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"I don't know," Sasuke said. "I kind of want a girl first."
"Really?" Sakura questioned.
Sasuke nodded as he began to run his fingers against her back. "I grew up with an older brother and though he wasn't all that bad, my cousins were nuisances. I'm not saying I don't want a son but I think I'd like a girl first."
"A girl huh?" Sakura thought for a moment. She smiled. "That sounds nice."
"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" Sasuke said as he kissed Sakura's forehead.
Exorcist: Chapter 36 – The Aftermath (Part 4)
"I just realized I never got the chance to formally thank you for all you've taken upon yourself," Naruto spoke firmly as he stood across from both Hyuuga Hiashi and his wife Hiyori. "I know it wasn't easy to come back to the Demon Realm but I do greatly appreciate all that you're doing in your position as the Guardians of the Tailed Beasts and taking over the Priesthood."
"Please, there's no need to be so formal Prince Naruto," Hiyori said with a slight giggle. She took her husband's arm and wore a warm smile. "Hiashi-kun and I realized that once you made your appearance in the Human Realm that it was only a matter of time before the Hyuuga Clan would have to make their return to the Demon Realm. Whether it was in this position or not, we were bound to come back here one day."
"Please, 'Naruto' is just find Lady Hiyori," Naruto said with a bit of a nervous laugh. "But are you all settling in okay? I heard there was a lot to be done before you all could move in?"
"Ah, yes," Hiashi nodded. "It appears that Outsutsuki Toneri requested that all the old Outsutsuki artifacts and such be moved to their new complex in the Twelfth Region. I suppose they hold some sentimental value to the Outsutsuki and they wanted to at least maintain some semblance of a normal life despite where they reside now."
"I suppose I can't blame them for at least wanting that much," Naruto agreed and saw Hiashi nod again. "Ah, before I forget," Naruto snapped his fingers and watched as Sasuke approached and held out a scroll. He smiled at Sasuke and took it from him before handing it to Hiashi. "I was speaking with my mother and father and we came to an agreement that it would possibly be best if the Hyuuga Clan held a Purification Festival."
"A Purification Festival?" Hiyori repeated as Hiashi unrolled the scroll.
Naruto nodded. "It's been quite a while since we've had one," Naruto explained. "We figured it would be nice to have since we're in the middle of transitioning into a new era and it hasn't exactly been properly blessed yet. It would definitely raise moral some more and get people some more confidence in what's to come if things have been blessed and approved by the Tailed Beasts themselves. I'll be meeting with the other Jinchuuriki in just a few days to inquire about their participation."
"Very well," Hiashi agreed. "It'll take some time to get everything in order though," Hiashi explained. "When exactly were King Minato and Queen Kushina planning on having this Purification Festival occur?"
"In a month," Naruto explained and saw the expression on Hiyori and Hiashi's faces. Naruto let out a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his head. "I understand that it's short notice but they're hoping to pair the Purification Festival with mine and Hinata's wedding and coronation."
"I suppose that's fair," Hiyori let out a heavy sigh. "But the quality of the Hyuuga's performance at this festival may be below where it needs to be."
"That won't be a problem," Naruto reassured them. "I've already spoke with my father and he's agreed that you may need some help getting settled into your positions and duties. We've already set for some of the Outsutsuki's higher ups to come here and assists you."
"Is that wise?" Hiashi questioned.
Naruto smiled. "There's nothing to worry about. I've spoken with Toneri on the issue and he's more than willing to make sure that you all want for not and know all that is necessary when it comes to maintaining your position and upholding your duties required of you in your position. They'll be escorted here tomorrow evening by some guards from the palace. It should be late in the evening as to avoid attention and they'll be kept under watch the whole time. There will be nothing to worry about."
"Well if that's the case," Hiyori looked at her husband, some doubt still in their expressions, "I suppose there's not much we can do about it." She looked back to Naruto. "Thank you for your assistance in this Naruto. "
"It's no problem at all," Naruto said with a genuine smile. "I'll be back tomorrow evening once the Outsutsuki have arrived to make sure everything is settled. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your day."
