Chapter Twenty: The Next Morning – Part 2

Ino sneezed.

"Oh, bless me." She said to herself. Deidara, walking beside her, looked up and laughed.

"Deidara, you should say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze." She said, tapping him on his nose.

He grinned up at her, "Yes, mummy."

She smiled at him and they continued through the streets towards the Yamanaka Flower shop, which had been closed for the last two days.

"What are we doing today?" Deidara asked, looking around the street but not seeing anything familiar.

"We're going to my dad's shop, where we sell lots of flowers that make people's houses all pretty." Ino announced, turning the corner and swinging their joint hands as they walked.

"Flowers?" Deidara asked, his nose wrinkled in distaste.

"Yes. Most people don't realise it, Deidara, but flower arranging in an art form."

"Really?" He asked, wide-eyed at the word 'art'.

"Yep, most definitely." She replied.

"Will you teach me?" He asked as they arrived at the shop.

Ino paused, in the process of unlocking the shop, and looked down at him, happiness making her beam. She scooped him into a tight hug and cried, "Of course, I can teach you."

Slightly unnerved by the sudden attack of physical affection, but still grateful for it, Deidara happily followed her into the shop. His happiness dissipated rather quickly as the smell of decaying flowers hit them like a solid wall.

"Eurgh! That's yucky!" He cried, holding his nose with one hand and waving the other around in front of him. Then he turned and ran back out of the shop.

"Deidara! Come back here!"

"No! It's yucky, mummy. Make it go away!" He whined from the other side of the road.

Ino appeared in the doorway, "But I need your help! Do you think you could help me?"

Deidara nodded, "But not in there!"

"But I need you to open the windows!"

He shook his head.

"Please?" Ino pleaded with him, "For me?"

His resolve was weakening the more she smiled at him, until finally, he screwed up his face into a look of determination, nodded and marched across the road and into the store. Then he darted back out, giggling.

"Cheeky!" Ino grinned at him, "Come here." He crossed the road again, and this time, Ino grabbed him before he could dart away. "Alright, I'll go in with you. Okay?"

He nodded.

"Take a deep breath."

He did.

"Now, go!"

The two blondes raced around the store, opening all of the windows. They were almost finished, when Deidara kicked over a bucket and fell into a display of vases and bouquets.

"Deidara! Are you alright?" Ino rushed over to him, lifting him out of the mess.

"Mummy!" He wailed, tears already running down his cheeks, as he burrowed his head into her neck.

"Where does it hurt?" She asked, seating him on the shop counter and trying to check him over. He was sobbing and rubbing his face, but she couldn't find any injuries.

"Sh, Deidara, it's okay." She crooned as she hugged him, rocking slightly, "You're alright. You aren't hurt."

"I'm sorry!" He cried, wiping at his face as she pulled away to grab a tissue.

"It's alright. I'll clean it up. Everything's fine."

She wiped his face with the tissue. "Are you okay now?"

"Mm-hmm." He wiped his face on his sleeve.

"No, don't do that." I no grabbed another tissue and wiped his nose. "Don't use your sleeve; use a tissue."

"But what if I don't have a tissue?"

"Ask for one."

"But my sleeve's right there!" He protested, holding his arm out and pointing at it.

"And then you'd have snot on it and everyone would see it."

"But my snot's better than theirs." Deidara said proudly, before wilting as Ino gave him 'the Look'.

"Deidara, do not use your sleeve."

"Yes, mummy." He answered meekly.

Kisame woke in an unfamiliar room.

This had happened quite a number of times recently, but when he didn't hear the other boys making noise, he sat up and looked around before tentatively calling their names.

The door opened a crack and there was a low murmur from the other side. Then it opened completely and the pretty lady, who had defended him the day before, entered the room.

"You're awake." She sighed as she sat next to him on the bed. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Kisame replied, a little nervously.

"Are you ready? For breakfast, I mean. Are you hungry?" Hinata was a little nervous herself.

In answer, Kisame attempted to rush from the room in search of the food. Unfortunately, he was still tangled up in his bedding and ended up in a pile on the floor.

"Kisame! Are you alright?" Hinata cried as she knelt next to him.

"I'm alright." He grumbled, trying to climb out of the mess he'd made. "Stupid blankets."

"Let me help." She offered.

"I can do it!" He snapped back.

Hinata recoiled, "Al-alright."

