Disclaimer: This is a fan written work based on the works of J.K. Rowling. Also features Naruto which is owned by Kishimoto. It might possibly also have some elements of a number of other works. There is no money being made from this, it is merely a work meant for the entertainment of myself and the masses. This is merely for fun, and no profit. I repeat: I am not making any money out of writing this.

Warning: OCs OOCs Sues, and some crack. You have been warned.

Note 1: AU.

POWER

chapter forty-eight

Wherever she went, she was always accompanied by at least one of the senior members of the Hyuuga Main, on occasion it was Fuyu, the mysterious servant and subordinate of Haru. Fuyu never really stayed among the Hyuuga of either branch, he always seemed to only be there when he was needed, Ran found him interesting in that he was professional about his babysitting job, which was what he more or less did when he shadowed her around the village.

It had been a year already, and yet, Hiashi had not made his move, whatever his reasoning was. His brother, Hizashi, had already tried his hand at courting her, his own wife had passed away shortly after his son Neji was born. When asked why he decided to court her, he replied that since his brother was not going to do anything he might as well. She was rather beautiful, and her hand in marriage came with the reward of possibly becoming second-in-command once the Hyuuga was whole again. While she knew the rise in position was a selfish reason, she didn't mind so much since Hizashi seemed genuinely interested in her.

Hizashi wasn't the only one to court her, there were members from the other shinobi, and a few civilian, clans as well. She was young, and beautiful, and belonged to one of the most prestigious clans in Konoha, the perfect catch. Even ten year old Uchiha Itachi had tried his hand, and this was a young man in Anbu of all divisions, that was thought of as semi-anti-social, or not interested in the opposite gender due to ignoring his fan girls.

The reason for the bodyguard aka babysitter was due to the fact that on a few occasions someone had tried to do what the Uchiha had done to Mikoto. Unfortunately for the would be kidnapper, they had to deal with the Sakujo that were with her at the time. When someone can phase their hand through a ribcage and pull out the heart without spilling any blood one cannot expect to live to reveal who had been behind the attempt. It was a bad choice, but at the time the kunoichi with Ran had thought it was some nuke-nin pervert.

Her suitors had spent each date with her as romantically as they could think of, it was probably due to two clan heads warning them all that should she not enjoy herself, end up crying, or get hurt in any way by any of them, that they would experience the wrath of both Haru and Seigen, along with their clansmen, all of the adult clansmen.

While most of the men that courted her were nice enough, there were those few that were not so nice, those that only saw her as a means of getting a higher station in life. These men spent a lot of money on her, secretly calling it investing in something worthwhile. Haru and Seigen knew about it, Naruto had been spying on some of these dates, and he got back at them with more than simple pranks.

There were a few that had gone bankrupt after not treating Ran as a human being, this was due in part to Naruto not buying from their stores, and the other two Konoha forms spreading devastating rumors about these unlikeable men while under henge. No one suspected them of their trickery, just as no one knew exactly that the Kyuubi was no longer present in Naruto.

While Ran spent her time on dates, training a little, secretly spending time with her two daughters, and generally living a semi-normal life, she was unaware of the inner turmoil that Hiashi was dealing with. After all he had been told that his wife had died, and that there was this young woman, the spitting image of his wife walking around the village, he had also been told that it was highly possible that she was a reincarnation of his late wife. The worst part of everything was that his own brother had gone ahead and tried to win her heart and hand, while he wallowed in what could be mistaken for self-pity as he really didn't think he had it in him to act like a love sick person again.

"*"

One day, his brother thought that his twin had suffered enough, so he decided that it would be a good idea to flaunt his progress by bringing Ran over to meet Neji. Hiashi wasn't told of course, and it wasn't like he would use the damnable seal on his very own brother, he'd never done it either, only told his brother to pretend to be in pain when he faked using the seal. Neji didn't like his uncle all that much, since no one bothered to inform him that his father was in no real pain.

Ran had accepted the invitation to visiting the Konoha Hyuuga district, partly due to missing the place, and partly due to the fact that she actually enjoyed Hizashi's company. Her ex-husband had yet to even make a move, so she began to think that perhaps it was finally time to move on, Hizashi was nice and all that, and sometimes slightly more. Uchiha Itachi would have been great if he wasn't so physically young, and there were a few Nara that were actually quite lively.

