Well, first things first. Let me clear up a few things.
There will be no kissing in the foreseeable future. None. Zero. Zip. There might be a hug in the semi-near future, but no kissing. The mention in the last chapter was a bad joke.
The way I figure, Naruto would be happy not to have the see the creepy finance lady again. I know once this chapter is over I'll be glad I won't have to deal with her for at least a little while longer.Creepy, creepy lady.
I would like to thank ArmorOfGeddon and Saotome Kyuubi for their information on the legend. I love legends and mythology and this tidbit of info is something that I appreciate very much.
I am sorry to say that ALF is no longer on the TV, but they are selling the collected seasons and even the collections of the ALF animated series! The world is good. Now if only I could get the US stores over here in Germany to carry the Naruto anime and EBGames to actually deliver my videogames I'd be all set. Ah well, Shonen Jump it is!
It was brought up about the anachronisms in Naruto and that the time period I'm using doesn't fully fit. Some will like what I've done, some will not, but since I haven't done much outside of just the Hyuuga family and Naruto…well…the rest remains to be seen. Still, I'll probably keep the older rules. I know them a lot better and for some weird reason I just can't see any society with Ninja being too overly advanced past the feudal era. By the way, you won't see anything with beef either. I'm sure some of you might be able to guess way. I'll give you a hint. It's a history thing too. Anyway, I write for the fun of it and I fully intend to keep having fun.
There are some things I'm going to attribute to something being Anime. I saw a reference to Rock Lee commenting about not being drunk due to being underage. I personally find this quite funny and wonder if that's what it says in the original Japanese or if it's a Fox-ism, kind of like all the guns being taken out of Yu-Gi-Oh. I ramble once more though. My sincerest apologies.
Now for a quick rundown on Sushi for all those curious about such things! I love my foodstuffs. I will not profess that this is all inclusive, but it should cover the basics and then some.
Sushi in and of itself refers to the vinagered rice that the fish is served on. The preparation isn't actually Japanese either, instead dating back to 7th century China.
The first are the types of sushi styles. The classic Nori-Maki is the standard 'something' wrapped in rice wrapped in seaweed. This is also known as a "roll". Usually when ordered, these sushi are served in groups of six. General "fillings" are as follows; Kani (Crabmeat), Kappa (Cucumber), Sake (Salmon), Tekka (Tuna), Ebi (Scampi/shrimp) and Saba (Mackerel and Onion).
Another popular group is Nigiri, which is the classical fish on top of a clump of vinegar-rice. When ordered on their own, these sushi are served in sets of two. Common versions are; Sake (Salmon), Maguro (Tuna), Kani (Crabmeat), Toro (Fatty Tuna), Amaebi (raw Shrimp), Ebi (Scampi), Saba (Mackerel), Hamachi (Yellowtail), Tako (Octopus), Ika (Cuttlefish, also known as squid), Hotategai (Scallop), Inari (Tofu), Tamago (Egg), and Tobiko (Flying-Fish Roe…otherwise known as fish eggs. This particular version is a bit of rice, wrapped with a piece of seaweed higher than the rice to hold the eggs in. It's not bad, but definitely takes a little getting used to if you aren't used to eating such things).
There are other versions of sushi; such as Temaki (Kind of like sushi in an ice cream cone style seaweed wrap, usually contains a veggie and a particular meat), Inside-Out-Maki (which are covered in Flying Fish Roe or Sesame on the outside instead of seaweed), Bara (sushi rice and the ingredients mixed together, kind of like a rice salad), Chirashi (a bowl of rice with layers of fish on top), Futo-Maki (much like a Nori-maki but larger so as to have more ingredients), Inari (fluffy, brown fried tofu stuffed with sushi rice), Tazuni (This version has multiple layers of fish cut so that each layer is visible. Also known as the rainbow roll) and the Sushi sandwich (which is a layer of meat and veggie with rice patties instead of bread and a seaweed layer on top so that your hands don't touch the rice. I personally haven't had this. The only one I'd eat is the Alps Sushi Sandwich which has Salmon and Avocado, but I much prefer the Nori-Maki and Nigiri).
