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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.

Chapter List
- 53
- 54
- 55
I know I promised this chapter out soon, but life went absolutely crazy and... well, *life* . So. This chapter is all yours, with my apologies for taking a while, and i'm actually working on the next one *right now*, but it's been a pain lately. I got distracted by the overhaul on my HP fic and this new fandom off a really new show and.. yeah. my Muses.
Thanks to the few people who have reviewed since the start of the year. Reviews give me both hope and inspiration to keep going!!

Chapter 54

The meeting was a failure, at least as far as Danzou was concerned. It was the third just this week, in a long series of council meetings, and meetings with clan heads and various other figures within Konoha. There was a push for information on all fronts; everything from the protection and security of the village, to questions about the assault on the Hyuga compound, questions on the ever- growing rumors of the Kyuubi vessel. Concerns about clan rights and the rights of non- clan ninja families, stability of the markets, just everything.
Danzou had sat in every single meeting during the last several weeks, seeking leads to two things: clues that the Kyuubi vessel was losing control (always hinted at but never proven, not in a long while) and any concerns about the Hyuga attack. He’d heard that the teams that rescued Hanabi had brought back one of the rogue ninja. But nothing he heard led him to believe that anyone suspected it was an inside job. In fact, no one seemed to know much of anything. It brought both relief and frustration. Blame should have pointed to one of their non- allied neighbors, but it seemed that Tsunade had done a good job covering the trail and, with the intelligence division, was keeping the matter very close. He had learned nothing more on the issue.
Danzou stood slowly from his chair at the end of the long room, watching as people trickled out the door. This meeting had been mostly clan heads, and around him sat the elders of the village. A few had left before there was a sudden stop, and they quickly backed into the room as the doorway filled with ANBU black uniforms and white masks. Three ANBU walked into the room, and Danzou was quick to place a single familiar red design on the far left as Kakashi Hatake. The other two he didn’t know, hadn’t had the chance to find out the faces under newly assigned masks.
“What is this?” He rasped out, scowling as the trio of white masks moved further into the room and Jounin- level ninja circled around to places against the wall. It felt very much like the beginning of a potential coup d’état, which wasn’t supposed to happen.
“I requested an audience with the council heads and was denied several times. I was granted permission to make my appeal when the council and elders were not in official meetings.” The young, deepening male voice projected from behind the ANBU guard, but Naruto moved around the trio as he finished speaking. “I believe you are done with the official meetings today, so if I may have your brief attention, I’ll keep this as short and painless as possible.”
“And what purpose does the demon’s spawn have to detain the village council and clan elders?” Koharu bit out, her aged voice not bothering to hide her scorn. None of the members sitting on the council just under Tsunade’s leadership had any love for the demon brat. Just the opposite, really, and Danzou relished the chance to watch the verbal abuse that was bound to happen.
“My purpose is to stand before the clan elders and council to request the clan titles I am long overdue.” Naruto placed himself before the long desk the council sat behind, his wild red eyes stark where of his most of his life had gleamed blue orbs. “I may be an orphan, raised and outcast among the village and my peers. But my blood does not lie. I am Naruto Uzumaki, born of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze. As his blood descendant I have rights, and as his only child I can lay claim to those rights without contest.”
“This is an outrage!” A clan head on the other side of the room stood up. “Such a wild tale, to claim to be a child of the amazing Fourth! How dare you?!”
“I dare…”Naruto pulled himself up, gathering extra inches even though he hadn't been slouching in the least. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, and I will dare to claim my father's name. He left a legend behind, a legend that cannot be matched. I honor my heritage in claiming him and my mother. Minato Namikaze was a man, a great man, to be certain. But he was a man in love with a woman, one who gave him a child before they both died that fateful night. I understand that as a vessel of Kyuubi I was treated differently, left to fend for myself far too often, despised and ridiculed and judged. But I’m no longer a child, and I will dare to request the same land and recognition rights as any ninja who wishes to build a clan for themselves and their family.”
There was maybe about two long breaths of stunned silence, and then various voices in the room started talking at once. A few of them were shocked, with questions being thrown around, easily drowned out by the angry accusations of disbelievers. How dare the Kyuubi brat discredit the Fourth’s legendary name? There was no way that man could ever seal something like Kyuubi into his own child. Maybe the child had been worthless even before the Kyuubi had been put in him.
Naruto caught the last one in the sea of questions and demands, and he snarled at the assembly. How dare they think he was worthless? With or without Kyuubi, he was not a nothing. “Enough!” He snapped, the edge of a growl in his voice as it carried over the multitude. “I am not here for you to question if I am his child. Tsunade-sama can show you the proof you desire. I am here because my requests to present an appeal to this council have continuously been ignored. I have come to ask if you would be willing to grant me the rights I deserve, or if I will have to turn this into a public spectacle. I know my rights, and what I am legally permitted to ask for. I will fight to receive those rights- on an equal standing to every other clan and non- clan family heir within this village.”
