Tsunade was sitting annoyed in her offices. After the info she found out from Neji the other day she finished her rounds in the hospital and came back to her office. There she finished all of her paperwork she that had been left by Shizune. When Shizune along with Kotetsu and Izumo saw that everything was finished they asked if she was alright. She just growled at them saying everything was fine, but Shizune knew better. Before she left for the evening Jiraiya had shown up and started to annoy her so she decided to let some stress out on him, which resumed in Kotetsu and Izumo taking him to his permanent room in the hospital and having Sakura treat him again. This was of course under Sasuke's supervision too. The next morning Tsunade woke up early and started on her paperwork again not wanting to have any distractions for the upcoming meeting with Hiashi. So here she sat now finished with all the paperwork and watching the clocks second hands sit as her nails tapped on the desks wood showing her impatience.
I see Jiraiya is good as new. Tsunade thought feeling his chakra presence outside of her door
" Jiraiya you can go in." Shizune said to him
" Sure, I think I'll wait until Hiashi gets here and go in with him. I think it'll be safer and lessen the chance of me getting pummeled again." Jiraiya said back
Shizune smiled and giggled at his response, but nodded and resumed her work at the front desk. A number more minutes pass until the two outside heard more footsteps coming from down the hall. As they looked they saw Neji escorting a rather upset looking Hiashi.
" Hiashi so good of you to come to you own meeting." Jiraiya said
" Well I see you haven't entered yet either." Hiashi spoke
" If I wished to be beaten up I would have been in there at 9:00." Jiraiya told him
" Hai, though I am not at fault well for being late." Hiashi said annoyed
Jiraiya and Shizune looked at Neji who mouthed the elders and Jiraiya stopped his pestering.
" Well we better go in before the Hokage here breaks her desk again." Jiraiya spoke
So they're finally here. Tsunade thought but noticed Kakashi's chakra was still nowhere in the group, Figures.
The door s to her office finally opened with Neji leading the group in.
So Hiashi has Neji as his guard when he goes out. I wonder how the elders are taking that one? Tsunade thought
" Hiashi so good of you to join me 20 minutes late." Tsunade said annoyed
Hiashi moved to one of the chairs in front of Tsunade, " Gomen Hokage-sama, but I was detained by the elders this morning."
" Really what did those pompous pricks want?" Tsunade asked
" They needed me to do some trivial things for them." Hiashi said
" Meaning they were trying to stall you from coming here." Tsunade said starting to get angry
Hiashi nodded, " Tsunade-sama he did try to leave and it wasn't until I mentioned about the meeting today with you and we were late that they paled and let Hiashi go." Neji spoke
" Well it's good to know the Hokage still had some say in things of clans in this village." Tsunade spat, " Maybe later I should pay them a visit about delaying people I need to speak to."
Neji smiled at her comment hoping she would do just that and also wished to be there to see the elders cower in the face of the Hokage.
" Anyways we're still waiting on the late one, like always so get comfortable. No telling how long he'll be this time." Tsunade said
The three took a seat as they waited for Kakashi to arrive. Another 30 minutes passed and Kakashi finally showed up appearing from a cloud of smoke.
" Yo!" Kakashi said waving
" Don't you Yo me get your ass in a seat you're almost an hour late." Tsunade said now thoroughly annoyed
Kakashi smiled with his eye and rubbed the back of his head as he took a seat next to Jiraiya.
" Now that everyone had decided to join us." Tsunade said glaring over at Kakashi, " We can being this meeting of why I was never informed of this wager the elders made about Hinata."
Hiashi cleared his throat, " Hai, about that I apologize for not coming sooner but the day after that happened I tried to come over here to tell you and I was detained by the elders. Everyday since then it has been the same thing. They keep giving me tasks that only I can do and takes me all day to resolve and by the time I finish it's so late you have already left. It wasn't until the other day when Neji told me in front of the elders that you wished to speak to me about Hinata that they finally allowed me to come. Though we can see with their actions this morning what they really wanted me to do." Hiashi said
" Hai not come and keep you busy, so hopefully I would never find out about the little wager you agreed to without consulting you Musume first." Tsunade said annoyed
" There was little time for me to do that Hokage-sama and if she came to them hurt like she was they might have made it harder on her." Hiashi told her upset at her words
Tsunade rubbed her temples at the headache she was already starting to have because of the elders.