She moved away from him and he paused momentarily, before disentangling himself and leaving the room. She gathered up his bedding and remade the bed.

Kisame was already shovelling down his breakfast when she returned to the kitchen. He slowed down as she entered, swallowing thickly as she took a seat at the table, opposite him.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you." He mumbled.

Hinata looked up at him, a bit surprised, and he looked away, blushing.

"You're forgiven, Kisame." She murmured.

His blush darkened further and he shyly played with his food, instead of eating it.

Just then Hensei entered, "Hinata, my dear, your father has sent his rather obstinate aide to fetch you."

Hinata startled, and began fiddling with her fingers. "Oh."

"I have tired to dissuade him, but he simply won't go away." The old man sighed. "I'm afraid, you may have to go visit your honourable father."

Kisame laughed at Hensei's theatricals but stopped abruptly when he caught sight of Hinata's red face. He muttered another apology and went back to his food. Hensei regarded them both with a wry smile.

Hinata was appalled by his disrespect towards her father, although a tiny part of her agreed with him, but she felt powerless to say anything. It was not her place to reprimand her uncle; he was an elder of the clan. Really, only other elders could say anything to him. But at the same time, she didn't want to face her father again so soon.

"Would… would you…"

Hensei smiled down at her, understanding her position and her unspoken question. "Of course. I will accompany you."

He turned to Kisame, who had perked up enough to watch them both. "Kisame, you will find clean clothes in your room. Off you go."

The group of three set off for the clan leader's office together, despite the aide's chagrin, and Hiashi's annoyance when they were announced.

"Wonderful morning, is it not, Hiashi?" Hensei greeted him.

"Good morning, Elder Hensei." Hiashi responded politely. Hinata, he noticed, kept her head down while the boy seemed to regard him with open hostility. He took all of this in before turning on his uncle once more, "I had wished to talk to my daughter in private."

Despite his cheerful exterior, Hensei's eyes hardened, silently stating that Hiashi wasn't trustworthy, particularly concerning Hinata.

"In your office? No, no nephew. Family do not confer in places of business."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed but he took in a deep breath and released it in order to calm himself.

"Of course, Uncle. I merely wished for her to meet me here." He turned, slightly, to face Hinata. "Accompany me around the gardens."

She followed him out of his office, around the building; stepping onto the path into the gardens next to her father.

They walked in silence for a few minutes as Hiashi led the way towards the family shrine. Hinata was growing more nervous as they walked, having spent little time alone with her father since graduating from the academy, and not much more before that. She startled rather badly when he began talking.

"I am aware of the distance between us." He stated, shortly.

Not knowing what to say to that remark, Hinata remained silent.

"As I am aware that it was at my instigation that it began to grow." He stopped and looked down at her briefly, before beginning to walk again and continuing, "My dismissal of you may have seemed harsh, but my intentions were not."

Hinata stared at the ground, struggling with the emotional pain from her memories, stirred by his words.

Hiashi grimaced as he glanced at her again. Noticing her turmoil, he quickly looked away. "I have continued to monitor your growth from afar, regardless of my lack of involvement."

He paused, collecting his thoughts; for what he was about to say was not something he admitted to often. "I see now that my decision was a mistake."

Hinata looked up at him in shock, and a little bit of hope, but it was dashed away cruelly by his next statement.

"Clearly, you would have benefited from a stricter discipline then you have received from your sensei."

She gasped, staring at him in disbelief and hurt.

"I had thought you were developing quite nicely. The reports were very encouraging. Obviously, they were misleading."

He turned to her, frowning sternly.

"You have disobeyed a direct order from me in this matter, daughter. And in so doing, you have brought shame upon our relationship."

"F-father." Hinata's voice shook and tears threatened to spill down her pale cheeks.

Hiashi looked pained by her appearance and turned away. "If this rebellion is only youthful folly to catch my attention, then I must say how disappointed I am, that you would choose to disillusion a small child for it."

"Th-that was not m-my intention." Hinata stammered weakly.

Anger that had been simmering below the surface, flared, "Then what was your intention? For you have shamed me in front of the Hokage herself, and insulted me in front of our elders!"

Hinata recoiled from his rage, incapable of responding.

"Hiashi!"

Hiashi turned at the shout of his name, ready to rebuke any who would dare address him so informally. He was forced to swallow his rage, for he was faced by not only Hensei and the boy, but two other Hyuga Elders.

"You've said enough, Hiashi."

