In the heat of a bright summer afternoon, Ko stood shaking his head at one of his students who sat stooped over a sheet of expensive paper, writing small intricate characters in flowing strokes as though it was second nature. In the past week, he had discovered the boy had a gift of beautiful brush strokes which Naruto had said the Third insisted he practice. Now, Ko was looking at the boy feverishly writing with a smile that looked nearly feral. The man was thinking he may have made a mistake. How he was able to be persuaded by a seven year old was beyond him, but at the time he seemed so fascinated Ko couldn't help but cave to his new student.

Having known the boy for about 2 months, and discovering his gift, he let his guard down and gave Naruto an explosive tag. Even now he didn't know what he was thinking, it seemed the boy had spent time meticulously copying the script of the tag, and began to test his own designs. Most explosive tags were purchased from a quarter master and ordered from various vendors such as blacksmiths. These however, were usually of dubious quality and had various fuse timings. The tags were cheap and expected to be disposable. They were light, and a shinobi could have a pack full of them. However each of them had differing fuses, making them often not especially useful in combat except for distraction purposes. A shinobi could distract an enemy with a quick explosive blast, flank them, and hopefully kill them before any meaningful resistance.

Ko saw that Naruto already had a different approach. Ko had spared a few sheets of dispatch reports which he wrote on the progress of the heiress, and gave them to the young boy. These sheets were of good quality, made by skilled craftsmen whose livelihood depended on a smooth creamy sheet of paper, rather than the rough, "it'll do" quality of blacksmiths. Naruto had quickly figured it out and now, the boy had made his own alterations to the tags, bundled them together using a fine string, and started making explosives. Separating from his thoughts Ko looked over to the boy, who he insisted stand a good distance away, and saw he had a satisfied look on his face. Naruto began running over to him, his makeshift bomb in his hand. Ko simply put up his hands in a stopping motion. Naruto looked confused for a moment, until the boy noticed he was still holding the strung together paper bombs. He ran back to his bag with his writing utensils and put the explosives in the bag.

"Heh, Sorry Ko-sensei. Although you don't have to worry so much; they won't explode until you start them." he said with excitement in his voice. Ko however did not look very convinced, he began to ask, "Are you sure this will work? I don't want to be court-martialed for getting you killed on my watch." he said.

"It's nice to know you care for me so much sensei…" Naruto responded, rolling his eyes. Ko was unfazed, "In any case, is it ready to use? It won't be much good if you die using it." Naruto nodded, "Yeah, I think it should work." the boy said, rubbing his blonde hair, a habit of his.

Ko turned behind him and raised his voice for his other student "Hinata-sama, this lowly one requests you." He said in the accent of a branch member. The three were outside of the dojo and "in public", it wouldn't be proper to refer to a main family member informally. Hinata stopped her chakra exercises looking a little worse for wear, and jogged to them. She gave Ko a slight look of dissatisfaction for his "polite" speech and slightly bowed her head to him. Main branch or not he was teaching them.

Naruto looked at her a little worried "You okay, Hina? You're looking tired there." he said to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Hinata leaned into the contact saying "I'll be fine, I'm just tired from using chakra." She gave him a tired smile, he had taken to calling her that name recently, and she loved hearing it. At this Naruto gave her a reassured smile and nodded. "I can't wait to try these out!" he said with excitement buzzing in his voice, but Ko stopped him. "Are you certain the fuse time is correct? If it isn't, there will not be anything left of you when it goes off." The teacher warned.

Naruto looked undisturbed, he had a great feeling about this. "We'll see. If my writing was correct I should have about five seconds, enough time to put in some chakra and throw it away in time." he stated with confidence. Ko nodded, and motioned to Hinata towards the tree line, she nodded and spoke a slightly worried "Be careful", and gave her friend a shy hug before she followed her guard to the nearby trees.

Naruto turned around, eyeing the burlap sack he carried to the day's training, he jogged over to it and took out his writing utensils, and pocketed them. The blond boy steeled himself for what he was about to do, although he was confident in his work, this was his first time using this amount of notes. 50 high explosive notes bundled together and intertwined with a finely woven red cotton string. He wound the string so that each note would have enough space to burn and explode cleanly, he even made further alterations for a small surprise. Naruto readied himself in a stance with his knees bent, holding that sack filled with explosives, he pulsed as much chakra as he could through his hands, and into the bag mentally thanking his teacher for the lessons. He spun two times and swung the bag away from himself. Then he ran like his life depended on it. With only a second left, he dived to the ground, and saw the still flying bag explode mid air.

From a distance, Ko looked glad that the boy didn't already blow himself into the next world. He made a hand sign of the boar, activating his Byakugan. The moment the first note inside the bag exploded, it was ripped to pieces followed by a rapid chain of explosions each feeding off the previous one and growing stronger than the next. The entire training ground shook, and the roar was deafening. Then the explosions turned from an eruption of fire into a blinding light, Ko and Hinata both looked away to shield their eyes. Hyuga had eyes more sensitive to light than most. The last of the paper notes finished their reaction, and the training ground became eerily quiet; nearby birds and animals stopped making noises, having fled.