She sighed calming herself, " Well thankfully Hinata and Neji explained everything to me yesterday, so you won't have to explain much. Seeing as Neji is with you most of the time and was there when the wager happened. I just have one question for you."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow to her stopping.
" What the FUCK were you thinking. Betting your Musume would win the fight have you even though about what will happen to her if she doesn't win?" Tsunade shouted
Everyone in the room was silent scared to speak and have Tsunade's rage be brought upon them.
" Well? I waiting." Tsunade said annoyed
" Do you know what would have happened if I didn't do that?" Hiashi asked calmly though his eyes showed his fear for Tsunade reaction
" What?" Tsunade asked annoyed
" What did Neji tell you would happen if she lost?" Hiashi now asked
Tsunade glared at him, but decided to humor him since Jiraiya and Kakashi really didn't know totally what was going on, " She would be made a Branch Member, have the Cursed Seal placed on her, and married off to a Gaki in Kiri to supposedly strengthen alliances with that particular clan."
Jiraiya and Kakashi now were shocked at what the elders have proposed if Hinata lost the match.
" I hope there is a good side to this." Kakashi said
" Hai, if she wins she will be the head and can decided whatever she wants." Neji now explained
" And what does she plan on doing?" Jiraiya asked
Neji smiled, " That is for her to announce the day she wins the match."
" How can you be so sure?" Kakashi now asked the boy
" Because not only have I been teaching her, but also Umi has started teaching her Mizu Kitsune Jutsus and Naruto is going to start sparing with her again. At least once he gets his new chakra under control." Neji explained
" Chakra under control? Nani?" Kakashi asked surprised by this new
" Hai, since you've been off on missions Kakashi you wouldn't know of this, but we had an incident a week ago with Naruto trying to control the chakra Kyuubi left him. It resulted in Hinata getting burned and not able to train for a week." Tsunade told him
" Chakra burns should take more than a week to heal. Are you sure she's fully healed?" Kakashi asked worried at this new
" Hai, Sakura and I checked her over ourselves. She was fully healed along with some other things." Tsunade said
She became quiet, as she got lost in thought.
" Hokage-sama?" Hiashi questioned
Tsunade's eyes refocused and she smiled at Hiashi, " Nothing to worry about Hiashi. Actually it might be something that will help Hinata out in the long run."
" So now our only problem is the Hyuuga elders." Jiraiya said
" Right and we can't do anything about them until the fight and even then the only one that can do anything will be the winner of the match." Tsunade said
" Which will be Hinata." Neji stated knowing Hinata would win
The adults all smiled at the boy holding so much confidence in a girl he once despised so much and tried to kill.
" If you are that sure of her Neji." Tsunade said
" I am." Neji said blatantly
" Then we have nothing to worry about." Hiashi said smiling
" Yeah and if the Gaki is helping her then the elders better watch out because who know what he'll teach her." Jiraiya said smiling
Hiashi chuckled at this, " True and hopefully its something even the elder wouldn't have prepared Hanabi for."
" Hiashi are you taking sides?" Kakashi asked smiling
Hiashi looked over at Kakashi, " Probably, but Hanabi is too young to be the head. Which means the elders would do everything till she can of age and I know that will not be good."
" Hai that will never happen as long as I'm Hokage. Hinata is the eldest and the rightful heir and I'm sure there is something in the Hyuuga and Konoha laws about this. I just have to find it." Tsunade said
" If that is all that you need us for Hokage-sama. We need to be heading back." Hiashi said starting to stand up
" Oh I'm just getting started Hiashi. Please sit back down." Tsunade said
It was then Homura and Koharu walked into the room.
Hiashi looked over at the two and nodded, " Elders."
