Author's Note: Hey y'all! Sorry it's been awhile but you know how life is. Anyways, this chapter took forever simply due to the fact that it is the longest one to date and it is mostly focused on the man who, as someone put it, has a redwood shoved up his ass (laughed my ass off when I read that) and I wanted to get it right. On a serious note, this chapter is important because it will be shedding a whole new light on the story. So be ready for some twists, turns, loops, and an occasional corkscrew! Keep up the reviews folks, I love readin' what you have to say and what you think will happen. Now to acknowledge a few.
Iceflame55: Correct about Hiashi being unhappy, and you will see what he has in store for them.
Ookami88: Always a faithful reviewer, thank you. This chapter you will finally get to see what is going on with Hiashi. As for Naruto (shrugs) he'll cross that bridge when he finally gets the information. After all, he did just end up in the hospital. And trust me, I do have special plans for Karin. Mwhahaha!
SheldOg21: Your reviews always make me laugh. Lol. Not gonna lie, shit did hit the fan, but there is a plan between Karin and Sakura. Later though…you'll see.
TruShadowKing: Glad you are enjoying the chapters and that you continue to!
InuKag4everbabe: I don't plan on ever stopping until it's over so enjoy!
And now for the main event!
Chapter 13: Catching Up to Speed
Naruto slowly felt himself come to. He was aching all over and he could already tell that he had some bandages on his body. Lying there in the bed he found it hard to focus any of his senses so he relaxed for the time being. After about a minute, however, he heard voices begin to speak and he tried as hard as he could to focus on the conversation.
"I have…on…from…ICU."
"How is…doing?"
"Deep…on shoulder…lost…blood…but…pull through."
"Damn it what are they saying?" Naruto cursed in his head as he tried even harder to focus. He knew they were talking about the others and he felt the worry in him begin to swell.
"What…Lee?"
"He…in…coma…for now."
Naruto felt himself begin to panic as he remembered how hard Lee had pushed himself in their fight. He was not familiar with the side effects of opening inner gates and he suddenly felt a pang of guilt and remorse wash through him for asking for his help. "Lee, please get better." he begged to whatever god was listening. However, the next conversation caught his attention immediately.
"What…Hinata?"
"I'm sorry but…is gone…we couldn't…"
"HINATA!" Naruto shouted as he bolted straight up in bed. However, the sudden act of sitting up caused him to become light headed and combined with the sudden blurst of bright light that unceremoniously blasted his eyes, Naruto found himself crashing to the ground in a tangled heap of bed sheets.
The group that was speaking turned out to be a nurse, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Shino, Neji, Renge, and Jihibiki. They all stared at Naruto surprised from his sudden outburst, but after recovering the nurse walked over and helped him back into bed.
"Naruto-sama," the nurse said as she adjusted his bed to an upright position for him to sit up in, "I know how much you strongly dislike this place, but you need to stay in bed until you have had proper rest. Do you understand?"
Naruto ignored her completely and grabbed her hand before she could move away. The sudden movement sent jolts of fiery pain all through his arm and shoulder causing him to wince but he ignored it.
"Please," he begged the nurse, staring her in the eyes, "please tell me Hinata-chan is alright."
The nurse looked confused for a moment but then smiled. "Hinata-san is fine; she will be arriving here in a few minutes to recover." The nurse said as she placed a hand on his shoulder and gently but firmly pushed him back against the bed. "Now please, stay in bed."
Naruto nodded and the nurse gave another reassuring smile before turning and walking to the door. When she reached the door she stopped and looked at everyone.
"Hinata-san and Tenten-san will be here shortly." She said before leaving the room.
Naruto sighed and leaned back in the bed. "Why am I so sore? I didn't think I pushed myself that hard, I barely even used any of my chakra." he wondered. "That's because you basically just went up against a one tailed beast. You may not have used very much chakra but physically you took a beating." Kyuubi's voice answered him. "You didn't realize it either, but your sage chakra and my demon chakra were so low that you used quite a bit of your normal chakra to maintain your last Rasengan." "Then why didn't I feel the effects when it was all over?" Naruto asked confused. "You would have earlier if your adrenaline wasn't still racing through your veins right after the fight. Your emotions were so high strung that you didn't feel the effects until you got here and dropped off the girl. After that you actually calmed down and that's when it hit you and you passed out." Kyuubi answered.
Naruto nodded his head in understanding which gained the attention of everyone else in the room.
"Naruto, are you okay?" Ino asked slightly concerned.
Naruto's eyes which seemed distant suddenly focused and he looked at her with a smile. "I'm fine Ino, just a little worried about everyone else I guess."
What he said was true, but he still didn't want anyone to know that he was conversing with the Kyuubi on a regular basis.
"Oh, well in that case everyone is fine." Ino said returning the smile. "Tenten and Hinata will be here soon. Lee is being kept in a drug induced coma until his body has repaired itself enough for him to be up and moving around. I looked over the reports on him; opening that sixth gate really did a number on his body since he has never managed to do it before."
Naruto nodded as he took in what Ino said and sighed. "Well, at least everything turned out okay."
At that exact moment he heard the scuffling of many feet down the fall followed by multiple voices shouting excitedly. They got closer and closer until suddenly four doctors pushing a gurney with someone on it rolled by the door at a very fast pace barking orders at nurses nearby and to one another. A second later another nurse appeared at the door breathless.
