the man in.

Fugaku stood before Sarutobi's desk and offered him what certainly looked like a friendly bow. "How may I help you Hokage-sama?"

"I am curious Fugaku," Sarutobi said in a clear voice. "Why were you so adamant that we carry out a hands mission in an allied village? Whether we succeeded or failed we would have risked damaging the trust between us and Suna."

"I have always found the idea of ninja villages, trusting one another a strange one. By our very natures ninja are a secret and deceptive lot. I would prefer to rely on our own strength rather than on paper alliances."

Sarutobi grunted unhappily. "The alliance with Suna has helped bring much greater stability to Konoha since the war."

"Is it the alliance the cause of that?" Fugaku inquired. "Or is it the fact we defeated the forces of Iwa, Suna, and Ame proving to the other village our real strength?"

"Our strength is not as great as it once was," Sarutobi reminded him.

At those words a slight flash of anger played across his features. "Yes, because of the Kyuubi's attack and losses we suffered." For Fugaku the memory of that night was one of personal loss, several Uchiha had died fighting to delay the Kyuubi. "I never made any secret of what I thought should have been done with the Kyuubi following the Yondaime's noble sacrifice."

"There was no Kyuubi," Sarutobi reminded him sharply. "There was only Uzumaki Naruto, a new born you would have murdered in his crib."

Fugaku was unmoved by the image. "One death to guarantee the Kyuubi could never again threaten this village. To have spared him was dangerous. But to have actually allowed him to leave and serve another village? That was reckless, bordering on criminal."

Sarutobi looked at him coldly. Fugaku wasn't going to be reined in; he seemed to be looking for confrontations. "Do you wish to accuse me of something Fugaku?"

Fugaku bowed his head. "Of course not Hokage-sama, after all we all know that the great Professor never made a mistake."

"I do not recall ever making such a claim. Any man who honestly believes he has never made a mistake is a true fool. I have made mistakes, but I do not believe sparing Naruto or permitting him to depart with his mother to have been such. I believe they were the best options given the circumstances."

"Then we remain in disagreement. Because of the compassion shown another village has the potential power of the Kyuubi at its disposal, had I been listened to this danger would not exist."

"I do not feel we are in any immediate danger from Naruto or from Suna."

"And if you are wrong Hokage-sama? Or if the situation changes in the future? What then?"

"If I should consider Naruto as a genuine threatto this village I will act accordingly. But it is my judgment that not only is he not a threat but the mission you suggested would only cause this village harm, no matter what the result." Sarutobi deliberately hardened his tone. "I trust you will not try to circumvent my order and arrange a hands mission yourself?"

"Of course not," Fugaku replied. "That would be treason."

"I thank you for your reassurance," Sarutobi said.

"You know Hokage-sama there was another matter relating to this subject I wanted to bring to your attention."

Sarutobi grimaced. Whenever Fugaku sprung a surprise it tended to be bad. "What is it?"

"It's the little matter of the Namikaze estates and fortune that are currently being held in trust by the village. The sum total of which is worth I believe about a quarter of a billion ryu? Not to mention the value of the scrolls that are locked away there."

Sarutobi turned a steely eye to him. So this is the next way he intends to challenge me. "What about them?"

"Holding a property in trust implies that it will eventually be claimed by the proper owner. But given the fact the Namikaze clan is extinct that wouldn't seem to be the case."

"The Namikaze bloodline has most definitely not been extinguished."

"And yet the Namikaze family line has been. If there are no legitimate heirs I believe the village should seize the properties and do what we think best with them."

"There is still one potential heir," Sarutobi said coldly.

Fugaku grinned. "Really? I was not aware of anyone. Who is this person who is to inherit the greatest fortune not only in Konoha but in all of Fire country?"

"Do not play games with me Fugaku, we both know Naruto could inherit one day."

"No, Hokage-sama, I know no such thing. Uzumaki Naruto may be many things, but he will never be a Namikaze."

"And I say it is at least possible and so the properties must remain in trust."

"Then we are in disagreement. I should warn you Hokage-sama, I will bring this matter up at the next Council meeting."

"You are free to do so, though perhaps I should warn you that Hiashi has informed me of something that might affect Naruto's status within the village."

