Chapter Nine

Despite his difficulty with understanding human emotion, Sai had been training with Ino on reading visual cues and body language, and he'd been improving greatly in the past several years. The meeting in the Hokage's office left him great opportunity to analyze everyone and assess the variety moods present. Naruto for instance, was showing an elevated level of breathing with his chest and shoulders, suggesting a significant amount of stress as he told his account of what happened on the mission to the hidden Akatsuki base. As Naruto spoke, Sasuke tapped his foot incessantly and almost imperceptibly rocked his head with an anxious tic.

Lord Fifth, dressed in a red and black dress with the white Hokage's Jacket stared at her son, but soon shifted gazes to Hinata. "Hinata," Lord Fifth spoke up, tenting her hands as she sat at her desk, "can you clarify what we know about the stalker and how he plays into this?" Lord Kushina gestured to a hasty sketch Sai had made of their antagonist based on Hinata and Naruto's description.

Hinata stood. Despite her best effort, Sai noticed her knees shaking, "L-Lord Fifth," Hinata's latent stammer came to the surface, "the man who has been stalking me is named Toneri. We… believe he is a descendant of Hamura."

An Otusuki, like Kaguya?! Sai had been unconscious during the end phase of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, plagued by nightmares of dying alone and unnoticed. The tales of the battle near the Valley of the end were fanciful, Sai had no reason to doubt what had happened. His neck muscles tightened at the prospect of someone with that kind of power walking around.

Unsettled murmuring erupted in the room. Sai sensed an incredible degree of stress among the other occupants – most of the council, Lord Fourth, Lord Fifth, and Kakashi. One occupant's reaction stood out abnormal to the others – Hiashi Hyūga. The former clan patriarch remained silent, as he usually did, but Sai noted a widening of the man's tired lavender eyes and the dropping of his mouth at the mention of the name, "Toneri." His gaping mouth hinted at shocked words unspoken. Recognition? Does he know this Toneri?

"Hinata, you said there was more?" Lord Fifth hushed the conversation.

"Y-Yes," Hinata turned pink, as she fought to keep her voice even, "T-Toneri… he is the one dropping the Moon! He's going to destroy everything!" Hinata's eyes sparkled with tears, but she refused to cry out.

Again, muttering broke out. To prevent a panic, the Hokage kept the knowledge of the Moon's orbital decay close – only the council and a select few Shinobi were briefed. "Shush, everyone!" Hokage Uzumaki called, "Hinata, did he explain why?"

"He said, it was for me!" Hinata's voice dropped low and severe. "He wants to destroy the world and rebuild it – with me as the mother of a new society!" Sai recognized the switch of the normally shy and thoughtful girl to the assassin who drowned a human trafficker in his own bath, staring the man in the eyes as he lay paralyzed beneath the surface of the water.

Naruto's face remained mostly stony, but the man's throat bobbed up and down. Sai certainly understood someone becoming infatuated with Hinata. She was kind, had the understanding of a saint, and she had a body that would sell nude art to the end of time. Still, dropping the moon on the world and having a creationist fantasy is a bit extreme.

As he pondered, Sai stared at the ghostly white figure sketched on easel. He remembered another kind young woman with the patience of a saint and body men would pay dearly to see in nude art – Ino. The ghostly figure held his beautiful woman on a bed, violating her gleefully as she begged him to stop. Sai's hand clenched into a fist so tight that his sketching pencil snapped.

"With that in mind, perhaps we can negotiate with him?" Someone called out, careful not to reveal themselves. Oh damn, very poor suggestion. Sai knew all too well that Hinata was like a daughter to the Hokage and husband – practically Naruto's wife in everything but title.

