Chapter 2: Hyuuga! A New Day!
Konohamaru walked down the streets of Konoha and marveled at how much the village had grown since Naruto became Hokage. True it was always a prosperous village, but the economy had gone up tenfold. He truly was worthy of the name Hokage…but then again, Konohamaru already knew that since he was eight.
He stopped walking as he stood in front of the entrance to his wife's family. In bold words, he read the name.
HyuugaThough it was not advised upon, he married the Hyuuga clan's youngest heir…
Hyuuga Hanabi- or now called Sarutobi Hanabi
Maybe we were too young. He thought as they married and had a son by the time she was 18 and he had just turned 19. He had vowed to protect and take care of his new family, no matter the circumstances. And I won't go back on my word! He promised himself.
Standing at the entrance, he saw his 10-year-old son, Homaru, sitting on the front porch to the entrance of the clans' home. To his right was his mother, Hanabi; beside her were Neji and his wife (and former teammate) Ten-Ten. On his left, it was Hinata; beside her was Lord Hiashi- clan leader of Hyuuga.
They were all very inventively watching the sparring in front of them. One of the them was a 12 year old boy. Like all Hyuuga's, he had pupil-less white eyes. He wore traditionally Hyuuga sparring clothes, had his long and dark brown hair pulled back with a tie around toward the end, tape on his hands, and was focused on the match at hand. He had complete control and was the offensive one of the duo.
This was Neji and Ten-Ten's son, Hyuuga Kenshin.
The other boy was the complete opposite. He was not weak; he just couldn't keep up with the other boy. He had spiky blonde hair and blue eyes with a black pupil. Like Kenshin, he wore traditional Hyuuga sparring clothes, but had no tape on his hands. He was a few inches shorter then Kenshin, making it harder for his blows to connect with him. Right now, he was on the defense; blocking any and every attack that came his way. He refused to give up, even though the match wasn't going his way. He had a look of determination and willpower that came from his parents.
This was Naruto and Hinata's son, Uzamaki Hadoshi.
The match had been going on for a while and both were running low on chakra. Homaru clinched his fist in frustration. He wanted to spar with them badly, but he wasn't quite on their level yet. He gasped out loud as he saw Kenshin's knee connect with Hadoshi's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Then with one swift move, Kenshin sent his right fist flying into Hadoshi's face. Hadoshi wasn't sure where it landed, but he knew he had definitely made contact.
Hadoshi skidded to a stop a few meters away, clutching his stomach. Homaru knew the match was over then. In a panic, he leaned forward to help his fallen cousin when a hand grabbed his left elbow.
It was his Aunt Hinata. She shook her head no and motioned for him to sit back down. He was confused. Did she honestly think he could continue to fight after such a mighty blow? He looked at Kenshin who still had his fighting stance, never dropping his guard. "But he can't win…"
"Sit Down Homaru!" Hanabi hissed. He did what he was told and looked between the sisters. Had they gone mad? Any other time, a match would have been called off, so why is now so different? A dry cough brought his attention back to the match.
Hadoshi was on his knees holding his stomach with his right arm. His eyes shot at Kenshin, who just smirked at him. Hadoshi was frustrated and his eyes grew wider while his left hand started to shake. He ground his teeth together and his breathing had increased.
He was so much like his father…Too much like him! Hinata thought as she saw the changes in her son. Since he was like Naruto, she knew what would come next if she didn't intervene.
First was the frustration. Next was the yelling/name calling. Then the rational thinking and concentration would go out the window. Finally would be charging into a fight without a clear mind and getting beat up. A quality that could get you killed in the real world. He's frustrated. There goes the first hurdle. She thought. The second in 3,2,1…
"Hey you jerk! You were only suppose to use juk…"
"ON YOUR FEET HADOSHI!!" Hinata ordered her son. This was maybe one of the rare occasions you would hear the heiress yell. If it had been her when she was his age, she would have given up. But the Naruto in him kept him rolling. It's also the temper that causes him matches, unlike how she stayed levelheaded in a battle. She was not going to allow her son to make the same mistakes they did. It was amazing what motherhood could change in a person.