Of course, if you don't like the rice and just want the fish you can always order Sashimi. This is the sliced or prepared fish that would be added onto sushi rice.
There you have it folks! That is my quick reference chart to Sushi. Eat it in good health. Remember, mix the wasabi in soy sauce before eating and always eat it in one bite! It's much easier than trying to cut it in half with chopsticks. Also, make sure to not drown your sushi in soy sauce, it covers the flavor of the fish since Nigiri should be placed fish side into the soy sauce. See you at the end of the fic!
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THE HYUUGA WAY
Chapter 7: Cleanup
There are some things that shinobi are not truly trained in, they just pick it up as a manner of survival. Recognizing the difference between Hyuuga Hiashi's normal walk and his business walk counted as one of those things. Not a single Chunin or Jonin in the Hokage tower could actually tell you a time when they had seen the face of Hiashi happy, sad, or angry. Usually his face was one of irritation at having to deal with those lesser than him. Or, as some younger ones would put it so as not to have the Hyuuga seem so scary, perhaps he had indigestion problems. Either way, irritation or gas, people made way for Hyuuga Hiashi.
Hiashi stops in front of the accounting office. Perhaps a personal visit would be in order before he visited the Hokage and let Tsunade talk them as well. His mind made up, Hiashi enters the accounting section.
The accounting office itself is not much to look at. The room is blank, sterile, almost like a hospital room, only less friendly. To someone as in touch with chakra as Hiashi, the entire room seemed off, though the Byakugan did not pick up anything out of the ordinary. Still, he didn't wish to stay any longer than he needed. The same lady as previous sits behind the desk reading her book, not bothering to look up. While not actually old, the accounting lady preferred to keep her hair in a style that looked as though her black hair were dead, the strands limply falling about. Whether purposefully placed makeup or genjutsu, her face was not entirely a pretty sight that made one think of reconsidering why they visited this room in the first place. These things, combined with her wraithlike build, had earned the accounting lady the nickname Ghoul. She never once bothered to correct anyone.
Hiashi strides up to the front desk, "I wish to speak to the one my daughter visited this morning."
Without looking up the lady replies, "You're speaking to her. What did you want?"
Hiashi blinks. This lady dared speak to him in such a disrespectful tone? "I am Hyuuga Hiashi. I wish to speak to you about the finances of Uzumaki Naruto.
"So speak already." The ghoul replies, waving one of her hands as if she were bored, "Don't count on your name meaning anything in here, the only thing that matters is numbers in this office."
Such…such insolence!
If eyes could kill, the narrowing of Hiashi's eyes would have killed the lady many times over. "You realize that the amount missing from Uzumaki-san's account is plenty enough to request your immediate execution."
Once more the ghoul shrugs, "Request all you like. The probability of such a request actually being accepted by the Hokage is about 23.769. The probability of you accepting that figure is about 5 plus or minus 0.01. Like I said, the only things that matter in this room are numbers. Now if you don't mind, I have better things to do than to deal with rich families feigning outrage because they aren't getting more money."
Hiashi takes a breath, "No, I'm not here because of the money. I'm here because of how you took the money. Such blatant lying on an official document is an outrage. The stealing is just your secondary offense. Since we have nothing more to speak of, I shall take my leave. I can assure you there is a 100 chance that even if the Hokage doesn't come down to talk Tsunade-sama will come down to speak with you. Tsunade-sama might be better seeing how the Hokage must leave violence at the door most times."
His piece said, Hiashi leaves the accounting room. He lets a small smile creep over his face. The accounting lady probably didn't realize that Tsunade could act as Naruto's guardian and not just as the Hokage.
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Tsunade was bored, buried under paperwork and worst of all sober. She honestly did not have as much paperwork as it looked like, but Tsunade had long since found the wonders of having people believe she was busier than she actually was. It kept the riffraff out.
