I'm reminding my dear readers once again: female form of the protagonist shall be henceforth mentioned as Namiko, and her male form as Naruto.
Till something happens...
"We can put this behind us, Nee-san. We can forget that ever happened."
Though Naruto was rational, the gentle part of him acquired from Minato disliked to see his dear one suffering. And he could see that he wasn't the only one feeling awkward and uncomfortable with the tense atmosphere. Ignoring might not solve anything, but at least they can avoid such circumstances in future...
He approached her slowly, observing her dishevelled state. Don't get him wrong, Tsunade still looked like a prime Hokage material- strong looking without any wrinkles, robes proper without stray thread- Shizune's perfection- and the usual low pony tail that kept most of her hair from interfering with her work.
But her eyes told him everything he needed to know. Their disagreement had taken a toll on her mental strength. And while (one of) the strongest shinobi in physical prowess is chosen for the role of a Hokage, the skill that helps the leader in their tenure is their brain power- memory, patience, thinking capacity, being strong enough to go against dear ones that have turned away for the worse, taking responsibility for losses while not being overwhelmed.
Holding back a sigh, Naruto had uttered those words, and walked over when he didn't get any reaction. He was at arm's length away from the Hokage's desk when she visibly straightened.
Tsunade closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Opening them, she refuted him, "Grab a chair, Naruto. Let's not make this discussion any more overdue than it already is."
.
"How do you think she is doing?" A raven headed man asked his companion, another raven head but with longer hair. The companion simply sipped his tea, refusing to answer. He knew the former was only asking for the sake of hearing his own voice.
"Some find it extremely annoying when you speak all secretive, pretending you know the secrets of the universe." Their third companion with brown hair and red stripes on her face spoke up in irritation.
The first speaker laughed, wincing when the female whacked him in his head with her chopsticks. "But can't a brother feel so about his younger siblings?"
The kunoichi rolled her eyes, "If they are your siblings, then the one we have to be worried is for the ones they encounter."
"Hn." A smirk.
.
There were cups of tea, a special brew for the Hokage, one for each blonde, that Naruto had poured to them but left untouched. The Namikaze simply looked on expectantly, waiting for the older to make the first move. The Hokage rested her head on her hands that rest on the table upon the elbows, trying to make out her companion's moods and reactions, which were monotonously neutral and amicable.
She closed her eyes and sighed, "All this started after disagreement on your training for Seiichi. I understand that I must've come off as too harsh for you. But I don't believe I'm wrong. I have always let you have your way with whatever you and hence when I tried to enforce a little adult's wisdom on you, you have lashed out. I don't blame you much, seeing as it is an unusual experience for you."
Oh. Oh! This was what was brewing? Does he hear resentment? Sounds like some elderly bullshit that Ojii-Sensei had complained about. Some things need to be set straight. Because...
"Tsunade-sama, what is your relation with Yondaime-sama and Kushina-hime?"
... where was she coming from?"
"Yondaime Hokage was the student of my comrade and Kushina was a relative."
Kushina's title stemmed from the fact that she was of the Royal blood, a direct descendant of the clan head of Uzushio, like Mito, whose blood was Tsunade. And she recognized it by saying that.
"Right. Thus, you might not have any obligation to Yondaime-sama's family more than a comrade from the same village, while that of Uzumaki-Hime's family is more noticeable because of shared blood."
He let Tsunade nod but didn't give her enough time to respond more than, "Yes."
" And hence, our ages and your wisdom deems me your subordinate, ignoring that of a Hokage and Konoha's shinobi."
There was a confusion- was he laying a subtle trap? Or was it a logical conclusion?
"Well, that is what I wanted-" Tsunade tried not to stutter, because, hell, any answer could be the wrong answer.
"That's exactly what you are implying, Tsunade-sama, when you say that. That you are my elder, and I must listen to you and follow you. That has been clear, no matter how much you try to deny it. The question here is on what basis do you declare yourself as my older, my supervisor?"
"I'm your Hokage-"
"Please keep Konoha's entitlement aside for a bit, we know that is not that answer."