Hadoshi complied with his mother. After taking a few quick breathes, his focus was back on Kenshin. After pulling himself up to his feet, he wiped the blood from his mouth and went back into a fighting stance.
"Let's go!" He said as they charged for each other again. Like before, they went at each other in full force. Injuries and bruises pushed aside, Hadoshi was a fighting machine. He refused to quit in front of his family, even if he did loose to his cousin. He wasn't going to give up!
Hinata saw the spark in his eyes. Indeed he's so much like his father. She thought to herself.
Even without Buyakugen, you could see the chakra when their hands collided to block a blow. In one unorthodox move, Hadoshi did a leg sweep to make Kenshin jump over it. As he was in the air, Hadoshi raised his palm to connect with his back. He had almost reached him when Kenshin spun around and grabbed him by the wrist. With the chakra directed to his hand, Kenshin yanked Hadoshi forward and flipped him on his back.
Landing a few meters away, Kenshin kept his fighting stance, still not dropping his defense. How the hell did he counter that? Hadoshi asked himself in frustration. He brought his palms up behind his ears and pushed his body up, causing him to propel to his feet. He turned around to face Kenshin as he too went back to a fighting pose. What he saw made a growl come to his throat.
Kenshin had his Buyakugan activated. Hadoshi looked at his cousin with envy. He wasn't mad or jealous, just extremely frustrated. Even at the age of 12 with divine Hyuuga blood coursing through his veins, he had yet to come into his bloodline limit.
He had studied enough textbooks to know where the chakra points are and how the body works, but it wasn't the same as actually seeing them with your own two eyes.
Both boys prepared themselves to charge at each other again until a voice caught their attention.
"That's enough for today. Take a break and tend to your wounds." Hiashi said as he stood up to walk into his personal study. Before entering the sliding door a bird flew over Hiashi. Without looking back he spoke to the Kenshin and Hadoshi. "You both did good just then, and congratulations on graduating the academy." With that he retreated to his study.
Though they knew he couldn't see it, they both bowed in respect to the elder Hyuuga. "Sir." They both said. Unlucky for Hadoshi, the pain from his abdomen caused him to fall forward. He looked up and saw Kenshin offering him his hand- for support and a truce offering. Hadoshi took it and Kenshin allowed him to lean on him for support.
"You're still a jerk though." Hadoshi said quietly to him.
Kenshin just smirked. "And you're still a unorthodox loud-mouth." They both chuckled in good humor.
Homaru and Hanabi got up and let the boys sit down. Neji and Hinata each stood in front of their sons and activated their bloodline limit. This was a usual way to see if any internal damage had been done.
"Hold still." Neji ordered his son. He used his left middle and index finger to poke the boy slightly in front of his clavicle bone.
"Why did you do that?" Kenshin asked his father as the sensation passed.
"He managed to push that chakra point. That is why you weren't able to put out that much chakra to your right hand. I just re-opened it." He explained to his son. Kenshin figured he must have done it earlier when they had first started sparring.
"Nothing serious here. You'll be sore for a few hours but after hot bath tonight, you'll feel fine in the morning." Hinata announced proudly to her son after her exam.
Ten-Ten had went inside and brought out a tray with two cups of tea. "You two must be famished. Have a drink." She offered the two.
"Itadakimosu." They both said before drinking.
"Are you just gonna stand over there or are you coming over here?" Hanabi asked Konohamaru.
"I was enjoying the show and didn't want to interrupt." She said as he walked over and pecked her on her lips. "Hey kiddo!" Konohamaru stated as he ruffled his son's hair. Homaru looked like Konohamaru, but had Hanabi's eyes. His hair was also the same color as his father's, but it spiked downward. "Oh Hinata-oneechan! Kurenai-san asked me to give this to you." He said as he retrieved the paper.
Hinata took it and read it over. She just smiled and folded the paper up "Thank you Konohamaru-kun."
"So that's why you were late! You were suppose to meet us here ages ago!" Hanabi hissed at her husband.
"Oh come on! I had left the meeting with the other instructors and ran into Kurenai when we left Ichira…um…" He stopped when he saw the vein pop on his wife's head.
"You went out and ate ramen when you knew I had made plans to cook!"
