156 79: Revenge Arc: Sins of the Past, Haunting the Present: Part I

Hinata smoothed out the kimono that she wore as she critiqued her appearance one final time. The kimono was of a light violet color similar to the jacket that she had used to wear. The kimono, although of great quality, was so more for the talent of the tailor, rather than a result of the material she had selected as it was actually rather inexpensive. It was a deliberate choice that she had made since she felt it fit her new role as the Branch Family's representative. A role that had forced her to retire from active duty, although she was still a reservist.

In truth, she found that outside of the interactions with her old team, which admittedly had been happening less and less as they transitioned into new phases of their careers, she didn't really mind becoming a civilian. Particularly since she had found a calling in helping elevate the Branch Family's standing within the Clan. In many regards, she was almost grateful that her father had forced her hand as moving in with the Branch Family had been a rather eye opening experience for her. It highlighted how a person could say that they wanted to change something without having a true understanding of what it was they needed to.

She, for example, had learned that although it was easy enough to point to the Caged Bird curse mark as an example of inequality within the Hyuuga. It was an issue that extended much further. Her new accommodations for instance, could easily have fit into the walk in closet of her sister's room, and although her old room had been on the small side for Main Family members. It had easily dwarfed even the Branch Family Elder's room, who had offered his up to her, but she had turned him down. A move she knew which had won her over even more support from members of the Branch Family, and contempt from members of the Main House. She knew many of her sister's supporters had described her apparent humility as a means to grow her support among the Branch Family, which was also somewhat infuriating to her. Especially as she simply had not wanted to burden the kind old man any further than she knew her presence already had. Furthermore, it had caught her attention recently that members of the Branch Family were having their wages from missions taxed at an unreasonable percent.

The Clan Tax wasn't exactly a Hyuuga only creation since all the major clans had one. It was supposed to cover the costs incurred for the clan as a whole. At Five percent, the Hyuuga Main Family's had been one of the highest she believed. But, she had learned that the Branch Family's was taxed at an exuberant Fifteen percent. To make matters even more unbearable to her, there was talk among the Main House that they would raise it to twenty percent while increasing their own contributions to seven. She hadn't delved into the matter too deeply yet, but she wouldn't be surprised if the lion's share of the money was being used to maintain the comfy lifestyle of the Main Family during their recent finical hardships. It angered her that rather than scaling back their costs, the Main Family was instead trying to further burden the members of the Branch. She could almost hear how some of them would refute her claims to such by pointing out how they were giving more as well.

She took a cleansing breath since she would fight that battle when it came about. Instead, she turned her thoughts towards considering how best to raise the Branch Family's standing. She was aware that the biggest hurdle facing the Branch Family in that regard was the system was rigged against them. To that end, she resolved that she would simply go around the system to accumulate power for the Family outside the clan, which she figured could in turn, be used to force changes within it. Particularly if the Main Clan's powerbase began to crumble outside of its compound while the Branch Family rose to prominence.

She already had made plans for how to do just that, and it would also allow her to help the Great Tree Shipping Company. Naturally, she had to keep them to herself and had, outside of the Branch Family Elder, who was still somewhat skeptical of it. But, he had pledged to discreetly gather the money that she would need to implement it. She smiled as she felt events were conspiring in her favor since her plan was to purchase the Ports within the Land of Rice paddies similar to how the Main Family controlled those along the Land of Fire's Eastern Coast. With the previous Daimyo's death, the young woman that had assumed control had asked for investors to do exactly that. Naturally, Karin had been more than interested, but currently the company didn't have the cash on hand to be a serious player in the bidding process. Especially as many companies had expressed their interests in purchasing them as well. But, with the current tension between Kumo and Konoha over Yugito's defection, many of those companies had dropped out. This was because if war did break out between the villages, then those ports would likely be the first thing seized by one side or the other. Not exactly something which a company was willing to risk after investing a load of capital into refurbishing them.

Hinata was a little more willing to, particularly since she knew there were people on both sides working to make sure it didn't come to that. Plus, she felt the Branch Family truly was in a no win situation and needed a means of providing for itself without relying on the Main Family. In many regards it was the ultimate high risk, high reward type of investment.

Furthermore, she also knew that if she was able to raise the Branch Family's wealth and power while the Main Family's continued to decline. It would eventually make some of the Main Family come around to support her, expecting her to do the same for them. Naturally she would, but she intended for it to be because there would only be one clan's well-being to consider, the Hyuuga.