"Ino-san, would you please come with me to the E.R., we have a patient that was just admitted that is in a critical condition." the nurse said as quickly as he could through gasps of air.
Ino's face went from confused to determined in a heartbeat and with a nodded she quickly left the room with the nurse following in her steps.
"Well this certainly has been an eventful and interesting day." Jihibiki said with a chuckle as he shuffled over to the wall and sat down in a chair.
"Yeah, too eventful." Shikamaru complained with a sigh as he sat down on one of the hospital beds.
Choji gave a smile and nod in agreement while Shino adjusted his sunglasses. After a moment, Shino turned and looked at the couple. "If I may ask, who are you? I know nothing about you and Naruto hasn't spoken of you."
"You mean you haven't talked about us at all Naruto?" Jihibiki asked in mock surprise. "I'm so hurt!" The old man wiped away an invisible tear which caused Naruto to shake his head and Renge to roll her eyes.
"My name is Renge," the old redhead said. "And this six year old child here," she said jerking her thumb at the man next to her, "is my husband Jihibiki."
"No last name?" Neji inquired suspiciously. He found it odd that the old couple still had not truly revealed their real identities. "Surely two highly skilled shinobi like yourselves come from a well known clan."
Renge looked over at her husband who seemed to be thinking. After a moment he looked at her and shrugged. "Well, might as well tell them." he said.
Renge sighed and shook her head slightly; she knew that they were going to be in for a world of questions. "Jihibiki and I come from the late-"
"-Neji! Neji where are you?!"
Everyone turned to see Ino come sprinting through the doorway. Skidding to a halt in front of Neji, she unceremoniously grabbed him by the front of his robes and started to drag him from the room at a full out sprint.
"Ino what is the meaning of this?!" Neji shouted as he disappeared from the room with the platinum blonde.
"No time to explain, hurry!" she said as she lead him down the hallway.
Everyone in the room just stared at the place where Neji had been standing just a second ago.
"Man, could this day have any more surprises?" Shikamaru whined as he plopped back on the hospital bed.
"I hope everything is alright." Choji said somewhat worried.
"I'm sure everything is." Shino said before he turned his attention back to Renge. "You were saying?"
Once again the conversation was cut short as a nurse appeared rolling a hospital bed into the room and on it was Hinata covered in bandages. After situating her directly across from Naruto, the nurse locked the wheels in place and looked at the group but her attention was mostly on Naruto.
"Hinata-san is going to be fine, she just needs her rest. She will probably awake in a little bit." The nurse said with a small smile. She gave a brief bow and then exited the room.
Just as the nurse was leaving the room a brown blur raced by her and came to a screeching halt by Hinata. Everyone in the room had to blink a few times to realize what had just happened; by the time they did Hanabi was already holding her sister's hand while tears ran down her cheeks. Shino walked over to the little Hyuuga and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"She's going to be just fine Hanabi." Shino said quietly.
Hanabi nodded silently and then suddenly released her sister's hand and hugged Shino around the waist.
"Thank you for saving nee-chan." She said as she buried her head in his jacket.
Shino smiled ever so slightly behind his hood. "You're welcome Hanabi-chan, but I'm not the one you should be thanking."
Hanabi looked up teary-eyed with confusion written on her face. Shino rubbed her head a little and then motioned to Naruto with a nod. Hanabi's eyes widened when she saw Naruto wrapped in bandages as well sitting in a hospital bed across from her. Naruto gave her a toothy smile and the next thing he knew the air was knocked out of him as he was slammed backwards. Lights flashed before his eyes as pain seared through his body. He wanted to tell her to get off but his jaw had locked up from the amount of pain that had just coursed through him.
"Thank you Naruto-kun! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" she cried as she buried her head into his chest.
Naruto finally managed to get his muscle control back and he gently rubbed her back as he returned the hug. "Don't mention it Hanabi." he said with a smile. "I would do anything for your sister."
Hanabi released Naruto from her bone crushing hug and looked at him with a teary smile. However it quickly ended when they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. Looking towards the door the tension in the room immediately tripled when they saw Hiashi standing there with a very displeased look on his face.
Neji found himself being led down a few random white washed hallways until they reached a pair of double doors that had a red and green light above them. At the moment, the red light was on.
"Ino, what's going on?" Neji asked confused as to why Ino needed him.
Ino pushed the door open and drug him inside while speaking. "A girl has just been admitted into the E.R. She has a large puncture wound to the chest and has lost a large amount of blood."
"How does this concern me?" Neji asked as he was pulled past nurses and doctors as they scurried around looking for random items.
They came to a stop at a table and Neji felt his body freeze and his breath catch in his throat. Lying on the table was a red headed girl covered in blood and breathing hard. She was awake and her fear-filled eyes darted around the room as if looking for something. Neji had killed in combat. He had killed people in some of the most brutal and painful ways possible. He knew the power he wielded behind the Jyuuken. He had watched as people begged to be saved as they died slowly and it had never bothered him, at least not after he had finally adjusted to the fighting and killing. But Neji was not in combat now and he suddenly found himself frozen to the spot where he stood. He had never seen a person up close who was a bloody mess and dying outside of fighting. It took everything he had to not vomit and he found himself breathing rapidly and his hands become clammy.