"Well…I didn't eat a lot. It was more like a snack…the others binged ramen…" He said truthfully. He couldn't get the rest of his plea out as Hadoshi tugged on him.
"Hey! Hey! Uncle Konohamaru? You were with the other instructors right? Tell me who is my sensei! Pleeease!" He pleaded with his hands together.
It's amazing how he has this much energy after taking such a beating. Konohamaru thought to himself. "You'll find out tomorrow when you and your team meet him or her." He said to both Hadoshi and Kenshin. Like Neji, Kenshin didn't say anything, but Konohamaru knew he wanted to know who his sensei was.
"Oh that's right! Who's on your squad Kenshin?" Ten-Ten asked her son.
"Inuzuka Kouga and Shiobi." He said without looking at her.
"Ha ha ha! Y…You…You're on the same squad as…as your girlfriend! Ha ha ha ha…ha…ha ha ha!" Hadoshi burst out in a fit of laughter.
"Urasai! [Shut up!] I've already explained Shiobi and I are just comrades, nothing more." He said while staring at Hadoshi.
"That's what you said about Shikaru." Hadoshi continued to tease.
Kenshin made a move towards Hadoshi, but Homaru clung to his left arm. "He's just joking with you!" Homaru stated in Hadoshi's defense.
He was about to open his mouth to say more but a tugging sensation on his left ear caused him to suddenly yelp in pain. "Ow ow ow! Ok Ok! I'll stop!" He yelled.
"Good. That's quite enough of that." Hinata stated as she let go of his ear.
Hanabi put her anger for her husband aside to ask her sister something. "Shiobi? Hinata isn't she the daughter of that weird guy that wears shades from your squad?"
"Yes she is and her father's name is Aburame Shino." She answered her sister
Hanabi then smiled smugly at Kenshin. "So…you and Shikaru…"
"Are just friends!" Kenshin stated.
Konohamaru raised an eyebrow at the name Shikaru. She was the daughter of Nara Shikamaru and his wife Temari. She often came over to play some form of Chinese board game called Mah Jong. Most Hyuugas' knew how to play, but the frequent users of the board were Shikaru, Kenshin, Ten-Ten, and Hanabi (or whoever else wanted to play). He didn't think of anything other than friendship…but Hadoshi could be exaggerating the union. He was jarred back to reality as his son called his name.
"Hey dad! Guess what?" He didn't wait for a response. "Hadoshi got the Uchiha twins on his team!" Homaru smiled but Hadoshi didn't. He had this disappointing look on his face.
"You don't look too happy about the arrangement." Konohamaru commented on the look. Hadoshi still remained quiet- clearly a Hyuuga trait he inherited.
"Hey everybody! What's going on?" A cheery voice got everyone's attention. There was their Hokage standing in front of them. His orange attire had changed a bit to resemble a cross between an ANBU and standard jounin uniform. His haite (headband) was still tied around his forehead, but the cloth hung down behind his neck. He also wore the fire robe that resembled the Yodaime (4th Hokage) old one. The most memorable item was the necklace of the Sondaime (1st Hokage) he won from Tsunade years ago.
Naruto frowned as Neji, Ten-Ten, Kenshin, Hanabi, and Homaru bowed and referred to him as 'Hokage-sama'. His face lit up entirely as he spoke, "(1) I'm in your home, so I should greet you all graciously." Naruto said as he lowered his head toward Neji, Ten-Ten, and Kenshin. "(2) We're all family, so there is no need to be formal." He said then planted a soft kiss on Hinata's forehead. That's when everyone loved abut Naruto- his personality brought nothing but joy.
"You're here earlier than expected." Hinata stated rather than just asking Naruto why he was there early.
"Well, I finished early today. In fact, I'm just leaving the Uchiha compound. Sakura-chan asked me to give you this." He dug in his pocket and gave her the paper. Like with Kurenai's she folded the paper and put it in her pocket.
"You had your kage bunshins do your work for you today?" Neji asked. Naruto just scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Hn…" Neji smirked before looking at Hadoshi. He still had not spoken since Homaru announced his team. He didn't even acknowledge Naruto was a few feet in front of him.
