I DO NOT OWN NARUTO…L

Kurenai waited until she and the girls were out of the hospital before she gave in to the laughter that was rising up in her at the thought of Kakashi in love. When Sakura and Ino demanded to know what she found so amusing, she just shook her head at them and refused to answer. As much as she was dying to tell someone, as one of his few friends, Kurenai respected his wish to protect his new feelings. Oh Asuma, I wish you were here to see this! How you would enjoy ribbing him! Especially after all the comments he used to make about you being whipped! She giggled to herself as they headed into the first clothing shop. She came out of her musings when she got a look at the low-cut neckline of the shirt Ino declared was perfect for Hinata. This is going to be a l-o-o-n-n-g-g day…Kakashi owes me one for this!

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"I don't know why the hell that old pervert should get to marry Hina-" Kiba growled underneath his breathe. He had been complaining about the marriage since they left the hospital. All the time he had spent resenting Naruto for holding her affections, and then the idiot's sensei had stepped in and stolen her out from under his nose. In Kiba's mind, all he would have to do to get Hinata was to wait for her to give up on Naruto. He has realized he was in love with her not to long after they had been put on the same team.

"Shut up! Do you think that you are the only one that is upset? You are not the only one that loves Hinata!" Shino semi-shouted at him as he glowered at him.

"Shino? What the hell man?" Kiba exclaimed. The entire time he's known the quiet bug wielder, he could count on one hand the number of times he'd heard him raise his voice. Suddenly, the meaning behind Shino's words hit him, and he stopped dead in the middle of the road. His best friend stopped as well, and regarded him with tiny smirk. Anyone that didn't know Shino wouldn't have been able to spot it, but Kiba had been his best friend and teammate for years. He growled at him, angered that Shino was quietly mocking him.

"How could anyone help but to love her?" Shino asked in a monotone.

"Why didn't you ever say anything before?" Kiba asked.

"Friends do not crush on their best friend's girl." He replied manner-of-factly.

"Shino…" Kiba trailed off, astonished at the rare declaration of friendship from the uptight young man.

"Look, let us just get our task done. We may never get to share that bedroom with Hinata, but we can make sure it is fit for 'our' princess. After all, Hatake did say that money was not a problem.." Shino said with a smirk in his voice. Kiba gave a wolfish smile.

"You know- for once I agree with you! Let's go spend as much of the old bastard's money as we can!" In perfect agreement, the two young men headed into the most expensive furniture store in Kohona.

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Hideki snuck onto the compound after checking carefully for Hyuuga-sama's chakra pattern. He stealthily made his way to the branch house's main living area. His young sister, Hitomi spotted him and came running into his arms.

"Niisan! Where have you been? Kaa-san and I have been worried sick!" She gave him a bone crushing hug and began to cry as she buried her head against his chest.

"Sh-h-h, Hitomi! I am not supposed to be here…" he whispered urgently as he stroked her hair in a comforting manner. After a few minutes, he pushed her away gently.

"I need you to gather every branch member that you can find and ask them to meet in here in 15 minutes. I am going to get Haruna." He told her. She gave him a bewildered look, but went to do as he asked. Checking for chakra patterns near the infirmary, Hideki moved swiftly to reach his childhood friend. Coming up quietly behind her, he pulled her against him while slapping his hand over her mouth to prevent her from crying out. Haruna struggled briefly until she realized who was holding her. As soon as she stopped trying to get away, he released her. She whipped around to face him with a scared look on her face.

"What are you doing back here? They will kill you! Lord Hyuuga has been walking around in a constant state of rage since he found out what you did!" She whispered to him urgently.

"I need you to follow me- we don't have much time. The meeting will be starting in a few minutes." He whispered back as he tugged her out of the room after checking the hallway again.

"Hideki- what is going on! What meeting?" She said in exasperation.

"Just wait- I'll tell everyone at one time." He smiled briefly as he heard her let out a sigh of annoyance. They enter the main room to find that almost half of the branch family had assembled and were sitting there with looks of curiosity on their faces.

"I don't have much time….I am sure by now everyone is aware of what happened to our Lady?" He asked. Several members answered in the affirmative and he saw looks of distress and anger across most of their faces.

"The Hokage has healed her and married her off to Kakashi Hatake for protection. He asked me to denounce my place as a member of the Hyuuga in exchange for legal membership in his clan. His offer includes his protection." He paused to let the information be assimilated.

"What does this have to do with why you called us here?" One of his cousins called out.

"Hatake-sama has extended his offer to any Hyuuga that wished to accept it. He specifically wanted two maids, a cook, and a gardener. He is hoping that Lady Hinata will feel more comfortable surrounded by her family. The attack damaged her heart and she is no longer allowed to overexert herself." His proclamation was met with silence. After a few minutes went by, all the members climbed to their feet and stood before him.

"When do we leave?" One of the branch house elders asked. Hideki's jaw dropped open for a moment, and then a rare full smile covered his face. He bowed to his family.

"Pack light- we will have to leave in small groups, leaving behind clones. Hopefully, we will be away before anyone realized how many of us are missing….""