She looks up over the mountain of papers at the door, hearing Shizune arguing with someone. Hiashi was here. Few others would argue with Shizune in such an even tone.
"Let him in!" Tsunade calls to Shizune and then dismisses the genjutsu that gave the illusion of so much paperwork. The Hyuuga could probably see through the illusion anyway so there was really no point in keeping it up.
Hiashi steps into the office, giving a bow to Tsunade and settling himself on the ground to calm himself. "Hinata-chan has found a small…discrepancy in Uzumaki-san's finances."
Tsunade raises a brow. Hiashi had a penchant for understatement when it came to problems, "How small of a discrepancy are we talking about Hyuuga-san?"
"Hinata-chan tells me that there is no less than 20 ryo missing, although I would suspect more. She was clearly shaken when speaking with me this morning and I cannot say that she would be able to clearly examine the rest of the ledger." Hiashi explains calmly. Tsunade was an emotional person. He knew his calmness on the subject would do nothing less than enrage her.
"Let me see the ledger." Tsunade growls.
How DARE they!
Stealing from a Leaf shinobi…There will be hell to pay, but not until after they pay both her and Naruto. Flipping through the ledger, Tsunade comments, "Did you speak to them yet?"
This was where his even tone would need to be flawless. It would not do to let her know the accounting ghoul had upset him, "Yes Hokage-sama. They told me there was little chance of there being any kind of repercussion. I believe I was also told that the odds were not in favor of them getting the maximum punishment."
Tsunade's head whips up, "WHAT!"
Internally Hiashi smirks. 'Bingo.'
"Why I ought to….SHIZUNE-CHAN!" Tsunade roars. The accounting people would know what happens when you upset Tsunade. There would be no mercy now, for once Tsunade had a sure bet.
Shizune opens the door, "Yes Tsunade-sama?"
Tsunade's smile turns quite malicious. Yes, winning bets were always better when all the cards were exactly right. "Shizune-chan, get me Ibiki-san. I can't read all these names and I want to know who each of them are. We'll solve this problem one way or the other…"
Tsunade then turns to Hiashi and gives a smile, "I thank you for the information Hyuuga-san. We will deal with this problem immediately."
Hiashi stays as Shizune heads out of the office to get Ibiki. Once the door closes Hiashi speaks once more, "But the way, I was wondering if perhaps you would be willing to a few more wagers?"
Tsunade settles for a moment. She had been surprised when Hiashi had given her the offer of training Naruto in etiquette in exchange for him marrying Hinata. At the same time, they had placed bets on how long it would take Naruto to learn. "Oh? Why the sudden gambling streak Hyuuga-san?"
Hiashi rests back on his feet and gives a small shrug, "If I am to bet on the future of the clan, I wish to bet big. If you are not feeling lucky I could retract the offer."
"State your bet Hyuuga-san. Naruto-kun will not let me down." Tsunade says firmly. With just the two of them in the room, it seemed to look much more like two parents gambling the future of their children instead of the Hokage and the Head of the Hyuuga Main Branch speaking.
Hiashi nods, "I believe you have already won the first bet. Naruto-kun will be more than ready to act correctly in his first formal meal at the Hyuuga manor when I formally introduce him to a few of our closer relatives. I shall have the sake delivered to your residence tomorrow."
Tsunade nods pleased that the bet had been won, but Hiashi had yet to speak of this second bet.
"I wish to offer two wagers. The first, I wish to wager upon how well Naruto-kun will take the information of the engagement. My bet is that he will not take it well at all. Naruto-kun is far too independent to truly like the idea of an arranged marriage."
Tsunade scratches her chin. She knew that as well. Hmmm, how could she turn things to her favor in this bet? After a few seconds deliberation Tsunade nods, "I shall wager that Naruto-kun will be fine with the arranged marriage after someone speaks to him about it. I propose that Neji-kun explain about arranged marriages. After all, isn't he to be married shortly after the agreement is sealed for Hinata-chan and Naruto-kun?"