" Hiashi." The two said
" So Tsunade what did you need us for?" Koharu asked
" It's about Naruto." Tsunade said
" What about Arashi's Musuko?" Homura asked
" I think it's time." Tsunade said to them
" Tsunade are you sure about this?" Jiraiya questioned understanding what she was talking about
" What is going on?" Kakashi asked confused
Tsunade looked over at him, " We're going to tell the village."
" About Kyuubi and Umi?" Neji questioned worried about how the villager might take that news
" Iie, about something he has wanted for a long time now and I believe he deserves it." Tsunade explained
" After everything he's done for this village he more than deserves it." Jiraiya grumbled
" They've finally heard the truth Jiraiya and know who he really is. They've started to change their minds and feel bad for what they did to him all these years. I believe they will not argue over this. They know what he's done for this village." Tsunade told him
" So how do you propose we make the announcement?" Koharu asked
Tsunade smiled widely, " Uh-oh." Jiraiya spoke knowing that face from the many time Naruto had pulled pranks on him
" Well the Hyuuga elders wish to humiliate Hinata right?" Tsunade said and the groups nodded, " Well how about we dish it right back to them."
" How?" Neji asked intrigued
" The day of the fight we'll have it in the Chuunin Finals Arena and have the whole village there to watch." Tsunade said
" But what if…" Hiashi started worried about this
" She won't I believe in her, Neji believes in her, her friends believe in her and most of all Otouto believes in her. If she had only Naruto to help her she'd still win. He's her strength in her moments of weakness. He encourages her and caused her to go on when she thinks she can't. If he's there and with all the help she's getting she'll win." Tsunade spoke confident in the girl's talent
" So after the fight and the results you'll make the announcement?" Homura asked
" Hai, the elders didn't come to the Matsuri, so they don't know about Naruto's Otousan. I think it's time they were enlightened as to whom they were pissing off and how big a baka they truly are." Tsunade said smiling still
" So that's you plan?" Kakashi asked
Tsunade nodded, " Neji I want you to go back and tell Hinata about what we've decided. If you wish tell her about what we're going to announce after the fight, just make sure Otouto isn't near when you tell her this. I want it to be a surprise for him."
Neji nodded and smiled, " I would be honored to tell her about you decision for Naruto. Though I'm not sure how she's going to take the news of the whole village watching her fight now. Especially when she doesn't like to fight her Imouto."
Hiashi looked at Neji surprised at this news, " Is that why she's always lose?"
Neji nodded, " Hai she told me a while back she could never go all out on Hanabi because she was her Imouto. Even if she was a ninja and you were trying to help her get stronger. She could never do it to Hanabi."
" So much like her Okaasan." Tsunade said smiling
" Well if that is all." Hiashi said now standing again
" Hai, though if the elders try anything else and you can't get to see me just send Neji and I'll come and talk to them personally." Tsunade said
Hiashi chuckled, " I think I'd like to see that."
" So am I needed anymore?" Kakashi asked
" Iie, you can go I know you'd like to get some sleep." Tsunade said
" That would be nice." Kakashi said disappearing in a cloud of smoke
It was then that Hiashi and Neji left and headed downstairs.
" You wish for me to go now?" Neji asked
" After we get back home then you can go to them." Hiashi said
" Hai." Neji responded
Back in the office the Konoha elders and Jiraiya still were still in with Jiraiya.
" Whelp if I'm not needed…" Jiraiya said getting up smiling perverted
" Hold on a minute sukebei. Who said I was done with you. I need you to stay along with the elders." Tsunade said
" Awe, Tsunade I need to go." Jiraiya wined
" Yeah go and do you're research." Tsunade said annoyed
" Exactly!" Jiraiya said happily
" Request denied! Now sit down and don't say anything unless I want you opinion." Tsunade said
Jiraiya immediately sat down not wanting to be hurt again by on of Tsunade's punches.