But, that did leave one other major difficulty that she would need to overcome, particularly since even if she became the Clan Head, she didn't doubt the Elders of the Clan would oppose all her attempts to stop the Caged Bird Seal from being applied. She smiled as she turned from the mirror pleased with her appearance, but paused to give the bun, that she now kept her hair up in using lacquered needles to hold it in place, a glance. Finding that her hair also met her approval, she found the smile she wore showed that she was also amused because she had no problem with going outside the system in order to fix the issue of the Caged Bird Seal as well.

Stepping from her room, she stopped as she found Neji sitting cross-legged against the wall opposite her bed chamber. She frowned as she said, "I was just coming to get you, cousin."

Neji gave her a small upturn of his lip as he replied, "Then the Lady Hinata should have summoned me. It doesn't present a proper image if she performs the tasks a lower ranked member of the clan easily could."

Hinata's frown deepened as she said, "It presents the exact image that I would like to be conveyed. I'm more than capable of finding my Cousin in order to keep to a meeting that I arranged."

Neji didn't smile, although she could sense his amusement with his simply countering, "Then I'm more than capable of anticipating her desire to find me, and beat her to the punch. Now, instead of arguing over a matter that has already been resolved. What is it that you wish to discuss with me?"

"This isn't the proper venue for that discussion," Hinata said since although she was more at ease among the Branch Family, couldn't discount the possibilities some of them were fine with their current status and would oppose some of her changes as readily as the Main Family. At times, she feared that perhaps Neji was one of them, as his behavior in elevating her station above his seemed to indicate. Stating that she wished to take a stroll, she asked, "Will you come with me?"

"Of course," Neji replied in a manner that almost seemed to indicate it was silly of her to ask.

She sighed, but began heading towards Kiyomi's mansion with Neji following behind. She began to slow down so that they could walk side by side, and she noticed her cousin would moderate his pace so as to remain slightly behind, till finally she said, "Neji, please stop. I do not want you to act as a servant, or a clan member of lower standing. Can we not simply be two cousins enjoying an afternoon stroll?"

Neji seemed unsure of how to respond, and for a moment she felt like a woman that had thrown open the cage of a bird and had expected it to fly out into the great blue yonder. Only to be disappointed to find it remained happily singing on its perch. It made Hinata realize just how truly sinister the Branch Family system was. She had believed that Neji and her relationship had grown after his defeat by Naruto during the Chunin Exams. But, she now feared that it hadn't so much as the bitterness he had felt at his station in life had evaporated, and that while he didn't despise her. He didn't exactly see himself as her family, so much as a servant with familial ties. It made her wonder if he even valued his hopes and dreams or if he would emulate his father to toss them aside in service of the Main Family, which while it had been a duty he performed gladly as a brother. Had still been a duty created as a result of his station in life, and if the clan had valued Neji Father's life as much as hers, wouldn't have let the clan write him off as expendable.

She felt that she had helped in creating such a mentality since she had never really advocated for him to act as an equal in the past. Instead, letting the civility that now existed between them after the Chunin Exam lull her into the belief that things were better. But now she understood that so long as the Curse Mark still marred his forehead then nothing had truly been achieved, and someday he'd likely toss himself into a projectile meant for her because he felt it was his duty to do so. He might dress it up as being his choice, but so long as he believed his station was below hers. She couldn't truly say it would have been.

Her cousin seemed torn as to how to respond to her inquiry, so Hinata decided to act and simply wrapped her arms around one of his as she began walking again. She could tell her cousin was uncomfortable by her boldness, and although it could be attributed to his walking side by side with her.

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Actually, it was mostly due to the feeling of Hinata's breasts pressed against his arm. Neji tried to ignore the feeling of his arm trying to be swallowed by them. A difficult task made somewhat easier by them belonging to his cousin. But, Neji couldn't deny Hinata's beauty which was why he had to force his mind to focus on some of the horrors that he had seen as a member of Team Gai to prevent certain natural reactions from occurring. Truth be told though, he figured his reaction would be similar regardless of the woman, particularly since while he had made a monk like vow not to get involved with any. He lacked the monk's training and willpower in that regard. Although granted there were quite a few tales of lecherous monks, a category Neji felt he would fall in since he was often the recipient of many love confessions. All of which he had turned down.