The pair of Hyuga uncovered their eyes and looked up to see Naruto on the floor lying prone, Hinata instantly rose from her knees and rushed into the clearing towards him, fearing the worst. Ko quickly trailed her, and the two reached the boy to find him on the ground shaking, his clothes dirtied with smoke and soot. Hinata reached him first, "Naruto-kun are you okay!?" she asked with a slight panic in her voice until she saw his face. She put a hand to her chest and gave a relieved sigh. Ko gruffly turned the boy over and saw the expression on his visage. Naruto's blue eyes were alight with excitement, and his body was shaking with adrenaline. The possibilities of these seals were racing through Naruto's head. Ko could only shake his head. That explosion was one of the largest he had seen since the war, usually that would require several hundred notes. "Expensive" he thought and the fuse times would be unlikely to explode in a regulated pattern. Ko offered the boy a hand up and plainly said "I have a proposition for you Naruto."

In the Hyuga Compound

Himo tried her best to follow the maidens in the liturgy to the deities. She had been receiving lessons for a handful of weeks. By far the most difficult hurdle had been learning to read the flowing script of the songs in honor of the fire. Each of the thick rectangular scrolls had songs written in them, with markings denoting the pitch of the music and voices. It was often grueling work, sitting in seiza for long hours pouring over difficult writings. The last thing Himo wanted was to be in the way of the Hyuga maidens; and she worked tirelessly from early in the morning until sunset for the past weeks. The temple was hot from both the fire and the usual sticky heat of Konoha's summers. Little by little she was coming to understand what these maidens have trained their whole lives to accomplish.

She was clothed in the robes of a Hyuga, the clothing was a shimmering white kimono, with a red sash across the females' waist. A white shawl on the heads of the maidens covered their hair which they almost never cut. The robe and shawl was gifted to her by the clan, it was made of white silk interwoven with traces of silvered thread. The maidens faintly shimmered in the fire's light. An expensive luxury symbolizing purity. Himo slightly hung her head, the shawl was light due its material, but weighed heavily upon her head knowing she was everything but pure. She looked up from the scroll and flowing characters to the light coming from outside. In a few hours she would have to work again, even little things such as cleaning her robes, and the extra expense in silver of doing so caused her to have to ply her trade more often. She sighed, forgetting for a moment the task she was engaged in.

"Outsider, pay attention!" yelled the head of the maidens. An older Hyuga woman with graying hair that nearly reached her feet. She insisted on calling her outsider, and not by her name. Himo turned towards the older woman, bowed her head, and held her hands as if she was praying. "I apologize, master." Himo said in a low voice. Her master was unmoved, she slowly walked in front of the young woman who bowed her head still further. Then the old woman bowed, held up a long and flat wooden staff and brought it down upon both Himo's shoulders making a sharp slapping sound.

The older Hyuga took a step back, bowed and tersely said "Pay attention outsider. Now, this symbol is for a long high note upon this character. Outsider, can you explain what this character means to the rest of us?" she said in an even tone.

"Yes, master. I don't know if this is right, but I think it means something like a fire, but a dying one. I'm not sure." the young woman nervously said while lowering her head. The master of the temple looked upon her and stated "Close, but not quite. Also when you speak, do not look down. If you are to ever be one of us Outsider, you must speak with pride. We serve the Gods of this clan, there is no room for uncertainty." She continued "Once again for our new student, this time slowly."

The women raised their voices once more, their voices coming together in harmony. Himo tried her best to read the flowing script and small notations while sang with the maidens.

"I have seen its faded glory as if in a dream, its weakening embers floating amongst the waves beckons to me… Gods above grant us light, grant us eyes." At this line the maidens activated their bloodline, their eyes bulging with veins and heightened vision. Himo however, could do no such thing. She was just as the master had called her, an outsider. She felt a desperate sadness in her heart; the young woman's voice thundered in a high pitch, one the other maidens could not reach. "Please Oh Gods, grant us eyes, so that we may see! I pray upon the holy fire and this home for vision!" The pitch of her singing resonated off the stone of the temple, and lingered in the air. Unshed tears stung in her closed eyes, and her hands were held over her heart. The fire roared upwards, and the room fell quiet. Himo, surprised at the silence, opened her eyes and looked around at the stunned maidens. She heard the approaching footsteps of the temple's master, and bowed her head low to the ground; fearing she had done something wrong…again. The young woman felt the master's wooden staff gently touch her shoulder, and she tentatively looked up. The master had a slight smile upon her face and said "Now, that is how you sing. We do not only read; we sing from our hearts." Himo smiled, and the embers from the fire reflected a brilliant crimson in her eyes.

The maidens continued their work through the afternoon hours. Himo sat on her knees in seiza for long hours studying and writing the long cursive script of the texts. The young woman looked up and saw the light filter in through a high window of the shrine. It was not quite sunset, but it soon would be. She was exhausted, but now the hard part of the day would begin. She held in a sigh knowing giving it sound would only earn her a firm strike. She used her knuckles to push herself back on the smooth stone floor, and she bowed until her head touched the tiles of the stone floor saying "I request to be excused master." She said in a low, but firm voice.

The master looked up, still seated in meditation before the fire. "I suppose you have done enough for the day outsider. I expect you to be here tomorrow before noon." She said her eyes still closed. Himo replied, "Thank you very much." And bowed, then she tried to stand and fight the strange needling feeling of the blood attempting to rush into her numb legs. The young woman could barely walk. The other maidens quietly giggled, one piped up and encouraged her "You'll grow accustomed to it Himo-san." with a smile. Himo smiled back at her, turned, and bowed deeply once more before leaving the sacred place.

