It was awkward sitting with the Head of the Hyuuga, his twin brother, the hokage and a squirming Naruto by his side all in one room. Well, awkward was one way of putting it. Kakashi did not plan for Naruto to be exposed to the world of shinobi that early in his life, but once again fate chose otherwise. He knew allowing Naruto to go on stakeouts and guard duty was a risk, but the current situation was just too unlikely, comical even. Never had he expected the little training he allowed Naruto to have earlier on would help expose a plan to kidnap a Hyuuga of all people. Naruto really was an Uzumaki at the end of the day, his mother having been in a similar situation when she was only a child.

Hizashi, Hiashi's younger brother and right-hand man, broke the silence.

"Hokage-sama, would you care to explain the situation? My niece had been kidnapped by a ninja of a village that we were on supposedly good terms with only to be rescued by the Kyuubi's container. I demand answers, this may have been an attack on my clan, but the repercussions could have brought devastation to the Village."

Kakashi tensed at the mention of Naruto being the Kyuubi's container but the hokage gave him a stern look.

"At ease Kakashi. Hizashi-san, I will answer all questions that is within my ability to answer, however do not use this as an opportunity to speak the words I have forbidden."

Hizashi opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted by his brother.

"Your words imply that there is more to the boy than you will answer, Hokage-sama. I will not press further into the matter more than I can as he has saved my daughter, but I want answers to all my questions regarding the ninja and his team who dared to steal from me."

"Thank you, Hiashi-sama. The ninja who attempted to kidnap your daughter will be taken to ANBU headquarters and interrogated by Inoichi Yamanaka, as will the rest of his team. An urgent notice has already been sent to the Raikage."

"I trust that they will all receive the death penalty then? Lest they want my clan to retaliate, which we certainly will if they do not meet our demands."

"It will most likely end that way, Hiashi-sama, though I wish you do not speak of war so easily."

"My daughter had been kidnapped; it is only by the grace of the young boy who saved her that the ninja is not dead by my own hand. I am a parent, Hokage-sama and I am willing to tackle whatever odds needed for the sake of my child," he turned his attention to Naruto and then to Kakashi. "Tell me, son of the White Fang, Hatake-san, why the Uzumaki child was on guard duty with your subordinates."

Kakashi felt all eyes on him, except for Naruto's. He had been squirming the entire time, the Kumo incident leaving a negative effect on him.

He laughed sheepishly and gave a tiny eye smile to Hiashi. "Well, uh, that's kind of you see, it's a complicated situation that I doubt you'll be interested in. I mean Naruto, that's his name in case you didn't know, is a very…active child and well one thing led to another and now we are...well we're here."

"How very articulate of you, Hatake-san. I am interested in why he was there and why he calls you by an affectionate term. Best you start explaining before, Naruto, as you called him, passes out due to the amount of discomfort he is feeling."

Kakashi looked at a pale Naruto. He didn't have much options anyway, it was better to answer now as he would definitely be questioned later by the hokage.

"Very well. Hokage-sama forgive me if I let too much out."

The hokage raised his brow but nodded. He was curious as well to say the least at why Naruto was with Genma and Hayate.

Kakashi took a breath and impulsively placed Naruto in his lap. It was odd, but he needed a sense of relief, usually he would just let the truth out and accept whatever punishment he was given. Now, he felt dread and an urge to hold Naruto close to him as a way to comfort each other. The rapid rate at which he was changing was concerning.

"Hiashi-sama, Hizashi-san, I ask that you view what I'm about to say in a neutral light and not in a way that I am using Naruto to gain power or influence."

They nodded and he told them everything from the beginning, the Uchiha and their plot being the exception. As it was, not even the hokage knew about his knowledge and it had to remain that way. He closed Naruto's ears praying that he wouldn't hear too much and if he did, he wouldn't understand the words used. It was too soon for Naruto to know why he was treated differently, he wouldn't be able to handle it or accept it. As though a miracle happened, Naruto fell asleep and was only awakened much later by Hizashi's cry of outrage.