"Neji?...Neji?...NEJI!" Ino practically screamed into his ear causing him to jolt back to reality.
"W-What happened to her?" he asked, his voice finding it hard to stay calm.
"We don't know." Ino answered. "Kakashi-sensei found her and brought her here." Doctors scrambled like mad to keep the girl awake and alive. Some were trying to heal the gaping wound in her chest while others were injecting her full of fluids and blood. Ino continued on. "We have to save this girl; it's our top priority at this point."
"Why? Why is she so important?" Neji asked as he continued to stare at the girl.
"Because she may know something about Sasuke." Ino said grimly.
Neji's pale eyes widened as he continued to look on at her, however something in his mind kicked into gear. She was now potentially the enemy, she may have information that could help protect Naruto, and she was no longer just an innocent civilian girl that was dying. "Why do you need me?" he asked, his voice returning to normal. "This is a medical problem, I have no knowledge or experience with such things." His voice had suddenly turned cold and uncaring and Ino took note of it.
"The wound on her chest isn't a problem; we can have that patched up in no time." Ino said. "But her chakra system is failing and we can't figure out why or how to stop it."
Neji wasted no time and quickly activated his Byakugan. He quickly examined her chakra network and found that what Ino said was true. The girl's network was fading slowly, mainly around her upper torso and neck. Within a few minutes she would die from a prolonged lack of chakra flow to her brain. Neji then noticed that her tenketsu points appeared to be closed. Walking up he quickly activated all of the points on her shoulder and neck and the monitor that was hooked up to the girl informed him with a slower steadier beep that she was now stabilized.
Neji deactivated his eyes and looked at Ino. "I take it you can handle it from here?" he asked.
Ino nodded and Neji turned to leave but stopped when the monitor suddenly went berserk again beeping like mad.
"It's happening again!" a doctor called out in panic.
Confused, Neji turned around and activated his eyes again to find that the girl's tenketsu points were shut off once more. "How? She should be fine now." Neji wondered as he touched all her points again and the monitor went back to normal. This time Neji kept his eyes activated and continued to watch. After a few moments the monitor hysterical again, but this time Neji saw it happen.
Neji watched as one by one the points shut down starting in her neck and continuing down to her shoulder. Curious as to what was causing it, Neji started at her shoulder and worked his way up, activating the points slowly. When he reached the last point in her neck he finally noticed what he missed before. The last tenkestsu point only opened half way, sputtered for a few moments like a candle flame in a strong wind, and then shut down causing a chain reaction.
"What's going on Neji?" Ino asked as she continued to work on the girls wound.
"I don't know." Neji replied. "She has one tenketsu point in her neck that refuses to stay open. It's causing a chain reaction that is shutting down other points in her body."
"Can you fix it?" Ino asked frantically.
"I'm trying." Neji answered slightly frustrated. He couldn't understand why it wouldn't stay open. Deactivating his eyes he tried to think. "Tenketsu points should only be able to become activated or deactivated one way: from an outside source. But there is nothing here that is causing it to deactivate." He gritted his teeth as his frustration mounted and the tension in the room grew even more as the girl continued to fade, the monitor constantly reminding them that they were running out of time.
Reaching out, Neji touched the soft pale skin of the red head's neck at the spot where the failing tenketsu point was. As he did this he wiped away some dried blood in the process and was confused when he saw fresh blood seep out. "A scab? I thought it was just blood splatter from her chest wound." He thought confused. Quickly activating his Byakugan again, Neji examined the tenketsu point. "There's nothing wrong with it. I wonder…" Focusing his eyes even more Neji watched as a thin senbon needle slowly appeared in her neck, stuck directly in the center of her tenketsu point.
"Get me a scalpel now." Neji ordered with his hand out. In a flash a doctor had placed one in his hand. Not wasting any time Neji made a small cut in her neck and then placed the scalpel down and held out his hand again. "Forceps." he ordered and just like before they appeared in his hands. Inserting them into the cut and using his eyes to see, Neji quickly grabbed the needle and then pulled it out slowly and carefully. After he was done he quickly activated the point and watched as it sprang to life.
"There, that should do it." Neji sighed in relief. He activated the other chakra points for the last time and watched as her chakra began to flow perfectly throughout her neck and head.
"Thanks Neji," Ino said with a grateful sigh of relief, "we can take it from here."
Neji nodded to her and turned to leave but stopped when he felt something hold him back. Looking down he saw the girl he had just saved was holding onto his wrist weakly while staring at him. Neji couldn't help himself as he felt pulled in by her gaze, their eyes locking and each searching the others' eyes for something. Neji found himself transfixed by her stare and he didn't know why. He silently sent out a pulse of chakra in an attempt to disrupt any genjutsu and was surprised when all that happened was the girl smiling weakly as if she knew what he had just done.
"Thank you…" she whispered quietly, her voice straining from the amount of energy and effort it took.
All Neji could do was nod dumbly as he continued to stare at the red head.
"Ano, Neji? Are you okay?" Ino asked as she put a hand on his shoulder and shocked him back to reality.
"I…I need to go see me cousin." was all Neji said as he slipped his hand from the girls grasp and quickly left the room.
"Hanabi," Hiashi said emotionlessly, "get away from him and try to act like you are a Hyuuga."