In any other circumstance, Tsunade would've looked for a diversion. But this was Naruto. Even if the Namikaze was cleverer than most people thought to catch her out, this was someone who first looked up to her and called her Nee-san without any judgement and obligation. Shizune had followed her out of her love for a near-relative, there had been love even before. But Naruto had accepted her flaws even while acknowledging her strength,
yet simply calling her his sister, before his Hokage.
"Even if you hadn't called me Nee-san, by the blood of my grandmother, I would have taken you under my wing somehow. I wanted to take care you, shape you up as an excellent shinobi. Be not worried about where you would stray away. And I did indulge in your insubordination, but no one can refute the fact that you were obedient.
When Seiichi entered the picture, I thought I didn't have to be worried, seeing how as a Senju, he would come under my care. However, you took him under your wing. I was worried for you, was worried for him. I wondered whether you would be lax, or you would be strict, caring or not.
Seeing as most of your childhood, you had not adult supervision to take lessons from when you teach that boy, I must admit that my fears did not lessen as I observed his training. You are a Jinchuuriki. Your training will be on a different level compared to an average shinobi, and Seiichi is from a family of civilians, with his ancestry being his only saving grace." Her face lost the desperate feature, went through a phase of defensiveness, before settling with neutral righteousness.
Naruto blinked, being bombarded with these sudden emotions, "I must admit, Senju Tsunade, that you have been quite successful in hiding your true emotions away behind your gambling face all these years." The vicious streak in his voice snapped a crack in her facade.
Giving her a moment, he started, "I would rather not point out the obvious faults of others and find myself petty, but sometimes idiocy is better to have been cut off at its seed. Unfortunately, this is well past its shrub-stages.
Your claim literally means the one thing that since we share the blood of the same ancestor and that you are the elder, I should be deferential to you, according to general clan rules.
I call bullshit.
A clan is also responsible for the growth of its children, whether as warmongers or peace-makers. As far as I remember, I was a clanless child in Konoha, or rather, a sole survivor of my clan. By the time you entered my life, I was almost a Chunin, an adult in the current terms of shinobi.
Even when we met, you have never been interested in me, even knowing whose child I was, until I had to sweet-talk to you. I called you my sister, as a sign of respect and more importantly trust. Looking into the terms of a family, I can only defer to you as a sibling to their sister. Had I called you mother or grand-mother, you could have held that over me.
Your second-most influence on me was as a teacher and no one can refute my claim of being a good student. Shizune can vouch for my discipline and your teacher had already stated to you that I was better in following a teacher's instructions than you were.
Seeing as I was a near adult by the time we met, I don't understand why the concept of deference should exist here. You can't claim Uzumaki rights because the Uzumaki clan rules state that one mustn't abandon blood when known of their existence. And you must know from Jiraiya-Sensei about the attack of Kyuubi, the death of my parents and my survival as an orphan. Kato Dan had died decades before I was born. What were you grieving for, outside the legacy of your dear grandfather whom you have expressed extreme fondness for?"
He leaned forward with his elbows on the desk.
"You and Dan had become close after losing your siblings, similar to Shodaime-sama and Uchiha Madara-sama. But when their loved ones died, they didn't abandon their dreams completely, no! They have sought to do something about their feelings, not run away rom the problem like cowards! Avoiding problems is the mark of a typical civilian. Even the Nara tackle the roots of their difficulties from shadows. You might have been the strongest Kunoichi in physical might, but not invincible, and consider yourself lucky that Shizune decided to stick with you."
Leaning back, with a cool expression, he continued, "As for Seiichi, who do you think discovered him? Who traced back the divergence of the Senju line? You believed yourself to be the sole member of an ancient clan with rich history, not even attempting to do something about it. I understand the unwillingness to create progeny, but you didn't even attempt to know the legacy of your own clan. No need to be a nerd, but just the basic knowledge of one's own clan legacy?"\
Even though Seiichi and you share the same ancestor, the boy found his first friend of Konoha in me. He might have liked the concept of a shinobi but he was persuaded to follow his interests by me. When I took up his training, none of you had any objections. I still hear no objections, either from Sandaime, or from Shizune, or from the boy's own family. Even now no one claims of having any issue.
I understand that not everyone is perfect, and do respect your voiced out opinions. But where do you get off telling me that I had no adult supervision to take example from? Were you there around for my childhood?
