I DON'T OWN NARUTO
"You said the kiba were only part of my present" Tenten says.
"Oh, you remembered that, did you?"
"Yes, while I was in the shower, now what's the other part."
"I asked Kakashi-sensei to help you mold raiton chakra."
"Thank you, Naruto." she replied with a thousand watt smile.
"Of course, you've always been there for me and I can never truly thank you so I figured, why not a legendary weapon."
"I can't fault your logic. Well, I need to get out of here, I'm incredibly late."
"Just tell Gai-sensei you were stoking your flames of you."
"I'd really rather not. You're coming to my party tonight, yes?"
"Uh…"
"Let me rephrase. Uzumaki, you will be at my part to night and if I have to come find you you won't be happy."
"God, fine Panda-chan, I'll be there."
"Good, and no fighting."
"What the hell kind of thing is that to say? I don't just go around fighting people, ya know."
"I can think of two specific instances where that was not the case."
"They were both being assholes! Also, we never actually fought, if you recall."
"Yes because you were stopped. Or do you not remember breaking Shino's hand."
"He should have just let me deck Kiba and I felt crappy that I hurt him. But no one got hurt the other time."
"Because I stopped you. Look, I don't have time for this. They'll both be there. Just make polite, for me."
"Fine, fine for you."
"Thank you, now I'm off." Tenten says as she hops out the window and leaves via shunshin. Deciding to start his day, Naruto showers and changes into some casual clothing before heading to the kitchen where he finds Shizune with a unsettling grin.
"Ohayo, Naruto-kun"
"Ohayo, Shizune. What's with the grin?"
"Oh, nothing, I just heard the most peculiar sounds last night. And this morning, I saw someone make a hasty exit from your bedroom window."
"Really? I may have to look into the security seals then, we shouldn't have intruders where the Hokage resides."
"Is that how you want to play this?"
"I don't have the foggiest as to what you mean, Shizune-chan."
"Ok but remember, you wanted this. Anyway, what's on the agenda today?"
"I have to meet the new member of my squad today and Tenten has her party tonight but other than that my day is pretty open so who knows."
"Alright, well, I've got to get to the hospital but I'll be seeing you later, stud."
"Oi, Tenten, glad you could make it."
"Sorry, Sensei, I had a late start."
"It's fine, Lee and Neji are sparring so we have a bit. Oh, my rival informed me that Naruto got you a most youthful present. Kakashi said he'd be by before training ended it to set up a schedule."
The two walk over to where Lee and Neji were concluding their spar.
"Hi, Tenten, happy birthday."
"Thanks Lee."
Gai and Lee soon depart to stoke their youthful flames, leaving Tenten and Neji alone
"Tenten, I noticed you were coming from the opposite direction of your apartment."
"Good morning to you, too, Neji."
"I see you're still consorting with the Uzumaki."
"I don't see how that's any of your business. You had the opportunity to be the one I "consort" with and you turned me down."
"It isn't that simple. There are clan matters to consider, I'm not free to simply do as I wish without consequence."
"So you've said and yet you didn't even take a chance. At least Hinata and Naruto were brave enough to try to be together, you won't even see if it's possible. So, now, what? You won't be with me but no one else can either?"
"What do you want me to do? I've been cursed, fated to serve and be controlled by the main branch."
"And you do nothing to change it. Do you ally yourself with Hinata? Do you try learning fuinjutsu? Do you even try to get me information on the seal so I or Naruto could begin to help you? No, you just sulk and bitch while laying down and taking it. You do nothing to improve your situation and yet you have the nerve to judge me? To shame me, you arrogant prick."
"Tenten… I've apologized about that."
"And yet you always feel free to offer a snide comment about one of my oldest friends, someone who was there for me when you rejected me. Who was willing to defend me, to hell with the consequences. Look, I can accept you don't want to be with me. I was hoping you'd either take a chance or if not we could still be friends but now I'm not sure I even want to remain on the team. I won't be a perpetual target for your disrespect. I'm not Hinata and I don't feel like I owe you a damn thing." Before Neji could respond Tenten leaves via shunshin.
