-Hiashi-

.

Contrary to a certain blond menace's belief, Hiashi is not an idiot. He knew playing tug-of-war with the Uchiha over Naruto was a fool's errand, especially as Naruto had friends among the Uchiha and was particularly close with the Clan Head's family. He even had an odd bond with the police force as a whole. A few years ago, he delighted in constantly torturing them almost as much as the ANBU, but now? Most of the pranks he pulled on them were lighthearted jokes, usually easy to clean up after and/or work around.

Yeah, the Hyuuga weren't topping that. Hiashi knew it was a losing battle the moment he realized the elders were pushing for it. He pushed against it the moment the elders started to question if it was worth the humiliation of losing, and was immensely relieved once they decided to leave the crazy child alone. Finally, Hiashi could take a break, relax, and start attempting to mend his fraying sanity.

And then he realized his daughter was friends with Naruto.

As soon as Hiashi finished his inevitable panic attack at the revelation, he ran through the options in his mind. He could ban it outright, but that would most likely bring down the evil mastermind's wrath down upon him. No, that simply wasn't an option. Maybe he could ignore it. The friendship might fizzle out at some point, leaving things nice and predictable like Hiashi liked it. But more likely than not (Naruto had a tendency to cling to friends with a tenacity that could put Danzo to shame), they'd stay friends and even get closer. That means Naruto spending more and more time at the Hyuuga mansion to hang out with his close friend. Oh no, what if they started dating?! Sure, they're only children now, but the friendship would likely last for years, if not the rest of their lives. There was a very good chance that it might develop into a romance at some point, and if there was romance, there might be marriage.

Hiashi blanched. No way. No way was the master of chaos joining the family. Screw all respect for Minato and Kushina, screw any genuine admiration for the kid's obvious talent, screw any and all opinions the elders had, Hiashi could not handle that stress. He would have to clamp down on this. Now. But... discreetly. So Naruto doesn't notice and decide to rain pain down on the whole clan for trying to destroy his friendship.

.

-Naruto-

.

Naruto was a little upset, since Hinata-chan had been way too busy for the whole last week. What, is her father trying to kill her or something? She's been training and studying and attending clan meetings nonstop! She's only six, crazy old man! Let her live a little!

"Ridiculous standards from ridiculous people. Even I know better than to overwork children. It'll mess up their development so they might not live up to their full potential."

"Right? Poor Hinata-chan's probably so tired! Maybe I should bring her some coffee? Oh! Some donuts! She loves sweet things, so I can add a bunch of sugar to her coffee!"

"Hey, I thought we were ranting together! Why do you have to be so proactive?!"

"Shut it. You're brattier than me."

Naruto happily ignored Fuzzy's indignant screeching as he skipped off to bring Hinata her coffee. Getting into the Hyuuga compound hasn't been a problem for years (the guards always shriek and run at the sight of him), so Naruto has no issue finding Hinata and Hiashi training together in the courtyard. Hinata looks exhausted, just as he thought. Well, Naruto can help with that! He grins and calls out in the loudest voice he can muster (which is very loud, considering he's been pouring chakra into every breath since he was four).

"Hinata! Do you wanna take a break? I brought coffee and donuts!"

Hiashi visibly short-circuits. The panic radiating from him is all Naruto needs to figure out what's going on. Yeah, being scared enough to warn your kids off from Naruto is nothing new, but usually it's because of Fuzzy, not because you're just genuinely terrified of Naruto. Naruto grinned evilly. Oh yeah, he can work with this kind of scared.

"Hey Hiashi jii-chan! Are you ok? You look all white!"

Naruto reached over to feel Hiashi for a fever. Hiashi scooted away, trying to look dignified. Jii-chan?! Naruto wants to call him grandpa?! Nope. Hiashi immediately tries to backtrack and establish distance. Friendship with his daughter is terrifying enough, a familial relationship with the menace is completely out of the question! A tactical retreat is the only option here.

"Ah, Naruto-san. Yes, I'm perfectly fine. We've simply been training rather hard, you see. Perhaps my daughter and I should go rest. Come, Hinata."

"U-um, Father, it would be a little rude to leave Naruto-kun out here, wouldn't it?"

Ah, Naruto loved it when Hinata felt confident enough to put in her two cents! And it was great to see Hiashi freeze up again, totally trapped by the social niceties he usually loves so much! Naruto quickly pressed his advantage and put on his best disappointed face.

"No, it's ok. I don't want to keep you if you're tired. I just thought the coffee might help. I guess I'll just drink it myself... "

Hiashi composed himself as best as he could. Yes, Naruto was giving him an out! It would be quite rude to leave him at this point, but he did just say it would be alright! Surely he wouldn't be offended if they bowed out now?

Little did Hiashi know, Naruto had sensed a certain person approaching and had acted accordingly, just to make sure Hiashi was completely trapped.

"Hiashi? Surely you aren't going to turn down this young man's offering? It was so thoughtful of him to bring coffee! And donuts! Hinata loves donuts! She's been working so hard, don't you think she deserves a treat like this? You don't even usually nap after a difficult training session, so surely it isn't too much trouble?"

Hinata's mother had entered the conversation. Hiashi immediately lost all hope. He could not justify his escape now, not to Hitomi, unless he had an acceptable reason. Where were the elders when Hiashi wanted them to pester him about some meaningless thing? They wouldn't be able to rescue him, but perhaps they could bore Naruto enough to get him to leave? Or maybe they'd even manage to offend him and bring his wrath down upon themselves! Then Hiashi could delight in their misfortune while evading his own demise!

Naruto reveled in Hiashi's misfortune. He gladly offered Hinata's mother a donut. She quickly invited him to the table, as it would be best to eat there. A pleasant conversation followed, where Naruto took every opportunity to capitalize on Hiashi's discomfort. And once they were out of donuts, Naruto asked to join their training session, as he was free for the rest of the day and would love the input of an experienced shinobi such as Hiashi. Hitomi was delighted to accept on Hiashi's behalf as he hesitated too much to turn Naruto down. She even came to watch her daughter practice, as a show of support. Of course, Naruto mentioned just how busy Hinata had been the last week and how he just couldn't find any time to hang out with her because she was training or attending events all the time. Hitomi was more than happy to make sure that Hinata always had enough free time in her schedule to hang out with her friends, as Hinata had such a hard time making friends and having no time to spend with her friend was just wrong. She even invited Naruto to Hinata's birthday in a month!

All in all, Naruto was more than pleased with the outcome of his little excursion. He got to keep his friend, made a sort-of ally in Hinata's mother, and got to torture an idiot. Yep, this has been a very good day!