He had been rather tempted by Tenten's, but ultimately had rejected her as well because he wasn't entirely at ease with how any future relationship of his would progress. He felt that while he may have come to terms with his station in life. He still was not all that at ease with the system in general. After all, he knew he could be tasked with surrendering his life at a moment's notice for a member of the Main Family, and while he would like for it to be a person like Hinata. He had to admit considering his reaction to her desire to grow closer, that perhaps he didn't know her as well as he thought. After all, he had been caught as by surprise as everyone else when she had angrily rebuked her father's heavy handed attempt to remove her as an obstacle to Hanabi assuming the Clan Head position.

But, the idea that his life wasn't his own ultimately made him hesitant to commit to a relationship. He couldn't in good consciousness take a marriage vow to protect and cherish a spouse, knowing he would perhaps someday need to break it for a person he might not even particularly like. Furthermore, there was a farming system at play which also meant children that resulted from such a union would have their fates decided by the robed fossils otherwise known as the Hyuuga Elders. This farming system was to prevent the Hyuuga Bloodline from becoming inbreed to the point that genetic deformities began to appear. The Branch Family served a vital role in this, since they could marry outside the clan and were even encouraged to do so. There were cases where the Main Family could, but it was usually to a person with political power, and only to a person outside of the line of succession. Although, these marriages for both houses had to be sanctioned, as a one-night stand with a non-clan member that resulted in a child could be considered treason against the clan and would result in the child being seized.

But despite the harsh penalty for non-approved of relationships, the approved marriages were to naturally bring in new blood to prevent creating genetic deformations which would have resulted otherwise. These outside the clan spouses were equated a rank similar to whichever one they married into. But, in the case that they married into the Branch Family this did not equate to receiving the Caged Bird Seal. This could not be said to be the case for their children however, and more than one spouse had attempted to escape when they realized the fate which was laid out for their child. Which was why they were branded with a tracking seal, which made escaping the clan all but impossible. There were rumors that the Caged Bird seal also had one, but since only the Hyuuga Elders knew how to apply it, they were also the only ones that knew its secrets.

But, bringing in new blood was only the first part of what was truly a convoluted system. For example, if Hiashi had tried to pair Hinata with him, likely because she would be less inclined to revolt so as not to hurt his feelings. Then it would have been a match that benefited their children while also removing Hinata from the line of succession. This was because the children would have been born to the Main House, but because of his status as a Branch Family member, which he would have kept, she would have lost her right to be Clan Head. The children though would not receive the Curse Mark, but would be one of the lowest Main Branch Houses similar to Natsu Hyuuga, who had served as Hanabi's nanny for many years, before being promoted to the head of the servant staff for the Main Family's.

Neji wouldn't deny he would have considered this a win for him, since despite her being his cousin it was hard to deny her beauty. Plus, he would be more at ease knowing it likely his children would be further elevated should they inherent talents that made them attractive to higher placed Main Branch Families to marry into. Not to mention the familial connection to the current Clan Head. In many ways though, the thought of how procreation was handled within the clan filled Neji with much of his old anger since it reminded him that due to a quirk of fate, his father had been cast from a lofty position to the lowest rung of the Hyuuga social ladder.

He looked at Hinata as she beamed brightly while holding his arm, and felt a hint of disappointment that he couldn't call her his. But, he suspected that had been decided long before Hiashi had tried to marry her off to another. His attention though shifted as he realized that they were approaching the Mansion of the woman that owned the Great Tree Shipping Company. Which also was the meeting place of the Women's Bathing Association, a peeker's heaven as rumors had it when considering some of the known members. But, also was the home of tales of indescribable horrors for those who had tried, and were caught which to his knowledge had been everyone.

As they approached the gate he asked, "Should I wait here while you attend to matters inside?"

Hinata shook her head before answering, "It would be a rather difficult to converse with you if you did."

Neji seemed confused as he replied, "I wasn't aware the Women's Bathing Association was allowing mixed bathing. It seems all those security precautions that I've heard of would be for naught. Or, perhaps to insure such encounters were kept secret."

His face turned several shades of red as Hinata said, "Are you suggesting that I'm inviting you here for an illicit affair? Does my cousin harbor some secret desires for me?"

"N…no of course not," Neji quickly replied although considering some of the thoughts that had occurred to him, couldn't claim her question was exactly baseless either.

Hinata giggled at first, before bursting into outright laughter, a sound that shocked him, and would probably be something he delighted in. If it wasn't currently at his expense. Trying to recover some of his dignity he said, "My conclusion was a logical one, considering the great lengths that I've heard have been taken to prevent people from learning about what happens on these grounds."