The room fell silent as if someone had cast a sound-suppressing jutsu. "Everyone," Lord Uzumaki tented her hands as her red hair began to flail in an unholy sight that made men and women afeared. "I want you to feel free to voice opinions and ideas in a respectful manner without fear reprisal." Her red hair continued the flail like the malevolent form of the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon of legend. "In fact, I encourage frank discussion," her voice began to smolder as everyone in the room, even including Sai, began to quiver in fear, "with the understanding that Shinobi that abandon their friends are worse that garbage!" Kushina's voice began to steadily rise, and she heaved firey breaths as she continued, "The man who is stalking Hinata has stated the intention of dropping the moon and killing everyone AFTER he's taken her from us, not before! Your idea is not only poisonously stupid but treasonous that you would sell out one of our own if you even remotely thought it might save your pathetic ass! And if I find out who just said it, I will collect your head! So, if any of you sons of bitches have any other bright ideas like that, NOW IS THE FUCKING TIME!"

Bits of plaster broke free from the ceiling as the Hokage's voice boomed. Sai had seen terrifying things in the past, but even seeing Ten-Tails up close hadn't elicited this level of fear. As quick and horrific as it had been, the moment passed as Kushina's hair suddenly became straight, and her tone motherly and controlled. "Now then, ladies and gentlemen, among the plans that we need to tend to." She referenced her notes calm and collected herself as if nothing had just happened. "First and foremost, we need to review our emergency shelter and evacuation plans, and run a series of drills. Kakashi, that's you."

"Yes, ma'am," Kakashi replied sharply.

"Naruto, you're still in charge of Hinata's protection detail," she continued, "if this Toneri is so obsessed with taking Hinata, it might be our one and only way to keep him from dropping the moon."

"Got it," he nodded.

"Shikamaru, contact Choji and arrange for a remote meeting of the Five Kages; we can't keep this a secret, nor should we."

"What a pain, you got it," he replied.

"When you're done, I want you to join up with Naruto, on Hinata's security detail. Bring Temari as well."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Otherwise, dismissed," the Hokage called. The room's occupants began filing out. Much to Sai's surprise, Sasuke also remained in his place leaning against the back wall. Said debated in his head if he too, should stay behind. "Gentlemen? Was there something I can do for you?"

"You want to go first?" Sasuke asked, nodding his chin toward Sai.

"Lord Hokage," Sai's throat constricted, "I say this with all due respect…" Sai did not often get nervous, but he was about to make a serious accusation about a close friend of the Hokage's family.

"I won't cut your head off," she assured him, "and I know you weren't the one to suggest handing over Hinata; so, tell me what is wrong."

Sai swallowed the lump in his throat, "I was watching everyone during the meeting." He paused, measuring his words, "Something was off about Lord Hiashi."

"Off?" Lord Fifth, asked, head turning slightly to the side, "How?"

"There was something I caught in his expression and body language when Hinata mentioned Toneri… like he recognized the name. I'm at a loss to explain it." Sai shook his head.

"I noticed it, too," Sasuke added, rubbing his chin. "He clearly isn't telling us everything he knows."

"Why would he keep something like that a secret?" Kushina asked.

"Why did Hinata not tell us about being stalked for several months?" Sai bluntly replied in turn.

"Interesting," Lord Fifth bit her thumb and sank back in her chair, pondering the possibilities.

"Lord Hokage, if I may," Sasuke spoke up, "I don't think it is wise to keep me on Hinata's protection detail."

"Oh, why?" she asked, sitting forward.

"This Toneri was able to get inside my head. Given our unique situation, it might be dangerous to put me near Hinata," Sasuke answered. "I could be a danger to her or the rest of the protection detail."

"I appreciate your insight, Sasuke. I will brief Naruto separately, but I want you and Sai to keep an eye on Hiashi if you won't be protecting Hinata. If possible, I want you all to look into the family's history, see if there is anything you can dig up about this Toneri figure or the family's history with Lord Hamura."

"You think there is a connection?" Sai asked.

"They are both descendants of Hamura," Kushina said with a grim rumble to her voice, "with everything we have at risk, I'm afraid we can't chance things." She stared out the window, "But keep things discreet. I hate spying on a friend, but something odd is going on. It is possible this Toneri figure is influencing Hiashi somehow and/or being influenced by someone else even worse. I need not remind you both about the unusual circumstances that led to the Fourth Shinobi War."