I am a sensor and I can understand the physical situations of people better than others because of my abilities. I can know when a person is feeling more than exhausted or when a person has gained sudden energy from taking a soldier pill, or when a person is forming a jutsu by molding and concentrating their chakra in certain parts.
So even if Seiichi can somehow hide his exhaustion by keeping a bight face, I can tell when he is lying."
Giving her a moment for it to sink it, he continued, "I can never turn away advice others, especially from elders, because I respect their experience. I am open to suggestions. I had teachers who taught me much before we met, and thus I do have some experience. The boy might not accept being a part of Senju, because he is born a Vashti, but as fellow shinobi, we can help him survive the world that is strange for him. Wasn't that one of the reasons why our grandfathers had dreamed up this village?"
Silence settled as Naruto heated his cold tea with chakra and took a sip.
Tsunade opened her mouth, "I- I don't-" She stuttered. "You don't understand," Naruto completed for her, "Let me tell you why."
"You have been instigated. Your feelings have been amplified highly in a short span. But don't forget this: your feelings, even if amplified, still existed. Those doubts existed in your thoughts. You still claimed me as a cruel shinobi who would hurt a child outside a fair battle. You still saw me as a brat who never listens to elders. Let me remind you that I am far better than that privileged Uchiha second-heir and I'm not talking only about my prowess in battle."
Finishing his cup of tea, Naruto concluded, "I'll give you till midnight to think upon this. I would have given you more time, but I do not wish for my Otouto's first Konoha Festival experience to be ruined by petty jealousy. I know the Uchiha duo are being prepared for being the Rokudaime, but you are still the Hokage, whether you like it or not. Man up, Tsunade-sama. And have your tea before it cools once again."
He heated her tea cup before getting up to leave. As he closed the door, he paused, "I repeat once again, I am a sensor. So I know when the negative feelings are amplified. I suggest you do not repeat this once more." In a blink, Tsunade saw nothing but deep, blue eyes, before feeling a gentle hand on her shoulder. In the next blink, there was no one in the room, the door being shut, the empty cup being the only indication that the Namikaze was here.
.
Naruto met Shizune outside the office, the lack of her pet pig explaining how she had spied for this long without getting caught. Ton-Ton was a sensible pig, but long and tense hours doesn't hep her appetite.
"Don't let anyone else meet her. I'll be back by midnight. Or you can tell her to meet me in her house then." Naruto said as he passed her.
"Cool down before you meet Seiichi-kun." Shizune reminded him. Naruto paused for a moment before resuming, "Aa."
.
"Despite the warning, Tabi-chan left the mountains for the forest of Tsuki under the lure of the mushrooms, warned of the poison despite its sweet smell, warned of the dead animals that appeared to have rotted for a day before disappearing completely, allured by their big size and colourful spots."
Seiichi was listening to yet another one of those shinobi fairytales from his Nii-san. He knew his Nii-san was sad and Hokage-Obaa-sama was troubled since past few days, and resolved to make him happy in his own way. But Nii-san appeared relieved somewhat, so maybe he can help improve the mood better? What's better bonding time than story telling and training?
"Rama-kun scolded Tabi-chan for not only disobeying the rules, but also not heeding to Kou-kun's words and poisoning her along with herself. Tabi-chan felt regretful and apologized to all her siblings before giving Kou-kun a bracelet she made in gratitude for all the trouble he went for her. And they continued their happy lives together."
Closing the book, Nii-san kept it aside before ruffling his hair. "Nii-san, stop it!" He giggled. "But why, Seiichi? When you wake up it will be even worse than this. I'm just helping the bed give you a better style while sleeping." After batting hands away, Seiichi pulled his kakebuton over his head while Nii-san wondered, "Ara! Where is Seiichi-kun? Seiichi? Did you go to the Tsuki forest just like Tabi-chan? Do you need to be punished before Rama-kun finds you again? Or maybe I'll let Rama-kun punish you, hm?"
Seiichi huffed, "Rama-kun is in the book. He can't punish me!"
"Can't I?" A rough voice growled. Seiichi pulled his head out to see Nii-san's fox of nine tails that pounced on his face immediately.
Seeing them play brought a happy look on Nii-san's face and Seiichi was proud of it!
