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Chapter 7… Meet the family…
"What is their status according to the Leaf?" Takashi asked with a stern look on his face.
"They are considered missing and possibly dead by the Leaf. I confirmed this with the Hokage before I left." Ichiro answered with a smile. "So we need to find these new people a home and places in our village. They are all considered dead by explosion and resulting fire that consumed eleven families of Uchiha during the death of the demon day. It was also Naruto's birthday."
"There were only two others other than my people that knew the status of Naruto and Hinata. The Hokage and one other, her name was Kurenai Yuuhi. She was the guard who was supposed to deliver Hinata to the Academy and was also an instructor there. She was quite concerned for safety of both of them. She appeared to have been ruffed up by an Uchiha, who later died at the hands of the Lightning nin. We can trust her in my opinion." Kikiyo said confidently.
"Well we need to get these people into homes as soon as possible. Winter is nearly here and we need to be ready for it. So we can have a clan compound but as set about in the village charter, everyone must have a family home. So the Uchiwa will be divided among the areas of the village." Takashi raised his hand to forestall any objections. "This is so that the individuals merge with the village and are not isolated in a clan. This is for the safety of the village. You are less likely to betray your neighbor, than you are to betray a village of strangers."
Kikiyo nodded agreement. "Then we shall follow you now. As I am the only ninja in the whole Uchiwa clan, we now renounce our Konoha citizenship and if you will accept us we will become citizens of Uzi."
"We gladly accept your clan into the village. Your ten families will be a welcome addition to the village. Any of the children who want to join the academy can. I of course will want a list of names, ages, and skills of those that are here. Will you get that for me within the next few days? I also will need a list of your skills and your level when you left Konoha. If I could also get the reason for your clan leaving Konoha I would be greatly appreciative." Takashi asked with a huge smile.
"Of course I will get the information you request. I would like to personally watch over your grandson and Hinata, if that is okay with you. As for the reason we left Konoha." Kikiyo looked down and away as if in shame. "The leaders of the Uchiha clan are planning a coupe. We were loyal to Konoha more so than the clan. As we were not made up of fighting families we were looked down upon by the rest of our clan. We were historians and librarians for the most part. We also did the work that the clan did not want to do. Our families will not be initially missed. As with the arrogance of the Uchiha they will not think that they needed our support. Well I wish them luck as we left with all intentions of either becoming a new clan or leaving Konoha all together."
Kikiyo took a breath. "We would be either looked down upon or we would have been destroyed by the Uchiha if they actually succeed in their coupe. We did keep all the jutsu that the Uchiha had stolen over the years. At least the ones they actually thought to write down. I know a few unusual jutsu myself."
"As you are from Konoha and are familiar to both my grandson, Naruto, and his future wife, Hinata." Takashi said as both children blushed. "I agree that you can help them with their studies. I would prefer that you work with them after school and leave their studies to teachers." Takashi looked at her questioningly. "Is there a reason that you are worried about them?"
"Yes Takashi-sama. Both were not treated well. Naruto was neglected in his studies. I am sure that his reading level is way below what it should be. Also his knowledge of hand signs was sabotaged. From what I can gather, Naruto was either taught wrong on purpose or was excluded from classes when he would need to be in attendance. This would have put him on the fast track to failure. I am sure that he would have found a way to try to succeed but it would have required him to sneak into some of the remedial courses and learn from scratch. And near graduation he would be stuck with failing the requirements. Those being, create three clones, a standard substitution, and transformation jutsu." Kikiyo said as her anger started to flow over as killing intent.
"I am sure that Naruto would be able to do the substitution. The transformation would be a push for him. But with his chakra capacity and control he would never be able to create a single clone." Kikiyo looked sadly at Naruto. "Sorry Naruto, I call them like I see them. It is more the Kyuubi's fault than your own that you have such control problems. But I think I have a jutsu that could replace it for you and I am sure that you would be great at it." This caused Naruto to smile. "It is called the 'Shadow Clone Jutsu'. It is considered a forbidden jutsu but with your chakra and my belief that you will not have the control needed for at least about ten years to do a simple clone. While they would be helpful, if you cannot do them why use them? We will talk later about you using this jutsu, Naruto."
