Disclaimer: I do not own any wrights to Naruto or Shadow Skill. I merely use their characters and themes for entertainment purposes.
Neji was not happy, in fact he was rather angry. Not only because he found out that his cousin was now married, but also because they refused to tell him. When he confronted them about their relationship and the statement from the young child Jade, they simply said they would explain later. When he demanded to know why Naruto said it would just be easier for everyone if they explained it at one time instead of telling them separately. Seeing that the matter was closed Neji, much to his displeasure, he let the matter be dropped. Of coarse Neji from that point on was never more than about two meters away from the couple, this included nighttime as well. If one were to observe they would either pity the couple or have the highest respects for their patients because of what was denied to them at night.
As they neared the Main Gate, Naruto, Hinata and Neji took the lead. About ten meters from the gate they were stopped by several guards, "State your names and business for entering the village."
"Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata," Naruto answered. "We are returning from our mission to Plains Country and are now escorting representatives to sign a trade agreement."
"Hyuuga Neji," Neji answered. "Returning from a B-Rank mission. I ran into them on the way here."
"Welcome back," the guard said, "Report to Hokage-sama immediately, she has been anxious to see you for quite some time."
"Not a problem," Naruto said, "We have a lot to talk about."
"That we do," Neji said. He then turned to the guard and said, "Would you please inform Hyuuga Hiashi that Hyuuga Hinata has returned and to come to the Hokage Office. There are matters that require his attention as well."
"Yes Sir," the guard singled to let the party in and then left to find Hiashi.
When they entered the village the first thing the members of the Savile tribe noticed was the four stone faces on the mountain side and one that was currently being worked on. The face they focused on was the fourth face. Isalia thought it looked like her father only much younger. She assumed that it was the Fourth Hokage, her lost brother. Seeing their gaze Naruto explained, "That is the Hokage Monument, the faces are carved into the mountain as a showing of respect. The fifth face they're working on belongs to the current Hokage, Tsunade."
"And where is the actual graves of the Hokages?" Isalia asked. "Or more to be more precise the Fourth's?"
"Outsiders are not permitted to see their actual graves," Neji commented."
"I'm sure Tsunade will make the exception for family," Naruto said. Neji got did not like the comment about family, for it reminded him of the past few days, but remained quite.
It did not take long for them to reach the Hokage Tower. By that time many had heard of the representatives from Plains Country and the return of the Hyuuga Heir. Many stared openly at the travelers and could not help but notice the similarities between the blond haired members of the group and the memories of the Fourth Hokage. This only increased their curiosity and made them stare even more. The only one that seemed affected by the stares was the young child of the group, who was trying to hide in-between two young adults that they could only assume was the child's parents.
As soon as they entered the entire group was guided into the Hokage Office. Inside there were several people, including the current Hokage, Jiraiya, Hiashi, and various Anbu and Jounins; including some of Naruto and Hinata's friends. When the group entered the office the three shinobi bowed, Neji then went off to the side, he would give his report latter. This meeting was for Naruto, Hinata, and their guests only. "Hokage-sama," Naruto said, "I am happy to report that my mission was successful, and I would like to introduce Savile Isalia, Leader of the Savile Tribe and her party acting as representatives for the Savile Tribe. They are here to finalize the trade agreement."
The entire group, minus Naruto and Hinata, bowed in greeting to Tsunade. Tsunade returned the bow speaking, "It is an honor to greet you. I am sure the trade agreement will benefit both us."
"The honor is ours esteemed Hokage," Isalia answered. "We have long wished to meet with you village. But various complications have prevented this meeting until now."
Tsunade nodded, "Now as it was an official mission, Naruto please give your report." Naruto then told of his mission from the time of the attack from the Akatsuki to the arrival at the central camp to the meeting with Isalia and the elimination of the Missing-nin. When he was finished Tsunade addressed Hinata, "Hinata, since your mission involved separate goals, would you give your report?" Hinata nodded and began just like Naruto's the difference came when Naruto left after the Missing-nin and she went into detail about was has already been discussed at the initial agreements that were discussed at the meeting. "Thank you Hinata, we shall arrange a meeting with the Village Council in a few days time." She then turned to the Anbu and Jounins, "I believe this next part is private so you are all dismissed." Most of the assemble shinobi left, the only ones that remained were Jiraiya, Hiashi, Sakura and Neji.