The silence wasn’t complete this time, a low murmur running amongst the clan leaders, heads meeting for a moment as his words were considered. Only the trio of the council at the large desk were quiet, dark brooding looks on all three of them. Eventually the voices stopped, Naruto taking the brunt of attention as the clan leaders came to some sort of decision.
“We are willing to hear your requests, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze.”
Naruto drew a deep breath and tried to offer a calm smile. He’d expected having to argue more just to get this far. “Uncontested property, as a start. Every place I’ve ever rented has sucked. I want to have my own choice of any of the available properties without having to pay more than they are worth, to rent or buy, and be permitted to put up whatever means of protection I think is necessary to keep myself and my future family safe. I will need privacy, real privacy - no constant observation just because of who and what I am. I grew up with ANBU and Jounin watching my every move, I will not force my family to suffer the same. And I expect that my family, my clan is given the same considerations of the other clans, not having to pander to outside meddling concerning privacy, members, and structure. As long as we comply within the reasonable expectations that every established clan respects.”
“But you are not an established clan, Naruto Uzumaki. You are clanless, you are not even married yet. You are still a genin, technically. And yet you want to be treated the same? Clans are not established until the leader has the capability to provide a stable home for their spouse and any progeny. If you at least had siblings, or even cousins, willing to help you establish a clan home, it would be far more reasonable. How would you even expect to support a spouse and afford the kind of property you desire on a mere genin’s pay?”
Naruto nodded. He’d been warned this would be the least of what could be pointed out. “You are right, genin do not usually make the sort of money to support a family. However, my fiancée and I are both ninja, bringing home a steady income. I will be taking the next set of exams, something I was unable to attend while training with one of the village’s other legends. Not that it is any of the council’s business, but we will have time to establish ourselves before children become a factor. I may not have family here, but I do have support willing to help me in the same basic functions that I would have if I had extended family instead.”
“Whoever heard of a genin child that became a clan head?” One of the civilians, a man representing some faction or other within the civilian businesses. Danzou had mostly ignored the man- his concerns did not include the civilians right now, and he had not been needed for an opinion on whatever the man had wanted.
“It’s rare.” Tall, tanned, and scarred, Shikaku Nara spoke up from where he leaned back in his chair. “The conditions that would permit any child to even stand as clan representative are very specific, even more so as a clan head. But Naruto-san is no child, even if he is merely a genin. According to the ninja laws he is an adult.”
“He is a mere teenager!”
“Konoha recognizes shinobi and kunoichi as adults upon promotion to chuunin, or upon their fifteenth birthday. Only public sale of liquor is restricted under that age.” Tsunade’s voice answered the outraged civilian, as she walked past the stationary ANBU and jounin guards. She didn’t head to the table the council sat at, instead picking a chair from among the other clan heads. “Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze turned sixteen months ago. He is an adult shinobi, has been for more than a year, and will continue to live under the same rules for adult ninja as the rest of this village.”
Soft greetings filled the room for a minute as the clan heads recognized their Hokage, the conversation stalled as she took her seat. Once she had settled attention returned.
“Are you planning on obtaining a new residence, Namikaze-san?” The man was a Hyuga elder, but not one Naruto knew by name. There was something in those pale- blank eyes that made him want to growl under his breath, though. He’d make a bet this was one of the annoying elders giving Hinata trouble.
“That is something my fiancée and I have been talking about, privately. I simply desire the same options as the rest of this village’s residents if or when we decide a new place is necessary.” Naruto paused, and turned his attention back to the Hyuga elder, executing a polite, if stiff, bow. “I would like to express my thanks for the Hyuga’s hospitality offered while I perform my duties on behalf of the Hyuga clan and the village.” The man couldn’t quite hide the glare that formed on his face. Naruto suppressed the grin and readied himself for whatever else these people threw at him.
“Does that mean you’ll be returning to live at the Uchiha compound with the returned missing- nin, Sasuke?”
Naruto swallowed the growl and merely frowned, instead. “That has no bearing on my request.”
“But it does.” Koharu replied, old voice still carrying her scorn. “You aspire to be a clan head, yet you live within another clan’s property and house with that clan’s last remaining heir. One may wonder if you intend to wipe out the name Uchiha from the village, living on their clan grounds. Not to mention the scandal involved in taking a new wife- the Hyuga heiress, if I’ve heard correctly- to live with you and that boy.”