" So now we need to discuss about what needs to be done." Tsunade said
" Hai, even though we'll announce this. It will still be some time before he can start. That is until we are sure he will be able to protect Konoha and learn everything he can." Koharu said
" Right for now Jiraiya will finish teaching him." Tsunade said
" Can't" Jiraiya said blatantly
" What do you mean you can't?" Tsunade asked a vein appearing on her head
" I mean I'm done teaching him, so I can't teach him anything else. You'll have to find another teacher. Unless you want to try and teach him Medical Jutsus." Jiraiya said
" Are you meaning to tell is in those 2 ½ years you were gone you were able to teach the boy all you know?" Homura asked
" Yep, I don't see how that surprising." Jiraiya said
" Well we can." Koharu said to him as Homura nodded in agreement
" Because of how he was when he was a child?" Jiraiya asked and again the elders nodded, " Yeah he did that because he never got any attention from anyone. If he knew you cared he'd calm down. But the best way to get his attention was to give him Jutsus to figure out."
" So is that how you were able to stay sane those years you were gone?" Tsunade asked smiling
" Actually he was pretty good except for that one day." Jiraiya said rubbing his chest and wincing a little
" So you taught him everything. Even Arashi's stuff?" Tsunade asked
" Yep." Jiraiya said
" Even Shushin no Jutsus?" Tsunade questioned
" Yep." Jiraiya said
" Are you a BAKA?" Tsunade asked
" Huh?" Jiraiya responded looking at her confused
" You're an baka if you taught him that. Did you even think of how much trouble he could cause knowing that jutsu with his prankster personality." Tsunade said annoyed
" Um…" Jiraiya said not understanding
" I thought not." Tsunade said annoyed shaking her head
" Well so far he hasn't done anything." Jiraiya said smiling
" So far." Homura said, " Wait until this is all over and he gets bored, what do you think he'll do then?"
" Well hopefully the news will excite him so much that he'll start training to help him and not do anything like you are thinking he'll do." Jiraiya said
" We can only hope." Koharu said
At the same time the meeting was taking place in the Hokage's Office at the Hyuuga Compound the elders had held an emergency meeting upon Hiashi leaving to go talk to the Hokage.
" Sanji this isn't good she's going to find out and come here." One elder said panicking
" Then let her come she can't do anything the bet has been placed and can't be revoked. We have nothing to worry about" Sanji replied
The other elders all nodded agreeing with Sanji that everything was going just as they had planned.
At Naruto's home he had been sneezing for the last couple of minutes.
" Naruto-kun are you alright?" Hinata asked worried
Naruto sniffed and smiled at her, " Yep I'm fine Hinata-chan."
" If you say so." Hinata said back to him
" So what are you going to be doing today?" Naruto asked
" Umi is going to make sure I know all the basic Mizu Kitsune Jutsus down and then if I do those correctly she'll start me on the more complicated ones. You?" Hinata asked
" Kyuubi and I are going to head back to his spot I want a couple more days training until I start sparing with you. Also we're working on a couple of other things too." Naruto said
" And what would that be?" Hinata asked
" Hi.mi.tsu." Naruto said smiling
Hinata sighed, " How did I know you were going to tell me that?"
" Because with that sort of thing he is predictable." Kyuubi said walking in with Umi by his side
" Oi!" Naruto said back glaring at Kyuubi
" Come on children save it for when you two are outside." Umi said to the two
Kyuubi looked over at Umi annoyed, while Naruto smiled and stuck his tongue out at him.
" Hinata-chan are you ready?" Umi asked wanting to head away from the two boys childish behavior
" Hai Umi just give me one second." Hinata said
Hinata walked over to where Naruto was sitting, " You two have fun."
With that she kissed him on the cheek and left following Umi outside. Naruto was in a dazed bliss over what Hinata had just done.
" Kit, OI KIT!" Kyuubi said trying to get the boys attention but to no avail, " Whelp, guess I'll have to do this the hard way. Sorry about this kit."
He walked over to Naruto and bit him and the leg, which caused Naruto to shout in pain. He looked down at Kyuubi glaring even harder that he had before.
" Oi kitsune what was that for?" Naruto asked annoyed
" Hey I tried to get your attention but you were in La La Land, only way I could get you out of it. Come on we need to head out too." Kyuubi said
With that Naruto and Kyuubi headed out too to their special training spot.
A couple hours had passed now and Hinata and Umi were taking a break from her training to rest for a little bit. Both felt the presence of someone and moved to the front of the house to see Neji emerge from the forest.