Naruto felt Neji's eyes on him so he directed his toward the Hyuuga prodigy. Neji nudged is head toward Hadoshi for Naruto to look at him. When he did he slightly frowned at the face. I know what that look means. I didn't think it would affect him this much. Naruto thought. That face was one he made a lot- failure.
He was the heir to the Hyuuga line after his mother. Yet he couldn't even activate his bloodline limit. To make matters worse, his teammates were siblings who also had a bloodline limit they could activate at any time (though he never saw them activate them). He was beginning to feel inferior as a shinobi and Hyuuga heir.
A hand ruffling his hair brought him back to reality. He looked up and saw his father's loving smile. It was hard to ignore the number one, hyperactive, knuckleheaded ninja in Konoha. "You so high and mighty you can't greet your old man after a hard day's work?" He joked with his son.
Hadoshi closed his eyes and smiled just like Naruto. He knew that was Naruto's way of saying 'everything is gonna work out right'. A sliding noise caused everyone to turn around toward the house. A young servant girl came out and dropped to her knees when she saw the blonde Hokage. "Please forgive my intrusion, but Hiashi-sama wishes for everyone present to join him for a celebration dinner in one half hour." With that said, she excused herself and went back inside.
The group began their entrance to the house when everyone stopped to see that Naruto and Hanabi had not yet moved. "What's the matter with you two? Aren't you hungry?" Konohamaru asked as the thought of fine Hyuuga cuisine flooded his mind.
"But I had made plans to cook." Hanabi began to pout.
"Father is inviting us to have dinner with him. It has been a while since we all ate as a family so let's not disappoint him." Hinata suggested to her sister. Her attention then directed towards Naruto.
"Well…it still weirds me out that he knows I'm here and he's not even present." Naruto said. Every one snickered at the blonde Hokage as they made their way inside to wash up. He's still a dunce. Neji rolled his eyes in good humor as he took hold of Ten-Ten's hand. She followed him inside the compound to head toward their room.
"Naruto is a great Hokage, but he is still a little dense." Ten-Ten teased. Even she knew Hiashi could use the bloodline limit anytime someone with a huge amount of chakra entered the home.
"Hn." Neji agreed. Neji had changed into his casual Hyuuga attire and Ten-Ten wore a long Chinese style robe. He didn't understand the woman's fascination with Chinese style, but it matched her personality. They exited their room and made their way down the hall. Coming around a corner, he heard running. Before he had time to react, a yellow blur smashed into his stomach. Neji placed his hand on the wall for support. The blow didn't hurt him; it just knocked the wind out of him.
"Ow ow ow…" A boy was on the ground holding his sore head. Ten-Ten brought the boy up and examined his head.
"No external damage done. What's 1 plus 1?" She asked.
"2 why?" He answered.
"To make sure you didn't have any internal damage." She teases at the boy while helping him to his feet.
Neji looked at the boy and noticed he had been holding back tears. It was probably from earlier that day when he was frustrated, but every Hyuuga was conditioned to learn at an early age: Don't cry from pity, a lost battle, or hurt feelings. In a way, Neji felt sorry for the kid because he knew he tried hard as he could.
"Are you alright Hadoshi-sama?" Neji asked out of pure concern that made Ten-Ten do a double take on him. Even he didn't use that tone with their son but on a couple of occasions.
Hadoshi bit his bottom lip. He knew he wasn't worthy of such a prestigious honorific. Thinking of the words of his father, he allowed those harsh feelings to pass, as he looked his family member in the eyes with a smile. "Uncle Neji? Father said earlier we were a family. So there is no need to use such an honorific with me." With that, Hadoshi bowed his head to Neji. "And I apologize for running into you. I should be more careful where I'm going."
"Urg...no. You don't have anything to be sorry for Hadoshi. Mistakes happen, don't worry about it." Neji tried to respond to the respect he's getting from the boy. Hadoshi lifted his head and grinned like Naruto.
"Well…at least I got you to say me name." He teased at Neji. Neji just smirked and patted the boy on the head as Hadoshi ran off down the hall he was headed.
Ten-Ten looked at Neji with disbelief then giggled with a blush on her cheeks. "Nani? [What?]" Neji asked her.