"Train! This was a way to train him? And what would you have done Hatake-san if the situation had not worked out in our favour and not only would Hinata be in the clutches of Kumohagakure, but the Kyuubi as well?"

"Kyuubi?" Naruto asked dazedly.

"Hizashi I have warned you! Nothing for you to be concerned about, Naruto. Kakashi answer the question, I want to hear your answer," Hiruzen said.

"I admit that my actions are reckless, but as Naruto's legal guardian, I'm acting in his best interests. He'll have to face the rest of the Village some day and like hell am I going to let them take advantage of his ignorance. They won't treat him without bias, the school will withhold information from him and he'll be at a disadvantage. Sooner or later, there'll be others wanting to come after him, if I don't train him now then Naruto will live the rest of his life rejected by society and targeted by our enemies. He's not just a burden to the Village and should worse come to worse he'll even be prepared to defend us."

His answer met a quiet room, everyone considering his point.

"Then, Hatake-san, you have won my clan over. We Hyuuga do admire strength and if tonight is the result of Naruto using the little training you taught him, then we will support the decision of Hokage-sama. There is one more thing I would like to hear from you: you failed to mention what you would have done had the tide not been in our favour," Hizashi said.

Kakashi smirked, though it couldn't be seen from under his mask. "Rabbit and Frog are both Special Jonin under my command. Team Rou is the infamous elite ANBU squad and we've never failed a mission once since our teamed formed three years ago. To doubt their skill is to doubt my team, that never works out for anyone, ninja or kage."

Hiruzen let out a small scoff. "Keep your pride in check Kakashi and expect a punishment for your entire team for doing this without my consent. You may continue with this training of yours until the return of Fugaku Uchiha. What happens after that is the decision of the council."

Hiruzen stood up and looked at Hiashi, "I believe we have covered most of what you wanted to ask unless there is anything else you would want to know?"

"There is more Hokage-sama though I doubt you'll be kind enough to inform me of it all. Tell me though, with regards to his paren-"

Hiruzen raised a hand. "That is enough, Hiashi. Other than mentioning what he holds within, your question also breaks my law. It is for his protection and for the sake of the Village. I will be on my way if that is the only question you have. Goodnight Naruto," he waved at a confused Naruto and left the room.

The tension increased and Kakashi was glad that he had at least Naruto with him. Now to find an excuse to leave this place- his thought were interrupted by a suddenly fully aware Naruto.

"Hey old man! Is the girl okay?" Damn it Naruto! Would it kill you to not drag me any further? Calling Hiashi Hyuuga old man…

His impromptu speech surprised Hiashi. "She is alright," he responded stiffly. Kakashi hoped that would be enough to satisfy Naruto.

"Hey old man!" Why couldn't Hokage-sama take me with him. Naruto stop talking!

"Why do you look like the other guy and why are your eyes so white?"

Hiashi was at a lost for words and while Hizashi didn't approve of Naruto's involvement, he found his speech amusing.

"I am Hiashi Hyuuga, you should learn to speak with more-"

"Old man you talk funny. You needa smile more too cause you look like girl, you needa look happy, ya know?"

"You brat! I am only allowing you to speak like this because you happen-"

"Can I see her?"

Hiashi was seeing red. No one had ever spoken to him in such a condescending way. The child may have saved his daughter and earned his respect but other than that he-

"Old man! You're worse than Tenzou-nii. Can I see her please, pretty please?" Naruto used his puppy dog eyes for extra measure.

Hizashi let out a laugh. It was completely out of character but seeing his brother who always acted high and mighty unable to answer a toddler was a rare sight. The Hatake looked like he was ready to dig his own grave.

"Hiashi nii-sama compose yourself. Hatake-san do not worry so, my brother is just not used to Naruto's way of speech."