She had been led by Hizashi to his personal dining quarters, where Neji was waiting, the child didn't really know what to expect, save for that she was a member of the main branch and head family, sort of. His father had told him to act his best, not grumpy or show any dislike for someone of the main.

Once there, he introduced her to Neji, who reacted unlike what the two had been expecting, he was genuinely happy to meet her for some reason. Before dinner could be started, it was a dinner meal, Hiashi entered the room looking for his brother for some reason. Once inside the room, he visibly froze , turned, and left the room in haste, not bothering to say anything. It was quite abrupt, and Hizashi didn't know whether or not his brother was alright.

"I think...perhaps, I shall need to speak with my brother," Hizashi said, "Excuse me. I apologize that our dinner plans didn't go as smoothly as I had planned, but feel free to spend the rest of the evening with my son."

He left after saying that heading for his brother's quarters. Once there, he simply walked in, to find the man banging his head on the desk in the room. He really didn't know what to make of it, so he coughed to get his brother's attention.

"What do you want?" Hiashi asked, his voice barren of any emotion as he had reeled in all his emotions like a good shinobi should.

"I just got worried about you, since you left without telling me what you needed," Hizashi said, "I'm also sorry for inviting her without telling you first. I know what you must be going through...It was selfish of me, I apologize."

"No need to apologize," Hiashi said, loosening his grip on his emotions, "Its not your fault, who am I to begrudge another man, especially his brother, his happiness."

"Ehm...so what did you need me for?" Hizashi asked.

"I was going to ask you for some advice," Hiashi admitted, "I mean...well...while you may be dating her...I find myself attracted to her as well...not only because she looks like my Ran...but something else...you are the only one I would dare talk to about such things."

"Well, if it bugged you that much, why didn't you act on your feelings...ah...sorry wasn't thinking there," Hizashi said, "I kind of forget that you still have to project the image of the clan whenever we have these kinds of discussions."

"S'alright," Hiashi said waving away the apology, "Well?"

"It is nice being around another woman again," Hizashi said, "A little bit on the young side sure, but everyone's after her. You know I waited for you to act actually, but you didn't so I thought you weren't interested."

"But I was," Hiashi admitted, "I still am...its just that I didn't...I don't...I'm not sure whether I would be betraying my late wife or not had I pursued this clone of hers. They even blush and smile the same way."

"Eh! You've seen her blush? When?" Hizashi asked, none of her suitors had been able to get more than a smile from her.

"During my last rather brief interaction with her," Hiashi said, "I was visiting Haru-sama in the hopes that the clan would finally be united...again, and she was with him so I complimented her."

"Brother," Hizashi said, "You don't compliment people. You don't even compliment me, and I'm your twin."

"Well...I did...she was acting the same way Ran did in front of important persons or the elders," Hiashi said, "I couldn't help myself."

"Maybe you should speak to someone else about this," Hizashi said, "Like that teammate of yours from before, or maybe ask one of your genin if they know anyone you could seek advice from."

"You have got to be kidding," Hiashi said, "Ask my genin, or that woman? No way! I have an image to uphold, not only for myself but for the clan."

"You're forgetting something very important older brother," Hizashi said.

"And what is that?" Hiashi asked.

"Haru-sama is the one that is the face of the Hyuuga clan," Hizashi said, "Almost everyone knows it and acknowledges it as fact. People won't really care as much anymore if you act a little bit out of character."

"I'll ask Tsume in the morning," Hiashi said, giving up in his argument with his brother.

"Glad to hear it," Hizashi said, "Which means I'll have to give up my claim, and simply be her friend, since you are now taking the initiative. It was fun while it lasted, but I don't think that it would be ok in the long run."

"Don't let me stop you from doing what you want," Hiashi said.

"I'm not," Hizashi said, "As I think about it now, the station that I would have obtained had I chosen to truly pursue a lasting relationship with her, is not one suited for myself. It is something for you, so...have dinner with us?"

"Not tonight," Hiashi said, "I think, it would do my daughters some good if I dined with them."

"Well...if you're sure," Hizashi said, then left the room and headed back to where Ran and Neji were.

"-"

Once his brother had left him alone in his room, Hiashi changed clothes, and made his way to where he was sure his two daughters were sure to still be having dinner, the kitchen. The kitchen staff didn't react to well at the sight of their clan head deciding to dine there with his two girls, his daughters didn't really seem to mind, but Hinata looked at his a little suspiciously. She thought he was up to something, her mother told her that when a boy did something different that meant that he was planning something.

