Early the very next morning, Hiashi called a meeting between the council members, having been told of the incident from not only his daughter and nephew, but the boy in question.
The clan members were furious as the boy gave his testimony, especially as he showed them the white shirt, still stained with brown, muddy water, to prove it had happened.
"One of my granddaughters received this treatment just last week!" One raged, slamming his fist down on the table. "She was rudely pushed out of the way by one of the higher-ranking noblemen - bunch of thugs, they are! Barbarians!"
"I recall my son telling me of a story like this yesterday too," another mused. "They've gotten quite blatant with it if this is any indication."
"This clan pride has gotten too ridiculous," Hiashi agreed, narrowing his eyes at his nephew. "You say your link is ready at any moment?"
"Yes, Uncle. They said we need only give them warning."
"Good. I've spoken to the other clans of Konoha that we're currently allied with, and they have agreed to look the other way should we partner with this Mimei group."
Hanabi covered her mouth with her hands, and Neji's posture straightened even more.
"So that means…?" She spoke up, barely masking her rising excitement.
"Tell your informant that I intend to speak to the head of that faction tonight." His pearly eyes were determined as he stared them down. "After sundown."
Hanabi could hardly contain her joy as she nodded her head eagerly. "Of course, Father. We'll tell them right away."
"With all due respect, this protest has gotten my wife and I very concerned over the past few days," Fugaku spoke up as the shadowed man continued to pace the room. "How much longer is it before they directly attack the castle? We're still under repairs from the beginning of the month."
"Then we get ready for a battle," the figure's deep voice replied as he paused and turned to stare him in the eye. "For now ignore them. The common peasantry can do much, but not enough to derail the plan."
When the king gave him a look of helpless doubt, he sighed heavily and fully turned his body.
"Do you recall the favor of which you still owe me?" His voice took on a cold, sharp tone, one that made the older man before him take a miniscule movement back. "Have you so easily forgotten when I saved your son from a certain death? The council could have easily done away with him, but I came to your defense at the expense of my name being revealed to a chamber of worthless old fools?"
The king bowed his head, clenching his eyes shut. "Yes. I recall."
"You would not still rule without me here. Without me, your kingdom would have crumbled long ago. You could just part ways with me and be done with it..." The cloaked figure's voice took more of a sympathetic, if not condescending, turn and he took strides towards the king. When he was only a foot away, he reached out for him, one gloved hand grasping his shoulder tight.
His right eye stared directly into the king's, and his voice dropped in volume.
"Or would you rather lose someone else you love?" His sinister voice whispered. "Your nephew, your wife… your remaining son?"
Fugaku's teeth clenched tightly.
"I don't need to say what the people will do if they manage to get a hold of him, especially if he couldn't call upon his fire…"
"What do you need me to do?" The king sighed, resigned.
"That's more like it." The figure clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Continue with what we've planned. Ignore the townspeople. Raise the number of guards if you have to."
Fugaku's heart was pounding in his chest so hard, it was likely the taller of the two could hear it.
He bowed his head again and answered, "... Yes. Of course."
"So that's the situation then," Tsunade exhaled heavily. She turned to Rin. "And your contact has garnered a small force of turncoats as well?"
"Yes, he was quite diligent in it." She nodded firmly.
Turning back to the young man, she tried her best to smile from underneath the hood. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Hyuuga-san. Mimei is glad to join forces with your clan."
"On the date you storm the castle, can we be certain that your group will be larger than it is currently?" Neji questioned.
"Yes." Tsunade nodded her head. "The majority of our forces are still helping with a village we have close personal ties to. Come mid-July, they should be with us again. Of course, we would be happy to take in some of yours for training if such a need arises."
"I will mention so to the clan head." Neji bowed at the waist. "Thank you for hearing out our plea, Ayame-sama. I promise, the prestigious Hyuuga clan, one-third of the Ancient Three, will not let you down."
"I have faith that you will not." She smiled to him, bowing at the waist as well for a moment before straightening. "So concludes our meeting. I bid you goodnight."
"Good night to you as well, ma'am." Neji stood back up straight and turned, walking away. He hardly spared a backwards glance as he made his way back to the unprotected section of the outer wall.
Jumping up into a tree, he easily climbed up the massive structure and hopped down into a roll in an alley.
Standing and brushing the dust and dirt off his clothes, Neji walked back up the street with a small smile on his face, his heart quietly elated with every step he took.
As soon as he got back to his home, he took off his jacket at the door, took off his shoes, and went right to his wife, who was brushing her teeth at the bathroom sink.
Tenten made a surprised noise when he hugged her from behind, but spat out her mouthful of toothpaste and raised an eyebrow at him in the mirror. "What's gotten you into such a good mood? Did they agree?"
"They did," he replied, resting his chin on her shoulder. "They're even willing to train up some of our younger ninja in preparation. Isn't it wonderful?"
The brunette laughed gently, patting his hands. "I'd say so! At least we've got some camaraderie, even if it has to be like this."
Neji hummed an agreement, letting go so that she could turn off the light. The two of them made their way back to their room, and the second the door was shut, he pulled her into a kiss.
Tenten immediately leaned into it, cupping his cheek with one hand and tangling the other in his long, soft hair.
When he broke it, she looked at him in surprise. "What did you do that for?"
"I'm just… so happy," he replied with a smile. "I've got the night off, so no late-night meetings to attend either. We can stay together all night."
She immediately caught on and smirked, raising her eyebrows. "Oh? Well isn't that generous. I've been wanting some catch-up time with my husband."
Pulling her into another heated kiss, he felt her take the wrapping from his hair, letting it cascade down around his shoulders.
A/N: No, I'm not getting into any steamy E-rated content in here. This is the closest you're gonna get!
Please tell me what you thought!