"Hizashi you…"

"It is the truth, nii-sama. Allow the boy to see Hinata as she is still awake, they will be out of our hair then and we can retire back to bed."

Hiashi considered his brother's words and in a second, he was back to his usual, composed self.

"Very well. Hatake-san, as thanks for your contribution to my daughter's wellbeing, you two will be allowed to see her, with my being there of course. Let us go," he said and rose.

Kakashi, glad that Naruto's choice of words did not land him in any more trouble lifted Naruto from his lap and stood up.

"Thank you Hiashi-sama and umm, sorry for Naruto's behaviour. I've been busy with training, so I never got a chance to teach him manners," Kakashi glared at Naruto and scratched the back of his neck.

"You will do well in educating him then. A ninja is both sound of mind and body, I expect better from you son of the White Fang."

He said and left the room promptly.

"Do not pay him mind. While I still do not like the idea of my clan supporting this decision, I admit that it is an interesting turn of events. It has been a long time since I have my brother act so normal so you have my thanks, Hatake-san. As well as you, Naruto-kun," Hizashi told him as he walked out.

With just Naruto and Kakashi left, the latter let out a sigh of relief.

"Just so you know Naru-chan, tomorrow we'll have a thorough talking-to."

Naruto paid him no mind and quite literally skipped to catch up with Hiashi, leaving Kakashi staring behind him. Damn you Pup, you got me into so much trouble and still act like the victim. You're definitely Kushina-san's child alright.


Hiashi Hyuuga stood outside his daughter's bedroom and knocked lightly. It took all of his strength to not barge in and grab her by her shoulder, apologising for his past mistakes and how terrible he had treated her despite her young age. He could not do it, not while he had to maintain his stoic persona. He hated being clan head and wished that it was passed on instead to his younger brother. Hizashi would be a much better leader, he had seen how the rest of his clan interacted with his brother. They treated him with respect out of admiration, not out of fear of the main branch.

He shook his head; it was not the time to dwell on his regrets. Naruto stood behind him and gently tugged at his kimono. Hiashi had to admit that the small action was endearing, the thought surprised him as he hadn't thought of anything to be endearing in a long time.

"Old man is she in there?" Naruto asked. Hiashi was still annoyed that he was being referred to as 'old man', he was only thirty-two! He chose to believe that Naruto only called him that because he spent time with the much younger Hatake and his companions and not that he looked old in the slightest. His hair had a healthy gloss to it and his beloved wife often told him that she was jealous of how he never seemed to age.

"Yes, she is and refer to me Hiashi-sama or for the very least, Hyuuga-sama."

"Huh? Why not old man or ji-san?"

Hiashi's eye twitched. "Because that would be improper."

"Im- improp- improportion?"

"Improper. It means unacceptable, is Hatake-san not teaching you anything besides how to develop skill?"

Naruto bobbed his head to the side. "Who's Hatake-san?"

Hiashi stared at him in disbelief. Was he naturally this dense or was there something wrong with him? Age has nothing to do with stupidity. Hatake was doing the Village a favour by taking him in, he could only imagine how painful it was to deal Naruto.

He moved his gaze to the door again and called out softly, "Hinata, are you still awake? There is guest who wishes to meet you."

Hinata squeaked from inside her room. The night had been traumatising for her and now there was someone who wanted to meet her? Not wanting to cause anymore trouble for her father or the guest she answered.

"I'll be coming in then." before he opened the door, he gave Naruto a stern look.

"Absolutely no funny business young man," he said and immediately regretted it when he saw the look on Naruto's face. What was he doing, reprimanding a toddler to behave himself in his daughter's room? The night had not fared well for him.

He opened the door and Naruto immediately ran in. Hinata was sitting up in her futon and let out gasp as a boy about her size jumped on her.

"Are you okay?" he asked her. Hinata, still in shock, looked at her father who stood at the entrance. Next to him stood a young man with white hair that seemed to defy gravity. Her father did nothing so she assumed that the boy on top of her meant no harm.

