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Disguised Curses	By : Raholea Category: Naruto AU/AR > General Views: 2438 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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OK. One, I apologize. I've been sitting on this chapter for at least two weeks, closer to a month, but i was hesitant to publish this. Both because I wasn't sure if I was properly 'finished' and I wasn't sure exactly how to move ahead to the new chapter. However, due to family plans involving the arrival of my littlest man, I want to go ahead and publish this chapter and chew on the new one while dealing with the rock-and-roll of being back in the on-call 24/7 role of 'new' mommy. (And before anyone asks, we're all happy, healthy, and fine, so focus on the damn story this chapter!!! Lol.)

I hope this chapter is well liked, the Muses have been playing with me again and i finally got some of the newer chapters of Naruto laid out for me. As much as I will "deny anything past the Sasuke/ Itachi battle" for the sake of the main story line, I have been intrigued by certain things. No. This will not divert back to canon. That much I can promise you. However, if things sneak in.. well, don't be surprised. That's all the warning I can give.

For everyone that has faithfully reviewed the last chapters, new and old: Thank you. ALL reviews inspire me, and make me feel better about the story. It's getting to be an old dog, but I still love him. lol.

ps: Don't hang me for anything, okay? And anyone that has suggestions for the to-be wedding, feel free to share!! I still haven't decided what I want to do with it. *grins*

Chapter 52

Hinata paused in the doorway to Naruto’s rooms, a delicate eyebrow lifting at the chaos within. Three Naruto- whether the original and two clones, or just three clones total- argued amid a collection of books and scrolls, scattered across the surface of both desk and bed. Many of them had the mark of Konoha’s library stuck to them. She watched for a minute, listening as she scanned the room, looking for what may have triggered a research project for Naruto. She spoke up when she managed to unravel three copies of one voice, sorting words and phrases into something comprehensible.

“Why are you arguing with yourself about clan rights and politics, Naruto?”

Her voice was a stop- whistle, and the trio dropped the argument and greeted her cheerfully, all three calling out welcoming words, but only one moved forward and hugged her. Naruto nuzzled her neck and gave her a tight squeeze before letting go and waving at his collection. “Ideas, plans, something I was talking to Kakashi- sensei about the other day. Considering if it’d be worth it to take the Namikaze name publicly, and if I do that, what I can do with that standing in the village.” He turned back and gave her a soft smile. “I want to do what I can to give us a good life.”

“So you went to the library?” She stepped further into the room and picked up a scroll. It was opened down to a portion about rules to establishing a clan within Konoha. Another one was spread out over the desk, outlining the rights a clan was entitled to. They were good books to start with, for the legal side. “You’re going to need more than one mind for these. There’s rules and loopholes and certain negotiations that you should be looking for, so you’re aware.” She had no doubt Naruto was serious. He was more of an action- based man, and for him to go through this kind of effort- he really wanted to do this.

“What kinds of loopholes and negotiations?” His eyes were suddenly sharp, focused intently on her. Behind him, a clone picked up a pen and paper, poised to write everything down.

“Clans that hold bloodlines limits are permitted a certain amount of secrecy. There are loopholes permitted within those rules to allow for negotiations between the clan and someone marrying into the clan. Or, in my case, marrying to someone outside the clan. I am expected to bring back any child that shows the Byakugan for training. I am also expected to bestow some remedial training for any of my children that have the potential for it. Marriages between separated bloodline limits- like Hyuga and Uchiha- are strongly disapproved of, since mixing the family lines can end the Kekkai Genkai within just a few generations.”

Naruto stared at her, suddenly a little shocked. “So, you and Sasuke…” He shook his head. “I don’t want to cause problems for you,” he admitted softly. “Your father mentioned something about all your children had better have my name… this is why?”

“It would be something he’d worry about, yes. I am less worried about it. One crossing of the bloodlines will not wipe out the clan, if that ever happens.” She held a finger to Naruto’s mouth to stall the question she knew those words would provoke. “He is ours, Naruto, but I cannot promise who our kids will be from if I cannot keep control of my body. My firstborn will be yours.”