Hiashi gives a frown. He hadn't expected Tsunade to give a deal like that. It would not be in his favor at all, but then again…"Very well, I accept that wager at the same terms as the previous. My second wager is about Hinata-chan however."
"Hmm?" This piqued Tsunade's curiosity. Hiashi was not normally one to bet mention his eldest child.
"One of the extended family that lives out of the village wishes to test Hinata-chan and meet her betrothed. I wish to bet that Hinata-chan will have learned at least one jutsu from Naruto-kun before that time." Hiashi elaborates.
Once more, Tsunade is forced to think about the wager. Naruto could show Hinata many jutsu, but the kunoichi had shown little talent in that area. To be truthful, Hinata's strengths actually seemed to be more of a support role and being able to ensure her Team came home alive when a mission turned sour. She believed Hinata would make an excellent investigative team leader since the young girl knew many tactics and strategies. Only her confidence kept her back. "Very well, I shall accept that wager at the same terms as before."
Hiashi nods and stands, "It has been a pleasure Tsunade-sama. I shall leave you to your business. Sadly, I have a meeting this afternoon."
Tsunade stands and returns the nod, "Very well Hiashi-san. I shall see you later. Let Hinata-chan know that Naruto's ledger will be correct by the end of the week."
"I shall do so. Thank you for your assistance." Hiashi turns and opens the door to leave the room, letting Shizune and Ibiki enter after he is gone.
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Ibiki had never before been to the accounting room. He'd never needed to go there before except for the few moments to pick up his payments for a couple of missions. Generally he tended to avoid the place. As an interrogator he knew how to sense death, and that particular room had always had the feel of death. Now as the door to the accounting room swings open, he is sure that it is not his imagination that he senses death inside, but why?
It was no secret that Tsunade did not like blood. As a medic-nin, she dealt with blood often and she could ignore the dread she felt ever time she saw the thick liquid. It no longer scared her, but that didn't mean she liked to see it. There was one thing that she would never forget. That smell. Dried blood has a very unique smell, especially if a lot of it was in one area. As Tsunade enters the room, she was sure that the room smelled of dried blood. It was almost sickening. Fresh blood was one thing, but dried blood…
The accounting lady looks up at the two entering the room, and calmly sets her book to the side, not bothering to stand, "Hmm, it would seem my calculations were off. I would guess that the two of you are here for the information of the Uzumaki ledger."
Ibiki's eyes narrow. Something was wrong. People didn't usually act like this when even when it was just the Hokage entering the room. No, something was horribly wrong and it didn't sit with him well.
Tsunade storms forward and slams a hand on the desk, "Damn right I want answers! I want to know every name on this ledger who took money from Naruto-kun now!" With that, Tsunade slaps the ledger down on the desk. "And I know some of the other numbers aren't right. I want it fixed!"
Calmly, the accounting lady opens the ledger and begins to look it over, "I can fix the numbers, but I'll need some time to get the money to transfer to the Uzumaki account."
In the background, Ibiki focuses his chakra. One of the simpler abilities he knew was how to make himself more imposing without the use of words. By focusing chakra through his entire body he could give the illusion that he was bigger and more imposing. This simple low level genjutsu was quite hard to resist in some cases. It would in theory help them should the accountant become hostile. Still, he was worried. This wasn't nearly as simple as it had looked. The information was too forthcoming. It was all wrong.
Tsunade growls at the accountant, "I want the money in this account no later than 4 days from now, do I make myself clear? Get up with the people on this ledger and get the money back. If it's not fixed by then everyone will get what is coming to them. I'm sure tattooing and public humiliation wouldn't sit well with some and I saw at least one person that may not live if he doesn't give back what he owes. Do I make myself clear? The rules will be followed to the letter if the money isn't in that account by the close of business 4 days from now." Tsunade grits her teeth, her anger rising to very dangerous levels. The only thing that made her want to do this fast was the increasing smell of blood. It was almost overpowering now. The smell was almost to the point where she could taste it.