" Neji-nii-san." Hinata said surprised to see him again, " Has something happened?"
" Hai, is Naruto around?" Neji asked looking around the area
" Iie, he's off with Kyuubi and probably won't be back till dinner time." Umi spoke
" Why? What's wrong?" Hinata asked
" I was sent to deliver to message the first involves you and the second involves Naruto and he is not to know about it." Neji said
" O…Kay. Well then I think this might take you a little bit Nii-san, so how about we head inside and have lunch. We were resting when you arrived." Hinata said
" Lunch would be nice." Neji said smiling
Hinata nodded and the three headed inside.
" Are Onigiri alright Nii-san?" Hinata asked
" Hai that's is good Hinata-sama." Neji said
Hinata moved over to the counter to start making the Onigiri, " I really wish you wouldn't call me that Nii-san."
" Why you will be head in a week, so why can't I call you that?" Neji asked
" That's if I win the fight." Hinata said setting a pate down on the floor for Umi
" Hinata-chan you are strong we all know it. You just have to believe in yourself." Umi spoke before she stared eating her meal
Hinata giggled, " You sound just like Naruto-kun, Umi."
" She is right you know." Neji said
Hinata's head whipped around to looked at him stunned by his words.
" Hinata-sama before Naruto changed back you were able to spar with him and stay on par with him. You have mastered all the Hyuuga Jutsus I could teach you and have master the Kuchiyose no Jutsu of the Yuki Tora Clan, which I might add only a heir to the Hyuuga Clan can do. And on top of that you are being taught by Umi Mizu Kitsune Jutsus and you still think you won't win?" Neji said
" I know Neji but I can't fight her seriously." Hinata told him
" You mean Hanabi-sama?" Neji asked and Hinata nodded, " I told your Otousan the same thing this morning."
" You what!" Hinata said shocked he'd tell her father this
" Imagine his surprise when I told him that. He couldn't believe you were holding back on her just because she is you Imouto. It goes beyond his understanding, but in the end he understood." Neji said smiling
" Neji-kun what is it you needed to tell Hinata-chan?" Umi asked
" Tsunade has decided to allow the whole village to watch the fight." Neji said sipping his tea
Hinata paled at this info. " Why?" she whispered upset at this new
" Because they want the elders to be embarrassed when you win." Neji said looking up at her over his teacup
" But what if I…" Hinata said now worried
" You won't Hinata-chan, Neji is right. You are strong." Umi said
" Why is she doing this Neji?" Hinata asked
" Because afterwards she wishes to make an announcement and want the Hyuuga Elders to hear it too." Neji said, " Everyone in Konoha knows they never go to the Matsuri, so they never heard her announcement that day."
" So that means they don't know about Naruto-kun's Otousan or that Kyuubi isn't in him anymore." Umi said understanding
Neji nodded at this.
" But everyone else knows about it, so what else is they to tell?" Hinata asked confused
" Tsunade is going to announce her Heir Hinata-sama." Neji said
" She isn't? She going to…" Hinata said shocked and happy at the some time
Neji smiled and nodded, " That's why you can't tell Naruto anything. Only a select few know about it right now and I am one of them. Tsunade asked me to tell you, but you can't let on you know anything, alright?"
Neji got up to pour him some more tea, but as he moved Hinata got up and embraced him in a hug.
" Oh Nii-san he will be so happy about the news." Hinata said
Neji smiled down at his cousin and hugger her back, " I know and this is why I was told to tell you."
With that the three finished lunch.
" Hinata-sama I thank you for lunch. I will head back and tell Hiashi-sama I have delivered the news to you. If you need anything feel free to sent Umi to come and get me." Neji said
" I will to that Nii-san. Be careful." Hinata said
With that Neji nodded and disappeared into the forest.
" Well now that we have had a good lunch lets get back to training." Umi said
Hinata nodded and followed her back to the backyard.
Okaasan – Mother
Shushin no Jutsu – Body Flicker
Himitsu – Secret
Kuchiyose no Jutsu – Summoning Technique
Yuki Tora – Snow Tiger