Title: Sneaking Around Konoha

Author: enchanted nightingale

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Naruto, or the characters from them and I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Summary: Loneliness was not for him, Harry knew that. Then he met Kakashi and he found a solution to his problem.

Pair: Harry Potter/ Kakashi Hatake

CHAPTER 34 – Clan Matters – Part one

Harry and Kurenai met at the wizard's herb shop. It still operated and sold herbs and the like, but Harry himself usually worked at the hospital, along side mostly Tsunade and Shizune, and teaching medic nin how to make various simple salves and tonics. But this was still the spot to meet up with Kurenai for tea during their busy days. Hyuga Hirohito was in charge of running the shop and when Harry needed any help making more elaborate concoctions, the Hyuga was still his first go-to person due to his extensive knowledge of various herbs.

The process of recreating various magical potions by finding the equivalent parts using ingredients from the elemental nations was a slow one but there was notable progress in some areas. Already the 'Blood Replenishing Potion' was readily available for use by Konoha's medic nin, and a commodity for sale to their allies. Tsunade's dream of founding a specialized course for medic and making all Konoha teams have at least one medic per team was slowly but surely being put in effect through Naruto's tireless efforts. Konoha was slowly but steadily changing and evolving and it showed around the village.

"… and then he had the balls to try and look innocent, while trying to blame our kids," Kurenai complained. "Honestly, Asuma's nearing forty and he acts worse than a toddler."

"You should see when Kakashi gets obstinate, or bored, or both," Harry muttered, sighing over his mug of tea.

"You look like an old pair of fish wives, complaining about their errant husbands," Hirohito remarked as he walked by the pair.

"Want to join us and complain about your other half?" Kurenai suggested.

The Hyuga quirked a smile. "I'll pass. This time. Enjoy your break."

"We will. I still have fifteen minutes before I have to get back to the Academy," the kunoichi replied. "Say Sorano's one-year birthday is coming up."

"Teddy's already planning a party, nothing outrageous, just a few of his close comrades, his old Genin team, Kakashi's Team seven. He mentioned he wanted your family to come and I was going to tell you. Also, no presents allowed. That girl has entirely too many clothes and toys. Already I had to make a trip to Konoha's orphanage and bring them quite a few things. That girl is going to grow up so spoiled…" Harry bemoaned. "Thankfully, she's still adorable."

Kurenai laughed. "I bet. The Sarutobi clan keep sending gifts to my hellions, too many in my opinion. Asuma says its normal, I think it's excessive."

"Clans take care of their people," Hirohito remarked. "Even us Hyuga, even the branch family, got usually more clothes and little trinkets than what I know other clans to give. Depends on the wealth of the clan and the prestige they have. Boss here should apply to be a recognized Clan soon. With the way you aid Konoha's military forces, the Daimyo might come knocking and being a Shinobi Clan will afford you protection."

"Mmm, Tsunade also mentioned something similar. Kakashi did explain a few things. Honestly, I'm not sure if I should petition for my family to become a Clan, or if I should join the Hatake Clan officially," Harry said.

Both Kurenai and Hirohito shared an incredulous look.

"Join Hatake Clan?" Kurenai asked.

"They are a recognized Clan," Harry pointed out. "And I know that the Elders, may their souls burn in Hell, made several overtures to force Shinobi like Kakashi and Sasuke to expand their Clans. Sauke could not escape it, but Kakashi has been avoiding them for years, or at least that's how I understood things."

"He has," Hirohito agreed. "Just like Jiraya-sama, Tsunade-sama and several other shinobi with remarkable abilities. Very few villages want to let talented Shinobi die without offspring. Usually they want continuation of the blood. That's how new Kekkei Genkai are born."