"No sense will come from the girl in this state."

Hiashi frowned but said nothing. He refused to look at Hinata as she covered her face with her hands.

"There is more here, than childish rebellion." Hensei stated to the other Elders, "And I believe Hiashi's judgement to be clouded, somewhat."

"I agree." One of the Elders nodded.

"Perhaps, it is a matter for the Council of Elders to decide upon." Suggested the other.

"An excellent idea." Hensei agreed, "But I believe we will require the Hokage's input. This issue did arise from her request, in part at least."

Hiashi paled at this news, narrowing his eyes in a glare at Hensei as the two other Elders discussed sending a messenger for Lady Tsunade's opinion. Then they turned back to him and he quickly resumed his normal expression.

"Perhaps you should spend some time in seclusion, Hiashi. Meditate. Clear your mind."

In the face of the three Elder's conviction, Hiashi acquiesced, bowing stiffly before leaving them for the solitude of the family shrine. Hinata watched him go, sadly but with some trepidation. The two Elders also turned to leave.

"Come Hinata. Kisame is easily bored in this estate. You should take him into the village and show him around." Hensei murmured, ushering Kisame towards the distraught girl.

Hinata wiped her face, attempting to stifle her sniffles and even out her breathing, before turning and smiling at them both.

"Of course." She murmured, closing the gap between them and reaching for Kisame's hand. Before they made contact, however, Hensei did something most uncharacteristic for a Hyuga: he hugged her.

"Be proud of yourself, Hinata." He whispered to her as he embraced her stiff form. He squeezed her tightly and released her, wiping a stray tear off her cheek with his thumb. Kisame, who had watched the last exchange between Hinata and her father in childish anger, took his cue from Hensei; wrapping his arms around Hinata's middle, and looking up at her.

Hinata was still a little shocked by the contact with the Elder but she returned Kisame's hug, glad of the comfort he was offering.

"I'll protect you, pretty Lady Hinata." He whispered, causing Hinata to hug him tighter. "You'll see. I'm the strongest, so I'll protect you."

Tsunade was not in a good mood this morning. After all the hassles the night before, she was hoping for a small reprieve. She would have preferred to wake up and find that the whole mess was just a dream. Instead, she'd woken with a hangover.

She was massaging her head when a nurse arrived from the hospital with the news that Daiki was awake and asking for her. Jiraiya appeared out of nowhere to stop her from ordering another round of sedatives for the boy. It was quite rich of him to reprimand her for ignoring her decision and duty of care, she thought. Particularly when he had already left his three charges at Naruto's apartment, despite the fact that Uzumaki was rarely awake and coherent at this time of day.

Jiraiya waved it off, saying that Naruto had volunteered to escort the children around the village today while Jiraiya helped Tsunade with the last of the paperwork.

Tsunade was about to scoff at this point, when Ibiki and Shizune arrived in her office, with Hidan in tow. Right on their heels was a messenger from the Hyuga Elders.

"What do they want now?"

"My Lady, Lord Hiashi and Lady Hinata are in dispute regarding your request and the placement of the boy." The messenger stated dispassionately.

"To what are you referring?" Tsunade asked sternly, having not received Iruka's lists.

The Hyuga shuffled nervously. He had thought the Hokage was aware of the situation. Now, finding her unawares, he was faced with a difficult situation; one that would not go in Hinata's favour.

Tsunade, tired and aggravated, yelled for Iruka, or at the very least, Iruka's paperwork.

Fortunately for him, Iruka was on his way to see her, and came bustling into the office with a sheaf of paper in hand. When he saw the Hyuga waiting, he immediately pulled out a folder and handed it to the Hokage.

She read through it quickly. "I see."

Jiraiya plucked the papers from her hand and perused them himself.

"Iruka, explain this to me."

"Well, Hinata was quite insistent, my Lady. I told her she would need your approval and permission from her father."

"And she still wanted to take the boy?" Jiraiya asked, checking the papers, "She wanted Kisame?"

Iruka nodded.

"I take it; Lord Hiashi was less than positive about the arrangement." Tsunade stated, looking at the Hyuga messenger for his affirmation.

"Where are they now?" Asked Jiraiya, still lounging behind Tsunade and holding open Kisame's folder.

"Elder Hensei sent them out of the estate. Lord Hiashi is in seclusion until the Council convenes."

"Hensei." Jiraiya laughed, looking over at Ibiki to share his amusement, "He has a good sense of humour."