Hanabi lowered her head and walked back to stand next to her father; while this was going on Renge and Jihibiki seemed to be scrutinizing Hiashi, never once breaking their stare on him.
Hiashi noticed the excessive staring but chose to ignore it. Looking at the group he spoke. "I would like a few minutes to speak with Naruto alone. Could you please leave?" Although he asked, it was more of an order.
Shino looked over at Renge. "I supposed we could continue our conversation outside?"
Renge shook her head. "No, I'm sorry but not unless Naruto is with us."
Shino paused for a moment before accepting her answer with a nod and the group started to make their way out the door. However, Hiashi noticed that the old couple had yet to move.
"I would appreciate it if you would take your leave as well." He said politely but sounded more like 'get out'.
Jihibiki gave a short chuckle. "Well you see, I just sat down and this old body of mine just isn't what it used to be. If you don't mind waiting a few minutes I should be up and out of your long and well conditioned pompous hair." He finished his last part with a toothy grin which caused Renge to snicker.
Hiashi's mouth twitched ever so slightly but he chose to ignore the old couple and turned his attention to the blonde who was attempting to suppress his own laugh. Naruto stopped though when he saw that Hiashi was staring at him hard so he returned the gaze.
"Once again your reputation has preceded you. It didn't take you long at all to ignore what I said." Hiashi said rather irritated.
Naruto shrugged his shoulders which he instantly regretted doing due to the intense pain and replied. "Well you see I've got this list of certain types of people I don't listen too: cowards, arrogant pricks, traitors…" as he said this he counted his fingers.
"Don't forget assholes." Kyuubi muttered.
"Oh that's right, and assholes." Naruto said as he narrowed his eyes on Hiashi.
Hiashi's mouth tightened and his fists clenched together. Only Naruto could get under his skin this quickly. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe. The tension in the room was getting to an unbearable point and it was not helping his mood any.
"I meant what I said Naruto." Hiashi said lowly as he narrowed his eyes as well. "However, it would be improper of me to not thank you for your actions." Naruto snorted causing his frustration to rise even more but he continued. "So once again I must thank you for saving not only my daughter but potentially my clan. And once again I must also-"
"-I swear to kami, Hiashi." Naruto cut in while he gritted his teeth and clenched his bed sheet. "If you say 'apologize for my daughter being a burden' I'm going to get out of this bed, bend you over, and rip out the bamboo pole that's stuck up your ass!"
"I think it's more like a bamboo forest." Jihibiki muttered to himself and in the back of Naruto's mind Kyuubi was rolling in his cell with laughter. "Nice one kit!" he finally managed to get out.
Hiashi finally hit his breaking point as he exploded onto Naruto. "Damn it I am the head of the Hyuuga clan! Show some respect!" He yelled as he pointed a demanding finger at Naruto.
Naruto's anger quickly swelled to its breaking point as well and he could feel Kyuubi begin to pace in agitation from his anger. He was so worked up that he started to tear the bed sheet he was clutching onto.
"Well you see Hiashi," Naruto spoke quietly, his voice dripping with venom, "I have this list of types of people I don't show respect to." He held up his hand for emphasis. "Cowards." He lowered his thumb. "Arrogant pricks." He lowered his pinky next. "Traitors." His ring finger went next. "And assholes." He finished while skipping his middle finger and lowering his pointer. The finished product was Naruto letting Hiashi know that he was number one in his book.
Hiashi stood there shaking in rage and glaring as Naruto continued to give him the finger. "Why you worthless, rude, little freak; if you won't give respect then I'll force it from you, you son of a bitch!"
Instantly Hiashi was sent crashing to the ground and Renge stood there waving a stick around. "You can blow hot air all you want Hiashi, but I will not allow you to insult Naruto-kun any longer and I will especially not allow you to insult Kushina-chan!" she shouted angrily.
Hiashi looked on in absolute shock from the ground but it quickly turned to anger. "Just who do you think you are you old hag?!" He demanded.
Hiashi was pounded down even further into the floor as the old weathered red head slapped him across the face with her stick again. "Who am I? WHO am I?! I'm Uzumaki Renge that's who I am!" she shouted she pointed her stick at Hiashi and struck a pose.
Silence. Dead silence. Naruto and Hiashi suddenly became mutes as they stared at Renge in disbelief. Hiashi's jaw hung open as he stared at Renge, and Naruto sat in his bed completely unresponsive to anything. Naruto couldn't move, think, or feel anything. His emotions had gone dead inside of him only to be replaced by one: fear. He feared that he was going to wake up from this dream and be alone once again. He was so shocked by what he had just heard that he felt as if he was in a daze. Then he felt woozy as his heart rate began to increase. Finally the room began to spin and Naruto swayed back in forth as his eyes started to roll into the back of his head. However a sudden and firm hand on Naruto's shoulder brought him out of his fit and he looked up to see Jihibiki standing next to him and looking at him.
"This isn't a dream Naruto." He said seriously. "We wanted to tell you so badly but the time just wasn't right. You had too much going on and it would have distracted you." Naruto nodded dumbly at this as he continued to stare at the old man. Jihibiki smiled toothily. "Naruto allow me to formally introduce ourselves. I am Uzumaki Jihibiki, your great-grandfather, and that," he said as he pointed to his wife, "is Uzumaki Renge, your great-grandmother."