"Alright, alright now, enough play time. Story time was over long ago. Sleep now Seiichi. You promised to train well tomorrow so that you can play with your siblings and cousins when they come the day after, right?"
"Yes! I can't wait, but I will be patient. Good night, Nii-san!"
"Good night, Otouto."
.
"Don't worry, Nee-san. It's just some old shinobi who still resents the Kyuubi-brat. And you were quite vocal with your support for me, ne? Just come to me when you have any problem with me. But I am not me if I'm not troublesome, right?"
.
Hiashi looked up from his document when he noticed that the morning sunrays have become brighter and that his lamp wasn't needed. Just in time. Finishing his document, he went out of the compound after informing the guards to have a brisk walk. There were some things to discuss with the Hokage regarding the Hyuuga's contribution with the upcoming festival. Everything was set but for a slight calculation problem. Neji had pointed it out yesterday and solved it. And he just formalized it into a document and off to the Tower!
On the was he saw someone who just made his day brighter, "Ohayou! Hiashi-sama!"
"Ohayou, Naruto-kun. What are you doing up so early?"
"Preparations for the festival, Hiashi-sama. But I do wake up early otherwise."
Hiashi nodded, "That's a good habit, Naruto-kun. Waking up before the Sun was one of the few old traditions of the Hyuuga I have always been fond of. And you do look chipper today than before!"
Naruto scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed at the compliment, "Ah well, the festival is nearing, and I am excited for it."
"I heard that your sister Namiko will also be a part of the Menomai. If she's anything like you, I believe she'll steal the show. I look forward to it!"
.
"Greetings, Konoha, and all of her guests! It's the festival we have all been looking forward for. With the Miko's blessings and our dear Hokage-sama's verdict, let's officially begin the Awa Odori!"
Despite the huge numbers attending the festival, no one particularly felt any discomfort. Naruto could be seen guiding a large family through the crowds. "And here is our esteemed Hokage-sama, whom the clan head and Elder Shigure might already know."
Tsunade greeted the Vashti Clan members who attended the festival. "Mamoru had come here once. My younger brother had been the Capital's representative then." The clan head said.
"Ano, Naruto-kun," Seiichi's mother had started, "I believe one of your friends will be taking part in a dance. Seiichi couldn't stop talking about it for a long time yesterday."
Naruto laughed, hiding his nervousness, "Well, that's true. Namiko's dance will be starting in 30 minutes."
Meanwhile, in said dance troupe's tent, there were few bundles of nerves.
If you ask Kurenai, she would say that it was regular for them to be in such a frenzy. But the relaxing techniques for days before the day of the show definitely helped lower the range of drama.
But there was one blonde who was uncharacteristically fretting about.
"Hana-chan!"
"Now what, Namiko?"
"Are my anklets fine, they won't get caught with my dress and spoil it right?"
"Yes, they are fine. No they won't. There aren't many hooks in it to do so, and they are all curved in."
Inuzuka Hana was the victim of Namikaze Namiko's nervousness, but the daughter of the Dog-partnering clan's head knew many pups and runts to control the blonde's situation which was far milder, yet completely new. Namiko never called her Hana-chan.
"Hana-chan! Is this-"
"Namiko, I swear to Inu-sama, if the next word of yours is 'fine' or 'alright', I'll send you put of the tent into the dust clouds!"
"-mismatched? I don't want my bracelets to look out of place with my necklace."
Hana breathed in and out. She smiled and held Namiko's hands.
"Namiko. Why are you so nervous? You have faced many great foe in the battle without much preparation and even less back up. Now you have the support of around two dozen. And you have weeks of preparation. This isn't a matter of life and death, ne?"
Namiko inhaled and exhaled deeply under Hana's guidance and slowly spoke, "This is the first festival where I am an open contributor. All other festivals had me behind the scenes. Showing my face to innumerable people who expect something from me is a bit difficult. Battle was fine because no one knew what I had to do as long as we get the best result. Here, it's like even if one taijutsu move is different, the entire battle is lost.
In a battle, the opponent might not know what to expect from us at all, but here, people have an idea. Heck, they are quite far from being an opponent. Also there is me who is 'the Kyuubi brat'..."