Neji's feelings of guilt quickly turn to anger as he deems the source of his rift with Tenten to be caused not by his actions nor, ironically, by fate but by Naruto himself. Having selecting a sufficient target, Neji heads off to find "The Uzumaki" to confront him once and for all.
Back at the Senju compound, we find Naruto currently sitting by the Senju waterfall, as he called it, entertaining company.
"So, why am I here again?"
"Because I want to bro down with my favorite summons."
"You're just bored, aren't you?"
"I'm so incredibly bored, Gamakichi."
"Why not train?"
"I have something to do later on so no getting sweaty before then."
"Garden?"
"I've seen to it. Daikons are nearly ready to be picked."
"Ooh, awesome, you'll have to send me a few."
"Of course."
"What about working on some seals."
"Considered it, I don't want to lose time because I'm too involved. Besides, I need some non shinobi hobbies."
"Well, you're in quite the pickle, bro."
"That's what I've been say…" before Naruto finishes his statement he lets out a hard sigh as he senses someone approaching.
"Looks like I won't be bored for long. Kami must want to teach me a lesson."
"What's that now?"
"There's someone on his way here and this person isn't a fan of me nor I him. I should have enjoyed the lull. Oh well, let's get ready to greet our guest, ne?"
"I'm down. Think you'll fight?"
"Hopefully not, it would upset Tenten and Hinata if I hurt him."
"Well, I got your back."
"Thanks, 'kichi."
Moments later a seething, for a Hyuga anyway, Neji arrives.
"Uzu.."
"Do you often come on clan compounds uninvited? I hope you have a good justification for this lapse in decorum. You realize the Hokage resides, yes?"
"Since when do you care about decorum?"
"Logical fallacies won't save you. Now, why have you disturbed my toad friend and I?"
"Whatever your relationship with Tenten is, it needs to end."
"Neji, we've done this before. I'm not interested in doing it again. Leave the grounds and never attempt to bring this up again." Naruto says as he turns his back to Neji toward the waterfall.
"I will not be dismissed by you, Uzumaki. You will cease this unsordid relationship even if I have to make you."
Naruto can only laugh at this foolish boy, angering Neji further.
"Neji, we've done this before. What Tenten and I do is none of your business. If you want it to be your business then find your backbone, coward."
Now reaching his breaking point, Neji dashes toward Naruto causing him to turn and face him just as Neji lashes out with a palm strike directly to Naruto's heart. A potentially fatal blow if this Naruto weren't a shadow clone. Before Neji can process what he just attempted to do he feels a hand grab his right calf and then everything goes black.
When Neji regains consciousness he sees that he is on a couch in Hiashi's office, with Hiashi, Naruto and Hinata looking at him expectantly.
"Now that he's awake we can resolve this. Your member entered the Senju clan grounds uninvited and preceded to attack me. The Hokage will have to be informed about this as it is her clan grounds and I am her guest. I hope you and she can resolve this issue without too much hassle, Hiashi-san." Naruto said before dispersing.
Bristling at the lack of proper honorific, Hiashi glares at Neji. "Neji because of your foolhardy actions you have likely shamed the clan. I don't know what I'll have to do to resolve this but it will likely leave me on even shakier ground with the Hokage; someone, I might add, who is not exactly fond of me. If it were Sarutobi-sama we could have come to an understanding but with Tsunade? She will want a pound of flesh so you need to explain to me what was worth you attempting to kill a fellow Leaf Nin on the Hokage's familial land."
"It was a personal matter, Hiashi-sama. The Uzumaki has a way of infuriating me and I lost my composure, it will not happen again."
"No, that is not good enough. This is the second time I have heard about you attempting to attack him only this time you got your ass handed to you."
"Hiashi-sama, he used tricks, the Uzumaki could never defeat me in combat."
"Are you really this foolish? Neji, he brought you here, knocked out and tied up with ninja wire. If that had been any enemy he'd have killed you, possibly after having removed your eyes. You are not a child, you insisting that tricks do not count could get you killed someday."
"Hai, Hiashi-sama. Will that be all?"
"For now." As Neji exits Hiashi turns to address Hinata.