"No," Sai said coldly. I don't think either of us needs to be reminded. Both men bowed and left the office. As Sai left the building, his cellphone rang, "Ino, hello," he answered as cheerful as he could.

"Sai, hey, about tonight; I need to reschedule for another night."

"Is everything okay?" Sai asked, genuine concern entering his voice.

"I have a special assignment that came up, A-ranked. I'll see you tomorrow night, same time?"

"Sure," Sai's voice dropped.

"Sai, are you all right?" Ino asked.

"Fine," he composed himself, still feeling acidic in his chest, "I'll see you tomorrow night, beautiful."

"I'll see you then, handsome!" she laughed then ended the call, perhaps not knowing what affect her words had had. The tinge of acid and weight in his guts at the cancellation of dinner and painting tonight fought with the butterflies caused by the word, "handsome". He had always called Ino "Beautiful" or "Pretty Lady" as a matter of trying to be normal. This was the first time she'd used a term like that for him. Disappointment and butterflies… what does it mean? Sai pondered as he walked to the Hyūga Compound.


Shikamaru tapped his fingers on the communications console as he contacted the Hidden Leaf liaison's office at the Shinobi Union Headquarters in the Land of Clouds. The communications room was sterile white, devoid of anything but computers, or anything that gave it life. To Shikamaru's pleasure, Choji answered the video chat immediately, "He big guy! How's the misses?" his friend asked.

Even Shikamaru's pensiveness faded at the sight of his old friend and teammate. After being gone two years, familiar faces and people were a breath of fresh air. "She's her usual troublesome self," Shikamaru smirked.

"Glad to see things haven't changed there; is she better?" Choji asked.

"Much better, but Choji, I'm afraid this isn't a social call," Shikamaru reluctantly got back on subject.

"When we're done, are you all right to talk? It's kind of personal…" Choji left a lot unsaid to Shikamaru.

"Yes, of course. My number is same as it's been," Shikamaru said.

"Excellent, so, what do I owe the honor?"

"I need you to discretely contact the other four Kages and arrange a meeting on the video chat, tonight if possible."

"Must be pretty damn serious," Choji said.

"Yes, extremely damn serious. You'll get it set?"

"Consider it done," Choji threw a mock salute. "I'll email you the details."

The video chat ended, and Shikamaru soon had a secure email from Choji – the meeting was for 1900 tonight. As he went to close the email, his phone buzzed. He must really need to talk badly. "Yeah?" Shikamaru answered.

"I'm not asking advice at a bad time, and I?" Choji asked.

"No worse than usual, what's up?"

"Well…" there was an uncomfortable shift in Choji's voice, "… Shikamaru…"

"Just come out with it; I don't bite."

"Well, you've been married a little over two years now… how are you liking it?"

"Heh, liking it?" Shikamaru stood from the console, holding his cellphone close, "It's an adjustment, but I wouldn't trade it." He smirked, "I assume this has to do with Karui?"

"What gave it away?" he asked amused.

"Well, she was the first girl I ever saw put her arms around you," Shikamaru chuckled.

"That she did!" Choji laughed, "Lately, things have gotten pretty serious."

"Define serious, Choji, marriage is a big step," Shikamaru said.

"Well… you ever have your girl sneak up behind you while your enthralled in gaming, lift her shirt and bra, and let her boobs flop on top of your head?"

"Not… while gaming," Shikamaru answered as his lips tightened to an involuntary smirk, remembering that Temari had once done that to him while they were stargazing at the oasis this past summer, before he noticed the moon falling. "I take it that means you two…. Touched home plate?" The euphemism for sex was the best Shikamaru could come up with in the situation.

"Yeah, we have," Choji answered, "I've spent more nights in her bed than my own for the past several months."

"The act of staying the night, not just sex does tend to hint at things getting permanent."

"You think I'm ready?"

"Could you imagine life without her?"

"No, not really," Choji said.

"Have you talked with her about it?" Shikamaru asked.

"Yeah, we have… a lot lately."

"You bought the ring, didn't you?"

"Yeah… I did…"

"And you were hoping I'd tell you to go for it?"