"What could Hiashi possibly do that could have any effect whatsoever on that?"

Sarutobi had a small smile. He liked being the one to spring the surprise for a change. "To know that I fear you will have to wait until the next Council meeting. Though I suppose you could ask Hiashi directly."

Sarutobi saw the man's mouth twist in distaste at the image of his pleading for information from his greatest rival. "I think I will wait, though I doubt whatever it is will be of any importance."

You might be very surprised. Sarutobi thought.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kushina had been taken by surprise by the arrival of a packet from Konoha. Her surprise only increased when she saw who it was from. Her first instinct was to throw it away unopened, rather like a spiteful child. But she knew the Hyuuga would not send a message to her for no reason. And she had to confess she was a little curious what they Hyuugas could want after all this time. So taking the packet into her bedroom she opened it and looked at the documents and the letter inside. She also looked at the photograph that had been included. Now what is this about? The photo peaked her interest and she looked closer at the documents. There were two of them, they were two copies of the same form, both bearing the signature of Hyuuga Hiashi and the seal of his clan. Across the top of the forms were the words, 'Marriage Contract.' She did a double take.

XXXXXXXXXX

"What do you think they're all talking about?" Michio asked. As soon as they'd returned from training his aunt Kushina had called in his dad and all the other adults except for his mom.

"Don't know," Naruto said. "But it must be important; they've been in there a whole hour." He looked to where Gaara was. "What do you think?"

"I have no idea," Gaara said. "But since they are all talking it really must be important. Especially since they've used a silencing jutsu."

Naruto looked upset by that. "I don't like that, we're all family, we shouldn't have secrets."

Gaara looked at him a bit glumly. "There are always secrets."

"Well we are ninja after all," Michio said.

The door to Kushina's bedroom opened and she popped her head out. "Naru-kun, come in here please."

Michio looked at his cousin in surprise. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything!"

"Then why are you in trouble?"

"No one is in any trouble," Kushina said in a friendly tone. "We just need to have a word with you son."

Naruto gulped nervously and slowly walked into the room. Kushina shut the door and all sounds were again swallowed up.

Naruto had been in his mom's room plenty of times of course. But this was the very first time he could remember everyone else being in it too. His mom, his uncle, and his grand uncle were all sitting on the edge of her bed smiling down at him. For some reason they sort of reminded him of a tribunal about to pass judgment. Kakashi, Tsunade, and Shizune were all seated in chair in a little semi circle between him and the door. He noticed they were all looking at him with a great deal of intensity.

"Uh," Naruto began. "Whatever I did I'm sorry."

"You haven't done anything Naru-kun," his mom said.

"Then why am I the only one in here?"

"It's because you're the only one about to have a ball and chain attached to you," Kakashi said pleasantly.

"A ball and chain?!" Naruto said freaking out.

"He's joking, he's joking!" Kushina said trying to calm him down.

"No I'm not," Kakashi said.

"You're not helping!" Tsunade growled at him.

"Naruto, come here," Kushina patted her lap. Naruto obediently came over and climbed onto her lap. He was starting to get a little big for this but she didn't mind and put her arms around her son. "Naru-kun, you know how I've told you there are important things that I will tell you when you get older?"

"Yeah, secrets," he said unhappily. "Why do we have to keep secrets from each other?"

"Every family has some secrets Naruto," Saishu said. "But a ninja clan can keep whole closets full of them."

"But why grand uncle? Aren't we supposed to love and trust each other?"

"Keeping a secret doesn't have to mean we don't love and trust the other person Naruto," Saishu explained. "But it's a basic truth that the fewer people who know a secret the better. If a person doesn't need to know it then you shouldn't tell them. Even if you trust them completely."

"And sometimes it's just easier not to mention certain things," Kakashi said.

Naruto nodded in some understanding. "You mean like with you and your books Kakashi-niisan?"

Kushina flicked a look in Kakashi's direction. "What books?"

"He's talking about some of my training manuals," Kakashi answered swiftly and sent Naruto a pleading look.

"Oh, yeah, training manuals," Naruto nodded vigorously.