His cousin sobered a little at his response, but her tone was still teasing as she replied, "True, but I'm beginning to question what kind of social circles that you have been running with. You seem awfully focused on the issues that would affect perverted peekers and the like. You do know the woman that lives here runs a business so men are allowed on the property, provided they have a legitimate reason to be there. Keep your feet on the path and your gaze on the mansion cousin, and no harm should befall you."

"I'm not a pervert," Neji said with a note of finality.

Hinata smiled at him before replying, "Then maybe you just haven't found the right girl yet. I think if you had, you'd find there is nothing wrong with being a little perverted from time to time."

He gave her a shocked look which made her giggle again as the gate to the property began to open. Neji registered a slight tingle as he stepped beyond it, which made him guess there was a detection barrier surrounding the area, something he doubted most would pick up on, unless actively looking for it. He was tempted to use his Byakugan, but wouldn't doubt there were safeguards in place against its use, and would admit to being rather afraid of what form they might be.

Reaching the mansion, he was rather surprised when Hinata simply entered without first ringing a doorbell to announce their presence. He followed behind her as she guided them to the third floor making it apparent that she was intimately familiar with the building's layout. Reaching a room, she smiled back at him before entering.

Neji wasn't quite sure what to expect as he followed her inside. Considering her playful nature for the journey, he wouldn't have been surprised if it was some sort of room dedicated to orgies. Therefore, it was somewhat anti-climactic as he stepped in after her only to find Naruto sitting with the red-headed owner of the Great Tree Shipping Company.

He did notice that as the blond man stood to greet them that he appeared nervous. But, before Neji could even really ponder as to why, Hinata flew across the room and pressed herself into Naruto before she sealed her lips to his. The kiss that she gave him screamed of her wanton desire and passion, and ended with her tugging out his bottom lip seductively like a silent statement that if her cousin wasn't present her greeting wouldn't have ended there. She then spun to face away from him, and wrapped his arms around her midsection like a restraining device. She then smiled at her cousin and said happily, "That should cut out the need to explain where things stand between Naruto and me."

Neji could see that it also served the purpose of erasing the nervousness that Naruto had been feeling. "Indeed," the elder of the two Hyuuga said, but while feeling a presence come up behind him added the caveat, "although it doesn't exactly do much to help me understand why Ayame would allow it."

Before he received a reply, he was shocked as the presence behind him revealed herself to be Tenten as she said, "Awww, you already kissed Naruto in front of him. I wanted to see how he reacted."

"Tenten," Neji said shocked as she slipped past him. Although he had heard that she was also a member of the Bathing Association that met on the property. Finding out that she was apparently also seeing Naruto, as her presence would seem to suggest, did come as a shock. She didn't respond as she ignored him in favor of approaching the embracing couple. He then received the shock of his life as instead of kissing Naruto as he anticipated, she instead pulled Hinata into a wet and passionate kiss. A kiss his cousin returned with the same hunger as the one she had given to Naruto.

Tenten then turned to give him a sultry look, but then burst out laughing at what he was sure was an open eyed and mouth stare gracing his face. He was pulled from his stunned silence by Naruto saying, "You two are something else." Focusing on Neji, he asked, "Would you care to take a seat?"

Neji could only nod his head so moved to the closest bit of furniture which was a rather high backed chair near the love seat that Naruto had been sitting on when Hinata and he had entered, and which sat opposite an identical chair in which the red-headed woman was sitting. Naruto returned to the love seat sitting in the middle, but both Tenten and Hinata rather than sitting next to him each sat on one of his knees.

Naruto shook his head at their antics, but was also somewhat enjoying the fish out water look on the normally unflappable Hyuuga's face. Finding it hard not to feel like a big shot with a beautiful woman wrapped in each arm he asked, "Where would you like me to begin?"

Neji suddenly found his head filled with dozens of questions. But, as he recovered his mental balance, was able to puzzle out a good deal of them. He quickly began to realize that the entire Women's Bathing Association which he had jokingly teased Hinata about providing her a means of cover for sexual promiscuity was likely meant to hide Naruto's relationships to its members. Not to mention, it pointed to the fact that he was also likely tied to the women that lived under the same roof as him since all of them also appeared to be members. Neji upon realizing that, also realized that not just women of Konoha visited the mansion as members of that group so also began to see that it was likely that he was attached to women in other villages as well.