The words provoked something in him, she could see it in his eyes as he looked down at her. Pride, possessiveness maybe, and that soul- deep hunger for her that she was becoming more familiar with. “We’ll talk later about Sasuke’s chances with me,” she promised softly, leaning up and forward to plant a chaste kiss on Naruto’s lips. He whined, snuck a lick against her soft lips before nodding as she pulled away. “Okay,” he agreed.

“There are negotiations in place, outlines for what would be expected from a clan residing here and a branch of the same clan still residing in another country, which is only very slightly less confusing than marriages between separate clans in different countries or hidden villages. Both of those have less impact to what you’re looking into now, I think, but it is good to learn as much of this as possible. Marriages for the sake of political alliance, whether completely within one village or between villages, often go through negotiations as well, and each of the specialized clans reserve their own loopholes. My clan reserves the right for seal-branding the branch family members. It may be looked upon as a horrid practice, but there is a raw practicality in the act.”

Naruto’s lips curled back, baring his teeth in a mock- snarl. With the illusion firmly in place, it didn’t look quite right. “I won’t let them brand you. And they better not touch any of our children.”

“It’s simple practicality,” she murmured. “I don’t like it, but it is something I grew up with. It is not something I would force onto our children.” Not if I have the choice, she silently added. “Other clans have other rules, caveats and loopholes. You should ask around. I believe a few of our friends will be willing to answer questions, within reason. As would Sasuke.”

Naruto scooped her back up into a tight hug. “Thanks.” He nuzzled her neck for a moment, where she could feel his smile against her skin. “I love you.”

“I’ll ask around, if you want. See who’s willing to come hang out and talk clan politics. I think enough of them will be willing to talk if they know why you’re asking.”

“Do it, please. I won’t let this village rule my life any more than they have.” His grip tightened around her, not quite painful, before he backed off. He touched their foreheads together, small smile tugging at his lips. “What would I do without you?”

“Not think to search your own heritage.” Hinata quipped a moment later. “I’ll see which of the clans are open to talk, but you need to search public records. Find out what is said about the Namikaze and Uzumaki clans, and what you can use to help your case now.”

His eyes went wide, and his grin followed suit a heartbeat later. “You are devious, my little Hyuga.”

“I learned from the best.” She winked, then slipped away. She had work to do.

*****

“Man, I didn’t think it’d be this big.” Naruto sighed. He had several books and scrolls filled with notes, data and information he had pulled from various sources. He’d even gotten the chance to glean information from several of the rookie nine, under personal negotiations and multiple oaths to never use the information against the clans. Naruto did that willingly. If he could have support with what he would like to do… he could support those people back and not betray them. He may not always agree with the way some of the clans were run, but that was personal. He could be above that. Time for change, time for new, but time to look into traditions as well. Thank Kami for Hinata’s mind and Sasuke’s stubbornness. As soon as Sasuke had caught the slightest notion of what Naruto was looking into, the Uchiha hadn’t gone easy on him, making sure he asked the right questions, coercing him to the library until even the civilian check-out lady looked at them funny.

Unsurprisingly, it had taken a few weeks to compile everything, but it had been worth it. He’d frowned when only vague references were made to the Uzumaki clan, historical records indicating some members had taken refuge in Konoha after a vicious attack on their homeland. There were indications of an alliance, one of such a level that the swirl on the back of the ninja flak jackets was the Uzumaki clan symbol. But past that- nearly nothing. It was maddening as hell, and Naruto had written letters, requesting information from the Fire capitol. Hopefully there were more records out there, somewhere. This was family history, personal to him, important.

“Holy. Fuck.”

Naruto bolted upright, looking across the room at one of his clones. Hinata was already leaning over to look over the clone’s shoulder. “What’s up?”

“We looked in the wrong spots. Old records of the village, births, marriages and deaths. ‘Mito Uzumaki, married Hashirama Senju, died…” The clone ticked off a few numbers on his fingers. “This woman was old. She died around the time that our parents married. But she was married to the First Hokage. No wonder the Uzumaki sign was incorporated into the Konoha uniform. The Uzumaki clan was here, at least represented, from the very beginning. We belong here.”

“Senju? Isn’t Tsunade from the Senju clan? That necklace thing she wears… I remember her mentioning it. Like, forever ago.” Naruto wandered over to join his clone and Hinata. “The first and second Hokage were Senju, right? Cousins or brothers or something?”