Naruto looked sad at not being able to do a simple jutsu. Hinata saw him looking dejected and hugged him. Naruto returned the hug, and nodded at Kikiyo.
"Okay, now that I have a report on what happened and will receive a written one later you can explore the village and find homes for our new citizens. Ichiro, I will inform the council that they are from Konoha but the cover story is that they are a wandering nin clan that you made a deal with along the way back. So find them homes around town that they will be comfortable in. I am sure your team can handle that." Takashi said to Ichiro.
"Naruto, Hinata, Kikiyo, I would like all of you to go with Ichiro and meet with the local Hyuuga and tell them your story. I am friends with their leader, I am sure he will keep your secrets, all of them. I would suggest that you take other names for now so that if a Konoha nin enters the village and recognizes you, you will be able to say that you are not who they think you are. Naruto you are now Naru, at least for the time being. Hinata you are now Hina for the time being. You will refer to each other and yourselves as such. This is for your own protection. Enjoy your family reunion." Takashi said with a wave of his hand as he went back to doing paperwork.
The group left the building now referring to each other by the new names. The others were told of what they were going to do. The families dispersed with the others from the team leaving Ichiro, Kikiyo, Hinata and Naruto to head to the Hyuuga complex. They arrived and were warmly greeted by the guards as there appeared to be a meeting of the family tonight. All of the group were admitted by the group and seated in council chambers for open council. The open council meeting took about thirty minutes and there appeared to be over a hundred Hyuuga in attendance, there were also people from other clans and ordinary citizens in attendance for the meeting.
Hinata sat close to Naruto not letting go of his hand at any time. Naruto would smile and squeeze her hand to reassure her that he was still there and not going anywhere. Things at the meeting were boring as the children waited patiently for it to conclude. This was unusual for Naruto other then he was able to converse with Hinata in their minds so that they were able to pass the time more quickly. This was a comfort to Hinata who was worried that news of her running would get back to the clan in Konoha. Naruto would reassure her that it wouldn't happen and if it did he would protect her.
The meeting concluded and the four met with the elders of the Hyuuga in a private council session. "Now young lady we wish to hear your story. You are not in trouble. Please tell us what brings you to our village." A kindly elderly woman asked Hinata.
Hinata squeezed Naruto's hand tightly and was sweating. Naruto looked at Ichiro who nodded. 'Go ahead Hinata-chan. If my uncle trusts them then we should too. He did save us.' Naruto said in his mind to Hinata.
Hinata appeared to recover her resolve and nodded but nearly in tears. Hinata bowed in kneeling position. "I am Hinata Hyuuga of the main Konoha branch." Hinata said with all the courage she could muster. This brought a gasp from one of the council members but nods from the others.
"Continue my child, we wish to know the reason for your visit. Whether it be a long or a short stay. That is of course up to you." The same elderly woman said kindly.
"Thank you elder. For the last two years my father has changed from the kind loving father to a tyrant. He has pushed me beyond the limits of what I could do…" Hinata started to cry as Naruto pulled her into his shoulder comforting her.
"We have time child. You may continue when you are ready. Also we have heard of this change in Hiashi-sama, and are disturbed by it." The woman smiled kindly at Hinata.
It took Hinata another five minutes to compose herself. "I am sorry for my outburst honored elders." Hinata said with a bow.
"Think nothing of it child. You are nearly seven so we expect you to still be a child. You so far have shown exceptional manners for one so young. We are honored that you humor us old folks like this. I am Hana Hyuuga. I am honored to meet the heir of the Hyuuga and your friend. I can tell he is an Uzumaki but I am not familiar with him. He must be a good friend to have come with you and help you out this way." Hana said kindly.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki, son of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze. I am honored to meet all of you elders." Naruto said with a bow.
The council bowed in return to Naruto. "We are honored to be in the presence of the grandchild of the leader and the fourth Hokage of Konoha. I am sure your stories will prove to be enlightening." Hana said as she smiled kindly at the children. "Please continue child, we would like to hear your story."