With all this becoming apparent to him, it left him with only one pressing questions since he figured he could be filled in on the rest later. "Why now?"

"Excuse me?" Naruto asked confused.

Neji having recovered his calm stated analytically, "I've suspected that Lady Hinata…"

"Please just call me Hinata," his cousin interrupted him.

Neji held firm though causing her to scowl at him while he said, "Lady Hinata wasn't nearly as broken up over your announcing that you were seeing Ayame as I would have expected. This and the string of dates you went on at the time led me to believe something more was going on between you and those women." His gaze focused on Tenten as he added, "Although, obviously I failed to guess how much more and how many attachments you had formed." Focusing back on the blond acting as a bench for the two women he concluded, "Still, it appears that you have attempted to hide these relationships away from the world. Thus, my only real question is why let me in on the secret now?"

Naruto had given the matter a great deal of thought himself before he had even suggested it to his lovers. After all, he knew the easiest way for a secret to get out was to share it with too many people. So although he didn't believe Neji was the proverbial one too many, as he had already suspected something existed between his cousin and him. He had felt it important to run it past his lovers first, and ultimately they had agreed especially for the reason he gave. Sharing it with Neji, he said, "You are right in saying that we've tried to keep our Family a secret." He smiled as the male Hyuuga reacted to the term, before continuing, "But, from time to time, we've had to let other people in on its existence. The reason that we've decided to tell you now is because your uncle is kind of forcing our hand."

"I see," Neji said after a moment of silence, "You're seeking to install Hinata as the Clan Head."

Naruto shook his head, before replying, "That isn't entirely the case. Yes, Hinata becoming head of the Hyuuga would help us. But, it is hardly necessary at this stage in our plans. Plans that we have been enacting for years to bring the Shinobi Villages closer together."

Neji couldn't help sounding amused as he replied, "Plans that apparently require you to form relationships with a multitude of women along the way."

Tenten let a slight purr enter her voice as she said, "No, that and everything that comes with it is simply the bonus."

Naruto blushed as Tenten petted along his whiskered cheek before kissing it. Focusing back on Neji, he said, "There are a lot of details that we're leaving out, and can be provided to you later. But for now, let me just focus on why I wanted to tell you the truth about us." The Jounin nodded so he explained, "Although Hinata doesn't need to become the Head of the Hyuuga, she has decided that she wants to. Her reason, besides helping our goals, is to release the Branch Family from the Caged Bird Seal."

Neji's gaze shifted to her, and she added, "I want our clan to be whole again. It's a system that needs to be abolished. If the elders truly wanted to protect the Byakugan, they wouldn't let Main House members like me become Shinobi."

Neji nodded since it was an obvious shortcoming of the reasoning used for forcing the seal on the Branch Family. Naruto recaptured his focus by stating, "Still, I doubt the Elders are all the pleased with her challenging their preferred candidate. So, since she does represent a change they do not want to see in power. I believe they will stop at nothing to prevent her from succeeding. Even to the point of harming her if necessary."

Focusing on his cousin he asked, "Surely, you don't believe your father would…?"

Hinata looked down, and he saw signs of the woman whose worth had been questioned numerous times by the man who should have been supporting her. He noticed Naruto give her hip a subtle squeeze and she was once again the strong woman now challenging that man for his seat as she replied, "It doesn't matter. I'm sure even if he doesn't wish it, if the elders believe it for the best they would go around him."

Neji nodded in agreement as basically that had been the case with his father. He frowned though as he said addressing all those present, "Still, the Branch Family would protect her. Surely, you believe that Lady Hinata. That still doesn't explain why you feel the need to tell me your secret now?"

"But it does," Tenten said quickly. "The seal the Main Family has branded you with ensures you can't be effective protectors of her."

"True," Naruto chimed in, "Although, Hinata can take care of herself. I want at least one person by her side that I know I can count on in a pinch. So long as you have the Caged Bird Seal. I can't be sure you would be capable of protecting her if I couldn't should they came after her. That is why she is here."

Neji directed his gaze to the red head that had silently been observing the meeting since the beginning. The male Hyuuga arched an eyebrow as he asked, "How is the head of a shipping company going to help me protect Hinata from those who would use the seal against me?"

The woman smiled softly, but Hinata answered as she replied, "Surely you realize by now cousin that not everything here is as it or they appear."

