Chapter 5: Reconstruction

Hinata stared blankly at the polished wood table she was sitting at. Her elbows rested on said table, and she found herself twiddling her fingers nervously, much like the twelve year old Hinata of long ago. She knew her husband saw her, and she knew that he didn't approve.

"Hina-chan, it's okay… don't be worried. We'll figure things out, I promise."

Naruto's lovely wife looked his way, nodded, and gave him a small smile. He was right… he seemed to always be right about things like this. It had been a very long week for her, however. She was tired, cranky and immensely sad about what had transpired in Konoha just a week prior. Now, she was waiting for some people that would try to help determine what to do with the remnants of her old clan.

"Hinata-sama, the Hokage is right. We will work through this… we're all here to make things right."

Hinata looked at the person sitting across from her at the same table in the large conference room. It was her loyal cousin Neji, one of the few remaining Hyuugas. They were both right of course… she simply could not get past the fact that her once proud clan had been reduced to rubble and ashes in the blink of an eye. She thought back to how it all began…

Hyuuga Osamu was a very little known member of the Hyuuga Branch family. He was not an exceptional ninja. In fact, he had never even gained the ability to use the Byaakugan. He was known by the Main and Branch families alike to be an intelligent man, a book worm of sorts. In fact, he had actually gained the responsibility of tending for the exquisite Hyuuga family library. This library rivaled the central Konaha library in terms of size and information, and everyone knew him to constantly have his nose in one of its books while he was there.

Information was still very sketchy. However, from what ANBU and the Hokage had determined from some survivors, it all started when Osamu came across a book in that library which never should have been there. Though he tended the library, the main branch was very diligent in ensuring that all confidential Hyuuga family texts were not in the main library. They stayed within the clan leader's personal library at all times, under lock and key. It was soon revealed, however, that they missed one extremely important book. This was a book that they did not even know existed, and little did they realize that it would be the end of the Hyuuga clan as Konoha knew it.

One day, when sorting through the older tomes in the library's back storage area, Osamu found this book. After looking through it, he realized the startling nature of this text. It was the inner workings of the branch family's infamous caged bird seal. Osamu was stunned; he discovered quickly that this book explained everything about the seal, details that not even the highest rung of the main family currently knew.

He toiled endlessly in secret, poring over the text to better understand how the intricate seal worked. After some time, he was able to reverse engineer the seal; eventually, he successfully and safely removed the seal from his own forehead. Because of this book and its information, he was a free man.

In the aftermath of what happened, through interrogations and the like, it was pretty obvious that Osamu was not a bitter man. He understood his place in the Hyuuga family, and he accepted the seal as part of his life with little resentment to the main family. In fact, he had always been so well behaved throughout his life that no member of the main family had ever punished him with the seal.

However, he had seen the disgusting use of the seal on many of his closest friends. He knew of people who had died for little reason, simply because a main family member had a bad day and decided to take it out on a branch family member. Because of this, he decided that he had to share the information with his branch family brethren. He wanted everyone to be free.

What happened after that is still unclear. It had been determined that Osamu secretly freed all branch family members from the caged bird seal's clutches. Shortly thereafter, free to confront the main family without fear of the seal's punishment, there was a revolt. In the course of one short night, countless Hyuuga died. In fact, there were all but six remaining main family adult members. The branch family had fared much better; it was clear though that the instigating members of this civil war were to be severely punished per Konaha's laws regarding inter-clan warfare.

All things said, there were roughly fifty Hyuuga still alive, including women and children. Hundreds had died that fateful night, including Hinata's father.

The eldest daughter of Hyuuga Hiashi shook her head bitterly as she thought back to what happened one week prior. During her brief stint as clan head, she sounded the warning constantly, without letup. She warned them that the division between the main and branch families would be the undoing of the clan. She knew she was right at the time; she just didn't know how right and that it would happen as quickly and devastatingly as it did.

Her attention turned to Neji. She thanked the Gods that her dear cousin was away on an extended mission during the aforementioned events. The only thing that made her smile during this dark time was the fact that her cousin now no longer had a caged bird seal marked upon his forehead either. He rushed home from his mission after hearing the news, and Hinata, using the book that was confiscated from Osamu, personally removed the seal from Neji. That cursed seal would forever be no more, and the book was shortly thereafter burned after the last caged bird seal had been removed from the remaining Hyuuga.