Hiashi noticed his daughter's look, and decided to file it away in his mind for later reviewing, as he didn't want to dwell on any problems for the time being, as he spent his dinner in the kitchen.

#

In the morning, Hiashi woke up earlier than he normally did, and did all his routines, even going so far as to finish his paperwork before heading out for the day, he had four people he needed to see, his genin team to inform them that they had a day off, Tsume for advice, and Haru for permission.

Informing his genin about the change of schedule was not a problem, it was his unscheduled meeting with Tsume that would be a problem. He was dreading such a meeting, since he usually had a stick up his ass while in her presence, and in the past had made fun of her relationship with her late husband. But that was hopefully in the past, and that she had forgotten how he had teased her on the fact that while normally she was a tomboy, around her late husband she was such a girl.

As he stood by the gate of the Inuzuka compound, he couldn't help but look visibly agitated, the guard that was left to guard the gate while his partner went off to fetch Tsume, couldn't help but feel uneasy in the presence of one of the coldest and most dangerous men in all of Konoha.

"So? What did you want to speak to me about?" Tsume asked irritably since it was rather early in the morning, Hiashi had insisted that they not have their little talk within her place or his, and chose a Ichiraku Ramen, since at this time in the morning there weren't that many people that went that way.

"I...need some advice..." Hiashi said, 'Might as well get it over with...'

"Advice? On what? For what? And why me?" Tsume asked.

"Hizashi suggested I ask you...for help," Hiashi said, "I'm in a bit of a quandry at the moment...I do not know how to move forward, how to act..."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with your late wife's look-a-like would it?" Tsume asked, "Cause if it is...then damn you've got it bad. I may not have seen the way you look at her, but for you to act this way...so...what do you need from me?"

"I don't exactly know how to proceed," Hiashi admitted, "Hizashi said that he was planning on simply continuing as being her friend, and not pursuing an actual long term relationship with her...which is basically his way of telling me to try my hand..."

"Your hand...? Have you?" Tsume asked, mischievously.

"Well...no..." Hiashi said, not catching onto what his former teammate was insinuating.

"But I hear that Nirvana can be attained in such a way," Tsume said, "I've tried it myself, its quite a good way to proceed."

"So, you're saying I should try my hand with her in mind, or do I practice with someone else?" Hiashi asked.

"Well, I'd tell you to practice with me, but I don't think you'd want to try that," Tsume said, "Rumors are nasty things, and since I believe that you want a chance with this doppelganger, practicing with me would be a rather bad idea, since I too am unmarried at the moment."

"If you could please stop trying to make him sound like a closet pervert and actually give him some advice, I will try not to drop fleas in your hair," Shibi suddenly spoke from the other side of Tsume, when he got their neither of the two knew, but he was there all the same.

"But I did give him advice," Tsume said, "He should just do as his brother did, and simply ask her out or something like that."

"Coward," Shibi whispered into Hiashi's ear, "I don't think he has the confidence in himself to actually do that."

"You did not just accuse me of what I think I heard you accuse me of being," Hiashi said rounding on the man, the Aburame clan head and his other former teammate for that matter, he was prepared to activate his Byakugan.

"I'm just returning the favor," Shibi said, "If I could man up, and do as Tsume suggests, then since you can't seem to do anything but mope, I think that's what you've been doing, not that I keep tabs on my former teammates, then I guess I'm more of a man than you are."

"Stop insulting his pride as a man," Tsume said interrupting Shibi, "I'm sure his pride as a man isn't getting hurt by what you're implying, since I doubt he even remembers what it felt like, seeing as he throws tantrums far worse than a girl."

"You're one to talk, still dressing up as a man," Hiashi said, he was losing his cool.

"Hey, listen here buster," Tsume said grabbing the colar of his shirt, "I may dress like a man, but in the bedroom I'm all woman."

"Now now you two, calm down," Shibi said, "I know it gets hard seeing her look-a-like in the village, especially when she's hanging out with your look-a-like. But c'mon, move on, she'll always be in your heart right? So, move on, get on with your life, and stop your senseless torture."

"The closer pervert is right," Tsume said, "Yes Shibi, I still remember all those little books you disguised as puzzle books in our youth, I bet your wife doesn't know about them."

"Hey! I've got reputation to keep you know," Shibi said.