Naruto nodded his head in the thus far silent woman's direction and said, "Allow me to introduce you to Mito Uzumaki." He wasn't surprised when Neji reacted to the name, so corrected himself slightly, "Or, more accurately The Mito Uzumaki."

Although, he had found the world that he had been introduced to bizarre enough already. Being told that he was sitting opposite a long dead woman was a tad too much for him, particularly since her presence at the mansion would also seem to suggest a relationship with Naruto. But, before Neji lost his cool and began wondering if he had lost his grip on reality, Mito said, "Don't worry, I'm not suddenly going to make out with your cousin. Well, at least not with you present."

Neji stared at her for a moment, before suddenly laughing aloud. It was a sound that filled Hinata's heart with joy since she had never actually heard it before, something which made her all the more determined to become Clan Head and abolish the current system. Neji calmed quickly and seemed somewhat embarrassed by his outburst, but had to admit it had felt somewhat freeing. After a moment he said, "Considering the woman you are pretending to be awoke from her coma before Kabuto apparently resurrected the Lady Uzumaki. I think it is safe to assume that her pretending to be or taking turns being that woman in public means your revealing her to me here is just the tip of the iceberg. So, perhaps it would be best to focus on how you expect the Lady Uzumaki can remove the Caged Bird Seal."

Naruto nodded although jokingly said, "We really should come up with some sort of manual to explain everything."

This caused Tenten to let out a few giggles before chiming in, "We could have Naruko write it and then you could just hand it out to new women you seduce."

Laughingly Hinata suggested, "We could call it, "Welcome to the Family: Your Guide to the World's Best Harem."

Neji was rather surprised by their joking, but more so by how at ease the women seemed to be with the notion that Naruto was likely going to take more lovers. Mito although amused by the three, instead wondered, "Considering officially I was recognized as little more than the First Hokage's wife. I'm surprised at how quickly you accept the idea that I'm capable of removing the seal."

The Jounin gave a slight upturn of his lips indicating his own amusement before replying, "You find that stranger then my accepting that my cousin is participating in a sexual relationship which to all appearances involves not just my teammate, but most likely you as well."

Mito sat back in her chair and replied, "Let's just say, considering how my accomplishments have been all but forgotten, it is a rather strange concept for me."

Neji nodded in Tenten's direction before replying, "Well fortunately for me then, I had a teammate that gave a rather passionate report on the Real Mito Uzumaki that history forgot."

Tenten smiled at Neji remembering the report she had given which had earned her an F despite her believing Mito's history had been erased. She quickly blushed though as Mito said, "I'll might have to reconsider my stance on making out with one of those close to you in your presence."

Naruto though quickly said, "Let's focus on the matter at hand, rather than trying to shock Neji any further."

Tenten pouted while stating, "Party pooper."

Mito smiled but said, "Right. Well then I'll just have to give you a rain check for later than Tenten." Standing the Uzumaki said, "Although I always found this seal barbaric. The intellectual side of me does feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of analyzing it. I once asked your elders for the chance, but they refused. Yet, truthfully considering my role in creating the jinchuriki, in my own way I'm no less guilty then them."

"You would equate the suffering of the Branch Family to sealing away destructive monsters such as the Bijuu," Neji quickly realized he had stepped on a hot button topic as he noticed Naruto's face quickly morphed into one of anger.

His cousin and teammate also looked uncomfortable, Naruto looked like he was about to speak but then a new voice cut in stating, "I would have thought to hear more understanding from one who also knows about the hardship of being forced into bondage through a seal. But, it seems that understanding would only serves to elevate his suffering above others."

Neji looked towards the door to see a pair of women had entered the room. The one who had spoken surprised him due to her resemblance to Mito especially as she also sported a fine kimono, although her eyes were green and slitted like a foxes. She also had nine long braids which started from the back of her head like tails.

The other woman was wearing all white, and had dark skin with blonde hair. She was wearing a mempo which was hiding her lower face, but countered the other woman's argument by stating, "To be fair Kiyomi, we aren't exactly blameless in regards to how we were considered. You for example, were considered an ill omen for a reason."

The red headed women carrying the actual name of the owner of the company that Neji had assumed Mito to be, looked away in shame. His attention was called back to Naruto as the blond man seemed to have calmed from being reminded there was a reason people had feared the Bijuu. Still, Neji hadn't quite made the connection that he was in the presence of two of them until the jinchuriki said, "Neji, these lovely ladies represent two of the Bijuu. Whom I think you will find share a similar opinion of the seals that bound them to jinchuriki as you do for the Caged Bird Seal, and as such, perhaps you can understand how anger and bitterness can make a person lash out at the world around them."