Hinata was pulled away from her reverie when three Hyuuga knocked politely and invited themselves in to the Hokage's conference room. There were two branch family members; a lady by the name of Hyuuga Noa, accompanied by her husband Hyuuga Ryouta. The one main family member entering the room was none other than Hyuuga Hanabi. The former clan head was remarkably grateful that her little sister had survived the incident, cantankerous as she could sometimes be. Though her father and she rarely spoke before his death, she cried herself to sleep in Naruto's arms every night over her father since the revolt. Regardless of how he treated her and Naruto, she still loved him and missed him terribly. So, she was very happy to have at least one direct family member still alive after the horrible incident.

It had been determined that these four Hyuuga, along with Uzamaki Naruto and Uzumaki Hinata, would determine the ultimate fate of the Hyuuga clan going forward. There was open debate within Konoha whether it would be best to disband the clan entirely or try to rebuild it. It was Hinata's hope that everyone sitting at the intricate table before her could come up with an amicable solution.

Naruto cleared his throat. "Greetings. Neji, Hanabi, Ryouta and Noa… we've called this meeting with myself and Hina-ch… Uzumaki Hinata to determine what needs to be done in light of these tragic circumstances. Who would like to open with their recommendations?"

Ryouta was the first to speak. "I believe I can speak in behalf of everyone here when I say that I would like to hear the Hokage's opinion on the matter." Naruto looked at him gravely and nodded.

He stood up for a minute and looked at everyone intensely. "You all know that this is very personal for me, so I will try to keep this as professional as possible." Naruto scratched the bottom of his chin for a moment and furrowed his brow, thinking of where to begin; he had to admit that being professional was going to be hard. He decided that he simply had to take at least a couple of jabs at this mess of a clan.

"I'm incredibly, extremely tempted to disband this clan indefnitely. I will say this once… the Hyuuga clan brought this situation on itself." He looked at Hanabi sharply. He knew she was nothing like Hinata and more like Hinata's father. He also knew that she was particularly fond of tormenting the "lesser" branch family members and punishing them with the seal as often as possible.

"Just how long did you think this tangled web your main family weaved was going to hold up, Hyuuga Hanabi?" He pointed at her accusingly. "People can only take so much punishment before they have had enough. Did you honestly believe that the branch family would forever be under the seal's control and that your family could abuse them as they did? Shame on you… it's of absolutely no surprise to me that the branch family members now out-number the main family members five to one. Though I'm absolutely disgusted with what happened, they exacted some long over-due revenge on your family, Hanabi-san."

Hanabi lowered her head. "Hai, Hokage-sama… I have no rebuttal or excuse for what myself and my family did."

Naruto nodded at her. He had to admit that her confession of guilt surprised him a bit. He could tell that she felt a great deal of guilt over what had happened, and that impressed him quite a bit. He looked in the direction of Ryouta and Noa.

"It is my understanding that you two had nothing to do with the revolt on the main house, though you did know that it was going to happen." They both nodded.

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

Naruto looked at them intensely. "I know what it's like to be persecuted… all the branch family members knew that Hinata and I were very sympathetic to the branch family, did they not?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama, they did."

He continued to stare them down, eyes flashing red briefly. "Why did you not approach us with the branch family's plans prior to all this needless bloodshed? I am ashamed right now to be Hokage of a village where its clans are warring amongst themselves!"

His eyes softened a bit as he continued. "We could have used the ability to remove the seal as an advantage. We could have attempted to peacefully unite this clan, and you know that the branch family would have had the Hokage's and Hinata's backing. It saddens me that you let this senseless violence happen in my village. Shame on the branch family as well… shame on all of you." Naruto sat back down and sighed.

Ryouta looked at the young Hokage nervously. "On behalf of the branch family, I also have no rebuttal for the sins we have committed. Though I realize the damage has already been done, I humbly ask for the Hokage's forgiveness… please, let us attempt to rebuild our clan."

Naruto nodded. "You realize that every branch member who instigated this sickening revolt is more than likely going to be sentenced to death, correct?" Everyone nodded in response, and Naruto sighed heavily.

"So… here is the question. Can the remaining main family members, along with the remaining, innocent branch family members put their differences behind them? Is it possible to unite and become one clan again… to put the hate and resentment behind them and start over?" Naruto, positive that he got his point across, became silent, waiting for everyone else's input.

Hanabi shifted uncomfortably in her seat and decided to speak up. "Hokage-sama… I have spoken with the remaining main family members. I speak for all of them when I say that we are truly sorry for what has happened. The only way to make things right is if we unite with the rest of the branch members and form a new Hyuuga clan, if they will have us. None of us could live with ourselves if we cannot recompense our sins to both our clan and Konoha."