Hana blinked, "Huh, but they don't know it is you. You are a different girl for them."
"Naruto will be in the shadows when he is not escorting a guest clan. And very few know that he is an escort this time. My blonde hair and blue eyes are similar to Naruto's and under all this face paint and costume, people wouldn't know if it's Naruto or Namiko."
Hana sighed, "You are worrying too much about the Kyuubi thing all of a sudden. Did someone say something to you?"
Namiko turned her head sharply, "What? No! Why would you say that?"
"Because only that makes sense! You never were bothered about it during practice and even when Akane approached you to take part in it. Now 'fess up. What was it?"
Namiko looked away, "No one said anything. Not to me, at least. There were just whispers yesterday and today when Naruto passed by the troupe tent."
Hana petted the golden braided hair, "It's all idle chatter of useless people. Tell me, who would be so free to talk about such stupidity when most of the village is busy in the festival preparations? And I always thought that you relied only on the opinion on Itachi, Shisui and a few countable others. Don't change your track now."
Hana saw the blonde relaxing slowly with her words, but the mention of one Uchiha caused a troubled expression. "Wait, are you nervous because of who? Did Shisui or Itachi say something about you dancing? I will beat them into pulp and feed their flesh to my dogs if they said anything derogatory about it!"
Namiko hurried to placate, "No one said anything! Mikoto-san just said the other day that Itachi was looking forward to see my dance. She had some choice words and descriptions."
She sighed as if confessing her biggest secret, "I'm worried that I'll make a fool of myself before him, I'm worried he will find me odd."
For being a member of a clan of feral dogs, Hana's smile was very sweet and gentle. "Darling, you look beautiful! I'm positive that Itachi will stay upright and uptight only because of his habits, else he will fall in love with you all over again. Trust me!"
Namiko returned the smile, "If you say so."
.
The music began slow, building anticipation as the dancers entered the stage gracefully, their movements flowing slowly with the Koto's strings. The lights were changed accordingly on the dancers, that highlighted their costumes and eyes.
At the first sound of the large drum, the dancers all opened their eyes and focused on the audience. The hands and eyes moved accordingly for the next few drum beats before the story-telling began. Not a lengthy one, but long enough to involve all aspects of the dance style while not boring out anyone.
Right before the climax of the story began the special dance featuring only the eyes. The lights shut down completely, with the dancers performing a Jutsu to enhance the glow of their eyes.
The audience were mesmerized by the dance of red and blue orbs as they rose and fell, formed shapes, told mini-stories of their own.
The audience began capping when the special feature was over, but it soon died as the climax began, the fight between the protagonist and the antagonist enhanced as their abilities involved the best combinations of their eyes and their other limbs.
The antagonist was on par with the protagonist, even close to winning, when the latter used their secret weapon that caused the audience cheering since it highlighted a flashback. The protagonist won in the end. The concluding feature had them all merrily dancing as they threw out flowers gracefully- the red eyed ones threw red flowers of different shades, while the blue eyed one threw a blue lotus -courtesy of the Daimyo's representative.
As soon as the dance was completed, applause erupted from the audience, elating the troupe to no bounds. The announcer gave the required credits, announcing the important names and taking a few comments from the audience, causing laughs and cheers.
The troupe disappeared during the final applause in hibiscuses.
.
The troupe was in their tent, changed out of the costumes and paint, cheering amongst themselves. "Namiko! Be a part of this group once again, will ya?" Akane pointed out the blonde who shrugged, "When I decide that, you'll be the first one to know, Akane-san."
Akane flapped her hand, "Nonsense, I won't be the first, it's Naruto and you know it. And then I have to compete with the Uchiha duo. Damn those two! First they beat our clan in Genjutsu, our specialty! And now, with Namiko-chan's affections! Unfair!"
Someone shouted, "Who got her drunk and when did this happen?" This got giggles as the topic diverted to a drinking party in future.
The troupe went to enjoy the festival- some in groups, some with their close ones. Namiko packed slowly, trying to absorb the fact that her first performance was just over. She went outside and could hear familiar voices even before opening the final flap of the tent.
Shisui was chatting with Hana excitedly over his sister's performance and other topics, annoying his cousin who was quite impatient. The grumpiness wasn't visible outside, but his chakra said it all.