Neji wasn't quite sure how to respond, so focusing on Naruto said, "It seems you've been busy these last few years."

Naruto sat back as both Tenten and Hinata reclined with him, and giving the male Hyuuga a deeply satisfied smirk said, "You have no idea. But, there is still much to do." Focusing on Mito, he said, "Now that Kiyomi is here, should we get started?"

Mito nodded as she stood and explaining what was going to take place said, "Neji, I have little doubt that there have been Branch Family members who have tried to crack this seal. Since it doesn't appear any have succeeded, the first step will be simply mapping out the formula the elders use. This will be a time consuming process which is why I've asked Kiyomi to help as she can provide me a steady source of chakra. But, there are likely safeguards to prevent us from learning the formula, some of which might be fatal if triggered. Therefore, if you have any doubts about going forward then now would be the time to voice them. Once I start, I will not be able to stop until the process is complete."

"Or trigger one of those safeguards," Neji said having heard of Branch Family members having tried and failed to do exactly what they were now discussing. Mito nodded gravely so he paused to consider his options, but also realized the risks those present were taking on the Branch Family's behalf. Especially should they fail, and the Elder's realize they were trying to unlock the secrets of the seal. Recognizing it was a risk they all were sharing and thus likely not undertaking it lightly he said, "It would probably be best if I use the washroom before we begin."

The small joke caused a few giggles to escape from the women present as Naruto chuckled before asking, "When did you go and develop a sense of humor."

Neji stood before playing the straight man as he said, "Who was joking?"

Looking pointedly at Kiyomi since he figured if she was a Bijuu then she was likely the first woman to appear in public to bear the name and thus the master of the house. The red head was obviously surprised by his deduction and consideration before quickly telling him where to go. Walking out of the room to handle his business, he saw several other stunningly gorgeous women walking about and found himself feeling rather jealous of Naruto. But, he quickly realized that should Hinata succeed in her bid, then there would be nothing standing between him and a life filled with the possibilities to experience similar such wonders.

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Haruna appeared on the teleportation seal and smiled softly as her date was waiting for her. She was garbed in a simple white dress that had a blue floral designs covering it. She smiled as the light that had surrounded her faded to find Naruto waiting for her with a bouquet of flowers. Handing them to her, he said, "Thank you for agreeing to be my date tonight."

"How could I refuse?" Haruna replied amused, "I'm quite aware of how many women would love to be in my place."

Naruto offered her his arm as he stated, "Well, I'm honored by your company tonight since I'm sure many a man would love to be in my position tonight as well."

She blushed since her past experiences told her those men would only desire her company for the pleasure that she would be expected to give them. Those men though would have had no idea that the woman servicing them was in fact the Daimyo of Vegetable Country. This was because the man that had turned her into his personal sex slave, Sasugaki Kunitake, wouldn't have wanted it known the woman he intended to make his wife for her position was also the woman he pimped out to various powerful men for favors.

As such, hearing the sincerity in Naruto's voice filled her with no small measure of happiness. A state of being that she had been in since he had first asked her out the night before. Haruna took the offered arm as she said, "Thank you, that means more to me than you know."

They began to leave the room and he said, "I hope you don't mind that we'll be dining with others tonight." She would admit that she felt a little disappointed by the news, since she had figured she would be quickly overshadowed by any of his other lover's present. Naruto unaware of the path her thoughts were taking explained, "Since I couldn't really take you out on a real date. I thought it would be best if maybe we tried a double date, that way it wouldn't just be you, me, and a bunch of my clones acting as patrons and wait staff."

Haruna perked up at the idea, but was a little confused as to why he would pick her so asked, "Since we are down here they must know your secret. So why not select a woman you are more closely tied to?"

Naruto scratched his cheek a little nervously as he said, "Well, I'm kind of with his mother and sister. He doesn't mind now, but I think it would be a little awkward for him if I invited them both."

The Daimyo smiled as she added, "And you didn't want to choose one over the other."

Naruto nodded, before adding, "I would have simply flipped a coin. But, I also thought it would be nice for you, and it happened to solve the other issue as well."

Haruna frowned as she began to feel a little nervous though as she asked, "Do they know about…my past?"