She walked outside taking a deep breath of the fresh air and shielded her still adjusting eyes. She took a moment to admire the beautiful garden spread out before her; filled with mature manicured trees and flowering plants swaying in the cool breeze of the wind. The garden was beautiful, a sanctuary from the cramped bustle of where she lived. Trees had become a thing of the past in her neighborhood, a closely guarded commodity. Many were cut for makeshift dwellings after the tailed beast disaster; or for firewood by desperate people during the cold and dry winters. She took a good look at the tended nature of the estate to preserve in her mind's eye for later. Suddenly, she heard the excited yell of a child from the garden; a smile came to her face. There could only be one person who could make someone scream in happiness at the Hyuga estate.

Naruto laid low taking in his surroundings. He was prone in the underbrush of the greenery to avoid capture by an energetic enemy. He looked upwards to his right and saw Hinata crouched in a tall tree , attempting to hide. Then hurried footsteps sounded off near him, he laid further still to remain hidden, but unfortunately this caused dead leaves dried in the summer heat to make a sound. The enemy's keen ears picked up on his mistake and she rapidly began running towards his location.

"Dammit…" the boy knew he was caught , he quickly got up and ran ignoring the amused sounds behind him. Eventually though he was caught out in the open unable to run due to the garden's pond. His pursuer was jubilant.

"I got you Naruto!" The out of breath little girl cried out. Naruto defiantly countered "Not until you tag me Hanabi-chan!" The little girl made a last dash for him, running as fast as her little legs could take her. Naruto began running around in the small space left to him , dipping and swerving while making silly faces at her to distract her, moving his arms wildly. Hanabi tried to keep up, but it was hard while laughing so much. Eventually they reached an impasse, Naruto standing with his back to the water and Hanabi closing in. The little girl knew he would run away if she wasn't careful. Suddenly she had a confused look on her face and pointing to the water she called out in surprise "Sister why are you in the water!?" Naruto too turned in surprise wondering what was going on. Then Hanabi closed in for the kill! "Tag! You're the oni!" She yelled out running to the forested garden. Naruto stood there dumbfounded for a moment, then he saw Himo trying and failing to hold in her amusement.

"You saw that?" He asked, rubbing his head embarrassed.

"Yeah, I did. Ya got duped by a three year old. I'm amazed she can move that fast at that age. Then again, she was talking about Hinata…" She teasingly said, her eyes glowing with mirth.

Naruto blushed and looked slightly indignant "Well if that's how you're going to be…" He ran up to her, jumped and quickly patted her on the head. "Now you're the oni!" He yelled behind his back running off into the greenery. Himo sighed and noted the position of the sun in the sky, she was just leaving, but what the hell. She ran into the garden and began hunting for the hiding children.

Time passed quickly and the blue sky became awash with the color of violets and the beautiful red of the falling sun. The four sat tired near the pond in the garden with daylight on its way to fading. Hinata sat near Naruto with a snoozing Hanabi, her head laying in his leg. Himo looked at the pair with a smile that didn't quite match the feeling in her eyes. She once again looked to the sky, it was time, no more delaying the inevitable. She spoke up. "I haven't had fun like that since I was your age. Thanks." she said, her voice trying to keep steady.

Hinata looked up at her and said, "I had fun too. Thanks for playing with my sister, she may look happy most of the time, but I haven't seen her smile so often in a while. You are going to be a great mother one day." the girl said, clear gratitude showing in her eyes.

Himo hid her eyes behind her long hair, and tried not to show her feelings in her voice. She talked around the welling in her throat. "T-thanks Hinata, it means a lot to hear that from a kid. But I'm sorry I have to go…"

Naruto took a look at her. "Hey, you okay?" He asked worriedly. The woman replied, "Yeah, I'm fine." she said with a brittle smile. "I'll see you two soon." She tried to give the three a convincing parting smile and she turned on heel, and left.

Naruto had worn the same brittle smile he just saw on his friend too many times to count. He wouldn't let the citizens of the village see how much their hatred had affected him. His mind and exterior was the one thing he could control. Her smile was genuine, but also hollow. He would have to visit her very soon to talk one on one. For now though, the light of the setting sun reflected in the pond. Ducks paddled through its water taking advantage of dusk's insects. It was beautiful, a far cry from his humble home. The cool breeze blew through his hair, a relief from the heat of the day.

Hinata turned to Naruto and looked down on her sleeping sister and smiled. "She took to you two quickly. I'm glad she had fun today. She is still little, but soon her studies will increase." She said remembering her own difficult studies, though when she was a small child her mother was still there to help. Learning characters, proper etiquette, and correct speech was exhausting even with support. Soon she would have to leave for the academy, she would only be able to support her sister occasionally. She only hoped that her mother would approve of her little sister's growth; she did the best she could.

Naruto didn't know what it was like to have a family, people who worried for you. He spoke up "I think you're a good sister Hina. Things will eventually get harder for her, but I know you will be there for her."