Kushina glanced at Naruto and back at Kakashi. Well this isn't suspicious. She decided not to worry about it; there were more important issues at hand. "Well, in any case Naruto something very important has happened today that may affect your future. It may not make too much sense now, but it will one day."

Naruto knew he was born in Konoha and that his father died facing the Kyuubi. Kushina had told him that she had loved him with all of her heart and that he had loved her and that they had both wanted him more than anything. He also knew that his father had been a powerful ninja and the member of a clan. Kakashi and Tsunade both told him stories about his father with the details all carefully edited. And oh yes, he knew that they had been married. His mom seemed to make a really big deal about that.

That was all he knew about his father. That he was the sole heir to the Yondaime's legacy and one of the world's greatest fortunes was a carefully guarded secret. As was what lay sleeping inside his body.

"Wait, aren't you going to tell me some of these secrets?"

She smiled sadly and stroked his cheek. "I'm sorry Naru-kun, but you're not ready yet."

"When will I be ready?" He whined. He knew he was old enough all ready and he was impatient to know more.

Kushina grinned at him. "I'll tell you everything the day I give you your katana."

Rather than please him that made him groan.

XXXXXXXXXX

Flashback

"Kaasan!"

"Yes Naru-kun?"

"I don't want to use a regular sword any more. I want a katana like yours and uncle Shinzou's and grand uncle's."

"I'm afraid you can't have one yet," she told him with an amused tone.

"Why not?"

"Because you're not ready."

"When will I be ready?"

"When I say you are." Kushina told him with a laugh. And no matter how much he whined or complained or pleaded her answer never changed.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Shouldn't we tell him the reason we actually brought him in here?" Shinzou said.

Kushina smiled. From behind her back she produced a portrait picture. It was of a little girl around Naruto's age. She was dressed in a formal kimono with her hair done up. She had pale lavender eyes without pupils and was staring solemnly. Her mouth was a flat line. "Naruto tell me what you think of this picture."

He took the picture and stared at it for a moment. "I think she's pretty, but she looks really sad. Who is she mom?"

"Her name is Hyuuga Hinata, a member of the Hyuuga clan, one of the most powerful and influential in Konoha. She is the eldest daughter of Hyuuga Hiashi and Hyuuga Hannah, two people who I counted as dear friends but who did not try to help me when I needed their help most. The reason she looks so sad is because I am afraid her mother passed away recently."

"That's awful," Naruto said sympathetically.

"Yes, I think so too," Kushina said sadly. "Anyway, before her mother died she asked her husband for a last request. It seems she really was a good friend after all, but hadn't been strong enough when the time came. She wrote me a letter telling me how she always regretted that and how she hoped she could make up for it by offering you a betrothal to her daughter Hinata. Her wish was to bind our two families together and to help you get what is rightfully yours one day."

"What do you mean what's rightfully mine?"

Kushina smiled. "I'll explain when you get your katana." He groaned. "What matters is that a connection to Hyuuga would be immensely helpful to you. I have decided to accept the offer, but son; I will never force you to take a spouse you don't want. The final decision will be yours. If you don't like her, or if you don't want her for any reason you can cancel the contract prior to the final ceremony. But I will accept on your behalf for right now. This means that she will be coming here for a betrothal ceremony. Of course the final ceremony won't be until you both come of Age and are 16. So you have plenty of time to decide." Kushina looked at her son hopefully. "So what do you think?"

"Sure mom, that's fine." He answered easily.

"Really?" Kushina said in relief. She'd been expecting him to freak out at the idea that this little girl was being picked out for him as his future wife. "I'm glad you're so accepting of all this."

"Well if you think it's a good idea then I'm sure it is kaasan. But I do have two questions."

"What honey?"

"Well what's a betrothal and what's a spouse?"

Damn it, I knew it was too easy! "Well Naru-kun, a betrothal is a promise to marry, and a spouse is just another word for husband or wife."

Naruto stared at her blankly. "I don't get it."

"That girl in that picture Naruto?" Kakashi spoke determined to clear things up. "You're going to marry her when you turn sixteen."

"SAY WHAT??!!"

And now let the freaking out begin, Kushina thought wearily. Thank a bunch Kakashi.