"Indeed." Tsunade replied, humouring him briefly, before turning back to the problem at hand. "So, the Elders are stepping in?"

"Yes, my Lady."

"When will they convene?"

"The meeting is scheduled for three o'clock this afternoon. The child's involvement hastens the need for a resolution. Your input is requested."

"Of course it is." Tsunade smiled wryly. "It would have helped if Lord Hiashi had been willing to hear the proposal himself, you know. Instead of sending Hinata in his place."

The Hyuga frowned, unaware of this information and sure he should inform the Elders. Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly. Her gaze switched to Iruka, who was telling Hidan off for humming loudly.

"Iruka?"

"Yes, my Lady?"

"Prepare a brief of the situation to be presented to the Hyuga Elders. And clear your schedule for this afternoon. I'm appointing you as my representative."

Iruka paled slightly but nodded, leaving the room to start working on it. He mentally reminded himself to inform the teachers that he would be absent from the Academy yet again.

The Hyuga bowed and left, returning to the estate to report to the Elders.

With that problem being handled, Tsunade turned to Ibiki and Shizune.

Acknowledging her attention, Ibiki stepped forward and handed over his own folder. Tsunade accepted it, grumbling over the seemingly never end of paperwork, and began leafing through it, with Jiraiya reading over her shoulder. They reached the same point simultaneously and turned their gazes to Hidan, who was currently fighting Shizune's grip on his wrist.

"Hidan?"

"I didn't do it!" He shrieked, though given another five seconds, he most certainly would have, whatever "it" might have been.

"How is Kakuzu broken?" Tsunade asked, ignoring Jiraiya's chuckles at the boy's reaction.

Hidan looked confused.

"He's really old?" He offered uncertainly. Tsunade raised an eyebrow, while Jiraiya turned away to hide his sniggers. Even Ibiki smirked.

Hidan didn't like being laughed at; his face went red and he decided to get his own back.

"You're older than him! Where are you broken?" He yelled, pointing accusatorily at Jiraiya, whose laughter immediately cut off.

The question had Tsunade laughing though, and Ibiki was forced to look away and think of something horrible to halt his own mirth. Shizune smiled to see Tsunade laughing, while Jiraiya was sulking.

"Clearly, we won't be getting a clear answer from him." Tsunade said, wiping away a tear as she found her voice. "Is Kakuzu ready to co-operate?"

"He is willing to consider the idea." Ibiki said cautiously. Tsunade waved him on. "He believes we owe him at the moment."

"You can inform him that no amount of good deeds will reverse the fact that he brought them here." Tsunade said in all seriousness.

"Now, Hime. That isn't the way to approach this."

Tsunade sighed, "I suppose not. What does he want?"

"He wants to leave." Ibiki replied, "His words."

"Of course he does." Jiraiya snorted.

"He also wants to talk to you."

"Everyone wants to talk to me. Tell him to take a number."

Assorted smirks and grins were exchanged while Tsunade continued grumbling.

"This isn't going to go away any time soon, is it?" She asked the room.

The others looked at each other, then Ibiki cleared his throat.

"A suggestion, my Lady?"

Tsunade waved him on once more.

"The children have been assimilated, to some extent." Ibiki glanced down at Hidan. "Perhaps, it is a universal solution."

Everyone turned to look at him in shock. Tsunade's eyes narrowed while Jiraiya looked thoughtful.

"That would be quite the offer." He said.

"If he went for it." Tsunade scoffed, "But what would it cost us?"

"Everyone has a price." Jiraiya stated calmly.

"But how high would it be? Could we even trust him?"

"The best way to find out would be to ask him."

Just then, there was a knock at the door and a worried face looked in. Recognizing the nurse from the hospital, Tsunade nodded slightly.

"This will have to wait. Ibiki, prepare a proposal for Kakuzu. I'll keep it in mind during our discussion. We'll talk to him tomorrow."

She stood up and turned to Jiraiya. "Since you're "helping" me with my paperwork, you can help Iruka solve this Hyuga problem."

Before he could protest, she turned to Shizune. "You can keep the boy."

"But… what about the missions?" Shizune spluttered.

"Find someone to handle things. I have business at the hospital."

Naruto was snoring.

He lay on his stomach, hugging his pillow; a string of drool hanging from his mouth as he snored loudly.