“Brothers. Older led first, the younger took over some years later. They helped shape Konoha into what it could be now.” Hinata answered. “The Uchiha was probably one of the last living clans in existence, from the time of Konoha’s creation. Right up until the massacre,” she added, softly. It’s becoming old history, but still, it was a devastating event. One that Sasuke couldn’t handle being talked about lightly. “The Uzumaki were wiped out, chased out of Whirlpool and killed. There might be other existing members lingering, probably a few that married into families here and there, around Fire and Wave countries. The name is nearly gone, and the blood will be thinned and mixed with whoever they married into. The Senju have died out. Even if Tsunade is a descendent, she has no family or children. At least none that anyone knows about.”

“So, other than some distant grandmother or great-aunt or such married the first Hokage and established a name here, what does all this mean for us? All this proves is that the name should actually mean something.”

“It means the council would be hard-pressed to deny you if you wanted to restart the clan. It’d only be in name, because without more of the Uzumaki bloodline, you wouldn’t be able to reclaim everything. With that kind of history, an Uzumaki married to our first Hokage, and marriage to a Hyuga, that’s historical and political influence there. Political influence, that the last living Uchiha is your best companion. Not to mention your father’s the Fourth, and famous in his own way. It’s a more stable arguing point that just being Minato Namizake’s son. All that would get you is recognized as being in his shadow, if you’re not careful.”

“The Uzumaki were chased out of Whirlpool, right? The clan may have been wiped out but people would have disappeared, left for other towns and maybe married into families. How difficult would it be to try and track them down?” The thought seemed random, but Hinata looked up at her fiancé with a raised eyebrow.

“Are you thinking what I suspect you are?” She kept her voice soft, but she had a feeling she knew. Naruto was bold- minded enough to do something that was akin to opening a bagful of snakes.

Naruto shrugged. “Who wouldn’t want to see if they have lost family out there? The clan’s practically gone… maybe others will want to find unknown family.”

“And maybe they’re content where they are at. In hiding, or married into other families, where they do not have to be marked survivors of an extermination attempt. Who knows if a kill- on- sight order is still in effect for them. Think about it before you do anything brash.”

He opened his mouth, ready to argue things into his favor when her words sunk in deeper. What if there were still orders out against anyone from the Uzumaki clan? Sure, his name was known, a little, but he was safe here, safe enough even as a child because few would dare try to assassinate a jinchuuriki. If others were happy, hidden comfortably, he didn’t have a right to fuck up their lives. But what about the ones that weren’t? Surely there were people out there looking for a place to belong. “I’ll think about it,” he finally conceded. “Especially before I do anything brash.”

Hinata rose from where she’d been half-sitting on the bed, from scanning at the scroll in the clone’s hands. She kissed Naruto on the cheek, who turned his head and stole a kiss from those soft lips. She smiled softly when they finally parted. “You’ll do great, even if we don’t find others from the Uzumaki clan.”

“We?” Naruto curled his arms around her shoulders, not letting her move away. She had been helping, a lot, where and when she could. But it was still nice to hear.

“Yes. As if Sasuke and I would let you do the rest of this on your own. Now comes the hard part- deciding which name you really want to keep, placing your appeal for clan status to the council, and dealing with the reactions from it.” She leaned in closer, so her whisper wouldn’t be heard anywhere else. “We need to talk soon, about the wedding. The elders are pushing to know when so the Hyuga can prepare, as is tradition.”

Naruto groaned, mind going back over the last few weeks and realizing those particular plans had been temporarily ignored. “Soon. Late summer, I think, if we can manage. That will give us a couple more months to prepare.” He kissed her again. “Think about it. And if we need more time for it, let me know.”

“You worry about charming the Council.” She agreed. “I’ll take care of what I can for the wedding. Late summer works beautifully. You just have to give me time later to pick out nice clothes for you. My family will make a big deal of this.”

“More politics?” he asked, already sounding tired and weary, instead of excited.

“Tradition.” Hinata corrected. “There is great tradition for this, and you will be a part of it. Consider it part of the things you will continue to learn, for our own family.”

“Our family,” he repeated, a happy smile lifting his lips. “No matter what the damned council decrees, right?”

“No matter what.”

_________ end chapter _________

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