"H-hai."

Naruto got up from on top of her and gave her a lopsided grin.

"That must've been scary! I'm glad you're okay. Kashi-nii did the same thing to me in the park."

Hiashi gave Kakashi a look.

"I didn't know what else to do, alright!"

The children ignored Kakashi and Hiashi. "I-I heard your- your voice," Hinata stuttered out. "Were you the one who saved me? Ari-arigato."

Naruto stared at her, noticing her features for the first time. He found it strange that she couldn't speak without repeating the words. Maybe she was also stupid? He was called that a lot whenever he did somthing wrong and hurt himself. Her eyes were also strange, there was no black dot in the middle like his and they looked purple. Her hair was short, only reaching just past her ears and it covered her forehead until her eyebrows. It was so dark it almost looked blue, it suited her much better than Sasuke.

She was very pale, almost like the snow he saw in winter but just a little bit darker. She looked stunned to see him and her cheeks started to turn pink. Weird.

"I guess. I'm Naruto! What's your name?"

"Hi-hinata."

"I like that name. It sounds better than Sasuke. Let's be friends!"

Hinata's eyes widened. "Friends?"

"Yeah! I like you and you're also really really pretty. Genma-nii said that if I see a pretty girl I should be friends with her."

Kakashi chuckled at that. Naruto obviously didn't know the meaning behind it but Hiashi did.

"Tell him to get off of my daughter before I take him off myself, Hatake."

"Relax, Hiashi-sama. He doesn't know what he's saying."

Hinata flushed bright pink. "You think I look pretty?"

Naruto nodded and pat her head. "You look like a princess from a story book."

"You- you look pretty too. Like a pr-prince."

"I don't wanna be a prince. They're boring, in the stories it's always the ninjas that saves the princesses."

"Then you can be my ninja, Naru-naruto-kun," Hinata mumbled loud enough for her father to hear.

Kakashi lightly grabbed Naruto from her before Hiashi exploded. He watched the entire exchange with a horrified expression and was about to grab Naruto when it seemed he wanted to lean in for a hug.

"Alright Naruto, it's almost one a.m. we need to get going now."

"But Kashi-nii, I just made a new friend!"

"And it's time to say goodbye. Goodnight, Hinata-chan."

Hinata looked at Kakashi and then at a struggling Naruto and giggled. She felt a safer and less frightened.

"Goodnight," she said.

"Kashi-nii you're mean," Naruto said as Kakashi made his way past Hiashi. "Night old man, night hime."

"Hime? Hatake you better-"

"I'm already on it, Hiashi-sama. Goodnight."

As he greeted, he and Naruto shunshined away. Hiashi was left alone in his daughter's room and Hinata was still recovering from meeting her new friend.

"Tou-sama, can you -can you stay with me tonight?"

Hiashi gave a the slightest of smiles and agreed, "Hinata I will gladly stay the night with you. I must tell you though, that just because he saved you does not mean you have to friends with him, my dear."

"Tou-sama, he was really nice and-and he called me 'hime'. I want to be his friend Tou-sama."

Hiashi groaned, "Very well Hinata, we shall discuss this in the morning. I am going to a spare futon, try to fall asleep before then."

"Hai, Tou-sama. I-I love you," she said softly and Hiashi, for the first time in a long time, smiled fully.

"I love you too, my dear."


So here it is... I know it's rushed and not really that good but I loved writing Naruto and Hinata. She definitely will be seen again and as will the other characters since this chapter was mainly for the sake of Naruto meeting Hinata and getting the Kumo incident out of the way. Kakashi now has the Hyuuga on his side so how will the council feel when one of its most influential clans are backing his idea? Please review, favourite and follow. I want to know your ideas and thoughts on how I can make this fic better. Ideas for characters or story plot are open so feel free to comment of pm! Until next time, ja.