Nagato stood by the door, quietly and disdainfully surveying Naruto's home. Konan had made her way, delicately, to an empty patch of floor near a wall, and was sitting silently. Occasionally, she would glance over at the bed before looking away, blushing in embarrassment.

Yahiko was kneeling by the bed and trying to shove chopsticks up Naruto's nose without waking him.

"Yahiko, stop it!"

Yahiko looked over at Konan's red face and smirked. He turned back to Naruto, who had rolled over.

"Aw, he moved. Good going, Konan!"

Konan bit her lip and looked away.

"Just wake him up. This is boring." Nagato stated, "And it smells."

Yahiko shot him a glare, "Don't tell me what to do!"

Nagato stared at the floor sullenly.

"Captain! CAPTAIN!" Yahiko yelled in Naruto's ear.

"What? I'm up!"

Naruto sat up instantly, looking around in confusion. He had sat up so fast it knocked Yahiko over. He lay sprawled on the floor, laughing at the look on Naruto's face.

"What are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked, rubbing his nose, which sent Yahiko into another round of laughter.

"Jiraiya-sensei brought us here." Konan said quietly.

"What time is it?"

"After ten." Nagato spoke from the entrance, "Can we leave now?"

"Sensei told us to stay with Senpai!" Konan shrilled.

"Heh. It's alright, Konan. Just wait while I get dressed." Naruto stumbled out of bed and across to his clothes. Making his way precariously through the room, he disappeared into his bathroom.

As soon as the door closed, Yahiko jumped up, crossing the obstacle course that was Naruto's apartment, to stand over Nagato.

"Stop it." He demanded.

Nagato lowered his head further, his fringe hiding his expression.

"Did you hear me, Nagato?" Yahiko growled, pushing the other boy into the wall. "I'm the leader."

"No, you're not." Nagato said quietly.

Yahiko took a step back, anger warring with shock on his face. Nagato looked up at him, one Rinnegan eye visible through his hair.

"I am the leader." Yahiko repeated heatedly.

"No, you're not." Nagato replied calmly.

Yahiko's face screwed up and he clenched his fists. Konan pushed off the wall, as he raised his arm to strike Nagato. Nagato flinched, expecting the blow. But nothing happened.

"Yahiko, don't fight with your team mates." Naruto's voice was calm and serious and Yahiko turned to look up at him, his mouth working with unvoiced protests. "Now, I'm going to let go of your arm and I don't want to see it raised again."

Naruto released Yahiko's wrist and knelt between the two boys.

"Being on a team is like being in a family." He said, glancing between them, "And it's important for family to stick together. Brothers shouldn't fight each other."

He put a hand on each of their shoulders and leaned in to whisper the next part. "And you have to look out for Konan."

"Why?" Yahiko asked. Nagato glanced over at the girl before looking away quickly.

"Because she's like your sister." Naruto whispered. "And she needs your protection."

Nagato blushed, dropping his head, in the hopes that no one would notice. Yahiko grinned.

"Don't you worry, Captain. I'll take care of her. Because," and he turned to Nagato here, "I'm the leader!"

He glared at the other boy, waiting for him to disagree. Nagato opened his mouth, then closed it and shook his head.

Naruto, who was completely blissfully ignorant of the cause of their disagreement, smiled at them both and stood up.

"Alright, let's go."

Within no time, the group of four was down on the street. Naruto was leading with Yahiko copying his stride beside him. Konan had shyly taken her Senpai's hand while Nagato followed along behind them with a growing abundance of disinterest.

"Where are we going, Captain?"

Naruto's stomach rumbled and he grinned. "It's breakfast time. To Ichiraku's!"

The trio marched towards the ramen stand with Nagato still trailing; now grumbling that it was nearer to lunch time and Naruto's brain was obviously defective due to over exposure to the noodle dish.

Almost one hour later, after Naruto had demolished a phenomenal number of bowls, his exit from the stand was interrupted by a blur of blue hair and sharp teeth.

Author's Note: This will be the last update for awhile. Assignment due dates approach rather quickly when you don't do any work. Rest assured, there will be more, and hopefully before Christmas, but I can't make any promises.

Also, in answer to an anonymous reviewer, I am aware that one of the Paths of Pein was female, however, that was only after Jiraiya sent the male Animal Path to Konoha for examination. Jiraiya died not long afterwards. Since this story deviates from canon before that occurred, meaning Jiraiya is still alive, all of the paths are male.