"I was hoping you'd tell me I'm not going too fast!" Choji sounded flustered. "My assignment to Shinobi Union headquarters ends early next year. Well, I don't know if I'm going to be able to keep finding reasons to come back here after that."

"Choji…" Shikamaru weighed the world situation and what he knew about love, "… ask her for crying out loud!"

"For real?" surprise was thick in Choji's voice.

"Dammit man, ask her! Hell, ask her now!" Shikamaru exclaimed.

"Who are you, and what have you done with Shikamaru!" Choji laughed, "I remember back when you hated girls bossing you around! Whatever happened to 'What a pain?'"

"Choji… let's just say the next few weeks or months are going to be pretty intense… if you love her, don't wait to tell her… especially now." Shikamaru sighed, "Choji, seriously, now is not the time to be coy about telling people you love them."

"And assuming whatever has you spooked blows over?" Choji asked.

"Would your life be any greater a pain if she was a permanent part of it?"

"Point taken!" There was an audible click of a box opening and closing. "I guess I should get to my lunch date, especially if things are going to be as bad as you suggest. Thanks man!" Choji ended the call. Shikamaru stood in silence in the communication room of the Hokage's Mansion. Are you going to take your own advice or be a total hypocrite? He unlocked his phone and dialed.

"Shikamaru?" Temari answered, voice rising in surprise.

"Did you have lunch yet?"

"No," she replied.

"Care to grab a bite together?" he asked, holding his breath.

"To what do I owe this honor," she chuckled.

"Does a husband need a reason to take his wife out to lunch?" he challenged.

"I suppose when the world is ending, no," she replied. "All right, where?"

"Kind of anticlimactic, but how about Ichiraku's?" he asked.

"All right," she continued to chuckle amused. "Meet you in ten minutes."

"See you there…" he paused, assessing the need to say more, "… love you."

"Love you too, now hurry up, crybaby!" Troublesome woman! Shikamaru hung up and made his way to Ichiraku Ramen.


Hinata rolled the Uzumaki crest on the necklace Naruto gifted her at age thirteen between her fingers as she spoke into the phone's receiver, manic with progress made in short order, "All right, Tenten, that's great news! We'll see you and your parents on Monday!" Hinata was near-euphoric as she hung up the phone. "Well, I guess that is one hurdle cleared," she said as she turned her eyes to Neji.

"Yeah," he stared at the ground, betraying how nervous he was. They were in clan leader's office. Hinata sat behind the desk, and Neji in front of it.

"Neji, we'll get this sorted, and soon." Hinata promised.

"I haven't seen Tenten in days," he shook his head. "What if they pressure her, and she backs out?"

"She's gone too far setting this up," Hinata raised a finger, "Trust me, a breakup letter would have been her preferred choice if she was going to go that route."

"I guess, you're right," Neji shifted in his chair, "I'm still worried."

"About being a father?"

"About meeting her parents face to face, again."

Hinata in a different life might have understood where Neji was coming from. In a different life, there were no in-laws, no mom, and just Dad. The terrible thought flew away as she shook her head. "Neji, the fact that we got them to agree to the meeting is progress."

"At the Hokage's office," he huffed.

"It's neutral ground," she tried to reassure him. "At the very least, her father isn't going to try dismembering you in front of the Hokage," Hinata smiled, hoping Neji would relax.

"I suppose you're right," he signed, shaking his head.

"Oh, big sister!" a knocking at the door distracted them both.

"Oh, hi Hanabi," Hinata stared to the doorway where her sister leaned against the from. Hanabi was dressed in a yellow and orange floral print dress, looking fancy as ever. It was a far cry from the purple long-sleeve shirt and grey skirt Hinata wore or the traditional grey and black robes Neji wore.

"Hi, just hi?" Hanabi stuck her tongue out for a moment, "Seriously, you are burned out!"

"Your sister has a lot going on," Neji scolded.

"As do you, as do we all!" Hanabi and Neji were now briefed about the moon situation and the situation with Toneri. Hinata hated to agree with Hanabi, but the girl was right. Weeks of sleeping with one ear open, having nightmares of waking up in a strange bed with a strange person next to her instead of Naruto, and being under constant watch was eating her from the inside. "But I have just the thing to help!" Hanabi waved a plain white envelope like a magic wand.