"You're going soft Hyuuga Neji." She teased at him. He was ready to retort when a brown blur ran into him. Neji was relieved that the impact wasn't as harsh like with Hadoshi a few minutes ago.
The child jumped to his feet and bowed to them. "Sorry about that but have you two seen Hadoshi run this way?" Homaru asked in a panic.
"He ran back that way. Is something the matter?" Ten-Ten asked the young man.
"Not really. He left his robes home, so he's going to see if Kenshin will lend him one. If he doesn't, I have some he can wear because I still have to grow into them. Well, ja ne!" He waved as he ran off.
"Hn."
"What is it?" Ten-Ten asked.
"Those three. How they get along so well despite their different personalities." He thought about his cousins: Hinata and Hanabi. They were never close at that age. Neji had hated the Main House, Hinata was too intimidated to speak to him, and Hanabi sneered at him while turning her nose up whenever they passed by each other.
Ten-Ten leaned onto his shoulder and he placed his hand behind her back. "Are you complaining?" She asked her husband.
Neji just smirked and held onto her tighter. "I didn't think so." She said triumphantly.
Naruto stood and stared at Hinata as she put on her robes. Even at the age of 33, Hinatas' beauty marveled him. Her hair was longer, running past her shoulders. Like most Hyuugas, she tied it back for the formal dinner. Her eyes still carried that softness in them that he fell in love with.
"You're staring Naruto-kun." She said to her husband as she tried to tie her obi around her.
His expression took on a bit of a shock as he noted her back was turned to him. That Hyuuga bloodline really weirds me out. He thought. Hinata grunted in frustration as she again tried to tie the obi in the back.
"Here." Naruto offered as he walked behind her and tied it. His hand wandered to her hips and rested in front of her abdomen. She placed her hands on top of his and they enjoyed each other's warmth.
Never would they have imagined they would find love in each other. Naruto had been alone all his childhood until Iruka and the Third Hokage intervened. Hinata herself was the subject of reticule in her own home for being deemed a 'weak heir'. Together they found happiness, love, and a family.
While she was thinking, Naruto had been laying soft kisses on her neck. A gasp from Hinata brought her back as his hand rose closer to her assets. The next thing she noted was that one of Narutos' hands went missing. She felt a tugging sensation on her back, then turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You just tied it up." She giggled.
"I suddenly had a change of heart." He said with an evil grin.
"Don't start. We have to meet the others for dinner…then we can finish when we go home." She reasoned with him. He started to pout but then suddenly put on his fox-like smile.
"You'll have to promise me though." He said as his forehead touched hers, now free of his hiate.
"I never go back on my word." She whispered as they leaned in for a kiss. She deepened it as he leaned in more. His hands rubbed her spine and he was tempted to pick her up when…
"Are you done in there? It's time to meet father." They heard Hanabis' voice.
"The two of you can finish what you're doing later." Konohamarus' voice teased.
The door slid back and Naruto emerged looking rather irritated. "The two of you really know how spoil a mood." Naruto grumbled.
Konohamaru was a bit relieved to see Naruto still in the clothes he arrived in. When they married the Hyuuga heiresses, they each moved to a different part of town. Konohamaru, of course, resided his family at the Sarutobi estate.
As a wedding gift from Tsunade and Jiraiya, they built the Uzamaki estate a couple of blocks away from the Hokage Tower. It was also a small hike to his old apartment that he still kept vacant.
"You all are rather loud." Ten-Ten commented as they neared the four. They both didn't have their hiate on (Neji had his bandage around his head though).
"Naruto-niisan is upset because we interrupted them…"
"BAKA!" Naruto yelled as he bopped Konohamaru in front of his head. For the first couple of seconds, he wished he had his hiate on.
"Na…Nani? [What?]" Konohamaru asked as he rubbed his sore spot.
They'll never grow up! Hanabi thought of the two in front of her.
Neji heard footsteps behind him so he turned to see who it was. The three boys were walking fast to catch up with the adults.
"Slow down! The food isn't going anywhere." Ten-Ten giggled at them. A growling noise was heard. Kenshin and Hadoshi turned their heads to keep everyone form seeing them blush.