Naruto remained silent as his gaze went from Jihibiki to Renge and then back to Jihibiki. The corners of his mouth twitched up, and then a chuckle escaped his lips as he started to smile. His smile grew even bigger until it was threatening to split the sides of his face and he was laughing uncontrollably. Suddenly reaching out, Naruto grabbed Jihibiki and yanked him down into a massive hug as he started to cry as he laughed. The floodgate of emotions finally burst and Naruto had so many spilling out and going through him that he didn't know what to do. Jihibiki just chuckled as he returned the hug. He looked over at his wife to see that she was still glaring down at a shocked Hiashi.
After another moment of silence Hiashi finally found his voice. "S-Sensei?" Renge nodded at him and his eyes widened even more. "B-But how? I thought you died when the Hidden Whirlpool Village was destroyed?"
Instantly Renge's eyes went misty as she remembered what happened to her once proud and beloved village. "Some of us survived Hiashi-kun." she said. Shaking the memories from her head she turned her attention back to the Hyuuga that was still on the ground staring at her in disbelief. "What happened to you Hiashi? You never used to be like this, you used to be such a happy boy and when I heard you finally married that girl, Keimei, I thought you were finally going to change your clan."
At this point Naruto had finally managed to calm down and was now watching the conversation unfold intently. He saw Hiashi's eyes go distant for a second but in a flash his face went hard again and he stood up abruptly. Brushing himself off and smoothing out his robes Hiashi spoke. "Things happen and people change sensei, that's all you need to know."
Renge was about to speak when the door to the room suddenly burst open and a crazed looking Kakashi and Yamato entered. Their eyes searched the room frantically until they fell on Naruto who was smiling sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Uh…hey guys, what took you so long?" Naruto asked as he cocked his head to the side.
Hanabi, Shikamaru, Choji, and Shino all stood around outside the room as they waited for Hiashi to be done speaking with Naruto. When the shouting started Shikamaru couldn't help but smirk.
"Well I guess we should have been expecting this." he said out loud.
Hanabi shook her head. "Only Naruto-kun can make my father this emotional."
Choji smiled slightly and Shino adjusted his glasses but when they heard something crash to the ground and more yelling followed by silence they all became slightly concerned.
"Do you think we should check on them?" Hanabi asked worried.
"Nah let them go. It'd be too much effort to try and check on them when they're like this." Shikamaru said.
"He's right." Shino said. "Let them figure this out on their own."
"Figure what out?"
All of them turned to see Neji walking back towards them. Hanabi ran over to him and gave him a hug which caused him to smile a little before he returned it. Public displays of affection and emotions were something Neji usually didn't do but with Hanabi he didn't really mind, she was like the little sister he never had.
"Father is in there talking with Naruto-kun right now." Hanabi said after she broke away from Neji.
Neji's face went from kind and warm to hard and cold in an instant. "I'll be right back." he said as he walked for the door.
"Neji-nii, father asked for those two to be alone while they talked." Hanabi warned.
"Trust me Hanabi, this concerns me as well." Neji said somewhat darkly as he reached the door.
He was about to enter when he heard someone shout, "Out of the way!" and was shoved to the side as two blurs burst through the door. When Neji finally regained his bearings he saw that the two blurs were actually a frazzled looking Kakashi and Yamato. Confused as to what was happening, Neji was about to enter behind them when Yamato suddenly turned around and closed the door. Neji's face was one of irritation as his eyes narrowed.
"What the hell is going on?" he asked no one in particular.
Yamato was still sputtering over Naruto's question about travel time, so Kakashi decided to take the lead.
"Explain." he ordered as he looked at Naruto with his one eye.
Naruto sighed. "Man this is going to take forever."
For the next twenty minutes Naruto explained everything up until the point of Hinata's outburst. He explained who Jihibiki and Renge were, which took both his sensei some time to get over, and how they helped him. He explained how the seal on Hinata was faulty and how they came up with a backup plan should anything happen while Naruto was gone.
"So you're saying that when you disappeared you were actually summoned by Jihibiki?" Yamato asked. They had decided to keep the confrontation with Madara to themselves for now until they could find out more information. Naruto nodded in confirmation and Yamato put a hand to his head before sliding down into a seat. "Kami, we got lucky." He paused for a moment before muttering to himself. "I need a good soaking in a hot bath."
Kakashi rolled his one eye and Jihibiki chuckled.
"So since you were summoned then I guess that means something happened with Hinata?" Kakashi asked as his eye fell on the bandaged and still sleeping princess.
"Hai. And it got pretty nasty too." Naruto answered. "It put me, Tenten, and Lee in the hospital if that says anything."
"And she kicked Hiashi-kun's ass." Renge replied with a smirk.
Hiashi scowled at this and turned to Naruto. "The doctors informed me that all of your demon chakra is out of my daughter. Is that true and how?"
Naruto's anger spiked slightly at Hiashi calling it his demon chakra. "Well in a sense it is." Kyuubi said in the back of his mind. "Not now fur ball." Naruto shot back. Kyuubi sighed in annoyance. "Not now, not now, it's always 'not now' with you."
Naruto ignored this and answered Hiashi. "I released the seal on Hinata and used another seal to absorb the demonic chakra." As he said this Naruto reached over and picked up a scroll that was sitting on a table next to his bed. Tossing it to Hiashi he continued. "That scroll contains the chakra that was in Hinata. When the seal was released I used a modified version of a vacuum seal to suck it up. Don't worry, your daughter is clean now." he spat.