Hinata leaned into Naruto, laying her head on his shoulder. She spoke in confidence, "For now though, we will have to train. I have to become stronger, or I won't be able to help her… I think our family is on the brink of fighting. I do what I can, but I can feel it. This won't last…" She hoped it didn't turn to civil war, seeing that happening to her family would kill her inside. Naruto took his left hand and put it on her head, stroking her hair. He spoke freely, in an accent that came from his life in the pleasure district of the village. "Hinata I ain't gonna lie to ya; I don't know what having a family is like. But maybe the Gods made you the heir because you want to change your clan. Most of these assholes, they would sit down and enjoy, but not you. No easy job, but it's yours." Hinata leaned into his touch, thinking. She had never thought about it that way. If what Naruto said was true in a way she was lucky, the situation would be even worse if she was born with no way to change anything. She would follow in her mother's footsteps and improve her clan.

For now though, she would enjoy this. She departed from his hand and laid her head on his other leg like her little sister, blushing at the closeness. Naruto was quiet for once, chuckled softly, and began stroking her hair. The combination of the day's exertions, the cool breeze, and Naruto's hand quickly made her sleepy. The trio sat in the fading light of the sun. Naruto marveled how he had gone from basically alone, to surrounded by people important to him. He looked at the two laying on him and felt a fierce fondness in his chest, they could've cursed him like everyone else, yet here they were. They had become his precious people, and their kindness would not be forgotten.

Elsewhere, inside the inner section of the compound, Hiashi Hyuga sat in seiza looking over documents of petitions and security notices to financial ledgers and trade agreements with other clans. Diplomatic missions on behalf of the Leaf were now arriving at his desk with mechanical regularity. Main and branch members alike shuffled from his study with quick and quiet strides going to and from the study on their tasks. Hiashi looked up from a ledger, wondering if he should retire for the day, he noted the increasingly low light level in the room; and he called out "Light!" to the empty room.

In that instant a shoji opened, two branch members entered each carrying candles on elongated sticks. They bowed low and left as soon as they came. The Hyuga lord sighed, deciding to pick up on this particular ledger later, it could wait. He rolled up the scroll placing it down on the side of the table. Then he noticed a piece of paper that seemed to be wrapped, in the busy tasks of the day he hadn't noticed it. His curiosity piqued, he reached for it and unwrapped it. Inside was a letter penned by his daughter's assigned guardian, and stamped by Hyuuga internal security. Inside was a strange looking seal. In one hand he took the letter and read it.

To Our Lord Hyuga,

This lowly one reports, the contents of this letter includes an interesting development from the young Uzumaki. The youth appears to have a skill in fuinjutsu , in only a few weeks he has created a new seal which is capable of military application. This humble person believes if an accord was brokered with him, both the clan and the youth will profit.

If our lord wishes to see the practical application of the seal, imparting Chakra into the paper and throwing it without delay will present its power. Please note that the explosion may stress the eyes.

-Your Humble Servant, Hyuuga Ko

Hiashi took a look at the seals from the letter. They were slightly strange, rather than the usual rectangular shape with haphazard script, this seal was a perfect square with cleanly written characters spread throughout the paper in a star-like shape with characters coming off a central point and then evenly spreading along the outside borders. Hiashi due to his unique position was aware of the basics of the sealing arts, but this was beyond him. For Hyuga purposes, seals were for a single use, and were passed down in a traditional method. On initial inspection this was something different, the boy was trying to innovate a new design. Feeling curiosity, Hiashi clapped his hands twice, and wrote on a short scroll. 15 minutes, sound of ordnance , order: stand down - Your Lord." Immediately an aide came to take the scroll, and hurriedly went to pass on the order.

Hiashi walked outside to the cool air of the coming evening. He stepped barefoot on the lush manicured grass of the estate. Looking around, the clan head decided that there was enough room for this to work without damage. Eyes hardening, he took out a hidden kunai he always kept on his person, and attached the tag onto it. Then he pulsed chakra through his fingers into the note and threw it away towards the ground. With exactly a 3 second delay the paper notes exploded first with multiple bursts of flames confined to a specific area, and then flashes of light and noise which stunned and disorientated. The Hyuga leader nearly had to cover his eyes. He could see why the young Hyuga wanted him to examine this.

The air around the estate was silent, the insects momentarily stopped their songs, and the evening was still with tension in the air. Although he had told the guard core to stand down he could feel their bloodlines looking upon this position, leering at him. Every angle, every long hall, every shadowed glade was watched by their "blessed" eyes. He was the clan leader yes, but he too was bound by duty and watched incessantly.

"Like a caged bird in a gilded prison." The clan leader thought. Hiashi looked at the crater made by the explosion, nodded his head to himself. He had decided what he would do.

Naruto sat in silence enjoying the cool breeze of the early evening, in the distance he heard the sound of an explosion and smiled to himself. The distinct and quick percussive sound was obvious to his ears which twitched in the direction of the small blast.

His lap still had two sleeping Hyuga, long ago his legs had gone to sleep, but it was worth it. He had never been this close to anyone before. The silence of the night was cut by the sound of quickly approaching footsteps, soon he was greeted by the sight of an out of breath Mayu. "Naruto-san my lord requests your presence. He wishes to speak with you." She said in between breaths. Somewhat expecting this since Ko said he would request some proposition with the Hyuga. Naruto nodded to Mayu, "I would stand up but…" Mayu looked down at the two and smiled; glad they had found a friend and hopefully a future supporter. Naruto shook Hinata's shoulder. "Hey Hina, time to get up." The girl merely made sleepy noises and settled in closer. Mayu didn't want to keep the clan leader waiting. She knelt down to one knee and whispered in her ear "Hinata-sama, this lowly one informs you that there is a council meeting in a few minutes." The girl's eyes flew open and she awoke with a start. However, rather than waking up as expected in her room, she awoke in the garden. Hinata looked up at Mayu who was covering her amusement with a sleeve of her kimono. "That wasn't very nice…" she mumbled.