The blond quickly shook his head, "I just told them that I would be showing up with a beautiful woman on my arm. But, no one outside my Family knows what happened to you."

Hearing that caused her to relax, which she found rather strange since it would likely be assumed that she was in a rather strange relationship with him. But, she guessed it was because having witnessed Naruto with his lovers, she knew he cared and respected them deeply. Not to mention, one of the people she would be meeting had two family members already attached to him. Where if they knew what she had suffered through in the past they would likely look at her as a broken shell of a person.

She found that her feelings for Naruto had only grown stronger since his learning of her secret. Particularly as while he acknowledged there had been something broken about her, it hadn't really effected how he viewed her. She supposed that might have been because even how she had behaved in public when they first met had hinted at her being broken in some manner. Just not how deeply. But, upon learning the truth, he hadn't tried to swoop in and save her. Instead, he had recognized that he hadn't been properly equipped to.

She smiled as she thought of her Mistress, since Anko had slowly rebuilt her by reminding her that sex, even the rough kind they enjoyed with each other was about trust. That even though she was submissive in the relationship, she actually had the most power in their sessions. Anko had continuously tested her boundaries which admittedly Sasugaki had left precious few, but upon reaching them all it had taken was for her to voice her disproval for things to come to a screeching halt. As such, she had slowly learned that it was okay to say no without expecting a harsh reprisal.

She felt this is what ultimately differentiated Anko from her two former subordinates, and masters since leaving Sasugaki's care. That being her Mistress had never lost sight of the fact that the sessions were as much for her charge's pleasure as it was for hers. For despite, Kikunojo and Yurinojo intentions, in time the two men began to treat her little differently. They hadn't been nearly as cruel, but they had used her for their pleasure. So, while they had cared for her, they had only really treated the symptoms, while also succumbing to their own lusts and desires.

Haruna suspected that was one reason Naruto hadn't accepted her offer to become her master. Since with the power he would have gained over her, and her already broken state might have caused him to lose his ability to discern if he was acting for his pleasure or hers. Something that might have seeped into his other relationships. As such, he had handed her over to Anko, allowing his lover to explore a side of herself that she wanted, and all the while also letting him act in a manner that he knew was purely for that lover's benefit.

They reached the doorway for Club N which Naruto held open for her. She smiled at the gesture, before laughing as she saw a dark haired version of Naruto standing behind a podium. What had made her laugh though was the thin pencil mustache he had which reminded her of the snooty maître d' of some restaurants she had visited.

"Good evening," the Clone said in a matching accent that she imagined he picked up from a movie, "Do you have a reservation?"

Naruto rolled his eyes, but played along saying, "Yeah, it's under Uzumaki."

"Ah, yes," the clone said grabbing several menus, "I have you at a table for four. Your guests have already arrived."

Naruto seemed to grow a little somber before asking, "Any idea what kind of mood he was in?"

The Clone shrugged, before replying, "With him, who can tell?"

The blond sighed before saying sarcastically, "Perfect."

Haruna picking up on Naruto's unsureness as they followed after the clone so asked, "I'm guessing there might be some tension between you and one of our dining partners."

He nodded in reply, before explaining, "I intended for it to be a surprise, but I guess I should give you some insight about who we'll be eating with."

The Daimyo smirked as she quickly informed him she already had an excellent idea by stating, "The Kazekage and his girlfriend."

Arching an eyebrow, he asked, "How…?"

Giggling softly, she explained, "I might not be one of your lovers, but I've been around a few of your gatherings. To my knowledge, the only mother-daughter pair linked to someone that would make you this nervous could only be the Kazekage. Most likely because he probably wasn't too pleased with your actions on Yugito's behalf."

Nodding, Naruto said, "That is an understatement. I guess it is my hope this dinner might be an opportunity for us to get past it. Tsunade said that due to some of Ay's actions in the wake of everything, has possible opened his eyes to some truths about the Alliance that he didn't want to see before. But, that doesn't exactly mean he's any more pleased with my acting as I did then he was before." Haruna fought back a frown, since she began to wonder if Naruto had ulterior motives for inviting her along. She didn't want that to be the case, but kept her concerns to herself since she quickly remembered he had told her they weren't aware of her past. Still, she knew from past experience how a person could manipulate others to dance to their tune, all the while making them think it was their own idea. She didn't want to think that Naruto had become such a person, but had to admit deep down that she considered it a possibility so elected to simply observe him as she may end up needing to extract herself from the Family rather than become a part of it.

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