Hiashi nodded before stuffing the scroll in his robe. "Glad to see you can clean up your own messes. I'll take my leave now."
He turned for the door but stopped when Naruto spoke. "I just have one quick question for you Hiashi."
Hiashi turned back and looked at Naruto. "And what, pray tell, would that be?"
"You and the elders are close, right? You agree on everything?" Naruto asked. Kakashi and Yamato were confused by this question but Renge and Jihibiki seemed to know where Naruto was going with it and were curious about the clan head's answer.
"Not that it's any of your concern, but yes, we see eye to eye on everything." Hiashi said coldly and then added. "So don't expect them to see you any differently." With that he turned to leave again but found his path blocked by an angry Kakashi.
"That's not exactly how you talk to someone that risked their life for your daughter." Kakashi said lowly.
"It's okay Kakashi-sensei let him go, I'm done talking to this piece of trash." Naruto said as you glared at Hiashi. Kakashi moved aside and let him pass but as he reached the door Naruto spoke one more time. "Hiashi, could you do me a favor?"
Hiashi paused and turned to look at the blonde ninja. "Anything for the hero of Konoha." he said sarcastically.
"Please tell your clan elders that as soon as I'm out of the hospital I will be coming to visit you and them very soon." Naruto's voice suddenly radiated killer intent and the room itself dropped several degrees. Out in the hallway the others could feel it as well and Hanabi shivered.
"Are you threatening me?" Hiashi asked, his own voice becoming dangerous.
"Of course not." Naruto said as his eyes pierced into Hiashi's. "I'm just promising punishment to those that threatened Hinata-chan. To think that her own father would try to have her killed, you really don't deserve your family." The last part of what Naruto said was dripping with venom.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Hiashi roared as his Byakugan flared to life and he started towards Naruto. Naruto, not to be one out done, jumped out of bed despite the protests of his body parts and met him half way. "You think I would try to kill my own daughter?!" Hiashi continued in his rage.
"Think? I know you cold hearted bastard!" Naruto yelled back, both of them inches away from each other's faces. "I know that you and the elders tried to have Hinata killed the other day! I heard the order given to the ANBU."
"You honestly think that I would give that order?" Hiashi asked incredulously.
"Oh my bad." Naruto said sarcastically while rolling his eyes. "Because in the past you have been the perfect example of what a father should be."
Hiashi lost it completely. "Accuse me of one more thing and I'll end your pathetic life!" he roared as he grabbed Naruto by the shirt and raised his palm.
"Bring it on you worthless piece of trash!" Naruto yelled back as he grabbed Hiashi's robe and raised his own fist.
"BOTH OF YOU, THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Everyone turned to see Neji standing in the room looking furious. He had slipped in unnoticed when Hiashi and Naruto were arguing and had heard the entire thing unfold.
"You're speaking out of place Neji, do you forget who you are?" Hiashi asked as he let go of Naruto and turned to look at his nephew.
"I know exactly who I am uncle." Neji said meeting his eyes. "Now tell Naruto the truth."
"It is none of his concern, he is not a Hyuuga." Hiashi said evenly. He had suddenly gone from angry to evasive in the blink of an eye.
"IT IS EVERY BIT OF HIS CONCERN!" Neji shouted angrily. Everyone was shocked that Neji was speaking to Hiashi in such a way and yet Hiashi had done nothing about it. "Tell Naruto the truth," Neji said calmer this time, "or I will tell him."
"You will do no such thing Neji." Hiashi said with as much authority as he could muster. "If you do I will-"
"-What?" Neji asked with genuine curiosity. "Use the seal on me?" A hushed silence of dread followed quickly.
Hiashi clenched his hands together tightly. "He doesn't need to know." he said again. Neji moved his hands up to his headband. "It's a Hyuuga matter, let us deal with it!" Hiashi shouted. Neji moved his hands to the back of his headband and placed them on the knot. "Damn it Neji, it will make us look weak!" Hiashi shouted in desperation.
"No uncle." Neji said slowly. "Not asking for help from those who care is weak." In one fluid motion he undid the knot and his headband fell to the ground revealing his forehead.
Everyone gasped at what they saw and looked to Hiashi for an answer.
"Where is the seal Hiashi?" Kakashi asked as his eye narrowed.
Hiashi stood there with his head down gritting his teeth. A gentle hand on his caused him to look over and see Renge staring at him intently.
"Hiashi-kun, what happened?" she asked full of genuine concern.
Sighing heavily, Hiashi's shoulders sagged deeply as he walked over to the chair next to his daughter and sat down. His gaze wandered over to Hinata who was still unconscious and he found himself unable to look away.
"She's so much like her mother." he said softly. He put a hand out and brushed her cheek gently.
Everyone never expected to see this and decided that it was time to get comfortable. Naruto limped back to his bed while Kakashi and Jihibiki leaned up against the wall. Renge hobbled over to Hiashi's side and he continued.