Mayu countered "I apologize, but this lowly one saw that you were so comfortable and wouldn't wake…" she teased. Hinata silently stood up, her face burning. She went around Naruto and gathered up her sleeping sister, who protested some. "Don't worry, Hinata-sama, This humble person will ensure she is bathed and taken to bed." Hinata sighed at her turn of phrase, she had repeatedly requested for her not to speak that way with her. Yet, her turn of phrase was instilled in her since she was Hanabi's age. She hefted up her groggy little sister and handed her to Mayu. "Thank you, honored Cousin, I know you will look over her well." Hinata said, bowing her head. Mayu knew Hinata was more lenient than most of the main branch heritage, but none of the main would deign to speak to a branch member in such a way. She instinctively took a step backwards and bowed while holding Hanabi tightly. "Thank you Hinata-sama, truly." The little girl in her arms rubbed her blurry eyes with her wrists; looking around sleepily. Naruto gave a smile and wave, which the girl returned drowsily. Mayu carried the little girl away in the direction of the bath house.

Hinata yawned and stretched her arms upwards to shake off sleep. She shook her head for a moment to clear the cobwebs, and turned to her friend saying "It wouldn't do to keep my father waiting. Follow me Naruto-kun." The two walked through the cool evening, lanterns occasionally being lit as they went along. Evening meals were being brought to many of the main branch family, and branch members milled about in the final sprint of the day before the late night hours. Naruto looked about as he followed Hinata. He saw a young girl, no older than himself, her forehead wrapped with a white cloth. The raven haired girl bowed until her head touched the wood of the floor, and entered a room to serve a waiting couple their meal. Naruto had his lot, the scars on his face attested to that, but the life of a child pressed into servitude was too much. Something was deeply wrong with his village, he thought.

As the two continued through the home of the Hyuga they came upon the main quarters of the clan head. Naruto could see Hinata had steeled herself, her eyes slightly changing. Her demeanor shifted from her usual gentle countenance to a visage similar to when the two sparred. The duo came to the lit shoji, flames and shadows dancing from inside. Naruto was still unseasoned, but he was no fool. The boy could feel the gaze of the Hyuga eye upon the both of them by hidden guards, no more trusted than people who came off the street. His friend's ambitions became all the more clearer to him.

Hinata announced their presence, the power of her voice coming from her gut. "Honored Father, we have humbly responded to thy summons." she said to the screen. Her Lord's voice echoed from the room with the power of a lifetime spent in rule. "Enter." The screen door was slowly opened by two branch members who disappeared in a blur of motion. The room's shoji remained open to let in the cool night time air, an invitation to the guest. Behind the clan leader seated with his arm resting upon a piece of ornate furniture was a painting upon the wall. A high spanning pine with a golden background flickering in the light of the lanterns. Both Hinata and Naruto entered into the space with their heads down, bowed low and then seated themselves in seiza.

Naruto had never seen such an overt display of wealth as the painting behind Hinata's father, but he was raised by a Kage and did not show it. His face remained stoic, regardless of wealth the person before him was a man, not a God. His gaze remained respectful, but not awed.

At this Hiashi slightly smiled, the Hokage had raised him well. Polite, but not groveling. Aware of station, but not awestruck by it. If he lived, this boy would rise. The clan leader began to speak. "Good Evening, Daughter and Naruto. I have heard your training goes well." Hiashi said. Hinata spoke first "Y-yes Honored Father, I believe it has. The fighting arts have been a joy to learn." Nervousness is still present in her voice.

Her Father's gaze turned to her a slight disappointment in his eyes, " Good. Ko has spake highly of you both. I have also heard good things of the Uzumaki's friend. You three have done well, but you still have much to learn. Listen closely to your instructors, and pay good attention." Hiashi said with a firm voice, yet with some kindness in it.

"Thank You Father." The girl said with happiness, slightly missing the correct speech in her excitement. Hiashi continued, "This evening I have requested your presence to talk to you Naruto. Hinata's guardian has alerted me that you had crafted something interesting. I tried it this evening, as I'm sure you are aware."

"Yes, I heard it earlier. Although, that was a small one. I plan on making tags with even more power, and with a more precise fuse time. It'll take time though." The blonde boy said, crossing his arms in thought. The Hyuga lord countered, "The tag I tested was of better quality than usual. The explosion lacked less punch than I was expecting however." Naruto replied "Oh, that wasn't the explosives. That was a Flash tag. Ko had given me a few and I changed the calligraphy a bit. The explosives are much more powerful. This is a nice place after all, don't wanna wreck it." His accent had slipped a bit.

Like Ko, Hiashi merely shaked his head, a wry smile on his face. "A flash tag was it? What would the application of explosives look like?" Hiashi asked curiously. Naruto smiled, "For now, I want to create tags that individually both stun and explode with metal and fire." He said an excited smile upon his face and a gleam in his eyes.