When the room was cleared Naruto said with a sigh, "You all might wish to sit down. A lot has happened and it will shock many of you." A couple of people exchanged a puzzled look but soon complied. After a few minutes everyone, including the Savile tribe, were seated in the various chairs in the room. "Let's see where to begin," Naruto contemplated, "Well to start, for those who don't know I am the nephew of the Fourth Hokage." The only ones that seemed to be surprised were Sakura and Neji. Tsunade and Jiraiya already knew, and Hiashi was informed just before the two left. "And the Fourth was the brother of Isalia. That means she is my Aunt." Taking a breath Naruto said, "This is where everything is new. During the fight with Missing-nin a certain revelation occurred. As I told you Shadow Skill was a lost style from the ancient city of Karuda. It had a counter style called Open Skill. Well Open Skill was not lost like Shadow Skill. The survivors of Karuda carried on the style. The survivors became nomads, to be more precise they became the Savile Tribe."
This stunned everyone in the room no one was expecting this. Several moments of silence past before it was Jiraiya that spoke, "That would explain why Arashi had such an affinity for jutsus that did not use hand seals."
"What do you mean by that Jiraiya-sama?" Sakura asked.
"If a family line use a certain way of molding charka long enough the future descendants of that line sometimes develop an affinity for that style of combat," Hiashi answered, "And if that affinity continues enough, it could develop into a Bloodline Limit."
"Correct," Jiraiya nodded, "And if Open Skill is like Shadow Skill, in that it does not require hand seals then a person from a family that uses Open Skill would easily be able to use jutsus that do not require them."
"And one of the many things the Fourth was known for was to use jutsus that did not require hand seals," Tsunade finished.
"I see," Sakura said.
"Well that was certainly enlightening Naruto," Tsunade said. "And a bit of a shocker, I can appreciate your suggestion for us to sit down."
"They're not done yet," Neji spoke. Those from Konoha looked at the young Jounin then. "You said you would explain once we arrived so you could tell us all at once, so start explaining." They turned their attention back to Naruto and Hinata with confusion
and anticipation written on their faces.
Naruto sighed and was about to begin but Hinata beat him too it. "A couple of months ago Naruto-kun and I," she paused taking a deep breath, "Became husband and wife."
For several minutes there was dead silence. The members of the Savile Tribe were waiting patiently to see the reactions from the shinobi and judging by the way Neji took the news, it would not be well. Naruto and Hinata waited nervously for the news to sink in, they could already predict the reaction. Those from Konoha were busy processing the information, except Neji that is. Then finally the silence was shattered by a collective, "WHAT?" then several questions followed all jumbled together. Only words such as "how," "daughter," and "him," could be made out clearly because these were either the loudest or spoken the most. This continued for several seconds until Hiashi stood up, the shock had worn off and now he wanted answers. When he stood the room became silent again. "Now Hinata would you explain what exactly so you mean?" When he spoke it was rather strained even with his years of concealing his emotions it was difficult to restrain his anger.
It was at this point that Isalia stood, "If I may Lord Hyuuga," Isalia spoke, "I believe I can best explain this situation. Considering it was because of our Tribe's traditions for this to occur." Hiashi looked at her with a rather hard look, but nodded for her to continue, "Gau, I mean Naruto, is a part of our Tribe. And has come of age into adult hood. Usually there is a ceremony after they have completed their early training in the ways of our warriors, very similar to your graduating ceremony. As a result of Naruto being a Master at Shadow Skill, a fighting style of our ancestors, we would consider him a part of our Tribe even if he was not related by blood." She pause for a moment then continued, "Now when a person in our tribe is an adult plans of marriage are made." This was actually a stretch of the truth, it was true that after a child passes the trial into adult hood they are encouraged to start thinking about marriage but it is always up to the person. This was just to an exaggeration they came up with to deal with those whom objected.
Hiashi nodded in understanding. Members of his Clan would often be apart of arranged marriages. Then he had to ask, "Why Hinata?"
"Because I love him," Hinata answered.
Hiashi looked at Hinata and the Naruto and got a contemplative look. Isalia noticed the look and interjected, "And incase you were wondering, it cannot be reversed. According the Plains Country law marriage is lifetime contract. And Common Law says that each country must respect laws in terms of contracts of other countries."
In all reality Hiashi was not going to contest or try to reverse the marriage. As he got to know Naruto Hiashi had come to respect him as a fellow shinobi. And after several instances in which they met, mostly while Naruto was waiting for Hinata, he had come to like him. In his opinion Naruto was most worthy of his daughter's hand. "I was not planning to. However the Hyuuga Elders will object. And while you are correct they must respect the law they will take action by either banning her from the Clan or giving her the Curse Seal. Either way they would strip her of her status as heir to the clan."
"Can they actually do that to Hinata?" Sakura asked.
"Yes," Neji answered, "The Elders cannot override the Head of the Clan in many things but this is one of them."