"Hatake Clan had the white Chakra and canine senses," Kurenai explained, "The Keduin Clan, who are also part of Konoha, a small clan known for their ability to take on the appearance of others, but no fighting abilities to speak of. The Kurama Clan is one that is lowly fading out. They were known Genjutsu masters but only one member has passed the Genin exam in at least a decade. They are little above civilians at this point. Sakura is talented enough that she might be targeted for the same reasons. I have heard that Sai comes from an almost extinct bloodline. Had ROOT still been around Danzo would have forced that boy into having at least a couple of descendants just to pass on his abilities. Tsunade is the last Senju to inherit her Clan's abilities, but she never even considered having children after she lost her then husband and her brother. Jiraya, for all his colorful activities, has no children and will likely never have any."

"In general, Konoha has a long tradition of accepting various Shinobi with various abilities, but since we entered peace time, there was less pressure on Clans and individuals to spurn out more soldiers," Hirohito bluntly explained. "What Danzo did with ROOT… That was a step so far back, it reminded me of practices from the wartime era, before the village was founded. My Clan may have its members 'sealed' but no one forces us to marry. Yes, a few Elders did try, but that is one thing that Hyuga Hiashi never let them and Hinata-sama continued from where here father let off."

"How some you want to join Kakashi's Clan?" Kurenai asked.

"Quite frankly, it's been on my mind for a while now," Harry admitted. "Since I heard he was getting pressure to add to his Clan. Typically, adding us would add to the Clan. But also, I love having a big family around me."

"You are much sneakier and underhanded than most people expect of you," Hirohito told him. "You would have made a very dangerous Shinobi."

"Thanks, I think."

"It was a good compliment," Kurenai commented. "So, Clan matters, to me are a headache and a half. I come from Shinobi, but we were not an actual Clan. Now I am included into the Sarutobi Clan. It has both advantages and disadvantages."

"Most Clan Elders, usually the old generation, can cause many problems. Shinobi have long memories typically, so spats between Clans from the same village, or enemy village… Things can easily get complicated," Hirohito commented. "If you are seriously thinking about this, my opinion is to actually speak with Kakashi, hear his thoughts, see your options and then decide on a course of action."

"I agree," Kurenai said. "Especially since you have time and options."

Harry thought back to the incident with Sorano's accidental magic. He worried about his granddaughter. Worried about her future with a father as an active Shinobi, growing up in a Hidden village. She would definitely become a powerful witch. If she had inherited any other characteristics from Teddy, or even from Remus, they had yet to show. So far only Nyphadora's blood had outed. But she would grow, they all grew fast.

"That's a heavy look on your face," Kurenai commented.

"Just thinking about Sorano. Her first birthday is coming up. Soon she will be running all over the place," Harry commented. "I don't know what will happen after that."

Kurenai blinked.

"What do you mean?" the Kunoichi asked.

"I was never ready for Teddy to become Shinobi. I have no idea if his girl will want to follow his footsteps."

Kurenai nodded in understanding. "This will need something stronger than tea."

"If you get drunk, I'll drown you both. This is not a bar," Hirohito warned. "And you have work Kurenai-san."

"I better get home," Harry sighed. "You are both correct, this should be a conversation to have with Kakashi first."

Kakashi was using the backyard for a cool down after his earlier sparing session with Guy and Genma. His ninken were lounging under the trees, exhausted. His eye was covered, and he had lost the shirt a while ago, choosing to stretch and work on his tan at the same time. He heard Harry approaching before he saw the green-eyed man. He could here him stop close by, and he kept working on his form until he finished his set and then he turned to look at his partner. He tried not to be too smug when he saw Harry's eyes focus on his abs.

"Hey there!"

"How was sparring with Guy and Genma?"

"Calming. How was tea with Kurenai?"

"Interesting," Harry replied.

Kakashi blinked, sensing a much deeper subject lurking ahead. "Should I put a shirt on?" he asked.

Harry paused. "Not necessarily," he allowed. "I do like ogling those abs. You work hard for them."

"Was that a pun or an invitation?"

The wizard laughed. "You are just impossible."

"Does that mean that I should get the heavy alcohol out?"

"Nope, I need you sober."

"Oh, boy."

End of chapter