Hiashi decided to get to the business at hand. The clan leader looked at Naruto intently, " I have an offer for you, Young Uzumaki. The tags you have produced seem to hold promise, and likely could fill a niche for military use. However, this will require production beyond only your power to produce. Allow the Hyuga to recreate the seal, and produce more. With the clan's resources we would both stand to profit. What say you?" Hiashi stated. Naruto crossed his arms once more and looked like he was deep in thought. The boy began to ask " If the seals are produced with the Hyuga, will the original maker have control over the seals?" Hiashi looked at the blonde intrigued at his polite way of asking "Will you screw me over?"

Hiashi replied "Yes. You will retain ownership of the seals." Naruto nodded, "How would the profit be split?" he asked.

"I propose a 40-60 split. The clan will spend the most on production." The clan leader stated.

Naruto countered "I would humbly prefer a 50-50 split. I understand the Hyuga clan would give a lot, however these few seals are only the beginning. Think of it as an investment. I can promise you will not regret it. Also, to be honest I doubt most banks would even let me through the door. I would keep some of the profit, here, under Hinata's care." The Uzumaki finished.

Hinata's eyes widened, her expression clearing crying out "What, me?!" Naruto smiled at her. " I trust you." He said simply. Hiashi clapped his hands, and a female branch member with a formal scroll and writing utensils appeared. "I accept your proposal, I will speak to the Kage regarding the usage of these tags. You will be notified soon regarding the dates of payment, after initial sales." Hiashi continued, "In which metal do you wish to be compensated?" He asked.

Naruto's answer quickly sprung to his head. "In pure silver. Not Leaf money please." He had spent his earliest years often watching the Hokage doing his work; he had heard the old man occasionally grumbling about changes to the money. Even in his own experience the oval coins he used everyday had become slightly duller and marginally smaller as the seasons passed.

Hiashi was impressed. The boy had noticed too. The Hyuuga had shifted to hoarding old coins from the time of the First and Second Kages. The Kages had minted pure gold, silver, and bronze coins in those days. After the Second Great War and the Kyuubi Attack the Konoha money had lost its original luster, and trade with other villages was altered as a result. Their money for now, was still the purest and only rivaled by the Stone with their rich deposits of ore, but that was changing. "Understood." The clan leader agreed.

"I apologize, Lord Hyuga, but one final request. I would like the Konoha symbol on every box the tags are bought or sent." Naruto requested and bowed. Hiashi raised an eyebrow. "The leaf symbol?" He questioned. Naruto rose, " No sir, the spiral. I can't explain it, but something about it always got to me."

The Hyuga man nodded. "Done. Let us finish the agreement this evening." The Hyuga began writing on the scroll in an elegant script earned by long years of practice. Internally he mused "I should have known. Of course this boy would request the symbol of the Whirlpool."

In the Pleasure Quarters

Himo silently whimpered as another customer slid into her, attempting to keep her mind elsewhere. Fixing her gaze upwards she stared at the ceiling. The man on top of her paid her no heed, thrusting inside her for his own pleasure. Soon, he quickly slid out of her and finished on her stomach. He heaved a sigh of lustful relief and soon left without a word.

Himo laid there for a few moments, internally cursing her lot. Praying this time too she would avoid sickness.

She tiredly hefted herself up, stood, and used a basin of water to wash off sweat and seed. She hated this. Every moment of it. She finished washing herself, once again slipping on a simple red Yukata. She heard a knock on her home's simple wooden door. A male voice sounded out from outside "Ey, I got another. Be ready." The door slid open, and a portly man came in. He looked a bit drunk. His eyes skimmed up and down her body, excited for a late night romp with a young girl. Himo fought back a shiver and gave him a practiced, fake smile.

She got back to work once again. He was heavy and sweated as he used her. Himo had been with others who were abusive or callously berated her the whole time, but today she felt especially sick. The memories of earlier in the day clashing with her current reality. "A maiden" she darkly thought. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. It was all a sick joke. How could someone like her ever hope to serve the Gods? Forlorn, tears escaped her eyes freely leaving her well practiced façade.

The man on top of her stopped. He took a look at her face and left her insides. "Oi, you a' right?" He asked in a laborer's accent. Himo wiped her eyes , a tremble in her voice "I-I'm fine.." The customer felt pity for the girl and stood up from the futon. "Nah, It's okay." He said he fetched his robe and began to clothe himself. "My wife died in the damned fox attack. I won't marry another, but I got ta scratch the itch every now and again. Looks like you're having a bad go of it t' night. I'll go somewhere else." Then he took some coins from his pouch and gave it to her. Himo was surprised, he had even included extra. Three small oblong silver coins with the symbol of the leaf on the front and the minted face of the grave looking Second Hokage on the reverse. "Thank you." she said gratefully, with this she would be finished today. The man turned to leave, but before he did he turned around and said "Good luck, keep ya chin up."

Himo did her usual routine after a customer. She washed herself, and put on new clothing to get rid of the work's scent. She changed and brushed her hair looking into the small mirror she always used. She tried to put tonight's experiences away, blocking it out. It hadn't been long until she heard a firm knock on her door. Without her even answering an older man let himself into her home.