"You all must have trained pretty hard to have an appetite like that." Naruto teased. Homaru was laughing at them until his own stomach betrayed him. Everyone- save Neji- was laughing when the servant girl from earlier came in and bowed.
"Pardon my intrusion again, but Hiashi-sama wishes for you to join him if you are all 'done standing in the hall'." With that said, she made her exit.
"How can you stand that Ten-Ten?" Naruto asked referring to the Hyuuga bloodlimit.
She looked at him with an amused expression before shrugging her shoulders. "I'm just use to it." She replied as they walked inside the banquet room. Hiashi was already seated and waiting for them.
"Minna [Everyone], be seated. Naruto-dono, please take your seat at the end of the table." Everyone complied with Hiashi and took their respected places.
The seating arrangements went as followed: Hiashi at the end, Neji on his left, Kenshin, Homaru, Konohamaru, Naruto at the other end of the table, Hinata, Hadoshi, Ten-Ten, Hanabi, and ending back with Hiashi.
It is customary (for Hyuugas anyway) for the head(s) to sit at each end and family/friends on the sides with their children between them. For Naruto to be asked to sit at the other head of the table was a huge honor. The ends were reserved for: Head of the family and honored guests. One could only assume Naruto sat there because he was Hiashis' son-in-law as well as village Hokage.
Small talk was made during the dinner. The majority being everyone catching up on lost time (the adults anyway). Hiashi's all-seeing eyes wandered around the table at his family. This was the first time in decades did a peaceful meal such as this one occurred.
He saw Neji; all hatred extinguished from his heart and Ten-Ten began a new chapter in his life.
He saw Hinata; the heir he once deemed as 'weak' that now was the will of the clan. After marrying, she still vowed to keep the title of clan heir. That proved alone she was not weak and had a will of her own.
He saw Hanabi; the woman who once was a child who would lay her life on the line for her clan. Konohamaru showed her there was more to life than just being powerful for your family…you must be strong for yourself.
His eyes then darted between the three boys. Hadoshi was rolling a pea around in his hand as everyone was talking. Thinking no one would notice he plucked a pea at Kenshin's forehead. Needless to say, Kenshin was shocked. It didn't hurt, but Hadoshi had put enough chakra into the pluck for him to feel a slight sting.
"Ow ow ow! Gomen! [Sorry!] Gomen!" Hadoshi pleaded as Hinata tugged on his right ear this time.
"Honestly Hadoshi, act your age." Hinata said as she let go of his ear.
Homaru was trying hard not to burst out laughing while Kenshin smirked as he wiped his bare forehead with a napkin. Hiashi closed his eyes and thought about how relieved he was to not have to place the caged bird mark on Kenshin.
When I become Hokage, I'll change the Hyuuga! Hiashi recalled from Naruto and Neji's fight at the Chuunin Exams. He heard the laughter of not the Main and Branch house of Hyuuga…he heard the laughter of one united family.
Indeed you did change the Hyuuga Lord Hokage."Father? Are you well?" Hinata asked when Hiashi got extremely quiet.
"I'm fine." He replied as he opened his eyes. Everyone was done eating so he figured to move onto the next phase. "If you are all done eating, let's go into the next room for entertainment." He announced as he stood up to walk.
Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi just sat there in shock. Dinner and entertainment? Maybe he's the one going soft? Neji thought. Everyone walked into the room and saw other members of the family. Everyone mingled and congratulated Kenshin and Hadoshi on making it to genin. Music was being played, there was dancing, and special presentations were held. It was getting late and Hanabi wanted to get Homaru home so he could rest up for class tomorrow. But when she looked around, she noted he was nowhere to in sight.
"Where is Homaru?" She asked no one in particular but all she received were shrugs and 'I don't knows'.
"Hadoshi have you seen Ho…" Hinata began to ask as she noted her son too was gone.
Ten-Ten did a quick mental sweep of the room and noticed Kenshin was missing also. Out of a whim, she called out his name. "Kenshin?" Naruto, Konohamaru, and Neji split up to look for the boys but found nothing. Hanabi was about to freak when Hinata spoke up.