"You too," Hiashi said as he and his wife bowed respectfully to Naruto who bowed to them in return. They stood there atop the steps as Naruto and Sasuke made their descent. He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed the back of his head. "A Purification Festival huh? That'll be a week-long thing but it'll be good for the Demon Realm. Some things still feel a bit uneasy."
"This'll settle things a bit more," Hiyori said and saw Hiashi nod. "Plus, it would be comforting to know we're helping shift the new era in a new direction that starts out with a blessing from the Tailed Beasts."
Hiashi nodded again.
On the steps, Sasuke walked silently alongside who muttered to himself and tapped his thumb to his fingers as he thought about the number of things required of him to pull off this Purification Festival. He chuckled a bit and continued to walk despite Naruto stopping.
"What's funny?" Naruto questioned.
Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets and looked back and up at Naruto. "It's just interesting to see you act like this is all. All serious and whatnot."
Naruto titled his head to the side. "Sasuke?"
"When we were kids, you would barely stay still for five minutes to partake in your lessons and for a while, I used to wonder how someone like you was going to be King," Sasuke admitted and Naruto narrowed his eyes at him while he puffed his cheeks. "But I'm proud of how far you've come after all this time. I'm proud to be able to serve by your side Your Highness."
"Honestly Teme," Naruto muttered and blushed a bit as he scratched his cheek. "You know how much I hate those kinds of honorifics."
"Sure, sure," Sasuke waved his hand. "So, what's our next stop? Shukaku Temple?"
"Yes," Naruto said as he caught up to Sasuke. "I'm honestly exhausted thinking about all that needs to be done in just a few weeks. I'll need to rehearse two ceremonial dances, prepare for the wedding, and write a speech for the coronation."
"The duties required of a king," Sasuke reminded him.
"I suppose," Naruto sighed. He patted his cheeks before patting his stomach. "We'll be pretty busy Kurama, I hope you're up for it."
The remainder of the day, Naruto sat through meetings and discussions with all the temples within the Demon Realm. Luckily, all the High Priest and Priestess of their respective temples were thrilled to be able to participate in a Purification Festival and pledged all the help they could provide to help with a successful one.
It was late in the evening by the time Naruto made it back to Uzumaki Palace. When he arrived, he saw some of the children whose parents worked in the palace playing together in the foyer, all of them grinning at Naruto and begging them to play along with him. He politely declined, the children slightly disappointed yet understanding but were then run out of the foyer by one of the maids. He smiled to himself and began to make his way to is bedroom.
He was part of the way there before he stopped by one of the entrances to the ballroom. He poked his head inside and saw Hinata standing there in the center of the room and staring up at the main crystal chandelier. She stood there watching her in the brilliant light of the ballroom that'd been added specifically to enhance the beauty of that chandelier but he could only focus on her.
It was a couple of seconds before Hinata looked away from it and saw Naruto standing a little way away from her. "Naruto-kun? Welcome home."
"Ah, sorry," Naruto apologized with an embarrassed chuckle as he made his way into the ballroom and met her where she stood. He wrapped his arms around her waist and playfully placed multiple kisses on her face which caused her to giggle. Once he was done, he felt her wrap her arms around his neck and saw the way she looked at him. "I'm sorry for missing dinner. I didn't expect to be gone this long."
"It's fine," Hinata said with a sweet smile. "I knew you had a lot of meetings to attend. I'm just glad you're home now."
"Me too." Naruto kissed her forehead before looking up at the chandelier. "What are you doing in here though? It's pretty late; shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I couldn't sleep so I went exploring," Hinata admitted and Naruto chuckled. "That chandelier, what's the story behind it?"
"Ah," Naruto looked back at Hinata, "I guess my mother told you 'there's a story behind every piece of furniture in this place' huh?"
Hinata nodded, a childlike gleam in her eye as she almost impatiently waited for the story behind the crystal chandelier. Naruto smiled at her and looked back at the chandelier.
"Well, where to start?" Naruto questioned as he let go of Hinata and rubbed his chin, pretending to be deep in thought.
Hinata giggled. "Naruto-kun."
Naruto grinned. "This is a story my mother told me so the details may be a bit fuzzy," Naruto confessed and Hinata nodded. "Very well. Do you notice how the crystals on this chandelier are just the slightest bit clearer than the one in front of it and the one behind it?"