"You were awfully quiet on this issue."
"I'm sorry, what was I to say?" Hinata asks, adopting an emotionless mask.
"As the heiress you are expected to have opinions on matters that affect the clan."
"I'm not sure what opinion there is to be had, Neji's error is on you to fix. Seems pretty straightforward."
"Will you be present at this meeting?"
"No, I have other matters to attend to. If I may be excused."
"Yes, Hinata, go on."
"Thank you."
Hiashi can only slouch in an unHyuga like manner as he thinks, 'She doesn't even refer to me as father anymore.'
Allow for the moment to past, Hiashi prepares to meet Tsunade and hopes she's not out for blood.
Entering ANBU HQ, Naruto sees his squad has already gathered.
"Am I late?" he asks.
"No, Gama, we've actually all just got here early. Let me formally introduce you to our new permanent squad member, Hebi."
"Hello Hebi, nice to have you on board."
"Thank you, Gama-san."
"So, Gama, since you weren't here for your entry test why not show her around and familiarize her with our schedule?"
"Hai, taicho. Hebi, if you can follow me."
As the two walk around the HQ, Naruto informs her of their training schedule and primary responsibilities as a squad along with the specializations of each squad member.
"So, what would be your specialty, Hebi?"
"Taijutsu, poisons and interrogation."
"Excellent with those you should fit right in. How about ninjutsu, what are your affinities?"
"Primarily suiton with a weaker raiton secondary."
"Awesome! If you ever want help with your suiton jutsu, let me know."
"You have a suiton affinity?"
"Yes but I've completed the nature manipulation exercises for every element but lightning."
"That's impressive. No wonder you're the ninjutsu specialist on the team."
Scratching the back of his head at the praise, Naruto can only nod at the compliment as he finishes the tour.
"Do you know what kind of weapon you'll be wielding for your kenjutsu requirement?"
"I was thinking a ninjato."
"Cool. Raion will be the biggest aid in the squad, Neko-taicho in the entire ANBU."
"What about you?"
"Primarily, I use dual kodachi but I have been learning forms with a katana as well."
"Bit of a jack of all trades, I take it."
"I guess. More than likely I just need hobbies that don't revolve around the shinobi arts."
"You could get a girlfriend."
"My my, so forward, Hebi-chan and we've only just met. Why I don't even know what you look like out of your mask."
"First, if you must use an honorific I will be called Hebi-hime secondly, I didn't say it'd be me, Gama-chan."
"Wait, wait, wait. If I can't call you Hebi-chan then there is no way you'll be calling me Gama-chan."
"Why not, it fits. Something about you just says Gama-chan."
"As your sempai I will have to insist you not call me that."
"And as your taicho, I must insist she does." Tora said from behind the pair.
"Ah, that's mean Taicho." Naruto says as Hebi and Tora laugh at his predicament.
"Tsunade-sama, Hiashi-sama is here to see you."
"Thank you, Shizune, escort him in."
Shizune left and promptly returned with Hiashi, who had been dreading this meeting. Times have not been great for the Hyuga clan head for the year or so. The clan has been stagnating. New business ventures have been drying up, going to competing concerns and if that weren't bad enough, it is starting to filter through the nation that Hiashi does not have the influence with the Godaime that he had with the Sandaime. This, of course, has angered the elders of his clan and has only increased the pressure upon him. His only saving grace is that these same elders are in no rush to see Hinata take over as clan head, fearing the changes she would instill but that doesn't mean they can be a perpetual pain in Hiashi's ass.
"Tsunade-sama" Hiashi says with a polite bow.
"Thank you for coming Hiashi, it appears we have some issues to discuss."
"Yes, one of my clansman attacked a guest on your estate. How can we remedy this before things escalate."
"Oh, there won't be any need for that. Naruto explained what happened. Said it was just poor little boy with unresolved feelings, asked me to just let the issue lie, which I've agreed to."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
"Don't. I also issued Naruto an order, if Neji should attack him again Naruto is to treat him as a threat and respond to any acts of violence with extreme prejudice."
"Tsunade-sama, you can't be serious."