"Did anyone see father leave?" She asked the group.
"He excused himself earlier and said he would be back soon, but he hasn't returned yet." Neji answered. Hanabi's face brightened up quickly.
"In that case, I know exactly where they are." She stated. Hinata thanked the guests for coming and assured them everything was fine as they went into their respected rooms.
Everyone followed Hanabi until they reached the house dojo. Hinata had grim memories of her failed practices there, but now they were put aside. They entered the room and saw a sight that noone would imagine possible…
There was Hiashi sitting with Homaru in his arms fast asleep. By his feet, Kenshin and Hadoshi had their backs to each other and were also sleep. All four were clearly exhausted judging by the looks on their faces. Konohamaru nudged his wife by the shoulder and motioned for her to lean in. "How did you know they would be in here?" He asked while whispering.
A scoff came from her as if she was insulted. "Come on! What is the one thing those four have in common?" She didn't bother waiting for a reply. "Training. My guess if after Father excused himself to the dojo, Kenshin and Hadoshi followed him to ask for more training tips- seeing as they all will meet their instructors tomorrow. And Homaru, not wanting to be left out, followed behind them. They are all truly predictable." Hanabi finished.
Naruto, Neji, and Konohamaru each helped their sons to their feet. "We should head home now. Later Neji, Ten-Ten and Kenshin! Thanks for your hospitality Hiashi-sama." Naruto thanked as he and Konohamaru bowed to the leader.
"Hn." That was Hiashi for 'You're welcome.'
They had almost reached the exit when a loud thunderclap roared overhead. Before anyone could speak, rain poured down upon Konoha. "Of all the rotten…" Naruto grumbled.
"Seems as if you are staying tonight. Hadoshi and Homaru may share a spare room down the hall. Hinata and Hanabi, both of your rooms are vacant for your use. Just keep your…affection for each other control. Goodnight." With that, Hiashi retreated to his room.
"You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear he knew it was going to rain." Naruto commented as they walked down the hall.
"He did." Neji replied with a passive face.
"What!" Naruto yelled. It was enough to jar Hadoshi and Homaru awake as well as other members of the house.
"Naruto!" Ten-Ten hissed for him to be quiet.
"S…sorry." Naruto said quietly. Out of the corner of his eye, Konohamaru could have sworn he saw Neji smile and flat out almost chuckle. Naruto put his hands behind his neck as they walked. He listened to the pouring rain with the occasional thunderclaps as lightening lit up the home. "It's gonna be a real bummer in the morning." He complained.
"What makes you say that?" Konohamaru asked.
"We'll have to get up extra early to go home. While we're there, we have to take a bath, change clothes, and get into our daily routines by 8:00am! Who's to say the rain won't stick around until morning?" He asked in irritation.
Konohamaru groaned, realizing he lives a little further from Naruto's house. Meaning he'll have to get up earlier than them. "Yeah, it's really going to suck." He agreed with Naruto. Upon entering the spare room, everyone bid Hadoshi and Homaru goodnight and eventually Kenshin as they neared his room. Hinata and Hanabi's room were across the hall from each other so Neji and Ten-Ten bade them goodnight.
"You shouldn't tease Naruto like that Neji! He could have woken up the whole house with his voice." Ten-Ten scolded Neji as she changed her clothes. Neji already had on his nightclothes was waiting for Ten-Ten to join him in bed.
"What do you mean?" Neji played dumb with a straight face-something that always got under Ten-Ten's skin.
"I mean don't make him second guess himself. You could have told him it was going to rain. Heck, I even saw the clouds in the distance while the boys were training!" Her voice lifted a bit as she flopped down on the bed.
"Ten-Ten. You're going to wake everyone up with your loud voice." He said, his face still passive. She turned her body so she could look at his profile.
I do not have a loud…!" She started before his lips connected with hers. He broke away and looked her in the eyes.
"Were you saying something?" He asked
An evil grin crossed her face as she slipped a little closer to him. Just at quick she frowned. "But Hiashi-sama said…"
"For them to keep their affection under control. We live here so the comment doesn't apply to us."
"You're a genius." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
""I know."
She was about to retort when his lips silenced her for a second time.