Hinata looked up at the chandelier. It took a moment but she noticed. "It's so slight."
"It is but if you stare just long enough, you can see the difference," Naruto explained as he looked up with her. "Before, when the Demon Realm was first formed, it's said that my ancestors stumbled upon Kurama's cavern first. They wrote of his cavern to be the most brilliant thing they'd ever seen, more brilliant than anything they'd seen in the Human Realm. From the ceiling to the walls to the ground they walked on, there were these crystals of varying shapes and sizes that would leave just about anyone who had the pleasure of looking at it completely entranced.
"Without realizing it, my ancestors had walked miles and miles, their fascination with the crystals leading them to the heart of the cavern where they found Kurama slumbering. He'd been the first Tailed Beasts any of them had seen so when he awoke, they were completely and utterly terrified. So terrified that none of them could move from where they stood as Kurama stood to his feet and stared down at them with angry eyes," Naruto explained.
As Hinata stared up at the chandelier, she swore she could almost see the group of red-haired individuals wandering a cavern covered completely in the crystals he spoke of.
"The Uzumaki Elder at the time bowed down before Kurama and said, 'Forgives our Lord, we meant not to disturb you. We've come from far away to seek refuge from those who seek to harm us. We stumbled across your cavern and were taken aback by the beauty and without realizing it, wandered for hours and found ourselves here in your presence. Forgive us,'" Naruto said. "Kurama stood there and looked at the Uzumaki Elder and then said, 'If it is refuge you seek then you shall have refuge. None shall harm you so long as you stay in this Realm, our home. Learn. Grow. Prosper. These lands have remained unoccupied long enough. And in time, I hope you show the same mercy I've shown you onto those who seek help,'" Naruto said.
In the chandelier, the crystal clearness of it began to shift and vibrant colors began to fill the stones. The colors appeared to dance and they cast their light across the ballroom providing a new feel to the room.
"As a thank you for my ancestors doing their part in helping develop the Demon Realm, Kurama came down from his cavern in his Human form and presented them with this gift," Naruto pointed up to the chandelier. "He had said, 'You came to me because you were captivated by the beauty of the crystals that lie within my home. Please, take this and let others be captivated as you were and be drawn to you. And for those who are drawn to you, welcome them, nurture them, protect them, and provide for them as you have for me.'"
The crystals began to grow various hues of red. It reminded Hinata of a fire that burned passionately and provided warmth, not cause destruction. As she looked closer, she saw various men, women, and children all standing around with smiles on their faces and crystals hanging around their necks. The image lasted only a moment before the reds turned orange and yellow.
And for the slightest second, Hinata saw herself and Naruto standing beside one another. And in her arms, was a young girl with purple hair like hers but with blue eyes like Naruto's and two whisker marks on her cheeks. And standing in front of Naruto was a young boy who looked like him with the same blonde hair and blue eyes and matching whiskers to the young girl. That image faded as quickly as it came before the chandelier returned back to its crystal-clear color of before, Hinata standing there mesmerized by it.
"It's a nice story," Hinata said as she looked at Naruto and saw the blue crystal hanging from around his neck. She took a few steps towards him and took the crystal in her hand, an unnatural yet comforting warmth coming from it. "So, they're symbols for the Uzumaki Clan's kindness and willingness to help others?"
Naruto nodded. "Every Uzumaki wears a crystal from Kurama's Cavern around our necks in hopes that they'll remain symbols to those who need our help that we're always willing to do what we can to help them. It's tradition that on an Uzumaki's tenth birthday, they go to Kurama's Cavern with their immediate family to retrieve the stone they feel best represents them."
"I like it," Hinata admitted as she looked up at Naruto. "Now that I think about it, I think I remember seeing your necklace before I saw you and immediately thinking, 'thank goodness, someone's here to help me.'"
"Hinata."
"Thank you," Hinata said softly as she put her forehead against his chest, "for always being there when I need you, even though I may not realize it sometimes."
Naruto smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you."
"Mm?" Hinata looked up at Naruto. "For what?"
"For accepting me," Naruto said and saw the slight blush on Hinata's cheeks. "I love you Hinata."
"I love you too," Hinata said in return.
To Be Continued…