Thank you so much for all the reviews! Those really gave me the inspiration and motivation I needed to write this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

2.A troublesome problem brewing...

A figure stood at the large window watching the monument with awe and respect gazing at the faces that watched over his beloved village with pride. Past four years he has been trying to live up to their expectations. He hoped they were proud to have him as their successor. Soon after he took over, Sandaime had breathed his last. The funeral was held in the same manner as was for all previous Hokages and their wives. People of course mourned for 'The Professor' but he wasn't allowed to for long. He was their Hokage, someone people looked up to in their most difficult times. He reminded himself that he needed to be strong at such times not only for his own sake but also for those of others. A knock on his cabin's door brought him out of his reverie.

"Hokage-sama?"

"Come in Shikaku."

Nara Shikaku, the Chief Strategist of Konoha and hokage's lead advisor for once had a serious look on his face instead of his usual bored and nonchalant one. That itself set warning bells ringing in Minato's head.

"We've got a problem. A troublesome one at that."

"A problem? What is it?"

"Raikage wants to sign a treaty with Konoha. He wants to be our ally."

"Well, that's a good thing."

"-without any extra condition other than the normal ones."

That stopped Minato's train of thoughts immediately.

"He hasn't made any demand related to byakugan or yourself."

"So that's where the problem is huh..."

Everyone was aware of Minato's win in fight against both A & Killer Bee together and their failed attempt to get the Hyuuga bloodline byakugan by trying to kidnap the Hyuuga heiress, who also happened to be Minato's student. So it came as no surprise to the Nara clan head when Minato tensed a bit more than usual. Minato had always been possessive of his precious people whoever they might be due to his initially lonely life and his students were no exception. The kidnapping attempt had taken place right the night when Konoha had signed the treaty with Rai for the first time. So trying to repeat the incident was in vain. Then what was the ulterior motive behind signing the treaty?

"Do what you need to do Shikaku. I know that if anyone can find out what is exactly being planned, it's you."

"Hai, Hokage-sama. Give me a week's time and I'll find out for sure. I know it's going to be a drag but I can't laze around when my Hokage needs me."

Minato was touched by this man's loyalty and devotion to him. "I am sure Yoshino would be overjoyed to hear you say that Shikaku.",he chuckles.

"Tch, troublesome.", saying that Shikaku took his leave.

Minato stretched his stiff back looking at last stack of his paperwork.
"Finally I'll be free. It's time for that anyways." Thinking about that, his eyes gleamed in excitement.

The Hyuuga clan head, Hiashi had always been considered as a cold people thought Hyuugas were cold, especially men and that they did not have emotions. They did not feel as strongly as others do. What others did not consider was that they too felt emotions just as strong, but had better control over them. They had to learn it. Because emotions were seen as weakness. Though in case of battle that was true, it was not the same in case of relationships whether it be familial, romantic, platonic or even comraderie. Thus other reason for marriages within clan beside preserving the bloodline or tainting the bloodline as the Hyuuga elders liked to call it. Adding the superiority complex to that, very few people had the patience to deal with them outside profession. Also the main house and branch house system was not liked by many. Who would want to marry someone from branch house knowing their children would live their whole life in servitude. Main house too had its own share of problems. Being head or heir of the clan not only made you obligated towards the clan it also took away freedom. One had to always put the clan's good above everything else no matter what cost one had to pay for it. Arranged marriage being one of them. Everyone had to obey clan rules. Be it due to fear of elders who not only thought better of themselves but also had too much of pride to admit change was needed and inevitable or the fear of the unbearable pain that came with the use of caged-bird seal. But there comes a time when one listens to his heart. After all a heart wants what it wants, regardless of rules.

Since childhood, Hiashi had always behaved as told. If he had unintentionally thought in a way that was not Hyuuga he immediately rectified himself after being reprimanded. But as they ,'there's an exception to every rule', there were times where he just could not comprehend with the logic behind rules. After all having an impassive face did not mean that there was no inward reaction. First time had been when his twin brother Hizashi had been sealed. Contrary to popular belief, the twins had been close. Nothing sort of sibling rivalry existed between them. How could it? Hizashi's understanding nature complimented Hiashi's hot headed one quite well. Gradually Hiashi's temper was controlled by the so called Hyuuga rules. For once they benefited him rather than being suffocating. Hiashi began to take a stand for Hizashi whereas Hizashi made Hiashi understand that sometimes compromise or sacrifice was an answer. And that was the start of a change. A small change that laid the base for huge events of future. Another time had been the twins had fallen in love with two clan-less sisters Hitomi and Harumi. Going undercover as married couples on an S-Rank mission had given 4 of them plenty of time to understand and be comfortable with each other. Hiashi himself had been surprised about how comfortable he had grown around Hitomi, the only one who had been able to understand him till then had been Hizashi. He could also see that Harumi and Hizashi were also smitten with each other. That time his heart won over the decision and his mind too was ready to make sure his heart got what it wanted. The council of course opposed both marriages refusing to partake in 'tainting their blood' as they called it. But Hiashi's persistence won in the end. Thus Hitomi became the Hyuuga clan matriarch and Harumi the wife of branch house's head.

AN : I am sooo sorry for the late update! I kno i had promised a sooner update but i was just so busy with extra exams and then there was the net connection problem!so updating might take place later than thought bt i'll definitely update asap.

Ja!