Hyuuga Noa spoke for the first time. "The remaining branch family members are in agreement with what Hanabi-sama says. We also want to make things right. Please, Hokage-sama… give us all the chance to rebuild our clan. We will make sure you do not regret it."

Hinata looked at her husband, almost pleadingly. "Naruto-kun… I wasn't sure before, but I think this is the best course of action. They seem sincere… I think we should try to rebuild the Hyuuga clan."

Neji nodded in agreement. "I agree with everyone, Hokage-sama… let us have the opportunity to unite and rebuild our clan… please."

Naruto had to hide a smile. He had never been in a room with this many Hyuugas and seen such sincerity or meekness. It felt like he was surrounded by a room-full of Hinatas, and it made him happy in spite of the dark circumstance surrounding the Hyuuga clan. He nodded approvingly.

"Very well, you all have me convinced… please, do not disappoint me in this matter. I will reserve the right to abolish the Hyuuga clan if I see any manner of bickering or fighting within the clan. Expect regular visits to see how things are going. From here on out, we will no longer speak in terms of "main" or "branch" house. From here on out, you are all Hyuugas and nothing more. Is that clear?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama!"

For the first time since the meeting started, Naruto put on his trademark smile. "Now, who wants to be clan head?"

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It was a beautiful evening, they had both concluded, as they walked hand in hand back to their home that night. The sun had long since set, and the night was winding down in the city of Konoha. It was peaceful, serene, and they both felt like they had truly accomplished something meaningful.

"Naruto-kun?"

"What's up Hina-chan?" Naruto looked at his wife of two years as they continued walking, smiling warmly at her as she glanced up at him. She smiled in return, for the first time in over a week.

"Thank you so much… for everything. You've helped me so much." Naruto stopped and wrapped her up in a warm hug.

"It's the very least I could do, Hina-chan… as your husband and as Hokage. You're very welcome." He kissed her lightly on the lips, released his grasp on her and continued walking.

"Neji will make a great clan head, Naruto-kun. I'm sure Tenten will keep him in line too," Hinata said quietly as she tightened her grip on her husband's hand.

"He will… but my Hina-chan would have been much better." Hinata laughed lightly and looked her husband with a smile.

"You know I can't do that, Naruto-kun. I'm fully devoted to our little Uzumaki clan, and you know it!" Naruto laughed.

"How could I forget? I wonder how little Minato is doing without mom and dad." Hinata nodded in agreement. They hadn't seen their son enough this week, and she was ready to get back to him. They started walking a little more quickly.

They made it home shortly thereafter and let themselves in. Their babysitter, who was dozing softly on the couch, awoke upon their arrival. She got up quickly and bowed to them both.

"Good evening Hokage-sama, Hinata-sama. My apologies… I put Minato to bed around an hour ago, and I must have dozed off myself."

Naruto waved it off. "No problem, Kokoro… we'll take it from here. Thank you so much for watching our son so much this week. You've been a real lifesaver."

The young lady nodded quickly. "It's been my pleasure, Hokage-sama. Let me know if you need anything else."

After letting herself out, Hinata and Naruto made their way to their sleeping son's room and approached his crib. The tiny six month old infant was sleeping peacefully in the dimly lit room. Hinata gently reached into the crib and picked up their pride and joy.

"Hi Minato… did you miss mommy and daddy?" Hinata stroked his head softly and gave their son into Naruto's loving arms. He held his son proudly and affectionately.

"I'm sure you missed us, but you're tough. You can live without mom and dad for at least a little while, right?" He pulled Hinata to him to instigate a tightly woven family hug. Hinata melted into her husband as he affectionately held his wife and his son.

"It will always only be a little while though, I promise," Naruto whispered just loud enough for Hinata to hear him.

"We'll always be here for you. The Uzumaki clan will always be here for you." Hinata tightened her grip on her husband, trying to keep the tears from flowing. How did she manage get such a wonderful person as her husband? She felt truly blessed.

They carefully put their son back to bed and retired for the evening themselves. They talked a bit about the "new" Hyuuga clan and how to proceed from what had transpired earlier that evening. Above all though, they were there for each other. The talk soon stopped as they held each other close and made love.

Before falling asleep, Hinata thought about her life. The good and bad were on her mind, but she knew as she lay in Naruto's arms, at that very moment in time, all was right with the world. Sleep claimed her as she realized that everything would be okay… with her husband, her family, every evening would be a beautiful one.

Fin

Author's Notes: There you go, I finally finished it. Expect an epilogue at a later date. I already know where I want to go with it. Thanks for reading everyone.