"What is that?" Hinata eyed the envelope.

"Something you've been very naughty about avoiding!" Hanabi teased. She flipped the envelope over so the address was showing, as was the seal from the medical education board. "It's been almost a week, and you haven't opened it."

"Hanabi, now is not the time," Hinata said flustered.

"It's exactly the time, coward!" Hanabi again stuck her tongue out for a moment. "Seriously, what's wrong with you!"

"Hanabi, I'm trying to juggle a multitude of issues!"

"Yes, and you're using that as an excuse not to live! Seriously, Hinata!"

"Hanabi," Neji spoke up in annoyance, "You are addressing your clan leader!"

"And my sister, Neji!" she walked over to Hinata, planting the envelope on the desk, "Hinata, you spent how much time and energy on this, putting your life on hold?" She slid the paper in front of her, "You're not throwing it away, just like how you're not letting Neji throw away Tenten!"

"It's a bit more nuanced than that, Hanabi," Hinata protested.

"I don't care! A clan leader faces things, so act like one!" Hanabi pounded a fist on top of the letter. Dammit, she knew exactly where to apply pressure.

"Hanabi!" Neji scolded.

"She's right," Hinata seized the letter, tore open the envelope, and swallowed her heart as she began to read aloud:

"Greetings Medical-Nin candidate,

The Medical Education Board has reviewed your performance during the Part Four board examination. Every effort was taken to ensure that all candidates were tested equally to their limits and graded appropriately based on a series of live and simulated tests."

"Skip to the important part!" Hanabi exclaimed, cheeks reddening.

Hinata again swallowed her heart in her throat and continued to read:

"Any candidate with a score any less that 375 is not considered passing. Please note, some specialties will require board scores higher than the minimum passing grade. Please contact your specialty program for more information regarding any specialty requirements."

"Dammit, where the hell is the score!" Hinata yelled in frustration.

Neji pulled an unseen fold in the letter, "Right here."

"All candidates will need to submit this score for licensure. If your score is below minimum passing you must submit your application for remedial training to be considered for testing again.

Your score: 720"

Hinata dropped the letter to the desk, then picked it back up, "SEVEN HUNDRED-TWENTY!"

"And eight hundred was a perfect score," Hanabi smirked, "Congratulations, Dr. Hyūga!"

Tears Hinata held back for months escaped their prison. "I passed…" she whimpered. "I passed! I PASSED!" She shouted as euphoria and relief came over her with an intensity that rivaled post-climax bliss.

"And with a board score that high, you could name your specialty," Neji added, "congratulations!"

"And that is why," another female voice came from the doorway, "you are going to drop the weight of the world off your shoulders and come out and celebrate tonight!" Sakura walked in the doorway, followed by Ino.

"Sakura, I'll take my celebration after I'm sure the world isn't going to end," Hinata straightened up, wiping away tears.

"No, you are not," Hanabi insisted. "You've put off living and being alive since before the war, Hinata! There will always be some crisis to follow up the one you just walked away from…"

"Gee, give me hope for a future why don't you," Hinata quipped.

"Hinata," Ino spoke, "I think what your sister is trying to tell you is to actually live while you are still young." The blonde woman crossed her arms. "You're talking about marrying Naruto in the next year or so and possibly having kids not long after. When are you going to take some time for you to just let your hair down." Ino smirked, "Especially with the girls!"

"You do realize there is a stalker following me and threatening to drop the moon on the Earth?"

Sakura spoke, "Hinata, nothing we can do tonight is going to make that go away, but if you keep your nose to the grindstone long enough you won't have a nose left to smell the roses!"

"You planned this, didn't you," Hinata turned to Hanabi. Hanabi smirked in admission.

"I also had a hand in it," Neji added.

"Neji?"

"Hinata, I admit it might seem frivolous, but your mental health and well-being is also a concern. As for the security risk, you'll have Ino, Sakura, and Temari with you tonight."