Namiko was overflowing with fondness as she looked at the change in his expression to one of awe and happiness, only for her. She wasted no time in falling into his arms.
"Did you see my dance, Itachi? Mikoto Kaa-san said you'd come. She did say a lot of other things too. I was very nervous, you should have seen me before the performance. Hana-san did! ON second thoughts, maybe you shouldn't. I was very uncool, very out of character. But it went without a hitch! Even the ever-fumbling uncle Yuhi was also perfect. I hope you liked it. I was awed by the concepts behind the dance, remind me to tell you some time. I'm positive you'l find it interesting-"
Itachi's small smile only grew larger as his lover rambled, letting out all her tension out. Thankfully, only few people were nearby and they were busybodies, nobody minded them.
He gave a short open mouth kiss to stop her rambling before she talked herself into another fit. She melted into it. Before she lost herself in public, Itachi drew back, giving her time to collect her bearings.
"It was beautiful, Namiko. You are beautiful. I have so many words to say about it and not enough as well."
"Well, you can find your words later. Let her greet her Anija as well, McGrumpy!" Shisui, the moment breaker for all except himself.
Namiko chuckled as she joined the others. They were going out into the festival when-
"Ah, Namiko! Wait up!" "Akane-san!"
Akane grinned as she turned to Itachi, "You, Uchiha! Prepare yourself to be a part of a next dance. You can refuse now, but I'll be knocking the door of your father's office later."
"Do I even get a choice?" Itachi deadpanned.
"Of course you do! NOT!" Akane was close to cackling at the unimpressed expression.
"What about me? If you're looking for the Sharingan, then even I have one as good as his." Shisui spoke up.
"Not pretty enough, Shunshin no Uchiha. Expect me to visit you after this festival, pretty Uchiha!"
Shisui cried about being proclaimed as not pretty, while Hana consoled him, "You're too pretty for me, dear. Maybe she is looking for the girly types, you cousin fits that description well. You are my masculine hero!"
Itachi, apparently, had heard many a time their conversations where Hana consoled her lover while insulting Itachi. He had given up protesting and later grumbling and is now at the stage where he ignores them but with only a twitch in his eyebrow.
He and his blonde looked on as a pleased Shisui bid them farewell as he took Hana out on a festival date.
Sighing in exasperation at their antics, Itachi smiled at Namiko, who said, "Well, if Akane-Sensei is already looking out for recruits, I wonder who her next out-clan member will be."
"More like a victim." Itachi huffed.
Namiko chuckled, sheepish, "You're not wrong there. Haku would make an excellent dancer, but I'm not sure if his eyes are up to the standards of the Yuhi."
Looking out at the festival, Namiko observed, "Well, let's go as well. The Vashti family knew of my dance so Naruto is given leniency in his escort work till tomorrow afternoon."
Itachi turned to her with dark eyes that nearly made her gulp, "Yeah, let's. And since you have just confirmed me that your schedule for immediate future is free,
Let me show you how impressed you made me with your dance."
Namiko learnt the concept of foreplay between a couple that night.
...
And done! This chapter was fun to write, and I'm extremely happy that more than one points in my checklist for the upcoming plot have been ticked off. Half this chapter was written outside in a nearby garden as I swung in the sole swing (a large metal one) as the Sun set. Nothing romantic, but being stung by mosquitoes.
ST: No one needed to know that.
Yeah but, seriously. I'm excited! The difference of dates between the last update and this one is quite small. And this wasn't a pre-written chapter!
UM: No one needed to know that too.
ST: But it is something commendable to one of your caliber.
...
ST: You thought I'd say something like that?
... No?
ST: You think I'd never say anything like that?
... Yes? No?
ST: There you go. I'll leave that to you.
NN: Good job in confusing the Author once more.
UM: It isn't that difficult.
ST: That's true for you as well.
UM: You wanna say that once again, pale boy?
ST: I'm not a boy.
UM: So you're not denying that you're pale.
ST: Of course not. Is that meant to be an insult? I'm fairer than you.
UM: Infuriating -#$%&*&$@
[Please Standby]
NN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll bring back Author-san to do the honours.
Riight...
While I leave the two wet cats to fighting,
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