The accounting lady gives a nod and offers Tsunade a piece of paper with about 15 names on it, "Here you are Hokage-sama." Ibiki frowns, that certainly was not respect he was hearing at the moment. "These are the names of all those who borrowed money from the Uzumaki account. I will get in touch with them right away and get everything fixed."
Tsunade grabs the piece of paper and storms out of the room to get a breath of fresh air. That was horrible. How could anyone go in there for an extended period of time?
Ibiki glares at the accounting ghoul. Was that a smirk he saw on her face? Things were too out of place for this to be dropped immediately. As he leaves the room he takes one last look at the accounting lady then closes the door with him outside. "Hokage-sama, I would like permission to launch an investigation into that lady. Something seemed off."
Tsunade nods weakly, trying to get the smell out of her nose and the taste from her mouth, "Permission granted. Now if you'll excuse me, I need a drink…"
Ibiki turns and heads down the hallway, "Maybe the records room will have a bit of information." He mutters.
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Hyuuga Hiashi was quite pleased. If everything worked out the way he planned the village would gain a powerful Hokage, Hinata would become more powerful, Hanabi would learn the meaning of true power and best of all he would be able to keep a promise to his old friend.
Now it was time to speak with Neji. The boy would need to know about his role in the events unfolding. It would be a little easier due to the other person involved being Naruto. In the missions over the last year, the two had at least a camaraderie that would come in handy for this. If any knew Naruto it was Hinata, but if anyone in Kohona understood Naruto, it was Neji.
"Did you hear?" One passerby says to their friend, "The Hyuuga girl has some sort of power over the Kyuubi boy."
The friend raises a brow, "Hanabi-sama? I knew she is supposed to be powerful, but I didn't know she's that good."
The passerby shakes her head, "No not Hanabi-sama, the older one...Hinata-sama. Apparently she and the Kyuubi brat spent the afternoon down at Koichi's Palace and he actually behaved himself. He wasn't loud, he wasn't annoying…and he was using manners for once!"
The other person laughs and shakes her head, "You're joking right? Nothing against Hinata-sama, but I didn't think her shinobi powers were that good. And come on, Kyuubi boy behaving? You've got to be joking."
A very small smirk crosses Hiashi's lips as he heads home. He was sure those words being spoken were fully true. Naruto seemed to be doing quite well with his lessons.
Excellent.
Things could not go better even if he had planned it all from the beginning.
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This is, quite honestly, the hardest chapter I've written for any story. I'm not entirely familiar with Tsunade or Shizune so it made things a little harder. Compounding this was my conflicting wish to throw a curveball or to be done with the accounting ghoul. In the end, my wife hit me over the head and told me to, "Do the damn curveball. You won't be happy if you don't." As the mostly obedient husband that attempts to avoid pain I complied. It might be a pain, but eh…while it gives me more work I do believe I'm going to enjoy that part. Mwahahahaha!
As it was suggested, I attempted to give lines that I wished more meaning their own line. I'm not entirely sure if it worked, but hopefully it doesn't distract from the story. If it will help enhance the story, I'm game for new things. Meh…can't believe I did that. I'm a scatterbrain. Thank you for xDesx for bringing the mistake to my attention.
Next time, more of Hinata and Naruto. I hope nobody took me serious on that joke in the last chapter. Don't expect romance and when there is romance don't expect anything to happen soon. Things can and will be interrupted. If I make a comment like that, it'll probably be a joke. As they said in the Teenagers from Outer Space RPG, "Sex isn't funny even if you're wearing clown suits at the time."
Besides, I'm using the feudal Japanese rules for betrothal. That ought to make things quite funny once it's all agreed to. Poor Hinata.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one should be at my usual update time on Thursday/Friday of next week. Have fun!
Edric Loto