"It all began when Keimei died." Hiashi said as he started his story. "We were so happy together, always laughing and smiling. We may have not shown it in public but at the compound everyone knew how much we were in love. I was a different man then, always challenging the elders and questioning their advice. I wanted what was best for the clan not just the main household." Hiashi stopped and looked briefly at Neji before continuing. "I was at such a loss when Keimei died. The love of my life was gone forever leaving me alone to somehow raise my two daughters by myself." He closed his eyes as the painfully memories flooded his mind. "I was an emotional wreck and the elders became wary of whether or not I would be fit to lead the clan. I told them to piss off and give me some time to find myself." Everyone listened intently and Naruto even smirked as he imagined hearing Hiashi tell the elders off. "There was another clan member by the name of Gourzi that wanted Keimei for his own. We both courted her and in the end I came out on top. When Gourzi lost Keimei to me he became bitter and angry." Suddenly Hiashi's face hardened. "One day I overheard him talking to someone else. He said that he was glad that Keimei died, that if he couldn't have her then I shouldn't either. I lost it; I completely snapped and attacked him. I wanted his blood and I would have killed him if I had not been pulled away by some branch members." Everyone listened on intently. No one expected to hear this from the clan head. "The elders told me that I was close to losing my position for my outburst, but because of my wife and children they would forgive me this time." Hiashi sighed and he closed his eyes and was quiet for a moment before he continued. "Just when I thought everything was going to get back to normal the kidnapping happened." Everyone turned and looked at Hinata. Everyone had heard the story, but no one had heard it from Hiashi's point of view. "I killed the bastard that tried to take my Hinata away from me in anger and because of that I lost my twin brother for it. I felt so ashamed of what I had done that I had to make up for it somehow. So shortly after my brother was executed I took Neji and removed the seal from him in secret." Everyone looked at Neji who was frowning. He didn't remember Hiashi removing the seal but it sounded familiar. Hiashi noticed this and asked. "You don't remember do you?"
Neji shook his head. "No, it sounds familiar though like somewhere in the back of my mind I know it's the truth."
Hiashi nodded his head. "That's one of the side effects from being sealed at an older age." Everyone looked at him in confusion including Neji and he continued on. "Sealing someone with the Caged Bird seal causes amnesia. The older the person is when they receive it, the worse the amnesia is. That's why you don't remember Neji, and, quite frankly, I'm glad you don't." Hiashi received more confused looks and he sighed. "As soon as I had removed the seal from Neji the elders stormed into the room led by Gourzi. They told me that I was acting irresponsible and was threatening the entire clan by removing the seal on a branch member. They took Neji from me and placed the seal back on him right there." He looked at Neji again. "I'll never be able to forget the screams I heard as you cried out for your father to save you." Tears now were forming in Hiashi's eyes. "The elders told me if I screwed up again then they would remove me from my position and have me branded with the seal. As further insurance they said Hinata and Hanabi would be sold away to the highest bidder as a slave, wife, or concubine after their eyes had been removed and that Neji would be executed as well."
"They can't do that can they?!" Naruto asked amazed at what he had heard. "You're the clan head; your power beats everyone right?"
Hiashi shook his head. "That's why we have the elders, to ensure that the clan head never becomes too power hungry. We have bylaws to protect the clan from clan heads that abuse their power. However, in my case it was the other way around. The elders wanted the power where I wanted to give freedom back to our clansmen. They saw me as weak and they wanted to keep the power. They thought they would be reduced to nothing if I started freeing the branch members. So they threatened me through my daughters and Neji. I didn't want to lose my position and I was terrified to lose the only family I had left so I became indifferent, cold, heartless…I didn't know how else to get the elders off my back. I began agree with them more and in time we saw eye to eye. But I could never just abandon my children completely." Hiashi turned his head and looked over at Naruto. "So when Jiraiya came back with you after your three years of training I asked him to secretly remove the seal again from Neji and as far as I know they never found out."
Neji nodded his head. "No one ever did. Not even my teammates know."
"Then why did the elders order Hinata to be killed?" Naruto asked confused.
Hiashi sighed. "The meeting that I left abruptly when Hinata was first put in the hospital was with a very wealthy man from the Land of Vegetables. I was there to arrange a wedding between Hinata and the man's son."
"Nani?!" Naruto and Neji shouted at the same time.
"She's too young to be getting married!" Naruto yelled waving his hands.
"You never told me that was the reason you went there uncle." Neji said somewhat angry.
Everyone else stared at Hiashi in disbelief until Renge came to his rescue. "You were never going to go through with the plans were you." she said as she looked at him knowingly.
Hiashi shook his head. "I was never actually going to go through with it, but I told the man and the elders that I would think about it. So when I left suddenly to come back to see my daughter I managed to step on everyone's toes. The man complained to the elders saying that he had never been given so much disrespect in his life and that he would never consider another marriage from the Hyuugas again. In turn the elders became furious that they missed out on an opportunity to increase their wealthy and spread their power and influence."
"They act as if Hinata and everyone else in their clan is a pawn. Like they can use anyone however they want." Naruto said angrily as he clutched his sheets.
Hiashi nodded to this. "They do. However, it didn't stop there."
"What do you mean?" Yamato asked.