"Looks like ya done layin' tonight. I'm here for the coin." This man was there to "protect" her while doing the job. Himo gave him a small leather bag with a dozen or so silver coins with a few coppers too. He undid the string around the bag, and looked inside of it. He took the lion's share, and threw three silver coins at the young woman. The man took the bag and put it in his robe with satisfaction. "Now, since ya done layin' with customers. Let me have a go." He said coming upon her. Himos expression fell, she began to request in a pleading voice "A-Another time, please not today. Please…"

Her "protector" was unmoved. "Do what I fucking say or I gonna break that damn mirror, then it'll take you after." He threatened in a low angry voice. The woman looked down, biting on her lip until it bled. "Fine…" She began to undress once again. He smiled and watched as she did so. Then he noticed a rectangular wooden box behind her, he strode past her and picked it up. " T' hell is this?" He asked more to himself than her. He opened the box and saw a shimmering white kimono. " t' hell you get this from? Put it on, let's do it with this."

Himo's eyes widened and her blood froze. She bowed her head to him. "Please. Please, anything but that." She was forced to do this job because of circumstance, but sleeping with him in the robes the Hyuga gave her would destroy her. The much larger man walked over to her and forcefully took the bronze encased mirror from Himo. "Put it on, or I'm breaking this stupid mirror ya always stare at. You choose." He said with a tone of finality, holding up both items. She looked at both precious objects and the face of that bastard grinning at her.

The mirror was the last thing she had left from her mother, the only thing she couldn't bear to sell after she passed. The robes were a gift, she swore to herself she would take care of them. Yet, if she did this, every time she entered the temple every moment would be even more of a lie than it already was. Bitter tears streamed down her face and Himo began to reach for the white garments. She resigned herself to what was obviously her fate. She slowly took the robe and began to dress. As she put on the white robes and the shawl covered her hair she internally prayed. Tired of waiting, he pushed her down to the futon, as her head touched a worn pillow Himo turned her face away from him. She saw her reflection in the hastily placed mirror left standing up near the bedside. Her eyes looked dead, a dull red, just like she had seen on other working women.

Outside of the small hovel, the bright full moon rose to its zenith crowning the starry sky. The weak breeze began to stir, and intensified into a gust of wind. In that moment, there was another knock upon Himo's door, and the wind suddenly stilled to silence.

The man let loose a noise of impatience and aggravation, he stood up not even bothering to put on his clothing and went to answer the door. Sliding the entrance open he saw Naruto. The look on the boy's face was one of shock, until he saw Himo behind this unknown man, shivering and looking towards him with tears streaming down her cheeks. Naruto's face hardened, and he acted. With a practiced motion he quickly took out a seal from a sleeve and slapped it on the man, chakra pulsing through his hands. In an instant the man was blown off his feet, his midsection a scorched mess. He landed on the wooden flooring of the apartment, making guttural groans in agony.

Sparks from the small explosion spread, catching on flammable low quality wood. Small fires began to burn. Naruto stepped over the barely alive man, and entered into the heating hovel. His face had become serene. The boy lifted his arm, pointed to Himo, and said to her "Follow me." Himo gathered the only important thing that she would not leave behind, her mother's mirror and followed him. The flames rose quickly, hungry to devour the small structure.

They stood outside for a moment and Naruto pondered what he should do with that man, the Hokage's words floated in his mind "Truth and Justice. Even to liars and evil men" he had said. The blonde sighed to himself and reluctantly motioned for Himo to follow. The two bent down and dragged the man out of the burning building. His body was scorched and covered in ash, he coughed and sputtered attempting to breathe fresh air. He muttered an barely audible thanks. Quickly a crowd had begun to stir outside of the small burning structure. Followed by the response of a group Shinobi, only interested in a disturbance to the peace. They spotted Naruto and Himo, with an injured individual laying on the floor beside them. The gathering crowd spread to make room for the responding Shinobi. The ninja looked at the two; instantly recognizing the blonde.

Naruto spoke up, wanting to get ahead of the situation which could quickly turn out badly. He spoke with complete confidence. "Take us to the Hokage. We will explain what's going on to him."

The military men who had reached the scene looked at each other first, then the one who seemed to be their leader exclaimed "Who are you to give us order, Uzumaki!?" Naruto's family name was spat with some distaste, and at this Naruto took a closer look at the group through the shifting light of the flames. They had dark hair, fierce eyes, and wore a dark navy blue. Naruto knew then that they were Uchiha. They kept the peace, but they were definitely no friends of his. Naruto made a gamble, he wanted himself and Himo out of this situation quickly. A flaming building no matter its size, and a broken man at their feet was not a good look before these ilk. He replied "I do not give you an order, Uchiha-san. You are only doing your job, which you have always done well. It is only a request." He had been listening to Hinata's father earlier and mirrored his speech; then he slightly bowed to the shinobi. The Uchiha smoothly stalked closer, putting a hand on their shoulders. In a blur of speed and intense motion they body flickered away. It wasn't long until they stood before the Tower of the Kages, and inside a tired looking Sandaime awaited.

It was late, and the moon was beginning its yielding fall to the sun. The Hokage looked tired and was only wearing a red and white robe in the Senju style. A stark white around his center and the base of his body in a deep red. He sat at his desk silently, his silence an order without words. The lead Uchiha began to say, "We found the Uzumaki, this girl, and an injured man." The injured party on the floor groaned as if on cue. The Hokage assessing the situation in his mind's eye made his decision. "Leave us. I will personally adjudicate the situation."