"Whatever," Tsume said, dismissing Shibi, "Hiashi, just...I dunno, ask her out casually or something, just make sure that you don't treat her or think of her as a replacement for the wife you lost. They may look the same, but its highly unlikely that they are the same person."

"If I wasn't married, had a kid, or was an Aburame, I'd have joined in on the courting of that flower," Shibi said, "We'd be busy as bees in a hive in no time."

"Shibi, keep your fantasies in check," Tsume said, "You never know when your wife might have followed you, and found out about your wandering mind."

"Good morning Shina," Hiashi greeted suddenly.

"What? Where!" Shibi suddenly panicked, which was uncharacteristic of an Aburame, looking around he didn't his wife or anyone that looked like her, "You teme, I can't believe you did that."

"You were annoying me," Hiashi said.

"And to think, I wanted to help you," Shibi said.

"Now now, Shibi, leave the girly man alone," Tsume said, "I'm sure he'll find some way around his present predicament, its not like he has anything to lose at this point."

"What in the world are you talking about," Hiashi said.

"Get with the times," Tsume said, "Everyone knows that whoever gets the girl this time, gets the seat of power that goes with her. In any case, you really have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain. You've already more or less lost your position as clan head, your daughters may go next, since they're more or less still considered as clan heirs, the question is, will they be permitted to stay with the uncaring you who has neglected to find a suitable female figure for them to look up to."

"So...what's it gonna be teme," Shibi said, "Do I need to pull out all the remaining blackmail material I have on you or are you gonna act. Cause you know, the first time we had this conversation I really did have to pull out all sort of shit on you. Hey, now that's an idea, I'll just have to casually let slip that you've been thinking of her in less than civil ways...all seeing eyes coupled with well your robes...there's a lot you might've seen and have been doing."

"I really didn't need the mental image of Hiashi peeping and whacking at it behind closed doors," Tsume said, "Hiashi, hands out where I can see them, those casual robes of your can still hide much movement."

"One of these days, I'm gonna push through with my bug spray threat," Hiashi warned Shibi, "Fine, I'll go have a go with her."

"Whoa, bro you move fast, not even speaking to her save for that one time, and now you're planning on having a go at her? Damn," Hizashi wanting to have some Ramen for breakfast couldn't help but listening in on the tail end of the conversation.

"Zashi," Hiashi said a warning tone in voice.

"Fine, fine, no jokes from me especially in the company of the Aburame closet perv, and the nympho Inuzuka, with gender bender issues," Hizashi teased.

"I'll have you know, I'm all woman," Tsume defended herself, while Hiashi slipped out of the ramen stand/bar/place.

"Oh really," Hizashi pushed on, "When was the last time you wore a kimono? You know the kind."

"What does that have to do with my femininity?" Tsume asked, preparing an empty ramen bowl to throw at the more annoying and carefree twin.

"I think it was last night," Shibi said, "Floral design right?"

He was barely able to dodge as a ramen bowl flew past his head.

"Kidding! I was kidding!" Shibi said, "Mercy!"

"If you had the guts to peep on me, you have the pain tolerance to deal with my punishment," Tsume said as she kneed him in the 'nads several times.

"I'll pay for their ramen," Hizashi told Teuchi, it was a bribe in order for him not to have to feel Shibi's pain.

"-"

"So let me get this straight," Haru said, "You wish to court Ran, yes?"

"Hai," Hiashi replied, they were seated opposite one another within one of the rooms of the main house of the Hyuuga clan head's compound within the private residential district within the grounds of the extensive lands that made up the more or less Uzumaki compound.

"Why are you asking me?" Haru said, "Shouldn't you be asking her? I mean, she may be considered a member of my family, but she is her own person, with the ability to make her own decisions."

"I am asking, just so you know that I will be attempting to pursue a possibly long term relationship with her," Hiashi replied.

"Very well," Haru said, "Took you long enough...Good luck, you'll need it."

Hiashi left the young man's presence and went off in search of Ran, and ended up meeting Seigen by the gate of the compound.

"I am well aware of your sudden interest in Ran," Seigen said, "I am sorry about your wife, she wasn't exactly entirely alive at the time, but anyway, good luck. And if you hurt her, I will make sure you know what staring down a bijuu feels like."

"Hai," Hiashi said, there was no backing down now, if he ran, well he would dishonor himself.

A bit of walking later, Hiashi found himself in the company of his twin and Ran, they were once again in Hizashi's dining area, minus any food and Neji.