"You convinced Temari to come out?" Hinata asked. The Sunan princess was not anti-social, but she had kept everyone at arm's length for the longest time.

"Girls' night out, no husbands, no boyfriends, and you can go back to your brooding about the end of the world when you're finished," Hanabi added.

"And where are we going?" Hinata asked.

"A trip to the Smiling Geisha for a much-needed massage, facial, mani-pedi, and a luxurious bath to top it off…," Ino answered, leaving a mischievous bit hanging.

"And?"

"And there are several clubs in the Red Light District that are just dying to have four kunoichi war heroes grace their presence!"

"The Red Light District?!" Hinata exclaimed, "Hanabi, you can't come then!"

"Wasn't planning on it," she made a hand seal and transformed into Hinata, "After all, someone has to be pretending to brood here while you go out and have fun!"

"Hanabi… you realize pretending to be me is damn dangerous right now."

"I'll have Mom, Dad, Konohamaru, and the rest of the clan here. In fact, most of your guys are going to be here tonight, reviewing the archives."

Hinata weighed refusing to go, but she knew Hanabi probably would find a new way to put on pressure. She looked at her friends, "I suppose Tenten is not coming?"

"She's gotta play good girl for now," Ino said, "especially after everything she had to do to convince her parents to sit down with you and Neji."

"And we're not going to any exotic clubs, are we?" Hinata's heart climbed up her throat, remembering an infiltration mission that required extreme measures.

"No, unless you want to," Sakura giggled as did Ino and Hanabi. This is going to be trouble.


"Ah, Naruto," the jeweler at the Jade Dragon greeted him at the door. "It's ready! I was worried you'd forgotten!" The man was impossibly more excited than he had been when Naruto brought the final payment in.

"I had been waylaid by a few missions," Naruto scratched the back of his head. "I take it they turned out well?"

"OH!" The man ran to the back of the store then came back holding the black leather case. "Our finest work," he opened the box and the rings glowed as the light from the room hit them. The platinum bands reflected as if a mirror had been warped into the shape of a ring, and the amethyst gems glowed like Hinata's Byakugan staring at him, beckoning him to place her ring now and not wait. "I give you my word," the jeweler said, "the craftsmanship that went into these was second to none. The moment they see the ring of your bride's finger, the gods will be jealous!"

Naruto stared transfixed as his lips tightened. I just wish I would put it on Hinata right now! The thought rolled in his head. Why not, it will give her something to look forward to! "You've earned every ryo!" Naruto accepted the box, closed it, and tucked it onto the pouch on his hooded sweater.

As he left the store, he took off running toward the Hyūga Compound, giddy as he was as a child hearing the Academy bell ring for the end of the school day. He was halfway there when his phone buzzed. Hinata? He answered, "Hinata, are you all right?"

"Yes," Naruto detected a great deal of restraint in her tone. "Naruto, I have some good news and bad news!"

Cryptic. "Okay, bad news first?"

"The girls are kidnapping me for a day to relax and celebrate!"

"Celebrate?" Naruto searched his mind for what she could be celebrating, "Wait a…" it hit him, "… you mean?"

"I PASSED!" she exclaimed loud enough for the phone to feedback.

"Honey, that's great new!" he skipped as he spoke, his legs carrying him faster.

"Na-Naruto… I wanted us to celebrate…"

"We'll celebrate when you get back…" concern crept into the back of his head, "… umm… who is going with you?"

"Temari, Ino, and Sakura," she answered.

"None of the guys?"

"Naruto, the three of them will be a more than adequate defense. Besides, Hanabi and Konohamaru will be pretending to be you and me."

"O-okay," Naruto was mildly unconvinced. He didn't want Hinata out in the open without him. Are you going to hold her back forever? She's a big girl with her friends! "Well, have fun! I'll see you when you get in," he patted the box, "I'll have a little surprise for you when you get in!"

"I'll have one for you too," her voice was innocent, but Naruto detected just a hint of coyness.

"Dude, you two flirting is embarrassing! Are you going to be like this when you have kids!" Kyuubi groaned.