The Uchiha looked unsure. Keeping the peace was the work of their clan, but an order from the Kage to a subordinate was Law. The military men bowed, and soundlessly exited through the door.

The Hokage gave the three before him a stern look, and groused out "Ayumi!". The woman quickly appeared in a puff of smoke on one knee on his right side with her brush and scroll at the ready. The third simply asked "What happened?" Naruto replied laconically. "I saw a friend in trouble, so I moved." Himo stepped a bit forward, her gaze low, still not used to speaking with powerful people. "Naruto was protecting me…" the young woman pointed at the injured man at her feet. "This man was going to disgrace and use me. He threatened and wronged me." She stated with anger and frustrated tears pooled in her eyes. Memories arose of when the same person had wronged her with no consequences. At this, the third's countenance softened, not seeing a lie in her eyes. The old man decided what he would do, he would see who the boy really was. "Young Uzumaki… step forward." He ordered with conviction. Naruto stepped forward, standing before THE desk. "Young Uzumaki, I have heard your account and that of your friend. I believe you, yet this man is in no position to speak. He cannot defend his life, nor his freedom. What would you have me do?" He asked, and waited for the boy's answer.

Naruto answered heatedly, "I saw what he was about to do! I saw the scared look on my friend's face. Why should assholes like him be able to be around? You told me, truth and justice even to evil men. We dragged him from the fire, he got mercy and now I want justice."

The Hokage looked him in the eyes. "That is not what I asked. I asked, "What would you have me do?" The Hokage said patiently. At this, Naruto looked down. He was unsure. This man reminded him of so many others that had wronged him. People that took advantage of others when they were weak. He could only guess what had been done to his friend before he met her. Should he ask for the man's life? What lesson would he learn if he was dead? What would he, himself want done? And what would Himo want? Naruto simply didn't know. He turned to his left and looked at Himo standing behind him. She saw the question in his eyes, took a small step backwards and bowed her head to him. She would follow his decision.

The Hokage, seeing his problem, began to speak. "I have served at this desk for far too long a time. For now, you are too young to see, but it is stained in blood." Naruto's eyes shot up to the Hokage in surprise. The old man continued, his voice heavy, " I have overseen wars from this desk. Thousands of souls both under my care and the enemy were torn from their families with a single stamp from my seal. I've heard the wails of families destroyed from hard men where you are standing. I have signed warrants of death and torture here. I do not say this to change your mind, Naruto. However, know this, young Uzumaki. One day when you rule over your family, your life, or of your clan the lives of people will be in your hands. Do not be so quick to call for death, their ghosts will haunt you until the day you die." The Hokage closed his eyes, and his hands ever so slightly trembled. Unable to help himself he reached into a desk drawer for his trusty pipe and tobacco. He lit a bowl, attempting to stave off the memories that haunted his sleep every night. By the Gods he missed Biwako.

Naruto's face fell, and he was conflicted. What would be justice? What would be right? Naruto remembered the worn book he had been reading recently. The Second Hokage was a man who had fought in the final days of the warring clans. He was strong and usually made wise decisions, but he was made paranoid from war and during his reign made reasons for people he suspected to disappear. Naruto did not want to follow the bad parts of his example. He turned to Himo and asked "Has he struck you before?" The young woman gravely nodded yes. Naruto questioned again "With his right or left hand?" Himo responded in a steady voice, "Usually with his right."

Naruto looked at the Lord of his nation, and said " I want his right hand gone."

The Hokage looked at the boy who before his eyes was becoming the young man he hoped he would live to see and replied "I have heard you both. I do believe this man has wronged you. I see no lie in your eyes. His right hand will be taken, and then he will be released to his fate. You both are dismissed. May the will of fire guide you both." The Hokage gazed to his right and saw Ayumi writing in flowing brush work, he wondered when he was long dead what others would make of his reign. He took another puff, his bones heavy with age, and looked forward to his sleep.

Naruto and Himo left the Hokage's tower and managed to traverse the dark streets of the village. Both had years of experience navigating the darkened corners and avoiding the dead ends of the village. It did take a while however. The moon was bright and occasional lanterns were lit, so it wasn't too arduous. The night was cool and the streets were mostly empty. Even still, the two could still feel a tension in the air. The streets were empty, but both couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The previous mishap with Naruto and tonight's events had put the village on guard. The streets were becoming too hot, and too many events involving the potentially "volatile" Uzumaki had happened in a short period of time. Both felt watching eyes throughout their journey back to where Naruto called home.

The two eventually reached Naruto's place, a worn two story wooden apartment building where really only he lived. The pair entered the darkened room, and Naruto rushed into the living room to find something to start a fire for light. In the darkness he stubbed his toe and let out a loud curse. "Fuck me!" he exclaimed. Himo felt bad for him, but couldn't help biting her white robe to cover a giggle. Eventually Naruto found flint to start a fire, he made his way to the hearth and kneeled. He struck the stones together seven times. The fire came first in embers and then sparked to life unusually easily. It burned, filling the room with shifting light. Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow and said to Himo "Sorry. I know this isn't the best place…" he said with slight embarrassment at his humble home. Himo didn't feel the same. She was staring at the smokeless flames, she moved towards the hearth and placed her mirror she had been holding onto above the fire in the small alcove. She took a step back and the reflection of the flames glowed in her eyes. Then she told him, "No. This is perfect."

Thank You For Reading!