"Since my dear brother lost his tongue to a cat, I'll do the talking for him" Hizashi said, "We're brothers after all, and twins at that."

"Er...ok," Ran said unsure of what exactly was going on.

"Let us begin," Hizashi said, "While it is unconventional for another to speak on one's behalf, I am confident that all, or almost all, of what I am to say are the things my brother wishes to convery. Don't give me that look aniki. Now where was I, ah yes. My brother would like to spend some time with you to get to know you. The time that he complimented you on your unparalled beauty was not merely a courtesy, but was the truth, or his version of the truth. Such flowerly words are unbecoming of a clan head, or to one that leads the Konoha Hyuuga anyway. But he did indeed mean those words as I'm sure he simply hid the blush that formed on his face after realizing what he said."

"..." Hiashi simply glared at his brother, he was actually slowly losing his nerve.

"Ah..heh...uhm...yes," Hizashi said, noticing his brother's mood, "My brother has been infatuated with you ever since he first laid eyes on you, and the only reason he has avoided trying to woo you himself, was due to the fact that you resemble his late wife that I bet you've got the same birthmark as she did," while he may have been joking he didn't know just how right his joke was, but she blushed nonetheless, "He had been holding himself back as he thought his late wife might have taken it against him in the afterlife...or something like that while personally I too have a late wife, but I still attempted to pursue your affections, ending in my own self realization that I am not the one for your or you for me, which is where my loving cold hearted brother comes in. He has not accepted the fact that his late wife would want him to be happy, find happiness, and not dwell too much on the past and what might have been, which is why..." but he was cut off by his own brother, silencing him with a look and a mental 'Shut up you talk too much, I'll take over now lest you talk til next year'.

"Would it be possible for you to have dinner with me sometime?" Hiashi finally asked, while not sappy or romantic, it was the thought that counted, "I would sincerely like to get to know you better."

"I thought you'd never ask," she said blushing slightly.

"Damnit Hiashi! Let me see, let me see!" Hizashi was being held down by a Kage Bushin of his twin, and was unable to witness Ran blush a second time due to Hiashi.

#

The two went out a few times, and from those few times it became often, and eventually the three forms of Naruto had to prank a lot of clan compounds and districts due to the rumors which were spread became so far from the truth and so deranged in some cases that people needed to be distracted from the insanity of Hyuuga Hiashi smiling and on occasion blushing. Hizashi greatly helped in keeping the Hyuuga Konoha Elders at bay and unaware of Hiashi falling for somone whom they believed would have been better off with someone they could more easily control.

By the time Naruto's sixth birthday rolled around the Hyuuga pair were officially married, and unofficially remarried but only Ran and the Uzumaki's were aware of that...the Sakujo clan had an inkling but weren't about to spoil such a secret.

The wedding had been officiated by none other than the Hokage, and was held in the one place that a majority of Konoha did not want to even set foot on, the Uzumaki grounds.

Needless to say the only guests were the entire Hyuuga clan, now closer to being unified, the actual unification process began when the Haru's Hyuuga descended on the Konoha branch members during the wedding reception and stripped them of all their clothing during a smokescreen and applied the original protection seal, before redressing them in the clothes of their dates if they had any, and in the cases of the singles dressed them up as clowns. Who knew the Hyuuga twins had coulrophobia.

It was during this ensuing chaos that the Saganiki Kotone and Kirara finally arrived in Konoha, their Suna assigned counterparts also just arrived at that same time. When travelling around the desert without a map, getting lost was quite normal, especially if one forgot to consult with the logistics division about the location of their destinations. The Saganiki were good at necromancy and finding out the mysteries of the past, but directions...only Tenma was of use there, and a select few members that made up the logistics division of the clan.

"How the heck did you get lost!" Seigen shouted, he was a little tispsy.

"Oh, leave them be to enjoy the party," Haru said before dragging Seigen away with the help of Naruto, the core of the whole, and brought him back to where Hizashi was playing strip poker with only his boxer shorts remaining.

Shiro still had all his clothes on, and the Sakujo swore on the honor of their clan not to use their bloodline, the ones that could play around with luck anyway. In the end Shiro was the only one left with their dignity intact.

"How the hell do you have so much luck?" someone asked Shiro.

"Benten is my godmother," Shiro replied, and by that point all who heard couldn't help but take his word for it.