Keep it up, I might turn up the heat. Naruto grinned like a fox, "Then I guess we'll see each other tonight, Dr. Hyūga!"

"I'll be looking forward to it, Mr. Uzumaki."

Naruto hung up and continued to the Hyūga Compound. The cool November wind clipped him as he zipped his jacket up in the fading light. When he reached the gatehouse, he showed his ID, noting a level of deference the guard showed him. Things change. You're no longer some brat kid hanging out with the clan leader's daughter. He was able to greet Hinata and the girls as they were on the way out. "Naruto," Hinata gave him the shortest brush of lips, "Father wanted to see you. He's in the armory."

"That's not good," Naruto said. He took in the crew. Ino wore her seasonally brief skirt and crop top, but at least she was smart enough to wear black leggings with it. Hinata wore a pink top with grey long sleeves underneath, and she wore a long grey skirt with black leggings underneath. Sakura wore her blood red top, khaki pants, and a red jacket over her arms.

"I'm sure it's nothing," she assured him, "see you in a few hours."

"Have fun!" Naruto kissed her one last time as the crew took off into the fading light. Naruto walked the compound, ill-at-ease as he walked to the armory. Amid rows of swords, knives, and polearm weapons sat Hiashi Hyūga, lovingly cleaning the blade of the clan leader's sword. The scar over Naruto's heart ached as he eyed the silvery blade. "You asked to see me, sir?"

"Naruto," Hiashi eyed him, looking older than Naruto remembered him. The man was Dad's age, but could easily pass for twenty years older. "Has Hinata been training you on Gentle Fist like I asked?"

"In what free time we have," Naruto admitted, "Sadly, that isn't much."

"You've learned at least to focus your chakra?" he finished wiping the blade. Naruto held out a hand and focused his chakra to his palm and fingertips. Unlike the traditional purple hues that Hyūga Chakra glowed, his was pale between silver and blue. "Fascinating." Hiashi stood up holding the sword.

"I'm still not sure why my chakra is so different," Naruto said.

"You're not a Hyūga," Hiashi shook his head, "There is no record of any non-Hyūga doing what you're doing in over a thousand years of history."

"There technically is Lord Hamura," Naruto added, "but, I think he gets a pass being that your family is descended from him."

Hiashi sheathed the sword and held it out with both hands, "Indulge me."

Naruto stared at the sword he had specially cared for prior to Hinata becoming clan leader – the same sword that had nearly killed him at wars' end. "Sir?"

"You are going to one day be protecting my daughter as her husband and prince-consort. Humor an old man." He again held the sword out toward Naruto.

Reluctantly, Naruto accepted the sheathed blade. Despite having held it and handled it many times, the sword felt different than it had in the past, even in its scabbard. You haven't actually held it in years, of course it feels different than it did when you were thirteen. As Naruto gripped the sword and scabbard, the katana hummed in his hands. He looked down, disbelieving. "Lord Hiashi?"

"Draw the blade, focus your chakra through it." Hiashi ordered.

Naruto froze. Just holding the weapon was a big deal for anyone but a clan leader. Hiashi was asking him to put his chakra through it – something never done by a non-Hyūga. Despite his reluctance, Naruto tied the scabbard to his belt, drew the blade, and focused his chakra as he did before. Rather than glow the brilliant flaming purple as it did with Hinata, the blade instead glowed an almost blinding silvery white. Naruto frantically sheathed the sword, but he still felt the hum of the blade vibrating in the scabbard as he stopped the flow of chakra. "Sir, what was that?"

"Father, why don't you start calling me that, or Father-in-Law." Hiashi smirked, "By the way, the ring will look beautiful on Hinata."

"Thank you… Father." The term sounded unnatural, but Naruto was sure he'd learn in time. "What… what just happened?"

"I don't know," Hiashi gestured for him to return the blade, and Naruto did so gladly. "There is much we don't know about the blade and its origins."

"I never really learned the history of it," Naruto confessed, "Where did it come from?"

"I'm afraid even I don't know. I merely know it's been in the family since before there was a Village Hidden in the Leaves."