Hinata bowed and continued. "My father pushed me continuously and was never satisfied. It got worse when my mother died in childbirth with my sister Hanabi. He finally before the festival told Kurenai-sensei that 'I was not worthy heir' and would be attending the Academy as a student. I met my friend Naruto-kun on the way to school. We have been attending the academy together for the last year and a quarter or so. Naruto was having problems but Kurenai-sensei was going to help Naruto-kun with his studies…" Hinata looked very sad and nearly in tears. "They were not teaching Naruto at all."
"This is quite disturbing. Ichiro, is this true that they would refuse learning to the child of their greatest leader?' Hana asked looking very annoyed.
Ichiro nodded. "Yes Hana-sama, it is true. Naruto is the vessel of the Kyuubi, sealed in him by his father no less." This statement elicited gasps from the council. Naruto squeeze Hinata's hand, and shrunk down some as he feared what the others would do to him.
Hana saw the boy's reaction and smiled warmly at him. "Worry not Naruto-kun, you are among friends. We will not hurt you for that which you had no control over. Did the villagers make your life hard?" Hana asked kindly.
All Naruto could do was nod his head.
"I see. So how did we get the privilege of having these two fine children come to our village Ichiro?" Hana asked looking at Ichiro.
"They were being attacked by several shinobi…" Ichiro looked very angry as he said the word 'shinobi'. "They were attacking the children. There was fight over who would get to them. There were five Hyuuga, an Uchiha, and a Lightning nin all fighting with each other to take the children. The Konoha nin wanted to kill them the Lightning nin wanted to take them to Kumo. The Kumo nin was the one who injured both Naruto and Hinata." Ichiro said angrily.
"I see. How badly were you hurt children?" Hana asked.
Naruto pulled up his shirt revealing a light spot on his stomach where he was stabbed. Hinata opened her shirt enough to reveal part of her scar. Naruto was surprised to see the scar and appeared to be visibly hurt by it. 'Naruto. This scar reminds me that you saved me. As with you, I will always cherish it.' Hinata told Naruto in her mind. Naruto in tears nodded to her.
"Are they able to communicate without words Ichiro?" Hana questioned.
"They appear to have a psychic link. Naruto was able to heal Hinata with the Kyuubi's help. He used the Kyuubi's chakra to heal the wound that Hinata received. Without the Kyuubi they would both be dead." Ichiro said with a proud smile on his face. His look turned serious. "There is also a matter of this that we came here for." Ichiro handed two scrolls to Hana.
Hana read the scrolls carefully, nodded then handed them on to the next elder. After the last elder finished reading the scrolls and thus handed them back to Ichiro.
"I, Kido Hyuuga am dismayed by the Uchiha's underhandedness. I for one approve of Hinata's betrothal to Naruto. That is if the children approve of it. I would not like to force them into something they do now want. As I can tell they do seem to appreciate each other. This to me is a good sign. As it is your choice children what do you want?" Kido asked smiling.
Both gulped and took a breath. They looked at each other and nodded. "We agree with the betrothal." Naruto said smiled as both he and Hinata both blushed.
"Well, I am satisfied. Any objections?" Kido asked the assembled clan elders. No one said anything.
"Well then children, you are now betrothed, congratulations. The document for the second betrothal is null and void. We will also draw up new documents so that your true identities will be hidden as we do need to report these things to the head clan in Konoha. Hinata you are now Hina Hyuuga and are my granddaughter. I am sure that Takashi has already thought of your name Naruto. No wait let me guess. Naru? Am I right?" Hana asked smiling as Naruto nodded. "From this day forth Naru Uzumaki and Hina Hyuuga are betrothed. Let only they break this bond."
Both the children immediately embraced in a hug and smiled as tears ran down their faces.
"Now was that that hard?" Hana asked with a smile. "We will deal with Hiashi later. Now we will need to see your skills child. We need to figure out where you need training. You of course will need to go to the academy. You both can visit there tomorrow. Also you will both be given a guard or two for your protection at least for now. Iwa will not be happy if they find out your identity Naruto-kun. We are sorry that you were not treated well in Konoha. I am thinking that the Uchiha are behind most of both of your problems, but I cannot be sure." Hana smiled but looked a little annoyed as she spoke.