"Why can't I? Naruto isn't Neji's punching bag and I'm not going to let his attachments get him hurt. All of this is moot as long as Neji never attempts to attack him again."
"I won't stand for this, you're telling me you've order my nephew's death and you expect me to be ok with it?"
"Hiashi, look at me. What makes you think I'm concerned about what you will and won't stand for? I've shown you mercy, I expect gratitude. As far as your nephew is concerned, it's my understanding that you're partially the reason he's wound so tightly to begin with. He hates the main branch but can't lash out at you so he picks weaker targets. Hurt people hurt people, Hiashi."
"I will not be discussing internal clan issues with you but it strikes me that you've issued this order specifically because it's against the Hyuga clan."
"Think what you wish, it matters not."
"So, is this how it's going to be between us Tsunade-sama? Needlessly antagonistic?"
"How have I antagonized you Hiashi? How have I harmed you?"
"You've ordered a seasoned ANBU to murder my clansman should he step out of line."
"I've ordered an honored guest of the Senju to defend himself against a known threat. You make it sound like Neji will, no matter what, attack Naruto again."
"He may. I've impressed upon him how bad it would be but he may. I don't think he deserves to have his life ended if he should."
"Are you serious? I know you don't value Naruto but that stupid boy tried to turn his heart to mush. You keep this up and I'll execute the little fuckhead myself, Hiashi, don't test my patience.
He isn't being charged with anything, your clan isn't being sanctioned. Nothing has happened and as long as you keep your clan members under control nothing will."
"For now. But what about the next time you have a convenient reason to take action against my clan?"
"Hiashi can you just say what you want to say?"
"Fine, Hokage-sama. You've never been a fan of my clan, this is well known but ever since I made Hinata choose you've all but openly hostile toward me. I know you've taken to the boy but that doesn't give you the right to try to dictate internal clan matters."
"How have I tried to interfere in your clan? Give me one specific example. If you can't, stop making things up. And if I happen not to like you because of something you did actions have consequences for everyone, even the great Hiashi Hyuga."
"So, you don't even bother to deny it!"
"Deny what? That I don't like you? Sure, not a fan. That's not illegal Hiashi."
"And all over that boy. It's absurd."
"What's absurd is keeping two people who care about each other, who have been nothing but good for each other, away from each other."
"I have my reasons not that I need explain myself."
"Oh, yes, I'm aware of your "reasons" Hiashi. Can't even bother to form your own opinion so you base your decision off what you think the Sandaime felt, not even checking to see if the man has changed his opinion. A cynical person might assume this was an attempt to rein in an heiress that might be getting a bit uncontrollable, one not so tied to tradition. Start making her make compromises early until you manage to compromise her so nothing has to change."
Hiashi looked as if he'd be struck. He couldn't deny that part of his motivation was to make sure Hinata wouldn't uproot too many of the Hyuga traditions, firmly believing that ties to the past is what give a clan substance. He knew he was being unduly cruel when he said Naruto had nothing to offer the clan, and if Minato and Kushina were still alive he'd likely have been run through with either Kushina's katana or those damn chains. But simply keeping Hinata in line wasn't his only motivation.
"War is on the horizon, Tsunade." he said barely above a whisper. Shocked at how defeated he sounded, Tsunade allowed the breach in decorum.
"I may be a hard man, some say unbending but I do love my children. I know how happy those two make each other but Naruto's burden has made him a marked man and the shinobi world has been at a state of peace for too long. If he manages to survive the Akatsuki threat, what of Iwa? Should any senior Iwa shinobi ever get a good look at him they'd likely mobilize a platoon of assassins just at the mere possibility that he is Minato's son. Kumo may do the same. Or they may come after those he cares about, Kumo would think nothing of trying to kidnap Hinata again. I won't tie my daughter to someone who will likely be at the center of the next shinobi war."
"An upcoming war is mere speculation and Naruto won't be facing Akatsuki alone nor will he be underprepared."
"Oh, I've heard. Some estimates have him as a low A ranked shinobi. Not even two full years of dedicated training and he's lapped everyone in his generation. Did you ever think that a legitimate S rank jinchuuriki, one who achieved the ranking without the aid of his bijuu might be enough of a spark?"
