A/N Thanks for all the reviews, favs and follows. For those who are still reading I just wanted to say I am aiming to post at least one chapter a week. I hope you continue to enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.

A big THANK YOU to Kishimoto for such wonderful characters!

Damn you Naruto!

Though Tsunade's initial thought was to curse the boy she had grown to love, she couldn't help being happy that he may have finally realized the young Hyuga's feelings. She still found it hard to believe that he was as clueless as he appeared to be given that most of the village was aware of the young woman and her unrequited love for Naruto. The same people were also aware that he harboured an ongoing crush for Tsunade's student, Sakura but they continued to hold out hope for the raven haired beauty. Her presence in his life since the 4th war had appeared to have tamed the worst of his prankster nature and helped to bring out a much wiser, if somewhat still hyperactive young man.

If indeed, he and Hinata were together and the Hyuga elders were plotting against her there would be hell to pay. As grown up as he had become he still ran hot when it came to those he cared about. Thankfully she wouldn't have to worry about him for at least another couple of weeks. If necessary, she would extend his stay in Suna even longer. He wouldn't be happy but it would hopefully allow them to conclude an investigation and take care of any problems before he set foot back in Konoha.

Satisfied that she could handle the Naruto side of things she then turned her attention to the two men in front of her. "So what exactly do you need my help with?

Some of the tension left Hiashi's body as he exhaled, seemingly unaware that he had actually been holding his breath. "Thank you Lady Tsunade." He bowed his head briefly to display his gratitude. "I would like to send Hinata out of the village." He shivered as the room temperature suddenly dropped.

"So you would go so far as to separate the two?"Hiashi quickly realized that he had spoken without explaining his reasoning, an error he did not commonly make. He would have liked to blame it on the lateness of the hour but he knew that was not the case. For the first time in many years he had let fear for his child get the best of him.

Though it appeared to many that the clan head was cold and often neglectful of his eldest child, this was not his intent. He loved both of his children with all his heart but years of conditioning by his father, Hideki and the other elders had taught him logic and leadership. The training had been sadly lacking when it came to expressing love to a pair of little girls. Their mother, Hitori, had tried and perhaps had she lived longer she may have completely gotten rid of the cold exterior that Hiashi projected. She had, however, succeeded in teaching him a little about love and though it had taken a long time for him to acknowledge those feelings toward his children, he had eventually admitted to himself that they were indeed every bit as important to him as his wife had once been.

Recognizing the depth of Hinata's feelings for the young Uzumaki he had made a conscious decision to step back. Though he had been guilty of emotionally manipulating Hinata's youth as a means of protecting her, he could not bring himself to stifle the one thing that seemed to inspire his eldest, her love for Naruto Uzumaki. It was most likely his decision to do so that had brought them to this point. Still, he didn't regret that decision. So when he answered Tsunade she immediately heard the truth in his words and visibly relaxed.

"This has nothing to do with separating and everything to do with protecting Hinata until we get down to the bottom of this." He nodded to Ko, who slipped a folder out of his jacket and slid it across the table to the Hokage. "This is what we have so far but it's nowhere near enough to remove an elder from our council. We need the extra time, maybe a few weeks or months even to get enough proof to ensure that they can't talk their way out of this. Up until now I've tried to solve this at the cost of Hinata's happiness but I can no longer interfere. She's grown and it's time I let her make her own choices but I can't do that safely until I deal with this."

Tsunade glanced down at the folder, frowning. "Is Naruto in danger?"

"No," Hiashi answered slowly and with a bit of bitterness. "His status as a jinchuruki and savior of Konoha protects him. No one would dare raise a hand against him. Hinata, on the other hand, is considered dangerous to the Hyuga way of life."He paused and when he spoke the bitterness was gone and a small smile lit the normally staid face. "It's funny. All the years I put that child down. I badgered her for her weaknesses or what I thought was weakness and she turned out to be one of the strongest women I know. If she were to head the clan when I retire she would make changes that would unite the Hyuga. I think that's what they're afraid of." He glanced at the blonde woman who appeared to be in shock. "I know." He spoke quietly, "I was a bad parent. I could use the excuse that it was for her own good but it doesn't really matter, it was wrong and it was useless because here I am right back where I started.."

Reaching under her desk Tsunade pulled out another bottle of sake, handed it to Hiashi and was surprised when he lifted the bottle and took a large swallow. In the meantime she looked over the contents of the folder as she mulled over what options were available to her..

The strained silence was broken by Ko. "Is there something we can do to protect Lady Hinata, Hokage?" Despite his grief at losing Kosetsu, Hinata was still foremost in his thoughts. He had been by her side for many years and had grown to love her like a brother. He knew that, despite his upbringing as a loyal Hyuga, Hinata would always come first to him.

The blonde Sannin carefully went about sealing the contents of the file in a scroll, Once this was completed she raised her eyes, first meeting Ko's and then Hiashi's. "I'll send her on a mission. I know," She interrupted them before they could speak. "I know she isn't on active duty anymore but I can send her on a diplomatic mission." She looked at Hiashi, a strange intensity lighting her eyes as she spoke. "The mission will get her out of the village. That's what's important. By the way," She added, "You're going to have to trust me on this one. The less either of you know the better it will be for everyone."

After the men left Tsunade sat staring at the sealed scroll beneath her hand and sighed. My god, I hate politics! She thought as she pulled out a scroll and penned a quick note. A hare faced Anbu appeared almost immediately.

"Hokage." Hare inclined his head.

"Hare, I need a message delivered. Solo mission, s-class, time is of the essence."

Hare once again lowered his head while accepting the scroll.

Tsunade hoped she was making the right decision. She was trusting that the alliance from the 4th war was strong enough to get her the truth. She was also trusting that the man Naruto thought of as family would aid her in obtaining that truth. If she was wrong the backlash could well destroy the Allied Forces they had worked so hard to build. If that happened, a few snivelling Hyugas would be the least her worries.