"Naruto-kun as you are the container of the Kyuubi, I am sure that your chakra control is terrible." Kido said with a blank face. Naruto looked sad but nodded. "Cheer up boy. You are now a member of the family and thus are able to receive chakra control training. Your problem is that you have too much chakra for you to process and control. We will show you ways to get that under control. You may never have precision control that some of the elite have." Kido said but had a sly smile on his face.
"But who cares, you will have such a reserve that you will nearly never run out of it. I will personally train you in chakra control as you are to be my grandson-in-law." Kido said with a wink. "If that is alright with the Uzumaki and your friend whom I believe is an Uchiha and wants to take over your personal training."
This caught Kikiyo, Naruto and Hinata all by surprise. Ichiro just smiled as he knew how perceptive Kido was. Ichiro bowed, "I as the representative of the Uzumaki have no problem with you training my nephew. Kikiyo Uchiwa asked to be their personal trainer that is true." Ichiro replied with a smile.
"Uchiwa? I am not familiar with a clan by that name." Kido said as it suddenly dawned on him. "Ah, I see. They split from the corrupted clan to start anew?"
Kikiyo nodded. "We are the Uchiwa clan and take what was good from the Uchiha and leave the bad behind. I am the only ninja from our clan and we are new to this village. We hope to be able to fit in with all of the other people here. I am happy to have Naruto-kun train under you. He does need a lot of work on chakra control. It is a tall order and was not sure where to begin with him so that he could succeed. I welcome all the help we can get. Naruto-kun was neglected by the academy other than one teacher. Actually they ran because of the Hyuuga council. As far as we can tell they are both marked for death by them. I am sorry."
"This is most troubling. We went to Konoha to try to rebuild the feeling of alliance we had during the Great War. Now we find that they try to kill the heirs of two of the great families. I am sure that the Hyuuga council would allow the betrothal to this Sasuke Uchiha, whoever he is. I am sure they would limit his power though." Kido said with a furrowed brow. "This Fugaku-teme, is he the head of the Uchiha clan? And is this Sasuke his younger son?"
"Yes on both counts elder." Kikiyo answered with anger in her eyes.
"I see you enjoy his company greatly." Kido said with a laugh. "He must have put Hiashi under a genjutsu. This is disturbing. As of now any Uchiha, and not the Uchiwa, are to be shunned by the Hyuuga of the whirlpool. Any objections?" There were none.
"Now back to business at hand. Naruto, you are not allowed to wear a 'kill me now' orange jumpsuit. I will not have my future grandchild wearing something that calls for his early death. Do I make myself clear child?" Hana said with a warm smile on her face.
"Yes ma'am. This is all I could get when I went to the stores in Konoha. They would not sell me much of anything. They excluded me and they would chase me on my birthday." Naruto looked away but tears were heard hitting the floor as Hinata hugged his arm trying to comfort him. "They would try to kill or at least hurt me."
"Easy child, I was only commenting on your choice of colors. Not that you were being subjected to personal attacks. We have tailors that will make you anything you want. If you like orange you can have some on your outfit, but it will not be all orange. I am sorry that the village of Konoha treated you as such. You WILL NOT experience that here. And if you do come to us and your family and it will be corrected immediately." Hana said as she rose and walked over to Naruto.
Hana then kneeled and wrapped Naruto in a loving hug. Naruto froze not sure what to make of the contact. Not having really known this type of contact for most of his seven years of life. He remained ridged.
As Hana released Naruto she smiled and ruffled his hair. "I see that you have been hurt more than you are ready to tell us. That is fine child." Hana looked sadly at Hinata. "I am afraid that you have your work cut out for your child. Your husband to-be will require a lot of human touch from you and family to become whole again. I am sorry for all those that have hurt you Naruto-kun." Hana looked at Naruto as tears fell from her eyes. She hugged him again as she repeated. "I am so sorry."
Naruto broke and cried into Hana's shoulder as he squeezed Hinata's hand.
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A/N: This seemed like a good place to end the chapter… Next chapter, Konoha's Answer…