"But as you said, Hiashi, this is all speculation. We all lead dangerous lives, trying to socially engineer Hinata a long term partner is folly, Hiashi. There is time, don't alienate your heiress over what might happen."
"If that is all, Hokage-sama."
"Yes, Hiashi, you're dismissed."
Tenten's party was taking place on the roof of her parents' weapon supply shot. Since it's a fairly large retail space, there was plenty of room for all the guest to dance and mingle. Some well placed seals also insured it would not be too cold. All of the rookies had already arrived before him, Naruto noticed. How he just wanted to go home but he knew he had to be here for Tenten so he sucked it up and sought out the birthday girl and sees she's talking with Lee.
"Happy birthday, Tenten." He says while giving her a quick hug.
"Thanks" she said smiling. The three shinobi continue conversing until Hinata calls everyone around so Tenten may start opening her gifts. The party was undeniably fun and around midnight everyone starts to clear out. Naruto leaves some shadow clones to clean up the roof while he, Tenten and team 8 make their exit from the building.
"So, Naruto, I noticed you didn't get Tenten a gift. You really are a cheap bastard." said Kiba. Every member of the group save Naruto and Tenten himself tensed at Kiba's barb.
"He gave me my present earlier, Kiba, and if he hadn't it was not your place to mention it. I can defend myself."
"Oh, I'm sure he did give it to you earlier." Kiba said with a lecherous grin, making both Tenten and Hinata uncomfortable at the barely hid insinuation. Naruto was not uncomfortable. He was not even angry. There was no need, he understood that there was a jaw in need of breaking. The best kind of problems are the ones with immediate solutions. Before he could turn to Kiba and carry out his newly formed plan… goal of shutting Kiba's mouth Shino spoke up.
"I intervened once on your behalf. I felt professional ethics and our burgeoning friendship required as much, however what I chose to believe as a slip of a brash, loose lipped but overall decent person was clearly mistaken. You intended to cause harm when you revealed something you had no right to and while I've never blamed either of you for my broken hand, I had hoped it would forestall future conflict."
"Not this time, Shino, he needs to learn to watch his fucking mouth." Naruto said, barely restraining his temper. Shino simply raises his hand in an attempt to calm his friend, knowing how quickly things could escalate.
"Naruto, I don't disagree but please escort Tenten home while I talk to my teammate."
"Fine, Shino. If you're free, let's grab some lunch tomorrow."
"I'll see you there."
Waiting for the two to leave Shino stares at Kiba. "You need to grow up, Kiba. Whatever issues you have with Naruto need to be resolved."
"I have no issues with the deadlast. Is it my fault he can't take a joke. Kami, I didn't know it was such a big secret!"
"Maybe not but let's not play games. You outed Tenten and Naruto in an attempt to embarrass him in front of me." Hinata said. "What's sad is that I already knew, while both were attempting to be discrete, I had noticed a change in how they interacted and deduced that while not fully romantic, their relationship had turned physical. No one needed you to announce it." she said before departing herself.
"That isn't the way to win her, although you've likely lost any chance of that happening."
"I don't get it. I don't get why you and she are so drawn to him. Hell, even my mother seems to love that useless shinobi. I don't get it."
"Who says you need to?"
"I do. I need to know what makes him so special. I want someone to explain it to me. He was always a loser, someone who couldn't even throw a proper punch and now you all act as if he's heads and shoulders above the rest."
"Why do you care? Naruto's increase in skill does not prevent your own. I find this illogical."
"Because it wasn't suppose to be like this. It was one thing to always be behind Sasuke. To not be as smart as you or Shikamaru. But to be surpassed by that joke of a ninja is a step too far. He isn't as good as he pretends, and I'll prove. When you meet him tomorrow tell him I want a spar. No restrictions."
"Fine, Kiba, I will inform him." said a clearly displeased Shino.
"What, concerned he won't accept the challenge?"
"No, I'm concerned because I know he will." Shino says and then leaves via shunshin.