“Considering the fact you’ve banned Sasuke Uchiha from ever resurrecting the clan, I doubt that is such a vital concern.” Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and turned her own glare at the trio of council elders. “To argue against the possible extermination of the Uchiha name is a moot point when you’ve all but killed them off. Even if Sasuke were to have children, he would never be permitted to reestablish his clan, under the current restrictions given by this council.” She gave that a moment to sink in. “As the last Uchiha, Sasuke reserves the rights to do as he wants with the clan property, to keep it, sell or rent out as he is inclined. The living arrangement between Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze is not only irrelevant to the argument at hand but it's also a non-issue. Considering that they are neither challenging nor breaking any rules of Konoha's charter, there is no reason for the council to discuss or get involved in the situation in any way."
Both council elders looked nearly apoplectic, Danzou still stony-faced as ever.
“How about we reconvene on the matter of residence later?” Shikaku smoothly interjected. “Obviously Namikaze- san’s current residence is suitable until such a time as personal issues and finances allow for a decision regarding a proper clan home. I would suggest Naruto and his future wife find a place off the Uchiha grounds if they wish to establish a Namikaze clan residence. However, time can be offered to them for the execution of this particular detail.”
There were murmurs, and finally, a few positive agreements, even if the voices sounded uncertain, and even reluctant. Naruto stood, waiting, a vicious grin forming the instant he had the reluctant agreement from the clan heads.
“Thank you, Shikaku Nara.” He bowed, slightly, respecting the mind behind the voice. Shikamaru wasn’t the only genius brain in the family. “Though, I would like to ask: when did I ever say that I was resurrecting the Namikaze clan?”
No initial outbursts this time, just a sudden, chilled silence. Naruto turned, meeting eyes throughout the room, dropping the smile in favor of his best, piercing glare. “I am Minato Namikaze’s son. And I will take his name, recognize and honor his relationship to me. But he never had a clan here, and there are no records of an official clan that I can bring recognition to. However, my mother, Kushina Uzumaki, came from a legendary clan. The Uzumaki were here from the beginning, married to the First Hokage, and recognized on the very flak jackets the Konoha ninja wear. It is the Uzumaki name I want to reestablish, and honor the treaty that bound the Uzumaki clan and Konoha in peace.”
Someone swore softly, Naruto’s sensitive ears picking up the exclamation before the room suddenly erupted into questions and demands. The council sat silent, visibly fuming; Tsunade and Shikaku both had knowing looks and held their peace. Naruto simply let the outbreak flow around him, having expected it. He didn’t have to call them out to calm the argument down, either; it seemed a few of the eldest clan heads remembered the long- living legend that was the First Hokage’s wife. A few firm words and reminders seemed to do well, calming people down.
“I didn’t come here expecting an answer today. I know the village council and the gathering of clan leaders will need to think about my request. I can admit my plans and goals have shocked you all.” Naruto glanced around the room, again, this time keeping his features as neutral as possible. “Good. I will take time and consider the advice of the clan heads regarding my rank, my family, and my current living situation. But as I said at the beginning, I will not pander to every whim of this gathering. The details concerning finances and stability are reasonable, as is the consideration for my genin rank. They are details that can be addressed with time, and quickly enough. I simply desire for my request to be heard and considered with the same courtesy and carefulness that anyone else would receive for similar requests.”
Heads ducked together around the room, looks and words exchanged in near silence. Naruto stayed exactly where he was, ears twitching under the illusion as he strained to hear anything at all, gather an idea of the decision of these people. They would have a say in his life, as much as he didn’t always like that fact.
“We will consider your requests, Naruto Namikaze. We can reconvene on this matter later, perhaps after the Chuunin exams?”
Naruto nodded. It was about what he was expecting, if things went well. This meeting could have gone much, much worse. “Thank you.” He returned, with a brief bow.
He stepped out and stood to the side, letting people file out. He was supposed to show up and leave with his ANBU escort, present just to ensure his safety, as Tsunade had demanded. And he really didn’t want to deal with having the people he just potentially angered walking behind him through the building.
“Before you leave, Namikaze- san.” Danzou appeared, trailing the last of the clan heads. He met the crimson eyes that turned to him, waiting for the hall to empty. He cast the genjutsu as he spoke his next words. “I wanted to talk with you further, concerning the situation.” For a moment, he would have sworn he had the Kyuubi brat. The eye, the precious Uchiha eye, made it a sure thing.
A shockwave of chakra flared out from Naruto, a low growl following in its wake. Those eyes looked worse than ever, for a second they were completely inhuman. Naruto lifted his chin and glared back, gaze steady. “You stink of fear, Danzou. Most of the people in that room were scared of me, they fear me or hate me, just because of what I am. I have never personally threatened this village but still, I am treated as if I am the thing that’s sealed within me. As if I am responsible for Kyuubi’s attacks.” Naruto shook his head, breaking eye contact with Danzou for a minute. Not that he had to. “He’s a little blessing, at times, as odd as it may sound. Two minds, one body.” He refocused, grinning slightly, teeth flashing in the interior lights.
“Genjutsu doesn’t work on me anymore, Danzou. Never try it again.”

______

(Yes. the next chapter picks up right here. No. I don't know when it'll be up. sorry.)
- 53
- 54
- 55
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Disguised Curses