"That may not be necessary," Tsunade spoke up. Everyone turned to the Hokage and she continued, "The Hyuuga Elders would want Hinata to marry someone inside the clan, or if not inside the Clan then someone from a noble family and a strong shinobi."
"Correct," Hiashi said. "Preferably one in the village or at least an alley."
"Then I don't see a problem," Tsunade said with a smile. "All we have to do is tell them of Naruto's relation to the Fourth and the Savile Tribe."
Jiraiya smirked, "I see what your doing, what Clan in Konoha will deny a relative of the greatest Hokage in our history? And the fact that Naruto has proven to be a powerful shinobi and have blood relationships to a new trade partner that would end any overt disagreement."
"A clever plan," Hiashi nodded, "And I believe it could work. After they learn of Naruto's relation to the Fourth they will want to show him and Hinata off. So we can expect them to insist on a ceremony here."
Tsunade started to smile very broadly, "That means we need to start making plans right away."
Isalia then interrupted, "While I agree this is probably the best coarse of action could we put this off until a later date. We would like to get settled in." She then looked at Naruto who nodded at the unasked question, "And if it is not too much of a request might I and the rest of my group visit my brother's grave?"
"Of coarse," Tsunade said. "I shall have some one show you to the Hokage Graveyard."
"Would you let me Tsunade?" Naruto asked, "I would like to go as well."
"Ok Naruto," Tsunade said, "After you get settled in I will send word to the Guards that you and your family are coming."
"Thank you, Tsunade," Naruto said as he and his family let the room.
After Naruto showed his family where they could stay he when with Hinata and Sakura back to his apartment. Along the way Naruto asked, "Sakura-chan I noticed Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei were not at the meeting. Do you know where they went?"
"After they came back from the mission against the Akatsuki Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei left on a training mission," Sakura explained. "When I asked why, he said because his eyes were no match for Itachi's, and he either had to get the Mangekyou Sharingan or find something else. He said the way to get the Mangekyou Sharingan was not an option so he had to find another way. And Kakashi-sensei, being the only other person with a Sharingan went with him to help train."
"Why is the Mangekyou Sharingan not an option?" Hinata asked.
Sakura face darkened drastically before she answered, "Because to get that level of the Sharingan an Uchiha has to kill their closest friend. And Sasuke-kun would never do that."
Hours later after everyone was cleaned up and settled in Naruto and Hinata went and picked up Isalia, Lita, Dag, and Jade to take them to the grave of the Fourth Hokage. When Naruto asked why the others were not coming one of them said this was for closest family, and that they could pay their respects at the Memorial. Naruto accepted this led his closets relatives to the Hokage Graveyard. When they arrived they were met by Tsunade and Jiraiya at the entrance, "We decided to visit as well," Jiraiya said. "Neither of us has been here in a while."
The group nodded and was about to proceed when Hinata asked, "Tsunade-sama I noticed the Third was not at the meeting."
"He is away at the moment," Tsunade said. "There was an uprising in Suna while you were gone. And they requested representatives be sent to renegotiate a treaty with the new Kazekage."
When they entered the grounds Tsunade left the group saying that she was going to visit the First's grave and would join them soon after. No one objected and continued to the Fourth's resting place. The Fourth's grave marker was a life-sized statue of himself wearing the full Hokage's robes. In one hand he had what appeared to be a ball, but at closer inspection it was revealed that the ball was carved to look like a sphere of rotating wind. It was Jade that asked, "What is that in his hand?"
Jiraiya looked down at the little girl and answered, "That was a technique he invented himself called the Rasengan. It's a ball of condensed rotating wind."
"That sound similar to Haken," Naruto said. Haken was a technique that both Shadow Skill and Open Skill use. It was one of two techniques that directly linked the styles together.
"I guess performing techniques without hand seals really was in his blood if he invented a technique that was similar to your styles," Jiraiya said with a smile. "Well in any case, shall we," he gestured to the statue and the group proceeded up to it.
Each person had their own way of honoring the Fourth. Jiraiya who was the closest moved up first. He placed a small bottle of sake at the feet of the statue saying it was for old times sake when they went out drinking together. Isalia was next, she said a traditional prayer of the Savile tribe and expressed her wish she could have met him before he died. Next was Lita, Jade, and Dag they bowed and paid their respects by each placing a bouquet of flowers next to the sake bottle. Naruto and Hinata were after them; Naruto introduced his wife to his uncle and promised that he would live up his legacy. Hinata promised that she would protect his legacy with every fiber of her being. Finally Tsunade came, she was last simply because she had just arrived. She made a joke about dieing to avoid the paperwork of the office which earned a chuckle from everyone there, she gave her respects and the group left the grave yard in order to return to their lives and plan for the next few days.