Once again Hiashi looked at Naruto. "It didn't go unnoticed when you and my daughter started spending more time together. The elders were already furious that Hinata had to go on missions with you and the idea that you two were spending time together while not on missions only made them more upset." Naruto looked down as he realized that he had potentially put Hiashi and his family in harm's way. Hiashi continued, "The elders demanded that Hinata stay away from Naruto because 'the demon' as they put it would soil her mind and make her useless for anything, especially marriage. When I reminded them that Naruto was the one that saved the village they responded that it was his fault the village was attacked in the first place. Furthermore, they went on to say that Naruto lost control of the Kyuubi and it almost escaped." Naruto continued to look down and mentally kicked himself over and over for what had happened that day.
Hiashi turned his attention back to his daughter in the bed and smiled. "Hinata, she was always gentle and quiet, but when someone that she cared for was in trouble she would defend that person with such an intense ferocity…especially you Naruto." Naruto looked up and blushed slightly but remained silent as Hiashi reached the end of his story. "When the elders demanded that I find another suitable match for Hinata to marry I couldn't help but feel inspired by her. So, finding my true self again, I gave them one more act of defiance."
"And what was that act of defiance?" Jihibiki asked with his eyebrow raised.
Hiashi looked over and grinned at Naruto which actually scared the blonde until he heard what came next. "I told the elders that the only person I did approve of was the hero of the Hidden Leaf Village." Everyone's eyes suddenly shifted to Naruto as his jaw hit the bed. "After all," Hiashi continued, "your father and I go way back and I owe the old friend so much."
"NANI!?" Naruto screamed causing nearly everyone to flinch. Naruto's mind went into overdrive as incoherent sentences spewed from his mouth. "You want me to-You knew my-I'm too-How did you know-"
Everyone stared at the blonde as he babbled on like a lunatic. Finally Yamato had enough and with a sigh he stood up, crossed the room, and slapped Naruto upside the head. "There, feel better?" he asked.
Naruto shook his head violently back and forth as he started to wave his hands out in front of him frantically. "I-I c-can't get m-married! I'm t-too young!"
"Would you look at that." Jihibiki said with a mischievous grin. "The boy can fearlessly face a man with the eyes of the Sage of the Six Paths, but the thought of marriage leaves him terrified and speechless."
Everyone began to laugh at Naruto and even Hiashi joined in. However, things turned serious once again as Neji spoke up.
"Uncle." Neji said catching everyone's attention. "It is safe to say that the elders have overstepped their boundaries this time, is it not?" he asked.
Hiashi's face hardened and he nodded. "It is, although they may not like the fact that I refused the wedding arrangement in an improper way I am still the clan head and it is my decision as to whom my daughter will marry. Since I have not broken any bylaws and am in no wrong the elders have overstepped their power and they will pay for it dearly."
With that Hiashi stood up and crossed the room to Naruto. Once he was there he caught everyone off guard when he bowed and spoke. "Please forgive me for the way I have treated you Naruto-san. I know it was wrong and I regret every look and thing I have ever said to you."
Naruto sat there shocked but after a moment he put a hand behind his head and smiled. "Don't worry about it; you were only trying to do what was best for your family."
Hiashi looked up in surprise while everyone else in the room smiled knowingly. It was no secret that Naruto had the biggest heart in the world and could forgive anyone, and once again he had just proven it. Hiashi gave a small bow and said, "Thank you, Naruto, for everything you've done for my daughter and my family."
"Don't mention it." Naruto said with a foxy smile.
Hiashi then cocked his head slightly and smirked. "So about that marriage proposal..." Naruto sudden stiffened and a look of dread filled his eyes. "…I think we can discuss the possibility a few years from now." he finished.
Naruto visibly relaxed and fell back onto his pillow with a very large sigh of relief to which everyone laughed once again at his antics. It was at this point that a soft voice interrupted them all.
"Ano…Is this a dream?"
Everyone turned to see a very sleepy and very confused looking Hinata sitting up in bed. She had just woken up and already her mind was reeling with confusion. "Father is laughing…next to Naruto-kun who is smiling…Neji-nii no longer has the seal...What the hell is going on?!"
Hiashi saw his daughter's confusion and smiled before crossing the room to her side. Leaning down he gave her a soft kiss on the top of the head which caused Hinata's eyes to become as large as saucers.
"I'm sure you have many questions." He said to which Hinata nodded dumbly. "Unfortunately I have some very pressing matters to attend to. I'll come visit you soon daughter, I'm sure someone else can fill you in."
Hiashi quickly made his way for the door while saying, "Come Neji, we have much to do." Neji nodded his head and quickly gave Hinata a smile before tying his headband back on and joining his side. The two left the room quickly and Hinata turned to look at everyone else.
"Ano…"
"Well I just remembered I have somewhere to be" Kakashi said as he quickly made his way for the door.
"Actually, I think I need to be there as well sempai." Yamato said almost as quickly and followed Kakashi.
Hinata then turned and looked at Jihibiki who then in turn looked at Renge. "Well I think these old bones need a good soaking in the hot springs." Renge said, borderline frantic, as she motioned for the door.
"Right as always dear." Jihibiki replied happily as he followed his wife.
Hinata then turned to look at the only one now remaining in the room and blushed slightly.
"A-Ano.."
It was at this point Naruto just realized what had just happened. "Wait!" Naruto shouted frantically waving his arms around. "Somebody get back here and explain to Hinata-chan what has happened! Kakashi-sensei!...Yamato-sensei!...Neji!...Jiji! Baa-chan! Someone! Anyone?! NOOOOOOO!"