"Before?" Naruto remembered it was old, but he didn't remember it being that old.

"Naruto, certainly you know that our society is only a few hundred years old. Your Great-Great Grandmother lived to see most of it."

"Mito Uzumaki," Naruto said, "Mom doesn't talk much about her. I know she was the First Hokage's wife and the jinchuriki to Nine-Tails before Mom."

"Your mother and she had a falling out with Mito when Nine-Tails was to be transferred. Kushina was a war refugee and was very much not ready for the burden."

"Understood," Naruto nodded, "how does this relate to this?"

"Two things: One, I know you're going into the clan archives looking for clues about Toneri." Hiashi said the name with uncanny ease. "I want to have some perspective into history. Much of the history of shinobi culture has been lost to time and endless wars."

"And the second?" Naruto nodded in understanding.

"From what I understand, you have the ability to tap into the knowledge of the Sage of Six Paths."

"I do," Naruto hadn't used it since the war simple because he hadn't needed to.

"It may offer you some clues for where there is no record… however…." Hiashi spoke haunted.

"Yes?"

"Naruto, know that history goes back even further than that. Even before the legend of Kaguya and the Emperor, there are legends of those who came before."

"Those who came before?" Naruto asked. During the Academy, Iruka had once given a history lesson using a chalkboard. He drew a straight line across the board that represented all know history of humans. He walked to the far end of the board and ticked off a spot about five centimeters from the edge and informed the class that everything to the left of the mark was prehistory – no records. About one centimeter from the edge, he ticked off again, telling the class that was the founding of the Hidden Shinobi Villages. All recent history of the Shinobi world, still much of it fragmentary, was in that one centimeter of the timeline.

"Naruto, if this person is indeed a descendant of Hamura, he may have knowledge or abilities that haven't been seen in a thousand years." Naruto nodded intently; he'd already seen abilities that were unusual. "Furthermore, we have no idea what knowledge he might have of those who came before."

"Hiashi, can you explain who you are referring to?" Naruto asked with mild frustration and a chill in his spine.

"Legends speak of a fairly advanced human society predating our own, with abilities greater that would make Kaguya look like a degenerate. Supposedly, it was destroyed by a great cataclysm not unlike the one we are facing now." Hiashi set the blade down on its holder. "It is a theory that was largely discredited prior to Kaguya's appearance."

"I'd never heard of it," Naruto shook his head.

"Again, its existence was discredited until recently," Hiashi replied. "With the recent revelations about Kaguya, historians are taking a second look at such history."

"When did they live?" Naruto asked, raising and eyebrow.

"At best estimate, somewhere around a million years ago," Hiashi answered.

A million! Naruto didn't know much about anthropology, but he knew things like photography and electricity had only been understood since Lord First's time. Before that, oil lamps and torches were common, records were made on tapestry and paper, and the first electronic computers wouldn't come into being until the later years of Lord Third's reign. A million years ago, as far as he knew, humans were walking around in animal skins, using primitive stone tools, and living in small tribes at best. "Lord Hiashi, you believe this?"

"The legend survives to this day; it had to come from somewhere."

It sounded too much like a fairytale, but even Naruto was unable to dismiss things outright. He'd seen things and done things that even his hyperactive childhood imagination couldn't have cooked up. As the thought of another society predating shinobi society rolled around in his head, the hairs in the back of Naruto's neck stood up. Something Hiashi had said left Naruto feeling like he was remembering something he'd long forgotten – something older and deeper than anything Hamura or Hagomoro knew.

"Naruto," Hiashi's words brought him back to the present, "you have a long night, and many records to sift through." Hiashi placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's this way."


Author's notes: Hello everyone, and thank you for reading. I apologize for this taking longer than traditional to publish. I've had several insane things happen at work lately, and I was nowhere near ready to publish this past Saturday. I hope the chapter was worth the extra wait. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the poll about Sasuke's future.

Next chapter will have another confrontation with some unusual outcomes. Until then, stay healthy, stay safe, and I'll see you all then. Thanks again for reading!